“Going to the city museums with my parents also showed me the importance of knowing your history,” said Elise Haas, shown holding her award. —Jay Haas photo

For serving Keeler Tavern in every possible capacity for almost four decades, Elise Haas was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from Connecticut. Historical Organizations at the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury.

“Working at Keeler Tavern about 20 hours a week has been my job for the last 37 years,” said Ms. Haas, “my job without a paycheck. Until quite recently Keeler had no paid staff, so it was entirely up to people like myself to keep the museum running.”

“You don’t have only one job at the museum, you serve in so many different capacities,” she said. “For example, I have been treasurer, president for eight years, fund-raiser, researcher, communications person, newsletter editor, designer, guide, and whatever else was needed. Each job was special in its own way.”

When asked what probably gave her the most pride, Ms. Haas talked about various research projects. “Going through the extensive journals of Anna Marie Resseguie to publish a book on the Keeler family history was a highlight. Five of us worked on this project for seven years. Today only Kay Ables, Jo Fainer and myself are left from this project.”

The Joseph Hartmann glass photo collection was another highlight. “This collection included more than 6,000 glass plate photographs of Ridgefield from 1890s to 1930s,” she said. “Every walk of life in Ridgefield was covered. There were scenes from the richest families in town to the immigrant stone masons. We have great photos of the burning of downtown Ridgefield in 1895 before there was any firefighting facilities in town.”

“Our goal for this amazing collection,” continued Ms. Haas, “is to digitalize all of the photos for easy access. For many years these glass photos were housed in big boxes at The Ridgefield Press building. We are so fortunate to have acquired them through the Nash family. We now also have a special copy machine which can give us prints of these photos.”

An art history major in college, Ms. Haas loves any type of history. “I was brought up in New York City and lived right across the street from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument where historical ceremonies were always taking place. Going to the city museums with my parents also showed me the importance of knowing your history.”

When Ms. Haas she first moved to Ridgefield she lived on Keeler Drive, not realizing how linked to that name she would become. As a member of the Newcomers Club in town, she learned about Keeler Tavern and has been a mainstay there ever since.

“As a volunteer,” Ms. Haas said, “you find your special niche. My expertise, due to my career in publishing, is publications and communication. I am also fortunate to be able to work with my husband, Jay, a wonderful graphic designer, to develop most of the publications that are used by Keeler Tavern.”

Ms. Haas has no plans to retire from her key role at Keeler Tavern. In fact, she said, “I probably know more about the Keeler, Hoyt and Resseguie families than I know about my own family, and want to learn even more about them.”

I’ve heard that New England Indians used to have saunas? Is there any evidence of that in Ridgefield?

Probably not any physical evidence, but land records indicate there was at least one hot house here more than three centuries ago.

One of the more unusual  names of Ridgefield’s past is “Peespunk,” which appears only in very early deeds. It first shows up in a 1712 deed for land at “Peespunk Spring.”

Another deed from around 1717 mentions “ye Peespunk Brook.” The reference suggests that the brook was near “Tackora’s House.” Tackora, an Indian leader, had an “old house” on the Titicus River near the New York state line, according to one of the settlers’ deeds from the Indians.

These and other deeds make it clear that the Peespunk Brook and Spring were around what is now the New York line in the Titicus Valley, possibly along the west side of North Salem Road.

Eventually, deeds simply referred to land “at Peespunk,” suggesting that the locality was so well known that it became the name of a neighborhood — like Farmingville or Flat Rock.

Peespunk is an unusual and interesting word that offers a glimpse of local Indian life not previously noted by Ridgefield historians. Also spelled Peace Punk, Pesuponck, and Pissepunk in other parts of southern New England, the word comes from “pesuppau-og,” meaning “they are sweating.” It appears in the languages of the Narragansett and the Paugusett tribes; the latter lived in Fairfield County.

A peespunk or “sweat lodge” was a hut or a cave where men built hot fires and took ceremonial sweat baths. Roger Williams, leader of the settlers of Rhode Island, described such sweathouses where the Indian men went “first to cleanse their skin, secondly to purge their bodies…I have seen them run (summer and winter) into brooks to cool them without the least hurt.”

“This hot house,” said Jonathan Trumbull in his Indian Names in Connecticut (1881), “is a kind of little cell or cave, six or eight feet over, made in the side of a hill, commonly by some rivulet or brook; into this frequently the men enter after they have exceedingly heated it with store of wood, laid upon an heap of stones in the middle.

“A lot at Indian Hill in Portland (Conn.) is called Hot House Lot, because it had one of these…and a swamp opposite Saybrook Point in Lyme is called Hothouse Swamp for the same circumstance.”

Thus, long before the Finish custom had become a fad in North America, our American Indians were appreciating saunas.

Send questions to news@TheRidgefieldPress.com 

Attending a peer mediation training session at Scotts Ridge Middle School were students (from left to right): Angele Dellacorte, Robert Jewell, Maddie Kutler and Noah Isaacson. —Alison Smolin photo

Conflicts between students arise all the time and, throughout the decades, a trip to the vice principal’s office has been used to resolve them.

But studies have shown that another effective method, favored by students, exists in situations when there is no danger or threat posed to a student and allows for resolution without the intervention of an administrator. This is peer mediation, a program running successfully at Scotts Ridge Middle School.

“Peer mediation is a response to school climate and new bullying laws coming down from the state,” explains Scotts Ridge Middle School guidance counselor and mediation advisor Lisa Rodden. “Ours is a national program, in which student mediators are selected by their peers and teachers for being impartial, good listeners and trustworthy.”

“It’s cool to know that I have a part in making the school a happy place for students,” says seventh grader Angele Dellacorte.

“I like that what we do helps to relieve tension and get rid of lots of behaviors and situations that kids find very distracting,” adds seventh grader Noah Isaacson.

They are two of 20 peer mediators, 10 from seventh grade and 10 from eighth.

Once selected, peer mediators go through a comprehensive training process. This year’s team attended an off-site summer camp where they worked on team building skills, role playing, effective communication, and leadership.

During the school year, the mediators had weekly training meetings with Mrs. Rodden and advisors Marissa Birdsell and Tom Broderick, social studies teachers at Scotts Ridge Middle School.

“It’s a wonderful experience,” says Ms. Rodden, “a life skill for the student mediator.”

When a conflict is identified, the students involved are offered the option of confidential peer mediation. Mrs. Rodden emphasizes that peer mediation is never an option when there is a serious incident, when a student is threatened, or when a student feels unsafe. When the method can be used, a student mediator is assigned by Mrs. Rodden to be the facilitator who will help the disagreeing students resolve their conflict.

The students in conflict get equal time to tell their side of the story and identify what could be done differently and what will help resolve the conflict. The student mediator is taught to help them find common ground and a goal on which they can agree. The mediation ends with a written agreement which all parties sign.

The mediators understand that their job is to assist their peers. They don’t take sides or give advice. They are not responsible for carrying out the resolution. Most especially, they never talk with their friends about what they do.

Access to the adult advisors is available at all times throughout the mediation.

Mrs. Rodden says that “students helping students” is the important concept at work. Studies have shown that empowering students with the ability to solve their own problems gives them a better understanding of conflict and improves their communication and critical thinking skills.

The program has met with enthusiastic support from the peer mediators who are very motivated to have a hand in school climate. Seventh grader Michael Dobson, in evaluating the success of the program at the end of his first year of participation, says, “During the year, there were several conflicts that were resolved through peer mediation. We recently attended a forum on cyber-bullying in Hartford and we learned what steps to take to create a positive school climate. I feel fortunate to be involved in this program.”

