AT THE ROOT of the GOOD LIFE is GOOD HEALTH. New medical centers are popping up in our towns, along with NEW APPROACHES to FEELING GOOD. While we have wonderful hospitals in Fairfield County, FINDING HEALTH CARE RIGHT DOWN the STREET CAN BE A RELIEF when the alternative might be a busy ER or faraway imaging center. JUST NEED a SOOTHING SOUND BATH, NUTRIENT IV or REMEDY for BRAIN FOG? READ ON …
HSS ORTHOPEDICS WITH STAMFORD HEALTH-WESTPORT
276 Post Road West, Westport
203-391-2270; hss.edu/hss-orthopedics-stamford-health-westport.asp
Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health, and Stamford Health have opened a new outpatient center in Westport. The nearly 10,000-square-foot location offers orthopedic appointments and on-site X-rays. Physical therapy services are available at another HSS–Stamford Health collaboration, open since 2022—HSS Sports Rehab Westport (1547 Post Road East). Westport happens to be the birthplace of HSS’s third Surgeon-in-Chief, William B. Coley, MD, born in 1862. HSS also has locations in Wilton (195 Danbury Road) and, of course, Stamford (in the Tully Health Center and Stamford Hospital).
ONE MEDICAL
104 Heights Road, Darien
22 Pine Street, New Canaan
20 Elm Street, Westport
888-663-6331; onemedical.com/locations/ct
Amazon’s One Medical has arrived at your doorstep. Primary care doctors here care for adults of all ages, including seniors on Medicare. From physicals and screenings to gynecological care and mental health services, One Medical offers everyday and preventive care. Same-day appointments and 24/7 video chats with providers are part of One Medical’s commitment to the ease of the healthcare experience for its members.
GROUNDED MEDITATION
203-717-4777; groundedmeditationstudio.com
Even though stillness goes against the grain of us uber-busy folk, it’s what we need most! Grounded Meditation, founded by attorney-yogi-healer Diane Barnett (who knows a thing or two about the fast-paced life), offers a menu of meditation styles, reiki, dancing mindfulness, sound healing and more, in group or privates, with virtual options. The latest events are drawing the calmest of crowds to be bathed in the sounds of crystal and Himalayan bowls, chimes, gongs, drums, bells and Native American flutes in backyards and at partner locations like Carriage Barn Arts Center (New Canaan), Nielson’s Green House (Darien) and The Healing Sanctuary (Fairfield).
PHLOW IV
516-447-8024; phlowiv.com
Are you ready for IV therapy but prefer the drip be administered in the comfort of your own home? No problem. Phlow IV’s registered nurses come to you, with rejuvenating IV treatments for postpartum women, migraine sufferers, fertility, flu, hangovers, rehydration, energy and more. Clients also frequently report: “No more brain fog!”
RESTORE HYPER WELLNESS
1055 High Ridge Road, Stamford; 203-890-9200
877 Post Road East, Westport; 203-557-0644
restore.com/locations
Cryotherapy, red light therapy, infrared sauna, compression, IV therapy, skin health services and more … Develop a wellness plan at Restore Hyper Wellness, and get in on the movement launched by triathlete Steve Welch in 2015. Reduced inflammation, reduced muscle aches and pain, increased collagen production, enhanced mood and better sleep are just some of the benefits of these innovative treatments.
IV THERAPY-VERSAILLES MEDICAL SPA
106 Noroton Avenue, Darien
203-951-1248; versaillesmedicalspa.com
Versailles Medical Spa offers all kinds of face and body treatments, but the one that people are buzzing about from the spa’s health and wellness menu is IV therapy. These nutrient infusions boost beauty, energy and hydration. Tailored blends serve each client’s specific needs: anti-aging, weight loss, overall wellness, performance boosters, fat burners, immunity boosters and the popular “Myers’ Cocktail.” Unlike the kind you get at happy hour, it will make you happier and healthier.
SPOT ON VET
184 Selleck Street, Stamford; 203-973-7768
950 Post Road East, Westport; 203-303-9933;
spotonvet.com
World-class care, concierge-level customer service, luxurious environment—clearly this is the place for your pampered pooch or queenly kitty cat. The Stamford location on the Greenwich border houses a state-of-the-art veterinarian hospital, plush pet hotel, doggie daycare, a grooming spa and training services. A new location in Westport (in the former Men’s Wearhouse site) is open seven days a week. Recovering pets have toddler beds and even TVs in their rooms, as well as cameras so owners can keep a watchful eye on their furry friends from home. Dr. Phillip Putter and his wife, Rebecca, run the business and care for all creatures, great and small. Spot On also makes house calls and offers valet service to pick up pets and drop them home—mended, groomed and clearly living the good life.
