Aislinn Hyde and Michael Pudim

Sharon and Jeffrey Hyde of Ridgefield have announced the engagement of their daughter, Aislinn Hyde, to Michael Pudim, son of Barbara and Donald Pudim of Waterford.

The couple met through mutual friends in 2010 while living in Astoria, N.Y.

Hyde graduated from Ridgefield High School in 2003 and received a bachelor of arts degree from Bucknell University in 2007. She also received a master’s degree in material culture from the Bard Graduate Center in Manhattan. She is the museum registrar for the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx.

Pudim received a bachelor of fine arts degree from Syracuse University in 2004. He is the associate creative director for Geometry Global in Manhattan.

They live in Astoria. An October wedding in the Hudson Valley is planned.

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A wind storm with gusts of 43 miles per hour tore through town overnight on Feb. 25, leaving a mess of branches in the roads and 11 roads blocked and nearly 900 Ridgefield power customers still out by 4 p.m.

The roads that remained closed from the overnight storm were Saunders Lane; Barrack Hill near Continental Drive; Peaceable Street near Westmoreland; Wilton Road East near 209; Nod Road between Branchville and Whipstick; North Street, near Barlow Mountain; Washington near Rochambeau,Oscaleta Road near West Mountain Road, on east side; Lounsbury Road near Blackman Road; Branchville between East Ridge and Main; Jefferson Drive near number 42; and Nutmeg Ridge.

Several other roads were passable to one-way traffic.

At 2:49 p.m., 8 percent of the utility Eversource’s electricity customers in Ridgefield, 873 houses and businesses, remained out of power. The company was reminding drivers to not try and move downed power lines, and treat all downed lines as if they are live.

The customers would mostly be restored by 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 26, spokesman Mitch Gross said.

He said the downed lines and outages were statewide, with 40,000 customers out as of 2:49 p.m. Severe weather caused problems for the utility across the state.

“There were wind gusts as much as 70 miles per hour,” Gross said. “The saturated ground and high winds took trees down.”

The public schools cancelled for the day because of the storm damage, which made bus travel difficult.

“It gets complicated for school buses when lines are down,” said Fire Department Assistant Chief Jerry Myers.

“We had about six responses for storm-related stuff, from power lines down to a possible lightning strike,” Myers said.

He also reported six false fire alarms because of storm activity and power surges.

By 10:30 a.m., several roads were still blocked by trees, Myers said. He could understand why school was cancelled for the day. The Police Department was warning drivers to not attempt to pass areas taped off.

There were many cases overnight of officers moving branches out of the road on their own, said Capt. Jeffrey Kreitz, spokesman for the department.

The post Eleven roads still closed at 4 p.m. appeared first on The Ridgefield Press.

With thousands of Ridgefield homes still without power and fallen trees still blocking roads, Ridgefield Public Schools will be closed tomorrow.

The powerful storm that raced up the east coast yesterday with high winds and heavy rain felled many trees in the Northeast.

The northern part of Ridgefield appeared to have borne the brunt of the storm.

Police, fire and crews from Eversource have been busy all day, closing roads, clearing trees and restoring power.

As of yesterday afternoon, some 900 customers were without power. By 9 p.m. that number had increased to 1487 — that according to unofficial numbers from reports on Twitter. The number fluctuated throughout the day and may reflect deliberate shutdowns during restoration.

From the school website:

Due to continued hazardous road and travel conditions all Ridgefield Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 26.

Offices will be open at regular times, except for the offices at Scotland Elementary School and Barlow Mountain Elementary School. Office at Scotland Elementary School and Barlow Mountain Elementary School will remain closed.

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The Ridgefield Theater Barn is at the midway point in a 50th anniversary season with productions of Calendar Girls, Glengarry Glen Ross, Wreck the Halls, and An Evening of One Acts 2016.

It continues with the British play Educating Rita, beginning Feb. 26. Written by Willy Russell and directed by Brian DeToma, the play will be presented Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. through March 19, with Sunday matinees March 6 and 13, at 2 p.m.

In the comedy, a young wife (Lynette Victoria) decides to complete her education and take her exams. She meets a professor (Nick Kaye) who teaches her to value her own insights while still being able to beat the exams. The change in her status, however, causes friction at home.

Tickets are $24 for adults and $20 for students, seniors and veterans. Seating is cabaret-style, with patrons bringing food and drink before the show. Doors open one hour before curtain. Reservations and more information are available at ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org.

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A broad array of stakeholders and officials have been invited to a meeting to discuss the parking situation in town, as illuminated by responses to the Ridgefield Town Survey conducted by marketing consultants last fall, and also a study of the town’s retail environment done by some real estate consultants.

The meeting is Monday evening, Feb. 29, starting at 6:30 in the Ridgefield Library.

The discussion is being hosted by the Economic Development Committee, and among those invited are Chamber of Commerce members, commercial landlords from the village, the Board of Selectmen, and the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The meeting will be open to the public.

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Dusty

If you hear that we have a male cat from New Jersey, hurry in fast. We’ve been getting cats from this overcrowded shelter for more than six years and there’s something about the male ones, as they all seem to have remarkable personalities. So don’t delay, we have a new N.J. cat named Dusty who hits the mark in so many categories: personality, looks and adaptability.

Dusty, a 4-year-old long-hair Russian Blue mix, has had sadness in his life. He was the kitten of a very loving elderly couple who became unable to care for not only Dusty but themselves as well. The couple’s family took him to the New Jersey shelter, where they had to shave his long hair because it was in such a mess after months of neglect.

