HOW RIDGEFIELD A BETTER CHANCE IS HELPING STUDENTS ACHIEVE A BRIGHTER FUTURE
REAL ESTATE
KARLA MURTAUGH ON TURNING A LEAP OF FAITH INTO REAL ESTATE EXCELLENCE
BEAUTY
AMANDA GABBARD’S ULTIMATE GLOW-UP GUIDE FOR RADIANT SKIN
Dolce Vida Medical Spa is proud to celebrate 15 incredible years serving Connecticut! With four convenient locations in Westport, Ridgefield, Trumbull, and Hamden, we’re honored to be recognized as one of the Top 100 Medical Spas in the country. We offer Botox, fillers, lasers, skin tightening, weight loss, PDO threads, and skincare. Look and feel your best in 2025!
Voted Top 100 Best Injector 7 Years in a Row!
The 2025 real estate market in Ridgefield has commenced with exceptional momentum. New listings are experiencing rapid deposit acquisitions, often attracting multiple offers across various price ranges. We are currently engaged with a substantial number of highly qualified buyers who are eager to join Ridgefield’s dynamic community. For those contemplating a sale, the present market conditions are highly advantageous. Our accomplished team of professionals will assist in optimizing your property for market readiness. The COMPASS 3-Phase Marketing Program continues to achieve significant success. We invite you to explore how this program can benefit your transaction. We extend our sincere gratitude for making Karla Murtaugh #1 in Ridgefield again. When you partner with us you can expect a forward-thinking approach to marketing and a platinum level of customer care and integrity across all price points. We recognize a home is your biggest asset, so whether you’re buying or selling, don’t settle. Contact us today for a private consultation.
Celebrating Women: The Heart of Our Communities
I don’t know about you but I love any opportunity to recognize the women in my life who just make life richer and more beautiful. Our wives, mothers and daughters are some of the most influential people in our lives.
And with Mother’s Day this month, our attention naturally turns to moms. But it’s not just biological mothers—it’s also the incredible mother figures who leave an indelible mark on us. They are the family members, teachers, friends, and neighbors whose generosity and kindness shape our communities. Through their dedication, they become unforgettable and irreplaceable.
While supporting local businesses is always important, this month is the perfect time to champion women-owned businesses in our area. One of my favorite aspects of this role is connecting with and celebrating the incredible women who are making a difference right here in Ridgefield.
They are movers and shakers, builders and makers. Some work in the spotlight, while others serve quietly behind the scenes. Their care and attention to detail reveal a beauty that can’t be expressed in words—it can only be felt.
So, take a moment today. Send a text, make a phone call, or hop on a video chat with the women who inspire you. A simple gesture can brighten their day and remind them just how loved and appreciated they are.
BRUCE BERNSTEIN, PUBLISHER
@RIDGEFIELDLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE
May 2025
PUBLISHER
Bruce Bernstein | bruce.bernstein@citylifestyle.com
Over the rainbow and beyond expectations! Ridgefield High School Theatre’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” was a masterpiece. Bravo to everyone involved! 1: Cowardly Lion, played by Casey Fischer, with Lloyd Mills as Scarecrow 2: Tin Man, played by Benjamin Olsen, with Dorothy and Toto in a field of poppies 3: Wicked Witch of the West, played by Makenzie Klugman 4: The cast performing “The Merry Old Land of Oz” with Melody Jones as Dorothy 5: Director Jacquie Militano (left) with Music Director Sarah Fox 6: Cowardly Lion, Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Toto meet the Great and Powerful Oz 7: Abigail Black, in the role of Dorothy, with Joseph Capone as Toto
Photography by Nancy Brandon and Erica Meier
Love Where You Live
Residential Construction, Home Remodeling, Renovations & Additions
In Fairfield, screened-in porches and sunrooms are highly sought-after spaces. They offer homeowners the opportunity to bask in the outdoors while shielded from insects and the elements. At Rowe Construction, we specialize in building both screened-in porches and sunrooms, tailored to the unique needs and construction goals of our clients.
