Inspired by the soulful sounds of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, 88 Keys on Main—an upscale piano bar and cafe that recently opened in Watertown—lures patrons back into a bygone era exuding dazzle and glamour.
Known as the Golden Age of Capitalism, the 1950s marked unprecedented economic growth and a culturally social time of sophistication and style, notes owner Ralph DelBuono, a self-described old soul whose lifelong dream has been to open an entertainment venue capturing the essence of this decade.
“88 Keys on Main wishes to preserve this distinctive experience,” assures DelBuono, who opened Connecticut’s newest retro lounge in October, in partnership with Tom Daddona andJohn Orsini. “There is no other place like it in this area. It’s a unique establishment that encompasses a special night out.”
With lavish chandeliers, elegant leather sofas, a baby grand piano, a curated menu, and expertly crafted signature cocktails, 88 Keys offers a perfect taste of old Las Vegas magic.
“It is a fun, intimate throwback to the Marilyn Monroe era,” he adds. “You’d swear Frank, Sammy, and the rest of the Rat Pack designed it.”
Old world tin ceilings, custom-made decor, and mid-century furnishings create a space that is warm, comfortable, and opulent, DelBuono notes. Small plate dining selections include meat and cheese charcuterie platters, jumbo shrimp cocktail, cast iron meatballs, deviled eggs, and seasonal paninis and flatbread pizzas. Indulgent desserts include limoncello sorbet flute, lemon olive oil cake, cheesecake, and chocolate hazelnut gelato.
Keeping with the Rat Pack cocktail culture, the drink list features bourbons, vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and wines morphed into specialty drinks like Not So Espresso Martini, the Rat Pack Pink, Hey Mambo, Locked and Loaded, and Ocean’s 11.
88 Keys is open Wednesday through Saturday nights from 5pm to close, closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and open Sundays only for private events. All reservations are made online. Dining table, sofas, and retro chairs on live music evenings are by reservation-only, with two scheduled seatings: the first beginning at 6:30pm and the second at 9pm. The bar area is for planned and spontaneous gatherings.
Like the Rat Pack transformed Las Vegas, Ralph, Tommy, and Johnny are doing it their way, adding swagger and glamour to Watertown, so whatever the occasion, dress to impress and head out for an unforgettable experience. —88keyspianobar.com
For years I would drive by the large white clapboard inn on Main Street South in Woodbury and think “Gee, I should go there for lunch.” But friends warned me off, saying the old place had seen better days. Well, that was then. Better days have returned. Today under chef and owner Michael Bates-Walsh the rechristened 1754 House is cooking some of the best food in Litchfield County.
A native Vermonter, Bates-Walsh had long had his eye on the property. “I’m an old New England guy and I fell in love with its old New England charm.” The building, parts of which date back to 1733 but which is believed to have first opened as an inn in 1754, has been renovated and has retained many of its historical details. The overall effect is an atmosphere that is light and airy, embodying a style that might be dubbed Colonial Cool.
Jim Henkens
Clearly it is more than the décor that is drawing the crowds. On a recent visit the bar and tables were filled with patrons happily eating and drinking. A glance at the menu shows why. Not only are the offerings pleasantly diverse but also the prices are reasonable. But what really makes 1754 special is the food you get for your money. For the most part, this is a place for hungry eaters, where you could have a Martini, a shrimp cocktail followed by steak frites, all washed down by a decent California Cabernet. Or, as I did, wood-fired pork loin served with parsnip/potato purée over roasted root vegetables. This is solid American cooking but with just enough panache to make you realize a few bites in that it might be one of the best meals you’ve eaten in a while. And if you really want to indulge yourself, book one of the nine upstairs rooms, and have a snifter or two of cognac.
Book ahead for special Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve events.
