Your guide to the heart of Litchfield County:
Discover local stories, hidden gems, and must-know events.

By Christopher Stella
Photographs by Amber Schulde

“I was told we were the best kept secret in Litchfield County,” says Drew Combs, head coach and director of the Litchfield Hills Rowing Club. “But that should never be our tagline, and it no longer fits.”

Perched on Connecticut’s largest natural freshwater lake, Bantam Lake, the LHRC has grown from approximately 40 members in 2018 to more than 390 in 2025, evolving from a modest high school program into a nationally competitive club serving athletes from ages 12 to 90. Its message is simple, powerful, and inspiring: rowing is a sport for anyone willing to put in the work.

Founded in 1967, the club serves two constituencies: junior rowers (middle school and high school students) who lack access to the sport at their local schools, and Masters rowers–adults interested in rowing and competing. For both, it provides access to what has historically been an elite activity.

“It’s an expensive sport, an eightman shell can run $50,000 to $60,000,” says Greg McKim, a board member and Masters rower. “You also need a boathouse, insurance, coaches, launch boats.”

Combs arrived in 2019 with a rowing legacy in tow. His grandfather introduced the sport to Lake Waramaug in the 1940s, his father ran the regattas, and Combs grew up working them before he was old enough to pick up an oar. After rowing Division I at Marist College, he coached at Northeastern, University of Buffalo, Fairfield University, and the Kent School, among other prestigious programs. When the LHRC posted an opening, returning to Litchfield County was an easy decision.

The sport has broad appeal across age groups. “Rowing and swimming are the two most cardiovascular full-body workouts you can get,” says Combs. “They are low-impact and adaptable at any age.” He notes that about 60 percent of Masters rowers never picked up an oar before 40. For juniors, the sport rewards anyone willing to train. “I don’t do that word ‘can’t,’” says Combs. “I prefer ‘not yet.’ You can do anything, you just haven’t done it yet. We’re no longer looking for the perfect stroke, we’re looking to create your perfect stroke.”

The effort speaks for itself. Junior rowers from Lakeview High School and the Forman School can letter in rowing through the LHRC, and nearly 35 percent go on to row in college, with another 30 percent of those receiving scholarships. Club members have gone on to row at Yale, University of Virginia, Vanderbilt, Syracuse, and UNC Chapel Hill, among others. A financial aid program ensures the sport remains within reach. The LHRC competes at U.S. Rowing Nationals and events as prestigious as the Royal Canadian Henley in Ontario and the Head of the Charles in Boston. At the 2025 Philadelphia Youth Regatta, the club took home 26 gold medals.

There is much ahead. This summer, the LHRC will host its inaugural Head of the Swain, a regatta benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association. The club is also fundraising to double the size ofvits boathouse, adding a dedicated fitness center where members can train on specialized erg machines year-round, along with boat storage, locker room, and office facilities.

For those curious enough to show up, LHRC offers low-cost learn-torow programs and an open invitation to ride in the coaching launch. Most who come realize more than a sport. “The reward for me is tenfold. It’s friendships, it’s camaraderie,” says McKim. And if nothing else, there is always the water. “At the end of the day, you’re just messing around in boats,” says Combs. “It’s the most fun thing you can do.” —litchfieldhillsrowing.org

A Bridgewater Collector’s Legacy Goes to Auction this May

By Troy McMullen

After decades of success on Wall Street, Robert Mnuchin turned his sights to the art world, first as a voracious collector of postwar and contemporary works, then as a dealer who used his trading-floor savvy to orchestrate some of the industry’s biggest transactions. By the time of his death last year at age 92, the longtime Bridgewater resident was one of New York’s foremost gallerists, with a formidable private collection to match.

“The reason to buy art is because you love it, you love it, you love it,” he famously told The New York Times in 2013.

Sotheby’s is now offering a selection of works from Mnuchin’s collection at a May auction estimated to fetch $130 million. Pieces by Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning, and Jeff Koons are all part of the public sale.

Mnuchin and his wife, Adriana, spent decades expanding their collection and were a visible presence in the Litchfield County community. They acquired the Mayflower Inn in Washington in 1990 and renovated it into a luxury resort before selling it in 2007.

Some of the auctioned works hung in the couple’s Bridgewater estate while others were on view at their Manhattan gallery. “They spoke of collecting as a passionate and almost obsessive way of life,” their daughter, Valerie Mnuchin, told Sotheby’s. “They only bought what they both loved.”

