Foodies Anyone Interested in Brunch?
Foodies Anyone Interested in Brunch? Old Wilton Holiday Tradition Since the 1840’s Monkey Around The Incredible
Noted by Jill
Rae
“Bringing the of the HolidaysHome”
The holiday season is one of the most magical times of the year, especially here in the 068. There’s something so special about the annual Ridgefield Tree Lighting and Holiday Stroll, where the town comes alive with lights, music, and festive cheer. For me, the holidays have always been a time to gather with family, deck the halls, and embrace the joy of the season.
When my kids come home, we pull out our cherished ornaments and nutcrackers, and head to Tubby Tim’s to pick out the perfect Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands. Every year, we put up two trees… sometimes more! I love refreshing my holiday decor to keep things feeling new and vibrant. If you drive down Main Street, you’ll see our home glowing with the holiday spirit—it’s hard to miss!
My passion for holiday decorating began when friends would see my home all lit up and magical. They started asking me to help them decorate their own homes, and soon, what began as a fun hobby turned into something much more.
At Jill Rae Designs, our showroom at 19 Governor Street turns into a holiday wonderland, filled with ornaments and decorations that help you bring that same magic into your own home. Whether you’re looking for that perfect ornament or something to give your space a festive refresh, we’ve got everything you need to make the season bright.
This year, we’re thrilled to be decorating a home for Habitat for Humanity, sharing the joy of the holidays with those who need it most. You’ll also find us at the Ridgefield Guild of Artists’ Festive Home 2024 and at multiple families’ homes around the area, spreading cheer throughout the community.
Jill Rae
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
Julie Hughes, Janet Ozzard, Carin L. Weisman, Hilary Aronow, and Michael McGuirk
Contributing Photographers
Dylan Miller, Panosnaps LLC, Harol Baez, Mary Ellen Matthews, David Goldstein, and Alex Wenchel
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068 Magazine is a publication of Colabella Media LLC. ©2024. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.
Kate Perry
Kate Perry lives on her farm in Redding with her husband and horses, poultry, and dogs. She is an avid supporter of regenerative agriculture, which centers around responsibly raised livestock to improve soil quality and biodiversity, reduce erosion and invasive. In this issue, Kate gives an in-depth report on Redding artist Jimmy Grashow. Her story appears on page #22.
Joey Macari
Joey Macari is a freelance writer and content creator who writes bespoke copy for multiple media publications in the Northeast, in addition to social media copywriting for multiple non-profit arts organizations, NY Times best-selling authors, and more. Joey is also a working actor and teaches theater to youth in greater Boston.On page #44, Joey writes about at the phenomenal Stamford Thankgiving Parade. Joey also takes a fun look at the holiday tradition of The White Elephant on page #70.
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 featurewriting awards from the New England Press Association and the society of Professional Journalists. Most recently, Gerri published The Last Word, a cozy mystery set in Ridgefeeld, CT. In this issue, Gerri shines a light on The Festival of Trees - an annual fundraising for Ann’s Place. That story can be found on page #50.
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 England’s Best Craft Beverages” and “Gillette Castle: A History.” He is a former senior writer at Connecticut Magazine and his work has appeared in the Washington Post, Atlantic, Thrillist, and Associated Press. When he’s not writing, he teaches in WCSU’s MFA in Creative and Professional Writing Program. Erik writes about outdoor winter sports on page #56.
Old Wilton
by Julie Hughes
Wilton’s holiday traditions are documented as far back as the 1840s, when Christmas was mainly observed at home and had little to do with church. In fact, more conservative sorts disapproved of the festivities, like Bald Hill carpenter Lockwood Keeler Ferris, who noted his abstention in
his diary, and some of his acquaintances’ participation.
Thirty years later, Christmas trees, stockings, and pageants had become ubiquitous. In the Rev. Samuel J. M. Merwin’s household, they “ornamented the rooms with running pine and moss.” Merwin filled stockings and hid his wife’s present – a flower stand – in the barn. Their son received books and a “Round the World” boardgame. In the evening, they attended a concert at the Congregational Church, where Merwin was pastor. Rather than carols, they sang “Swanee River,” “My Ain Countrie,” and various hymns. Other local denominations – notably the Methodists in Georgetown – put on similar entertainments.
In the early 20th century, Christmas at Ambler Farm featured a locally sourced tree and stockings on the mantle. By the 1950s, they decorated their tree with tinsel and glass ornaments, and kept a plastic Santa in front of the fireplace.
Later, Betty Ambler and her mother had a small silver-colored imitation tree covered in miniature Santas, birds, and other ornaments. Christmases on the farm also included Santa Claus (a hired hand named Harry), who distributed cookies and posed for photos.
One of the town’s best known traditions, the Wilton Center creche, began in 1951 and
quickly became a victim of holiday hijinks. In 1967, Joseph was stolen. He remains AWOL to this day, though a substitute was quickly produced. Thieves struck again in 1999, this time targeting the Baby Jesus.
A “replacement” was procured secondhand at the annual Minks to Sinks sale. It mysteriously disappeared in 2001 only to be returned a few hours later. Finally, in 2010, “Joseph lost his head” in a storm.
For all that, Wilton’s original creche was also a work of art, faith, and community spirit. The PTA sponsored it and local businesses donated supplies. Dozens helped
build the structures, and sculpted, painted, and clothed the figures.
Local artist Alexander Ross, a wellknown magazine illustrator, was primary among them. McCall’s and American Home later published Ross’s painting of the creche. Wilton’s Kiwanis Club maintains the creche today.
As for Hanukkah, its first mention in the Wilton Bulletin dates to the 1960s, when photographer Sybil Shackman of Old Highway submitted a description of the holiday’s origins along with a portrait of her daughter with a menorah. By the early 1980s, the Wilton Library offered a puppet show retelling the Hanukkah story, while children from Temple B’Nai Chaim (established in the 1970s) were putting on Hanukkah shows. Since 2010, annual menorah lightings have been held on the Town Green, accompanied by “live music, latkes, donuts, gelt and dreidels for all.”
Local institutions like the Wilton Library have long participated in the holiday spirit with festive programming and seasonal decorations. Before moving into their current home in the early 1970s, library staff focused their efforts on a BeauxArts fireplace. One year they adorned the mantle after the old Connecticut fashion with candles and club moss, set off by an apparently marooned Santa, legs dangling from the flue.
The Wilton Historical Society has held its popular annual Great Trains Show since 1998. Yet, for the Society’s first twentyfive years, they offered little in the way of Christmas programming. There were occasional “Christmas” lectures on various themes, including “Music From the Attic, A Talk on Old Instruments” (1965). They also fundraised for several years by selling Christmas cards with custom illustrations by local artists, including Steven Donahos and Ben Prins, both prolific illustrators for the Saturday Evening Post.
Soon after opening their own museum, the Society expanded their holiday offerings to include mulled wine and madrigals. By the early 1970’s they were putting on festive exhibits of vintage and antique toys. These evolved into Dollhouse Village shows, which were a staple of Wilton life for over a decade. One 1979 miniature showed several children and a spaniel gathered around a Christmas tree in a one-room schoolhouse. There’s a wreath on the door, presents (and a mouse) on the floor, and – at the front of the classroom – a chalkboard, map, clock, alphabet chart, and an American flag.