This year’s peer mediators were, from grade eight: Chris Auslander, Caitlin Cancilla, Amelia Hadar, Devon Hammer, Robert Jewell, Maddie Kutler, John Maguire, Aidan Meacham, Nina Moss, and Abbey Walter; and, from grade seven: Jack Ambrosino, Jason Bangser, Kathryn Barlow, Reaghan Briggs, Madison Cone, Angele Dellacorte, Michael Dobson, Julia Driscoll, Noah Isaacson and Michael Yodice.

Rudy Marconi

With a multi-million sewer plant renovation ahead — and expansion an inevitable consideration in the planning — First Selectman Rudy Marconi is looking to be made a voting member of the Water Pollution Control Authority.

“I’d like to be considered,” he told the Board of Selectmen. “I have experience. I have knowledge.”

It may be taken up at the selectmen’s July 17 meeting.

The first selectman is considered an “ex officio” member of all town agencies, a capacity that allows him to sit in on meetings and participate in discussions, but with no vote.

The Water Pollution Control Authority — or “WPCA,” it’s called — oversees the town’s two sewer systems, District I in the town center and District II in the area around Routes 7 and 35. Its five members are appointed by the Board of Selectmen.

At the selectmen’s June 19 meeting, Mr. Marconi said Town Attorney Dave Grogins saw no problem with a board member doing double-duty.

“We can appoint ourselves if we want, to the WPCA, to vacancies,” he the board.

Before a 1994 charter revision, the Board of Selectmen had functioned as Ridgefield’s Water Pollution Control Authority.

Mr. Marconi told fellow selectmen,“I think there’s going to be a tremendous impact on the future of the community, and we should be at the table.”

The Water Pollution Control Authority currently has an open seat, left by the recent expiration of longtime chairman Max Caldwell’s term.

Mr. Marconi told the board he’d like to serve, but noted that Selectman Andrew Bodner had expressed an interest in a seat on the authority. Mr. Bodner said later that he’s comfortable with the first selectman’s filling the position.

“If there’s a conversation to put more people on the WPCA, I’m certainly willing and able to help,” he said. “If there one spot it should be Rudy. Rudy’s in a far better position to understand the nuances.”

Two related issues are driving interest in the authority: the coming plant renovation, which will be costly and influence future town development; and the weakening of local zoning by the state’s affordable housing law, 8-30g.

The town “has a government elected by its people, to act in what they a collectively feel is the best interest of the town,” Mr. Bodner said. “And planning and zoning has developed a vision of what Ridgefield should look like, and that vision is being arbitrarily overridden by the exploiting of this state law.

“And it is completely arbitrary,” he said. “It’s not for some great public purpose. It’s just to do the minimum amount of affordable housing which allows a developer to put in what he wants to put in, which in this case seems to be high density housing on inappropriately small lots, without any regard to the impact that these massive structures have on the neighborhood…

“The WPCA has just been looking at the technical aspects and not looking at the broader public policy aspect,” Mr. Bodner said. “The question is: Should the government get more involved in trying to protect the town.”

An upgrade of a sewer plant is required by the state every 20 years. Its design determines flow capacity, although that can be increased with additional work. But with zoning controls under assault by the state, the plant’s flow capacity limits can be seen as a cap on development within the sewer district.

The current village or District I treatment plant is designed for about one million gallons a day, and is said to be in the vicinity of 70% of its capacity — although that has been debated.

Due to a leaky more-than-100-year-old collection system, the plant’s flow varies. With rain, flow through the plant can far exceed its designed limits — leaving room for discussion of its true capacity.

Part of the planning process for the renovation is to look at future development within the district, and also at the possible need for future expansion of the sewer pipe system and district. This might be done to serve areas where septic systems are failing, or for economic growth.

Mr. Marconi told the selectmen that both Town Engineer Charles Fisher and Town Attorney Dave Grogins have been urging action by the authority to firm up the sewer district boundaries.

“Dave’s contention is boundaries of the sewer district are not clearly defined, and therefore we’re vulnerable,” Mr. Marconi said.

The working definition the town uses is that property within 200 feet of a sewer main — not a lateral — is in the district, Mr. Marconi said.

The plan upgrade more 20 years ago cost about $12 million for work on the plant, and $1.6 million was spent on the collection system.

“This is going to be a big number,” Mr. Marconi said.

In late June the authority had what Mr. Marconi described as “the kickoff meeting” for phase one planning of the plant renovation. State and federal grants to support the project were discussed.

Just the phase one engineering study is projected to cost $557,000, with potential for a Clean Water grant to cover 55% or about $306,000.

The bulk of the plant renovation costs — like the system’s operating expenses — are carried by users in the sewer district, not by all town taxpayers. In the last renovation a small part of the cost was covered out of general taxes since homeowners outside the district use the plant when their septic systems are cleaned. Commercial septic pumpers discharge waste into the plant.

The charter dictates how the agency should be made up: two members with technical expertise; a user with property in the sewer district; someone from outside the district.

Current members Amy Siebert and Ron Hill have engineering qualifications. Gary Zawacki lives outside the sewer district — and has a septic system pumping business, providing another perspective on plant operations. Kevin Briody lives in the sewer district.

Mr. Marconi ran his late father’s construction business before becoming for first selectman, and claims relevant experience from that work.

“I do have some experience from a construction perspective in dealing with manholes and inverts, piping, pump stations, mains, laterals, and gravity flow,” he said.

“Although, I’m not a sanitation engineer to the point of understanding the operation of a sewer plant…

“Of course,” he said, “I’m trying every day to read a little bit more on the issues.”

Msgr. Laurence Bronkiewicz leads a procession, followed by Cardinal Edward Egan, at his 40th anniversary Mass June 22. —Cameron Daniels photo

Msgr. Laurence Bronkiewicz celebrated the 40th anniversary of his priesthood and 10th anniversary as pastor at the 5:30 p.m. Mass Saturday, June 22, in St. Mary Church.

Cardinal Edward Egan, retired archbishop of New York and the third bishop of Bridgeport, was the celebrant.

“Today, at this Mass with all of you, I thank God for so many gifts,” said Msgr Bronkiewicz.  “The gift of priesthood bestowed on me forty years ago on July 2, 1973, in Saint Peter Basilica in Rome. A scorching day as I recall! The gift of ministry as 12th pastor of this wonderful parish — it began on Feb. 22, 2003, a frigid day in the dead of winter!”

Msgr. Bronkiewicz completed his priestly formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. During his four decades of ministry, he has served in several parish assignments in Stamford, Greenwich, Norwalk, and Brookfield as well as a theology instructor in the Diocesan Permanent Diaconate Formation Program and Saint John Fisher Diocesan Seminary.

From 1979-1984 Msgr. Bronkiewicz was released to serve as academic dean of his alma mater, the North American College, as well as a spiritual director of seminarians. Between 1986 until 2000 he assisted Bishops Walter Curtis and Egan in various capacities – as episcopal vicar for clergy and religious, overseeing clergy appointments, and later as chancellor.

In June of 2000, Msgr. Bronkiewicz was elected administrator of the diocese in the absence of a bishop and served in that role until March of 2001 when Bishop William E. Lori was appointed. He was then named pastor of Saint Mary Parish.

