The Men's Issue
J U N E 2 022
WHEN LOCAL KNOWLEDGE MEETS BUSINESS EXPERIENCE, YOU WIN.
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FO R TH E F IT M OM Fit Moms throughout the Northeast choose Dr. O’Connell for their tummy-tuck...that’s because he’s been Fairfield County’s ‘go-to’ plastic surgeon for 34 years and he’s a published authority on drainless abdominoplasty.
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LIFESTYLE LETTER
For the guys
June 2022 PUBLISHER
Marisa MacLean | marisa.maclean@citylifestyle.com EDITOR
Robin Moyer Chung | robin.chung@citylifestyle.com
June is busting out all over! Yes, readers, you may have recognized the lyric to the musical “Carousel.” Musical theatre is top of mind because we’re featuring two great guys who founded Music Theater of Connecticut 35 years ago. Last month, we brought you our women's issue and this month we are focused on some of our favorite men in town. They’re the philanthropists, educators, creatives, entrepreneurs and all-around smart guys that make Westport wonderful. To show how much we care about you guys, we’ve included a go-to gift guide for Father’s Day and details on a barber shop/mens’ club where you can hang with the dudes. Then you can use our Dude Drinks feature on where to grab some drinks afterwards. It’s also our 4th anniversary and our Westport Lifestyle team gives you the low-down on the what’s-up among favorite things to do in town. Speaking of our town, you probably know we have a homeless shelter called Homes With Hope. A former resident of this shelter, Antwayn, is now employed by them and he shared with us his incredible story. No mention of men would be complete without mentioning the most well-known man in Westport - the Minute Man. We have some fascinating information on him and his sculptor on our back page. So raise a beer to all of the great men in Westport. You rock! Hope to see you around town soon!
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Proverbs 3:5-6 Westport Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Westport area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Westport Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the
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JUNE 2022
inside the issue The Gentlemen’s Issue
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F E ATU R E D
D E PA RTM E NTS
30 Men of Westport
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Lifestyle Letter
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City Scene
22
Business Monthly
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Local Limelight
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Our Town
48
Open House
B EAU T Y
54
Happy Hour
FO O D + B EV ER AG E
62
Gift Guide
68
Local’s Choice
72
Hot Spot
78
Events
82
Hometown Hero
Incredible Men in Our Community
42 From Homeless to Hopeful A Homes With Hope Success Story
48 Kennedy’s Hair club
A Grooming Mecca Takes a Cue from the Ladies
72 The Music Men
Kevin and Jim Built the Best Little Musical Theatre in Westport
O N T H E C OV E R
Jarrod Manfro, President and CEO of Dark Horse Development which own’s Kennedy’s Barber Shop.
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LI FE + C U LT U R E
LI FE + C U LT U R E
S HO PPI NG LI FE + C U LT U R E
A RTS + C U LT U R E
LI FE + C U LTU R E
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JUNE 2022
city scene
Where neighbors can see and be seen. 1
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1: Peter Sands, Ruth Mannes (Executive Director of MoCA Westport), Anna Simone Scott, Marian Schwindeman (Co-Curator). 2: Punk is Coming exhibition opening reception, Saturday, March 26, MoCA Westport. On view through June 5. 3: Ruth Mannes, Tom Berntsen, MoCA Chairman of the Board Bill Felton, First Selectwoman Jen Tooker. 4: Paul Burger and friends. 5: Guests enjoying over works of 50 photographers, filmmakers, and artists whose work defined 1970’s punk era. 6: Paula Romano, Logan Goodman, Marian Schwindeman, Vlad RomanoSchwindeman. 7: Lauren and Logan Goodman. Photography by Nina Capozzi Photography
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C I T Y SC E N E
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1: Spongebob, The Musical at Coleytown Middle School - “BFF”: SpongeBob (Ari Sklar) and Patrick (Joey Vazquez) 2: “No Control”: Seher Adalja, Ram Gupta, Sandy (Haley Forman), Old Man Jenkins (Dylan Johnson), Chanze Freemon 3: “When the Going Gets Tough”: Christian Dolgetta, Ava Lewis, Olivia Murphy,(Teddy Brooks, Kaila Patel, Sutton Bulkeley, Charlotte Brookbanks, Aubrey Benmosche 4: (I Guess I) Miss You”: Joey Vazquez, Charlotte Brookbanks, Olivia Murphy, Ava Lewis, Kaila Patel, Sutton Bulkeley 5: “I’m Not a Loser”: Olivia Flinn, Charlotte Brookbanks, CC Herbet, Sofia Donroe, Kaila Patel, Olivia Murphy 6-7: Finale: Bikini Bottom Day Photography by Julie Taubner
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C I T Y SC E N E
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1: 2nd Annual Taste of Wishes supporting Make A Wish CT, Chef Matt Storch with wish kid Ziva. 2: Bill Taibe with wish kid Nazear and a guest appearance by wish kid Hunter. 3: Chef Christian Petroni and wish kid Henry. 4: Stephanie Webster, Raeneh Farina, wish kid Penelope, Chef Jes Bengtson, and Marysol Castro. 5: Chefs Dan Kardos, Matt Storch, Bill Taibe, Christian Petroni, Robin Selden, Jessica Bengtson with wish kids Julia, Henry, Aaron, Ziva, Penelope, Nazear and host Tony Aitoro 6: Jeffrey Selden of Marcia Selden Catering and Make-A-Wish Board Member Robyn Whittingham 7: Cindi Goldberg, Make-A-Wish Board Member Michelle Wilson, Make-A-Wish CEO Pam Keough, Maryann Coyle and Jenn Jubert. Photography by Kvon Photography
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CIT Y SCENE CONTINUED
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1: 2nd Annual Fashionably Westport at the Westport Library. 2: Emcee Jenn Falik and Homes with Hope Director Helen McAlinden. 3: Virignia Schaefer, Kelli Walsh, Allison Dembo, Karen Spheeris. 4: Benjamin Lagasse, Marly March, Ginny McGovern, Caroline Barney, Erica Winkler, Steven Gemignani 5: Backstage models Amy Hochhauser, Robin Moyer Chung, Rhodie Lorenz 6: Westport Chief of Police Foti Koskinas, First Selectwoman/model Jen Tooker, State Senator Will Haskel. 7: Plastic Surgeon/model Flora Levin. Photography by John Videler
Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @westportlifestyle
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C I T Y SC E N E
Kitchen Traditions
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JUNE 2022
business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.