At ROAR, we can tell that Dusty was very well loved, as he adores human contact and has a very trusting attitude with the other cats at the shelter. He could possibly have some Maine Coon in him because of his personality and the size of his paws. When his hair grows out, he will be spectacular.

Dusty is up to date on shots and is neutered and would like for you to come see him. ROAR hours are Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 2 p.m.; and Monday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shelter is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

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The town’s director of social services, Tony Phillips, has announced that applications for state energy heating assistance are being taken at the town hall.

The deadline for oil energy assistance is March 15; the deadline for those who heat with utilities is May 1.

The energy assistance program is designed to help households pay their winter heating bills and is based on income eligibility. Despite the warm weather this winter and the relatively lower cost of oil, many residents struggle to heat their homes, Phillips said.

“We are closing in on the deadline to apply for this season’s winter heating program. Ridgefield Social Services has been assisting with applications since end of summer, and we are ready to help anyone who is still out there who’d like to apply. But the March and April deadlines will be here before we know it,” Phillips said.

Last winter, 150 Ridgefield households applied for heating assistance totaling more than $50,000 in aid. Awards are made directly to the heating vendor and vary depending on household and financial composition. Documentation of household income for the last four weeks and current bank account statements are required.

Phillips said there are other energy and utility programs, like Operation Fuel and through Eversource, that might also be beneficial to residents. Social Services has more information and can provide assistance, 203-431-2754.

The post Town accepting applications for heating assistance appeared first on The Ridgefield Press.

Ridgefield schools were closed for a second day Feb. 26 as work crews hurried to clear downed power lines and unblock roads following a windstorm that tore through the town and state early Feb. 25.

As of 9:40 a.m., power from Eversource was still out to 588 customers in Ridgefield, six percent of the company’s total customers in town.

“The majority of customers should be restored in Ridgefield by 11 p.m. tonight,” said Mitch Gross, spokesman for Eversource, who said 6,700 remained out of power statewide by 9:40 a.m.

Nine roads remained blocked as of 10:30 a.m. Friday:

• 226 Barrack Hill Road
• 120 Peaceable Street;
• 209 Wilton Road East;
• Washington Avenue at Rochambeau;
• Oscaleta near West Mountain, east end;
• 126 Lounsbury Road;
• Branchville Road between East Ridge and Main;
• Jefferson near number 42;
• Saunders Lane near number 63.

The town’s emergency shelter, located at the Recreation Center on Danbury Road, remained on standby to accept people who needed a place with electricity to get warm and rest.

“We haven’t used it yet,” said Fire Department Assistant Chief Jerry Myers.

The two days of downed trees were the result of thunderstorms with high winds that came on the tail-end of a line of tornadoes that swept states farther south, including Pennsylvania.

The forecast for the week ahead, according to weather.com, was that March may come in like a lion, with another impactful storm system possibly bringing significant snow and severe thunderstorms from the plains to the South, Midwest and East next week.

On the school front, these storms mean using winter storm days. The most recent snow days taken were on days when there was not even snow on the ground.

The post Roads remain closed in storm’s aftermath appeared first on The Ridgefield Press.

Workers at Kohl’s department store on Danbury Road are waiting to hear word from corporate headquarters in Menomonee Falls, Wisc., on whether the Ridgefield store is one of 18 that will close as the company responds to disappointing sales.

A worker at the store said they hope to know in late March.

The 18 stores are a relatively small number, compared with the company’s more than 1,160 stores. The strategy comes as the department store chain issued a weak annual revenue forecast after posting a 20 percent drop in fourth-quarter profits, according to the Associated Press.

The closures, although small, mark a rare retreat for a company that has never closed a multiple of locations at one time, Kevin Mansell, chairman and CEO of Kohl’s, told investors on a conference call on Thursday, reported by the AP. And the moves show the challenges that Kohl’s and other department stores face as they rethink the type of stores it rolls out amid shifting shopping preferences. Shoppers are still spending, but they’re being very selective about it, spending more on home improvement and restaurants and less on apparel. And when they do want to buy fashion, they’re spending more time in stores like T.J. Maxx to grab fat discounts.

Department stores are also feeling the heat from the online leader Amazon.com.

The fourth-quarter earnings results showed the continued struggles of department stores. Kohl’s said that revenue at stores open at least a year rose a slim 0.4 percent. Macy’s fell 4.3 percent, while Nordstrom’s full-priced stores saw that metric fall 3.2 percent. Kohl’s joined Macy’s and Nordstrom in offering a weak outlook.

In a shifting retail environment, Kohl’s, Macy’s and other department stores are expanding online and they’re launching their own off-price stores. Kohl’s said it is planning to add two more Off-Aisle pilot stores in Wisconsin. The retailer also plans to open seven small-format stores throughout the country, and it will be testing 11 outlet stores under the Fila brand.

“We see exciting growth potential in the new stores and new formats that we are opening this year and are heavily investing in the health of our overall stores,” said Mansell in a company release.

Kohl’s  earned $296 million, or $1.58 per share. That’s three cents better the per-share projections from Wall Street, but well below last year’s earnings during the crucial holiday season of $369 million, or $1.83 per share.

Revenue of $6.39 billion, also down, was in line with expectations.

For the year, the company reported profit of $673 million, or $3.46 per share. Revenue was reported as $19.2 billion.