He also chaired the Pastors’ Commission on Catholic Education, which developed new models for the governance and financing of our Diocesan Catholic Schools.

Msgr. Bronkiewicz holds a doctorate in sacred theology in the field of spirituality, awarded summa cum laude by the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1986.

In 2008, when Barack Hussein Obama became our 44th president, we were in the middle of a financial meltdown and going into a severe recession. At the time he blamed the problems on President Bush, but after one full term and into his second, he now owns this economy.

We expect a president to be the chief executive officer of the country, to take the situation that he inherits and, through smart decisions and strong leadership, get us to a better place. This has not happened. Despite an almost $1-trillion stimulus, about $6 trillion in deficit spending, a massive health care program sold as a means to reduce costs, we are right back where we started.

When Ronald Reagan took office in 1981 he inherited a grinding recession from President Carter. His strategy was to reduce taxes and government regulations on people and businesses, and ignited what was to become the longest peacetime economic boom in American history, adding 35 million jobs. George W. Bush came into office near the beginning of a recession that began at the end of Bill Clinton’s term and nine months later we went through 9/11, which decimated our financial marketplace. Because, to a large extent, of the effects of his tax cuts in 2001 and 2003, the economy came bounding back, keeping unemployment under 6% for almost his whole administration and about 4.5 % for several years. During the Reagan recovery we were adding 400, 600, 800,000 jobs per month — now people swoon because we add 165,000.

There are still 90 million unemployed, and the labor force participation rate is the lowest it’s been since 1979. Here’s an idea — how about going back to what we know works, the Republican ideals of low taxes, limited government, and the freedom to do what we do best.

This column is supplied by the Republican Town Committee

An architect’s rendering of main Elms building after it’s renovated and modified for multifamily use.

Re-engineered around a “floating zone” concept, plans to redevelop The Elms Inn property as a 16-unit housing complex will be up for public comment next week.

Like earlier versions of the proposal, the revised Elms plan is designed to preserve the property’s streetscape and reuse older buildings on the three-acre site, including the old restaurant and hotel.

The new plan will be the subject of a simultaneous public hearings of the Planning and Zoning Commission and Inland Wetlands board Tuesday, July 9, starting at 7:30 in the town hall annex of Prospect Street near Yanity gym.

The Scala family has owned the Elms property on Main Street, across from Gilbert Street, for decades. They operated a restaurant and hotel there many years. Their plans to redevelop the property have been through two previous public hearing sessions in recent months.

The original application had called for several amendments to the towns multifamily Development district or “MFDD zone” and in  earlier hearings the commission expressed concern about how the changed zone would affect other properties in town have been or will be developed under it.

The decision to rework the plan as a floating zone grew from a suggestion consultant hired to give the commission an independent review of the plans by the developer’s professional team.

The “floating zone” now proposed would be a regulation that exists  on the town’s books but isn’t attached to any specific spot on the zoning map.

Applicants could ask to have the floating zone applied to their property, based on criteria spelled out in the new regulation. The commission would make the decision whether it’s an appropriate place to use the rule.

The new zone is designed so the three-acre Elms site would qualify, and allow the applicants to proceed with their 16-unit plan.

Other qualifying properties could seek the zoning designation, as well.

The wetlands application concerns the rear of the property, where the stream behind the library and Prospector Theater sites flows behind the Elms down toward Casagmo. The volume of storm runoff reaching the condominium complex has been a concern raised by resident in previous public hearings.

Ridgefielder Max Beaumont displays his new social media app “Casso” on his iPhone. The rising sophomore at Green Farms Academy estimates the app, which preserves users’ anonymity as they communicate and exchange with other users, to be worth more than $100,000. —Steve Coulter photo

Max Beaumont may be the most accomplished high school sophomore in the entire state, if not the next Mark Zuckerberg.

The 16-year-old mobile and website developer has had a bevy of career highlights: making his first $1,000 at the age of 10; founding a website that averaged 100,000 hits a month; and, creating a game that would reach the top 5 of the iTunes app store.

Now, Mr. Beaumont, who founded his own company Beaumont Studios in January, is setting out on his most ambitious project to date — a free social messaging app called Casso that preserves users’ anonymity as they communicate and exchange with other users.

“There’s so many websites, like Facebook and Twitter, that are all about getting your personal information out there and getting your online presence known,” he said. “I think it’s important to be anonymous online and have freedom that’s not attached to your personal information.”

The app has taken six months to design and complete — three months more than Mr. Beaumont expected, but he is ready to launch its iPhone prototype. The goal is to have the app also available on iPads and Android phones.

Mr. Beaumont, who recently finished his freshman year at Green Farms Academy, is searching for investors this summer to fund $75,000 for patenting and marketing the app, although he does not intend to sell it anytime soon.

He put in about $20,000 of his own capital into developing Casso.

“We have received a lot of interest and the app is currently evaluated at $100,000,” he said. “I need more funding right now — I am looking for someone to come in with that before entering the next phase…

“The app store has changed since when I first got involved — you have to intensely market your app for it to get known.”

In his search for investors, Mr. Beaumont has talked with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban about possibily investing.

He hasn’t revealed his age to investors or co-workers until now.

“I don’t normally work with people around my age and I don’t reveal my age to people I work with,” he said. “At this point, I think I’m ready. ”

Mr. Beaumont describes the app as a hybrid of Facebook and SnapChat.

“SnapChat is limited to 10 seconds and then the photo is gone,” he explains. “With Casso, you get a whole news feed, like Facebook, that can show up, then at the maximum 24 hours it gets deleted.”

He added that users can choose what types of messages to ignore or respond to.  User may connect with users around the world.

While the app’s features include filtering videos, pictures and music recordings, Mr. Beaumont stresses that the privacy element is what sets it apart from other apps on the market such as Vine and Instagram.

“That’s where the money is today — where identity is protected yet you’re still able to instantly communicate,” he said. “Privacy has become a big concern in mobile development.

“With Casso, you could make your user name whatever you want and it would be untraceable to parents, schools, or anybody else.”

Mr. Beaumont’s interest in mobile and website development spawned from boredom and a desire to have an unconventional summer job.

Instead of watching TV and playing video games at his family’s summer house, Mr. Beaumont founded a video sharing website called TubeFreeNow.com when he was only 10 years old.

“I wanted to make some money but didn’t want to do a traditional summer job,” he said. “Making websites was the best thing to do during that time.”

He expanded the site into “an all-around media site” that included video games and other features.

The site averaged 100,000 hits a month before he sold it for $2,000 in September 2007.

A year later, he founded a penny auction site called SnapBidder that allowed  users to bid on an items at a discounted price.

“The trick was that each bid cost the user $5 and each time the timer went down and a new bid came in, the timer would reset and the bidding would keep going,” Mr. Beaumont explained. “Eventually, the bids would end and I would ship the product at a discounted rate to them, but I was making $2,000 for a $500 iPad.”

His interest in mobile development was sparked when he was 12.

Mr. Beaumont has created 20 free apps over the past four years, including his first app, Candy Bear, which yielded him $2,000 in 2009.

“I cranked them out every two to three weeks or so, while I was in school,” he confesses. “Each has sold anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000.”

He’s completely self taught.

“I’ve done a lot of research online and the process has really been trial and error,” he explains. “Each app I created, I learned about the process.”

His most popular app was Project Boom, an 80-level game that builds on itself, which he created in 2012.

The game, marketed by Ventora Studio, received a four-and-a-half star rating out of five from over 100 reviewers. and peaked at No. 4 most downloaded apps in the iTunes app store.