... BROSS CHINGAS BROSS T E A M
Barbara Bross, Alexander Chingas & Doug Bross #1 Real Estate Agent Team in Westport & Weston, CT 2013-2021 YTD per MLS
Dr. Tanya Futoryan selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor! Congratulations to Dr.Tanya S. Futoryan for being selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for 2022! This recognition puts her among only 7% of all U.S. board certified physicians. Photography Mindy Briar
Introducing The Mill - 31 new luxury condominiums with all the amenities of a fine custom home. Combining the architecture of a historic candle-wick mill with modern industrial features, creating a unique residential complex in the heart of Westport, Connecticut. You will enjoy a carefree lifestyle in refined surroundings, featuring 10,000 square feet of amenities including a pool, gym, roof deck, and a concierge to attend to your every need. $995,000 to $3,850,000 www.TheMillWestport.com
203.454.8000 | Info@BrossChingas.com 355 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT 06880 BrossChingas
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Bespoke Veterinary Service Bespoke Veterinary Services is excited to announce that we officially opened the doors to our Veterinary Clinic at 105 Woodrow Avenue, Southport, CT. Our space
offers in-clinic exams, emergency care, radiology, laser therapy, surgery, and much more. We'll still be offering in-home exams. Adding to the excitement, Dr. Allison Duman has joined our team of doctors. Please visit our comfortable, convenient, and customized brand-new veterinary clinic or call the clinic at 475-888-9039 to book an appointment.
Stoned Jewelry Concierge: The New Way of Discovering Fine Jewelry Featuring an expert curation of trend-driven fine jewelry and bespoke diamond pieces, co-owners and Westport moms Michelle Pollack and Sandra Rose work with each client to select the perfect piece no matter the occasion. From quick pick-me-ups, to an extravagant gift, no ask is too big or too small. Schedule a private in-home appointment or visit them online to change the way you shop for fine jewelry forever. StonedJewelryConcierge.com
FAMILY & MATRIMONIAL LAW Exceptional representation customized to the unique needs of your family through • Litigation • Arbitration • Mediation • Collaborative Divorce
We work closely with our clients to guide them through a broad range of complex family matters, with experience you can rely on.
(203) 222-8686 conlonmcglynn.com CONTINUED >
222 Riverside Avenue Westport, Connecticut 06880 JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT
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B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY C O N T I N U E D
Bestselling Author Releases 4th Book in Super Fun Day Series Just in time for Autism Acceptance Month, local Westport author Sivan Hong is releasing her 4th book in the best-selling Super Fun Day Books Series – Avery G. and the Scary End of School. This book is a social story created to help children express their worries about the end of school. It's perfect for neurodiverse (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc.) and neurotypical kids who struggle with change and are working on being flexible. Photography John Videler
SORE TIRED EYES? Personalized treatment and state of the art technology. 147 Post Road East Westport, Connecticut (203) 557-8426 drshreyapatel.net V drshreyapatelod B shreya patel od pc 24
B USIN E SS M ON T H LY
Award Winning Humorist, Susan Goldfein After retiring as a speech pathologist, Susan Goldfein began writing humorous essays (after failing at golf, canasta, and yoga, in that order). Her essays appear on her website, SusansUnfilteredWit.com, senior market publications, Facebook, and Twitter. She’s published two-award winning books, How Old Am I in Dog
Years?, and How to Complain When There’s Nothing to Complain About. Her second act career’s been the subject of several podcasts. Susan is currently finishing her third book.
YOUR DOOR TO
WATERFRONT
LIVING
Photography Mel Abfier
15 DUCK POND ROAD | WESTPORT
Yozo Studio Party Shop Opens "What is this new party shop?" Shannon Vindiola's Yozo Studio solution to a super fun, well-decorated kids’ party. Go big or keep it simple. Shop individual items like favors, crafts, decorations, tableware, or go for the whole fabulous shebang and opt for the complete party. Party kits include a planning handbook with key deadlines, themed food suggestions, how to set up games and activities, and a day-of-party schedule. They’ve thought of everything so you don't have to. YozoStudio.com Photography Liz Labiana
Robin Selden: Industry Innovator Robin Selden of Marcia Selden Catering is named one of the 2022 Industry Innovators.
MICHELLEANDTEAM.COM | 203.454.4663 (HOME)
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B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY C O N T I N U E D
This prestigious recognition credits 10 chefs who “are bringing a new level of artistry and creativity to the table” and “found clever ways to incorporate interesting new flavors to offer a delicious and memorable experience for event goers.” Congratulations, Robin! MarciaSelden.com Photography Dennis Kwan Photography
Two Westporters Introduce Wanderfull Bottle Bags Are you drinking enough water? Westporters Lisa Watkins and Katie Hill have a solution for you! Wanderfull, a stylish crossbody water bottle bag that fits your water bottle and other essentials like your phone, keys, credit cards, and air pods. It's perfect for staying hydrated, traveling light, and being hands free on the go. WanderfullBrand.com and on Amazon.com
I t ’ s n ot j u s t a sa lo n I t ’ s a m ov e m e n t ! ( 2 0 3 ) 5 5 7- 9 1 0 0 8 3 3 p o s t r d e , w e s t p o rt
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@ sa lo n da da _c t
Want to be featured?
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Westport
WHERE ART AND TECHNOLOGY CONVERGE
Dr. Tanya Futoryan is a Board-Certified Dermatologist with 20 years of experience in minimally invasive facial aesthetic procedures. She is an expert at using a variety of injectables and technologies to make your face look younger while keeping it natural. She will provide you with the best anti-aging treatment options to suit your personal needs, designed to achieve and maintain healthy and beautiful skin for life.
“Dr. Futoryan was recommended to me by my regular dermatologist who I highly trust. He said that Dr. Futoryan is the master at eye area Botox. He was right. My results are amazing. Beautiful and natural. I wouldn’t go to anyone else.” - Christine
“I have had about 10 treatments of botox at various places over the past several years. Some in CA some in CT. This experience was by far the best I have ever had. The placement of the botox was different than I had ever received, but also the most effective for my eyebrow tension… I highly recommend this practice!“ - Kim
“Dr. Futoryan and her professional staff are everything you could hope for and rarely find in a health care provider. On my first visit, for an unrelated matter, Dr. Futoryan spotted a basal cell carcinoma on my face, although the dermatologist who I had been regularly seeing completely missed it. After having her visual diagnosis confirmed by a biopsy, she then arranged for me to see the best Mohs specialist in the state. Her concern and attentiveness before and after the surgery were extraordinary. More recently, during a routine body skin check, she correctly identified (and subsequently removed) a melanoma, that to anyone else would have looked like a small freckle. Her medical skills are amazing and she is supported by staff, all of whom are competent, professional and caring. In addition to purely medical procedures, Dr. Futoryan is excellent when it comes to cosmetic/elective procedures. She is both detail orientated and reassuring, carefully explaining before, during and after the procedure, exactly what the patient should expect. Dr. Futoryan treats each of her patients with extraordinary skill and sensitivity. She’s the best!” - Ellen
“I have been seeing Dr. Futoryan for about two years now, and have been so pleased with my experience at Westport Dermatology. She is professional, has deep experience and knowledge in the field, and is warm and kind …the office is clean and pleasant, the nurses and staff are friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend her and Westport Dermatology … they are the best!” - Megan
“I love Westport Dermatology & Laser Center! Dr. Futoryan is experienced, personable and professional. I’ve been so pleased with my botox and will continue to trust her with my beauty and anti-aging treatments. The facilities are top notch and front desk staff is kind and helpful. Highly recommend this place!” - Brandelyn
TANYA FUTORYAN, MD BOARD CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST Castle Connolly Top Doctor 2022
325 RIVERSIDE AVE, WESTPORT, CT 06880 P H O N E : 2 0 3 . 2 2 6 . 3 6 0 0 / T E X T: 2 0 3 .6 6 6 .6 6 0 4 I N F O @W E S T P O RT D E R M .C O M / W W W.W E S T P O RT D E R M .C O M
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SOME OF OUR FAVORITE GUYS
Where we live, a good man isn’t hard to find. You can find them in offices, stores, theaters heck, you could even be living with one. Each June we task ourselves with narrowing down the pack and focusing on a few who impress us with their creativity and commitment, who bring a certain panache to our community, and who have diverse and unique interests. At the risk of sounding immodest, we have a lot of terrific men this year!
