A South Florida icon since 1926, The Boca Raton is more than a resort and members’ club. It’s an ever-evolving enclave of extraordinary experiences, set on a private piece of paradise. Where generational stories have been written and the next chapters will be the best yet.
MENOPAUSE MAKEOVER
Forget suffering in silence. Women are rewriting the menopause narrative with better information, expert care and candid conversation. We break down the symptoms, treatments and modern, empowered approach to feeling like yourself again.
by jill johnson mann
62
INSIDE THE HOUSE OF HERRERA
A New Canaan native at the helm of Carolina Herrera, Emilie Rubinfeld blends heritage, glamour and modern vision as she leads the iconic fashion house into its next chapter.
by holly parmelee
NEW CANAAN • DARIEN & ROWAYTON JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026, VOL. 26, NO. 1. NEW CANAAN DARIEN & ROWAYTON (ISSN 1942-1028) is published bimonthly by Moffly Media, Inc., 205 Main St, Westport, CT 06880. Periodical postage paid at Westport, CT, and additional mailing offices.
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BUZZ Mahjong and needlepoint are trending— and their health benefits may surprise you. DO Pvolve opens in Darien; The healing power of breathwork; What’s new at Fairfield U EAT Nourish by Chef Lisa; Waveny Tavern by PXK HOME Sportova luxury gyms GO Belden House
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editorial director Cristin Marandino
editor-in-chief Eileen Murphy advisory editor Donna Moffly
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contributors
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Megan Gagnon editor, athome
Samantha Yanks editor, westport
Elizabeth Hole editor, custom publishing
writers
Liz Barron, Elizabeth Hole, Elizabeth Keyser, Jill Johnson Mann, Holly Parmelee
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Liz Britten, David Podgurski
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Pictured from left to right above: (front row) Dr. Melindy Ciulla, Dr. Maher Madhoun, and Dr. Jessica Li; (back row) Dr. Shara Israel, Dr. Henry Yoon, Dr. Michael Ebright, Dr. Joshua Herbert, Dr. Kevin Miller, Dr. Bret Sohn, Dr. Lillian Huang, Dr. Joonun (Chris) Choi, and Dr. Michael Bernstein.
editor’s letter
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026 / EILEEN MURPHY
THE JOY OF CONNECTION
Sometimes the best themes find you, rather than the other way around. This issue? The universe delivered “connection.”
Our January/February issue focuses on health. During our Moffly editorial brainstorm, we considered everything from gut health and sleep optimization to personalized nutrition. Yet menopause and perimenopause kept appearing—in local workshops, articles I read and even in group-text threads with my high school friends.
I reached out to writer Jill Johnson Mann, who said the topic seemed to be following her, too. She was eager to dive in. Her reporting includes insights from top women’s health doctors and a candid roundtable with friends, covering symptoms, solutions and everything in between (see page 52). Reading their conversation reminded me of my own friends’ group chat, and made me grateful to enter this stage of life when women openly share, support and laugh together.
I was also reminded of another group chat: my tennis team. Over the past few years, many of us either picked up tennis or returned after a long break. Someone shared a Hello Gloria article, “The Pure Delight of Joining a Tennis Team in Midlife,” which describes how the sport brought the writer unexpected joy and community. She highlights the physical benefits and the “accidental communities and friendships” that naturally emerge on a team. We related immediately. Missing that camaraderie during winter, we signed up for a mahjong class as an excuse to get
together—though indoor tennis has kept us from playing. Mahjong has exploded in popularity in our area. Attend a Gold Coast Mahjong Club event and you instantly feel it—the game is fun, yes, but the energy in the room is irresistible.
Connection is trending. Shared hobbies like mahjong and needlepoint (and tennis) boost your mood, reduce stress and nurture real bonds (see page 13). These benefits aren’t limited to women discussing menopause in group chats; they’re meaningful at any age. Even creative pursuits reflect this growing desire for connection and calm. Make Modern founder Erika Allen compares stitching on a needlepoint canvas to focusing on your breath, which fits beautifully with our article on breathwork (page 23).
Inspired, I bought a needlepoint kit for a friend recovering from a medical episode and signed my tween daughter up for a Make Modern class. As for me, I’ll be taking a refresher mahjong class—and looking forward to making new connections.
We hope this issue inspires you, too. Read all about the impossibly chic Emilie Rubinfeld, New Canaan native and president of Carolina Herrera (page 62); plus, Pvolve’s new Darien studio (page 18); a Darien-based organic meal delivery program (page 28); the new Waveny Tavern by PXK (page 32); New Canaan luxury fitness space designers (page 36); and more.
eileen.murphy@moffly.com
HOW TO SCAN: OPEN, AIM
founder’s page
“Then there was my friend who married the Greenwich cop who stopped her for a traffic violation.”
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026 / DONNA MOFFLY
OF MEETING A MATE
In honor of the New Year and Valentine’s Day, for this issue I’ve collected a few more stories about how couples met. Today, many meet online, of all places— like my godson Doug Herman and Jaime Maloney, on match.com, where they discovered they had much in common. They now have even more in common in Lynnfield, Massachusetts—a pair of 10-year-old twin boys.
Brooke Mifflin met Ralph Gaiss in an elevator in the Wellesley building in New York, where she lived on the 32nd floor. Ralph, the perfect gentleman, held the elevator door open for her, and they chatted on their way up to the 24th floor, where he got off. Later, he asked the doorman for her name and left a handwritten note in her mailbox asking her out for a date. They’ve been married 10 years and live in Darien with three boys and a black lab puppy.
Stephanie Johnson and Gordon Hinshalwood met at bagpipe camp in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. Both age 15, he was already a talented player from Montclair; she, a beginner, from Washingtonville, New York. Today, the Rev. Stephanie Johnson officiates at weddings at St. Paul’s in Riverside (where Gordon on special occasions plays the bagpipes).
Molly Brownwood met Brennan Gerster on a chairlift in Stratton when they were seniors in college. They chatted on the ride up and the next day were surprised to find themselves standing next to each other in the long lift line. They started skiing together, he taught her to snowboard, and they now live in Rowayton with their three teen offspring. A certified dietitian, Molly is studying at Yale to become a midwife. Brennan is an exec at the Weather Channel.
Christy Prunier met David Doss when he was looking for a dog sitter. An intern at Primetime, where he was a producer, she had left to look for a full-time job—commuting to
New York from Riverside. David traveled a lot and needed a caretaker for his Whippet-mix, and a colleague suggested Christy. Thrilled to have a place to stay in the city while job-hunting, she refused to be paid. “But I want to do something for you,” he insisted. “Why not just take me out to dinner?” she suggested. They’ve now been married 26 years, have raised two kids and live—with a dog, of course— across the street from where she grew up.
Then there was my friend who married the Greenwich cop who stopped her for a traffic violation. But I haven’t been able to reach her in time to flesh out the story for this issue.
As for Jack and me, it was a rocky start. At age 23 and just home from a six-month job in New York, I walked into a party in Shaker Heights, spotted an “older” guy who looked familiar, tapped him on the shoulder and asked: “Are you Ed Pendergast?” “No,” he answered, turning his back to resume a conversation. “Now there’s one rude dude,” I huffed to myself. Later, upstairs in the loo, I found a friend very sick to her stomach. “Oh, you’re in terrible shape, Martha,” I observed. “Who’s your date?”
“Jack Moffly,” she moaned, adding they’d been to a wedding. “I’ll get him,” I volunteered.
“What’s he look like?” A-ha! I went back downstairs, tapped Rude Dude on the shoulder again, asking, “Are you Jack Moffly?” “Yes,” he said. “Well, your date’s throwing up!” I informed him. “You better take her home.”
But the next day I had a date with one of his roommates at the Bone Pile, playing bridge with—you guessed it—Jack Moffly and some divorcée. It was then I decided he was OK after all. Probably he’d just had a rough night. He called the next day, and the rest is a 59-year history. Oh, he was 33.
Ah, young love. Can’t beat it. Happy Valentine’s Day.
buzz
DOWN
IN A WORLD DOMINATED BY SCREENS AND CONSTANT SCROLLING, TIMELESS PASTIMES OFFER A POWERFUL PAUSE—FOSTERING MINDFULNESS, CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY FOR DEVOTEES OF ALL AGES.
THE ART OF SLOWING DOWN
by ctivities like needlepoint and mahjong are enjoying a surprising revival—and it’s not just nostalgia driving the trend. These so-called “granny hobbies” offer benefits including social connection, cognitive stimulation, stress relief and even improved self-esteem.
Dr. Kelly Foran Tuller, a New Canaan–based clinical psychologist, says, “In terms of mental health benefits, these hobbies positively impact mood and cognitive functioning in a variety of ways. They are healthy coping tools to use when under stress and often promote connection and community, and can increase feelings of self-esteem.”
eileen murphy
Emily Brown and Jamie Dalton, founders of Gold Coast Mahjong Club, have experienced these benefits firsthand. Brown, who grew up in Greenwich, moved to the West Coast with her husband for work, but struggled to find a community: “We really tried to meet people, but just never found that community there.” Even after welcoming their first child, she recalls, “We had no people. I was so homesick.” After four years in Los Angeles, they returned to Fairfield County and settled in Darien.
Dalton experienced similar challenges. After moving to Darien from New York City, she found it difficult to make friends while working full time. “One of my best friends wasn’t working, and so I would meet all her friends,” she remembers. “But then when she moved, I was like ‘Oh my God, how am I going to meet people?’”
When Dalton and her husband eventually
started a family, she left her job and had time to get more involved in the community. She also discovered a new hobby when she started playing Chinese mahjong with a preschool mom group. Her 101-year-old grandmother played, but it was an intro class for the American version at Make Modern in Darien that proved serendipitous. Placed at a table with Brown, their shared passion sparked not just a friendship but a mission: to bring the joy and camaraderie mahjong had given them to a wider community.
CONNECTION THAT STICKS
Brown describes herself as an extrovert who loves bringing people together. Dalton calls herself “more reserved, more conservative.” Yet the two hit it off, and mahjong became their gateway to finding the connection they’d both been missing.
opposite page: Wanting more opportunities to play together, the founders of the Gold Coast Mahjong Club launched a weekly league.
“These types of group games are an excellent way for individuals who are socially anxious to participate because there is a framework for the activity, and there is less of a need to make small talk,” says Foran Tuller.
Erika Allen, founder and creative director of Make Modern, sees this dynamic daily in her classes. “Handwork is neither competitive nor collaborative; it’s adult parallel play,” she says. “That greases the wheels of friendship and community very nicely.”
She adds that community is one of the biggest reasons adults sign up for her classes: “A weekly class is a standing date to either be with your people or meet new people. It facilitates conversation and engagement—but there’s also something to do when you don’t have something to say.”
The social component is a major mental health boost—but the emotional benefits run deep too.
MINDFUL MOMENTS
Activities like needlepoint or mahjong foster mindfulness and flow, both shown to support emotional well-being. As Foran Tuller notes,
“The feeling of being 'in the zone' is considered a state called flow… individuals who practice mindfulness are often found to improve concentration, avoid distraction and better stay engaged in activities in which they ultimately achieve flow.”
Needlepoint is a perfect example of this blend of creativity and calm. Allen says the soothing repetition is part of its magic: “Handwork can offer either a framework to think through something you want to meditate on—or an escape from thinking entirely. I truly believe it’s an antidote to so many of the modern challenges kids and adults face these days.”
She compares it to another grounding practice: “The physical nature of watching stitches add up on a needlepoint canvas is quite like focusing on your breath. I always have handwork on a plane trip. Turbulence worries me a lot less with a needle in my hand.”
From a clinical perspective, the impact is measurable. Foran Tuller notes, “Both research and clinical practice are showing that these sorts of hobbies can improve mood by reducing symptoms of anxiety, boredom and depression. In addition, creating something new and beautiful can lead to powerful feelings of pride and achievement, which positively impact self-esteem.”
There are cognitive benefits too. “Learning a new hobby, especially one that uses hands-on dexterity skills like knitting or needlepoint,
“both research and clinical practice are showing that these sorts of hobbies can improve mood by reducing symptoms of anxiety, boredom and depression.”
– dr.
kelly foran tuller
builds new neural pathways and can lead to cognitive growth and improved problem solving,” Foran Tuller explains.
A WELCOME BREAK FROM SCREENS
At a recent Gold Coast Mahjong Club event, one detail was impossible to ignore: the absence of phones. More than three dozen women were completely absorbed in their game—a remarkable scene in today’s connected world.