“The idea behind Project Boom was to make it free and have as many people download it as possible,” he said.

The game had 50,000 downloads before it was sold and won Game of the Month award on GameSell.com in August 2012.

“I don’t think anybody, including Max, would have thought this is where he would be today when he first got started,” said Perry Beaumont, his father. “I’m amazed — when I was a kid my parents were happy if I got a paper route or something.”

As for Casso, he funded production through a website he purchased in October called GSHelper.com. He flipped it for three times its worth and sold it in January.

“Each project I’ve done has funded the next project,” he said.

The idea behind Casso came to Mr. Beaumont  in January when he was bouncing off different social media concepts with a friend.

“We were trying to come up with a new twist for a social network,” he explained. “We liked SnapChat a lot, liked Facebook a lot, but they each have distinct flaws.”

Midway through the app’s production process, Mr. Beaumont bought out his friend for $5,000 and took 100% ownership of the app.

He thinks it may be worth anywhere from $100,000 to one billion dollars.

“Eventually, my goal is to turn it into Vine or SnapChat, where it can be valued to be a lot of money, then sell it to a bigger company that is looking to acquire a massive user base,” he said. “The idea is not to keep it forever but to bring it to a point where it’s at its maximum potential. It could be as successful as anything out there.”

For now, Mr. Beaumont continues to work with a 15 person team before launching the prototype.

“My goal is to get it to a point where I don’t have to be a part of the day to day operations,” he said.

He’s never met anybody on his team and he communicates with them primarily through Skype’s instant message service.

His parents recognize his ability to communicate with all sorts of different people and believe it’s a skill that will help him later in life.

“He can figure out what different people want and how they want it to be done,” his father said. “It’s a great skill he’s picked up.”

So, what does a 16-year-old with a potential billion dollar company do in his free time?

Mr. Beaumont is an award-winning horseback rider, who has competed in 22 shows around the world.

In addition, he’s a popular electronic house music creator with a song called “Fun With Me” that has received 1.5 million views on YouTube since being uploaded in October 2012.

“I’ve been doing horse riding since I was 5 or 6 and I’ve had a lot of success,” he said. “I really like to stay busy so when I’m not working on a business, I like to pick up new things — producing music is a side project that I got into after Project Boom was released.”

Mr. Beaumont also gives back through charity work in Guatamala and donates apps to a charity  organization called JustWorld that he’s a part of through horse riding.

“What makes me most proud is that he is giving back on his own,” his father said.

While many of his peers know him for the riding and the music creating; few know Mr. Beaumont’s true identity.

“I don’t really tell that many people at school,” he explains. “I don’t want to be separated from the crowd.”

Running a company and going to school is challenging.

“Making time for both is definitely not easy,” he admits.

He wakes up at 6:30 for school and works in-between classes when he have free periods. He works on his business for two hours right after school, then eats and does his homework. Then, he goes back to work late at night.

“It’s not like I dislike doing it, I consider it free time,” he said. “The second it becomes something I don’t enjoy, I’ll quit.”

However, he shows no signs of quitting — already he is looking to future endeavors in the clothing industry.

“The advantage of doing all this while I’m still young is I can take major risks without worrying about where I’m going to live,” he said. “In my 20s and 30s, it’ll be harder to take such a big risk.

“My goal before college is to have an idea every type of business that is out there, pursue as much as I can before I have to support myself.”

Graveside services for Catherine and Martin DeMarte, longtime Ridgefielders, will take place Saturday, Aug. 3, at 10 a.m. in St. Mary Cemetery.

Catherine DeMarte, born March 24, 1918, died  July 4, 2012, followed on July 12, 2012 by her husband, Martin DeMarte, who was born Oct. 15, 1919. Both died at the home of their daughter, Jean Maurice, in Tijeras, N.Mex.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org/index.

A Ridgefielder spotted — and videoed — a kangaroo or wallaby on Route 116 this morning.

Rich Lechner was on his way to work around 5:30 a.m.on Route 116 just past June Road in North Salem — about two miles west of the Ridgefield line.

“I see many types of wildlife on my early morning commute (deer, raccoons, etc.), but never expected to see a kangaroo!” he said.

“It was standing directly in the middle of the road.”

Mr. Lechner stopped and grabbed this video with his iPhone. 

He added, “Sorry for the poor quality (and especially the dreadful background music that was on the radio at the time), but you can clearly see it hopping away in the video.”

The wallaby, smaller than a kangaroo, has been known to exist as an escape in Westchester County, where several people have kept them as pets. They are noctural animals.

Are you planning a trip in the coming months? If so, you’re among the 59 percent of Americans who expect to go on a summer vacation, according to an American Express survey.

But your time away won’t come cheap: The survey found that people were expecting to spend just under $1,200 per person for their holidays. One of the highest costs you’ll pay will likely be your hotel room rate. There are other options available, according to the Connecticut Society of CPAs, but be aware of the pitfalls associated with some of them.

Renting a Vacation Home

Instead of going with a hotel, nearly half of all respondents to a recent TripAdvisor(r) survey have stayed, or plan to stay, in a vacation home. If you’re trying to avoid staying at a hotel you have a wide range of choices, from a vacation house you might rent by the week through a realtor to a home or apartment you rent directly from the owner through an online site.

What’s the downside? If you find a rental through a site that essentially functions as a message board-allowing owners to post information that is not verified-you run the risk of finding the accommodations to not be what you expected when you arrive. That’s why it’s important to check disclaimers on any site you use, as well as information about whether what’s posted has been verified and what kind of recourse you may have if the rental doesn’t meet your expectations or is actually part of a scam. If reviews are not available on the site you looking at to book the vacation home, ask the owner for recommendations from those who have stayed there in the past.

Always check any contract carefully to ensure you are comfortable and that the terms of the deal meet your expectations. Finally, remember that if there is a problem and you end up wanting a full or partial refund, it will be easier to get it if you pay with a credit card rather than cash or a check.

Doing a House Swap

Another alternative is to trade a week’s stay at your home with a family who lives in another location that you want to visit. If you’re interested, there are online sites where you can list your own home and look for available places in areas you want to visit.

Once again, you’ll want to ask the other homeowner for referrals from previous exchanges and have both sides sign a written agreement that sets forth the expectations and limitations, covering both your stay in their house and their stay in yours. Issues to cover in the agreement might include things like use of the homeowner’s car, expectations regarding pets and their care, and cleaning responsibilities.

By taking advantage of a house swap, your expense for a place to stay should be no more than the relatively low cost of a membership to a site that specializes in these exchanges, which could save you a significant amount.

Moving Right In

Many people are familiar with B&Bs, but it’s also possible to find less formal arrangements in which people rent out spare rooms in their homes. Questions to ask in advance include whether you will have a private bath or kitchen privileges and whether there are pets or children in the home. It’s generally best to book through a website that offers the chance for a refund if you find the room is not what you were promised.

It’s also important to make sure you thoroughly investigate potential hosts before committing, and, ideally, find a place that offers online reviews or references so that you can be sure you are not compromising your comfort or safety.

Additionally, confirm that the renter is acting within legal parameters for their city/state.

The Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants supplies this column. For more information, visit www.cscpa.org

Duncan Cozens of Ridgefield, has been named to Springfield (Mass.) College dean’s list. Mr. Cozens is studying sports biology.