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ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG
Men of Westport
Enrique Alarcon FOUNDER/DIRECTOR, DANCE COLLECTIVE OF WESTPORT
(Photo: Marsin Mogielski)
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT DANCING? “When I first started dancing I loved the sense of freedom and empowerment. Now it goes far beyond that. For me, dancing is a way of communicating with others, a shared love to make friends with, a passion to build a business with, and a canvas to create moving art with.”
YOU ATTENDED LAW SCHOOL IN PERU BEFORE YOU DECIDED TO PURSUE DANCE IN AMERICA. HAS YOUR LAW EDUCATION EVER PROVED VALUABLE SINCE THEN? “Yes, although not through practicing law. The hard work and discipline I learned in law school proved invaluable when starting my business and continue to help me today.”
WHEN WILL YOU LAUNCH YOUR MASTER CLASS? “Hopefully in the near future. So much changed when COVID hit – I had to pivot from running a studio in-person to creating a completely online presence. My personal projects were shelved but I am eager to start working on them again and reigniting the creativity they inspire.”
IF YOU COULD DANCE THE ROLE OF YOUR DREAMS, OR DANCE IN ANY VENUE IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY? “More than dancing myself, I would love to choreograph an opening number for the Oscar’s. The Dolby Theater is such an iconic venue, and to present one of my choreographies to such a creative audience (not to mention millions around the world) would be phenomenal. On another note, I would love Rihanna to sing a tango-inspired pop song, and for me to be the principal dancer in her video!” EnriqueAlarconMethod.com TheDanceCollectiveCT.com
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Bill Taibe CHEF/OWNER, THE WHELK, KAWA NI, AND DON MEMO
SO, WHAT’S YOUR NEXT PROJECT? “After many years in CT, we are excited to expand Kawa Ni and Don Memo out west to Denver, Colorado, while still working on new projects in and around Westport. The future looks fun!”
HAVE YOU ALWAYS KNOWN YOU WANTED TO BE A CHEF? “I didn’t. I had no idea what I wanted to do. I thought I was going to be a police officer like my uncles, or a US Marshall like Tommy Lee Jones in The Fugitive. Once I found food, I didn’t want to do anything else.”
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE APPETIZER AND ENTRÉE OF ALL TIME, IN ANY OF YOUR RESTAURANTS? “Appetizer would be our Tuna Crudo from Relish in South Norwalk - paper thin slices of raw tuna, rolled around perfectly diced cucumber and avocado and some other really complicated stuff. So simple and so delicious. Entree is definitely the OG roast chicken from LeFarm. Still no better chicken exists in my mind.”
WHAT DO YOU COOK AT HOME WHEN YOU REALLY, REALLY DON’T FEEL LIKE COOKING? OR YOUR FAVORITE SUPER EASY DINNER. “In the winter, especially when skiing and don’t want the hassle, I will make Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi tossed with their roasted red pepper and tomato pomodoro sauce. It’s simply perfect. “As the weather warms, I like to grab some vegetables from Westport Farmers Market, toss them on the grill, and serve with a good salad. We tend to eat lighter in the summer.” DonMemoWestport.com KawaniWestport.com TheWhelkWestport.com TheNorwalkArtSpace.org
(Photo: Anthony Rinaldi)
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Injae Cho FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL, SUGI ACCUPRESSURE
YOU’RE WELL-EDUCATED, AN ACCOMPLISHED MUSICIAN, AND A WINNING GOLFER. HOW DO THESE TRAITS TIE INTO YOUR PROFICIENCY WITH TRADITIONAL CHINESES MEDICINE? “To me, traditional Chinese medicine is all about discerning predictable patterns in nature and then drawing analogies to how our bodies and our minds function. And by incorporating concepts like Yin-Yang (duality of opposites) and Chi (life force energy) into our lifestyles, we’re essentially acknowledging that to lead a healthy life means to be in harmony with our ever-evolving surrounding environment, and with the people in our lives. “I feel that that’s exactly the kind of holistic perspective I take whether I’m giving someone a treatment, or when I’m sharing something musical and beautiful with a fellow musician or an audience, or when I’m taking windy conditions and moisture on the greens into account in a round of golf. It took me a while to convince my wife that playing music and golf actually enhances my work. I think she finally sees my point.”
IF YOU DIDN’T PRACTICE ACUPRESSURE, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CAREER? “A sound engineer or a golf club pro, naturally.”
YOUR DAD IS A WELL KNOWN HEALER IN ASIA. I’M SURE HE’S DELIGHTED YOU’RE FOLLOWING HIS CAREER PATH, BUT HOW DOES HE FEEL ABOUT YOUR BEING IN A GRATEFUL DEAD TRIBUTE BAND? I ASSUME HE WAS NEVER A DEADHEAD…. “My dad and I have very different musical tastes and he unfortunately doesn’t play golf either. But we jibe on most other things and have always been transparent and candid with each other. Most of all, I appreciate all the life wisdom he’s imparted on me over the years.” SUGIAcupressure.com
(Photo: Mindy Briar)
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Adam Vengrow MANAGING DIRECTOR, STIFEL BOARD MEMBER, CATCH A LIFT
YOU’RE A BOARD MEMBER OF CATCH-A-LIFT. HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN HELPING VETERANS AND IN CAL? “I lost a lot of friends in 9-11. I was at UBS. Cantor Fitzgerald and other bond brokers were in the Trade Center Buildings. We were on the phones with them when the planes hit. I’ve always been patriotic and thankful for the opportunities that I’ve had in this life, in this country, with an immeasurable blanket of freedom. I feel it’s an obligation to help those that preserve and protect our way of life. “The spirit behind CAL is physical fitness to mental fitness, pain to purpose. We have helped nearly 8,000 combat wounded Veterans find their way.”
