Fairfield Prep Grad Finds Career Path Through Mandarin Chinese Studies

Fairfield Prep Grad Finds Career Path Through

Mandarin Chinese Studies

(Appeared on front page of Fairfield Sun 11/11)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

11/4/10

Fairfield, CT – A love of travel and decision to study Mandarin Chinese “on a whim” in college has opened incredible doors for a Fairfield Prep graduate who is himself now teaching the language and culture in a new free program that has just begun in Fairfield Public Libraries.

Christopher Alesevich, 25, who graduated from Fairfield Prep in 2003, is offering the program at both the Fairfield Woods Branch Library and Fairfield Public Library. The first class, a one-hour session geared to young adults ages 12-18, launched Nov. 3 at Fairfield Woods. Classes for children begin 11/8 while those for adults start 11/16, both at the main library. The sessions offer local people of all ages the opportunity to learn Mandarin Chinese and about Chinese culture through virtual field trips, lesson plans and live interaction with China-based teachers.

Through the free classes, Alesevich also hopes to encourage people to take a deeper interest in the language and enroll in his Wudaokou Borderless Learning online school. The website just launched this past July and already a handful of students are participating.

Inspiration

“I have always been interested in traveling, meeting people and learning about where they come from,” said Alesevich, who was born and raised in Shelton. Leaving home to attend school at the University of California was one of his first big adventures. “No one in my immediate family had lived outside of Connecticut,” he said.

Alesevich decided to pursue an International Relations major and was also interested in taking a language. He had studied Spanish in high school but didn’t want to continue. On a whim, he chose Mandarin Chinese.

One of his first Chinese teachers told him, “You will learn a lot and study hard, but at some point, go to China.” While that thought played in his head, he undertook a key initial travel experience cross-country during the summer of 2005. The trip was part of a college journalism project with a goal of asking people he encountered what made them happy.

“I collected stories from folks from all walks of life. I met chili pepper farmers in New Mexico, woodworkers in New Hampshire, lobbyists in D.C. and activists in Oregon,” he shared.

Adventure Abroad

He had whet his whistle and, in Jan. 2006, during his junior year, went abroad to China, residing and attending Beijing University. He enrolled in an intensive Mandarin program in which students from all over the world also participated.

“It was fascinating to be in the capital of China, immersed in its culture and surrounded by earnest learners,” he said. “I felt I was on to something and wanted to continue to learn, but get away from campus.”

Alesevich’s thoughts led him to take a leave of absence for a year, during which he traveled to Shanghai to work as a project coordinator for Laticrete International. He worked with Chinese employers and suppliers, applying his language skills. After six months, though, he decided he liked Beijing better and returned there for the balance of the year to work for state-owned enterprise China International Intellectech (CIIC), the second largest human resources company in mainland China.

As Assistant to the General Manager, Alesevich translated sales presentations and contracts from Chinese to English and presented materials at meetings. “I was the first foreigner to work for them. Even though there were thousands of employees at CIIC, I was just known as Chris. This was a 100% Chinese working environment, with the exception of me.”

Alesevich returned to USC with some real-world global experience and got involved with U.S. China Institute on campus as a staff reporter for its magazine U.S. China Today. “I penned articles about famous scholars that studied Chinese, the modern economy as related to Hong Kong and tourism in southwestern China.” His work required him to interact with experts in the USC community and he spent hours in USC’s library.

He also took a high-level Chinese literature class. “I was the only one in class that had gone abroad – I felt empowered.”

After graduation, Alesevich went back to Beijing, for a year, reconnecting with Chinese friends. He started teaching English to Chinese people, which evolved into a small business. “I would recruit students, teach, recruit more.”

A Business Is Born

Perceiving a greater interest and need in the international community, he decided he would teach Chinese instead. “In my apartment on the east side of Beijing in February 2009, I hatched the concept for Wudaokou Borderless Learning.”

With partner Michael Fengbo, Alesevich immediately dove into putting together an online Chinese language instruction school and recruiting tutors. “In an underground KFC in a nearby shopping mall is where we began our pitch to tutors,” he mused.

