Greenwich - May 2026

LEADING With LIGHT

At the helm of

HELLO SUNSHINE, MAUREEN POLO is BUILDING a BRIGHTER, BOLDER FUTURE for

FEMALE VOICES

The inside track on the buzziest spots, best bites and feel-good finds worth the hype

A BETTER KIND of BEAUTY

ANNABELLE BARTH is redefining self-care as a path to healing and self-confidence

TURNING the PAGE

THOUGHTFUL BOOKS FOR EVERY GRAD— from kindergarten to cap and gown

The KINDNESS CREW

Greenwich tweens and teens are TEAMING UP TO GIVE BACK

GREENWICH

MAY 2026 contents

features 62 SHINE ON!

Our annual look at the market is here. From a shy Long Island girl with a love of books to the CEO of Hello Sunshine, Maureen Polo is using storytelling to help women find—and own—their voices. by jill johnson mann

72 THE GOOD LIFE

A little bit wellness, a little bit wanderlust and a whole lot of local flavor—this is your go-to list for living well all summer long. by

jill johnson mann

19 STATUS REPORT

BUZZ Inspired by her own childhood experiences, Chelsea Woody set out to spark a love of service in her son—and ended up building a community-wide movement SHOP At MONC XIII, design meets intention. Here, custom pieces and carefully-sourced finds come together to create a cohesive, elevated aesthetic. GO Perched above Costa Rica’s dramatic coastline, Nekajui unfolds into a secluded world where architecture, nature and luxury are seamlessly intertwined. HOME From flea market treasures to curated collectibles, Hannah Deely’s Plover House brings together one-of-a-kind pieces that make a home feel layered and lived-in. DO At just 14, Annabelle Barth turned compassion into action, launching a nonprofit that restores confidence and connection for women in crisis. EAT Buzzy Port Chester newcomer Felice delivers Tuscan classics, a lively scene and just enough polish to make any night feel like an occasion.

50 MONEY MATTERS

Surprise requests from insurers are leaving homeowners scrambling. Here’s what you need to know.

52 G-MOM

Help your grads start building a library for life with books that encourage growth, resilience, creativity and curiosity; A little something for everyone. We’ve got thoughtful gift ideas, can’t-miss events and easy ways to celebrate spring.

59 PEOPLE & PLACES

Filling in the Blanks; YWCA Greenwich 91 CALENDAR

103 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

104 POSTSCRIPT

When the sky steals the show

GREENWICH MAGAZINE MAY 2026, VOL. 79, NO. 4. GREENWICH MAGAZINE (USPS 961-500/ISSN 1072-2432) is published ten times a year by Moffly Media, Inc. 205 Main St, Westport, CT 06880. Periodical postage paid at Westport, CT, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to GREENWICH 205 Main Street Westport, CT 06880.

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LIFE TO LIFESTYLE SINCE 1 9 47

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SUBSCRIPTION

Greenwich,Connecticut THE ROYAL HOBART PENTHOUSE

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An extraordinary waterfront offering on Greenwich Harbor, designed by renowned architect Robert A. M. Stern. This exceptional residence showcases sweeping views of Long Island Sound and Belle Haven, with walls of glass and two expansive terraces for seamless indoor-outdoor living. Refined craftsmanship defines every detail, from bespoke millwork to a chef’s kitchen. The thoughtfully designed layout features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a grand living room with fireplace—perfectly balancing elegance and comfort.

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editor’s letter

ONE FOR THE ROAD

TSCAN TO EXPLORE OUR DIGITAL SIDE

HOW TO SCAN: OPEN, AIM & TAP

his page has always been my little corner of the magazine—a place for me to reflect, explain and, yes, occasionally ramble. Writing it now, in our Good Life issue, feels particularly fitting and somewhat surreal as it marks my final Editor’s Letter. But it’s a natural moment to look back on what the good life has meant to me over my 18 years here.

I’ve learned that it has less to do with the bells and whistles and more to do with the people you surround yourself with— those who show up for one another, care deeply about where they live and believe in stories worth telling.

That belief has brought joy and inspiration in a variety of ways. Each year, Light a Fire gives us the privilege of celebrating the unsung heroes among us— people doing extraordinary good without asking for recognition. Teens to Watch introduces us to young people whose ambition and compassion are changing

lives on a scale that is humbling, even to those of us more than twice their age. We also welcome entertainers, business leaders and cultural figures into these pages, with the goal of connecting our readers to a wider world beyond our town lines. These stories are a reminder that community, at its best, is generous, curious and deeply human.

Our deference to the power of storytelling has also guided narratives that are far more uncomfortable.

We investigated the failures that led to the death of Bart Palosz, a Greenwich High School freshman who took his own life after years of relentless bullying, asking hard questions about accountability and the systems meant to protect kids.

We revisited the mysterious death of George Smith, a local honeymooner lost at sea, uncovering evidence that had gone unseen for years and refusing to let the story quietly disappear. »

editor’s letter

“Behind every one of these stories— hopeful or heavy—was a team committed to getting it right.”

We told the unimaginable story of Kaitlin Roig-DeBellis, the teacher who saved her students by hiding them in a tiny bathroom during the Sandy Hook massacre.

We’ve addressed the unspeakable— domestic violence, sex trafficking and other realities that are easier to ignore than confront. But they mattered, and they reminded us that local journalism can, and should, demand answers.

Behind every one of these stories— hopeful or heavy—was a team committed to getting it right.

Senior Art Director Venera Alexandrova, my creative partner in crime, brings an eye, instinct and artistic judgment that elevates every page and raises the bar across the board.

Lisa Servido deftly assists Venera and manages the mayhem behind the scenes.

Ali Gray produces our People & Places and Vows pages with pure style. She has also cemented our place in the social media space with wit and relevance—no small feat in a crowded digital universe.

And, of course, Donna Moffly, who believed in me long before I fully believed in myself. Founder, mentor, sounding board, and perhaps most important, after losing my own mom, surrogate mother. (Everyone needs a cheerleader, no matter how old we are.) Her guidance has shaped not only my career, but the way I move through the world.

I’ve also had the privilege of working with an extraordinary extended family: the gifted editors, art directors and copy editors across our publications, a production wizard with the patience of a saint, Jonathan Moffly, who ably took over from his legendary father, Jack,

and our dedicated sales, partnership and digital teams.

And then there are our writers—an exceptional group whose talent, curiosity and voice shape every issue. They are far more than bylines. They are trusted collaborators and friends.

These are all people who believe in the craft of publishing. I hope you pick up every issue and think, This feels intentional. Because it is.

To say that I’ve been lucky to work with the Moffly team is an understatement of epic proportions. We’ve ridden more than a few waves together—economic crashes, a global pandemic, competition that has come and gone and a constantly shifting media landscape, to name a few. That we’ve always emerged stronger is no accident. It’s a testament to the talent, grit and determination of every person on our staff.

As for what’s next for me, there’s no big reveal, no dramatic pivot, no startup hoodie stashed in the closet. I simply know—quietly and confidently—that it’s time to see where the universe takes me next. This from a dyed-in-the-wool Capricorn who is typically allergic to change and the unknown. (But they’re not getting rid of me that easily. I will stay in the fold as Editorial Advisor.)

To you, our readers: Thank you for welcoming me into your homes for all these years. It’s been the honor of a lifetime to help tell Greenwich’s story.

Here’s to the Good Life—past, present and everything that is to come.

founder’s page

“During one birthday celebration, the man of the hour created quite a mess when he threw his cake into a fan.”

OF TALES OF THE 5:11 BAR CAR

My, how a commuter’s life has changed—especially with the demise of Metro-North’s iconic bar car in 2014, the last of its kind in the U.S. Soon after that, Amtrak introduced café cars, but they’re not nearly as much fun.

There are still people in Greenwich who remember riding the 5:11 out of New York back in the Fifties and Sixties with the mad men of advertising, mostly magazine and agency types. It was an express to Riverside, either because a railroad official lived there or the railroad owed one to a journalist who did.

In any case, it became known as the V:XI Gentlemen’s Bar Car, and in 1991 Greenwich Library Oral History asked commuter Bob Pearson to tell it like it was.

It was a comfortable old Pullman car—halfcompartments, half-lounge with plush chairs, paneled walls and a jovial Irish bartender. For air-conditioning, a circulating system blew air over blocks of ice piled at one end of the car.

The dozens of regulars who rode the 5:11 included ad man Verne Westerberg, who became publisher of four Condé Nast magazines; newspaper editor Norton Mockridge of the World Telegram and Sun; and Libby O’Brien, one of few women and an executive of Lily Tulip Cup. Combination den mother/Pearl Mesta, Libby was into celebrating any kind of holiday. Out would come the streamers, party hats and horns. During one birthday celebration, the man of the hour created quite a mess when he threw his cake into a fan.

They framed pictures of these parties and mounted them on the walls. They also brought in their own furniture. Bob Pearson, speechwriter for the CEO of Shell Oil, was often last to board and had to stand all the way to Riverside. So, Libby bought an old wooden chair and plastered it with gaudy shell decals for him.

“There were no teetotalers on that car,”

observed Verne, recalling a power outage when they got stuck at 125th Street during a Team Gin Rummy game. The bartender finally ran out of booze, but they found a guy outside who, for 10 bucks, brought in cases of beer, which kept the game going until buses arrived at midnight and forced them to disembark.

Then came the day the railroad decided the 5:11 had to be replaced with a more modern car. What? “Take away our bar car?!” they moaned.

Norton Mockridge ran a human-interest story about it in his newspaper, and soon Bob got an invitation from a representative of the president of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad to come talk about it. His man explained that the old car had gone millions of miles, it wasn’t economical to keep icing it, and they could have a new Pullman just as nice. “We could even paint the name ‘Gentlemen’s Bar Car’ on the side,” he added.

“Sounds real good,” said Bob. “But make it ‘V:XI G.B.C.’ ”

“And,” the guy concluded, “we’ll transfer all your memorabilia from the old car and hang your pictures on the wall.”

Before long, the 5:11ers had little gold V:XI lapel pins and tie clips made, plus earrings for the ladies.

As a PR grand finale, the railroad suggested a dedication ceremony on the new V:XI G.B.C. The Metro-North president showed up with champagne, flowers, a photographer and an entourage of aides to celebrate en route to 125th, where he’d get off. He didn’t know that regulations forbade people from boarding at Grand Central and getting off at 125th and vice versa, thus competing with the city transit system. So, when the conductor stopped him leaving, the CEO protested: “But I’m president of the railroad!” to which the conductor replied: “Yes, and I’m Napoleon. You still can’t get off!”

Those were the days. G

OUR “KIND” OF CLUB

A GRASSROOTS TEEN VOLUNTEER CLUB IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE BY SPREADING KINDNESS

Greenwich native Chelsea Woody’s dedication to community service began in seventh grade, when she started volunteering at the Arch Street Teen Center. “It was an experience that has stuck with me for life,” she says. Looking for a way to give her middle-school-aged son Jackson a similar experience with community involvement, the pair started the Greenwich Youth Volunteer Club last September.

“Jackson has the same love of giving back that I had, and I wanted to nurture that,” says Woody. “When you start making volunteer work part of your life at a young age, it sticks,” she adds. “Being part of Greenwich Youth Volunteer Club has helped me to be a better

person and recognize the power of community service,” explains Jackson.

What started as a small grassroots effort with six student volunteers has rapidly evolved into a team of over 24. “The group grew quickly, and interest just spread by word of mouth. People would see posts on Instagram or have a friend that was part of the program and then want to get involved,” says Woody. With the number of students involved rising, Woody knew that she’d need more adult hands on-deck and was grateful to have three other like-minded moms (Meeta Thal, Lyndsay Cafagno and Shannon Pesce) eager to take on roles with the club.

Each week, the club meets on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Crush–Arch

Street, which generously offers its space, for the teens and tweens to work on various community projects, ranging from making homemade dog treats to handcrafting blankets for babies in the NICU.

“We’ve had two local businesses, Glenville Pizza and Costantino’s, who have sponsored our meeting nights with pizza for the kids, just out of the kindness of their hearts,” says Woody appreciatively. The kids are directly involved in every step of the work that the club does, down to writing their own mission statement, which explains that their goal is “to bring middle school students together to help the community foster kindness and make a positive impact, because we believe everyone

matters,” says Woody. “I live in Cos Cob and still have many friends here from childhood. Having deep roots in the community is very special, and having friends in different areas of Greenwich has been so valuable for our group. It helps me gain a better understanding of what the community really needs and how we can best serve it by hearing from the people who live here.”

In March, the club will be partnering with two foundations that are both near and dear to their members. The Tiny Miracles Foundation,

“there is such genuine community spirit and enthusiasm. i’m so grateful to live in a town where so many kids are excited and willing to volunteer.”

—chelsea woody

a Darien-based organization that provides support to families with premature babies, will be hosting Woody’s group to fill backpacks with essential supplies. “When Jackson was born, he weighed one pound, seven ounces, and the wonderful CEO of the Tiny Miracles Foundation called me to check in and to see how Jackson was doing while I was riding this NICU rollercoaster. I’ve since been very involved [as has Jackson] and volunteered helping parents in the same situation that I was in,” she says.

The club is also working with Abilis, an agency that provides services to those with special needs and disabilities. Both groups will come together and meet at Crush for table tennis, various games and even a karaoke night. There will be theme parties and opportunities for the kids to bond and spend time together.

“Volunteering makes the world brighter for me and others, because we know we are helping people in need,” says student volunteer Sonali Thal. “There is such genuine community spirit and enthusiasm,” says Woody. “I’m so grateful to live in a town where so many kids are excited and willing to volunteer.”

For more information about how to get involved and upcoming events, follow along on Instagram @greenwichyouthvolunteerlub G

shop

LUXE LIVING

How a local couple created GREENWICH’S MONC XIII WITH A VISION OF OFFERING DISTINCTIVE, HIGH-END ARTISANAL PIECES, transforming homes into impeccably curated sanctuaries

by liz barron

With a professional background that spans president of a modeling agency to founder of her own interior design firm, Natasha Esch brought a wealth of visionary experience to the opening of her first storefront with her entrepreneur husband, Matt Coffin. “Having exposure to artists and photographers and seeing people making a living in these creative fields really inspired me to pursue my passion. I was fortunate that my first interior design project was put into Elle Decor, and things quickly took off,” says Esch.

