Just hours after she was born 9 weeks early, in June of 2022, Shea Greenfield’s heart stopped beating.
Doctors saved her life. But she was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome. Her heart’s electrical system takes longer than usual to recharge between beats. She is at risk of fainting, seizures, cardiac arrest and sudden death.
There is no cure for the condition. And Shea’s condition is one of the most severe her doctors have ever seen.
Shea’s parents, Mark and Kira, had moved to Westport a year earlier. In addition to educating themselves about LQTS, they began raising funds for the Mayo Clinic, where Dr. Michael Ackerman’s team does cutting-edge research.
In 2023, the Greenfields organized a fundraiser. They raised an eye-popping $290,000 for Dr. Ackerman’s lab.
Last year’s event was even bigger: $440,000.
This year, they’re shooting for half a million.
The 3rd annual Shake It For Shea gala is May 8 (7:30 p.m., The Knowlton, Bridgeport). There’s live entertainment by the Bobby Attiko Band, delicious food and drinks, a night of dancing, and much more.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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A much older — and also very important — non-profit is Abilis
For nearly 75 years, they’ve provided services and support for individuals of all ages with special needs and disabilities. Today they serve over 800 people, and their families.
Abilis sponsors residential homes in Westport, and run REACH and LEAP support programs here too.
Abilis also works with employers in the area, including the Westport Book Shop and Westport Library.
The upcoming Spring for Abilis gala (May 17, Greenwich Country Club) features emcee Billy Blanks Jr., music by ETA, dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions, and a chance to purchase much-needed items for Abilis’ programs like diapers, books, and educational games. The event is co-chaired by Gena Mann of Weston.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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The next local appearance for 2007 Staples High School graduate Drew Angus — whose fans include Jennifer Lopez, Elton John and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — is April 25 (SHU Community Theater, Fairfield).
Click here for tickets, and more information.
Drew Angus
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Gilbert Maurer — a former Westporter, former chief operating officer of Hearst, and trustee of the trust established by William Randolph Hearst — died April 6 at his home in Palm Beach, Florida. He was 96.
“Gil Maurer lived a remarkable life,” says Steven Swartz, Hearst president and CEO. “He helped build the modern Hearst corporation and kept working on it until the day he died. He was an artist, a civic leader, a savvy investor and philanthropist, and with his wife Ann he built a great family and found time to travel the world many times over.
As COO, Maurer was instrumental in Hearst’s diversification into broadcast and digital media, and other business ventures. As president of Hearst Magazines for 14 years, ad revenues more than quadrupled. He helped the company invest in Lifetime, A&E, History and ESPN.
He was instrumental in hiring Norman Foster to design Hearst Tower in 1999 — a move that changed both New York City’s skyline and the image of Hearst itself.
Descended from artist Alfred Maurer, he and his wife of 69 years, Ann, created the Maurer Family Foundation to support the arts in America.
Maurer was a trustee of the Whitney Museum of American Art, serving as president of the board from 1993 to 1998. He was also a trustee and director of the Norton Museum of Art in Palm Beach, a member of the Dean’s Council at the Yale School of Architecture, an overseer of the California Institute of the Arts, member of the Greater New York advisory board of The Salvation Army, a member of the board of nanagers of the New York Botanical Gardens, chair of the board of visitors of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, and member of the board of visitors to the art museums at Harvard.
His daughter Meredith Hutchison says that Westport was a special place for her parents. Her father walked often at Compo Beach, dressed nicely with a hat and cane.
An artist himself, Gilbert Maurer painted this Hillspoint Road scene.
Maurer was predeceased by his wife. He is survived by his children Christopher, David, Peter, Jonathan and Meredith, their spouses, 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held in Palm Beach and New York City. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Norton Museum, The Society of the Four Arts, the Whitney Museum of American Art and Yale School of Architecture.
Gilbert Maurer
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The cormorants are back at Burying Hill Beach — and Johanna Keyser Rossi photographed these 2, for “Westport … Naturally.”
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
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And finally … on this date in 1742, George Frideric Handel’s oratorio “Messiah” made its world premiere in Dublin. Hallelujah!
(Go ahead — click to watch the video above. It’s a beautiful 2 1/2 hours. Then, if you get a chance, please click here to support “06880.” One day, 2 important clicks. Thank you!)
Thanks for the symphony.
Do you remember that huge eraser that used to be on the front lawn on Beachside Avenue? It’s now in front oh the Norton museum in West Palm Beach! I also knew two people who worked at the Society of the Four Arts and have been there a few times.
Dan, thank you so very much for writing about the up coming FABULOUS evening of dancing, eating and mingling with wonderful folks at Shake it For Shea on May 8th! Because of caring people like you, we remain cautiously optimistic Dr Ackerman and his Mayo Clinic research team will be able to develop better medications and a cure for Long QT Syndrome!
Thank you again and again for all your help!
All My Best, Amy Chernoff Elkind