iPhone workshop, golf scholarship program, more news

This workshop costs $40 per person; Ridgefield seniors ages 62 and older will be charged $34 per person. Advance registration is required. For more information or to register, visit www.
ridgefieldschools.org or call Peggy Bruno at 203-431-2812.

Ridgefield Continuing Education hosts yoga classes

Ridgefield Continuing Education is currently offering in-person and Zoom yoga classes to help participants develop a practice for core strength and flexibility, build bone density and strength, improve their posture and sense of balance, and meet their fitness goals. Each week, participants will engage in a variety of postures and poses, work on breath work and end with some meditation and relaxation.

Certified at Three Sisters in New York City, yoga instructor Emma Tenley’s Vinyasa Flow Yoga program combines a gentle flow Vinyasa with slow and meditative yin yoga. Priced at $75 per person, this class will meet in person on Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Sept. 12, Sept. 19 and Oct. 3. Tenley’s Thursday evening Zoom yoga class will be accepting new participants on Aug. 11 and Aug. 18. Classes meet from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays.

Additional yoga classes with instructors Miriam Zernis, Mary Sireci and Rona Levine will start in September. Day, evening, in-person and Zoom options will be made available.

Class participants will need a mat, blocks, a blanket or towel, and a water bottle. There will be a discount available for Ridgefield seniors ages 62 and older and disabled residents. Advance registration is required. To register, visit www.ridgefieldschools.org or call Peggy Bruno at 203-431-2812.

Ridgefield Continuing Education offers Tai Chi exercises

Tai Chi exercises classes are available both in-person and on Zoom through Ridgefield Continuing Education. This class is a meditation in motion combined with a gentle, full body workout, all of which is done standing with no mat. Based on Master Lam Kam Chuen’s “Step by Step Tai Chi: the Natural Way to Strength and Healing,” the first Tai Chi class will consist of 35 basic Tai Chi exercises done as reps and designed to promote better health, stress relief, balance and coordination, concentration, and internal organ massage.

Participants will need a set of one- to three-pound weights and a water bottle. They may join classes in-person starting Aug. 17 at 6:45 p.m. or Aug. 25 at 10 a.m., or on Zoom starting Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. Tuition is $88 per person for a seven-session class led by instructor Rod Barfield. New sessions of Beginning Tai Chi (Yang Long Form) will start in September. Cardio Workouts, Yoga, and Barre-lates are also available.

Advanced registration required is required. For more information, visit www.ridgefieldschools.org or call Peggy Bruno at 203-431-2812.

Phil Demise Smith art exhibition at Ridgefield Library

From Aug. 20 through Sept. 29, Phil Demise Smith’s exhibition, “Follow the Brush” will be on view in the Lower Level Gallery at the Ridgefield Library (472 Main St.). There will be an opening reception for Smith’s show on Sept. 10 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., which willl include a meet and greet with the artist. Immediately before the reception at 2 p.m., there will be an artist’s talk and performance. An accomplished painter, poet, author, editor and musical performer, Smith will talk about his artwork, read some of his poetry, and perform a few of his songs.

Smith describes his approach to creating as being informed by a Japanese literary genre called “Zuihitzu,” which has poetically been defined as “text that can drift like a cloud,” “running brush,” or “follow the brush.” This expressive way of painting has no central point, but rather has many parts that interact with each other. Smith’s colorful, jewel-toned paintings mirror what Smith says is his “train of thought” which presents form and color “all at once,” “going in all directions,” and “presenting the past, present, and the future simultaneously – all at the same time”. The artworks being exhibited are from the 1990s through 2022.

Although Smith now lives in New York City, he had a home in Ridgefield from 1999 through 2010 where he was an active member of the Ridgefield Guild of Artists. He developed a very successful summer Expression Art program for children and during this time had several shows in Connecticut, New York City and Europe. His work is in collections in New York, California, Belgium, and France. As an accomplished poet, his poems have appeared in over 50 magazines. He is also a published author, editor, and creator of over 15 small press books of poems. From the 1970s to the present, Smith has had many songs recorded, published, and performed. He has also produced and curated numerous shows, exhibitions, and performance during this time. For more information about this art show, visit www.ridgefieldlibrary.org or call 203-438-2282.

Ridgefield artist Christopher Froehlich featured in SculptureNow’s 2022 Exhibition

Ridgefield artist Christopher Froehlich is being featured in SculptureNow’s 2022 Exhibition at The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home in Lenox, Mass. Froehlich’s sculpture “The 4 Directions” was chosen for this year’s presentation of art in nature.