Passing On the Tradition of Collecting with Dixie DeLuca
By Nancy McMillan
Dixie DeLuca inherited a passion for collecting from both her parents. Because of her father’s love of Dickens, shown in his leather-bound volumes, the family enjoyed a performance of A Christmas Carol every year. In 1984, her mother Jean Sullivan, an avid collector herself, could not resist adding Department 56’s new Dickens’ Village Series to their holiday traditions.
Sari Goodfriend
A native New Englander transplanted to Houston by marriage, Sullivan is a devoted fan of “decking the halls” during the holiday season. She installed the first Dickens’ Village on top of an upright piano. The ceramic pieces, handmade and hand-painted, feature interior lighting in the miniature buildings. Each year, the set grew until it covered the grand piano; a card table handled the overflow. Today, the set consumes two weeks in assembly and fills a ping-pong table.
DeLuca recalls how she and her two siblings would “race home from school to see the progress. We all wanted to live there; it looked so cozy.”
Sullivan kept New England traditions alive for her children. Every summer she packed them up for an “antiques road trip.” They traveled to New England then down to Florida, stopping to peruse American furniture, silver, leather-bound books, Persian rugs, and antique china. In Florida, DeLuca, the budding collector, assisted her grandmother in her antique store, cleaning and restoring items. “I loved seeing things come to life.”
Sari Goodfriend
When DeLuca and her husband David bought their 1834 Greek Revival home in New Milford, “Americana looked best in our stone home and collecting became a way to decorate it,” she says. The couple have diverse tastes—American glass, pewter, redware, early New England furniture, Staffordshire transferware, and folk art—and have traveled the world gathering treasures.
“We have met the most wonderful people, including experts in their fields. Although we have never displayed our collections publicly, groups have visited our home to view them.”
Sari Goodfriend
DeLuca admits to an obsession with tabletop designs, which she loves to mix and match, and seasonal decorations. On the day I visited, a glorious tree festooned with ornaments from around the globe held a place of honor in her home. “The Dickens’ Village feels very much at home in our Connecticut living room surrounded by a Mexican creche, Three Wise Men from Spain, Venetian ornaments, and mantelpiece trees from Vienna and the Dominican Republic,” DeLuca says.
The Dickens’ set found its way from Texas to Connecticut in 2010 when DeLuca’s parents downsized. Its first public display took place in 2021 at the Judy Black Memorial Park and Garden in Washington Depot, where the ceramic buildings glowed against their snowy padding, making it look, as DeLuca said as a child, cozy and inviting.
Sari Goodfriend
“We display, view, and share our collections within the privacy of our homes because it gives us pleasure. It was a true joy to see my mother delight in sharing a lifelong passion with all who visited. We were warmed to hear people say they were now inspired to resurrect their own holiday collections for their young children.”
Supporting our Local Non-Profits Especially During the Holiday Season
In Litchfield County it truly does take a village…and in each village there are organizations that help people and animals in our community every day. These organizations need our help in a range of ways. Of course, there are numerous food pantries, land trusts, schools, arts organizations, pet shelters, and libraries that are always in need which are not listed. Feel free to reach out to see how you can contribute.
ASAP!
ASAP! is a social profit organization reaching families of diverse backgrounds from over 100 different towns. Founded in 1999, their mission is to foster creative, hands-on learning through the arts. Their programs provide opportunities for children and adults from all walks of life. —asap.org
ASAP!