Dalton says this is part of the appeal. “When you’re out, everyone has their phones all the time,” she notes. The mahjong table, on the other hand, is “a nice place to sit, disconnect, put the phone away.”
Foran Tuller agrees that screen-free hobbies are extremely valuable—especially for younger generations. “I see a lot of teenagers in my practice who turn to screens when they are bored, and when they are wanting to avoid
discomfort,” she says. “The average teen spends seven to eight hours a day in front of a screen. If we can encourage even a fraction of that to be spent on a tangible hobby, I am certain we would see the rates of teen depression and anxiety decrease.”
Allen sees the same instinct toward unplugging in her studio. “So much of life today exists in the not-physically-real digital world,” she says. “The materiality of handwork scratches a very human itch to do something real.”
above: A packed mahjong room with barely a phone in sight. Players at the Gold Coast Mahjong Club savor the chance to sit, connect and tune out the digital noise.
buzz
AGELESS APPEAL
From mahjong tables to needlepoint circles, “granny hobbies” prove that these activities transcend generations. They’re hands-on, comforting, communal and good for the mind, body and soul.
“Social engagement is a primary way to combat loneliness, which is a leading contributor to depression, especially in the elderly,” says Foran Tuller. “Social games such as mahjong, bridge and bingo are often organized in senior centers for this very reason.”
Allen sees multigenerational connection flourish in her shop. “I love seeing how a child learning to sew or crochet so often forms a new connection with her grandmother. Kids will FaceTime Grandma after every class to show what they’ve made,” she says. “And on the flip side, I see adults reconnect with lost hobbies they had earlier in life. It helps them reconnect with parts of their identities that have gotten a little sidetracked since becoming parents.”
GET INVOLVED
For anyone curious but unsure where to begin, both Gold Coast Mahjong and Make Modern have made getting started easier than ever.
Make Modern is currently enrolling for its winter term of classes running January through March. Adults can sew, knit, crochet or needlepoint in once-a-week, six-week sessions. For those who prefer a more customized experience, the studio also offers private workshops—just pick the date and the craft, gather your friends, and they handle the rest.
“All of Make Modern’s classes are for beginners,” Allen says. “The key to a great beginning is helping students have early success. We’re focused on helping people make something beautiful the very first day—it inspires confidence right off the bat.”
Gold Coast Mahjong also offers regular beginner and refresher classes and is always exploring new ways to bring people together. They frequently host public events at local spots like Lazy Sister in Norwalk and La Taqueria in Darien, with Brown and Dalton carefully designing these gatherings to be welcoming for newcomers. Tickets are available in groups of four for established player groups or individually, with Brown thoughtfully matching solo participants to compatible players using a brief questionnaire. They also offer “guided tables,” giving
“social
engagement is a primary way to combat loneliness. ”
– dr. kelly foran tuller
beginners the support of an instructor as they learn.
The enthusiasm for playing has been so strong that the pair recently launched a three-day, two-night mahjong retreat at The Mayflower Inn in Washington, Connecticut. It sold out so quickly they added a second— and then a third.
A RETURN TO WHAT MATTERS
The overwhelming enthusiasm for these “granny hobbies” is less about trendiness and more about reclaiming something essential: time, presence and genuine connection. They remind us that fulfillment doesn’t always come from productivity or screens, but from creativity, community and the pleasure of doing something with our hands and our minds.
top: Knitting and needlepoint both have cognitive benefits. below: Adult classes provide a sense of community.
NO PAIN, ALL GAIN
TRANSFORMATIONAL TRAINING STUDIO PVOLVE OPENS FIRST CONNECTICUT LOCATION IN DARIEN.
by liz barron
Imagine a full-body workout that builds muscle, elevates heart rate, speeds up metabolism, increases stability and helps reduce pain with long-lasting results. e Pvolve method consists of functional movement and targeted resistance instruction. It’s a combination of strength training, physical therapy, barre and yoga, with elements of low-impact cardio that gets your heart rate up without doing jumping jacks or burpees. “It takes all the best parts of each of those workouts and combines them into one,” says Darien studio owner Christine Friedman Partouche. “I never feel depleted a er a class, I always feel energized. It’s a sneaky-hard workout that I always feel the next day.”
Pvolve o cially found its rst Connecticut-based home in the Heights Crossing complex this fall. e sparkling clean and airy studio o ers numerous classes seven days a week. e Pvolve method draws from 13 di erent types of equipment, including light weights, balls, a variety of resistance bands and more, keeping every workout unique. e 50-minute classes are conducted in a room where each client has their own numbered mat to assist with proper form, and hand and foot placement. Instructors lead students through various exercise sequences, and every movement comes with options to modify, making the workouts easier or more challenging. “ is way of training your body and the focus on health, wellness and longevity is a way of future-proo ng your life,” says Partouche.
The Pvolve workout pairs resistance bands with numbered mats that help with proper form and hand/foot placement. Workouts can be modified to make them easier or more challenging.
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Starting out with a career in finance and then moving into fashion, Partouche says she now refers to her work experience as “the four F's,” after adding fitness franchise owner to her resume. Partouche, an Old Greenwich resident, started taking Pvolve classes online two and a half years ago, after years of triathlon training had left her with back, shoulder and hamstring pain. Physical therapy wasn’t working, so she went in search of an alternative solution. “Pvolve was different than anything I’d ever done before,” Partouche says. “I felt tighter, more toned, less puffy and inflamed. I could see a big difference. I didn’t have aches and pains anymore.”
Opening Doors in Darien
Partouche became passionate about the positive impact Pvolve had made on her life and started thinking about opening her own studio. After reaching out about a possible franchise, Partouche says she loved
the “warm, collaborative, inclusive feel” of the company, in addition to a workout that just made sense to her. Pvolve’s method is structured to fit every body type, age group and fitness level. Beyond the typical health benefits of exercising, Partouche says the Pvolve method can help manage common challenges like frozen shoulder or hormonal weight gain. The focus on balance and stability also helps to lower a client’s risk of injuries due to slips and falls. Partouche recommends taking classes at least two to three times a week to see results.
A-List Endorsement
In 2021, after struggling to recover from a back injury, actress Jennifer Aniston started streaming Pvolve classes. She was so happy with the results that she reached out to founder Rachel Katzman about partnering with the Pvolve team. “Our minds used to think, we have to hurt—no pain, no gain. With this, you can start gentle,” Aniston has said. “My girlfriend transformed her entire body, and it just had such a
beautiful snowball effect in so many positive areas of her life.”
To learn more about the Pvolve method or to book a class at the new Darien location, visit pvolve.com
PVOLVE
326 Heights Road, Darien (203) 487-8649
app.pvolve.com/locations/darien
“i never feel depleted after a class, i always feel energized. it’s a sneaky-hard workout that i always feel the next day.”
– darien studio owner christine friedman partouche
The workout program draws from 13 different types of equipment, including light weights and balls, in addition to the resistance bands.
JUST BREATHE:
A NEW PATH TO WELLNESS
Jenn Warwick spent most of her life in motion. A college athlete and longtime tness instructor, she lived by discipline, drive and performance. On the outside, she appeared to be thriving. But inside, a quiet heaviness lingered—an unshakable weight that followed her from adolescence into adulthood.
“I didn’t even realize or could identify that I was struggling with depression,” she recalls. “But it’s been a thread in my life since my early teens.” Perfectionism, relentless standards, a persistent inner critic— these were familiar companions. And even a er leaving a career in nance, the feeling persisted. It wasn’t until she became a mother that everything changed. “ ere wasn’t a speci c trauma, but I knew I wasn’t really living. It wasn’t sustainable.”
by georgette yacoub
photography by andrea carson
That was the turning point. Motherhood surfaced the emotional toll she had long suppressed. She left her highpressure job in finance and pivoted into the fitness and wellness world—a space that felt more aligned with her values but still didn’t fully address what was going on beneath the surface.
“That relief was good, but not enough,” she says. “I was still hypervigilant about the perfectionism. I felt like I was just spinning.”
Then she found breathwork. Warwick was introduced to transformational breathwork through trainers she worked with. She dove into journey work—a deeply immersive style of breathwork that spans more than an hour, designed to access the subconscious mind. “It’s not like you just take a class and feel better,” she says. “It was the first time I felt any kind of real relief. Talk therapy didn’t touch it because I was masterminding my own story.
“when you’re doing transformational breathwork, you shift into a different brainwave state.”
– jenn warwick, founder of breathe for life
But when I breathed, my body could finally speak.”
That distinction is key. While meditation asks us to quiet the mind, breathwork invites us to move through it—to physically alter our internal state through breath alone. “When you’re doing transformational breathwork, you shift into a different brainwave state,” Warwick explains. “You move into theta, a state of deep relaxation. That’s when the subconscious opens and the protective mind quiets down.”
Sessions are structured like a journey. Clients lie on yoga mats, wearing eye masks and headsets with healing soundscapes playing. Warwick guides them through conscious connected breathing—a circular breath technique through the mouth for roughly 45 minutes. Sound healing frequencies and binaural beats run through the headphones, creating a full-body immersive experience.
“There’s an arc to every session,” she explains. “We begin quietly, then activate the body. At certain points, people may audibly sigh, cry or even scream. It’s all about giving the body permission to release what’s been stuck.”
In her eight-session program, The Breath Shift, clients often experience powerful transformations. Some connect with long-lost parts of themselves. Others release stored emotional pain. “I’ve had people come out of a journey and feel like they let go of anger they’ve carried for decades,” she says. “They finally feel light.”
For those not quite ready to commit to a full journey, Warwick recommends starting with simple, daily breathwork to support nervous system regulation. “Three times a day, just take five slow breaths through your nose,” she advises. “Box breathing is great, too— inhale for four; hold for four; exhale for four; hold for four. It’s about giving your body a chance to reset.”
Even just nose breathing has an impact. “When you breathe through your nose, you signal safety to
“it’s all about giving the body permission to release what’s been stuck.”
– jenn warwick says of breathwork
the body. It slows you down. Your nervous system reads that and shifts into a calm state.”
Ultimately, breathwork gave Warwick something she never found in all her years of movement and achievement: access to her own inner knowing. “It’s a nervous system regulation process,” she says. “And when you have that agency in your body, you can return to yourself. You can ask, ‘How do I feel? What’s off?’ And trust what comes up.”
Warwick offers private sessions, group classes, and her eightsession journey program in Darien and surrounding towns. She also has a new space opening in Old Greenwich at 26 West End Avenue, where she’ll be hosting small-group sessions. These one-off classes are designed for anyone curious to explore breathwork in a welcoming environment. Sessions are open to all, and you can learn more by visiting breatheforlife.net or following her on Instagram @breatheforlife_.
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Grace Farms Lectures
a stirring afternoon of world-class music and dialogue from today’s brightest visionaries, surrounded by light and natural landscape in a glass-enclosed amphitheater
From America 250 celebrations to global voices and groundbreaking performances, FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY’S ARTS & MINDS brings a season designed to inspire every imagination.
by samantha yanks
GUZMAN ROSADO
Thursday, Jan. 22
Fairfield University
Art Museum For Which It Stands… Aaron Weinstein, PhD
Opening night lecture and reception
5:30 p.m. lecture
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. reception
Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, Kelley Theatre, Walsh Gallery, Bellarmine Hall Great Hall, Bellarmine Hall Galleries and streaming Aaron Weinstein, PhD, assistant professor of politics at Fairfield University and exhibition faculty liaison, will deliver a talk introduced by exhibition curator Carey Weber, executive director of the Fairfield University Art Museum, with opening remarks by University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD. Dr. Weinstein’s lecture examines the complex role of the U.S. flag within America’s “civil religion,” tracing how its symbolism and meaning evolve across contexts— shaped by political expression, cultural identity, and personal interpretation. Free; Register at fairfield.edu/museum Sponsored by Aquarion, M&T, and Art Bridges, as well as CT Humanities and WSHU.
Tuesday, Jan. 27
Inspired Writers Series
George Packer
7:30 p.m.
Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
A staff writer at The Atlantic, this National Book Award winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist explores foreign policy and social and economic life. He and Fairfield professor and National Book Award-winning author Phil Klay will discuss America, Packer’s new novel, The Emergency, and how to make sense of modern times. Presented with the John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences MFA in Creative Writing.
Supported by Westport Journal.
$35 | Free, Fairfield University student (ticket required)
$25 Quick Member
Tickets at fairfield.edu/quick
ensemble has brought its thunderous rhythms and breathtaking choreography to more than nine million spectators around the globe. This program is made possible through the generosity of Norman and Celeste LaCroix.
