Drs. Irene Isabel and Bryan Beutel

Dr. Irene Isabel Lim and Dr. Bryan Beutel were married on April 27 by Father Epifanio Marcaida at the Church of the Resurrection in Rye, N.Y.

Given in marriage by her parents, the bride wore a custom ivory ball gown with an embroidered veil and carried a bouquet of white irises, white dendrobium orchids, and cream roses. The bridesmaids wore custom navy blue dresses and carried bouquets of pink Rosita Vendela roses.

Mark and Christopher Beutel, the groom’s brothers and also natives of Ridgefield, were co-best men.

The bride, 27, is the daughter of Marvin and Veronica Lim of Rye.

Dr. Irene Isabel Lim (known as “Iris”) is a resident physician in general surgery in New York City at the New York University Langone Medical Center. She graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University, where she received a bachelor of science degree in biological and environmental engineering. She then earned her doctor of medicine degree from New York University School of Medicine in 2011. She will continue to use her name professionally.

Dr. Bryan Beutel, also 27, is the son of Robert and Margaret Beutel of Ridgefield. He is a resident physician in Orthopaedic Surgery in New York City at the New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases. He graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University, where he received a bachelor of science degree in biological and environmental engineering. He went on to earn his doctor of medicine degree from Brown University’s Alpert Medical School in 2011.

After a reception at The Waters Edge in Darien, the couple spent their honeymoon in Aruba and now live in New York City.

Ridgefield is a 300-year-old town, with many 18th Century houses. How come it doesn’t have any 18th Century churches?

Houses of worship are different from houses of residence: They often weren’t built as well, and they were simply replaced when they were outgrown or worn out.

Ridgefield’s oldest church is Ridgebury Congregational, built in 1851 (it replaced the first church, built in 1768).

In the world of churches, that’s pretty old. Consider that in all of Connecticut, the oldest extant church building is the Abington Congregational Church in Pomfret, built in 1751 — more than a century after the state was settled in 1635.

Through the 1700s, Ridgefield had two Congregational congregations, and two Episcopal congregations — one each in Ridgefield village and in Ridgebury. By 1800, the First Congregational Church already had at least two buildings, and St. Stephen’s had two — the first one burned by the British in 1777 because it held rebel stores.

Most of the old churches succumbed to age — and not necessarily old age. Some lasted only 40 or 50 years. They were probably not built as well as houses for a couple of reasons: They were used for only a small part of the week, and the builders did not have a lot of money to contribute to their construction. The original First Congregational Church — the  meeting house also used for occasional town functions — was built in the early 1730s, and by 1765 townspeople were already talking about replacing it (which, in good old Ridgefield fashion, didn’t get done until 1800).

Money was hard to come by. By 1817, St. Stephen’s Church, completed in 1791, was seriously deteriorating because of lack of money to keep it in repair, and the church vestry voted to name a committee to repair the roof and windows, and to build a steeple that had been cut from the original construction plans. Church members were asked to pledge money. Two years later, the work was done, but the congregation couldn’t afford a bell for the new steeple until 1828.

Of course, congregations outgrew buildings, too. By January 1841, St. Stephen’s vestry decided its building was too small, and in un-Ridgefieldlike fashion, a cornerstone was laid by August, and the first service in the new building took place Sept. 5, 1842.

Only one outgrown 19th Century church has survived, but not for worship. Today’s Thrift Shop on Catoonah Street was an early St. Mary’s Church — it could barely hold a catechism class today.

Congregations are still outgrowing buildings. St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, built in 1969, is in the process of being replaced by a larger, new church. The old one will eventually be razed.

The Euro Challenge Team includes Clare Skillman, Grace Maglieri, David Nica, Ryan McSpedon, Joseph Kaufman and Ben Muller.

The Ridgefield High School Euro Challenge Team recently returned from a two-day visit to Washington, D.C. members received for winning the Euro Challenge contest in April with their discussion of the banking crisis in Spain.

They presented their views to Spanish Economic and Commercial Counselor Gonzalo Garcia.

Sophomores Clare Skillman, David Nica, Joseph Kaufman, Grace Maglieri and Ben Muller worked diligently all year to prepare for the competition where close to 100 teams nationwide presented their views on the various topics of the European Union (EU). Ryan McSpedon helped create the PowerPoint presentation. They prepared a 15-minute speech and were ready for a 10-minute Q&A about Spain and the banking crisis, the EU and general economic questions.

The Euro Challenge is an educational opportunity for high school students to learn about the European Union. Student teams of three to five students are asked to make presentations answering specific questions about the European economy and the single currency, the euro. They are also asked to pick one member country of the “euro area” (the 17 EU member countries that have adopted the euro so far), to examine an economic problem at the country level, and to identify policies for responding to that problem.

The compete for monetary awards provided by The Moody’s Foundation.

The Ridgefield team described the economic conditions of the European Union, and thoroughly studied the European Central Banking system and the crisis in the EU. Clare Skillman said, “After barely recovering from the 2008 global recession, Europe’s banking crisis and sovereign debt problems became acute in 2010.”

Joe Kaufman added that “government spending fell as debt-laden nations slashed their budgets with fiscal austerity measures, which further contributed to economic slowdown.”

Grace Maglieri said Spain was liable for the debts of several regional governments. “Spain’s emergence as the crisis epicenter again fed debate over the value of austerity over stimulus. This has caused pain in many regions of the EU.”

Joe Kaufman explained how “the establishment of the euro gave bullish sentiments and a massive credit book in some euro zone countries like Spain and Ireland.” Ben Muller added, “Spain established SAREB for a quick and efficient siphoning of bad assets, in order to help create a healthy banking system. There is fear, though, that it will not do all that is promised. How can near worthless property be sold at an eventual profit? How long will it take?”

David Nica said the solution to the banking crisis cannot lie with Spain alone. Also, he felt that the “banking institution should be separated from the trading institution or capital markets. There are basic flaws in the entire EU banking system.”

Ben Muller referred to the October 2012 Liikanen Report as the guideline for reforms. Grace Maglieri supported the single banking supervisor to monitor all major banks within the euro zone because “anything else is less a solution than a symbolic gesture.”