Whatever the traditions observed today – and they will only have grown more varied and creative with Wilton’s changing population since the mid-20th century – we can be sure that Wiltonians know how to enjoy the holidays! •
by Janet Ozzard
“Parenting is so isolating in the beginning,” says Measi O’Rourke, founder of Saint Joseph Parenting Center (SJPC), with locations in Stamford, Danbury, and Bridgeport. “You think everybody knows what they’re doing. And the truth is, nobody knows what they’re doing.”
For new parents who have a network— family and friends, pediatricians, family leave—there’s some respite during those early, crazy months of interrupted sleep, midnight feedings, and general chaos. But for at-risk families who haven’t grown up in the most stable environments, a newborn can be a stressor they don’t know how to handle, with sometimes-dire results. That’s where O’Rourke and SJPC, step in. “There are a lot of parents out there who did not have a healthy model of what parenting looks like, and were very much abused themselves,” she says. “Then we expect them to just pick up and take care of their own children,” and that unhealthy cycle never gets repaired.
“These parents, they absolutely want the best for their child,”
she adds. “They just don’t know how to do it.” But, she believes, they can learn.
O’Rourke first learned about parenting education while living in Ohio, outside Cleveland. A mother of five and an RN, she was considering going back to work when the pastor at her church suggested she look into a nearby parenting center. She became its director of volunteer services and saw first-hand how it helped new mothers and fathers grow. The job was a natural fit for O’Rourke. “It combined everything I’ve done in my life,” she says. “My maternal-child skills, nursing, raising five kids, working with teens in our church. I was like, this is putting all my gifts and all my passions in one place.” After she and her family moved back to the East Coast, O’Rourke aspired to create a similar center here.
“My husband Jamie encouraged me, but I was like, I’m a nurse, I can’t start a nonprofit,” she says. “Then I had a kind
of spectacular spiritual moment, of God saying, ‘I need you to help me protect all my children.’ And I thought, okay, this is what I have to do.”
With her husband’s help, O’Rourke put together a business plan, got seed money, created a 510(c)(3) nonprofit, and opened the Stamford location in 2010, followed by Danbury and now Bridgeport. About half their clients come via the Department of Children and Families, where parental education may be part of a case plan. The other half find their way to via family centers, preschools, pediatricians’ offices, or word-of-mouth. “We have a huge Spanish-speaking population,” says O’Rourke. “They are more likely to come voluntarily, and like it so much they bring their grandmother, or sister-in-law or aunt or uncle. That’s a community unto itself.”
What do parents learn at SJPC? There’s a 23-class course in general parenting that, in some cases, a parent might be required to complete, but the classes can also be taken on a drop-in basis. On any given day, a case worker might meet one-on-one with a
parent whose child is acting out, to develop an action plan and help them get support. A parent might be taking a nutrition and healthy living class to learn about making a good meal plan on a food stamps budget (the majority of SJPC clients are below the poverty level). There might be a meeting of Dads are the Difference, a program specifically for fathers to connect and bond. A counselor might be helping a family make a doctor’s appointment or fill out insurance paperwork. “For a lot of people, especially new immigrants, even making a phone call for a doctor’s appointment can throw them,” says O’Rourke. “We’ll hold their hand; we’ll go to meetings with them. That’s what the case workers do.”
And SJPC isn’t just there for the baby years. “We’re here for you until your youngest child is 12,” says O’Rourke. “We have parents who come and go for years. That’s the idea. It’s a community center for parents to come at any time, to get support that they need.”
For more information, please visit sjpcenter.org•
by Kate Perry
The Cathedral, Jimmy Grashow’s stunning new sculpture made of intricately carved bass wood, is his magnum opus representing morality, temptation, and redemption. Grashow, a Redding resident for over fifty years, is an artist whose work is both astonishing and thoughtprovoking. His beautifully fraught yet exquisitely produced features apostles and demons and the fire of hell below Jesus in his thorny crown carrying the holy cathedral on his back. The finely detailed cathedral touts herald angels, apostles, and stained glass. Inside, the private collector who commissioned the sculpture kneels before a beautiful mural
Grashow worked on The Cathedral, which stands eight feet tall, for more than four years, honing over that time both the many carvings and the symbolism. The piece began as drawings and then as a cardboard prototype, and he worked to fine tune each part.
The Cathedral at its core is about mortality and keeping faith through life,” says Grashow. “We live in an unbelievably insane, chaotic world, with demons and struggles all over. We move forward
and we try to understand how to keep our faith alive. The cathedral is anchored at its bottom by tortured souls, but it’s crowned at the top by a crane reaching for hope and eternity.”
Jimmy Grashow is a truly special person to meet. His lively stories and wry sense of humor spark a sense of energy and ease in those he meets, and “dull” is never a word that would come to mind when in his company. He lives in Redding with his wife Lesley, better known by her nickname Guzzy, who shares Jimmy’s magnetism and his passion for his work. They have been together for fifty-eight years and share two children and five grandchildren.
For the past several decades, Jimmy Grashow has focused on sculptures and installations uniquely made of corrugated cardboard, bronze pieces for sculpture gardens, and carved wood pieces. His iconic Fish-FloralFowl pieces with colorful fish and ocean waves, herons and pheasants, and flowers both realistic and whimsical — some have houses emerging from the blossoms and are dubbed House Plants — are elaborate and engaging. He has also constructed larger-than-life ten-foot-tall dancing couples and mythical Greek sculptures.
Some of the most eye-catching cardboard creations are Grashow’s monkeys; each has its own personality. They first appeared, along with elephants, tigers, and rhinos, in Grashow’s 1998 Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum installation called YaZoo Cardboard Zoo. The monkeys then expanded to a troop of one hundred and went on to cavort at museums across the country.
“If you have cardboard, scissors, and tape, you can build the world,” says Grashow. “Play is the engine of creation and cardboard is the perfect playmate. It’s mistake-proof. You worry about messing up a canvas, but cardboard thinks of itself as trash.”
Grashow has had many other shows over his storied career. He’s exhibited his monkeys at the Mezzanine Gallery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, an Under the Sea cardboard world at MASS MoCA, and the Great Sea Serpent Project at the Peabody Essex Museum. In addition, his work is in the permanent collections at prominent establishments, including the Museum of Modern Art, the New York Public Library, and the Library of Congress. He also works with bronze and has casted iterations of both his famous monkeys and his elegant dancers for various institutions and venues.
Grashow is well known for his woodcut illustrations and prints, and his work has appeared in nearly every major publication and periodical. His woodcuts regularly appeared in the New York Times for thirty years. He also created iconic woodcut album covers for Jethro Tull, The Yardbirds, and many other groups in the 1960s and ‘70s. “I love working with wood and the feel of it. It’s a natural fit for me,” he says.
For the last two years, renowned filmmaker Cindy Meehl has been producing a documentary detailing Grashow’s extensive artistry and work on The Cathedral. The film, which will be released in 2025, delves deep into the complexities of the artist’s life and process. “I have known Jimmy and Guzzy for many years and had seen The Cathedral in its early stages,” says Meehl. “I wanted to make a short film
about Jimmy creating this incredible work of art but quickly realized it was a feature film documentary. We have filmed mostly in his studio, which is a colorfully cluttered treasure chest of his inspired work. Delightfully infectious, Jimmy and his zestful wife and partner Guzzy have embraced my film crew like family, and the journey of this remarkably moving work of art is an enthralling one, one that my team and I are privileged and ever grateful to be on.”
