Stamford, CT February 2026

Johnny Montagnese Carriage House Studios

Letter from the Publisher

Welcome to our “Local Love” issue - a celebration of the people, places, and passions that make Stamford not just a city … but a community with heart.

Every month, we strive to showcase what’s vibrant and inspiring in our corner of Southwest Connecticut. But this issue always feels especially close to home. “Local Love” is about the stories we pass on, the businesses we champion, and the neighbors whose everyday acts of kindness shape the character of our city. It’s about taking a moment to recognize what’s right here - often just steps from our own front doors.

As a music lover, it was a privilege to sit down with Stamford luminary, Johnny Montagnese, the founder and owner of Carriage House Studios, a legendary local recording studio that has produced for some of music’s greats like Diana Ross since 1980. You will also meet John Rubino, a Stamford native, military veteran, and one of only a hundred or so people in America who have donated their organs not once, but twice, to save others’ lives.

In these pages, we share the story of Building One Community, an amazing notfor- profit organization that offers a broad set of services (education, legal help, job training, family and individual support) to immigrants to help them integrate into our community.

And finally, we profile a small, family-owned business on Hope Street that spreads local love through - of all things - stained glass.

Whether you’ve lived here for decades (like our editor, Laurie) or you’re still settling in (like me), I hope this issue inspires you to explore something new, support a local business, or simply reach out to a neighbor. Stamford is evolving every day, but the spirit that fuels it -connection, creativity, and care - remains constant.

Thank you for being part of our community and for joining us each month as we shine a light on the people who make Stamford feel like home. With gratitude and local love,

MARTY SHAPIRO, PUBLISHER @STAMFORDCITYLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE

February 2026

PUBLISHER

Marty Shapiro | Marty.Shapiro@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Laurie A. Guzda | laurie.guzda@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Eva Glassman

AREA COORDINATOR

PJ Kennedy

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Tim Sommers, Sarah Bamford, Robyn Blosio, Rose Mattingly, Suzanne Wind

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jimmy ienner Jr, Eric Paez, John Moore, Bob Capazzo

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Mary Albers

LAYOUT DESIGNER Meredith Wilson

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick

Stamford’s Premiere Longevity Clinic

Whether

city scene

Stamford Old

Annual Dinner: Bonnie Stoll

recipient) Bobby Valentine & Diana Nyad. 9: Stamford Senior Center Board of Directors/Staff holiday party. 10: Nonprofit dae celebrated partners from Avangrid, Future 5, New Haven Schools, and Synchrony Skills Academy. 11: Drop the Mic Night storytelling event benefitting LiveGirl. 12: Avangrid Foundation Executive Director Pablo Colon III and dae Founder a.m. bhatt at daeONE Day. 13: Silver Source CEO, Kathleen Bordelon, Bob Goldstein and Honoree Dr. Ed Schuster. 14: Stamford Boys & Girls Club honors Mike Zohdy for outstanding commitment and dedicated service.

share your joy

Through the repurposing of your beautiful wedding flowers, you and Flower Again can inspire hope and happiness to those in our community who would welcome a lift of spirit.

During our 2025 season, thanks to brides like you, our more than 100 volunteers were able to recondition, arrange and deliver over 5500 bedside arrangements to over 2400 seniors.

ORCHESTRA LUMOS

The organization recently announced the appointment of Walker Beard as its new Susanah and Naeem Fayyaz President and CEO to succeed Russell Jones. Following the visionary tenure of Jones, Beard is positioned to guide the organization into its next exciting chapter of creative momentum defined by a continued dedication to the Orchestra’s artistic achievements and expanding its impact in the community. www.orchestralumos.org

strength, mobility, flexibility, and balance for active, fulfilling lives. It specializes in supporting their clients through midlife transitions, including osteoporosis, spine and hip issues, and joint replacements. As certified Cancer Exercise Specialists, they guide clients through every stage of treatment and recovery with compassion. They are also Titleist Performance Institute–certified golf fitness professionals, helping golfers improve performance, mobility, and injury prevention. www. thebodyreflex.com

