068 Magazine_Sept/Oct2024 by Colabella Media

Noted

Jarred S. Barnes

Community Collaboration

Collaboration, simply put via Merriam-Webster, is: “to work jointly with others or together, especially in an intellectual endeavor.”

In the spirit of collaboration - especially in the community - the YMCA and Wilton Library join forces regularly to support the communities we serve. Over the past year, along with other community partners, we have co-sponsored the 2nd Annual Wilton Pride Festival, the “Confronting Hate” panel, and several town-wide initiatives around Mental Health Action Month; and this fall, for the first time, a joint fundraiser called Autumn Aces to support our families, communities, and neighbors.

Both the Riverbrook Regional YMCA and Wilton Library have long, rich histories. The Library is coming up on its 130th anniversary and the Y’s its 53rd. We are both dedicated to providing high-quality programs and services to all, in caring and respectful environments where everyone is made to feel welcome and safe. Opportunities abound for families, friends, and neighbors to collaborate and take part in social, creative, and educational activities and programs. We invite you to come join us anytime you’d like.

Collaboration is all around me at the Y and during my regular visits to the Wilton Library. Between the two organizations, the opportunities to do so are continuously evolving to engage our diverse community. We are at a point in our history where, more than ever, coming together to collaborate, put any differences we may have aside, and cooperate to benefit our community is needed. We hope what we do inspires you to find more ways to collaborate for the good of your community as well.

Enjoy this edition of 068 Magazine and see how our communities grow stronger when we work together.

Jarred S. Barnes Chief Advancement Officer, Riverbrook Regional YMCA

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

Jack Sanders, Erik Ofgang, Johanna Dodd, Joey Macari, and Roger Garbow

Contributing Photographers

Dylan Miller, Roger Garbow, Jhonny Parks, Michele Williams, and Mary Harold

Advertising Sales

David Gursky | 914.646.9141 sales@068magazine.com

Erica Shillingford | 914.844.5602 eshillingford@068magazine.com

This Issue’s Feature Writers

Stephanie Dee

Stephanie is a freelance writer who has made her debut with 068 Magazine. Duality is the name of her game having worked as a graphic designer and copywriter at a New York-based advertising agency. She is now the Creative Design Manager at a biotechnology company in Danbury, CT. As an illustrator and interdisciplinary fine artist, she focuses on macabre subject matter, sharing her work in various galleries around Connecticut. On page #22, she brings the art of headstone carving to life.

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 reports on the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, which is set to celebrate their 60th anniversary this year. Find Kate’s story on page #48.

Carin L. Weisman

Carin Weisman is an award-winning communications professional and author of numerous works, including the book #morninghaiku: a simple practice to inspire your every day. In this issue, Carin highlights some ways dog owners can show their love for the furry family members on page #56. She also spoke to financial advisors for some simple tips on saving. You can find that story on page #62.

Janet Ozzard

Janet Ozzard is an editor and writer who has worked at many magazines, websites, and museums covering style, art, food, and culture. She lives with her family in Redding, and considers herself an exceptional Wordle player. On page #44, Janet shines a light on the best way to select a financial advisor, a process that people often find overwhelming.

Old Ridgefield

by Jack Sanders

Restaurant Retrospective

A History of Fine Dining in Ridgefield

Someone once said Ridgefield’s history could be written in terms of cakes and ale, cutlets and cocktails. Indeed, since 1950, some 200 restaurants have dished up delights in Ridgefield. In 1995, the town had 42 of them, one restaurant for every 523 residents. Certainly, a big slice of Ridgefield’s 20th Century fame lay in dining, but much of the notoriety stemmed from a quintet of top-flight inns.

While 19th and early 20th Century hostelries provided nice accommodations, they were not known for their food. That began to change around 1928 when Col. Louis Conley

decided he wanted a country inn with Manhattanquality fare. The Colonel could afford it — he owned the vast Outpost Nurseries covering over 1,500 acres of Ridgefield and Danbury. The result was the Outpost Inn on Danbury Road.

Despite the Depression, the inn thrived. Outpost offered the only upscale dining in town, and boasted sophisticated accommodations on 28 beautiful acres, including the Conley-built pond the inn overlooked. Many leaders in business, politics, and the arts patronized Outpost — First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt drove herself from Hyde Park to lunch there.

Above, Outpost Inn, founded in 1928 by Col. Louis Conley, offered elegant dining amid gracious grounds — now the Fox Hill condominium complex.

The main building was erected in 1816 by Albin Jennings as a home for his bride and himself. Jennings later built the Big Shop, today home of two of Ridgefield’s popular modern restaurants, Luc’s and TerraSole.

While Outpost had modern dining areas, its 19th Century rooms drew customers seeking elegance. “I remember the Japanese room, with its imported silk panels; the blue crystal sconces in the Sheraton dining room; the lovely entrance hall, with its graceful stairway. The antiques throughout, were carefully chosen by my father, who loved scouting them out.” Elise Conley Cox, the colonel’s daughter, told us in 1974. “Lily Pons had a beautiful dinner party there one evening — and wore a stunning gown!”

The inn featured an unusual tap room whose bar was made of transparent glass blocks, on the walls were murals of Outpost Nurseries scenes, and the floor bore a map of Connecticut. The bar didn’t draw drinkers of modest means. In 1940, a Manhattan or martini cost 55 cents — about $12 in 2024 dollars. A glass of champagne was $1.25 — $28 today.

World War II’s end brought the beginning of new interest in haute cuisine. In 1947, an Army veteran opened Stonehenge Inn off Route 7, naming it after the landmark he’d admired while serving in England. Victor Gilbert made Stonehenge a go-to destination. Judy Garland, Elizabeth Taylor, sundry Rockefellers, and even Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia all dined there.

In 1965, Albert Stockli, executive chef at the Four Seasons in Manhattan and

Stonehenge was launched by “Skinker” Victor Gilbert, shown book-in-hand interviewing author Max Gunther and wife for his weekly radio show from the inn.

Old Ridgefield

an early farm-to-table advocate, bought Stonehenge and raised its level of food service to the point where Holiday magazine named it the best restaurant of any kind in all of Connecticut.

Meanwhile, in 1948, Col. Conley’s old home, high on a Bennett’s Farm Road hill with grand views of the countryside, became the magnificent Fox Hill Inn. It offered both luxurious accommodations (actress Tallulah Bankhead liked to rest there) and such fine French cuisine as Braised Sweetbreads Eugenie, at $5.50 ($65 today), Game Hen Smitane with Wild Rice, $6.50 ($76), and Poulet Roti en Cocotte (for two), $11.50 ($135).

Like Stonehenge, Fox Hill was just off Route 7 which, before the Interstates, was a major tourist and antiquers route. For many travelers, lunch or dinner at either inn was a high point of a journey.

Ridgefield village was also a tourist destination. While The Elms Inn on Main Street opened in the 1870s, it wasn’t famed for its food until after 1951 when Giancarlo “John” Scala, an Italian-born veteran of some of Manhattan’s best kitchens, introduced upscale dining. Elms fans included Robert Redford and Paul Newman; even Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin dined there. Lyricist Noël Regney, the Ridgefielder who wrote the holiday hit, Do You Hear What I Hear, would frequently play piano, sing, and converse with patrons late into the evening.

The Elms, Stonehenge, Fox Hill, and Outpost eventually succumbed to changing times and tastes. Only one of the quintet remains today.

In 1938, Chris and Page Kane turned the West Lane home of diplomat George Pratt Ingersoll

Above, Col. Conley’s house became the fabulous Fox Hill Inn, with views to match the grand fare. Left, a Fox Hill Inn dinner menu from the 1950’2 when $1 was worth about $11 in today’s money. The line at the top translates as “May the dinner be good and the wines perfect.”

While The Elms Inn, pictured at bottom with its annex of rooms at right, dated from the 1870s, it wasn’t until 1951 that top-flight food was served.

Old Ridgefield

into The Kane Inn. After the war subsequent owners, including Paris-trained chef Walter Tode, introduced French cuisine to woo sophisticated diners. In 1951, Tode was named one of the top 10 chefs in the world, and his Tode’s Inn offered what one reviewer called “elegant, intimate opulence.” It was also a setting for humorist Max Wilk’s 1960 novel, Don’t Raise the Bridge, Lower the

River, satirizing suburban life.

