Tiffany Marie Marsolek
and David Fitzgeorge Dunning (Aaron Delesie photo)

Tiffany Marie Marsolek, the daughter of Michael and Lynda Marsolek of Malibu, Calif., was married on June 21, in Santa Barbara, Calif., to David Fitzgeorge Dunning, the son of Patricia F. Boyle of New York, N.Y. He is the son of James D. Dunning, Jr. and stepson of Susan Magrino Dunning, both of New York, N.Y. and New Canaan. The couple was married at All Saints by the Sea Episcopalian Church in Montecito, Calif.

Mrs. Dunning, 28, graduated from Louisville High School in Woodland Hills, Calif., in 2004. She attended Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business and received a Bachelor’s in Business Administration in 2008. Currently she is a Digital Media Supervisor at Universal McCann Los Angeles, where she provides strategy and media buying for Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The bridegroom, 29, graduated from Deerfield Academy in 2004 and prior to that attended the Eaglebrook School. He received a Bachelor’s in History from the University of Pennsylvania in 2008. Currently he is a research analyst at Kayne Anderson Capital and a second-year MBA student in the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.

The bridegroom’s father is the Chairman of The Dunning Group, Inc. He is formerly the Chairman of Freedom Communications Holdings, Chairman, President & CEO of The Petersen Companies, Inc. and Ziff Davis Media, Inc. He is also a former trustee of both Deerfield Academy and The University of Pennsylvania. The bridegroom’s mother was active with Graham Windham and is active in the Episcopal Church. The bridegroom’s stepmother, Susan Magrino Dunning, is the Chairman and CEO of Susan Magrino Agency. The bridegroom’s stepfather, Donald G. Boyle is a retired retail executive.

The couple will reside in Santa Monica, CA.

Hayley Curtis, daughter of Greg and Cheryl Curtis of Hampton Bays, N.Y., was married to Steve Bloom, son of Gary and Barbara Bloom of New Canaan, on Aug. 23. The ceremony took place at the Jedediah Hawkins Inn in Jamesport, N.Y. and was officiated by Brian Rady, the groom’s brother-in-law. Maid of Honor was Brittany Collins. Best Men were Matthew Bloom and Jeremy Bloom.

The bride graduated from Hampton Bays High School in 2005 and from Connecticut College in 2009. She is a third grade teacher at New Canaan Country School. The groom is a 2006 graduate of Greens Farms Academy and 2010 graduate of Connecticut College. He is a third-generation owner/director of Camp Playland and Playland Nursery School on Ponus Ridge in New Canaan.

The couple met in 2009 at Connecticut College. They currently reside in New Canaan.

Hayley Curtis and Steve Bloom

Mark Mazzone and Jessica Faye Mactas (Brian Dorsey Studios photo)

Jessica Faye Mactas, daughter of Karen and Mark Mactas of New Canaan, was married to Mark David Mazzone, son of Drs. Jacqueline David and Theodore Mazzone of Wilmette, Ill., on June 28. The Rev. William Mercer officiated the ceremony at Tappan Hill Mansion in Tarrytown, N.Y.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a custom-made Anna Maier gown from A Little Something White in Darien, with corded French rose floral lace over a double charmeuse underdress. She carried a bouquet of soft pink and white peonies, garden roses and ranunculus in white, cream, and a touch of pink, accented with lamb’s ear around the perimeter, courtesy of Diana Gould, Ltd. Amanda Mactas was maid of honor for her sister. Bridesmaids were Lisa Mazzone, Kate Saville, Ariel Hopkins, Cynthia Medina, Tara Bauer, Kaitlin Brown, Ashley Lewis, and Lindsay Green. They wore blush dresses and carried a clutch of white peonies and blush pale pink ranunculus. Steven Mazzone was best man for his brother. Ushers were Lee Roth, Nick Mazzone, Andrew Warner, Sean Jules, Nicholas Kehoe, Brian Donahue, and Stephen Williams.

The bride graduated from New Canaan High School in 2003 and from Tufts University in 2007 with a BS in psychology. She later went on to receive a Masters in childhood education from New York University in 2009. She is a teacher at P.S. 158 on the Upper East Side in Manhattan. The groom graduated from New Trier High School in Ill. in 2003 and from Amherst College in 2007 with a BA in economics. He later went on to receive a Master of Science for Teachers from Pace University in 2010 and a Master of Education with a focus on school leadership from New England College in 2011. He is an assistant principal at The Institute for Collaborative Education on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

After a reception at Tappan Hill Mansion in Tarrytown, they honeymooned in Hawaii. They live in Manhattan, N.Y.

Sophie Wood

And a freshman shall lead them…

If all the seniors, juniors and sophomores showed the maturity, thoughtfulness and grace of New Canaan High School freshman Sophie Wood, maybe the school’s pep rally would still be part of Spirit Week and Homecoming Weekend.