“It was thrilling when Cindy decided to do a documentary about The Cathedral,” Jimmy Grashow says. “The whole idea of someone recording the process is phenomenal. Everybody looks at completed pieces, but no one sees the work underneath it all. A documentary film and a work of art is similar in that they both are looking for a conclusion; they’re both following a process. It was thrilling to have this double process of discovery going on at once.”
“Sometimes it was incredibly difficult to have a film crew following us around for two years because you start to look at yourself and hear yourself talk,” he continues. “You’re conscious of people watching you, and it sometimes changes the way you look at yourself and your singular, internal process. But it became easier as we moved through it, and Cindy and her crew were so wonderful to work with.”
“A documentary being made about me at eighty-two years old is melancholy and bittersweet in a way,” finishes Grashow.
“You’re constantly looking at your life. When you spend so much time working, you’re just moving forward and following a thread. With everyone filming and watching you, you look more closely at your time and how you got to the place you are.”
Grashow’s exquisite Cathedral marks his sixty-year legacy of creating art that seizes the viewer’s attention. So much of his work has tackled what it is to be alive, whether it’s movement, nature, playfulness, or mortality, and his most recent oeuvre is his crowning achievement in pushing us to contemplate life, our impermanence, and humanity. •
by Julia Bruce
Ashley Longshore is a self-made artist whose bold, colorful, and audacious multi-media paintings are thought-provoking and provocative. It is hard not to smile when looking at one of her pieces. “I feel as if the joy I get from painting comes through my work,” says Longshore.
Longshore was raised in Montgomery, Alabama. “I was an awkward and weird child – in the most wonderful way. I always knew I had a great force in me,” she says. Southern societal expectations were for her to meet a rich man and get married, have kids and own a beautiful house. Longshore, however, had other plans. “Raised as a sweet Southern woman, with manners and social constructs, has led me to be provocative in my work and to point a finger at some of the status quo and consumerism in society,” she says.
Longshore first picked up a paint brush at 18, while still in college. “That first day, I painted for six hours. I knew I had something that would give me great joy for all my life,” says Longshore. She is a self-taught and self-made artist who has paved her way in a field in which it is often difficult to find success. “I was never in a studio environment and that gave me the freedom to figure out on my own what works for me,” she says.
Longshore is a figurative painter - her work is characterized by bright color and bold brush strokes. “I love using lots of color. It makes me feel alive,” she says. “That too is a middle finger to having been raised in an environment where I was surrounded by beige and white.” She has often been described as a feminist Andy Warhol, a comparison she
appreciates, “Being compared to someone who is not only a great artist, but a hell of a businessman is amazing,” she says. “That being said, Andy was Andy and I’m f-ing Ashley.”
Longshore doesn’t shy away from including images and language that sometimes make people uncomfortable – in fact, she embraces the defiance of norms. “It is incredible to me that my use of certain words would be something that would make a brand not want to work with me,” she says. Longshore makes no apologies for her work or what she stands for. “I want to surround myself with women who are confident and authentic and have the balls to continue to be exactly who are. That is the world I want to live and celebrate.”
In establishing herself as an artist and a businesswoman, Longshore turned her back on the traditional gallery relationship. “I don’t want to share with anyone. We’re talking about original artwork, not sofas,” she says. “I wanted to represent myself and show that artists can make it on their own.” This has allowed her the freedom she craves. “Women should be financially independent. If you make your own money, you can love who want, buy what you want, and help who you want. That, to me, is the American Dream,” she says.
Over the years, Longshore has collaborated with a variety of brands –everything from Maybelline to Porsche. “I take on collaborations where I can learn something and when I like the people I’m working with,” she says. All her collaborations have helped her get her name out there. “Bergdorf Goodman was a big moment in my life. I was the first female artist to have a solo exhibition there. It was pretty spectacular.”
Longshore is not one to slow down –in addition to her paintings and sculptures,
she has published four books. Her most recent book, Giving the Bird: Bird Stories, is a collection of bird paintings that Longshore has painted and given colorful (and sometimes inappropriate!) human attributes.
“I’ve never had a book where I release the entire art collection from the book all at once, so it’s a great collector opportunity,” says Longshore. “My gift to the world to give everyone the bird!”
Three years ago, Longshore established the Ashley Longshore Charitable Trust, a foundation that provides scholarships for talented, enthusiastic artists. Supporting the next generation of artists, especially female artists, is an important cause for Longshore.
“I feel I need to help continue that energy of art in the community,” says Longshore.
To rising artists, Longshore offers some advice: “The only way you can fail is if you quit. Don’t think it’s going to be easy, but there are ways to make it as an artist. With social media and a little bit of innovation, you can create your own business.
What’s next for Longshore? She’s going to continue to respond to the world by creating her art. “I wake up and paint. A lot of things make me mad but the way I get even is, I make money. Then I can have a louder microphone, and I can inspire.” •
Looking for a designer handbag or a great holiday outfit for your kid for a fraction of the cost? Consign Envy has thousands of hand-selected items to choose from. Located in downtown Ridgefield, this premier consignment boutique has women’s and children’s clothing, shoes, accessories, and handbags that carry you from daytime to evening.
Consign Envy 23 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, CT 203-438-3933 www.consignenvy.com
emmy starr designs is a small, handcrafted jewelry design company based in Wilton, CT. Emmy creates simple designs made with classic sterling silver, 14k gold fill and timeless gemstones. Jewelry should be a subtle complement to a woman’s individual beauty, and the delicate nature of Emmy’s pieces echoes that belief.
website: emmystarrdesigns.com email: emmystarrdesigns@gmail.com
Unwrap a little magic this holiday season with Plank Ridgefield gift cards! Enjoy classes, discounts on popular athleisure, and café perks. Choose the Holiday Refuel Teacher Kit for $29.99, Fitness Friends Festive Pack for $49.99, or Season’s Best Fitness & Fashion for $199.99. Visit www.PlankRidgefield.com or stop by!
J. McLaughlin at 319 Main Street in Ridgefield is an American sportswear company that offers both women’s and men’s apparel and accessories. This is a great destination for gifting and finding outfits for the holidays. From left: Velma Sunglasses, $138, Arlette Turtleneck, $158, Watson Pant, $188, Anastasia Ballet Flat, $228. Right: Aveleen, $128, Arlette Turtleneck, $158, Watson Pant, $188, Cecily Velvet Loafer $288.
Festive Pajamas, Holiday Outfits, and Unique Toys! Stop by your favorite local baby + child shop, SAMMY + NAT for your ALL your holiday needs! Offering a holiday pajama assortment including classic and whimsical patterns, there’s something to brighten everyone’s holiday! Carefully curated holiday dressing collection offers unique, fashionable, and fun matching outfits. Don’t forget to grab your ultimate holiday gifts including crafts, books, games, riding toys, and even more!
Sammy + Nat, 414 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 475-426-5062 www.sammyandnat.com
The new Pom Pom Dot collection flips with two-sided gem colors for a playful versatility. Drawing on the button’s historical significance, both as a functional accessory and a talisman, its soft round silhouette becomes a modernday emblem of connection and protection. Discover the collection at Lenox Jewelers in Fairfield Connecticut.