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Sponsored Content

Miller’s Landscaping, just over the New Canaan line in Scott’s Corners, provides all sorts of lawn, gardening and landscaping in the New Canaan area.

Mark Miller, who for the past 38 years has owned Miller’s Landscaping Inc., located just over the New Canaan line, has launched a new lawn care treatment company called The Organic Yard.

Miller is excited to talk about organics and his new programs: His major points of difference from the big commercial companies are organics and personalized, knowledgeable service, he said.

“We use organic-based products as much as possible, reducing the need for pesticides by as much as 90%,” Miller said.

“We use organic-based products as much as possible, reducing the need for pesticides by as much as 90%,” Mark Miller of Miller’s Landscaping in Pound Ridge said.

At times there is a need to use pesticides, so Miller’s uses the safest and least amount possible when doing so. “Our common sense approach of combining safer products and cultural practices, such as increasing mowing heights, fewer mowings during drought periods, longer and less frequent watering practices, aerating and leaving lawn clippings are critical to success and often times overlooked,” he said.

“Crabgrass control has been difficult to manage with only organics,” Miller said. “So we have changed our approach, spot treat where crabgrass is prevalent and avoid shaded areas where crabgrass does not thrive. Just that simple change can reduce the use of conventional products significantly based on the percentage of shade on your property.”

With synthetics, you get a large burst of growth that’s green — but you’ve stressed the grass so much that it becomes weak and susceptible to disease, according to Mark Miller.

The Organic Yard features compost teas as its organic choice. It’s a bio-nutritional treatment that adds vital beneficial bacteria, enhancing microbial activity in the soil.

The compost teas are completely natural and safe. “By using our product you are reducing the amount of nitrates and phosphates that promote algae and plankton in our water sources,” Miller said. “Last year alone we were able to reduce conventional fungicide treatments by up to 80%!”

Years ago, landscapers were taught to feed the grass, strengthen the roots. New wisdom is to do just the opposite: strengthen the roots and the plant will thrive. “You’re working from the soil up, improving its structure and creating a more readily available food supply to the plant,” he said.

Miller said that those who work with their team can create a greener and healthier environment one lawn at a time.

With synthetics, you get a large burst of growth that’s green — but you’ve stressed the grass so much that it becomes weak and susceptible to disease, and has a harder time recovering from drought and insect invasion, Miller said.

The correlation is simple — it’s the same as people. “We overuse antibiotics, deplete our immune systems and the cycle begins,” Miller pointed out. “It’s simply old school methodology, and it’s time to get off that treadmill.”

Miller said that those who work with their team can create a greener and healthier environment one lawn at a time.

“Help us help the planet,” he said. “Go Green! With The Organic Yard.”

More info: MillerLandscapingInc.com, or call 914-764-5491 for more information, 78 Westchester Ave., Scott’s Corners, Pound Ridge, N.Y.

Miller’s Landscaping Inc. has found that using organics instead of chemicals on your lawn can make it healthier and greener.

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Workers on Jefferson Drive

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Workers on Jefferson Drive.

Ridgefield schools were closed for a second day Feb. 26 as work crews hurried to clear downed power lines and unblock roads following a windstorm that tore through the town and state early Feb. 25.

As of 2:20 p.m., power from Eversource was still out to 343customers in Ridgefield, three percent of the company’s total customers in town.

“The majority of customers should be restored in Ridgefield by 11 p.m. tonight,” said Mitch Gross, spokesman for Eversource.

Pickett’s Ridge Road had wires down as late as 2:15 p.m., according to a radio call.

Three  roads remained blocked as of 2 p.m. Friday:

• 120 Peaceable Street;
• 126 Lounsbury Road;
• Saunders Lane near number 63.

The town’s emergency shelter, located at the Recreation Center on Danbury Road, remained on standby to accept people who needed a place with electricity to get warm and rest.

“We haven’t used it yet,” said Fire Department Assistant Chief Jerry Myers.

First Selectman Rudy Marconi Friday morning was urging residents to avoid contact with downed wires, and asked them to call Eversource to report outages and problems. The number posted on the town’s web site is (800) 286-2000.

The two days of downed trees were the result of thunderstorms with high winds that came on the tail-end of a line of tornadoes that swept states farther south, including Pennsylvania.

The forecast for the week ahead, according to weather.com, was that March may come in like a lion, with another impactful storm system possibly bringing significant snow and severe thunderstorms from the plains to the South, Midwest and East next week.

On the school front, these storms mean using winter storm days. The most recent snow days taken were on days when there was not even snow on the ground.

The post Three roads remain closed in storm’s aftermath appeared first on The Ridgefield Press.

The DateBook is a guide to Ridgefield special events. Events may be submitted up to three years in advance. Email submissions, in DateBook format, to news@TheRidgefieldPress.com to reach us by Thursday noon to appear in the following week’s calendar. Include a phone number. The DateBook is often abbreviated in the newspaper; the complete listing appears online at TheRidgefieldPress.com.