By Martha Fish

Niwaki Floral Scissors Sharp, sturdy, with the most satisfying snip. $48

Niwaki Garden Gloves Snug, stretchy, feels like a second skin. Indispensable. $10

Antique Sconces Exquisite Italian tole sconces from the 1920s that capture the charm of the garden. $6,200 for the pair.

The Green Vase, Persian Fritillaria Always in bloom, our forever favorite. Handmade paper flowers by The Green Vase. $420

Niwaki Leather Tool Bag Like the best luxury leather goods, this beauty gets better with age. $295

Niwaki Hori Hori Tool Digging, pruning, dividing, the most multifunctional tool for your kit. $58

Haws Watering Can A classic with legacy. Made in the UK by Haws, the world’s oldest watering can manufacturer. $215

miltonmarketct.com

When Judy and Patrick Murphy founded Old Farm in 1988, they built something thoughtful and significant: a landscape business rooted in hard work, attention to detail, and a respect for the land that outlasts any single season. Decades later, their son Greg carries that foundation forward, not by replicating it, but by evolving it.

“It’s grounding and challenging at the same time,” he says of inheriting a legacy. “Carrying that forward means protecting that foundation while evolving my personal approach to landscape design.”

That evolution recently took a new turn. Two years ago, Old Farm closed its retail nursery and sharpened its focus entirely on landscape design, installation, and long-term project management. It’s a more personal, more design-driven operation now, carrying every project from concept through construction and into ongoing care. “You’re only as good as your last job and your last happy client,” Murphy says, and the model is built around that accountability.

The nursery stock hasn’t disappeared. The property maintains a significant inventory of specimen trees, shrubs, and perennials, sourced through grower relationships spanning nearly 40 years and serves the firm’s own projects. Plants are available to anyone who asks, and watching that material leaf out and grow through the seasons is, Murphy says, the most helpful preview a client could ask for when selecting a tree or shrub for a site.

The setting itself is instructive. Old Farm occupies an early 1800s farmstead in the Litchfield Hills, where acres of display gardens have matured over decades alongside the family that tends them. The cluster of old structures and barns, the spaces between them, the way the land sits within its surroundings, all of it informs the work. “It motivates me to always consider whatever I am designing as part of a greater context,” he explains.

Old Farm’s process begins with a site walk and a conversation about how clients want to live in their space. Some properties call for a full master plan organizing circulation, structure, and plantings. Others need focused attention in specific areas. “Establishing relationships with clients that are more than transactional is important to me,” he says. “There is something personal about landscape design, just as there is something personal about interior design.”

Litchfield County demands a particular kind of respect when it comes to gardens. The rocky, hilly terrain and unforgiving climate leave little room for plants that can’t cope with a variable environment. Much of that sensibility traces back to his mother. Judy, who trained as a landscape architect at Cornell, built an extraordinary reputation in the county through patience, intuition, and what her son describes as an adaptive quality that is invaluable in the field. “It starts with the balance between expertise and restraint,” he says, “and requires you to check your ego.” But the fun is getting to wear all types of hats as every project is unique.

As for the most common mistake he sees? Thinking in pieces instead of as a whole. “Without structure and purpose, a landscape can feel disjointed,” he says. “I encourage homeowners to understand their real goal with a clear framework. Everything else follows more naturally from there.”—oldfarm.com

Scott’s Nursery and Landscaping has been a well established part of the Litchfield County landscape for decades, but 2021 marked a new chapter for the community-cherished garden center. Three longstanding employees, Colleen, Jared, and Jose, were given the opportunity to take over the established business and have since grown it into an award winning operation–elevating the much-loved business to new heights. Colleen brings nursery and business expertise. Jared leads landscaping design. Jose has an artist’s eye for masonry. Together they have taken something already beloved and made it better.

The nursery prioritizes plants sourced from local growers, a decision rooted in both quality and sustainability. Shorter transportation times mean less stress on the plants and a stronger likelihood they are already adapted to the region. That regional nuance matters more here than most places. Litchfield County’s varied elevations, valleys, lakes, and forests create a patchwork of growing conditions that even federal climate mapping doesn’t fully capture. To account for this, all trees, shrubs, and perennials sold in the nursery or specified for projects are selected to withstand the coldest winters this region can deliver. Choosing the right plant for the right spot, as the team puts it, makes all the difference.