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AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

The 2026 Go Red for Women® campaign is launching with powerful leadership from Co-Chairs Mia Schipani and Lilian Dutra, two dynamic community and business leaders. Schipani brings her community relations expertise and passion for elevating women’s health, while Dutra adds strategic vision and a deep commitment to empowerment. Together, they will drive awareness, fundraising, and lifesaving education through vibrant events and initiatives designed to inspire women to know their numbers and prioritize heart health. www. heart.org/goredwestchester

GET IN TOUCH AT CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/ STAMFORDCT

Dental Implants: A Smile That Lasts

Missing teeth affect more than your appearance—they can impact your comfort, confidence, and overall health. Dental implants offer a long-lasting, natural-looking solution that restores function while preserving bone and facial structure. Designed to look and feel like real teeth, implants allow you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.

Rediscover your smile—schedule a dental implant consultation today.

STAMFORD’S ICE SKATING RINKS

WINGS ARENA

Wings Arena, Connecticut’s newest ice arena, offers various programs tailored to all ages and skill levels. On the site of the original Conair building near the Old Greenwich line, Wings Arena has also teamed with EN Hockey and Matterhorn Fit for on-site skill development, performance and advanced rehabilitation.

TERRY CONNERS ICE RINK

Located in beautiful Cove Island Park since 1973, The Rink is owned and operated by the City of Stamford, offering affordable hockey, figure skating, freestyle, dance sessions and basic skills programs for all residents of Stamford throughout the year.

TWIN RINKS STAMFORD

Located in Springdale, Twin Rinks provides hockey and skating instruction, challenging competition, and enjoyable activities for all ages and skill levels. The facility includes two NHL regulation size rinks, locker rooms, health & fitness center, full-service pro shop, two restaurants, ballet studio and party rooms.

MILL RIVER PARK

The skating center is an outdoor seasonal ice rink in Mill River Park, open to the community seven days a week from mid-November through mid-March. The rink is also available for private rentals.

CHELSEA PIERS

Chelsea Piers features an extensive hockey program on two NHL sized rinks. Including: developmental youth hockey classes, camps, adult hockey leagues and more.

CELEBRATING

ARTICLE BY TIM SOMMER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

JIMMY iE NNER JR

STAMFORD’S BIGGEST Little STUDIO

In a Carriage House in Westover, Musical Legends are Made

You are driving through one of Stamford’s most bucolic neighborhoods. You turn right up a narrow dirt road.

Fifty yards in front of you, across a lazy green yard, is a gorgeous gingerbread house.

Immediately to your left, at the end of a worn stone path, is a picture-perfect white cottage, well over a century old.

You could be in the Finger Lakes, or even Southwest England.

You push open the old door of the cottage… and one of the most respected rock guitarists in the world is cranking out heavy metal riffs at maximum volume, trying to find just the right sound.

Welcome to Carriage House Studios. For 45 years, this unassuming spot hidden in the hushed, leafy and privileged precincts of Westover, has been one of the East Coast’s most respected recording studios. How many people have driven down this quiet street without realizing that so many rock’n’roll dreams have come true just yards off the road?

Johnny Montagnese has been running the Carriage House since the day it opened in 1980. He greets you with a boyish grin and an enthusiasm for his life’s work which totally defies his age (Johnny is 74 years young). There’s no trace of weariness or cynicism in this man, regardless of the fact that he’s spent most of his life deep in a business that breaks dreams far more often than it makes them.

Johnny Montagnese isn’t just running a successful recording studio in Stamford; he was also born and raised here and is both a true character of the city and a fantastic example of the city’s character, at its best.