February

Mario Cantone, Comedian, Friday, Feb. 26, 8 p.m., Ridgefield Playhouse, irreverent humor and funny impersonations, $60, ridgefieldplayhouse.org or  203-438-5795

Educating Rita, a play by Willy Russell, Friday, Feb. 26 and Saturday, Feb. 27, 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m., cabaret seating, $24/adults, $20/students, seniors and veterans, Ridgefield Theater Barn, reservations at ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org

The Smithereens, Saturday, Feb. 27, 8 p.m., Ridgefield Playhouse, $42.50, ridgefieldplayhouse.org or  203-438-5795

Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” Sunday, Feb. 28, 11:30 a.m., Ridgefield Playhouse, National Theatre in HD, $25, $20 members/seniors, $15 students, free for children 18 and under, ridgefieldplayhouse.org or  203-438-5795

Jazz Masters Series: Nicki Parrott Trio,  Sunday, Feb. 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Sarah’s Wine Bar, 20 West Lane, $27.50 cover, $15 minimum, reservations at 203-438-8282

Cowboy Junkies, An evening with Cowboy Junkies in their Blowin’ and Driftin’ 13thAnniversary Tour celebrating the release of Notes Falling Slow, will perform at The Ridgefield Playhouse, Sunday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets ($50), ridgefieldplayhouse.org, 203-438-5795

Beth Hart Concert, Monday, Feb. 29, 8 p.m., Ridgefield Playhouse, $57.50, ridgefieldplayhouse.org or 203-438-5795

March

The Nonfictioneers, The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War by David Halberstam, Ridgefield Library, Tuesday, March 1, 7 p.m., ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

The Writer’s Guild of Ridgefield, A Networking Group for Writers, Ridgefield Library, Tuesday, March 1, 7 p.m., ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

A Great Big World, Wednesday, March 2, 8 p.m., Ridgefield Playhouse, duo Ian Axel and Chad King, $55 orchestra, $45 mezzanine/balcony, 203-438-5795, ridgefieldplayhouse.org

AARP TaxAide, free income tax preparation, Thursday, March 3, 8:15 to 1 p.m., Ridgefield Library, appointments required, 203-438-4288

Murder by the Book Mystery Discussion, Kissing the Gunner’s Daughter by Ruth Rendell, Ridgefield Library, Thursday, March 3, 10:30 a.m., ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

MidDay Home Bible Study, Thursday, March 3, 12-1:30 p.m., or 3-4 p.m., or 7-8 p.m., Priscilla Black, 203-431-9768, pblack35@comcast.net

RVNA Free Blood Pressure Screening, Thursday March 3, 12-1 p.m. at Founders Hal,l 203-438-5555, ridgefieldvna.org

Bloodmobile, Thursday, March 3, 1:30-6:30 p.m., Ridgefield Parks & Recreation Center, 800-433-1879, 800-GIVE LIFE  or bloodct.org

Hangmen, screening broadcast live in HD with Martin McDonagh at the Ridgefield Playhouse, Thursday, March 3, 2 p.m. Tickets: ($25, $20 members/seniors; $15 students; free for children 18 and under), 203-438-5795 or ridgefieldplayhouse.org

RSO Maestro Gerald Steichen, distinguished speaker, Founders Hall, Thursday, March 3, 3 p.m., free, founders-hall.org, 203-431-7000

Laser Spectacular’s “The Spirit of Michael Jackson,” Ridgefield Playhouse, Friday, March 4, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $47.50 adults, $37.50 children. 203-438-5795 or ridgefieldplayhouse.org

Educating Rita, a play by Willy Russell, Friday, March, 4 and Saturday, March, 5, 8 p.m. and Sunday,  March 6, 2 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m., cabaret seating, $24/adults, $20/students, seniors and veterans, Ridgefield Theater Barn, reservations at ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org

Puccini’s Manon Lescaut, Met Opera Live in HD, Ridgefield Playhouse, Saturday, March 5, 12:55 p.m., $25, $20 members/seniors, $15 students, free for children 18 and under,ridgefieldplayhouse.org or 203-438-5795

Memoir Writing Group, Ridgefield Library, Saturday, March 5, 1 p.m., ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, Classical Contemporaries, Haydn, Telemann, Mozart, with Sara Della Posta and Robert Hoyle, horn, Saturday, March 5, 8 p.m., Clune Auditorium, Wilton, $25-$60, ridgefieldsymphony.org, 203-438-3889

Martin Sexton, fingerstyle guitarist, Ridgefield Playhouse, Saturday, March 5, 8 p.m. $65. 203-438-5795, ridgefieldplayhouse.org

Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be, with Frank Bruni, Ridgefield High School, Sunday, March 6, noon, $10 adults,18 and under free, parenting workshops to follow, register, ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

Let’s Sing! Community Sing-Along, Ridgefield Library, Sunday, March 6, 3 p.m., Library, ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

Community sing-along, at Ridgefield Library, Sunday, March 6, 3-4 p.m.

New Shanghai Circus, stunts and acrobatics, Ridgefield Playhouse, Sunday, March 6, 4 p.m. $40/adults, $35/children, ridgefieldplayhouse.org or 203-438-5795

Author Talk, Palm Beach Panache: Infusing Island Style with Serendipitous and Re-Imagined Finds with Carolina Fernandez, Ridgefield Library, Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m., register, ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

Queen: A Night in Bohemia, live in HD, Ridgefield Playhouse, Tuesday, March 8 at 7 p.m., tickets: ($15),  ridgefieldplayhouse.org, 203-438-5795

Skillsbox: Tools for Business Success, Learning with Lynda.com with Dorothy Pawlowski, Ridgefield Library, Wednesday, March 9, 8 a.m., register, ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

Create a Personal Memory Book Using MS PowerPoint with Jeanne Lanzetta, Ridgefield Library, Wednesday, March 9, 10:30 a.m., register, ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