Supported by Fairfield Lifestyle.
$35 | $5 Fairfield University student
$25 Quick Member Tickets at fairfield.edu/quick
Friday, Feb. 20
BODYTRAFFIC
8 p.m.
Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
Named to honor Harriet Tubman (whose nickname was Minty), this all-Black company and creative team playfully reimagine circus and dance that infuses African rituals and traditions. This joyful work celebrates the healing power of Black music combined with acrobatics, juggling, hoop work, and dance to make you want to move and groove.
Supported by Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation, WPKN.
$25 | $5 Fairfield University student
$15 Quick Member
Tickets at fairfield.edu/quick
Sunday, Feb. 1 DRUM TAO
The Best 4 p.m.
Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
Known for their virtuosity on powerful wadaiko drums, DRUM TAO mesmerizes audiences with dazzling staging, costumes, and spectacular lighting that showcases Japanese tradition in modern context. Led by founder Ikuo Fujitaka, this
The talented members of BODYTRAFFIC “are storytellers, dreamers, and athletes all at once” (Stage & Cinema). Led by Artistic Director Tina Finkelman Berkett, this company returns to the Quick with pieces inspired by musician icons Etta James and Peggy Lee. Choreography by the acclaimed Trey McIntire and Matthew Neenan. Supported by Wealthspire.
$35 | $5 Fairfield University student
$25 Quick Member
Tickets at fairfield.edu/quick
Sunday, Feb. 22
Minty Fresh Circus
By Monique Martin
7 p.m.
For a comprehensive listing of all upcoming events and for more information on each, please visit fairfield.edu/artsminds.
Meet the DARIEN-BASED CHEF DELIVERING FRESH, FLAVORFUL AND NUTRIENTPACKED MEALS to lower Fairfield County residents.
by liz barron
photography by venera alexandrova
Chef Lisa Clarke’s love of fresh food began in her childhood in 1980s Ireland. “My mom was a fabulous chef and very ahead of her time,” Clarke recalls. “She always used fresh produce—most of which was grown in our own garden.” For Clarke, a diet rich in fresh, homegrown ingredients has always been second nature.
Driven by her passion for food and entrepreneurship, Clarke’s career evolved from an afternoon tea business to launching a catering company that helped hosts and hostesses create memorable and mouthwatering dinner parties—before she found her true niche in growing a meal delivery service.
CULINARY COLLABORATION
During the pandemic, Clarke’s close friend Dr. Katie Takayasu—a well-known integrative medicine physician and owner of Wellness Insights—was in the early stages of developing a detox meal plan for her patients. The two women decided to collaborate. “We realized how much people were craving comforting nutrition without the added stress of cooking
every night,” says Clarke.
While Clarke honed her culinary skills in her mother’s kitchen and numerous culinary classes over the years, she says she’s learned a lot about health from Dr. Katie. “I have benefited so much from her experience, wisdom and expertise. Her approach to health considers the patient as a whole and she digs so deeply into finding out how she can make people
feel better,” says Clarke. “She’s an incredible resource to have in our community.”
EFFORTLESS EATING
This fall, Dr. Katie officially handed the reins of the meal program to Clarke and Nourish by Chef Lisa was born—continuing the shared mission of “inspiring people to live and eat well,” says Clarke.
Her five-day programs feature organic, gluten-, and dairy-free meals, always with vegetarian options available. Focused on balanced nutrition, each day’s menu provides around 90 grams of protein, at least 30 grams of fiber and a bounty of plant-forward dishes. The menus evolve with the seasons, highlighting the freshest ingredients.
“My inspiration draws from a little bit of everything—cuisines from different countries and many wonderful meals that I’ve had during my travels,” says Clarke, who believes food should always taste amazing and never compromises on flavor. “I want my clients to feel energized, fulfilled, balanced and happy through simple, nourishing meals.”
left: Entree options from Nourish include spaghetti squash chicken puttanesca and chestnut & sage stuffed chicken. above: Chef Lisa's meals focus on balanced nutrition.
“my inspiration draws from a little bit of everything—cuisines from different countries and many wonderful meals that i’ve had during my travels.”
– chef lisa clarke
FOCUS ON FLAVOR
Clarke’s culinary creations come to life in a bright, spacious, fully equipped commercial kitchen in Darien. Her menus change weekly and include three perfectly balanced meals and a daily snack.
Her creativity in the kitchen is fueled by the joy of introducing clients to new foods, tastes and ideas. She loves giving familiar dishes a fresh twist and says she often receives feedback from clients thanking her for using ingredients they had never tried before.
She values client feedback, especially when
it comes to deliveries. “Ensuring that every meal arrives fresh and delivered in a visually appealing way can definitely be a challenge,” says Clarke. “As a team, we’ve really taken feedback into consideration and refined the way we do things. Hard work and paying attention to detail pay off.”
HOME COOKING
Curating meals for her husband Bernard and their four children, Clarke admits, can be a bit more challenging. “It’s definitely convenient to serve them the same menu that I’m cooking for the program—but my kids aren’t
always excited to eat dishes like plant-based meatballs,” she jokes. However, she is happy her kids are being exposed to different types of cuisine at a young age.
The biggest reward for Clarke, whether it’s cooking for her family at home or her clients through Nourish, is knowing the meals she is preparing are helping them to live their best, healthiest lives.
Nourish by Chef Lisa meals can be delivered to residences in lower Fairfield County. Visit nourishbycheflisa.com or follow on Instagram @nourishbycheflisa to learn more.
Chef Lisa uses a plethora of fresh vegetables when preparing meals for her delivery program in her commercial kitchen in Darien (left). The program offers options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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YES, CHEF!
New
Canaan Welcomes
New York Chef
Peter X. Kelly
The lauded chef reinvigorates New England classics at WAVENY TAVERN BY PXK
Chef Peter X. Kelly has raised New Canaan’s culinary bar. The James Beard Award-nominated, Bobby Flay-beating chef and restaurateur, has created a menu of high-quality comfort food, mostly New England in flavor, with a few delightful surprises. During our visit to the 100-seat restaurant a few weeks after its relaunch, Chef Kelly’s finesse, technique and experience were on full display, complemented by attentive hospitality and a sense of ceremony that honors both the ingredients and the care the kitchen takes with them. Chef Kelly’s acclaimed New York restaurants include X20 Xaviars on the Hudson, which recently closed, and Basso by PXK in Chappaqua.
above: Chef Kelly presents a lunch favorite, Faroe Island salmon “a la plancha” with watercress sauce and grilled asparagus. below left: This smoked cocktail captures the ceremony on display at the tavern.
by elizabeth keyser photography by venera alexandrova
The
large dining room has an affluent equestrian theme, suited to casual lunches or white-tablecloth celebrations. top left: Lobster pot pie with puff pastry in a sherry-laced sauce. right: Dashi is poured over chawanmushi topped with lobster, crab, shrimp and uni.
The large dining room retains its Ralph Lauren–inspired polo theme, having been briefly known as Waveny Polo Bar and Grill and, before that, South End. Hunter green walls, adorned with framed illustrations and paintings of horses, create a classic, refined atmosphere. Waveny Tavern by PXK welcomes guests for any occasion, from ladies’ lunch to after-work drinks or full-scale celebrations.
Two dishes, standout starters from the dinner menu, reimagine classic dishes. The New Canaan Clam Chowder arrives brothless showcasing warm, tender chopped clams, brunoised potatoes and minced Nueske’s bacon. When the server pours the broth tableside, minced chives float to the surface, infusing the lightly creamy clam broth. No thick roux masking the fresh flavors of the sea. It's one of the best takes on a traditional clam chowder I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating.
Chawanmushi is a surprising and elegant addition to the menu, inspired by the chef’s trip to Kyoto. A server lifts the lid from a bowl, revealing jiggling custard topped with pieces of shrimp, crab, lobster and uni. Dashi is poured over the bowl tableside, enriching the umami and seafood flavors of the soft custard. Paired with crisp, tempura haricot verts, each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of comfort, richness and blissful texture that lingers long after the last bite.
The show-stopper entree and a must-have
left: caption. above: caption
“we
want to bring a high-quality restaurant to new canaan that can be the place where you come to celebrate your kid’s straight-a report card or the place you come for a saturday night blowout. our menu has comfort and some surprises.”
– chef peter x. kelly
opposite page: Warm Pullman rolls are served with rich butter topped with sea salt from Brittany. The New Canaan clam chowder’s lightly creamy clam broth is poured tableside. The cowboy steak that beat Bobby Flay in an Iron Chef grilling contest. below: Attention to detail can be seen in little accents, like the edible garnish of crisp translucent potatoes sandwiching a sage leaf, the crown of spun sugar atop the chocolate daquoise and the perfectly grilled spears of asparagus.
for a celebratory dinner is the cowboy steak for two—a 40-ounce marvel that earned Chef Kelly an Iron Chef win over Bobby Flay. It is an impressive sight, coated with a blackened crust of brown sugar and cayenne that adds just the right note of flavor to each thick slice. Two sides come with the cowboy steak, the platonic ideal of what creamed spinach should be (baby spinach leaves melting into cream) and a frothy Béarnaise loaded with fresh tarragon. Guests can also order a side of rich truffled mashed potatoes or gingery sweet potato puree. Chef Kelly is a master at elevating the humble spud. Most impressive are the whisper-thin, crisp, translucent slices that sandwich a sage leaf. This edible garnish embellishes the steak and the truffled potatoes.
Lobster Pot Pie offers another indulgent, shareable (or not) feast. Beneath a puff pastry hat, a sherry-laced lobster sauce bathes seasonal vegetables and chunks of lobster. Every component was perfect—tender lobster, brunoised vegetables, a slice of curried turnip and little hon-shimeji mushrooms adding texture, umami and fun. This is comfy luxury.
Lunch showcases lighter fare with equal care—like the Tuna Niçoise salad. Fast-seared bluefin tuna adorns this salade composée,
where each of the vegetables—cherry tomatoes, haricots verts, boiled potatoes and salad greens—are separately dressed in a spot-on vinaigrette. The attention to detail and technique was visible in the perfectly hard-boiled egg, the white flawless and the yellow slightly fluffy. Niçoise olives give the salad punch. Faroe Island salmon “a la plancha" arrives goldenseared; the filets resting on watercress sauce, with thick, juicy spears of grilled asparagus, and gorgeously crusty wedges of roasted potato.
Desserts are equally impressive. The a la minute napoleon, with crisp caramelized pastry, lemon curd, and whipped cream, is ethereal. Chocolate daquoise is another winner, with layers of genoise, butter cream and ganache.
Yes, you can certainly pop in for a burger or a bowl of rigatoni. The tavern is ready for all moods. But what sets Waveny Tavern by PXK apart are quality ingredients, technique and presentation. With its inviting atmosphere, refined menu and standout flavors, the tavern is far more than a neighborhood hangout. It has the makings of a culinary destination—one that draws diners for both its elevated comfort food and its memorable, expertly crafted dining experience.
home
Hby liz barron
FIT BY DESIGN
MEET THE NEW CANAAN-BASED DESIGNERS REDEFINING FITNESS AND TRANSFORMING HOME GYMS INTO ELEVATED SPACES THAT INSPIRE MOVEMENT AND WELL-BEING.
usband-and-wife team
Sam and Madeleine Kimball first met while working in the design industry in Boston and quickly bonded over a shared passion for furniture, art and the way that aesthetics can transform spaces. Through their work, the Kimballs found that fitness spaces were often the most overlooked part of home design—an element of décor that seemed to be considered last, if at all. From this observation, the idea for their luxury fitness design company, Sportova, was born.
above: Machines and weights are chosen not only for function but form. below: Free weights, a wall ladder and a calming sauna come together in this Sportova-crafted, design-forward home gym.
“People who design their gyms to match the aesthetic or level of the rest of their home tend to be happier when they think about working out. They want to use it. When you have a beautiful space that you want to be in, combined with an equipment and wellness setup that is tailored to your fitness process, everything feels better,” says Sam. “Designers spend so much time on the rest of the home, and oftentimes the gym ends up becoming forgotten or the last priority. We gave a lot of thought to this and decided that we wanted to make home gyms as beautiful as the rest of the home, and a place that people were inspired to spend time in as much as they want to be in their living rooms. Dreary gyms aren’t a place where people want to be,” adds Madeleine.