With regard to the website, he said, “I wanted to share what it’s like to learn Chinese in China for those people not fortunate enough to have that opportunity.”

Over a three to four month period, he and Fengbo got far with recruiting, lessons development and the website before Alesevich returned to the U.S.

Locally, Alesevich connected with more resources, including Destwin LLC, a Monroe-based online software company that provided the foundation for the Chinese learning platform. Initial lessons were PDF docs but have since involved to full-blown virtual tours that help teach the language. These take students through notable sites like the Great Wall and Forbidden City with a sophistication superior to many virtual tours provided by travel services and hotels.

Alesevich became interested in reaching out to folks in Connecticut and showing them how they can easily learn Chinese. “In learning Chinese in Beijing, I had found that I made the greatest progress when I interacted and practiced one-on-one live with my instructors.” He incorporated this element – really a founding principal – into his new website, to provide that experience, which he says is fundamental to how language is learned.

Connecticut-based Program

“I recognized a great interest from our local community in China, its culture and its language. China is the second largest world economy and poised to be the greatest partner for peace and prosperity in the future,” Alesevich remarked.

He also recognized that it was difficult for people to find a place to learn Chinese. To that end, he created a rolling class program and scheduled it to be held over the next few months. The structure calls for one free hour-long class every two weeks for each of three age segmentations – children, teens and adults. These classes are free and open to the public.

In addition to Alesevich sharing his language and culture knowledge, the program will provide an introduction to his Wudaokou Borderless Learning system. He hopes that this access will really enable people to experience China and interact with native teachers.

“My family has been very supportive of my plans all the way through, but is especially happy I’m back in Connecticut. They agree that the program has value to the community… and it’s a great way for me to spend my time right now.”

SIDEBAR

Mandarin Chinese Classes Wow Staff and Students at Fairfield Public Libraries

Fairfield, CT – The lower level of the Fairfield Woods Library was the site Wednesday afternoon Nov. 3 of the first Mandarin Chinese language and culture class, a program created and introduced by Fairfield Prep grad Chris Alesevich.

It was met with very positive response from both staff and students.

“Eleven teens signed up for the class and they’re coming here after a long day in school,” said Nancy Coriaty, Deputy Town Librarian. “That’s very telling as to how important the language is.”

Coriaty also marveled at how great it is that libraries can connect with people like Alesevich, who can offer these programs.

Assistant Director for Administrative Services Dawn LaValle echoed Coriaty’s sentiments. “We’re very excited about the program and offering it to a community like Fairfield. It gives patrons something they’ve been seeking for a while.”

LaValle commented that the trend has been going towards Asian languages, particularly as students consider careers and more adults do business worldwide.

As Alesevich summoned China-based tutor Vicky Liu through a live Skype audio/video connection for interaction with the class, Brigette Anderson, 13, shared her enthusiasm. “We have been learning about China in Social Studies. I like learning new languages and thought this would be interesting.”

Fairfield Warde student, Conor Cosgrove, 14, was equally enthused. “China’s pretty big in the world. My mom thought I should learn the language as I might need it job-wise one day. I’m also part Chinese, so it will be interesting to learn my mom’s native language, too.”

With the support of the live tutor, Alesevich taught the class basic greetings, gave them a virtual tour of the Great Wall and provided a few history details.

Summed up LaValle, “We’re very happy to partner with Chris and hope the program will last a long time.”

For more information about and to register for the free Mandarin Chinese program, visit www.fairfieldpubliclibrary.org or call 203-256-3160. For details about Wudaokuo Borderless Learning, contact Chris Alesevich: chris@wudaokou.com

"Curtains" Going Up at Staples High School

“Curtains” Going Up at 
Staples High School:

Staples Players’ Musical Comedy Opens Nov. 12

(Appeared on 

Westport.Patch.com 11/12)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

11/9/10

Westport, CT – A production that was initiated on the very first day of the 2010-2011 school year and involved the efforts of over 100 students will make its much-anticipated debut this week.

“Curtains”, a musical comedy with a built-in murder mystery and show within a show, will debut on Nov. 12 at 7:30pm at Staples High School, 70 North Avenue in Westport. The show is co-directed by Staples’ Theatre Teacher David Roth and his wife Kerry Long and stars the high school’s own Staples Players, teens ages 14-18.

