final_November 30 issue

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DANBURY CT PERMIT NO. 254

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Planning approves tree removal remediation plan

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REDDING, CONNECTICUT

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Volume 2 / Issue 25

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$3

Town roads receive high-tech StreetScan review

By Donna Christopher

By Rob Sample

The Planning Commission approved Eversource’s remediation plan on Tuesday, November 14 to replant trees where ones were mistakenly removed at two locations on Cross Highway. One of these locations is near the intersection of Hill Road where four black locust trees were cut down, and the other is at 148 Cross Highway near the Newtown Turnpike intersection. The black locust trees taken down were not included in the utility’s approved application to the Planning Commission for its Resiliency Program to protect its power lines. A Notice of Violation had been issued to Eversource once it was discovered they had been erroneously removed. Commission member Regina O’Brien met with Eversource arborist Sam Berg at the replanting site near Hill Road ahead of the November 14 meeting, along with Cross Highway residents Ray and Susan D’Angelo who live near the property. Commission alternate Toby Welles had also visited the site a prior time. The group reviewed existing species at the site, how the planted items would be laid out, and discussed the introduction of black gum or tupelo, a suggestion from a previous Commission meeting. “The location allows for ample room for a mature height of black gum that would not interfere with the roadway or power lines,” O’Brien noted while recapping the site visit at the meeting. “So that’s a large deciduous tree that was, I think, your request,” said Berg. The proposal also includes a witch hazel and irregular plantings, varying in size and location, to take advantage of the topography of the location near the Redding Center Cemetery. A serviceberry planting near the existing red osier dogwood was also suggested, as well as the removal of invasive plants on the stone walls at the site. “We discussed the manual mechanical removal of the vines that are growing on the walls. There’s poison ivy, bittersweet. There might be some catspaw in there. But when we take those out mechanically pulling the roots, we’d also remove the stumps from the locust that was accidentally removed so that they won’t resprout but not change the topography of the land; and expose that stone wall that’s there as a natural barrier between the right of way and the property itself on Hill Road,” said Berg. Berg confirmed that he will be on site to directly supervise any removal of vines and invasives on the stone walls to ensure only undesirable species are removed.

If you were driving around Redding last week, you might have encountered a subcompact car with an odd-looking antenna on its roof. The vehicle (and the people who drive it) work for StreetScan, a Massachusetts software company gathering data and building a database for Redding’s roadways. StreetScan uses vehicle-mounted sensing technology to assess road conditions in normal traffic. Those technologies include a 360-degree camera, sonar, artificial intelligence (AI), and software tools to identify potholes, bumps, and cracks. All data is then processed and uploaded into a database and asset-management program called Streetlogix. This information ultimately will help the Town to identify and prioritize road repair needs. “We are not scanning any dirt roads, private roads, or any streets we’ve recently paved,” noted James Gracy, Director of Public Works. “For those recently paved roadways, we will input our own road-condition data.” StreetScan has been used in more than 280 communities throughout North America to assess the condition of municipal roadways. Nearby, both Wilton and Weston have relied on StreetScan. This initiative in Redding was made possible by a $50,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant. “A lot of Connecticut towns are now relying on this technology, and that is how First Selectwoman Julia Pemberton learned about what StreetScan could do for Redding,” Gracy said. A key advantage of StreetScan is the huge reduction in time required to assess road conditions and to build a street-by-street database. The StreetScan vehicle’s high-definition, 360-degree camera enables it to scan every mile of the Town’s road network, capturing all road conditions and assets such as road signs. That’s highly valuable, even in a small municipality such as Redding, Gracy noted. “We would otherwise need someone to walk all of the roads and make a visual assessment,” he said. “What’s more, that assessment would be subject to an individual’s interpretation and opinion.” Gracy estimated that it would take an engineering firm approximately one year to collect the same amount of data as StreetScan accumulates. “With StreetScan, we can get that done in approximately one day,” he said. The technology is especially useful for the budget process. “In

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Index

Big Outdoors Letters to Editor Legal Notices Obituaries

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Photo by Keith Dobran

A circa-1800 barn in the Redding Ridge area, an example of the beautiful historic structures in town. If you have a photo you’d like to see featured here, with credit of course, e-mail editor@reddingsentinel.org

Mark Twain Library Art Show starts Saturday l By Lisa Goldstein

Artwork by renowned and local artists will hang as a gallery at the Mark Twain Library from December 2-10, where all works will be for sale both in person and in an online exhibition. The exhibit is the 51st Annual Mark Twain Library Art Show, which celebrates the artistic talents around the region and raises much-needed funds for Redding’s beloved community hub. “There is a sense of history here,” said Art Show Chair Sandra Lugar. “I am continuously astounded by the quality of art that is for sale at the Art Show! There is such a deep pool of talent in Redding and the surrounding area. The quality of this art show is well known, and Mark Twain Library is, in a sense, Redding’s town center. It’s such a vital part of this community.” More than 200 local and regional artists submitted over 300 works of art to the juried show. With limited space in a working library, that number had to be pared down to fit amidst the stacks in the Library’s rotunda. This year, as Juror of Selection,

celebrated Wilton landscape painter David Dunlop had the difficult task of deciding which works would hang on the Library’s walls. Doubling as the Juror of Awards, he also had the honor of presenting the prizes. Dunlop is internationally recognized for his luminous paintings that draw from both Renaissance techniques and contemporary science. His creative skills and deep knowledge of art history led to an invitation from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to give a series of lectures on landscape painting. His art is held in the collections of many major corporations including Aetna, Citibank, Delta Airlines, and IBM. “David is a well-known artist, teacher and lecturer, and thanks to his keen eye, expertise, and thoughtful approach to the jurying process, visitors to the show can expect to see a dynamic exhibition of works in a variety of media, styles, and subject matter,” said Art Exhibit Co-Chair Katherine Baumgartner. Dunlop will appear in person at the Library on Thursday, Decem-

ber 7 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. for an informal program to explain how he selected the award winners. He will also take participants on a journey through the gallery to highlight other standouts and a few of his favorite works in the show. Art Exhibit Co-Chair Melinda Shea noted that the MTL Art Show has become such a treasured event in town largely due to the dedication of the Library staff and a loyal group of volunteers, not to mention the talented artists in the area. “We are so fortunate to have such a well-respected artistic event as part of our community,” Shea said. “Over the years, the word has spread about our show, and we now have participation not only from our talented local art community, but from other towns near and far!” All works are for sale and will be available for viewing and purchasing both in person at the Library during open hours and in the Virtual Gallery. The Library retains a 35% commission on the Continued on page 9

Redding’s Big Outdoors Annual Winter Walk at Putnam Park December 2 at 11:00 a.m.

Photo courtesy of FANS of Putnam Park

Sports Music Note Business Spotlight Book Review

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By Pamela Brown

History is brought to life at Putnam Memorial State Park’s annual Winter Walk when visitors are introduced to the educational, historical, and recreational values of the site. Presented by the Friends and Neighbors of Putnam Park (FANS) in cooperation with the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the two-part event takes place on Saturday, December 2 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; donations are welcome. (Note: check putnampark.org the evening of December 1 for a weather update).

Library Corner The Natural World Real Estate Calendar of Events

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The event starts off with a onehour walking tour of the 1778-79 Revolutionary War winter encampment, where visitors experience life as a Revolutionary War soldier as they walk a one-mile loop through the historic park grounds. An authentic historical re-enactment of a Revolutionary War skirmish then follows. “It’s grown in size and scope over the years, with larger crowds and increasingly more complex re-enactment skirmishes featuring different regiments,” said Ellery Continued on page 6

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Selectmen authorize purchase of Heritage Center van l By Rocco Valluzzo

The Board of Selectmen authorized the purchase of a used van up to a cost of $36,000 at its Monday, November 20 meeting to save on the rental costs of using a transportation van for the Town’s Social Services Department. The van will be paid for by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds sourced from the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services, the Redding Heritage Center operating budget, and the Social Services Trust and Agency fund. Redding provides van service for medical appointments and other purposes to senior and mobility-challenged residents, said First Selectwoman Julia Pemberton. In 2021, the Town was approved for a state grant of $67,000 for the purchase of a new van. Since that time, however, manufacturing and supply chain issues have delayed delivery, and the price has approximately doubled. The state has agreed to cover the price increase, but the delivery date is estimated to be sometime in 2024 or 2025. According to Redding Social Services Director Angelica Fontanez, the Town’s previous van, which was donated by Mary Travers, ceased working last year. Since then, the Department has been renting a wheelchair accessible van for approximately $2,000 a month. Due to the level of demand, the van can travel only to Ridgefield, Danbury, and Bethel. “It has been quite a challenge,” said Fontanez. “It was something we did not budget for, because it was very unexpected. If we continue to rent the van, we might as well buy the van.” She added that the owner of a used van, which has around 48,000 miles on it, has offered to sell it to the Town for approximately $36,000. The Highway Department mechanics have examined the van and found it in good shape. “I think it’s a great idea,” said Selectwoman Peg O’Donnell. “It’s a necessary thing. It’s not just for seniors. There’s other people who have disabilities who can’t get around.” If the Town can purchase this van now and eventually purchase the other van, it will ultimately be

able to expand its transportation services. Fontanez said Redding Center often receives requests for transportation to appointments in Wilton and at Yale-New Haven but cannot travel to these locations. “A lot of the services are not just for medical appointments,” said Fontanez. “It’s for grocery shopping. It’s for going to the Senior Center for recreation and socialization, which is really important for seniors, especially after Covid.” Pemberton said there are a number of sources for funding. One is an ARPA grant of just under $24,000 for funding senior center programs. There is also $85,000 in Social Services’ Trust and Agency fund that could be used if it is reimbursed. Town Finance Director Jim Sanders said that part of the Town’s ARPA funding has rolled over from fiscal year 2022-23 to 2023-24 and has not yet been budgeted. About $4,000 was used as a cost overrun for the accordion doors at the Heritage Center, which leaves about $8,000 available for the purchase of the van. “From my perspective, that seems like kind of step one in terms of how we would we fund this,” he said. “I like ARPA, and I appreciate the focus on programming, but there are strings attached with our funding.” In particular, he cited the $24,000 in programming expenditures through the state, which would have to be formally contracted by the end of calendar year 2024. ARPA funds would be a reimbursement, so the Town would need to purchase the van and file for reimbursement. “I have always favored capital purchases, because that way at least you feel like you have this one-time kind of shot, and you’ve got something at the end of the day that you carry with you,” Sanders continued. “I have a little bit of bias of putting ARPA funding in general towards tangible, carry-forward goods that you’ll have for a remaining period of time. I would balance it then with the Social Services Trust and Agency (fund).” g