Steep Rock Association
Steep Rock Association protects property with high conservation or passive recreational value. They currently manage over 5,500 acres of land which promotes healthy and functioning ecosystems, preserving working lands, protecting natural resources, and offering recreational opportunities. —steeprockassoc.org
Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust
Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust saves open space and protects the valuable natural resources of Woodbury and surrounding area towns in the county. They play an active role in identifying opportunities for preserving more land in the future. —flandersnaturecenter.org
Animal Welfare Society
Animal Welfare Society has been a refuge for cats and dogs since 1965. Each year AWS rescues hundreds of animals in our local communities and provides loving care and veterinary services. They offer refuge to homeless and abandoned dogs and cats and place them in loving, responsible homes. —aws-shelter.org
Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition
Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition is a nationally recognized model for scientific investigation, municipal assistance, stakeholder collaboration, community education, and volunteer engagement. They promote the use of science and education to maintain and ensure the availability of high quality water in the Pomperaug Watershed communities. —pomperaug.org
FISH/Friends in Service to Humanity of NWCT
‘Tis the season, yet FISH serves our region’s homeless at the FISH Shelter (35 beds—families, individuals, and vets) and meets the food needs of the hungry at the FISH Food Pantry (643 families) year round. Support is greatly appreciated! Located in Torrington. —fishnwct.com
FISH
Helping Hands for Wildlife
Helping Hands for Wildlife devotes their time, energy, and hearts to give native wildlife a second chance after they are injured or orphaned, and releasing them back into the wild in their natural habitat when they are ready for a second chance at life. —helpinghandsforwildlife.org
Helping Hands for Wildlife
Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals
Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals provides access to effective and affordable mental health services in Litchfield County, easing the stress of emotional, behavioral, and psychological issues by providing one-on-one assessments to match people to the resources that can help .—greenwoodsreferrals.org
Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals
JP Farm Animal Sanctuary
A safe haven for rescued farmed animals. Their mission is to serve as a place of joy and peace for these animals; inspire compassionate living; seed a spirit of kindness for all farmed animals through sharing the stories of the sanctuary’s resident ambassadors; and to provide a place of connection where visitors can come to know animals more deeply.—jpfarmsanctuary.org
JP Farm Animal Sanctuary
Women’s Support Services
Domestic violence affects individuals from all backgrounds. WSS creates a community free of domestic violence and abuse. Donations to this nonprofit go towards staffing the 24-hour hotline; providing emergency shelter, counseling, and safety planning; offering support groups and legal advocacy; as well as teaching violence prevention education for students. —wssdv.org
Women’s Support Services
Food Rescue US/NWCT
Food Rescue’s mission to fill plates, not landfills is alive and well in the Northwest corner. A trio of moving parts, including 39 donors,130 volunteers, and 28 food pantries, are working together to feed the 20,000 people in Litchfield County who are currently food insecure. —foodrescue.us
Food Rescue
Loaves and Fishes Hospitality House
‘Feed the hungry, empower the weak, nourish the soul’ has been the inspiration behind New Milford’s Loaves and Fishes for more than three decades. They have been open for a daily meal every day of every year since 1984 thanks to a team of dedicated and faithful volunteers. —loavesandfishesofnewmilford.org
Susan B. Anthony Project
Susan B. Anthony Project provides crisis and support services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Give the gift of safety, healing, and growth this holiday season by supporting their efforts on behalf of all survivors. —sbaproject.org
Susan B. Anthony Project
Litchfield County Creating Hope Corp
LCCH is a nonprofit organization focused on helping those affected by suicide and bringing awareness to mental health issues. Currently they financially assist families who have been affected by suicide and are working on providing scholarships/grants to those furthering their education focusing on mental health. All donations stay in Connecticut! —lcchcorp.org
“Creating something that is universally beautiful. That is art.”
The man behind those words was Tokyo-born Shu Uemura, who created an internationally-renowned luxury Japanese brand that revolutionized the world of hair. An extensive line of ethically-sourced products is encapsulated in translucent bottles showcasing light, artistic typography, and “rare, precious, natural ingredients outsourced from Japan.”
It is a true story of art meets beauty meets science meets environmental soundness—and it perfectly embodies Byrde + the b.
“In my 30-plus-year styling career, I have never seen anyone’s hair so soft and bouncy after just one shampoo or hair mask,” declares Scott Bond, owner and head stylist at Byrde + the b, an award-winning full-service luxury salon and art gallery in Washington Depot. “The silkiness and shine are beyond anything I have ever seen.”