With projects spanning the globe—from Fairfield County homes to a yacht in the South of France, wellness retreats and boutique studios—Sportova assists in completely transforming areas of homes dedicated to wellness. The Kimballs’ process covers everything from interior design to equipment purchase, delivery and installation. By giving home gyms the same thoughtful consideration as a kitchen or living room redesign, they curate high-end fitness spaces that are as inviting and elegant as the rest of the home. Unlike traditional workout equipment, the machines and weights they select are chosen not only for function but also form.
“One of our signature brands that we use is Pent Luxury Fitness which is a company from Poland; it’s a topof-the-line brand that uses premium woods and steels,” says Madeleine. “Making sure we deliver the highest quality product and design is our priority,” she adds.
After operating remotely for the last two years, Sportova will open its first showroom on Main Street in New Canaan this winter. “We can’t wait to see our collection displayed in person, and have a place where we can sit down with clients and work with them. We are excited to have more exposure for the brand, meet more people in town and introduce them to our products,” says Madeleine. “Many of our early visions together are coming to fruition after years, and it’s really rewarding to sit down at the end of the day and reflect on what we’ve built and are building. Being able to create something of our own together from scratch has been very meaningful. Entrepreneurship can be a lonely business at times but doing it with your life partner —someone who’s there through the highs and the lows—makes it so special. Going back and forth
“we wanted to make home gyms as beautiful as the rest of the home and a place that people were inspired to spend time in as much as they want to be in their living rooms.”
–sportovaco-foundermadeleine kimball
with someone you trust and who understands you is the best, especially on creative ventures like ours,” says Sam.
In addition to Sportova, the Kimballs are also launching a furniture collection, Samuel Madeleine, which features handmade pieces that combine classical European designs with modern influence. “Our intention is for them to be sister companies,” says Madeleine.
The Sportova gallery will showcase their ventures as well as her black-and-white photography collection, which the pair often incorporate into their gym designs. “It’s been so rewarding doing this with my husband and building both companies together. We have such great creative flow and constantly feed off each other’s ideas and balance one another out. We see projects with different views and then combine our perspectives. We work so well together, and it doesn’t feel like work when you’re working with your best friend every day,” says Madeleine.
When they aren’t working, the Kimballs enjoy travel, skiing and strolling around New Canaan with their seven-month-old daughter Genevieve. “We love New Canaan’s central location in Fairfield County—it’s such a design-focused community. The town just feels so warm and tight-knit and is the perfect place for us to blend our businesses and lifestyle and raise our daughter,” says Madeleine.
right: Sportova designs home gyms that blend timeless style with smart functionality and luxurious amenities.
THE SUITE LIFE
When it comes to the perfect post-holiday getaway, Litchfield County strikes all the right notes. For one thing, it’s within easy driving distance from Fairfield County. For another, it’s sophisticated and laid-back. Outdoorsy and cultural. There are fine restaurants, charming cafés and cozy coffee spots. Travel a few miles in any direction, and you’ll find enchanting villages to explore, glorious trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, a lake for ice skating, even local ski hills.What they lack in elevation, they make up for in customer service and a relaxed vibe. Throw in a stay at the newly opened Belden House and Mews in the historic town of Litchfield, and your getaway is complete.
above: The penthouse bedroom below: The sun-filled living room off the main entry
A historic mansion is reborn, perfectly blending the craftsmanship of yesterday with the indulgence of today by jamie marshall
Once home to a prosperous doctor, the 1888 Colonial Revival/ Queen Anne Victorian and adjoining Mews (built in 1959) is the latest luxe offering from the folks behind Troutbeck in Amenia (see greenwich magazine October 2025). Spurred on by that property’s success, owner Anthony Champalimaud and his investor group bought Belden House in 2022. Together with his mother’s firm, Champalimaud Design, they spent the next three years transforming the property, returning it to its former Victorian glory—and then some.
“It’s both a retention and a restoration of original details wherever possible,” says Champalimaud, who lives a few doors down with his wife Charlie and their two children.
“We focused on maintaining an authentic narrative that is reflective of a local sensibility to preserve, respect and reanimate these historic structures.”
Located on North Street, home to many of the town’s historic mansions, and within walking distance of the village green, the three-acre estate features 31 guest rooms and suites—ten in the main house and 21 in the adjacent Mews. A gracious front porch leads into an inviting foyer. To the right is a cozy wood-paneled and booklined library. To the left, a living room with curved bay windows, fireplace sconces and a silver chandelier that are original to the house. A lightfilled dining room opens into a snug bar painted an eye-catching green (Richmond Green by Benjamin Moore, to be precise).
“It was an opportunity to have fun, to not take it all too seriously,” says Champalimuad. “A bit glamorous, a little mischievous, and it looks great in that light.” This chic jewel box is a wonderful spot to perch before dinner, sipping one of Michele Alfonso’s signature cocktails—a house favorite is the passionfruit negroni. Upstairs there are a variety of rooms, Including several suites, and a 2,100-square-foot penthouse on the third floor. A fun perk—butler service is available for all of the rooms 16 hours a day.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Mews—the standalone building behind Belden House with a distinctly California midcentury vibe. The
above: The locally sourced cuisine of Chef Tyler offers something for every palate. below: The beautifully appointed library is a perfect place to unwind.
rooms have a Zen-like ambience, all blonde wood and neutral tones. Some have their own little garden terrace, while others have balconies, some of which overlook the lawn and the property’s spa called Belden bathhouse. This inviting spot features a compact gym—complete with a Pilates reformer—two treatment rooms for massages and facials that incorporate Wildsmith products, a sustainable and clean line from the U.K. There is also a sauna, steam and a 225-gallon Japanese Ofuro tub for hydrotherapies and cold plunges—or hot soaks.
With its attention to detail and discreet hospitality, it’s no wonder Belden House was recently awarded one Michelin Key. “It’s a huge honor, especially considering we have been open less than a year,” says Champalimaud. “We are one of two Connecticut hotels to receive the key.”
One of the things that makes Belden House stand out is the wonderful amalgamation of historical accuracy, modern comfort and exquisite—often whimsical—details.
Who can resist trying to decipher the writing etched into the stone of the original fireplace in the front hall? (Here’s a hint— it’s a famous quote from Macbeth.) Or taking in the way the library shelves are perfectly illuminated by the small bulb lamps by local ceramicist Charles Dumais? (You’ll find his handiwork in the guest rooms as well as the work of other local artisans.) Or admiring the fish sconce in the living room, which was done by a friend of the Champalimaud’s in Malta?
Don’t even get me started on the hanging pendants in the bar with their jaunty fringed shade, the glazed tilework that surrounds the downstairs hearth’s grasscloth wallcoverings edged with elaborate swirls meant to evoke the Victorian love of pattern.
Just as at Troutbeck, it’s easy to slip into the rhythm of the place, which is precisely the point. For some that may mean doing little more than staking out a spot on a sheepskin-covered chair near the fireplace and whiling away the hours between meals with a good book and a hot toddy. For others, it may mean enjoying time outdoors. (Check out the Explore section of the website, which features guides
Attention to historic details with modern accents is the charm of Belden House.
Keeping the fires stoked
The penthouse guest room
to all the nearby villages.) Join the locals who flock to nearby Bantam Lake for ice skating (or stick to the public rink behind town hall). Skiers will want to head to Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall for skiing and tubing or Butternut Mountain just over the Massachusetts line in Great Barrington. Book tickets and rental gear in advance, as both tend to be busy on weekends.
The White Memorial Conservation Center has miles of trails that are open for crosscountry skiing and snowshoeing— or hiking, depending on snow cover. Or take the time to meander through the many enticing lifestyle and design shops.
For starters, there’s Privet House, Pergola, Plain Goods and J.Seitz in New Preston. Nearby Washington Depot is home to George Home with is beautifully curated selection of midcentury, antique and vintage finds. In Falls River you’ll find Bunny Williams’ eclectic shop, 100 Main, and John Robshaw Home with its gorgeous collection of textiles and bedding.
Don’t miss a trip to Arethusa Farm Dairy, founded in 1999 by two former Manolo Blahnik executives. One taste of the ice cream, and it’s pretty obvious it is the byproduct of very happy cows. (Next door is the farm’s restaurant, Arethusa al Tavolo.)
There are many fine restaurants
there is also a sauna, steam and a 225-gallon japanese ofuro tub for hydrotherapies and cold plunges—or hot soaks.
in Litchfield. But given a choice, I’d stick close to Belden House, where Chef Tyler, a Connecticut native who spent several years as sous chef at Troutbeck and in some of NYC’s most celebrated restaurants, does a terrific job of bringing out the best in the mostly locally sourced ingredients. My personal favorites are the pumpkin seed bisque and the fettuccini with bottarga and peekytoe crab.
Come morning, it’s all about the buttermilk pancakes. They are the perfect way to fuel up for a day spent doing a whole lot or not much at all. beldenhouse.com
in the area, including Community Table in New Preston and closer to home West Street Grill
Belden Bathhouse
Penthouse dining room
The Mews
people&PLACES
Century of Excellence
More than 400 guests celebrated the 100th anniversary of Greens Farms Academy. The evening featured short films, dinner, dancing and a sing-along. A successful paddle raise generated $2.165 million in support of the Centennial Fund for Faculty Excellence. gfacademy.org »
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MOFFLY MEDIA’S BIG PICTURE / ANDREA CARSON
GREENS FARMS ACADEMY / Centennial Gala
1 Georgia Farinholt, Meg Schwanhassauer, Lindsay Lawton, Torey Saager, Alissa Fowler 2 Tricia and Brian Himot 3 Lauren and Krishna Nirmel 4 Wendy and Roger Ferris 5 Melissa and Jonathan Ellis 6 GFA Board Chair Ward Harton 7 Bob Whelan, Lisa and Mike Rintoul 8 Gala Co-Chair Melanie Smith 9 Nikki and Jay Williams
Glittering Gala S
parkling attire with sequins, tiaras and glowing bowties lit up Norwalk’s Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum for its annual benefit.
Attended by more than 150 guests, A Luminous Future Gala included cocktails and a formal dinner, along with tarot card readings and fortune telling. Guests also previewed a new exhibition, Striking Gold: Artists on Wealth and Worth, as well as the ongoing one, Bulls of Wall Street: High Finance, Power and Social Change in Victorian America. The live and silent auctions raised more than $130,000 for the museum’s programming and a recently built archive. lockwoodmathewsmansion.com »
1 Seaman Family 2 Doug Hempstead, Kathy Olsen, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, Patsy Brescia, Bob Duff, Susan Gilgore 3 Mickey, Michele and Kerry Koleszar 4 Rick Donner, Amy Kule, Bob Logan 5 Brescia Family 6 Claire and Linda Mazza 7 Deanne and Steve Nezas 8 Lynne Byington, Celeste Champagne 9 Kathy Olsen, Anne Wennestrain, Serge Doghio 10 Barbara and Larry Cafero 11 Tracey, Bob, Joanne and Bruce Duff 12 James Byington, Ines Cureen, William Chase
MANSION
Nutrition Mission
Prominent local chefs created a tasting experience for the sixth annual Plates with Purpose event, held at Serafresca at the IC. Guests enjoyed “food, fun and festivities,” while supporting Filling in the Blanks. Shonda Rhimes, an award-winning television creator, producer, author and CEO of Shondaland, was honored as Philanthropist of the Year. Proceeds enable the organization to provide weekend meals to children dealing with food insecurity. fillingintheblanks.org »
FILLING IN THE BLANKS GALA / Serafresca at the IC
1 Tina Kramer, Shawnee Knight, Shonda Rhimes, Lucis Rilling, Mayor Harry Rilling, Senator Duff, Senator Blumenthal 2 Amr Kronfol, Pat and Janienne Hackett, Mary Landy, Shereene Idriss, Kate Hackett 3 Shawnee Knight, Jennifer Moran, Tina Kramer 4 Victoria Byron, Jen Sechan, Marissa Kramer, Megan Hoffman, Kristin Thomas 5 Jim and Joyce Anderson 6 Sabreena Selness, Donna Hoffman, Mary Meek, Kurt Selness, Joe Hoffman, Bryan Meek 7 PepsiCo Foundation 8 Shawnee Knight, Shonda Rhimes, Tina Kramer 9 Jaideep, Anjali, Rachel and Sophie Khanna 10 Kaitlyn and Kyle Shouvlin 11 Rebecca West, Bruce and Linda Koe
Allison
Literary Lions
New Canaan Library hosted Pulitzer Prize finalist Daniel Mason at its 18th Annual Literary Luncheon. To honor the North Woods author and bring the novel’s setting to life, the venue was decked out in rustic décor. Book lovers heard Mason speak and had an opportunity to ask questions. During the event, the library also recognized Eileen Thomas, Vice Chairman of the New Canaan Library Board of Trustees and Co-Chair of the capital campaign. newcanaanlibrary.org »
Ellen Sullivan Crovatto, Laura Prior 2 Sharon McClymonds, Barbara Wright, Molly Ludtke 3 Jodie Azzopardi, Lauren Nussbaum, Meredith Tobitsch, Monica Capela, Hilary Ormond 4 Julie Savinelli and Maria Magliacano 5 library CEO Ellen Sullivan Crovatto and author Daniel Mason 6 Vicky Merwin, Lizzie Davis, Michelle Riley, Daniel Mason, event honoree Eileen Thomas, Patricia Schubert 7 back row: Jemima Liveris, Kristi Lebovitz, Dasha Rettew, Megan Mancosh, Katherine King, Erin Weibel; front row: Sheila Clemente, Sarah Vrabac, Allison Watters Vartolo, Cara Ott 8 Debbie Hruska, Beth Orwicz, Laura Barker, Luanne Balzano 9 Adrienne Fulk, Karen Willett, Fred Canoro, Kateri DePetri, Michael Canoro 10 Justyna Janucik and Sandy Graf 11 Ellen Sullivan Crovatto, Bianca Chiappelloni Santos, Allison
1 Back row: Suzanne O’Connor, Elana Wood, Jennifer Roth, Vicky Merwin, Mary Anderson, Kristin Hartofilis, Beth Torrenzano, Mary Anderson, Alison Dockwell; Front row: Karen Willett, Jen Russey, Michael Canoro,
Zinczenko,
Barker 12 Literary luncheon committee with author Daniel Mason.