Clare Skillman ended with the feeling that these reforms are needed now. She hoped “that Spain will lead the EU with the numerous reforms and displays the need for transparency and reliable banking.”

Finally, David Nica concluded the presentation with: “Only with a supranational banking supervisor can the EU sever the unhealthy link between banks and government, such as had developed in Spain.”

On their trip, the students visited the European Union headquarters in Washington, D.C.; the Spanish Embassy, where they presented their findings,; and also the International Monetary Fund, where there was a roundtable discussion about the need for banking reform in the European Union. They also had time to tour the Capitol with a guide from Rep. Jim Himes’ office.

In addition, a private tour of the Senate office buildings was provided by a member of Senator Murphy’s office. They had an opportunity to meet with former students of Ridgefield High School who are now working at the Capitol: Connor Shaw and Emily Smith.

Brandon, a public ally who had worked with Citywide Youth Coalition, pauses for a picture with other New Haven youth leaders at the Coalition’s Youth Summit. The summit was co-planned by a team of youth and adults from Breakthru, Youth Unleashed, and the New Elm City Dream, youth-led social change groups that were interviewed and contributed to the Perrin Family Foundation’s recently released report, A New Role for Connecticut Youth: Leaders of Social Change. —Chris Randall photo

Eddie, a young resident of Hartford, believes he and his peers can transform their community, but he acknowledges not all young people have been encouraged to believe the same. Often, he explains, “youth are told to leave problems behind, rather than trying to fix them.”

Eddie is one of nearly 60 young people, youth workers, community organizers and philanthropists from across Connecticut whose insights and experiences helped inform A New Role for Connecticut Youth: Leaders of Social Change, a report released last week by the Perrin Family Foundation in Ridgefield.

The report calls for a shift in how those across Connecticut view and engage young people in remedying the state’s “deeply rooted social, racial and economic inequities.”

“Too often, youth are regarded as part of the problem and are not given the opportunity to develop the skills that allow them to be part of the solution,” said Sheila Perrin, president of the Perrin Family Foundation. “Adults create agendas and engage in dialogue about issues without the input of those who are most capable of providing firsthand feedback and leadership.”

Conducted in partnership with the Funders’ Collaborative on Youth Organizing, the report draws on national research to provide compelling evidence of a dual bottom line: Supporting youth as leaders of social change has the potential to transform both the lives of young people and the communities in which they live.

It finds, however, that this approach to youth and community change is both uncommon and underdeveloped in Connecticut.

The report defines youth-led social change as a “long term process that builds the confidence, knowledge, skills and collective leadership of young people while addressing the root causes of injustice and inequity in their communities.” It identifies several factors that impede youth-led social change in Connecticut, including:

• The absence of local learning opportunities to build youth, staff and organizational capacity to develop and implement youth-led organizing campaigns that address root causes of inequity.
• The fear of engaging in “tough” conversations about “uncomfortable” topics like race, class and power.
• The need for a shift in prevailing philanthropic culture and practice.

Laura McCargar, the author of the report, said the challenges facing Connecticut are “significant but far from insurmountable. Connecticut is ripe for change, and those interviewed expressed a strong desire to see more of this work happening here.”

The report draws on insights from those in the field to advance opportunities and recommendations for how to expand and strengthen youth-led social change efforts across the state.

The Perrin Family Foundation has launched new initiatives that prioritize partnering with community groups and funders to raise awareness about the benefits of youth-led social change and to strengthen capacity, infrastructure and resources to support youth organizing in Connecticut.

Copies of the report may be downloaded online at www.perrinfamilyfoundation.org.

The Perrin Family Foundation has as its aim “to make Connecticut a state where young people are vital leaders in creating safe, healthy and just communities.”

It works with organizations based in under-resourced communities across the state “to create environments that support youth as leaders of social change.”

The Funders’ Collaborative on Youth Organizing “unites national, regional and local grantmakers and youth organizing practitioners dedicated to advancing youth organizing as a strategy for youth development and social transformation.”

Fifteen students celebrated their Confirmation on Sunday, June 2, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. The Rev. Whitney Altopp presented the class, who prepared for their confirmation through participation in study, worship and social outreach. Episcopal Bishop the Right Rev. Dr. Laura Ahrens confirmed the candidates. From left are, front row: St. Stephen’s Rector Whitney Altopp, Max Jarcho, Alex Marshall, Kristofer Klemm, Casey Snow, Jenny Stevens, and leader Georgia Carrington. Second row; Olivia Basile, Emma Hackett, Kendall Phillipps, Margot Racy, Andrea Bernhardt, Kate Lindenburg and leader Bill Snellings. Back row, leader Kim Marshall, John Diorio, Chris Lieder, leader Fred Marshall, Owen Tortora and Miles Russo.

The Democrats’ one party rule strikes again in Connecticut to the detriment of all citizens, regardless of party. A bill that did not go through the normal legislative process of committee review and recommendation was put on the legislative floor of the Connecticut House of Representatives unannounced and in the wee hours of the morning when few were present. Of course it passed, as only those insiders who knew about it showed up.

What bill was this that is such an affront to all Americans? This bill, passed quickly by the Democratic Party in the Connecticut Senate, will soon become law when Gov. Malloy signs it (which may have already happened by the time you read this). It allows driver’s licenses to be given to people in the country illegally.

Supporters argue that it will keep our roads safer since DUI offenses and accidents can be better tracked. A valid argument to be sure. What they forget to mention is that there will be no markings on this license to indicate that the licensee is not a citizen. An amendment to add this detail was voted down by the majority party.

In all of our local towns a valid driver’s license is all that is required to register to vote. When you appear at the polling place in our local towns, the poll workers ask to see a driver’s license. So thousands and thousands of non-citizens will have the illegal ability to vote here. No doubt they will vote for the party that granted them this unlawful privilege, which, of course, is the real purpose. Where it has been tried in other states voter fraud has been rampant, despite denials by trustworthy Eric Holder and his DOJ. Your vote, dear citizen, has now been rendered worthless.

Remember this outrage the next time you go to vote.

This column is supplied by the Republican town Committee.