Costume Day, which was once Clone Day, is still part of the festivities, and was held this past Tuesday. Groups of students dressed in costumes such as angels, devils, referees and more. Two weeks ago Sophie realized that a lot of kids might be unintentionally excluded from the fun.

“I thought about all the freshmen girls who are shy, just moved here or came from other schools,” she said. “So I started something on Facebook, that any kid who doesn’t have a costume or group could connect with me and join. That’s how it started.”

Amazingly, about 80 students contacted Sophie, which represents close to half of the freshman girls at NCHS. Originally the costume was to be Olaf, the snowman from the movie “Frozen,” but there wasn’t enough time for all the girls to procure it. So they instead all went as “tourists,” appropos for the event.

“We’re like tourists to the high school,” said Sophie. “It worked out even better.”

Hawaiian shirts, floppy hats and blue jean shorts provided visual solidarity for the group. Many met each other for the first time on Tuesday morning, their smiles and camaraderie captured in selfies.

“I’m quite proud of Sophie,” said her mother, Vanessa. “Homecoming was early this year. Freshman girls didn’t have time to get acclimated. It took one kid to put herself out there. It was just a nice thing to do. With the cutting back on things like the pep rally, this shows that kids can do the right thing.”

Sophie was delighted with an unexpected bonus of her efforts.

“I was already good friends with 10 or 15 girls in the group, and now the others I didn’t know are my new friends.”

The freshman girl ‘tourists’ who came together via a Facebook invite from Sophie Wood, gathered outside New Canaan High School on Costume Day before entering the school on Tuesday morning. (Michael Catarevas photo)

Christian Camporin

While most children were getting ready to start school this fall, New Canaan’s Christian Camporin was preparing to make his Broadway debut. After a dozen call backs in the period of almost a year, Christian was cast as the role of ‘Eric’ in the Broadway musical, “Matilda.”

Christian’s road to the Great White Way began when his mother, Carla, sensing his joy of music, acting and dance, brought him to the Performing Arts Conservatory of New Canaan for a class in Fairy Tale Theatre at the age of four. He continued going to the Conservatory for music theater classes, dance and voice training. The director of the Performing Arts Conservatory, Melody Libonati, said that “from the age of four, Christian loved all aspects of music theater. He had great ideas and was super excited to explore the world of make believe. It was soon clear that he was also a very talented singer and dancer.”

Since Libonati is also the artistic director of the Summer Theatre of New Canaan, a professional theater company, when a production called for a child she cast Christian in five productions; “Carousel,” “My Fair Lady,” “Joseph,” “South Pacific” and as ‘Flounder’ in “The Little Mermaid.”

“Christian not only learned about acting, singing and dancing, but he was also interested in stage management,” said Libonati. “It wasn’t uncommon to see Christian sweeping the stage before a performance or helping the stage manager give call times to the actors. All of the actors loved Christian. Backstage he wouldn’t stop moving, always creating dances and imitating the actors on stage.”

At home, Christian and his sister, Lucia, create and put on plays in their basement. He also loves to ski with his brother, Jackson. His father and mother, Wenton and Carla Camporin, know that family life as it has been will be changed for a period of time. They expect to keep the family as normal as possible. Christian still goes to school and keeps up with his schoolwork.

What happens next is yet to be told. For now, Christian is just a normal kid doing what he loves to do and having a blast.

Christian Camporin of New Canaan in “Matilda” on Broadway.

Two long-time New Canaan residents were part of the People’s Climate March in New York City on Sunday, Sept. 21st. Over 300,000 people lined the streets of Manhattan to urge worldwide leaders to take decisive action to mitigate the menacing problem of climate.

Gwynne Pfeifer, left, is shown holding a picture of her grandson and both she and Trudy Goldberg are holding signs conveying the message that by solving the problem of chronic unemployment, the nation would remove a major obstacle to making the reduction in the burning of fossil fuels that are causing climate change and so many conditions harmful to the earth and its inhabitants.

New Canaanites Gwtnne Pfeifer, left, and Trudy Goldberg show off the signs they carried in the the People’s Climate March in New York City on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Elise Walters is working on her second paranormal romance novel after having her first effort, “Tentyrian Legacy,” published. (Michael Catarevas photo)

Like any new mom with her first-born, Elise Walters is thankful when her little guy, Jack, nods off for a daytime nap. She uses the free time to obsess over vampires

But not in the way most would, watching “True Blood” while mainlining bon-bons. Instead, the 28-year-old former New Canaan High School class president and cheerleader team captain (Elise Urbahn, then) is writing her second book in the blood-sucking genre. Her first, “Tentyrian Legacy,” is based on the real-life Zodiac of Dendera at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

The former Elise Urbahn was captain of the New Canaan High School cheerleading team, left, and class president in 2003.