New Light Creative Services
New Light Creative Services clients are everywhere. And they’re absolutely crushing it. I’m inspired every day by the business owners, creatives, and entrepreneurs I photograph. I look at every project, business, and person through the lens of what differentiates them. No one needs pictures that look like everything else. You just scroll by those. My clients are extraordinary. Their businesses are unique. Their projects deserve to be seen. We start there. Visit newlightcreativeservices.com and follow along @newlightcreativeservices
Photography by Abby Cole Photography
Rabbit & The Oak
Rabbit & The Oak specializes in transforming outdated vintage and antique furniture into ‘new’ pieces that reflect your unique design style. With over 12 years of experience as a decorative furniture artist, R+O offers professional furniture painting services, including design and color consultations. Whether you’re seeking a one-of-a-kind statement piece or subtle simplicity, consider commissioning R+O before replacing your outdated furniture. Hand-painted custom pieces are also available for purchase. Visit rabbitandtheoak.com and explore our projects on Instagram @Rabbit_and_The_Oak.
Photography by Tracy Sideris
Sweet T Cookie Shop
At Sweet T Cookie Shop, every cookie is a masterpiece! Local mom Teryn turns desserts into edible works of art, crafting custom designs that make any celebration unforgettable. Perfect for party favors, corporate events, or unique gifts, these cookies add a delicious touch to any occasion. Looking for a creative, family-friendly activity? Try a cookie decorating kit or a paintyour-own cookie set for a fun, hands-on experience. See Teryn’s incredible work on Instagram @sweettcookieshop or visit sweettcookieshop.com!
Franca Group
KARLA MURTAUGH
Turning a Leap of Faith into Real Estate Excellence
ARTICLE BY KATIE PARRY PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY HUTCHINGS AND JAY GRAYGOR
Karla Murtaugh is one of Ridgefield’s most recognized names in real estate—so much so that it’s hard to believe she didn’t start her career in the field.
“You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with. I’m able to do this because of the amazing people around me.”
Karla’s journey to Fairfield County began in 1987. When her company relocated to Dallas, she stayed in New York after meeting her now-husband, Greg Murtaugh. She then took a position at an international optical company in Connecticut, where she managed marketing, business development, and licensing across North America.
“That was one of the best decisions I ever made,” she says. “We were living in Bronxville. To make my commute easier, we moved to Connecticut. Greg wanted to be on the Metro-North Harlem line, and we fell in love with Ridgefield!”
Then came 9/11.
“Greg missed his train that morning for the first time in 13 years,” Karla tells us. “I was on the runway at Westchester Airport heading to Detroit for a meeting. With our son in elementary school, traveling was really starting to eat away at me. That day made me realize how fragile life is.”
The Murtaughs had dabbled in real estate investments, but after 9/11, Karla began considering it as a full-time career. She wanted something flexible that aligned with her corporate skillset.
“I thought, why not try residential real estate?” she recalls.
After undergoing orthopedic surgery, she used her recovery time to take a real estate licensing course.
“I passed the test and thought, ‘What a leap of faith this is!’ I was leaving something I was very comfortable with, but my family was the most important thing. So I gave myself one year. If things didn’t work, I’d go back to corporate life.”
Over two decades later, she’s never looked back.
As Founding Agent of Compass Ridgefield, Karla has leveraged her corporate experience to assemble a powerhouse team. Jay Graygor serves as Art Director, Architectural Photographer, and Graphic Designer. Sally Walter is a skilled Realtor, Accredited Buyer’s
Representative, and Equestrian Property Specialist. Kate Fitzpatrick manages Social Media. Diana Valdovinos oversees Operations and Marketing. Tatiana Palylyk handles Staging and Design, while Laurie Costa-Mendez is a dedicated Realtor.
“You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with,” Karla says. “There’s no ‘star’ on our team. I’m able to do this because of the amazing people around me.”
Of course, part of Karla’s success is tied to Ridgefield itself.
