Ridgefield, CT June 2023

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JUNE 2023 The Men’s Issue

The Men’s Issue

It is such a pleasure to honor and highlight some of the men that make our town such a compassionate, interesting place. There are certainly many male personalities that rise to the top of their profession in Ridgefield but more importantly there are many who simply set a great example for all of us through their kind, courteous gestures. Chivalry is not dead here and this should be applauded as we celebrate the gentlemen of Ridgefield!

Our cover is a stunning portrait of Dan Levine, The Artistic Director of ACT of CT and one of the founders who championed this spectacular theatre from the beginning. Be sure to read the feature where he talks about how he ended up in theatre and in Ridgefield as well as his thoughts about our community.

Another highlight is the chefs who bring their Italian influences to the table in their respective eateries. They share their connections to Italy and how these connections shape the character of their signature restaurants.  We invite you to indulge in this feature and make your dinner reservations afterwards!

And then we have serial entrepreneur, Ross Clark who recently won 'Most Investable Start Up' on the Blox, a national television show. Learn about his passion for entrepreneurship and how he continues to innovate in both Ridgefield and Austin while championing the environment.

We also give you a peak inside the Ridgefield Fire Department while highlighting a fireman's workout. You will gain a new appreciation for the physical training required to serve.

Finally, there is a Father's Club that is growing and doing a lot of good. The Father's Club of Ridgefield is raising money for a variety of charities and more. This group of hundreds is one to watch as it seeks more opportunities to make an impact and a brick and mortar space to call their own.

I hope that you enjoy the many examples of talent, wisdom and compassion on the pages that follow. More importantly, I hope these examples inspire you to thank the men in your life who do the work, set the example and show up.

We honor you, applaud you and thank you for the heart and fire that so many of you bring to our community!

June 2023

PUBLISHER

Mary Dougherty | mary.dougherty@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Ashley Alt | ashley.alt@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Jillian Fontana

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jennifer Barrett of New Light Creative Services, Kristen Jensen of Kristen Jensen Productions LLC, Jennie Carr of Jennie Carr Photography

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen

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LIFESTYLE LETTER Ridgefield City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Ridgefield area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Ridgefield City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed. Proverbs 3:5-6 Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com/franchise
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inside the issue The Gentlemen’s Issue JUNE 2023 ON THE COVER DEPARTMENTS 4 Lifestyle Letter 8 City Scene 10 Business Monthly 12 Chef’s Selection FOOD + BEVERAGE 16 Fashion Foraward STYLE + BEAUTY 18 Local Limelight ARTS + CULTURE 20 Driver’s Notebook LOCAL SERVICES 24 Inspired By EDUCATION 26 Giving Back LOCAL SERVICES 32 Athlete Life FITNESS 34 Events FEATURED 12 The Four Faces of Italy Italian Influences that shape these Local Dining Experiences 16 The Art of Dressing Up Hutton’s Fine Menswear proves dressing up is Still in Style 24 National Accolades For This Ridgefield Entrepreneur Meet The Ever Talented Ross Clark! Photography: Kristen Jensen of Kristen Jensen Productions, LLC Make Up Artist: Amanda Gabbard of Amanda Gabbard Beauty Artistic Director of ACT of CT Dan Levine graces our Men’s Issue cover.   12 24 16 6
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CITY SCENE 1: Dr. Langberg celebrating his 20th year in business with local dentists at Brick House. 2: ACT of CT 3: Dr. Sciarrino’s team at The Gift Med Spa 4: ACT of CT’s Annual Season Announcement Gala 5: ACT of CT’s Annual Season Announcement Gala 6: ACT of CT’s Annual Season Announcement Gala 7: ACT of CT’s Annual Season Announcement Gala Honored Heather Hillman and Rudy L. Ruggles, Jr. 1 3 6 7 4 5 2
JUNE 2023
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The Ridgefield School of Dance

Celebrating 25 years of dance

Classical Ballet, Pointe & Variations, Partnering, PreBallet, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical, Summer Dance, and Adult Classes

Purchase tickets for our 25th anniversary performance

June 10 & 11 at The Clune Center for the Arts

Summer Soirées

Summer Soirées ARE CALLING

ROBES CAFTANS MORE

STYLES TO ENSURE YOU’RE THE

VALT SUMMER COLLECTION IS HERE life of the cocktail party.

life of the cocktail party.