NEW CANAAN LIBRARY LITERARY LUNCHEON / New Canaan Country Club
Novel Concept
Darien Library’s 10th annual Novel Tea featured Liz Moore, the New York Times bestselling author behind The God of the Woods, Long Bright River and The Unseen World. Moore shared her story and discussed her novels, while guests enjoyed a gourmet lunch. The Novel Tea helps fund library resources such as technology, book purchases, speakers and programs. darienlibrary.org »
1 Moderator Page Berger with author Liz Moore 2 Darien Library Director Kiera Parrott 3 Nicole DiOrio, Erin Wuelfing 4 Author Liz Moore 5 Clockwise, from left: Betsy Wilson, Heather Walsh, Christine Popson, Amy Scott, Jennifer Fallon, Angela Riley, Suzanne Connor, Amy Maccarone 6 Novel Tea Committee 7 Liz Moore with Darien Library board 8 Novel Tea guest 9 Darien Library staff 10 Michelle McNulty, Jennifer Antoszewski
DARIEN LIBRARY LUNCHEON / Wee Burn Country Club
Inspiring Students
Horizons at CT State Norwalk hosted its inaugural “Waves of Change: A Benefit Concert” in Rowayton this fall. Set under the stars, the waterfront evening welcomed more than 300 guests for an energetic performance by Jessie’s Girl, along with specialty cocktails, dinner and silent and live auctions. Guests also heard from a Horizons student who shared the program’s impact on their life. Proceeds from the event support Horizons’ mission to advance educational equity for its 150 Norwalk students through year-round academic and enrichment programming, including a free six-week summer program. horizonsctsn.org »
HORIZONS AT CT STATE NORWALK
Rowayton
Pathway to Success
Embracing a Deep Roots, Strong Futures theme, The Carver Child of America Gala hosted its annual fundraiser at Shorehaven Golf Club. Some of the nonprofit’s outreach includes educational enrichment, job support, food services, a summer camp and teen center. Guests were moved by speaker Jasmine Brown, a program alumna, who spoke about her impressive path from Carver student to entrepreneur and business owner with two master’s degrees. Another highlight was the Carver’s 2025 Child of America honoree Marcus Shaw, who inspired the crowd with his mission for equity in education. Since 1943, The Carver Center has helped the community through programs that “nourish, educate and empower.” carvercenter.org
1 Phil Butterfield, Marcus K. Shaw, Novelette Peterkin, Sandra Faioes 2 Leslie and Oni Chukwu, Isiah Joseph, Jon Whitcomb, Andy Whitcomb 3 Brayden Brooks, Victoria and Rachel Whitcomb 4 Nausicaa and Robbie Salvatore, Rachel Krall, Diane and Stephen Minar, Bridget Coiro, Jillian and Scott Kaminski 5 Julia Magrone 6 Brooke and Adam Sorensen, Vinny and Stephanie Barberesi, Eric and Elizabeth Hanno
Peter and Elizabeth Sosnow
Jody Neaderland
Kay Garrett, Caroline Stockton, Megan Hudson 10 Andrew and Jennifer Ryan 11 Novelette Peterkin and Jasmine Brown
CARVER CHILD OF AMERICA GALA / Shorehaven Golf Club
MEET FLOWCODE, THE NEXT GENERATION OF QR CODES
Go ahead, try it out. Point your phone’s camera at the Flowcode to scan.
by eileen murphy
Paige Drippé, daughter of Tracy and Peter Drippé of Darien, married Graham McCarthy, son of Jennifer and Dr. James McCarthy of Cincinnati, Ohio. The couple met while attending the University of Michigan, where their first conversation began because of the bride’s new puppy, Sadie. Graham, a fellow dog lover, introduced himself—and the rest is history.
The bride, a graduate of Darien High School, earned a double major in geological and earth sciences and environmental studies at Michigan. She works at GFT as a senior Geographic Information Systems analyst. The groom studied aerospace engineering as an undergraduate at Michigan, and went on to earn a master’s degree in industrial engineering and operations. He is a data analyst at Flowcode. The newlyweds live in New York City.
After getting engaged on the Brooklyn Bridge, Paige and Graham exchanged vows at the Wee Burn Beach Club in Rowayton late last spring, surrounded by many friends and neighbors from Darien. Stormy weather in the days leading up to the celebration added a bit of last-minute excitement, with members of the wedding party arriving just minutes before. Fortunately, everyone made it—and the day unfolded into a beautiful and memorable celebration.
1 Paige Drippé 2 The ceremony 3 Jenna Schwartz, Alex Ford Hubach, Courtney Bloom, Francesca Milewski, Paige Drippé, maid of honor Audrey Klomparens, Jan Gagstetter, Brooke Propson, Maddie Steiger 4 DHS grads Fran Milewski, Paige Drippé, Alex Ford Hubach 5 Parents of the bride Peter and Tracy Drippé 6 The wedding party 7 The bride with her dog Sadie 8 Alexis Fortini, Kelsey Hartfelder, groom Graham McCarthy, Paige Drippé, Emma Janson, Adam Outlaw 9 Graham McCarthy, Paige Drippé
by jill johnson mann
They are confronting hot flashes, mood swings, fatigue, joint pain, loss of libido and other exasperating symptoms that can turn menopause into a blur. But unlike their mothers and grandmothers—who may have only spoken of this life transition in a whispered reference to “the change”—women today are talking about it, taking charge of their health and finding ways to feel better. Even so, the information out there can be confusing. Women still find themselves blindsided by symptoms they didn’t expect—arriving sooner than they anticipated or lasting longer than they ever imagined. Or they think they are too far past menopause to benefit from the hormone therapy that has been a game-changer for women looking to age powerfully. So we turned to the doctors and experts in Fairfield County that women of a certain age are raving about and asked them to share their insight on menopause, the evolving approach to treating it and how this phase of life is getting a much-needed makeover.
We are also bringing you a candid roundtable with women who get real about how much menopause can truly suck—but they also reassure us that there is no way they will settle for a mentally hazy, emotionally crazy, sleepless, sweaty, achy existence. And neither should you.
Although “menopause” is often used as a blanket term for this entire chapter of life, it is actually just one page—specifically, the 12-month mark after a woman’s final menstrual period. At that point, she is un likely to have any more periods or to ovulate. The average age of meno pause for American women is 52.
Perimenopause refers to the years leading up to menopause, when symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep issues, brain fog, anxiety and mood swings can begin. For most women, this occurs in their late 40s and early 50s, but signs can begin as early as the 30s. Post-menopause begins after menopause and lasts the rest of a woman’s life—though with healthy lifestyle choices and the help of modern medicine, the unpleasant symp toms don’t have to.
“Perimenopause, as I like to joke, is the best seven to ten years of your life,” says integrative medicine physician Dr. Katie Takayasu (“Dr. Katie”), founder of Wellness Insights in Darien. “What makes it so chal lenging is that it can be so variable. For some women, it is extreme and difficult to handle; others have very little symptomology. It’s also not a smooth decline. It’s this up-and-down roller coaster. You can feel nor mal one day and then two days later feel like a totally different person, then a month later, feel back to normal again and so on. Even if you have significant PMS or painful periods or tender breasts around ovulation, it’s predictable. That’s the tough part about perimenopause; you go from these predictable patterns to a period of unpredictability.”
Dr. Katie explains that symptoms can “literally be from head to toe.” She lists brain fog; memory and concentration difficulties; insomnia; head aches; mood changes (irritability, anxiety, depression); changes in eye sight; dental changes (dry mouth, gingivitis, cavities, loose teeth); changes in hearing and tinnitus; cardiovascular changes (high cholesterol, palpi tations, irregular heartbeat); temperature irregularity (hot flashes, night sweats or “just feeling slumpy and warm”); body odor changes (either from sweat or microbiome irregularities); weight gain (especially around the middle); joint aches; loss of bone density; digestive issues (bloating, constipation, diarrhea); dry or dull skin and a lack of elasticity; bladder issues; and sexual challenges (vaginal dryness, loss of libido, changes in or difficulty achieving orgasm).
Sleep disturbances—especially waking up and not being able to fall back asleep—are among the first complaints Dr. Katie often hears. While typi cally this happens in a woman’s 40s, signs can appear sooner. “If you are having symptoms in your mid- to late-30s, it’s not too early to consider the possibility that perimenopause might be the reason,” says Dr. Katie.
But the good news is that, today, women have more options than ever to manage their symptoms, feel like themselves again and move through this transition with strength and confidence.
HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY OR “HRT”—ALSO CALLED MENOPAUSAL HORMONE THERAPY (MHT)—IS A HOT TOPIC. In November, the FDA announced the removal of most “black box” warnings from HRT products, citing outdated science and encouraging, updated data. (The warning of an increased risk for endometrial cancer if taking estrogen without progesterone remains.) Social media blew up, with many in the medical field touting the benefits of HRT and accusing the FDA of waiting way too long to make this move, and others asserting caution.
Women are still left wondering: Is it safe? When should I start? Which hormones do I need? Are synthetic or bioidentical hormones better? Like now… who can help me NOW (shrieked from a pool of sweat at 3 a.m., with the rage of the Stranger Things Mind Flayer). We have answers! Not all of them, but enough to help you dry your brow and establish a plan.
Dr. Donna Hagberg, a gynecologist with Yale New Haven Health at Greenwich Hospital, says, “I take the 'R' out of ‘HRT’—hormone therapy versus hormone replacement therapy. This is where my philosophy may differ from other physicians: I’m not replacing hormones; I’m optimizing them. So I’m working with patients' own hormone production from within their body and giving a little bit more. I am trying to optimize their hormones throughout the rest of their lives to make sure that everything functions appropriately without suppressing any of their own glands. The majority of organs are affected by the loss of estradiol. The pros of hormone therapy are taking away a lot of the unpleasant symptoms women feel and potentially improving their longevity and overall health.” The cons are relevant to two groups, says Dr. Hagberg: “The patient who
already has a cancer or who has an increased risk of blood clotting. But for the majority of women, there are many more pros than cons. We always have to consider the potential side effects in addition to those contraindications. As soon those are evaluated and screening is done, we can talk about options and dosing. There are so many choices now: oral, transdermal, transvaginal.”
If a woman has more complex hormonal issues, she may turn to an endocrinologist, such as Dr. Judith Goldberg-Berman at Greenwich Hospital. “I typically become involved when there are intersecting hormonal issues that require a broader endocrine evaluation,” says Dr. GoldbergBerman. “For example, if a woman is experiencing menopausal symptoms along with thyroid dysfunction, bone loss or metabolic changes, I help tease out the different contributing factors. I work closely with their gynecologist and primary care physician to guide decisions.”
Dr. Goldberg-Berman has noticed a trend in women being more informed and proactive about their health: “Women are often coming in after doing their own research or talking with their peers. They are reading books, listening to podcasts and following experts online.” It is then her job to interpret this
information in the context of the patient’s medical history, symptoms and risk factors.