Impressed by unparalleled results, Byrde + the b now exclusively uses and offers only its products and Shu Uemura, acquired by L’Oréal in 2007. When entrusted to carry the brand, Byrde + the b joined an elite group of only 350 salons in the United States and one of six in Connecticut.
“Byrde + the b is rated A+ in the industry,” explains Catherine Ouellet, business development manager for Shu Uemura Art of Hair. “It’s in the 1 percent of the top 1 percent of salons in the country; truly the best of the best.”
Bond similarly praises Shu Uemura.
“Results are instant,” affirms Bond. “It’s a multi-sensorial brand: you see and feel the difference. Everything smells incredible and lingers, but not in an overpowering way. It’s also the only line when I have used conditioner on fine hair without problems.” Supporting the products’ superiority are seven pillars, each incorporating three levels of care to fulfill different hair needs: nourishing shampoos, conditioners, and treatment masques; some also contain leave-in products, including restorative oils and styling aids, explains Ouellet.
From the soft waves of tsuki shape texturizing spray, to the light bubbles of awa volumizing mousse, to the kaze wave that represents the curl mousse’s weightless finish, the brand stays loyal to the art of wabi—finding beauty and inspiration from natural sources.
Color Lustre is infused with healing musk rose oil and goji berries, renowned in Asia as the most concentrated natural source of antioxidants. Harvested by shaking a tree to avoid crushing them, the berry extract protects hair from oxidation and color fade.
Yubi Blonde—fueled by white peonies symbolizing purity and Japanese traditional beauty—benefits platinum or silver hair. Rich in Vitamin D, the flowers are cherished for their moisturizing powers. Committed to responsible sourcing, selective and sustainable breeding spans 15 years, enabling continuous blooms cared for by farmers who harvest by hand only in May and June, and leave half the flowers unused.
Influenced by the blending of Haigo art, such expertly-crafted formulas are art palettes in the hands of hair stylists who use the color-coded, highly-customizable collection to achieve exquisite results for clients.
“Gorgeous tresses and timeless art are always in season, and you’ll make the holidays extra special by giving someone the gift of beautiful hair,” Bond states. —byrdeandtheb.com
A historic Colonial Gets Dressed Up for the Holidays
By Zachary Schwartz
In 2011, Elizabeth Garber Daniels was living in New York City and looking for a weekend holiday home with character in Litchfield County. Frederick A.P. Barnard’s historic home was the first house she toured, and it instantly checked all the boxes.
John Gruen
Barnard, Columbia College’s tenth president and the coeducation advocate who Barnard College was named after, built his Litchfield summer home in 1886. Situated proudly on North Street, the home is located just outside of Litchfield town along the thoroughfare of similarly magnificent Colonial homes. Notably, it is also located directly across the street from the Forman School, where Garber Daniels attended as a student.
John Gruen
The home changed hands many times over a century, and in 2011, Garber Daniels became the tenth documented owner. Just three months later, she married her husband and hosted the wedding reception at their new residence. “I never lived in a historic house, and I always wanted to. I love the character of an old house,” says Garber Daniels. The five-bedroom Colonial, with its white façade, black shutters, brick chimneys, and top floor balcony made a dreamy setting for an autumn wedding.
John Gruen
Garber Daniels is uniquely suited for ownership of a historic home, given her family’s architecture practice and her own professional background at Williams Sonoma Home. Her brother, Cincinnati-based architect Tom Garber, worked on the home and drew architecture plans. “During the architectural remodel, we used so much architectural salvage that we found in the attic. When I reconfigured the bedrooms, I just had to go shopping for extra crown moldings in the attic,” says Garber Daniels. For additional inspiration, her mother chronicled historic details of the Litchfield home, including census records, articles about Barnard, and old photographs of the home.
John Gruen
As for interior design, Garber Daniels blended colorful modernity with meaningful antiques. “The house is a mixture of family heirlooms from my mother and grandmother in Cincinnati that I mixed with furniture from when I used to run the flagship store of Williams Sonoma Home in New York City.”