Now living in Pound Ridge, N.Y., with her husband, Jonathan, and young son, Walters graduated from Wake Forest University in 2007, an English major with an emphasis on Victorian literature. “Tentyrian Legacy” combines several elements she’d always loved to read in books — romance, evil, and, of course, vampires.

Recently, with mom Jenny watching Jack in the backyard, Walters provided details on her new writing career, her family, and everything New Canaan.

What was the inspiration for you becoming interested in vampires?

It was when my dad took me to Paris, to the Louvre. I saw the Zodiac of Dendera, a carving found in an Egyptian temple. I was always interested in ancient Egypt. I liked reading books on historical fiction, like Cleopatra. When I saw the carving I found it fascinating. I thought, wouldn’t it be cool to write a story about it?

“Tentyrian Legacy,” Elise Walters’ first novel.

How did you come to write a book in the first place?

I was in advertising, living in New York City, working endlessly. I didn’t feel like I had anything for myself. I was involved with marketing for Merrill Lynch, commuting to New Jersey from New York. Working all the time, commuting all the time. I always had my Nook with me, and was spending $100 a month on books. I thought, why don’t I put my English degree to use and try to write something that I would want to read?

How did the book come together?

I came up with story first, after having seen the carving. The pieces just sort of clicked in place, and I built a whole world around it. I took the 12 zodiac symbols and turned them into 12 vampire covens.

What genre does the book fit into?

Paranormal romance, which is witches, vampires and magic, combined with romance. It’s looked down upon by some, but can be very popular, and lucrative.

The “Twilight” series by Stephenie Meyer became a bunch of movies. On the commuter trains I’d see people reading it. People mistakenly think, oh, vampire books are fluffy, only for girls, tweens and soccer moms. A lot of critics say “Twilight” was the pinnacle, that vampires are played out. I disagree. They said the same thing about Anne Rice’s work.

How long did it take to write?

Two years. I started in 2010, when I was still working. I wrote late at night and on weekends. On the train I would type notes. At the time, I didn’t think it was going to be published. I was writing it for myself, my little secret. My mom knew I was working on something. It was a private writing project.

Then what happened?

I finished it. My brother Keith (Urbahn) read it. He works in Washington, D.C. His company, Javelin D.C., they do public relations and ghostwriting. He was chief of staff for Donald Rumsfeld. I shared it with him as a sister, expecting him to laugh, and call me a weirdo. He works in publishing, and said it was really good. He helped me get my publisher (Permuted Press). They mostly publish zombie books. Mine is one of their first vampire books.

Without Keith’s help the book would have sat around. I had tried to get an agent, and it was daunting. I didn’t have the time or energy. And I didn’t want to steel myself for constant rejection. I thought maybe I could self-publish it for 99¢ in an e-format. When Keith connected me with Permuted Press, I sent an overview and proposal, and some sample chapters. I got the green light, and gave them the manuscript. They do a lot of e-format books — Kindle, Nook, iTunes. But they liked it enough to publish it as a hardcover. I was floored. Barnes & Noble ordered a thousand copies, priced at $19.99.

You now live in Pound Ridge, but your parents are in New Canaan and you went to New Canaan High School. What are some of your memories here?

We moved to New Canaan right before I started high school. I’d lived in Chicago, Virginia and Florida. When we came to New Canaan it was a surreal experience. Everyone knew each other. I was an outsider. I decided to just try and enjoy life there, and I did. I was class president and captain of the cheerleader team. When you don’t grow up in New Canaan and then go there to live, it’s like wow, this is a charmed life.

What was cheerleading like for you?

Looking back on it now, what Kool-Aid was I drinking? I was obsessed. I had a huge binder, with all the cheers and team goals. I wanted us to do well. I spent a lot of time on it, determining which cheers to do, along with the coach, the best positions, etc. I’m planning our 10-year reunion now. As class president, it’s my duty.

Was New Canaan portrayed in the book?

Yes. It has several scenes that take place in New Canaan. There are Silver Hill (psychiatric) Hospital moments. Fictional, but based on something real. The protagonist grows up in New Canaan, and many characters are like typical New Canaan moms and dads. Uptight parents, housekeepers, the privileged set.

A lot of scenes are based on my experiences. My mom said it was funny how a birthday party scene was just like a birthday party they had for me when I was a kid.

How is the book doing for you financially?

There’s a first-time rule, where you don’t make much on the first book because the publisher took the risk on an unknown author. The real money is in writing a whole series. If you have four books and a reader likes one, they’re likely to buy all four. Prolific writers do really well. My publisher has the right to publish any of my new books. I’m working on the next one, titled “Tentyrian Thirst.” The dream is to sell a book for movie rights. I had two studios interested, and my brother was the intermediary. They requested the book to read, but so far nothing’s happened.

Are you doing book signings, travel, etc.?