“When a woman is hesitant about starting hormone therapy, we explore what’s behind that,” says Dr. Goldberg-Berman. “Hormone therapy is absolutely contraindicated for women with a history of hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast or endometrial cancer, unexplained vaginal bleeding, active liver disease or a history of spontaneous clotting. Then there are relative contraindications that don’t necessarily rule out therapy but require careful consideration and monitoring. These can include migraine with aura, controlled hypertension, high cardiovascular risk and a strong family history of breast cancer or gallbladder disease. In some cases, I involve a cardiologist to assess risk.”
A 2002 study by the World Health Organization, which linked HRT to an increased risk of stroke, blood clotting and breast cancer, fueled widespread fear. Dr. Carol Fucigna, Vice Chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Stamford Hospital and a menopause specialist, explains: “Although that data showed an increase in risks of breast cancer (eight in 10,000) and deep vein thrombosis, the risks were very small. Also, the average age of the participants was 63, which is well beyond the average age of menopause,
and the study was done at a time when we were using different forms of both estrogen and progesterone.”
The alarm bells have quieted with more recognition of HRT’s benefits and cautious prescribing of hormone therapy to women who would have been declined a decade ago. Jane Hurzy*, a 50-year-old Weston resident, lost her sister to breast cancer and her mother also had the disease. Her doctor was hesitant about prescribing HRT. But after suffering from insomnia and brain fog for a year, she returned to her annual exam armed with recent reassuring studies and a persuasive personal argument. “My relatives with breast cancer had a history of heavy smoking and drinking. I live a very healthy lifestyle,” says Hurzy. She started hormone therapy and almost instantly felt like her old self.
Studies indicate that starting HRT sooner—within ten years of menopause— tips the balance toward more benefits than risks. Dr. Hagberg sometimes prescribes HRT past that time frame. “Many women beyond that ‘window of opportunity’ are still interested in hormone therapy for things like bone health, or now that they’re learning about research suggesting it’s actually potentially improving cognitive and cardiovascular health. The adrenal gland can often continue to make hormones in the menopausal patient, so we can add on to that. When women come in and they’re 10, 11, 12 years into menopause, we just want to make sure that there are no contraindications from a cardiovascular or cancer standpoint. Then, since receptors haven’t seen hormones for years, we start at a more conservative and careful dosing.”
Dr. Katie comments, “I’m so on board with menopausal hormone therapy—not replacing but supporting the body’s hormone balance. As soon as you notice irritability, sleep changes, menstrual changes, have a conversation with your provider, so that you’re not suffering but actually being proactive about how you want this next stage of your life to go.”
How quickly do most women feel relief?
“Often just a few days to a few weeks later, women are saying, ‘Oh my gosh, I feel like myself again!’ That’s the whole point,” says Dr. Katie. “It’s not to make you superhuman; it’s just to make you feel like yourself again.”
THERE IS A LOT OF CHATTER ABOUT “BIOIDENTICAL” HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY, or BHRT. Dr. Hagberg explains, “Bioidentical means it’s identical to the biological hormones that the body makes. They are more natural and tolerated beautifully. The non-bioidentical ones have been well researched. These are a bit more chemicalized. Premarin, as an example, is made from the urine of a pregnant mare. It is not a natural hormone for women, so it’s sometimes not well tolerated—although it is well researched and prescribed by many physicians. Some of my patients are on it for various reasons.”
Dr. Fucigna says, “The most commonly used hormones now are a transdermal estradiol and a micronized progesterone. Studies have shown a decrease in breast cancer risk with these forms of estrogen and progesterone, which are the same chemical structure as the hormones made by our bodies. The transdermal estradiol patch, which is absorbed through the skin, does not increase the risk of blood clotting as oral estradiol does.”
Doctors have differing opinions on which type of hormones are safer or “better.” Some defend synthetic hormones that have been studied thoroughly and question some bioidentical hormones (made from plants)—namely those made at “compounding pharmacies.” These may be described as “natural” but aren’t as well researched or regulated.
“There are bioidentical options that are made by pharmaceutical companies. For example, a lot of the patches are bioidentical and available at your local pharmacy,” explains Dr. Hagberg. “Compounded is a different term. These are bioidenticals, but they’re compounded and made in a specialty lab. If it’s a reputable lab, they do it well, and the hormone can be more customized for the patient. If the patient’s not tolerating what she’s picking up at her local pharmacy, we can customize it and adjust the dosing.” Because compounded BHRT falls under a
regulatory exemption for patient-specific prescriptions, it is not FDA-approved.
Esther Blum, an integrative dietician and hormone coach based in Weston, comments, “You can get estrogen in a patch from your pharmacy that’s covered by insurance and comes in four different dosages. If you want something compounded, a hormone-literate provider will compound what’s called Bi-est cream for you, which is estriol and estradiol. Most doctors will put women on birth control pills, which is not approved for menopause care. Those are synthetic estrogens and progestins and carry a higher risk of clotting and stroke. Whereas even if you have a clotting disorder, it is safe to use transdermal estrogen, and you can get what’s called Prometrium, an oral micronized progesterone that is bioidentical. I get mine for $4 a bottle at the pharmacy.”
Blum administers a urine test with her clients to assess adrenal function and how their bodies are metabolizing hormones, and a stool test to see how the gut is detoxing estrogen. She then helps patients develop a personalized plan, educating them with information on menopause “that doctors aren’t learning in med school. I have a national directory of hormone literate providers in all 50 states,” says Blum.
Westport resident Kristin Purcell was 43 when perimenopause hit her like Hurricane Sandy hit her Compo neighborhood. “My youngest was three years old then and just this lovely soul. I found myself screaming,” she recalls. “My girls looked at me like, ‘Who are you?’ I’m a nice person. I had never yelled at my children. I thought, ‘What is going on?’ This rage just came out of me. That’s when I started chasing down any options I could find.”
Her OB suggested birth control pills. Purcell recalls, “I said, ‘Listen, even when my ovaries were working, I didn’t want birth control because it made me a subset of who I am as a human.’”
Purcell then discovered Dr. Sobo in Stamford. “He looked at my blood work and said, ‘We just need to supplement you a little bit.’” She applies a cream daily to her wrist—a combination of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone—that is dispensed by a compounding pharmacy. “It was a night-and-day experience for me,” she says. “We’ve tweaked it many times over ten years. It has been life changing. I’ve seen my obstetricians since before I had both babies. They’ve been amazing—I do my annuals and all that with them—but they are not plugged into the value of this other component of my female personal care that I find essential.”
TESTOSTERONE HAS BECOME SO POPULAR AMONG MENOPAUSAL WOMEN
—and so controversial among doctors—that the hormone has muscled its way to its own section. While typically associated with men, testosterone is also important for female development and sexual function. Men start off with ten times the testosterone as women and it dwindles slowly over their lifetime. Women’s testosterone levels, by contrast, drop by half from age 20 to 60. Dozens of testosterone-boosting products have been developed for men and approved by the FDA—but none have been approved for women. With female health issues significantly underfunded and underresearched, many women are not waiting around for an official okay before reclaiming their lost libido.
A recent New York Times article, “I’m on Fire” by Susan Dominus, chronicled the surge in energy, productivity and libido among middleaged women who swear by the latest mother’s little helper (and by most accounts, their partners aren’t complaining either). But in some cases, women are being prescribed levels of testosterone comparable to those of men—or even a teenage boy. Side effects can include aggression, unwanted hair growth in certain places and hair loss on their head, acne, a deepened or raspy voice, enlargement of the clitoris and libido that is too high. One woman was injured from hurried sex in a car; another lost half her hair but wouldn’t give up her testosterone
fix—she felt too good.
Darien resident, Sandy Fulton* comments: “My doctor really managed all of that. There was not the crazy hypersexual drive—he just brought me back to my normal.”
Blum, whose slogan is “Make menopause your b*tch” and who authored the trailblazing menopause book See ya later, Ovulator, is frustrated by the FDA’s feet-dragging regarding testosterone for women. “Women can get the men’s testosterone prescribed, but that basically comes in a ketchup packet or a tube, so it’s really hard to regulate the dosage
for women,” explains Blum. “I tell women, to make your life easier, pay for it through a compounding pharmacy. But their doctor has to be willing to prescribe it.”
A growing trend for diehard testosterone fans involves having “pellets” inserted under the skin—but most experts do not endorse this. “If you’re not absorbing topicals, you can do injections, which leave your body in a week,” says Blum, “whereas with pellets, it’s like six months. You are stuck, and it’s a surgical procedure every time.”
Dr. Hagberg agrees: “I don’t support pellets for two reasons. One, they can lead to infections and abscess. Two, they raise the levels higher than a typical male testosterone level. It’s a steroid. We have no long-term data on these high levels. I do prescribe testosterone for many women, often for libido or for bone support or energy, but in the right dose.”
FOR MOST AGING WOMEN, HORMONES ARE ONLY PART OF THE FEEL-GOOD EQUATION. SO, WHAT ELSE CAN— AND SHOULD—WE BE DOING? Dr. Hagberg emphasizes the value of eating a Mediterranean diet and says that “exercise is hugely important.” Getting enough sleep
to protect cognitive function, reducing stress and taking vitamin D supplements for bone health are also on her menopause musts list. Westporter Jill Jaysen, an acting teacher and executive coach, used positive thinking to power through her hot flashes. “I heard someone on a talk show suggest reframing hot flashes as ‘power surges,’” she recalls. “Reframing a negative as a positive is something I do all the time in my coaching. It helped.”
Blum takes a mind-body approach in her work. “My book teaches women how to master menopause with nutrition, hormones and self-advocacy,” says Blum, whose previous four books—including Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous—focused on nutrition. She analyzes clients’ microbiomes to identify bacterial overgrowth and imbalances. "The healthier your gut is going into menopause, the better you will function and the more resilient you will be,” she explains. “I have had women whose hot flashes completely resolved when we corrected the nutrient imbalances and rebuilt their microbiomes. Diet is ground zero for transformation.”
Blum also addresses the constipation, bloating, food intolerances and inflammation that can increase during menopause. From there, she develops customized diets that help to improve sleep, energy and lean muscle, and adds in supplements like vitamins, probiotics and herbs.
“I always joke, there's a light at the end of the vaginal tunnel! We've got to bring these women back to life, and not sit and wait for medical schools to change their paradigm,” says Blum. “We are the Gen Xers and alchemists who are not going to sit here suffering. But we also need a roadmap. I love giving women their lady boss—you know, here's your education. Take this to your doctor. When they advocate and have the knowledge, they always get what they need.”
Dr. Katie practices integrative medicine, so she addresses the body, mind and spirit. “We think a lot about stress management,” she says. “The way you fuel your body with food, the way you sleep every night, the way you move every day and the way you pay attention to your spiritual self—to stillness, to your sense of groundedness—are incredibly important. If you don't fuel, move, sleep and have some stillness in your life, it's almost like no amount of hormones is going to make a big difference because those keystone pieces have to be in place.”
She sometimes refers patients to a health coach to establish sustainable routines or to a psychotherapist to do cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. In her book, Plants First, Dr. Katie highlights the importance of fiber (most women eat less than half of what they need, she notes); whole, unprocessed foods; and nutrition that optimizes digestion and hormone balance while reducing diseasecausing inflammation. She also recommends acupuncture, meditation and herbal remedies to help with menopausal symptoms.
“We really try to listen to each individual story and come up with the best plan for that person,” she says. “It’s not just one silver bullet—it’s all these tiny beautiful choices that amount to more significant change over the course of time. People are really embracing this new chapter in their lives. I always joke with patients, what will Katie 3.0 look like? It's not just about empowerment around perimenopause, but it's empowerment of: What do I want from my life? What is this next chapter going to look like? This time of change becomes a real catalyst for new opportunities, which is really, really exciting.”
*Some names have been changed.
"unPAUSED" podcast with Dr. Mary Claire Haver
"The Midlife Realignment" podcast with Weston’s Esther Blum
See Ya Later, Ovulator book by Esther Blum
stripesbeauty.com
Naomi Watts’ menopausefocused beauty line
adomanisleep.com
Greenwich-based sleepwear designed for hot flashes
sipasunny.com
New Canaan-based THC-CBD infused seltzer (no more menopause hangovers!)