Four Ridgefielders made dean’s honors, for a grade point average of at least 3.65, or dean’s high honors, at least 3.78, for the spring semester at Connecticut College in New London: Brittany Fitzgerald, class of 2013, dean’s high honors; Clinton Mullins, class of 2013, dean’s honors; Dezmond Bishop, class of 2016, dean’s high honors; Shannon Keating, class of 2013, dean’s high honors.

Bentley University Waltham, Mass., has named these Ridgefielders to the dean’s list: Jason Keller, Megan Kirchoff, Bradley Rosenfield, Michael Rossetter, Nicholas Shoff.

Olivia Koterska is the 2013 recipient of the $1,000 Ridgefield Music and Arts Center scholarship awarded to a senior involved in the RMAC organization. Olivia began her involvement with RMAC when she was in sixth grade, performing on Main Street with her older sister Maria before the Memorial Day parade. She continued her involvement performing and exhibiting throughout the last seven years. This year she was on the RMAC Student Executive Committee as event coordinator. She plans to study film and television at Boston University.

Carly Cappello is on the spring dean’s list at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Eight Ridgefielders have been named to the University of Delaware’s dean’s list for spring 2013: Alex Abrahams, Rachel Bangser, Kathryn Cholko, Shannon Connolly, Gabrielle Lanzetta, Megan Mariani, Tara McKeon, Michaela Schulman.

John O. Goode is on the second semester dean’s list at Virginia Military Institute Lexington, Va. He is a history major and son of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Goode.

Eliza Marcus, a graduating senior at Ridgefield High School and captain of the varsity lacrosse team, has been awarded the 2013 Col. Richard E. Romine Leadership Award by the Ridgefield Detachment of the Marine Corps League. Ms. Marcus, a National Merit Scholar, will be studying at the University of California at Davis this fall and intends to join the university’s lacrosse team.

Dana Tufariello, a graduating high school senior, was recently awarded an honorable mention for the state of Connecticut in the United States Institute of Peace National Peace Essay Contest. The theme was “Gender, War, and Peacebuilding,” with a focus on how gender affects peacebuilding attempts. Ms. Tufariello analyzed the differences between the success of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winners, who promoted women’s rights, and the failure of International Women’s Day in Egypt of 2011. She theorized about what caused the success of one group, and the failure of the other, and suggested methods for peace involving gender in the future.

Lucy Mathis, a senior at Ridgefield Alternative High School, was one of three recipients in the state to receive the Joseph G. Pearson Scholarship Award. To be eligible for selection she wrote an essay for the prompt “I expect to overcome challenges in the future by…” The award was sponsored by the National Student Parent Teacher Association and, after reviewing many essays, three were chosen for this prestigious award. Ms. Mathis and her parents attended a dinner for student recipients in Hamden on April 24. She plans to attend Sienna College in Albany in the fall to study physics and engineering.

Two Ridgefielders are the dean’s list of Macalester College St. Paul, Minn.: Malcolm Kane, son of Stephen and Nicole Kane, a senior, and Junius Brown, son of Hilory Brown and Junius Brown IV, a first-year student. Both are graduates of Ridgefield High School.

Kent (Conn.) School reports two Ridgefielders on the spring honor roll: Kerry Sheehan-Delany, fourth form (10th grade), and Jun Takeda, a sixth form (12th grade).

Catherine Pin and Marco Zandri were named to the dean’s list at the University of New Haven in West Haven.

Lafayette College Easton, Pa., reports three Ridgefielders on the dean’s list: Melissa Galione, a graduate of Ridgefield High School; Jaclyn Giordano, a graduate of Ridgefield High School; and Paige Hart, a graduate of St. Luke’s School.

Six Ridgefielders are on the spring dean’s list at Providence (R.I.) College: Melissa Brian, class of 2016; Sean Flanagan, class of 2013; Elizabeth O’Connell, class of 2015; Conner O’Meara, class of 2014; Michael Wasenius, class of 2014; Anne Wendel, class of 2013.

Three Ridgefielders are on the dean’s list at Roger Williams University, Bristol, R.I.:Randi Featherstone, majoring in theater; Danielle Saporito, legal studies; and Samantha Sorbaro, media communication.

Jeffrey David Rohrer has been named to the dean’s list at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.. Mr. Rohrer is a sophomore majoring in finance.

Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., has named Leana and Nicole DeSimone to its spring dean’s list. Both are English majors.

Elissa Solomon has earned highest honors for the spring semester of the 2012-2013 academic year at the University of New Hampshire in Durham.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest  collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines, reports three Ridgefielders have joined: Bernice Iwinsk, initiated at University of Bridgeport; Rachel Bangser,  University of Delaware; Jennifer Hahn,  University of Southern California. Only the top 10% of seniors and 7.5% of juniors are eligible for membership.

Kathryn Lyon, daughter of Daniel and Beverly Lyon has been named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Hope College, Holland, Mich.

Curry College in Milton, Mass., reports Matthew Ferrara is on the dean’s list for the spring term.

Victoria Palazzo, a freshman, made the dean’s list at Coastal Carolina University, Conway, S.C. for the spring  semester.

Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., reports these Ridgefielders are on the dean’s list this spring: Shannon M. Beauregard, daughter of Thomas and Eileen Kelly Beauregard, a 2011 graduate of Ridgefield High School; Jennifer A. Doak, daughter of Kenneth Doak of Ridgefield, and Susan Koopman of Delray Beach, Fla., a 2012 graduate of Ridgefield High School; Rachel L. Greenberg, daughter of Kenneth Greenberg and Barbara Safran, a 2011 graduate of Ridgefield High School; Rebecca A. Howell, daughter of Timothy and Andrea Howell, a 2009 graduate of Ridgefield High School; Caroline T. Nesbit, daughter of Hugh and Patricia Nesbit, a 2010 graduate of Ridgefield High School; Evan S. Shemonsky, son of Robin Shemonsky of Bethel, and Brian Shemonsky of Ridgefield, a 2009 graduate of Fairfield College Preparatory School.

Elizabeth Renehan of Ridgefield, a student at Lauralton Hall in Milford, won The Holy Cross Book Prize, awarded to a student who presents exceptional academic achievement and evidences sincere concern for others and a responsible attitude in her endeavors.

Allison Sansone, a student at the University of South Carolina, was named to the dean’s list for the spring semester. She is majoring in public relations and minoring in journalism, and is the daughter of Perry and Rose Ann Sansone of Ridgefield.

Cara La Motta has made dean’s list at the Peabody College of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.

Kristina Caravelli is on the spring dean’s list at Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, Md. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Caravelli.

Stonehill College in Easton, Mass., recently named Christopher P. DiElsi, a member of the class of 2016, to its dean’s list for the spring semester.

Three Ridgefielders made the dean’s list at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va., for the spring semester: Paul Brefka, Caitlin Chuma and Courtney Peckham.

Hannah K. Kloeckner, daughter of Sabine Heym-Kloeckner and Kristof Kloeckner of Ridgefield, has been named to the dean’s list at Hamilton College, Clinton, N.Y. Ms. Kloeckner, a rising senior, majoring in Hispanic studies and psychology, and is a graduate of Ridgefield High School.

Kyle R. Pepin has been named to the spring president’s list at Western New England University in Springfield, Mass. Mr. Pepin is majoring in mechanical engineering.

Seven Ridgefielders were named to the spring dean’s list at Quinnipiac University in Hamden: Stephen Albano, Nicole Coviello, Lucy Freeman, Jacqueline Martire, Jillian Pracella, Jennifer Salzbrunn and Michael Syrotiak.