I’m involved with the marketing, especially social media, Twitter, Facebook and Youtube. I’ll be going to four conventions, which are expensive and time consuming, but it’s part of the business.

Have you stayed in touch with your New Canaan schoolmates?

With Facebook it’s been easy to keep in touch with people. There are so many people my age from New Canaan High School who are successful.

Do you come to New Canaan much these days?

I’m there a lot, seeing my folks, shopping and going to lunch, and taking Jack to the park.

More info: TentyrianLegacy.com; elise.allyn.walters@gmail.com

The St. Luke’s School Center for Leadership kicked off its 2014-15 Lunch & Lead series with actor, comedian, writer, producer, host of the television show “Wipe Out” and St. Luke’s alumnus John Henson (Class of 1986), brother of English teacher, Frank Henson (Class of 1974).

John Henson joined the Upper School students from his Los Angeles office via Skype. The crowd listened to his journey from a child who loved comedy to a highly successful entertainment professional. Henson described a single letter that changed his view on his career and his life. When Henson left as host of the popular “Talk Soup” program, he placed boxes of unopened fan mail in storage. Eleven years later, while clearing that space, he read one randomly selected letter. A young woman wrote about her depression and attempted suicide after being bullied. She told Henson that watching “Talk Soup” during her hospital recovery helped her learn to laugh again. Henson called her and discovered this once suicidal youth now had a full life as a police officer, wife and mother.

“It was a big wake up call,” said Henson. “I suddenly shifted my thinking from what I could get from my career to what I could give in my career”.

Soon service work became an integral part of Henson’s life. He became involved with various organizations, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, even the family golden retriever serves as a therapy dog. “I spent so many years passing under the St. Luke’s motto ‘Enter to Learn. Go Forth to Serve’ but it didn’t resonate with me,” Henson confessed. “Then suddenly I got it.”

John Henson talked to St. Luke’s students via Skype from his Los Angeles office.

Joseph Marshal Pinkard and Abigail Jane Doria

Abigail Jane Doria, daughter of Vince and Suzanne Doria of New Canaan, was married to Joseph Marshall Pinkard, son of Mary Anne Sydnor of Lynchburg Va. and Marshall Pinkard of Norfolk Va., on Sept. 6.

The wedding took place at Winvian, a beautiful farm estate in Morris, Conn., and was officiated by Constance McManus of New Canaan. The wedding party included maid of honor Nicky Johnson, Emily Talbot Malone, and Matt Doria, all formerly of New Canaan.

The bride is a 2004 graduate of New Canaan High School, and a 2008 graduate of New England College with a B.A. in studio art. Abby received a masters in contemporary art in 2009 from Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York City. The groom graduated in 2003 from E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg Va., and earned a B.A. in recreation, parks, and tourism from Radford University in 2007.

Abby and Joseph met during the summer of 2008 in Jackson, Wyo., where they currently work and reside. They will soon be relocating to Vermont where Joseph will begin a new job as International Fish and Game Travel Director for Orvis.

Sienna Deborah Schulman

Jared and Bridget Schulman of New Canaan are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Sienna Deborah Schulman, born on Aug. 30 at Greenwich Hospital.

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Emily and Hakan Basaran announce the birth of their daughter, Isabella Lawler, on Sept. 6 at Stamford Hospital. Born 6 pounds, 15 ounces and 20 inches long, Isabella is happy, healthy and peacefully settling in at home in New Canaan, they said.

Her brother, Henry, is having fun getting to know his little sister. Grandparents are Ronald Coughlin of Rowayton, Linda Coughlin of New York and Unal and Nur Basaran of Istanbul.

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Isabella Lawler Basaran

Sheila McMann cares for Waveny LifeCare’s indoor plants.

Waveny LifeCare Network relies heavily upon a special group of volunteers who dedicate their horticultural talent and knack for beautification throughout the eldercare organization’s main campus in New Canaan. The network acknowledges that flowers can play a soothing role in the eldercare organization’s main campus in New Canaan.

Known to provide therapeutic benefits, improve emotional health and enhance social interaction, flowers brighten each day at Waveny thanks to the numerous “flower volunteers” who create floral arrangements to adorn the dining rooms, reception areas, nursing stations and various common areas at Waveny.

Championed and nurtured by pioneer flower volunteer Allison Caesar over a span of three decades, Waveny’s volunteer-based flower program now has more participation than ever before.

“These devoted volunteers not only donate their time and energy, but also personally provide the flowers that are used in the arrangements,” said Debbie Perron, director of volunteers at Waveny. “In the summertime, most of the flowers are from the volunteers’ very own gardens. In addition, we have recycled and repurposed flowers generously donated from beautiful weddings and church services. Local stores like Trader Joes and Walter Stewart’s are very supportive in donating fresh flowers as well.”

