068 Magazine-Januray/February

Noted

by Julia Bruce

New Year’s is traditionally the time for resolutions – people commit to goals like losing weight, hitting the gym, or getting organized. Yet statistically, most New Year’s Resolutions fade before Valentine’s Day. Why? Often, it’s because these goals are unrealistic or unspecified – we’re literally setting ourselves up for failure. As we turn the page to 2023, I thought maybe I would suggest a different approach. What if you did one thing that challenged you, that pushed the boundaries of your comfort zone? In past years, I’ve taken on things that have tested me physically, emotionally, or mentally. I’ve run a marathon. I performed stand-up comedy. Most recently, I accepted a new job as the Editor-in-Chief of 068 Magazine. When you push the boundaries of your comfort zone, you give yourself the space to grow and to become a broader, better version of yourself.

In this issue, we feature The Ridgefield Theater Barn. Maybe one of your resolutions will be to enroll in an acting or improv class? We also cover The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra and their upcoming Music at the Mansion series – tuning into live music is another way to expand your horizons. And of course, you could always take in some art at either the RPAC or DColabella Fine Art galleries!

Here at 068 Magazine, we’ve experienced our own growth over the past year. We’ve evolved into a larger, longer, and more visually appealing magazine. We’re looking forward to continuing to represent our evergrowing and expanding 068 community. As I settle into my new position, I turn to you, our readers, to support and inspire us with your ideas and comments.

Happiest of New Years!

Most sincerely,

Julia Bruce Editor-in-Chief

Dee Dee Colabella

Owner

dcolabella@rpacartcenter.com

Greg Mursko Publisher publisher@068magazine.com

Dylan Miller Chief Operating Officer dmiller@rpacartcenter.com

Julia Bruce Editor-In-Chief editor@068magazine.com

Contributing Writers

Dee Dee Colabella, Jennifer Bradshaw, Jack Sanders, Ashley Alt, Evelyn Bloom, Dylan Miller, Sarah Galluzzo, Rajender Kaur, and Jana Williams

Lily Fertik Copy Editor

Contributing Photographers

Roger Garbow, Dylan Miller, Kristen Jensen, Sarah Grote Photography, and Elyse Shapiro

Advertising Sales

David Gursky | 914.646.9141 sales@068magazine.com

Marketplace Sales

Jennifer Klouman Roy | 203.313.9147 marketplace@068magazine.com

This Issue’s Feature Writers

Erik Ofgang

Erik Ofgang is the co-author of The Good Vices: From Beer to Sex, The Surprising Truth About What’s Actually Good For You and the author of Buzzed: A Guide to New Englands Best Craft Beverages and Gillette Castle: A History. He is the former senior writer at Connecticut Magazine and his work has appeared in the Washington Post, Atlantic, Thrillist and Associated Press. He teaches in WCSU’s MFA in Creative and Professional Writing Program. His story on Pinstripes is on page #76.

Gerri Lewis

Gerri Lewis is a freelance writer who spent the early years of her career as a feature writer and columnist. Her work has appeared in Reader’s Digest and various airline publications. Her accolades include feature writing awards from the New England Press Association and the Society of Professional Journalists. This month, she writes about energy efficient homes and the many ways to save not only money, but your health on page #52.

Roger Garbow

Roger Garbow is the founder of Full Throttle Marketing, a Connecticut-based automotive marketing and PR firm. A member of the International Motor Press Association, he’s a contributing writer to numerous outlets including Road & Track and TheDRIVE.com. Roger has driven some incredible vehicles, but he prefers lightweight sportscars with three pedals. Roger reports on the benefits of plug-in hybrids on page #44.

068 Magazine is a publication of Colabella Media LLC. ©2023. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publisher. POWERED BY

Megan Smith-Harris

www.068magazine.com

Megan’s career encompasses documentary, television, film, theater, radio, and magazine work. She is the managing editor of Our Homes. From 2014-2020, she was editor of Wilton Magazine and a regular contributor to numerous publications. She has won 24 CT Press Club awards and five national NFPW awards. As a filmmaker, Megan has produced and directed multiple feature documentaries and is developing her feature screenplay, The Ghost of You. On page #38, Megan writes about a Stephen King movie that was filmed in various locations in CT.

by Jack Sanders

Down On Main Street Centuries of Community and Commerce

idgefield’s face is her fortune,” people used to say years ago. They were probably thinking of Main Street, that magnificent mixture of homesteads with history, religion, art, and commerce that has been the town’s heart — as well as its face — for three centuries.

“R

Originally called the “Town Street,” Main Street was created around 1708 when 25 home lots of just over seven acres were laid out on each side by the pioneer families. The road stretches a mile and a half along the middle of three ridges near what was then the geographical center of land

purchased from the American Indians that year.

On Dec. 26, 1721, the town fathers officially defined the road as “eight rodds weadth” or 132 feet wide, about twice the width of 18th Century highways. Most of that, now right-of-way owned by the state, is greensward that over the centuries has supported stately lines of leafy trees.

Back in the early 1700s, however, trees along the Town Street weren’t considered an embellishment but a harvestable resource, providing lumber for building the settlers’ houses and feeding their fireplaces. Trees also blocked sunlight needed for vegetable gardens and orchards. Probably only after the town became well-settled after 1750 did the luxury of ornamental trees begin appearing in the village.

By the 1850s native-son Samuel Griswold Goodrich, author of the “Peter Parley” books, was telling his brother, “The street, on the whole, is one of the most beautiful I know of. It is more than a mile in length… ornamented with two continuous lines of trees – elms, sycamores, and sugar-maples… Some of these, in front of the more imposing houses, are truly majestic.”

The Main Street’s earliest “hub” extended from around West Lane north to King Lane, lined with not only the famous Keeler Tavern, but shops, a factory, and village artisans, such as blacksmiths and harness makers, as well as

An antebellum drawing of the scene of the Battle of Ridgefield, with the Stebbins house at the right.

At the top from left to right. An 1880s view of the scene of the Battle of Ridgefield, with the Stebbins house in the distance. It’s now the entrance to Casagmo.

Marie Kendall photographed Main Street at West Lane, just after the First Congregational Church had been completed and long before the fountain would occupy the triangle at the left. Behind the fence stood a century-old general store.

A children’s agricultural exhibit at Main and Catoonah Street around 1910 took place in front of the historic Scott House, then a store and apartments. It’s now relocated to Sunset Lane, the headquarters of the Ridgefield Historical Society. In the distance is the roof of the new firehouse, built in 1908.

The Ridgefield Town Hall operated summers at the south end of Main Street from the 1890s into the 1920s. In the winter, the building for many years housed the Ridgefield School, a college prep.

Old Ridgefield

the town’s primary gathering place on the “village green.” The Meeting House served as the Congregational Church and the town hall in the 18th Century. Much of the green on which it stood, called the Meeting House Yard, is now the front lawn of the Jesse Lee Methodist Church. Nearby on the green was the village schoolhouse.

The commercial center gradually moved northerly to where it is today, encouraged by the 1870 arrival of the railroad branch and anchored in 1876 with the first real town hall.

That town hall was built of wood, a fact that doomed it less than two decades later when the Great Fire of 1895 broke out in the Bedient building (now home of Books on the Common) and leveled more than a block of commercial buildings, a devastating blow to a community that had been growing in population and popularity.

By around 1908 automobiles were making their appearance, and parking them was usually no problem. Note the bicycles parked in the middle. That runabout at the left is in front of today’s Ridgefield Hardware. At the right was an auto garage — now The Lantern restaurant — that soon would have a gasoline pump on the sidewalk!

An amazing thing about this century-old view looking south from in front of today’s CVS shopping area is that all the visible buildings are still standing and used today.

Old Ridgefield

The arrival of the railroad spur at Prospect Street meant one could travel from Manhattan to Ridgefield in just over two hours. That drew many New Yorkers seeking country homes in the clean, brisk air of Ridgefield’s hills, nearly 800 feet above sea level. Many created fancy estates (some of which were described in the previous 068 issue). Tourism grew and inns sprouted up all along Main Street, from The Elms at the north end to the Ridgefield Inn at the south.

The New Yorkers were mostly a boon but sometimes a bane. As Ridgefielders well know, the village was the site in 1777 of the main engagement of the Battle of Ridgefield, when patriots barricaded northern Main Street against British troops marching to Long Island Sound after burning Danbury. One of the most historic relics of that battle was the Benjamin

Stebbins house, a 1727 saltbox that was not only bullet-scarred by the battle, but also served as a hospital for the wounded. A New York man tore it down to build his mansion, Casagmo, on the site that is now the condominium community.