Price starting at $2600 Lenox Jewelers 2500 Black Rock Turnpike Fairfield Connecticut, 06825 (203) 374-6157 www.lenox-jewelers.com
Discover a treasure trove of beautiful and unique gifts at nancy O This collection of fine fashion accessories, sweaters, jewelry, and gifts will please the most discerning person on your list. Luxurious fibers and hand-crafted fairtrade items are among the most unique. Signature gift wrap is complimentary.
Special holiday hours are listed at: shopnancyo.com
Laura Verses leverages her distinctive fashion sense, expertise, and industry connections to deliver wearable fine jewelry to her clients. She offers an in-stock selection of curated pieces, permanent jewelry, engagement ring design, custom redesigns, and repairs. Whatever your jewelry needs, Laura ensures each piece is tailored to fit your individual style.
Call 203-731-7560 or email laura@ fiveandninedesigns.com to schedule an appointment. Visit their website at Fiveandninedesigns.com
Looking for holiday gifts for your loved ones? Jill Rae Designs has the ultimate “cozy” blankets, sheepskin hot water bottles, and delicious-smelling candles, perfect for anyone on your list. Bring the magic of the holidays home this season. Shop our showroom (19 Grove Street, Ridgefield, CT) and website www. jillraedesigns.myshopify.com.
by Joey Macari
As the crisp November air settles in and the first hints of holiday cheer begin to shimmer in the cityscape, Stamford Downtown is poised to welcome the most enchanting event of the season: the Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular. On November 24, this dazzling parade will kick off the holiday season in grand style, setting the stage for weeks of festive celebrations and winter wonder.
Imagine a city transformed into a vibrant tapestry of color and music, where giant helium balloons float gracefully above, cheerful marching bands and community entertainers fill the streets with joyful melodies and the spirit of the season is palpable in every corner. The Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular is not just a parade—it’s a magical experience that marks the official beginning of the holiday festivities.
The origins of this beloved tradition stretch back to 1993, when the parade began as a modest Christmas-themed event designed to escort Santa Claus to the Stamford Town Center mall. Held on Black Friday, it included a quaint petting zoo and a sprinkling of holiday magic. In 1997, the parade took on a new dimension with the introduction of towering helium balloons, elevating it to a level that now rivals the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Today, the Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular stands as one of the largest parades in the country, drawing around 100,000 spectators each year. The parade route, stretching nearly
a mile, starts at the corner of Hoyt and Summer streets, winds its way along Broad Street, and concludes at Federal Street. The event features a captivating array of floats, dance groups and iconic helium balloons featuring family favorites like the Peppa Pig, Mr. Potato and Clifford the Big Red Dog flying high above the crowd.
Months of careful preparation lead up to this extraordinary event. The giant helium balloons, some reaching up to 40 feet in height, are stored in a secure warehouse before the parade. These balloons are meticulously inspected and maintained to ensure they are ready for their big debut. In the days leading up to the parade, the excitement reaches fever pitch during the Giant Balloon Inflation Party. On November 23, from 3 to 6 p.m., the streets come alive as these colossal balloons are inflated and prepared—where spectators can enjoy music, clowns and cartoon characters, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and catch a special performance by parade talent revealing the thrilling tricks they’ve planned
for Sunday’s parade.
For those eager to experience the parade, planning ahead will enhance your visit. Arriving early is key to securing a prime viewing spot. Some of the best viewing spots include just before North Street at the parade’s step-off, Summer Street (after Spring Street), and the corner of Broad and Atlantic streets in front of Blackstone’s Steakhouse. For the ultimate view, head to the corner of Atlantic and Tresser, where the main stage and review stand are positioned, providing an excellent vantage point for watching the final performances and the grand arrival of the big man himself, Santa Claus.
Parking can be challenging, but there are several convenient and free options available. The Stamford Town Center Garage, Landmark Square, Scalzi Park, UCONN, Stamford High, Bedford Street Garage, Nine West Broad, Summer Place Garage, Bell Street Garage, and Government Center Garage all offer free parking. Arriving early will help you secure a spot
and avoid the congestion, allowing you to focus on enjoying the parade.
The parade’s success is largely due to the dedication of over 100 volunteers who play various roles, from balloon handlers and clowns to route marshals. These volunteers are the unsung heroes behind the scenes, ensuring the parade runs smoothly and adding to the festive atmosphere that makes the event so special.
This beloved tradition, which began as a humble local event, has blossomed into a grand celebration of community and joy, embodying the vibrant spirit of Stamford and its surrounding towns. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a longtime fan, the parade promises an unforgettable experience. Bundle up, gather your loved ones and join the festivities for a day filled with spectacular balloons, lively music and infectious holiday cheer. As you take part in this cherished tradition, you’ll not only witness the beauty of the parade but also embrace the true spirit of the season, creating lasting memories and celebrating the joy of the holidays. •
For many people, going to the dentist can be a stressful encounter. Since 1971, Dental Associates of Connecticut has worked to change that narrative and make dental appointments a positive experience.
Established in Newtown in 1971 by Dr. Daum, Dental Associates is based on the concept of creating a group practice that includes a wide range of specialists under one roof, allowing for open communication not only with patients but between doctors to ensure the best treatment for each patient.
Now, over 50 years later, due to their excellent care and understanding, Dental Associates of Connecticut is one of the largest dental practices in the state. Despite their reach, Dental Associates adheres to their mission statement to put patients’ needs first and foremost – they strive to offer the best individual care they can for each and every person.
Dental Associates of CT offers everything from general pediatric dentistry to any specialty needed, all under one roof so they are prepared to treat and assist with any dental issue you might be experiencing. They carefully explain all treatments, which allows the patient to ask any questions they might have and allay any concerns or fears. “One
of the most important aspects of a patient’s treatment is communication. Because of that, we spend a great deal of time reviewing and explaining treatment so that each patient and doctor are working in harmony,” says Dr Aledort.
Dental Associates carefully trains newly hired, young associates and then grows the practice from within these groups. “There’s a lot of experience here,” says General Dentist, Dr. Scott Solomons, DDC. “The coordination between all of our doctors is simply amazing.”
As they’ve grown as a practice and brought on new associates, doctors can spend more time with each patient. Every doctor has their own treatment coordinator and team, so patients are always seeing the same faces when they come in, which creates a sense of continuity and builds relationships. These relationships extend across generations. “I have a lot of people who I’ve treated when they were young and now, they’re coming to me with their own children,” says Dr. Erol Gund, DDS. “It’s a nice feeling.”
Dental Associates accepts most insurance plans and will work to help get the patient the maximum insurance benefits. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit www.dentalassociates.us. •
by Gerri Lewis
Step into the magical forest of the Ann’s Place Festival of Trees and what do you get? A winter wonderland loaded with holiday gift items and culturally diverse fun-filled activities for all ages. The 22nd Annual Festival of Trees: “Celebrating Traditions,” which will be held at The Summit at Danbury, is a razzle-dazzle spirit raiser that has chosen 2024 as the year to celebrate the customs of local communities with live performances by dancers and musicians from around the globe.
“We are excited to honor the diverse traditions that make our community so special,” says Shannon Cobb, Ann’s Place President & CEO. “The Festival of Trees has always been about bringing people together, and this year we are proud to highlight the cultural richness that defines our local community.”