“This town has so much vibrancy,” she says. Ridgefield Playhouse, The Prospector, Ridgefield Theater Barn, A.C.T. of CT, The Aldrich, Ridgefield Guild of Artists. We have amazing restaurants, a farmers market, a fantastic fitness scene—barre, yoga, running and cycling clubs, an ice rink, a rail trail. The list goes on!
With so much to offer, it’s no surprise Ridgefield’s real estate market has been booming for the past five years. Karla says the spring 2025 market is especially brisk, with demand far outpacing supply.
“Suburban life is back. The pandemic changed everyone’s priorities. If homes are priced properly and move-in ready, they’re selling within days.”
For buyers feeling frustrated by the competitive market, Karla urges patience.
“We worked with a young couple for nearly two years. They were so disheartened, but then, the right house came along. They even said, ‘This is where we were meant to be!’ It’s strange how that happens—I see it all the time. The right home will find you.”
For sellers, the biggest question is knowing when to list.
“I always tell clients, I can’t make the decision for you,” Karla says. “If it’s not the right time, it’s not the right time. You can’t time the stock market, and you can’t time the housing market. But sometimes, for some people, the stars align.”
“I love giving back to the community that has been so good to me. I feel very strongly about that. There are so many great organizations here, and I like to do what I can to help.”
Karla and her team focus on maximizing value and minimizing time on the market.
“I feel a tremendous responsibility to get my clients the best price in the shortest time possible. Experience, attention to detail, and a talented team help us do that.”
Karla is so ingrained in the Ridgefield community that her name is as likely to appear on a philanthropic sign as a real estate one.
“I love giving back to the community that has been so good to me,” she shares. “I feel very strongly about that. There are so many great organizations here, and I like to do what I can to help.”
Karla actively sponsors Run Like a Mother, Ridgefield Farmers Market, Boys & Girls Club,
Lounsbury House, Tiger Hollow House Tours, and many other local organizations.
Whether helping sellers get the best price for their homes or guiding first-time buyers, Karla and her team have built a reputation for excellence, work ethic, and trust.
“A home is often the largest financial decision of someone’s life,” she says. “We take that responsibility very seriously.”
With a thriving business and an unwavering love for Ridgefield, Karla has proven that sometimes, the best career moves aren’t planned— they just find you.
Visit karlamurtaugh.com and follow @karlamurtaughhomes for new listings and real estate insights.
Fresh-Faced
Amanda
Ultimate Glow-Up Guide for Radiant Skin
ARTICLE BY KATIE PARRY
& Fabulous
Dewy skin is in, and spring is the perfect time to embrace this sought-after look. We’re sitting down with makeup artist extraordinaire Amanda Gabbard to learn how to achieve an effortlessly luminous complexion.
Gabbard is a celebrity makeup artist, licensed esthetician, and cosmetic educator with over two decades of experience in the beauty and entertainment industry. She has worked on everything from red carpets to television and editorial shoots. Despite her impressive résumé, Gabbard remains refreshingly down-to-earth.
“I’ve always believed that beauty should feel accessible,” she shares. “I don’t work for a specific brand or salon, so my focus is on my clients—helping them look and feel like the best version of themselves.”
Gabbard’s credentials speak for themselves. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, The New York Times, CNN, and Brides Magazine. She has been a beauty host for Amazon Live and Style Code Live, and her celebrity clientele includes icons like Kamala Harris and Brooke Shields—not to mention our very own February cover models. But Gabbard’s talents extend beyond beauty; she’s also a fantastic singer and a hilarious actress (her Instagram handle is below—be sure to follow her!).
“My goal is always the same,” Gabbard tells us. “I want my clients to feel like the most confident version of themselves. It’s not about changing how you look—it’s about enhancing what makes you, you .”
One of Gabbard’s specialties is providing personalized makeup and skincare tutorials, creating tailored beauty regimens for each client. Lucky for us, she’s sharing some of her go-to tips and tricks for achieving the perfect dewy glow.
