Issuu

Westport AUGUST 2018

LifestylePubs.com/Westport

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Kids + Pets

NEW COUNTRY LEXUS OF WESTPORT

Going on July 2 through August 31, 2018

For VIP Pricing contact General Manager Michael J. Buchbinder at 203-255-1531 or mbuchbinder@newcountry.com

NEW COUNTRY LEXUS OF WESTPORT LexusofWestport.com PRE-OWNED VEHICLE SHOWROOM 187 Kings Hwy Cutoff Fairfield, CT 06824

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

AUGUST 2018 PUBLISHER

Marisa MacLean | Marisa.Maclean@lifestylepubs.com EDITOR

Victoria Perry | Tori.Perry@lifestylepubs.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sophia Babun, Kristen Page Emond

Celebrating Family

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Mindy Briar Photography, John Videler

I REMEMBER A TIME WHEN WALLETS ACTUALLY HAD A SPACE FOR PICTURES. My parents always had the latest school snapshots of my sister and me alongside a faded wedding photo and a picture of our family dog. Today, wallet pictures have given way to the smart phone camera roll. When you check the photos stored in your phone, who do you see? If you’re like me, you can scroll through shot after shot of the most important people in your life. The faces I see most in my phone’s camera roll belong to my kids and, I’m not ashamed to admit, my dog Max. My phone has endless pictures of our kids having fun, looking cute or getting into mischief. Often, I’ll get a few shots of my adorable pup lounging on the couch or a video of him running excitedly with my kids in the backyard.

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CHIEF SALES OFFICER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DIRECTOR OF MARKETING ART DIRECTOR OPERATIONS DIRECTOR EDITORIAL MANAGER EDITORIAL AD MANAGER AD COORDINATORS

This month here at Westport Lifestyle, we’re celebrating the most wallet-pictureworthy people in our life: our kids and pets!

LAYOUT DESIGNERS

Thanks for sharing your family with us each month—we can’t wait to see you around! LAUNCH COORDINATOR PUBLISHER SUPPORT EXECUTIVE ACCOUNTANT APPLICATION ARCHITECT WEB DEVELOPERS

Marisa MacLean , Publisher

Steven Schowengerdt Matthew Perry DeLand Shore Brad Broockerd Sara Minor Janeane Thompson Nicolette Martin Victoria Perry Kate Baxendale Chad Jensen Cyndi Harrington Alicia Huff Adella Wrisinger Jessica Soetaert Cyndi King Dana Rudolph Emily Stout Hailey Stepanek Carli DiMarco Melanie Carlisle Randa Makeen Michael O’Connell Annie Chan Harshith Potu

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ON THE COVER Bunk the Skateboarding Bulldog

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MINDY BRIAR PHOTOGRAPHY 4

Westport Lifestyle | August 2018

LifestylePubs.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 areas’ 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 accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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©2015. All rights reserved. Profound, Syneron and the Syneron logo are trademarks of Syneron Medical Ltd. and may be registered in certain jurisdictions. Candela is a registered trademark of Candela Corporation. PB87451EN DR. GOULD AND HER the SEASONED STAFF

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INSIDE THE ISSUE AUGUST 2018

FEATURES 14 A Passion for Dog Rescue Leads to A Game-Changing Dog Care Concept 18 Westport’s Superstars Two Local Kids—and One Dog— Bring Vibrance to Our Community with Their Talent and Heart

25 Keeping Westport Moms Connected Meet the faces behind Westport Moms

28 ‘Give a Kick’ Gives Back Three Local Middle-School Students

25 18

Are Determined to Change the World One Pair of Shoes at a Time

DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

Good Times

Around Town

Open House

25 Local’s Choice 28 Giving Back 30 Lifestyle Calendar 34 Parting Thoughts

GOOD TIMES

Angel-Ade The annual Angel-Ade charity fund drive took place this summer with more than 30 stands offering lemonade throughout Fairfield County. Proceeds to support Westport-based charity Al’s Angels and its fundraising efforts for children with cancer. PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY ANDI SKLAR

Westport Lifestyle | August 2018

DR. MASHA KOGAN & DR. VIRGINIA ROMANO

Personalized Dental Care BRINGING

TO A NEW LEVEL

The Dental Center of Westport has been serving the Westport community, as well as neighboring towns, for over 20 years. The practice strives to provide exceptional client care and educate patients about dental health as a “total body connection.”