We welcome Letters to the Editor. Please be clear, civil, and concise. E-mail editor@reddingsentinel.org with submissions. To the Editor, Though there were no contested elections this year, we were happy to see so many of our friends and neighbors vote on November 7. The 2024 Presidential election will be here before you know it, and the Redding Democratic Town Committee is looking for Full and Associate Members who want to help get Democrats elected. Full time DTC members must: 1. be registered as a Democrat 2. live in Redding 3. support the Democratic platform and values 4. attend at least 1/3 of meetings (typically the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m.) 5. join a subcommittee 6. represent all Democrats in voting matters If you are interested in joining us or want more information, please e-mail me at redding.dtc.nominate@ gmail.com or apply online at reddingdemocrats.org/getinvolved by December 4, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. The new Democratic Town Committee will be elected for a two-year term at the Democratic Caucus in January. We look forward to working and talking with you!! g Meghan Ely Nominating Chair, Redding Democratic Town Committee To the Editor, Hello fellow Reddingites! This month, the firearms season for deer got into high gear. Opening day was the 15th, and it looks to be a good year for deer hunters. Drivers should be extra aware of the dangers deer present to cars at this time of the year: the “rut”, a time when the mating instinct is so strong that bucks will chase does often in front of cars. At dusk and shortly after dawn the activity picks up, so keep your eyes peeled. Since the gun season is on, hunters will wear blaze orange for safety – so if you see one, give them the thumbs up! Here’s a fact regarding hunting: Hunters generate $5.4 billion federally and $3.4 billion in state and local taxes. Hunting also supports over 500,000 jobs and $21 billion in salaries and wages. I encourage residents to welcome hunters who ask permission and present the required documents to the landowner and offer to share some of their harvest with the landowner as well. Happy Thanksgiving to all and good hunting! g Eric Gebhardt Mallory Lane

Redding officials sworn into office By Anne Young Albanese

On Monday, November 20, Redding’s newly elected officials were sworn in for their upcoming terms. Terms range from two to six years. Many of the officials have already been serving Redding for multiple terms. Senator Richard Blumenthal attended the event and swore in some of the leading officials. The others were sworn in by Town Clerk Michele Grande. g

From left, front row: W. Wesley Higgins, Treasurer; Meghan Bendish, Redding Board of Education; Bria Pepe, Redding Board of Education; Sharon Hoverman, Board of Assessment Appeals; Patricia Moisio, Tax Collector; James Barickman, Board of Finance; Robert Dean, Board of Finance.

Legal Notices The Redding Zoning Commission has scheduled a Public Hearing for December 13, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. in person at the Town Hall Hearing Room, 100 Hill Road, Redding CT. The purpose of the hearing is to consider the following application. Application #23-14Z – 4 Fox Run Road (Assessor’s Map and Lot #28-34) – Owner Ryan Fletcher: Agent Donnelly, Mc-

Letters to the Editor

Namara & Gustafson P.C. 150 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877 – In accordance with Redding Zoning Regulations Section 4.2.3 (f) request for a Special Use Permit for a Temporary Museum on the premises for a period of one (1) month May 2024. g Matt Lecher, Chairman, Redding Zoning Commission

From left, back row: J. Scott O’Donnell, Constable; Matthew Lecher, Zoning Commission; Daniel Cishek, Constable; Jeff Boxer, Constable; Julia Pemberton, First Selectman; Roger Van Ausdal, Board of Finance; Amanda Guarniere, Redding Board of Education; Leif Smith, Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate; Michele Grande, Town Clerk; William Cook, Constable; Michael Thompson, Selectman.

Photos by Anne Young Albanese

Senator Richard Blumenthal joined the swearing in ceremony to deliver the oath of office to a number of elected officials. From left: W. Wesley Higgins, Treasurer; Michele Grande, Town Clerk; Margaret O’Donnell, Selectman; Richard Blumenthal, United States Senator from Connecticut; Julia Pemberton, First Selectman; Patricia Moisio, Tax Collector; Michael Thompson, Selectman.

Holiday weekend marred by crashes By Donna Christopher

At the regularly scheduled meeting of the ZBA Commission held on November 21, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. via ZOOM the commission reached the following decision. 1. Application #11-01-23- 29 Glen Hill Road (Map & Lot #37 & 63) Owner Gloria Petrini: Representing owner Michael Concordia Trustee: Requesting a

variance to reduce Rear yard setback from 50’ to 41’ feet for a proposed addition. Redding Zoning Regulations Section 4.6. Variance requested is 9’ feet. DENIED due to lack of hardship g Elizabeth Williams – Chairman, Redding Zoning Board of Appeals

At a Special Town Meeting held on November 20, 2023 at Redding, it was unanimously voted to transfer the sum of $54,000 from the Town of Redding FY 24 Budget Contingency account to the FY 24 Highway Department repair account. g Michele R. Grande, Town Clerk – November 21, 2023 The Brunissen Trust for Redding Senior Citizens, Inc. will meet at 10.00 a.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at the Redding Community Center, 37 Lonetown Road, Redding, CT. g Barbara L. Roche President Correction to the October 12, 2023 issue: In the page 2 article “Robinson resigns, vacancy created on Conservation Commission”, the number of years Susan Robinson served on the Conservation Commission was incorrect. She served nine years, having joined the Commission in October 2014. We regret this error. g

Several motor vehicle crashes occurred in town in recent weeks, including three over the Thanksgiving weekend. On November 18 at the intersection of Route 58 and Cross Highway, a vehicle drove through the posted stop sign and struck a second vehicle that had made a complete stop before proceeding

through the intersection. There were no injuries, police said. A driver was uninjured after a vehicle rollover on November 22 on Route 107 at Hill Road on a sharp curve in the roadway, according to police. A driver was charged with operating under the influence on November 26 after crashing on

Redding Sentinel Ltd News and Views of Redding, Connecticut Publisher, Susan Clark Managing Editor, Jessie Wright Creative Director, Debora DeCarlo Rosa Assistant Graphic Designer, Connor Feeney

Route 53 near the intersection of Newtown Turnpike. Police said Heather Gnewuch, 54, of Redding was uninjured in the crash, and due in court December 12. A two-vehicle accident took place on November 26 at Glen Hill Road resulting in no injuries. Police provided no further details. g

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November 30, 2023 l Redding Sentinel l 3

Meadow Ridge recognizes Pelz-Paget as Obituaries “Heart of the Community” Martin Ullman

Passed away November 16, 2023

Photo by Carol Morgan

Photo by Susan Clark

Nancy Pelz-Paget received Meadow Ridge’s first “Heart of the Community Award” on November 16, 2023. This award recognizes a resident who has selflessly given their time and talents to better the community and inspires other to get involved.

Planning approves tree removal remediation plan / continued from page 1 O’Brien also requested that she be present on site when the new trees are placed to confirm the exact locations for replanting. Berg was asked if it was possible to have the replanting done by the end of the year. “I would like to confirm that plant material would be available before I commit to before the end of the year,” Berg said. If materials are not available, replanting would need to be completed in the spring. Berg also recently had met with O’Brien, Tree Warden Charlie Hyatt, and John McLeran (who was representing the Redding Land Trust), at 148 Cross Highway to discuss another instance of possible mistaken tree removals. O’Brien said it had been reported that some trees had been taken down “in a confused sort of manner” at that location when they were not officially approved by the Planning Commission. She asked Berg to address how it was determined this happened. “There was a group of trees on the application that consisted of seven trees. I had a meeting with Daniel, who is the property owner, and his wife at 146 Cross Highway. It’s a property that’s adjacent to the 148 property. The application (to the Planning Commission) contained one line item at RTT 194, which is the only line item on the application that actually consisted of more than one tree. Originally, that was written in because of a conversation I had with the Redding Land Trust early on in the process where we discussed the front of the property and their desire to open it up, and I grouped the copse of trees together.” The property owners had expressed their concern for this group of trees, and Berg said he had told them he would make the recommendation to pull them off the removals list. “The addendum that was written before the application was approved by the Planning Commission noted that these trees would have the tags removed. And that was the recommendation on both of our parts to preserve those trees,” explained Berg. “The application was reviewed at the hearing (when) the trees were brought up again, and they remained on the

application. They weren’t pulled off the application. At that point, Charlie Hyatt and I had listened to everybody’s input. He made his determination to list (the trees) for the removal, and those trees were slated at that point for removal.” “When Charlie and I went out and marked the site, we discussed the trees. Charlie made a point of preserving one of the larger maples that had a better canopy… And that the determination at that point was that those trees were going to be removed and marked them together. So, I understand everybody’s point as to the confusion and that the trees had been removed. We certainly didn’t do it maliciously. And we didn’t feel we had any ill intent at all. We were following what we thought was the process.” Berg said in talking with McLeran at the site, that they decided on an American dogwood as a suitable replacement for that location. “And I told him that I would plant two additional trees just to help soften what happened there,” Berg added. O’Brien said a dogwood is a good choice of a tree there. “There are a lot of other canopy trees there, and so it’s a different situation than we had at the other end of Cross Highway where canopy trees have been removed and there really aren’t other canopy trees right in that area. But this one, I think the understory tree would work very well, especially since you are starting to come into an intersection there.” Laurie Heiss of the Redding Tree Conservancy (RTC) said she had heard from the property owners who feel the replanting of canopy trees is warranted. “Sugar maples, I know that Eversource doesn’t like, but they are part of our scenic designation there…We don’t want to lose large batches of them… so I know they would really appreciate having one canopy tree added there and certainly the Conservancy would support that.” Berg said the selection of species and location of the two additional trees to be replanted will be left open to the Redding Land Trust (whose land) immediately abuts the location where the trees were removed.