Q: WHAT’S THE KEY TO ACHIEVING NATURALLY RADIANT, DEWY SKIN?
It all starts with a solid, consistent skincare routine. Cleanse your face morning and night using a washcloth— not just your hands. The washcloth’s texture gently exfoliates while thoroughly removing excess oil and buildup. When you use your fingers, you’re essentially pushing impurities back into the skin. Mind-blowing, right?
Next, apply a vitamin C serum to tighten and brighten, followed by a hydrating serum—this is a game-changer. Serums contain smaller molecules that penetrate deep into the skin, delivering powerful ingredients like antioxidants, acids, and peptides for maximum hydration and treatment.
Moisturizer should be applied after the serums, and of course, always follow with SPF. Don’t forget—everything you apply to your face should also be massaged onto your neck, chest, and the backs of your hands!
Exfoliation is key. Keep an exfoliating brush in the shower and use it three to four times a week (not daily). The steam helps open pores for a deep clean while also sloughing off dead skin cells.
Lastly, incorporate a weekly mask—clay for oily skin (to shrink pores) or hydrating masks for dry, dehydrated skin.
Q: IS THERE A SPECIFIC INGREDIENT WE SHOULD LOOK FOR TO BRIGHTEN AND HYDRATE?
Look for hyaluronic acid (hydrates and plumps), glycerin (attracts moisture for lasting hydration), squalane (a lightweight oil that mimics skin’s natural moisture), and vitamin C (boosts glow and evens skin tone).
For a healthy glow, nourishing oils like rosehip, argan, and jojoba are excellent choices.
Gabbard’s
AMANDA GABBARD
Q: WHAT’S YOUR HOLY GRAIL PRODUCT FOR ACHIEVING A NATURAL GLOW? ANY SPLURGEWORTHY AND DRUGSTORE ALTERNATIVES?
My all-time holy grail is Yon-Ka Booster Nutri Plus—it’s delicious for the skin! For an affordable alternative, try 100% Pure ColdPressed Argan Oil (available on Amazon). There’s a reason they call it “liquid gold.”
Q: WHAT ABOUT FOUNDATION?
The easiest trick is choosing a foundation with light-reflecting and illuminating ingredients—fake it till you make it! Look for: mica (a natural mineral for subtle luminosity), pearl or light-diffusing pigments (which help reflect light for a radiant look), vitamin C or niacinamide (some foundations include these for long-term brightening).
Already have a favorite foundation? Mix in a few drops of L’Oréal True Match Lumi Glowtion or Iconic London Illuminator Liquid Highlight for an instant J.Lo glow!
Q: ALRIGHT, SO TELL US—HOW DO WE ACHIEVE THAT FLAWLESS, FRESH-FACED “NO MAKEUP” MAKEUP LOOK?
Start with your skincare routine, then follow these steps:
• Apply a tinted moisturizer, BB cream, or lightweight foundation with a luminous finish—an even skin tone is key.
• Use concealer under the eyes, on the lids, and over any blemishes or dark spots, then blend.
• Apply cream bronzer to the cheekbones, hairline, and jawline, blending well. Tap a little onto your eyelids for added warmth.
• Swipe on mascara, wiggling the brush from root to tip to coat each lash and prevent clumping.
• Lightly fill in brows with a pencil or brow gel for natural definition.
• Set the T-zone, eyelids, and under-eyes with a lightweight translucent powder.
• Finish with a tinted lip balm, gloss, or lipstick for a polished yet effortless look.
• Want some extra glowiness? Dab highlighter on the high cheekbones, under and over the arch of the brow—and voilà, glowing goddess!
• Lock it all in with a hydrating facial mist to keep skin fresh all day. Amanda is available on location or in the comfort of your own home. To work with Amanda, visit amandagabbardbeauty. com or call 646-269-4063. Follow her on Instagram @amandasgabbard for more beauty tips—and prepare to be entertained!
How Ridgefield A Better Chance is Helping Students Achieve a Brighter Future
For nearly four decades, Ridgefield A Better Chance (RABC) has been transforming the lives of young people of color by providing access to an education they might not otherwise receive.
