Issuu

The Thankful Issue A R T S + C U LT U R E

ALISAN PO RTER - STRAIGHT TALK WITH CU RLY SU E H E A LTH + W E LLN E S S

GIVI NG BACK I N SO M ANY WAYS E N TE R TA I N M E N T

GRATITU DE AN D GU EST RO O MS , BE ATLES AN D BAKIN G F O O D + B E V E R AG E

YOU NG CH EF WITH BIG IDE A S

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WHEN LOCAL KNOWLEDGE MEETS BUSINESS EXPERIENCE, YOU WIN.

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November 2023 PUBLISHER

Marisa MacLean | marisa.maclean@citylifestyle.com

LIFESTYLE LETTER

EDITOR

Robin Moyer Chung | robin.chung@citylifestyle.com

Bring on the holidays!

CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Thanksgiving is a delightful prelude to Hanukkah and Christmas, serving as a wonderful reminder of the joys of giving before receiving. We begin with Alisan Porter, a former Westporter, who has graced us with numerous unforgettable performances, not only as Curly Sue or on The Voice but also in various Staples Players and Broadway productions. Just as Alisan has generously shared her gift of performance, we too can lend our talents to those who would appreciate them. In Micro Philanthropies, we will highlight how residents are reaching out to individuals in services and shelters, offering their time and skills. In our 30-Day Gratitude Challenge, we discover ways to remind ourselves of the good fortune of living in this wonderful town. Next, we turn our attention to Catch A Lift. Andy Berman and Adam Vengrow have introduced us to this organization that transforms the lives of war veterans through fitness opportunities. However, Thanksgiving isn't just about giving; it's also about indulging in delicious food. We've uncovered fabulous items to elevate your kitchen game, including beautiful barware, fun cookware, and more. We also had the pleasure of speaking with 20-year-old Sam Seideman, a rising cooking sensation and reality TV star. You might be interested in learning what he would prepare for Thanksgiving dinner if given the opportunity (Pssst... we've included some of his recipes). And if you're hosting guests for the extended weekend, Designport offers fun and practical advice on how to create a more inviting guest bedroom. Speaking of guest rooms, we have a heartwarming story of a man and his son who transformed theirs, along with their entire basement, into a Beatles museum during the pandemic. Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with happiness, good food, and memorable moments with family and friends.

CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Anna Barnes, Jen Berniker, Caroline C. Barney, Meredith Guinness

Jerri Graham, John Videler, Caroline C. Barney, Jen Rosenstein, Cassidy Cousins

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman LAYOUT DESIGNER Eva Tucker

MARISA MACLEAN, PUBLISHER @WESTPORTLIFESTYLE

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Scan QR code to visit our Instagram CIT YLIFEST YLE.COM/ WESTPORT |

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

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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inside the issue The Thankful Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

34 With a Little Help from His Son

Lifestyle Letter

Local Limelight FI T NES S

City Scene

Locals Only FO O D + B EV ER AG E

Business Monthly

Chef ’s Selection FO O D + B EV E R AG E

Giving Back LI FE + C U LT U R E

Hosting Tips ENT ERTA I NMENT

Our Town A RTS + C U LT U R E

Eat Right FO O D + B EV ER AGE

Mental Wellbeing HEA LT H + WELLNES S

Seasonal Setups HO ME + DESIG N

Inspired By LI FE + C U LT U R E

Events

Hometown Hero A RTS + C U LT U R E

Self Care HEA LT H + WELLNES S

Culinary Creations ENT ERTA I NMENT

How Michael Amassed an Amazing Beatles Collection

50 A Staples Players Legend What’s Up with Alisan Porter

64 Veterans Recovering with Physical Fitness How Catch A Lift in Westport is Helping

74 Frat Guy Cooks Sam Seideman’s on Fire

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Jen Rosenstein Alisan Porter, a native of Westport and an actor, dancer, and singer known for her roles in the movie ‘Curly Sue,’ ‘The Voice,’ Staples Players, and Broadway. See the feature on p. 50.

It’s Simple. Work. Life. Balance.

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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. My experience at Westport Dermatology with Dr. Futoryan was wonderful. As a first time Botox client, I was very nervous!! I have never done any treatments to my face before this and typically just go to her for annual skin checks. She made me feel comfortable and at ease. As a Doctor and a Cosmetic Dermatologist, her technique and care was excellent and I felt very secure in her skill and expertise. - C.M.

I recently visited Dr. Futoryan for a consultation, seeking advice on natural beauty treatments suitable for women over 50. I specifically chose her clinic because I wanted a doctor to be directly involved in the treatment options, rather than a cosmetic clinic run solely by nurses. I was pleased to find that the office offered a range of cutting-edge and safe treatments, conveniently located near I-95 with ample parking, avoiding the hassle of going into the city. - L.L.

I recently moved to the Westport area from Manhattan and have been searching for a local cosmetic dermatologist for a while. Dr. Futoryan’s practice was one of the very few that provides Sofwave, a skin tightening procedure I’m in love with. She was also highly recommended. I consulted with her and several members of her staff. She was so knowledgeable and provided a thorough and realistic plan for my skin care. - S.W.

Wonderful experience with botox. Dr. Futoryan really knows how to make you look natural, but still make you look young and refreshed. The office staff is super lovely and helpful. Nothing but a great experience from getting me in right away in a cancellation to every appointment since including the 2 week follow up to check to make sure I was happy. Do yourself a favor and book! - J.P.

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city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen. DAN WOOG

DAN WOOG

2 DAN WOOG MICHELLE HARMON

DAN WOOG

1: 10th Annual “06880” Blog Party. Eve Potts and Marion Morra with nephew Dan Donovan 2: Longtime Westporter Michael Calise, owner of Settlers & Traders real estate 3: Maxx Crowley, president of Westport Downtown Association 4: Rick Benson, James Dobin-Smith ‘23 Staples High graduate, and Danielle Dobin. 5: Bill Scheffler and Ann Sheffer, longtime Westport philanthropists. 6: Rex Fowler and Dodie Pettit. 7: Swag from Savvy + Grace

CONTINUED >

C I T Y SC E N E

D R . M A S H A KO G A N & D R . V I R G I N I A R O M A N O

READERS’ CHOICE 2022

CITY PICK 2021

203.227.8700 • DENTALCENTERWESTPORT.COM • CARE@DENTALCENTERWESTPORT.COM • 175 POST RD W, WESTPORT

CIT Y SCENE CONTINUED

GREGORY SCAFFIDI

LEANDRO JUSTEN

MIKE COPPOLA, GETTY

LEANDRO JUSTEN

JAMIE MCCARTHY, GETTY

MIKE COPPOLA, GETTY

1: Christian Sirano’s 15th Anniversary Spring Fashion Show. 2: Avril Lavigne, Kesha, and surprise performer Sia. 3: Robin Moyer Chung, Josh Levkoff whose jewelry graced the models, and Marisa MacLean. 4: A Christian Siriano look. 5: Laverne Cox, Quinta Brunson, Sara Hyland. 6: Janet Jackson and Christian Siriano. 7: Runway look.

CONTINUED >

C I T Y SC E N E

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STEVEN LAITMON Tel: (646) 645-4971 Steven.Laitmon@Compass.com

CIT Y SCENE CONTINUED

1: An Evening with Justin Paul & Friends with Kelli O’Hara and James Naughton at the Westport Country Playhouse. 2: Alison K. Smith and Athena T. Adamson. 3: Kelli O’Hara, Greg Naughton, James Naughton 4: Jerry Jones, Mark Shanahan, Mark Lamos. 5: Justin Paul with Jared Schonig and Aaron Tveit 6: Justin Paul 7: Justin Paul with Paul Mykal Kilgore. Photography by Jerri Graham

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P R I VAT E E V E N TS | T E A M O U T I N G S C H R I ST M A S PA RTY D E TA PA S S PA N I S H G A ST R O B A R I S S PAC I O US A N D F U N CT I O N A L R E STAU R A N T TO ACO M M O DAT E S M A L L TO L A R G E G R O U PS FO R YO U R O CC A S I O N . C A L L US N OW TO B O O K YO U R N E XT S P E C I A L E V E N T ! !

business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Modern Chocolate Tasting

TA PA S & PA E L L A AT H O M E ? C A L L US N O W TO F I N D O U T M O R E A B O U T O U R P I C K U P, C AT E R I N G O R D E L I V E RY O PT I O N S W I T H U B E R E ATS

W W W . D E T A P A S R E S T A U R A N T. C O M •

180 POST ROAD EAST • (203) 557-0257 22

B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

Join Westport Museum and a local chocolatier to see a demonstration of how modern chocolate is made and try some delicious samples. Our Executive Director, Ramin Ganeshram, a trained chef, food historian and award-winning cookbook author, will talk about the history behind chocolate. Sponsored by American Heritage Chocolate. Thursday, November 9th, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Tickets $35 for members, $45 for non-members. Reservations are required, register online at WestportHistory.org

Total Cents, Empowering Parents in Financial Education Join Tom Henske, the acclaimed financial advisor, public speaker, and author of the transformative book, It Makes Total Cents, for an enlightening series of classes offered by Verso University at The Westport Library. As the founder of Total Cents, Tom has crafted a process that helps parents teach their children about money, and he is excited to share this knowledge with you. Registration required. WestportLibrary.org Photography Jerri Graham