Dr. Masha Kogan and Dr. Virginia Romano are committed to ongoing professional development spending significant time each year attending the most highly regarded dental workshops around the world. As a result, the office continually invests in state-ofthe-art technology such as Kör Whitening®, the newest ultrasonic scalers and a digital scanner. Along with preventive and routine care, Dr. Kogan and Dr. Romano offer a full range of cosmetic services specializing in Smile Makeovers with porcelain veneers. Both doctors are certified in Accelerated invisalign® as well as BOTOX® treatment for clenching and TMJ. Dental Center of Westport’s mission is to continue to bring personalized dental care to a new level where patients feel well cared for, catered to, and treated as a family.

203.227.8700 • DENTALCENTERWESTPORT.COM • CARE@DENTALCENTERWESTPORT.COM • 250 MAIN STREET, WESTPORT

AROUND TOWN

CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY NEWTON ROUX DEBUTS IN BEDFORD SQUARE Newton Roux is a new contemporary art gallery located on the second level of Bedford Square in downtown Westport. Its first solo exhibition features more than 25 paintings by Brooklyn artist LJ Lindhurst. The grand opening reception was held on Friday, May 25. For more information call 203.403.0863 or visit NewtonRoux.com.

MICHELLE&COMPANY CHAMPIONS PET ADOPTION At Michelle&Company, we believe that everyone deserves a home and we’re proud that many of our team members have adopted pets that are part of their families. Our team has adopted from Westport’s Little Pink Shelter, Fairfield’s Black Dog Rescue, and more.“I rescued my dog Daisy and she rescued me right back,” Michelle Genovesi said. “When I was looking for a dog, I couldn’t believe there were over 7,000 dogs available within 100 miles of us. CONTINUED >

Westport Lifestyle | August 2018

construction renovations project management award winning design

203-939-9777

144

Water St. Suite 5 Norwalk, CT 06854

www.in2bluedesign.com

AROUND TOWN

(CON TI N UED)

There are so many animals who need a family.”Pets make our homes complete. Let Michelle&Company get you into the home of your dreams, then visit petfinder.com or a local animal shelter to bring a new family member home too.Michelle&Company, at William Raveis Real Estate, has been providing our community unmatched personalized service and expertise in real estate for over 30 years.

HEALTHY KIDS COOKING CAMP Calling all young chefs!!! Join us on an adventure to expand your child's palate by using a "learn by doing" way of teaching. With chef hats in tow, your young chef will be making several fun and healthy recipes per day while learning valuable kitchen skills. This camp will get your child really excited about putting together healthy and delectable dishes from start to finish. During the camp, all young chefs will get to eat their food creations. Each young chef will receive a gift bag, chef hat, young chef t-shirt, and recipes. Chopped Junior’s chef Aaron Gruen will be joining us July 9th and 10th and the weeks of July 23rd and August 20th! Wilton Congregational Church, 70 Ridgefield Rd, Wilton CT 203.442.6027 www.nn4kids.com kira@nouveaunutrition.com

We are always accepting submissions for announcements you’d like to see included in our Around Town section. Submissions are accepted via the Contact Us tab at LifestylePubs.com/Westport. 12

Westport Lifestyle | August 2018

EVERYONE NEEDS A HOME Adopt a Pet Today 10 GRAY LANE | $5.998M

15 DUCK POND ROAD | $4.8M

12 SHOREHAVEN ROAD | $5.250M

MICHELLEANDCOMPANY.COM 2 OWENOKE PARK | $3.4M

WILLIAM RAVEIS REAL ESTATE | 203.454.HOME (4663)

OPEN HOUSE

A Pas s i o n f o r D o g R e s c u e Leads to a Game-Changing D o g C a r e C o n c e pt PASSAGE EAST KENNELS GIVES MAN’S BEST FRIEND THE PERFECT RETREAT ARTICLE KRISTEN PAGE EMOND PHOTOGRAPHY JOHN VIDELER PHOTOGRAPHY