John Gruen
Nowhere is this amalgam of old and new more evident than the living room. Above the fireplace is an orange and yellow Marshall Noice painting, opposite a glossy red Michael Barrett sculpture, and adjacent to Garber Daniels’ grandfather’s 1939 watercolor paintings. Another example of coherently juxtaposed designs include an Hermès riding saddle hanging on the foyer banister across from vintage Vanity Fair illustrations under original dentil moldings.
John Gruen
The dining room is a particularly dramatic forum for holiday parties. Above the dining room table hangs a Michael Marra Chandelini martini glass chandelier, adding a luminescent twinkle of grandeur to the custom French countryside scenic wallpaper. “We do a fair amount of entertaining. I have a huge pantry full of all sorts of china, crystal, and place settings for entertaining. I can do all sorts of seasons and themes,” says Garber Daniels. During the holidays, the family assembles two Christmas trees in the corners, each decorated with London and Paris-themed ornaments, two of Elizabeth’s favorite cities. Following dinner and DIY cocktails, it’s not uncommon for dinner guests to amble over to nearby Litchfield town for continued holiday jubilation. Holiday home rings true in every sense of the word.
Goods and Services for Spreading Joy to You and Yours This Season
This year, you might still be giddy about the return to holiday normalcy—Bring on the trappings and tidings! Or, maybe you’re surprised (panicked?) it’s here again so soon—Is there a sensible way to scale this back? Either way, creative purveyors and experience-makers from across Litchfield County (and beyond) have lined up unique goods and services for spreading joy to you and yours this season. [Sponsored]
By Brandee Coleman Gilmore
The Season to Shine
The salon shampoo experience is hard to top—every-thing smells scrumptious, and leaves your hair look-ing and feeling otherworldly. This holiday, luxe salon Byrde + the b suggests treating your holiday honey to that luxurious salon feeling right in their own shower, with a Shu Uemura trio. This best-kept-secret for beautiful, healthy, shiny hair hails from Japan, and is a favorite of supermodels. They’ll help you hand pick perfect products for a stress-free experience. $156
For the person who spends winter on the slopes (or simply surviving the local temps), 3 Guys Ski & Ride is where to get gear. They stock, of course, skis and boards, but also rugged apparel for men and women. This season, they love the ladies Highlander Jacket by Marmot. Its body-skimming down silhouette fits great under a shell, or can be worn every day as an outer jacket. $225
During the digital age and the dead of winter, many of us appreciate an opportunity to unplug with a good book. You can check off your list with a range of best sellers at House of Books in Kent. Your nephew’s not a reader? No problem. They’ve got fun stocking stuffers and extras, too, like pens, toys, candles, and notebooks! If you aren’t sure whether they’ll like the latest novel or a gripping piece of nonfiction—go with the gift card. $5-40
Your furry friends need to have their stockings stuffed, too. Depot Dog Boutique is your source for all things pet wellness, carrying everything from leashes and toys to sweaters and snacks. This season, they also stock a selection of horse blanket coats by Canine Styles, made to keep your doggos warm and stylish. $100-135
Today’s high-end sports cars are so good, so capable, there’s simply no way to explore their limits on the street. Owners often can’t resist the opportunity to drive them as they’re meant to be driven. The Lime Rock Drivers Club offers a “ticket-free” opportunity to run your ride without speed limits. Whether you’re experienced or a total novice, you can purchase four hours of track time that includes in-car coaching by world class professionals. $750+
It’s hard to go wrong with high-class hooch—especial-ly when it’s locally crafted. Litchfield Distillery doesn’t disappoint this year with its holiday release of a lus-cious Rum-finished Bourbon Whiskey, bottled at 100 proof. The five-year-old Connecticut-grown bourbon rests an additional seven months in South American rum casks to bring out notes of caramelized sugar, with hints of molasses and dark fruits. The bottle comes in a classy wooden box with two rocks glasses, and is available at several local retailers. $89.95