Ridgefield Theater Barn Playwrights Collective, Ridgefield Library, Wednesday, March 9, 6 p.m., ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

RVNA Fourth Annual Spelling Bee, Wednesday, March 9, 7 -9 p.m., at The Ridgefield Playhouse 203-438-5555, ridgefieldvna.org, tickets: $20 adults/$5 student

AARP TaxAide, free income tax preparation, Thursday, March 10, 8:15 a.m.  to 1 p.m., Ridgefield Library, appointments required, 203-438-4288

MidDay Home Bible Study, Thursday, March 10, 12-1:30 p.m., or 3-4 p.m., or 7-8 p.m., Priscilla Black, 203-431-9768, pblack35@comcast.net

Comedian Ron White, Thursday, March 10, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., with special guest Josh Blue, VIP tickets $242 or regular tickets $65/person, ridgefield playhouse.org or 203-438-5795

Cabaret, Anne S. Richardson Auditorium at Ridgefield High School, March 10-12, 7:30 p.m.; matinee performances, March 12-13 at 2 p.m., snow date: March 20, at 2 p.m., tickets $15 for adults, $10 for college students and younger, $10 for seniors age 60 and up, tickets sold at the door or rhsperformingarts.info/  Info: 203-894-5750

Exhibition, We Fight For Roses Too, Ridgefield Library, Thursday, March 10 to Sunday, March 20, ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

Inaugural Breakfast and State of the Town address, Friday, March 11, 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Silver Spring Country Club, honoring Personal Touch Welcome as Business of the Year, $45, destinationridgefield.com/events or 203-438-5992

Donnie Osmond in Concert, Friday, March 11 at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Ridgefield Playhouse, $125/person, ridgefieldplayhouse.org or 203-438-5795

Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce Annual Breakfast & State of the Town Address, Friday, March 11, 7:30-10 a.m., Silver Spring Country Club, 439 Silver Spring Road, $45/person, DestinationRidgefield.com/Chamber, 203-438-5992

Educating Rita, a play by Willy Russell, Friday, March 11  and Saturday, March 12, 8 p.m. and Sunday,  March 13, 2 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m., cabaret seating, $24/adults, $20/students, seniors and veterans, Ridgefield Theater Barn, reservations at ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org

Meeting of the Shutterbugs, Ridgefield Library, Saturday, March 12, 9 a.m., ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

A Dozen Women Who’ve Made a Difference, with Jack Sanders, Ridgefield Library, Saturday, March 12, 1 p.m., ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

Exhibition Reception and Family Day, We Fight For Roses Too, Ridgefield Library, Saturday, March 12, 2 to 4 p.m., ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

Georgie Brennan, Ridgefield singer/songwriter, Irish Night, Saturday, March 12, 7:30 p.m., free admission, 850 Degrees, 203-894-5395, 850degrees.com

ARTalk, with sculptor James Grashow, Ridgefield Library, Sunday, March 13, 2 p.m., register, ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

6th Annual Ridgefield Chili Festival, Sunday, March 13, 2-4 p.m., Ridgefield Community Center, ridgefielddems.org, 203-403-7080

McCartney tribute, The Ridgefield Playhouse brings The McCartney Years to the stage on Sunday, March 13, at 8 p.m. Note-for-note, harmonies and riffs– every song is played live with nothing pre-recorded. Tickets ($45), ridgefieldplayhouse.org, 203-438-5795

Books and Breakfast, Ridgefield Library, Monday, March 14, 10:30 a.m., ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

RVNA Free Blood Pressure Screening, Monday, March 14, 10-11 a.m., at Ballard Green,  ridgefieldvna.org or 203-438-5555

Songs of WWII, performance, presented by The Two of us Plus One, Monday, Founders Hall, March 14, 1:30 p.m., free, founders-hall.org, 203-431-7000

Spartacus, The Ridgefield Playhouse presents Live in HD, an encore performance of the Bolshoi Ballet’s Spartacus on Sunday, March 14, at 12 p.m. Tickets ($25, $20 members/seniors, $15 students – tickets are free for children 18 and under) ridgefieldplayhouse.org, 203-438-5795

Winter Concert, Tuesday, March 15, 6:30 p.m., The Jim Scianna Trio, Ridgefield Crossings, 640 Danbury Road, free, refreshments, 203-431-2255

Critics’ Circle Book Discussion, The Children Act by Ian McEwan, Ridgefield Library, Tuesday, March 15, 7 p.m., ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

Orthopedic Talk at Laurel Ridge, Wednesday, March 16, noon, Laurel Ridge Health Care Center, 642 Danbury Road, speaker Dr. Robert Daher, orthopaedic specialist, lunch, open to public, space limited, reservations, 203-438-8226

Powerful Voices: Connecticut Women Changing Democracy, Ridgefield Library, Wednesday, March 16, 7 p.m., register, ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

America, Perennial classic-rock favorite, America, will return for a fifth time at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Wednesday, March 16 at 8 p.m. Tickets ($87.50), ridgefieldplayhouse.org or 203-438-579

AARP TaxAide, free income tax preparation, Thursday, March 17, 8:15-15 p.m., Ridgefield Library, appointments required, 203-438-4288

MidDay Home Bible Study, Thursday, March 17, 12-1:30 p.m., or 3-4 p.m., or 7-8 p.m., Priscilla Black, 203-431-9768, pblack35@comcast.net

Poetry Discussion Group, New and Selected Poems by Samuel Menashe, Ridgefield Library, Friday, March 18, 1 p.m., ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