The national nonprofit, A Better Chance (ABC), was founded in 1963. In 1985, a group of Ridgefield High School (RHS) students proposed bringing the program to Ridgefield. With the dedicated support of RHS teacher Bob Cox and the unwavering help of numerous community members, a house was purchased in town, and RABC welcomed its first scholars in 1987.
One of RABC’s original founders, Philip Lodewick, explains, “Our goal was to provide educational access for a gifted segment of our population and watch them pass through doors only dreamed of before.”
Since then, 66 scholars have graduated from the program. Many have gone on to prestigious universities and successful careers.
Ridgefield’s program operates as part of ABC’s Community Schools Program but receives no national funding. As RABC enters another academic year, it is seeking support from the Ridgefield community to sustain its profound impact.
Last summer, the organization took an exciting step when they hired Sarah Streif as Executive Director. Prior to that, RABC was run entirely by volunteers. Their Board of Directors currently has 22 members.
ARTICLE BY KATIE PARRY
“RABC operates as a private nonprofit,” Streif explains. “We collaborate with National ABC on scholar placement, but we fundraise 100% of our budget. We are truly a grassroots-funded organization.”
During the school year, the RABC house is home to eight scholars— two per grade—and is staffed by two directors who live on-site. The Resident Director, Marquise Taylor, serves as a “house mom,” overseeing daily schedules, communicating with parents, and ensuring scholars are supported in their extracurricular activities and overall well-being. The Resident Academic Director, Mayzie Potton, helps scholars stay on track at school and runs nightly study halls.
The program also employs a cook, ensuring scholars share dinner together each night, and a driver who transports them to and from extracurricular activities. Each scholar is paired with a host family that welcomes them one weekend and one Sunday per month, providing a home-away-from-home experience. Additionally, an academic advisor offers personalized guidance throughout each scholar’s four years in Ridgefield.
Resident Director Marquise Taylor (left) with Executive Director Sarah Streif
Photo by Sue Ferguson
Since RABC relies entirely on donations to fund housing, meals, academic resources, and extracurricular activities, the program is in need of financial support. With a new school year approaching, RABC is also seeking volunteers—including two new host families, academic advisors, and board members.
“I believe RABC has passed the test of time and become a true treasure for the Town of Ridgefield,” Lodewick tells us. “I hope that we have become more understanding of the fact that rich diversity, so integrally a part of the fabric of our country, inherently makes each of us better.”
Lashawnna Mullins, who graduated from RHS in 2021 and who is now a senior at Boston College, says, “What I remember about my time in Ridgefield is the family, support,
love, and confidence that I gained. Not only did I leave with a full ride to a top university and career-building skills, I also left with lasting friendships and sisterhood, a network of board members who truly care, a lifelong academic advisor, and a host family that treats me like one of their own children.”
Fairfield County Bank, Synchrony Bank, and the Ridgefield Thrift Shop have been steadfast RABC supporters. In addition to their Spring in Bloom Gala, which took place on April 4 and honored founding members Sharon and Bill Dornfeld, RABC will host its first town-wide raffle beginning May 9. Featuring generous prizes from Ridgefield Bicycle Company, Desires by Mikolay, and Ridgefield Parks & Rec, the winner will be drawn on June 1. Also, RABC’s second annual pickleball second annual pickleball tournament will take place at Silver Spring Country Club in September. Visit ridgefieldabc.org to donate, purchase raffle tickets, and get involved!
Lashawnna Mullins, RHS class of 2021, now a senior at Boston College, was the alumnae speaker at this year’s RABC Gala
2024 RABC graduate Myah Jones (right) reunites with her academic advisor Kristen Esemplare (left) and host mom Tyler Kate Burton (center)
MEET THE WOMEN FEEDING RIDGEFIELD
The Farmers Next Door
ARTICLE BY KATIE PARRY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEW LIGHT CREATIVE SERVICES
Henny Penny Farm Team
The Hickories Farm Team
“One of my greatest fears in becoming a farmer was that women don’t do this.”—Dina Brewster
Ridgefield, like so many towns in Connecticut, was once a predominantly agrarian community. Over the past century, however, acre after acre of farmland has been developed to accommodate its growing population.