The holidays are all about toys—even for the grown up girls and boys in your life. No quarters are required in this 60-game tabletop arcade unit, available for delivery from Encore Billiards & Gameroom. It features classics like Pacman, Space Invaders, and Donkey Kong for one or two players. You just plug it in and play… until your screen time is up. Made in the USA, and also available as a cocktail table or upright unit. $1795+
After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, settling in for some self-care would be the best gift. The Spa at Litchfield Hills has the perfect holiday treat: their limited edition spa package includes a 50-minute Cause+Medic CBD Massage, an OSEA Organic Spa Facial, a Spa Pedicure, and Spa Manicure. Let your loved one usher in 2023 with professional pamper-ing. Gift certificates can be purchased online, over the phone, or in-store. In-store pickup or shipping available. $430
Newcomer Plaid Rooster Co. is sleigh-ing the soy candle space, boasting fresh scents and small batches hand-poured in Litchfield County. Launched in the doldrums of 2020, their mission is to awaken the senses (cue the rooster) with only the finest natural, non-toxic ingredients. This holiday’s bestseller is their ‘Lump of Coal Fire Bowl’, a hand-carved wood dough bowl filled with American-grown soy wax. It’s infused with a rich smoky fragrance, and nestled in reflective black glass. $44
Holidays are the traditional time to send warm wishes, but expressing kind thoughts in a note is never out of season. Sumptuous stationery makes for a lovely yet practical gift, and D.K. Schulman in New Preston has all you’d want. This season, they have a new collection of scallop-cut note cards from Gros-venor Stationery Co. of London. The edges are hand-painted, and the scallop-cut carries to the envelopes. You can also literally wrap up your shopping here with the curated selection of housewares, jewelry, ‘gifts for him,’ and wrapping services. $70/set of 10
for the ‘Whimsical Wonderland’ holiday gift shop, hosted by the Washington Art Association & Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday November 25 to December 24. Designer and artist, Paige Boller, chairs this year’s events. Kick off the weekends every Friday from 5-6:30pm with a ‘Jingle & Mingle.’ Have a little holiday cheer over cocktails with your friends and neighbors, and keep an eye out for a special surprise! Return on Saturdays for TAX-FREE shopping on one-of-a-kind offerings by local artists and artisans.
Sinatra sang, “The charm of you is comparable to a Christmas tree with toys.” This season, you can literally charm your significant other with a line of 18-karat gold, jeweled charms designed exclusively for Hays Worthington in New Preston. Create a unique gift bracelet recalling all those special moments of life. If you haven’t ever popped in to ogle the other eye candy on display at this fine and period jeweler, you’re in for a colorful treat. Open Thursday – Sunday, 11:30 – 5 pm.
The gingerbread tradition at The Silo began with the late Ruth Henderson, a native of Germany, where gingerbread originated in the 16th century.
By Elizabeth Maker
Of all the countless Christmas traditions, few are as family-interactive, creative, aromatic, and tasty as making your own gingerbread houses.
This Thanksgiving weekend at The Silo at Hunt Hill Farm in New Milford, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, you can sign up for a class with local legend Nancy Stuart, head of The Silo Cooking School, and decorate a pre-constructed gingerbread house with “a crazy assortment of tons of candy” and vanilla icing, Stuart says. Walk into the warm, rustic, creaky barn with a 22-foot-tall Christmas tree, and your senses are infused with the spirit of the season.
“Even though I make the houses ahead of time, I make sure to have fresh sheets of gingerbread cooking in the oven when people show up, so they get the full aroma,” Stuart says. “Then, they can cut out gingerbread people or make additions to their house with it.”