Sagi Chef Demasi will cook on TV

Bianca Demasi, founder and owner of Sagi Cucina Italiana on Catoonah Street, will be on television today.

Chef Demasi will prepare a favorite spring pasta dish on “Better Connecticut,” a show on WFSB, Monday, June 17, at 3 p.m. WFSB in Hartford is Channel 3 on many systems.

“The dish will be featured as a special at the restaurant that week so if you miss her on TV then come on in and try the dish,” said Sabrina Rullo, manager (and Ms. Demasi’s daughter).

Health and wealth: networking Monday

The health and wellness company, Isagenix International, and Drew Berman of Ridgefield, will have a networking event, “Fit, Fabulous, and Financially Free,” Monday June 17, from 6 to 9:30 at The Ridgefield Playhouse.

“Don’t miss your chance to network and learn with local business experts and entrepreneurs!” said Mr. Berman. “Healthy food tips, fun, networking and brilliant information will be shared on improving health and wealth.”

Guest speakers will include: Millionaire Bill Constain, financial planner, social media marketing expert; Mr. Berman, author of, “YouOnlineYouOffline;” Keith Deyo, gym owner and fitness expert; Tammy Gruber, Pilates instructor and owner of a Wellness Life; Jessica Mancini, owner of The Fitness Studio, dance and Zumba instructor; and Dr. Nicole Kafka, Harvard/Cornell graduate, NY board certified surgeon and nutritional expert.

Focus topics include social media strategies, tax advantages, eliminating debt, losing weight, improving athletic performance, and having more energy.

For free tickets, contact Mr. Berman at 917-226-6901; dbi@drewberman.com or www.drewberman.com.

Lori Fusco joins Morgan Stanley office

Lori M. Fusco has joined The Ridgefield Group at Morgan Stanley  as a financial advisor in the firm’s wealth management office at 90 Grove Street.

Formerly with Merrill Lynch for seven years, Ms. Fusco is a native of Scarsdale, N.Y. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Lafayette College. She currently lives in Ridgefield with her fiancé and three children.

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides access to a wide range of products and services to individuals, businesses and institutions, including brokerage and investment advisory services, financial and wealth planning, banking and lending, cash management, annuities and insurance, retirement and trust services.

For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.

Foley offers tours by bike in Vermont

Caitlin Foley, a Ridgefield High School Class of 2004 alumna, has launched Kingdom Tours, a bicycling tourist company in the “Northeast Kingdom” of Vermont.

“The Northeast Kingdom was ranked at the number one American destination by the National Geographic Society for their Geotourism Initiative,” said Ms. Foley.

“Inspired by the lack of options of guided excursions in this incredibly beautiful area, Kingdom Tours was born to ‘fill the gap,’” said Ms. Foley.

Kingdom Tours’ offerings include half-day mountain biking trips, “Boutique Bike-and-Stay Packages,” and private tours.

She lived in Rome, Italy, for seven years where she worked as a tour guide at the Vatican and started her own tour company, before moving back home to start the new venture.

Ms. Foley has partnered with Village Sport Shop in Burke, as a base of operations.

Description of tours may be found at villagesportshop.com/kingdom-tours/tour-packages. She also has a Kingdom Tours facebook page.

Laurel Ridge helps in Alzheimer fight

The Alzheimer’s Association partnered with Laurel Ridge Health Care and the Playhouse June 2, to create awareness for people affected by the disease.

Kristen Cusato, southwest Connecticut regional director of the Alzheimer’s Association, educated people who were interested in finding out more information about the Association or ways to support the CT Chapter during the event.

Laurel Ridge, which has been a long-time supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission, helped to underwrite the Bacon Brothers show and donated door prizes in order to fund-raise for the Chapter. The  Playhouse also donated a portion of the proceeds to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Newman attends Little Gym reunion 

Erica Newman of The Little Gym of Ridgefield recently attended the company’s annual “Reunion” Conference  in Jacksonville, Fla.  April 25 to 27 with more than 300 owners and key team members of The Little Gym franchises.

Each year, The Little Gym uses its reunion conference to keep the focus on improving programs through their franchisees.

During the conference, Ms. Newman had the opportunity to share best practices with both owners and other team members in large group and small group settings meetings on how to deliver great programs while maintaining profitability and operating efficiencies.

“Every reunion is an opportunity for me to meet other franchise owners and team members, exchange ideas, learn about the latest programs and offerings, and discover new ways to keep The Little Gym of Ridgefield a fun, energy-filled, worthwhile experience for all of our children,” said Ms. Newman. “At the end of the day, The Little Gym is about using fun physical activities to help children develop self-confidence and new skills, while emphasizing healthy habits that benefit the whole family. That’s a great goal to strive for — for my business and for the families we serve, too.”

For more information, call  203-431-2150,   enewman@thelittlegym.com or visit www.TheLittleGym.com.

 Raveis announces awards for May

Deb McCarty was recognized as the Top Listing Associate and The Morris Group was Top Listing Team in the Ridgefield/Redding office of William Raveis Real Estate Mortgage & Insurance for May.

The Morris Group was the Top Selling Team.

Ms. McCarty was  Top Producing Associate and The Morris Group was Top Producing Team.

The Karlson & Jasinski Group was honored for Excellence in Customer Service by William Raveis, chief executive officer and chairman.

Pitt Sotheby’s video on supply and demand

William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty has launched the latest episode of its “Supply and Demand” online video series. In the video, president and chief executive officer Paul Breunich explores recent trends in real estate and how they are impacting the market.

Mr. Breunich discusses the four traditional phases of the market with host Ana Berry, explaining that the market has cycled through all four phases in recent years and has now returned to the initial peak stage, last seen in the years 1997 to 2005.

According to Mr. Breunich, this phase is characterized by high demand, illustrated by increasing unit sales, and low supply, which has the effect of driving prices upward. The peak period was followed by a correction period in 2006, with decreasing sales causing inventory to increase while prices remained unaffected; a trough period in 2008, with supply at its highest and demand at a low point; and a recovery period in 2011, with supply shrinking and unit sales finally rising.

The “Supply and Demand” video is now available to view on williampitt.com.

