It was getting engaged three years ago that prompted Brookline bridal counselor Allison Moir-Smith to launch a private practice to help brides-to-be. ''I know my work is done when the bride understands that it's OK to be both sad and happy at the same time," the now-married Moir-Smith told Modern Bride. The magazine has chosen Moir-Smith, a psychotherapist who focuses her private practice on those looking to get hitched, and Boston wedding and event planner Bryan Rafanelli among the 25 ''trendsetters of the year." Modern Bride's awards ceremony, which will be held Tuesday at the Ritz-Carlton in New York, will also honor designers Kate Spade and Monique Lhuillier, and the king of bejeweled shoes, Stuart Weitzman. Moir-Smith will receive her award from Constance Ramos of ''Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," and Rafanelli will be feted by Court TV's Ashleigh Banfield.
Welch parting with Conn. homes
Former GE honcho Jack Welch is further cutting his Connecticut ties. Welch sold an eight-bedroom Georgian-style home in Fairfield, Conn., that had been on the market for three years for $6.9 million, The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday. The property went up for sale during Welch's divorce from his second wife, Jane Beasley. He has since married Suzy Welch, and the couple live in Boston. The Journal also reported Welch will sell a 9,100-square-foot waterfront house in Southport, Conn. For this sale, Welch is taking a different tack, the newspaper reported. Instead of using a broker, the Southport house will go up for auction on June 20.
Sun will come out, but Phillips wont
For the national tour of ''Annie" that comes to the Opera House on June 13, it will be one day at a time without Mackenzie Phillips. After almost a year on the road, she's leaving the show and will be replaced by her understudy, Julie Cardia.
Angela Menino was given an award for service to the community by Dimock Community Health Center CEO Ruth Ellen Fitch yesterday. The event, which marked the closing of a daylong health fair, included a keynote address by actress and diabetes survivor Della Reese.
Sox second baseman Mark Loretta and Shonda Schilling (wife of pitcher Curt Schilling), who are both survivors of melanoma, were at Fenway Park yesterday to discuss their experiences with skin cancer and promote the team's ''Play Smart When It Comes to the Sun" campaign.
This event goes to the dogs
Patriots player Lonie Paxton was accompanied by French mastif Argus; Bruins defenseman Ian Moran and his wife, Britta, took their dog Cubby; and Middlesex District Attorney Martha Coakley was escorted by Finley, a golden retriever, at a canine fashion show that was part of the MSPCA-Angell's Hall of Fame Dinner at Louis Boston. Also on Thursday night, Dana Ramish, the MSPCA president, and Robert Cummings, the association's chair, presented Catie Copley, the canine ambassador at the Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel, with the MSPCA's Animal Hero Award.
Singer LaBelle receives award
Singer Patti LaBelle was one of three women honored Thursday night for contributing in the fight against diabetes. The recognition came at the American Diabetes Association's Women of Valor Gala Awards at the Westin Copley Plaza hotel. Also honored were Sylvia Stevens-Edouard of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and Ginger Graham, CEO of
Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253. ![]()