Ann’s Place is a leading cancer support organization and a quiet dignified partner helping individuals and families with comprehensive services including counseling, support groups, wellness programs, financial assistance, and educational workshops. In short, Ann’s Place
offers vital programs that cancer patients and their families need as they travel the journey to healing and survival. The generosity of donors allows Ann’s Place to provide their extensive services free of charge.
Cobb laughs when she says that taking that first step into the Summit in Danbury where the much-loved yearly festival is held can initially be a “sensory overload.” Transformed by 150 beautifully decorated trees created by area artisans, wreaths, tabletop arrangements, children’s craft activities, raffles, holiday gift items, and entertainment, the space is abuzz and provides something for everyone.
“Fighting cancer during the holidays stinks. There is no better way to put it,” says Cobb. “Because of the Festival of Trees, Ann’s Place is able to provide counseling, support, and wellness programs to over 150 people...bringing back a little peace and joy into their holidays.”
Ann’s Place was named for a young woman named Ann Olsen who faced her cancer diagnosis with “courage, dignity, and humor.” When she passed away, her husband Ron Olsen provided financial assistance to cancer patients through the Ann Olsen Endowment. Simultaneously, I Can Inc. was founded by Dr. Pat Bragdon and Mary Burke, to create a refuge for cancer patients and their families by offering psychological and emotional services. The two groups eventually merged and today Ann’s Place offers help and hope to individuals and loved ones living with cancer through a host of services aimed at improving quality of life. From 25 group support options to happenings like Mahjong, yoga, memoir writing, meditation, and Tai Chi, the Ann’s Place calendar is as full as a recreation center lineup. Ann’s Place also has professional counselors who walk patients through the overwhelming cancer journey.
“I am always blown away by the generosity of our community at the Ann’s Place Festival of Trees. With the funds raised, we are able to provide free counseling, support, and wellness programs to hundreds of local people facing cancer,” adds Cobb.
The Festival of Trees, the largest annual fundraiser for Ann’s Place, has raised over $4 million since 2003. For more information, please visit https://www.annsplace.org/ •
This winter, A.C.T. of CT will produce Fiddler On The Roof, directed by Artistic Director Daniel C. Levine. As is typical for Levine, this will not be the “usual or expected” production. Levine’s concept is unique: all actors will remain on stage at all times, even when not featured in a scene. This collective “bearing witness” underscores the characters’ shared experiences and the interconnectedness of their stories. By keeping all actors on stage, Levine emphasizes that each individual’s journey is part of a larger communal narrative, reflecting the village’s collective struggles and triumphs. This approach heightens the emotional impact and makes the themes of tradition, resilience, and change more resonant for contemporary audiences.
Levine recalls, “Judaism was integral to my upbringing. My grandfather was a cantor at a synagogue, and our family owned a Kosher butcher shop. While belief in God wasn’t forced upon me, Jewish culture and traditions were deeply
ingrained in our lives. Like many Jewish children, I attended Hebrew School until my Bar Mitzvah at 13 and spent summers at a Jewish overnight camp. When I was 16, I visited Israel and worked on a kibbutz, further deepening my connection to my Jewish heritage.
Friday nights were often spent at my grandparents’ house for Shabbat dinner. My grandmother cherished Jewish traditions, like lighting Shabbat candles and baking challah; rituals that became a significant part of my identity. My great-grandparents escaped pogroms in Odessa, Russia, and came to America. My great-grandfather, Joseph Lipovsky, later changed to Lipoff at Ellis Island, escaped with a suitcase and a sewing machine. He settled in Boston and sent money to bring family members to America. Knowing my great-grandparents and hearing them speak Yiddish, Russian, and broken English deepened my connection to my Jewish roots.
The phrase ‘always remember, never forget,’ often repeated by my grandparents
and taught in Hebrew School, is associated with the Holocaust. It reminds us to honor the millions of Jews and others who perished during the genocide by the Nazis in World War II. The Holocaust claimed the lives of six million Jews and millions of others. ‘Never forget’ is a commitment to remembering the Holocaust’s atrocities, honoring the victims, and ensuring such horrors are never repeated. It is a pledge to educate future generations about the dangers of hatred, discrimination, and genocide.
Growing up Jewish, I vividly remember the profound impact of seeing photos and films of the Holocaust. These haunting images were powerful reminders of the immense suffering endured by my Jewish ancestors. They instilled a deep appreciation for the resilience of the Jewish people and a commitment to preserving our collective memory as a shield against hatred and bigotry. While these images were a bit traumatic, they reinforced the importance of ‘never forgetting.’
Seeing a production of Fiddler On The
Roof as a teenager deeply moved me. It was as if my family’s story was being told on stage. Watching Fiddler helped cement the stories I had heard as a child and filled me with pride in my Jewish heritage.
‘Bearing witness’ is a concept deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. It involves acknowledging, remembering, and retelling the stories of Jewish suffering, particularly during the Holocaust, to preserve memory, honor the victims, and prevent future atrocities. Bearing witness is a solemn duty and sacred obligation within Jewish culture. This concept is central to my approach to storytelling in Fiddler On The Roof. By keeping actors on stage at all times, I aim to establish a sense of communal witnessing and collective memory. This story is not just about the characters in each scene; it’s about the entire community grappling with upheaval and resilience. Through this artistic choice, I hope to foster unity, solidarity, and shared responsibility among both the characters and the audience, enriching our exploration of this important musical.” •
For many, the winter doldrums are real. The cold weather and shorter days keep some of us inside more and make us less active overall. But then there are winter sports enthusiasts who count the weekends in January. If you’re curious about ways to embrace the cold, here are some activities you can try this year.
When it snows, Adam Ray is like a little kid who can’t wait to get outside. That’s because for the owner of Ridgefield Bicycle Co. snow is a chance to get on his fat tire bicycle and do some serious snow biking. The fatter tires
by Erik Ofgang
allow him to cut through fresh snow with relative ease and remind him of riding his bike as a child. “When you look down and you’re riding through six inches of fluffy white snow on a bike, it’s one of those things where you’re like, ‘This shouldn’t be possible.’ But it is, and it’s super fun,” he says. Ray is also a fan of the fat tire bikes for their year-round uses. “People might initially buy them for riding in the wintertime, but they find that they are super fun to ride year-round,” he says. Additionally, Ray says the bike is fun to ride on mountain bike trails, can be used for road biking and can be particularly great for biking on sandy
beaches. “I ride mine with my two kids around the neighborhood because it’s just a really fun, easy bike to ride,” he says.
Snowshoeing
Parker Weintz, who works at Outdoor Sports Center in Wilton, says one of the joys of living in Connecticut is hiking on fresh snow. “You may think that it’s bad weather outside, but if you have the right clothing and the right gear, it can be a really, really special experience,” he says. “I’ve been in the middle of Wilton or the middle of Redding, and it felt like I was in Montana.”
Unlike some other winter sports,
snowshoeing doesn’t require a big learning curve. “If you can walk, you can snowshoe,” Weintz says. Another winter hiking option is shoe spikes, which strap onto hiking shoes and Weintz describes them as “tire chains” for your shoes.