Like other top restaurants, the Inn at Ridgefield, as it was long known, had a dress code. As recently as the 1980s, male diners had to wear jackets and ties in the dining rooms. The owners even kept a closet of spares for men who showed up unjacketed or untied. After a long stint as Bernard’s, the venerable inn is now The Benjamin, serving

“uniquely American, French-inspired” dishes. No jacket or tie required. Today, though scores of restaurants serve breakfasts, lunches and dinners to hungry Ridgefielders, none are fast-food chains. Perhaps the town’s heritage of fine inn dining has influenced modern diners to demand good food that comes from a kitchen, not a factory. •

An ambassador’s country home became The Inn at Ridgefield, later Bernard’s and now The Benjamin. The venue is the only eatery with “golden era” roots still serving in 2024.

Have You Met?

by Erik Ofgang

Way The Michael Martin

As a kid, Michael Martin wanted to play basketball, instead he found the sword.

“I am not exactly what we call a towering giant,” Martin explains. “I’m five foot two and I [sized] out of every sport. I tried football, I tried basketball.”

Failing in sports can be troubling for any adolescent, but in New York City in the 1980s, the obsession around mainstream sports like basketball and football was on another level, Martin says. “If you didn’t play basketball, you were an outcast.” He adds, “My mom was so frustrated. God bless her.”

Out of desperation, Martin’s mother suggested he try fencing. In the ancient sport

inspired by real-world combat, Martin found not just an activity he enjoyed but a passion that helped forge his identity.

“It was just wonderful,” he says. “For a kid that had a bit of a chip on his shoulder — because I was thinking I’m a giant of a man, but of course, I’m not — fencing allowed me to really to level the playing field and have a chance in sports.”

He became a successful national fencer who had Olympic aspirations that were never quite

Michael Martin, pictured here with the Ridgefield High School fencing team that he coaches, shares his enthusiam of fencing with kids of all ages.

of the Sword

met. But today he shares his passion for fencing with others at Way of The Sword Fencing & Archery, a U.S. Fencing Association-sanctioned fencing club that also offers archery and chess lessons. The club has between 50-70 fencing students and a roster of accomplished instructors. One coach at the club went on to coach at Harvard and another coach left to coach at West Point. Each summer, Way of Sword holds a fencing camp in Vichy France that facilitates students from the U.S. learning from coaches in France alongside French students.

Way of The Sword’s motto is “honor before glory” and part of what is taught at the club is respect for the time-honored traditions of the sport, Martin says. Modern fencing is divided into three categories the foil, the épée, and the sabre, each uses a different type of sword and has its own rules and competitions. The épée was the battlefield sword, the foil the gentleman’s sword and the sabre is a cavalry sword.

“When a student chooses one of those weapons, they’re really sort of embodying that era of fighting,” Martin says. “It’s been a really wonderful experience, sharing the art and the science of fencing, but more so giving kids who are not traditional athletes an opportunity to be a rock star, an opportunity for them to feel the thrill of winning.” He adds that fencing is one of the most popular Paralympic categories and many students with various physical challenges excel in the sport.

However, Martin’s journey from fencing star to fencing instructor was not a straight path. He took a long career detour working in business consulting before finding his way back to the sword. About a decade ago, when his son was about 12, Martin realized he’d never taught him to fence. To rectify that, he started teaching his son and others in a small

fencing club Martin started in the basement of an elementary school in Lewisboro. The setting was most inglorious. “We’d move the chairs out of the way in order to make room to fence,” he says.

The school eventually grew from those humble beginnings. Before long, Martin began running the club from Ridgefield Recreation Center, and seven years ago, decided to open a permanent fencing studio in downtown Ridgefield.

Martin says parents of children who are interested in fencing should know that when a kid gets really into the sport it can be a huge time commitment. He likens it to being a hockey parent. His advice is for families to save some driving time initially by going to the fencing club nearest to where they live.

“Make it simple on you and the kids, and just let them start some program, private lessons, class, whatever that Club offers, even if it’s not great or prestigious, but because it’s in your backyard,” he says. “Later you can jump ship and you can go to another club if your kid has talent, or if your kid wants to really take it further.”

That will happen to some kids, Martin warns. For some people, there is something irresistible about the physical contact of the sport and its connection with its history of generations of master swordsmen passing on their knowledge to new apprentices. “A certain amount of kids resonate with this nostalgic feeling of passing it down,” Martin says. “I certainly did, and this is why I opened up Way of The Sword based on this concept that you can’t let knowledge go to waste. You have to pass it on to the next generation. And so I’m doing my part in this great chain of knight to squire.” •

Way of the Sword Fencing & Archery, Martin’s Ridgefield fencing club enables students to strengthen not only their physical skills, but also builds self-confidence.

Art In The Spotlight

by Stephanie Dee

Set in

Hand-carved slate memorial stone by Adam Paul Heller with hidden imagery representing children of the deceased.

Stone

Monuments carved from stone in honor of those we have lost dot landscapes all around the world. Some are modest, sharing just a single name and date. Others seem larger than life, intricately carved, all leaving a lasting remembrance of whom it is dedicated to. Choices such as material, symbols, names, and dedications are the last way families can tell the story of the deceased. Trust is then placed in the stone carver who transforms all that information into a lasting piece of art, and the final physical mark we will leave on this world.

While cemeteries date back to ancient Greece, the practice of placing a monument in honor of the deceased extends to this day. Stone carvers are the talented tradesmen who carry on this tradition, sometimes even continuing past practices, creating forever reminders of those who have gone.

In Keeping With Tradition

Adam Paul Heller focuses his practice on creating monuments for the deceased. Adam studied for two years as an Artist in Residence at the rural Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Connecticut. This residency led to three years of work at the John Stevens Shop in Newport, Rhode Island, where the tradition of hand brush lettering, calligraphy, and hand-carved stone remains intact.

Heller starts his projects with a conversation with the family. After initial sketches, a final design is agreed upon, the proper material is acquired, and the initial sketches are turned into full-scale drawings. The approved drawings are carved with confidence and finality.

Lettering for his stones is also written and carved by hand. “After working everything out on paper with a brush, the letters are traced, and final spacing changes or letter weight adjustments are noted. Then the stone is lined, an outline of the final letters is traced and re-brushed onto the stone to stay true to the crisp and sumptuous movement of the brushed letterforms,” explains Heller. “Are there faster ways of doing this? Yes (machines). Are there more satisfying ways of making letters? Not that I know of.”

The Art of Creating Headstones

Art In The Spotlight

As Unique as Your Loved One

Michael A. Angelicola has been a mason since the mid-1980s. He slowly started including stone carving into his work through addresses on pillar entryways, bird baths, and benches. As a result of his background with stone, he thrives in the challenge of carving granite, also occasionally working with brownstone, marble, or limestone.

His work with monuments for the deceased started by volunteering in historic cemeteries to reset stones that had fallen or were in danger of falling. Michael was asked to carve two small headstones for sisters who died in the mid-1700s as children and whose stones were missing. From there he volunteered to carve replacement monuments with left-over masonry stone. “I didn’t want to see someone’s gravestone, which is often the only record of their existence, lost to time,” says Angelicola.

“I spent a lot of time in older cemeteries and felt there was so much thought, time, and skill that went into making them that many modern headstones had lost,” states Angelicola. “Many families contact me because they have a design in mind that usually tells something about their loved one. For example, I made a headstone for someone who was an artist, liked cats, and old gravestones. I shaped his stone in an older style and carved a paintbrush and cat’s paw print. His family loved it and to me, that is more rewarding than any amount of money.”

Beautiful by Hand

Both Angelicola and Heller pride themselves on carving by hand. Using a mallet, chisel, or other hand tools is a process that is slower than technological engraving but yields beautiful results with stunning detail and greater flexibility for families.

“My thoughts on traditional carving are that you are using your hands and skills to create something special for someone that will help bring comfort to a grieving family. With traditional methods you are also always working to evolve your skills and taking on new challenges,” says Angelicola.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about machines, AI, and the “frictionless” world of tech. These all have their place, but I have come to the conclusion that as smooth as tech and modernity can be, the soul requires friction. Carving stone is just one way to enjoy the beauty of human interaction with material,” explains Heller.