The flower volunteers – many of whom are active members of the New Canaan Garden Club, the Garden Club of Darien, Stamford Garden Club, the Gardeners of New Canaan, the Beautification League (formerly the New Canaan Garden Center), the Tuesday Ladies and the Wilton P.E.O. group – come to Waveny at the beginning of each week to create uplifting floral designs and return over the days to follow to change water, making sure that all flowers remain fresh.

“It is a win-win,” said Katie Stewart, a member of the New Canaan Garden Club and one of Waveny’s most dedicated flower volunteers. “One of the great joys in life is giving back to the community. It’s so very rewarding to create fresh flower arrangements that bring so much happiness to Waveny’s residents and patients – and staff, too.”

In addition to the floral arrangements within the building, flower volunteers also help to maintain the abundance of plants that characterize Waveny’s patios and terraces. Volunteers not only plant the flowers but also make sure that the plants are ‘healthy and happy’ by watering and cutting the plants back when needed. In short, they care for them in every way.

Volunteer Sheila McMann has been taking care of the indoor plants at Waveny for over 15 years. She comes to Waveny several times a week to water and maintain the plants in addition to serving tea to Care Center residents.

“The New Canaan Garden Club has been the sponsor of the indoor plants at Waveny since I approached them nearly 15 years ago,” said McMann, a club member herself.

To learn more about how you can brighten someone’s day at Waveny through floral arrangement or any other type of volunteer service, contact Debbie Perron, Director of Volunteers at 203.594.5334 or DPerron@waveny.org.

Mary Tanzi and Carroll Yanicelli, flower volunteers, preparing cut flowers for display in Waveny LifeCare Center’s main dining room.

Michelle Morgan Harrison, owner of the New Canaan-based design firm Morgan Harrison Home, creates award-winning interiors. (Michael Catarevas photo)

Ever wonder what your home would look like if an award-winning interior designer decorated it? Well, what are you wearing?

That’s an important clue for New Canaan’s Michelle Morgan Harrison, whose flourishing business, Morgan Harrison Home, recently moved to new, spacious offices at 70 Main St. The former fashion industry wunderkind uses the unique skills that had her recommending what American women should wear to now suggesting what their homes should look like.

A Chinoiserie Chic hallway designed by Morgan Harrison Home. (Jane Beiles Photography)

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve noted what new women clients were wearing to get a sense of what would work in their houses,” said Harrison, who moved to New Canaan with husband Marc in 2005. “One lady loved yellow, with yellow pants and top. I told her, ‘You’re wearing your kitchen.’ ”

A close up of the Chinoiserie Chic hallway designed by Morgan Harrison Home. (Jane Beiles Photography)

Of course, Harrison chose the proper hues and decorative pieces for that and all the other rooms in the home, something she’s been doing so well that she now has six full-time employees.

With an easy laugh, engaging personality, sky-blue eyes and warm smile, the 40ish Harrison is on top of her world. Actually, she’s on top of her second world, having previously risen to the top ranks in the elite fashion magazine industry. And to think, all it took to succeed at both were and are supreme talent and 12-hour workdays.

A living room designed by Morgan Harrison Home. (Jane Beiles Photography)

Her first career has informed her second to the nth degree. She brings her fashion editorial-trained sensibility to each home design project she undertakes by building inviting color palettes and compelling blends of finishes. Harrison is known for her ability to create family-friendly homes that reflect her clients’ personal styles and sensibilities.

A kitchen designed by Morgan Harrison Home. (Jane Beiles Photography)

“Fashion gave me a different perspective on interiors,” she said. “Colors and personal style reflect you. To me they are one and the same. I wasn’t trained in interiors, but in fashion I was and am aware of trends, colors and textures. I can very quickly choose what’s new and interesting. In some ways this is the same job, just with a different medium.”

Fashionable beginnings

After graduating from Syracuse University with a journalism degree, Harrison got a job at Elle magazine. Starting at the bottom, her duties included checking in garment bags for photo shoots. “I was trained by a lot of the former Vogue magazine people who worked there,” she said, “and I did quite well.”

Indeed, within a few years she was promoted to associate fashion editor, then to senior fashion editor at age 28, an almost unheard of climb up the ranks for one so young and still relatively new in the industry.

“Everybody in the world wants those jobs,” she said. “It’s a very insular place. There are only so many magazines and editors in the fashion industry’s inner circle. It’s very difficult to get into. I succeeded because I worked hard, was honest and could be counted on. I looked out for the designers, and they trusted me.”

At the time (mid- to late-1990s) Elle’s offices included another company title, George, edited by John F. Kennedy, Jr.

“We were on different floors so I was on the elevator with him a lot,” recalled Harrison with a smile. “When he would get on, all talk stopped. When he got off, talk resumed.”

Harrison was now going to fashion shows, covering mostly junior and secondary lines. It was her job to represent them to the magazine. After a few years, she moved to Mirabella magazine as fashion director. For two years she was one of the most influential people in the industry.