According to research compiled by Phil Esser in Agrarian Presence in the Country Place Era , Ridgefield boasted several thousand acres of farmland as recently as one hundred years ago. Today, only two working farms remain: The Hickories and Henny Penny Farm.
Remarkably, both farms are owned and operated by women—Dina Brewster at The Hickories and Whitney Freeman at Henny Penny Farm. Both farms are committed to supplying the most nutrient-dense foods to our town using sustainable methods and regenerative agriculture.
“I’ve been fortunate because one of my greatest fears in becoming a farmer was that women don’t do this,” Dina tells us. We are sitting on antique chairs in the lofted area of a barn built in 1870, with hoursold lambs bleating beneath us. “I worried I would feel isolated and wasn’t sure I’d fit into Ridgefield because the town had changed so much.”
Dina is a third generation farmer, stewarding land that has been growing food for Ridgefield since 1764. Her grandparents, Carroll and Blandina Brewster, bought The Hickories in 1936. Located on Lounsbury Road in Farmingville, the property was previously owned by the Lounsbury family dating back to 1837.
“The land had been fragmented over time, and my grandparents spent most of their lives after the Depression putting the farm back together,” Dina tells us. “Then my dad has spent most of his life trying to protect the land, which he succeeded in doing in the 1990s. Ridgefield has some of the most forward-thinking land conservation programs in the state.”
After graduate school, Dina joined the Peace Corps and traveled to the Philippines.
“I was stationed right below the Del Monte pineapple plantation,” she recalls. “That’s when I found religion in organic farming. I came back knowing I wanted to pursue organics.”
Leaving her position as a high school teacher in New York City, Dina began working at The Hickories in earnest in 2004. The following year, she took over management when Otto Gravesen, the farm manager, passed away unexpectedly. Determined to honor the farm’s legacy while improving its ecological impact, Dina worked tirelessly during the first three years of her tenure to bring The Hickories to USDA-certified organic status.
“It was a huge challenge but extremely important,” she says. “If I was going to manage the farm, I wanted to make it a bigger sponge for biodiversity.”
With a dedicated team—including Jaclyn (Jaci) Slattery, Justin Hawrysh, Brendan Clyons, Sarah Zitnay, and a crew of part-time employees—Dina has transformed The Hickories over the last 20 years from a modest one-acre vegetable farm to a thriving 45-acre operation offering much more than produce.
Jaci took over as farm manager eight years ago. Growing up on Cape Cod, she tells us that her family always had a big garden—but there wasn’t an opportunity to buy organic food out of season, which was important to her. When she turned 18, Jaci moved to California and worked on a certified organic startup farm. After attending school for sustainable agriculture, she’s been farming ever since.
“I wanted to work at The Hickories because it was woman-owned, and I thought that was really important,” Jaci tells us. “For the camaraderie—but also for a
CONTINUED >
deeper understanding. Dina and I share the same ethos. We’re on the same page about a lot of things without even having a conversation.”
By contrast, Whitney Freeman, founder of Henny Penny Farm, followed a more circuitous path to farming. Originally from Bergen County, New Jersey, she earned her undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Imperial College of Science. Afterward, she went on to receive her doctorate in Huntington’s disease research at the University of Cambridge.
After completing her studies, she returned to New Jersey before settling in Ridgefield, where her daughter, Penny, was born in 2008.
“Peggy Marconi was our real estate agent, and I told her I wanted an open property with no ledge and no forest,” Whitney tells us, laughing—because finding such a perfect parcel of land in Ridgefield is no small feat.
When Nehemiah Keeler’s property, built in 1725, became available, Whitney knew she’d found her unicorn. But transitioning from studying a neurodegenerative disease to farming was not the astonishing aboutface it might seem.