No matter how you’re hiking, it’s always key to keep at the right temperature. Proper winter clothing is vital for this, but Weintz says people often overdress, which makes them sweat and then that makes them colder. He says at the beginning of the hike you should feel a little cold and like you didn’t quite dress warm enough. “Once you start moving, you’re going to heat up,”
he says. Weintz brings a down jacket in a daypack to pop on when stopping for breaks.
If you’re really looking to get outside in the winter, there’s probably no better way than casting your line with ice fishing, says Justin Wiggins, a biologist for the DEEP Fisheries Division. “Ice Fishing is the best way to beat the winter doldrums, get some fresh air, sunshine, exercise, and have a little adventure with your family,” he adds.
While you need to take some safety precautions, Wiggins says the sport is not expensive to get into and you can learn it at any age. “I have introduced many of my friends throughout my life to ice fishing as adults,” he says.
For newbies, he does advise fishing with an experienced ice fisher the first few times. The DEEP also offers both in-person
and online classes. Wiggins says you can learn more about them at https://portal. ct.gov/deepcare. Some recent winters in Connecticut have not allowed as many ice-fishing opportunities as in the past, but when the weather cooperates, Wiggins says there’s nothing quite like it. “Anything outside is good. It’s good for just your mind, body and soul, and ice fishing is a great way to get that fix in the wintertime,” he says.
Even if Mother Nature doesn’t provide enough snow, Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort CT offers snow tubing from the day after Thanksgiving through the winter season thanks to their snow machines.
Laura Loffredo, Powder Ridge Mountain Park Director of Sales & Marketing, says tubing is popular because anyone can do it. “People love it so much because it’s easy and fun,” she says. The only
limitation is children need to be big enough to go down on the tube themselves without sitting on anyone’s lap. This generally means kids need to be ages six or older. For younger kids who are still big enough to sleigh ride, Powder Ridge has a small play area with a much smaller slide for them to go down.
There’s also more than just tubing at Powder Ridge. From Black Friday until Christmas, the park has outdoor festivities with visits from Santa, music, and light shows for nighttime tubing. “We have a giant inflatable igloo that we put up out there,” Loffredo says. “So, it becomes like a beverage station for adults and children with hot ciders, hot teas, and cocktails. We have fire pits going, it’s a really cool environment for winter.”
Whether you’re riding, walking, reeling, or tubing, grab your boots, hats, and gloves and get out and enjoy the season! •
by Julia Bruce
Penguins have always held a certain appeal - from the beloved book Mr. Popper’s Penguins to the tap dancing in the movie
Happy Feet. For those looking for a more scientific exploration of this quirky, flightless bird, the Ridgefield Playhouse will be presenting the show National Geographic Live: Penguins of Antarctica with Ecologist and National Geographic Explorer, Dr. Heather Lynch, on Sunday, November 3rd.
When asked why people find penguins so endearing, Dr. Lynch points to their oddly human characteristics. “I think their upright stance, which causes them to look like little people walking around, makes them easy to anthropomorphize. I also think we admire the penguin’s toughness and grit, surviving and even thriving in some of the coldest, most desolate places on the planet,” says Dr. Lynch.
While there are somewhere between 17 and 19 species of penguins (researchers often disagree depending on how one qualifies a species), Dr. Lynch studies the six that breed in Antarctica and the surrounding islands: the Gentoo, Adelie, Chinstrap, Emperor, Macaroni, and King. While she has been on countless expeditions, some truly stand out as special. “Once, on Thanksgiving Day in 2008, we landed at an Emperor
1 2 3 4 5
At over 3 feet tall and weighing up to 100 pounds – the Emperor penguin is the largest. The Little Blue penguin is the smallest – about 14 inches high and 2/3 pounds!
Some penguins can swim up to 15-25 mph and hold their breath for up to 20 minutes.
From its unique coloring to its humanlike walking gait, the penguin has long been a beloved animal.
A penguin’s black and white coloring, called countershading, protects them from predators.
Penguins have no teeth –instead they have spikes or papillae on the roof of their mouth and tongue to help them eat fish.
Penguins poop every 20 minutes.
penguin colony called Snow Hill Island, on a day that was boiling by Antarctic standards – over 60 degrees and sunny. Everyone was in t-shirts standing on the ice staring at these absolutely majestic Emperor penguins walking about. Their colonies are notoriously difficult to get to so to see so many at one time was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Dr. Lynch brings a unique perspective to her study of Antarctic penguins. “I first studied chemical engineering and eventually received a degree in physics. While pursuing a PhD in Physics, I found my passion for the environment. This extreme interdisciplinarity had a huge effect on my research career,” she says. Thanks to advances in technology, scientists like Dr. Lynch can use satellite imagery to view penguin poop, called guano, to track how many penguins are breeding each year across all of Antarctica. “This has changed how we study penguins and allows us to do a better job designing areas to protect the penguins from the threats they face,” says Dr. Lynch.
Climate change is a topic often discussed in the news – usually people complaining about summers being too hot or winters not being snowy enough. It’s important to remember that the effects of climate change reach beyond our backyards. “The Antarctic Peninsula, where most of Antarctica’s penguins live, is already the warmest part of Antarctica, and it’s been getting warmer and wetter under climate change. Emperor penguins are particularly threatened by these changes, since they nest right on the ice and are the most restricted in terms of their geographic range,” says Dr. Lynch. While Dr. Lynch is focused on the penguins, she stresses that a dramatic and coordinated effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is needed. “The steps we need to save Antarctica are also the ones we need to protect our own communities,” she says. “We’re all in the same boat in that respect.” •
The Ridgefield Chorale is set to spread holiday cheer once again with their 2024 Holiday Pops Concert on Sunday, December 8 at 4:00pm at the Ridgefield Playhouse.
With over 65 members, the Chorale is a mixed, non-audition choir that represents the diverse voice of our community. Director Daniela Sikora’s 25-plus years of leadership have shaped the Chorale’s artistic vision, cultivated its distinctive sound, and fostered its deep community roots. But what truly sets the Ridgefield Chorale apart is its commitment to giving back.
Thanks to its generous sponsors, the Chorale has donated all the proceeds of their holiday concerts, over $45,000, to charity. Last year, the Chorale funded a pump bringing potable water to a village in war-torn Ukraine. This year’s beneficiary is Ability Beyond.
Ability Beyond’s mission is to discover, build, and celebrate the ability in all people. Their vision is to create a world where people with disabilities can live to their full potential, achieving true independence, personal success, and the highest quality of life imaginable. Serving more than 3,000 people with
disabilities annually across CT and NY, Ability Beyond offers specialized programs including residential services, vibrant adult day programs, comprehensive employment services, transportation, and clinical support.
As the holiday season approaches, the Ridgefield Chorale invites everyone to join them for an afternoon of joyous music and community spirit. Audience members will not only treat themselves to a concert of exceptional music but also contribute to the Chorale’s ongoing mission of support and giving, directly benefiting Ability Beyond’s crucial work.
Can’t wait for the holidays? Come hear the Chorale at the Veronica Hagman Concert Hall at WestConn in Danbury as they present “What Dreams We Have.” To purchase tickets, please visit ridgefieldchorale.org.
The Ridgefield Chorale’s Holiday Pops Concert stands as a shining example of how artistic expression and community service can harmonize to create something truly special. It’s an event that celebrates the season and reinforces the bonds of community – all set to the soundtrack of beautiful, choral music. To purchase tickets, please visit ridgfieldplayhouse.org.•
by Carin L. Weisman
Brunch used to intimidate me. Should I eat breakfast before or lunch after? Should I arrive at the start or closer to the end? And what should I order – traditional breakfast items or sandwiches, soups, and salads?