“I grew up at the bottom of Richmond Hill and Greenwich Avenue, right across from the old Civil War cemetery,” Johnny says, reclining on a well-worn studio couch. For many years, Johnny’s father ran Pip’s Auto Center, a well-respected auto repair business. Dad was also a lover of music, something he passed on to his son at an early age, taking Johnny to see many of the great jazz artists of the era. Before long, Johnny had caught the bug, and while still in high school, was drumming with local bands and playing in bars in Connecticut and Westchester. He then became involved in Stamford Sings, a popular local group affiliated with the nationally known dance and music act, Up with People (readers of a certain age may remember the ubiquity of Up with People on TV variety shows, patriotic occasions, and major sports events in the 1960s and ‘70s). Before long, Johnny graduated to the major leagues, touring the world with the Up with People troupe, acting as both a drummer and a road manager. Along the way, Johnny not only learned the nuts and bolts of the music business but earned a degree in child psychology.

After his father passed away suddenly in 1978 at age 52, Johnny returned to Stamford.

“You know what makes a good studio?  A clean toilet and plenty of parking.”

“I had been in Denver,” Johnny recalls, “but I came back to run the automotive business; I’m the eldest of 3 children, I had to take care of my mom. Mostly the business ran itself because it had been around so long. I was also managing my then wife, who was doing well working in Broadway shows. Managing her career made me realize I needed to get back in the music business. So a good friend of mine said, ‘Why don’t you build a studio?’ I had worked in studios all over the country. I knew what it took to make a good studio.”

Realizing he belonged in the music business and not underneath a car, Johnny sold Pip’s Auto. With the money he made from the sale, he brought the Westover property and converted the old carriage house into a recording studio.

Relatively quickly, Johnny built a loyal clientele of A-list jazz musicians, and then major rock and pop stars began discovering the house in the woods. Before long, the Carriage House, a place of extraordinary charm that instantly makes a stranger feel like a friend, had become one of the premiere recording studios in the New York metropolitan area: a great place both for anyone who wanted to get away from the city (but not too far away), or who were living nearby and were excited to discover a world-class facility in their backyard.

The list of artists who have made their way to the little Carriage House in Westover is a who’s who of the music business, across all spectrums: From Paul Simon to the Pixies, Beyonce to Blue Öyster Cult, Spyro Gyra to Donna Summer. One of Johnny’s favorite clients is Greenwich’s own Miss Diana Ross, who has long treated the Carriage House as her home away from home for over thirty years. “Every time I see her, she says, ‘Please call me Diana,’ and I say, ‘Of course, Miss Ross.’“

“I think the reason we survived where so many others have failed is our attention to servicing the client. I teach all my engineers to understand that it's not your record -- It's the artists’ record.”

But back to an earlier question: What does it take to make a good studio?

“You know what makes a good studio? A clean toilet and plenty of parking.”

Oh, there has to be more to it than that, right, Johnny?

“Service. I always try to work the service end of it, so I have good relationships with all my clients. I think the reason why we survived where so many others have failed is our attention to servicing the client, and I teach that to all my engineers. I have them understand that it’s not your record -- It’s the artists’ record, you know. If the guitarist wants his guitar to sound like a bunch of bees in a jar, if that’s the sound he has coming out of his amplifier and he likes it, then that’s what you bring into the control room and put on tape. And if you’re not bringing that into the control room, then we’re failing. I always tell my guys. It’s not what we make, it’s that we make.”

LOCAL LOVE IN ACTION

HOW STAMFORD AND B1C STAND WITH IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS

ARTICLE BY SUZANNE WIND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MOORE

At Building One Community (B1C), local love shows up in everyday ways— small gestures that add up to life-changing impact. It’s the volunteer who spends hours teaching English after work, the high-school student helping a newly arrived child with homework, and the partner organization that shares space, resources or expertise when the community needs it most. This unity is what fuels B1C, the Immigrant Center of Opportunity, and makes it a trusted resource to thousands of immigrants every year.

Founded in 2011, this non-profit has grown into a vital lifeline for immigrant families seeking stability, opportunity, and belonging. Newcomers walk through their doors looking for English classes, legal support, job training and mentorship, youth programs, food and health support or simply a place where they feel seen and heard. But B1C’s work has never been achieved alone.

Its impact is powered by a vast network of volunteers and partners who believe in the strength of a welcoming Stamford.