Two Ridgefielders received awards at the Wooster School Middle School awards ceremony June 11: Sabrina Blanton-Rich ’17, English Award, special recognition; Hunter Julo ’18, poet laureate, honorable mention.

Northeastern University in Boston, Mass., reports five Ridgefielders were named to the spring dean’s list for the semester: Kevin P. Langer, electrical engineering; Raymond R. DePalma, criminal justice; Michael A. Ravert, computer science; Jacob E. Farber, music; Benjamin J. Garbow, architecture.

Morgan C. Begos, daughter of Christine Hughes of Ridgefield, was named to the spring dean’s list at Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, Vt. A junior biochemistry major, she graduated from Ridgefield High School.

Timothy Beckert, a senior in marketing, was named to the spring dean’s list at Bryant University, Smithfield, R.I.

Ridgefielders on the spring dean’s list at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury are: Kevin Bamback, finance; Lawson Beatty, exploratory studies; Daniele Bell, political science; Robert Bergmann, management; Jamie Bertilson, elementary education; Sarah Biro, accounting; Rachel Carnazza, pre-secondary education; Sean Congdon, psychology; Emma Cowley, social work; Alyssa Denaro, communication; Stephen Devine, psychology; Corey Dunn, health promotion studies; Nicole Eberhardt, accounting; Matthew Fahey, finance; Kayla Falcinelli, communication; John Garvey, psychology; Sophia Gaudian, communication; Paige Glover, nursing; Emma Hinds, psychology; Jason Jaffee, biology; Ilena Kisciras, marketing; Alicia Locicero, exploratory studies; Jill Longo, communication; Sophia Lozado, business administration; Elizabeth Masters, exploratory studies; Drew Mazur, professional writing; Rebecca Pawson, biology; Vivian Ripley, management; Christopher Romano, music; Adriana Sabella, pre-nursing; Samantha Taddonio, justice and law administration; Kristen Varney, biology; Samuel Yolen, finance; David Zipparo, justice and law administration.

Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, reports two Ridgefieldrs are on the spring dean’s list: Jayme Smith and Lauren Bonistalli.

Brendan M. Reilly, a biochemistry major, was named to the dean’s list at Saint Anselm College, Manchester, N.H. He is a member of the class of 2014.

Shannon Beatrice Reed has been named to the dean’s list at Clemson (S.C.) University   for a GPA between 3.50 and 3.99. She is majoring in early childhood education. On the president’s list (GPA of 4.0) are: Sarah Ann Fisher, majoring in biological sciences; Jillian Angela Richter,  biological sciences; Maya Salamon,  accounting.

Amy Killie of Ridgefield, a senior zoology major, has been named to the deans’ list at SUNY Oswego.

Kyle Kammer, majoring in communications and Travis Tiger, pre-elementary education and mathematics, are on the dean’s list at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic.

Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa., reports two Ridgefielders are on the spring dean’s list: Keith Beizer,  class of 2015, a Spanish and political science major and son of Mr. and Atty. Robert D. Beizer;  and Julia DeVito, class of 2014, a biology major, and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward DeVito. Both are graduates of Ridgefield High School.

Items in this column come from schools and from families of the students. They may be sent to news@TheRidgefieldPress.com.

Vacancies exist on the Ridgefield Economic Development Commission, whose members are appointed by the Board of Selectmen.

Applicants should ideally have experience as an attorney, city planner, and/or background in land use. Meetings take place once a month or at least 10 times per year and the term for each member in the Economic Development Commission is one year.

According to the selectmen’s office, “The purpose of the Economic Development Commission is to implement orderly and planned economic development, while still upholding the character of the town of Ridgefield. The commission seeks to involve all agencies, boards, commissions, and departments in the town which are involved or affected by economic development, as well as the residents of the town, in its efforts to promote economic development.

“Some of the responsibilities of the position would include but are not limited to: promoting and encouraging desirable business and commercial firms to locate to the town, acting as a liaison to organized private groups with respect to economic development, consulting and advising appropriate departments and land use agencies of the town on all phases of current business and corporate development in the town, conducting research into the economic conditions and trends in the town, and making recommendations to appropriate local, regional, state and federal officials and agencies, boards and commissions regarding action to improve the town’s economic condition and development.”

Anyone interested in filling a vacancy should contact the office of the First Selectman at 203-431-2774 or selectman@ridgefieldct.org.

This cake, from Bernard’s and Sarah’s Wine Bar, won the highest bid at the Keeler Tavern Museum’s silent cake auction. The cake, modeled after the tavern, sold for $150.

When the Keeler Tavern Museum hosted a birthday party last month, it invited the  community to celebrate its 300th anniversary. More than 1,500 Ridgefield residents came that Saturday to enjoy historical games and crafts, tours led by re-enactors, live music, hands-on exhibits, and many other birthday treats — but above all lots of birthday cake.

Two highlights of the party were a silent cake auction of professionally baked cakes and a contest of cakes baked by amateurs, both of which were a great success for the museum and partygoers.

For its professional cake auction, the museum received cake donations from 15 restaurants, catering companies, and businesses in the area. These included Bartolo, Bernard’s and Sarah’s Wine Bar, Catering by Christine, Georgetown Cake Shoppe, Le Chateau, Meadow Ridge, Parma Market and Bakery, Piccolo Catering, Regina’s Table, Ross’ Bread, Something Fishy Catering, The Cake Box, The Cutting Board Catering and Café, TomTom’s Restaurant and Bakery, and the Whistle Stop Bakery.

The bakers could make whatever they wished, and their creations looked like works of art. Bernard’s and Sarah’s Wine Bar received the highest bid, $150, for their beautiful cake shaped like the museum and surrounding property.

“The professional cakes were really impressive,” said Cheryl Crowl, co-chair of the cake contests at the party. “They looked amazing. We are so grateful to these businesses for donating their time and their delicious desserts.”

Barbara Cmiel, the other co-chair, expressed a similar sentiment. “We are all so pleased with the way the cake contests turned out,” she said. “I think everyone was blown away by the creativity and skill that went into these cakes; people at the party had a great time bidding on them.”

According to the co-chairs, the auction raised around $875 for the museum.

Ms. Crowl and Ms. Cmiel also worked together on the amateur cake contest, which allowed residents and friends of the museum to have their baked goods judged on a number of factors. The judges included Bill Craig of Craig’s Jewelry; Liz Gagnon, from Nature’s Temptation; Chris McQuilken; Cassie Werne of Weir Farm; and Bill Wyman from the Ridgefield Rotary Club. They ranked more than 20 cakes based on decoration and taste, while also selecting winners for the best overall cake and an honorable mention. After the judging, the cakes were served free of charge to the guests. At times, the line was out the door and down the driveway.

Kim Carrone’s cake flower pops won “Best Decoration” in the Keeler Tavern’s amateur cake contest.

The award for “Best Decoration” went to Kim Carrone, who baked a batch of cake pops and designed them to look like flowers.

Loretta Donovan came in second, and Chez Delila’s three-dimensional skull cake came in third. “Best Taste” went to Denise Leporati’s pecan coffee cake, which the judges loved for its old-fashioned style.

Barbara Hartman came in second place and Sally MacKenzie came in third.

Philomena Florio’s cake, decorated like the Revolutionary War cannonball stuck in the museum’s wall, won “Best Overall,” and Tina Phillips won an honorable mention for her cake that looked like a painting of the museum’s Julia Gilbert Garden.

