Despite rainy weather, the “grounds” breaking ceremony commenced for the congregate and family housing on Prospect Ridge in Ridgefield, the April 5, 1990, Press reported. The ceremony had to be moved inside the old novitiate building. More than $6 million in grants and loans for the project had been approved by the state. According to state Housing Authority agent Joseph Sweeney, the actual cost to Ridgefield for the project was $13,000.
Actual groundbreaking for Ridgefield Bank’s new office did take place, with bank Chairman Paul S. McNamara presiding. Situated on the corner of Farmingville Road and Route 35 on the former Woodcock nursery property, the 24,000-square-foot office building was scheduled for completion in the fall of 1990. The project was designed by Ridgefield residents architect David Coffin and landscape architect Raymond Smith. The building itself was brick with Colonial-style slate roofing on a four-acre parklike setting. Construction management for the bank was provided by Carl Lecher Inc. of Ridgefield.
“Patriotism is no longer a bad word,” said American Legion Post Commander Frank Lancaster. “Numbers give us influence and respect — respect that we deserve and wish to maintain.”
“Unpopular wars caused a decline in membership,” said the Korean War veteran, “but you can be patriotic without agreeing with everything the government does.” With the rebirth of patriotism and growth in membership, he said, “it’s definitely not a dying organization.” Ridgefield’s American Legion Post had just celebrated its 71st anniversary the week before Commander Lancaster made his remarks. The post had another reason to celebrate: Connecticut ranked third in the nation for the highest percentage of enrollment and for meeting its membership quota. “We’ve really got something to brag about, he said. “In the state we are 69 members above our goal. The Everett Raymond Seymour Post (named after Ridgefield’s first soldier to lose his life in World War I) was established in 1920.”
Edward Scala, Haziz Likovic and Don Murphy of The Elms Inn were among the chefs providing culinary delights at the second annual A Taste of Paris, presented by the Newcomers at the Community Center.
Rich Ligi scored 26 points in the Ridgefield Boys Club Basketball League game between the triumphant Nets and the Knicks, 49-46.
Joyce C. Ligi of Wilton Road West, vice president of Union Trust bank and Rich Ligi’s aunt, was elected chairman of the board of the United Way of Northern Fairfield County. Mrs. Ligi had been (and still is) active in many area volunteer organizations, including the Rotary Club, the board of the District Nursing Association of Ridgefield, the Western Connecticut chapter of the American Red Cross, and DATAHR Rehabilitation Institute.
Jeanne M. Cook of Ridgefield was elected to the board of directors of Village Bancorp Inc. Mrs. Cook, a 19-year resident, was the owner of the Jeanne Cook Travel Service at 446 Main Street. Long active in community work, Mrs. Cook was a member of the boards of directors of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, Mid-Fairfield Hospice, the District Nursing Association, the Housatonic Valley Tourism Commission, the Community Center, and the Leadership Board of Danbury Hospital.
Robert J. Morganti, president and chief officer of the Morganti Group of Ridgefield, was named to the board of directors of the Ridgefield Bank.
Norman D. Craig, longtime owner of the Main Street jewelry store and a volunteer in many civic organizations, was named Kiwanis Club Citizen of the Year. The award presentation came as part of an evening when the military band from West Point played at the high school. The concert marked the band’s fourth appearance in town, and the Kiwanis’ 23rd straight year of sponsoring the service band concert. Although obviously pleased with his award, when asked about it Mr. Craig diverted the attention with humor. “I’m going to hang it on the wall with all my other plaques.”