“I would be in Europe for three weeks at a time,” she said. “I covered the major British and French markets, in addition to the American market. It was for me to decide what clothes American women must have, what they couldn’t live without. It was runway to reality.”

When she and Marc had their first child, Michelle decided to take a step back.

“Life was all work, and with my son born I wanted to achieve a better balance,” she said. She was recruited by Saks Fifth Avenue, and accepted a corporate job as senior editorial director. “My new position was to choose products and integrate them into catalogs and on the website.”

When the Harrisons moved to New Canaan, Michelle left Saks to have another baby, spending her free time renovating an 1875 farmhouse they had purchased. It led to career No. 2.

For the first time in her adult life, Harrison had some free time. “I used to see women pushing strollers, then I was pushing a stroller,” she said. “I was committed to staying home with the kids for awhile, but I had to do something else. I volunteered at the Young Women’s League of New Canaan, and met a lot of wonderful women. They would come to my house. One day one of them asked me to help her decorate.

“I started doing a little here and there, including construction projects for myself and others. It evolved into a business really fast.”

Living in New Canaan, where so many people have established, lucrative careers, was a charm for Harrison’s fledgling company. “The first couple of years in the interior design business were dibble dabble,” she said. “Then in 2008 the economy took a downturn, but that’s when my business really took off. Even so, budgets for projects were and are really important. I try to present each client with a balance of high and low. Every room has to have a star in it, but not every piece has to be a star.

“I love pretty rooms. But pretty doesn’t have to mean overly feminine or delicate. If a space requires handsome, traditional design, I bring a bit of lightness to the room. I love designing homes people love to come home to.”

Harrison says one third of her business is new construction, one third is interiors with some construction, and one third is purely interior decorating. More often than not she works with the woman of the house. She finds most of them are receptive to her suggestions.

“Women are much more hesitant to make decisions for their homes than they are for their wardrobes,” she explained. “Home decisions are permanent, not just a sweater they can change. I learn what they like and try to find a thread to pull it all together, working with how they live, how many kids and pets they have, how they use their space.

“The job is to simplify the process for them. I make choices to suit their sensibilities, working with fabrics that have stain durability. I tell them that I don’t want them to curse me in a year.”

With the business growing, Harrison makes sure to get personally involved with each client. Half are New Canaanites, and she’s delighted to be able to work so close to where she lives.

“I fell in love with the town, and love it even more now that we’re in our new downtown offices. The only drawback is I tend to be going out to dinner too much.”

A bedroom designed by Morgan Harrison Home. (Jane Beiles Photography)

New Canaan High School, class of 1959 held its 55th reunion the weekend of Sept. 27-28. An informal gathering was held at Chef Luis that Friday night. On Saturday evening, classmates enjoyed dinner, dancing and reminiscing at the home of Joe and Debbie Rucci. On Sunday, a brunch was held at the Hilton Inn in Norwalk.

• Related: Other NCHS reunions planned

New Canaan High School Class of 1959 members at the recent reunion are: In front row, Dave Emmerich, left, Ingrid (Girard) Deane, Skip Raymond, Elaine (Johnston) Douglas, Holly (Newcomb) Guske. In the middle row are Mary Winslow, left, Andrea Cousins, Barbara (Tiani) Lapolla, Barbara (Herzog) Silvia, Marlene (Chipello) Salko, Dave Elders. In the back row are Norm Ricker, left, Ed Glassmeyer, Joe Rucci, Meg (McMurray) McClean, Lillian (Waldman) Krause, Art Russo, Marsha (McReynolds) Keith, Ken Hannon and Joe Fasano. Those also attending, but not pictured are Helshi (Lockwood) Hewson, Elizabeth (Luckhurst) Bicking, Steve Gravereaux and Diane (Rabe) Patterson.

Voices of September 11th (VOICES), an internationally recognized nonprofit organization providing support services for over a decade to those impacted by 9/11 — will honor CBS News Chairman and 60 Minutes Executive Producer Jeff Fager with its Building Bridges Award.

Fager, of New Canaan, will be presented with the award at VOICES 7th annual Always Remember gala. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Guastavino’s in New York City.

Initiated in 2004, VOICES Building Bridges Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the 9/11 community and our nation. Past recipients include former Prime Minister Tony Blair, NBC News anchor Brian Williams, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, former Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, and former New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.

“Voices is delighted to recognize Jeff for his leadership at CBS News and as Executive Producer of 60 Minutes,” said VOICES Founding Director Mary Fetchet. “His insights and unwavering commitment over the years to reporting on important issues and stories surrounding 9/11 and its aftermath are to be commended.

“There is a need for long-term support of the 9/11 community. With the opening of the museum this year, many people are coming forward seeking our assistance. VOICES and the 9/11 community want to thank Jeff for all he has done to ensure that our nation will always remember.”