HOW ABOUT MYTEAM TRIUMPH? “I had the pleasure of getting involved [through friend and board member Andy Berman] a little bit and love it. I live for the ability to lift people up and help them pursue their very best. One of my favorite quotes, ‘You make a living by what you get, you make a life by what you give.’”
WHO IS YOUR HERO? “Ron Burton grew up in Ohio, very poor, and lost his parents at a young age. He overcame adversity his entire life, whether racism, extreme poverty or the lack of athletic talent, then became a college football star and a first round draft pick for the New England Patriots in 1960. “After 6 years in the NFL, and a very successful career for John Hancock in Boston, Ron Burton took his savings and built the Ron Burton Training Village. The goal [is] to find as many kids from terrible economic situations, where hope rarely exists and opportunity is not present, and turn their lives around to overcome the present and find the impossible.” RonBurtonTrainingVillage.org CatchALiftFund.org myTeamTriumph-CT.org
(Photo: Mindy Briar)
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Ryan Soto PROGRAM DIRECTOR, GILLESPIE CENTER & HOSKINS PLACE
WHAT MADE YOU INTERESTED IN WORKING FOR A HOMELESS SHELTER? “I grew up impoverished, rough and tough, but I always tried to see the brighter things. The selfish reason is that I like helping people and I’m good at it. I can empathize - sympathy can only get you so far. “I’ve been working with the homeless since I earned my undergraduate degree. I have had family and friends endure this situation and I know how it must feel going through homelessness.”
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT AT GILLESPIE? “My proudest moment was actually becoming the Program Director of the Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place.”
HOW DO YOU DE-STRESS FROM THIS DEMANDING JOB? “I have a nice scenic drive to and from work and spending time with my children.
DURING THE COURSE OF YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE, HAVE YOU EVER RUN INTO SOMEONE WHO YOU HELPED AT GILLESPIE? “I’ve seen former guests of the shelter and most tell me they’re doing great and let me know how much they appreciate all I did. The others unfortunately either return to the shelter or need some type of help. I help them as best as I can.” HwHCT.org
(Photo: Mindy Briar)
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Ryan Ambrifi DEALER AND PRINCIPAL, JAGUAR LAND ROVER FAIRFIELD
WHY (AND WHEN) DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN BRITISH CARS? AND ALL THINGS BRITISH? “My love affair with British cars started with Ian Fleming’s James Bond books and movies. There was always something so cool about his Aston Martins, Lotuses and Jaguars. The design of the Jaguar E-Type is one of the most captivating in the world.”
TELL ME ABOUT THE FIRST CAR YOU EVER OWNED. “My first car was a Pontiac Trans Am (think Smokey and the bandit), which my mother suggested that I trade for a BMW 320i. This started my journey to buying and selling many different cars over the years.”
YOU’RE ACTIVE IN PUSH FOR CANCER AND, I BELIEVE, NEAR AND FAR. ARE THERE ANY OTHER PHILANTHROPIES AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THESE? “We have a long relationship with Near & Far Aid and support the incredible impact that this all-woman organization has in the community. In addition, we have aligned with Push For Cancer and Andy Berman, the Pequot Library, Rooms With a View, the Southport Congregational Church, as well as The Conservative Synagogue. Most recently, we got involved with the Old Mill Grocery and saving this local treasure for future generations. “My wife, Nikki, and I choose organizations that can effect change locally and have a direct impact in helping change lives. We are very fortunate to give back to our community and tie into the strong relationships with our customers.” LandRoverFairfield.com
(Photo: Mindy Briar)
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Dr. Joseph B. O’Connell PLASTIC SURGEON
WHAT DREW YOU TO PLASTIC SURGERY? “Much to my parents displeasure I turned down an art scholarship to college in order to pursue a career in science. While in medical school I realized that plastic surgery is really the only specialty that combines art with science, as we try to do everything in the most “aesthetic” way possible. We actually have drawing and sculpture courses as part of our ongoing training.”
YOU WERE THE CHIEF OF PLASTIC SURGERY AT BRIDGEPORT HOSPITAL FROM 1995-2002, WHEN IT WAS CONSIDERED THE “GROUND-BREAKING CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN PLASTIC SURGERY.” WHY WAS IT “GROUND-BREAKING” AND HOW DID YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THIS? “This was one of the first centers of excellence in any specialty in the US. I wanted our patients to be able to find what they needed in terms of plastic surgical care in one easy location with talented surgeons - we had a central phone number where our patients could call in and we’d send them information by mail in those days. “An important part of this was the entire concept of ‘self-pay’ where our patients could get the care they needed with the safety of the hospital at reasonable cost where there was no insurance coverage available.”
YOU’RE AN AVID CAR COLLECTOR. WHICH CAR IS YOUR FAVORITE? “Last year I purchased a Shelby 350R - this is the last one that will ever be made and it drives more like a true race car than any other car I’ve ever owned.” PlasticSurgeryCT.com
(Photo: Melani Lust)
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Foti Koskinas CHIEF OF POLICE
HOW HAS CRIME CHANGED SINCE YOU BEGAN IN 1996? “The 1990s was a much simpler time. People respected the police, and the job got done to the best of an officer’s ability. Officers did not really worry about citizen complaints as, very few ever complained. Today’s officer is supposed to be robotic in their use of proper language, perfect in all split-second decisions and totally unfeeling to the vital things that are directed at them by many of today’s younger people.”
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT AS A MEMBER OF WESTPORT’S POLICE FORCE? WHAT WAS THE LOWEST? “As far as the proudest moment relating to the Westport Police force there have certainly been many but the one moment that is at the forefront was in the spring of 2020. In the early stages of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the nation was also dealing with the aftermath of the George Floyd tragedy in Minneapolis. Immediately following the incident, the entire country was demanding changes in policing, specifically asking for 8 specific reforms. I am proud to say that the Westport Police Department met and exceeded those expectations that day.”
IN DAN WOOG’S PODCAST YOU APPLAUD THE OFFICERS WHO DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING. HOW DO YOU INSTILL THIS IN THEM? “I believe most people who jump into public service have a desire to help others. I think where my role and the role of my entire management team makes a difference is that they are supported by the police administration and the town administration. My goal is for the police officers to do things because they want to rather than because of penalties and consequences if they fail to.”