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theridgefieldschoolofdance.com 66 Grove Street, Ridgefield, CT 203.894.5957 9 | CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/RIDGEFIELD JUNE 2023

Matt McSpedon Elected to Chair the Board of CBIA

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking Market Executive Matt McSpedon was elected Dec. 8, 2022 to chair the board of directors of CBIA, the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, Connecticut’s largest business organization. In this role, McSpedon will work with the CBIA and its board of directors and staff, to advance policy solutions that will transform Connecticut for the long term.

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Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Ridgefield

OCT 26–NOV 19, 2023 FEB 22–MARCH 17, 2024 MAY 23–JUNE 16, 2024 MAY 18–JUNE 11, 2023 AND COMING UP NEXT SEASON… ACTOFCT.ORG BOX OFFICE: (475) 215 5497 36 OLD QUARRY ROAD, RIDGEFIELD, CT 06877 A round-up of exciting news from local businesses. JUNE 2023 business monthly BUSINESS MONTHLY
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Arnold DiLaura elected to Chair the Democratic Town Committee

The Ridgefield Democratic Town Committee (DTC) unanimously elected Arnold DiLaura as Chair of the 24-member committee, succeeding Carina Drake. DiLaura has served on the Committee for more than ten years. Now semi-retired, DiLaura is affiliated as Managing Director with AUA Capital Management. He was previously a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager for Cenario Capital Management, now QFS Asset Management LP.

Dr. Blaine Langberg Kicks off His 20th Year in Practice

Dr. Blaine Langberg, Ridgefield’s local orthodontist, kicked off his 20th year in practice by celebrating with the local dentists in town. He hosted a Pizza and Comedy night at Brick House where he performed his comedy with four other local comedians. A fun and entertaining time was had by all!

i n Empowering and connecting women with a local flair and a global reach. We exist to help entrepreneurial women thrive. Join a meeting with the Rid fi ld P d d C O N N E C T W I T H U S bigconnecticutregion.com Write to bigconnecticutregion@gmail.com to get a guest pass or learn more.
11 | CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/RIDGEFIELD JUNE 2023

The Four Faces of Italy

ITALIAN INFLUENCES THAT SHAPE THESE LOCAL DINING EXPERIENCES

Aren’t we Ridgefielders lucky to enjoy four fine-dining Italian establishments in our bustling town? There is no lack of individuality; each spot certainly knows its charm.

The Restaurateurs draw on a combination of their own tastes: culinary, aesthetic and experiential, to craft a dining adventure that represents their unique perspectives and influences from Italy.

BARTOLO

Arthur Michaelsen, chef and co-owner along with his wife, Julia, has deep roots in Ridgefield and its area’s restaurants. At the age of 16, Michaelsen got his feet wet as a dishwasher at the Ancient Mariner. While attending university in Hawaii, Arthur unexpectedly fell in love with pasta-making. He decided to pursue his newfound passion by coming back East and attending the Culinary Institute of America.

Adept in many cuisines, Michaelsen owned seven restaurants over the course of his career. But in 2012, it was time to dig down to his deepest culinary love, Italian cuisine, especially “old style pasta making”. At that, Bartolo opened, with the restaurant’s name serving as an homage to Julia’s Italian family.

Upon entering, the handwritten chalkboard menu is the “artwork of the restaurant”, keeping the inviting ambience “clean and simple." When building out the space, they framed a chef’s window, inviting the diner to peek through to the heart of the restaurant, the kitchen. Julia brings her warmth and depth of experience to the front-ofhouse; going as far as bringing in new wines to suit customer requests.

CHEF’S SELECTION | FOOD + BEVERAGE
Bartolo dessert
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Posa dish

The Gift MedSpa is celebrating its Second anniversary in Ridgefield CT East meets West in the integrative medical landscape of the MedSpa. Dr. Joseph Sciarrino went to Emory College, Emory Dental School, New York Medical college & Westchester Medical Center, and has had over 25 years of experience as a Maxillo-Facial Surgeon at Stamford Hospital. He has distilled this experience into the Gift MedSpa.