Every day, hundreds of Stamford residents—adults, retirees, teens, and professionals— dedicate their time to supporting the immigrant community. They tutor, mentor, assist with community events, support the legal department, and help families adjust to a new life. Volunteers form the human bridge that transforms B1C from a service provider into a true community.

Equally essential are the partnerships that surround this organization. Local schools, libraries, civic groups, corporations, foundations, and houses of worship expand the organization’s reach and deepen its influence. Together, they help immigrants access food, housing resources, mental-health support, job opportunities, education, and legal guidance. All these services are increasingly critical as many families face instability, especially now with shifting government policies. This network of support allows B1C to continue its mission

to advance the successful integration of immigrants and their families.

It is the shared effort of a city that understands that when immigrant families thrive, Stamford thrives too. 33% of Stamford’s population is foreign-born, making it the 5th most diverse mid-sized city in the U.S. 76 languages are spoken across Stamford schools, where Hispanic students now make up 50.2% of the student body. Immigrants fuel the local workforce, enrich the cultural landscape, start businesses, support local industries, and strengthen neighborhoods. Their success is woven into the future of Stamford.

At B1C, local love isn’t abstract—it’s action and partnership, uniting the immigrant community and the community at large to build one inclusive, connected, and strong city.

To learn more and get involved with Building One Community, please visit www.B1C.org.

A journey of lifesaving generosity

Stamford Veteran whose willingness to help reshaped two lives and touched the hearts of many

In this ever-changing world, we do not always hear the good stories, the ones that remind us how a single person can help others in extraordinary ways. One of those people is Stamford native John Rubino, an infantry trained United States Marine veteran whose service did not end with his honorable discharge. Instead, it transformed into a rare and extraordinary commitment: saving lives through the gift of living organ donation.

Today, John stands among only about 100 people in the United States who are double living organ donors, a distinction that reflects both his strength and his steady heart.

Born and raised in Stamford, John is the only child of Anthony and Mary Rubino. After returning home from his service in the Marines, he earned his bachelor’s degree, carrying with him the discipline, humility, and sense of duty that shaped him in the infantry.

Over the years, John continued serving others in many ways. He became a lifelong blood donor, contributing more than 137 donations of blood, platelets, and plasma, a testament to his belief in helping others. He also served as the Senior Vice Commandant of the Marine Corps League of Stamford, where he helped

ARTICLE BY ROBYN BLOSIO

raise more than $250,000 to support wounded veterans and send essential supplies to deployed Marines overseas. In recognition of his impact, he was awarded “Marine of the Year” for all of New England, and the governor of Connecticut designated “John Rubino Day” on November 18, 2009, for his exceptional volunteer work.

Still, even with this legacy, John had no idea that his greatest acts of service were still ahead.

His journey into living organ donation began in 2018 with a single Facebook post. Robyn Blosio, a Stamford resident and lifelong friend

and dance teacher of Jessica Rabasco, shared an emotional message written by Jessica’s sister, Christina. The post described Jessica’s battle with stage five chronic kidney disease and her urgent need for a living donor. John did not know Jessica, but something in that message stopped him. He felt moved to step forward.

He volunteered for testing and went through months of evaluations. When he learned he was a match, he never wavered. John donated his left kidney to Jessica, giving her renewed health and a new future. Their families formed a lasting bond, and one of John’s greatest

joys was watching Jessica walk down the aisle at her wedding.  Today, he celebrates with her again as she and her husband prepare to welcome their first child.

Two years later, he learned of baby Ariany Perez, a 7-monthold from the Bronx with a life-threatening liver condition. John did not know the family, but he knew she would not survive without a living donor. Living liver donation involves removing a segment of the donor’s liver, in this case the left lateral segment, which is safe for infants. Both the donor’s and recipient’s livers regenerate and return to full size within months. After another intensive approval process, John donated, and Ariany’s recovery began immediately.