Mostly, however, the city folk were saviors. In the wake of the 1895 fire, they paid for the creation of a water supply system with hydrants along much of Main Street. They also helped establish the Ridgefield Fire Department, which marked its 125th birthday in 2022, and bankrolled the building of a new town hall — of fireproof brick — with space for a firehouse in the basement. The same New Yorkers would pay for much of the cost of Ridgefield’s first modern school on East Ridge (also of brick). New York businessmen owned several sizable estates established along Main Street; two have become popular town parks. Graeloe, once the home of Revolutionary Col. Philip Burr Bradley and later the retreat of Dr. Daniel Adams, called the “father of baseball,” was embellished by Lucius Biglow, a music publisher whose daughter wound up giving the land to the town. Today it’s Ballard Park.

Veterans Park was the home of Phineas Lounsbury who, though born here, made his fortune in Manhattan and retired to Ridgefield — and politics: He was elected Connecticut governor in 1887. He amassed a fine estate, much of which the town purchased in 1945. Today his stately mansion is the Ridgefield Community Center, also called Lounsbury House.

Ridgefielders have been careful to preserve their town’s face, establishing in 1965 a historic district along the street to the south of the business center. While no such district exists to the north, efforts have been made

Parking was a problem by the 1920s. This view looks north, with today’s Ridgefield Office Supply at the left and Town Hall at right.

In the 1930s, the maples and elms created a tunnel of trees along Main Street north of the library.

At left, majestic trees dominate this early 1930s scene of the sidewalk near the fountain.

to protect its streetscape, such as setting Casagmo buildings 300 feet back from the road. When The Elms Inn complex was converted to townhouses, the native owners preserved the 1760 inn building and its 19th Century annex. Even the modern Ridgefield Library has retained — and, indeed, treasures — its original 1902 brick quarters.

Long after the railroad left the village, Main Street remains a destination for visitors from New York and beyond. All are welcomed by the Cass Gilbert Fountain and three miles of sidewalks from which they may view and visit historic sites, two museums, several galleries, as well as many shops and restaurants.

Ridgefield is growing, but its face is still glowing. •

Countless visitors from New York have been welcomed to the village by the Cass Gilbert Fountain, donated by the architect in 1916 to water thirsty horses. Gilbert, who lived in the nearby Keeler Tavern, designed the U.S. Supreme Court and the Woolworth Building, once the tallest skyscraper in the world.

Have You Met?

by Birgitta Stone

AlexFischetti

Friend to ALL

If you’ve ever attended a show at the Ridgefield Playhouse or a gala here in town, most likely you’ve met Alex Fischetti. His shining light of a personality naturally draws people to him, and if you are lucky enough to be his friend, you are rewarded with a lifelong loyal relationship with a very special person.

Alex, 32, is a social media manager, head usher, and steadfast volunteer. As a person on the spectrum, Alex calls himself “Alex the Aspergarian”

and everything he does, he gives it his all. He’s a magnet for making friends and meeting celebrities, many of whom have had a huge impact on his life.

Alex had recently moved to Ridgefield, when he attended an author reading by Charles Grodin at the Westport Country Playhouse in 2004. The two met and a friendship was born. Grodin became a mentor to Alex. A few years later, Grodin reached out to Allison Stockel, who

As social media manager, Alex takes lots of photos of people and events around town. Here he is capturing artist Gail Buggy with one of her pieces on display at the RPAC Gallery.

was then the Executive Director of The Ridgefield Playhouse to ask if she could offer Alex a job. “We hired Alex to be an usher and from day one he took his job very seriously and has always been one of our most reliable employees,” Stockel says. “From that work relationship, Alex has become a close family friend. He has a special place in my heart.”

In 2009, Alex and his family moved to Vero Beach, where he met Reeny Sempsrott,

their Pastor’s wife. She had such a big impact on his life that he decided to write a book about their relationship, The Lonesome Boy and The Blonde-Haired Angel. “Alex and I first bonded through our mutual love of the Lord and concern for people. I saw the beauty in him that he couldn’t see for himself at the time,” says Sempsrott. His book is available at Books on The Common, Audrey Road, Bella Home and Sphere as well as on Amazon, with over 45 five-star reviews and over 1000 books sold!

When Alex moved back to Ridgefield in 2012, he returned to his job at the Playhouse and it’s there that he has made his most special relationships. He met his “bestie” Kristen Jensen in 2014 at the Playhouse Drink Pink event. “I knew the minute I met Alex that we were kindred spirits. Alex is pure white light and his love,

support, compassion, and empathy for all is what makes him so irresistible,” says Jensen. She introduced him to Cleveland Miller, who became the illustrator for Alex’s book.

Alex also found two of his greatest supporters at The Playhouse, Lori Beresford and Elaine Cox, leading him to become involved with The Center for Empowerment and Education (formerly The Women’s Center), Sphere, Ann’s Place and more. “We are so blessed to have Alex as part of our Ridgefield community. He has the biggest heart to go with that beautiful contagious smile! Alex takes pride in remembering everyone’s birthday. He’s always the first to post a celebratory wish!” says Cox.

Beresford says Alex has really matured in the years she’s known him. “When I first met Alex, he was an extremely shy young man who could barely look you in the eye.

Above, Alex with Local-Insta founder, Birgitta Stone.

Right, Alex’s General Assembly Official Citation from the State of Connecticut recognizing his ten years at the Playhouse and his volunteer contributions.

PHOTO BY KRISTEN JENSEN

It’s been a joy to watch him grow into the confident person he is today. I’m glad that I get to be part of his journey,” she says.

Since 2014, Alex has helped raise over $40,000 for The Center for Empowerment and Education with their annual Safe Walk fundraiser and donates his time and money to many of his other favorite causes. This past October 2022, Alex was presented with the General Assembly Official Citation for his volunteer work and his 10th anniversary at The Ridgefield Playhouse. Local officials and friends attended the event to surprise him with this prestigious award.

His latest project is as Social Media Manager and “Man About Town” photographer for Local-Insta.com. He helps founder Birgitta Stone manage two of their over 40 town-based Instagrams. “Alex is a perfect fit. He adores people, loves events, and he brings joy to everything he does,” says Stone. He co-manages the popular @ridgefield.ct community Instagram page

and manages the @tarrytown.ny page on his own. “Local-Insta has opened the door for me to establish relationships within the community and to help businesses,” says Alex.

Alex has met and interviewed many celebrities with his articles published in Hamlet Hub and The Ridgefield Press. He has met Ed Asner, a longtime autism advocate and has interviewed Carol Burnett, Warren Beatty, Regis Philbin, Peter Falk and so many others, but Grodin, who passed away in 2021, will always be dearest to him. “He looked out for me in the most beautiful ways,” says Alex. Grodin told him that the best way to help yourself is to help other people, words Alex continues to live by to this day.

“I am immensely blessed to be surrounded by people that want the best for me,” says Alex. Frank Sinatra once said the best place to live is where your friends are. For Alex Fischetti, that would be Ridgefield, where he counts so many as friends. •

Above, Alex pictured in front of his home away from home - The Ridgefield Playhouse. Left, Alex gets his photo with one of his all-time favorite celebrities - Annette Benning. Bottom left, Charles Grodin and Alex met in 2004 and began a friendship that changed the course of Alex’s life.

Art In The Spotlight

Words and photos by Ashley Alt

Local Artist Excels at the Art of Raku

Raku is a Japanese style of pottery that leaves behind unique colors and textures on the surface of each piece. Traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies dating way back to 1580, the specific art form of raku was greatly appreciated by tea masters of that time for “the purity and unpretentiousness of the objects,” as the final product comes out looking a very particular type of beautiful — earthy, rustic, and mysterious. Today, the raku style of pottery still remains the most sought after of Japanese ceramics, and it’s easy to see why.

From the intricate, personal process of

creation to the finished product, the raku style of pottery is one to be admired, creating an exquisitely unique and distinctive finish to any and all wares undergoing the famed process.

How is it done?

Perhaps the most interesting part about the raku style is the firing process — a practice which “starves the piece of oxygen.” Clay objects are removed from a kiln while they are still “glowing red hot,” and are then placed in materials that can catch fire, like wood shavings, leaves, or newspaper.

Opposite

Frank Kara poses with his kiln which reaches temperatures of 1700 degrees Farenheit during the firing process. The view outside his workspace provides inspiration for his creations.

page: Bold color and Japanese-influenced design creates a striking impact on his ceremonial jars.

Art In The Spotlight

The result is a completely unique and distinctive piece of art, due to the uncertainty of how the final object will turn out, from the color to the design. This “low fire process” of raku can be performed either in fuelburning or electric kilns, which reach temperatures of 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit. Examples of rakuware include traditional Japanese tea bowls, vessels, bells, and drums. Products made from the raku style can be hand-sculpted or thrown on a potter’s wheel.