“A dogwood has a lot of benefits for birds and other wildlife, and it’s a native tree that enhances the road as well. So, if the Redding Land Trust would like to plant a sugar maple elsewhere, that seems like that would be the best of all possible solutions,” said O’Brien. The Commission then voted to approve the remediation plan. RTC’s Janice Rotchstein also expressed concern about the ongoing tree trimming project by Eversource on Cross Highway, which is separate from the Resiliency Program tree removals. Members of the RTC feel that the removal of “brush”, which includes tree saplings and other parts of the understory, may impact the scenic quality of the designated road. “This routine trimming includes so many trees on a scenic-designated road, suggesting that maybe the Planning Commission be asked about the routine maintenance,” she said. Berg noted these are two projects being done simultaneously. “Part of my job to reassure Redding and the Commission is my presence during all three of these phases, not just at the replanting, but the work for the remaining 27 tree removals, and my presence of the scheduled maintenance trimming which has been approved by the Town and issued a permit for the ability to do it,” Berg said. “We want to trust you. I would like to trust you, but twice it’s happened and it’s awful. As a member of the Redding Tree Conservancy, I feel very vulnerable (to) this. I think the Town is vulnerable, and I think my neighbors are vulnerable,” Rotchstein said. “I think in terms of the trees that were cut down, Eversource is making amends in a very positive way, and I am putting my trust in (Berg) and his efforts to give his attention to the detail of this work that’s going to proceed,” said O’Brien before the meeting concluded. g

Martin Ullman, age 68, of Redding, passed away on November 16, 2023. Martin was born in New York City to Walter and Gloria Ullman. He grew up in the Bronx and attended Bronx Science for two years before his family moved to Danbury, where he graduated from Danbury High School in 1973. He went on to earn a BA from Franklin and Marshall College and an MBA from the University of New Haven. Martin married his wife, Terry, in 1984. Together they built a house in Redding and raised two children, Glen and Charlotte. Martin had an accomplished career as a management consultant and was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers and IBM. His consulting work had many aspects that intrigued him. He got to learn about

a wide range of businesses, and he relished finding things out. He especially appreciated those assignments that gave him the chance to experience other countries, such as a chip manufacturing assignment that took him to Borneo for six months. He came back with tales of exotic food, musical instruments, and animals. Martin had many interests. He was a prolific reader of both fiction and non-fiction, and he remembered everything he read. He was a music lover of many genres of music, with a vast collection of CDs, and later, iTunes downloads. He enjoyed cooking and experimenting with new recipes, and over the years mastered bread baking. He loved camping, gardening, and taking runs and bike rides through Redding and neighboring towns. Martin is survived by his wife of 39 years, Terry; children Glen and Charlotte; and sister Madeleine (Joel) Shalowitz. Funeral services were held on November 19. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Martin’s name to Temple B’nai Chaim, Wilton. g

William F. Morris

September 13, 1926 – November 24, 2023

Beloved husband, father and grandfather, William (Bill) Morris died on November 24, 2023 at the age of 97. He was born on September 13, 1926 in Youngstown, OH, the son of Paul C. Morris and Martha M. Morris. He grew up in Rye, NY, where his father worked as Playland’s publicist. Bill and his brother Paul spent many hours playing on the Benjamin F. Packard, a squarerigged sailing ship built in 1883, which was moored at Playland. Bill attended Rye High School and while still in high school, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps Cadet Program. Upon graduation in 1944, he entered the Army Specialized Training Reserve Program. In 1945, at the end of World War II, he was discharged from active duty and remained in the Ready Reserves until 1968 when he transferred as a Captain to the Retired Reserves. With the help of the GI Bill, he received his undergraduate degree from New York University. He went on to receive an MBA from the NYU School of Business and a Certificate of Advanced Study from Fairfield University. He began his career as a teacher and then worked in industry for 13 years. He returned to public education for another 25 years, which he maintained was his best career move. Bill spent most of his career in the Fairfield school system, as both a teacher and an administrator. He loved teaching, because it made him feel like he was helping people and improving lives. He moved to Redding in 1963 and became very involved in the community. He was deeply committed to The First Church of Christ, Congregational in Redding. One of his proudest moments was being awarded the title of Deacon Emeritus in 2020 for 58 years of service to his church community. Bill also served on Redding’s Commission on Aging for 25 years. He dreamed of providing

affordable housing in Redding, especially for seniors who had spent their lives serving the people of Redding. He thought everyone should have the opportunity to live in the beautiful community he loved. While affordable housing in Redding never happened, he continued to have faith that one day the dream would be realized. Family was always of paramount importance to Bill. Whether it was summers on Nantucket with the Morris family or time spent at 1505 (Fairfield Beach) with the Carley clan, he loved the family gatherings. He spent many hours telling stories and creating new ones. And of course, political discourse was always close at hand. In 2002, he moved to Meadow Ridge and enjoyed the community he found there. His hobbies included art classes, woodworking, and model building. He spent many hours with family playing cribbage and Shanghai rummy. He was a voracious reader and enjoyed discussing current events. He was a man deeply committed to his family, faith, and community. He valued a person for the content of their character, of which honesty and integrity were most important. He was deeply loved and will be sorely missed. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Mary Carley Morris; daughters, Louise Martling-Hertzog (Keith Hertzog) of St. Augustine, FL, Cindy Lewis of Danville, VA, Patty Short (Jim Short) of Ridgefield, and Mary Ann Morris (Matthew Chojnacki) of Ridgefield; and six grandchildren, Kent Martling, Jamie Lewis, Will and Ben Short, and Trevor and Connor Chojnacki. He is also survived by his sister, Martha Schwuerzer (Peter Schwuerzer) of Germany; sisterin-law, Eleanor Carley; brother-inlaw, Nick Ohnell (Pat Ohnell); and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Eileen Ohnell Morris; his brother, Paul C. Morris; and his sister-inlaw, Signy Morris. Funeral services with be at The First Church of Christ, Congregational in Redding on Saturday, December 2 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to The First Church of Christ, Congregational or to the Meadow Ridge Scholarship Fund. g

4 l Redding Sentinel l November 30, 2023

Sports Barlow falls to RHAM in Class M final Girls volleyball

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By Rocco Valluzzo

Photo by Rocco Valluzzo

Joel Barlow High’s Sofia Benitez, left, and Emma Sarkinovic, right, try to block a kill by RHAM’s Brooke Arcari during the state Class M girls volleyball championship on Saturday, November 18. Barlow lost 3-1.

For the Joel Barlow High girls volleyball team, a trip to the state Class M championship was more than a chance for another title. It was a shot at redemption. The top-seeded Falcons were facing a familiar foe in sixth-seeded RHAM of Hebron, a team that had previously beaten them three times in the championship since 2007. Despite beating the same opponent early in the season, the Falcons could not duplicate their effort in a 3-1 (22-25, 25-16, 2225, 18-25) upset loss to end the season on Saturday, November 18, at East Haven High. It marked RHAM’s third straight state championship and tenth overall. “We played a little bit scared,”

said Barlow Head Coach Carol Asplund, whose team won the Class L championship a year ago before moving to Class M due to a decrease in school enrollment. “We really didn’t execute on a lot of the stuff that we needed to execute.” The Falcons were also not at full force physically, as a couple of team members were playing despite injuries. After several lead changes in the first set, the Falcons battled back from a five-point deficit. A kill by Amanda Meschi won back the serve, and four straight service points by Zoriana Olexy tied things at 12-12. A few passing and hitting errors on Barlow’s part put the Raptors on top again, only to have the for-

mer tie it four more times before going up 22-21. Meredith Weir’s kill forced another tie, followed by three straight service points by Neve Tyler to give RHAM the win. Much like the first set, the second featured a number of lead changes along the way. With the scored knotted at 12-12, the Falcons won back the serve and reeled off three straight by Olexy. Strong net play, featuring several blocks and kills by Mackenzie Sickinger, helped in a seven-point service run by Lily Condosta to get Barlow to set point. Although RHAM managed a side out, another kill by Sickinger claimed the win. Barlow never led in the third set until the midway point, tying the score seven times until then. Ella Anderson’s service point, plus a kill by Meschi, put the Falcons briefly on top and the lead was as much as 20-17 before RHAM started its comeback. Behind three kills by Leilani Fecho, who was named MVP for the match, the Raptors went up 2221 and held off the Falcons. With the score tied at 9-9 in the final set, the Raptors then took the lead for good with back-to-back kills by Fecho. Barlow called its final time out trailing 19-12 but the momentum stayed with RHAM. “Our passing broke down,” said Asplund, noting that her team was unable to get the ball to its middle hitters. “Our strength is our middles and running our middles.” Barlow finishes the season at 24-2 overall, its only other loss coming against Fairfield Warde. “I didn’t necessarily expect us to be here,” said Asplund, who had just one starting player back from last season. “Obviously it is always our goal. We have a really young team.” g

Barlow is eighth in Class S Girls swimming

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By Rocco Valluzzo

Competing in a different division featured similar results for the Joel Barlow High girls swim team at the state Class S championships. The Falcons, who placed eighth at the Class M meet a year ago, had since moved to Class S based on school enrollment. With 274 points this time, they again took eighth overall in a field of 23 teams on Wednesday, November 15, at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven. Defending champion Weston easily took the team title with 741 to win its ninth straight championship. Daniel Hand of Madison was a distant second with 546, and Woodland Regional was third with 435. The Falcons had only seven swimmers competing, with nearly all of them scoring in multiple events. Their first points came in

the 200-yard medley relay with Sofia Sannella, Isabella Mancini, Abby Bonoff, and Grace Blawie posting a combined time of 2:12.96. Bonoff scored Barlow’s points in the 200 individual medley, taking 12th in 2:29.90. The Falcons took four medals in the meet, including two golds by Audrey Gil. The first came in the 50 free, which Audrey Gil won in 24.04. Brooke Serlin was sixth in 25.76, 0.02 seconds ahead of Sheehan’s Kaylynn Chen. Brookley Gil also scored, taking 20th in 27.64. Audrey Gil also took the gold in the 100 free with a winning time of 52.48. Serlin was two places later in 56.13 for the silver. Both qualified to compete in the event at the State Open, as did Brookley Gil, who was 19th in 1:00.80. Going the distance in the 500

free, Bonoff finished in 5:56.05 for 17th, beating her seed time by more than four seconds and qualifying for the State Open. The silver medal in the 200 free relay went to the Gil sisters, Blawie, and Serlin in 1:44.30. Barlow’s final points came in the 400 free relay. This time, Bonoff, combined with the Gils and Serlin for a 3:49.62, an improvement of more than three seconds over their seed time and good for fourth overall. g

Thanksgiving win earns Falcons a trip to playoffs Football

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By Rocco Valluzzo

Photo by Rocco Valluzzo

Joel Barlow High’s Cole Peterson tries to evade Weston’s Tyler Umhoefer during a varsity football game on Thursday, November 23. Barlow won the annual Thanksgiving game 30-6.