The selection is broad. Scott’s carries trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, and tropicals. Native plant varieties have been significantly expanded in recent years and remain among the most requested. Deer-resistant options, a perennial ask in this part of Connecticut, are well represented. Scott’s is also a Certified Proven Winners Garden Center, carrying a full assortment of that highly regarded plant line. Water gardening essentials, including pond plants, round out the inventory. New for 2026 is a stunning waterfall and pond display on the nursery grounds, well worth a visit on its own.

For those considering a landscaping or hardscaping project, the process begins with a property visit. The team meets with the client, analyzes the space, and talks through wants, needs, and budget. Estimates and drawings follow, with permits secured when required. Clients are invited to visit the nursery to see and weigh in on the materials being selected, keeping the process collaborative from start to finish. The result is an investment that grows in value over time, whether the goal is updated foundation plantings, a water feature, or a patio that extends the living space of the home.

Beyond installation, Scott’s offers fine gardening services for clients who want attentive, ongoing care. Weeding and mulching are the baseline. Perennial bed care, including cutting back, dividing, transplanting, and pruning, is available for those who want more. Seasonal planter displays, gardening programs, and fertilization services for both beds and lawns keep properties looking their best year-round. Proper, knowledgeable care, the team is quick to note, helps plants not just survive but thrive.

Organic tick spraying and deer deterrent programs are also available, for when what you have planted is exactly what the deer had in mind.

Scott’s Nursery and Landscaping is located in New Milford. —scottsnurseryandlandscaping.com.

Abbey Taylor’s path to founding Everything Botanical began long before the business did. A student of horticultural therapy who completed greenhouse internships and studied business, she noticed a persistent problem in the green industry: too many vendors, too little accountability. In 2008, she launched Everything Botanical in Washington with a simple premise: one point of contact for everything plant-related.

Patrick Taylor came into the picture not long after, drawn in by both the work and the woman behind it. A Marist College graduate who grew up in Syracuse, he joined the company in 2011 and has since become a Board Certified Master Arborist, Registered Consulting Arborist, and licensed arborist in Connecticut.

Together, they’ve built a business that extends well beyond a traditional landscape company, combining custom plant production, advanced arboricultural consulting, and a software platform designed to bring clarity and coordination to the green industry.

The name Everything Botanical sets high expectations. How do you define what the business is, and what does it cover?
It started as a way to explain our services: we handle all things plant-related, but not construction or non-plant services. Over time, it has evolved into a full-spectrum partner, spanning custom growing, landscape stewardship, arboricultural consulting, and the systems we’ve developed to manage that work more effectively.

Abbey, you clearly have a deep love of plants. How did that passion develop, and what does it mean to you to build this business from the ground up?
When I was eight, I planted tomato seeds in an egg carton. Almost 200 germinated. My mom took me to Maple Bank Farm, where they showed me how to transplant them and even gave me pots and soil. My parents signed me up for a craft fair to sell them. I loved everything about it: the anticipation, the care, and sharing them with others. I always knew I wanted to build a company. Even now, it’s not static. It’s an ongoing process of finding better ways to serve our clients, our team, and the environment.

From feeding and pruning to cabling, Patrick’s work is about keeping trees healthy for the long term. What are the most common issues facing Litchfield County properties?
While invasive pests tend to receive the most attention, the majority of tree issues we see begin in the soil. Our approach starts with understanding the site, through soil testing, evaluating compaction, and reviewing pruning practices and prior treatments, thendeveloping integrated care plans.

Litchfield County is home to some extraordinary gardens and estates. What does precision care of a large property actually involve?
It comes down to attention to detail. We prioritize quality over growth and often maintain a waitlist to uphold that standard. This includes soil testing, proper amendments, correct mulch use, and thoughtful plant placement. We focus on long-term health and problem-solving, supported by a high-quality team and systems that allow us to manage properties consistently over time.

What do you wish more people in Litchfield County knew about Everything Botanical?
Many people still see us through a fairly narrow lens, but our scope of work is broader. We custom grow plant material and are deeply involved in tree care and consulting, particularly in situations that require long-term planning or evaluation. We’ve also developed a software platform, now used by other companies in the green industry, that supports how this work is managed, bringing together client communication, task tracking, and decision-making in a way that reflects how complex these properties really are. —EverythingBotanical.com

Barbara Pierson has shaped the legendary White Flower Farm nursery in Morris for 26 years, bringing deep expertise and genuine passion to one of Litchfield County’s most beloved institutions. Here, she shares her five favorite edibles from the farm’s kitchen garden. She uses the word “edibles” intentionally, since tomatoes and other food crops are technically fruits, not vegetables.