GALLO RISTORANTE

Owner Raffaele Gallo is the name sake of Gallo Ristorante, and along with Chef Giuseppe Castellano, have created an authentic Italian dining experience. The restaurant is tucked a few steps away from Main Street, perched atop the Grove Street cor ner. The outdoor seating is perfectly serene; when upon entering, one beholds the many “galli”, or roosters, dotting the decor.

The menu has classics like polpo (octopus), polpette (meatballs) and a slew of fresh pastas and entrees. Chef Castellano is a wonder with all things flour; the fresh bread and pasta is made every day, but do yourself a favor and order the pizza (which flies under the radar). Hailing from Naples, it’s definitely in his genes, and the crust is both chewy and crisp, topped with the best imported tomatoes and bufala mozzarella.

POSA RISTORANTE

For owner Massimo Carro, hospital ity is in the blood. Carro was born in Positano, the sun-soaked Amalfi coast village with steep cliffs and the bluest waters. His family owns two hotels there and Massimo grew up in those restau rants, eventually opening his own place, “Max,” before crossing the pond.

When he and co-owner and wife Ariane decided to move to the States, they chose Ridgefield as the perfect town to raise their family. They opened Posa in 2019, to be immediately con fronted with the challenges of Covid. Lucky for us, the business prevailed!

CUSTOMIZED ANTI-AGING TREATMENT

We here at The Gift MedSpa are most proud of our individualized depth of care from non-invasive, modestly invasive, and surgical care. Being a surgical office, we deal with all aspects of care in a precise, manner, which we believe separates us from most spas. In addition, because we have the capability to truly make people comfortable during a variety of procedures. We have the capability to give better care yielding better and more effective results Most importantly, we really want the best individualized care for each and every patient.

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203-806-9250 392 Main Street Ridgefield, CT 06877 CONTINUED > 13 | CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/RIDGEFIELD JUNE 2023

The menu at Posa is authentic Italian, with all the key ingredients (olive oil, cheese, cured meats) coming directly from Italy. Carro will tell you, “anything that is not imported is handmade—pasta, bread and even the gelato.” While the cuisine is authentic, the decor is decidedly more modern, with a muted palette and an understated sophistication. The drinks list is deep with a broad selection of spirits, especially if you are a lover of whiskies.

TERRASOLE RISTORANTE

When owner Pietro Polini has a vision, he doesn’t stop until it’s realized. Pietro hails from Puglia, the hot heel of Italy’s boot. His obsession with quality is evident, as evidenced by his dapper dressing and attention to every detail. The core of the menu is northern Italian with handmade pasta, but borrows some inspiration from Japan with a crudo (raw) bar and high-end American steakhouses.

The addition of the sleek, Miamistyled bar is a tribute to Sofia Loren who graced the restaurant as a one-time customer, quite literally solidifying her visage upon the wall. A wood-fired oven serves double duty; it also happens that six hundred degrees cooks a dry-aged steak quite nicely.

For oenophiles, Pietro’s “notorious” reserve wine list is not an overstatement. Heavy hitters abound; the biggest names, and price tags, fill the cool cave.

Whether the setting is cozy or sleek, elegant or chic, Ridgefielders don’t have to travel far to experience the multi-faceted jewel that is Italian cuisine.

CHEF’S SELECTION | FOOD + BEVERAGE
Photo not available for Raffaele Gallo, Owner of Gallo Ristorante. Terrasole Owner, Pietro Polini Terrasole dish Posa owner Massimo Carro
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Bartolo owner Arthur Michaelsen
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The Art of Dressing Up

Hutton’s Fine Menswear Proves that Dressing Up is Still in Style

Hutton's Fine Menswear is a local fashion treasure clung to four generations of family ties committed to refined, comfortable elegance for the man of today looking to stay stylish.

The menswear boutique was established in 1875 as a small tailoring shop in Southington, CT by founder William Hutton, the great grandfather of Hutton's current owner, Douglas Hutton. Now, the family tradition continues, selling the finest tailored clothing, sportswear, and accessories to generations of men to come.

FASHION FORWARD | STYLE + BEAUTY
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Douglas has been running Hutton's for 30 years now, and will possibly pass the torch to one of his three sons someday. From decorated socks to printed and classic shirts to artful pocket squares and bow-ties, the gentlemen local to Ridgefield are sure to find what they’re looking for. Whether it’s a special occasion, golf outing, or upcoming summer soireè you need to look dapper for, Hutton’s has you covered.

