A highlight of recent events in our community
Martha Stewart Christmas Tree Lighting
On Friday December 6, Martha Stewart hosted a fabulous Christmas tree lighting at the Bedford Post Inn. Merriment flowed, as did adorably themed cocktails like a mezcal hot apple cider and mulled wine being cooked and served in an outdoor kitchen. The collaboration included Martha overseeing the holiday decorations that were erected in the Farmhouse area of the Inn, and contributing a tree cut down from her own property from her Christmas tree farm. To kick off the festivities, Martha Stewart officiated the lighting of the towering tree at dusk with a countdown, followed by joining in with local carolers for a few songs. Later on, a champagne tower surprised and delighted an onlooking crowd. Bedford & New Canaan Magazine was enlisted as the event’s media sponsor – and the most recent issue of B&NC Mag, with Martha Stewart on the cover in her Katonah home in front of her own Christmas tree, was displayed throughout the Inn.
1Marisol Maldonado, Rob Thomas, Michael Kelly, Cristi Cohen, Karyn Kelly, Ann Leary
2Sunny Harum, Ross Mathews, Wellinthon García-Mathews, Patch Darragh
3Beth Crowell, David Neville, Laura Yaggi, Christopher Gavigan
4Martha Stewart, Casey Kaplan, Jonathan Bell, Grace & Fred Bronstein
5Joey Angelo, Eric Clement, Arsha Cazazian, Illona Angelo
6Lindsay Werbitt, Cara Barrett, Renea Dayton, Tyler Drexler
7Andy Yu, John Needham, Beth Crowell, Dawn Bowman, Laura Yaggy
New Canaan Halloween Block Party
A family friendly New Canaan Tradition with trick or treating on Elm Street and music, courtesy of New Canaan’s own School of Rock.
1Sam, Amanda, and Emma Nelson and Mike Walters
2Anthony, Alexandria, Abigail, Anthony, and Collins Sillo
Mystery at the Meadowlands – Darien Community Association
Photography: Bambi Riegel
Guests enjoyed an old Hollywood Whodunit Mystery at the DCA’s Meadowlands!
1Rachel Horowitz, Hannah Pretorious, Alexa Sherpa and Julia McDonnell
2Ray DeCastro, Robyn DeCastro, Jenn Bannerton, Megan Solis, Kevin Bannerton, Rafael Solis, Katherine Type, Nicholas Type, Amy Sarbinowski, Joseph Sarbinowski
3Liz Melaugh, Kate Noble, Kathleen Leuthold, Sandy Schmidt, Kelly Andricopoulos, Meghan Shain, Caitlin Gleason, Alisson Kiss, Sarah Wood
Hard Headed Comedy @ Bedford Playhouse
Hard Headed Comedy brought an unforgettable night of laughter with a stellar line-up of comedians.
1Erin Maguire, Luz Michelle, Liz Glazer, and Oscar Collazos
Ridgefield Academy/Landmark Preschool 50th Anniversary Gala
Ridgefield Academy/Landmark Preschool celebrated their 50th anniversary on Saturday, November 2nd, at GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford Hills. Nearly 175 current and past parents, faculty, staff, and friends gathered to honor this important milestone in the school’s history. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, donors, auction winners, and attendees, more than $200,000 was raised. Event proceeds will support tuition assistance, allowing future generations of students to benefit from the personalized, comprehensive education the school has provided for five decades.
1Michael Scully, Natalie Gabathuler-Scully, Diana and Marc D’Agostino
2Back: Megan Maloney, Alysa Wakin, Alison Davis, Brittny Howell, Andrea Alvarez. Front: Elizabeth Tong, Jenny Zhang, Rachel Sondheimer, Liz Smolenack, Claudia Morgan, Jessica Brooks, Danielle Van Riper
3Jim Heus, Rachel Sondheimer, Tom Main
4Philip Van Riper, Melissa Heus, Danielle Van Riper
5Kaye Hale and Douglas Malton
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Sculpture Garden at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
On Friday, November 15th, following a yearlong construction project, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum celebrated the reopening of the Sculpture Garden with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
1Julie Phillips, Gail Gluckman, Kristina Larson
2Eric Diefenbach, Eddie Marshall, Cybele Maylone, Diana Bowes
3Gail Gluckman, Diana Bowes, Eric Diefenbach, Neil Marcus, Julie Phillips, KK Streator, Amy Pal, Kristina Larson, Cybele Maylone, Claude Amadeo
Darien Chamber’s Annual Awards & Holiday Cheer
The Darien Chamber’s Annual Awards and Holiday Cheer event, celebrating Chamber members and dedicated volunteers whose hard work and commitment make all the difference.