(Photo: Mindy Briar)
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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | L IFE + CULTURE
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FROM HOMELESS TO HOPEFUL ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG
A HOMES WITH HOPE SUCCESS STORY
Antwayn places a box of Honey Nut Cheerios on the metal shelf. “Everyone wants these,” he exclaims. Against the wall are 23 bags he’s filled with groceries for food insecure people who will pick them up later. “We’re renovating, you know,” he waves his hand toward the back of the food pantry in the second level of Gillespie, a Homes With Hope homeless shelter. “This place has to get cleaned up.” He knows Westport’s shelter well, having lived here twice as a client. Like every other Gillespie client, he never thought he’d be homeless. Four years ago, in 2018, he had a full-time job, a home in Bridgeport with his girlfriend, a newborn and a toddler. Then, one evening in March, he lost everything. Please take a moment to consider that we live in the town in which Antwayn briefly lived, but in an alternate universe. We enjoy advantages, trust, and liberties that he did not. Still, he re-assembled his life and his dignity and WLM is honored to tell his story which continues up to the writing of this article. (And certainly beyond.) Antwayn's parents divorced when he was young. His mom raised him in Stamford. At 12 years old “I thought I knew everything,” he admits. His friend, Pookie, was in a gang - the Ebony Kings - and persuaded him to join. For initiation four older members jumped him and he fought back. He walked away with a “busted lip” and an indoctrination into the Ebony Kings family. Though he never abused alcohol or drugs, he willingly assumed the life of a gang member. If a brother said “Jump that guy” he did. He fought with rival gang members and ignored his curfew (“when the streetlights go on, 7:00 p.m.”). One winter day he packed snowballs
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around eggs, instead of rocks, to hurt other kids his own age. His mother wondered what happened to the dozen eggs she had just bought. When he turned 13 his mom sent him to live with his dad in Georgia. “I was furious,” he recalls. “But she knew I’d end up getting shot or shooting someone. At 13 you don’t understand the consequences.” Today, he concedes that his mother saved his life by shipping him South. He graduated from Jenkins High School in Savannah. At 19 he had two kids with two different women. “No one was teaching me anything,” Antwayn says. “My dad let me do anything.” Georgia was different than Brooklyn. It was about manners, “Yes, please, no thank you”; an entirely new world for him. After graduating high school he earned a certificate and worked as a daycare assistant at the YMCA. Then he worked as an assistant camp counselor. “I love kids,” he says. In 2003 he moved back to Connecticut and lived with his mother. He worked at Party City, then got a gig at Costco in 2007. He worked these two jobs for ten years. “I was earning $21.95 at Costco,” he proudly states. He later moved in with his girlfriend and together they had two kids, a boy, Antwayn (now 7), and a girl, Aalyah (now 4). Then the day in March, after he returned from work, his girlfriend kicked him out of their home and the police arrested him for violating a restraining order. Antwayn couldn’t pay the $25,000 bond so they locked him in a cell for 28 days. “You don’t want to go jail,” he cautions, shaking his head.
Antwayn with daughter, Aalyah.
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“HE TELLS HIS STORY TO HELP OTHERS LIKE HIM FIND THE SMALLEST TOEHOLD IN THE CRAG OF HOPE, SO THEY CAN, ONE DAY, FOLLOW HIM TO THE SUMMIT.”
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Antwayn Riggs (Photo: Mindy Briar)
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Costco fired him for work abandonment. He had no home, no access to his money. His car was towed shortly after his arrest, his mother had no room for him in her home, and no business would hire a man fresh from the slammer. And he was not allowed to see his kids. The only thing he had on the 29th day, finally out of prison, was his innocence. Not that it mattered. “I was confused. Lost. I lost it all in the snap of a finger.” Devastated and shell-shocked, he dialed 211, the hotline for essential community services. They guided him toward a shelter in Bridgeport and for 15 days he lined up at 5:00 p.m. to get a bed for the night. Then he was granted room in Gillespie. After six months in Gillespie, the program manager, Ryan Soto, located and contacted Antwayn’s father in Oregon. He agreed to share his home with his son. So Antwayn relocated across the country. 33 days later he returned, shaken by his father’s violent mental health issues and veiled threats. Again, he found himself with nowhere to turn. By miracle, Ryan discovered he was back in the system. He got a room for Antwayn in Gillespie. During the long months of his second residency he was pessimistic and untethered. Then slowly, with Ryan’s help, he took the difficult, unnerving steps to overcome fear and submit to the power of hope. Ryan says, “He says ‘Ryan, you give great advice so I’m going to listen to you.’” Then Antwayn became one of Gillespie’s favorite success stories. Gillespie found him affordable housing and hired him part-time in the food pantry. He serves meals, cleans up, assists with food and clothing donations. Every morning he comes an hour early - a free hour, no one pays him - to make coffee, clean the refrigerator, whatever needs to be done. His gratitude is intoxicating; if he can be thankful for what he has, can't we all? “I want to stay working here,” he enthuses. “Miss Pat’s worked here for 17 years. I want to beat her record.” He’s strong, good, and happy. His eyes light up when speaking of his manager, Ryan, “Man he’s the best boss I ever had in my life. He knows how to talk to people with good respect.” Then adds, “I love this job.” Helen McAlinden, director of Homes with Hope, nominated Antwayn for the prestigious Carol E. Walter award, for persons who were once in a shelter and who now provide service for the same population. Antwayn won the award and received the plaque last June. Receiving this award is one of his proudest moments. I scheduled an interview with Antwayn in late March for this feature. Ryan emailed me twice to cancel this interview because of a “family emergency.” Always a concerning thing to hear, especially in this case - he had to be in court and with little advance notice. The emergencies concerned his children. But not for negative reasons. On April 5, he won sole custody of his son and daughter. He beams, “I’m so happy! I take it day by day - everything’s fresh. It hasn’t been a week yet!” When he has a moment to talk to Gillespie residents he tells them to look on the bright side, to pick themselves up and start over. He tells his story to help others like him find the smallest toehold in the crag of hope, so they can, one day, follow him to the summit.
Antwayn in the food pantry of Gille
spie.
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ce gro s of g a y. gb antr ntin Cou food p e in th
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A Close Shave A GROOMING MECCA TAKES A CUE FROM THE LADIES
ARTICLE BY MEREDITH GUINNESS PHOTOGRAPHY BY MINDY BRIAR
When Kennedy’s All-American Barber Clubs first started popping up in the tri-state region in 2009, they were steeped in an old-school, clubby vibe of pool tables, whiskey, and cigars. A lot has changed in 12 years, says Jarrod Manfro, President & CEO of Dark Horse Development, which owns the Westport Kennedy’s. “Men now? Post-pandemic? They’re all about looking good and feeling good,” says Jarrod, who joined the company after leaving the hustle and bustle of Wall Street to do something “more Main Street America.” It turns out, the best bet was taking a cue from the ladies. “Women have always had great options,” says Jarrod. “They are treated as individuals, have consultations with stylists. We want to have that for the men, too, so they can have that kind of confidence.”