When asked what intrigues Douglas about style, he answers that he is “attracted to clothing but not overwhelmed by it,” confirming the business and fashion industry is “something that fell” to him.

Attending clothing shows at the Chicago Collective is where Douglas obtains the different brands in his shop which aren't your typical run-of-the-mill brands you see elsewhere in Connecticut. Current brands available include Peter Millar, Coppley, Johnnie-O, Desoto, and Brax.

We discussed the trajectory of fashion, now that the lazy dressing days of Covid are (hopefully) behind us. “Guys were wearing suits all the time up until the pandemic,” Douglas noted. “And then they stopped dressing up because they no longer had to. I do think dressing up will come back around — it always does.”

On that note, he continued stating he does his best to stay on top of the times as it pertains to customer demand, but that he will still (and perhaps always) sell suits, sports coats, and shoes to keep the sophisticated flair of the shop emulated.

“I want people to come in and buy what they’re attracted to,” he said. “Whether it’s for themselves or a gift, I want people to be able to find what they’re looking for and what they love.”

If there’s one thing we know for certain, it’s that dressing well will never go out of style.

“I want people to come in and buy what they’re attracted to,” he said. “Whether it’s for themselves or a gift, I want people to be able to find what they’re looking for and what they love.”

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Catching up with Dan Levine

TELL US ABOUT YOUR THEATER BACKGROUND. WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO RIDGEFIELD?

I grew up in Framingham, Massachusetts. I feel lucky the arts were introduced to me at an early age. My grandfather was a well-known cantor and he sparked my interest in all things singing, and my father’s father was an accomplished pianist. Music was a big part of my childhood.

I had always been told to major in something I love. And I loved theater AND science – so I majored in both. Fast forward a bit...I read in the newspaper that the Broadway show Les Miserable was holding an “open call.” Out of the 2,000 people trying out, I didn’t think I would be selected, but as fate would have it, I was offered the role and was cast in Les Mis. This one decision completely changed the course of my life. Just like that, I became a professional Broadway actor. I moved to NYC and had a terrific career working on Broadway and subsequently performed in many musicals like Les Miserable, Chicago, Mamma Mia, Little Shop of Horrors, The Rocky Horror Show, and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Dan Levine

What do you love most about Ridgefield?

Ridgefield is a truly remarkable town. I have never felt like an outsider here. From the moment I moved to town, I felt welcomed. Bryan and I love living here and are constantly reminded what a terrific community this is. The fact that Ridgefield has embraced ACT of CT is never lost on me. I love living and working here.

LOCAL LIMELIGHT | ARTS + CULTURE
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ACT

OF CT HAS BROUGHT SUCH COLOR AND LIVELINESS TO RIDGEFIELD. HOW DID YOU GET TO DOMINATE THE THEATER SPACE HERE? WHAT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED TO KEEP CREATING?

After moving to Ridgefield, I was astounded that such a thriving artistic community existed here. I got involved with The Ridgefield Playhouse and served as Artistic Advisor for the Broadway and Cabaret Series. From that experience, I learned there was a real appetite for theater in town. But there was not a venue here which produced and presented long running theatrical productions.

My friend Katie Diamond and I started to think about creating our own theater company. She, along with my husband Bryan Perri and I were introduced to our town’s First Selectman Rudy Marconi and we pitched the idea of ACT of Connecticut. After a lot of town meetings and votes, we were given a lease to a building, and it was up to us to raise money to make the building a state-ofthe-art theater. One year to the day that we signed the lease, we opened ACT of CT with Mamma Mia! This amazing community of ours completely showed up for ACT of CT. From day one, we had an audience base.

YOU RECEIVED A GRAMMY NOMINATION FOR BEST MUSICAL THEATER ALBUM. EXPLAIN!

When our Snapshots film was released, audiences really loved it. A few months later, I got a call that the cast album had been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album of the Year! We were among many other artists in the running for the Grammy. It really was unbelievably exciting. Our film of Snapshots can be viewed on Broadway HD, and the cast album is available on most music streaming platforms.