Study ebook offered,workshops planned

Successful Study Skills 4 Students (S4) is offering Ridgefield students, a free e-book, “S4’s Test and Exam Study Tips,” as a service to middle and high school students.

The book provides strategies for preparing to take a variety of tests. Strategies are outlined for specific content areas — English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language, and specific test types, including multiple choice, short answer, essay, and open book.

The strategies are adapted from S4’s study-skills workshops, which The Ridgefield Boys & Girls Club will be hosting in July and August. The workshops offer a more in-depth approach to studying, note-taking, time management, project management, and self-advocacy. More information about the workshops can be found at www.s4studyskills.com/Upcoming_Workshops.html.

The e-book will be available for download at www.S4StudySkills.com/Test_Prep_Study_Tips.html through June 10.

Schimenti buildsBed Bath project

Schimenti Construction Company, headquartered in Ridgefield has broken ground on a new $15 million retail shopping development in the Deptford Town Center shopping center in Deptford, N.J. The one-story 100,000-square-foot building will include every Bed Bath & Beyond brand under one roof: Bed Bath & Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops, buybuy Baby and Harmon Face Values.

Schimenti Construction, founded in 1994, builds retail shopping stores for some of the nation’s leading retailers, including Clarks, Fossil, Kohl’s, REI, Sephora, Starbucks, Victoria’s Secret and Zara.

State Department of Motor Vehicles customers can now check online with a laptop or desk computer, smart phone or tablet for wait times before heading to any of its major service offices around the state.

The new wait-time link can be found at ct.gov/dmv . It shows times for various services each office may offer, such as registering a vehicle, obtaining a license, ID card or obtaining a handicap parking permit, getting copies of records, requesting a duplicate title and making registration and license name changes.

In addition, a drop down menu displays a list of offices so customers can choose which one best fits their own needs. Since the new service was launched as a test Monday, more than 2,300 visits to the page were logged. It is now in full use.

“We see this as a tremendous customer service improvement. Until now, the wait time was always a mystery and gamble when you went to a DMV,” said Melody A. Currey, DMV Commissioner. “Now people have a guide to help them plan their day.”

The wait-time link can be found on the front of the DMV website as well as on the various web pages for the DMV offices.

In its offices, DMV has an automatic computer system for queuing customers. The information from this system is used for the online wait-time information. The online times are within 10 minutes of real time.

DMV has been known for long lines and long wait times. This system attempts to give customers more control over how long and where they choose to wait. Often waits can change in just minutes depending on the number of customers who come to a particular office. The new wait-time check will help with balancing the wait times through customer selections of offices with the shortest wait time.

Online checks for wait times for high-volume services, such as hospitals’ emergency departments and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration airport screening, are becoming more available as a customer services. Some are report-based from customers while others come from automatic queuing systems like those at the Connecticut DMV.

Seven hundred sixty-seven.

That’s how many years of experience the Ridgefield school district will lose at the end of this month, when 28 of its faculty and staff members retire.

The Board of Education recognized the retirees at its meeting Monday night during a 45-minute ceremony.

Ridgefield High School had the most retirees, 10 of its staff members.

The list featured six teachers with 35 years or more of service, including math teacher Maxine Driscoll, business teacher and assistant dean Mark Katz, science teacher Louis Hall, technology teachers John Nessel and Benjamin Stiles, and paraprofessional Marilyn Bellagamba.

“Maxine started back at the old high school in 1961,” RHS Principal Stacey Gross of Ms. Driscoll, who taught 42 years in the district. “She took time off to raise her family but came back afterward and now, she has eight grandchildren.”

“All members of the RHS science department have benefited from the presence of Lou Hall,” Ms. Gross said of Mr. Hall, who taught 37-plus years.

The other RHS retirees included Assistant Principal Diane de Cristo, science teacher Agnes Dorsey-Mott, school nurse Gail Baker, and science teacher Peter Ustie.

Ridgebury Elementary School Principal Jamie Palladino paid tribute to the district’s two most senior teachers — kindergarten teacher Ruth-Ann Flynn, who taught 47 years, and second grade teacher Mae Murray, 44 years.

Ms. Flynn and Ms. Murray were recognized alongside fifth grade teachers Marguerite Reynolds and Laurel Gordon, and speech teacher Karen Hausmann.

“There’s 153 years of service between these five dynamic teachers,” said Mr. Palladino. “They all have had a tremendous influence on our school’s community and have changed the lives of so many children.”

Farmingville Elementary is losing one of the most senior teachers in the district, Ken Gibson, who taught second grade for 42-plus years.

“Ken is one of the kindest people I’ve ever known — that anybody who’s ever came to Farmingville has ever known,” said Farmingville Principal Susan Gately.

Veterans Park will also lose a second grade teacher, Shelly Anderton, to retirement, in addition to physical education teacher Tony Veteri.

Dr. Jason McKinnon, the principal at Branchville Elementary, started the reception when he acknowledged the retirement of Pamela Harrington, who has taught physical education at Branchville for the past 36 years.

“Pam always drove home the message to our kids that there are more important things than winning,” Mr. McKinnon said.

East Ridge Middle School Principal Martin Fiedler spoke next and honored math teacher Susan Melillo, librarian Carole Watson and secretary Georgiana Castellani, all of whom had worked for 20-plus years.

In total, there were 11 retired teachers who had 35 or more years of service.

While the schools certainly parted ways with a lot of experience, the district’s central office also had to make some difficult good-byes.

Administrative secretary Patricia MacDonald, who worked for 29 years dating back to 1983, was recognized as a “steady force in the central office.”

“She made it look effortless while defining what it means to be a true professional,” said Karen Dewing, the district’s personnel director.

Superintendent Deborah Low spoke last, honoring Assistant Superintendent Patricia Michael, who worked in the district 17 years.

“Pat helped me get through my first year here as superintendent — I don’t know if I could have done it without her,” said Ms. Low.

Khampiou Chansouk retired as the district’s third longest tenured custodian with 33 years of experience.

Fellow custodians retiring this year included Milt Magnussen, 29 years; Kenneth Winters, 20 years; and Richard Herling, 11 years.

Brian Costa and Jennifer Murray

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Murray of Ridgefield have announced the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Murray, to Brian Costa, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Costa of Shelton.