“Let me make it simple for you,” said Sal Bagliavio, owner of Bailey’s Backyard in Ridgefield, CT. “Think of brunch as a leisurely breakfast. The goal is to slow down with friends and enjoy delicious food. It’s also a socially acceptable excuse for daytime drinking!”
Thanks to Sal and the other fantastic brunch spots, brunch is now officially part of my life!
Maxwell (my son), Jenn (my friend), and I began our brunch bonanza at Milestone in Georgetown. This gem offers a refined aesthetic, funky vibe, ample parking, and attentive, family-like staff. With so many mouth-watering menu items, it was hard to choose. Yum fact: Milestone offers occasional jazz brunches.
We kicked off with two “forkables”: the Huevos Rancheros, which were served in a skillet with scrambled eggs, pico de gallo, and cheese layered on a crisp corn tortilla, with black beans, (non-greasy!) roasted potatoes, and Cholula on the side; and the Ribs and Waffles, tender, maple-glazed pork ribs and a cornmeal waffle served with two sunny-side-up eggs and real maple syrup. We finished with the Muthah Cluckah handheld – fried chicken on a bun with hot sauce, pickles, ranch, and french fries. Yum fact: You can order from the brunch or dinner menu.
Milestone’s standout drink is the White Fox Bloody Mary (American vodka, lemon, traditional bloody base, and pickles), but we opted for the cold brew. Made in-house by steeping coffee for a day and adding brown simple syrup, it was served over ice with cold foam and cocoa powder. (Even this non-coffee drinker loved it!) “Many places use canned cold brew,” said bartender Janssen Bell. “Our beverage director makes everything natural – from squeezing our own pineapple juice to extracting strawberry juice overnight.”
Yum fact: All alcoholic drinks are the beverage director’s own creations!
Brunch served every Saturday and Sunday 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
23 Bailey Avenue, Ridgefield 203-431-0796 www.baileysbackyard.com
Brunch served every Saturday and Sunday 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
The staff’s chemistry and pride are evident. “We work hard to make this a place where people feel at home,” said Bell, quoting Cheers, “a place ‘where everybody knows your name!’”
Our next stop was Marly’s Bar & Bistro in Wilton, a spot rich in tradition and history. Yum fact: Marly’s stands on the site of Wilton’s first school building!
Co-owner and chef Marc Avery dazzled us with his take on classic brunch fare. Our taste buds tingled as we sampled four kinds of Eggs Benedict – traditional, avocado, and gluten-free versions of both – with extra crispy home fries made on the flat top. The gluten-free bread was outstanding, something hard to come by, as this writer well knows. Yum fact: They searched far and wide to find this gluten-free bread to treat one of their regular customers! The avocado version has a terrific kick with its addition of goat cheese and everything bagel seasoning, and is one of Marly’s most popular items. Yum fact: Avocado benedict was a brunch special that customers kept asking for, so now it’s a menu staple. “I get eggs benedict a lot,” said Jenn, “This one is special!”
We also tried three kinds of pancakes – blueberry, chocolate chip, and plain – served with real maple syrup. They were fluffy, crispy around the edges, and perfectly light. “I don’t know what it is about them, but I love them!” said Maxwell. Avery attributes their quality to the buttermilk – and treats his staff to pancakes every Sunday morning
before the customers arrive. (They skip the wildly popular bottomless mimosas, though!)
Our brunch extravaganza ended at Bailey’s Backyard in Ridgefield, a farm-to-table restaurant celebrating its 25th anniversary where everything was beautifully presented on rustic earthenware. Yum fact: Bailey’s is one of the OG farm-to-table establishments.
“Being an American restaurant, we offer a variety of breakfast favorites from different cultures and regions,” Bagliavio said. “There’s something for everyone.”
We began with warm cornbread, made from the chef’s greatgrandmother’s recipe, and moved on to the melt-in-your-mouth Bananas Foster French Toast whose thinly sliced bananas are covered with maple-rum caramel, crunchy pecans, and thick whipped cream. Next came the Vegan Tofu Scramble whose flavorful, savory, and justthe-right-amount of spice would convert any tofu skeptic. The smoky, aromatic, cumin-infused shakshuka was served with whole grain toast, and the Huevos Rancheros, featured crispy chorizo with a little kick. Yum fact: The huevos are locally sourced. The grand finale Southern Breakfast combined cheddar biscuits with grits, eggs, and gravy. Yum fact: The leftovers tasted just as good the next day!
If you, too, are unsure about brunch, remember—it’s all about good food, good company, and enjoying the moment. •
by Joey Macari
Ah, the White Elephant party, or as some like to call it, the Yankee Swap—because nothing says “festive cheer” quite like a room full of people fighting over a bottle of designer olive oil or an overly fragrant candle. Let’s take a whimsical stroll through the origins and etiquette of this raucous tradition.
Let’s rewind to the early 20th century, where our beloved term “White Elephant” was born. Picture ancient Asia: white elephants were revered as sacred, majestic beasts—a true symbol of honor. The phrase is said to come from a perspective about the historic practice of the King of Siam (now Thailand) giving rare albino elephants to courtiers who had displeased him, so that they might be ruined by the animals’ upkeep costs. Fast forward to our modern-day Yankee Swap and the “white elephant” of old has been hilariously swapped for gifts that might make you question your friends’ taste in presents.
Now, speaking of “Yankee Swap,” the origins are as tangled as a pair of holiday string lights. One theory suggests that during the American Civil War, swapping prisoners between the Yankees and Confederates inspired the name. Generals might have bartered prisoners like collectible baseball cards. Another theory ties the term to New York City, where immigrants—slyly referring to Americans as “Yankees”—witnessed them trading tiny trinkets in the marketplace. And let’s not forget the New Englanders, who were known for their love of bartering everything from apples to antiques.
Today’s White Elephant parties have evolved into a glorious display of gift-giving that’s equal parts cringe-worthy and hilarious. The rules are simple: everyone brings a wrapped gift, ideally something bizarre or amusing rather than practical—think a giant, plastic pickle or a mug with a slogan sure to raise eyebrows. The gifts are gathered in a central spot, and participants draw numbers to determine the order in which they will select. The lucky first person unwraps their gift, and subsequent players can either steal that gift or pick a new one (one time only). The game continues until everyone’s unwrapped something and mayhem reigns supreme.
For the love of all things festive, embrace the absurdity. The point of a Yankee Swap is to revel in the ridiculousness. Opt for items that spark laughter rather than practical jokes. And while it’s tempting to bring that neon green sweater from 1992, keep in mind that the goal is to entertain, not to torture. Unwrapping a gift should be like opening a mystery box. Revealing your gift prematurely is like showing up to a costume party in the wrong costume—anticlimactic and disappointing. When it comes to “stealing” gifts, be a considerate thief. It’s all about fun, not causing a scene. Ultimately, the White Elephant party is about shared laughter and a good time. So, embrace the chaos, roll with the ridiculous gifts, and most importantly, enjoy the randomness of the season. Because, after all, if you can’t laugh about the bizarre presents you’ve ended up with, what’s the point?