Educating Rita, a play by Willy Russell, Friday, March 18  and Saturday, March 19, 8 p.m., Ridgefield Theater Barn, doors open at 7 p.m., cabaret seating, $24/adults, $20/students, seniors and veterans, reservations at ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org

Jessica Lynn in Concert, Friday, March 18, 8 p.m., Ridgefield Playhouse, $25, ridgefieldplayhouse.org or 203-438-5795

Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, Spring Fling Fundraiser Dinner-Dance, Saturday, March 19, 6-10 p.m., $150, Lounsbury House, 316 Main Street, ridgefieldsymphony.org, 203-438-38889

Ridgefield Folk with Tall Heights, Ridgefield Library, Sunday, March 20, 2 p.m., free tickets 1 p.m., doors open at 1:30 p.m., ridgefieldlibrary.org or 203-438-2282

Habana Sax Band, Sunday, March 20, 8 p.m., Ridgefield Playhouse, $30, ridgefieldplayhouse.org or 203-438-5795

Skillsbox: Simple Steps For Starting Your Business: a five part series, Ridgefield Library, Wednesday, March 21, 28, April 4, 11, 18, 6 p.m., register, ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

AM Book Group, Cheating at Canasta by William Trevor, Ridgefield Library, Wednesday, March 23, 10 a.m., ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

The Ten Commandments film, Wednesday, March 23, 2 p.m., Ridgefield Playhouse, $10, ridgefieldplayhouse.org or 203-438-5795

Learn Through Film screening and discussion series, Ridgefield Library, Wednesday, March 23, 7 p.m., register,  ridgefieldlibrary.org, 203-438-2282

Drug and Alcohol Lecture with actor Lillo Brancato, Wednesday, March 23, 7:30 p.m., Ridgefield Playhouse, free, registration required, ridgefieldplayhouse.org or 203-438-5795

AARP TaxAide, free income tax preparation, Thursday, March 24, 8:15 to 1 p.m., Ridgefield Library, appointments required, 203-438-4288

MidDay Home Bible Study, Thursday, March 24, 12-1:30 p.m., or 3-4 p.m., or 7-8 p.m., Priscilla Black, 203-431-9768, pblack35@comcast.net

RVNA Free Blood Pressure Screening, Monday, March 28, 2-3 p.m., at Parks & Recreation  ridgefieldvna.org or 203-438-5555

AARP TaxAide, free income tax preparation, Thursday, March 31, 8:15 to 1 p.m., Ridgefield Library, appointments required, 203-438-4288

MidDay Home Bible Study, Thursday, March 31, 12-1:30 p.m., or 3-4 p.m., or 7-8 p.m., contact Priscilla Black, 203-431-9768, pblack35@comcast.net

The Refugee Crisis: Faces Behind the Headlines with filmmakers Gus Ford and Irena Patkanian,Thursday, March 31, 7 p.m., Ridgefield Library, register, ridgefieldlibrary.org or 203-438-2282

April

AARP TaxAide, free income tax preparation, Thursday, April 7, 8:15 to 1 p.m., Ridgefield Library, appointments required, 203-438-4288

Rid Litter Days, Saturday and Sunday, April 9 and 10, all day, Ridgefield, 203-438-8288 or barbara-hartman@sbcglobal.net

Bloodmobile, Tuesday, April 19, 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., Ridgefield Parks & Recreation Center, 800-433-1879, 800-GIVE LIFE or bloodct.org

May

Community sing-along, Ridgefield Library, Sunday, May 8, 3-4 p.m.

Bloodmobile, Tuesday, May 10, 1:30-6:30 p.m., Ridgefield Parks & Recreation Center, 800-433-1879, 800-GIVE LIFE or bloodct.org

Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, First and Last, Diamond, Strauss, Mahler, with Jennifer Black, soprano, Saturday, May 14, 8 p.m., Anne S. Richardson Auditorium, Ridgefield High School, $25-$60, ridgefieldsymphony.org, 203-438-3889

June

The Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra, featuring the string and wind ensemble, Saturday, June 4, Scotts Ridge Middle School at 4 p.m.

Bloodmobile, Thursday, June 16, 1:30-6:30 p.m., St. Stephen’s Church Hall, 800-433-1879, 800-GIVE LIFE or bloodct.org

July

Bloodmobile, Thursday, July 7, 1:30-6:30 p.m., St. Mary’s Church Hall, 800-433-1879, 800-GIVE LIFE or bloodct.org

August

Bloodmobile, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 1:30-6:30 p.m., Ridgefield Parks & Recreation Center, Danbury Road, 800-433-1879, 800-GIVE LIFE or bloodct.org

September

Bloodmobile, Thursday, Sept. 8, 1:30-6:30 p.m., Ridgefield Parks & Recreation Center, 800-433-1879, 800-GIVE LIFE or bloodct.org

The post DateBook appeared first on The Ridgefield Press.

Joseph J. Moylan, Sr. in a 1998 photo from The Press when he was honored by the Old-Timers Association.

Dr. Joseph James Moylan, Sr., born and raised in Ridgefield, died Feb. 7 at his home in Raleigh, N. C. with family by his side. He was born March 14, 1926, the fourth child of Frank Patrick and Margaret Fahey Moylan. He left home when he was 18 to serve in World War II.