DOGS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PART OF THE KADDIS FAMILY. Joe Kaddis and his wife, Laura, had six rescue dogs of their own in 1998. All had been abused and slated for euthanasia, earning Joe and Laura the nickname of “the last resort couple.” One year later, Joe was faced with a dilemma. He went to rescue one dog at the Bridgeport pound but learned that seven dogs were scheduled to be euthanized that day. Ultimately, Joe did the only thing he felt he could do—he loaded all of them into his van and took them home. When their vet, Dr. Chuck Noonan, serendipitously mentioned that a kennel was for sale in Wilton, the Kaddises knew what they had to do: build a family-oriented, true canine retreat where dogs of all breeds and backgrounds could receive the love and care they deserve and the opportunity to find their forever homes. At Passage East Kennels, the main concern is the well-being and happiness of the dogs in their care. Dogs have the opportunity to participate in two outdoor playgroups a day for up to four hours of fun, absolutely free. The Kaddises leave the day-to-day operations to their dedicated staff in order to raise their young family and attend to their professional careers. By day, Laura is the principal of Hurlbutt Elementary in Weston, and Joe is vice president of sales at r4 Technologies. The Kaddis clan now includes two rescue dogs, August and Blue, and four young daughters, Mary, Amy, Rebecca and Anna. Some of the staff members have been with Passage East for more than a decade, and several reside on the property so they can manage 24-hour care. At the adoption wing of the property, an average of seven dogs at a time live out their best lives until they find their forever homes. To add to the already fabulous retreat, the Kaddises recently purchased the adjacent property. A separate cottage there will serve as an afterhours drop-off and pickup point, another added convenience for busy dog parents. Nestled on four acres, the combined property can comfortably accommodate up to 100 dogs at any given time and includes two outdoor play yards and an indoor play area for inclement weather. CONTINUED >

Westport Lifestyle | August 2018

The Kaddis family purchased Passage East in 2000, fueled by their passion for rescuing dogs.

August 2018 | Westport Lifestyle

OPEN HOUSE

(CON TI N U ED)

Dogs of all breeds are welcome at Passage East Kennels. Dogs are evaluated and split into playgroups by temperament for an optimal socialization experience. Services that traditionally would be charged as additional fees at other dog care facilities, such as outdoor play time, are all included. Passage East also offers full grooming services and daycare. General Manager Fawn Holden, who has been with Passage East since 2007, lives on the property with her family. She is also the head of grooming. Her attention to detail, enthusiasm and genuine care shows through in every cut and puts even the most nervous dogs at ease. Fawn looks for staff members that match her own level of passion for dogs. “We want highly trained canine professionals, and we want people working here that like the dogs as much as their owners do,” she says. “My favorite part of the job is working with the ‘naughty dogs’ who during their stay start to come out of their shells and begin to blossom.” Kennel Manager Katrina Knebel is also passionate about her career, living on the property with her three rescues. Since 2013, Katrina has been leveraging her expertise in animal behavior to ensure visiting dogs are comfortable and socialized within the larger group. Katrina specializes in working with dogs who may have behavioral issues. “We work together to make sure the heart of the kennel’s operations are running smoothly: scheduling, coordinating, incorporating training into off-leash and play time for more anxious or challenged dogs," Katrina says. "This is a second home for a lot of the dogs, and we make sure to go the extra mile. It’s not uncommon for some dogs visiting us to leave to go home better behaved than when they arrived.”

499 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut, 203.762.7998, PassageEastKennels.com

Westport Lifestyle | August 2018

A bird's-eye view of the Passage East compound on Danbury Road in Wilton.

Jesup Hall

Community, Fine Foods & Spirits

Morris Ketchum Jesup Owners Joe and Laura Kaddis and their four girls hang out by the reception desk and retail selection. Slate, the rescue pit bull, serves as Chief Greeter. Fawn (left) is Passage Eastâ€™s General Manager and Head of Grooming. Katrina (right) serves as Kennel Director (and is also Slateâ€™s mom) at Passage East.

Our namesake, born in Westport in 1830, dedicated his life to the advancement of science, education and enviornmental conservation. Jesup understood the intrinsic value of community in social development. Set in the Historic Westport Town Hall, Jesup Hall has the wholesome intention of rekindling the sense of comeraderie and community that Morris himself may have enjoyed. Beautiful food, fine spirits & interesting people.