Celebrating and memorializing someone who has passed is deeply intertwined with the human experience. Every person spends their life building a legacy and artists such as these create the final monument representing that life’s work. The beauty in hand-carved stone represents thousands of years of tradition but also represents the unique decades of each person’s life.

To learn more about Angelicola’s work visit michaelaangelicolastonecarving.com and visit adampaulheller.com to see more of Heller’s practice. •

Above: Detail of a hand-carved rose. Top left: One-of-a-kind monument being carved at Angelicola’s studio. Middle left: Angelicola in the process of carving on site. Bottom left: Historically accurate replacement headstone in a Litchfield cemetery.

Culinary Chemist

by Johanna Dodd

Sweet it is! How

The Chemistry of Making Caramel

Making caramel is challenging. If you have ever tried, you know exactly what I mean. Getting sugar to the right temperature without burning it, and without it crystallizing in an unpleasant or unwanted way, takes patience, time, and a soupçon of luck.

Most caramel recipes require table sugar or sucrose, butter, and some kind of milk, often heavy cream or condensed milk. The actual chemistry of caramelization is poorly understood as there are many reactions occurring at once. However, as one heats any sugar, the molecules undergo a reaction with oxygen and each other to form long brown colored molecules called caramelans, caramelens, and caramelins, as well as the flavor molecules maltol (toasty), diacetyl (buttery), furan (nutty), and ethyl acetate (fruity). When dairy is added, amino acids are added, so the Maillard reaction of amino acids and sugars occurs, upping the number of flavor molecules produced which allows the caramel to be more flavorsome at a lower temperature. This is useful because it prevents unpleasant flavour molecules formed at higher temperatures.

To make a soft caramel candy that has both

chew and a melt in the mouth texture, you need to keep the heat even, the temperature constant, and only stir the mixture a minimum amount. This is to cause the lowest amount of sucrose crystallization, but still encourage the right amount of linkage between the long caramelan/ en/in chains.

Armed with an ancient, highly dinked, aluminium pot she found for $5 in a thrift store, Brooke Cooley of Bespoke Caramels has certainly mastered the art of caramel making. She initially had dreams of becoming a whizz in the kitchen, but was disappointed when the pot didn’t magically make her into Ina Garten! Instead, she found an old English caramel recipe and used her pot to make the perfect caramels, sharing them with friends and family.

In 2020, Cooley was forced to take medical leave from her teaching job. She increased her production of caramels to fill the void. She realized that she could make her caramels for everyone, not just people she knew, and send hand-made cards of love and kindness out into the world - and Bespoke Caramels was born. In each bag of Bespoke Caramels, there is a bonus caramel tied to a handmade kindness card to share with someone who needs a smile.

Scaling up something like a handmade caramel business is always hard, but Cooley has found it almost impossible, largely due to her pot!

“When we started upping production, my husband and mom took on the monumental task of finding another vintage caramel pot…eBay, tag sales, Etsy. And, believe it or not, none of the newly acquired pots worked. My caramels were slightly off,” Cooley says. When she looked at having an outside kitchen help make her caramels during busy times, they absolutely did not come up to her pot’s exacting standard. So, she works day and night during high demand times to make her perfect caramels because, as she says, “It’s so much fun seeing ‘first taste’ faces; it never gets old!” •

Left, Brook Cooley’s magical carmel pot that ensures a perfectly delicious batch. Each handmade caramel is lovingly prepared and individually wrapped.

GHOST HUNTERS:

Dee Dee Colabella

Dylan Miller

Greg Mursko

Julia (AAAAAH!) Bruce

Mela Rispoli Clairvoyant Medium

LoriAnn Witte Glebe House Director

GHOSTS:

Sarah Marshall Former Resident

John Marshall Former Resident

Goes Ghost Hunting

by Julia Bruce

Autumn is the time of year when people’s thoughts turn to spooky stories and haunted houses. For some though, ghost hunting is a year-round interest. Connecticut is filled with haunted locations – from the Fairfield Hills State Hospital in Newtown to the 1754 House Inn & Restaurant in Woodbury.

068 Magazine recently spoke with paranormal investigator Amy Bruni (see page 38) and decided to embark on a ghost hunt of our own to The Glebe House Museum and Gertrude Jekyll Garden, a revolutionary building also located in Woodbury, CT.

The 068 team’s ghost hunting expedition took them to the Glebe House - beautiful and idyllic by day but spooky (and maybe even haunted) by night.

Ghost Hunting 101

Safety First Never go alone, bring along a friend or two.

Get Permission If you’re planning your ghost hunt on private property or building, make sure you’re allowed to be in the space after hours.

Timing is Everything Wait until it’s dark. Ghosts or spirits tend to be more active at night – hence the term “the witching hour.”

Keep an Open Mind Be curious and engage all of your senses – so you are completely in tune with your surroundings.

Document Evidence Digital recorders and cameras can often pick up things our eyes and ears don’t.

A Bit of History

The Glebe House dates back to the 1700’s. “Glebe” is an old English word that referred to land given to a reverend or priest on which to build his house as well as a farm to benefit his family. In 1771, Reverand John Rutgers Marshall and his wife Sarah moved from Stratford to Woodbury and took up residence in the Glebe House. The couple had nine children and three enslaved people. Marshall, Woodbury’s first Angelican minister, was thought to be loyal to the King and endured significant oppression and abuse from Patriot townspeople. The house has several hiding places - it is speculated that Marshall hid from his tormenters. “Marshall was considered a tory. Inspectors looked for people who were Loyalists, it was the witch hunts of the time. Marshall died in 1789 after moving from the house, most likely as a result of injuries from being beaten by these committees of inspection,” says LoriAnn Witte, Director of the Glebe House.

Above, an EMF meter is used to detect spikes in the electromagnetic field, which could be an indication of paranormal activity.

Our ghost hunting team explored the Glebe House - holding an EMF meter (seen in Greg’s hand) while asking questions aloud to possibly present spirits. At various points, unexplained readings appeared on the meter. Far left, one of the possible hiding spots John Marshall supposedly used to conceal himself from the Patriots.

So, What Happened???

It was a dark and stormy night….actually the night of our ghost hunt indeed was - but the thunder, lightning, and pervasive darkness only added to the spooky atmosphere. Armed with some special equipment, a heightened curiosity, a splash of bravery, and a large pack of Twizzlers, the 068 team and LoriAnn, as well as Mela Rispoli, a clairvoyant/medium, spent an evening at this allegedly haunted house.

Upon entering the house, Mela immediately felt an active energy. “Houses, buildings, and structures have their own personalities and energies,” she says. “I felt in this house there is a woman who wants her story to be told and a man who does not want that story told.”

LoriAnn gave our team a tour of the house – from the front room where they once held funerals to the attic where the enslaved

Above, a writing desk in the Glebe House, giving a glimpse of daily correspondence. Left, the master bedroom, children’s rooms, and an extra room for guests.

people slept. Mela sensed the presence of an underground tunnel that led to the nearby cemetery. “There’s an urban myth that there was a tunnel under the house. Studies by Yale have disputed this,” says LoriAnn. Mela felt strongly that the tunnel did exist.

As we went from room to room, we used an EMF meter, which detects spikes in the electromagnetic field. A sudden, unexplained spike in EMF readings is often considered evidence of a potential paranormal presence. The EMF meter will light up – ranging from light green (weak signal) to red (strong signal). As we made our way through the house, we would ask a question of Sarah Marshall and often felt her response via the lights.

Later, we used a Spirit Box, which is a specialized device that continuously scans through both AM and FM radio frequencies. One of us wore noise cancelling headphones connected to the Spirit Box as well as a blindfold so as not to be influenced by anything else in the room. Then, we would ask a question. The person listening through the Spirit Box could then pick up sounds and words. Some examples of words we heard were “leave,” “get out,” “help,” and “Dylan,” the first name of one of our team.

Both the EMF meter and the Spirit Box gave us signs that would be difficult to explain away. The EMF box, which we believed was Sarah Marshall communicating with us, would light up to questions, but also lit up when the four women were casually communicating – as if she enjoyed being a part of the ladies’ chat.