As Roth explained, “’Curtains’ focuses on a musical that is being tried out in Boston pre-Broadway. The show within the show is called ‘Robbin’ Hood’ and is a Western version of the Robin Hood story – and it’s just as terrible as that sounds.”

“The opening number of ‘Curtains’ is actually the final number of ‘Robbin’ Hood and, at the end of it, the leading lady faints,” Roth continued. “We later find out that she has died and the Boston police suspect murder. They send in Lt. Frank Cioffi to investigate the case and sequester the cast at the theater – and he just so happens to be a huge fan of musical theater and an amateur actor himself.”

In an amusing and fortunate twist with regard to the fate of “Robbin’ Hood, Cioffi, while investigating the murder, simultaneously helps solve the problems the production is facing – a once married, now divorced composer and lyricist team, a zany British director, a controlling producer and her sleazy husband, a smarmy critic who trashes the show, etc.

Staples is presenting “Curtains” by special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide of NYC. It is based on a stage adaptation by Rupert Holmes and features music by Jon Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, the creators of “Chicago” and “Cabaret”. The original book and concept was developed by Peter Stone.

Roth notes that the book is “really really funny” and that the show is “one of the funniest musicals that people have never heard of. The music, though written less than five years ago, is classic Kander & Ebb and has a big Broadway, retro feel, in the tradition of classic musicals.”

Staples’ own behind-the-scenes production talent includes musical director Justin Miller, choreographer Joanne Kahn, technical director/set designer Dave Seltzer, costume designers Marjorie Watt and Priscilla Stampa and pit orchestra conductor Adele Valovich.

Roth, a 1984 Staples graduate who studied theater at DePaul University and acted professionally before returning to Staples 11 years ago as theatre director, has high expectations for the production. “I hope the audience will be entertained and that the kids will have a great time doing this. This is the big fall musical and should be enjoyable for the whole family. It’s really about the love of theater and being involved in theater, what Rupert Holmes described as a ‘Valentine to theater.’”

Leading cast members include Max Samuels as Lt. Frank Cioffi; Eva Hendricks at Carmen Bernstein, the producer of “Robbin’ Hood”; and Matt Van Gessel as Christopher Belling, the director of the show. Of seniors involved in the cast, nine are going on to study theater in college.

Regarding the cast, Roth said, “They’re doing a phenomenal job. This is a terrific ensemble production that showcases all our terrific kids.”

Performances will be held on Nov. 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 7:30pm and Nov. 14 at 2pm at Staples High School. Adult admission is $15.00. Student admission is $10. Senior citizens may attend at the student rate on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 2pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.staplesplayers.com or in person (by cash or check only) in the SHS main lobby, Wednesdays through Fridays, 12:30 to 2pm beginning Nov. 10. Remaining tickets will be for sale at the door, beginning 30 minutes before curtain. Seating is reserved. The production is rated PG for some language and violence.  

 

Man About Town: In the Spotlight at Starbucks

Man About Town:

In the Spotlight at Starbucks

(Appeared as a column in the Fairfield-Citizen News 11/12)

ã 2010. All Rights Reserved.

11/8/10

First light on a recent Monday brought a wake-up call from Mother Nature, who lashed the area with wicked winds and a sloppy freezing rain and snow mix. At times, it was blowing sideways and managed to settle and stick to car windshields, porch steps and rooftops. Kids, who hoped for a quick-decision school closing, and commuters alike, sighed a collective sigh, hitched up their gear and slogged out.

While the wind hadn’t subsided by late morning, the sun was doing its best to peek out, and any leftover ice crystals quickly melted. It was a tease for the season to follow. Though an uncomfortable commuting day, it was a perfect café and coffee day, and the popular Starbucks on Black Rock Turnpike beckoned to passersby.

Barristas Katie and Shirlean were manning the counter, operating the java-making machinery that makes that wonderful shushing sound as it pumps out exotic coffees while sending into the air great smells that themselves alone can stimulate the senses.

“Nice and bundled up today?” inquired Shirlean of an elder man draped in multiple layers, a cap and droopy trousers that were just hanging on.