90 Post Road East (203)557-6198

jesuphallwestport.com info@jesuphallwestport.com

@jesuphallwestport

@billtaibe

August 2018 | Westport Lifestyle

ARTICLE SOPHIA BABUN PHOTOGRAPHY MINDY BRIAR PHOTOGRAPHY

Westport's Super stars TWO LOCAL KIDS—AND ONE DOG— BRING VIBRANCE TO OUR COMMUNITY WITH THEIR TALENT AND HEART

Westport Lifestyle | August 2018

meet THE SKATEBOARDER Bunk is a brilliant and dedicated athlete, which is unusual because he’s a 5-year-old English Bulldog. Unlike other dogs, “going out” never means a walk around the block. “When we lived in Brooklyn I used to take him out for walks and to the dog park, but he didn’t really see the utility of walking,” says Frank Nussbaum, Bunk’s owner. It all started four years ago when Carlye, Frank’s wife, got Frank a skateboard for his birthday. “He’d seen other things with wheels and was fascinated by them… and Bunk was absolutely infatuated with the skateboard. He was obsessed with it from the moment he got on,” Frank says. Skateboarding comes naturally to Bunk. He rides the board instinctually and puts his front paws on the board and powers it with one or two of his back feet. Now, he goes out three times a day and skateboards for the entire time. “He likes an audience,” Carlye says. “You can’t be out there on your phone and not be paying attention to him or he gets mad!” The Nussbaums live by the school in Weston so people frequently walk or drive by and stop to watch Bunk skateboard in the driveway. He has even become a local celebrity in Weston. “People recognize him when he’s out, which is a few hours a day,” Frank says. Bunk enjoys going out to eat. His favorite local spots include Wire Mill Saloon & Barbecue for burgers and Heibeck’s Stand for a vanilla ice cream. He also loves spending time with his sisters, Mia, 12; and Tabitha, 8 months. “He’s always been a very sweet dog,” Frank says. “He was good with Mia right off the bat, and he’s wonderful with his new baby sister, which is an adjustment for him.” In the future, the Nussbaums hope to involve Bunk with a more formal role in the community. “We’d love to have him as a therapy dog,” Carlye says. “He’s great with people, and he’s wonderful with kids.” Bunk is a self-taught athlete, and he’s also taught the Nussbaum family a lot. “He’s a really hard worker, and every day he does the unlikely,” Carlye says. “He has this really interesting passion and works so hard at it…it’s inspiring,” Frank says. Follow Bunk on Instagram @GoodBoyBunk.

Bunk Nussbaum in his element

CONTINUED >

August 2018 | Westport Lifestyle

WESTPORT SUPER STARS Ethan Walmark jams at home in Westport.

(CON TI N U ED)

meet THE PIANO PLAYER Ethan Walmark, 12, is a piano prodigy who is destined for stardom. At only 15 months old, Ethan taught himself to play the piano by ear. “[He had] a Melissa & Doug toy piano…we were in the other room and we heard ‘Twinkle, Twinkle,’” Ethan’s father, Michael Walmark, remembers with pride. Ethan has Autism Spectrum Disorder, which is only one part of who he is; neither he nor his family let ASD hold him back from performing or from living his life to its fullest. “When he is on stage I like to say it’s the most typical that he is because he’s in his comfort zone, and he’s just an all-around entertainer,” Allison Ziering Walmark, Ethan’s mother, says. "While it may be challenging for him to do a one-on-one conversation, when he’s on stage he can go back and forth with the audience, and it’s just so natural for him.” The Walmark family has a history filled with music, so it is no surprise that Ethan is so talented. “My dad was a professional musician and won Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts numerous times. He was in the Army Air Corps, entertained the troops stateside and later had a well-known professional society band,” Allison says. Ethan’s favorite part about playing the piano is sharing his music with others. “It shows my ability,” Ethan says. “It makes people happy.” He has performed all over Connecticut and the United States at huge venues like the Kennedy Center and Jones Beach, as well as local venues. He has played for audiences of more than 30,000 people without a tinge of stage fright. In 2013, when Ethan was 8 years old, he was asked to join a new band called Clueless, which was started by two pre-teen musicians from School of Rock in Fairfield just so they could jam with Ethan. Although Clueless is made up of high school and college-aged students, Ethan holds his own with ease. The band performed their first gig at an Autism Speaks fundraiser at Toquet Hall in 2014. Ethan’s family is very involved with the Autism Speaks organization and has participated in numerous walks, fundraisers and performances for the charity. Clueless also holds fundraisers for the Jerry and Sandy Ziering Music Scholarship fund, formed by Ethan’s parents in memory of his grandparents, to help underserved children in the community by providing free music lessons. Ethan’s musical knowledge is impressive and extensive. “I like Elton John; Emerson, Lake & Palmer; Genesis. I like anything rock and soul. Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Jackson 5…” Ethan says. And the list could go on and on. “He has tremendous musical taste,” Allison says. “He can play swing, he can play ragtime, jazz, funk, blues…he listens to something three or four times and can play it.” Ethan’s younger sister, Eliza, is a talented gymnast who is one of Ethan’s biggest supporters and enjoys singing and dancing to her brother’s piano playing. “It makes me feel special to know he’s making other people happy by playing music,” Eliza says.