While we can’t confirm that there were actual ghosts present while we were at the Glebe House, the idea that spirits linger after a person dies is a commonly held belief. You’ll have to do a bit of investigating and draw your own conclusions. •

All Hollows Eve at the Glebe House

Top, the kitchen hearth where Sarah Marshall cooked for her family. Below, the attic space where some of the Marshall children and three enslaved people slept.

Bruni Amy

by Julia Bruce

O68 What drew you to paranormal investigation? Do you feel that some people have an innate ability to connect with spirits?

AB I grew up in a haunted house and was 8 years old when I saw my first full-bodied apparition. When I told my mom about it, she simply said – without interjecting any fear – oh that’s just a ghost. I’ve been fascinated since then. I believe that some people are more aware of and in tune with their surroundings – I notice everything around me. Other people are more quick to explain happenings as coincidences.

O68 What is the most haunted place you’ve visited?

AB I have a few favorites but one I visit frequently is the Mount Washington Hotel in New Hampshire. It is rumored to be haunted by Joseph Stickney who built the hotel in 1902 and then died shortly after. People claim Stickney’s wife haunts the hotel, but I’ve encountered so many other ghosts and spirits there – it’s ever present. It has everything I’m

looking for in a hotel: ghosts, a spa, and a wine bar!

O68 Has there ever been a time when you were uncomfortable while communicating with a spirit or been concerned that a ghost will follow you home?

AB I always say that living people are so much scarier than ghosts! One time, while investigating the Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Kentucky, a full-bodied apparition of a man appeared right in front of me. He was very menacing and staring me down. I felt something grab on my arm and I recorded a growl on tape. I was uncomfortable and felt I was not welcome, so I decided to leave for the night.

As far as ghosts following me home, I can recall two times when I felt a presence with me after I left. Once, while I was pregnant I felt the spirit of a small child in the room. I sensed arms encircling me, as if the child ghost recognized me as a safe maternal figure. This presence stayed with me after I came home, but eventually left. Another time, I was communicating with nurses while at Wavery

Hills Sanatorium. They were answering quite frequently with knocks – one for yes, two for no. Our filming was going over schedule, so we had to end for the night. I heard knocking all the way down the hallway while leaving the building and then again the next morning in my hotel. They obviously weren’t done talking to me. I promised them I would be back to finish the conversation. I don’t believe ghosts purposely attach to you, they have the same boundaries of etiquette that the living do – it’s just sometimes when you end a session, the ghosts still have more to say.

O68 What advice would you give to someone who feels as if there’s a spirit in their home?

AB It depends on how aggressive the spirit is acting. If it’s just footsteps or noises and you can live with it, leave the spirit alone. If it escalates to doors slamming or feeling something touch or grab you, you can bring

someone in to help. Most ghost encounters aren’t necessarily bad, they just have unfinished business.

O68 : What are you working on now? What can people expect at your show at the Ridgefield Playhouse on October 30th?

AB I have a podcast called Haunted Road, about some of America’s most haunted locations. I also published a book – Food To Die For – that explores notoriously haunted locations through stories and photography and includes a recipe from each location. My show at The Playhouse will be an all-encompassing journey of paranormal investigation. I will share stories of my favorite investigations and encounters. I will also bring along some haunted items for people to interact with prior to the show. I always save time for audience interaction, who knows we might communicate with a spirt that is present at The Playhouse! •

Dreaming Renovation? of a Kitchen Tune-Up Offers Solutions

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home. Sometimes, though, homeowners may want a change of heart. That’s when Kitchen Tune-Up can help. With over 35 years’ experience, Kitchen Tune-Up has made a name for themselves as the go-to contractor for kitchen renovations. Michael Murphy, who has lived in the 068 area for 20 years, came on board in 2019. His Kitchen Tune-Up currently operates in Redding/Ridgefield, as well as the CT shoreline in the Madison/ Clinton area.

High costs and the inconvenience of being without a kitchen for an extended period of time are the two most common reasons people hesitate to launch a kitchen renovation. “The biggest concern I hear is that kitchen renovations are too expensive and take too long. Kitchen Tune-Up solves this by offering a range of options at every price point,” says Murphy. Some of the services they provide can be done in one day with most taking only a few weeks.

Kitchen Tune-Up offers five different renovation options ranging from the least expensive and minimally invasive all the way to a complete redo. Their 1-Day Tune Up uses a wood refinishing process that can restore your cabinets to their original luster. If you’re satisfied with the current layout, they offer cabinet painting, which can give your kitchen a fresh new look. Cabinet re-dooring is a great option to give out-of-style cabinet doors and drawer

fronts a more modern feel. Their most popular option is cabinet refacing which replaces old cabinet doors and drawer fronts with new ones but keeps the cabinet boxes. Lastly, custom cabinets can be designed if you’re looking to change the layout of your kitchen. This is the mostly costly and time consuming because it involves completely gutting and then rebuilding the cabinets.

One thing that really sets Kitchen Tune-Up apart from other contractors is that they are family-owned and operated and they truly care about their customers. “I believe every customer is part of our family. Our goal is to make it as seamless and pleasant as possible,” says Murphy. He also mentions that the majority of his staff are full-time, which means consistency in service to the customer.

Some of the recent design trends showing up in kitchens include brightening up a dark space. The dark stain wood doors from twenty years ago can look completely different when replaced with clean white shaker-style doors. “One of my favorite trends is adding unique pullout drawers and shelves, which maximizes the storage capacity and often taps into previous empty spaces,” says Murphy.

Kitchen Tune Up will work with your budget and time-line and come up with the best design for you. For more information or for a free consult, contact 203-703-2594 or visit kitchentuneup.com •

How to Hire a Financial Advisor

When you’re ready to level up your financial life, consider working with a financial advisor. Bringing in an expert isn’t just for the high-net-worth crowd; financial advisors work with clients at all levels. A good advisor will keep an eye on market fluctuations and might suggest products you are not familiar with such as exchange traded funds or bonds. They will also steer you toward long-term financial security, educate you on new products and terminology, and take a big-picture look at your life—whether you’re buying a first home, saving for college, or looking at retirement. They’ll ask about your credit card debt, look at your tax returns, and dig into your estate planning.

“People used to need a financial advisor because there was so little information,” says Ridgefield-based Joseph DiVestea, Managing Director, Senior Vice President Investments, DiVestea Wealth Partners of Raymond James. Today, there are too many options. New products arise, others become obsolete. “Hiring a financial professional,” he says, “assures you’re not sticking

with outdated investment models.”

The level of trust and transparency necessary in an advisor-client relationship can be uncomfortable, since you’re basically trusting your life savings to a relative stranger. “It doesn’t have to be,” says Allen Purkiss, founder of Purkiss Capital Advisors in Ridgefield. Start by asking around — your friends, your accountant, your lawyer. Look at reliable online sources (which does not include typing ‘good financial advisor near me’ in your search bar).

“The Certified Financial Planner site (cfp.net) has a ‘find an advisor’ section,” says Purkiss, “as does the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (napfa.org). For both, plug in your zip code and see who’s nearby.” Have a sense of what you’re looking for: big returns, hot investment opportunities, or long-term portfolio management. Make preliminary appointments with at least three advisors, both DiVestea and Purkiss advise. Ask about fee structures and how they develop their plans.

“In-person meetings are crucial,” says Purkiss. “You want to get the feeling that this is someone you want to work with. Trust your instincts.”

by Janet Ozzard

Many institutions have brought stock commissions down by offering discount brokerage trading, so advisors using the commission-fee model have to show their value to stock-pick and manage funds.”

“You’re going to have to work with them when the markets are going through difficult times,” Purkiss adds. “It’s easy when the market just goes up and up. But when the market gets difficult, you want the right people working for you.”

“You want to understand the process they use to derive their recommendations, as well as how they’re compensated,” says DiVestea. “Transparency is critical. The best investments align with your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.”

DiVestea’s new clients get a written proposal and in-person review, so the plan is clear and the jargon of the financial world

– ETFs, index funds, options – makes sense. “You want an advisor who is patient enough to educate you.’”