A master carpenter of 45 years, Froehlich’s first work bench was given to him in the second grade and a love affair with trees and wood has flourished ever since. “Every piece of wood has its own expression,” says the artist. “Even if I have to remove layers of rotted compost from it. To me trees are beings that are intrinsically tied and connected to the planet and us humans. The full range of human emotions and structures can be seen and reflected in trees. Trees reconnect us to the earth and the realms below the surface as they emerge and embrace the sky and the sun. A metaphor for the complete human and a balanced planet. And I believe trees do this on a visceral emotional level. There is something about the colors, patterns and textures of wood, that move us and cannot be logically explained.”

SculptureNow was founded in 1998 to promote the experience and knowledge of sculpture through exhibitions and educational outreach, and to offer artists venues for showing their work. This is the twenty third year that SculptureNow has presented its large scale, juried, outdoor sculpture exhibition, and its tenth year at The Mount. Thousands of visitors have already seen these 30 amazing new works of sculpture, presented on the beautiful grounds of The Mount. The annual event is appreciated by art collectors as well as art, design, history, and outdoor enthusiasts from near and far.

This year’s SculptureNow will run through Oct. 19 at 2 Plunkett St, Lenox, Mass. Grounds are free and open to the public from dawn to dusk; free maps with self-guided audio tours are available. Artist guided tours are available for a fee and reservations are required.

For more information, visit www.sculpturenow.org/visit

Ridgefield’s Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center announces August programs

This summer, Connecticut children ages 18 and under plus one accompanying Connecticut resident adults can visit the Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center (152 Main St) free of charge through the CT Summer at the Museum program. Visitors can get their free tickets through all the museum’s regular ticketing venues, including online, over the phone and in-person. The Visitor Center is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours go out every hour on the half hour. CT Summer at the Museum is made possible through an investment from the federal COVID-19 recovery funding Connecticut is receiving from the American Rescue Plan Act. The program is administered by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Office of the Arts in partnership with Connecticut Humanities. To reserve tickets, visit www.keelertavernmuseum.org/visit/museum-tours.

Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center (KTM&HC) will host the 2022 Ridgefield Poet Laureate series “A Garden of Verse” on Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m. Guests are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy an evening of poetry in a beautiful setting. The reading on Aug. 22 will feature readings by Aaron & Luisa Caycedo-Kimura and Laurel Peterson & Van Hartmann. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the start of the reading. On-site parking will be available. In the event of rain, the reading will be held in the museum’s Garden House.

The museum will host its final concert of the 2022 summer season on Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. The museum’s ongoing collaboration with Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra will continue with Harmonia V, a classical and contemporary woodwind quintet. Visitors are welcome to bring their lawn chairs or blankets. The concert is free and open to all.

All summer long, the museum’s new exhibit “Reflections on the Past: Over 50 Years of Interpretation at KTM&HC” (located in the museum’s Gilbert Wing) considers the history of interpretive trends at the museum over the 56 years it’s been open. The exhibit explores how the museum’s interpretation of its history in the stories and figures included in museum tours and programs reflects the broader cultural and social climate of the time. Visitors can learn how the museum’s told its stories and how they mirrored national stories. Exhibits are included in the price of site admission. Visitors can also purchase exhibits-only passes to gain access to exhibits and activities in the Gilbert Wing and carriage barn, without taking a museum tour. To purchase tickets, visit www.keelertavernmuseum.org/visit/museum-tours/.

KTM&HC is excited to announce it’s been selected as a 2022 winner of The Knot Best of Weddings, an accolade representing the highest- and most-rated wedding professionals as reviewed by real couples, their families and wedding guests on The Knot, a wedding-planning resource. This is the third year KTM&HC has been named a winner, a testament to its beautiful Garden House, historic walled garden, and four-acre site. For more info or to book a private event, contact mconnors@keelertavernmuseum.org.

Volunteers are wanted at KTM&HC, including museum cashiers. Enjoy meeting new people and providing great customer experiences? Come join the KTM&HC team of volunteer cashiers at the Museum Shop. In preparation for its high season and anticipated increased visitation, the Museum Shop has been refreshed with a great selection of new merchandise. Volunteer cashiers can select shifts during museum open hours, Wednesdays through Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more and to volunteer, email info@keelertavernmuseum.org.