The museum is already planning its Family Day for June 7, 2014. For more information on The Keeler Tavern Museum and its upcoming events, visit www.keelertavernmuseum.org, search on Facebook and Twitter, or call the business office, Monday-Friday, 9 to 5 at 203-438-5485.

Autuori and others volunteer at clinic

Christel Autuori was one of hundreds of volunteers at the 2013 Connecticut Mission of Mercy  held at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport June 7 and 8 in Bridgeport.

This event, organized by the Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach, provided more than $1.35 million   of free dental care to more than 2,100 people.

Ms. Autuori is a dental hygienist who has lived and practiced in Ridgefield for more than 30 years. She has also been active as a volunteer with the organization Cape CARES (Central American Relief Efforts) in Honduras.

Other Ridgefield volunteers included dentists Dr. Randall Baldwin, Dr. Michael Pizzo, Dr.Frank Zarkowsky, Dr. Dana Jones, dental hygienists Kim Abramski, Michele Federico, and dental assistant Winnsa Wen.

Tusk & Cup shows art work

Tusk & Cup Fine Coffees at 51 Ethan Allen Highway and Watershed Gallery have partnered to exhibit the work of local artists at the restaurant.

The new program will include rotating art shows, as well as artist talks and events.

“Our customers have had a positive response to the artwork we’ve shown in the past,” says Laura Ancona, co-owner of Tusk & Cup. “We’ve created a warm, welcoming gathering space here; beautiful artwork contributes to that experience.”

Redding artist Kim Hanna will be the first to show under this new initiative.

“Kim’s work looks gorgeous in Tusk & Cup — it’s the perfect early summer show,” says Jennifer Mathy, director of Watershed Gallery.

Bank names Dias a vice president

Fairfield County Bank, headquartered in Ridgefield, has appointed Sal Dias as vice president and sales manager.

Mr. Dias joined the bank in April 2009 as a mortgage loan consultant and has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. In his new position, he is responsible for the generation of residential lending business as well as the recruitment and management of the mortgage loan officers.

He is an affiliate member of the Greater Bridgeport Board of Realtors.  He has received awards from his past employers for both top producing loan officer and managing a top producing sales office.

He is a graduate of Sacred Heart University with a bachelor of science degree and a master of business administration degree.

Boehringer earns energy award

The Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), has recognized Boehringer Ingelheim as a 2013 State Champion and Northeast Business Leader for Energy Efficiency.

“As part of our mission to improve health and quality of life, we are dedicated to minimizing the company’s environmental impact, conserving natural resources and promoting environmental awareness both locally and globally,” said Paul Fonteyne, president and chief executive officer of Boehringer.

Nominated  by Connecticut Light & Power, Boehringer  is being honored for its successful efforts to achieve energy savings at its 300-acre U.S. headquarters in Ridgefield. From 2010-2012, the company implemented a plan for energy efficiency at its 265,000-square foot Administrative Office Building. The project included changes to the energy management system’s programming for both space heating/cooling and water heating.

So far, the company’s efforts have resulted in annual energy savings of more than two million kWh per year resulting in cost savings of more than $300,000 and the avoidance of 1,555 tons of CO2 emissions.

The company also upgraded some commercial kitchen equipment to Energy Star-certified models that not only reduce energy consumption but also reduce water consumption by thousands of gallons per year. The company is also installing a gas-driven 100-500 kilowatt micro turbine as an alternative to fuel cells.

Boehringer Ingelheim said energy conservation goals are included in job descriptions, goals and performance metrics for members of the Energy Strategy Team. Recent efforts include energy fairs, electric vehicle demonstrations and home conservation workshops.

“When a business goes all-in and takes additional steps to save energy, they achieve deeper energy-savings and save more money, which allows them to invest in other areas of their business,” said Ron Araujo, manager of Conservation & Load Management programs at Connecticut Light & Power. “Boehringer Ingelheim is a tremendous example of a company that has made energy efficiency a top priority. They worked with us to implement several of our programs and have seen impressive energy savings.”

Harris completes leadership training

Dan Harris, CPA, has completed a two-year leadership training program held by The Rainmaker Academy in Nashville, Tenn. Mr. Harris was named a partner of Reynolds & Rowella, an accounting firm in Ridgefield, in October 2011.

“The two-year, graduate-level program equips senior managers and new partners to move beyond traditional number-crunching to sustainability for their accounting firms through client service and support, accountability and team building,” the firm said. “Graduates are required to communicate the knowledge and skills learned during training to other members of their accounting firms.”

The cure for “range anxiety” in Connecticut is now in sight thanks to a new initiative from the State of Connecticut to provide financial incentives for private businesses and municipalities that are interested in installing publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations.

Speaking at an Electric Vehicle (EV) Expo at Middlesex Community College, Commissioner Daniel C. Esty of the Connecticut Departments of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and Commissioner James P. Redeker of the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) said the goal of the new program is to more than double the 81 publicly available charging stations in the state to 200 by the end of 2013.

Mr. Esty and Mr. Redeker said $200,000 in funding for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations will be awarded to proposals that provide the most matching funding from the project host site, are most accessible to the general public, and deploy charging stations in geographically diverse areas.

Businesses and municipalities that are interested in participating in the EV Incentives program should send an email indicating interest to EVConnecticut@ct.gov. They can also find more information by visiting the EVConnecticut website at www.ct.gov/deep/evconnecticut .

“Encouraging the use of alternative vehicles and alternative fuels is a key element of Gov. Malloy’s energy strategy,” Commissioner Esty said.

“Electric vehicles run cleaner and are less harmful to the environment, and they are also more energy efficient and on average cheaper to operate than conventional fuel vehicles. Expanding the number of charging stations available to the public will help decrease motorists’ concerns about running out of power in their electric vehicles (‘range anxiety’) and result in increasing sales of EVs.”

DOT Commissioner  Redeker said, “The transportation sector accounts for nearly one-third of the energy consumed in Connecticut and produces roughly 40% of the state’s greenhouse emissions. The Governor’s Comprehensive Energy Strategy supports the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations to help speed the transition to electric vehicles for Connecticut residents and businesses.”

EVConnecticut is preparing Connecticut for a rapid and seamless integration of electric vehicles into the market by providing resources and information to owners of EVs and by expanding the availability of EV charging stations.

The state is working to identify and catalogue all existing public electric vehicle charging stations open in Connecticut and will now be providing incentives to municipalities and private businesses for installation of additional charging stations.

A recent federal Department of Energy study shows that cost of operating an electric vehicle in Connecticut is around the equivalent of being able to access $1.70/gallon gasoline. By aggressively increasing the number of charging stations, the new state initiative will make it easier than ever to purchase, drive and maintain an electric vehicle.

At the EVConnecticut Expo, visitors had the opportunity to:

• Explore the newest EV models on the market
• Meet with EV professionals and other EV enthusiasts
• Have all of their EV questions answered in one place
• Compare different EV charging stations
• Learn about Connecticut’s plans for significantly expanding the number of EV charging stations in the state

For information on additional ways Connecticut residents can make “smart energy choices,” visit the EnergizeCT.com website.

UPDATE, 6:20 — All four lanes of Route 7 north are now open.

Wednesday, 5:30 a.m. — Two of the four lanes of Route 7 near the Danbury line will be closed during at least part of the rush hour this morning because of a truck accident.