There are three ways financial advisors get paid: fee-only, fee-based (fee plus commission), and commission. “Fee-only is pretty clear,” says Purkiss. “The fee is written in the contract, and there are no hidden commissions.” Some advisors charge a flat fee, while others charge a percentage based on Assets Under Management (AUM). Purkiss explains that many clients like the fact that if the portfolio value drops, so does the fee. Commission means the advisor takes a portion of every transaction made for you. “I think the fairest way is AUM or fee-only,” says DiVestea.

“The advisor is on the same side of the table as the client. The percentages charged are usually less as the size of the portfolio goes up. For example, on an account with $1 million under management, the average fee would be about 1%.” Many institutions have brought stock commissions down by offering discount brokerage trading, so advisors using the commissionfee model have to show their value to stock-pick and manage funds.”

For more information, reach out to Allen Purkiss at Purkiss Capital Advisors LLC, allen@pcapadvisors.com or Joe DiVestea of DiVestea Wealth, Partners of Raymond James, at joseph.divestea@ raymondjames.com.•

IMAGE BY LEMONO

Anniversary Season

The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra Turns 60!

by Kate Perry

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the esteemed Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra. During its tenure, the RSO has made an impressive turn from a small community orchestra to a world-class professional organization showcasing talented orchestra and chamber musicians and remarkable solo artists. The RSO is a cultural mainstay for both Ridgefield and the surrounding towns, and a community favorite for performances of timeless masterpieces and contemporary compositions.

Founded in 1964 by five local residents who recognized the area’s need for access to the arts at a time when the town had very few options close to home, the group was initially called the Ridgefield Symphonette. Co-founder Marcus Fischer became the first music director and conductor. In the early 1970s, Beatrice Brown was hired as the third conductor of the orchestra, significant in an era during which there were few female music directors. Leading the orchestra for twenty-five years, Brown transformed the group into a professional symphony by holding auditions and hiring exceptional musicians. Among other early milestones, the RSO performed at Lincoln Center in 1977, earning high praise from the New York Times. In 1986 the organization’s name was changed to the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra.

Laurie Kenagy, the current executive director of the RSO, came on in 2016 with the goal of sustaining an artistically excellent

Photos by Mary Harold and Dylan Miller

symphony orchestra while expanding the number and diversity of performances. As shared in its mission statement, the RSO focuses on “enrich[ing] the cultural lives of the citizens of Ridgefield and surrounding communities by presenting musical performances of the highest artistic quality.”

The organization currently performs several types of concerts with an array of formats, music, and venues. Orchestra concerts, with as many as seventy musicians and featuring renowned guest soloists, are held at the Ridgefield and Wilton High School auditoriums and The Ridgefield Playhouse. Chamber music concerts, highlighting smaller groups of musicians, are held in a variety of venues throughout Fairfield County. Concert repertoire ranges from “warhorse” staples by composers such as Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Tchaikovsky to more contemporary classical pieces written in the last hundred years and other genres such as jazz and popular music. “Our mission is simple and straightforward: to provide access to great live music through performances and outreach, locally and accessibly,” says Kenagy.

During the 2024-2025 season, under the direction of Maestro Eric Mahl, the RSO will be joined in concert by highly acclaimed artist Michelle Cann performing a Beethoven piano concerto and virtuoso violinist Jennifer Koh playing Tchaikovsky’s iconic violin concerto. The orchestra will also present symphonies by Sibelius and Rachmaninoff, among others, along with more contemporary pieces by Margaret Bonds and Michael Abels. “We offer repertoire familiar to fans of classical music as well as newer works,” says Kenagy. “Performing contemporary compositions in addition to the older favorites allows

classical music to grow and evolve.”

Chamber music concerts during the 60th anniversary season include the “Music at the Mansion” series, which takes place in collaboration with Lounsbury House, and recently featured the RSO Steel Drum Trio, a violin and piano duo from the Charles Ives Music Festival, and a quartet of musicians led by the RSO’s own associate concertmaster and first oboist. Additionally, the RSO Quartet, featuring the orchestra’s principal string players, will perform concerts at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, with music inspired by the museum’s exhibition “Layo Bright: Dawn and Dusk,” and at MoCA CT. The RSO is also bringing back its popular Holiday Concert & Fundraiser in December with the Pete Wikul Band playing jazz favorites and festive tunes.

The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra actively engages with the community through educational initiatives and outreach programs. Throughout the year, RSO musicians provide innovative inschool learning opportunities by working with student musicians and playing for school groups. The RSO also provides interactive experiences and performances in senior centers, health facilities, and for the underserved. By partnering with other community organizations, the RSO strives to expose new and diverse audiences to the beauty and benefits of classical music.

Whether you are a longtime enthusiast of classical music or a novice eager to explore, the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra offers a variety of concerts and performances each year to enrich and enchant. The arts are an integral part of the human experience, and our community is fortunate to have access to a world-class symphony orchestra so close to home. •

Written by Your KICKS Public Art Event Committee

KICKS Public Art Event Map & Key

1 Daffodilly

Artists: Alison McLoughlin

Location: 1 Ethan Allen Highway Fun Run Sponsor: Keough’s Paint & Hardware

2 LOVE is All You Need

Artists: HEKTAD

Location: 1 Ethan Allen Highway

Celebrity Artist Sneaker

3 Vibrancy in Motion

Artist: Leslie Cober

Location: 150 Danbury Road (Fairfield County Bank)

Marathon Sponsor: Fairfield County Bank

4 Health is Wealth

Artist: Alexander Shattan

Location: 64 Danbury Rd.

Sponsor: Stretch Lab, Ridgefield

5 Smile More

Artist: Alexander Shattan

Location: 17 Danbury Rd. Sponsor: Dr. Blaine Langberg, Orthodontist

6 Powerful Kicks

Artist: Briana Sudzinski

Location: 472 Main St. (Stonewall in front of Ridgefield Library) Sponsor: KickFit CT

7 Thread of Hope

Artist: Maritza

Location: 470 Main St. (in front of Sotheby’s)

Marathon Sponsor: Gifted to KW Cares by Keller Williams Realtors

8 Painting The Masters

Artists: Jesse Navarra and RPAC Students

Location: 446 Main Street

Marathon Sponsor: D. Colabella Fine Art Gallery

9 Radiance

Artist: Maritza

Location: 458 Main Street (in front of The Guilded Lynx)

Fun Run Sponsor: The Guilded Lynx

10 Nestled in Luxury

Artist: Brandy Perrone

Location: 1 Big Shop Lane ( in front of Olley Court)

Sponsor: Olley Court

11 PanoKicks

Artist: Ryan Cousins

Location: 424R Main St. (850 Degree Courtyard)

Sponsor: Panosnaps

12 Strut Your Stuff

Artist: Dee Dee Colabella

Location: 410 Main St. (RPAC Gallery)

Sponsor: Artful Visual Arts Initiative

13 Keller Williams KICK Line

7 Sneakers

Location: 404 Main St. (Keller Williams)

n Gum Shoe

Artist: Greg Mursko

Sponsor: Alex Capozolli, Keller Williams Realty

n Tiffany Kicks

Artist: Meredith Mulhearn

Sponsor: Dee Braaten, Keller Williams Realty

n Love and Monsters

Artist: Erica Wu

Sponsor: Steve Scott, Keller Williams Realty

n Summertime "Sweet" Life

Artist: Mary Jane Houser

Sponsor: April Furey, Keller Williams Realty

n KidStuff

Artist: Luiza Budea

Sponsor: Victor and Kathy Vescera, Keller Williams Realty

n Step Into Another Dimension

Artist: Brian Antonio

Sponsor: Andreas Senie, EAC Properties

n A Star Is Born

Artist: Brandy Perrone

Sponsor: Debi Orr, Keller Williams Realty

14 Lend Us Your Hand to Make Hearts Soar

Artist: Dee Dee Colabella & Community

Location: Town Hall, 400 Main St.

Marathon Sponsor: 068 Magazine

15 Compassion Matters

Artists: Donnelly Rodgers

Location: 347 Main St. (Fairfield County Bank)

Marathon Sponsor: Gifted to Compassionate Ridgefield by Fairfield County Bank

16 LOVE Star

Artist: Frankie Vinci

Location: Lawn at 145 Main St.