WHAT WILL YOU BE WORKING ON THIS SUMMER WITH ACT? OR ANYTHING!

The Secret Garden runs until June 11th. The summers at ACT of CT are all about the kids! We have our fun Summer Camp and Summer Teen Conservatory which I will be directing — all happening in July. In August, I leave for Alaska for two weeks to board a Princess Cruise Line ship to install a production that I wrote and directed for Princess before the pandemic. It ran on several ships for a few years, but closed when the pandemic began. Princess is now bringing my production back to the high seas, and so I am jumping on the ship for a couple of weeks to direct the show.

19 | CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/RIDGEFIELD JUNE 2023

The Ultimate Den

Bringing Old School Barbering Back with The Dapper Den Barbershop

If you haven't walked into The Dapper Den Barbershop yet, we highly recommend you do. Owner Jared Gelbert opened the shop's doors in late 2016 with a vision of bringing a traditional gentlemen's style barbershop with a small town feel to Ridgefield.

Full of an eclectic mix of wall-hangings from license plates and vintage photographs to sports trophies and giant records — think your parent's basement or garage growing up — the shop is both comforting and sophisticated, with a ton of personality.

Not to be overlooked also is the Dapper Den attire. Stylish to a tee, Jared runs a tight ship on the dress code the barbers need to adhere to — although he himself breaks it every now and again, the guys

playfully chime in. From wingtip shoes and vests to ties and of course, a groomed mustache, rest assured you're being taken care of by one well-kempt crew.

Prior to opening Dapper Den, Jared ran a barbershop in Rockland County, New York for 13 years. Ridgefield, he says, reminded him of that small town New Jersey feel where he's originally from.

With clients ranging from David Letterman and the founder of the Snuggie to the CEO of Pepsi to WWE wrestlers, the guys at the shop emphasize how cool it is to "see that everybody is human."

Something that differentiates the shop from others is that the barbers (also acclaimed beard specialists, they inform CONTINUED >

DRIVER’S NOTEBOOK | LOCAL SERVICES
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me) are all well-rounded in every hair texture, from straight hair to curly hair and beyond, using high-end sheers and tools to ensure their clients leave looking as sharp as possible.

"The thing I love the most about barbering is that it gets the aggression out," Jared states. "The work takes the stress out instead of making the stress. You're helping other people through their problems and making them feel like a million bucks without charging a million bucks."

Like the Dapper Den guys like to say, it's an experience at Dapper Den, not just a haircut. The writing is certainly on the wall there. Jared speaks a bit on how giving back to his employees and the community at large is a huge part of why he loves what he does, offering new barbers apprenticeships and taking time to train and educate new and existing employees.

In addition to their experiential shop, Dapper Den hosts a series of fun YouTube and Instagram Live series including "Shop Talk," where business owners in town sit in the chair and discuss what's going on with their companies, allowing

for an exchange of knowledge — and of course, their infamous banter. "At the end of the day, you have to help the businesses that are helping you," Jared comments. "They become customers, and then they become friends. It's the American dream owning this place and waking up every day looking forward to going to work," he describes.

Another offering they do is "Speakeasy Saturdays" where Jared will hop on Instagram Live and talk about an of-the-moment bourbon, whiskey, or tobacco he's into lately, immersing his customers further into the old school world the barbershop carries out so well.

Looking to the future, he’d like to franchise the shop in surrounding towns and beyond, continuing his give back mission and living up to the old school barber standard.

"It's so cool to help out the clients with whatever is going on in their lives," he notes. "If someone's saying their refrigerator broke, we can say, 'we got a guy,' they all laugh. Like we keep saying, it’s not just a haircut, it’s an experience.

DRIVER’S NOTEBOOK | LOCAL SERVICES
“It’s so cool to help out the clients with whatever is going on in their lives,” he notes. “If someone’s saying their refrigerator broke, we can say, ‘we got a guy,’ they all laugh. Like we keep saying, it’s not just a haircut, it’s an experience.”
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NATIONAL ACCOLADES FOR THIS RIDGEFIELD ENTREPRENEUR

THE EVER TALENTED ROSS CLARK

Serial entrepreneur Ross Clark of Clark Construction has a total of six businesses, ranging in industry from marketing and content creation to construction and electrical engineering, plus a non-profit. Splitting his time between Austin, TX and Ridgefield to manage things, this local-grown businessman is one to watch. The mural you see pictured was created by Clark during Covid, just a small testament to his generosity and love for his hometown.