More than bragging rights were on the line for the Joel Barlow High varsity football team in its annual Thanksgiving game against Weston. The Falcons also needed the victory to cement their chances of making the state Class SS playoffs. With their offense able to move the ball on the ground and the defense holding the competition to less than 70 total yards, the Falcons never looked back in a 30-6 win at home on Thursday, November 23. It was Barlow’s third straight win in the annual contest, which has been played every year since 1996 (except 2020). After taking the opening kickoff, Weston had little luck on its first series, due in part by Liam Kiernan sacking Trojan quarterback Tim Martin on his own 31-yard line, eventually resulting in a punt. The Falcons then went to work offensively, embarking on a 42-yard scoring drive. Runs by Jack Gilbert, Dylan Taylor, and Cole Peterson got them deep into Weston territory before Scott Romano found the end zone on a 16-yard run down the left side. Gilbert ran in the twopoint conversion, and Barlow was on top 8-0 with 5:39 left in the first quarter. Weston again was forced to punt, and the Falcons made progress on their next series, which included a 31-yard option run by

Sam Guidera and an 18-yard pass from Gilbert to Andrew Watson. However, the Falcons fumbled, and Weston recovered on its own 21 early in the second quarter. “It was a little sloppy,” said Barlow Head Coach T. J. Cavaliere, whose team fumbled twice in the game. “We need to execute better as we go into the playoffs.” Barlow’s defense then stepped up with back-to-back sacks by Conor Smyth and Kiernan, forcing Weston to punt again. A short kick gave Barlow good field position on the Weston 27, setting up another touchdown, this one on a 22-yard run up the middle by Taylor. Romano scored the two-point conversion, putting the hosts up 16-0. Although Weston fumbled on its next series, Barlow soon returned the favor, and the score stood unchanged at halftime. Both sides turned the ball over on downs to start the second half, but the Falcons then embarked on a 53-yard scoring drive that featured a 35-yard pass from Gilbert to Watson. Romano eventually scored from less-than-a-yard out, and with Taylor’s two-point conversion, it was 24-0 with 13 seconds left in the third quarter. The Trojans’ lone score was the result of a 59-yard reception by Jackson Solano early in the fourth frame to end the shutout. The twopoint conversion failed. Barlow was quick to answer. Between good field position and a facemask penalty against Weston, it set up an 18-yard touchdown run by Peterson. Although the twopoint conversion failed, the hosts were in command 30-6 and even got the ball back once more before time expired. Peterson led Barlow in rushing with 98 yards and one touchdown. Romano ran for 58 with two touchdowns. Watson caught two passes for 53 yards. Now 6-4, the Falcons are seeded seventh in Class SS. Should they defeat second-seeded Coginchaug/ East Hampton/Hale Ray, they will take on the winner of the No. 1/No. 3 seed game on Sunday, December 3 at 12:30 p.m. at a location to be determined. g

RFP approved for Topstone Park l

By Rocco Valluzzo

Moving forward with improvements to Topstone Park, the Board of Selectmen approved the Park and Recreation Commission to issue a request for proposal (RFP) for the project at its Monday, November 20 meeting. Over a year ago, several improvements were proposed for the Park using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). According to First Selectwoman Julia Pemberton, the original proposal that did not move forward would have expanded the scope of exercise equipment and larger structures at a cost of $283,000. There was some concern that the project would alter the historic character of the area. A special town meeting in October 2022 ultimately allocated $150,000 in ARPA funds for Topstone improvements. The Park and Recreation Commission has since come forward with a new proposal. A new playground would again include a three-element playscape in the same location as the previous playground, geared to children of different ages with creative play elements, benches, changing tables, and a pavilion to provide shelter from weather. “My concern is the longer this goes, the higher the cost,” said Park and Recreation Commission Co-Chair Angela Caes. “I think the Commission, based on what they saw in the past, is simply a case of ‘can we pull off a three-play structure that would have a creative el-

ement to it, add more seating, potentially add shade and then some of the nice-to-haves?’” She added the Commission was comfortable that most of the project could be managed within a $150,000 budget, depending on the contract. She speculated that the final proposal could also include some help from the Town Highway Department. “So, a lot would be a case of what shared services we can use, and if not, then we will have to roll back on what the possibility would be,” she said. “But until an RFP goes out and we do our due diligence with what’s out there right now, we won’t know the answers.” Jack Correa, a member of Cub Scout Pack 118, suggested that instead of ping pong tables, that 9-Square volleyball be considered. “Everyone there would love it,” Correa said. “It’s really fun.” Conservation Commission Chairman David Pattee asked if any construction would need approval from Land Use commissions. He also was concerned about the proximity of the construction to the water. Pemberton said that the playground will be in the same area as the last playground and that all plans will go through the necessary application and permitting process. g

November 30, 2023 l Redding Sentinel l 5

6 l Redding Sentinel l November 30, 2023

Music Note Holiday concerts, from choral to jazz favorites l The holiday season will be off to a musical start with an abundance of local concerts and events. From performances featuring all ages and fun sing-alongs, to a holiday luncheon and crafts with a musical twist, there is something for everyone. Students Perform at Redding Tree Lighting Saturday, December 2, from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Town Green, 100 Hill Road John Read Middle School students will offer a two-part performance at the Tree Lighting starting at 3:30 p.m. Members of the grade 6-8 band will perform a mix of classic Christmas and Hanukkah tunes followed by members of the grade 6-8 Chamber Choir performing holiday carols. “It’s a great outreach activity for the kids,” said Dave Ebert, Choral Director. Kevin Duffy, Strings and Band Director, said the kids have a lot of fun. “It’s a big showcase for our school and it’s important for them to have the opportunity to play in front of a live audience. The kids genuinely enjoy it,” he said. Following the middle school performances, the Joel Barlow High School Chamber Singers, directed by Gwynne Wittmann, will perform to lead into the lighting of the tree. Holiday Lunch with Live Music from JRMS Thursday, December 7 at 11:45 a.m. Heritage Center, 37 Lonetown Road Seniors only; RSVP to mstillman@townofreddingct.org or call (203) 938-9725

Members of the John Read Middle School strings ensemble and Chamber Choir will entertain seniors at their annual holiday luncheon with festive music. “The students have an appreciation of whom they’re singing and playing for, and the seniors have an appreciation having the youngsters come and perform,” said Ebert. The National Charity League will be serving up meat and vegetarian lasagna and dessert. WCSU - Holiday Pops Concert Saturday, December 9 and Sunday, December 10 at 3:00 p.m. Visual and Performing Arts Center at WCSU, 43 Lake Avenue Extension, Danbury. Tickets can be purchased online at wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com Enjoy an afternoon of holiday music at WCSU’s annual Holiday Pops concert, featuring performances by the Jazz Orchestra, University Singers, Symphonic Band, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra, Pop and Rock Ensemble, and an assortment of chamber ensembles. “Holiday Pops has something for everyone, from arrangements of traditional holiday music to pieces based on traditional holiday stories, such as the Night Before Christmas, to a sing-along at the end of the concert. Most of the concert is classic Christmas music, but there are some surprises added in as well,” said Dr. Laurel Larsen, Chair of the Department of Music. A reception follows with refreshments and an art sale presented by the WCSU

Holiday Tree Lighting Redding Park and Recreation is partnering with Boy Scout Troop 306 and Redding Lions Club for an afternoon of holiday fun on Saturday, December 2 on the Redding Town Green (100 Hill Road), starting at 3:30 p.m. Troop 306 has a host of great events planned throughout the afternoon which include: • Fire pit warming stations

• S’mores for sale and roasting

• Scout Crafts (knot tying, lashings etc.) • Scout games (two-person skis, etc.) • Selfies with Santa (photo opportunity with Santa for a donation)

• Baked goods sale (decorated, pre-packaged cookies)

The Joel Barlow High School Chamber Singers, directed by Gwynne Wittmann, will perform ahead of the actual tree lighting, starting at about 4:30 p.m. John Read Middle School’s band ensemble will also perform, directed by Kevin Duffy. Following the band ensemble, Dave Ebert will direct the John Read Chamber Choir as they sing a series of holiday and seasonal pieces. Hot chocolate will be served courtesy of the Lions Club. Rudolph and Frosty will be there, too! Come dressed for an outdoor event. In case of weather challenges, please call the Park and Recreation cancellation line before heading out at (203) 9385036 extension 3. g

Department of Art. Proceeds from the event fund the Dave Smith Scholarship and the Ana Grace Marquez-Greene Scholarship. Music on the Hill Holiday Concerts and Events Friday, December 1 at 7:30 p.m. “Sounds of the Season” Saturday, December 2 at 2:00 p.m. “Jingle All the Way” Tuesday, December 19 at 7:00 p.m. “Community Messiah Sing” Locations vary – see information below and at musiconthehillct.org Music on the Hill, an independent, community music non-profit is kicking off the season with numerous musical presentations and events. Its annual holiday concert, “Sounds of the Season,” takes place on Friday, December 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 10 Lyons Plains Road in Westport. This family-friendly concert will feature two handbell ensembles, the 40-voice Festival Chorus, and the Community Children’s Chorus. The concert will include Christmas and Hanukkah songs, as well as winter songs. “Bringing the ensembles together to perform is always exciting. It allows people of different generations to make music together,” said Rachel Dorset, Program Manager. Concluding the evening will be carols sung by the audience. On Saturday, December 2 at 2:00 p.m., Music on the Hill will collaborate with the Wilton Historical Society to offer “Jingle All the Way,” a festive outdoor

By Pamela Brown

musical performance with singing and handbells. The Holiday Chorus, Children’s Chorus, and handbell ringers will perform at Wilton Historical Society at 224 Danbury Road in Wilton. “Music on the Hill’s Community Children’s Chorus is open to all kids in grades 3 through 6 who love to sing. It’s wonderful to provide performance opportunities for them and to hear their beautiful sound,” said Dorset. There will also be a free craft workshop for kids of all ages. (Rain date: December 3 at 2:00 p.m.) On Tuesday, December 19 at 7:00 p.m. the audience becomes

the chorus at the Community Messiah Sing, featuring several guest conductors and a string quartet. The concert will be held at Wilton Congregational Church at 70 Ridgefield Road in Wilton. “We’re delighted to again offer this opportunity to the singing community. It’s very powerful and exciting to have so many voices joining together,” said Dorset. A suggested donation of $10 will be collected, with a portion of the donations benefitting Wilton Social Services for food assistance in the community. g