1Michelle Donzeiser, Amy Daniels, Brandi Maniscalco, Kesti Aysseh, Missy Dye, Jennifer Erdlen, Susan Demark
2Kesti Aysseh, Suzanne Brannan - Employee of the Year and Bill Jensen
3Hugh Demark, Jim Demark, Sue Demark, Jared Demark and Susan Demark
B&NC Wicked Party
A little good ‘ole fashioned fun! Bedford & New Canaan Magazine threw a Wicked-themed party at oHHo in Bedford followed by a private screening at the Bedford Playhouse. Costumes were strongly encouraged! To embellish the festivities, local vendors were brought in with themed activities, decor and bites. Margie Nugent, the owner of Making Faces, was quite the hit with kids and adults as she helped lots of little girls transform into the Glinda of their dreams! Dan Reardon, from Drs. Orders Baking Co created custom Glinda and Elphaba hand-decorated cookies. Cotton Candy Time spun pink and green cotton candy for everyone. And themed games and photo booths were enjoyed by all!
1Gustavo & Ela Sanabria, Casey Kaplan, Neil Schultz, Carol Kurth, Amy Wayne
2Gary & Joyce Corrigan
3Amanda Huntington, Casey Kaplan, Mike Keane
4June Hersh, Daisy & Allison London
5The Pearson Family
6Jill Brooke, David Hochberg, Stacy Geisenger
7Margie Nugent paints the face of a young party-goer
8Dan Reardon’s Drs. Orders cookies
9Casey Kaplan and Helaine Smith
10Paul Carden, Fernando Silva, Joy & Reese Gregory, Casey Kaplan, Monica Tran
The Prospector Gala at The Prospector Theater
November 20th 2024 marked the 10 year anniversary of The Prospector first opening its doors. To celebrate a decade of competitive and inclusive employment for people with disabilities, The Prospector hosted a sparkly Gala!
1Kennedy Blaire, Ryan Wenke, RJ Mitty
2EJ Greczylo and Brad Bellagamba
3Cindy Mann, Dillion Tepfer, Kris Mann
Blossom Hill’s Holiday Bazaar @ Carriage Barn Arts Center
Blossom Hill’s Holiday Bazaar showed the incredible power of women-owned businesses uniting for education and peace — strengthening their impact across 14 schools and programs.
1Rosy Nimroody, Ann Reed, Mahshid Nasseri
2Jason Bennett, Ellen Badanes, Alan Badanes, Danika landers, Lauren Nussbaum, Shiva Sarram
Wicked with Special Guest Dan Micciche at Bedford Playhouse
A sold-out screening of Wicked, featuring an exclusive discussion with Broadway’s Dan Micciche, offering insights into the musical’s legacy and its transformation from stage to screen.
1Dan Micciche and Jennifer Funigiello
New Canaan Holiday Stroll
On Friday December 6th, New Canaan kicked off the Holiday Shopping season with their annual Holiday Stroll.
1Kelsey Jensen, Quinn Jensen, Carter Jensen, Kelsey Priebe, Hunter Priebe, and Warren Priebe
2Malcolm Willis, Hilary Willis, Finley Willis, and Hudson Willis
3Abby Stinchfield, Bea Stinchfield, Oliver Dennis, and Andy Stinchfield
4Lance Munger, Wesley Munger, Jack Loop and Paula Loop
Person 2 Person Annual Holiday Toy Store
On December 12th, Person 2 Person held its annual “Holiday Toy Store,” in Darien, ensuring its clients have gifts for their children during this special time of year. The event was made possible thanks to the kindness of local residents and businesses who donated toys, books, board games, gift cards, and money!