Prepping for gingerbread season is year-round, Stuart says. “I’m constantly hitting up the stores for buy-one-get-one-free candy. The store clerks must think I’m a candy addict.” Bowls are set before guests, full of gum drops, M&M’s, candy canes, Hershey kisses, peppermint bark, Fruit Loops, Kit Kat bars, Smarties, Necco wafers, Snow Caps, pretzels, Lifesavers, licorice, raisins, coconut flakes, shredded wheat, “I mean, it’s endless,” she says. The houses can be as wild and whimsical, or tightly-engineered as the creator desires. “Some people like to have it all symmetrical and purposeful; others go crazy and put stuff everywhere.”
The gingerbread tradition at The Silo began with the late Ruth Henderson, a native of Germany, where gingerbread originated in the 16th century. Henderson and her late husband, Skitch Henderson, founder of The New York Pops, opened The Silo in 1972, and “the place quickly became the Valhalla for Christmas lovers,” says Alessandro Piovezahn, chairman of the board of directors for the Hunt Hill Farm Trust, Inc., which oversees The Silo.
“We want to keep the Henderson’s magical love of Christmas alive, and that’s what we’re doing, especially now that we have the gingerbread queen, Nancy Stuart, back,” Piovezahn says, watching the chef bustle around the kitchen of the prestigious cooking school that has drawn denizens of celebrity chefs to teach classes through the years, including Martha Stewart and Jacques Pepin.
Stuart, a Bridgewater native, started working at The Silo in 1988, but left five years ago during transitional times with management. “It took me 16 months to convince her to come back,” says Piovezahn, “and here she is. Just look at that sparkle in her eye, that expression of pure joy! She completely embodies Ruth’s enchanted spirit.”
The playful, sassy Stuart tells Piovezahn to “be quiet and get back to work.”
The gingerbread classes are scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend, November 25, 26 and 27, from 1 to 4 pm. Children and adults are welcome. It is suggested that guests team up in two’s, rather than have large groups working on one house. The cost is $100 per house. To register
A typical day for Madeline Smith includes playing nine holes of golf, an hour of tennis, kayaking around Lake Waramaug, and walking two miles through Hidden Valley Preserve in Washington. In winter, it’s indoor tennis in Kent, yoga with friends, cross-country skiing through Steep Rock and line dancing in New Milford.
Smith is 97. She turns 98 on December 13. She’s never used a cane, walker, or wheelchair. She doesn’t wear glasses. All of her joints, bones, and bottom teeth are “the original make and model,” she says with her signature rosy-red-lipstick smile. She washes, cuts, and colors her own hair, manicures her own nails, cleans her own apartment—all three floors—and does her own laundry and gardening. “The only time I’ll get my nails done is if I’m going to be traveling, which I’m about to be doing a lot of.”
It was late October, and Smith was offering guests coffee and pastries at her Bee Brook Crossing apartment, contemplating what to do for Christmas. “I have three children, and they’re all vying for me to visit them;” a son in North Carolina, a son in Arizona, and a daughter in California.
“Christmas was always so special,” she says, remembering the 55-acre farm where she and her family lived since 1965 on Scofield Hill Road in Washington. “We’d always have a big Christmas Eve dinner and mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Washington. Then my husband and I would stay up all night wrapping presents. We went crazy with gifts for the kids!”
She recalls her days traveling the globe as a Pan Am stewardess from 1946-1951 and her romance with pilot Charles Smith. “We fell in love and were married within six months. I had to leave my job because back then girls had to retire if they got married!”
Her husband died in 1989, “and that’s the only time in my life I have been stressed or depressed,” she says. “I don’t dwell on myself. I don’t have a computer, I don’t have email. That way, I can sleep at night!”
Sari Goodfriend
Smith has been a Lake Waramaug Country Club member since 1971, and has become a legend with her impressive sports scores and effervescent love of life. “Once when Madeline was 90, she said, ‘you know? I’ve never swum out to the dock,’” says club beach manager, Mo Van Moffaert, one of her closest friends. “So we swam out to the dock. Then she said, ‘I’ve never been on a kayak.’ So we went kayaking. She hasn’t stopped since.’”