Redding’s Big Outdoors: Annual Winter Walk at Putnam Park December 2 at 11:00 a.m. / continued from page 1 Leary, FANS President and Park Historian and tour leader. He recalls the first year the walking tour was led by Dan Cruson, local historian, the day after a six-inch snowfall with two re-enactors trudging through the snow. “Anyone who’s interacted with me at the Park knows I love sharing its history with people, so it’s a joy to share my excitement with a crowd on a brisk wintry day.” The event will comprise historical and archaeological information. “It’s impossible to get the whole picture without drawing on both in tandem. One of the details about Lt. Col. Henry Dearborn’s time at the encampment that was uncovered through excavating his hut is fairly interesting by itself, but when taken in context with his diary, detailing earlier experiences in the disastrous march to Canada in 1775, that detail becomes extremely poignant. Come to the Winter Walk for the full story!” encouraged Leary. The Winter Walk connects people to the experiences of those at the encampment. “We aim to accomplish this by having visitors traverse the Park on the anniversary of the Continental Army’s arrival in Redding,” he said. “It helps people imagine what it might have felt like to march into camp on the first weekend of December, 1778 and more fully appreciate the sacrifice and struggle of those who

served here.” This year, Leary will focus on the lives of specific people of the encampment and what they experienced with newly uncovered information never before presented to the public. He will also incorporate some of the research done through the National Park Service-funded Forgotten Voices of the American Revolution project. Some of that information includes the travails of one of the wives of the encampment; the West African man who became a doctor at the military hospital in Danbury; the Sachem Uncas descendant who fought for the Continental Army; and the officers whose diaries provided insight into this encampment and the entire Revolutionary War. Following the tour is a riveting realistic battle re-enactment featuring reenactors from the 5th, 6th, and 9th Connecticut Regiment; 5th New York Regiment; and the 38th and 54th Regiment of Foot. “People enjoy the sensory experience that transports them back to the Revolution. Hearing the crack of musket fire, smelling the powder, seeing the uniformed re-enactors, and feeling the cold air help people imagine what battles might have looked and felt like during the time of the winter encampment,” said Bill Hagan, organizer of the Winter Walk and Director of FANS Membership. “This can be enjoyed by all ages. Young ones

like to watch the action, while older attendees have a more nuanced appreciation for the battle tactics on display.” The re-enactment offers an exciting and interesting conclusion to the event. “We hope people feel more connected to the soldiers’ experience after the Walk and will be encouraged to join or otherwise support the FANS to keep bringing Redding history to life,” said Hagan, who noted there will be noisy black powder shooting in the re-enactment portion, but visitors can depart before it takes place. Afterward, free refreshments will be available in the Visitor Center, where visitors can meet the re-enactors and purchase books and merchandise at the gift shop. Leary said even non-history buffs enjoy the Winter Walk. “We always create a real emotional connection between the participants and the real human beings who were stuck here during the long winter. And even people who aren’t concerned about military history or the highly accurate detailing on the re-enactors’ uniforms enjoy the skirmish action,” he said. “It’s both commemorative and entertaining and a wonderful way to stretch your legs, expand your mind, and delight your senses.” g

For more information, visit putnampark.org

November 30, 2023 l Redding Sentinel l 7

Lobster • Oysters • Mussels Crab • Clams • Scallops • Fin Fish

It was in the Gulf of Maine this morning. This afternoon it’s up the road at Community Shellfish 23 Francis Clarke Circle, Bethel 203.800.4040 • www.communityshellfishct.com

Radio City Christmas Spectacular: Redding Park and Recreation Coach Bus Trip

Are you enjoying the Sentinel?

Sunday, December 10

Consider giving a gift subscription this holiday season!

9:30 a.m.–Coach bus leaves Community Center 2:00 p.m. - Show (time for fun in NYC on your own beforehand) Orchestra seats: $160 per person townofreddingct.org/parks-and-recreation/ upcoming-events/trips

E-mail subscribe@reddingsentinel.org or call 203.938.3800

Twain is the star of this year’s holiday ornament l

Save room on your Christmas tree this year for a special ornament. The Redding Neighbors & Newcomers (RNN) recently unveiled this year’s holiday ornament design – one that honors renowned author and celebrated Redding resident, Samuel Lang-

horne Clemens, known by the pen name of Mark Twain. “This year’s ornament is a replica of the Mark Twain bench which rests directly in front of the Mark Twain Library. It was sculpted by the artist Gary Lee Price, and its official name is Ever the Twain Shall Meet,” explained Pamela Friedman, RNN Board Member and Vice President of Membership, Marketing, and Social Media. “The bench includes a cast of Mark Twain who founded the Mark Twain Library and two of his main and most renowned characters, Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher.” The ornament is made of solid pewter and was created at Woodbury Pewter. “Our ornaments are a lovely addition to a tree. Many people have a collection of RNN ornaments from over the years. We have former residents that continue to order an

ornament every year, and some people purchase an ornament each year for all their children,” said Friedman, noting RNN has been designing and selling an ornament since the early 1990s. “Each year, the Board discusses different ideas and together comes to a decision. The bench has been on our short list for a couple of years, and this year we happened to go with it. Plus, the bench is a favorite among both children and adults.” Inspiration for the ornament is always drawn from Redding itself. “Each year, we utilize a historical landmark or part of town that bears significance to Redding,” explained Friedman. “Many of our ornaments tend to sell out. Past ornaments have included Redding Town Hall, Topstone Park, Lonetown Farm & Museum, The Great Ledge, the Gilbert & Bennett Wire Mill, New Pond Farm, the Little Brick School House, the

Garden Club, Town Green Gazebo, Joel Barlow, churches in Redding and Georgetown, and Redding’s Daffodil Field.” Ever since Twain moved to Redding, the town embraced him as one of their own and, once again, RNN wanted to honor his life’s work and contributions. In 1997, the ornament was of Mark Twain, and The Mark Twain Library was used in 2005. “Mark Twain was already an established author when he moved to Redding and consequently founded the Mark Twain Library in 1908. His legacy continues to have a positive and lasting impact on the town,” said Friedman. “This year, in particular, anyone who feels a link to Mark Twain or his works or a connection to Redding might consider purchasing an ornament.” The ornaments sell for $20, with proceeds supporting RNN

Santa Claus ditches his sleigh – for a fire truck l

This holiday season, Redding residents can hire Santa Claus to swing by their house for a quick visit. The catch? He won’t be traveling by sleigh, but by fire truck. On Saturday, December 16, volunteers from Redding Fire & EMS Company #1 will be toting Jolly Old Saint Nick to houses across town starting at 1:00 p.m. Interested families can book a visit with Santa, who will come by with a group of firefighters to take pho-

tos and deliver gifts that the families provide ahead of time. “The parents buy a gift, wrap it, label it, and drop it off at the firehouse, and then Santa delivers it. It’s good community fun, everybody enjoys it,” said Bill Pardee, President of Redding Fire & EMS Company #1. “The kids enjoy it, the parents enjoy it, the volunteers enjoy it. A lot of people get involved.” This is the fifth year the Depart-

ment is running this event, which Pardee said has now caught on at Redding’s other fire departments, too. “There’s just so much demand,” Pardee said. “This is done in a lot of towns in our area, so we followed suit. The kids love it. There are photo opportunities for anyone who wants to be involved — family photos, pictures of the kids and Santa, you name it. It can be an individual family or a party. We’re very accommodating.” According to Pardee, roughly 20 people involved with the Department participate each year. In addition to the folks who are in the truck, others contribute to the event by helping sign people up and by planning the route. “We tell you approximately what time we’ll be at the house,” Pardee said. “The day of the event, we have someone driving the truck, someone plays Santa, and people are dressed as elves — Santa’s helpers.” If you’re interested in hiring Kris Kringle, the fire company suggests a $50 donation.

By Pamela Brown

events and sponsorships. RNN is a social organization established to help new and existing residents of Redding make connections with other locals through events and other interest groups and introduce new members to the social, cultural, and civic aspects of the town and its surrounding areas. g To purchase the ornament, visit reddingneighborsandnewcomers. org/Sys/Store/Products/341532 or visit the Mark Twain Library, where it is available in limited quantities

By Justin Reynolds

“It’s a very minor fundraiser for us; we don’t make a lot of money. And it’s not a set fee, either,” Pardee said. “Some people with big parties might pay more. People who can’t afford it, we do it for free. It’s a feel-good thing. We get out, meet people, and have people meet us.” Eager to have Father Christmas enliven your holiday season? You need to register by Tuesday, December 5 via this form: tinyurl. com/5a3zy85u. Wrapped and labeled gifts — one per child — must be dropped off at the firehouse at 105 Hill Road across from the Town Green on Saturday, Decem-

ber 9 between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. or Monday, December 11 between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. And don’t worry: While Santa is going door-to-door, the Fire Department will have a dedicated staff of firefighters at the ready at the firehouse available in the event they need to respond to an emergency. g

8 l Redding Sentinel l November 30, 2023

Barlow Beat l

Business Spotlight Ridgefield Vintage and Coffee

Pairing fashion with a full-fledged espresso bar

Photo courtesy of Ridgefield Vintage and Coffee

If the idea of sipping a latte while browsing racks of vintage clothes is appealing, you’ll be pleased to learn that there’s a new local brick-and-mortar establishment — Ridgefield Vintage and Coffee — that can satiate this desire. “Ridgefield Vintage and Coffee is a men’s and women’s clothing store selling new and vintage clothing for all types of occasions, from casual to formal, with a fullfledged coffee bar,” said Charles Moschos, founder and owner of the new establishment, which is located at 346 Ethan Allen Highway in Ridgefield, right near Old Redding Road. “We also have accessories, books, holiday gifts, and vinyl.” For Moschos, who worked in menswear for more than a decade while living in Manhattan, opening his own store is a longtime dream come true. “Ever since my uncle had a men’s clothing store in Faneuil Hall in Boston when I was a kid, I always wanted to have my own store,” he said. “I worked in some great menswear stores in New York City for many years, so when I had the opportunity to get back into having a store on my own terms, I jumped at it. It’s really been a joy to let out my creativity and curate a country-chic shopping experience.” A few years ago, Moschos got out of the clothing business. “Brick-and-mortar retail was going through a major transition a

few years ago, and I wasn’t excited about where it was headed,” he said. During the pandemic, shoppers were forced to make many purchases online. The way Moschos sees it, that experience reminded consumers how much they missed going into physical spaces to shop for clothes and other products. “Both men and women love the experience of going into a well-curated store and finding a great piece of clothing or item that speaks to them — seeing and feeling it in person,” Moschos explained. “I think boutique stores are going to thrive now and in the future.” When shoppers step foot inside Ridgefield Vintage & Coffee, they can grab a cup of joe and start browsing the racks. “We sell menswear, which is obviously my specialty — everything from T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers to suits, dress shirts, dress shoes, and formal wear,” he said. “We have a great mix of casual and formal womenswear, too. I’ve worked with some women I knew in the industry to help curate a selection that can speak to everyone who likes great clothes.” Not in the mood to buy clothes? You can opt to listen to records, look at books, and check out some holiday gifts. For most of us, “coffee and clothing” isn’t exactly a peanut-butter-and-jelly type of duo, but Moschos sees things differently. “In my eyes, coffee and clothes are an obvious pairing,” Moschos says. “I’ve always appreciated fine clothing, and I apply that same high level of standards to coffee. That’s why I wanted to create my own distinct coffee blend called Ridgefield Vintage. Since this is my own store, it was a no-brainer to combine both my passions and provide the very best of both worlds.” To create that unique blend, Moschos partnered with Quartertone Coffee, a local roaster headed by father-and-son pair Bob and Will Ponturo, who hail from Redding. He also procured a La Marzocco espresso machine, something he’s

l

By Justin Reynolds

had his eye on for quite some time. Working with Quartertone has been a great experience for Moschos. “Our signature blend comes from fair-trade Colombian women coffee farmers,” he said. “I’m very excited about the coffee bar.” Moschos is originally from Massachusetts. He was living in New York City during the pandemic but was already considering a move after the birth of his third daughter. “When the shutdown hit, we jumped at buying our house in Ridgefield and haven’t looked back,” he said. “We love the town and the area and have adjusted to life outside the city much easier than expected.” Moschos found the spot on Route 7 because he lives right down the street. “Once my wife saw it was empty and urged me to check it out, I couldn’t get it out of my head and wanted to try a pop-up shop with the inventory I’ve been collecting over the years,” he said. “I did a pop-up here over the last holiday season of mainly just menswear, and it was really well-received. I met so many cool and interesting people, which made me want to do the shop permanently.” Currently, Moschos is running the shop with his family; his three young daughters have “already claimed job titles,” he said with a laugh. “It’s all about creating an aesthetic throughout the whole shop — from the furniture to the pictures on the wall to the color palette — that is comfortable, sophisticated rustic decor,” he said. “I’m just really excited to see this come to life as I’ve been manifesting this in my head for a long time. I feel like this is a space for people who enjoy the finer things and the simple things in a non-pretentious way.” g