After years of designing and living on the West Coast, the duo decided to move East, and Esch found herself ready for another transition. “I wanted to find a way to continue to incorporate design into my job, while also having a larger presence with my kids. I decided to use my passion to curate a storefront in Sag Harbor,” says Esch, whose family split their time between Connecticut and the Hamptons. “I modeled the store just like I would have renovated my own house. The promise for MONC XIII [a name inspired by the first letters of each of her family members’ names and her children’s birthdays] is to offer a top-notch selection of beautiful and unique items from artisans from all over the world,” she adds.

Residing on an island off the coast of Rowayton, they felt Greenwich was a natural choice for the location of their second store. “I love that Greenwich has become so cosmopolitan. It’s a small, vibrant city but still maintains a wonderful, intimate community feel. It’s the best of both worlds,” says Esch. A similar mix of modern-day and timeless vintage-inspired treasures, ranging from furniture and flatware to lighting and textiles, can be found at both the Lewis Street and Sag Harbor stores.

“I have taken inspiration from every place I’ve been. Travel is so vital,” says Esch when asked about how she chooses what to carry in her stores. “I tend to favor classics. These can be big investments, and I like to carry pieces that can transition

Tel: 203.489.3800 | IG: @charleshiltonarchitects | hiltonarchitects.com

“I’m a big believer in items that can live in a lot of different circumstances and in any environment.”

—NATASHA ESCH

[throughout life],” she says. “I’m a big believer in items that can live in a lot of different circumstances and in any environment.”

Guided by vision, Esch started working on designing a few signature pieces that blend perfectly with the other furniture she sources. “I started to identify where the holes in design were and asked myself what customers were looking for that they couldn’t find.”

In thinking about how people could easily fill empty spaces with a piece that also served a function, Esch decided to create a signature bench. “I knew that it was a piece that could accomplish so many things. I loved the idea of using it as

a dining option. There’s something about sitting on a bench together that makes people interact so much more closely,” she says.

The piece is prominently featured in both stores. “It’s been a huge success, and we’ve expanded to offer a backless version for custom design orders as well,” she adds. A more recent addition to MONC’s product line is an exclusive selection of home fragrances. The citrus, woody, musky and sweet scents are carefully handpicked and designed to appeal to any preference.

“Being able to combine my inspiration with my customers’ vision is the best part of what I do!” G

LIFE-SAVING CARDIAC SURGERY CLOSE TO HOME.

Your heart is in the right hands at White Plains Hospital.

Exceptionally skilled cardiac surgeons delivering extraordinary outcomes are now just a short drive from home.

Internationally acclaimed heart surgeon Dr. Robert Michler, and his esteemed colleague Dr. William Jakobleff, are performing open-heart surgery at White Plains Hospital. They lead a team of expert cardiac specialists, delivering an advanced level of cardiac care that only a few hospitals in the tri-state region can provide.

Visit wphospital.org/cardiacsurgery to learn more about our award-winning care.

Patients may also schedule appointments with Drs. Michler and Jakobleff at their Specialty Surgeons of Connecticut office.

go

Every

angle of NEKAJUI, A RITZCARLTON RESERVE, reveals Costa Rica at its most spectacular

A VIEW FROM THE TOP

by megan gagnon

There’s a moment upon arrival when you halfexpect to check behind you to see if the door has vanished. You enter through a wooden threshold of a traditional Costa Rican casita—and suddenly you’re somewhere else entirely. Not Narnia, exactly, but close. This is Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve and a self-contained world perched high above Costa Rica’s Peninsula Papagayo.

On the other side of the door is a village square modeled after those found throughout the region. A chapel sits on one side, while shops and a café line the perimeter. At its center, a towering ceiba tree anchors the space, its branches wrapped in woven lanterns.

It’s a clever bit of misdirection. Instead of greeting guests with a panoramic ocean view—the

standard move for a luxury resort here—Nekajui introduces itself through architecture and sequence, rooted in the cultural and natural context it draws from.

The reveal comes just beyond La Casona, a farmhouseinspired structure that frames the transition. A wide lawn stretches forward, and then the land drops away, opening to

the Pacific and the steep green slopes of Papagayo. From here, the resort extends downward, carved carefully into the hillside. Buildings blend with the terrain. Staircases wind through vegetation. Pools and platforms appear in stages, tucked into rock or lifted into the canopy.

As the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Central and South America—and the eighth in the brand’s exclusive portfolio— Nekajui is shaped by its 1,400acre setting, where dry tropical forest meets coastal cliffs, and every element of the property responds to its landscape.

The resort’s 107 accommodations—oceanfacing rooms, suites and three treetop tents—are positioned to feel private while staying connected to the site. Indoor and outdoor living blend

Quinndico Estate Management simplifies seasonal care with a level of refinement that keeps your home pristine and thoughtfully maintained. Every element is executed with meticulous care, so you can focus on everything else.

Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich | 203.990.3224 | Info@quinndico.com | quinndico.com

seamlessly: multipanel glass doors open to the Pacific, while outdoor shower gardens and private plunge pools let guests step straight into nature. The collection ranges from spacious rooms to one- and two-bedroom suites, the four-bedroom Grand Villa, 36 private residences, and for ultimate exclusivity, the ten-bedroom Villa Guayacán, set in its own secluded natural enclave.

Inside, the design is contemporary but grounded in local craft. Custom woodwork, clay pottery and stone details nod to Costa Rica’s Chorotegan heritage, while curated accents echo the colors of the surrounding flora and fauna.

Nekajui’s architecture follows the same principle. Native stone and wood form the foundation, and construction prioritizes sustainability and a light footprint. Every path, staircase and building feels intentional, preserving the environment

while giving guests a tangible sense of connection to the forest, cliffs and coastline.

Follow the suspension bridge to Nimbu Spa & Wellness, a 27,000-square-foot retreat designed as a sanctuary for the senses. The experience moves from treetop treatment cabanas and private spa suites to saunas with sweeping water views. At the center is the hydrotherapy pool—open to adult guests with or without spa appointments— the perfect place to soak and fully unplug.

If relaxation is not your thing, check out The Outpost at Palmares Preserve. The 250-acre playground wraps around the resort and spans three distinct ecosystems, all led by the resort’s in-house guides, known as The Explorers. Choose your own adventure: guided wildlife hikes, quiet canoe trips through mangroves or ziplining through the canopy—often with a chorus of howler monkeys providing encouragement.

Every meal at Nekajui is a mini escape in itself. Mornings

start at Café Rincón, with strong Costa Rican coffee and a mix of vibrant bowls and indulgent pastries. Brisa is where you order tacos in a swimsuit at lunch and come back at night for a proper open-air dinner without changing the vibe. Evenings call for Puna, where Chef Diego Muñoz blends local ingredients with global techniques, whether you’re settling into the main dining room or the six-seat Asian-Peruvian Omakase. And if you’re up for it, a quick glassfunicular ride delivers you to Niri Beach Club, where wood-fired, Iberian-inspired dishes meet the sound of the surf just below.

Whatever else you do, book a sunset reservation at Ámbar. It’s the one non-negotiable. Each evening, guests gather in the treetop bar just in time for the sky to put on a show, cocktails in hand as the sun slips into the Pacific. It’s the moment everyone pauses, together, to take in the view—and the perfect way to end a day at Nekajui. G

ritzcarlton.com

home

by jill johnson mann

FINDERS KEEPERS

Hannah Deely has spent her whole career on a treasure hunt, sharing fashion finds with the readers of titles like Us Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Seventeen and right here in our style pages. Now Hannah has turned her latest obsession—scouting out truly unique vintage decor for her home—into a business. Her online store, Plover House, proclaims, “Clutter is Classy,” and Hannah’s form of “clutter” truly is. There are cast-iron bulldog bookends from the 1920s ($297), a hand-painted ceramic swan planter made in Portugal in the 1970s ($89), an enchanting wooden horse on wheels from Great Gramma’s toy chest ($167), gilt and painted Florentine wood trays ($49–$63), brass lion candlesticks for your favorite Leo ($149), plus many more candlesticks, glasses and knickknacks of the most tasteful variety.

ROYAL DELFT

Blue Bird of Paradise Plate Charger,

WESTMORELAND

Blue & White Glass Argonaut Candy Dish,

ANDERSEN DESIGN STUDIO

Pair of Ceramic Seagulls, $155

to add to the shopping fun, hannah has noted when each treasure was “born” and has conjured up a “house fable” for each, because vintage pieces are begging to have their stories told.

Italian Wood Carved Wall Sconce,

WORLD WAR I TRENCH ARTILLERY

Brass Shell Casings, $590

Signature Motto

Totes, $42

Vignette featuring a vintage wooden sea captain, hand-carved wooden box and a ceramic swan

To add to the shopping fun, Hannah has noted when each treasure was “born” and has conjured up a “House Fable” for each, because vintage pieces beg to have their stories told. For the swan: “She lived on a sunburnt kitchen table, holding carnations for a lady who smoked Virginia Slims and believed dinner was optional. The swan saw everything and judged nothing—except plastic flowers.” Hannah’s favorite is the tale of a lone brass crane bookend: “They were married for 20 years. In the divorce, they split everything evenly—especially the bookends.”

The site is divided by “houses.”

The Yore House showcases vintage items in four categories: Glass, Ceramic, Wood and Metal. The Guest House has new items, like Mole Hollow candles and artsy One & Only Paper matchbooks. Our House offers Plover House products like “Clutter is Classy” tote bags.

During her childhood in New Hampshire, Hannah tagged along

with her dad to flea markets and yard sales. “My grandmother was that way, he’s that way, and I think it was just passed down,” says Hannah, who spent 18 months building the site, taking all the photos and crafting the stories that breathe life into each of her finds. She launched the site in February. Three years before that, she never could have imagined this fanciful venture unfolding.

At that time, Hearst had a massive layoff, and the job Hannah loved was eliminated. “I felt lost and just really sad,” she says. “My whole life was finding things, and I love the thrill of finding an item for people and sharing it in the [magazine] pages. I still had that instinct, that need to discover the cool, the unexpected, the special, so I started going to auctions and flea markets, hunting for vintage and antique home décor for myself. People kept asking, ‘Where do you find all of this?’”

With Plover House, everyone

now has access to Hannah’s style sense and knack for discovering conversation pieces—and at palatable prices, too.

Items on the site range from $5 (the matchbooks) to $689 (a Danish Aluminia candlestick vase). This reflects a trend: Minimalism is out. “More is more. Everyone is layering. There are so many talented designers, so much color and mixing and matching everything,” she says, and that goes for cost, too. “You can find something for a dollar and mix it with something for a thousand dollars.”

Her favorite items? The Regency-style ginger jar ($297) and the dolphin koi dish ($179).

The Plover House “Bakery” offers Hannah’s brown-butter chocolate chip cookies. She happens to be a licensed cottage baker. “I believe I’ve mastered the chocolate chip cookie,” she says. What a perfectly sweet—and fleeting—end to any shopping spree. ploverhouse.com; @ploverhouseshop

do LET IT GLOW!

by beth cooney fitzpatrick

INSPIRED BY ONE CHILD’S STORY, ANNABELLE BARTH IS MOBILIZING STUDENTS, BRANDS AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO UPLIFT WOMEN IN CRISIS

Annabelle Barth’s introduction to the trauma of domestic violence came from helping one of its youngest victims—a second-grader living in a New York City shelter.

e Greenwich Academy sophomore was just 12 and volunteering as a literacy tutor in Manhattan (where she lived at the time), when she was paired with the little boy. His mother had moved into the shelter to keep her family safe from an abusive partner.

“Because of the things he had been through, his life had been turned upside down. He was already so far behind,” recalls Annabelle. “He was having trouble with the most basic school things. Even nding a piece of paper to write on was hard for him to do in the shelter.”

Week by week, Annabelle saw the di erence a few hours her one-on-one attention made in her young pupil’s complicated life. eir bond grew. “Just me being there as a constant had an impact,” she says. “He got more con dent in himself and his schoolwork. It was fun to see him change and grow.”

When the school year ended, she was disappointed to nd out that, for con dentiality reasons, she could not stay in touch with the

“ I’M INTERESTED IN THE IDEA OF HELPING PEOPLE FIND THEIR SELF-ESTEEM AGAIN.”

—Annabelle Barth

boy. But she was curious to learn more about what brought this child to a shelter in the rst place.

“Before this, I didn’t understand how much domestic violence is a problem, really, in every community,” she says. “I learned so much, it changed my life, too.”

is experience was the impetus for the two-yearold nonpro t GLOW (Giving Love to Our Women), which Annabelle founded at 14 to help survivors of domestic violence rebuild their lives by supporting their well-being through self-care. To that end, GLOW’s e orts include partnering with cosmetic companies, retailers and beauty in uencers to create bags packed with products that are gi ed to the clients of programs in New York City, New Jersey and Fair eld County, which she now calls home.

“I’m interested in the idea of helping people nd their self-esteem again,” Annabelle explains of GLOW’s core mission. “ ese survivors have been through such heavy things. So it’s about bringing their sense of beauty back on the inside and out, which I think can also help restore their sense of con dence.”

Locally, GLOW has made donations of productpacked self-care bags to the Greenwich YWCA’s Domestic Violence Services, e Rowan Center,

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Domestic Violence Crisis Services (DVCC), the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County and the Henry Street Settlement in New York City. This past holiday season, Annabelle was able to donate more than 1,000 self-care products to local women impacted by domestic violence. And in April, GLOW hosted its second Family Fun Day with the DVCC and partnered with the Chapin School for Chapin Day of Service.

Reaching out to beauty influencers who are inundated with free products from cosmetic companies eager for shoutouts, paid off. “They get piles of PR packages and so much product that they can never use it all,” Annabelle explains. She’s also received donations from the Greenwichbased CVS, Greenwich Pharmacy and Sephora. Recently, a partnership with clean beauty brand AmaSKN also yielded generous donations. “They are enthusiastic and are all about uplifting women. They are so aligned with what we’re doing,” she says. And word is spreading. In recent months

unsolicited donations have increased dramatically.

In between tennis practice for GA and the demands of her schoolwork, the busy student philanthropist, now 16, has her sights set on expanding GLOW’s visibility and impact. She’s started a GLOW club at Greenwich Academy. Last October, Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons (a GA alum) invited Annabelle to join her when the city hosted a domestic violence awareness event. “Having her support and encouragement was amazing,” says Annabelle.

