The 2013 Citizen of the Year Sarah Bouissou with Ridgefield Rotary Club President Bill Wyman: “Things fell into place and it happened for us,” she said of her and her husband, Bernard. “I couldn’t be happier that it did.” —Scott Mullin photo
Sarah Bouissou’s fantasy has become a reality.
When she first met her husband Bernard more than 25 years ago, they envisioned what their lives would be like together.
“Our fantasy was owning a restaurant and having our house be on the property,” she said. “The second part of that dream was having four kids and being a part of small town community that we could give back to.”
“We are living the dream and then some.”
Ms. Bouissou, who moved to Ridgefield in 2000 with her husband and her four girls, received the Rotary Club’s Citizen of the Year award during a celebration dinner Wednesday, June 12, at the Silver Spring Country Club.
“We have such a wonderful community — it’s important that we all help out and do our part of living in this great town,” she said. “It’s hard to choose what to do here because there’s so much to love about this town.”
She said receiving the award felt funny at first, because it meant there would be a celebration dinner where she would have to be the center of attention.
“My fear was that I would get there and no one would be there,” Ms. Bouissou explained.
She has many years of service to the Ridgefield community, including working with the Ridgefield Playhouse, the Keeler Tavern and the Lounsbury House, catering events for parties from 10 to 1,000 people.
However, her first interest in community service came through music, helping the Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra.
Most recently, Ms. Bouissou participated in Danbury Hospital’s Rx for Fashion and hosted the spelling bee for the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association.
“She is one who exemplifies the Rotary motto, ‘Service Above Self,’” said Bill Wyman of Rotary. “Sarah’s ability to give back to the community matches the quality she and her husband, Bernard, deliver in their professional lives.”
Sen. Toni Boucher also spoke at the event, adding her praise.
Ms. Bouissou’s brother, Kerry Cannon, also spoke and her mother, Martha Talburt, read a poem to the crowd.
When the speaking concluded, Ms. Bouissou’s daughters, Gabrielle and Madeleine, performed a duet together. Her youngest, Pauline, sang and played the guitar for the audience before daughter Juliette delivered the closing speech.
“It was a little surreal, but it was lovely and special evening,” Ms. Bouissou said. “My face hurt from smiling so much — I’m still smiling from it.”
The 2012 award winner, Debbie Hayes of Colonial Cleaners, presented Ms. Bouissou with the award and she gave thanks to the Rotary Club and her family.
“I’m truly humbled by the honor,” she said.
The Bouissous’ restaurant, Bernard’s, has been noted as one of Zagat’s Top 10 Restaurants in Connecticut.
The restaurant donates dinners throughout the year for special events.
Last Saturday, Ms. Bouissou’s husband, Bernard, made a special cake for Keeler Tavern’s 300th anniversary, a shining example of how the couple has been able to impact the small town they always envisioned themselves living in.
When asked how she was able to make her dream become a reality, Ms. Bouissou’s answer is simple: “Things fell into place and it happened for us. I couldn’t be happier that it did.”