Local potter Frank Kara uses the raku process to, quite literally, turn dirt into treasure. Working on a potter’s wheel, he creates simple and alluring vessels, bells, and drums, - making them the perfect showpiece for your backyard, living room, or anywhere in need of that special design touch.

“If I don’t create, I don’t feel like myself,” says Kara. “I like the reusable part of clay. If you don’t like what you create, you can just mush it up and start over. I’m big on repurposing.”

Currently working with local businesses for limited-time gallery shows, Kara also travels to different high-end garden centers to sell his unique, natureinspired pieces.

“Seeing the various textures, shapes and colors outside, as well as taking a walk in the woods, is very inspirational to me. The beauty of nature can’t be beat,” says Kara.

Inspired Further By Japanese Culture Kara’s signature piece of work is the Japanese garden

Japanese garden bells fired with the raku process possess unique coloring and texture. The bells are often used as decorative pieces in people’s gardens and on their decks.

bell, a stunning, yet understated bell, that varies in color and size. “People put them on their porches, gardens, or hang them under eaves in their backyard,” he says. They act as both a decorative piece and wind chime.

“They have a soothing, soft sound when the wind hits them almost like a church bell,” says Kara.

In addition to the Japanese garden bells, Kara creates vessels, teapots, and mugs, utilizing the raku process for each distinctive piece. His latest creation is the Ceremonial Bell, a memory bell with an urn inside that can be sealed up for people’s loved ones.

“I chose raku because it’s a primitive style of firing,” Kara states. “It’s pretty simple and immediate as far as results go. The effects I get are very earthy, organic, and not highly decorated.”

The Kintsugi Method

Taking another cue from Japanese culture, Kara prides his work on the history and stories that accompany his process of creating through the Japanese repair style known as Kintsugi.

Kintsugi is the art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum; Kara favors the dusting of gold leaf powder. The idea being, if there’s a crack in a bell (or any piece of artwork), it doesn’t mean it’s broken — it’s just now part of the bell’s beauty and history.

“If you have a scar on your face, you’re still beautiful,” Kara puts into context. “The crack or imperfection is part of the pot’s history, how it was repaired, and what it now represents.”

Anyone interested in this type of pottery can research raku workshops in the area or get in touch with local pottery factories to see if classes are offered. To view Kara’s work, you can visit his studio at 32 Dittmar Road, Bethel, CT or follow him on Instagram @karakupottery.•

Kara’s Japanese garden bells aren’t just visually appealing - the calming sounds they make when rung contributes to their appeal.

by Jennifer Bradshaw • Environmental Educator

We have a granite monument in the park that was built in 1888! According to our history books, the monument was built using local granite. Is there something special about the stones around here?

- Nick McGraw, Interpretive Guide

Dear Ms. Jen,

Quarrying Granite, Planting Trees, and Wintering Frogs

All questions for this column are from the “Friends and Neighbors” and park employees of Putnam Memorial State Park in Redding, CT

Great question! About two million years ago the ice age began. Connecticut was covered in an ice sheet or glacier that slowly moved across the land. Ice riding over the land and volcanic eruptions created the landforms that we see today. Our state is known for its rocky soil, rolling land, and hills. One of the most common types of rock found is granite, an igneous rock composed mostly of two minerals - quartz and feldspar. Granite is an intrusive rock, meaning it crystalized from magma that cooled at the surface. Stony Creek Quarry in Branford, CT is part of Mesozoic Era deposits formed between 250-650 million years ago. It was first quarried in 1858 and many famous landmarks and architecture across the country are built with Stony Creek granite, including the Statue of Liberty pedestal, the floors of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Battle Monument at West Point, which was made from a single 96-ton piece of granite in 1897! I would say, there is certainly something special about the rocks around here!

A lot of old pictures of the park don’t have many trees in them, but the park has a lot of trees in it now. What gives? Is the whole state like this?

- Ellery Leary, President, Friends and Neighbors of Putnam Memorial State Park

According to a recent study, the earth currently has over 3 trillion trees! One hundred years ago, there were far less. Thanks to sustainable lumber practices and conservation efforts we have more trees in America than ever before! In the 17th century, Connecticut, along with most of New England, was heavily harvested for timber by European colonizers. Today’s efforts to rebuild our forests has been primarily focused on the east coast. Federal, state, and local governments spend around $6.4 billion annually on forest management. Eco-friendly initiatives all around the world aimed at fighting global warming offers hope to us all. An ex-Nasa engineer plants 1 billion trees per year with a drone and in India every time a girl is born, they plant 111 fruit trees! Can you imagine if just one person planted 10 trees for 10 years, that would be 100 trees! I think I know what I’ll be doing in the spring.

During the summer we have a lot of frogs in the small pond and lake on the park grounds. What happens to those frogs before the water freezes during the winter?

- Timothy Summers, Interpretive Guide

So many people believe that most frogs just die in the winter, which is false! Frogs are cold-blooded, meaning their body temperatures are the same as the environment around them. In the winter months, they go into a state of hibernation with some species being exposed to below freezing temperatures. Aquatics frogs, like this green frog, will spend the winter at the bottom of ponds or other bodies of water. The frogs that live primarily on land will burrow down below the frost line. Frogs such as wood frogs or spring peepers aren’t good at burrowing, so most will just squeeze into cavities of fallen logs or abandoned small animal holes. The most incredible thing about these two species is they have a natural antifreeze in their bodies - a high concentration of glucose - that prevents them from freezing. Although their hearts will stop beating and they stop breathing, when the warm weather comes, they begin to thaw and miraculously come back to life!

Lounsbury House and the RSO come together for Music at the Mansion

The stately Lounsbury House is the beating heart of historic Ridgefield and the focal point of its famed Arts and Cultural District. Part of the registry of National Historic Sites, this unmissable landmark has long served as the community center of the town and is a popular venue for a variety of events ranging from business meetings and Sunday luncheons to art festivals and grand weddings celebrations.

by Rajender Kaur

Photography by

Miller Hair & Makeup by Amanda Gabbard

Characterized as the “crown jewel of Main Street” by its Executive Director Suzanne Brennan, the Lounsbury House will soon be host to an exciting new arts and culture collaboration: Music at the Mansion. The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra (RSO), another local treasure, led by the dynamic Laurie Kenagy, has come together with the Lounsbury House to create what promises to be a spectacular musical experience in the beautiful environs. “It’s a perfect pairing,” says Brennan. “It’s a lovely venue for the RSO and Lounsbury House was looking to expand the use of its grounds.”

Dylan

Special Thanks RSO Members: Sara Della Posta, French Horn Nicholas Hardie, Cello Chie Yoshinaka, Violin

Also: Susan Brennan Lounsbury House

Sara Della Posta, Principal French Horn, is thrilled to represent RSO at the Music at the Mansion series.

Music at the Mansion had its beginnings with the simple question of how to get great music out to people where they are. It is part of a pervasive and remarkable spirit of collaboration that drives all of the major arts organizations of Ridgefield to capitalize on the synergy between their different strengths and their common mission to showcase the arts and serve, inspire, and uplift the community.

enhancing the experience Planned to be a year-long series, Music at the Mansion will consist of three concerts to be performed in the summer and one in the winter. While the dates for the outdoor summer concerts are still being finalized, the opening concert is slated to be performed indoors on January 28, 2023, from 5:007:00 pm. The evening will begin with a social hour where guests can mingle over wine and hors d’oeuvres. The concert will feature the Elyrica Trio which consists of harpist Wendy Kerner, violinist Deborah Wong, and cellist Robert La Rue. The three musicians have played together for many years as part of The Fontenay Chamber Players Septet and are delighted to be performing for the opening concert.

“Music at the Mansion is designed to offer music of the highest artistic quality accessible, both logistically and financially,

and to expose the community to the history and beauty of one of Ridgefield’s treasured landmarks,” says Kenagy. It’s a heartwarming vision, motivated in part by the urgency and poignancy of the lessons learned in the last two Covid years. “We want to not just adapt, but to maximize opportunities on how to best use the property for the benefit of the community,” says Brennan.

Plans are underway to refurbish the extensive grounds and to extend the stunning garden area just behind the house

The Lounsbury House’s stunning interior will be the setting for the first Music at the Mansion performance. Here, Principal Cellist Nicholas Hardie poses on the sweeping central staircase.

to create a community garden and patio. The beauty and history of Lounsbury House are ideal for the small ensemble performances that the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra has planned as part of the music series. There already exists an enchanting garden alcove adjoining Lounsbury House at the back and this will be the venue for the summer concerts. Should the weather gods decide not to cooperate, it will be easy enough to shift indoors, where there is a large open room on the ground floor, guaranteed to enhance any musical experience in the intimate space of the mansion.