FRENCH TARRAGON
One of the best-tasting and easiest herbs to grow. It is perennial, so it returns year after year to give you fresh tarragon for your favorite recipes. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and loves to be cut.

DILL ‘BOUQUET’
Dill is easy to grow and returns via seedlings each year. Not only is it wonderful in recipes and as a garnish, it also attracts swallowtail caterpillars, a favorite sight in any garden.

TOMATO ‘CHOCOLATE SPRINKLES’
Every year this tomato produces dozens of cherry tomatoes that are beautiful to look at and even better to eat. With a flavor similar to ‘Cherokee Purple,’ they are savory, sweet, and disease-resistant.

CUCUMBER ‘PATIO SNACKER’
An incredibly productive variety that thrives in a raised bed or container. Easy to grow and can be picked at any stage for multiple uses.

PEPPER ‘PICK AND POP YELLOW’
A new favorite and an All-America Selections winner, this pepper really delivers here in Connecticut.

Jamie Scott recently rejoined the family business to lead Scott Pools into its third generation. Here, she reflects on legacy, craft, and what comes next.

Scott Swimming Pools was founded in 1937. Walk us through how the company has evolved across generations, and what has remained constant.
My grandfather started this company nearly 90 years ago. The very first pool he built was a natural pool that is still operating today. Years later, he traveled to California to learn how to spray gunite from the Army Corps of Engineers. The process of spraying concrete on walls to create a pool shell was a practice no one else was doing at the time. We were the first. In the ‘60s, when my father returned from the Navy, he took over the company and grew the business. He continued to perfect their construction practices and helped write the national standard for swimming pools. Today, we are still building the highest-quality pools by any standard.

“The Scott Standard” is central to who you are as a company. What does it mean to you personally—and what does it look like on a pool that has been standing for 70 years?
My father grew Scott Pools into a company that is widely known for designing and building pools to last for decades. From the very beginning, every pool has been crafted with an uncompromising focus on structural integrity and long-term performance. Years—even decades—later, a Scott Pools still looks and feels exactly as it did on day one. It’s the kind of quality you can see, and more importantly, trust. Our work truly sets the standard for excellence.

How has Scott Pools become a trusted collaborator for the region’s top design professionals?
We’ve built strong relationships with the area’s leading architects, builders, and landscape architects. Our philosophy has always been to create truly one-of-a-kind swimming environments that reflect each client’s unique vision—something that can only be achieved through thoughtful collaboration and seamless coordination across the entire design team. We’ve become the builder of choice by holding ourselves to the highest standards and working cohesively with every partner to bring each vision to life.

What happens when a project throws the unexpected at you?
Some of our craftsmen have been building pools with us for over 30 years—from Connecticut, the Berkshires, and New York to the Caribbean. They have navigated challenging terrain, restricted access, and intricate renovations with a level of expertise that only comes from decades of mastery. They have the skills and track record to tackle just about anything.

You joined Scott Pools this winter to lead the company into its third generation. What brought you back—and what does this next chapter look like?
Returning to Connecticut to join the family business was always a possibility—but not always the plan. A few months ago, over dinner with my father, we began discussing the future of the company, and everything naturally fell into place. My father built something truly remarkable, and those are big shoes to fill. With my brother Justin leading construction, we are committed to preserving the standard of excellence Scott Pools is known for—while continuing to elevate and evolve. I’m incredibly proud to be part of this next chapter and grateful for the opportunity to carry the legacy forward.—scottpools.com

Amid the Litchfield Hills, No. 1 New York Times-bestselling author Gabby Bernstein has found a sanctuary, one where she embraces life’s gentler rhythms with her husband and son and the quiet that nourishes the soul.

“Litchfield County holds a really special place in my heart,” reflects the long-time resident, renowned motivational speaker, and self-help guru behind the “Dear Gabby” weekly podcast. “It’s where I slow down, surrounded by nature and a sense of peace that’s hard to find elsewhere. It brings me back to what truly matters and reminds me how powerful it is to create space to just be, reconnect, and listen to my inner guidance.”

Growing up in New York, Bernstein’s path hasn’t always been tranquil. “Years of struggling with anxiety, addiction, and deep disconnection” took their toll and shaped her early life. Through perseverance and spiritual practice, she discovered tools that transformed her inner world and now shares them with millions worldwide via her website and TV appearances, including “The Drew Barrymore Show,” “Good Morning America,” and Oprah’s “Super Soul” podcast. Currently on “The Time To Trust Live Tour,” she empowers audiences from New York to London and Vancouver. The event marks a decade since the release of The Universe Has Your Back, which sold more than 1 million copies, paving the way for more than another dozen best-sellers.