Around 4:40 this morning, a box truck crashed into a  number of signs, breaking open the fuel tank.

The fuel has spread onto the highway.

The fire department has requested a sanding truck from the state or town — whichever can arrive faster.

No one was injured in the accident.

Police said one northbound and one southbound lane will be closed.

The fire department has two trucks on the scene, and police are handling traffic and the investigation.

The fire department says about 15 gallons of fuel have spilled. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is being notified of the spill.

Donald Damoth, 80, of Ridgefield, husband of Maureen (Laker) Damoth, died on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at Danbury Hospital.

Mr. Damoth was born in Dorr, Michigan, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Damoth. He attended Michigan schools and the University of Notre Dame.

Formerly of the Bendix Corporation, Mr. Damoth joined Perkin-Elmer Corporation as a salesman. He joined Perkin-Elmer in 1976 and retired in 1999.

Mr. and Mrs. Damoth were married in 1953.

A resident of Ridgefield since 1979 coming from Glen Ellyn, Illinois, he volunteered with the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra and Ridgefield Community Center. He was a member of the Ridgefield Mens Club, Founders Hall and St. Mary’s Parish of Ridgefield.

He had a passion for electronics and scientific machinery and enjoyed working around the house and yard.

In addition to his wife Maureen, Mr. Damoth is survived by three sons, Douglas Damoth and his wife, Rachel of Brooklyn, NY, Mark Damoth, and Patrick Damoth, both of Ridgefield, and a granddaughter, Nechama Damoth.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 18, 2013 at 10:15 am in St. Mary Church, Ridgefield with the Msgr. Laurence Bronkiewicz, Pastor, officiating.

Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Ridgefield.

There will be no calling hours.

Contributions in Mr. Damoth’s memory may be made to the Dorothy Day Hospitality House, 11 Spring St., Danbury, CT 06810.

Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah St., Ridgefield is in charge of arrangements.

The West Nile virus has been detected in a culex mosquito tested in Norwalk, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Sciences confirmed today.

The virus was first detected yesterday in a mosquito that was tested on July 2.

“It’s just starting now, but it’s going to keep building in the coming weeks and I’m sure it will spread to other communities,” said Dr. Ted Andreadis of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES).

“It’s extremely important that the public takes precaution with mosquito biting now that the virus has been detected.”

He said that lower Fairfield County is a hotspot for the disease to spread and to be detected in people, most notably along I-95 and the Meritt Parkway.

“Ridgefield is a little bit out of the hotspot zone,” Dr. Andreadis said.

He said the mosquitoes are most aggressive during the early morning and the early evening.

He added the weather conditions are ideal for the virus to spread.

High temperatures develop the disease, while an increase in humidity increases mosquitoes’ biting activity.

In addition, frequent rain allows them to stick around and repopulate.

“The recent conditions have created a perfect storm of humidity, constant rain and high temperatures,” he said.

Dr. Andreadis predicts the peak of the virus will occur in the middle of August.

He added that this year’s first discovery was a bit later than last year’s, when the CAES detected the virus on June 26.

“The number of culex mosquitoes we had been trapping and testing was significantly lower compared to last year,” he said. “This is what caused the slight delay this year, but now that the virus has been detected it goes whichever way they go.”

Dr. Andreadis explained that “floodwater mosquitoes” are more common in this area and that the CAES traps more than 1,000 per day.

One of the traps is in Great Swamp in Ridgefield.

“These are the very aggressive human biters that people complain about the most,” he said. “Fortunately, they don’t care the virus, but it could bridge over to their species in the coming weeks.”

Last year, there were 21 reported cases of West Nile virus in Connecticut   and over 5,000 across the country.

“We will see it build up, but hopefully not as bad as last year,” Dr. Andreadis said.

Pete Vredenburgh and Brendan Walsh measured sheetrock in Breezy Point, New York during a recent Habitat for Humanity trip to help those who suffered home damage from Hurricane Sandy. “People don’t realize this community still needs a lot of help,” Mr. Walsh said. “The experience of seeing it for yourself is eye opening.” The Category-1 hurricane devastated Breezy Point last fall, flooding and burning an entire neighborhood and ultimately destroying almost 500 homes. “Every bit of effort counts,” Mr. Vredenburgh added. “These people need us and it feels good to give back to them after all they’ve been through.” —Steve Coulter photo

When thinking of concepts that define America, one doesn’t need to look much further than the unalienable rights expressed in the Declaration of Independence — life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

They are the goals we strive for every day when we wake up and what we dream about every night when we go to sleep.

However, what makes these standards sustainable — propelling us even in the midst of brutal and unfathomable devastation — is duty to community and hope in resiliency.

Both of these ideals are too often forgotten; nonetheless, they’re as important to our country’s survival as any other principle.

This past weekend, I was a part of a local Habitat for Humanity group that traveled to Breezy Point, N.Y., to repair homes that were ravaged by Hurricane Sandy in October.

Eight months after the storm that submerged every home in the community and burned down more than 100 houses, the private beach co-op located on the western end of the Rockaway peninsula is still suffering as it slowly rebuilds.

Six out of every seven houses remains unoccupied and dozens of homes have since been red-tagged for demolition.

The house I worked at was not near the epicenter of destruction — Ocean Avenue, where the fires, seen on the news by millions of Americans, erupted and spread uncontrollably.

Now, what used to be home to hundreds of Breezy Point residents has been mummified into a pit of sand, where the foundations of disintegrated houses pop out of the ground every 20 feet or so.

As much as the trip was about repairing homes, the mission was about getting to know the residents of this seaside community who received a significant amount of national attention in the wake of Sandy’s wrath, but have fallen victim to public apathy as months have flipped over on the 2013 calendar.

These are people who were suddenly misplaced from their homes and forced to live elsewhere without any assurance if they’d be able to ever return. And those who have returned are fighting an uphill battle against a bevy of opposing forces ranging from electric and insurance companies to this year’s looming hurricane season.

I had also gone to Breezy Point in January.

The destruction is hard to put into words without seeing it first-hand. I did my best when describing it to people who wanted to know what the scene looked like — the image was comparable to a bombed city during war.

This time around, instead of ripping up floorboards and demolishing walls as we did in January, we were rebuilding the internal structure of homes, installing Sheetrock.

Although the type of work we were asked to do had changed, the reality of the situation has not improved over time — there is still plenty of work to be done.

The two trips left me with distinctly different feelings.

In January, I left thinking this community would never truly recover; that Hurricane Sandy and Breezy Point would be interlocked in history as the storm that ended a town’s existence with one fateful blow.

I came away from Saturday’s trip with a much different outlook about the community’s survival.

What was once  a “ghost town,” Breezy Point now radiated with tangible energy throughout the day.

People could be seen biking and running, conversing and laughing, planning and returning.

The residents’ perseverance was best summarized in a collection of seashells that were aligned to spell “HOPE.”

This tribute was definitively American because it encompassed everything this country represents.

Although we can’t help replace the hundreds of vehicles that were totaled in the storm and we can’t forget the memories forged in the houses that were flooded, there is still a lot we can do.

Chiefly, we must continue to lend a hand to those in need, and not just those in Breezy Point. We have an obligation to help our neighbors — our fellow Americans — in Oklahoma, in Colorado, in Arizona, where natural disasters have impacted hundreds of thousands lives.

Our great nation has suffered recently and it’s our responsibility to never waver in our hope for and our commitment to each other.

That is the American way and as long as we preserve it, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness will always be attainable.