“You need to wake up!” she good-naturedly said to another man in corporate casual attire who sleepily placed his order. “I was just in a meeting and it was so boring!” he remarked.

A mom, in pink t-shirt with a Hello Kitty image emblazoned on the front pushed a stroller containing her young son. “I’m five at heart,” she joked when asked about her top.

Along with the lattes, mochas, Americanos, cappuccinos, espressos, roasts and caramel coffees available in the trademark tall, grande, venti and magilla-scale 31oz. trenta sizes, customers had a bevy of other purchase choices here. On the top deck of a well-lit glass display case for example, muffins, scones, bagels, buns, doughnuts and English muffin sandwiches perched. In the bay below, towering waters, all-natural drinks, pre-packaged paninis and cans of frappuccino stood at attention. Nearby, baskets contained snack packs. And for the early holiday shopper, a bookcase featured tiers of thermoses, tins of tea, mega mugs and packs of instant coffee.

A blonde woman strolled in, walking stiffly and favoring one leg, with sheepskin-lined suede boots on her feet and black Spandex tights. “Two grande lattes, please,” she requested of a counterman that had joined his female counterparts and was carrying on a chat with an old friend that had dropped in. As the hobbling arrival was wearing a North Face windbreaker, I suspected she may have suffered an early season ski injury. In fact, she had run the New York City Marathon the day before. “It was a pretty awesome experience,” she exclaimed. As to how she goes about recovering, she replied, “I keep moving and drink lots of coffee.”

Her sheepskin boots were a popular choice among patrons, who tromped in with all makes and varieties. Also noted were separate sheepskin cuffs that serve to seal off any air that may try to invade the space between shoe top and pants hem, colorful rubber boots, hiking shoes and waterproof moccasins. No doubt these had all been hastily broken out from storage bins and winter gear repositories for today’s surprising weather condition and now warmed feet that had before now enjoyed less structured footwear.

Toasty feet. Roasty libations. Warm, busy café. It was all good on this wild wintry week-start.

Fairfield’s New Superintendent of Schools Outlines Vision

Fairfield’s New Superintendent of Schools Outlines Vision

(Appeared on Fairfield.Patch.com 11/8)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

11/8/10

Fairfield, CT – It was a blustery, bone-chilling night and already quite dark by the start of the early evening event due to the recent Daylight Savings clock adjustment, but that didn’t stop several dozen area residents from gathering to meet a new face in town.

On Monday night Nov. 8, the Fairfield Museum and History Center, together with the League of Women Voters, welcomed Fairfield’s new Superintendent of Schools Dr. David G. Title. Following an informal reception that featured coffee and pastries, Dr. Title outlined his vision for Fairfield Public Schools in an hour-long address and Q&A session.

Charlotte Garrell, Co-President of the League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, said, “We welcome Dr. Title to Fairfield and wish him well in his job. There are a lot of difficult decisions to make. Re-districting is a key issue.”

Fran Wilder, a kindergarten teacher at Holland Hill School, was equally pleased to have Title on board and echoed Garrell’s thoughts on priorities. “He’s very easy to talk to, and charming. I think he’s got an uphill road. Re-districting. That’s what we’re going through now.”

To that regard, Title commented, “Re-districting involves the history of the town and is a very hot topic, emotionally charged. We need to do more research on enrollment and facility needs before wading into that pond.”

Prior to his July 1 appointment, Title had served as Superintendent of Schools in Bloomfield, CT from 2002 to 2010. Prior to that, he was Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Waterford, CT from 1990 to 2002. Earlier positions included assistant principal at Somers, CT High School and history teacher at both East Granby, CT High School and Longmeadow, MA High School. A native of West Hartford, Title earned his Doctorate in educational administration from Harvard University and a Master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts. He also received a Bachelor’s Degree from Dartmouth College, where he majored in History. Title is married and has four children, ages 7 to 21.