In the two weeks before Thanksgiving Break, student activities at Barlow exploded in frequency. Student Council’s Homecoming weekend was full of several events, with spirit week segueing into a hectic Veterans Day. The bonfire kicked off the Homecoming carousel of festivities, serving as a tailgate to the game against Pomperaug, in which Barlow aptly beat them 28–7. The dance was hosted at Barlow that night, in which well over half the school attended. While the pep rally has been rescheduled from that Friday to December 8, veterans instead visited Barlow and spoke to several English and History classes regarding their experiences in military service, with many even having served in active combat, as part of Barlow’s Veterans Day Memorial. The Veterans’ experiences varied from Vietnam, to Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Barlow’s National Honor Society hosted a Thanksgiving Food Drive from November 3—22 as part of a partnership with the Connecticut Food Share, while Best Buddies sold Barlow-themed bracelets and hosted a bake sale. Clubs all around aim to capitalize on the flurry of upcoming holidays; the World Language Honor Societies, for example, hosted Café Internacional, a Spanish-andFrench-themed bake sale, right before the Tri-M Music Honor Society’s Coffee House, a series of performances by students who demonstrate their artistic abilities for the crowd. Even the Nurse’s Office hosted a fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association throughout the month of November, as part of an effort to increase awareness regarding American Diabetes Month. Youth Mental Health First Aid invited students and their parents to attend a presentation of the docu-

this acreage, he built his last home, “Stormfield”. His only requirements were for it to be of Italianate style, have a room large enough for his orchestrelle, a red billiard room, and a cat purring by the hearth. Twain arrived in Redding for the first time on June 18, 1908 at 6:00 p.m. on the 4:15 New York train – from that day on, the train would continue to make this special stop every day to accommodate his many New York visitors. Twain was so happy with the house that he wrote to his daughter Clara, “I have been in residence two days, now, and I realize that this is the most satisfactory house I was ever in and also about the most beautiful.” The Turmoil

Mark Twain moved to Redding in 1908 under the encouragement of his biographer, Albert Bigelow Paine. Not much was previously known about Twain’s last years in Redding – most people don’t even know he lived here, let alone died here. This is because Clara, his only surviving daughter, and Albert Bigelow Paine, his official biographer, wanted to keep it that way. They wanted to keep the events of his last years and Isabel Lyon (more on her later) a secret! After his wife, Olivia, “Livy” died in 1904, there was no one to hold Twain in check. He was very lonely and took every opportunity to bring attention to himself. As

he said, “before 70, we are merely respected… and have to behave all the time… After 70, we are respected, esteemed, admired, revered, and don’t have to behave unless we want to.” But, Twain’s reputation was the money maker. If the public knew he was prone to drinking, swearing, bouts of depression, rage, and questionable behavior – plus his relationship to Isabel Lyon – it could tarnish the image of the jolly humorous Sage in the White Suit. In 1906, Twain bought a 248acre Redding property which included an old farmhouse he called “The Lobster Pot”. Upon

mentary Ascension (Students were incentivized to attend with extra credit for their Wellness class), which is about a high school student who attempted suicide, survived, and decided to reach out to others and aid them in their mental struggles. Afterwards, two adults and three students who are part of Youth Mental Health First Aid answered a range of questions from the crowd regarding the struggles that youth grapple with today and what Barlow is doing to help those in need. The Debate Team had a strong performance at Bethel High School, in which they scored six awards and continued to carry their phenomenal momentum from the tournament at Barlow last month. Speaking of strong performances, the entire Barlow community rejoiced as the boys soccer team progressed to the SWC Finals, while the girls volleyball team defended their SWC Championship title, along with progressing to CIAC State Finals. Now, as fall sports come to a close, Barlow athletes are preparing for the winter sports season. And, related to sports, the Class Council of 2024 hosted a powderpuff football game between the juniors and seniors, in which the juniors (unfortunately) beat the seniors. Lastly, theater rehearsals are currently in full swing, in preparation for the performances of Peter and the Starcatcher from November 30 through December 2. With Thanksgiving Break right behind us, Barlow’s student activities will continue as the holidays approach, right around the corner! g Siddharth Gupta is a senior at Joel Barlow High School

For more information, visit ridgefieldvintage.com

Turmoil, scandal, and tragedy Twain’s last years in Redding l

Isabel Lyon, Ralph Ashcroft, and Mark Twain

By Siddharth Gupta

During his later years, Twain had a strained relationship with his daughters, Clara and Jean. His relationship with Clara was especially competitive and combative. She had a temper like Twain’s and was reportedly spoiled and self-indulgent. His relationship with Jean was distant. He felt it best, because of her epilepsy, to keep her in sanitariums for her own protection – which Jean resented. Enter the inner circle: Isabel Lyon, Ralph Ashcroft, and Albert Bigelow Paine – a trio of sycophants who hovered over Mark Twain and gave him all the attention he demanded, needed, and more. Twain first met Isabel Lyon in 1890, when she was a governess for a family in Hartford. He was

By Susan Durkee

so smitten by her, that he hired her as his secretary 12 years later when Livy’s health was failing. Twain described Isabel in 1902 as, “slender, petite, comely, 38 years old by the almanac, and 17 in ways and carriage and dress”. After Livy died, Isabel became Twain’s private secretary, bookkeeper, household manager, social companion, power of attorney for his business affairs, and for all intents and purposes, the female head of the family. The entire supervision of building and furnishing Stormfield fell on Isabel’s shoulders. Twain gave Isabel The Lobster Pot as a token of his appreciation for her hard work. When Isabel was not living at the farmhouse, she was living at Stormfield. Isabel adored Twain, referring to him, in her diaries as “The King” and believing him to be “the gentlest, most considerate, most lovable creature in all the Earth.” She dreamed of marrying him, but to quiet gossipy tongues, instead married Ralph Ashcroft, Twain’s business manager. Ralph Ashcroft was an opportunistic business advisor to Twain. He was the creator of the Mark Twain Company which created the idea of trademarking Mark Twain’s name to protect copyrights, and which also brought Twain financial success. Twain had such faith in Ashcroft that he gave him, along with Isabel, power of attorney over his business affairs. Albert Bigelow Paine was Mark Twain’s official biographer, literary executor, and later the first editor of the Mark Twain Papers. Paine and his family lived in an old

saltbox near Stormfield. He was so close to Twain, that after his daughter Jean died, Paine moved his own family into Stormfield. Isabel Lyon and Ralph Ashcroft teamed up and were in an escalating battle against Albert Bigelow Paine for influence over Mark Twain. Now, mix these three sycophants up with Twain’s vindictive daughter, Clara, and we have the recipe for a scandal. The Scandal Clara incessantly badgered her father that Isabel was stealing money – a claim which has never been proven. What Isabel did do was hold the purse strings of Clara’s allowance, something that Clara resented. Clara was also afraid that Isabel had schemes to marry her father. The real scandal was that Clara had been having a long, torrid affair with a married man, Will Wark, which Isabel knew all about. Clara, and later Twain, when he found out about the affair, was afraid Isabel would blackmail the family to keep quiet (remember the importance of the public image!) Twain finally succumbed to Clara’s relentless accusations about Isabel. Twain turned on Isabel, one month after she married Ashcroft. He now believed that Isabel and Ashcroft were in cahoots to steal money. The idea became a daily obsession for Twain. Twain fired Isabel in April 1909 and forced her to return her Continued on page 9

November 30, 2023 l Redding Sentinel l 9

Book Review

Library Corner

My Brother Sam is Dead

By Kathryn Zimmerman

By James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

216 p.p. / Scholastic Inc. / Macmillan Publishing Company

The year 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of My Brother Sam is Dead, a National Book Award Nominee and winner of several awards including the John Newbery Medal given by the American Library Association for “the most distinguished contributions to American literature for children”. Co-authored by brothers James and Christopher Collier, the novel is set in Redding during the American Revolutionary War period. It recounts a story of bravery and sacrifice within the context of the hardships of war and the divided loyalties of that time. The life of Sam Meeker, a central character, is thrown into turmoil when he finds himself in conflict with family members loyal to Britain. Sam’s anguish is in full view as he clashes with his father, a staunch loyalist to King George III. Tim Meeker, Sam’s younger brother who narrates the story from his perspective, hero-worships his older brother and aspires to be like Sam. However, Tim is unsure about the War and unable to convince himself that Sam is doing the right thing fighting for independence from Britain. Their father, Eliphalet Meeker, domineering and strong minded, is determined to maintain his family’s fealty to Britain. His repeated altercations with Sam eventually result in Sam leaving home at age 16, dropping out of Yale after just one year, to join the Patriots. Most of the story takes place around Redding Ridge where the fictional Meeker Tavern, owned

and operated by the Meekers, is located at the junction of present-day Black Rock Turnpike and Cross Highway. A fascinating aspect of the novel is the real historical figures who are part of the story. For example, there is Sam Meeker’s friend, young Tom Warrups, grandson of Chickens Warrups who, in 1714, deeded land to John Read for whom the Town of Redding was named. Other historical figures include Nathaniel Bartlett (1727 - 1810), father of Daniel Collins Bartlett (1757 – 1837) who, with his wife Esther Read, owned, and occupied the Lonetown Farm and Museum house, the current home of the Redding Historical Society. Equally interesting are the details of daily life in the agrarian setting of the colonial era. The daily farm chores of milking cows, baling hay, collecting eggs, drawing well water, and cleaning animal stalls, in addition to seasonal planting and harvesting, paint a picture of the life and livelihood of the early Redding settlers centered on agriculture. The story comes to a dramatic climax in a scene that played out on February 16, 1779. To avoid giving away the ending of the story for those who plan to read the book, let’s just say the suspense is palpable as Sam’s fate is held in abeyance while his family and supporters appeal for his life after he is accused of, and imprisoned for, a crime he did not commit. My Brother Sam is Dead clearly depicts the courage and heroism of a young man who fought for what he believed in at a momentous time in America’s history. It is a fictional, yet believable, life story recounted with rich detail, historical context, and locational references that makes the novel a compelling read for anyone, young or old, interested in Redding’s early history and the sacrifices made by some residents who helped make America free. The sentiment resonates with the words of Sam Meeker when he said, “It’s worth dying to be free.” g Review by Dan Souza Dan Souza is a Board member of the Redding Historical Society

