above: It’s hard to imagine Stamford without Chelsea Piers—featured on its opening in 2012—the colossal training ground for future Olympians and sports enthusiasts alike.
Since our launch, this magazine has chronicled the city’s evolution—capturing moments of inspiration and transformation. From the impact of local changemakers, to the rise of vibrant community spaces and the cultural milestones we’ve paved along the way, each story captures the essence of the “city that works” better, together.
Read on for major moments that define Stamford’s unique narrative issue by issue.
01 Nov/Dec 2010
“I think this economy has been tough on everybody, but especially tough for nonprofits,” explained Mike Cotela, executive director of Boys & Girls Club of Stamford, as local organizations like his struggled with severe financial strains following the Great Recession. Our coverage highlighted their ingenuity and resilience as well as the community’s response, underscoring the crucial role nonprofits play in providing essential services.
02 Sept/Oct 2011
On September 11, 2001, French documentary filmmaker and Stamford resident Jules Naudet was in NYC shooting footage of Engine 7, Ladder Company 1 for a project about a young firefighter when he found himself amid the chaos of the World Trade Center’s collapse, asking, “Where is God?” Writer Chris Hodenfield profiled Naudet, his “9/11” film and the deeper questions sparked by that fateful day.
03 July/Aug 2012
Unsurprisingly, we covered the opening of Chelsea Piers Athletic Club, showcasing this game-changing addition to our sports scene. After much anticipation, the doors finally swung open, ready to turn our young athletes into future stars. The colossal 400,000-square-foot facility is packed with top-notch training grounds—an Olympic-sized pool, squash and tennis courts, a volleyball-basketball center, an indoor turf field, ice rinks and more. Now a staple for Fairfield and Westchester counties, Chelsea Piers continues to nurture athletic excellence and a lifelong love for sports.
04 Jan/Feb 2013
It’s been more than a decade now since then-Governor Dannel P. Malloy celebrated Stamford’s rising media prominence as NBC Sports moved to the city, centralizing the network’s coverage under one behemoth, state-of-the-art facility. In an interview with the magazine, multiple Emmy winner Sam Flood highlighted the benefits of moving from Rockefeller Center to Blachley Road. Since then mega-moments that matter in the world’s major athletic arenas have passed through Stamford to audiences everywhere.
05 Jan/Feb 2014
Stamford boasts a diverse roster of notable residents, from lifelong locals to transient luminaries. Among them, two retired sports legends Jane Geddes and Gigi Fernandez, who once called this city home. Fernandez, an Olympic gold-medal-winning tennis player and Geddes, a former professional golfer and SVP of operations for WWE, have since moved on, but their time here was chronicled in a 2014 feature that reflects the city’s appeal for champions who leave a lasting impact on the community.
06 Nov/Dec 2015
Back in 2015, we spotlighted Stamford’s longest-standing non-profit community theater Curtain Call’s 25th anniversary. From their humble beginnings to now, they’ve brought classics like outdoor Shakespeare on the Green and toe-tapping musicals like “Mamma Mia” to life. Despite COVID-19 challenges, Curtain Call thrives under artistic director Lou Ursone since 2000, embodying the resilience and importance of Stamford’s arts scene.
07 Sept/Oct 2016
In 2016, we featured Alicia O’Neill, a Stamford mom who conquered Mount Kilimanjaro. “I was about twenty-nine years old, reading an article in Esquire magazine about a guy who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and it planted the seed in the back of my mind,” said O’Neill. Joining a group to raise awareness for multiple myeloma, her trek illustrated personal growth amidst life changes, culminating in a transformative summit experience.
08 Jan/Feb 2017
In 2017, we spotlighted New York Times bestselling author and Stamford mom Wendy Walker’s journey from figure skater to star author—whose psychological thrillers have topped lists here and abroad. Her book “All Is Not Forgotten” commanded Hollywood’s attention, with Reese Witherspoon snagging film rights. Fast forward to 2024, and Walker’s still skating circles with her Audible Original “Mad Love.”
09 May/June 2018
We’re always on the hunt for reasons to celebrate our city, and our 2018 feature “150 Reasons to Love Stamford Right Now And More Than Ever” rounded up the best with flair.
10 Jan/Feb 2019
We covered beloved local landmark Stamford Museum & Nature Center’s transformative 2019 expansion, featuring the Knobloch Family Farmhouse, a sprawling 4,000-square-foot addition for cultural and educational activities. SM&NC continues to grow with the highly anticipated Planetarium and Astronomy Center set to open soon.
11 May/June 2020
We highlighted Stamford’s robust support for Black-owned business leaders. Each emphasized the critical need to educate children about racial injustice. Their efforts underscore the city’s diversity and solidarity.
12 Nov/Dec 2021
In 2021, Stamford Magazine highlighted the transformation of Stamford’s South End through development of The Village. Led by Brent and Courtney Montgomery, The Village continues to be an innovation center for the region with major tenants like ITV America and Wheelhouse. With year-round don’t-miss events, must-eat meals at popular restaurant The Wheel and a slate of career-changing creative projects through the Community Foundation, it’s easy to see how The Village is helping to cement Stamford as a cultural and economic hub.
13 Nov/Dec 2022
Step into the artistic tapestry of the cityscape with this colorful 2022 feature on the enduring murals that shape our community. From Sen2 Figueroa’s expansive creation at the entrance to Stamford Town Center to Lauren Clayton’s vibrant tribute to Stamford’s history at Kiwanis Park, each public work is replete with local spirit. The feature illustrates how artists infuse our streets and landmarks with color and narrative.
14 Jan/Feb 2023
In 2023, we embarked on a remarkable journey alongside Stamford sailor David Tunick as he undertook a daring solo Atlantic crossing. From Stamford to Spain’s A Coruña and back aboard his cherished Night Watch, Tunick’s voyage brims with challenges and breathtaking moments. “I did it because I love being out in the ocean and because, very simply, I wanted to deliver the boat, by myself, back to Stamford,” reflected Tunick as he shared his courageous odyssey.
15 May/June 2024
In the spring we were introduced to Stamford mom Melissa Fay through her remarkable journey following her sudden cardiac arrest at the New Canaan YMCA in January 2023. Quick-thinking bystanders performed CPR and used an AED, saving her life. Supported by a dedicated community, Fay and her friends established Lucky Mother, which provides AEDs to local businesses and hosts CPR trainings.