Future goals include building a network of student ambassadors in the tri-state area as well as creating a similar network of professional ambassadors—adults who can lend support to abuse survivors with services ranging from pro bono legal help to counseling and professional mentorship. “Yes, it’s ambitious, and we’re just getting started,” Annabelle says. “But I think there’s so much more we can do.” glowtoday.org G

do

CLEAR VISION: RETHINKING AGING EYES

DROOPING LIDS, SHADOWS AND PUFFINESS ARE OFTEN MORE THAN SKIN-DEEP CHANGES: A NEW APPROACH RESTORES A RESTED LOOK.

by georgette yacoub

When Dr. Inna Lazar emigrated to the United States from Ukraine as a teenager, she was struck by how di erently vision care is practiced. Back home, access to advanced technology and specialized eye care was limited. In America, she saw what was possible. “It wasn’t just about seeing better,” she says. “It was about living better.”

at early observation shaped her career. Today, Lazar is the the founder of Pro Eyecare, with practices in Greenwich and Darien. Recognized as one of Newsweek’s

Dr. Inna Lazar, founder of Pro Eyecare in Greenwich and Darien

America’s Best Eye Doctors, she has built a reputation for comprehensive, diagnostically rigorous eye care that goes well beyond the routine exam.

“When patients come to me, especially after seeing multiple providers without clear answers, they’re not looking for a routine exam,” she says. “They’re looking for clarity.”

That philosophy extends into territory most eye doctors don't touch: the aging skin and soft tissue around the eye. It’s a common concern, as women notice drooping and a tired look—and hesitate to go straight to surgery.

“the goal isn ᾽ t changing someone ᾽ s face. it ᾽ s restoring structural support so the eye looks rested again.”

how it works

Treatment takes 30 to 45 minutes, and results develop over eight to 12 weeks as collagen rebuilds— subtle, structural and natural-looking.

Lazar says that hesitation is well-founded. “A drooping lid may be structural laxity, but it can also be chronic inflammation, meibomian gland disease, muscle overuse from focusing or compensation from dry eye,” she explains. “Most treatments in the market treat appearance only, not cause.”

At Pro Eyecare, every patient begins with a functional evaluation before any aesthetic conversation. Lazar evaluates tear film chemistry, blinking patterns, eyelid position and ocular surface integrity to understand what’s driving the change. In her experience, many concerns that seem cosmetic— puffiness, heaviness, shadowing—are rooted in underlying dysfunction. Treat the physiology first, she says, and the appearance often improves.

When structure remains the issue, that’s where Sofwave comes in. Lazar recently introduced the ultrasound-based treatment to her practice. It delivers controlled energy to the support layer beneath the skin, where collagen weakens over time. The surface remains intact—no ablation, no pigment disruption, no downtime. Instead, the body rebuilds structure gradually and naturally.

“The goal isn’t changing someone’s face,” Lazar says. “It’s restoring structural support so the eye looks rested again.”

What makes Sofwave particularly suited for the eye is its precision. Unlike radiofrequency or laser treatments, ultrasound targets a defined depth—meaning the treatment targets the surrounding tissue while the eyeball and its delicate structures remain fully protected throughout the procedure. And because Lazar’s practice is an eye-care practice, her team brings a

level of anatomical expertise to the treatment that most aesthetic providers simply don’t have.

“We are formally trained to work around the eye and understand its anatomy, function, and delicate structures in depth,” she says. “Patients feel reassured because their care is delivered in a true eye-care environment.”

Treatment takes about 30 to 45 minutes, and results develop gradually over eight to 12 weeks as collagen rebuilds—subtle, structural and natural-looking.

The ideal candidates are either patients who want to get ahead of visible changes before they progress or those noticing early laxity who aren’t ready for surgical intervention. “By restoring tissue support early, we can significantly delay the need for surgery while maintaining both function and aesthetics,” Lazar says. “The key is timing.”

For anyone curious but uncertain, her first recommendation is simply to come in and learn. A consultation at Pro Eyecare is diagnostic and educational—no pressure, no procedures. “Our role is not to persuade someone into a treatment,” she says. “It is to provide clarity and options so they can make an informed decision about their eyes with confidence.”

115 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich

36 Old Kings Hwy S, Suite 110, Darien

To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit getproeyecare.com.

ITALIAN ACCENT

FELICE BRINGS ITS VIBRANT ENERGY and Tuscan classics to Port Chester

by mary kate hogan

Options for Italian fare in Fairfield and Westchester counties are almost as abundant as vineyards in Tuscany. And our appetite for the cuisine is equally plentiful. Enter Felice, a popular New York eatery that launched on the Upper East Side in 2007 and now has multiple locations, with the newest opening in Port Chester and Westport. Diners at Felice enjoy an inviting atmosphere while savoring a menu of Tuscan-inspired dishes. The standards here, such as cacio e pepe and fusilli al ferretto, are well prepared, but some of the less common specialty dishes were among our favorites.

Westy Mover Concierge

For over thirty years, Westy Mover Concierge has recommended select movers to thousands of customers in order to make their moving experience pleasant and at reasonable cost. Westy does not charge movers for the service, but insists that they satisfy our customers.

Felice’s spacious dining room in Port Chester, the former home of Saltaire and Willett House, was completely full with friends and families eating out on a cold Friday evening. When I checked Resy on a Wednesday, there were no tables for Friday night, but a call to the hostess landed us a comfortable booth at 6 p.m. The bar was also buzzing with people; some may have been lingering after the aperitivo happy hour, with special prices for cocktails, wine and bites. We didn’t realize until after circling the back parking lot for a bit that Felice actually has valet parking out front, which is key on busier evenings.

Set inside a historic circa-1903 building that once housed a grain warehouse, the dramatic dining room features vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and giant iron chandeliers that add to the ambience. Original brick walls are adorned with vintage metal trays and mirrors. Seating ranges from round tables with half-moon banquettes to booths, which line two walls of the room. Tucked into a very comfortable booth, our group chose drinks (a berry mule mocktail and wine) from the daily list. Both of the wine specials were organic/ biodynamic, and the Syrah Melograno we ordered had berry notes with a smooth finish—light and very easy to drink, which led us to order a bottle for the table.

For starters, the eggplant parmesan featured rich layers of the vegetable in a deep red sauce, not overwhelmed by too much cheese or breadcrumbs. Fried calamari and artichokes, lightly battered and mingled together on the plate with a side of aioli, make an addictive pre-dinner snack. Intrigued by the specials, we also tried puntarelle e burrata, which came out bruschetta style, with the sliced puntarella chicory (a vegetable that resembles celery but tastes more like fennel with a hint of arugula-like bitterness), stracciatella cheese, Sicilian anchovies and dressing on top of

SUNDAY

SPECIAL

To get a taste of Felice for the best price, try the Sunday Supper with two courses and a glass of wine for $45.

FELICE

55 Abendroth Avenue, Port Chester, New York, 914-786-5500; felicerestaurants.com

toasted bread. We loved the way the creamy cheese balanced the slightly bitter chicory and anchovies, but the dish was tough to eat, the thick bread so crusty that it was hard to manage with all the toppings, even using a fork and knife.

Though we were all happy with our entrées, selected among a range of pastas and mains, the winner—if we were to declare one—was the peposo, ordered by the true Italian in our group. This Tuscan take on beef stew tasted like the ultimate comfort food—Chianti-marinated prime beef in a lush sauce with carrots and crispy fried sage, served over a polenta-like corn cake. Branzino al cartoccio, sea bass steamed inside parchment paper, was tender and aromatic, with olives and grape tomatoes complementing the mild fish. Hearty meat flavor stood out in the braised beef rigatoni special, a sans-tomato pasta special. Fresh fusilli in a bright San Marzano tomato sauce topped with creamy stracciatella cheese was punctuated by fresh basil—a simple, satisfying preparation that’s also a very generous portion.

For those debating whether dessert is worth the calories, we would vote yes after trying the pistachio torta. This cake, layered with pistachio cream and nuts and paired with a pistachio gelato, was sublime and not something you see on run-of-the-mill Italian menus. The tiramisu was super creamy, almost more of a pudding, and a portion that’s enough to satisfy several people’s sweet tooth. True to the restaurant’s name, we left feeling happy and grateful for a delicious evening. G

money matters

BY CAROL LEONETTI DANNHAUSER

ENSURING YOUR INSURANCE

The notice arrived by mail. After insuring a Fairfield woman’s home since 1968, her homeowner’s policy would no longer be renewed, her carrier wrote. The reason? The home’s replacement cost could top $1 million, a threshold too high for the company.

The house was a little bungalow, “an old-lady house,” her son called it, with an assessment value nowhere near $1 million. No matter. Goodbye, after more than 50 years. She’d need to find a new carrier—fast. When she lined one up, her premium more than doubled, her son said, from $7000 a year to $18,000.

Here in lower Fairfield County, more and more homeowners are finding themselves in similar situations, says Livy Howard, partner at the independent broker Howard & Gay Insurance in Westport. Indeed, a recent study by the U.S. Senate Budget Committee ranked Fairfield County among the top 100 counties nationwide for insurance policy non-renewals.

“We’re seeing it at a much higher frequency than in the past 10 or 15 years,” says Howard. Homeowners with “high-value” residences, especially those with replacement costs of $1.5 million on up, are especially at risk.

While some insurers automatically pull the plug on policies, others require extensive home inspections by existing policy holders. One homeowner, also in Fairfield, received an email demanding a 20-point inspection, due in a month, or risk losing coverage when renewal time came around. The homeowner emailed dozens of photos of potential trouble spots as mandated in the email—under the sink, beside the boiler, at the electrical panels, and more, inside and outside, from

the attic to the basement.

Several weeks later, the carrier emailed back a half-dozen photos, circled in red, singled out by the company’s AI bot as issues in need of attention. Fix them and provide evidence, the company said, or lose coverage. Fortunately, the homeowner had the means to address the issues. But some changes, like replacing a roof, installing a new water heater, upgrading the electrical system, can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

“Carriers are expecting the homeowner to protect their home,” Howard says. “They’re not just saying this is something good to have. They have data that says the risk is less if you have these things. It’s protections for everyone.”

Higher-end carriers used to inspect homes they covered every 10 years. That manpower cost money, though, and some companies got a little lax on the once-a-decade visits. In the meantime, “underwriting guidelines have gotten much more strict, and home replacement costs have soared. It’s not uncommon today for the cost to rebuild your house to be

ALL CARRIERS ARE NOT ALIKE

more than the market value.”

Catastrophic casualty events, like fires and hurricanes, have made matters worse, Howard says, triggering billions of dollars in claims. All these factors have led to dropped policies or increased inspections.

“Carriers want to make sure all the premiums they’re collecting are higher than the claims,” says Howard. “They have to make a profit from their underwriting.”

What’s a homeowner to do? Be proactive. Says Howard, before any inspection notice arrives, ask your insurance broker what you might expect from your carrier and when. If your home’s value is rising, if you’re up for renewal after a decade or so of coverage, even if it’s simply been awhile since you scrutinized the anatomy and physiology of your home, find out now what your company could be looking at and address matters of potential concern now, while you have plenty of time to tackle trouble spots.

Whatever you do, if you get that notice, don’t ignore it. It’s much harder to get insurance from one carrier if you’ve already been dropped by another. G

Just because your current carrier plans to drop you does not mean another carrier won’t want your business. Different carriers cater to different markets. A carrier like Chubb, for example, won’t cut you off because your home is worth too much. They serve high-value, luxury homes — and expect you to stay on top of home maintenance. On the other hand, large discounters might not want your business if your home is worth too much; the claims might cost too much. By the same token, they’re often less vigilant about inspections. Says Howard, your broker can help you sort this all out.

g–mom

by eileen bartels

Words oof f o WiSdom

TGIFTS for all of the grads in your life

he perfect way to commemorate any educational milestone—from kindergarten to college—is to pass along ideas and philosophies not covered on a school syllabus. Whether it’s a single book or a whole stack covering a variety of topics, you can reinforce the idea that learning is a lifelong pursuit. From thought-provoking to whimsical, books say something about the giver and the recipient. This graduation season, why not help your graduate start building a library for life?

FOR EVERY CHAPTER— Kindergarten through College

Oh, the Places You’ll Go

DR. SEUSS

Picture books are ageless. This Dr. Seuss classic hits all the right notes for graduates big and small. great as a standalone gift, or pair with a travel accessory like personalized luggage tags or a passport book cover.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

CHARLIE MACKESY

With beautiful illustrations and moving words, this book is a printed hug. It follows the journey of four unlikely friends and is a heartwarming tale sure to touch all ages with lessons on hope and kindness.

What the Road Said

CLEO WADE

Popular Goop host and poet Cleo Wade’s inspiring picture book for ages six and up is a tale of perseverance along the journey of life instilling lessons on kindness and overcoming fear.

The Little Prince

ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRY

This classic 1943 novella is thought-provoking for all ages and deals with a range of themes from friendship to the loss of innocence. It’s available in a number of unique and beautiful releases, including the French-language version. No one is ever too old for the sheer joy of a pop-up book—and a delightful version is available.

WHERE TO START

What Now?

ANN PATCHETT

This essay in book form is based on the author’s Sarah Lawrence College commencement speech. It captures the questions and precipice young adults find themselves on upon graduation. As a special bonus, order an autographed copy from the author's Nashville Parnassus bookstore. parnassusbooks.net

Make Your Bed:

Little Things That Can Change Your Life … and Maybe the World

WILLIAM H. MCRAVEN

Motivate graduates with wisdom from a former Navy SEAL. McRaven offers 10 life lessons based on his military career—small steps that create ripples and build momentum. Touching on concepts of leadership and resilience, this book is based on his 2014 University of Texas at Austin commencement speech.

A Few Rules for Predicting the Future

OCTAVIA E. BUTLERS

Available in a small giftsize edition, this short essay by science fiction author Octavia E. Butler, was originally published in Essence magazine in 2000. It discusses principles for shaping the future with a realistic and hopeful tone, emphasizing personal responsibility and the unpredictable nature of life. Pair with one of Butler's other works like The Parable of the Sower.

The Happiness Project:

One-Sentence Journal. A FiveYear Record

GRETCHEN RUBIN

Many versions of similar one-sentence-a-day journals are available online and at most local bookstores. The idea here is simple: Get your young grads into the habit of writing a sentence a day, and at the end of the year—or five—they can look back to see how far they have come.