Inaugural Westport Prize for Literature: Zadie Smith The Westport Prize for Literature is an annual prize established to honor an original work of fiction that explores issues in contemporary society. Smith was recognized this year for The Fraud, described by publisher Penguin Random House as “a kaleidoscopic work of historical fiction set against the legal trial that divided Victorian England, about who gets to tell their story — and who gets to be believed.” Sunday, November 12, 2:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. WestportLibrary.org CONTINUED > NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY C O N T I N U E D

Big World of Little Dude

SEE WELL LIVE WELL state of the art technology and compassionate eye care in your community

Big World of Little Dude is an educational platform dedicated to nurturing children's emotional well-being. Our offerings include a book series for home and the humanKIND Curriculum, designed for preschool teachers. These resources are inspired by Little Dude, a real therapy dog, and founder Cara Zelas' experiences volunteering with the Good Dog Foundation and being kind to people in their community. This inspired Cara to start teaching about kindness to young learners. WorldOfLittleDude.com Photography Tamara Hansson

CLEAR eye health + eyewear

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Carole Orland throws perfect pitch at Fenway park

NEW LOCATION 1240 Post Road East, Suite 1, Westport CT 06880 24

B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

Carole Orland's lifelong bond with the Boston Red Sox traces back to her father, Cyrus Topol, born in Dorchester in 1911, the year Fenway Park was erected. Raised in Worcester, she shared cherished

HARBOR

HAVEN

Fenway moments with her dad, even fasting there during Yom Kippur. On her recent 70th birthday, Carole fulfilled her father's dream by throwing the first pitch at Fenway Park, thanks to her friend Bill Mitchell's heartfelt gift. A founding member of Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie family law firm, Carole paid homage to her father and her pitching coach, Ron Gordon, with a flawless pitch.

2 BERMUDA ROAD

Kawa Ni in Denver Kawa Ni is our Izakaya (Japanese Pub) “stay-drink-place.” A spot to grab a drink, settle in, and get comfortable. We offer crudos, but it’s not sushi focused. Dumplings, noodle bowls, rice bowls. We focus on whiskey but have curated a cocktail list. After success in Connecticut, we were looking for a community that we could immerse ourselves in. Everything about Denver excited us. The people, the atmosphere, the landscape-all felt right. Opening in October 2023-Kanpai.

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your life. your home. your realtor. MICHELLEANDTEAM.COM | 203.454.4663 (HOME) NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

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ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG

Micro-

PHILANTHROPIES Helen McAlinden, Director of Homes with Hope, invited me to a Tuesday afternoon sing-along at Gillespie. As we walked into the brick home, Helen noticed a client on the patio. “You’re not singing today?” She asked. “I did!” He replied, “I have to make a phone call.” Helen turned to me, “He loves to sing.” Inside the residence, Antonia Nedder played an electric keyboard, a manila folder thick with sheet music beside her. Four people sat in nearby armchairs, singing “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” by the Beatles. When the crew crooned the final “hand,” Helen collected the lyric sheets while Antonia asked for requests. A classically trained pianist and a lawyer by trade, Antonia changed careers to music full-time twelve years ago. She’s sung with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, the chorus for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, is a choral director and more. “Frank Sinatra?” Someone asked. Helen rifled through the folder, found the lyrics sheets, and passed out Frank’s indelible tune, “Summer Wind.” We all sang, a bit louder now, while a few more people came in and picked up a lyric sheet. Antonia hosted sing-alongs for St. Francis in Massachusetts before moving to Westport. Her hour at Gillespie is a high point CONTINUED >

Giving Back in Personal Ways

G IV IN G BAC K | L IFE + CULTURE

Antonia Nedder playing at Gillespie

Hair styling is one way a local salon shows kindness.

Helping neighbors care for their lawn. Preston, Melani, Terry and Melani Lust. (Photo: @JeffCuff)

Keira Reilly and Dani Hill hold a lemonade stand to raise for the 5th grade teacher’s dog.

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G IV IN G BAC K | L IFE + CULTURE

for many of their clients, including the man outside who returned in time to belt out “New York, New York” in baritone. There are many “micro-philanthropies” (Yes, I made up the term) all around us. Unique and personal gestures that people do to help others. These micro-philanthropies are done independent of a larger charitable organization, just a person doing a kindness for another. A hair salon that has asked to remain anonymous throws open their doors to residents of shelters and missions in Westport, Greenwich, and Bridgeport. The staff volunteers their time to cut, color, and style hair. “God gives us all a gift and we can use it to help people,” explains the owner. “If I could take away what they’re going through for an hour or two, I feel blessed.” It’s hard to overstate the power of both human interaction and beauty boost, which has brought more than one client to tears. Though the salon doesn’t want the publicity, I’ve asked to include their story, as it may inspire others to reach out with their own gifts. With micro-philanthropies, actions can be smaller with great impact. This past August, Melani Lust posted on Facebook, “Every time we go to Compo, we pick up trash on our walks there. Takes very little effort. I've been doing this with my kids since they were little and I am happy to know that they continue this even when I'm not around.” Numerous people chimed in, many of whom do the same with their kids and grandchildren. Many others lauded her efforts and I imagine many more resident beach-goers will pitch in to keep Compo clean. Yes, the beach is raked and cleaned at night. But trash piles up during the day and it’s raunchy. Plus, Melani is setting a good example for her kids and, hopefully, casual onlookers. If you check out the Connecticut Humane Society in Westport, you’ll find lots of fun, small volunteer opportunities. Here’s my favorite: Cuddler. For two hours a week you snuggle cats, bunnies, ferrets… they sometimes have rats, so cross fingers you can set boundaries. For folks over 18 who live among people with pet allergies, this is a wonderful opportunity to get your cat fix, or critter fix if that’s a thing, while making a furry creature feel loved. (CTHumane.org) For several years our neighborhood helped clean an elderly woman’s yard. Kids pop up lemonade stands and donate proceeds to charity. The town government is offering grocery shopping services to seniors. Don’t overthink; just do. As Aesop said, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

The salon offers services to any client. Picking up trash on the beach.

NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

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John Lennon with then-wife, Cynthia. (Photo: Uncredited)

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HIS SON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN VIDELER

ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG

HOW MICHAEL AMASSED AN AMAZING BEATLES COLLECTION

O UR TOWN | ARTS + CU LTURE

The long days of Covid made Michael Catarevas inclined to more internet searches than usual. One day, he cyber-stumbled onto a threepart auction of over 1,000 Beatles photos from the estate of Paul Goresh. “As The Beatles provided the continual soundtrack for my life, I decided to bid on a photo of the Fab Four smiling broadly before receiving achievement medals from Queen Elizabeth II in 1965,” recalls Michael. “And I won!” His son, Ben, a UConn student who once again found himself under the same roof as his parents, took interest. “Our four years of driving back and forth from Westport to Storrs countless times always included listening to bands from the ’60s and ’70s,” Michael says. “Bless his heart.” They began poring over the many photos in the estate, including numerous “first-generation vintage photographs that originally

appeared in American magazines like 16, Tiger Beat, and Teen, as well as British newspapers.” Let’s pause here to learn a bit about Paul Goresh. Paul, who died in 2018, is remembered as either a creepy stalker or a friendly and fanatical collector, depending on who you ask. A nice parallel to Michael and Ben’s Beatles spree: when Paul was young, his father took him to the newsstands on weekends to buy the paper. While there, Paul bought as many Beatles cards as he could with the pocket change his father gave him during the week. In 1979, Paul finagled his way into meeting John Lennon, and the two became acquaintances, taking short walks together, and John sometimes letting Paul photograph him. Meanwhile, Paul was amassing one of the “most important” fan collections in rock history, with photos, albums, toys, and more. Of the many photographs Paul took, two became famous: the photo of John and Yoko that John chose to be on his “Watching the Wheels” cover and, infamously, the last photo ever taken of the Beatles. On December 8, 1980, Paul took a photo of John autographing “Double Fantasy” for Mark David Chapman, the man who would come back four hours later and kill him. Of note, this final image was published in papers around the world and was considered for a Pulitzer Prize that year.

Michael Catarevas with one of his favorite photos.

One of the favorite photos. (Photo: Uncredited)

The first item father and son won together was a “sweet shot of John Lennon with first wife Cynthia, both glowing at a formal evening affair.” The next was Paul McCartney with girlfriend Jane Asher at a party. At Ben’s suggestion, they searched for more images of the young men with their love interests, along with records, group photos, and other ephemera. They scored photos of a “full-bearded” Ringo Starr with wife Maureen en route to Elizabeth Taylor’s birthday party, George Harrison with Pattie Boyd on the set of A Hard Day’s Night. Then the next round of lovers: Paul with Linda Eastman, John with Yoko Ono, George with Olivia Arias, and Ringo with Barbara Bach. “We themed that part of our growing collection The Birds & the Beatles, ‘bird’ being the uniquely British slang for a pretty young woman in those days,” says Michael. They didn’t win often - Fab Four fans have fat wallets - but spent many afternoons strategizing and discussing their potential buys.

CONTINUED >

NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

“We themed that part of our growing collection The Birds & the Beatles, ‘bird’ being the uniquely British slang for a pretty young woman in those days.”