Jarrod Manfro, President & CEO of Dark Horse Development
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Gone is the pool table early members might remember. In its place, you’ll find a menu addressing all facets of men’s grooming, making sure each member feels clean, confident, and composed as he heads out to a busy workday or an evening out with his special someone. While both he and his clients were moving towards a fitter lifestyle pre-2020, Jarrod says the pandemic made many more conscious of their responsibility to adopt healthy habits. In addition to signature haircuts and precision straight-razor shaves, Kennedy’s offers shampoos and relaxing neck massage, as well as decidedly masculine skin refresh sessions. Appointments include personal consultation with skincare and grooming specialists and access to a range of grooming products in a shared sanctuary steeped in an air of relaxation and contentment.
While Dark Horse owns a few Kennedy’s locations, he’s concentrating on the Westport space in Playhouse Square. His staff here has introduced facials and manicures to an appreciative crowd that wants to look its best as the country moves out of the stay-at-home years and back to the office. For an introductory $99 a month, members gain exclusive access to Dark Horse Wellness lifestyle, exercise, attitude, and nutrition coaching. Grooming services include hair color treatments and gent’s waxes and the website, WestportMen. com, is just as likely to include a recipe for healthy black bean brownies as it is for beard-trimming tips. “The industry is definitely evolving,” Jarrod says, “and we’re at the forefront of that.” KennedysBarberClub.com
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Man-club vibes.
Chairs for cuts and shaves.
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Kennedy's All-American Barber Shop in Playhouse Square.
Jarrod Manfro
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“cutting but deeply humane satire…” VAR IET Y
BY YOUNG JEAN LEE DIRECTED BY MARK LAMOS
may 24 - june 5
The boys are home for Christmas. What could go wrong?
MEET THE now! saleLEGENDARY tickets on DON JUAN AS YOU'VE WESTPORTPLAYHOUSE.ORG 203 227 4177 NEVER SEEN HIM BEFORE. All dates, titles, and artists are subject to change.
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Drinks with the guys Local restaurants share their specialty mixology recipes with us!
DON MEMO’S TIA MIA INGREDIENTS 1.5oz Plantation 3 Star Rum 1.5oz Grilled Pineapple-Infused Mezcal 0.5oz Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao 0.5oz Goslings 151 Rum 0.75oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice - 0.75oz Orgeat**
INSTRUCTIONS Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake and strain over ice. Garnish with orange and mint. **Orgeat Recipe: Toast 500g sliced almonds & crush using a food processor. Soak the almonds in 800g water for 8 hours. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth to extract all the liquid. Add 800g sugar and 20 drops of orange blossom water. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Store in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 1 month.
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THE COTTAGE WESTPORT’S GOOD OLD-FASHIONED INGREDIENTS 2oz Bourbon of choice 1/2oz Demerara Caramel Syrup* 1/4oz Vanilla Liqueur 2 dash Aromatic Bitters 2 dash Cocoa Bitters
INSTRUCTIONS Combine ingredients in mixing glass & stir. Strain over big cube & garnish with an orange twist. *For Demerara Caramel Syrup - 8oz Demerara Sugar & 2oz water in a pan over high heat until caramelized. Remove from heat. Add 6oz room temp water & whisk until sugar is dissolved.
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GABRIELE’S TREND 21 INGREDIENTS 1.5 oz Aczu Gin .5 oz Rockey’s Botanical Liqueur (a spirited blend of green apple, pineapple, green and black tea, and citrus) .5oz of Luxardo Amaretto .5 oz Simple Syrup .5 oz Lemon Juice .5 oz Orange Juice 1 oz Aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas) Naken Orange Wine for Float or other sweet wine (approx 2 oz)
INSTRUCTIONS Add Gin, Rockey’s, Amaretto, Juices, Syrup, and aquafaba to shaker glass. Dry shake 10 seconds. Add ice and shake for another 12 seconds or until frothy. Pour into rocks or martini glass. Float Naken Wine over barspoon to create layered effect. Place dried orange or orange twist on top of foam.
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THE BOATHOUSE AT SAUGATUCK’S: BUZZY’S BEE HOUSE INGREDIENTS 1 oz Empress Indigo Gin 2 oz Barr Hill Gin 1 oz Lemon Juice 1 oz Honey Lavender Syrup Butterfly Pea Flower garnish
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WALRUS ALLEY’S MEZCAL OLD FASHIONED INGREDIENTS 2 oz Mezcal Verde 3/4 oz Agave Syrup 1/4 oz Bittermen’s Citron Sauvage 4 dashes Peychauds Bitters Grapefruit Twist
This cocktail combines Mezcal Verde Amaras with a bitter grapefruit aperitif and agave nectar to make a smoky summer take on a classic old fashioned
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BEER AT THE BLACK DUCK CAFE When all else fails, a beer at the Black Duck Cafe always hits the spot!
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Celebrating 25 Years Est. April 1, 1996
SGBBW Attorneys from left to Right: Jake DelGreco, Natassia M. Fodor, Aidan R. Welsh, Jill H. Blomberg, Cynthia C. George, Peter M. Bryniczka, and Molly C. Sanford
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FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE 1.
If you’re looking for a great gift for Dad, you’re in luck! We’ve created this gift guide just for you. Dads can be notoriously hard to buy for but this guide has everything for dads who love to be in the kitchen, dads who love to be on the course, dads who love to tinker and beyond!