Westport Lifestyle | August 2018

meet THE DANCER Jamie Mann, 15, has been dancing since he could walk. “It was like a compulsion,” his mother, Jill Mann, says. “If there was music playing anywhere, we had to stop and let him dance.” Jamie’s interest in ballet was sparked at age 3 at a performance of Swan Lake in Madrid. Because it was getting late, the family decided to leave at intermission. “He cried when we left,” Jill says. “And he was obsessed with ballet after that.” Since then, Jamie has trained at Ballet Etudes (The Studio) in Norwalk, along with Alvin Ailey and the School of American Ballet in New York City. He has even performed with the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center in productions of Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Harlequinade. “The first production I did [at Lincoln Center] was The Nutcracker…it was surreal,” Jamie says. “It was just an incredible experience.” His passion for dance is unwavering, and his face completely lights up when he talks about performing. “I love the fluidity of it all. I love the rhythm and how I feel when I’m dancing, especially on stage with a cast…It’s like its own language,” Jamie says. Not only is Jamie an extremely talented dancer, but he is also a gifted actor and singer. When Jamie was training at Alvin Ailey at age 9, he was scouted for the Billy Elliot Broadway National Tour. Unfortunately, the tour closed just before he turned 10 and was about to audition for the production’s creative team. However, Jamie had the opportunity to go on to perform the title role of Billy Elliot in four regional productions of the show in four different states, totaling more than 60 performances. “That was really my first time doing professional theater,” Jamie says. “It was intense because all the productions were different. It was a really difficult role to play. I learned you can really do anything if you put your mind to it.” Jamie is involved in Staples Players locally, where he has already performed in two main stage productions during his freshman year and has performed in numerous ballets at The Westport Playhouse through his local dance studio, Ballet Etudes. Jamie pictures himself pursuing an acting career

Triple threat Jamie Mann shows us some moves at Compo Beach, Westport.

and has dreams of being on Broadway someday. August 2018 | Westport Lifestyle

Greenwich | Nor walk | S outhport

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Westport Lifestyle | August 2018

F I N E S TAT I O N E RY

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Westport Lifestyle | August 2018

LOCAL’S CHOICE

An Afternoon with

Melissa Post and Megan Rutstein, Co-Founders of Westport Moms

ARTICLE KRISTEN PAGE EMOND PHOTOGRAPHY MINDY BRIAR PHOTOGRAPHY

KEEPING WESTPORT MOMS CONNECTED

WHEN FRIENDS MELISSA POST AND MEGAN RUTSTEIN WERE ORIGINALLY PRESENTED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO LAUNCH A ONE-STOPSHOP RESOURCE FOR MOMS IN WESTPORT IN 2016, THEIR INITIAL INCLINATION WAS TO POLITELY DECLINE. Between the two of them, they had five kids under the age of 5, and both had part-time jobs. The idea of trying to take on a project of this magnitude at the time felt borderline crazy. After learning a bit more about the venture, however, they started to brainstorm ideas and realized all they could potentially do—and they began to reconsider. “We love connecting people, so we thought, let’s give this a whirl.” Fast forward a year and a half and 4,000 Instagram followers later. M&M (as they are sometimes known) have built a successful hyper-local online business and have expertly cultivated an engaged following of young moms and like-minded partners. The national Local Moms Network began in 2014 with Greenwich Moms, and it was only a matter of time before its founders set out to find local moms in the Westport community to collaborate with. "We are not a Facebook group; we are a resource for all moms in the community to stay in the know; save time; and connect with one another via our social platform, website and app, Burb Blurb," Melissa says. "Our website can help new moms navigate everything the town has to offer, including preschools, summer camps and even which orthodontist to go to. We also create events, which are a great networking opportunity and social outlet for moms to meet other moms who are in similar life stages and/or have similar interests.” When WLM sat down with the duo behind Westport Moms, they were kind enough to share with us their favorite spots to experience anything and everything Westport:

CONTINUED >

August 2018 | Westport Lifestyle

LOCAL’S CHOICE

(CON TI N U ED)

1. BEST SPOT FOR GIRL’S NIGHT OUT: Melissa: “A happy hour somewhere like The Cottage where we love to go and sit at the bar during the winter. Ralph, the bartender there, makes a mean Paloma. For summer, the bar at the Delamar Hotel called Artisan Southport has outdoor seating which is awesome for this time of year. The Pearl is great too.” Megan: “I love the Pearl too and since you can always find my husband on the golf course, naturally it is where I will meet him for a drink or a quick bite (even with the kids) afterward. The patio is such a beautiful spot during the summer months to grab food and meet friends for drinks. I love OKO, which just opened in town, for their incredible sushi. And all things Bill Taibe! I love the Whelk’s seasonal ‘Froggy’ cocktail. 2. FAVORITE PLACE TO TAKE THE KIDS: Melissa and Megan: “Definitely the [Sherwood] Diner. Our kids essentially grew up there, and if you want food in five minutes or less, it can’t be beat! Joey’s by the Shore (especially their fries) are always a special treat, and when we take the kids into town, we love that the Rye Ridge Deli is now there. They are warm and welcoming to kids, and all kids meals come with a cookie for dessert!” 3. FAVORITE PLACE TO BUY A GIFT FOR YOURSELF OR A GIRLFRIEND: Megan: “She la la. I love everything monogrammed!” Melissa: “Madewell. It kind of has everything that you need, and the staff is fantastic there. I also love She la la and the Paper Alley, which sells local, unique, monogrammed and fun gifts that are perfect for a housewarming.” 4. BEST WAY TO "TREAT YOURSELF": Melissa: “I would walk on Compo Beach for an hour, and if I had time for a facial or massage I would head to New Beauty Wellness.” Megan: “I like the Compo Beach idea, but I would rather take out a chair and sit for an hour.” Melissa: “I like where she’s going with that. Reconsidering, I think the perfect day for me would include sitting and reading a trashy magazine or book for a few hours without responding to emails or being called to wipe someone’s tushy! I’d then have a delicious meal followed by ice cream and get into bed to binge-watch a TV Series like Gilmore Girls or Friday Night Lights.” Megan: “Sounds perfect. I’ll be where she is, but I’d probably watch Homeland or Billions.” 5. UNOFFICIAL OFFICE AND GO-TO COFFEE SPOT: Melissa and Megan: “The Granola Bar on Post Road East. Sometimes (like today) we were there three different times. They are building an office for us we think…” To learn more about Westport Moms, follow them on social media @WestportMoms, sign up for their monthly e-newsletter at WestportMoms.com, or download the Burb Blurb App to stay connected to local events. 26

Westport Lifestyle | August 2018

August 2018 | Westport Lifestyle

GIVING BACK

Founders of Give a Kick from left to right: Jake Weissman, TJ Mecca and Jonah Wald

give a kick gives back THREE LOCAL MIDDLE-SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE DETERMINED TO CHANGE THE WORLD ONE PAIR OF SHOES AT A TIME ARTICLE SOPHIA BABUN PHOTOGRAPHY JOHN VIDELER