Among its reinterpretation updates, KTM&HC has been creating a new room furnishings plan. Chief Curator Catherine Prescott has been busy getting the historic tavern ready for the start of the museum’s “War at Home” tour prototyping. With only a few weeks to go before the public is able to take these new tours and provide feedback to help the museum build a fantastic new experience as part of its reinterpretation, Catherine has been thinking about how to tell the museum’s stories through the tavern’s furnishings, from furniture and household tools to artwork and textiles. The room furnishings plan she’s developing helps KTM&HC staff create an intentional, engaging, and, most importantl, flexible visitor experience, using historic documents and objects as items to highlight and items to set the scene. For example, in the Hoyt Room – the oldest room in the house and usually the first room visitors enter – the addition of a table and chairs means visitors will be able to sit down in the space, taking in the incredible historic details of the room and engaging in conversation with our interpreters about tour themes. The room typically interpreted as a formal parlor will soon be reimagined to mock up how Timothy Keeler’s store might have looked, complete with merchandise chocolate, tea, sugar.

Interested in seeing for yourself what these and other furnishing changes will look like? Keep an eye on the website, www.keelertavernmuseum.org, and social media for an announcement about when the museum will begin selling tickets for the “War at Home” tour experience – late August is the targeted go-live date.

Residents can become part of a mission-driven museum community where they share in the stewardship of the museum’s historic site and access exclusive opportunities not available to the general public. Their membership provides a critical and ongoing source of revenue that funds all the museum does, from immersive school programs and culturally enriching lectures to fun family events, the conservation of the museum’s collections, and the preservation of its historic landmark. Join a community committed to preserving, growing, and sharing a unique cultural site! Member benefits include free site admission and guest passes, program previews and discounts, North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) membership, and more. To learn more, visit www.keelertavernmuseum.org/support/become-a-member.

Ridgefield Historical Society promotes, honors Battle of Ridgefield

Ridgefielders and other interested parties recently took part in two charrette workshops that were previously organized by the engineering consultant FHI Studio in Hartford. One virtual and one in-person, these workshops were organized to identify the needs and desires of the community and to help develop consensus about future town celebrations of the Battle of Ridgefield as well as educational and tourism programming. The discussions also included consideration of permanent protection of the battlefield site.

FHI Studio’s report on the two charrettes noted similar attitudes from participants at both sessions: all were supportive of long-term stewardship and preservation of the battlefield and providing a diversity of educational components and activities to bring the battle to life for residents and visitors alike. Suggestions include interactions with universities and colleges to create film, art, and so forth to promote both the Battle of Ridgefield and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution; coordinating with elementary, middle and high schools to include the Battle of Ridgefield with emphasis on the choices Ridgefielders made between 1776 and 1777 as loyalist and patriot positions hardened; and having the Ridgefield High Class of 2026 commemorate American Independence since they’ll be graduating just before the July 4, 2026 national celebrations. Other ideas to place the Battle of Ridgefield in a regional context were to work with groups to establish walking, cycling, and driving self-guided and facilitated battle tours.

Long-term participants supported further archaeology research and considered incentives for developers to grant deed restrictions in areas of most historic significance in the battlefield area. It was also suggested that homeowners be given guidance in land record research and information about what agencies can support preservation efforts.

Leading recommendations from the two meetings included partnering with the State Historic Preservation office to apply for state historic designation; partnering with the National Park Service, Weir Farm and other nearby national parks; improving coordination and communication with nearby towns and historical societies; building historic preservation into the Town of Ridgefield budget regardless of selectman; partnering with town Planning and Zoning to curb development and preserve historic areas; and developing a committee now to begin planning the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.

The Ridgefield Historical Society is awaiting word on a Phase II grant under the American Battlefield Protection Program of the National Park Service, which would focus on site identification and documentation, landowner permissions, site surveys, additional battlefield research and technical reporting. In Phase I, Heritage Consultants LLC created a 149-page Site Identification and Documentation Plan: Research Survey, Mapping, and Reporting Project, which is available at the Ridgefield Historical Society website at www.ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org.

Fairfield County Bank donates to Ridgefield’s Keeler Tavern Museum & Historical Center

Fairfield County Bank recently donated $5,000 to the Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center (KTM&HC) to go towards funding their educational programs. The donation will be an education grant, directly supporting transportation and educational programs for students in Danbury and Bridgeport. The school programs are led by experienced docents, either on-site or virtually, taking students back through time to relive historical events and be introduced to the history of the United States.

“We are proud to be a part of providing the unique educational opportunities to so many students that the KTM&HC offers. The students are able to experience history first-hand and form a personal connection with events that took place in their backyard.” said Stephen Wooters, Executive Vice President at Fairfield County Bank and member of KTM&HC Board of Trustees.

Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center believes in equitable access to all programs. KTM&HC offers their educational programming at no cost to students from Title 1 districts in Connecticut, including Danbury and Bridgeport. For the 2021-2022 school year, almost 500 students took advantage of this initiative, through virtual, outreach, and onsite programming. All school programs include curriculum-aligned opportunities for students in pre-K through high school to learn more about the history of the site, our region, and our country, and to make past-to-present connections about important issues.