Most of the collection is first-generation photos taken from 1964-1968. Two of his favorites are a simple but radiant group shot. Another is his first purchase, of them about to be honored by Queen Elizabeth II. “Their smiles are so pure… They are so clearly delighted with having achieved so much acclaim and love, before things would get complicated.” Michael muses. Their collection, which began modestly in the guest room, now dominates the walls of the entire basement and garage. Oh, and just last week he threw in a set of Beatles dishes, so one day his may rival Paul Goresh’s. Says Michael of its future, “I would love to donate the entire collection to have people enjoy viewing it. Most everything I’ve collected are unusual images and other memorabilia. Not the same old same old things that have been seen by the masses.” *How can they tell they’re authentic? Snipes. Snipes typically consist of “markings, page indicators, stamps, credit requirements, etc.” Yes, other prints may have been made, but snipes prove it was the original one. CONTINUED >

O UR TOWN | ARTS + CU LTURE

NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

“I would love to donate the entire collection to have people enjoy viewing it.”

O UR TOWN | ARTS + CU LTURE

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30 Day Gratitude Challenge Re-Centering Ourselves for the Holiday Season ARTICLE BY CAROLINE C. BARNEY

Library and Garden Walk. (Photo: Caroline C. Barney) Thank the Westport Fire Department.

M EN TA L WE LLB E IN G | H E ALTH + W E LLNE S S

Westport Police Department (Photo: Caroline C. Barney)

grat·i·tude: The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and return kindness. It's that time of year again, the time when we rush toward the holidays in a frenzied state of acquiring joy. Families come together. Generational food rituals are elevated. Gifts are acquired at a dizzying pace. Social gatherings are taken to another level. The lists are long, and the line between celebration and exhaustion is as precarious as walking on a tightrope. Every year, I tell myself that this year will be different. This year, I'll approach the holiday season in a more measured way—holiday chill, balanced. I've got this all figured out. And then mid-November arrives, I find myself in the Starbucks drive-through, determined to

CLOOP walk (with the dog). (Photo: Jerri Graham)

get my hands on a hot mocha-something-or-other in the newly released holiday cup just so I can "feel festive" while embarking on the seasonal hustle and bustle. It dawns on me—I'm doing it again. This year, let's consider a new idea: a gratitude challenge. Perhaps it will help us shift our perspective, or at least the intention to do so, and re-orient our actions, allowing us to view the holiday buildup in Westport through a different lens. Bird spotting.

The Westport 30 Days of Community Gratitude Day 1: Kick off the month by taking a CLOOP (Compo Loop). Begin at the playground, walk past the baseball fields up to the slipway, continue down South Beach to the cannons, and return to the playground. Day 2: Step outside and name three things that amaze you. The white oak is our state tree and is truly magnificent. Do you have one nearby? Day 3: Take a walk! The Library Riverwalk & Garden is a spectacular option that leads you behind the Levitt to an incredible view of the Saugatuck River. Day 4: Allow yourself to enjoy the extra hour of sleep tonight. But don't forget to change your clocks. Day 5: Take a moment to watch the birds in action throughout town. Thanks to ongoing conservation efforts, we continue to be surrounded by stunning feathered friends. If you have extra time, consider visiting the Winged Wonders bird demonstration at Earthplace at 1 p.m. today. Day 6: Turn on your faucet and reflect on the gift of clean, running water. Day 7: Skip social media and try something new. We have no shortage of creative options in town. In fact, today, The Westport Museum offers free admission to explore everything they have to offer. Day 8: Write a thank-you card and mail it to our Westport Fire Department (515 Post Road East) or our Westport Police Department (50 Jesup Road). Day 9: Reflect on all the fresh food available to us in town. Today is the last day of the season for the Westport Farmers Market at 50 Imperial Avenue. Take a stroll through the stands, experience farm-fresh food, and meet some local growers.

Westport Museum for History and Culture (Photo: Caroline C. Barney)

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Farmers' Market.

Westport Town Hall (Photo: Caroline C. Barney)

Local shopping, Savvy+Grace (Photo: Caroline C. Barney)

M EN TA L WE LLB E IN G | H E ALTH + W E LLNE S S

Day 10: Donate something (time, clothes, money, books, etc.). The Goodwill drive-through, 1700 Post Road East, is open for donation drop-offs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Sat and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. Day 11: Thank a veteran in town or consider cheering for or taking part in the 2nd annual Honor Our Veterans 5k at Sherwood Island at 9 a.m. Day 12: Watch the sunrise at Old Mill Beach or Compo at approximately 6:30 a.m. Don't worry; no one will judge you if you're still in your pajamas. We might be in ours too. Day 13: Recognize three things you sometimes take for granted. Day 14: Read something positive and inspiring. Our town is filled to the brim with talented, thoughtful writers; you won't have to look far. In fact, the Westport Writers Workshop is hosting a Mindful Writing event today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Maybe you'll be the one writing the inspiring words. Day 15: Open the door, step outside, and take a deep breath. That's it. Even this simple act can be profound. Day 16: Try to go through the whole day without complaining. Try smiling and waving at the teams working on the Post Road construction instead of feeling frustrated with the inconvenience. Day 17: Call a friend you haven't spoken to in a while. Not a text. A call. Like it's 1990, and you have to drag the phone and its extension cord into another room to not be heard by the rest of your family. Day 18: Take a photo of something you're grateful for in Westport. We'd love to see what you choose—post your photo and tag us! @westportlifestyle. Day 19: Actively LISTEN to everyone today. Day 20: Write down three people in Westport who inspire you, and if you're up for it, reach out and let them know. This list could go on for days for me, but if you're looking for a few ideas, visit the town's Community Organizations page, and you will be in awe of the number of impactful organizations we have in town. (On westport.gov - Google it.) Day 21: Take a drive down Main Street and as you pass Town Hall, think of all the people working hard to make our town great.

Day 22: Go outside tonight and look at the stars. If you'd like to take your stargazing to another level, there is a Star Party at the Westport Observatory at 8 p.m. tonight. Day 23: Stop, listen, and look today. Try not to let the day pass by without pausing to reflect on who and what you are thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving, Westport—we're thankful for all of you! Day 24: Shop local and let them know you appreciate all that goes into following a dream and building a business. WEST, Savvy+Grace, Kawa Ni, Don Memo, Millie Rae's, and so many others. Day 25: Do one random act of kindness for someone in town. Smile at them, buy their coffee, tell them they look great. Day 26: Sit still for 10 minutes and listen to the sounds around you. Day 27: Offer to do something unexpected for a loved one. You can never go wrong with a bouquet of flowers or a plant from Trader Joe's.

Day 28: Watch the sunset from the back parking lot of Longshore. It might be the best place in all of Westport for it. Drive through the golf course and through the course parking lot on your right to the lower lot, scout through the trees and grasses to a small stretch of beach. It sets at 5:45 p.m. - See you there! Day 29: Did you learn anything new about yourself or our community this month? Day 30: How will you continue your gratitude practice? Here are some ideas: Make a meal for the Gillespie Center, donate toys to the PAL Toy Drive, support the arts by going to the Westport Country Playhouse or MoCA Westport, donate your no-longer-used holiday decorations, clothes, and household items to Goodwill, 1700 Post Road East. Just drive through and drop it off. Oh - and never underestimate the power of a smile.

“Stop, listen, and look today. Try not to let the day pass by without pausing to reflect on who and what you are thankful for.”

Caroline C. Barney

Caroline is a bestselling author, inspirational speaker, consultant and coach. Her work focuses on helping others build lives and organizations that are purpose-driven, joy-filled and resilient. CarolineBarney.com (Photo: Jerri Graham)

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CITY. COUNTRY. COAST Your destination to dress your home up for the holidays... 1799 Post Rd E | Westport,CT 06880 203.292.5700 | www.thepostct.com

• Catching air as I blow over an unpainted, therefore unnoticed, speed bump (Yes, I realize the irony in this. • Feeling my soul deplete as I idle in the Saugatuck clot. And the Steinkraus Cohen bridge clot. And the Post Road clot. And the North Avenue clot(s).

Letter from the Editor THANKFUL...

It’s wonderful to have a holiday like Thanksgiving; a collective opportunity to focus on gratitude. This month’s issue reflects so much of what we appreciate in life. So now I’m going to list the stuff that bugs me. I know it’s not festive, but without rain, how can we appreciate sunshine? Here’s a list of things for which I’m not, you know, thankful:

“I k n ow it ’s n ot fe st ive , b ut w ith out ra i n , h ow ca n we a p prec i a t e s u n s h i n e? ” • People who are rude to waitstaff. Just… it’s not an easy job. Try to be understanding. • The guy in Westport Library who doesn’t understand we can all hear him talking on his cell phone. Good news everyone - his prostate’s fine. • When the cheapest wine-by-the-glass is $20. • Salespeople who closely monitor their iPhones while - throwing it out there - a manager might expect them to help customers. • The direct correlation between my teens getting their drivers’ license and the uptick in fast food charges on my credit card. Okay, I’m stopping here. It feels good to vent because holidays are never perfectly joyous, right? Despite my grievances, there are restaurants with less expensive wine and employees with a great work ethic. And of course, there's that guy with a great prostate.

ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY ARMSTRONG SKATOFF

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A S TA P L E S P L AY E R S LEGEND What’s Up with Alisan Porter

To many Westporters of a certain age, Curly Sue was a coming-of-age movie, the kind of flick you watched multiple times and would stop and stare if you spotted it playing on a nearby screen. The totemic role of Curly Sue was played by Westporter Alisan Porter. She had roles in several movies, including Parenthood, and numerous roles in TV shows such as The Golden Girls, Family Ties, and Pee Wee’s Playhouse. The daughter of a Broadway actress and a musician, Alisan’s family moved to Westport when she was 12. Though she had renounced her acting days, the lure of Al Pia and the Staples Players lured her back to the stage where she continued her love of singing, dancing, and acting. Theatre led her to star turns on Broadway, season 10 winner of The Voice, and several albums. We talked to Alisan, now in California, about her star turns, sobriety, and plans for her future.

WLM: YOU MOVED TO WESTPORT IN TIME FOR 8TH GRADE. WERE YOU DONE WITH PROFESSIONAL ACTING AT THAT POINT? AP: Yeah, I was kind of over it. I really wanted to just be like a regular kid and experience, you know, school and not having to leave for rehearsals and auditions. My dad was working in New York. I don't really know exactly why we chose Westport specifically, but I know that it was a quick ride into the city for my dad.

WLM: BUT THEN YOU DISCOVERED THE STAPLES PLAYERS… AP: The first year I was in Westport I saw Carousel at Staples. I was like, how are these people so talented and how is this production so huge? How do I get in there? Which was interesting because I was I really wanted to be out of the spotlight. And then as soon as I got into players, it was all I wanted to be. I got my first lead the second semester of my freshman year. I was Anita in West Side Story.

WLM: AFTER STAPLES, YOU WENT TO BROADWAY WHERE YOU PLAYED, AMONG OTHER ROLES, BEBE IN A CHORUS LINE. “AT THE BALLET” IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONGS. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? AP: It was a crazy experience because my mom played the same part 30 years before me. I had grown up knowing that my mom was in the first national tour.

WLM: OH MY GOODNESS! SO WHEN YOU WENT IN TO AUDITION, DID YOU SPECIFICALLY AUDITION FOR THAT ROLE? AP: Yeah, I auditioned for Bebe and Maggie. She had played both. The audition was part of the documentary Every Little Step. Once I got the first or second round, I went in for the same people who had hired my mom. In the movie I say, “I would get punished" if I didn't say ‘Hi’ to you from my mother. CONTINUED >

ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEN ROSENSTEIN

H OM E TOWN H E R O | ARTS + CULTURE

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WLM: YOU TALK A LOT ABOUT YOUR SOBRIETY. DO YOU REMEMBER THE POINT YOU DECIDED TO CALL YOUR MOM AND ASK FOR HELP? AP: Hang on one second (laughs). That squirrel will not leave my chicken coop alone! Ella [her dog], you gotta get out there and regulate! They eat the chicken feed.

WLM: SQUIRRELS ARE OBNOXIOUS. AP: I didn't really have structure growing up. It was like, what show are you doing? Or what movie, or this or that. And you're kind of thrust into this very adult world, and you don't really have the chance to mature, and you don't have the chance to do things on the right timeline. I was doing A Chorus Line in New York [for the second time]. I felt a little stifled in my creativity. A Chorus Line is a very specific show. You have to do it a very specific way and it's an emotional show. I was being pulled in these two different directions. Of course, I got this amazing opportunity to do this Broadway show, but at the same time, I wanted to just be an artist. I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t living my truth.

WLM: SO YOU ACHIEVED EVERYONE'S DREAM JOB AND THAT WASN'T FULFILLING FOR YOU, WHICH IS FASCINATING. AP: When you're doing a Broadway show, you get up, you go to the theater, you warm up, you do the show, you do it once or twice, you go home, you go out with friends, you party, you come home, you sleep. It's kind of groundhog day. I didn’t thrive. I need to be creative. Everything was going down the tubes. And I was like, I don't want to be this cliché, this quintessential ex-child star who’s a drug addict. This is just so stupid. I'm just super grateful that I got that opportunity. A lot of my peers didn't. I love sobriety. It’s given me a very beautiful, very full life.

WLM: THEN WHAT DO YOU DO? AP: I came back to LA, I got myself into an amazing band and I wrote some of the best music of my life. I played shows all over, learned how to co-write songs, and got my first publishing deal.

WLM: HOW DID YOU GET ON THE VOICE? AP: I didn't really decide. Somebody decided for me and I got a letter saying, you have an audition. I was like, this is weird.

WLM: AS A PROFESSIONAL ACTRESS AND SINGER, WERE YOU A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS? OR DID YOU FEEL CONFIDENT? AP: I was trepidatious about the fact that I was a former professional actor and singer, and was that going to be weird? But I wanted the opportunity to sing and to be discovered in a different way.

WLM: EVERYONE SEEMED PRETTY SURE YOU WERE GOING TO WIN THIS THING. AP: I tried not to think like that, 'cause you really just never know. And I was up against a country guy and they usually win.

WLM: YOU CHOSE CHRISTINA AGUILERA AS YOUR VOCAL COACH. DO YOU STILL KEEP IN TOUCH? AP: We keep in touch and have a lot of mutual friends. I wouldn’t say we talk every day but we definitely still have a relationship. CONTINUED >

H OM E TOWN H E R O | ARTS + CULTURE

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H OM E TOWN H E R O | ARTS + CULTURE

“Oh my God. Well, I just wish I could go to the diner right now and have a bacon, egg and cheese.”

WLM: WHAT ARE YOU UP TO NOW? AP: I’m on my fourth season of the Masked Singer as vocal coach. I'm working on new music currently. I have a big feature coming out in October that I don't even know if I can talk about yet.

WLM: THIS IS GOING TO BE IN OUR NOVEMBER ISSUE. AP: Oh, perfect. So I have a feature with the Blues Travelers on their record.

WLM: WOW! AND IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO SAY TO YOUR WESTPORT PEEPS? AP: Oh my God. Well, I just wish I could go to the diner right now and have a bacon, egg and cheese.

WLM: AS DO WE ALL. BY THE WAY, YOU’RE REALLY WELL SPOKEN. AP: That’s Al Pia. Mr. Pia was all about diction and speaking clearly, and thinking before you speak. (Pauses) I really love Westport.

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WEDDING INVITATIONS & GIFT REGISTRY TABLE DECOR • FLATWARE • LINENS • CANDLES • SILVER • CRYSTAL • INVITATIONS • STATIONERY

E levat e You r K it chen ,

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A nna B

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C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | E NTE RTAI NME NT

We’ll all be spending a bit more time in the kitchen during the fall and upcoming holiday season so why not utilize some tools to make hosting a little easier (and prettier!) 01 PARTANNA OLIVE OIL. Olive oil so pretty you’ll want to leave it on the counter. PartannaFoods.com // 02 THE DUTCHESS X FLAMINGO ESTATE DUTCH OVEN. A Dutch Oven to rival them all. GreatJonesGoods.com // 03 SHUN PREMIER STARTER KNIVES. A great chef needs great knives. Williams-Sonoma. com // 04 BRAIDED HANDLE UTENSIL SERVING SET. A beautiful way to serve salad. ShopTerrain.com // 05 ALWAYS PAN 2.0. The most versatile pan for any type of cuisine. FromOurPlace.com // 06 CORNFLOWER IVY DISH TOWEL. Because everyone loves a beautiful dishtowel. ShopTerrain.com

K it che n Mu s t H ave s 07 LOMI CLASSIC KITCHEN COMPOSTER. Kitchen clean up made easy and your houseplants will thank you. Lomi.com // 08 ALL-CLAD INSTANT READ DIGITAL THERMOMETER. To make sure everything is perfectly cooked. Williams-Sonoma.com // 09 OXO GOOD GRIPS VEGETABLE AND ONION CHOPPER. There’s a reason this has gone viral on TikTok. Amazon.com // 10 JULISKA STONEWOOD STRIPE 15” SERVING BOARD WITH SPREADER. Your charcuterie and appetizers will never look better. Juliska.com // 11 HOUSE OF HACKNEY TREMATONIA PLATTER. Present a feast fit for kings (and queens!) on this gorgeous platter. Anthropologie.com // 12 TRUDEAU GRAVITI ELECTRIC SALT & PEPPER MILLS. No shaking or grinding here. The smoothest way to season your meal. Williams-Sonoma.com

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B a r Mu s t H ave s Add these items to your bar for an elevated experience. 13 CUSTOMIZABLE ICE CUBE TRAY. Customized ice cubes? Yes please. Siligrams.com // 14 MONKEY COCKTAIL STIRRER. For those who preferred stirred martinis to shaken. Godinger.com // 15 ESTELLE COLORED WINE STEMWARE. Wine glasses that are simple, elegant, and beautifully made. EstelleColoredGlass.com // 16 THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER COCKTAIL NAPKINS. Cocktail napkins perfect for east coasters. Chefanie.com // 17 MINUTE MIMOSA SUGAR CUBE TRIO. Because who doesn’t like a quick cocktail? UncommonGoods.com // 18 STAINLESS STEEL AIRPLANE COCKTAIL SHAKER. Ready for take off! PotteryBarn.com

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | E NTE RTAI NME NT

B a k i n g Mu s t H ave s Leave the best for last with these dessert enhancements. 19 HOUSE OF HACKNEY PEACOCK CAKE STAND. Dessert has never felt so regal. Anthropologie.com // 20 MICHAEL ARAM ANEMONE CAKE SERVER. A stunning way to cut the cake. NeimanMarcus.com // 21 GOLDTOUCH® PRO NONSTICK 3-PIECE SHEET PAN SET. The ultimate, hardest working baking buddies. Williams-Sonoma.com // 22 ROUND HAND PIE MOLDS. If you don’t feel like cutting a cake, personalized hand pies are a big hit. SurLaTable.com // 23 24 KARAT GOLD EDIBLE SHIMMER. Enhance any dessert, cocktail, or otherwise! FancySprinkles.com // 24 HEART MEASURING CUPS AND SPOONS. So you can mean it when you say “made from the heart!” Williams-Sonoma.com

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Westport Police Department Catch A Lift community workout.