LONGTIME FRIENDS JAKE WEISSMAN, 12; TYLER (TJ) MECCA, 13; AND JONAH WALD, 13, WERE INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY SERVICE LONG BEFORE THEY STARTED THEIR OWN CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION, GIVE A KICK. From volunteering at the Gillespie Center to participating in Al’s Angels, these Weston locals have a history and innate passion for helping others. “There are a lot of people, who aren’t even far, who don’t have a lot of basic necessities…It’s kind of our job to help people who don’t have the same necessities that we have,” Jonah says. In fall 2017, Jonah had the idea to start an organization to benefit the less fortunate. TJ and Jake were immediately on board. The team made sure to do their research before agreeing on their focus. “Shoes are actually the second most needed supply in places that distribute clothing for [those in need],” TJ says. With that statistic in mind and lots of hard work, the friends went on to create Give a Kick. “Give a Kick is a charitable way to raise awareness. [We] collect shoes and give to a [center] that distributes them to people who are less fortunate,” TJ says. "We started off specifically with children and then we realized, why exclude everyone else? We want to help as many people as we can," Jake says. Give a Kick chose nonprofit organization Person to Person located in Darien as the first delivery location for their donations. The boys work together to collect unwanted shoes and deliver them to Person and Person and other nonprofit donation facilities, where the shoes are then given to people in need, specifically in lower Fairfield County. The group uses social media and school announcements to advertise their next location.

Westport Lifestyle | August 2018

“What we do is we’ll go somewhere...let’s say we all sit at Peter’s Market for three hours, and we hand out flyers and collect shoes,” Jonah says. Another way they collect shoes is via home pick-ups and deliveries.

“WE WANT TO HELP AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE CAN.”

“People can email us and set up a pick-up place. They can even…leave their shoes out in [their] driveways and we’ll go and get them. We also have kids in our school who actually just come up to us and directly hand us shoes," Jonah says. The boys hope to make the process easy and try to accept donations in any way they can. Previously featured on News 12, the inspirational team is certainly creating local buzz. “It’s raised a lot of awareness around Weston and Fairfield County…Without me having to say anything, people came up to me and asked how to start their own [organization]. And some people went off and did it. [Give a Kick] inspired people,” Jake says. Their first delivery to Person to Person contained more than 500 pairs of shoes. “They probably expected [around] 50 pairs of shoes, but when we came with over 500, they were mind-blown. They were really happy," TJ says. These young charitable entrepreneurs have big plans for the future of Give a Kick. “We want to expand across the state as far as we can,” Jake says. “We want to see how many people we can get to help out because it’s important to us to raise awareness.” August 2018 | Westport Lifestyle

AUGUST

LIFESTYLE CALENDAR

WESTPORT FARMERS' MARKET

TUESDAYS AT THE TRAIN

50 Imperial Ave., Westport, Connecticut

Luciano Park

The Westport Farmers' Market is

Tuesdays at the Train

committed to providing fresh, local,

August 7, 2018 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

NYT BOOK REVIEW EDITOR PAMELA PAUL DISCUSSES "MY LIFE WITH BOB" WITH SYBIL STEINBERG

healthy and seasonal food. It aspires

Family

Saugatuck Congregational Church

to create a fun, safe and healthy com-

3 Hours (Repeats Every 21 Days Un-

The Westport Library presents New

munity environment for education

til August 7, 2018)

York Times Book Review editor Pa-

and socialization. Its mission is to

If you have a commuter in the family

mela Paul in a conversation with

increase awareness, knowledge and

meet them at the train. If you are a com-

Sybil Steinberg about her best sell-

support for local producers focused

muter simply stay and enjoy an evening

ing memoir, My Life with Bob: Flawed

on sustainable and healthy grow-

with your fellow riders and families. En-

Heroine Keeps Book of Books, Plot

ing practices. Every Thursday from

joy good local food, a beer and wine

Ensues. Paul's book records every

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

garden, live music and games. Come

book she's ever read, but the story

meet your commuter, or simply stay

isn't really about the books them-

and enjoy an evening in the park.

selves. It’s about the deep and pow-

Luciano ParkCharles Street and Rail-

erful relationship between book and

road Place Westport, CT 06880

reader and the way books provide

6 RHYTHM & RHYME: BIRTH-5 YEARS Christ & Trinity Church

Baby/Toddler 30 Minutes (Repeats Every 14 Days

each of us the perspective, cour-

age, companionship, and imperfect self-knowledge to forge our own path. WestportLibrary.org

Until August 20, 2018)

PUBLIC ASTRONOMY NIGHT

This half-hour Early Literacy Pro-

Westport Astronomical Society

gram includes songs, music, move-

Westport Astronomical Society hosts

ment, fingerplay and stories. Improve

free Public Astronomy Nights every clear

your cultural literacy and rock out at

Wednesday evening at the observatory.