Her approach, rooted in “lived experience,” resonates with audiences, making them feel less alone and more hopeful.

At the heart of Bernstein’s teaching is Internal Family Systems (IFS), a therapy that sees the mind as composed of different “inner parts” needing understanding and healing. After discovering its power in her own life, she completed IFS Institute practitioner training and explored the framework in her book Self Help, which guides audiences “back to their own sense of safety within.” “I believe that everyone has the capacity to heal, but healing doesn’t mean erasing the past,” she says. “It means changing your relationship to it.”

By abandoning self-judgment, avoidance, and “the need to control,” individuals can “witness their thoughts and feelings with compassion” and loosen the grip of negative mental habits, Bernstein reflects. “That shift, from judgment to compassion, is everything,” she says, explaining that in everyday life, healing shows up quietly but meaningfully: pausing instead of reacting, and “choosing to respond from compassion rather than fear.” “In relationships, it looks like taking responsibility for triggers instead of projecting them onto someone else,” she notes. “In your career, it’s trusting intuition instead of over-controlling outcomes. It’s not perfect, but over time, those small shifts create big change.” Prayer, meditation, and simple rituals, a hand on the heart, a deep breath, or a mantra of gratitude, anchor Bernstein in chaotic moments. These “inner luxuries” are accessible to everyone, whether on a Litchfield County trail, a country road, or a city train. “Living your dream life is feeling at home within yourself,” she says. “Your inner world creates your outer experience. When you feel safe, supported, and aligned within, your life begins to reflect that.” —gabbybernstein.com

By Clementina Verge
Photographs by Rana Faure

Step inside George Home, a space where Mid-Century Modern, vintage, and antique treasures come together. Part of the Titus Road Design Collective in Washington Depot, the store is a design lover’s dream, offering thoughtfully curated furnishings, art, lighting, and accessories to infuse elegance into any room.

Since its founding in 2017, George Home has been celebrated for its eclectic and ever-evolving selection. When it recently went up for sale, it was a perfect fit for Peter Nichols and Greg Domres, former New York residents who have called the Litchfield Hills home for nearly a decade.

When the store reopened in March, it unveiled new collections reflecting Nichols’ and Domres’ decades of experience in fashion, retail, and home design, while continuing to honor its reputation for quality and distinction.

“We want to uphold the legacy and trust that customers have in George, but also evolve, adding more whimsy, color, and a bit of unexpectedness,” says Nichols, who spent more than 20 years as a buyer in the luxury sector, working in London, Hong Kong, and New York with globally respected names including Michael Kors and NET-A-PORTER.

The sentiment is echoed by Domres, his business partner and husband, whose decades-long career spans some of the most influential names in the home industry, including a ten-year tenure at John Derian Company and work with Nickey Kehoe Collection in New York City.

Domres, a longtime chenille stem artist, shares with Nichols a deep love for beautiful, thoughtfully curated pieces, ensuring every item in the collection has style, character, and timeless appeal.

George Home mixes sensibility, fashion, and global perspectives, ranging from Mid-Century Modern English antiques to handcrafted bowls and the work of local artists. From Qing Dynasty tea tables and lacquer chairs to traditional American folk art and glazed pottery spanning the hemispheres, the store caters to every corner of the home, from Italian mirrors to hand-stitched linen pillows, glazed vases, candles, and hostess gifts.

Expect to find limited-edition, oneof- a-kind Dumais Made lamps designed in Bantam, Woodward Weave rugs– handmade and inspired by historical designs–abstract paintings by local artist Heather Neilson, and other exceptional finds.

Now offering extended hours, George Home is also participating in Second Saturday, a monthly event sponsored by the Titus Road Design Collective that offers an inspiring afternoon of design, art, and fashion. Guests can stroll, sip, and shop while exploring new collections, exhibitions, and collaborative showcases at George Home and fellow members KMR Arts, Pasquale et Maurice Home, Eckert Fine Art, and The Pinnacle CT.

From rare antiques to statement lighting and bespoke works of art, George Home is a destination where elegance and eclectic charm converge. In an age defined by passing trends, Nichols and Domres are committed to offering something far more lasting: new layers of inspiration where storied objects and contemporary design intersect, inviting clients to create spaces that feel personal and effortlessly refined.—georgehomect.com