Supporting a local treasure

Both Kenagy and Brennan are driven by the mission to serve the community while promoting the arts. Music at the Mansion will present a mix of both classical and contemporary programs to cater to different tastes and cultivate an appreciation of music in a relaxed setting. It will feature a variety of music: string, wind, and piano. Kenagy and Brennan hope to appeal to new patrons of all ages who will be inspired by the impressive surroundings of the Lounsbury House. It costs thousands of dollars to maintain the property on a monthly basis, and while private rentals pay the bulk of the restoration and upkeep

costs, Brennan hopes residents of the local and regional community who attend the musical performances will also be motivated to support the mission to preserve this venerable property so that it continues to be an integral part of Ridgefield’s arts and culture scene.

Music at the Mansion brings the living history that Lounsbury House embodies in resonant harmony with the music of the RSO. “People want experiences and Music at the Mansion is bound to be a soul-nurturing one in a beautiful space that has long been the locus of community gatherings for the past sixty years,” says Kenagy.

For more information on Music at the Mansion or to purchase tickets, please visit ridgefieldsymphony.org/music-at-themansion. •

Music at the Mansion will encourage people to support the local arts.

Connecticut doubles for Maine in a New Stephen King Movie

Those were the official production notes for Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, a 2021 feature film shot in Connecticut, streaming on Netflix.

Based on Stephen King’s short story of the same name and adapted for the screen by the film’s director, John Lee Hancock, the movie stars celebrated actor

Donald Sutherland as John Harrigan, a misanthropic billionaire; and up-and-comer Jaeden Martel as Craig, a boy who develops an unlikely and enduring friendship with the reclusive Mr. Harrigan. Bizarrely their connection doesn’t end with the elderly man’s death but takes on a more sinister, supernatural complexity.

by Megan Smith-Harris

“The overall look and feel should be timeless, classic, smalltown Maine. The color palette is autumnal, wintery and unmistakably New England.”

The Lockwood-Matthews Mansion Museum, located in Norwalk, CT, served as the residence of wealthy recluse John Harrigan. Photo by Elyse Shapiro

As with all Stephen King stories, the fictional town of Harlow, Maine feels strangely familiar. It’s as if you stopped in there for gas but suddenly become inexplicably anxious to leave. You can’t quite put your finger on what’s off about the place, but an innately malevolent element is clearly at play.

As audience members, we are blissfully unaware of how many diverse locales are featured in a typical film, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Locations can be in different buildings, towns, cities, states and even countries. The interior of a house likely doesn’t have the same exterior we see on the screen. In the editing process scenes are seamlessly woven together to create a cohesive whole. There’s a reason they call it movie magic.

In Mr. Harrigan’s Phone the opening and closing sequences were shot at a craggy lake quarry in Portland, Maine, but the rest of the film was variously lensed in Norwalk, Westport, Stamford, Wilton, Ridgefield, Greenwich, Fairfield and Barkhamsted, Connecticut.

Norwalk’s Lockwood-Matthews Mansion Museum has a starring role as Mr. Harrington’s forbidding Victorian home. A convenience store on Route 7 plays the small but critical part of Howie’s Market, where devilish lottery tickets are sold. If you look carefully, many other familiar Fairfield County landmarks can be spotted.

According to Damon Gordon, the film’s location scout, there was an exhaustive search for a high school exterior. “Then we came upon the Ridgefield Playhouse. At first, we were interested in the front facade of the building with the long drive up. But then our scout team came upon the rear, which is the main entrance for the Playhouse, and we were sold. With some minor set dressing, and lots of liaising with the many entities that share the parking lot, we were able to create our fictitious Gates High School,” says Gordon.

In the story, Craig attends high school as a freshman and is confronted by a disturbed, physically threatening bully. Though the high school scenes are often dark, the mood on set was anything but, according to Playhouse Executive Director Jared Shahid.

“The community was excited for the production to set up at the Playhouse,” says Shahid. “It was fun for everyone to see the crew popping up at different locations. There was a genuine buzz around town.”

This magnificent room in the Lockwood-Matthews Mansion Museum was the primary setting for Mr. Harrigan and Craig’s meetings. Photo courtesy of Sarah Grote Photography

Six critical exterior shots needed to be captured at the Playhouse. They were scheduled for two possible days in October but a snow storm hit, creating a logistical nightmare. Filming was frantically rearranged for November 9, the only day available—and the production had to adhere to strict wrap time to allow the Pat Methany band to load in for their performance that night.

“There were 60 crew and 75 cast members, five working tractor trailers, seven campers, four food service vehicles, approximately 50 personal crew vehicles, four stake beds and eight 15-person passenger vans,” says Shahid. High school interiors were shot at Norwalk Community College but viewers will be completely fooled when watching the film because the two disparate locations match so perfectly.

There’s been a huge uptick in production in the Nutmeg State over the past few years including major productions for HBO, Hallmark, Netflix and Amazon. George Norfleet, Director of the Connecticut Office of Film, TV & Digital Media explains why. “Connecticut offers a wide, rich variety of distinctive location choices that range from bucolic rolling countryside to modern cityscape to magnificent coastline. That coupled with excellent film crews and a competitive tax incentive to help budgets go further, makes Connecticut a winning choice.”

Local actors and crew are happy for the regular work. Rachel Konstantin, a Norwalk-based actress, who has worked as a background performer on many films, including Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, loves the experience of staying in Connecticut. “The locals are thrilled to have a Hollywood movie filming in their own backyard,” she says. “Kids and their parents come out to watch and take pictures and there’s a wonderful feeling of excitement.”

It’s not just about good vibes though. Making films is a business and having a production choose your neighborhood can be a huge financial plus. A cast and crew of 100 to 200 people filming for a day, a week, a month or even longer, translates into real dollars that flow directly back to the community. People stay at nearby hotels, shop, eat and drink at local restaurants and bars, and generally spread the monetary love.

When asked if the Playhouse would consider starring in another production, Shahid says, “Absolutely. It takes a lot of time and logistical coordination, but ultimately, it’s a win for all of us. How fun is it to watch a movie and see your town in it?” •

Top: The exterior of The Ridgefield Playhouse was miraculously transformed into Gates Falls High School.

Bottom: Production teams and vehicles took over the Playhouse parking lot for the filming of the scenes outside the high school.

Range Without

Plug-In Hybrids Go the Distance

Words and photos by Roger Garbow

When discussing electric vehicles, the conversation inevitably turns to range. For many people, even those who only drive a few miles per day, range anxiety is a real thing. Home charging makes owning an EV painless, but for those who regularly drive long distances or take periodic road trips, today’s inconsistent public charging network may be a deal breaker. The solution? The plug-in hybrid or PHEV, which operates like a conventional hybrid, but has a larger battery and can be plugged in via 120 or 240 volt chargers to keep the battery full, giving you the ability to use the vehicle in EV-only mode for a specific distance. Some of these PHEVs even qualify for a $7,500 federal tax rebate.

How do you make the best family vehicle even better? Make it a hybrid. Nearly four decades after creating the minivan segment, Chrysler’s latest generation is still a winner. The utility and flexibility of the interior is only matched by the comfort and drivability of the overall package. Plus, it looks pretty good, too. The optional PHEV adds improved fuel economy at 33 mpg with 32 miles of EV only range. For your daily duties, you might never need gas at all. My top line Pinnacle tester featured quilted leather and second row captain’s chairs; their plush lumbar pillows giving the interior serious Bentley vibes. The Pacifica has all the features minivan buyers want with cubbies, cupholders and slide-out bins galore. The third row Stow N’ Go seating and optional vacuum makes hauling all your stuff — and cleaning up after — a snap. EPA economy is rated at 82 MPGe. Pacifica Hybrid prices start at $48,400.

Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Pinnacle

Anxiety

Performance and fuel efficiency are not mutually exclusive. The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid delivers Porsche’s legendary driving experience with the frugal fuel sipping of a boring vanilla economy car. Porsche has been refining their hybrid technology since 2010 and the refinement shows. Switching from EV mode to the hybrid’s combined 455 hp, when the twin-turbo V6 joins the party, is seamless and exhilarating. The steering feel and handling are textbook Porsche yet the ride is luxury car supple. The Panamera’s liftback design and folding rear seats open up a surprising amount of cargo capacity. I was even able to transport a set of wheels and tires. With the seats up, there is ample room for four adults and even five in a pinch. EPA economy is rated at 52 MPGe and an EV only range of 19 miles. Prices start at $109,000.

Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid

One of the hottest selling vehicles over the last year has been this PHEV. Toyota introduced consumers to hybrids with the seriously polarizing Prius, but this compact SUV shows how far they’ve come with their hybrid tech. In addition to a class leading 42 miles of EV only range, the RAV4 Prime out accelerates most competitors, including its gas-only sibling. The RAV4 is a near perfect package, with a flexible interior, good ground clearance and an EPA rating of 94 MPGe. The exterior looks great and with 302 hp, no one is going to be making granola jokes about your new Toyota Hybrid. In spite of using most of that horsepower, I still saw 41 mpg combined during my week. Prices start at only $41,600.

If you are looking for a three row SUV, nearly every manufacturer has you covered. If you want a PHEV with your back row, the choices skew towards the higher end of the market. KIA bucks that trend with the excellent and affordable Sorento PHEV. The mid-size Sorento features a roomy interior with KIA’s easy-to-use controls and an attractive exterior. While most PHEVs use a CVT, the Sorento, like the BMW 330e, is mated to a conventional multi-speed transmission which makes it drive like a standard SUV. Plugging in at night gave me 32 miles of EV only range for local trips. But even on a trip using mostly the gas engine, I saw over 40 mpg. EPA economy is rated at 79 MPGe. Prices start at $49,000.

KIA Sorento PHEV

BMW has so many unique models, it’s understandable if the 330e is not on your radar. Yet, considering the overall package, this is one of the best in their line-up. Available in either rear or AWD, the 330e may not be the fastest car in the stable, but it delivers enough of BMW’s legendary performance to make you forget it’s a hybrid. During my week with a 2022 330e—equipped with both the M Sport and Dynamic Handling packages—the steering feel, comfort, and handling made me look forward to every drive. Plugging the car in each night delivered 42 mpg in spite of my spirited piloting on Fairfield County’s best twisty roads. EPA economy is rated at 75 MPGe with an EV only range of 23 miles. Prices start at under $44,000.

A hybrid Jeep seems like an oxymoron. Yet when Jeep introduced a hybrid Wrangler, it became an instant hit. With the Grand Cherokee 4xe, Jeep brought their hybrid tech to the full-size luxury SUV market. Packing a turbo I4 and a single electric motor, the PHEV Grand Cherokee delivers more power and torque than the Hemi V8! The EV to gas transition can be a bit rough, but there are no complaints when it comes to acceleration and overall performance. The 4xe retains all of the off-road prowess and interior features Grand Cherokee owners expect, yet without the penalty at the pump. My top-of-the-line Summit Reserve GC featured a camera with night vision as well as pedestrian and animal detection. I averaged 25 mpg for my week, compared to 17 on the last V8 GC I drove. EPA economy is rated at 56 MPGe and an EV only range of 25 miles. Prices start at $60,000. •

Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe.

BMW 330e Sedan.

ACT of Connecticut’s “First ACT!” Program:

MakingAccessibleTheater For All

by Evelyn Bloom

By now, most of the community is familiar with ACT of CT and the astonishing Broadway caliber work they produce. Now in their 5th season, ACT has earned a reputation for being one of the most high-profile and well-respected regional theaters in Connecticut. ACT has once again hit the ground running with their critically acclaimed production of Guys and Dolls, the highly anticipated Rock of Ages, and their upcoming run of The Secret Garden. Creating exceptional theater is only part of ACT’s passion. Since it’s inception, the concept of “making theater accessible for all” has played an important part of the theater’s mission.

Artistic Director Daniel C. Levine says, “The arts build strong and connected communities and it’s important that everyone is able to benefit from this. Theater can change lives and we are committed to making ACT accessible to a wider audience.”

To support this mission, the theater’s leadership created their First ACT! program. First ACT! supports and nurtures individuals, families, students, and working artists of all socio-economic backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and genders so that they may receive the highest level of theatrical opportunity possible.

First ACT! helps fund several of ACT’s programs including their Sensory Friendly Performances - a series designed specifically for patrons with sensory sensitivities who require adjusted production elements. First ACT! also provides scholarships and reduced/ free tuition for their educational programs including conservatory, camp and private lessons. Additionally, First ACT! supports the theater’s Audience Access initiative which allows those from traditionally underserved schools and communities, who may not have had the opportunity to experience live theater, the chance to attend a professional production free of charge.

The First ACT! program is entirely funded by the generosity of private donors. ACT’s Development Director Shelley Terry says, “First ACT! is just one example of how ACT gives back to ensure that everyone, regardless of potential barriers, can benefit from our work.

Ticket sales only cover 40% of our annual operating budget. Fundraising events such as our Gala, scheduled for April 1, 2023, are of the utmost importance in order to fund First ACT!”

For more information on how to support this, and ACT of CT’s other community-based initiatives, please visit www.actofct.org •

Energy Efficient Homes Can Save Money and Your Health

by Gerri Lewis

Net zero, Passive House, LEED Platinum—why are these building certifications important? Consider the nearly completed contemporary farmhouse on St. John’s Road in Ridgefield that will soon earn all these distinctions.

At 4000 square feet of energy efficient living space, the house will cost approximately $18 a month to heat, cool and electrify. It’s the Tesla of tech: it comes with all sorts of cool devices that can be operated right from a cell phone app, including a fresh air flow system. The garage has a blower to eliminate any carbon monoxide and several electric chargers for future vehicles.

While energy costs alone might be compelling enough reasons to go green, owners Aubre and Zac Weber were motivated for other reasons.

“We were led down this path because of our journey as parents and what we do for a living,” says Weber. She and her husband are both in the medical field and see first-hand many very sick people— including children who are dealing with health problems previously seen only in adults. They considered possible causes for this trend and came to a realization. “Your home has a much bigger impact on your health than many realize. We want people to see what living green can do for their health,” says Weber.

What does it really mean to go green?

Industry professionals often balk at the term because from doing the bare minimum of using energy star appliances to going completely sustainable, Passive House, and as energy efficient as possible, there are many shades of green building. Thankfully, certifications help consumers understand what they are getting.

The Webers stuck to the most stringent standards available, making sure their home was not only energy efficient, but only used materials that had the least impact on the environment. The couple credits their “build team” of BPC Green Contracting, Trillium Architects, and Jill Rae Interior Designs, all of whom are equally as passionate about sustainable living. Everything in the house was selected for energy and material ratings and flow rates. They even insisted that their interior doors not be made from tropical woods.

Principal Architect Elizabeth DiSalvo of

Trillium explains that new construction like the Weber’s begins with finding land that allows a house to be oriented to get the most passive solar heat gain along with some summer shading. Ideally, you want a sunny site that is not surrounded by a lot of trees, hills or wetlands.

Passive Homes are designed to have an airtight envelope which keeps insects, dust and mold from creeping into the house and keeps heating and air where it belongs—inside. The industry joke is that they are so airtight they could be heated with a hair dryer. Because the goal is to use alternative energy sources like solar, all the mechanicals, such as ventilation to keep fresh air circulating, are electric. DiSalvo says that clients have even reported that allergies have subsided once they’ve moved into their homes.

Twelve-inch-thick walls with above code insulation along with triple pane windows create a better envelope with the ultimate goal of net zero consumption. Sustainability is achieved by using well-researched and time-tested products with less embodied carbon to reduce the carbon footprint. The Ridgefield farmhouse used almost

Energy efficient appliances and LED lighting make the interior of this Ridgefield farmhouse much more environmentally friendly. Photos courtesy of Jill Rae Design.

ENVIRONMENTAL TERMS OF ENDEARMENT

Net Zero Home: During one calendar year, through renewable sources, generates the same amount of electrical energy as it uses.

Passive House: One of the highest standards for energy efficient building, these airtight houses are primarily heated by passive solar heat gain from the sun in combination with small sized energy efficient equipment and are usually all electric.

LEED Certified Homes (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): A global rating system that offers a range of certifications verified by a third party and provides standards for healthy, energy efficient homes that reduce the carbon footprint.

HERS: (Home Energy Rating System): A home inspection that can be performed by a state certified inspector to make recommendations on how homeowners can improve their energy efficiency. Often there are rebates and incentives for making those improvements. Go to: energizect.com/energy-evaluations for the Connecticut Energy Solutions Program.

Sustainable Building: Buildings that are designed to help reduce the overall impact on the environment and human health from cradle to grave. From manufacturing of materials to shipping, during the construction and throughout the lifetime of the home. This includes utilizing materials that preserve and reduce the load on local infrastructure and are highly resilient as well as being healthy.

no steel and a concrete alternative that contained significantly less cement. Instead of foam, which is worse for the planet than other insulations, environmentally friendly alternatives like AeroAggregates (made from 99% post-consumer recycled glass) as well as other natural and plant-based products were used.

The greatest advantage to the house for the Webers is peace of mind. There are no chemicals or gasses pouring into the home. They don’t worry their children will inhale propane gas as they have their Saturday morning pancake breakfast.