Atomic Habits:

An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

JAMES CLEAR

With the book and the workbook, the author makes a case for setting up productive habits as the framework to a successful life. This bestselling self-help book uses a sciencebacked framework for building good habits through small changes called “atomic habits.” Inspire graduates to design an environment that makes success easier.

THINKING BIG

Meditations

MARCUS AURELIUS

Some ideas resonate for centuries as demonstrated by the consistent popularity of the ideas of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and the current interest in the philosophy of stoicism. Meditations is a collection of the emperor’s writings detailing his ideas, self-improvement exercises and reflections on living in harmony with nature.

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor

DONALD ROBERSTON

Combine Marcus Aurelius’s classic Meditations with a more modernday approach to his philosophies with this book. It uses stories from Aurelius’s life and shows how to apply these ancient ideas in practical modern-day situations.

A WEALTH OF WISDOM

Get Good with Money:

10 Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole

TIFFANY ALICHE

This practical ten-step plan for achieving financial security and building wealth is a good starter for young earners.

The

Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed and Happiness

MORGAN HOUSE

Encourage young consumers to look at the psychology behind spending and earning. This book on money goes beyond typical math and formulas and examines the behavioral and psychological factors surrounding finance.

Girls That Invest: Your Guide to Financial Independence Through Shares and Stocks

SIMRAN KAUR

Gift this guide to understanding the stock market by decoding industry jargon. It also provides a stepby-step plan to invest and build financial freedom.

The Defining Decade:

Why Your Twenties Matter— and How to Make the Most of Them Now

MEG JAY, PHD

This thoughtful book explores the importance of the decisions we make in our 20s. It has been out for a decade, but a revised edition containing new studies and information was released in 2021.

CREATIVE COURAGE

We

Need Your Art: Stop F*ing Around and Make Something

AMIE MCNEE

Inspire the creative thinkers in your life with this book that encourages grads to develop daily sustainable habits to battle procrastination, perfectionism and self-doubt. Featuring a two-week reset plan and journal prompts, it’s an excellent aid to help every graduate continue to create long after school ends.

The Book

of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for An Inspired Life

SULEIKA JAOUAD

This bestselling author offers a meditation on the questions of life and a guide to the art of journaling. Gift it alone or pair it with her inspiring memoir about her battle with illness, Between Two Kingdoms: Memoir of a Life Interrupted.

Our Mission

The mission of Breast Cancer Alliance is to improve survival rates and quality of life for those impacted by breast cancer through better prevention, early detection, treatment and cure. To promote these goals, we invest in innovative research, breast surgery fellowships, regional education, dignified support and screening for the underserved.

To learn more visit breastcanceralliance.org

Breast Cancer Alliance, 48 Maple Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830 info@breastcanceralliance.org

Yonni Wattenmaker, Executive Director

MAY DAYS!

A LITTLE INSPIRATION FOR MOTHER’S DAY AND BEYOND—THINK BLOOMS, BIG TRUCKS AND FAMILY FUN

by layla lisiewski

No. 1 MOM HAS ENTERED THE CHAT

Consider this your official cheat sheet for Mother’s Day. A few thoughtful hints, a little wishful thinking and one very important reminder: The best gifts don’t require a receipt.

Copy and paste this into your family group chat: Since Mother’s Day is coming up, I’m taking a page from the “no guessing games” approach this year and sharing a little wish list so you don’t have to stress about what to get me. You can check out the “Spoil Mom: The Best of the Best Greenwich Gift Guide” on greenwichmoms.com, or I would be happy with anything thoughtful such as:

• A relaxed, unrushed day together (perhaps a casual walk around Tod’s Point to kick off the season)

• A nice brunch out or a meal at home that I don’t have to make

• Something self-care-related (Delamar massage, Le Suite facial, Maison d’Alexandre day of beauty, or just time to relax)

• A small, meaningful gift or something I wouldn’t buy for myself such as Roller Rabbit PJs

• Bonus: A handwritten note always wins. (Perhaps with a sweet treat from newly opened BonBon.)

Honestly, the best gift is just spending time together and not having to plan anything myself. Love you all and thank you in advance for making the day special.

XO Mom

No. 3 GARDEN GOALS

Mark your calendar for the 2026 Garden Open Day on Sunday, June 7, when you can explore the 13 acres of stunning Sleepy Cat Farm The heart of the original six acres is experienced along the “Golden Path,” a granite dust pathway that leads from the main house and formal terraces on top of the hill into the stunning landscape. As you wander through the oak and beech woodland, you’ll encounter fountains, statuary, an iris garden traversed by a Japanese spirit bridge and planted with 10,000 Japanese iris, and finally a rustic stone grotto. gardenconservency.org

No. 4 BIG WHEELS, BIG THRILLS

No. 2 TIGER TIME!

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, the beloved PBS KIDS series, comes to the Bronx Zoo this month. Take in live performances with Daniel Tiger and Katerina Kittycat as they explore habitats around the world. Enjoy educational playtime while learning about adorable animals with hands-on activities. Climb aboard the trolley and visit the iconic Music Wall. Kids will have a sensory-rich experience that blends music, nature and imaginative play. bronxzoo.com

At Touch a Truck on Sunday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., children can fulfill their dreams of sitting behind the wheel of a fire truck or honking a dump truck’s horn. The event features all sorts of vehicles, a roaming railroad, bounce houses, live music, food trucks and more. There will also be a Reduced Sensory Hour, starting at 9:30 a.m., for families and children who benefit from less commotion. jlgreenwich.org G

Every month, Layla Lisiewski, Greenwich mom of four and founder of Greenwich Moms and its parent company, The Local Moms Network, shares some of her favorite things to do—from seasonal activities to can’tmiss events. Follow @greenwich_moms on Instagram, sign up for the newsletter, and check out the calendar at greenwichmoms.com.

Day & Boarding School Fair

Wednesday, May 6

6–7:30 p.m. • New Canaan Country School

635 Frogtown Rd, New Canaan, CT

For a list of schools attending and to register for this free event, please visit: www.countryschool.net/school-fair-2026

PHOTOGRAPHY VIDEOGRAPHY SOCIAL MEDIA

Moffly Media is one of the leading providers of professional event photography and marketing services in Fairfield County. We capture compelling, high-quality images of individuals and groups at meaningful events. With our wide range of capabilities from video to social media, Moffly will customize a marketing program that’s just right for you.

ople

people&PLACES

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREA CARSON

Warehouse

Packed With Love

igh-profile locals recently teamed up to help fight childhood hunger at the fifth annual Influencer Packing Event. The volunteers packed food for children in need who receive weekend meal bags from Filling in the Blanks. fillingintheblanks.org »

Em Roberts, Julia Dzafic, Stefanie Jones, Megan Schinella, Marika Dominczyk, Julie Stewart (middle row) Pam Alberino, Kira Jones, Emma Rojas, Nina Clarke, Doreen Godfrey, Lauren Sklover, Jessica Ryan Gina Demeo, Kelsi Nyman, Raenah Farina, Michaela Visconti, Stephanie Webster, Ashley Langer, Zac Mathias, Amanda Gershman, Julia Dzafic 3 Sam Ball 4 Julie Stewart, Nina Clarke, Emma Crojas, Zac Mathias 5 Megan Schinella, Amanda Gershman, Danielle Kilarjian, Doreen Godfrey, Ashley Langer 6 Em Roberts, Gina Kelsi Nyman, Raenah Farina 8 Filling in the Blanks founders Shawnee Knight and Tina Kramer with actor Marika Domińczyk

1 (standing) Rachel Khanna, Mimi Santry, Kate Clark, Cristin Marandino, Laura Jordon, Erin Glasebrook (seated) Sara Allard, Dr. Sandra Wainwright, Susan Reynolds Lehman, Dr. Alyssa Gillego 2 Kasha Kanopka and Susan Reynolds Lehman 3 Carole Hochman, Sara Allard, Isabel Allard 4 Carolyn Reers, YW CEO Mary Lee Kiernan

5 Brynn John, Kathleen Dyke, Jonathan and Donna Moffly 6 Erin Glasebrook receiving her award from Shari Aser

7 Sally Harris, Kate Murphy Clark

8 Annie Green, Morgan Warden, Devon Mahaffy 9 Nicole Mitchell, Kirsten Lawrence, Maggie Young, Marie Rocha

YWCA Greenwich recently hosted the eighth annual Women Who Inspire Awards at Greenwich Country Club. The Women Who Inspire Awards was established to recognize and celebrate outstanding women in our community who have excelled in philanthropic, professional and volunteer pursuits. We were extra proud this year to cheer on our very own editor, Cristin Marandino! ywcagreenwich.org G

12 Dr. Karen Santucci, Dr. Sandra Wainwright 13 Riona McKersie, Ambika Jha, Eloise Warden, Annie Slocum 14 Kim Jeffrey, Peter Santry

15 Victoria Williams, Ginge Cabrera

16 Wendy Stapleton, Jenna Bush Hager 17 Stephanie Kruse, Lauren Walsh, Mary Lee Kiernan 18 Elisa Wilson, Maryanne Ho Barnum

19 Jane Batkin, Amy Knox 20 Women Who Inspire, past and present

Hello Sunshine CEO Maureen Polo champions the power of storytelling—and mentorship—to help women and girls claim their voices and their futures

BY JILL JOHNSON MANN

utside Greenwich Country Club, it’s a crisp winter evening in a long season of biting Northeastern nights. The valet attendants are racing back and forth from a packed lot. Upon entering the grand clubhouse, the temperature shifts. The buzz from the distant ballroom extends down the hallowed halls as far as the check-in table in the foyer, where young women with impeccable posture direct the guests. They convey warmth and confidence. They do not seem at all out of their element, despite not coming from this privileged world. Maureen Polo, CEO of Hello Sunshine and this evening’s Girls With Impact gala honoree, has lived in Greenwich for 15 years, but she also did not grow up in country club ballrooms.

Hello Sunshine, for those who don’t know (and just think it’s something we hoped to say more often last winter), is the media company founded by Reese Witherspoon, which is devoted to putting women at the center of stories across film (Where the Crawdads Sing), television (The Morning Show, Big Little Lies, Daisy Jones & the Six …), books and podcasts. It is built on the belief that storytelling can change the way women walk through the world.

Girls With Impact, the Greenwich-based nonprofit founded by Jennifer Openshaw to provide business and leadership prep to underprivileged teen girls and women, does that, too. The young women working the event and accepting their Emerging Leader awards illustrate that point. They could seem out of their element in a room with a hefty silver-spoon contingent. But, no. Their heads are held high, their eyes are full of promise, their words are powerful and they know how to claim their space— because women like Polo and Openshaw have showed them how.

LONG BEACH, LONG ISLAND: THE SHY STORYTELLER

Maureen Polo grew up the oldest of six, in a small beach town on Long Island called Long Beach. “My mom came from a very traditional Irish Catholic background, and she grew up

in a world where she was told she was pretty enough to be a flight attendant, and caring enough to be a teacher, and probably would be a really good nurse if she were, you know, better at math,” recounts Polo. “Those were the options that existed for my mother.”

Polo was quiet—an avid reader and writer, an observer. “I valued my mom so much,” she says. “She was so intelligent. She read

everything under the sun. She was deeply engaged in culture and what the world around us was doing.” It was the 1980s, and things were shifting. “My mom said, ‘You can be anything you believe you can be, if you just work hard and you work smart and you read.’ Reading became my outlet to help figure out who I was as a person and what I needed to learn to be successful in life,” says Polo.

Early on, several teachers had an indelible effect on her. “I ran for class president in fourth grade,” Polo recalls, “and I lost that election. I was sitting in a cement play tunnel in the playground, so devastated I’d lost. My teacher, Roberta Sanders, found me and told me: ‘Leadership isn’t about winning the title. Leadership is about what you do when the chips fall. How do you stand up? How do you tell your story? How do you make sure you’re affecting change through all the other things you do?’ She coaxed me out of that tunnel and reminded me that Day One was the day I lost. Day One of leadership is learning how to stand up in that resilience and figure out how you can take this experience and make yourself stronger. She had such an impact on who I am and how I’ve led as a human and as a leader in my career.” Recently, Polo even tried to find her old teacher to express her gratitude. She had passed, but Polo was able to share the story with Roberta’s daughter.

Her third-grade teacher, Judith Bailey, also shaped her future. “As a child, people called me painfully shy,” she says. “She was the first person who pulled me aside and said, ‘I actually don’t think you’re shy. I think you’re this beautiful storyteller. You write your stories, but you have not found your voice yet. You just don’t communicate in the way that the world does. The best thing you can do for yourself is find your voice and connect what you’re writing with the way you tell stories.’ That really taught me how to be a supercurious person who values how other people think and express themselves.”

If only Ms. Bailey could hear Polo now, delivering a string of inspiring stories at lightning speed, which is something—like at the Girls With Impact gala—she does often.

“It’s so important to reach the next generation and share your vulnerable experiences,” she says. “I get asked to show up in schools or in mentorship communities, and I do it if I can, because that is the way we shape and change the future for women. Those two teachers had a really fundamental impact on me,” says Polo. “I love to teach others, and I think that’s because they did that for me at such a young age.” »

“Reese Witherspoon is incredible. She is always 10 steps ahead of where the world is, where culture is.” —Maureen Polo

Polo saw her mom model resilience, when her parents divorced. “She was taking care of three kids and at night going to nursing school and leaving us with a sitter or relative and trying to give herself an education,” she recalls. “I admired not only her ability to step outside from what she knew, but also her ability to recognize that the world might not have been set up for her, but that I can be the change she didn’t have in the environment she grew up in.”

Polo campaigned for Geraldine Ferraro.

“I was so excited that she was the vice presidential candidate, and she was a woman,” says Polo, who also watched Sandra Day O’Connor be nominated to the Supreme Court.

“Madonna’s music was blaring from my stereo. My parents were pretty conservative, but I was wearing lace gloves and, you know, neon

bangles. I was looking at Oprah Winfrey—a storyteller and connector of people—breaking every boundary a woman could break.”

The future looked full of possibility.

NEW YORK: BUSINESS FORCE

Polo was often told she should be a writer, but her altruistic nature told her being a doctor was how you made the world a better place. Then, aptly, a movie changed her mind. “I connected so deeply to Diane Keaton in Baby Boom,” she says. “This is not even a joke. I was thinking I wanted to be a doctor, and then I watched that movie and realized: Oh, I actually really have business acumen. I love the idea of building businesses and telling stories.”