Mark Twain Library Art Show starts Saturday / continued from page 1 sales. Several artists also donate an additional work to include in a Silent Auction held at a Preview Reception the Friday before the show is open to the public. That Silent Auction takes place online, so bidders can participate from anywhere. All proceeds from the Silent Auction go directly to support the Library. To accompany the spirit of this long-standing tradition, the Library has also scheduled a number of art-themed programs throughout the month of December. Besides the juror program on December 7 with Dunlop, there

is a crafting workshop, “Warm Winter Greetings: MTL’s Modern Makers” on Tuesday, December 5 at 10:30 a.m. and the closing reception on Sunday, December 10 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. where patrons can mingle with some of the artists while listening to music performed by the Joel Barlow Chamber Singers. g For more information about the Mark Twain Library Art Show, please visit marktwainlibrary.org/ fundraising/art

Now that fall has arrived with its frosty mornings and shorter days, we often find ourselves spending more time in the kitchen. The December holidays are around the corner – maybe a snow day will be in the cards. It’s a great time of year to try out a new recipe. If you’re interested, the Mark Twain Library has some excellent new cookbooks on our shelves! Fall is also “cookbook season” for publishers, a time to release and promote some of their biggest titles, which means there is a great selection of new titles to choose from. There are cookbooks by celebrity chefs and popular bloggers and cookbooks with beautiful photographs. Some tell a story or focus on a particular type of food. Others teach us how to cook or how to simplify cooking. The idea is to enjoy your time in the kitchen! If you can’t make it into the Library, there is also a great collection of cookbooks available digitally through Hoopla, one of the Library’s online resources for e-books and audiobooks. Following is a selection of some wonderful new cookbooks available at the Mark Twain Library. Come visit us to check them out! There is also a link on our web-

site to “Cookbooks from 2023” if you’d like to explore these and other titles. As Jacques Pépin would say, “Happy Cooking!” Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook: A Cookbook by Sohla El-Waylly In this epic guide to better eating, the chef, recipe developer, and video producer Sohla El-Waylly reimagines what a cookbook can be, teaching home cooks of all skill levels how cooking really works. The Simple Art of Rice: Recipes From Around the World for the Heart of Your Table by JJ Johnson and Danica Novgorodoff From award-winning author and acclaimed chef JJ Johnson comes a cookbook full of delicious recipes that celebrate the history and versatility of one of the world’s essential foods. Jacques Pépin Cooking My Way by Jacques Pépin Master chef Jacques Pépin shares his expert insights on cooking economically at home – how to save money, time, and effort, with over 150 recipes.

The Secret of Cooking: Recipes for an Easier Life in the Kitchen by Bee Wilson A culinary companion to simplify cooking while making it more enjoyable, The Secret of Cooking is packed with solutions for how to make life in the kitchen work better for you, whether you’re cooking for yourself or for a crowd. Tenderheart: a Cookbook about Vegetables and Unbreakable Family Bonds by Hetty Lui McKinnon From the acclaimed author of To Asia, With Love, this is a loving homage to her father, a Chinese immigrant in Australia, told in over 180 flavorful, vegetarian recipes. Let’s Eat: 101 Recipes to Fill Your Heart & Home by Dan Pelosi In his debut cookbook, largerthan-life personality Dan Pelosi offers up a warm hug of home cooking, sharing both comfort and connection with 101 of his nearest and dearest Italian-American recipes. g Kathryn Zimmerman is Sunday Librarian and ILL Librarian at

Nod to the pod

We Can Do Hard Things: “Our Most Embarrassing Stories” By Amy Maloof

Each week, a one-episode recommendation from a podcast you might love. Author Glennon Doyle (Untamed), sister Amanda Doyle (an attorney and activist), and wife (American soccer icon) Abby Wambach, host We Can Do Hard Things, a podcast about the tough things in life and how we might stumble through them a little bit easier. The women cover topics like navigating blended families, overcoming eating disorders, managing anxiety, exploring gender and sexuality, maintaining friend-

ship, and myriad other thorny but rich themes. Don’t be turned off by the seemingly heavy tone; on paper it sounds gloomy, but this isn’t a depressing pod. Especially not this episode. I don’t entirely understand why it’s so enjoyable hearing other people’s embarrassing stories, but it really is. The three hosts each share their own mortifying tales before listening to recorded calls from listeners sharing their own. I can’t ruin them here, but – it’s a good time. Even if you’re not a fan of Glennon Doyle’s books (they’re

not for me), give this show a try. I especially recommend the episodes without a special guest or interview, where the three women simply talk amongst themselves. Their radical honesty and willingness to share both their tough and joyful moments with confidence and without pretense is heartening. It’s often really funny, too. I have since listened to this episode about five times, but the first time I was in the kitchen with my daughter, and we laughed so hard that we fell on the floor. That’s my new bar for comedy. g

Town roads receive high-tech StreetScan review / continued from page 1 the budget season each spring, our StreetScan report will give us a better understanding of what we will need, helping us to plan our priorities for the next five to 10 years,” Gracy explained. StreetScan also will help the Town to better explain roadcondition information to the general public. And because the information is both clear and indisputable, road issues are less subject to misinterpretation or being ignored altogether.

“As a result, the Board of Finance can plan its expenditures a lot easier and put a package together much more effectively for each year’s budget,” Gracy said. The StreetScan program helps in other ways as well. Other cities and towns have used StreetScan for sidewalk assessments, though these are minimal in Redding. StreetScan can provide a snapshot of the condition and presence – or lack thereof – of signage and roadway markings.

This includes both road name signs as well as stop, yield, do not enter, dead-end, and other traffic signs. Additionally, state regulations require towns and cities to monitor water runoff from public roads, and the StreetScan database can alert authorities of any potential problems. Once created, the StreetScan town database can also be easily updated or refreshed with new data as it becomes available. g

Turmoil, scandal, and tragedy Twain’s last years in Redding / continued from page 8 beloved farmhouse, The Lobster Pot, to him. He denounced Lyon as “a liar, a forger, a thief, a hypocrite, a drunkard, a sneak, a humbug, a traitor, a conspirator, a filthy-minded and salacious slut pining for seduction.” He wrote a 429-page manuscript outlining his complaints against Ashcroft and Lyon. Twain kept this “AshcroftLyon Manuscript” private, with the intention of publishing it if Lyon or Ashcroft were to go public with details of any family secrets and Clara’s affair. The Tragedy Mark Twain’s life was forged from tragedy; his father, his youngest brother, his first child, his daughter Susie, and his wife all died tragically young. Twain blamed himself, and he carried these misfortunes heavily on his conscience. Calamity continued into the last chapter of Twain’s life: in 1909, Henry Rogers, his most trusted friend and financial savior, died suddenly of a heart attack; his much-loved nephew, Samuel Moffitt, drowned; and the final blow – his youngest daughter,

Jean, suffered an epileptic seizure in the bathtub at Stormfield and died Christmas Eve morning. Twain took Jean’s death very hard and sank into a depression that heralded his death only four months later. Paine worked closely with Clara to whitewash Twain’s image and remove all mention of Isabel Lyon from the history of his last years. We now know so much about Twain’s time in Redding because Isabel Lyon kept a diary during her time working for Twain. When Isabel died in 1958, she willed her diary and her extensive photograph collection to the Mark Twain Papers Project at Berkeley – with the stipulation that her diaries not be made public until after Clara’s death. After Clara died in 1962, and the diary was revealed, Isabel Lyon was rediscovered. Now, there are many books written about and including Isabel Lyon and her relationship with Twain and the Clemens family. To be respectful to Mark Twain – especially while publishing this story on his birth date – I must end with a couple of his famous quotes:

“Man is the only animal that blushes…or needs to.” “Noise proves nothing…Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she had laid an asteroid”. g Susan Durkee is a self-described “Twainiac” and has lived in Twain’s Redding farmhouse, The Lobster Pot, for 37 years. A version of this article was given as a presentation at the Mark Twain Dinner at The Lotos Club in New York.

10 l Redding Sentinel l November 30, 2023

The Natural World A four-season garden Part two

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By Terry Karpen

Photo by Terry Karpen

Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’ (Bird’s nest spruce) planted with Liriope mascari (Lilyturf).

Plant recommendations for the four-season garden This is a list of perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs, and trees that have attributes through all the seasons. The plants include a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, form, and texture, with a focus on foliage, flowers, fruit, berries, and bark. Other decorative features are seed heads or seedpods, cones, or dried flowers. (Note: the scientific name is followed by the common name in the following list).