Foti Koskinas with Adam Vengrow and Andy Berman. VFW Post 399; notes: Veterans Day 2021 they help bring in food and drinks for all our Veterans.

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | FITNE S S

Veterans at a Catch A Lift event.

ARTICLE BY MEREDITH GUINNESS

Recovering Fitness VETERANS

WITH PHYSICAL

Chris Coffland never settled – in both senses of the word. Always active and searching for new challenges, the Baltimore native played professional football for the Helsinki Falcons in Finland, later coaching teams in Australia and Germany. He hunted crocodiles at night with the Pygmies in Gabon, Africa. And in 2007, a month before he turned 42, he signed on with the Army Reserves. The move didn’t shock his family, as he’d spoken of his call to serve throughout his adult life. “What surprised me was that he had never conformed, but he was choosing a life that was all about conforming,” his sister Lynn Coffland told a newspaper reporter. “What he said was that he lived his life as a free spirit but conformed when necessary. And this was necessary to him.” Little over two weeks after arriving in Afghanistan, roadside explosives, the kind he’d been trained and sent to investigate, took his life. He was just 43 years old. Inspired by her brother’s grit, bravery and commitment to going above and beyond expectations, Lynn Coffland founded the Catch a Lift Fund (CAL) in 2010. The organization – unique as her brother – enables post-9/11, combat-injured veterans across America to recover and rehabilitate physically and mentally through physical fitness, motivation, and support. From coast to coast, gyms, spin centers and more welcome vets, helping them find wellness and peace in their new normal. Adam Vengrow, managing director of Stifel Bank, and certified personal trainer Andy Berman, owner of Mental Grit Fitness, make sure they have a second home here in Westport. “They have a language that we’ll never speak,” Andy says of the dozens of vets who’ve traveled to town around Veterans Day each year to spread the word on CAL and seek solace in a good, healing workout and the support of new friends. “This town comes together. It’s synonymous with overcoming adversity.”

HOW CATCH A LIFT IN WESTPORT IS HELPING THEM HEAL

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9th Annual CAL event in Fairfield County, golf and gala including this year’s CAL Veterans joining from around the country.

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | FITNE S S

The men and women who have passed through Westport have dealt with all manner of challenges during combat – from amputations and traumatic brain injuries to post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction to prescription painkillers. “They come from every race, gender, age group,” says Adam. “We support them all.” In its first dozen years, CAL has helped thousands through gym memberships, home gym equipment, personalized fitness and nutrition programs and a vital peer support network stretching across the United States. The results? Dramatic weight loss, medication reduction, improved sleep and strengthened relationships with family and friends due to a healthier lifestyle. More than 85% of all donations go to veterans' programs for over 6,000 veterans currently benefiting from CAL, which has served more than 11,000 people in its 13-year history. More than 8,600 grants have been awarded over time from more than $6.7 million raised for the organization. The core pillars of CAL are things everyone should focus on for healthy living – nutrition, fitness, emotional wellness and community. Inspired by Coffland’s lifelong belief that through fitness one can reach his or her highest potential mentally and physically, CAL believes fitness is a personal choice. The group offers veterans the choice of how and when to work out, with possibilities for coaching and mentors to make sure the vet achieves unique, personal goals. In Westport, that might mean a day spent lifting weights or kayaking. In other parts of the country, CAL participants climb mountains or participate in yoga sessions. “It could be anything in the world,” Adam says. Andy, who helped mobilize several fitness centers across town to participate, says the experience is as gratifying for the volunteers as it is for the veterans. He remembers talking with a veteran who was guarding a medical unit full of injured Afghanis and servicemen when a person holding a baby detonated a bomb just outside. “He sees that explosion every night,” Andy says. The local volunteers hold fundraisers to enable traveling vets to workout locally as well as enjoying dinners sponsored by local hosts and visits to the VFW, where they enjoy meaningful conversations with fellow veterans. “One guy wrote a letter to Lynn saying, ‘I’m forever in your debt for the Westport hugs,’” Andy remembers. “He says he never had closure on the war until he came to Westport.” Though never in the military, Adam, who worked in finance during 9/11, has had experience with the sudden loss of close friends. He attended 40 funerals in the space of about three weeks in the aftermath of the fall of the World Trade Center. Now in its ninth year, the local group has raised more than $1 million for their efforts, largely through fundraisers usually held around 9/11. Among the top supporters are Christy and Justin Charise of Saugatuck Financial, who host a meal at their home for the visiting vets. The group also holds a workout at the Westport Police Department and receives strong support from First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker, Police Chief Foti Koskinas, the Staples Gridiron Club and others. “It’s a full community event,” Adam says. “It’s a real welcoming.”

CAL Push Up Challenge to Hole in the Wall Gang. Vet work-outs.

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Where to Go, Get, Fix, or Find Thanksgiving Dinner ARTICLE BY DISCOVERWESTPORTCT.COM

LOCA LS ON LY | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

Whether you’re making dinner or going out, here are 10 Westport spots - restaurants, charitable meals, delis, and grocery stores that serve up Thanksgiving meals (or help you serve it up).

MATCH BURGER LOBSTER - RESTAURANT Savor Thanksgiving classics while enjoying picturesque views along the Saugatuck River at Match Burger Lobster in Westport. Lobster roll with your turkey leg? Absolutely! MatchBurgerLobster.com 580 Riverside Avenue

THE FRESH MARKET

SAUGATUCK CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Your go-to destination for top-quality, restaurant-style meals, hand-picked produce, premium baked goods, freshcut flowers, custom-cut meats, and specially curated offerings for holidays and special occasions. Stores.TheFreshMarket.com 605 Post Road East

The Saugatuck Congregational Church manages the Thanksgiving Feast Fund, offering support to families in need of food during the Thanksgiving season. SaugatuckChurch.org | 245 Post Rd East

STILES MARKET Satisfy your Thanksgiving cravings with fresh, locally-sourced produce from Stiles Market, offering a comprehensive Thanksgiving menu. StilesMarket.com | 1001 Post Road East

GOLD’S DELICATESSEN Gold’s Delicatessen, known for its no-frills lunch business, seats 72 diners in the rear of the store. A vast selection of sandwiches on various breads and rolls is displayed on a prominent board. GoldsDelicatessen.com 421 Post Road East

RIVE BISTRO - RESTAURANT Experience an elegant Thanksgiving dinner at Rive Bistro, situated on the Saugatuck River. Chef Eric Sierra, renowned for his French bistro cooking, ensures a sophisticated dining experience with hip cocktails and wine by the glass. RiveBistro.com | 299 Riverside Avenue

THE COTTAGE - RESTAURANT Opened in 2015, The Cottage has garnered critical acclaim for its seasonal American cuisine. Experience Lewis’ renowned cooking, delivered with casual simplicity and coastal charm. The Cottage will serve a Thanksgiving prix-fixe menu. TheCottage.Kitchen | 256 Post Road East

GARELICK AND HERBS Garelick & Herbs offers a diverse array of gourmet food options with a homemade touch, catering to a wide range of events. GarelickandHerbs.com 580 Riverside Avenue

GILLESPIE / HOMES WITH HOPE This community kitchen has been operated by Homes with Hope since 1983. Serving 21,000 meals annually, it is located at the Gillespie Center and is open to all who need a meal. A very generous and dedicated community of volunteers (organizations, clubs, businesses, families, and more) take turns preparing lunches and dinners every day of the year. HWHCT.org | 45 Jesup Road

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FRAT GUY COOKS

Sam Seideman’s on Fire ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG

Cooking with Gordon Ramsay on the set of of "Uncharted Showdown."