“The generous donation from Fairfield County Bank will help KTM&HC fulfill its mission to make our school programs accessible to all students” said KTM&HC’s Director of Education, Melissa Houston. “Fostering a love of history through immersive museum experiences should never be limited by a district’s resources. With this donation we can continue to offer meaningful field trips and programs to schools in Fairfield County including Danbury schools such as Shelter Rock Elementary School and Hayestown Elementary School.”

The Keeler Tavern Museum and History Center is dedicated to assisting visitors, students, and scholars in understanding significant lives and events during the site’s 300-year history. By preserving and protecting the museum’s physical and intellectual assets, the Keeler Tavern shares them with the widest possible audience, whether on their campus or through outreach programs.

Under the Harvest Moon fundraiser to celebrate 50 years for Wilton’s Woodcock Nature Center

The board and staff of Woodcock Nature Center in Wilton invites the community to one of the nature center’s largest fundraisers of the year, Under the Harvest Moon on Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. Proceeds from this quintessential fall event support Woodcock’s environmental education initiatives, which includes local outreach, school programs, scholarships and a variety of family and adult education activities aimed at connecting with our natural world. Leadership has set a goal to raise over $50,000 for the organization through Harvest Moon this year in honor of Woodcock’s 50th anniversary year.

Held in and around Woodcock’s picturesque candlelit pavilion and pond, a highlight of the evening will be a carefully prepared “dinner by the bite” by local chef Sarah Bouïssou of Sarah’s Wine Bar and Bernard’s Restaurant, plus savory delights from 109 Cheese & Wine. A wine selection will be provided by Ridgefield’s Cellar XV as guests enjoy live music by local musician Matt Greene. A tasting of craft brews from Nod Hill Brewery including the new Woodcock Pale Ale will be on hand for beer-loving guests as well as selections from the popular Litchfield Distillery.

As an added feature to this year’s fundraiser, there will be a handful of VIP ticket experiences available for an additional price, which includes a reserved picnic table seating for six, a personalized charcuterie board courtesy of 109 Cheese & Wine, a hand-picked selection of all the evening’s beverages as well as reserved parking at the highest ticket level. The unforgettable evening includes a silent and live auction for a variety of popular items including unique Woodcock experiences such as catered dinners in the pavilion from local restaurants, children and family experiences such as animal encounters and birthday parties and, a very popular VIP Woodcock Wreath Festival package. Attire for the casual, cocktail style fundraiser is “campground chic” and both old and new friends of Woodcock are welcome.

The Nature Center depends heavily on fundraising events and donations to run its 150-acre nature preserve and unique environmental education programs and looks forward to the community’s support of this fun and relaxed evening of food, music and more.

Harvest Moon is expected to sell-out. Attendees are encouraged to buy tickets early. Tickets are $150 each and may be purchased at www.woodcocknaturecenter.org beginning Aug.10. VIP tables start at $1,500. Attendees must be 21+. Woodcock is currently accepting live and silent auction item donations from local businesses.

Traffic signal upgrades for 2023 in Ridgefield, Bethel

State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) and State Representative Aimee Berger-Girvalo (D-Ridgefield) announced that, in addition to seven intersection upgrades in Bethel, Redding and Ridgefield, two more intersections – one each in Bethel and Ridgefield – will receive upgrades in 2023. These intersections will see new countdown pedestrian indications, accessible pedestrian pushbuttons and concurrent pedestrian phasing, part of 25 announced improvements in 20 towns across the state.

Slated for the second half of 2023, the work will improve accessibility and pedestrian safety in high-traffic parts of Connecticut. The Department of Transportation has now announced 65 intersection improvements slated for next year.

“Traveling across our district by car and foot reveals how frustrating, and sometimes dangerous, local traffic can be, especially for pedestrians,” said Sen. Haskell. “By improving the resources available for pedestrians at intersections, including upgraded countdowns, pushbuttons and pedestrian phasing, folks will be safer when they’re crossing the road. These investments in traffic mitigation will make sure my constituents can get from point A to point B without issue.”

“Across the state we’ve seen an increase in accidents involving pedestrians and distracted drivers,” said Rep. Berger-Girvalo. “Any measure that addresses these tragedies and reduced the chance of them happening here in Ridgefield is needed and welcomed. I’m so pleased to see the implementation of some of the crossing projects for which our residents have advocated, and I’m looking forward to seeing future improvements with a goal to increase pedestrian safety.”