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ARTICLE BY ANNA BARNES
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1. Bronze Dive Watch DIY Kit is complete with all of the tools and materials Dad will need to assemble a high-end diver watch from scratch. diywatch.club 2. Breville Smoking Gun Smoke Infuser – CrateandBarrel.com 3. Anova Sous Vide Nano Precision Cooker Target.com 4. Yeti Hopper M30 Soft Cooler- Yeti.com 5. Artisan Griller Gloves - Amazon.com 6. Yard Game Regulation Kubb – LLbean.com 7. Big Green Egg Grill – BigGreenEgg.com 8. Cavalier III No. 98 – Ghurka.com 9. Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors - Apple.com
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10. Lexon OBLIO - QI Wireless Charger Station & Sanitizer - Amazon.com 11. Good Man Brand Flex Pro Jersey Tulum Trunks Nordstrom.com 12. Luxurious Robe - Weezietowels.com 13. Giftcard to Stephen Kempson StephenKempson.com 14. Cycling, Mountain, Trail Workout Experiences SherpaFit.com 15. Tickets to Westport Playhouse - WestportPlayhouse. org (Photo: Kathleen O’Rourke) 16. Puppy Training (so you don’t have to) WagCentralCT.com (Photo: Lisa Garcia) 17. Bull & Bear Cuff links - SavvyandGraceWestport.com 18. Japanese A5 Wagyu Steak - HolyGrailSteak.com 19. Theragun Mini - Therabody.com 20. Native Union Lightning Charging Cable Amazon.com
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21. Ranger Fire Pit and Stand - BespokePost.com 22. Freezable Whiskey Glasses - BespokePost.com 23. Putt-a-Bout Par Three Golf Putting Green - Amazon.com 24. IFOX Creations Bluetooth Shower Speaker - Amazon.com 25. Ghost Tree Hybrid Vest - Vineyardvines.com 26. Coffee Subscription - Drinktrade.com 27. Luigi Bormioli Magnifico Decanter With Punt Design - Amazon.com 28. Classic Leather Catchall Tray - MarkandGraham.com 29. Beast Blender - Amazon.com 30. Dinner at Kawa Ni - KawaNiWestport.com
G IF T GU ID E | SHOPPING
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WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT
Jen Berniker, Writer My favorite clothing store: Cotelac because I wish I were French. Also Roundabout, because they have amazing finds and I’m planning on becoming one of those people who shops second-hand and always looks cool. My favorite WLM feature: Robin’s travel story about her adventure with her kids in the Kibera slum, Nairobi [100 Cows], was awesome. (Editor’s note: I didn’t force her to write this.) (Photo: Natalyiya Lalor)
WESTPORT A Few WLM Staff Favorites
ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG
John Videler, Photographer Favorite indulgence: Golf at Longshore on Friday afternoon. Favorite place for a drink: Walrus Alley. There’s something about those lights, the welcoming patio, and live music. Favorite clothing store: Patagonia. I love the outdoors. Hidden gem: As a native Westporter, I know so many hidden gems. Too many to list. You’ll have to wait for my book to come out.
In honor of Westport Lifestyle Magazine’s 4th (!) anniversary, our contributors share what they love about our community. We want to hear from you! As always, please reach out to us if you have any editorial ideas. @westportlifestyle
Sophia Andersen, Writer My favorite hidden (but maybe not-so-hidden) gem is Middlemarch. Their jewelry selection is out of this world and the energy of the space is amazing. Whether purchasing a gift for someone else or a pick-me-up for myself, I always leave feeling inspired and smiling ear to ear. (Photo: Mindy Briar)
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Meredith Guiness, Writer
Anna Barnes
The Westport Library. Curl up with a book and a cocoa in the café. Lay down a righteous beat in the recording studio. Walk the WiFi outdoors to finish your dissertation riverside. Heck, I’m even picking up a little Italian from the conversation group that meets behind my favorite perch on the balcony. È il paradiso dei topi di biblioteca!
Favorite indulgence: Walking through Terrain after brunch on a Saturday morning. Favorite place to grab a drink: Inn at Longshore in the summer, Spotted Horse in the winter Favorite clothing store: Anthropologie - could that building be any more beautiful? (Photo: Brooke Allison Photo)
Mindy Briar, Photographer
Robin Moyer Chung, Editor
My favorite indulgence is Aux Delices ginger honey tea and ginger scone. I like to bring a beach chair and book to Sherwood Island and enjoy it! Sherwood is one of my favorite places to shoot as well as relax and take in the beautiful scenery. And I consider it good luck If I spot some deer!
My favorite place to buy books: Goodwill on Post Road. At $1 each, they’re cheaper than the late fines at the library. My favorite indulgence: A vodka tonic at Compo on a summer evening (Note to police: I’m kidding. I never bring alcohol to the beach.) My favorite feature from WLM: They’re all my babies, so I’ll never admit which I love best. (Photo: Mindy Briar)
Jerri Graham, Photographer
Marisa MacLean, Publisher and Founder
Favorite place to grab a drink: Anywhere someone is buying, but a shot of Limoncello chilled at Tarantino’s is always lovely. Favorite clothing store: Marshall’s. I like to buy my clothing, chips, shoes, and dog treats in the same location. Favorite feature from WLM: All of them. Every month I discover new people who make up the area I live in and why I stay.
Favorite store: Savvy + Grace. The best place to buy local gifts and custom baskets. Favorite restaurant: Kawa Ni has continued to impress me every single time I visit. Their unique and ever-changing menu keeps me coming back year after year. Favorite feature in WLM: Any article that doesn’t have a typo. Just kidding Robin! Seriously all of them. With each month, I learn more and more about our inspiring community. When we first set out to start Westport Lifestyle, I was worried about having enough content to fill each monthly edition. Now I know we won’t EVER have enough pages to include all of the amazing stories from our special town! (Photo: Mindy Briar) JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT
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ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG
KEVIN AND JIM BUILT THE BEST LITTLE MUSICAL THEATRE IN WESTPORT
The Music Men
Kevin Connors and Jim Schilling.
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“I think, right now, people need to laugh,” muses Kevin Connors. I and Jim Schilling, Kevin’s partner in life and business, nod energetically in agreement. Yes! Please! Entertain me! And they will - Lend Me a Tenor, Rocky Horror Show, I Hate Hamlet, and Sunset Boulevard. They’re going to delight and entertain us next season, because we’re all desperate for a chuckle. Kevin and Jim are co-founders of the professional award-winning non-profit Music Theatre of CT (MTC). (Kevin is the Executive Artistic Director, Jim is the Managing Director.) For 35 years they’ve produced and directed (and starred in) a never-ending swirl of plays and musicals for every conceivable audience, while running a popular conservatory for kids and adults on the side. MTC began in Fairfield’s Andrew Warde High School in 1987. Their first play in the defunct school, Ebenezer!, was “…a twist on the Christmas Carol,” Kevin explains. “It has an Ivan Boesky character.” Is Boesky still alive? I wondered aloud. We all looked at each other and shrugged. CONTINUED >
"Ragtime" (Photo: Joe Landry): Jim Schilling and Kevin Connors in 1980
Intimate theater.
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Shortly after a year they built the perfect sliver of a theatre in Westport’s Colonial Green with seating for 45. The space invited intimacy and immediacy of performers to playgoers. On this tiny stage they re-imagined all shows of all sizes, even large shows, reducing the casts to 14 at most. They produced shows like Evita and Ragtime with dexterity and confidence. Audience members were invited to purchase beer or wine and drink during the performances (which they still do). This was thrilling - well, thrilling to those of us who enjoy wine with their shows - at this time, Broadway shows prohibited pretty much everything but inhalers and Epi-pens into their inner sanctums. Kevin and Jim plucked talent from New York and surrounding summer stock theaters. Discerning theatergoers and drama students dotted the audience, loving the palpable energy from each cast. Kids and adults attended classes and performed in shows. Soon they were “exploding” out of their beloved theatre and began exploring larger spaces. After 13 years they found
Music Theatre of Connecticut.