@justbeingmelani and the We Do Not Care Club midlife humor and empowerment
Comedian Leanne Morgan, "I’m Every Woman" Netflix special
Expert-led education on menopause and midlife health
Helpful resources for managing symptoms and improving well-being
A supportive space to ask questions and connect with others
Free sessions at Norwalk Public Library, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.:
JANUARY 21
“SEX: Talking About”
FEBRUARY 18
“And the Beat Goes On: Heart Disease and Menopause”
MARCH 18
“Sticks and Stones Can Break Your Bones”
APRIL 15
“Sleepless in Menopause City”
MAY 20
“Bladder Matters— Urinary Concerns at Menopause”
For more info, contact Norwalk Hospital OB at (203) 852-3073.
RUBINFELD
emilie rubinfeld
embodies the Carolina Herrera brand— effortlessly elegant, glamorous and beyond chic. She is everything you'd expect the president of a global fashion house to be.
Rubinfeld has spent more than twenty-five years at the forefront of luxury fashion, building brand marketing and communications strategies for industry giants like Akris and Giorgio Armani.
Today, as President of Carolina Herrera, she's steering the storied New York fashion house into its next chapter—honoring its heritage while meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Rubinfeld led the brand through a significant leadership transition when Herrera retired seven years ago, and designer Wes Gordon took over as creative director and designer. She has expanded the fashion house brand's reach while ensuring it resonates with a new generation of luxury consumers—a balancing act that requires reverence for heritage and boldness in reimagining what a fashion house can be.
Even though she runs an international fashion house, Rubinfeld chose to raise her family in New Canaan. She grew up in the town with a father who worked in the city, so the commute was familiar to her: “I appreciate leaving New York City and an hour later pulling into an enclave that feels worlds away. Being near my parents and sister was important to me.”
We caught up with the New Canaan native ahead of New York City Fashion Week to talk glamour, personal style and her mission to make the world dress up just a little bit more.
Emilie Rubinfeld commands the room in true Carolina Herrera fashion—with elegance, grace and confidence.
HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR CAREER IN FASHION?
I went to New Canaan High School and then had a liberal arts education at the University of Michigan, but when I was younger all of my jobs were in retail. Growing up, I didn't know that you could have a career in fashion if you weren’t an artist or a designer. I had an internship at Calvin Klein, and learned that a fashion business includes multiple departments, including public relations, marketing and sales. All those components affect the business, not just design and sketching.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CAROLINA HERRERA BRAND?
Carolina Herrera is synonymous with elegance and bold femininity. The Carolina Herrera fashion house stands for beautiful clothes, and we do that today with unabashed confidence. Women want to feel elegant and beautiful, and there's a draw more than ever to dress up and wear nice clothes. A telling moment occurred during the Covid pandemic, when there was a lot of noise suggesting we consider a casualization of the collection. Would women ever return to wearing dresses and more formal
the Carolina Herrera fashion house stands for beautiful clothes , and we do that today
with unabashed confidence.
emilie
rubinfeld, with creative director and designer wes gordon
clothes, or was the casualization here to stay? We decided to stay true to who we are, and as soon as the world opened back up, we couldn't keep a dress in stock! It was a great lesson to stick to what you do best and not try to be something that you're not.
WALK US THROUGH THE DESIGN PROCESS
We begin thinking about the collection months in advance, developing a strategy and business plan. Our creative director and designer, Wes Gordon, focuses on inspiration and starts thinking about color, fabrics, sketches, and prototypes. We meet collectively to brainstorm with team members from different departments about the collection and how it will come to fruition. We analyze every single item of clothing that's going to be in the collection, so when it comes to actually showing it, all the heavy lifting has been done.
HOW DOES THE BUSINESS SIDE AFFECT THE DESIGN PROCESS?
We analyze the creative output through a strategic lens. How can we
Highlights from the Carolina Herrera Spring Collection.
take this vision and turn it into a business that achieves and exceeds our objectives? Where will it be made? What's the composition, the pricing and the end purpose? What kind of units do we think we'll have, and how do we take a single prototype and make hundreds of them? There's something to be said about the industrialization of that product, and we're talking luxury women's clothing.
HOW MANY COLLECTIONS ARE CREATED EACH YEAR?
We create six collections a year, which means that if you come into our stores, or visit carolinaherrera.com, there will always be something new to delight and surprise you. We show our two main runway collections as part of the New York City Fashion Week, which takes place in September and February.
HOW DO YOU GET READY FOR NEW YORK FASHION WEEK?
Leading up to the show, Wes does the model casting and fitting. In our hallways, you’ll see a parade of 60 models presenting themselves to see if they fit in the show. Wes is also the creative director of Carolina Her-
rera makeup and decides on looks for that. In the last show, he loved the idea of a very dramatic eye, which allowed him to showcase a new eye pencil. He’s really conducting a symphony and putting all these pieces in place.
TAKE US BEHIND THE SCENES ON THE DAY OF A FASHION SHOW
We have anywhere from 200 to 400 guests, and there are never enough seats! The guest list includes top clients, friends of the house and buyers from the world’s most prestigious stores. Then you have that next layer of magazine editors, influencers and celebrities. We arrive at the venue early to do rehearsals with the models. It's fun because they’re all in their robes, getting hair and makeup done, and practicing their walk. The choreography of a show is crucial because you want to ensure models are following the rhythm of the music, while also maintaining an appropriate distance between each other. Wes conducts press interviews while also ensuring the models look great and the makeup is perfect. It's his big game day! Backstage, our pattern makers, and designers, are making last-minute adjustments. I'm backstage, and then move front-of-house
Backstage at the Carolina Herrera Madrid Fashion Show, Creative Director Wes Gordon (above) and the atelier finesse final fittings, adjust jewels and shape the vision for the runway..
women want to feel elegant and beautiful, and there’s a draw more than ever to dress up and wear nice clothes.
emilie rubinfeld
to start welcoming our guests, editors, buyers and clients. The show is typically only 12 to 14 minutes long, and we feature anywhere from 35 to 55 looks. What I love about it is that during the show, we’re center stage globally as a brand, and it's our one shining moment!
TELL US ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION FASHION SHOW IN MADRID
Last year, for the first time, instead of showing in September during Fashion Week, we went to Madrid. We viewed it as an opportune moment to celebrate the entire brand, which includes fragrance, makeup, accessories and fashion. We wanted to celebrate all the products in our portfolio and Madrid provided the perfect opportunity. We chose Madrid because Mrs. Herrera and her late husband Reinaldo were fixtures of Madrid society, and their daughter, Carolina A., lives there as well. I wore a beautiful print dress that had a lot of volume and exquisite craftsmanship in the bodice, and it was a spectacular piece I was proud to wear.
WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE BRAND?
We opened a new store in the River Oaks District of Houston and are relocating our Dallas store within Highland Park Village. We're opening new stores in La Jolla, California, and the Miami Design District. The Miami Design District is a really spectacular shopping destination, as it beautifully marries luxury fashion with the artistic community. We’re a small team, so all of these projects take a lot of energy and focus and will be a big priority for the years to come. We are also launching a new handbag collection. What’s beautiful about this collection is that it’s Wes's first foray into marrying an accessory product with the clothes. Our point of distinction in the collection is that these shapes are really for the lifestyle of the clothes; they're whimsical, they're novelty, they have color, but they're timeless at the same time. And, of course, they're beautifully crafted!
Under the open sky of Plaza Mayor, models sweep across a breathtaking runway, bringing Carolina Herrera’s vision to life in one of Madrid’s most iconic spaces.
above left to right: From perfectly fitted dresses to statement coats, crisp white shirts and sparkling knitwear, Carolina Herrera’s runway collection shows the timeless pieces Rubinfeld says every wardrobe needs— effortless, versatile and always impeccably chic.
THE EMILIE EDIT
Rubinfeld's Must-Have Wardrobe Essentials
THE PERFECT DRESS
Make every occasion a dress-up occasion, whether it's going to dinner in town or meeting a friend for coffee. Why not? Spend the money on a wellcrafted, perfectly fitted dress and you can wear it forever. When you're feeling unsure about what to wear, just put it on, and you're done. I love to just zip up and go!
THE STATEMENT COAT
We don’t make many coats, but when we do, they are truly special. It could have beautiful floral embroidery on black cashmere or something equally dramatic. You can put it on over anything – even jeans and a t-shirt and look amazing. I’ll wear one on the plane so I can be comfortable and casual, but with my statement coat, I look pulled together.
A REALLY GREAT CARDIGAN
We've been making cardigans
in beautiful colors in a perfect, feminine cut. I have a red one and I can put it over anything, add a bold necklace or fun earrings, and it's like, Wow, you look great!
INSTEAD OF JEANS
Try a skinny pair of trousers— we have one called the Emilie —and you can wear them with a little kitten heel or with a pair of flats. They fit perfectly on your body, and when you pair them with the bright-red cropped cardigan, you look perfect.
KNITWEAR FOR EVENING
We designed knit sweaters and dresses in sequins. When a woman puts it on, she looks incredible, but she's comfortable. If you’re traveling and need an amazing outfit, the sequin knit dress is it. It’s great for a winter wedding, a black-tie dinner or even dinner in a city!
THE ICONIC WHITE SHIRT
From the beginning, Carolina Herrera was renowned for pairing a crisp, white shirt with a ball skirt. You can dress the shirt up and wear it with a fabulous skirt, or you can keep it casual and pair it with skinny black pants and a cool necklace or a big pair of earrings. When in doubt, grab the crisp white shirt and you'll look put-together!
NEW CANAAN FAVORITES
Coffe Spot
Zumbach’s
Restaurants
Gray Barns and Solé Sweets Gelatissimo
Shopping
I love the Linen Shop and the Whitney Shop for hostess gift giving. My daughter’s name is Whitney so Little Whitney, their children’s store always makes me smile.
Outdoors
I’m a big runner and enjoy Irwin Park.
Culture
My husband, being from Sweden, really appreciates the midcentury modern heritage of New Canaan, as do I. We live near the Glass House, and it’s special to watch the seasonal landscape changes. Phillip Johnson validated New Canaan as a unique community that blends the beautiful New England setting with a cosmopolitan link.
Education
As a New Canaan parent, I appreciate the school system and the educational community— both incredible.
GREENWICH HARRISON STAMFORD WILTON
Finding a trusted physician for you and your family is essential, whether you need someone for emergencies or simply for everyday health and wellness. In Fairfield County, we are fortunate to have so many leading practitioners in our area.
Our Top Doctors directory streamlines your search for the right one. anks to the experts at DataJoe Research, we have an indispensable guide of specialists working in highly ranked hospital systems throughout the county. e fi rm evaluated everything from skills and credentials to peer-voting and public perception to select this year’s crop of experts. For 2026, our muchanticipated directory features more than 600 top doctors. »
TOP DOCTORS 2026
ALLERGY IMMUNOLOGY
Aimee AltschulLatzman
Allergy & Asthma Consultants of Fairfield County
140 Sherman St, Fairfield 203-955-1461
Kenneth S. Backman
Allergy & Asthma Care of Fairfield County LLC 55 Walls Dr, Trumbull 203-259-7070
Jonathan B. Bell
Jonathan B. Bell MD 107 Newtown Rd, Danbury 203-830-4700
Katherine A. Bloom
Allergy & Asthma Care of Fairfield County LLC
55 Walls Dr, Fairfield 203-259-7070
Leslie R. Coleman
Allergy And Asthma Assoc. of Stamford PC 144 Morgan St, Stamford 203-324-9525
Yogen A. Dave Advanced Specialty Care PC
901 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield 203-830-4700
Philip H. Hemmers
Allergy Center of Connecticut 761 Main Ave, Norwalk 203-870-8731
Paul S. Lindner
Allergy And Asthma Center of Stamford 1275 Summer St, Stamford 203-978-0072
Mark D. Litchman
Fairfield County Allergy Asthma and Immunology Associates PC 2 1/2 Dearfield Dr, Greenwich 203-838-4034
Aymeric E. Louit
Fairfield County Allergy
Asthma and Immunology Associates PC 80 Mill River St, Stamford 203-838-4034
Agnes Matczuk
Fairfield County Allergy Asthma and Immunology Associates PC 2 1/2 Dearfield Dr, Greenwich 203-838-4034
Joseph Sproviero
Fairfield County Allergy
Asthma and Immunology Associates PC
148 East Ave, Norwalk 203-838-4034
ANESTHESIOLOGY
Francisco J. Brea
YNHH|Greenwich
Anesthesiology Associates PC 5 Perryridge Rd, Greenwich 203-863-3390
Mark Chrostowski
Greenwich Anesthesiology Associates PC 5 Perryridge Rd, Greenwich 203-863-3390
Gendai Echezona
Premier PCW Aesthetics 40 Cross St, Norwalk 203-956-0022
Richard A. Hughes
Nuvance Health Medical Practice 34 Maple St, Norwalk 203-852-2276
Robert Koorn Nuvance Health Medical Practice
34 Maple St, Norwalk 203-852-2276
Karl J. Kulikowski Nuvance Health Medical Practice
24 Hospital Ave, Danbury 203-739-7118
Garrett D. Nguyen Nuvance Health Medical Practice 24 Hospital Ave, Danbury 203-739-7118
Joseph J. Tiano Cardiology Associates of Fairfield County 115 Technology Dr, Trumbull 203-445-7093
Anja Wagner Cardiology Associates of Fairfield County 2979 Main St, Bridgeport 203-683-5100
Craig S. Werner
Northeast Medical Group Cardiology 112 Quarry Rd, Trumbull 203-333-8800
Nuvance Health is joining Northwell
Top docs, top tier care
Congratulations to our physicians recognized as Top Docs®
Nuvance Health proudly applauds the members of our medical staff recognized as 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctors®. You not only improve the well-being of our patients, but also the lives of people across our communities. We commend you for this well-deserved achievement.
CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
Deborah S. Lipschitz
Deborah S. Lipschitz MD 21 Sherman Ct, Fairfield 203-256-9926
Joan F. Poll
Joan F. Poll MD 16 Bushy Ridge Rd, Westport 203-222-1186
COLON & RECTAL SURGERY
Stuart E. Bussell Nuvance Health 111 Osborne St, Danbury 203-739-7131
Marc J. Casasanta Nuvance Health 111 Osborne St, Danbury 203-739-7131
Marilee L. Freitas
Stamford Health Medical Group
29 Hospital Plz, Stamford 203-323-8989
Peter B. McWhorter YNHH|Northeast Medical Group Surgical Specialists 5 Perryridge Rd, Greenwich 203-863-4300
CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
Sandra K. Wainwright Stamford Health Medical Group 5 Perryridge Road, Greenwich 203-863-4505
DERMATOLOGY
Beth A. Buscher Dermatology Associates of Western Connecticut PC 170 Mt. Pleasant Rd, Newtown 203-792-4151
Severine M. Chavel Dermatology Center of Stamford 1290 Summer St, Stamford 203-325-3576
Richard C. Connors
Richard C. Connors MD 1 Perryridge Rd, Greenwich 203-622-0808
Elle de Moll
Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut 425 Post Rd, Fairfield 203-292-9490
Sarah E. Dolder Greenwich Point Dermatology 20 E. Elm St, Greenwich 203-764-2230
Rhett Drugge
Rhett J. Drugge MD 50 Glenbrook Rd, Stamford 203-324-5719
Kenneth J. Egan Advanced Specialty Care PC 488 Main Ave, Norwalk 203-830-4700
Kimberly M. Eickhorst Dermatology Associates of Western CT PC 170 Mt. Pleasant Rd, Newtown 203-792-4151
Robin Evans Southern Connecticut Dermatology 1275 Summer St, Stamford 203-323-5660
Rena Fortier
Long Ridge Dermatology 1051 Long Ridge Rd, Stamford 203-329-7960
Henry C. Gasiorowski Greenwich Dermatology 40 West Elm St, Greenwich 203-661-7546
Michele E. Gasiorowski
Greenwich Dermatology 40 West Elm St, Greenwich 203-661-7546
Charles L. G. Halasz Dermatology for the Family 149 East Ave, Norwalk 203-349-8228
Rebecca Ross Hall Dermatology Center of Stamford 1290 Summer St, Stamford 203-325-3576
Lynne M. Haven Lynne Haven MD PC 5 Oak St, Greenwich 203-869-4242
Omar A. Ibrahimi Connecticut Skin Institute 2777 Summer St, Stamford 203-428-4440
Michael Jacobson Advanced Dermcare 25 Tamarack Ave, Danbury 203-797-8990
Brett Andrew King Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut 425 Post Rd, Fairfield 203-292-9490
Rhonda Q. Klein
Modern Dermatology 1032 Post Rd East, Westport 203-635-0770
Jeffrey D. Knispel Dermatology Associates of Western CT PC 170 Mt. Pleasant Rd, Newtown 203-792-4151
Steven Andrew Kolenik III Schweiger Dermatology Group 761 Main Ave, Norwalk 203-810-4151
Randi D. Tomasulo Post Road Metabolic Consultants 246 Post Rd E, Westport 914-260-5016
Linda S. Werner Hartford Healthcare Cancer Institute 115 Technology Dr, Trumbull 203-372-7200
To all of our Top Docs committed to providing the greatest of care:
At Yale New Haven Health, we are proud to recognize the 75 doctors representing Bridgeport Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Northeast Medical Group, and Yale Medicine who’ve been named Top Doctors. Their compassion, talent, and dedication are exceeded only by their tireless commitment to treating each and every patient with the greatest of care.
Yi-Hao Yu
Danbury Radiological Associates
2015 W. Main St, Stamford 203-863-3750
FAMILY MEDICINE
James K. Ahern
Copps Hill Family Medicine 77 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield 203-431-6342
Steven T. Benaderet Northeast Medical Group Family Medicine 327 Riverside Ave, Westport 203-221-3030
Jennifer Bendl
Stamford Health Medical Group
1500 Post Rd, Darien 203-655-8701
Marc E. Brodsky
Stamford Health Medical Group 75 Holly Hill Ln, Greenwich 203-276-4777
Rheumatology Norwalk 761 Main Ave, Norwalk 203-852-2290
Patrick J. Webster
Nuvance Health
Medical Practice
761 Main Ave, Norwalk 203-852-2290
SLEEP MEDICINE
Hira Bakhtiar
Nuvance Health
Medical Practice –Pulmonary Sleep & Critical Care Medicine
520 West Ave, Norwalk 203-855-3632
Zubin Bham
Bridgeport Hospital 267 Grant St, Bridgeport 203-384-5009
Christopher Manfredi
Nuvance Health
Medical Practice –Pulmonary Sleep & Critical Care Medicine 30 Stevens St, Norwalk 203-855-3888
Adil Salam
Pulmonary & Internal Medicine Associates PC 15 Corporate Dr, Trumbull 203-261-3980
Ian Weir
Nuvance Health Medical Practice –Pulmonary Sleep & Critical Care Medicine 520 West Ave, Norwalk 203-855-3632
Stasia Wieber
Yale New Haven Health –Northeast Medical Group 501 Kings Hwy E, Fairfield 203-610-8745
SPINE SURGERY
Paul Apostolides
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists
6 Greenwich Office Park, Greenwich 203-869-1145
John N. Awad Orthopaedic Specialty Group PC
305 Black Rock Tnpk, Fairfield 203-337-2600
David Bomback
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists
39 Hospital Ave, Danbury 203-744-9700
Amory J. Fiore
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists
6 Greenwich Office Park, Greenwich 203-869-1145
Jeffrey Gilligan Elite Brain & Spine of Connecticut
33 Hospital Ave, Danbury 203-792-2003
David L. Kramer
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists
39 Hospital Ave, Danbury 203-869-1145
Scott Pail Sanderson Elite Brain & Spine of Connecticut
33 Hospital Ave, Danbury 203-792-2003
SPORTS MEDICINE
Paul M. Sethi
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists
6 Greenwich Office Park, Greenwich 203-869-1145
SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
Eric Dong Nuvance Health Medical Practice 34 Maple St, Norwalk 203-852-3137
Sajid A. Khan Yale Surgical Oncology 5520 Park Ave, Trumbull 203-337-8507
Daniel Labow Nuvance Health Medical Practice –Surgical Oncology Danbury 95 Locust Ave, Danbury 203-852-3137
UROLOGY
Steven V. Kardos YNHH|Northeast Medical Group Urology 1152 Kings Hwy Cutoff, Fairfield 203-256-5500
Michael E. Karellas YNHH|Yale Urology 55 Holly Hill Ln, Greenwich 877-925-3637
Jeremy D. Kaufman Northeast Medical Group Urology 160 Hawley Ln, Trumbull 203-375-3456
Edward B. Paraiso II Northeast Medical Group Urology 160 Hawley Lane, Trumbull 203-375-3456
Robert P. Weinstein Northeast Medical Group Urology 160 Hawley Lane, Trumbull 203-375-3456
VASCULAR SURGERY
Benjamin Chandler Gold Coast Vascular Surgery 871 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield 203-309-6283
Paul J. Gagne Vascular Ct PLLC 330 Boston Post Rd, Darien 203-548-7858
Taras Kucher The Vascular Experts 85 Old Kings Hwy N, Darien 844-482-7285
Michael A. Sergi The Vascular Experts 75 Kings Hwy Cutoff, Fairfield 844-482-7285
DataJoe Research is a software and research company specializing in data collection and verification, and it conducts various nominations and research campaigns across the United States on behalf of publishers. To create the “top doctors” list, DataJoe Research facilitated an online peer-voting process, also referencing government sources. DataJoe also conducted media analysis through Internet research to factor in public perception. DataJoe then tallied the votes per category for each doctor to isolate the top nominees in each category. After collecting nominations and considering additional information from the media analysis, DataJoe checked and confirmed that each published winner had a current, active license status with the state regulatory board. If we were not able to find evidence of a doctor's current, active registration with the state regulatory board, that doctor was excluded from the list. In addition, any doctor who has been disciplined, up to the timeframe of the review process for an infraction by the state regulatory board, was excluded from the list. Finally, DataJoe presented the tallied result to the magazine for its final review and adjustments.
Final Note: We recognize there are many good doctors who are not shown in this representative list. This is only a sampling of the huge array of talented professionals within the region. Inclusion in the list is based on the opinions of responding doctors in the region and the results of our research campaign. We take time and energy to ensure fair voting, although we understand that the results of this survey nomination are not an objective metric. We certainly do not discount the fact that many, many good and effective doctors may not appear on the list.
Disclaimers: DataJoe uses best practices and exercises great care in assembling content for this list. DataJoe does not warrant that the data contained within the list are complete or accurate. DataJoe does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All rights reserved. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without written permission from DataJoe.
Questions? For research/methodology questions, contact the research team at surveys@datajoe.com.
Learn more about some of the area’s best medical professionals. On the following pages, discover more about each practice and what drives these local experts.
MEDICAL PROFILES
LYNNE M HAVEN, MD
DERMATOLOGY & LASER CENTER
DR. LYNNE HAVEN IS A BOARD CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST
in Greenwich who specializes in cosmetic dermatology and laser treatments. Dr. Haven graduated from Harvard University and received her medical degree from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. She completed her internship at Massachusetts General Hospital and her dermatology residency at New York University.
Dr. Haven strives to provide state-of-the-art skin and laser treatments in a warm, caring environment. She offers Botox, injectable fillers, Diamond Glow, and wide range of lasers including Picosure, Exel V+, Hair laser, PDT, Ultraclear, 3DMIRACL, Exomind and Emsella. Dr. Haven is one of the first physicians in the country to introduce EmFace, an innovative procedure designed to noninvasively lift and tighten. Dr. Haven says “EmFace is an exciting new non-invasive way to tighten the face. It not only builds collagen and elastin but also works on the muscle to lift and improve the overall muscle tone of the face without surgery. EmFace is a game changing technology.” Dr. Haven also offers Emsculpt Neo for body contouring which can build muscle by 25% and decrease fat by 30% after a series of treatments.
Dr. Haven is consistently ranked in the top 1% of injectors nationwide, and she personally performs 100 percent of all Botox and filler treatments. Dr. Haven was selected as one of America’s Top Cosmetic Dermatologists.
Dr. Haven believes in designing an individualized anti-aging treatment plan for each patient to ensure desirable results. With a focus on noninvasive rejuvenation, Dr.Haven helps her patients look younger and more radiant. Her expertise gained from working in private practice for more than 25 years allows her to customize each treatment session to offer optimal results to every patient. In August 2021, Dr. Haven moved into a brand-new office with state-of-the-art technology. Dr.Haven says, “Patients have plenty of privacy coming to our spacious stand-alone building-and as always, excellent personalized care.”
postscript
by
WINTER GLOW
Under the soft glow of twinkling lights and a spectacular Waveny Park sunset, a child takes their first steps on the ice—an everyday moment made extraordinary by the long community effort that brought the Boucher Community Ice Rink to life. Now in its third full season, the open-air rink has become a beloved winter gathering place where families and young friends unwind, bundle up and enjoy time together outdoors—a nostalgic nod to simpler days.