“I know every single material that went into my home. I have machines and apps that tell me what my air quality is and what devices are pulling too much electricity so I can shut them off,” says Weber.

DiSalvo estimates the cost of building a Passive House as between 2-5% greater than traditional building, however, because these houses are all electric, solar power will allow homeowners to recoup costs over time. Consumers can also take advantage of incentives and rebates. Homeowners should seek a build team that understands the industry. “Get multiple quotes and stick

to your high standards. Even if you think you’ve done your research, go out and do some more,” says Weber.

Not everyone can start from scratch. For existing houses, homeowners can do a deep energy retrofit which removes the existing siding and shingles and blankets the house in 3-4 inches of continuous insulation board before re-siding and roofing. Once the house is reskinned and with new windows and additional insulation added, the energy retrofit is almost as good as building new.

Additional ways to lessen our environmental impact include buying energy star appliances, replacing old and inefficient heating and air units, using LED lighting, and insulating attics and basements. And, of course, adding solar panels or solar roof tiles make use of alternative energy as well as significantly lowering utility costs.

“Don’t listen to those who tell you it is hocus pocus to build like this or that it’s not worth the money,” advises Weber. “Yes, it is expensive to build green, but it is becoming more and more affordable every day. Look around and wonder what is impacting you, your children, your loved ones, your community, your earth.” •

Another Trillium design showcases triple pane windows that keep the heat and air conditioning inside without sacrificing the stunning view. Photos courtesy of Trillium Architects.

Solar panels such as the ones on this new construction, significantly reduce the cost to run your home.

The Ridgefield Barn

Ridgefield Theater Barn’s Executive Director, Pamme Jones is all smiles about the upcoming renovation.

Historic Building Gets a New Look

by Julia Bruce

n the movie Babes In Arms, Mickey Rooney famously says, “Let’s put on a show!” For nearly sixty years, The Ridgefield Theater Barn has done just that. The building is undergoing a renovation that will expand their space and offerings which will allow them to continue their mission of providing a safe space for actors to explore and hone their craft, bringing live performances to the 068 area.

Theater troupes have a long history in Ridgefield. As far back as the late 1800’s, groups of actors would gather to put on performances in Town Hall or the old high school. Interest in theater productions grew and in 1965, the Ridgefield Workshop for the Performing Arts was incorporated. A few years later, they moved into one of the buildings on the Holy Ghost Novitiate property on Prospect Ridge and adopted an appropriate nickname: The Ridgefield Theater Barn. The building had been a working barn, complete with stables that had to be mucked out to be transformed into actors’ dressing rooms and a performance space in what was the hayloft, complete with the original barn doors.

Over the years, the Barn has undergone both structural and programming renovations. “There are so many theaters in Connecticut, so we needed to differentiate ourselves,” says Pamme Jones, Ridgefield Theater Barn’s Executive Director. The

The cast of Peter and the Starcatcher, the final show of the Barn’s 2021-2022 season, open Act II with a memorable dance number.

Audience participation in the beloved Piano Bar Musical Caberet creates a unique experience at each performance.

theater’s signature feature came about by chance. In 1991, during the production of Smorgasbord, they brought in tables and chairs so the audience could enjoy a meal while watching a show about food. It was so popular, they never went back to regular theater seating. “We have people who bring tablecloths, flowers and a fancy meal and those who simply share a bottle of wine with cheese and crackers,” says Jones. While

there have been other dinner theaters in the area, none have the same intimate space that the Barn offers. Given its size, the audience experiences a more personal exchange with the performers.

In time, innovative programming, such as the Cabaret Series, Piano Bar, Improv troupes, and One-Act plays, were established. “When we made those changes and we were able to produce a full season

and children’s program without running over budget, we asked ourselves, what could this place become?” says Jones.

The idea for expansion was conceived in 2015, but it took a pandemic to jump start the process. In March of 2020, when the world effectively shut down, Jones began a series called the Ghost Light Sessions. She would sit on an empty stage, illuminated by a single back light, and live stream a dialogue. At first, her conversations were factual: where to find toilet paper and other supplies. Eventually, they became an outlet to share fears, frustrations, and hope. RTB Ghost Light Sessions started receiving attention from radio stations, newspapers, and magazines. With public interest growing, Jones and the Board of Directors decided to launch their capital campaign then. An anonymous patron stepped up and offered a substantial donation to get things started. “He knew what we were about and wanted to make a legacy donation to support us,” says Jones. From there financial backing continued to come in – at the town, state and federal level. “I love that our

The transformation of the working barn on Prospect Ridge in the early 1970’s required volunteers to muck out stables and clear out the hayloft.

funding is coming from all those outletsthat’s all the community,” says Jones.

The renovation will be a 60% expansion over the current building. The performance area, which seats 75 people, will not change. “It’s too historically important” says Jones. The two-story L-shaped addition will include backstage wing space, which will allow for a band offstage and safer, roomier exit and entrances for the actors. An elevator will be installed, making the stage accessible to anyone.

Room for everyone

Space at RTB has always been a hindrance. “As it is now, we have to empty out the theater and shut down while we build sets for a new show,” says Jones. That can result in upwards of five weeks of lost revenue. The building renovation includes the addition of a workshop where sets can be built for future productions while the current one is still running. It also means that other programming, such as the children’s workshops, don’t have to be put on hold.

Also on the main floor, the lobby will

be redone with an increase in bathroom facilities and a new concession stand designed by Ursula Hanavan of Interiors and Designs by Ursula.

The lower level will have two classrooms, one solely dedicated to the children’s program and the other will be available for community members to utilize. Jones is most excited about the Black Box performance space – a totally blank, square, black room that will have lights, sound, but no set stage. “It will be a flexible space that can be used for a lot of different purposes,” says Jones. RTB is planning on having

poetry slams with Barb Jennes, a storytelling workshop by Moth Radio Hour producer Bonnie Levison, and even stand-up comedy classes.

Jones hopes the renovation will be complete by the end of March and plans on reopening with the collaborative production: An Evening of One-Acts. “The spirit and contributions of countless likeminded artists and leaders have made this renovation possible,” she says. “I cannot wait to welcome our alumni and the community into this new space and get started on the future.” •

Architectural renderings of the new and improved Ridgefield Theater Barn showcases the clean lines and expanded space.

RidgefieldPlayhouse’s

New Le

O68 How long and in what capacities have both of you worked at the Ridgefield Playhouse?

AP I started at the Playhouse in 2013 working in the box office and managing high-end concierge members. I was able to develop relationships with some of our longest-standing patrons and high-end donors. I then went on to become the Food and Beverage Manager. In 2020, everyone threw their hats in the ring to keep the Playhouse running and I was promoted to Managing Director, overseeing day-to-day operations and managing the team through our extensive programming.

JS The Playhouse is like Hotel California, in that you can check out, but you can never really leave. It was my first job out of college. I was Allison Stockel’s executive assistant, and with only five full-time employees, there

was no job I didn’t do. I stayed from 2006 –2008, then I moved to NYC to be an agent. I came back in 2019 to work on the capital campaign but it quickly evolved into carving out a new role as Artistic Director.

O68 What artist/performer at the Playhouse was most memorable for you?

AP In 2017, one of my favorite artists, Beth Hart, came to the Playhouse which happened to coincide with my 30th birthday. I bumped into her husband in the lobby and begged him to ask Beth to play LA Song . After the show, I saw him again and he apologized that my song wasn’t played. He then pulled me into the back where a sweat-drenched Beth ran down the hall screaming, “I forgot your song!!! Let’s sing it right now!” So, we slid into the very out of tune, signed piano backstage and sang our duet together.

Thinking about that night still brings a huge smile to my face!

JS I’m a deadhead, so having the chance to host Bob Weir and Ratdog in 2006 was surreal. Bobby’s Tour Manager at the time was Dennis McNally - a noted Dead author and publicist. I really looked up to Dennis and all he had done to lift the curtain up to outsiders like me. Most Tour Managers don’t watch the show, but I looked over and saw Dennis sitting cross-legged on top of a road case next to the sound board, his eyes closed, swaying along to the music. I loved that moment so much because after 20+ years of working with the Dead, he still loved the music and made time to listen.

O68 With Allison’s departure, you two are sharing the duties of running the Playhouse. What are your titles and what strengths do you bring to these positions?

Paltauf and Jared Shahid

by Julia Bruce

aders

AP With my experience in box office, live shows, member and donor management, my title is Managing Director of Operations & Development. Jared and I talk about everything together and are united on all things, but our individual history with the playhouse and personalities work best delineated this way.