Ms. Murray graduated from Emmanuel College with a bachelor of arts degree and is employed as an account executive with Source Marketing.

Mr. Costa received a bachelor of arts from Middlebury College and a master of business administration from New York University Stern School of Business. He is an associate director at UBS Investment Bank.

A summer wedding will take place in Ridgefield at St. Mary Parish.

Do you own or operate a small business? Or do you plan to start a business someday soon? If you answered yes to either question, the IRS has online information, support and services that may be helpful to you.

Small Business Week Webinars. During National Small Business Week 2013, the IRS is hosting two free, live small business webinars. Go online to learn about the many tax benefits available to businesses. You will also learn how to avoid common mistakes made by small businesses. IRS staff will answer questions during each webinar.

Attend the free live webinars on June 18 and June 20 at 2 p.m. (ET).

Register for the events at IRS Webinars for Small Businesses.

Although tax professionals will not get continuing education credits, they will receive lots of useful information.

If you’re unable to attend the live events, you can view the archived versions on the IRS Video Portal. They’ll be available about three weeks after the broadcasts.

Online Support Anytime. The IRS offers many online products and services for small businesses. They’re available any day of the week throughout the year on IRS.gov. Here are just a few examples of the business resources the IRS offers:

The Online Learning and Educational Products page features useful small business tools. The Online Tax Calendar helps you keep track of important tax deadlines. You can subscribe to e-News for Small Businesses to help you stay on top of the latest tax news affecting small businesses.

The Self-Employed Individuals Tax Center is for sole proprietors, independent contractors, members of partnerships, and others who are in business for themselves. Check it out for self-employed tax information and more tools.

The Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center is for small businesses with assets under $10 million. Visit this page for resources like Small Business Taxes: the Virtual Workshop. This popular class helps you learn the basics of federal taxes. It offers nine lessons to help you navigate tax issues so your small business can thrive.

Visit IRS.gov for more information and federal tax news for small businesses. You can also get small business forms and publications on the IRS website or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Single-family home sales in Connecticut dropped more than 2.5% in April compared to the same month a year ago. Median home prices statewide, however, increased more than 9% in April, according to The Warren Group, publisher of The Commercial Record.

In April, there were 1,923 single-family home sales statewide, down from 1,973 in April 2012. This marks the third consecutive month that sales volume decreased year-over-year.

April sales volume reached the highest level so far this year; surpassing the 1,507 sales recorded in March.

Year-to-date sales are down 3.6% — a total of 5,966 homes have sold so far this year, down from 6,189 during the same period last year.

“There is high demand this spring, which is causing this pattern of rising prices,” said Timothy M. Warren Jr., chief executive officer of The Warren Group. “Nevertheless, sales volume is down which means that buyers and sellers are missing market opportunities.”

The median price for single-family homes sold in April rose more than 9% to $250,000 from $229,000 a year ago.

New London and Tolland are the only counties in April where prices decreased from 2012.

The median selling price for the first four months of the year was $237,000, a 7.7% increase from the $220,000 median price recorded during the same period in 2012.

“The housing market continues to improve, but could be hindered if rising prices cause an affordability issue. Seven consecutive months of price increases is slightly concerning,” Mr. Warren added.

Statewide condominium sales increased for the first month since January — rising almost 5% to 532 from 508 in April 2012.

A total of 1,647 condo sale transactions were recorded in the first four months of the year, a less than 1% increase from 1,645 the prior year. April marks the highest volume of condo sales so far this year.

The median condo sales price also increased in April. Prices rose almost 14% to $174,000 from $152,800 during the same month in 2012. The year-to-date condo price is up more than 3%, rising to $162,000 from $157,000.

The Walnut Hill Church may use the theater on the town-owned Schlumberger site.

Still ambivalent about religious use of the Ridgefield Playhouse, an arts facility created through a carefully nurtured public-private partnership, the selectmen decided last week to focus solely on the Schlumberger Theater as a possible site for Walnut Hill Community Church services.

Both facilities are town-owned, but the playhouse was made into a successful performing arts center after extensive renovations financed by private donors.

“I have a problem with worship in the playhouse — worship of any faith,” said Selectwoman Barbara Manners, who years ago as a private citizen had championed the playhouse and solicited donations to refurbish the old high school’s auditorium as a performing arts center.

“There are people who have told me they would never had donated to the playhouse” knowing it would be used for worship, Ms. Manners told the selectmen.

And, she said, if she’d believed the playhouse would become a worship space she wouldn’t have spent “years of my life working on it.”

The Schlumberger Theater, in contrast, was purchased by taxpayers with the goal of limiting future development of the 45-acre research property, and public discussion of the idea that parts of it might be sold off for a variety of possible uses — offices, housing development, art storage.

Schlumberger is also now the location preferred by Walnut Hill church leaders, who had initially looked into the playhouse as a site for a temporary facility they can use to see if there’s enough support to justify a more permanent church  in Ridgefield.

“Over the past few months as we’ve looked at different spots in Ridgefield, Schlumberger Theater just seemed to be perfect for us,” Adam DePasquale, one of Walnut Hill’s ministers, told The Press last week.

Walnut Hill has congregations that meet in Waterbury, Seymour, Litchfield and Derby, but the main church is in Bethel — where many Ridgefielders attend services.

“We have about 300 Ridgefielders who come to the church,” said Pastor DePasquale, who grew up in Ridgefield and is heading the church’s effort to open here.

“We feel this could draw also from some of our New York congregants, Wilton, Redding, but primarily a Ridgefield location,” he said.

The selectmen took no vote last Wednesday, but reached a consensus to push ahead with the Schlumberger Theater, while backing off the idea of using the playhouse.

Walnut Hill was on the selectmen’s agenda last week because First Selectman Rudy Marconi wanted the board to discuss renewing efforts to work out the church’s use of the playhouse space, as a back-up in case the Schlumberger Theater couldn’t be ready in time for the church’s desired September opening.

Earlier this year the church had worked out an agreement with the private board of directors that operates the playhouse to rent the facility during the fall for $500 a Sunday.

Because the playhouse has a $1-a-year lease from the town, the matter came before the selectmen on it’s way the Planning and Zoning Commission for a revision of its special permit under zoning.

