Rooted in love, legacy, and renewal
Our sanctuary circle invites you to experience a new level of wellness, and welcomes you with open arms.
Alex Sendzimir, Lord of the Forest
Sanctuary Founder
As life unfolded and the journey through the “cancering process” began, that vision took on even deeper meaning. Walking beside him as his wife, caregiver, and best friend, Cheryl felt a profound calling to honor his dream and bring it fully to life.
Clark Brook Sanctuary became a promise—a space where healing, love, and presence could extend far beyond their personal story and into the lives of others seeking rest, reflection, and reconnection.
As Lord of the Forest, Alex tends to the land with quiet devotion, preserving the land’s beauty, and sharing its hidden wonders through his breathtaking photography. His breathtaking photographs capture the soul of the forest: the way light dances on the brook, how the trees stand in quiet witness. His calm presence and deep bond with nature invite every guest to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover the ancient rhythm of the earth.
With roots deeply entwined in the very soil of Clark Brook Sanctuary, Alex has spent a lifetime listening to the whispers of the trees and the song of the brook. Nestled within hundreds of acres in Woodbury, Connecticut, the sanctuary is Alex’s childhood home, and with it comes stories of the past and hopes for the future.
For years, Alex envisioned this land as a place where others could come to find solace, connection, and renewal amidst nature’s quiet wisdom. As he reflected on his childhood, it became clear that it was always more than just a home—it was a place where the soul could quietly mend itself.
The land, lovingly inherited, now opens its arms to those ready to experience the same serenity that has held them both through seasons of joy and challenge.
Cheryl Sendzimir, The Enchantress
sanctuary founder
With a heart devoted to creating beauty and meaningful connection, Cheryl curates experiences that blend her love of themed tea rituals (focused on self-love, self-care, and self-empowerment), nature’s rhythms, and soulful conversation. Inspired by her husband’s vision and strengthened by their shared journey, she welcomes each guest not just as a visitor, but as part of the living story of Clark Brook Sanctuary.
Whether it’s a delicate tea party beneath the canopy of trees or a simple walk along the singing brook, Cheryl offers more than gatherings—she offers spaces where love, legacy, and gentle renewal intertwine.
How the roots were planted
Sendzimir family history
Michael and Jane Sendzimir designed and built the house which is now the Clark Brook Sanctuary building, and later purchased 130 acres of land to prevent development and preserve the forest around it. Upon their death, they gifted the house and land to Alex, their youngest son. Without their love, none of this would be possible, and we will continue to honor their legacy.
Michael Sendzimir, born in Shanghai, China, owned Sendzimir Incorporated, where he designed steel rolling mills and worked with companies like Hitachi and Panasonic. Over 90% of the world’s steel and non-ferrous metals are rolled on equipment by Sendzimir Inc.
Jane Harkness, originally from Canada, was an accomplished Opera singer. She was well known in the operatic industry, entertaining everyone from dignitaries at recitals to friends and family at her home.
Charles
steward of growth
Charles possesses a deep understanding of how people and systems thrive. He is seasoned in the art of growth, skilled in the realm of information technology, and is here to weave Clark Brook Sanctuary’s systems into harmony.
Sandie
LEDGER WARDEN
Sandy offers financial clarity, structure, and strategy with a calm, thoughtful touch.
Robyn
Brand fairy
Robyn and Cheryl met through a mutual client, and instantly felt called to work together. Provided with Alex and Cheryl’s ideas, and through her own creative process, she designed Clark Brook Sanctuary’s brand from the bottom up. She believes we are all deeply connected to nature, and is honored to be a part of something so special.
Michelle
Keeper of balance
A dear friend of Cheryl’s, Michelle relocated from Florida to Connecticut to help transform the space, and to assist with tea gatherings. Michelle keeps Cheryl grounded, and gently reminds her, when needed, that less is more.
Tom & Tommy
haven gnomes
A father-and-son team, as well as Alex and Cheryl’s neighbors, Tom and Tommy have been an integral part of bringing the physical aspects of Clark Brook Sanctuary to life.
Darwin Guerra Lscp.
Tenders of the land
The team from Darwin Guerra Landscaping, out of Patterson, NY, has worked tirelessly to transform the sanctuary’s grounds into functional space, in addition to adding to its natural beauty. Cheryl provides the vision and the list, and they make it happen.