Polo earned a business/communications degree from Loyola and began her career at Condé Nast. “I had incredible role models at Self magazine,” she says. “I had two female leaders, Vicki Wellington and Beth Brenner. They had different skill sets, and they talked about that. One was the publisher, and one was the VP of publishing. One would give the other the mic to answer questions, and the other would give it back. You almost didn’t know which was the publisher, because they were leading the company in a really smart way. If women can see women working in that way, they understand that the more we do together, the more power we have to change.” Polo notes how that’s exactly what Girls With Impact teaches. “There are girls taking these classes together,” she explains. “There’s a community. It’s collaborative.”

Polo’s career took her to Meredith and then Hearst, where she moved up the ranks in director of business development roles. She was a senior vice president at Fullscreen Media and WarnerMedia. Board rooms full of men did not intimidate her. “Many of the jobs I’ve had didn’t exist before I had them,” she explains. “I built a digital business when digital businesses weren’t even a thing yet. I helped build social media ecosystems before social was social. I was this female in a room full of people who were more senior and seasoned than me, predominantly men, and I was trying to explain these new mediums.”

She did not compare herself to men or consider gender an obstacle but was sometimes her own roadblock. “When I was in my early thirties, a very senior man who had a lot of faith in me told me I should go after this chief digital officer role,” she says. “I felt like I didn’t have the business school acumen, so I didn’t. That leader came to me after and said: ‘You really should have gone for that job. You have all the skills and tools.’ They didn’t even end up hiring someone who had an MBA. I call those my ‘cement-tunnel’ moments, where I put myself back into that cement tunnel. I just didn’t have the person at that time to sort of pull me out. So, I thought, how can I be that person that pulls someone out of the cement tunnel? That became my mission. But the other part

top: Maureen with her family: Addison, Hudson, Alan and Grayson middle: Maureen and her daughter Addison at Shine Away, a two-day experiential event featuring workshops and panels bottom: Maureen with her sons, Hudson and Grayson

of it for me was how do I get myself to show up, take more risk and push myself outside my comfort zone? I think that was a defining moment for me in my career.”

GREENWICH/L.A.: HELLO SUNSHINE

Through the years, Polo never lost sight of her mother’s advice. “I made sure I kept doing what my mother did and telling the world around me: We can be anything,” she says, “and that’s what Hello Sunshine built its business around. It was so serendipitous that I ended up here. Because that is truly how you change the narrative for women. You show them. You allow them to see stories and opportunities and careers. You give them those roles that allow them to see it’s actually happening. Hello Sunshine has put 91 women in director roles in episodes of our shows.”

The company has a predominantly female executive team, which Polo joined in 2022. She was promoted to CEO last September. “We are creating space for women in these positions and creating an environment that is really positive,” says Polo. “We have to show girls what leadership looks like.” That culture comes from the very top down. “Reese Witherspoon is incredible,” raves Polo. “She is driven, ambitious, kind and generous with the way that she thinks. She’s always 10 steps ahead of where the world is, where culture is. She has this uncanny ability to understand humans and culture and then help shape it. She’s an incredible mom. She’s a role model for all of us, including me.”

Polo and her husband, who have three kids, moved out to Greenwich almost 15 years ago with one toddler at the time. They were both commuting to the city for work, but with his family in Massachusetts and hers on Long Island, it was a happy medium.

“I had a hard time giving up my city place and my city life, so it took me a minute to find my footing. But I love it here and love raising my children here,” she says. “It’s surprising how many other female leaders I have connected with here. There are a lot of really smart, incredible women—even my non-working

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friends are. They have so much passion and drive, and they’re doing so much for the world.” There are multiple tables full of Polo’s girlfriends cheering her on as she addresses the gala attendees and shares her inspiring stories.

Polo was an obvious choice for the Girls With Impact honoree. Founder Jennifer Openshaw comments, “Maureen embodies what it means to be not just a successful leader, but an exceptional role model. As one of Greenwich’s own, she has used her platform and influence to widen the path for women coming up behind her. She understands that leadership isn’t just about personal success. It’s about lifting others as you rise.”

The admiration between the women is mutual. “I had to learn on my own through mistakes and hustling hard to figure it all out,” says Polo. “The community Girls With Impact is building for this generation is giving them the tools to be successful and be prepared to go out into the professional world, to give them mentorship, to teach them how to build a network. I didn’t even know what a network was.”

While GWI provides business acumen (to 20,000 girls so far), Hello Sunshine is preparing girls in other ways, including diverting them from the pressure and anxiety induced by social media. “The social ecosystems that they’re playing inside—they can be bright lights, but they’re also dragging them down into places where they shouldn’t be,” explains Polo. “What we’ve done is create a community where this next generation can be more intentional with the way that they spend their time. We call it ‘slowing the scroll,’ creating space for you to connect with yourself and others in more meaningful, joyful ways.”

As a lifelong reader, Polo is passionate about Sunnie Reads, Hello Sunshine’s new book club for Gen Z readers. “If we can show girls these other passion points that are off these platforms, that are in real life and enable you to connect with other humans, they’re going to be more joyful. Sunnie Reads is about giving girls the space to connect over books—get together, read together, create joyful playlists and listen to music together. We want reading to be something these girls can escape into, but

also something that connects them. AI is going to shift the way people think and operate. We believe that reading and storytelling, and that connection to story is going to allow the next generation to be critical thinkers and intentional and be able to adapt new technologies in thoughtful ways. But it’s going to be on them to really moderate the way they spend their time.”

As a kid, Polo read “anything and everything. Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye was probably my favorite. I’ll love every version of Little Women forever and ever and evermore. I loved The Secret Garden.” These days you might find her reading The Disengaged Teen, a parenting book she is “obsessed with,” or Eve Rodsky’s Fair Play, which addresses how to combat household inequality.

“It’s one of the IPs we own at Hello Sunshine and truly is something that I embody in my house,” says Polo. “I have a husband who’s incredibly involved in my children’s lives and our home lives.” With her husband, Alan Polo, as head of sales & trading at Liquidnet and Polo having a bi-coastal career for the past 15 years, fair play is really the only way.

Polo’s teenage daughter Addison may be the best judge of how it’s all working out. “My mom is the reason I believe hard work and kindness can exist in the same person,” she says. “I’ve watched her lead with confidence, think with purpose and care about people without ever cutting corners. At 16, I’m still figuring out who I want to be, but she’s my inspiration and exactly who I want to be when I grow up.” G

Upcoming from Hello Sunshine

HERE’S

WHAT’S IN STORE

LUCKY (Apple TV+) starring Anya Taylor-Joy

ELLE (Prime Video), which reimagines the beloved Legally Blonde universe for television

POLLY POCKET live-action movie starring Lily Collins with Mattel Studios and Amazon MGM Studios

THE NIGHTINGALE

starring Dakota and Elle Fanning

MAUREEN’S GREENWICH FAVORITES

SCENIC SPOT: Cocktails on the deck at l’escale

READING SPOT: On my hammock, underneath the trees, with the sounds of my kids playing in the distance

CULTURE: Bruce Museum

RESTAURANT: Happy Monkey

COFFEE: I love a coffee smoothie, and I spend a lot of time at Green & Tonic and BARVIDA

GYM: Equinox

BOUTIQUE: Fred

SPA: Delamar

LOCAL TRAIT: I love the way Greenwich makes you feel both peaceful and connected to culture. You get beautiful landscape, time at the beach, beautiful hiking and walking trails, wonderful restaurants, incredible cultural and community events like the Town Party, and you’re a quick ride into NYC. It’s truly the best of everything for someone who moves at a fast pace but needs spaces to decompress.

Th e Goo d Lif e

Seize the summer with new and niche finds in Fairfield County

BY JILL JOHNSON MANN

From Pilates to saunas,

mahjong getaways to retail therapy, restaurant openings to decadent desserts, free therapy to family fun— dig into our annual list of new or unusual must-know ways to squeeze every last drop out of the juicy good life in our area. Granted, our goodness cup runneth over around here, so this is most likely an impossible goal. But, hey, can’t hurt to try!

Kudos to our team of friends and editors for sharing all the scoop on their favorite ways to get fit, pursue wellness, shop for the coolest clothes and most unique gifts, eat and drink with abandon, keep their kids engaged and bring their families joy. »

We are an active bunch here in Fairfield County, and, fortunately, should we have short attention spans and an antsy nature, the fitness gurus are constantly finding ways to keep working out effective and energizing. Really big this year is rolling wellness into fitness. Out with “no pain, no gain” and in with “no pain (OK, maybe a little pain) and a whole lot of feeling good.” FIT

FIND YOUR

Athleto Pilates

261 Danbury Road, Wilton 340 Grasmere Avenue, Fairfield 203-210-5161

athletostudios.com

Athleto Pilates offers a free intro class for Pilates newbies and $19 price for those who have reformer experience but have yet to experience the Balanced Body Studio equipment at Athleto’s two Fairfield County locations. If you love it, there are class packs, monthly memberships and private options, plus discounted fees for teens. Beginner/intermediate/ advanced level classes are available as well as focuses on particular areas, like Core and Legs Reformer Sculpt. Pilates promises to strengthen the body and improve both posture and athletic performance.

Core Burn Pilates

24 Elm Street, Greenwich 203-914-4433

coreburnpilates.com/greenwich

779 North Street, Greenwich 475-897-1096

coreburnpilates.com/northgreenwich

142 Elm Street, New Canaan 203-829-3834

coreburnpilates.com/new-canaan

165 Rowayton Avenue, Rowayton 203-344-1844

coreburnpilates.com/rowayton

12 Elm Street, Westport 203-919-1239

coreburnpilates.com/westport

“Core Burn Pilates Greenwich gets— and deserves—a lot of my fitness spend,” says one of our in-the-know friends. “Kristin, the owner, is fierce to train with. My body would not be the same without the 10-plus years I’ve spent training with Core on a biweekly basis.” Classes are available by level, from Foundations to Advanced, with a variety of choices like Tone & Sculpt, Tower and Cardio Jumpboard. Look for the fire icons by the class listings to anticipate just how much burn you’re gonna feel! Privates, duets and trios are also available for a more customized approach.

Countdown Fitness

409 Greenwich Avenue (2nd floor), Greenwich; 203-594-6684

25 Sylvan Road South (Suite R), Westport; 203-593-6684 countdownfit.com

Countdown Fitness founder Anel Dzafic has trained 400 clients, from kids to NBA/NFL players to 90-yearold tough cookies. He uses a slow lifting approach, which increases the muscles’ workload and reduces injury risk. Anel is a certified holistic health coach who offers nutrition and weight loss guidance, as well as expertise in lower back pain, osteoporosis, pre- and post-natal fitness and golf conditioning. One of our local fitness gurus offers this rave: “Countdown Fitness is amazing. It’s 30 minutes once a week with a private trainer— not a second is wasted, and I swear if it were 32 minutes I would die! It’s the hardest 30 minutes of my week and completely transformative.”

Jetset Modern Pilates

25 Old Kings Highway North (Unit 6), Darien jetsetpilates.com/ct/darien

520 Post Road East, Westport jetsetpilates.com/ct/westport

Jetset Modern Pilates is touching down in Darien and Westport soon, bringing 50-minute dynamic Pilates sessions with Jetset’s signature choreography and curated DJ playlists. Sessions balance strength, flexibility and endurance. Classes are designed for all levels, with skilled instructors guiding the way. Class

and private options include Reformer, Fundamentals, Upper + Core, Lower + Core and On the Mat. The founder, Tamara Galinksy, transformed her post-baby body in nine months with Pilates. You can, too.

Recess Performance Club

1276 Post Road East, Westport recess.fit

Trainer to the stars Eric Johnson is right here and ready to give you the same insider fitness tips he

shares with celebrities like Scarlett Johansson and Andrew Garfield. The club offers private, semiprivate and group classes to sculpt your optimal summer bod. Recess augments its fitness offerings and improves recovery with an infrared sauna with red light therapy in a private suite. Pair that with a coldwater plunge to reduce muscle inflammation, improve circulation, boost mood and build resilience.

Rhoswyn Wellness

196 Danbury Road, Wilton 203-284-7151; rhoswynwellness.com

With the opening of Rhoswyn Wellness, the first hot yoga studio in Wilton, the town is heating up! Founded by couple Anna Louise Williams and Jerry Griffin, the studio offers yoga (from gentle to power, warm to hot), Pilates, meditation, Qi Gong and more. Prenatal classes, Family Flow and kindergarten-through-teen programs bring out the yogi in every age. Sound healing, meditation, reiki and pranayama workshops and Full Moon Sacred Circles offer more options for finding serenity in this community-minded space. »

Core Burn Pilates, Rowayton

The Barn

Fairfield, CT hello@welcometothebarn.com welcometothebarn.com

Energy healer and guide Courtney Henggeler invites you to The Barn, “a sanctuary for deep realignment” through reiki, guided sessions to reconnect with your true self, and donation-based events like astrology workshops. This is a place for softening the nervous system, opening the heart and reconnecting to “clarity, confidence and a sense of inner wholeness.” Book a session on the website, and start shedding that Fairfield County armor.

SUMA Life House

146 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich 203-524-8000 sumalifehouse.com

SUMA Life House founder Kristin Updike discovered the transformative power of integrative treatments while undergoing a double mastectomy in 2020. Her journey inspired her to create a center that brings modern science, aesthetics and wellness together under one roof, catering to those looking for a longer and more beautiful life. It feels luxurious— but the prices aren’t. The staff is knowledgeable, flexible and thorough. A cozy and chic Hyperbaric Chamber, Red Light Bed, IV Therapy, Emsculpt NEO (which uses radio-frequency energy to target fat and electromagnetic energy to tone muscle), Exion Body (for skin tightening), facial treatments, microneedling—these are just a handful of the miracle treatments awaiting you at SUMA.

The Current Wellness

135 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich 1063 Hope Street, Stamford 203-665-8985 thecurrentwellness.com

The Current debuted at Stamford Twin Rinks and is now bringing its “one-hour brain and body vitality ritual” to Greenwich. The unique approach to exercise incorporates three phases: standing on a vibration platform and bathing in red-light therapy to calm and prepare the body and mind; a 25-minute, coach-led contrast oxygen training session (think: hyperbaric oxygen session meets cardio workout); and then sitting around a BioCharger that emits light and energy in optimal frequency and voltage for maximizing recovery, circulation, cellular repair and clarity. The session is personalized so all levels feel comfortable—and everyone walks out revitalized.