In March the selectmen voted 4-to-1 to seek a temporary revision to the playhouse’s permit to allow religious services there for four months, Sept. 1 to Dec. 31.

Ms. Manners had opposed that plan, saying the religious use would violate the terms of the lease in which the town grants the playhouse board a $1-a-year rental for the purpose of having artistic performances — concerts, plays, dance recitals — in the space.

Last Wednesday Mr. Marconi told the board that town attorney Dave Groggins had researched the issue and concluded that Ms. Manners — who’d negotiated the lease — was right.

Since the March vote it had been clarified that any amendment to the playhouse’s special permit, allowing a religious use, could not be given a limited duration — once zoning allows a use to be established at a site, it is grandfathered as legal there.

The question before the selectmen last week was whether they wanted to consider reworking a clause of the lease, and having the zoning permit changed, so the playhouse would be available as a back-up for the church, should the Schlumberger Theater site not work out.

A long discussion showed the board had mixed feelings.

Mr. Marconi and Selectwoman Di Masters said they had no problem with the church using the playhouse.

“When St. Elizabeth Seton was being built, they used Ridgebury School for their Sunday School,” Mr. Marconi said.

But Maureen Kozlark and Andy Bodner seemed to share Ms. Manners’ discomfort, given the attorney’s ruling.

“I think it’s clear we want to confine it to pursuing the Schlumberger Theater,” Ms. Kozlark said.

The problem with the Schlumberger site — which prompted Mr. Marconi look into the playhouse as a potential back-up — is  electricity.

In pursuit of the plan to sell off much of the property, the most of Schlumberger’s old office and research buildings will be demolished.  Town Engineer Charles Fisher told Mr. Marconi that electrical service — which is routed through various buildings to be demolished — might not be re-established at the theater in time for church on a Sept. 1.

At least, not without considerable expense.

“We’ve made initial contact with NYCONN Electric to study the electrical configuration of the Schlumberger property, specifically the Philip Johnson building and the adjoining auditorium. It appears an initial cost just to analyze the facility is approximately $3,000-plus,” Mr. Marconi said this week.

“It’s beginning to sound as if we’re better off just digging a trench and bringing new service in.”

Mr. Marconi said he’d follow the board’s inclinations and push full speed ahead with the Schlumberger Theater site, while dropping efforts to pursue the playhouse as a back-up.

“Would the board be willing to reconvene a meeting if we run into a brick wall?” he asked.

The board, including Ms. Manners, agreed they would.

As the selectmen’s discussion ended, Pastor DePasquale said, “I want to thank you and thank the town for the amount of time you’ve spent on this issue.”

“I see a town that’s very warm and welcoming to religion, and to debate,” he said. “And I want to thank you.”

Lauren Cust and her daughter, Mary Mae

Lauren Cust comes from a long line of veterans, so it was natural for her to sign up for the military in July 2006.

“My great-grandfather, who immigrated from Italy, earned his citizenship fighting in World War I for the United States,” Ms. Cust said. “A family member has been in every war since.”

Ms. Cust, who grew up in Ridgefield, was honorably discharged from the Army Reserve in September 2011. Her total tour — including time in Iraq — was 15 months.

“I really struggled when I returned from Iraq,” the Shelton resident said. “I always say the hardest part of my deployment was coming home. Combat changes a person. I didn’t really realize just how much I had changed, but everyone around me did.”

Ms. Cust had wanted to enlist in 2000 after graduating from Ridgefield High School, but her parents — Donald and Carmine DeYoung — convinced her to attend college first.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Salve Regina University in Rhode Island.

Lauren Cust in the Army

“After graduation I got my first job as a case manager, but I still felt the drive to join the military,” Ms. Cust said. Two years later, she enlisted in the Army Reserve to serve in the military police.

“At the time it was the closest a woman could get to combat, or so I thought,” she said. “Little did I know I would be in combat for my entire tour.”

Coming home

Once home, it was difficult for her to connect with family and friends again.

“It is especially hard on women to readjust to civilian life because we are considered the nurturers in families,” she said. “It is so hard to go from having to have your emotions turned off in combat and to come home and nurture a family.

“I was struggling with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) but I didn’t want to admit it,” she said.

Ms. Cust said veterans face many struggles, such as finding employment, housing and support. Then there are those somewhat hidden struggles that many also face.

“So many of our veterans struggle with PTSD, anxiety, depression and suicide. There is also the hidden trauma of military sexual trauma that many women and some men have experienced while in the service,” she said.

“This is a national disgrace and something I have personally dealt with,” Ms. Cust said. “It compounds the issues women face when we return. To defend yourself from the enemy is one thing. To have to defend yourself from your fellow soldiers is a betrayal that shakes you to your core.”

She said when she returned home, she and her husband lost friends because of her internal struggles. She continues to work hard to readjust to civilian life.

“I wish it was as easy as flipping a switch and magically you are better, but that isn’t the reality of it,” Ms. Cust said.

She now has a master’s degree in social work and continues making strides.

A connection

Ms. Cust has been assisted by Al Meadows of Shelton, a wounded Vietnam veteran. “He helped me more than I ever imagined possible,” she said.

“He helped me to connect to other veterans, to other women veterans and to have a support network of people who understood what I had been through,” she said. “With Al’s help and the help of my service dog, I have healed in ways I never thought were possible.”

Mr. Meadows is a member of AmVets Post 43 in Shelton.

Ms. Cust’s service dog helps her cope with trauma from having served in combat.

Ways to help

There are many things people can do to help struggling veterans, according to Ms. Cust.

“Helping a veteran can be as simple as hiring one,” she said. “I am a social worker and I have had many employers tell me they are afraid to hire veterans because they do not know when a veteran may ‘go off’ or ‘lose it.’ This is very distressing to me.”

She said more people need to be educated about PTSD so they are not so afraid of it.

Ms. Cust said the  public can back organizations that support veterans, and initiate good deeds such as mowing a veteran’s lawn or just saying “thank you” to a veteran.

Recently, the AmVets Post 43 Female Veterans Committee was formed, focusing on advocacy, outreach and education.