Title thought it fitting that the presentation was being held at the History Center. “One of the things I’m striving to do is learn the history, culture and traditions of Fairfield. I’m a history buff as well.” He confessed to being in a “learning mode” and felt that his big task centered around taking “a really good school system and bringing it to the next level, from excellent to premiere.” To that end, he planned to look for “leverage points and untapped resources and enhance Fairfield’s great education programs while under fiscal constraints.”

After brief introductions by Museum Director of Education Christine Jewell and Garrell, Title explained that he was in an information gathering mode with a goal of presenting an overview in late winter to the Board of Education and town. However, he emphasized that instruction in the classroom is key and the fastest route to help children.

There were four main leverage points on which Title planned to focus:

1. Continuing to improve the skills of teachers. “There’s always new learning to be done and we need to also look at the data with regard to student performance.”

2. School leader skills. “Principals have a big impact,” Title said, “and they affect a school’s culture. Their skills must be as up to date as teachers.”

3. Having an aligned system. Title expressed, “There must be consistency across schools with regard to having a common experience and curriculum. It’s no easy task. We have 237 second grade teachers across the districts for example. Vertical alignment is also key, particularly at transition points like school entry and 5^th to 6^th grade.”

4. Resources. Title emphasized the importance of having up-to-date technology.

Title was generally satisfied with class sizes and wants to maintain them, seeks to use data more effectively, aims to provide fairer distribution of technology and encourages Fairfield to be more involved in the shaping of policy in Hartford and Washington, D.C.

Vessy Doulis, a Mill Plain Road resident with a daughter at Riverfield Elementary, thought Title had the right background to get the job done, but is eager to know more. “He has broad expertise and experience and has been in many different districts. Now I want to know more specifics and steps to get there.”

Fairfielder Joyce Flynn had nothing but praise for Title. “He’s innovative and very positive, but also realistic. I like his reaching.”

Award Ceremony Recognizes Leadership in Promoting Equal Opportunity

Award Ceremony Recognizes Leadership in Promoting Equal Opportunity

(Appeared in Westport News 11/8/10)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

11/7/10

Westport, CT – It was a celebration of accomplishment, diversity and the stance of a town that has set a premiere example for other communities to follow.

TEAM (Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism), Westport’s official committee on multiculturalism and diversity, today honored Dr. Albert Beasley, Claire Gold and Andy Boas, three individuals who have committed themselves to pursuing equal opportunity for disadvantaged people. The group’s second annual “Diversity Trailblazers Awards” event, it featured a reception and ceremony and was held at the Stoney Point home of Ann Sheffer and Bill Scheffler.

Initially established in 2002 by former First Selectman Diane Farrell as a permanent group focused on diversity, TEAM’s mission is to achieve and celebrate a community that welcomes everyone. It collaborates closely with other town bodies such as the library, playhouse and clergy to promote its objectives, and its activities are solely funded by contributions.

About the honoree selection process, Nick Rudd, chair of TEAM’s marketing committee, said, “Our 15 members confer about candidates, attempting to represent a spectrum of the community and recognize people that have made a real difference in promoting diversity in all aspects of life.”

Fellow board member Sheffer, who is also head of TEAM’s advisory council, added, “I grew up here and know these people. Al Beasley was my pediatrician. Claire Gold was Superintendent of Schools. I suggested Andy Boas as a younger element of the group.”    

Speaking more about TEAM’s objectives, Rudd explained, “TEAM serves as a catalyst for dialogue and engagement about race. We’re also focused on children and have been named by the Board of Education as the premiere group to work with the Westport school system. In fact, Westport’s Superintendent of Curriculum Brian Fagin is now on TEAM’s board.”

Harold Bailey Jr., TEAM’s Chair, spoke about Boas, a general partner in investment advisory firm Carl Marks & Co. “Andy wanted to do something that would directly impact kids. He founded the Charter Oak Challenge Foundation to provide scholarship opportunities for Bridgeport high school students. The program gives them a scholarship, a laptop computer and mentor to guide them through all four years of college. He also started the Achievement First Bridgeport Academy Middle School, a charter school serving 500 fifth to eighth graders.”

“This is a very meaningful event for Westport,” said Boas. “What we have here, not everyone else has. Awareness is critical as well as both contributions of money and time for those who need it desperately. Children have the right to a world-class education no matter where they live.”