Marathon Sponsor: Gifted to the Ridgefield Theatre Barn by 068 Magazine

17 Sneaky Garden

Artist: Members of Ridgefield Garden Club

Location: 384 Main Street (in front of Rodier Flowers)

Sponsor: Ridgefield Garden Club

18 First Responders

Artists: Karyn Devlin

Location: By The Fire Station

Sponsor: THE ART OF TOURISM, LLC

19 Disco Fever

Artists: Pam Stoddart and Tina Sturges in collaboration with artist members at the Ridgefield Guild of Artists

Location: 401 Main St.

(Fairfield County Bank Insurance) Gifted to the Ridgefield Guild of Artists by D. Colabella Fine Art Gallery

Congruous

Back in June, fun and inventive sneaker sculptures started showing up at some of your favorite businesses around Ridgefield - from Keough’s Paint & Hardware on Rte 7 and stretching from Fairfield County Bank’s location on the corner of Rte 35 and Farmingville Road all the way to the Benjamin Restaurant. Our local businesses have sponsored and been

a home for this amazing community art event executed by ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative and brought to you by the Ridgefield Running Company.

Not only is it fun to visit all of the sneaker sculpture locations, but you can also participate in the two amazing events in September.

First, Fairfield County Bank is hosting the Fairfield County Bank Fitness Expo on Saturday, September

7th. This event will feature not only some of our amazing sponsors as vendors, but other businesses around town as well. There will be classes and demonstrations throughout the day, along with refreshments for sale. Although the focus will be on fitness, there will be lots of other things to do at the Expo, such as improv lessons with The Ridgefield Theater Barn.

20 Pollinators

Artists: Donnelly Rodgers

Location: 409 Main St. (In front of Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shop) Sponsor: Local Social Media

21 Morning Buzz

Artists: Matthew Franz

Location:417 Main St.

(inside of Queen B Coffee)

Fun Run Sponsor: Queen B Coffee Company

Location:417 Main St. (inside of Queen B Coffee) Fun Run Sponsor: Queen B Coffee Company

22 Free Fall Flow & Congruous Traxx

Artist: Matthew Franz

Location: 417 Main St. (in front of Queen B Coffee)

Fun Run Sponsor: Queen B Coffee Company

23 Forward Together

Artists: Tharini Pande

Location: 425 Main St. (Ridgefield Running Company)

Title Sponsor: Ridgefield Running Company

24 Hergenrother’s High-Tops

Artist: Greg Mursko

Location: Lawn in Front of CVS

Title Sponsor: Ridgefield Running Company

25 History In Bloom

Artist: Christine Cherico

Location: 20 West Lane. (The Benjamin Restaurant)

Fun Run Sponsor: The Benjamin Restaurant & Bar

Location: 20 West Lane. (The Benjamin Restaurant) Fun Run Sponsor: The Benjamin Restaurant & Bar

26 COMING SOON (July 30)

Artist: Charles Gulbrandsen

Location: Prospector Theater Sponsor: Gifted to the Prospector Theater by Anonymous

Artist: Charles Gulbrandsen Location: Prospector Theater Sponsor: Gifted to the Prospector Theater by Anonymous

Note: Streets are not to scale. Post and Tag a picture of your favorite with #KPAE and #KPAEAroundtown to win a 1.5ft sneaker sculpture. Not Pictured.

On September 6th and 7th, you can also participate in the “Run Around Town” scavenger hunt on Main Street and the surrounding areas. You will have to look high and low for twelve pairs of WEARABLE sneakers that have been decorated and hidden in Ridgefield businesses. Scavenger Hunt Maps will be available at the RPAC Art Center, now located at 410 Main Street. There will be prizes for the participants who complete the task of finding all 12 and bring their stamped map back to the RPAC Art Center. Local business will also be offering specials during the scavenger hunt. Don’t miss out on this weekend of fun while you get to view the sneaker sculptures one last time.

After September 7th, the sneaker sculptures will be removed and transported to the Benjamin Restaurant for the “Just for KICKS” Auction Event on Tuesday, September 24th. The “Just For KICKS” Auction will take place from 6pm – 9pm and will include heavy d’oeuvres and drinks. Wear your best “KICKS” outfit - dress is casual and lace up your favorite or most colorful sneakers. We will also be

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

collecting gently loved sneakers to donate to young athletes that cannot afford new athletic shoes. Tickets are $65.00 per person and can be purchased at www.artfulgives.org. Bidding will close for good at 8:00pm, after which the sculptures find their way home with the highest bidder.

All the money raised benefits the ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative, which supports scholarships and grants for artists, and KICKS 4 Kids, which provides athletic shoes to students in need.

If you want a souvenir, the KICKS SCULPTURE CATALOG is now available for only $30.00. You can buy the catalog online at https://www.silentauctionpro.com/ bidonlinegrid.php?groupId=1845 or visit the RPAC Art Center at 410 Main Street.

We hope to see you around at these KICKIN’ Events and appreciate our sponsors, our volunteers, bidders and future winners, our vendors, our artists and of course…The Best KICKIN’ Community of Ridgefield!

Find out more at www.artfulgives.org•

See all the KICKS Sneaker Sculptures in one place! Fun and entertainment will serve as our backdrop.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024

How and Where to treat your dog

by Carin L. Weisman

ow that the dog days of summer are behind us, it’s time to give our four-legged friends some extra love and care. Fortunately, the 068 is filled with options to help your pooch play, relax, make friends, learn, and paw-sitively thrive!

Michele Williams - Pet (and Human) Photographer

Most pet owners have tons of photos of their dogs on their phones. But for something a bit more professional, reach out to Michele Williams, a photographer in the 068 area for more than 10 years. As she zooms in on family photos, she encourages people to bring their dog/s (they are part of the family after all!). Beyond family sessions, Williams offers pet portraits and aging dog shoots, as well as end of life photos for terminally ill dogs, which resonates emotionally with pet owners. One client said, “What a gift for our family to have these photos of our beloved pet.”

If you are wondering if it’s worth the money to get professional pictures of your dog, the answer is YES! “It’s wonderful to have someone capture your fur-ever friend, and you can be included in the pictures instead of just taking them,” Williams says. “If you have an elderly dog, don’t delay – get those sessions booked while they still have the energy.”

“Take your time, create a relaxed atmosphere, and let your dog’s personality shine through,” Williams advises. She also recommends using treats and playful sounds to capture candid moments naturally.

Try it out! To book a session with Michele, email mewwill22@gmail.com, call 203-403-3151, or you can visit michelewphotographer.wixsite.com.

Treated Groom Spa 15 Catoonah Street,

Ridgefield

Adding to its diverse offerings, Treats Pupperia (see Sept/Oct ‘23 issue for full profile) recently opened a spa for its fourlegged clients. “We are a safe, comforting place for dogs to enjoy the grooming experience,” says co-owner Kelly Ramos. “We have an ‘open kitchen’ so owners see and feel the love their dog receives from our amazing team of groomers.”

Located behind Treats Pupperia, Pupperia Spa sets the mood with dim lighting, aromatherapy, earth tones, and soothing surround sound in its private “zen den” dog suites. The Quickie, Ohh My GOODness, Ohh My GREATness, Beauty Day, and Salon Pack grooming services come with a luxury bath, nail trim and buff, and ear, eye, teeth cleaning. Add-ons include haircut and shaping, deshedding, facial, mud bath, reiki, red light therapy, and bemer therapy. “My dog Bessie was ‘treated’ with the utmost care and relaxation! It’s an upscale dog grooming spa without the high price,” says Rebecca Coldwell.

Try it out! To book a session, visit treatsdogcompany.com/pages/treatedgrrom-spa, download the Treated Groom Spa app, or call 203-917-6980.

Treated Groom Spa’s clients experience “paw”pering, relaxation, and love in its warm and inviting space and from all groomers, including co-owner Kelly Ramos, pictured here.

Passage East

499 Danbury Road. Wilton

Twenty-five years ago, Joe and Laura Kaddis, Weston residents and long-time animal shelter volunteers with a passion for rehabilitating abused dogs, nipped at the chance to buy a kennel in Wilton – and the new Passage East was born. “We envisioned a canine retreat that would serve as a trusted resource for pup loving community members, giving pets a vacation spot and helping dogs of all breeds and backgrounds.”