“We work to connect female veterans in a positive way and give each veteran the help they need,” Ms. Cust said.

Always hope

She said her fellow veterans, especially the women, should remember there is always hope.

“Twenty-two veterans dying from suicide a day is not acceptable,” Ms. Cust said. “Reach out to someone for help. Look for the Al Meadows in your community and reach out to them. Join a veterans organization, go to the VA, learn what is available to help you and use it.

“Then when you are back on your feet, go back and help the veteran behind you,” she said. “We never leave anyone behind, in combat or when we return.”

There’s no current health risk, the Aquarion Water Company says, but coliform bacteria was found in the water supply serving about 150 customers on one of several small Ridgefield Lakes area water systems.

“This does not pose any health risk,” said Bruce Silverstone, head of Aquarion’s public communications department.

Aquarion has been treating the water with chlorine, he said, and affected homeowners should received a “red alert” telephone message today, Tuesday, June 18.

With both state and town health department’s aware of the situation, no “boil water” advisory was required, according to Mr. Silverstone.

“The Department of Public Health mandates that any time this is found in the water, people need to be notified,” he said.

The bacteria were detected last Thursday, June 13.

There was a similar problem with the system once last year, and company has begun working on plans for permanent chlorine treatment.

While coliform bacteria is not a threat itself, and can be found in both soil and water, it is also found at high concentrations in the feces of warm-blooded animals and is used as an indicator of contamination.

“There was no fecal coliform, just coliform — it’s bacteria, but not harmful,” said town Health Director Ed Briggs.

“Coliform can be in the soil, and normally the ground works as a filter,” Mr. Silverstone said. “W believe the excessive rain we’ve had in the last two weeks was the cause of this — the ground was simply not able to filter that much runoff.”

For more information, customers may call Aquarion’s Nancy Roberts 1-800-832-2373.

Joy D. Spellman of Ridgefield, who enjoyed gardening and the outdoors, died at her home on June 10. She was 84 years old and the widow of Edward J. Spellman.

Mrs. Spellman, a 45-year resident of Ridgefield, was a longtime member of the Caudatowa Garden Club.

“Joy had a sincere appreciation for the outdoors and nature,” her family said.

She is survived by a son, Jeffrey; a daughter, Ruvene; a brother, Walter; and two grandchildren, Jennifer and Mary.

Memorial services were held on Tuesday, June 18, at the First Congregational Church of Ridgefield.

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

Water demand soared with the temperature and the Ridgefield Water Supply Company banned outdoor water use by its customers, the June 23, 1988 Press reported.

The  company said during peak hours, people in the higher elevations, such as High Ridge, had no water. Among the uses banned were lawn watering, car washing and pool filling.

Fire ravaged the main building of the famed Stonehenge Inn. The 1820’s vintage structure, which had been a highly praised restaurant for more than 40 years, was  destroyed. Victor Gilbert purchased the property in 1945 and converted the old house into an inn that was famous for catering to the appetites of the wealthy and the tastes of the refined such as Michael Todd and Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, and most of the Rockefellers and their close friends, Mrs. Harvey Firestone, Mrs. Thomas Edison, Mrs. Conrad Nagle, Miss Bobo Sears, and Mr. and Mrs. Billy Gaxton. Haile Selassie, then the exiled emperor of Ethiopia, was also a guest.

The class of 1988 ended its days at Ridgefield High School during an evening of stifling heat and humidity. According to Ridgefield High School Principal Elaine Bessette, more than 82% of the class planned to further their education at four-year colleges or technical schools after graduation and 50% of those had been accepted at schools that were their first choice. Five percent of the class planned to enter the military. Among a few of the graduates were Michael Bellagamba, Douglas Campbell, Kristin Casey, Nicole Colaneri, Timothy Daubenspeck, Robert Covino, Michele DeLuca, Gretchen Dingee, Kristen Engstrom, Brook Fenton, Janine Fortin, Patricia Frey, Erin Futterman, James Hannifan, Elizabeth Horniak, Christopher Iseley, Thomas Jones, Seth Kavanaugh, Kimberly Keavney, Jennifer Laviano, Kathryn Loncto, Lisa Lutz, David Manning, Amy Nitsos, the class president, Courtney Pierandri, Frederick Reynolds, Gregory Rotunda, Joshua Ruxin, Mark Serfilippi, Rebecca Steps, and Julie Vozzo.

Amy Kertesz, life-long town resident, whose grandfather and great grandfather were both policemen in Norwalk, passed the Connecticut training program and became a Ridgefield police officer.

Robert and Bette Spielman of West Lane announced the May 3 birth of their son, Robert.

Darla Shaw of Barrack Hill Road received a doctorate of educational management from the University of Bridgeport.

Gregory Scala, son of Dr. and Mrs. Richard Scala of Perry Lane, graduated from Catholic University and planned to bicycle throughout Europe in the fall.

Lisa Merullo, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Merullo of White Birch Road, received her bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Rhode Island.

Lucy Bossidy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Bossidy of Blackman Road, received her bachelor of fine arts degree from Fairfield University.

Dr. Peter Yanity was awarded the 1988 Rotary Club Citizen of the Year Award at a surprise banquet at Silver Spring Country Club. Dr. Yanity had at that point lived in town for 33 years and had served on the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Community Center board, St. Mary Church, the Republican Town Committee, the Lions and Rotary Clubs and the Board of Selectmen.

Cynthia A. Russell of Ridgefield was married to James H. Sturges on May 15.

A mock ice storm Thursday will help test the emergency response centers in Connecticut’s towns, including Ridgefield.

For the second straight year, the resources of all five Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security regions and more than 100 town emergency operations centers will be engaging in a weather-disaster exercise.

This year’s scenario includes a disabling ice storm that has hit Region 5 of the state, as well as Litchfield and northern Fairfield county. It will be the responsibility of all other regions to assist the compromised areas.

Ridgefield’s role will be two-fold. First, an Emergency Operation Center will be established. Second, a Commodities Point of Distribution (C-POD) will be set up at the Schlumberger south parking area. Ridgefield will coordinate how C-PODs are set up, managed, and employed when a FEMA truck arrives for unloading.