Van Moffaert shares the same birthday as Smith, December 13, “except I’m 35 years younger, but you’d never know it, the way she goes. She’s always dressed to the nines: high heels, gorgeous dresses, gold jewelry. But at the same time, she’s humble and kind. A real class act.”
Club tennis pro, Dillon Sullivan, says his daily highlight is hitting balls with Smith. “We usually hit for an hour. She won’t miss. She’s incredibly consistent. Then she’ll go play nine holes of golf. She literally turns heads.”
Her secret? “I take a multivitamin, a biotin, a zinc, and a blood pressure pill every day. I eat everything! When my daughter comes, we make batches of soup from veggies in my garden, and freeze them so I can eat soup all winter.”
When Smith turned 80, her friends gave her a 14-karat-gold tennis racket charm for her necklace. When she turned 90, they gave a gold tennis ball charm. “They keep saying, ‘wait until your 100th birthday!’ What do you think I’ll get? A golden golf club?”
Regional Hospice Offers Personalized Care at New Milford Hospital
By Pamela Brown
When my dad was facing the end of his life, my family and I wanted him to spend it in a place near our home in Danbury that offered around-the-clock medical attention accompanied by personalized care and compassion. Until his last breath, the Center for Comfort Care & Healing at Regional Hospice of Danbury provided that tender loving care. Now the nonprofit is opening its arms to the Litchfield County community through New Milford Hospital.
“Hospice is an actual philosophy. It’s about giving the patient everything they need in order for them to die with dignity and compassion, and allowing them to have the journey be exactly as they need it to be,” says ToniAnn Marchione, LRT, (M) BS, COO of Regional Hospice, a nonprofit organization based in Danbury.
Regional Hospice has partnered with Nuvance Health to provide personalized care to adult patients with life-limiting illnesses at New Milford Hospital. In July they unveiled two newly renovated private suites. “Relationships such as this one with Regional Hospice allows for the most compassionate, respectful, and efficient care for those at the end of their lives. It’s one more way we are innovating, partnering, and ultimately improving how we care for our patients no matter the stage of health or illness,” says Sharon Adams, President of Danbury and New Milford Hospitals.
Bryan Haeffle (Left: ToniAnn Marchione, LRT (M) BS Chief Health Operating Officer & Compliance Officer, Regional Hospice; Right: Deborah Bailor, BSN, RN, BA Director Patient Care Services, New Milford Hospital)
The two newly-designed suites each include hospice beds for easier mobility, a soothing color scheme, gentle lighting, and sleeper sofas to accommodate loved ones for overnight stays. “We tried to make it as peaceful and comforting as possible,” says Marchione. Both rooms are located at the end of a hall and adjacent is a living room for family with comfortable couches and chairs for private relaxation.
New Milford Hospital staff has been trained in specialized hospice education and will provide 24/7 physician and nursing care. Family members will be supported by Hospice’s interdisciplinary staff of registered nurses, aides, bereavement counselors, social workers, chaplains, trained volunteers, and specialized therapists.
“At our center in Danbury oftentimes we have a wait list, which is one of the most difficult things for me, Cynthia [Roy, President and CEO of Hospice], and our staff. It’s painful for us because not everybody makes it here,” says Marchione. “Adding these beds at New Milford Hospital coincided with our strategy over the next few years, which is to expand the compassionate care we offer, in the Center and in the community, further into Litchfield County.”
No one ever wants to lose someone important to them, but I’m grateful my dad spent his last days in a place where I could spend time with him surrounded by professionals who offered him the specialized, heart-centric care that he needed at a time like this. “We want every patient to have an individualized hospice experience in which they live life to the fullest, whatever that means to them, until the end of life. We want their journey to be filled with peace and contentment,” says Marchione.
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