Fellow honoree Claire Gold said she was “very touched” that TEAM even thought of her. Of course, her record of service betrays her modesty, with her past 20 years committed to diversity issues and working with developing schools in Bridgeport. Notably, she has been spearheading the new Discovery Interdistrict Magnet School, which has a focus on science and technology and is dedicated to grades Pre-K through eighth grade.

Bailey added that Gold is also behind Project Choice, which allows Bridgeport students to go to school in Westport.

“Westport is an unusual community,” Gold commented about the town’s open-minded stance. “I was the second woman in the state to be appointed Superintendent. This town is very progressive. I feel very fortunate to be in the middle of this.”

The senior member of the honorees, Beasley, with regard to the award, humbly said, “I guess it means I’ve had some success in my career. When I moved here in 1953, Westport embraced me. I was accepted for what I had to offer. I appreciate that I’ve been valued.”

The co-founder of Willows Pediatric and practicing pediatrician for more than 50 years added, “Most importantly, I appreciate people for trusting their precious children to me.”

“Westport remembers… we don’t forget those that do good for our town,” said First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, officiating at the ceremony. “This town has always been a diverse community, with bohemian roots,” Joseloff continued. “It has always attracted people of different minds and spirits.”

“These honorees are well deserving,” added Joseloff. “This is just a small token of our appreciation.”

Reinvention Spurs Success: Thriving Businesses in Hard Times

Reinvention Spurs Success:

Thriving Businesses in Hard Times

(Appeared on front page of Fairfield-Sun paper 11/4)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

10/14/10

Fairfield, CT – They say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Some people just refuse to accept the cards they’ve been dealt, they hatch a new game plan and they find successful new avenues they would otherwise not have discovered. Such is the case with three distinct Fairfield business owners.

A Gem in the Rough

It was January 2010 when the long-expected, but nevertheless tragic, end came. Tom Losonci, president of Madison Jewelers at 2261 Black Rock Turnpike, lost his two-year battle with cancer. His children were still too young to take over the business, his wife was occupied with childcare and his mother was too elderly to assume management. His right-hand man Ernie Piscitelli had been the store’s manager for the past 10 years, had 25 years in the industry and built a reputation with customers. He expressed an interest in continuing the business and, prior to Losonci’s passing, the two met to discuss.

Piscitelli recalled the meeting. “Tom called me over to his house and over a beer and a milkshake, he signed a right of first refusal agreement for the purchase of any asset of the business, which enabled me to purchase the fixtures and tools from the estate.” Piscitelli signed a new lease and closed for six months, until July 15, when he completed the property transaction.

“I didn’t have one piece of jewelry,” he said, so spent a month and a half building inventory and traveling to different jewelry shows (e.g. Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Bangkok, New York). “I was looking at who had what and for well-made, affordable jewelry.” On August 29, Madison officially reopened.

“This was definitely a Hail Mary pass,” said Piscitelli about the decision to press on in a period in which many businesses were struggling. But he was confident that a new approach and hard work would bring results. “Every piece in my store is current, fresh, high-quality and priced from $50 to $25,000. We offer a homey, unpretentious atmosphere and seek to build a relationship, not just make a sale. We hope to appeal to a broad customer base with hundreds of pieces under $500, but still be the largest supplier of diamond engagement rings and wedding bands.”

His efforts are paying off, said Anita Burger-Kolonjari, now the store manager, a long-time employee and granddaughter of Madison’s founder. “Customers have practically run in the door… so many congratulations and hugs!”

Center Stage

A few years ago, Cyndi Sadowsky was facing divorce and had to figure out how to stay in her home. “I wasn’t going to be defeated,” said the now remarried mother of a 12-year-old daughter and stepmom to two other children.

Sadowsky’s friend, Beverly Clarke, mother to three children herself, was also going through a divorce and debating about going back into sales. However, the thought of coming home late, not being able to make dinner for her youngest child and sitting in traffic on I-95 wasn’t ideal.

“It had always been a dream to make my own rules and decorating and design were an interest,” said Sadowsky. “Beverly had similar philosophies and we thought there was a niche in the local market for homestaging.”