Happy swapping, and may your gift be ever so delightfully useless! •
On November 22, 2014, Ridgefield’s Main Street was shut down and filled with over one thousand people dancing to Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.” The energy that morning was truly infectious and was all in support of then, 14-year-old, Zoe Butchen and her newly created “Dance
Shake Donate” campaign supporting The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s’ Research (MJFF). Zoe’s father, Jeff, had been recently diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease (PD) at the age of 51. PD is the second most common neurological disorder, affecting roughly 1 million Americans and 6 million people worldwide.
Ten years later, Zoe’s passion to positively impact the Parkinson’s community has grown tremendously and has become her full-time career. What began as a dance challenge has grown into an ongoing effort inspiring countless individuals and raising over $150,000 for Parkinson’s research. Zoe now works on MJFF’s Corporate Giving team where she actively stewards relationships with the Fox Foundation’s corporate donors. Zoe’s impact has truly come full circle. Each day she is reminded of the deep support of the Ridgefield community on that cold, fall morning, which only inspires her to keep fighting for a cure. The discovery of a biomarker in the last year has only accelerated scientific research into a new era for PD.
If you’d like to support Zoe’s fundraising efforts, please visit DanceShakeDonate.com or if you’d like to get involved with The Michael J. Fox Foundation, please visit michaeljfox. org or Zoe can be reached at zbutchen@ michaeljfox.org
On Sunday, November 24, 068 Magazine and Lounsbury House will partner for Ridgefield’s Second Annual Turkey Pardoning! Folks near and far are invited to join the festivities in front of the Lounsbury House on 316 Main Street. This year’s lucky bird Pepper, a handsome turkey, will be pardoned by none other than Rudy Marconi, Ridgefield’s First Selectperson.
The event will kick off at 11:00 am with lots of opportunities to spread goodwill. EZ Moving, Ferrandino Enterprises, The Chefs’ Warehouse and your own 068 Magazine are partnering to purchase gift cards that will be donated to those with food insecurity and will be distributed by The Angel of Ridgefield, an organization honoring the legacy Ridgefielder Sharron McCleery Lavatori and Ridgefield Social Services. SOAR Together, a local non-profit, will provide flowers that can be used to bring a bit of joy to the holidays.
At noon, children can participate in a scavenger hunt and search the Lounsbury lawn for turkey-themed prizes. At 1:00, First Selectperson will do the honors of pardoning Pepper, ensuring that he will live a long and feather-full life.
Reusable, keepsake shopping bags commemorating Pepper’s Pardon, will be available for purchase - proceeds will benefit the Ridgefield Boys and Girls Club and the Ridgefield Veterans Memorial Community Association, a 501c3.
BY AMANDA
idgefield’s own celebrity makeup artist, Amanda Gabbard was handpicked by fashion designer Christian Siriano and his team to be one of just 20 makeup artists working on his buzz-worthy Spring/Summer 2025 Collection at New York Fashion Week this past September.
This iconic event, held twice a year in Manhattan, is one of the hottest tickets in the fashion world. Gabbard was thrilled to be part of Siriano’s A-list glam squad. “It’s an incredible honor to work alongside such talented artists, ,” Gabbard shares.
Gabbard met Siriano last year at the opening of Siriano’s show at D.Colabellas Fine Art Gallery.
Siriano put out the call for makeup artists to join his NYFW team. The post exploded, with over 4,000 applicants from around the globe. From that enormous pool, Amanda Gabbard was chosen! She hit the ground running, working her magic on top models in the biz as they got ready to rock the runway with Siriano’s latest jaw-dropping designs.
Many of us go about our days unaware of the hidden population of neighbors who are unable to prepare their own meals due to age, illness, injury or other disability. Meals on Wheels of Ridgefield (MOW) is here to help. MOW has been feeding neighbors in need for fifty years, and the organization continues to grow and thrive.
MOW began in 1974, preparing 24 meals a week. Today, they prepare over 1,000 weekly meals in their commercial kitchen in Ballard Green - over 53,000 meals last year!
Unlike other Meals on Wheels groups, the Ridgefield organization receives no federal or state funding, which enables all qualifying Ridgefield residents to receive meals at no charge, regardless of age or
income. MOW is funded entirely through generous donations from the community.
MOW relies on only 5 part-time employees and a group of 175 volunteers. MOW driver volunteers also offer a muchneeded check-in to homebound individuals.
Rotary Club President Ken Wippermann recalls a story when a MOW volunteer became concerned that this client was not answering her door. The police were called and found the woman had fallen. “The MOW driver helped save her life,” says Ken.
“MOW welcomes volunteers as well as monetary donations to help sustain the organization into the next fifty years and beyond,” says board member Hilary Aronow. Visit www.mealsonwheelsofridgefieldct.org to learn how you can help.
by Julia Bruce
Afew months ago, RPAC Art Center and Academy relocated to Main Street and opened the doors of their renovated space. This move united the Art Center with the former RPAC Gallery, creating a dynamic single location dedicated to instruction, exhibition opportunities, and artistic workspace. This merged space aligns with founder Dee Dee Colabella’s commitment to fostering a rich environment where artists can grow and thrive. “By combining resources and expertise, I believe this new space will enhance the overall experience for both artists and art enthusiasts,” says Colabella. “The streetlevel access and vibrant atmosphere invites curiosity and highlights our welcoming creative community.”
The new, combined space offers numerous benefits to artists, including expanded opportunities for collaboration, increased visibility, and a more integrated approach to artistic development. Artists can rent flexible-use space on a month-to-month basis and will be provided lockers to store their supplies. Matthew Franz, who has been
a member of RPAC for three years, says, “It’s an incredible arts community. I’m excited about this new direction and how it will positively impact the arts and artists in the community.”
In addition to supplying working artists with space to create, the Academy offers instructor-led studio art sessions for artists young and old, who are looking to expand their skills or explore a new medium. From oil painting to photography and even portfolio development for college applications, there is a class to meet every need. Galina, a student at RPAC, says, “I have been making art here for around three years, and I love the space, but also the opportunity to get feedback and advice from professional artists.”
RPAC Art Center and Academy is thrilled to be embarking on this new chapter, and is anticipating continued growth, heightened creativity, and a deepened commitment to the arts. The 410 Main Street location is set to become a vibrant hub where artistic expression can truly flourish. For more information, please visit rpacartcenter.com or just pop in to say hello! •
Michael Belanger is an author and high school history teacher. His debut novel, The History of Jane Doe, was a finalist for the Connecticut Book Award and received a Kirkus starred review. His latest novel, Grimwell, a Kafka-esque take on a Tolkien fantasy, is available now online and from major booksellers. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, sons, and two wonderfully aloof cats. •
For more information, please visit Website: https://www.michaelbelangerbooks.com/ Instagram: @MichaelBelangerAuthor Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/MichaelBelangerAuthor Twitter/X: @MBelanger514
you can now vote for who to highlight for One More Thing: Go to 068magazine.com/voteforonemorething link and fill out the form to recommend a person you would like to see highlighted who is exceptional in the arts. You can vote for any category of artist and then list the name of the artist or work of art. If you are an artist, please use the HIGHLIGHT MY ART graphic which can be downloaded to campaign for votes. The artist with the most votes in December will be spotlighted in the January/February issue. Thank you for supporting the arts in Fairfield County.