Through the GI bill, he was able to pursue a college education. He earned degrees from the University of Dayton (A.B.-1950), Bowling Green University (M.S. – 1952), and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (PhD in psychology – 1957) where he met the woman who would become his wife, Marie Clancey Moylan. They married on Aug. 13, 1955 and celebrate 60 years of marriage last year.

His professional career included both academic and clinical positions. He served as chairman of the Department of Psychology first at the University of Dayton and then at Parsons College (Iowa) from 1963-73. In 1973, he was hired to develop a behavioral psychology program at Dorothea Dix State Hospital. He became the director of Psychological Services at Dix one year later and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1994.

Moylan played both basketball and baseball in high school, baseball at Dayton, and was an avid golfer throughout his life.

He was honored by the Ridgefield Old-Timers Association in 1998 at a banquet at the Italian-American Club. From 1941 to 1944, he played football, basketball and baseball and was one of Ridgefield’s best of the era. He played on the first RHS football team (six-man), which formed in 1942, and was named to the all-league basketball team and was named honorary captain.

He is survived by his wife, Marie, and five children: Patricia Anne-Marie Moylan and Joseph James Moylan, Jr. both of Raleigh; James Patrick Moylan of Marietta, Ga, Sharon Moylan McConnell, husband, Alan, and grandchildren Anna and Yates, of Apex, and Debra June Moylan and partner, Nathan Wilson, of Raleigh. He was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Peter Moylan in 1987, his parents, and his three siblings and their spouses.

A funeral Mass was celebrated February 12, with burial immediately following at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Catholic Parish Outreach, 2013 N. Raleigh Blvd, 27604, the NC Symphony, 3700 Glenwood Ave, #130, 27612, or the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC, 3808 Tarheel Dr., 27609.

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Gerald L. Steichen

The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra’s Gerald L. Steichen will be the celebrity bartender on Wednesday, March 2, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Gallo Ristorante on Grove Street. Gallo will share 10% of  the event’s proceeds. This is a chance to “direct” Steichen to make one’s favorite drink.

Information on upcoming RSO events is available at ridgefieldsymphony.org or 203-438-3889.

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Schimenti of Ridgefield recently completed construction of a new showroom in the garment district of New York City.

The 4,000-square-foot showroom, at 1400 Broadway, acts as a backdrop to the latest Kohl’s fashions, with large windows, spotlights and a white epoxy floor.

“This was a custom high-end project with a high level of detail that needed to be done on a very tight schedule,” said Schimenti Construction project executive John Colonnese.

“The team goal was to create a showroom environment with an open feel — in a building that was designed for office space. And since the construction spanned the holiday season, we were challenged to meet our deadline despite many long-lead and specialty items. Ultimately we were able to turn the project over as planned.”

Construction was begun in mid-October 2015 and completed by the end of January 2016. Schimenti Construction, founded in 1994, is headquartered in Ridgefield, and maintains offices in New York City.

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You could not. Should not. Would not want to miss a birthday party quite like this.

The Ridgefield Library is celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday on Saturday, March 5. Preschoolers age 3 to 5, together with an adult, are invited to play games, see a film, have refreshments, and receive a Seuss book. The celebration begins at 11:30 in the Main Program Room on the library’s lower level. Staff from the Prospector Theater will be on hand to take photos of partygoers. Registration is required for this free event on the library’s website or by calling the library.

The Prospector Theater is celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday on Wednesday, March 2.  Preschoolers ages 3 to 5 and an adult are invited to join Miss Diane from the Ridgefield Library for stories at 9:30 a.m.  at the Prospector, including snacks and a short Dr. Seuss film. Registration is required on the library’s website.  At 6:30 p.m., the Prospector will show Horton Hears a Who with a Q&A with the directors from Blue Sky Studios. These special programs are co-sponsored by the Ridgefield Library, the Prospector Theater and the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.

Information, 203-438-2282, ext. 12002.

The post Dr. Seuss’s birthday is reading and a film appeared first on The Ridgefield Press.

St. Stephen’s Nursery School will make a Valentine’s Day donation of diapers to local food pantries. The school has an ongoing diaper ministry and has collected more than 1,700 diapers so far this year. For more information or to donate: ststephensnurseryschool.org.

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When Cass Gilbert died during a 1934 trip to England, the London Times wrote that his buildings proved him “the most remarkable architect of his generation in America.”

Widow Julia Gilbert set about creating a Ridgefield memorial to her distinguished husband — a quasi-public library to house the papers, drawings, and artifacts from his career. Architect-son Cass Jr. built a Georgian-style red-brick building that echoed his father’s own design vocabulary. Some 150 guests, led by Connecticut Gov. Wilbur Cross, attended the dedication in October 1937.

The structure never did fulfill its intended purpose. Within a few years, it had been converted to a distinctive-looking Main Street residence for members of Gilbert’s extended family, a one-acre parcel carved out of the original Lott II footprint, and the first major subdivision since it was settled almost 250 years before.

The historic tavern property next door passed out of the Gilberts’ hands in 1957. The next year, Dr. Robert Mead acquired the one-time memorial building as a professional office and home.

KTM’s acquisition recovers the parcel, re-unites it under a single ownership, and will restore the building to its original purpose, this time as much-needed complementary space for our programs in citizenship and culture. With this adaptive reuse of 152 Main Street, we can demonstrate that there are second and even third acts in the lives of American buildings.

The post Act III for 152 Main appeared first on The Ridgefield Press.