JS In no way do we feel like we’re trying to fill Allison’s shoes (leather boots). As the venue has evolved, both the physical layout and the staff, so too has the actual organization of the business. We’re both Managing Directors - my purview is Talent and Marketing, so I’m focused on booking the venue, collaborating with the marketing team, and overseeing the production side of things. For me, it’s a full circle opportunity. To come back here after all these years and be afforded the chance to shape a place I know and love is a gift.

O68 What artist would be a dream booking for you?

AP Jared booked Amy Schumer back in September, and that was a dream come true. I for sure love singer songwriter, Lauryn Hill, she is my go-to on all of my Spotify playlists and she just announced a 2023 tour for the 25th anniversary of Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, one of my favorite albums.

JS I have a laundry list, but I’m trying to stay focused on what’s realistic since Billy Joel isn’t going to be dropping by any time soon. I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that our fall 2023 gala is booked with an extraordinary musician and human being - their first ever appearance at The Playhouse. And in some ways, that’s a dream booking for me because I didn’t think we’d ever be able to present this particular artist.

O68 What are you hopes or plans for the Playhouse for the future?

AP We plan on directing a lot of attention to our Arts in Education shows and expanding that season to offer even more programming and outreach to Title 1 schools. And with our new expansion, we’re creating rental packages to include partnered restaurants and offer up our space for larger events.

JS Ashley and I talk every day about the things we want to accomplish together. In the near term, we’re focused on maintaining, while taking calculated steps in the direction in which we’d like to take the Playhouse. We’ll continue to expand our programming: including original content, Playhouse produced events, curated sponsor events, diversity and inclusion programming, and up and coming artists. There’s plenty to do –we still haven’t hung art in the new lobby!

•

with

Ashley

Romance in the O68

Where to take that special someone

For many couples, January and February are perfect for cozy moments and deep conversations over a delicious meal leading up to one of winter’s most romantic holidays: Valentine’s Day. Here’s a lineup of a few local places you and your sweetheart will surely enjoy for an anniversary, date night, or any time of year.

Bartolo, 103 Danbury Road, Ridgefield

The dining room at Bartolo offers a laid-back romantic vibe and a separate bar area that has a sexy flair with lively music and a decidedly more invigorating tone. Couples and singles can relax and enjoy wine and food at the bar. In addition, a smaller private dining room hosts parties of up to ten people.

Every bite at Bartolo is delicious, and the experience is relaxed and unrushed. Diners can expect unique specials on Valentine’s Day and throughout the year.

A window in the dining room offers guests a peek into the kitchen. Watching Chef Arthur Michaelsen painstakingly prepare each dish was tantamount to watching an engaging show on Food Network.

“Our customers seem to like the idea of a showcasing chef. There are always fingerprints on the dining room side of the window from our customers knocking on it and giving him the thumbs up,” explains co-owner Julia Michaelsen.

The “lazy lasagna” they serve features layer upon layer of fresh pasta elegantly presented like fallen handkerchiefs nestled upon meatballs, sausage, fresh ricotta, Marinara, and Burrata cheese. The Bolognese sauce is delicious, and the Fettuccini Carbonara is exceptional. But, ah the Marinara! How do they do that?

“The most popular thing on the menu is our Marinara. Arthur was taught the recipe by my father, Bartolo, and it was passed down from his father and my Great Grandfather,” Michaelsen says.

By Sarah Gauthier Galluzzo

Baldanza at the Schoolhouse, 34 Cannon Road, Wilton

Formerly known as The Schoolhouse at Cannondale, this restaurant is under new ownership. It offers one of the most inventive brunches I have ever enjoyed—and dinner is delightful. Chef Angela Baldanza has thoughtfully curated a menu that features house-made fresh pasta and seasonal farmto-table American Italian cuisine. She is warm and gracious and creates dishes that reflect her personality and style.

If you visited the previous restaurant in this space, you might recognize some friendly faces. Members of the former restaurant work together like a family, focusing on hospitality that further complements the soothing ambiance of the intimate dining room. As many in the area know, the restaurant was a one-room schoolhouse in the early-1870s until the late-1920s.

The Norwalk River runs along one side of the schoolhouse, and you can hear the faint whistle of the nearby train passing by from time to time. “We want this to be a destination for special occasions,” Baldanza explains. “Our guests can expect extra-special treatment.”

My lunch guest described the beet salad as confetti on a plate. This cheerful salad tastes just as vibrant as it looks. The perfectly dressed, neatly stacked layers of multicolored cubed beets and haricot vert are topped with goat cheese, pistachio, micro greens, candied dates, and accompanied by orange segments.

The Chicken Milanese was tender and juicy, served over a bed of arugala and I’ll be back to try the fresh ravioli. Desserts are also housemade. We had a strawberry shortcake that was just as good as my childhood French grandmother’s famous recipe.

A special menu is planned for Valentine’s Day, so book your reservation in advance. This is by far the most intimate of the romantic restaurants we explored.

Conveniently located in downtown Wilton, Bianco Rosso exudes an upscale, modern vibe that would impress a first date or add some sizzle to a longstanding romance.

The best thing we ate here was a fantastic salad made with fried artichokes. We also enjoyed the warm, fresh bread served with olive oil and calamata olive puree.

The Carbonara was luscious and silky— perfectly studded with cubes of pancetta. The ravioli and gnocchi are made in-house, so I will be sure to ask for that on my next visit. For dessert, we enjoyed profiteroles with ice cream drizzled with rich chocolate ganache.

“We have a romantic dining room and bar set up, but we give it an even more romantic vibe for Valentine’s Day. Bianco Rosso offers a Prix Fixe Menu, and we will offer some special items for Valentine’s Day,” explains owner Mario Lopez.

3 Keys Restaurant & Georgetown Tavern, 19 Main Street, Redding

Looking for a fun night out? 3 Keys offers craft cocktails, a lively ambiance, traditional pub food, and excellent music. “Our goal is for everyone to come in and feel comfortable enough to enjoy their three keys to life: food, friends, and fun,” says Jennifer Bellizzi, who co-owns the establishment with her sister Heather. The duo plans to feature live local music outdoors - they have a firepit and heat lamps that will keep guests cozy and warm all winter long. “Our new website will include a calendar of events listing music acts as soon as we book them,” says Bellizzi. •

Bianco Rosso, 151 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton

Acupuncture For Your Fur Baby? Ruh Roh!

by Jana Williams

Melo, a beautiful brown mixedbreed dog, lies on the floor breathing calmly while veterinarian Dr. Michael Brodsky, a certified canine acupuncturist, inserts the next needle in his therapy. Yes, you read that correctly…Melo, the dog, is receiving acupuncture!

Long touted for its health benefits in humans, acupuncture has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine and has been used for thousands of years. It works by restoring the flow of energy, or chi, throughout the body. In Western medicine, acupuncture is believed to work by stimulating neural-hormonal pathways releasing hormones that reduce pain and inflammation. The needles are also believed to improve blood circulation at the points of insertion.

The history of acupuncture in animals is long. One of the first veterinary acupuncture texts, Bole’s Canon of Veterinary Acupuncture, was written by a Chinese veterinarian that lived from 659–621 BC. The practice spread from China to Japan and then Korea, and came to the Western world via France in the 1500s. In the 1800s it arrived in North America. Today, outside of Asia, canine acupuncturists are certified by The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS), a non-profit organization founded in 1974 and dedicated to promoting excellence in the practice of veterinary acupuncture as an integrative part of veterinary medicine.

“Acupuncture in dogs is most commonly used to treat older, large breed dogs who have developed arthritis or

degenerative joint disease in their hips, knees or elbows either due to age or injury,” said Dr. Brodsky. “And unlike humans, there is no placebo effect. It really works! The dogs go from being sedentary, to having a noticeably better quality of life according to their owners.”

During the first appointment, expect the acupuncturist to ask questions about your dog’s health and conduct a physical exam. The first visit takes about an hour, with follow-up therapy sessions lasting about 30-45 minutes. A typical followup session starts with a discussion of any differences, improvements or problems since the last visit. The dog lays on the floor or in their dog bed, whatever makes them most comfortable. The first needle is always placed at the crown of the head because it causes a calming effect. The dogs will often roll onto their side, start deep breathing or have their noses run, which is a sign of relaxation. Subsequently, more needles are placed at specific points along energy channels, similar to human acupuncture. They are left in for about 15-20 minutes then removed. Every needle is for single-use only and every treatment plan is individualized to the specific dog and its issues.

Most animals benefitting from acupuncture are experiencing some level of pain or stiffness especially when getting up or laying down. Climbing stairs is also a big issue. Owners tend to notice increased mobility in the first couple of treatments, with effects sometimes resulting

in the reduction or complete elimination of pain or anti-inflammatory medications. A key benefit for many dog owners is that unlike medication, there is no side effect to acupuncture therapy.