ROWAYTON DOG PARK
36 McKinley Street, Norwalk
rowaytondogpark.com
Because dogs need fresh air, a nice run, recreation and social time to maintain their good life! Dogs go off leash in this expansive, fenced-in meadow. Chances are, the furry visitors will make friends at Rowayton Dog Park and so will their owners. Perks include doggie bags, fresh water, benches and a rinse-off hose.
SPORTS
ROWING, RACQUET SPORTS, YOGA, RUGBY and more-there is NO SHORTAGE OF OPTIONS for the JOCKS AND EYE-HAND-COORDINATED folks out there. An exhaustive list of all the ways to REACH BLISSFUL EXHAUSTION in our area would fill a full magazine, so we have zeroed in on some NEW, TRENDY or UNUSUAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES that are sure to be smash hits for you and your family.
SQUASH
Chelsea Piers
1 Blachley Road, Stamford
203-989-1000; sports.chelseapiers.com/connecticut/stamford/sports/squash
Squash used to have that two-businessmen-whacking-away-while-talking-stock-deals kinda vibe. But these days, squash as a youth sport is growing like mad. At Chelsea Piers, the program is led by the incredibly lovely good-guy Will Newnham, who also happens to coach the Darien High School team and previously coached at Ox Ridge and King. Newnham has coached top-ranked junior players on the international level, but he is just as passionate about teaching the game to those who are looking for some fun and a social connection.
WATER POLO
Greenwich Water Polo YMCA of Greenwich
50 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich
646-220-9792; greenwichaquaticswaterpolo.com
CT Premier Water Polo Club – Chelsea Piers
1 Blachley Road, Stamford
admin@ctpremierwpc.com; ctpremierwpc.com
Greenwich Water Polo is the only East Coast team even uttered in the same conversation with the renowned California squads. That said, CT Premier, which practices out of Chelsea Piers, is steadily improving its ranks and sending recruits to top schools. Kids come from all over Westchester and Fairfield County to learn what is arguably one of the most physically strenuous and mentally demanding sports. Players are constantly swimming and treading water, so they need strength and endurance, while also needing to handle the ball with finesse. The summer programs at local shore and country clubs are also gaining in popularity.
FLAG FOOTBALL
First Down Club
Rippowan Middle School, Stamford
fdcstamfordflagfootball.com
Greenwich Youth Football Club
greenwichyouthfootball.org
Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich
bgcg.org
Flag football has become such a big deal that the tackle-free game will be an Olympic sport in the 2028 games. Stamford Flag Football is so well run and popular that talks are underway with multiple locations to continue to the middle school years, possibly beyond. Teams are coed. Dedicated players even keep making touchdowns after the snow flies; Greenwich Boys and Girls Club has run an off-season, indoor winter league since 2019. Greenwich Youth Football caters to first- and second-graders in the fall and first- through eighth-graders in the spring. Wherever you live, your town is sure to have a flag team.
SAUGATUCK SURVIVE OARS
Saugatuck Rowing Club
521 Riverside Avenue, Westport
203-221-7475; saugatucksurvive-oars.com
Sure, there are a lot of rowing clubs in our coastal towns, but one of the programs at Westport’s Saugatuck Rowing Club is notably unique. If you happen to notice a sea of pink-clad rowers in a pink boat gliding along the Saugatuck River, mostly likely you are watching a group of breast-cancer survivors pulling with all their might and celebrating pulling through. “Empowering breast cancer survivors one stroke at a time” is the program’s motto. Formed in partnership with Smilow Family Breast Health Center at Norwalk Hospital in 2018, the program is free of charge, reaffirming that fact that rowers have big hearts. Donations to support the program, which helps these women feel like they are flying and walking on water all at the same time, can be made on the website.
GOLF
The Clubhouse Westport
1620 Post Road East, Westport
203-292-3169; theclubhousewestport.com
Not your average golf course, The Clubhouse Westport is an indoor activity and social hub with full-swing golf simulators, Dartsee dart boards, two karaoke rooms, a full bar with the largest video wall in Westport and an extensive pub menu to rival any country club’s. A rooftop bar will appeal to those who like to lounge more than walk the links. Owners Tim and Emily Zobl are University of Michigan alumni, so all major U Mich sporting events are a party at the Clubhouse complete with an Ann Arbor-inspired menu. (Wear your maize and blue.) Multiple spaces or the whole shebang can be rented out for birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, bachelor nights or corporate events.
YOGA
Grace Farms
365 Lukes Wood Road, New Canaan
203-920-1702; gracefarms.org
Yoga studios abound in our towns, but the yoga on the first Saturday of each month at serene and otherworldly Grace Farms is a full experience, including acoustic accompaniment and a cup of tea from Grace Farms Tea & Coffee. Instructor Pilin Anice, a wellness guide, believes in connecting, healing and evolving through Ayurveda, yoga, self-care, dance and drum. She is also on faculty at Kripalu and Ailey Extension.