Joseph DeVivo Jr., son of Joe DeVivo of Saratoga, N.Y., and Trudy DeVivo of Ridgefield, has been named to the dean’s list at the College of the Holy Cross for the first semester of the 2015-16 academic year. He is a junior majoring in math.

The University of Connecticut recently announced the Ridgefield students who attained dean’s list for the fall 2015 semester: Daniel Ryan Albano, Ashleigh Page Bancel, Colby Roland Bedard, Christopher C. Bruno, Isobel Davis, Sara Mary Dietzman, Luke Anthony Doris, Meredith Janae Kresic, Matthew Louis Lacerra, Austin William Langer, Catherine Noelle Lenz, Cara Anne Heyer Lockwood, Shane Tyler Luery, Kenneth William Maher, Kaitlyn Marie McCann, Christopher Steven McLean, Daniel Keller Myers, Sophia Victoria Haux Nicolella, Ian Robert O’Malley, Rebecca Waterman Ouellette, Christopher Thomas Peterson, Alec Pisanelli, Logan Christopher Schier, Savannah Shafer, Emily Cara Shallo, Abigail Lauren Side, Jordan Smith, Samantha Nicole Steiger, Tyler Richard Terbrusch, Raymond Tran, Margaux Leigh Verlaque-Amara, Kayleen Walter, and Henry Alexander Walton.

Amanda Milot of Ridgefield, made dean’s list for the fall semester at Roger Williams University.

Randy Deng of Ridgefield made the dean’s list for the fall 2015 semester at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Georganna C. Benedetto was named to the dean’s list at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, for the fall semester of the 2015-16 year. Benedetto, a member of the class of 2019, attended Ridgefield High School and is the daughter of Christopher and Janice Benedetto.

Tufts University announced the following Ridgefield students who made dean’s list for undergraduate students enrolled for the fall 2015 semester: Mallory Feldman, Class of 2016; Julia Garbow, Class of 2019; Lee Glicklich, Class of 2017; Sabrina Manero, Class of 2018; Nicholas Martinez, Class of 2017; Hashim Pasha, Class of 2016; Adam Rayfield, Class of 2018; and Wilhad Reuter, Class of 2018.

Benjamin K. Viggiano of Ridgefield, a freshman at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, recently returned from spending the fall semester in Salamanca, Spain, through a special program that offers first-year students the opportunity to study abroad. Viggiano, a graduate of Ridgefield High School, is the son of Stephen and Mary Viggiano.

Felicia Nadel and Lea Vivian, both of Ridgefield, have been named to the dean’s list at the University of New Hampshire for the fall semester of the 2015-16 academic year.

Two Ridgefield residents, Katie Ketner, grade 9, and Andrew Scherl, grade 12, have been named to the honor roll for the first marking period of the winter term at The Harvey School.

Caroline Carr, a junior at the College of the Holy Cross, has been named to the dean’s list for the first semester of the 2015-16 academic year. Her major is political science and philosophy. She is the daughter of Tyler and Christie Carr of Ridgefield.

Four Ridgefield students were named to the Marist College dean’s list for the fall 2015 semester:

Nicolas Maglieri, class of 2017, majoring in digital media; Andrew Ventrella, class of 2019, majoring in business administration; Molly Weeks, class of 2017, majoring in communication and Lucas Winson, class of 2019, majoring in liberal arts.

Erin McKenna of Ridgefield has achieved the status of dean’s list for the fall 2015 semester at Merrimack College.

Katharine Wilson of Ridgefield enrolled at Eastern Connecticut State University for spring 2016 semester. Her major is communication.

The following Ridgefield students earned dean’s list honors for the fall 2015 semester at Saint Joseph’s University: Kelly Aaronson studies history and Mike Rivera studies computer science.

The following students from Ridgefield have been named to the Bucknell University dean’s list for the fall semester of the 2015-16 academic year: Jennifer Doak, class of 2016; Amelia Romero, class of 2016 and Olivia Miloro, class of 2019.

Michael Ryan Harder, son of Lisa Braden-Harder and Larry Harder of Ridgefield, received academic honors at Boston College by making the dean’s list for the fall semester 2015. A senior, Harder is majoring in economics at the university’s College of Arts and Sciences

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has announced that Daniel Pelgrift of Ridgefield, a member of the class of 2017, majoring in aerospace engineering, was named to the university’s dean’s list for academic excellence for the fall 2015 semester.

Mattie Tucker Joyner of Ridgefield, has been named to the honor roll at the University of Oklahoma Norman campus for the fall 2015 semester.

Virginia Military Institute cadet Tyler E. Hamilton, was named to the dean’s list for the first semester of academic year 2015-16. Tyler, a freshman from Ridgefield, is majoring in modern languages and cultures. Cadet Hamilton’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Edward P. Hamilton.

Two Ridgefield students have received scholarships to attend Berkeley College: Rafael Antunes and Ashley Jimenez.

Christopher Bedell, of Ridgefield, a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Florham Campus, located in Madison, N.J., has been named to the dean’s list for the fall 2015 semester.

The post Student News appeared first on The Ridgefield Press.

Joseph B. Fenton, 71, of Ridgefield, and Bonita Springs, Fla., husband of Bonnie (Donnelly) Fenton, died on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, N.Y.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 3, at 10:15 a.m. in St. Mary R. C. Church, 55 Catoonah St., Ridgefield. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.

The family will receive friends in the Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah St., Ridgefield on Wednesday, March 2, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, www2.jdf.org or to the Semper Fi Fund, www.semperfifund.org

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