One of Dr. Brodsky’s Bedford clients calls him a ‘dog whisperer’ and couldn’t believe the difference acupuncture made in the life of their aging Golden Retriever named Jamaica.

“In the summer of 2020 Jamaica was diagnosed with arthritis and we’d noticed a marked decrease in her mobility. An orthopedic veterinarian recommended we try acupuncture for our beautiful girl along with some pain medication to keep her comfortable. We called Dr. Brodsky and after just two treatments we saw a marked difference in her activity level,” said Jamaica’s owner.

Jamaica continued to receive treatments every week for the next two years, including with an acupuncturist in Barbados where the family spends Christmas every year. “Watching Jamaica blossom, especially during Covid, was really a silver lining,” continued Jamaica’s owner.

Jamaica passed away earlier this year, but the owner’s overwhelming sentiment is that acupuncture contributed to the quality of her life during those last few years. “She could go for long walks with us again, go up stairs, climb elevations when we went hiking, and best of all, she wasn’t on any medicine except for a joint supplement once a week,” says her owner.

Different veterinarians work in different ways, either conducting their sessions in a hospital practice or doing house calls. Generally, the calmer the dog is during the therapy the more profound the benefit. When considering acupuncture for your pet the most important thing to look for is a vet who is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA). A CVA has comprehensive training in acupuncture as well as western veterinary medicine.

If you think your fur-baby could benefit from acupuncture therapy, reach out to Dr. Brodsky directly at 203-403-3196 or search for a certified veterinarian acupuncturist on the IVAS website. •

New Menu, New Vibes,

Big things are happening at Bareburger’s Ridgefield outpost. The brand is seriously delivering on its promise of a “New Menu, New Vibes & Good Times’’ — and the glow-up couldn’t be more exciting.

Recent renovations have given the restaurant an entirely new look and feel, and the reimagined space makes it unlike any other Bareburger. Beyond the standard fresh paint, new awnings, and updated decor, the most unique updates took place at the bar.

With its brand-new stone bar top, atmospheric lighting, and the addition of cozy booths, the bar area has been transformed into a space where guests can embrace a social, buzzy, energetic vibe as they enjoy the cocktail program — which has gone through a serious glow-up of its own.

The Ridgefield location’s exclusive bar program features libations you can’t find anywhere else. With

Bareburger in Ridgefield, CT

specialty cocktails like an Earl Gray Old Fashioned and a Hibiscus Margarita (along with renowned top-shelf brands), Bareburger is taking the concept of grabbing a burger and a beer to a whole new level.

Exclusive cocktails are just the beginning. The Ridgefield location is also cranking out specials that have yet to be

launched at the brand’s other stores. Dishes like Chimichurri Steak Frites, Grilled Jumbo Mango Gochujang Shrimp, and a Loaded BLT (which is served on Sweet Earth Toast from Ridgefield’s own Ross Bread Shoppe) perfectly blend global flavors with local ingredients.

As remarkable as the new menu

additions and elevated space may be, the most noteworthy element of the restaurant’s highly successful makeover is the staff’s reinvigorated positive energy — which can be felt in every aspect of this new and improved neighborhood favorite. The renovations, paired with the new menu launch, signal an exciting new era for Bareburger in Ridgefield.

Art Gallery adds to the Ridgefield Arts and Cultural District

On November 17th, 2022, D.Colabella Fine Art gallery hosted a spectacular opening of Udo Spreitzenbarth’s exhibit “Between Light and Dark,” a film noir inspired celebrity photo art series. Currently, Spreitzenbarth’s stunning photography remains on display and has been gaining attention and acclaim.

FINE ART GALLERY

A private reception for guests, both local and from New York City, kicked off the night. The exhibit opening included a spectacular reveal of local “celebrity” portraits sponsored by Dee Braaten of Keller Williams Luxury Real Estate; Glass Jacobson Wealth Advisors; Debbie Heron, Senior Account Executive for Cross Private Insurance; Berkely One; Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP; Amanda Gabbard Beauty; and 109 Cheese and Wine. Thanks to the generosity of these sponsors, the portraits were donated to the “Light and Dark Local Celebrity Portrait Auction.” The four local celebrities included Allison Stockel, Suzanne Brennan, Rudy Marconi, and Chris Bishop. Each were chosen and celebrated for their dedication to the arts, culture, and community in the 068 area. Dee Dee Colabella, owner of D.Colabella Fine Art gallery said, “It was an amazing night with so much community involvement and support of this artist and the gallery.”

Proceeds from the “Light and Dark Local Celebrity Portrait Auction” will benefit local arts and community organizations including ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative, the Lounsbury House, and The Ridgefield Playhouse. Thank you to all who supported these organizations.•

Artist Udo Spreitzenbarth (center) poses with (from left to right) Kim and Chris Bishop, and Rudy Marconi.

inRidgefield, the go-to online events calendar!

068 Magazine is a proud partner of inRidgefield, who works hard to feature a comprehensive catalog of events from the 068 area. The inRidgefield website not only has a self-service events calendar with photos and precise descriptions, but blog posts about local businesses, community highlights, and a complete directory of things to do in the community. We are thrilled to direct you here, whether you are a resident looking for something to do this fall, or a business or event organizer wondering where to post your event; it’s all here!

www.inridgefield.com

PINSTRIPES Norwalk

F u n That’sRight UpYourAl l e y

by Erik Ofgang

Pinstripes Norwalk has 12 bowling lanes, but calling it a bowling alley is a little like calling Yankee Stadium a baseball field.

The upscale destination opened in December 2019 and occupies 27,000-square-feet at the top of The SoNo Collection in South Norwalk. In addition to those 12 luxury lanes, it features four bocce courts - including one outside on a terrace overlooking South Norwalk, multiple private event spaces, and a bar and restaurant serving high-quality cocktails and classic Italian American cuisine including pizza, meatballs, and much more.

Pinstripes was founded by Dale Schwartz in 2006 in Chicago. The brand has since brought its winning combination of bocce, bowling and dining to additional locations across the country.

“We have 13 locations and we’re about to open five more in 2023, with more to come after that,” says Sherry Wyatt, Director of Sales for Pinstripes Norwalk.

The Norwalk venue is popular as a birthday, wedding, and corporate meeting and team building destination. Visiting Pinstripes is an experience that is perfect either for families, date night, or friend groups of any age. While traditional bowling alleys tend to be noisy and dust-filled places that frequently have a nothing-has-changed-here-since-the-80s feel, Pinstripes is quiet and classy. The lanes are in separate rooms from the main dining area, so the sounds of pins crashing do not disrupt your meal.

Bocce also adds another level of oldworld sophistication. While many visitors are more familiar with bowling than bocce, Pinstripes helps make bocce accessible by giving guests a printout of the rules. Staff members are also often available to help give pointers. “Bocce is a really fun game and even if you’ve never played, it’s super easy to learn,” Wyatt says.

During a recent visit, one couple that was new to bocce learned its rules quickly with the help of the rule book and were soon hooked by the low-key relaxing rhythm of the game. It’s the perfect game to play drink in hand between courses at the restaurant.

Bowling and bocce are only half the experience at Pinstripes. The tempting menu is a far cry from regular bar fare. “We are a scratch kitchen,” Wyatt says. “Everything is made in-house.”

In Norwalk, Executive Chef Patrick Doan and Executive Sous Chef Douglas Geraghty oversee a menu created by the brand’s chief culinary officer Chef Cesar Gutierrez. That menu includes wood-fired pizza, seasonal gelatos and a grab bag of classic dishes ranging from fried calamari to spaghetti and meatballs and gnocchi and vodka sauce. There are also American cuisine favorites such as chicken wings and Buffalo cauliflower, chicken sandwiches,

and burgers.

Similar creativity is visible at the bar where the menu features a wide selection of wines, local craft beers, and creative cocktails. The best-selling cocktail is the Margarita Italiano, an Italian-ized take on a classic margarita featuring limoncello and pomegranate with tequila to create a drink that, just like everything else about Pinstripes, is very memorable.

Pinstripes is open 11:30 am – 9:00 pm weekdays and 10:00 am – 10:30 pm on weekends. Event timing is 8:00 am11:00 pm. They do accept walk-ins, but reservations are recommended. •

Lone duck on the pond Ripple wave, aimlessly lost

Like a scared child

#morninghaiku:

Carin Crook was not interested in sitting still through tough times. She created a way to move and be active while relieving the stress around. She officially published #morninghaiku in February, 2022.

What started as a way to connect with others during the pandemic turned into a daily practice with musings on everyday life. Get inspired by Carin’s #morninghaiku and try your own hand at this simple, yet profound, ancient art. Copies of #morninghaiku are available at Books on the Common and on Amazon. •

a simple practice to inspire your every day