GROUP CANOE PADDLE

the same time!

Trained volunteers offer guided tours of

Earthplace

Christ & Trinity Church

the night sky through the Society’s tele-

Bring the whole family and travel

75 Church LaneWestport, CT 06880

scopes. During the summer, near the

along the Saugatuck River in search

solstice, we strongly recommend not

of egrets, osprey, ducks, shorebirds

arriving until it gets dark. WAS-CT.org

and much more. Canoes and personal

CONTINUED >

Westport River Gallery • International Fine Art 30

Westport Lifestyle | August 2018

Give your child a

healthy smile Dr. Hannah Ahn is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

Voted Fairfield Countyâ€™s

TOP PEDIATRIC DENTIST

Patients under the age of 8 will receive a FREE SPIN BRUSH at their first dental visit with us when they mention the Westport Lifestyle ad.

329 Riverside Avenue Westport | 203-635-7070 | pediatricdentistryofwestport.com

August 2018 | Westport Lifestyle

LIFESTYLE CALENDAR

AUGUST

flotation devices (required for all participants) are included! To register, visit Earthplace.org.

REEL SCIENCE: "THE BLOB”

MELISSA ETHERIDGE: THE ROCK SHOW!

Earthplace

The Westport Library is teaming

Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts

up with Earthplace to give West-

40 Jesup RoadWestport, CT 06880

port a new way to look at science.

Come hear this Grammy-Award win-

Westport Country Playhouse

Reel Science is a film series that

ning artist in this incredible venue!

THE UNDERSTUDY by THERESA

pairs screenings of popular films

Before you get your tickets, know that

REBECK directed by DAVID KENNEDY

with science-focused introductions

certain member packages include

Audiences mob the theater when

by professionals from the worlds of

complimentary tickets for Melissa

a Hollywood action star takes the

science and technology. The eve-

Etheridge - The Rock Show.

Broadway stage in a recently discov-

ning also includes hands-on Maker-

Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts

ered play by Franz Kafka. But what if

Space activities inspired by the film.

40 Jesup RoadWestport, CT 06880

he can’t go on? Enter Harry, the under-

WestportLibrary.org

THE UNDERSTUDY

study, a journeyman actor who has the chops but not the résumé. This hilarious look at life backstage gets even crazier when Harry reunites with the stage manager (his ex-fiancée!) and dukes it out with the film star as obstacles mount and tensions rise. Life in

23 PUB TRIVIA NIGHT: SUMMER READING EDITION Dunville's

the theater — it ain’t easy!

Join the Pub Trivia Night! Test your

Performances Tuesday-Sunday. Tues

smarts against the best of West-

8pm, Wed 2 and 8pm, Thurs 8pm,

port's brains. Come alone or in

Friday 8pm, Saturday 3pm and

teams of up to four people. Compete

We are always accepting submissions

8pm, and Sunday 3pm. Contact

for honor and a discounted bar tab.

for events you'd like to see included

the box office for tickets at 203-

Must be over 21 years old. Bring your

in our Calendar section. Submissions

227-4177 or buy tickets online at

library card and earn bonus points!

are accepted via the Contact Us tab

westportplayhouse.org.

WestportLibrary.org

at LifestylePubs.com/Westport.

Westport Lifestyle | August 2018

westport

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August 2018 | Westport Lifestyle

PARTING THOUGHTS

t h e SMALL ROOM ACCESSORIES FOR BIG IMAGINATIONS

explorer the

Pillowfort Map Banner $19.99, Target

bookworm beach babe the

Monster Book Stand $29.99, Target

the

Pillowfort Car & Surf Boards Throw Pillow $16.99, Target

Log Seat $59, Crate and Barrel

Small Spaces Ladder Bookcase $149, Pottery Barn Kids

Rope Framed Mirror $219, Crate and Barrel

Pillowfort LED Mountains Light $16.99, Target

A-Z Bookends $16.99, Target

Mobi Math Tiles Game $17.99, Shop.Scholastic.com

Westport Lifestyle | August 2018

Every box has a story Lux Bond & Green is proud to sponsor the Westport Country Playhouse Premiere Circle, the philanthropic group offering private salons and other privileged access to its most generous supporters.