Perennials Polystichum acrostichoides – Christmas Fern Polystichum polyblepharum – Tassel Fern Cyrtomium fortunei – Holly Fern Helleborus orientalis – Hellebore Echinacea purpurea – Purple Coneflower Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldstrum’ – Black-eyed Susan Asclepias tuberosa – Butterfly Milkweed Asclepias incarnata – Butterfly Milkweed

Pulmonaria longifolia – Lungwort Epimedium grandiflorum – Barrenwort Geranium macrorrhizum – Bigroot Geranium Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ – Stonecrop Sedum ‘Angelina’ – Stonecrop Viola walteri ‘Silver Gem’ – Violet Viola labradorica – Violet Ajuga reptans ‘Black Scallop’ – Bugleweed Waldsteinia fragarioides – Barren Strawberry Liriope mascari – Lilyturf

Dogwood Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ – Redtwig Dogwood Ilex verticillata – Winterberry Heptacodium miconioides – Seven-son Flower Salix alba var. vitellina ‘Britzensis’ – Scarlet Willow Clethra alnifolia – Summersweet Hydrangea quercifolia – Oakleaf Hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata – Panicle Hydrangea Physocarpus opulifolius – Ninebark

Ornamental Grasses Panicum virgatum – Switch Grass Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ – Feather Reed Grass Schizachyrium scoparium – Little Bluestem Sporobolus heterolepsis – Prairie Dropseed Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’ – Japanese Sedge Chasmanthium latifolium – Northern Sea Oats Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ – Japanese Forest Grass Festuca glauca – Blue Fescue

Evergreen Picea abies ’Nidiformis’ – Birdsnest Dwarf Spruce Pinus mugo – Dwarf Mountain Pine Pieris japonica – Japanese Pieris Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Fastigiata’ – Japanese Plum Yew Viburnum x pragense – Prague Viburnum Rhododendrons and Azaleas

Shrubs Deciduous Cornus alba ‘Bailhalo’ – Redtwig

Trees Deciduous Stewartia pseudocamellia – Japanese Stewartia Acer griseum – Paperbark Maple Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’ – Winter King Hawthorn

Betula nigra – River Birch Prunus maackii – Amur Cherry Prunus sargentii – Sargent’s Cherry Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ – Coral-bark Japanese Maple Metasequoia glyptostroboides – Dawn Redwood Parrotia persica – Persian Ironwood Evergreen Pinus bungeana – Lacebark Pine Juniperus virginiana – Eastern Red Cedar Abies koreana ‘Horstmann’s Silberlocke’ – Korean Fir Abies concolor – White Fir Sciadopitys verticillata – Japanese Umbrella Pine Chamaecyparis pisifera – False Cypress Chamaecyparis obtuse – Hinoki Cypress Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’ – Nootka Cypress Cryptomeria japonica – Japanese Cedar Magnolia Grandiflora ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’ – Magnolia g Terry Karpen is proprietor of Queen Of Spades Gardens and Landscapes in Redding

Real Estate October 2023 real estate report

A look at trends in the local housing market

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By Bill Whitehead and John Talley

Eleven Redding properties sold in October, bringing the year-to-date total for the town to 93 properties sold. Year-over-year, sales volume is down 27% (the year-to-date total sold in Redding as of Oct 2022 was 127 properties) while the average price has increased by 8%. On average, houses sold 3% over list price last month. The price-per-square-foot of the houses sold increased to $347 per square foot, versus $270 a year ago. As of November 24, there were 27 properties for sale in Redding with the average “Days on Market” (DOM) of 112 days, the highest level yet for 2023. This is the clearest indication that the market is cooling as tight inventories continue to push home prices higher beyond the budgets of many would-be home buyers. Tight inventories continue to drive the real estate market overall, affording potential sellers the promise of multiple buyers for those properties perceived as “good values”. g Bill Whitehead and John Talley are Realtors with Berkshire Hathaway

November 30, 2023 l Redding Sentinel l 11

Calendar of Events

$ = fee applies R = registration required

This Week’s Featured Events

Redding Tree Lighting

Saturday, December 2 3:30 p.m. Hot chocolate, music, Santa, and Scouting activities. Tree lighting will occur around 4:30 p.m. Town Green 100 Hill Road townofreddingct.org

Arts Thursday, November 30 – Saturday, December 2 Joel Barlow High School presents Peter and the Starcatcher 7:00 p.m. - Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 12:00 p.m. - Saturday This Tony-award winning play is a prequel to the story of Peter Pan. Joel Barlow High School Auditorium 100 Black Rock Turnpike jbhs.booktix.net $

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Friday, December 1 Sounds of the Season 7:30 p.m. Concert presented by Music on the Hill, featuring handbells, Festival Chorus, and Community Children’s Chorus. Unitarian Universalist Congregation 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport musiconthehillct.org

––– Saturday, December 2 Jingle All the Way! 2:00 p.m. Snow/rain date: December 3. Wilton Historical Society 224 Danbury Road Wilton musiconthehillct.org

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Saturday, December 2 Lyrics Coffeehouse – David Morgan Trio 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. BYOB and enjoy an evening of live music. Redding Community Center 37 Lonetown Road townofreddingct.org/parks-andrecreation/upcoming-events/ lyrics-coffee-house $

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Saturday, December 2 – Sunday, December 10 Mark Twain Library Art Show Special Preview Reception on Friday, December 1 from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Visit website for Art Show opening times. Mark Twain Library 439 Redding Road marktwainlibrary.org/art

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Redding Garden Club Holiday Boutique

Sunday, December 3 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Redding Community Center 37 Lonetown Road Shop for holiday gifts and browse handcrafted and natural wares. reddinggardenclub.org

Thursday, December 7 Gallery Talk with Art Show Juror David Dunlop 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Mark Twain Library 439 Redding Road marktwainlibrary.org R g

Children I Teens Monday, December 4 Pizza, Hot Chocolate, and Mini Movies 5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Grades 1-4 Mark Twain Library 439 Redding Road marktwainlibrary.org R

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Sunday, December 10 MTL Open Mic: A Literary Event for Teens & Adults 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Mark Twain Library 439 Redding Road marktwainlibrary.org R g

Crafts Saturday, December 2 Little Gray Barn Farm Pre-Holiday Sale 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Shop alpaca products and meet alpacas and Dominick the Donkey. No dogs. 139 Picketts Ridge Road littlegraybarnfarm.com

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Saturday, December 2 The New Fairfield/Sherman Animal Welfare Society Holiday Boutique 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sneak peek on December 1 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. for $5 The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd 2 Colonial Road New Fairfield facebook.com/nfsaw

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Saturday, December 2 Family Wreath Making 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. New Pond Farm Education Center 101 Marchant Road newpondfarm.org $, R

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Radio City Christmas Spectacular: Redding Park and Recreation Coach Bus Trip

Sunday, December 10 9:30 a.m. - Coach bus leaves Community Center 2:00 p.m. - Show (time for fun in NYC on your own beforehand) Orchestra seats: $160 per person townofreddingct.org/parks-andrecreation/upcoming-events/trips

Saturday, December 2 Wreath Making at New Pond Farm 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Bring work gloves and clippers. Materials will be provided. 101 Marchant Road newpondfarm.org $, R

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Sunday, December 3 Redding Garden Club Holiday Boutique 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Redding Community Center 37 Lonetown Road Shop for holiday gifts and browse handcrafted and natural wares. reddinggardenclub.org

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Sunday, December 3 Gingerbread Snow Globes 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (waitlist only) All materials for the craft will be provided. New Pond Farm Education Center 101 Marchant Road newpondfarm.org $, R

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Tuesday, December 5 Warm Winter Greetings: Modern Makers 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Create greeting cards, bookmarks, and special stocking stuffers. Mark Twain Library 439 Redding Road marktwainlibrary.org R g

Holiday Saturday, December 2 Redding Tree Lighting 3:30 p.m. Hot chocolate, music, selfies with Santa, holiday activities, and more. Town Green 100 Hill Road townofreddingct.org/parks-andrecreation

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Thursday, December 7 Holiday Lunch with Live Music from JRMS 11:45 a.m. National Charity League to serve festive meal and JRMS choir, band, and orchestra to perform live music. Heritage Center 37 Lonetown Road RSVP to Michelle at mstillman@ townofreddingct.org or call (203) 938-9725 R

Meetings

Want to feature an upcoming event? E-mail us at advertise@reddingsentinel.org for more information.

Religious Services Bethlehem Lutheran Church Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (in person) or 10:15 a.m. (Zoom) 44 Portland Avenue bethlehemlutheranct.org

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Winter Walk at Putnam Memorial State Park 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Walking tour of park with reenactment of a Revolutionary War battle. Putnam Memorial State Park 499 Black Rock Turnpike putnampark.org g

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Monday, December 4 Republican Town Committee 7:30 p.m. Town Hall / Hearing Room 100 Hill Road townofreddingct.org

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Christ Church, Episcopal Sundays at 9:00 a.m. 184 Cross Highway christchurchredding.org

Georgetown Fire District Meeting 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 61 Redding Road townofreddingct.org

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First Church of Christ, Congregational Sundays at 10:00 a.m. 25 Cross Highway firstchurchredding.org

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Long Ridge United Methodist Sundays at 11:30 a.m. 201 Long Ridge Road Danbury longridgeumc.com

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Sacred Heart / St. Patrick Parish

Sacred Heart Church: Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 p.m. Saturday Eucharistic Adoration: 6:00 p.m. Sunday Mass: 9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. 12:00 noon LATIN Weekday Mass: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday 6:00 p.m. LATIN 30 Church Street St. Patrick Church: Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:30 p.m. Sunday Mass: 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m., 5:00 p.m. Weekday Mass: Monday – Friday at 8:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays Eucharistic Adoration: 7:00 p.m. 169 Black Rock Turnpike sacredheart-stpat.org

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Temple B’nai Chaim Fridays at 7:30 p.m. 82 Portland Avenue Georgetown templebnaichaim.org

Special Programs

Saturday, December 2

Board of Ethics 7:30 p.m. Town Hall / Conference Room and Zoom 100 Hill Road townofreddingct.org

Economic Development Committee 8:30 a.m. Town Hall / Conference Room 100 Hill Road townofreddingct.org

Thursday, December 7

Nature

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Calvary Independent Baptist Church Adult and Child Sunday School at 10:00 a.m. / Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Wednesday prayer meeting at 7:00 p.m. Nursery provided for all services 711 Redding Road cibcredding.org

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Park and Recreation Commission 7:00 p.m. Redding Community Center 37 Lonetown Road townofreddingct.org Monday December 4

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Redding Menorah Lighting 6:00 p.m. Celebrate the first evening of Hannukah. Town Green 100 Hill Road townofreddingct.org

Monday, December 4

Sunday, December 3 Lonetown Farm Museum Holiday Open House 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Hosted by the Redding Historical Society. 43 Lonetown Road (203) 938-9095

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Tuesday, December 5 League of Women Voters Holiday Luncheon 11:30 a.m. Book Banning: How Libraries are Working to Protect Access Meadow Ridge 100 Redding Road E-mail vhcints@icloud.com $, R g

Tuesday, December 5

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Tuesday, December 5

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Tuesday, December 5 Redding BOE Curriculum Committee 6:00 p.m. John Read Middle School 486 Redding Road er9.org

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Tuesday, December 5 Redding Board of Education 7:00 p.m. John Read Middle School 486 Redding Road er9.org

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Tuesday, December 5 Conservation Commission 7:00 p.m. Old Town House 23 Cross Highway townofreddingct.org

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Wednesday, December 6 Joint Meeting of Zoning Commission, Planning Commission, and Gilbert and Bennett Wire Mill Advisory Committee Special Meeting 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Town Hall / Hearing Room 100 Hill Road townofreddingct.org

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Thursday, December 7 Redding Safety Committee 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Zoom townofreddingct.org

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Tuesday, December 12 Planning Commission 7:30 p.m. Town Hall / Hearing Room 100 Hill Road townofreddingct.org

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Wednesday, December 13 Commission on Aging 9:00 a.m. Heritage Center 37 Lonetown Road townofreddingct.org

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Wednesday, December 13 Brown Bag Lunch with First Selectwoman 12:00 p.m. Town Hall / Hearing Room 100 Hill Road townofreddingct.org g

12 l Redding Sentinel l November 30, 2023