Whitney explains, “I lived in a cottage outside of Cambridge and fell in love with horticulture.” We are having tea in a sitting room overlooking a sheep pasture—something else she fell in love with during her time in the English countryside. “My personal passion was sustainability. But I liked the art of it too.”
At first, Whitney envisioned constructing gardens on the property, having run a small garden design company
in New Jersey for four years upon her return to the States. Slowly, her plans evolved.
“It’s all wetlands in the back, which is a very sensitive environment,” she tells us. “It was filled with invasive plants—privet, multiflora rose, phragmites. So I decided to get some goats to eat the plants. They were the first step in using animals to sustain the land.”
Whitney added chickens so the family could have fresh eggs. And then, of course, sheep.
“I had always wanted sheep. I’ve had a passion for knitting and fibers since I was four or five. No one else had them for me to look at, so I had to get my own!”
Penny, now a very poised and articulate 16-year-old, has become especially passionate about sheep showing. She attended her first show when she was 7 and joined the Litchfield County 4-H club at age 8. Today, she serves as President of her chapter and has even recruited several Ridgefield kids to join.
“It’s so great to see kids getting into agriculture,” Penny says. “That’s what I love most—getting kids involved, especially those who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunities I’ve been lucky enough to have.”
Penny has her own flock of show sheep, and, a budding scientist herself, has become very interested in training club lambs. Working with a mentor in the field, she tells us how fascinated she is by fine-tuning ratios of their food—protein versus fat, figuring out how much exercise they need to build additional muscle mass, which supplements would be beneficial for specific needs. CONTINUED >
It’s so great to see kids getting into agriculture...that’s what I love most. —Penny “
Dina with her sons and a trio of lambs
Penny with two members of her flock
Whitney with a newborn lamb
“The way I learned so quickly is from every story any farmer ever told me about something that went wrong: I internalized it. Don’t make that mistake. It saved years.”—Whitney Freeman
“We’re not going to win major shows with the club lambs,” she tells us. “It’s more of a hobby. But I’ve been able to apply the knowledge I’ve learned with the club lambs to the wool sheep, which is really interesting.”
All of Penny’s hard work has paid off. At the North American International Livestock Expo in Louisville last November, she took home Best Fleece for both her white Romney sheep and black Romney sheep. And she is already looking forward to returning to Kentucky later this year.
Each of these women has been shaped by the wisdom of those who came before them. Penny credits many in the sheep-showing community for their invaluable guidance and support. Both Dina and Jaci tell us how they were mentored by Annie Farrell, the former farm manager at Millstone Farm in Wilton. And Whitney shares a similar experience.
“The way I learned so quickly is from every story any farmer ever told me about something that went wrong: I internalized it. Don’t make that mistake. It saved years,” she tells us.
Although Whitney initially envisioned Henny Penny as a teaching farm, it became clear over time that it could not sustain itself that way. Instead, the farm shifted toward a more livestock-centered focus after a friend gave Whitney The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan.
“That was the pivotal moment in deciding to really farm ,” Whitney tells us. “After I read it, I thought: How can I ever eat chicken again if I don't raise it myself? So I decided to start raising poultry.”
Whitney explains that the chickens she raises at Henny Penny taste different because they are an active breed—not one genetically selected to sit and grow
unnaturally large. Today, the farm has expanded to a team of full-time and part-time employees, including Frank McEneaney, Sarah McConnachie, Jessica Sherman, Michele Sommer, Andrew Damon, Caroline Vilinskis, and Ruby Saloom.
In exciting news, Henny Penny is scaling up its operations with the recent purchase of 115 acres of farmland 30 minutes north of Ridgefield. “We can’t wait to see how our adaptive grazing techniques will breathe new life into fallow fields, abandoned orchards, and surrounding forest,” Whitney tells us.
Henny Penny offers pasture-raised lamb, pork, chicken, and turkey. Customers can choose from various cuts, whole birds, and an assortment of sausages—including Merguez and Sweet Italian—not to mention bacon.