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their current spot, a former kitchen cabinet warehouse at 509 Westport Avenue in Norwalk and built a black box theatre. In this black box they nurture talent like composer Justin Paul (“he could never walk by a piano without playing it.”), cast Broadway veterans such as Adam Pascal and Joanna Gleason, and develop new shows as well as standard favorites. They expanded seating to 110 seats, due to growing demand but still maintaining intimacy. They work with ABC students in Westport and developmentally challenged adults through STAR in Norwalk. Children from the Norwalk Housing Authority are invited to attend an annual workshop to put together a show for their parents, an ongoing partnership that’s fully funded by corporations and the State of CT. “Theater teaches life skills,” Kevin explains. “An opportunity to express themselves, to work as a team, to learn problem solving, in a way that’s fun.” Though life will allow for drama later, right now MTC is all about fun. And figuring out what Boesky’s up to.
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WOOD BIN Solid Wood Furniture Founded in 1980
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JUNE 2022
events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area. JUNE 15TH
Taste of Westport
LIMP IN...RUN OUT SPORTS ORTHOPEDICS PRE/POST OP CARE VESTIBULAR PELVIC FLOOR DRY NEEDLING HOME VISITS ALWAYS 1 ON 1 212-353-8693 zionpt.com
PERSONAL TRAINING | COACHING INDOOR/OUTDOOR ENGAGEMENT ATHLETE CONDITIONING CORPORATE WELLNESS EXPERIENCES 203-255-2320 sherpafit.com
T H E I NN AT LO NG S H O RE , WE ST P O RT | 6 :0 0 P M After a two year hiatus, CLASP is delighted to once again serve the area's most delectable and diverse menus during this one-night extravaganza! Enjoy all you can eat & drink from an impressive list of your favorite local establishments. Dance to the music of Bar Car Band, one of Westport's most popular bands! Bid on fantastic prizes in the silent auction. And toast to CLASP's 40th anniversary! ClaspHomes.org JUNE 15TH
Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law, Book Discussion
E A RT H P L AC E | 7 :0 0 P M What’s to be done about a jaywalking moose? A bear caught breaking and entering? Three hundred years ago, animals that broke the law would be assigned legal representation and put on trial. These days, as New York Times best-selling author Mary Roach discovers, the answers are best found in science: human-wildlife conflict, a discipline at the crossroads of human behavior and wildlife biology. Earthplace.org JUNE 18TH
Summer Shopping Days
Saul Zion, DPT, SMP, CMP, AHC and Jean Paul Desrosiers Free Consultation – zoom or in person 1555 Post Road East, Westport, CT 06880 78
EVE N TS
DOWNTOWN WE ST P O RT | 1 0 :0 0 A M Enjoy spacious and safe shopping outdoors throughout Downtown Westport! Closed streets and accessible parking will allow you to roam freely and enjoy special offerings from many local merchants!
J U N E 2 1 ST
Backyard Chicken Keeping
WAKEM AN TOWN FARM | 7 : 0 0 PM Want to start a chicken flock but don’t know where to start? We’ll walk you through the process in three informative hands-on workshops. Take one, two, or all three! At the end of the series, you can “adopt” two of our WTF chicks, and bring home your own handy starter pack, including feeder, waterer, wood shavings and 5-lb bag of organic feed! WakemanTownFarm.org
Erin has a contagious enthusiasm for her work and for people! Erin Melson has lived in Fairfield County for over 20 years, the last ten have been devoted to real estate. Using her deep-rooted knowledge of the area, Erin has a reputation for providing her clients with “white glove service”. •
Erin has secured over $120 million to date in real estate sales in Westport, Fairfield & Weston in Fairfield County.
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Erin is ranked by Coldwell Banker in the top 1% of their nationwide agents, out of 50k, which has earned her the Coldwell Banker’s prestigious “International President’s Premier” award for the past two years.
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Erin served as an elected member of The Ridge board for 10 years, including five years as Vice President. The Ridge is a gated community on the Westport/ Fairfield border with 90+ homes and club like amenities.
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Erin is a residential and commercial real estate investor.
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Erin has high net worth relationships throughout the Fairfield County and Metropolitan New Year Area.
J U N E 2 3 RD
Music at MoCA: Broadway Through The Ages
MO CA WEST PORT | 7:00 PM Join us for an evening of your favorite Broadway tunes, from Golden Age to Contemporary! Dan Hoy and Michelle Pauker will take you on a dazzling journey through the ages of musical theatre. MoCAWestport.org JUNE 30TH
First Ladies of Disco
WALL STREE T THEATER, 71 WALL STREET, N ORWALK | 7 : 0 0 PM Three decades of music come together in the First Ladies Of Disco (Retro Music Box) Tour. A rocking, toe-tapping, on your feet, ninety-minute tribute to Billboard's '70s 80's '90s, Soul, Rock, Pop, R&B, and Dance Charts, brought to you by the original platinum, and gold-selling hitmakers of its time, Two-time Grammy nominee Martha Wash, Norma Jean Wright, and Linda Clifford. WallStreetTheater.com
ERIN MELSON 203.257.6037
erin.melson@cbrealty.com erinmelsonhomes.com
Want to be featured?
@erinmelson.realestate /erinmelson.realestate
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Westport
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Personalized journeys that change your perspective. Graduation & Summer Soiree Flower Season are here!
SCONSET SQUARE WESTPORT (203) 293 4275 WWW.BLOSSOMSTEM.COM @BLOSSOMSTEM PRE ORDER OR VISIT THE FLOWER SHOP FOR FRESH BLOOMS WED-SAT 11-5 EVENT CONSULTS BY APPT
RENE PRASAD Westport, CT (866) 869-1760 grandexplorations.com
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WE MAKE GETTING DRESSED
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CURATED FASHION WITH A WEST COAST VIBE
117 Post Road East Westport (203) 557-4157
west2westport.com JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT
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The Original Man of Westport 112 Years Old, Still Going Strong
Everyone knows this handsome guy at the intersection of Compo Road South and Compo Beach Road, ostensibly the spot of the fiercest battle between the British (who cruised into Compo a bit earlier) and the Continental militias on the evening of April 25, 1777. He’s the Minute Man, the everyman who leapt to his feet, threw on his clothes, and prepared himself to fight for our town in one minute flat. Our beloved Minute Man, who looks in the direction of Westport’s last battle and greatest victory, was sculpted by artist H. Daniel Webster, 29, in 1909. Daniel designed him
after the likenesses of several minute men descendants and, purportedly, used selectman Lewis P. Wakeman as a model. Daniel created the sculpture in his workroom at his home on 56 Sylvan Road North. He had it cast by Tiffany & Co., shortly before Tiffany “discovered” morganite and named it after John Peirpoint Morgan, a renown banker and gemstone donor. The statue was presented on June 17, 1910 to mild hysteria and a clambake. Two years later, Daniel died. Today, this statue remains one of Daniel’s finest works and one of our country’s finest tributes to the American Revolution.
ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG
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