The  drill will highlight where emergency response improvements are needed. “A drill such as this is crucial for state agencies as well as our residents to understand and perfect their responsibilities in the face of an emergency,”  First Selectman Rudy Marconi said.

Ridgefield’s worst ice storm occurred shortly before Christmas in 1973 when parts of town were without power for more than a week — during which time temperatures dipped below zero.

Mr. Marconi reminded residents be prepared and aware of potential risks in their neighborhoods in the time of an emergency, including devising a basic emergency supply kit and an emergency plan for the family.

A typical kit may include items such as water, non-perishable food, a radio, a first aid kit, and a cell phone car charger.

Basic steps in an emergency plan include identifying an out-of-town contact, ensuring all family members have the necessary materials to communicate this contact (i.e., cell phone, coins), and teaching all members of the family how to text message.

“Please take this time to come up with your own emergency kit and plan with your family in case of a disaster such as this,” Mr. Marconi said.

Further information can be found at www.ready.gov.

Ann Lundberg and journalist Roy Gutman in Istanbul.

A few weeks ago my husband and I visited our journalist friend in Istanbul who is reporting on the war in Syria, especially the plight of the war refugees. Roy Gutman, with McClatchy Newspapers, has just won a Polk Award for his reporting on Syria. He also won a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the 1993 war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where he provided the first documented reports of concentration camps.

We were joined at lunch by Paul Raymond, a young British translator of Arabic, and a Syrian elementary school teacher from Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city.  Mohammed Gharib, 43, who had just traveled 18 hours on a bus to meet us, volunteers as a camp manager at the Atma Camp in Syria, just over the Turkish border. This refugee camp contains about 30,000 refugees in rebel-held territory, and therefore receives no help from international aid organizations.

There is no electricity at Atma, no tents for newcomers, one blanket for every four people, not even fly sheets on the tents to keep out the rain.

When Roy visited in February, 50 toilets served 30,000 people. Four doctors worked in a makeshift clinic, which was so short of supplies that they had to split tongue-depressors!

Medicines are desperately needed. Twenty-five babies are born each week, being delivered in the Atma town hospital. But there are absolutely no clothes for the newborns.

Roy’s story that ran in McClatchy in March really moved Jeff and me, as we had just welcomed two infant grandchildren into our family. We sent some money for baby clothes, but it was a drop in a massive bucket.

The McClatchy photographs of the camp were shown at a gathering of the photographer’s family and friends and $8,000 was raised, and the impression is that more money could be easily raised.

But there is a much bigger problem. There is still no agency, organization or charitable group to oversee the management of the camp, the distribution of funds, and no 501-C-3 non-profit designation for donors to take a tax-deduction for a charitable gift.

UN agencies like World Food Program are charged with feeding desperate populations, like refugees, and the UN High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) provides tents and blankets elsewhere, including Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.

But inside Syria, international aid organizations such as UNICEF, would have to have approval from the Assad government to work in Syria. Private organizations may do discreet cross-border runs, but understandably they are not regular or predictable.

In rebel-held territories, the refugee camps — like Atma — are not visited even by the International Red Cross.

At our lunch in Istanbul, Mohammed described to Jeff and me how the Saudis had first established the Atma Camp and how it had then been sustained by donations from wealthy Syrian businessmen and expats, at about $15,000 a month.

But that source dried up. They contributed to an organization called Union of Syrians Abroad, which is registered in Austria, Germany and Romania — but not in Turkey.

Paul, our translator, explained why that was important. On the day after that Jeff and I arrived in Istanbul, on May 11, the Turkish border town nearest to Atma camp, Reyhanli, had been bombed, causing 52 deaths and blocks and blocks of buildings destroyed. Paul had been there and reported on the rage the Turks, who felt that their support of Syrian refugees had made them a target.

He had been in Reyhanli to assess the potential of Southern Turkey as a place to transmit foreign aid over the border into Atma. However, he learned of a new obstacle to getting assistance into northern Syria. In order to funnel support to the refugees in Syria, a charitable organization had to be registered in Turkey. And no international organizations were allowed to be registered in that country.

Furthermore, in order for a desperately ill or wounded person from Atma to enter a Turkish hospital, the patient had to have a Turkish camp ID card. No one in the Atma camp in Syria had such a card.

As recently as a month ago, Mohammed said, all that was needed was a referral from a doctor at Atma, and the Turkish medical centers would welcome the patient.

The incredible obstacles facing this largest refugee camp in Syria is just a drop in the ocean of need. UNHCR and U.S. Aid both estimate 1.5 million Syrians have fled to other countries: Jordan, which is being overwhelmed by the refugee population, Lebanon, Turkey, and even to Iraq, which had recently sent its own flood of war-torn refugees into Syria.

Inside the country there are, according to U.S. Aid, 4.25 million homeless people and 6.8 million who are hungry and in need. However, the UNHCR numbers in March were greatly underestimated, as they only counted six out of 14 provinces then.

Jeff asked Mohammed, whose home in Aleppo is constantly shelled, “Why don’t you move to a safer location, either out of the country or into a camp?”

He said that five of his 10 children had been killed. The others hang on, keep attending school, and indeed his wife will not leave the family home.

Mohammed explains that she says, “Being alive or dead — it’s all the same.”

Jack Lewis Schrier of Ocala, Fla., a financier and former Ridgefielder, died at his home May 24,  surrounded by family and friends. He was 72 years old and the husband of Diane Schrier

Mr. Schrier was born on Nov. 7, 1940, in Kalamazoo, Mich. He attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Hope College in Holland, Mich., and Georgetown University in Washington D.C, where he received his doctorate in Arabic history and culture. He received a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the American University in Beirut, and the American University of Cairo, Egypt.

A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Schrier spent most of his career in international finance banking.

He was a member of the Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church choir in Ridgefield.   He was also an avid sportsman in tennis and golf, and served as girls tennis coach at Vanguard High School in Florida.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Eric Schrier of Virginia; daughters Rebecca Schrier of Washington D.C., and Jillian Schrier of Gainesville, Fla.; and a brother Mike (Lorna) Schrier, Montgomery, Ala.

Donations may be sent to USTA Tennis & Education Foundation, or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.