C HE F ’S SE LE CT ION | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

When Sam Seideman was young, he and his undiagnosed ADD burst into the kitchen, intent on master-minding a new and delicious tomato sauce. Secret ingredient: cinnamon. “They do it with Greek food,” Sam shrugs. “It makes sense.” The result? "A snickerdoodle tomato," he grins. "The execution was great, but it tasted vile." It's this devil-may-care inventiveness and love of la cuisine that powered him through years of working in kitchens until, at 17, Gordon Ramsay called him "One of the keenest young cooks I've seen." Yes, that Gordon Ramsay. Sam was one of four... well, one of two, really, because Gordon brought his daughter, Tilly, and one of her friends… selected to star in Uncharted: Showdown, a reality cooking show in Costa Rica. In the show, the young chefs navigate dangerous animals and enormous bullet ants whose bites "hurt like a shot for four hours" to collect ingredients. They brave harrowing waves to scrape and pop sea cockroaches off of rocky cliffs (which seems like far too much effort to harvest something so disturbing). They clamber up slippery coconut trees and smash cocoa beans with boulders. The entire show made me grateful for grocery stores, though I do recommend Westporters watch it - Sam was charming and deft, and it was his idea to make jackfruit tamales. It’ll make sense in the finale, which I won’t spoil.

Dijon crusted NY strip, pan-seared scallops, celery root purée, pea purée, gourmet mushroom blend, micro greens, pomegranate seeds.

(Photo: Cassidy Cousins)

Sam grew up in a family full of cooks and recipe-sharers. Ever since he “could hold a knife,” he experimented in the kitchen, admitting, "I did a lot of substitutions and messed up a lot." He began cutting his teeth in restaurant kitchens at 14 years old. During Covid, he pretty much sheltered in place at JR's on Riverside Avenue, working with Frankie Henriquez and owner Eric Johnson. Then stints at Knot Norms and Hudson Malone. He shares special memories of Thanksgivings, when 22 family members gather at his grandparent’s home. "Thanksgiving with my family is some of the most stressful times in our life. There's always an issue with the turkey, and my aunt insists on making everything herself." She did, however, consent to his hand-whipping the cream. An honor he recently imparted to a younger cousin. "I'm in college; I don't need to do this anymore." I asked what he'd like to cook for Thanksgiving, now that he's unburdened himself of whipped cream. He pauses for only a moment, "Maybe I'll do a roasted salad, with basil cashew whipped dressing." Then he cautions, "But I'd have to prepare it elsewhere." Okay, let's pretend Sam's aunt suddenly granted him authority over the entire meal and promised no harm would visit him. What would he make? He promptly responds, "I don't like turkey, so I'd make a stuffed pork loin, with sautéed spinach, onions, mushrooms, chestnuts,

and homey spices. Mashed potatoes; I make a mean roasted garlic mashed potatoes. If you boil whole potatoes, you get them undercooked, so I cut mine up. The biggest mistake is powdered mashed potatoes, and you need full cream, full butter." Which brings us to the topic of plants. Though he's happily omnivorous, he's plant-forward and fascinated by the transformative properties of ingredients. "Zucchini tastes like water, but sauté it down and roast it; the sugar caramelizes, and you develop flavor," he explains. "You can transform a head of cauliflower into its own steak, and somehow it's juicy and has flavor." Then he hints, it's not a job for rookie cooks. At one point, his goal was to have a restaurant, but his foray into reality TV "sparked" another side of food. "I love food and travel, experiencing the cuisine and the culture. I'd like to figure out a business to do that." Currently, a junior at Penn State, in the School of Hospitality Management, and active in his fraternity, he recalls how his new friends were surprised to see his knives, not pegging him for the chef-type. Fast forward, he and his bros cook every Sunday. "I go to my friends' apartments and run a cooking demo. It's a weird balance of Greek life." He also has plans for a prepped dinner service, "A meal plan thing, could be kind of a 'frat guy cooks'." Until this service begins, you can kick it old-school with three of his "Thanksgiving" recipes, were he allowed to make them. @samseideman_ CONTINUED > NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

RECIPE NOTE:

This awe-inspiring pork is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on your guests, one that has them licking the plate clean. While it may require a bit more effort than most, the results are without a doubt worth it. For clearer visual instruction on flattening and trussing the meat check out a YouTube video. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS: • Center-cut pork loin (about 4-5 lbs) Filling: • 6 slices Bacon, diced • 2 Shallots, diced • 3 C. Baby spinach • 2 C. shaved Brussel sprouts • ¾ C. diced Apple • 6 Garlic cloves, minced • 2 tbsp Balsamic • 2 tbsp Maple syrup • 2 tbsp dijon • 1 tbsp Salt • 1 tsp Black pepper • 1 ½ tsp Smoked paprika • 2 tbsp Fresh thyme, chopped • 2 tbsp Fresh rosemary, chopped Gravy: • 3 tbsp Butter • 3 tbsp Flour • 2 C. Chicken broth • 1 1/2 C. Pan drippings

DIRECTIONS: (Photo: Sam Seideman) With Gordon Ramsey and the cast of reality show "Uncharted Showdown."

Making the filling: • Add bacon to a cold pan, turn on the heat, and slowly render the fat out of the bacon. • Once almost crispy add shallots and brussels sprouts. Allow vegetables to sweat. • Add spinach and apples. Sautée until apples slightly soften. • Add garlic and cook until aromatic. • Add balsamic and allow to deglaze. • Transfer to a bowl and add dijon, maple syrup, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, thyme, and rosemary. Set aside Preparing the pork: • Start with the fat side of the pork down on the cutting board. • Using a knife (I like to use a fillet or boning knife) slice about a 1 ½”-2 into the bottom of the pork, cutting lengthwise.

C HE F ’S SE LE CT ION | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

• As you approach one end of the pork turn it counterclockwise and bring your knife down to repeat the process until the pork cylinder turns into a flat sheet. • Once flattened cover in plastic wrap and use a meat tenderizer to further flatten the pork Assembling the pork: • Lay pork flat and spread the filling edge to edge leaving about 1 ½”-2” of pork at the fat side. • Roll the pork over itself tightly, ending with the fat side of the pork. • Unravel a large amount of kitchen twine, keeping string attached to the roll. • With the twine start with the pork fat side up and tie a knot on the far end of the pork leaving excess string hanging off of the knot. • Bring string a few inches away from the new knot, string over your hand to create a loop, twist your hand to keep the string in a loop, and pull the loop over the far end of the pork, bringing the loop a few inches from the first knot. • Tighten this loop and repeat every few inches of pork until you get to the end of the loin. • At the end of the loin, take an excess amount of string and cut the twine roll. • Flip the loin over, fat side down, and feed the twine through each loop of string, double looping each time to create a secure knot. • Once at the end of the loin secure the twine to the first knot that you left excess string for

Cooking for Instagram fans.

(Photo: Cassidy Cousins)

Cooking the pork: • Preheat the oven to 425 and place an oven-safe pan on a burner at high heat. • Oil your pan and sear off the pork until golden brown on both sides. • Pop into the oven for about 1hr 15min or until the center reaches 160 degrees basting every 15 minutes. • Remove pork and allow to rest for 10-15 min basting in pan juices for the first 3 min of its rest. • Strain the pan drippings and use a baster to separate the fat at the top of the liquid. Making the roux: • In the same pan melt butter and whisk in flour. • Cook the roux until the raw flour cooks out and slowly whisk in 1.5 C of the pan drippings and chicken broth. • Reduce until preferred thickness. Serving: • Slice pork in ½” rounds. • Spoon gravy over pork. • Top with chives and serve.

CONTINUED > NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

ROASTED GARLIC MASHED POTATOES INGREDIENTS: • • • • • • •

2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes ¾ C cream Fresh thyme Olive oil as needed 1 Garlic bulb 8 tbsp Butter (1 stick) Salt/pepper

DIRECTIONS:

(Photo: Sam Seideman) Roasted vegetables.

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. • Slice the very top of the garlic off and place face down on aluminum foil. • Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and wrap tightly. • Place in oven until garlic cloves are soft - about 45-60 minutes. • Peel and quarter potatoes and place in a large pot with cold water. • Salt water and bring to a boil until potatoes are soft - a knife can softly pierce the potato. • Drain and transfer to a bowl with sliced butter, allow to melt. • Place cream and thyme on the stove and allow to simmer. • Meanwhile, remove garlic from foil after allowing it to cool for a bit and squeeze the garlic cloves out of the bulb. • Using a chef’s knife, smash the garlic cloves into a paste mixing in olive oil as needed. • Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes until they start to look roughly like mashed potatoes. • Fold roasted garlic paste into potatoes. • Remove thyme from cream and pour cream into potatoes as needed to the consistency of your liking - for thinner potatoes use more cream. • Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. • Garnish with chives and enjoy!