Fewer than 100 people worldwide have donated both a kidney and part of a liver. John hopes his story will encourage others to become living organ donors, especially knowing that more than 105,000 Americans are on the national transplant waiting list for a life-saving organ. He feels blessed and grateful to have changed the lives of two people and to inspire others to do the same.

The Stained Glass Apple

A Stamford Treasure Preserving a 40-Year Legacy

Tucked between Glenbrook and Springdale, The Stained Glass Apple stands as a luminous testament to craftsmanship, creativity, and community.

Founded in 1984 by the late Marilyn Gehring, the beloved studio began with a simple gift: a stained-glass lesson certificate given by her daughter. What started as Marilyn’s desire to create a chandelier for her dining room quickly blossomed into a lifelong passion. Over four decades—and five different Stamford locations—Marilyn built a thriving hub for stained-glass enthusiasts. She continued creating in her studio until age 94.

Today, her daughters, Sally and Christine, honor her legacy by continuing to operate the shop, keeping alive the vibrant artistic community Marilyn nurtured. “Stamford is where Mom lived and raised her family,” they share. “It felt only natural to keep the studio right here.”

What sets The Stained Glass Apple apart is its dual identity as both a retail store and a fully functioning stained-glass studio. Visitors will find handcrafted treasures,

specialty supplies, custom designs, and, most famously, repairs—one of their most requested services. Their lead artist, who also happens to be a certified electrician, oversees both repair work and instruction. The studio offers workshops for all levels, from beginners to advanced artists, and even hosts private events for small groups.

Beyond the studio walls, the owners cherish their deep ties to Stamford. They’ve supported local schools, Scouts, sports teams, and the Glenbrook Fire Department, and collaborate with area businesses including Teddy’s Custom Metal Works, Connecticut Glass and Mirror, and Bullseye Glass. They also proudly feature the work of local artists “Delphinium” and “Designs by Bonnie,” who teach and create within the studio’s creative ecosystem.

Their philosophy is simple: “One day at a time.”

Four decades later, The Stained Glass Apple continues to shine—both as an artistic haven and as a cherished piece of Stamford’s creative soul.

When the cold weather hits, the last thing you want is to be left in the cold with a heating system that is not reliable. Our maintenance plan gives you peace of mind, knowing your system is inspected, cleaned, and tuned for the heating season. With our expert technicians on your side, you’ll enjoy a warmer, safer, and more reliable home.

Maintenance plans save you money.

Regular service helps prevent costly breakdowns, improves e ciency, and extends the life of your system. Don’t wait for the problem to surface, secure your comfort and con dence today.

LOVE YOUR BODY

NOURISH YOURSELF WITH INTENTIONAL CLEANSING, RENEWAL, AND PROFOUND PERSONAL WELLNESS.

ARTICLE BY TAYLOR ROSE MATTINGLY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC PAEZ

Loving your body begins with honoring the systems that sustain it. If our bodies are like trees, parasites and pollutants act as vines that slowly drain life-force energy. Around the world, seasonal detoxing serves as a mindful reset for digestion, clarity, and vitality. Sacred Rose Organics continues this tradition with the Exodus Parasite Cleanse—an organic botanical detox crafted to help the body release what no longer serves it.

Your body is your home—a living temple. Exodus supports energy, digestion, and renewed wellbeing. Cleansing is an act of self-love, honoring your body with the thriving health it deserves.

Exodus Parasite Cleanse

This recipe blends black walnut, clove, wormwood, zeolite, bentonite clay, and charcoal to support the elimination of parasites and heavy metals. These invaders burden vital organs and disrupt natural function. Parasite activity increases around the full moon, making timing key. Aligning your cleanse with lunar cycles supports deeper results and harmony with the body’s rhythms. Each ingredient is chosen for purity, potency, and holistic wellness.

SACRED ROSE ORGANICS | FOUNDER TAYLOR ROSE MATTINGLY

Taylor Rose creates organic herbal remedies from her mountain homestead. Begin your cleansing journey at www.SacredRoseOrganics.com

CULINARY• EVENTS • LIFESTYLE