In addition to the award presentation, the evening’s program will also feature a keynote conversation with the Honorable Thomas H. Kean, Chairman of the 9/11 Commission, and Senator Joseph Lieberman, Former Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee. Norah O’Donnell, Co-Host of CBS This Morning, will serve as moderator. Both Governor Kean and Senator Lieberman are members of VOICES Senior Advisory Board.

The evening begins at 6 with a cocktail reception, followed by the keynote conversation, dinner, the Building Bridges award, and a special musical performance by award-winning Broadway performer Carolee Carmello.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, table reservations or individual tickets, visit VoicesofSeptember11.org, or contact Frank Fetchet at 203-966-3911.

CBS News chairman and “60 Minutes” executive producer Jeff Fager of New Canaan.

Brian Hollstein

When you have a group of people as accomplished as those belonging to the Senior Men’s Club of New Canaan (SMCNC), it might be a bit intimidating for those on the outside, wondering about membership requirements. But there are only two things necessary to join.

Fellowship and camaraderie. That and fifty bucks.

“It’s a really interesting crowd, and most everyone here has done pretty well in life,” says SMCNC President Brian Hollstein, a former special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and later in charge of corporate security for the Xerox Corporation. “But nobody here is particularly interested in revisiting the past. It’s who are you now? What are you doing now?”

With about 400 members currently, the SMCNC has a variety of activities, the most regular of which is a Friday morning get together at Morrill Hall in St. Mark’s Church, featuring a guest speaker, that provides an opportunity to meet and socialize.

“So many of us who have lived in New Canaan worked in New York City and traveled a lot,” says Hollstein. “We weren’t around here that much. When you retire, there’s much less travel. The Senior Men’s Club helps people get over the hump. It provides a reason to come and meet people and get involved in new activities.”

The SMCNC has a distinguished record of volunteer work in the New Canaan community, dating back over 37 years. Waveny Care Center, New Canaan Inn, AmeriCares, Getabout, Meals On Wheels, Stamford Hospital, New Canaan schools, EMS services and Gospel Garden are just a few of the diverse groups benefitting from the member efforts.

There are a wide variety of activities and sporting options. A chartered bus takes members to New York on a regular basis, to Ellis Island, Belmont Race Track, the New York Philharmonic, Broadway and sports venues. There is a bridge game Friday nights, a walking ‘sub club,’ golf outings, tennis games and much more.

“People don’t see the totality of what’s going on within the Senior Men’s Club,” notes Hollstein. “We’re trying to encourage men in New Canaan to come and get involved. As we all get older, things get creaky and it’s sometimes hard to get around. The club provides a place to be with like-minded people.”

The Friday morning speaker series is the most regular event. It’s held about 40 times a year. Speakers come from all walks of life. The five for October include an award-winning actor, a member of the Stamford Hospital Foundation, the executive director of a major charitable organization, the chairman emeritus of a global advertising agency, and an international real estate expert. Each speaks for 40 minutes, and then takes questions.

Hollstein emphasizes that while past careers are not emphasized on a regular basis, the SMCNC member do for the most part have fascinating and diverse histories, making for a interesting group.

“There are a lot of IBM’ers, we have a guy who was a bomber pilot in World War 2, and someone who was a member of Team Ferrari,” he notes. “A newspaper publisher, airline pilots and a Czech partisan who fought the Nazis.”

But it’s the future that counts, not the past. The club provides a forum for senior men to get together, make new friends and enjoy each other’s company. New members are announced at Friday meetings and introduced to other members.

Hollstein points out that most men are not used to joining clubs, unlike women, so it takes effort to get new members.

“Women have an established infrastructure for clubs, but men don’t,” he notes. “To join us, all you need is to reside in New Canaan, be 55 and pay 50 bucks. Our ages range from 55 to 92. And we have more than enough things to do. We’re part of the people who run New Canaan. We’re not sitting on our cans.”

More info: smcnc.org

Peter Ditlevsen sent in this photo of his kids with a big mushroom they found in their New Canaan yard.

“We wonder if it is normal for this type of mushroom to get so big?” Ditlevsen wrote Monday afternoon, Oct. 20. “Can anyone tell us what it is?”

It appears to be about seven inches in diameter.

“Ages before video games or even Lego and Erector sets, children often entertained themselves with the toys of nature,” Jack Sanders, a former longtime Hersam Acorn Newspapers editor writes on his nature blog, Nature Geezer. “In early autumn, a favorite was the Giant Puffball, a magical fungus that can reach massive proportions — in the world of fungi, at least. Specimens measuring six feet across and weighing more than 40 pounds have been found.