KALE FARRO SALAD INGREDIENTS: Salad • 2 C. Farro • 4 C. kale • 2 C. cherry tomatoes • 1 Eggplant • 2 Carrots • 1 Butternut squash • 2 Zucchinis • Fresh mozzarella (I like to use the small pearls) • Smoked paprika • Salt/Pepper • Garlic powder • ½ lemon

C HE F ’S SE LE CT ION | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

Dressing • 1 C. Basil • ¼ C. Olive oil • 2 tbsp. Apple Cider vinegar • 2 cloves Garlic • ½ Shallot • 1 tbsp. Dijon • ¼ C.Chives • ½ C. Cashew • Juice of 1 ½ Lemons • 1 C. Spinach • 1 ½ tsp salt

DIRECTIONS: • Preheat oven to 425 degrees. • Cook farro according to directions on the box and allow to cool. • Spread tomatoes on a sheet tray to be roasted whole. • Slice zucchini and eggplant into strips and place onto a sheet tray. • Cut carrots into strips to resemble french fries and place on a separate sheet tray. • Cut butternut squash into cubes and place onto the carrots sheet tray. • Cover vegetables in oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika and roast in the oven. • Roast until tomatoes are soft and browned, zucchini and eggplant are caramelized, and carrots are browned (times will vary). • Set vegetables aside. • Put the kale into a large salad bowl and de-stem by pinching below the leaf on the stems and pulling the stem away from your pinched fingers. • Squeeze half a lemon, and pinch of salt over the kale. Put a drop of oil on your hands, spreading it from palm to finger this will help soften the kale. • Massage the kale by squeezing and pinching the kale with your hands, think closed fist, open fist, repeat. The kale will go from a stiff lightly colored leaf to a softer more vibrant-colored leaf. • When kale is massaged toss with cooled farro, roasted vegetables, and fresh mozzarella. • To make the dressing put all ingredients into a blender and blend until whipped, about 2-3 mins. Taste and adjust seasoning as you see fit. • Toss the salad with dressing, serve, and enjoy!

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Ten Tips for Upping the

Guest Room

Designport’s Ideas for Making Visitors Feel Invited ARTICLE BY JEN BERNIKER

H OST IN G T IP S | ENTERTAI NME NT

Artist Gali Katz’s husband created a collage out of international coffee bags (Photo: Jen Berniker)

If you’re like me, your guest room is threatening to become the “Island of Misfit Toys,” the landing spot for odds and ends, the large closet for off-season clothing, and where old throw pillows go to die. Before the holidays hit and your guests descend into this mess, take a minute to think about how you might restyle this space. Start by decluttering. General rule of thumb, if you wouldn’t find it in a hotel room, it doesn’t belong. Then what does? As a semi-professional home stalker (Designport content creator), I’ve reflected on the many homes I’ve snooped around in recently and came up with ten tips for styling a great guest suite. Many of these can be accomplished at a local shop or with 1-click:

DECOR TIPS 1. Essential Greens: Is anything in the room alive (aside from the dust bunnies)? A vibrant plant in a fun pot goes a long

Interior designer Cristina Villegas of Casa Collective Studio created a cozy guest room in her home with charcoal paint and layered rugs. (Photo: Tomira Wilcox)

way to enliven a space, and lasts much longer than cut flowers. Think spider plants (easy to grow in indirect light, air purifying), bamboo (low maintenance, instant visual interest), or the well-named Thanksgiving cactus (fits on a shelf, adds a splash of color). 2. Bedding Audit: Bring your hotel-quality bedding game into this room. I love bedding that’s simple and relaxed, with a textured or patterned throw blanket and two oversized pretty pillows. Can you add a feather-bed mattress topper? How about a leather or wicker basket with extra blankets in the corner? Look for pillows with zippers so you can wash the covers and swap them out seasonally (I don’t do this, but you could). 3. DIY Art: If an original painting isn't in the budget, don’t settle for a generic print from a big-box store. Enlarging and framing a photograph is easier and cheaper than you think. You can make a 24x36 black

Opposite page: Homeowner and photographer Lillie Fortino gave her all white room some black-out drapes (Photo: Lillie Fortino)

Creative homeowner and founder of Yozo Studio, Shannon Vindiola used a navy wall to ground to make this space more intimate. (Photo: Colleen Clear Photography)

& white engineer print out of a favorite kid or landscape image at Staples for about $7. (Google instructions on how to adjust resolution for optimal results). Another easy DIY art idea: create a collage out of a collection. Shown here, a framed display of coffee bags. I’ve also seen it done on a smaller scale with vintage matchbooks and silk fans. 4. A Fluffy Floor: Have wall-to-wall carpet or bare floors? Add a soft Moroccan throw rug on top for a layered look. Etsy is a great place to shop for this. 5. Cave Vibes: This is not a quick fix, but if you are considering painting the room, or even just one wall, don’t be afraid to go dark to give your guest room a cozy feeling. For an easier update to a white room, consider warm paint on the trim. Or splurge on a patterned wallpaper for the entire space (we’ll need a separate article for this). Also a must-have, black-out curtains so your guests can hibernate.

CONTINUED >

NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

Merrin Jones Interiors used greige paint color on the trim and closets to warm up the space and layered bedding for a luxurious feel. (Photo: Julia D'Agostino))

Add a reading lamp.

H OST IN G T IP S | ENTERTAI NME NT

“AS A SEMI-PROFESSIONAL HOME STALKER (DESIGNPORT CONTENT CREATOR), I’VE REFLECTED ON THE MANY HOMES I’VE SNOOPED AROUND IN RECENTLY AND CAME UP WITH TEN TIPS FOR STYLING A GREAT GUEST SUITE.”

HOSPITALITY HACKS 6. Nice Rack: Invest in a folding luggage rack, to keep them from having to bend down to pick up their socks. 7. Snacks!: Call us crazy, but if you’ve got the nook, a mini-fridge will never upset anyone. To avoid #dormvibes, make it a cute one, like the colorful Smeg mini. Keep water, seltzers and chocolates in the fridge, and if you are ambitious, a basket with favorite snacks at the ready, so guests don’t have to skulk around your kitchen at midnight. If a fridge doesn’t fit your room, repurpose a pretty tray and add a carafe for water. 8. Easy Reader: Stylish reading lamps are always an improvement over recessed lights. If the switches aren’t easy to access, I love the small touch-pad dimmer switches you can buy on Amazon and attach to any plug-in lamp. Add a stack of your favorite hardcover books to the nightstand, they’ll do double duty as decoration and a lending library. 9. Love Notes: While you’ll want to avoid “art with words” you can purchase a felt letter-board where you can spell out personalized welcome notes to prop up on

the nightstand (or just spell out your wifi password for them). While you’re at it, supply a guest book for friends and family to sign their names and write about their visit. (If they leave a bad review, don’t invite them back). 10. The Five-Star Bath: In the guest bathroom, along with fluffy towels, a soft robe set is a welcome find, as are your favorite bath products, a high-powered hair dryer, and a curling iron, so your guests can give themselves a glow-up. And, if you do nothing else, remember: declutter. Donate and recycle items and stick the rest in a storage bag in your attic. Just be mindful not to make your guest room too nice, or they may not leave. Happy holidays! Jen Berniker is a freelance writer and the Editor of Designport, an on-line and social media platform for sharing home design inspiration and expert advice from homeowners and professionals in our area. Find them at MyDesignport.com, on Facebook, and on Instagram @my_designport

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNA OXFORD

Fabu lous Flatbre ad

This dish is from Chef Evon Profitt, the director of culinary operations for all of Westside Concepts in Arizona. This flatbread with grilled peaches, house-made rosemary paneer cheese, soppressata, fresh mint, and pistachios with a balsamic drizzle is to die for.

EAT R IGH T | FOOD + BEVE RAGE

Grilled Peach Flatbread with House-Made Rosemar y Paneer Cheese Yield: 4 flatbreads I NGR E DI EN T S: • 2 peaches cut into 8 pieces each • 12 slices soppressata or any salami • Fresh mint • 1 tbsp. olive oil • ¼ cup pistachios, chopped • Balsamic reduction • 4 baked naan bread FOR T H E PA N E E R CH E E SE : • 6 cups whole milk • 2 tbsp. rice wine vinegar • ½ tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped • 1 tsp. kosher salt

HOW T O M A K E PA N E E R CH E E SE : Paneer cheese is made by curdling milk using an acidic additive such as lemon juice or vinegar. Paneer cheese does not use any kind of rennet, nor fermentation or aging. In a pot, bring 6 cups of whole milk to 200 degrees. Once milk has reached temp., stir in the 2 tbsp. of vinegar and turn off heat; milk will begin to separate. Allow milk to curd for 5 minutes, strain whey and curds into a cheesecloth-lined colander. Transfer curds to a mixing bowl and add chopped rosemary and 1 tsp. kosher salt, mix ingredients together, reserve the cheesecloth for the next step. Place the curds back into the cheesecloth, pull the corners of the cloth together, ring out excess whey from the curds, and hang for 30 minutes to continue draining. Once the curds have drained, place cheesecloth-wrapped curds back into the colander and place a heavy item on top, in order to press the curds into shape and press more of the whey from the cheese, for 3-4 hours. Use cheese fresh or keep refrigerated up to 4 days. F L AT BR E A D : Brush olive oil onto both sides of naan flatbread, and place in oven on rack for 10 minutes at 400 degrees, or grill for 2 minutes each side. Grill peach slices for 2 minutes each side, or place in oiled sauté pan till each side begins to caramelize. On a cutting board, lay flatbread down, and place grilled peach slices around flatbread. Take small pieces of Paneer cheese and place throughout over the peaches. Be creative and find place for the soppressata or salami of your choice. Garnish with crushed pistachios and torn fresh mint. Cut flatbread, transfer to serving plates, and drizzle with balsamic reduction.

“I love the use of f resh, loc ally sourced peaches, and g iv ing people the chance to make an ea s y, versat ile cheese at home w ith ing redient s that many already have in their ref r igerators and pant r ies .” NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

(Photo by Heidi Curran)

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Gather Set t ing th e Fa l l Tabl e

The Traditional Table Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or an autumn dinner party, setting a festive table creates the perfect cozy atmosphere. Improvise and use what you have around the house for adding elements to the table.