THE BRAIN GAME

A smart mental workout

Blue Sparrow Mahj

From Fairfield County to Italy 415-298-9498

bluesparrowmahj@gmail.com themahjongline.com

Mahjong is all the rage, and Stephanie Kruse, founder of Blue Sparrow Mahj, is drawing a following with her expert lessons. This game, which originated in 19th-century China, is just the antidote to brain-numbing, isolating screen time. Better yet, she is upping the game with a “Mahjong in Tuscany” getaway, October 18 to 23. Kruse offers this enticing invite: “I’m hosting a retreat for 14 lucky people in our own private villa in the hills of Val D’Orcia in Tuscany. We’ll travel to Siena and Pienza and enjoy a cooking class and historical tours of the region. Each evening, enjoy Mahjong happy hour with guided play or lessons before a chef-catered meal.” Kruse has partnered with Duende Retreats, a woman-owned travel company she swears by. Book your spot: duenderetreats.com/retreats/ mahjong-tuscany

MOOD BOOST

A healthy mind starts with the right support New Canaan YMCA – Private Counseling

564 South Avenue, New Canaan 203-966-4528 newcanaanymca.org/ counseling-at-the-y

In partnership with the Jewish Family Services (JFS) of Greenwich Bennett Center for Behavioral Health, the New Canaan YMCA is offering private counseling—with no YMCA membership required. Therapy sessions for individuals, couples and families (ages six through adulthood) are held in a private, welcoming space in the Y’s facility. All major insurance plans are accepted. An intake form is accessible via the website.

SAUNAS ARE HOT

Saunas are on the hot list, with a wide range of health benefits hitting the public’s awareness, including the latest: a decreased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s with regular sauna use. A reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and high blood pressure; improved circulation, sleep and skin health; faster recovery after workouts; reduced stress and an immune system boost are other reasons sweating it out is all the rage.

HIDEOUT

1 Blachley Road (Suite 102), Stamford hideoutsocial.club

Connecticut’s first sauna and coldplunge club gives a clean twist on the term "clubbing." This community-based sauna club was inspired by founder Ryan Linner’s trip to Norway, where he discovered that plunging into a freezing fjord and then stepping into a sauna made him feel deliciously alive. Norway’s sauna culture got him thinking: “What if I could recreate the energy of a vibey outdoor brewery—the music, the people, the buzz—just built around health instead of hangovers?”

In partnership with Chelsea Piers Stamford, Linner made it happen. Guests can enjoy a custom-made Finnish (dry) Sauna, fire pits and cold plunges, all in a social setting that makes them feel like the cool kids at the hottest club in town.

KIIN SAUNA

Fairfield and mobile service kiinsauna.com

How about having a beautiful, handcrafted wood-burning sauna and cold plunge tub brought to your door or event? KiiN Sauna’s mobile service makes contrast therapy easily accessible and personalized. KiiN offers two-hour in-home sessions for up to 28 people with towels and herbal tea service. KiiN also offers half-day and full-day retreats and holds events with partner venues and at local beaches. Owner Ginger Richardson says, “I founded KiiN Sauna out of a love for simple, intentional rituals and a belief that healing happens when we reconnect with what’s real—heat, cold, breath, nature and one another.”

TYDE HAUS

11 Pine Point Road, Norwalk 971-803-1361

tydehaus.com

Tyde Haus promises “a sanctuary of warmth by the sea” where guests can channel a Finnish sauna experience right on Bayley Beach in Rowayton. A shared space for eight overlooking the Sound is perfect for a bonding and wellness-boosting outing with family or friends. Guests dip in the Sound between sauna sessions. For unlimited sessions and VIP booking access, buy a membership for $220 a month. Private sessions are available with add-on perks to make your event extra special. Tyde Haus has been known to offer sound bath sauna sessions, so keep an ear out for that. »

Who doesn’t need a little retail therapy on a rainy—or sunny, or cloudy, or windy or partially sunny—day? Here is our shortlist of shops to check out for fashion (for men, women and the little ones), gifts, scents, home decor and more.

Haute Haul

Gray Clothier

HOURS: to 6 p.m., Sun. 12 to 5 p.m.

Sometimes the men get neglected when it comes to shopping, but not at Gray’s Clothier. One friend commented, “Gray’s men’s shop is pretty fantastic. I shop there for gifts—great prices and options.”

Whether browsing for casual wear, golf attire, business casual with flair, blazers or button-ups, Gray’s has the stylish guy covered.

Hill House Home

117 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich 203-962-1311 hillhousehome.com

HOURS: Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hill House Home has opened in downtown Greenwich, adding to its list of stylish locales like Nantucket, New York City, Palm Beach and Charleston. Founder Nell Diamond dreamed of “making happy things for happy places,” and her delicate, high-quality designs are doing just that. Think: sundresses in cheery floral patterns, cute tops, stylish jackets, coveted short dresses and soft and sophisticated pajamas. The sweet baby and toddler outfits will tempt you to have another.

Hope & Joy

95 Reef Road, Fairfield 203-208-8317 findinghopeandjoy.com

HOURS: Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hope & Joy brings a carefully curated, cheerful mix of gifts, home and decor, apparel, accessories and paper goods to brighten up every day. Plus there's a party shop and monogrammed options for personalized presents for birthdays, teachers, graduates and brides-to-be. Everything here is fun, affordable and useful. Check out the array of travel totes and cases to make your next trip the most fun to pack for yet. The site allows you to search for “Gifts Under $25/$50/$100.” A cute selection of baby-shower gifts streamlines your decision-making process.

Reformation

272 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich 203-350-7396 thereformation.com/stores/greenwich

HOURS: Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun. 12 to 5 p.m.

Eco-chic retail hits the Ave. with the opening of Reformation’s first Connecticut boutique. Priding itself on its mission to clothe you in sustainable fashion, Ref Greenwich is the environmentally friendly place to shop and look ultra cool, too. Reformation states: “Since 2009, we’ve been on a mission to bring sustainable fashion to everyone. And we aren’t stopping there. By 2025, we’ll be climate positive. By 2030, everything we make will be part of a circular fashion system.” This is a fashion parade you want to join.

The Scent Bar at MONC XIII

5 Lewis Street, Greenwich 203-340-2275 monc13.com

HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. One of our “nosy” editors reports: “My latest, greatest discovery is the scent bar at MONC XIII in Greenwich. They have the best curation of personal fragrance options, grouped by scent notes, and Michelle is an expert in recommending based on your personal preferences (she will also make custom samples for you to take home!). The store itself is beautiful and has an exquisite edit of furniture, home décor and, of course, home fragrance.” »

Theo ’ s General Store

126 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton theosgeneral.com

HOURS: Wed.–Thurs. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Couple Jacob Fisher and Casey Romaine welcomed a baby recently, and now they are bringing Wilton their other baby—a general store for all to gather around and ooh and ah. Both are named Theo. The store version will offer a curated selection of local artisanal products plus international pantry items, a coffee bar, scrumptious pastries and a cozy seating area. One of our editors with discerning taste raves, “It’s amazing!”

The Mariner & The Muse

57 Chestnut Street, South Norwalk themarinerandthemuse.com

HOURS: Thurs.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Mariner & the Muse offers “vintage furniture, homewares and interiors rooted in thoughtful storytelling. Each piece and project embodies our belief that design should feel personal, layered and full of soul—an ode to the well-loved and the well-lived.” The brands first brick and mortar location sits in South Norwalk’s design district, ready to drench anyone who walks in the door with a large dose of nostalgic creative inspiration. Founder Jill Arden Lukeman is a designer and owner of Arden’s coastal cafe in Rowayton.

Wee Mondine

35 Corbin Drive, Darien 203-202-2901 weemondine.com

HOURS: Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wee Mondine’s adorable online shop now has a brick-and-mortar locale in the Corbin District. Founder Elizabeth Crosby curates a selection of apparel for baby, kids and women (with a focus on natural fabrics and sustainable manufacturing), plus home and apothecary items. Soor Ploom, Misha & Puff and Apolina are a few of Wee Mondine’s go-to brands. Unique finds like Kidamento cameras, Kiki & GG wooden retro rotary telephone toys, Dragon Diffusion purses for mom, Minnow swimwear and Sleepy Doe pajamas are just a few special gift ideas for that next baby shower or b-day. »

Honorees will be featured in the November issue.

Nominations being accepted in the following categories:

Most Involved in the Arts

Most Dedicated Committee Member

Outstanding Philanthropist

Outstanding Teen Volunteer

Best Friend to Children

Best Health Advocate

Lifetime Achievement

Best Friend to Seniors

Most Involved Couple

Corporate Good Neighbor

DIG IN

New dining options are popping up so fast that there aren’t enough meals in a day! Juicy smashburgers, Mediterranean specialties, Italian feasts, plantbased menus, the very best chicken nuggets, pizza galore, plus delish desserts and inventive beverages— be sure to eat before perusing this section, or you’re gonna get drool all over your magazine.

Dandelion

Delamar Hotel, 1595 Post Road East, Westport 203-266-3111; dandelionwestport.com

HOURS: Mon.–Thurs. 5 to 9 p.m., Fri. 5 to 10 p.m., Sat. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m., Sun. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.

The health and mental health benefits of the Mediterranean diet keep making headlines, so indulging at this new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant at the stylish Delamar Westport hotel is doctor’s orders.

From GHG Restaurant Collection (Artisan, La Plage, l’escale) and set amid designer Christian Siriano’s interiors, Dandelion marries flavor and atmosphere in a happy union. The evening bar scene is sexy, so skip the train ride to New York. Brunch includes a Kids Corner menu and an array of unique options that will have your taste buds battling it out between breakfast or lunch. A Greek yogurt parfait or spanakopita? A Mediterranean omelet or oysters? Fattoush salad or steak and eggs?

Doppio

62 Main Street, New Canaan 203-594-1360; eatdoppio.com

HOURS: Mon.–Sun. 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Doppio has been wining and dining in Greenwich since 2011, and now

New Canaan is joining in on the feast. The interior has a casual chic vibe, and white-tableclothed outdoor tables along the red-brick alley feel quaint and refreshing. The menu features Doppio favorites like tuna tartare and crispy artichokes to start, a range of pizza in the red (“Rosse”) and white (“Bianche”) categories and the bestselling rigatoni alla vodka with a spicy kick. Seasonal specials, like shaved artichoke salad, are determined based on the best available local ingredients. A thoughtful wine list, creative cocktails and cold beer give plenty of options for washing down a scrumptious meal.

Felice

38 Main Street, Westport 55 Abendroth Ave, Port Chester 474-363-4750; 914-786-5500; felicerestaurants.com

HOURS: Mon.–Thurs. 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fri. 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (brunch) and 4 to 11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (brunch) and 4 to 10:30 p.m.

The first Felice location in Connecticut fills the former Mexicue space in Westport. This Italian favorite debuted on the Upper East Side and is so popular that 13 locations have opened since, one just over the border in Port Chester. On the menu are dishes rooted in Tuscan tradition and prepared with seasonal ingredients, complemented by Italian imports that honor the restaurant’s culinary heritage. The copious options promise to satiate like Sunday dinner at your Italian gramma’s house. The wine list is curated with care, featuring selections from small-production organic and biodynamic labels. Or choose a crafted cocktail like a Bloody Maria, Mezcalita or Amalfi Spritz. »

Doppio's octopus with watermelon, fennel, feta and herbs

ABOVE: Joylark's Charred Carrot and Tofu Curry RIGHT: Lombardi's Fettuccine al Tartufo and Polpette Classiche (beef meatballs)

Joylark Plant Kitchen & Bar

260 Post Road, Fairfield 475-999-8491; joylarkkitchen.com

HOURS: Sun.–Thurs. 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

One of our Good Life spies makes a weekly visit to sample the plantbased recipes of Joylark’s talented chef: Oysters and Grits, Cauliflower Parm, Cornflake Potatoes,

Mushroom Magic Avocado Toast and brunch faves like Marzipan Apple French Toast, Lemon Cream Pancakes, Smothered Breakfast Burrito and Blueberry Chai Oatmeal. There’s a kids’ menu for the Little Larks and a wide array of inventive cocktails, hard (and soft) smoothies, kombucha, beer, wine, juices and specialty teas and lattes. A beautiful and elevated setting sets Joylark apart from the more casual take-out or cafeteria-like vegetarian spots in the area.

Lombardi's Ristorante & Bar

32 Elm Street, New Canaan 203-594-1209; lombardinc.com

HOURS: Sun.–Wed. 5 to 9 p.m., Thurs.–Sat. 5 to 10 p.m.

From the owners of Dolci Cafe, Lombardi opened last summer on Elm Street, bringing a whiff of Ischia, Italy, to town. That’s where brothers Andrea and Daniel

Lombardi grew up, so they know a thing or two about Italian cuisine. The menu features classic, simple Italian dishes, plus specialties with a modern twist. Antipasti, insalate, fresh homemade pasta and seafood and meat entrees are served in a welcoming setting, for an authentic Italian experience. Refreshing cocktails (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), fine wines and beer will please all patrons. Several private rooms, one with its own bar, cater to parties of 14 to 48.

POP-IN PICKS

Perfect spots for lunch runs, takeout nights and spur-of-the-moment

7TH STREET BURGER

2000 West Main Street, Stamford 7thstreetburger.com

New York’s beloved 7th Street Burger hits Stamford’s ShopRite Plaza with “delicious ingredients, smashed to perfection.” The menu is streamlined to bring you only the best cheeseburgers, spicy jalapeño cheeseburgers, loaded beef fries and a spicy jalapeño version of them, too. Vegetarians aren’t left out, with Impossible cheeseburger options and fries with a kick or not. This news is so hot off the grill that an official opening date hasn’t been announced yet, but expect to be biting into a juicy burger some time in 2026.

CHERRY STREET PROVISIONS

149 Cherry Street, New Canaan 203-594-7447 cherrystreetcheese.com

HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jo and Stephen Bloom are committed to bringing the best farmstead cheeses from around the world, handsliced meats and artisan gourmet products to your table. Whether you’re looking for a decadent charcuterie platter or the nostalgic flavor of a delectable grilled cheese sandwich paired with homemade tomato soup, this neighborhood cheesemonger aims to please. Serious

about your cheese? Join the shop’s Cheese Club and receive three artisan cheeses from around the globe, along with educational information about your cheeses and how they were made. You will also receive special pantry items, early access to events and 10 percent off all purchases.