Popular in other parts of the country, homestaging is the process in which you prepare your home for sale by doing repairs, de-cluttering and making it more appealing to a wide range of buyers. The two formed Center Stage Designs, a service that also includes re-design and, more recently, decorating.

“Re-design is a less expensive alternative to an interior designer and suited to a person that doesn’t have the funds to start from scratch. As to decorating, we found people have ideas they don’t know how to put together, so we help them narrow down how they want their home to look and feel,” said Sadowsky.

They worked hard to get up and running, creating a website, making their business a top Google search, placing print ads and sending postcard mailings to both realtors and homeowners.

Working out of Clarke’s Bay Edge Court home office, the two are not looking back. “This business gives us more flexibility to care for our families. We still work hard but can choose when we do,” said Clarke.

As to the business’ success, Sadowsky noted, “Homestaging is a growing trend. Your home really has to be set apart. It’s a buyer’s market. The houses we visit and stage are ready and they sell so fast.” Recently, they extended the service to the commercial market, which has had the effect of bringing new life to businesses and inspiring customers to come back.”

“I love jumping out of bed every morning and doing this,” concluded Clarke. “And we’re creating a business that our children can pursue.”

Live and In-Person

Like Clarke and Sadowsky, Trevor Mahony Crow found herself facing divorce and having to suddenly think about how she was going to support herself. She recalled the moment on New Year’s Day in 2009 when her husband declared, “I don’t know if I really want to grow old with you,” and walked out the door.

He had done well in the markets on Wall Street, but companies like AIG were “falling into the ocean” and sinking fast and the recession was rearing its ugly head. She immediately put a house on the market that they had just renovated, which sold a year later, and purchased a townhouse in Southport Green.

Ironically, Crow holds a Masters Degree in marriage and family therapy and, at the time of the separation, had been successfully operating a small office in Westport. Her career, though, had “really been an adjunct” to her husband’s, and so she had to refocus on making it yield more.

Her publicist friend, Robin Phillips, suggested she pen a column for a new website started by area moms called FairfieldMomsTown.com. The column started as a weekly Q & A, with topical themes related to her field. It quickly gained great interaction and responses and continues to intrigue her. “I did a recent article about men losing their jobs and not being able to hang on to the lifestyle they’d created, and the shame and pain associated with that. They are not able to open up about their feelings and a divide opens between them and their spouses. It opened up a whole dialogue.”

She realized she’d hit a nerve and there was a lot more to talk about: stress, the economy, communication. “We are not islands. We’re wired to co-regulate.” This thinking spurred her to take to the air with a live radio show titled “Keeping Connected with Trevor Crow”, an hour-long broadcast Tuesday evenings at 8pm on WSTC/WNLK 1350/1400 on AM talk radio. The format usually entertains interesting, thought-provoking guests in the fields of family, relationships and different life stage processes.

“My mantra to myself is you have to break out of your comfort zone. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be doing a radio show if I was still married,” said Crow, reflecting. “Hopefully, things will be more lucrative. I’m planting the seeds and learning a lot. I feel very fortunate.”

SIDEBAR

Determination in the Face of Adversity

People reinvent themselves for many different reasons. In these economically challenged and stressful times, more often than not, reinvention is forced by a change in marital status or job loss. These life changes can be very difficult but for those that can climb out of the mire, rebound and find a new path, the event can lead to unexpected success. A commitment to a goal and courage in the face of adversity are the necessary tools of these challenging times.

“It was very difficult for the people who worked here to stay until the end,” said Ernie Piscitelli, who had managed Madison Jewelers until its owner passed away from cancer. “Deep down, we knew the end was going to come, which would also be the end of our jobs, but we didn’t walk away.”

It was Piscitelli’s drive to carry on the business and the support of co-worker Anita Burger-Kolonjari that enabled him to initiate a new lease and reopen. “We worked around the clock, seven days a week to get the store open. And we did it with new strategies while remaining committed to service.”

As an employee of an interior design firm in New Jersey, Fairfield mom Beverly Clarke often found herself stuck in an office far from home. Pal Cyndi Sadowsky, who handled event management for Fortune 500 companies, didn’t like to travel. When both found themselves victims of divorce and needing to create a sustainable income while caring for their children, they formed Center Stage Design.