1Chantal Huskins, Jeff Boulanger & Elyse Miller
2Front: Cecilia Huss, M’Liss Conetta, Amy Gold & Martha Parizot. Back: Cathy de Graaff, Lisa Koorbusch, Jeremy Leone, Liz DeCanio & Judy Marzen
3Daniel Lopez, M’Liss Conetta & Zoraida (Zory) Cabrera
5th Annual Peppermint Parade in Katonah
Santa Claus came to Katonah on a sleigh on a truck, escorted by vintage cars and the Katonah Fire Department. This was the 5th Annual Peppermint Parade put on by the Katonah Chamber of Commerce and was co-sponsored by the Katonah Village Improvement Society.
1Grace Amerling, Stephanie Scott, Cormac Lio, Eileen Sullivan, Frankie Cuiffo, Teryn Kendall, Meghan Crystal and Eleanor Hershey
2Chase and Hailey Peterson
3The parade
Westchester Land Trust Winter Open House
Westchester Land Trust hosted a Winter Open House at its Sugar Hill Farm headquarters in Bedford Hills on Thursday, December 12. Dozens of supporters, Board members, volunteers, and community members gathered for a warm and festive evening. There was a volunteer appreciation ceremony to recognize the many people that help with the land trust’s work.
1Doug Mancinelli, Rosemary Mancinelli, Tim Murphy
2Susan Leighton, Allison Turcan, Ellen Best & Lisa Cohn
Mather Homestead Fall Harvest Festival
The Mather Homestead sixth annual Fall Harvest Festival welcomed families for old fashioned fun on October 26.
1The Noble Family
2Jessica, Cliff, Quint and Tuck Merrill
3Zara Hardy, Mari Finn, Rob Hardy, and kids
North Salem Open Land Foundation 50th Anniversary Celebration
300 members and guests gathered at Staysail Farm, celebrating 50 years of land conservation. NSOLF accepted the NY State Senate 2024 Empire Award and was also able to secure funding for the next Preserve — 168 acres of land in North Salem!
1Hilary and Paraic Sweeney, Roberta DiBlasi
2Ken Lippmann, Lydia Hatch, Lois Lippmann, Duncan Dayton
3Michael Handler, Anita Zander, Robert Kotch, Debora Handler, Elizabeth Almeyda
4Shari Soward, Elizabeth Almeyda, Teri Mendelsohn, Pete Harckham, Pam Pooley, Peter Kamenstein, John Baker, Carol Goldberg, Warren Lucas, Ken Jenkins
WOMB Music Project Sips Sounds & Ceremony
The event raised awareness about Serenity Music Org and the WOMB Music Project, a compilation album to aid in the birthing process and to help create a calming sensory experience in environments where women are healing from womb trauma and PPD.
1Lee Triffon, Jacqueline Paolino Gadigian, Kory LaFalce Farzam, Arielle Kebbel
2024 Katonahween Parade!
The KVIS Katonahween Parade in Katonah, New York was a spooky success! From creative costumes to festive fun, the community brought the Halloween magic. Huge thanks to everyone who joined in and made it unforgettable. An estimated 800 people filled Katonah Ave.
1Clockwise: Ben Thielen, Garrett Thielen, Helena Thielen, Brittany Lowrey
The Game’s Afoot
Bedford Playhouse presented Ken Ludwig’s thrilling mystery-comedy The Game’s Afoot, where murder and intrigue disrupted a festive weekend at a Broadway star’s castle.
1Trent Dawson, Josh Pickel, Ann Alford, Isabel Murphy, Cristi Andrews, Trey Ellett, Edward Watts, and Jessica Capshaw
Nature Center Winter Wonderland 2024
The New Canaan Nature Center transformed into a Winter Wonderland filled with fun holiday activities for the entire family! There were photos with Santa, a Holiday Model Trains exhibit, marshmallow roasting, crafts, and more.