Passionate about the environment and his businesses that can help shape our planet for the better, Ross talked to us about his entrepreneurial spirit, lessons learned from being on a business reality show, and more.

Perhaps his dedication to self-improvement has gotten him to where he is, to which he attests, “I like to constantly grow and expand, and I really enjoy finding new opportunities and meeting new people.”

INSPIRED BY | EDUCATION
MEET
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ROSS CLARK

SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR

We talked mostly about his time spent on The Blox, the largest competition TV show for startups, where he won “Most Investable Startup” during the reality show’s 5th season, beating out 60 other businesses.

“We filmed in Kansas City from early morning to 10 at night for a week,” Ross explained. “It was intense. We got split into pods having to give three-minute speeches on whatever business topic we had to study for that day,” from marketing to website copy to fundraising.

His biggest takeaways from the show, he tells us, was networking and creating a strong culture. “Never leave anything behind you’re not proud of” is one of the slogans that guides him.

Maldon Cabinetry was the business he was on The Blox for, a manufacturer of semi-custom and custom cabinetry with a strong focus on non-toxic cabinetry. He explained that 99% of cabinetry has formaldehyde in it, which off-gasses into your house, which you breath in. “All of our cabinets are plant-based,” he states. “Our focus is on educating people of the air quality showcasing how important having clean air is.”

This lends to his nonprofit, Clean Our Lands, where his team “works to create a future where littering is socially unacceptable.”

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Dads Making a Difference

The Widespread Impact of the Father’s Club of Ridgefield

Have you ever wondered who’s underneath the Grinch costume around Christmas Time? That would be the Father’s Club of Ridgefield. Read on to see the incredible things this group is pursuing to make Ridgefield shine even brighter.

Growing from a small social club to a full-fledged philanthropic organization in just a few short years, Founder of The Father’s Club of Ridgefield Brian Armstrong didn’t expect such exciting growth, stating he was “just looking to meet some new guys and make a few friends,” but is amazed at how quickly this engaged and giving group of guys has formed.

The Father’s Club of Ridgefield’s mission is to support youth activities, provide aid to underprivileged families, and improve the community through charitable works.

Brian sat down with us to explain how the group is living out their mission, and what’s in the works for the future.

HOW IT STARTED

When searching for men’s and father’s groups to join in town, Brian was surprised to find a plethora of organizations catering to moms, but none for dads. Simply looking for a few dads to connect with (like we see moms doing all the time), Brian went out on a limb to gauge interest.

Beginning as a Facebook Group to try and recruit interested dads, Brian held the first meeting of what would soon become many, hoping a few dads would show up to join him. When over a dozen fathers turned up, Brian knew he was onto something.

GIVING BACK | LOCAL SERVICES
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“We aim to provide a helping hand wherever we can in the community.”
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Brian Armstrong, Founder

As word of mouth spread and more dads continued to sign up, in less than a month the club had over 100 members. By the end of the year (in 2018), what started as a handful of local dads sharing a few beers had grown to a group of over 500 members.

As their membership ranks grew, Brian realized he now “had the manpower to do some real good in town.” To that end, the Father’s Club held their first charity fundraiser for a local dad battling cancer — they raised more money than expected, which gave the club motivation to pursue bigger fundraisers.

Enter the infamous Ridgefield Grinch. This started as a way to cheer up homebound kids during the pandemic. One of the dad’s would dress up as the Grinch (as you’ve most likely seen), visit kids at their homes, and leave a goodie bag on their porch filled with toys and candy.

“It became an overnight sensation,” the group said, quickly growing into the club’s biggest fundraiser. For context, over 30 dads volunteered with the Ridgefield Grinch in 2021, visiting over 700 houses and delivering goodie bags to over 1,500 kids, raising $15,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield.

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY

The group does all sorts of charitable acts around town, including shoveling snow for seniors, helping the cemetery commission

right fallen headstones, and help clear fallen trees, among other “handyman” projects. Most recently, they have helped the Ridgefield Thrift Shop move inventory, and will soon help the Ridgefield Arts Council maintain their advertisements.