For this classic, traditional look, a plaid throw blanket stands in for a tablecloth to establish a festive base layer. Brass candlesticks with brown taper candles create a simple and elegant centerpiece. Use familiar accents such as amber jars filled with dried grass foliage and brass pheasants to adorn the table. To add a little character to the table, use a recycled wine bottle as a vase. The simple place setting is enhanced with a dried grass accent and brown silk ribbon tied into a bow to add a special touch to your traditional display.

The Fall Garden Party Table Are you planning to dine al fresco this fall? Create an earthy, fall garden party on the porch by using natural, organic elements, greenery and flowers. To make a statement, create a floral chandelier by hanging flowers upside down above the table using fishing wire (if your space allows). The centerpiece that runs down the length of this table consists of fresh eucalyptus with gold candlesticks and a ceramic pumpkin vase filled with flowers placed on top a tree trunk charger. Adding small pumpkins and fresh flowers along the center gives a little extra character. Instead of going with the classic white plate, enjoy a pop of color at your outdoor fall garden party with a blue place setting as a nod to the sky.

The French Country Table PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

S EASON A L SE T U P S | HOME + DE S I GN

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

Rustic yet elegant, this tablescape combines the love of traditional, vintage and natural elements with an updated twist. The Spode Woodland Collection transferware designs are rooted in proper hunting tradition. The fawn table runner mimicking deer spots brings an earthy, yet elevated foundation as the base for this table setting. Coordinating fawn napkins wrapped with twine and topped with natural feathers creates a whimsical touch. The stunning centerpiece starts with a vintage silver water pitcher that is then filled with fresh, sweet arrowwood Viburnums leaves. To complete the look, pair crystal glasses with vintage crystal stemware.

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Call Us at 844-4-VASCULAR (844-482-7285) or visit us at TheVascularExperts.com NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

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events

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A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area. NOVEMBER 1ST

Verso University: The Development of Comedy in Film

WE ST P O RT L I B R A RY | 2 : 00 P M Basic ideas explored will include, one, that laughter derives from a sense of superiority over what we laugh at: two, that it derives from an unexpected incongruity between our concepts or expectations and the facts of experience that contradict them; three, that it results from the sudden release and consequent unmasking of repressed impulses; and four, that it is a means of correcting mechanically rigid forms of behavior that threaten our human flexibility. WestportLibrary.org NOVEMBER 1ST

Introduction To Video Game Design

WE ST P O RT L I B R A RY, V E RS O ST UDI O | 6 :30 P M Introduction to Video Game Design is a course to learn how to design and develop a video game from the ground up! Throughout the course, you will learn the basics of level design, character design, interactions, animation, and more. By the end of the course, you will be fully equipped with the tools, know-how, and resources to create your own game. WestportLibrary.org (must register, six week course.) NOVEMBER 2ND

Stories of Triumph and Inclusion: A Benefit to Support myTEAM TRIUMPH CT

WE ST P O RT L I B R A RY | 6 : 1 5 P M Join us to be inspired by athletes with disabilities and their families. Featuring Chris Nikic, the

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first person with Down Syndrome to complete an Ironman and winner of the Jimmy V ESPY Award for Perseverance. myTEAM TRIUMPH - Connecticut is an athletic ridealong program created for children, teens, adults, and veterans with disabilities who would normally not be able to experience endurance events such as triathlons or road races. myTeamTriumph-CT.org N OV E M BE R 3 RD

Clybourne Park

MU SIC T H EAT RE OF CT, 509 WE STPO RT AV E., N OR WALK | 8 : 0 0 PM Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Clybourne Park explodes in two outrageous acts set fifty years apart. Act One takes place in 1959, as white community leaders anxiously try to stop the sale of a home to a black family. Act Two is set in the same house in the present day, as the now predominantly African-American neighborhood battles to hold its ground in the face of gentrification. Through Nov. 19. MusicTheatreOfCT.org N OV E M BE R 4 T H

CraftWestport

STAPLES H IGH S CHOOL FIELD HO U SE | 10 : 0 0 AM CraftWestport is the longest running indoor fine craft event in Connecticut. For 45 years, this show has been the perfect venue for unique one-of-a-kind, holiday shopping. It features 175 top craft artists from across the country. All funds raised by the Westport Young Woman's League are given to local charitable organizations. WYWL.com

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Game Night at Toquet Hall!

TO Q U ET H ALL TEEN CEN TER 5 8 PO ST RD E 2N D FLOOR WE STPO RT | 6:00 PM First Saturday of the month will be Game Night for high schoolers here at Toquet Hall! Join us each for all types of board & video games! ToquetHall.org CONTINUED >

Louise McGlynn

Jacquelyn Conlon

Janine Kelly

(203) 222-8686 | conlonmcglynn.com 222 Riverside Avenue Westport, Connecticut 06880 NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

EVENTS CONTINUED

NOVEMBER 11TH

Zoo Gala - Where Dreams Take Wing

T H E I NN AT LO NG S H O RE , WE ST P O RT | 5 :30 P M Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo will be recognizing the generational impact the Zoo has had on conservationists of all ages. Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo takes great pride in educating guests about the importance of wild animals and wild places. All funds raised this evening directly support the Zoo’s mission of conserving critically endangered species and educating the public about their plight. BeardsleyZoo.org NOVEMBER 15TH

MOVE BETTER FEEL BETTER LIVE BETTER

Something Borrowed: Wedding Accessories Deep Dive

WESTPORT MUSEUM FOR HISTORY AND CULTURE | 6:00 PM Join us as we look through some of the stunning bridal accessories from the Museum’s collection. See what accessories a bride would have donned through the centuries, from flowing veils to ivory shoes. Learn the symbolism behind wedding accessory staples and see how they would have come together on the wedding day to create an unforgettable look. Registration recommended, sign up at WestportHistory.org NOVEMBER 3 0 TH

PERSONAL TRAINING ATHLETE CONDITIONING OUTDOOR ENGAGEMENT NUTRITION COACHING CORPORATE WELLNESS 1555 POST ROAD EAST

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Wreath Making – New Adult Event Series

E A RT H P L AC E | 6 :0 0 P M Join us at Earthplace for our new event series: adult crafting nights! Bring your own adult beverages and take part in unique crafts using natural materials guided by our experienced staff. This is a perfect opportunity to relax and unwind while creating beautiful decorations or useful health and beauty products to take home and enjoy. Earthplace.org

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Westport

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Westport Location 127 Kings Hwy North Westport CT. 06880 203-936-6805 kidsconcuss@gmail.com NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

The Eyes Have It HOW TO TREAT UNDEREYE BAGS AND DARK CIRCLES ARTICLE BY WESTPORT LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE WITH FLORA LEVIN, M.D.

long as they remember. There is no correct age to address the bags, but rather when the person is ready.

WLM: SPEAKING OF CORRECTION, WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR SOMEONE WITH EYE BAGS? FL: In someone with true fat herniation the options are primarily surgical. Surgery not only eliminates the bags, but also improves the hollows and dark circles.

WLM: HOW DOES IT ACCOMPLISH THAT AND IS IT A DIFFICULT RECOVERY?

BEFORE

AFTER

WESTPORT LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE: LET’S TALK ABOUT UNDEREYE BAGS AND DARK CIRCLES. WHAT CAUSES UNDEREYE BAGS? Flora Levin: Undereye bags are caused by bulging of fat that we all have in our eye sockets. In some people, the tissues that hold that fat inside are either structurally loose or become loose with age, and the fat herniates.

WLM: DO MOST PEOPLE WITH EYE BAGS ALSO HAVE DARK CIRCLES?

Flora Levin: @floralevinmd 1391 Post Road East Westport, CT 06880 (203) 557-6474 DrFloraLevin.com

FL: It is very common for the two to be present together. The puffiness creates shadowing below it that appears dark. It’s also common to develop volume loss in the tear trough and upper cheek area as we age, further accentuating the darkness.

WLM: CAN BAGS OCCUR IN YOUNG PEOPLE, NOT JUST WITH AGE? FL: Absolutely! I frequently see patients in their 20’s and 30’s that have had bags for as

S ELF CA R E | HEALTH + WE LLNE S S

FL: The surgery is called a lower blepharoplasty. I use an advanced technique called fat transposition to achieve the most natural and long-lasting results. Think of the bag (fat) as a speed-bump and the hollow as a pothole. The excess fat is shifted from the speed-bump into the pothole, creating a flat road. The surgery is done through an incision inside of the eyelid, so there is no scar. The recovery is 1-2 weeks, depending on the patient.

WLM: HOW LONG DO THE RESULTS LAST? FL: The longevity of the results depends on the age when it’s done. In young patients, it’s an anatomical issue, not a result of aging. It is possible that in 20-30+ years, they may need to repeat it, if they develop bags. In older patients that have bags due to age it often lasts their lifetime.

WLM: WHAT IS THE MOST SATISFACTORY ASPECT ABOUT DOING A LOWER BLEPHAROPLASTY? FL: That’s easy! Restoring confidence! The patients look refreshed, not tired, but completely like themselves. Like someone took an eraser and the bags were never there. Flora Levin MD, FACS