PIE PATROL

FRANK PEPE PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA

361 Post Road West, Westport pepespizzeria.com

No one has pizza like New Haven. Except now we do. In addition to the locations in Stamford and Fairfield, Fairfield County is gaining another Pepe’s in Westport this summer. Expect charred, chewy, crispy, coal-fired “Apizza,” just like Frank Pepe invented in 1925, cooked in a coal-fired oven.

SOHO PIZZA

22 Riverside Avenue, Westport

If rumors are right, you just might be able to bite into a SoHo Pizza slice in Westport by the time this mag hits newsstands. Owner Pablo Bolanous is bringing NY-style pizza, pasta and paninis to an 1,100 square-foot space next to Sunny Daes ice cream—so you can fulfill all your cravings in one stop.

EMMY SQUARED PIZZA

48 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich emmysquaredpizza.com

What do you get when you take a New-York-style grandma pie and cross it with a Detroit-style slice, plus throw in fluffy focaccia-like dough and caramelized crispy cheese edges? You get Emmy Squared Pizza, which was born in Williamsburg in 2011 and is so good that it has spread to 26 locations with the newest coming to Grenwich. Emmy Squared kills it in the doublestack burger department, too. Le Big Matt has been named a top burger in NYC and Nashville.

GARDEN CATERING

320 Height Road, Darien 203-679-7111; gardencatering.com

HOURS: Mon.–Fri. 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sun. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Garden Catering, established in 1978, has a cult-like following. The newest location in Darien joins the Stamford and Old Greenwich outposts, bringing instant gratification to those looking to satisfy a comfort-food craving. The menu includes the famous hand-cut chicken nuggets made with antibioticfree, all-white-meat chicken breast, golden potato cones, fries, mac bites and corn fritters. Need gluten-free? No problem. And vegans can enjoy awesome cauliflower nugs.

NATURAL KITCHEN

5 River Road (Studio 9), Wilton 203-210-5115 naturalkitchenwilton.com

HOURS: Mon–Sat. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sun. 12 to 9 p.m.

Poké fans will be psyched for Natural Kitchen’s arrival in Wilton. Enjoy madeto-order meals: bold signature poké bowls (with Natural Kitchen’s own secret seasoning), sushi rolls, bubble tea, smoothies, milkshakes, six different non-alcoholic mojito drinks, plus ice cream and cake to top it all off. Stop in for a quick lunch, weeknight takeout or a snack on the run, and get a taste of Hawaii and Hawaiian hospitality right here in Fairfield County.

WONDER

1131 High Ridge Road (Suite 3A), Stamford wonder.com

HOURS: Sun.–Sat. 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Wonder has spread across the East Coast, and Stamford is the next lucky spot. It’s a wondrous concept—all of your favorite restaurant foods under one roof. No one can agree on where to order from? Wonder is the answer. Yasas, Alanza Pizza, SriPraPhai, Burger Baby, Bellies, Happy Tuna, Tejas Barbecue, The Mainstay, Streetbird, LimeSalt, Bobby Flay Steak, Pop Salad … the list goes on. Multiple restaurant cuisines, one location. »

SUGAR RUSH

Afew

CRUMBL

newcomers—andacoup

leunder

1131 High Ridge Road, Stamford 475-477-9499; crumblcookies.com

HOURS: Mon–Thurs. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Enjoy cookies, pies and cakes in a weekly rotating menu of over 300 flavors! In-store pickup, delivery and catering options.

FLOUR WATER SALT BREAD

1215 Post Road, Fairfield flourwatersaltbread.com

HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or until sold out)

Flour Water Salt Bread has added a location in Fairfield (in addition to New Canaan, Darien and Greenwich). Sure, the sourdough is the staple, but there are plenty of sweets for your delight: croissants, pain au chocolate, cinnamon rolls, cardamom buns, coffee cake, cookies and more.

MAGNOLIA BAKERY

Stamford magnoliabakery.com

Magnolia Bakery hit the mainstream via Carrie and Miranda in Sex and the City back in 2000, so it has taken a mere 26 years for its scrumptious pastel cupcakes

LEFT: Miyki white chocolate raspberry cookie RIGHT: Rosie's blueberry and apple muffins

and famous banana pudding to find a home in Connecticut. Run by Stamford’s own Kelly Fitzpatrick, Magnolia is expected to open this summer or fall in an undisclosed but soon-to-be-swarming spot!

MILKSHAKE FACTORY

1109 High Ridge Center (Unit #10), Stamford 203-514-0889; milkshakefactory.com

HOURS: Mon.–Sun. 12 to 10 p.m.

BELOW: Magnolia Bakery cupcakes

Handspun milkshakes are made with homemade ice cream in flavors like Campfire S’mores, Chocolate Cake Shake, Cookie Jar, Raspberries & Cream, Salted Caramel Pretzel and Mint Chip—yum! Dairy-free varieties are available. Pair your shake with some gourmet chocolate for double the indulgence.

MIYUKI ( PINE STREET CONCESSIONS )

75 Pine Street, New Canaan 203-920-1552; miyukisnoodleshop.com

HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Miyuki’s ’s Noodle Shop got a shout-out for their “incredible cookies.” Tables are available on a walk-in basis to enjoy Miyuki’s rice and noodle bowls as a starter to your cookie course.

MOMU

575 Riverside Avenue, Westport momuicecream.com

HOURS: Wed.–Thurs. 2 to 9 p.m., Fri. 2 to 10 p.m., Sat. 1 to 10 p.m., Sun. 1 to 9 p.m.

The Muñoz and Moreno team behind Laurel opened MOMU this past spring in Westport. The ice cream is churned daily with local ingredients. The owners’ favorite flavors are Mud, Quince, French Toast and Butter Pecan. Want to share the love? Enlist MOMU’s ice cream cart for your next party or event.

ROSIE

27 Elm Street, New Canaan 203-966-8998; rosienewcanaan.com

HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rosie’s got an editor shout-out specifically for their giant muffins. If you don’t have a sweet tooth and are along for the ride, Rosie’s menu will seduce you, one way or another. Perhaps you’ll choose to sip a Señorita I Feel for You libation of fresh muddled mint, cucumber, lime, agave and Rosie’s famous mix.

POUR DECISIONS

New spots and clever sips that are stirring up the local drink scene

ELM

73 Elm Street, New Canaan

203-920-4994; elmrestaurant.com

HOURS: Mon.–Fri. 11:30 a.m. to close, Sat.–Sun. 11 a.m. to close (Afternoon Tea: Fri.–Sat. 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.)

One of our editors suggested afternoon tea at Elm, which of course is much more than just a sipping situation. Enjoy scones with preserves and clotted cream, cucumber tartines, mini lobster rolls and decadent desserts whose names will make you salivate: Citrus Almondine, Coffee-Soaked Opera Cake, Raspberry Cheesecake …

SUNNY

sipasunny.com

This new brand out of New Canaan brings you seltzer with no sugar, no calories and an “added ray of sunshine”—a microdose of THC to be exact. You won’t taste the cannabis, and you won’t feel a hangover either, but you will feel a refreshing calm. Sunny drinkers describe a “light buzz” with a rapid onset in around 15 minutes that slowly builds then tapers off after 90 minutes or so.

QAHWAH HOUSE

65 Broad Street, Stamford qahwahhouse.com

Eight generations of Yemeni coffee farming are behind Qahwah House. The coffeehouse's first Connecticut location is coming to Stamford this summer. The Sana’ani is a medium roast with cardamom and the Jubana delights with spiced cardamom, ginger and cinnamon. Other options abound: Iced Pistachio Latte? Yes, please! Traditionalists will find plenty of Americano, espresso, cappuccino and mocha options. The café will also sell coffee beans and exotic Arabic dellah pots to bring Yemeni flavor home.

THE THIRSTY COW

203-952-8626

Instagram: @thethirstycow203

How about a mobile dirty soda bar for your next party? “I create custom dirty sodas using layered flavors, syrups, creams and fun twists that turn a simple drink into a true taste adventure,” says founder Nadia Cossuto. How about a Cheesecake Swirl, with Dr. Pepper, cheesecake, strawberry and vanilla foam? Feeling sleepy? The Buzzed Heifer combines Redbull, strawberries and white chocolate foam. To get in beach mode, The Islander is a mix of Sprite, coconut, pineapple and Half & Half. The mobile bar is familyfriendly, interactive and sure to be a gathering spot and conversation starter wherever it pops up. »

THE KID ZONE

ABOVE: Get up close and personal with some furry and feathered friends

Family time doesn’t have to mean another movie night on the couch. There are plenty of ways to get everyone out of the house—whether that means meeting animals up close, racing go-karts, sailing the Sound or gazing at the stars in a planetarium.

Earthplace LIVE ANIMAL STORYTIME

10 Woodside Lane, Westport 203-557-4400

earthplace.org

Every morning, Monday through Saturday, at 10:30 a.m., Earthplace in Westport shares an animal-themed story with a special guest: one of its many Animal Hall cute critters. For children age five and under.

Southport 914-216-8057

goldilocksfarmsanctuary.com

This adorable farm in Southport, complete with a chandelier in the barn, will wow even the most entitled wee-one with bunny or pony parties and animal cuddles galore. Goldilocks can bring the party to you. (Dads are sure to be all over the Beer Burro option, a miniature donkey to deliver their drinks.) Oh, and the place isn't just cute, it has heart, too—the sanctuary rescues animals. Want to help or teach your kids how they can? Visit the site to sponsor an animal.

Island Mike Sailboat Charters

50 Water Street, Norwalk 203-856-4409

island-mike.com

There’s no better way to seize a summer day than with the wind in your hair on Island Mike’s 52-foot custom-built sailboat, Eagle. The kids will be off their screens and in awe of nature. Set sail from Norwalk for a daytime, sunset or all-day cruise, with prices starting at $600 for four people for four hours ($800 for six people).

RPM Stamford Kart Klash

600 West Avenue, Stamford 203-323-7223

rpmraceway.com

This new immersive go-kart racing experience brings video-game action onto the actual track! Drivers use not just speed but strategy to outsmart their opponents with missiles, shields, EMP’s and turbos. Don’t know what that means? The kids will, and they’ll think you’re the coolest parent ever for giving them this opportunity. Must be eight years old and a minimum of 48 inches tall. (Kids and adults race in separate categories.)

Stamford Diner GUEST CHARACTERS ON TUESDAY NIGHTS

135 Harvard Avenue, Stamford 203-348-7000

stamforddiner.com

Stamford Diner knows how to turn family dinner into the event of the week. Every Tuesday night from 6 to 7 p.m., a guest character is on hand to entertain the kiddos: Peppa Pig, Bluey, Elmo, Pikachu … “It’s super fun!” says our family-fun sleuth, but she warns, “You must make a reservation. The place is packed!”

Stamford Museum and Nature Center PLANETARIUM

39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford 203-977-6521

stamfordmuseum.org

The Stamford Museum and Nature Center has opened its breathtaking Planetarium and Astronomy Center, with shows for all ages. A cinematic Sesame Street adventure called “One World, One Sky” will appeal to the youngest star gazers with a 45-minute show multiple times per week. The Friday-evening showing of “Stamford Skies” at 7 p.m. includes access to the observatory after the show. There are also 2 p.m. shows Wednesday through Sunday. For the older teens and Gen X’ers, there’s “Dark Side of the Moon” on Fridays at 9 p.m. (with Observatory access before the show at 8 p.m.). Experience the Pink Floyd album like never before with a choreographed laser show.

Totsy Turvy

101 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton 203-763-1763

totsyturvycafeandplay.fun

Playspace for the kids, café for the parents? Win, win. Young ones up to age seven enjoy open-ended play while caregivers can look on and connect over a cup of coffee, cappuccino, latte, mocha, chai tea, matcha or green tea—iced or hot, but always chill. Paninis, baked goods and smoothies round out the menu. And look, the kids are still having a ball! The Totsy Turvy Snackcuterie features a bunch of healthy options when tots need to refuel.

The Ballet Studio 229 students who will be dancing at “Carnival of the Animals” with the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance and Ridgefield Symphony at the Ridgefield Playhouse on June 6 and 7. The Sunday 11 a.m. show is a sensory-friendly performance, which has been a long standing goal of Christina Fagundes

CURTAIN CALL

Private coaches helping young dancers, actors and musicians find their rhythm

BALLET STUDIO 229

PRIVATE BALLET INSTRUCTION

229 Valley Road, New Canaan studio229@optonline.net balletstudio229.com

Mikhail Baryshnikov himself invited Christina Fagundes into the American Ballet Theatre company during her illustrious career as a prima ballerina. Now she shares her skills with students in her private ballet studio in New Canaan. Christina’s approach is precise but gentle. Her passion for her art is infectious, and her laser focus is, too.

JAMIE MANN

PRIVATE ACTING, DANCE AND VOCAL COACHING

jamiemartinmann@gmail.com jamiemartinmann.com

Fresh off his Broadway debut in Stranger Things: The First Shadow (and his Westport mag cover), Jamie Mann is available to train your budding Broadway hopefuls, in person in the Westport area (or New York City) or on Zoom. (Wait, didn’t his mom write this article? Yes, but she swears he’s the real deal.)