Their selection of handcrafted goods includes 15 varieties of goat milk soaps, ranging from exfoliating bars, to creamy lavender, to adorable threedimensional pigs and sheep. Beautifully packaged, 100% soy candles are also available. Everything is made on the farm.
And then there’s the wool—colorful Dorset baby blankets, handwoven Berber rugs made from Romney wool, cozy, hats, and hand-dyed yarn in a variety of weights.
Both Henny Penny and The Hickories use Still River Mill, a textile mill in Eastford, Connecticut, to process their wool.
The Hickories’ flock consists primarily of Finnish and cross-breed ewes, producing wool for handwoven hats, gloves, shawls, and scarves. Their laying hens provide pasture-raised eggs year-round, while lambs and pigs are raised in certified organic pastures, with various cuts of meat available in the farm store
throughout the year. The farm stand also stocks jars of salsa, marinara, and other shelf-stable goods.
Beyond food and fiber, the farm is deeply committed to closing loops of sustainability and stewarding the land they have been entrusted with. Justin founded a vermicompost company, Wiggle Room, and Dina has spearheaded a seed restoration initiative, The Northeast Seed Collective, working to conserve and reintroduce native plants to the area.
And then, of course, there is The Hickories’ produce—over 150 varieties of organic fruits and vegetables, from radishes and carrots in the spring, to tomatoes and blueberries in the summer, to kale and potatoes in the fall. The farm also sells beautiful flowers, from tulips to dahlias. Everything cultivated at The Hickories is USDA-certified organic.
Both Henny Penny and The Hickories participate in community-supported agriculture (CSA), a model which invites people to invest in the farm’s harvest, reinforcing the partnership between farmer and consumer.
Henny Penny offers a whole chicken CSA, while The Hickories offers vegetable, flower, and egg CSAs.
From composting to cover cropping, these remarkable women aren’t just tending the land—they’re rebuilding it.
“We use different applications for soil fertility,” Jaci explains. “Composting, grazing animals on closed-out
fields, and using cover cropping as living mulch. So when we plant into a field after two or three years, the goal is reduced pests, increased nitrogen, and a lot more carbon. When the plants go into the ground, they’ll be healthier and have a better growing environment.”
With their eyes on the future, each of these women is exemplifying how farming is more than a livelihood; it’s a legacy.
“I feel pretty hopeful,” Dina says. “When women move into agriculture, on a national and on a local scale, things get a lot greener a lot faster. Women are raising their children where they work and they answer to a different call when it comes to the environment. Because we are feeding our children, we are raising our children in these environments.”
Both farms have stores located on their property. Henny Penny is located at 673 Ridgebury Road and their farm store is open year-round each Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Hickories is located at 136 Lounsbury Road and their farm store is open year-round, Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
From June 21 until October 5, you can find both Henny Penny and The Hickories at the Ridgefield Farmers Market every Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Visit thehickories.org and hennypennyfarm2015.com to learn more, and follow along to see farm goings-on at @thehickories and @hennypennyfarm2015 .
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Run Like a Mother 5K
Ridgefield Playhouse | 8:30 AM
Your favorite way to spend Mother’s Day returns! The 5K starts at Ridgefield Playhouse and ends at Ballard Park where there will be a family celebration area with runner refreshments and activities for the kids. With plenty of places to spectate, tell your family and friends to get their poster-making skills ready! To register, please visit runsignup.com/Race/CT/Ridgefield/RunLikeaMotherRidgefield.
Ridgefield Library’s Great Expectations Gala
Ridgefield Library | 6:00 PM
The 2025 Great Expectations Gala is Ridgefield Library’s most important fundraising event of the year! It will be a fabulous evening among friends, with a wine tasting, cocktail hour, a Napa-inspired dinner by Sarah and Bernard Bouissou, and a DJ. The gala will honor Theresa and Dean Miller with the Hope H. Swenson Visionary Award. Tickets can be purchased by visiting ridgefieldlibrary.org.
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