The club also supports youth sports in town, sponsoring teams and running a “fastest pitch” competition for Ridgefield Little League at their pancake breakfast fundraiser.

“We also purchase Christmas gifts for underprivileged families each year,” Brian states. “We aim to provide a helping hand wherever we can in the community.”

As for the future, Brian claims he would love to have additional chapters in other towns. “We’re actually working on a plan to make that happen,” he notes. “Our biggest project right now though is trying to get our operations center built, and then planning for the Grinch later this year.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the club can attend any of the group’s monthly meetings for free, and apply for a membership on their website ridgefieldfathersclub.com

“We generally don’t have a lot of rules,” Brian states of becoming a member. “Dads deal with enough stress, so we keep it pretty light. The only membership qualification we have is that you have to be some kind of dad, whether that be for your own kids, or as a stepdad or foster dad.”

GIVING BACK | LOCAL SERVICES
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“We aim to provide a helping hand wherever we can in the community.” - Brian Armstrong

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A WORKOUT Fireman’s

WHAT IT TAKES TO SERVE IN THE RIDGEFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT

ATHLETE LIFE | FITNESS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIE CARR
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If you’ve ever wondered, “what does a workout of a fireman look like?” You’re in luck because we spell it out for you here. Whether you’re looking to up your workout game or get re-inspired on the fitness front, we’ve got you covered.

One of the firemen’s personal fitness trainers, Jeff Pracella, gave us the inside scoop on what goes into the fire department’s workouts, emphasizing the mental-physical correlation that helps combat stroke and high blood pressure, not to mention the increase in serotonin.

From prioritizing weight training to performing cardio, Jeff explains no workout looks exactly the same for two members as everyone has different health needs. Jeff adds that mobility work is recommended for every firefighter as they may find themselves in “tight situations.”

“Often times we’ll perform group workouts that double as training,” Jeff says. “These include long circuits with activities that replicate fire ground tasks.” Some of those tasks are stair climbing, equipment carrying, ladder throwing, axe hits, and hose and dummy dragging — all done while the squad is in “full turnout gear on SCBA air,” which altogether weighs nearly 55 lbs.

“When you are put in a position to physically exert yourself, the mind will quit before the body will,” he continued. “Most people do not know how to push themselves past their so-called, ‘breaking point.’ Not firemen.

If someone wants to do their own version of a firefighter workout, the trainers recommend wearing a weighted vest anywhere from 40-50 pounds while doing exercises such as bear crawls, air squats, step ups, farmer’s carry’s, walking lunges, and extensive cardio.

“This is just a very small taste of some exercises we do,” he confirms. “Every workout we do serves a purpose to not only improve our minds and bodies, but also make us better firefighters.”

33 | CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/RIDGEFIELD JUNE 2023

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events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

MAY 18TH - JUNE 11TH

The Secret Garden

ACT OF CONNECTICUT

THEATRE | 8:00 PM

This enchanting Tony Award-winning musical (based on the famous 1911 novel) possesses one of the most glorious scores ever to hit Broadway. The Secret Garden is a family friendly, yet extremely sophisticated production which tells the story of eleven-yearold Mary Lennox, orphaned in India, and her return to Yorkshire to live with her reclusive uncle and his son. actofct.org

JUNE 16TH

The Center for Empowerment & Education’s Annual Dinner

AMBER ROOM COLONNADE | 6:00 PM

The Center for Empowerment and Education will host  their Annual Dinner, “A Spark for Change” on June 16. thecenterct.org

JUNE 27TH

CHIRP Concert: John Jorgenson’s J2B2 Bluegrass Band. J2B2 is a bluegrass supergroup featuring four award winning musicians.

BALLARD PARK | 7:00 PM

CHIRP will present free outdoor family concerts for the public in Ridgefield’s Ballard Park every Tuesday and Thursday from June 6 through August 31st.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Ridgefield

EVENTS
JUNE 2023 W H E R E I S Y O U R N E X T E S C A P E ?
Italy
Trevor & Dana Cox Danbury, CT | 475-215-0092 C O X T R A V E L A D V E N T U R E S . C O M
Africa
Egypt
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