“For a kid in the 18^th or 19^th Century, a big, white puffball sprouting in a pasture was just too tempting to ignore,” writes Sanders, who has also published books on Connecticut history and nature. “Perhaps presaging their descendants’ interest in football and soccer, youngsters would invariably give the ‘ball’ a good, swift kick. The reward was the namesake puff: A thick cloud of more than a trillionspores could burst from a ripe puffball.

“The kicker probably did the fungus a favor, for the spores are its seeds and the kick cast the fate of future generations to the wind. Odds of success for a microscopic spore are slim, however, for its chances of creating a new Giant Puffball are literally one in billions.”

Owen Ditlevsen, 6, left, with his brother Luke, 3, and a large mushroom in their New Canaan yard.

Fire Lt. Duffy Sasser.

The New Canaan Fire Department has promotions to announce: Lieutenant Michael Baker has been promoted to captain, and Firefighter Duffy Sasser to lieutenant.

At a meeting Tuesday morning, Oct. 21, Fire Chief Jack Hennessey and Fire Commissioner Jack Horner noted there are firefighters in those positions retiring from the department, and NCFD came to unanimous consent on Baker’s and Sasser’s promotions. The Board of Selectmen added their similarly unanimous consent and congratulations.

(Dave Stewart Photo)

Zorka Milin and Hunter Smith

Zorka Milin, the daughter of Ljubica Milin of Sid, Serbia, was married on July 5 in Belgrade, Serbia, to David Hunter Smith, the son of Susan and David Smith of New Canaan. The Rev. Milorad Lazic, a Serbian Orthodox priest, performed the ceremony. The couple were married at Ruzica Church within in the walls of the Kalemegdan Fortress situated at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. The fortress dates back to the first century.

• More New Canaan Family Album

The bride attended Grinnell College and received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. She graduated from Cornell Law School then received a masters in international relations from Yale. She is currently a tax lawyer working for Global Witness on advancing tax and revenue transparency in the extractive sectors.

The bridegroom graduated summa cum laude from Middlebury College and received bachelor’s degrees in Russian and philosophy. After spending a year in Moscow as a Fulbright Scholar, he received a masters in political theory from the London School of Economics & Political Science, then graduated from Yale Law School. He is currently a litigation associate with David Rosen & Associates P.C. in New Haven.

The couple resides in New Haven.

When he gets to college soon, Connor deMayo will have a hard act to follow.

His own.

The 16-year-old junior at New Canaan High School has the energy of youth on his side, thankfully, because his activities continually demand he exert all his creative, mental and physical efforts.

His creative side, filmmaking, was recently rewarded when he won Cablevision of Connecticut’s highest award for his ‘British Virgin Islands’ entry, made as a sophomore. He also won first place for a film about not texting while driving.

His mental side has been rewarded by earning high honors for every semester of high school.

His physical side is challenge-met as a member of the NCHS crew team. That requires practice and training three hours a day, six days a week.

Not bad, right? There’s more. Last fall Connor became one of only 4% of boy scouts to attain Eagle Scout status, with Troop 70 in New Canaan. His project about food allergy awareness was honored by the National Eagle Scouts Association as the year’s best.

I get winded just writing about this kid.

Connor deMayo with his filmmaking awards.

The filmmaking started innocently enough, on family trips. Mom Peggy and dad Malcolm, New Canaanites for 18 years, vacationed with their boys (Connor and Kyle, now a 9th grader) at various fun and festive spots.

“Everywhere we went Connor took my camera and started shooting,” Peggy said. “From there he taught himself everything, learning programs like Final Cut Pro.”

“I enjoyed making little movies, playing around,” Connor said. “It was something to have fun with and show friends. Progressively I tried more and more complex programs.”

Dad Malcolm, who works for Oracle Corp., loved how his son turned home movies into cohesive films like ‘British Virgin Islands.’

“Again and again I’ve been amazed at Connor’s ability to transform snippets from our family vacations into cohesive tales of adventure and discovery,” he said. “His mind is always focused on the next shot, how to blend technology and the real world. His work is convincing people to want to go where he has been.”

Connor has no idea if filmmaking might be a career. He hasn’t spent much thinking about it. How could he? His Eagle Scout project took over 180 service hours.

Having had food allergies since birth, Connor was interested in spreading the word about awareness and education. So he put together information and presented it to New Canaan dining spots.

“I made a PowerPoint presentation, then with friends took it to restaurants,” Connor said. “The owners were receptive, and some are using the information to train managers how to take orders from people with food allergies.”

Rowing is the physical part of Connor’s life. “It pretty much takes up the rest of my time,” he said. “Regattas are in fall and spring, and a couple in summer. Winter is training.”

Already 6-foot-2, his power is a big plus in competition.

So does Connor find even a little time to just hang out and relax with his friends?

“Well, I make movies with friends. Does that count?”

Connor’s ‘British Virgin Islands’ film can be seen here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXqxfNyV1dAwatch?v=ZXqxfNyV1dA