“We threw the idea around for two years and spent time researching higher training to move forward,” said Sadowsky. Their homestaging business has taken off and Clarke credits their initiative. “I like that we’re innovators here, it works and what we’ve done proves it. We’ve become great role models for our kids and, hey, we started a business in a recession.”

Staples High Teen Inspired by Arctic Adventure

Staples High Teen Inspired by 
Arctic Adventure

(Appeared in Westport News 11/5)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

11/4/10

Westport, CT – A contest essay submission this past Spring was a Staples High teen’s golden ticket, affording him passage to an Arctic adventure and ambassadorship… and now he’s come home enlightened and with tales aplenty.

Brian Hershey, 16, a junior at Westport’s Staples High School, had been selected by Gault Energy and Polar Bears International (PBI) as the local winner of the alliance’s third annual Leadership Camp Competition and appointed Fairfield County teen Arctic Ambassador. He has recently returned from PBI’s Canadian Arctic-based camp where he and 18 other students from across the world spent the week of Oct. 10-16.

Gault has collaborated with PBI for the past three years to educate Fairfield County homeowners about how carbon emissions are affecting polar bear habitats and what can be done to reduce output. Each year the alliance offers a deserving teen the opportunity to travel to the Arctic, receive onsite education and convey their new knowledge locally.

“I was one of nine area finalists that met with a selection committee,” said Hershey. “I think they chose me as I had an idea to connect teens in the Arctic to teens at my high school to get cause and effect of what we’re doing to create positive environmental change.”

Hershey initially flew to Winnipeg, Canada, where he joined the group for an overnight, then they took a chartered plane to the small town of Churchill, historically a trade port on the edge of Hudson Bay.

“The town has a population of around 400, with small houses, only four or five streets in the grid and a rail line going through,” Hershey explained. “Very simple and surrounded by Arctic tundra. Polar bears would regularly stroll into town, requiring police patrols to fire blanks to drive them away.”

After a two-day stay in Churchill, the group drove far out into the tundra in huge buggies, which Hershey described as a cross between a school bus and a monster truck. “The land was really barren, with the occasional polar bear. We parked at a research station and stayed there in the middle of nowhere for three days and two nights,” he said.

Their station stay included workshops to educate them about the bears. They also made daily treks to the intersection of Hudson Bay and Churchill River where fresh water meets seawater and bears congregate. The latter is the first area to freeze, allowing the bears to better access their seal prey. The group enjoyed guest speakers, like professional nature photographers and rangers from nearby Wapusk National Park, as well.

A highlight for Hershey was meeting an Inuit couple, Betty Settee and her husband Jim, who are trappers that kill and skin coyotes and sell furs to traders. Hershey expected them to be the antithesis of the group’s conservation-oriented efforts but was surprised that their attitudes were quite progressive. Their principles include living off the land, caring for Mother Nature and never taking more than you need.

Settee told the group about how she was hired as young as eight years old to guide hunters and that, by 12, she was traveling solo for days on end some 40 miles or more to trap and kill animals. Sadly, Settee just passed at age 77, on Oct. 27, just a week after Hershey’s return. “I will always remember her stories,” said Hershey.

Another highlight was video conferencing over the internet with elementary and high school students in the U.S. and Canada to speak about what the team was seeing and learning.

Hershey and his group got very close. “My fellow students were great, very smart and from all over. The facilitators, teachers and rangers, who are experts on the local bear population, were also terrific.” He described their quarters as tight, and there were no showers, but he had no complaints about the food.

Hershey played a second role at Camp, as a teen reporter for WSHU Connecticut Public Radio. He was given equipment to record a story for the station’s Teenage Diaries program. He captured five hours of audio, which included observations and interviews with students and experts.

His ambassador term will encompass a year during which time Hershey plans to share what he has learned with the community and help local businesses cut carbon emissions by 5% each year. “It didn’t make sense at first that small efforts like turning off a light or planting a tree could make a difference to a polar bear, but now I see it can. As my new PBI friend BJ puts it, ‘How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.’”