Today, Passage East offers dog boarding, daycare, and grooming. “My dog loves Passage East so much that his tail wags whenever we pull into their driveway.

I bring him for both daycare and boarding, and he always has a great time,” says client Dylan Morsanutto.

Dogs who are boarded enjoy two outdoor play sessions a day with add on indulgences such as homemade frozen treats and peanut butter Kongs, one-on-one playtime, snuggle sessions, or extra time in the splash pools. Doggie daycare has also become increasingly popular. “Daycare is an ideal option for dogs with high energy, destructive habits, or separation anxiety. For the same price as a one-hour walk, they get a full day of care with fresh air, exercise, and socialization,” says Kaddis.

For pet parents who are looking for a bit of pampering for their furry family

members, Passage East has standard grooming services like baths, haircuts, deshedding services, nail trims, and brushouts, as well as “fashion forward” options, like nail painting and dog safe hair dye.

“Last year we completed a massive project to update our play yards on our four-acre campus,” Kaddis says. “We now have state of the art, pet friendly turf, a grass one-on-one play area with outdoor lighting, and a ‘wags-and-waves’ water park with splash pads, pools, and sprinklers.”

Try it out! For reservations, email dogsrunfree@passageeastkennels.com, call 203-762-7998 or you can visit passageeastkennels.com. •

At Passage East, clients enjoy boarding, daycare, and grooming on its four-acre campus.

Easy Tips to Grow Your Money

by Carin L. Weisman

My journey into financial literacy began fresh out of college when I found myself writing about 401(k) plans and the wonders of compound interest. “Wait,” I remember asking my boss, “If I put away a few dollars every week now, I could really retire with over a million dollars?” It seemed too good to be true, but I took the plunge and never looked back.

Unfortunately, my experience is not the norm. According to Forbes Advisor’s latest survey, 28% of Americans have less than $1,000 in personal savings, with many unsure how to begin. If you are in that camp, fear not! I spoke with Registered Investment Advisors and father-son duo Neil and Evan Kenagy of Colchester Investment Counsel, who serve clients throughout the 068 about their expert tips and strategies to simplify and supercharge your savings, regardless of your life stage.

“Just like physical health, financial health is critical for overall wellbeing,” says Neil. “It means spending less than you earn, sticking to a budget, setting realistic goals, maintaining an emergency fund, and understanding your investments.”

Here are their top 8 tips to make saving for your future simple:

Start early. The sooner you start saving, the longer your money has to grow and the longer you can reap the benefit of compounding returns. (Compounding is when you earn interest/ returns on both your initial investment and the additional interest/returns you receive over time.) If you are already saying, “oh no” because you didn’t start early don’t worry – you can catch up: The IRS allows people age 50+ to make catchup contributions to IRAs and 401(k)s.

Create a budget. Not having a budget is like driving through Redding without a map…you will get lost! Use an online tool or simple spreadsheet to detail the cost of major expenses, and then review the list to see where you can reduce spending and enhance savings. For example, instead of buying lunch every day, make lunch four days of the week and go out on the other. A general rule is to consider 60% for essential expenses, 20% for discretionary (i.e., fun!) spending, and 20% for saving.

Know that every penny counts. Put some amount of money away every week, even if you are on a tight budget. “Some clients hesitate to save, thinking small dollar amounts won’t make a difference,” says Neil. “But they do! And

when you store the money in high-yield savings accounts, IRAs, and 401(k)s, your money will start working for you!” If your employer offers a retirement plan and/or health savings plan match, enroll and take advantage of the “free” money.

Go back to basics. Instill in children the savings habit early by giving them a piggy bank to watch their money grow. As they get older, open a bank account for them and review the monthly statement together, so you can talk about important topics like the value of saving (for that new bike, perhaps?), living within one’s means, and the difference between wants and needs. “It’s never too early to help children understand the connection between hard work and having money,” says Evan.” I remember making my bed and helping in the yard to earn my allowance.”

Keep it simple. One easy hack is to set up automatic, direct deposit deductions from your paycheck, so you don’t forget to put the money away – and you get used to living on less. “Some are resistant to this idea at first,” says Neil, “but they invariably circle back to say how easy it was and how much they appreciate the tip.”

Go out of state. When it comes to saving for college, 529 plans are a terrific option, as they use after-tax funds, so contributions grow tax-free until they are

withdrawn for qualified education expenses. “And you don’t need to stay within your own state,” says Evan. “Consider other states’ plans that may be cheaper with more favorable long-term investment results.”

Don’t go it alone. There are many resources available to help you get and stay on track, including one-onone financial advisors, online tools, and even financial health support groups! “I got into this field so I could help people accomplish their life goals

in a careful, understandable, and responsible manner,” says Neil.

8 Just do it. If this all feels a bit overwhelming, step back, take a deep breath, and know that many people are in the same situation. “Don’t feel discouraged,” says Evan. “Start small and remember that any effort, no matter how modest, makes a difference.”

For more personalized advice, contact Neil and Evan Kenagy of Colchester Investment Counsel LLC at: (203) 438-0046, nsk@colchesteric.com, or www.colchesteric.com. •

First, I would like to thank you! Thank you! Thank you! For the strong support you have given us over the last 4 years, we are always seeking to accomplish more toward our over-arching goal of creating a “Blue Zone” or “Healthy Living Zone” in the 068. Much new and powerful research has increased our understanding of disease in order to eliminate and cure disease, rather than trying to treat and mask the actual disease process. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that we announce our expansion, our new “The Gift HBO2T” facility at 162 Danbury Road. We will be opening by the end of August. We are very excited to have a first of its kind, private facility dedicated to mitochondrial dysfunction and Metabolic disease. Metabolic disease is the precursor to all chronic diseases of the human body: Heart disease, Cancer, Diabetes, Dementia to name a few.

HBO2T will:

n Restore the vascularity to all organs of the body

n Improve brain function

n Eliminate sub clinical infections

n Decrease inflammation

n Pre-operatively improve outcomes and improve post-surgery healing

n Revitalize your skin

n Improve your health span

n Improve your life span

One of the hardest things we can do in this world is to change actual belief systems and the massive infrastructure today. Although there is much good being done by highly educated serious professionals, we clearly need to do more. Why? Because life span (with all our high-tech fanciness) is decreasing in the United States.

Our goal is to bring real hope to people. New information is rising to the surface, which coincides with what Dr. Sciarrino has personally observed over a lifetime of practice, which has led him to a new understanding. Rather than medicate disease we seek to cure disease.

This is the beginning of medical care 3.0. It is purely “mitochondrial dysfunction”, which drives all chronic diseases of the

human body. Mitochondria are small organelles in the cell that create our energy. That energy allows me to think and write this article and allows you to read and take in the information. Each individual is an amazing creation derived from our universe. Our bodies use organic chemicals to create physical energy (electricity) which powers our cells to create the “Biology of Life”.

I cannot explain this in one paragraph. I would like the opportunity to explain myself through lecture. Beginning of Ocotber 2024, I will give free monthly lectures on the topic of aging at 162 Danbury Road.

n Learn the 7 theories of aging

n Learn about fats, proteins and sugars, the good and the bad

n Learn why certain blood tests don’t address metabolic dysfunction

n Learn how and why proper food and exercise help us

n Learn the basic Biology of Life

n learn about the low-lying fruits of longevity

It costs nothing to go home and institute many of these ideas, which will help you live a healthy life. Learn what we can do to advance your healthy goals. Yes! This is big as the first flight in the town of Kitty Hawk, and it is happening in your town. •

The Gift Med Spa is dedicated to designing health and anti-aging protocols to fit each individual.

Pumpkin Chunkin’

Move over, pumpkin spice—there’s a new fall tradition taking over. Every autumn, enthusiasts gather to indulge in Pumpkin Chunkin’, a delightfully quirky sport where pumpkins are hurled through the air using a variety of inventive contraptions, from catapults to air cannons. These events have become a smashing hit over the years—drawing crowds eager to see who can fling a pumpkin the farthest. Let’s delve into the historical roots of this pumpkin-flinging phenomenon and then set our sights on a local tradition, plus a New England day trip that’s sure to be the pick of the patch.