JIM JACOBY PIANO & MUSIC

PRIVATE PIANO LESSONS

203-526-5261

jimjacoby.com

Jim Jacoby has more than 20 years of experience teaching piano to students of all ages and instilling the love of music. He teaches both in person and on Zoom and makes lessons a joyful experience. He will travel to your home, from Fairfield to Darien. G

DINE - DONATE - DANCE

HYATT REGENCY GREENWICH

1800 EAST PUTNAM AVE - OLD GREENWICH, CT 06870

6:30 PM

RSVP BY MAY 15 | COCKTAIL ATTIRE

MASTER OF CEREMONIES MIKEY DAY

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE CAST MEMBER AND HOST OF IS IT CAKE? AUCTIONEER LYDIA FENET

IMAGINE COMMITTEE

Flinn Gallery

The Flinn Gallery in Greenwich Library is pleased to present “extraORDINARY things” Thursday, May 7 through Wednesday, June 17. This exciting exhibition, curated by Ellen Hawley, will be the final show of the season. It brings together four artists who elevate everyday objects, transforming personal domestic items into vessels of memory, metaphor and meaning. Artist Qingjun Huang, Carole Kunstadt, Cheryl R. Riley and Rob Strati elevate the ordinary. An opening reception will take place in the Gallery on Thursday, May 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. and is free and open to the public. flinngallery.org

ART & ANTIQUES

ALDRICH MUSEUM, 258 Main St., Ridgefield, 438-0198. Tues.–Sun. aldrichart.org

AMY SIMON FINE ART, 1869 Post Rd. East, Westport, 259-1500. amysimonfineart.com

BRUCE MUSEUM, 1 Museum Dr., 869-0376. brucemuseum.org

CANFIN GALLERY, 39 Main St., Tarrytown, NY, 914-332-4554. canfingallery.com

CARAMOOR CENTER FOR MUSIC AND THE ARTS, Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah, NY, 914-232-1252. Caramoor is a destination for exceptional music, captivating programs and spectacular gardens and grounds, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. caramoor.org

CAVALIER GALLERIES, 405 Greenwich Ave., 869-3664. cavaliergalleries.com

CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY PRINTMAKING, 299 West Ave., Norwalk, 899-7999. contemprints.org

CLARENDON FINE ART, 22 Main St., Westport, 293- 0976. clarendonfineart.com

CLAY ART CENTER, 40 Beech St., Port Chester, NY, 914-937-2047. clayartcenter.org

DISCOVERY MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM, 4450 Park Ave., Bridgeport, 372-3521. discoverymuseum.org

FAIRFIELD MUSEUM AND HISTORY CENTER, 370 Beach Rd., Fairfield, 259-1598. fairfieldhistory.org

FLINN GALLERY, 101 W. Putnam Ave., 622-7947. flinngallery.com

GERTRUDE G. WHITE GALLERY, YWCA, 259 E. Putnam Ave., 869-6501. ywcagreenwich.org

GREENWICH ARTS COUNCIL, 299 Greenwich Ave., 862-6750. greenwichartscouncil.org

GREENWICH ART SOCIETY, 299 Greenwich Ave. 2nd fl., 629-1533. This studio school offers a visual arts education program for kids and adults. greenwichartsociety.org

GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 47 Strickland Rd., 869-6899. greenwichhistory.org

MAY 2026

KATONAH MUSEUM OF ART, Rte. 22 at Jay St., Katonah, NY, 914-232-9555. katonahmuseum.org

KENISE BARNES FINE ART, 1947 Palmer Ave., Larchmont, NY, 914-834-8077. kbfa.com

LOCKWOOD-MATHEWS MANSION MUSEUM, 295 West Ave., Norwalk, 838-9799. lockwoodmathewsmansion.com

LOFT ARTISTS ASSOCIATION, 575 Pacific St., Stamford, 247-2027. loftartists.org

MARITIME AQUARIUM, 10 N. Water St., S. Norwalk, 852-0700. maritimeaquarium.org

MoCA, 19 Newtown Tpke., Westport, 226-7070. mocawestport.org

NEUBERGER MUSEUM OF ART, Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase, NY, 914-251-6100. neuberger.org

PELHAM ART CENTER, 155 Fifth Ave., Pelham, NY, 914-738-2525, ext. 113. pelhamartcenter.org

ROWAYTON ARTS CENTER, 145 Rowayton Ave., Rowayton, 866-2744. rowaytonarts.org

SAMUEL OWEN GALLERY, 382 Greenwich Ave., 325-1924. samuelowen.org

SILVERMINE GUILD ARTS CENTER, 1037 Silvermine Rd., New Canaan, 966-9700. silvermineart.org

SANDRA MORGAN INTERIORS & ART PRIVÉ, 45 East Putnam Ave., Suite 119, Greenwich, 629-8121. sandramorganinteriors.com »

SORELLE GALLERY, Bedford Square, 19 Church Ln., Westport, 920-1900. sorellegallery.com

SOROKIN GALLERY, 96 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, 856-9048. sorokingallery.com

STAMFORD ART ASSOCIATION, 39 Franklin St., Stamford, 325-1139. stamfordartassociation.org

STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford, 977-6521. stamfordmuseum.org

UCONN STAMFORD

ART GALLERY, One University Pl., Stamford, 251-8400. artgallery.stamford.uconn.edu

YALE CENTER FOR BRITISH ART, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven, 432-2800. britishart.yale.edu

YALE UNIVERSITY

ART GALLERY, 1111 Chapel St., New Haven, 432-0611. artgallery.yale.edu

YANKELL LEGACY GALLERY, 61 Studio Court, Stamford, 610-213-2749. yankelllegacygallery.com

CONCERTS, FILM & THEATER

AVON THEATRE FILM CENTER, 272 Bedford St., Stamford, 661-0321. avontheatre.org

CURTAIN CALL, The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Ave., Stamford, 329-8207. curtaincallinc.com

DOWNTOWN CABARET THEATRE, 263 Golden Hill St., Bridgeport, 576-1636. dtcab.com

HARTFORD HEALTHCARE AMPITHEATER, 500 Broad St., Bridgeport, 345-2300, hartford healthcareamp.com

LECTURES, TOURS & WORKSHOPS

ALDRICH MUSEUM, 258 Main St., Ridgefield, 438-0198. aldrichart.org

AUDUBON GREENWICH, 613 Riversville Rd., 869-5272. greenwich.audubon.org

Greenwich Town Hall 101 Field Point Rd.

Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich

World-renowned celebrity fitness trainer Isaac Boots brings his high-energy TORCH’D workout to Greenwich on Friday, May 8. The event at the newly renovated Rebecca S. Breed Clubhouse is being held in support of the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. Known for his dynamic, music-driven fitness style, Isaac has built a devoted following that includes Kelly Ripa, Gwyneth Paltrow and Naomi Watts. This special workout blends movement, motivation and fun while raising support for BGCG’s youth programs. bgcg.org

AUX DÉLICES, 231 Acosta St., Stamford, 326-4540, ext. 108. auxdelicesfoods.com

BOWMAN OBSERVATORY PUBLIC NIGHT, NE of Milbank/East Elm St. rotary on the grounds of Julian Curtiss School, 8696786, ext. 338

BRUCE MUSEUM, 1 Museum Dr., 869-0376. brucemuseum.org

CLAY ART CENTER, 40 Beech St., Port Chester, NY, 914-937-2047. clayartcenter.org

GOODSPEED OPERA HOUSE, 6 Main St., East Haddam, 860-873-8668. goodspeed.org

GREENWICH BOTANICAL CENTER, 130 Bible St., 869-9242. greenwichbotanicalcenter.org »

GHS Performing Arts Center

CONNECTICUT CERAMICS STUDY CIRCLE, Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Dr. ctcsc.org

9:00 am

Greenwich High School’s eater Arts program will present the beloved, high-energy musical Grease at the Performing Arts Center on May 14, 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. Bring your family to follow Danny and Sandy’s story and sing along to all the classic hits. ghs.greenwichschools.org/ student-life/theater-productions

FAIRFIELD MUSEUM AND HISTORY CENTER, 370 Beach Rd., Fairfield, 259-1598. fairfieldhistory.org

FAIRFIELD THEATRE COMPANY, On StageOne, 70 Sanford St., Fairfield, 259-1036. fairfieldtheatre.org

The Knollwood Garden Club of Greenwich

The Knollwood Garden Club of Greenwich Let Freedom Ring!

The Knollwood Garden Club of Greenwich invites you to attend

The Knollwood Garden Club of Greenwich

invites you to attend

Let Freedom Ring!

invites you to attend

Celebrating America at 250 A Festival of Handbell Choirs

Let Freedom Ring!

Celebrating America at 250

Freedom Ring! Celebrating America at 250 A Festival of Handbell Choirs

Celebrating America at 250

Benefit to Support Restoring the Seaside Garden

A Festival of Handbell Choirs

A Festival of Handbell Choirs

Benefit to Support Restoring the Seaside Garden

Benefit to Support Restoring the Seaside Garden

Benefit to Support Restoring the Seaside Garden

Commissioned work, “Let Freedom Ring!” for handbells by Jonathan Vaughn

Commissioned work, “Let Freedom Ring!” for handbells by Jonathan Vaughn

Commissioned work, “Let Freedom Ring!” for handbells by Jonathan Vaughn

Saturday, May 9, 2026 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Commissioned work, “Let Freedom Ring!” for handbells by Jonathan Vaughn

SeaSide Garden, Greenwich Point, old Greenwich reception following the concert

Saturday, May 9, 2026 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Saturday, May 9, 2026 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

SeaSide Garden, Greenwich Point, old Greenwich reception following the concert

Ticket price: $50

Donations welcome

Ticket price: $50

Ticket price: $50 Donations welcome

Donations welcome

Reservations/payment, visit www.knollwoodgardenclub.org/events or email Marie Williams at apalladio@mac.com

SeaSide Garden, Greenwich Point, old Greenwich reception following the concert

Reservations/payment, visit www.knollwoodgardenclub.org/events or email Marie Williams at apalladio@mac.com

Saturday, May 9, 2026 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Ticket price: $50 Donations welcome

Reservations/payment, visit www.knollwoodgardenclub.org/events or email Marie Williams at apalladio@mac.com

Sponsors: Bucknall Family Foundation and Eda Peterson & Family

Sponsors: Bucknall Family Foundation and Eda Peterson & Family

SeaSide Garden, Greenwich Point, old Greenwich reception following the concert

Sponsors: Bucknall Family Foundation and Eda Peterson & Family GREENWICH GREEN & CLEAN’S

SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2026

CAR S

Please join us in celebrating with Cynthia Malkin Blumenthal & Alyssa Keleshian Bonomo THE FIELD CLUB OF GREENWICH

Reservations/payment, visit www.knollwoodgardenclub.org/events or email Marie Williams at apalladio@mac.com

Sponsors: Bucknall Family Foundation and Eda Peterson & Family

COCKTAIL RECEPTION | 5 PM-7 PM spectators Scan questions? Call

Early Bird Registration through $25 Registration fee

GREENWICH LIBRARY, 101 W. Putnam Ave., 622-7900. greenwichlibrary.org

JACOB BURNS

FILM CENTER, 364 Manville Rd.,

RIDGEFIELD THEATER BARN, 37 Halpin Ln., Ridgefield, 431-9850. ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org

SHUBERT THEATER, 247 College St., 800-228-6622.

STAMFORD CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., stamfordcenterforthearts.org

STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford, 977-6521. stamfordmuseum.org

WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE, 25 Powers Ct., Westport, westportplayhouse.org »

Greenwich Historical Society

Greenwich Historical Society presents the third and final exhibition in the series celebrating America’s 250th—Fashioning America: 250 Years of Greenwich Style. The exhibit chronicles the evolution of American fashion and how these styles reflect changes in our society and culture. The clothing is drawn primarily from the Greenwich Historical Society’s collection, with many pieces exhibited for the first time, as well as pieces lent by local museums and women who have shared clothing that represent important events in their lives. An opening will be held on Wednesday, greenwichhistory.org

SavetheDatesfor upcomingeventsin2026

Monday, June 22, 2026

Sunday, October 4, 2026

Friday, October 30, 2026

KIDS’ STUFF MAY 2026

ALDRICH MUSEUM, 258 Main St., Ridgefield, 438-4519. aldrichart.org

AUDUBON GREENWICH, 613 Riversville Rd., 869-5272. greenwich.audubon.org

AUX DÉLICES, (cooking classes), 23 Acosta St., Stamford, 326-4540 ext. 108. auxdelicesfoods.com

BEARDSLEY ZOO, 1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport, 394-6565. beardsleyzoo.org

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREENWICH, 4 Horseneck Ln., 869-3224. bgcg.org

BRUCE MUSEUM, 1 Museum Dr., 869-0376. brucemuseum.org

DISCOVERY MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM, 4450 Park Ave., Bridgeport, 372-3521. discoverymuseum.org

DOWNTOWN CABARET THEATRE, 263 Golden Hill St., Bridgeport, 576-1636. dtcab.com

EARTHPLACE, 10 Woodside Ln., Westport, 227-7253. earthplace.org

GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 39 Strickland St., 869-6899. greenwichhistory.org

GREENWICH LIBRARY, 101 W. Putnam Ave., 622-7900. greenwichlibrary.org

IMAX THEATER AT MARITIME AQUARIUM, 10 N. Water St., S. Norwalk, 852-0700. maritimeaquarium.org

KATONAH MUSEUM OF ART, Rte. 22 at Jay St., Katonah, NY, 914-232-9555. katonahmuseum.org

MARITIME AQUARIUM, 10 N. Water St., S. Norwalk, 852-0700. maritimeaquarium.org

NEW CANAAN NATURE CENTER, 144 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, 966-9577. newcanaannature.org

RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE, 80 East Ridge Rd., Ridgefield, 438-5795. ridgefieldplayhouse.org

STAMFORD CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford, 325-4466. palacestamford.org

STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford, 977-6521. stamfordmuseum.org

STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN, 303 West Ave., Mathews Park, Norwalk, 899-0606. steppingstonesmuseum.org

WESTPORT ARTS CENTER, 51 Riverside Ave., Westport, 222-7070. westportartscenter.org

WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE, 25 Powers Ct., Westport, 227-4177. westportplayhouse.org G

Reach New Patients Showcase Your Expertise

Over 1/4 of ALL Moffly Media magazine and website readers use our annual Top Dentists list as part of their search for providers.

17th Annual

TOP DENTISTS

• Special section following our annual Top Dentists editorial feature, within our popular July/Aug Best of the Gold Coast issue

• Annual guide to Fairfield County’s dental experts & cosmetic specialists

• Custom profile created for your practice

• Reach an audience of 200,000+ families and local residents

• One year inclusion in our online dentist directory

• Bonus issue distribution to local events reaching health-conscious families, charitable organizations and community influencers

Issue Date: July/August 2026

On Newsstands: July 1, 2026

Commitment Date: May 12, 2026

Contact Gina Fusco at Gina.Fusco@moffly.com for more information.

A COLORFUL CURTAIN CALL

As if on cue, a stunning double rainbow stretched across the sky just as the music swelled at last year’s Greenwich Town Party. Beneath it, thousands gathered—a sea of neighbors and friends sharing the simple magic of live music, early summer air and collective joy. It felt, in every sense, like Greenwich at its best. On Saturday, May 23, Roger Sherman Baldwin Park will once again fill with familiar faces making new memories as Dave Matthews and Tim Reyonlds headline. See you by the pot of gold! G

Have a photo that captures a moment in Greenwich? Send it to us at editor@greenwichmag.com for a chance to win $100. Please write “Photo Submission” in the subject line.