The intersections in question receiving upgrades include Bethel (Route 53 (Grassy Plain Street) at Francis J. Clarke Circle) and Ridgefield (Route 7 (Ethan Allen Highway) at Topstone Road and Cains Hill Road).

Ridgefield’s Golf Performance Center opens scholarship program

In partnership with USA Junior Golf Federation, the Academy at the Golf Performance Center (GPC) in Ridgefield opened a scholarship program offering up to $1.1 million to 12 deserving young athletes to attend The Academy at GPC in Ridgefield, CT.

The program’s mission is to make a positive impact on juniors aspiring to play collegiate golf by providing unencumbered educational and athletic opportunities that allow every athlete regardless of age, race or socioeconomic background the chance to reach their dreams, while instilling honesty, discipline, integrity and cultural diversity that will ultimately better our society.

Selected on the basis of need and merit, scholarship awardees will receive tuition, room and board, meals on The Academy campus, specialized coaching, access to world-class golf facilities and technology, and entry into at least 10 local, regional and national competitive events. Scholarships may cover one, two or three academic years and are available to golfers graduating in 2024, 2025 or 2026. For additional eligibility criteria, visit www.thegolfperformancecenter.org.

“We recognize that access and affordability to quality education, golf coaching and competitions are three of the most important factors to a junior athlete’s future success,” says Roger Knick, Founder of The Academy at GPC. “In keeping with our mission, we feel a deep responsibility in removing the financial barriers in golf that face much of today’s youth.”

The Academy at GPC gives juniors with big dreams the coaching and training environment they need to achieve those dreams. This environment has led to over 100 athletes competing at over 80 different colleges and universities; multiple NCAA-All American awards; professional victories on the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Canada and PGA of America; over 100 wins on the AJGA, Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, Junior PGA, US Kids Junior Tour as well as several USGA titles.

To set up a prospective interview to learn more about the scholarship program and application process before Aug. 15, contact Melanie Guerrera at melanie@thegolfperformancecenter.com or 203-790-4653. Following the interview, applicants must complete the application process, which will be shared following the prospective interview. The final interview with the GPC Founder and Executive Director of USA Junior Golf Federation Roger Knick will take place Sept 1 through Sept. 7.. Scholarship applicants will be notified by Sept. 9.

The Golf Performance Center integrates state-of-the-art training facilities and expert coaching to help athletes reach their goals. Beginning with the unique “5 Elements of Success” evaluation, The GPC delivers customized golf coaching designed to provide aspiring athletes with improvement strategies built for long-term success. The GPC’s goal is to provide valued instruction, guidance and the necessary facilities to develop junior athletes, both physically and mentally, to successfully navigate challenges on the journey to competitive golf. The Academy at GPC is committed to an individualized, passion-driven learning environment in which student-athletes in grades 6-12 are challenged to maximize their learning through exhibiting proficiency in academic skills, high moral character, and a deep understanding of the academic content and topics in which they engage. For more than 20 years, The GPC has successfully guided nearly 100 competitors as they prepare for golf at the highest levels. Alumni include multiple NCAA All-Americans, current and former student-athletes at 80 different colleges and universities and professionals who have won on the Korn Ferry Tour, Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada and European Tour.

Tickets available for Founders Hall’s 20th anniversary Oktoberfest in Ridgefield

Tickets for Founders Hall’s 20th Anniversary Oktoberfest celebration are now on sale. The event will include festive music by The Beatniks featuring Cee; Dave Ferst, the FERST name in Magic; and a live auction promising unique experiences and one-of-a-kind items that will be emceed by ACT of CT’s Artistic Director Daniel Levine. Traditional elements of Oktoberfest include Bavarian pretzels, German sausage, mustard, and beer pairings. Lederhosen is optional.

The event will take place at Founders Hall (193 Danbury Road) in Ridgefield on Oct. 1 at 6:30 p.m., as the building is transformed for a traditional German celebration. The event is open to the public.

Tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite and at Founders Hall. The event is to benefit Founders Hall, a donor supported education and recreation center for individuals age 60 and older that is considered a great asset to the community. Over 3,300 active members participate in academic classes, social opportunities, and fitness programs at minimal cost. 70 percent of the funding is provided through donations, grants, and sponsorships. For more information, visit www.founders-hall.org or contact Cindy Nesbitt at cindy@founders-hall.org.

After two-year hiatus, Ryan Meegan Memorial Alumni Soccer game played

The game was played Saturday, August 6th. It was a great day with 25 alumni soccer players from RHS taking the field for a two hour friendly game in Ryan’s memory. We would like to thank all the players and the supporting friends in attendance for keeping this traditional alive. Special thanks to Daniel Standish and Phil Bergen for all their help in organizing the game.