Pumpkin Chuckin’ (or “Punkin Chunkin,” as some aficionados prefer) dates back to 1986 in Delaware. What started as a friendly competition among friends to see who could toss a pumpkin the farthest has grown into an internationally recognized sport. Over the years, the humble beginnings of hand-thrown pumpkins have evolved into sophisticated siege weapons—catapults, trebuchets, air cannons and even centrifugal machines specially designed to launch pumpkins as far as possible. The world record for pumpkin chuckin’ currently stands at an impressive 5,545 feet, set by an air cannon named “Big 10 Inch” in Utah in 2010. Ready to have a gourd time? In nearby Wilton, Ambler Farm promises to squash any boredom this fall, offering you a front-row seat to witness pumpkin chuckin’ up close and personal. On October 6, the farm will be

hosting their annual Ambler Farm Day—a family-favored event that includes hayrides, a hay maze, scarecrow making, pumpkin decorating, a dunk booth and four launches from their trebuchet, affectionately known as the Punkin’ Chucker. It’s the perfect way to kick off (rather, chuck off) the fall season with a blend of rustic charm and festive fun.

Don’t mind a car ride and looking to spice things up this season? Head to Vermont for the 15th Annual Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival on September 29th at Mayo Farm Fields. Nestled in the picturesque town of Stowe, this festival is perfect for those looking to experience the charm of autumn with a unique twist. The main event features various teams competing in different categories, each showcasing their homemade pumpkin launchers. Whether it’s a meticulously engineered trebuchet or a creatively cobbled-together slingshot, the ingenuity on display is as entertaining as the splat of pumpkins hitting the ground.

From its modest beginnings as a backyard challenge to its current status as a competitive sport with recordbreaking feats, Pumpkin Chuckin’ exemplifies the ingenuity and playful energy of fall. From pumpkin patches where families can pick their own pumpkins to festivals featuring pumpkin carving and pumpkin-themed treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during the gourd-geous autumn season. So don your favorite flannel, gather your family, and join in the fun—because pumpkin chuckin’ isn’t just about flinging gourds; it’s about coming together to celebrate the creativity, community and joy that define the fall season. •

Above, the trebuchet is all set to launch pumpkins at the annual Ambler Farm Day in Wilton. Below, a list of the activies offered.

by Joey Macari

Berners!

Bring on the

Bernese Mountain Dog Parade Returns to

BRidgefield

ernese Mountain dogs, or Berners as they are affectionately called by their owners, are aesthetically beautiful dogs with delightfully calm personalities. Berner owners are passionate about their pets and often find companionship with other owners of the breed.

Back in the early 90’s, a young Ridgfield couple, who lived on Main Street, often walked their Berner in town. They soon had a few other dogs join them and the idea of a Bernese Mountain Dog Parade was launched. A few years later, actor Giancarlo Esposito moved to Ridgefield with his wife at the time, Joy McManigal. As owners of Berners, they took over the Berner Parade and expanded the event to be a much larger

Sarah Greve, who created the tristateberner group, and her dog Ella will be at the Bernese Mountain Dog parade in Ridgefield on October 6th at St. Stephen’s Church. Photo by Jhonny Parks of What a Production.

and elaborate affair – at one time, even Martha Stewart attended!

When Patti Ballard and her husband became involved, the parade had grown to almost 350 dogs! Owners from Massachusetts to Maryland made the trip to Ridgefield to meet and walk with other Berners. “It was an absolute joy,” says Ballard. “All those beautiful dogs together in our town. The merchants of town loved the event as well.”

Ballard and her husband unfortunately lost their last Berner a few years ago and the parade fell by the wayside….until this year.

Sarah Greve and Meredith Sibern, who resides in Ridgefield (and their Berners) became friends through the tri-state-berner meet-ups that

Greve organized. They hatched the idea of bringing back the parade and spoke to Ballard for advice. “I told them to scale it down to make it easier,” says Ballard. “It should be all about the dogs.”

On Sunday, October 6th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, Bernese Mountain dogs and the owners from all over are welcome to meet at St. Stephen’s courtyard at 353 Main Street. There will be a blessing of the dogs by Reverend Dr. Whitney Altopp and then the dogs will take a “short walk” because, “Berners don’t like to walk too far,” jokes Sibern. For more information, please reach out on Instagram @tristateberners •

Left top, Meredith Siburn’s duaghter greets a friendly Berner at a previous parade. Left middle and bottom, Berners from tristateberners meet ups. Photos by Jhonny Parks of What a Production. Above, baby Ella in the pumpkin patch.

32nd Annual Fall Festival October 5th and 6th

An Automotive

PLAYGROUND

Bocca Motors is Open For Business

Anear fatal motorcycle crash made Peter Boccarossa a better man. Ten years ago, while his amazing wife Tina was nursing him through a long recovery, Boccarossa began reevaluating everything. He had a loving family with three adult children and had achieved considerable business success, but he wanted to make a more positive impact on the world.

Boccarossa had started an insurance agency in Norwalk and built it into a $20 million dollar business serving all of Fairfield County. That was his foray into real estate where he began buying multi-family dwellings, handling the renovations himself which led to creating his own construction company. While

he was already charging below market rates for his rental units, after his horrific crash he began thinking bigger. A chance meeting with an advocate for adults with developmental disabilities led him to develop housing for that population. To date, Boccarossa has built more than 80 beautifully designed independent living units. He recounted the story of a couple in their 80’s who, after getting their 60-year-old son with Down’s Syndrome into one of the apartments, were finally able to take a vacation…their very first.

Camelot for cars

While Boccarossa wasn’t looking for a new project, a very tired 26,000 building in

Words

by Roger Garbow

PLAYGROUND

Bethel’s Francis J. Clarke Industrial Complex caught his eye and sparked a vision for what it could be. A place not just for business, but where he and his friends could hang out and enjoy their cars. A motoring wonderland. Fast forward two years and after a massive renovation, Bocca Motors is open for business. The operation is first and foremost a state-of-the-art automotive repair and performance facility. The spacious, colorful and immaculate garage area features multiple lifts, while an adjacent clean room is dedicated to engine and transmission rebuilding. Lead technician Martin Otranto is highly experienced, with expertise in both European and Japanese cars. On my recent

visit, a just imported Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo race car was on a lift between a Porsche 930 slant nose and a supercharged 1992 Acura NSX.

Further spaces on the ground floor host a detailing bay and a private garage. Head upstairs and you are greeted by the immense climate-controlled, secure car storage and event space. Currently, a small portion of Boccarossa’s large personal collection is in residence. While many car collectors are drawn to a particular marque or county of origin, Boccarossa’s cars show his diverse interests. The one common theme in his collection is rarity. Peter likes limited production cars, and seeks them out from

his sources around the world. And he drives every one of them.

Behind the building are 4.5 acres of flawless fresh asphalt. Boccarossa paved the lot to create an autocross course that also can be used for family fun. On select weekend nights, the wide-open lot will be turned into a drive-in movie theater with a capacity of 200 cars! The Spinnin’ Mini Drive-In boasts a giant 60-foot screen and will feature both car centric and family films, in high-definition. There will be food trucks on-site as well.

Boccarossa says he’s been fortunate and wants to share his fun. I, for one, can’t wait to join in. For more information, visit boccamotors.com. •

Clockwise from lower left: Aerial view of Bocca Motors, Peter Boccarossa is always smiing; upstairs storage and event space; the Spinnin’ Mini Drive-In theater and its giant screen; lead automotive technician, Martin Otranto.

and Photos

Tzamouranis Angela

Angela Tzamouranis is a skilled jewelry artist and silversmith based in Ridgefield, CT. As the creative force behind Milo Blue Designs, she specializes in crafting entirely handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces, meticulously hand forging each element from silver or gold. Angela loves collaborating with her customers, ensuring they receive unique and beautiful jewelry they truly love and cherish. Her dedication to quality and personalized service makes every piece a special work of art.

Follow Angela’s work on Instagram @2milobluedesigns. Her pieces can also be found at Ally Bally Bee Artisan Co-op in Ridgefield, and at &Company on Bank in New Milford. •

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 October will be spotlighted in the November/December issue. Thank you for supporting the arts in Fairfield County.