1Lindsey, Emma and Charlie Daily
2Lauren, Brian and Trey Queally
3Ed, Jennifer, Rhodes and Collins Notebaert
BRLA Tinsel Trot
Over 50 holiday-themed riders and BRLA families and friends gathered along Bisbee Lane and Succabone Road for some spirited FA LA LA for the 2nd annual BRLA Tinsel Trot. Culminating at the Sutton Clocktower, the horse processional and crowds enjoyed hot cocoa courtesy of MAST Market.
1Thalia Stamatelos, Arsha Cazazian, Eric Clement, Meghan Carleton, Milly Young
2Julia Fosina and Renzo Tapia
3Muffin Dowdle and George D’Ambrosio
Ridgefield Playhouse Fall Gala with Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton
Ridgefield Playhouse held their Fall 2024 Gala featuring Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton. Attendees experienced interactive art and a full concert by Elvis Costello, all while raising funds for the Playhouse.
1Steve Ross, Ashley Paltauf, Patti Ross, Lori Berisford
2Peter Tauck, Shereen Abdel-Meguid
“The Space We Exist In” Opening Heather Gaudio
Curated by Ghanaian-American curator Larry Ossei-Mensah, the exhibition brings together seven visual artists exploring how space is shaped by human experience. On view through January 18th.
1Heather Gaudio, Rachael Palacios, Larry Ossei-Mensah, Clara Nartey, Deborah Dancy, Kim Dacres, Patrick Alston and Christine Romaniello
Murder Mystery Dinner - Jacob Burns Film Center
Held in the Jane Peck Gallery at JBFC, all proceeds went to their film and education programs. All were dressed in period attire with prizes for best costume, best guess, worst guess, and more!
1Lisa Levinger and Nelson Louie
2Carolyn Kennedy, John Kennedy, Christopher & Christina G
Merry Mather at the Mather Homestead
Photography: Katherine Calderwood
The Mather Homestead Foundation celebrated the holiday season and the generosity of their donors with a holiday event in the Elizabeth W. Chilton Center which included a performance by the Soundwaves, Darien High School’s a cappella group.
1Eliot Jacobs, Phillip Jacobs, Lisa Thorén, Peter Thorén, Heather Raker
2Kevin Gray, Adria Bates, Janet Olmsted, Jonathan Olmsted, Joellyn Gray
3Ania Janis, Cliff Merrill, Michael Janis, Jessica Merrill
Shine Bright Bedford
Photography: Peter T Michaelis
An event that was fun for all featuring the Tree & Menorah lighting, caroling, luminary display, holiday market and Fezziwigs at the 1787 Court House and an appearance by Santa!
1Poppy Gavigan, Chase Hyland, Maggie Eleck
2The Fox Lane Foxtones
3Liz Hallock and Alix Lamotte
4The NEW Bedford Village Christmas Tree
5Shine Bright Luminary Display on the Bedford Village Green
Mather Homestead Workshop: Holiday Greenery
The Mather Homestead kicked off the Christmas season with their Wreath Making Workshop. Guests created beautiful wreaths using natural greens and assorted baubles while sipping on champagne and nibbling on goodies from Saucy Spoon.
1Britney Bazlawski, Haley Cozza, Laura Lynch
2Claudia Sheehan, Alison Feeley, Amy Keating, Joann Corney, Lyle Carter, Gayle Appleby
Merry Meadowlands: A Holiday Home and Market - Darien Community Association
Photography: Riegel Picture Works
The fundraiser saw the historic nonprofit decorated by Browne & Co, The Linen Shop, Nielsen’s, and Palmer’s Market. Local shops were open while guests mingled and shopped.
1Sarah Lyden, Lisa Frye, Margaret Arrix, Debbie Murray, Karen Elders
2Kelly Lesko, Heidi Heaney, Laurie Waldron, Stacy Book and Susan Graham
3Jocelyn Kaoutzanis, Caroline Jennings, Lauren Stever, Joana Nassa, Jenn Garcia-Alonso
4Meg Hetherington, Emily Chard, Lis Drew
As featured in the January/February 2025 issue of Bedford & New Canaan Magazine