Ridgefield Magazine | Holiday, 2019

1,000 MILE RIDE WITH NAVY SEALS 1,000 MILE DRIVE WITH HIS SON

TIGER HOLLOW HOUSE TOUR HOW WE MET: CHINA TO HERE

Ridgefield MAGAZINE

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we cordon off our life, embracing only family, friends, and good thoughts. We close the door on time and open it to what matters most—connecting with the spirit of the season.

We in Ridgefield have help in this regard—a holiday stroll on Main Street that turns up the volume on spirit; Keeler Tavern’s Christmas luncheons, holiday boutique, and readings for children; Ridgefield Playhouse’s great lineup of shows; the Prospector’s special programming and regular blockbusters; houses of worship with services and opportunities for genuine reflection.

Our house tour this issue features an historic home, totally renovated into a magical place for celebrating. And celebrate they do for the holidays. Gerri Lewis leads the tour of “Renovate to Celebrate” on page 42.

Julia Bruce helps lead another time of house tour, this one taking place December 6, to support Tiger Hollow.

See “Knock, Knock” in The Vibe. What’s more, our “Ten Minutes With” this issue features Enchanted Garden coowner Noah Manheimer who combines his love of cycling and videography to lead a group of Navy Seals on a thousandmile bike ride. Roger Garbow takes an easier path, by driving to Ohio with his son rather than flying, for some qulaity together time.

Have a wonderful holiday season. And keep on reading.

——Geoffrey James Morris

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Ridgefield Office 398 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877 | 203.438.9000 Redding/Weston Satellite Office 16 Old Mill Road, Redding, CT 06896 | 203.544.9591 Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2019 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully upports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

Ridgefield

C O N T E N T S / / H O L I D AY 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0

features

21

Casting a Spell When ACT’s artistic director began thinking about how he would produce Godspell for its next performance, he had a big idea.

But would Stephen Schwartz, the show’s creator, go for it?

By Daniel C. Levine

26

A Triumphant End Regional Hospice has been helping adults with the dignity of death in its Danbury center for years. Now it explores a pediatric wing.

By Douglas P. Clement

42

Renovate to Celebrate

42

When the Pisonis saw Iradell, a rundown estate, they thought: We need to fix this. Now it’s time to cherish the holidays there.

The Hot List ... // Clothes,

jewelry, fine spirits, travel & adventure, spas, musical instruments, CBD, and more fill the pages of our sponsored TownVibe holiday gift guide, featuring items from the Berkshires down to Long Island Sound.

See page 36 for details.

6 //

RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE Holiday 2019-2020

By Gerri Lewis

28

Road Bonds A father and son had their eyes on an Indy car-race event in Ohio. Flying would be quick. Driving would be fun.

Follow their journey, out and back.

By Roger Garbow

We’re Sharing The Love Again This Holiday Season

Subaru of America, Inc. has announced the return of its annual Share the Love event, November 14th through January 2nd.

“To Our Customers

Subaru of America, Inc. donates $250 to a charity of the customer’s choice for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from Nov. 14, 2019 – Jan. 2, 2020. In addition, participating retailers may choose to match or supplement the $250 donation from Subaru. Charities that can be selected include ASPCA®, Make-A-Wish®, Meals on Wheels America, National Park Foundation and our hometown charity Ability Beyond.

and Employees...

Our Heartfelt Thanks and Best Wishes for a Holiday Season filled with Peace and Happiness.“

The Subaru Share the Love event is in its 12th year and is continuing its tradition of giving back to the community. At Subaru, we give back not because it’s good for business, but because it’s the right thing to do. At the culmination of this year, Subaru of America, Inc, and its retailers hope to exceed a grand total of $115 million donated since the creation of Share the Love to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the event.

David Beylouni and Darren Beylouni, Owners and Operators

Last year our Subaru dealerships in New York, Connecticut, and New Hampshire raised and donated over $140,000, and this year we hope to do even better.

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Ridgefield

34

CONTENTS CONTINUED

21 14

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The Stocking Stuffer

We play Santa, while you visit relatives We will stuff, hang, and arrange stockings on the mantel, just like Santa normally does.

Gives us an hour and we will bring you Christmas

stockingstuffer.com

departments 4 Scribbled Note 14 ShoutOut This, that, and the other things

16 We’ve Got Answers

34 How We Met From China to Ridgefield

52 On the Town RIFF, Grace Farms, Savor Lobster

An old Manor Road estate

56 Ridgefield Eats

and that blue tree

Bailey’s Backyard and

19 The Vibe

J&E Smallgoods

Tiger Hollow House Tour, casting

62 Out & About

a spell at ACT, gift-wrapping tales,

David Brubeck and the RSO

Regional Hospice, car travel

64 The Art of It

30 Ten Minutes With

Silvermine Exhibition

Videographer and cyclist Noah Manheimer ON THE COVER “Wrap It Up,” by Rana Faure

Let me help make your dreams comes true!

Mary Phelps 203.546.0315 mphelps@williampitt.com

Happy Holidays!

PEACE. Caren Harrington 203.240.4491

carenharrington.williampitt.com @CarenHarringtonHomes williampitt.com

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Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

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behind the scenes H O L I D AY / 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0

Ridgefield MAGAZINE Vol 18, Issue 1 Holiday 2019-2020

GEOFFREY JAMES MORRIS

Editor-in-Chief and Publisher

GERRI LEWIS is a freelance writer who spent the early years of her career as a newspaper feature writer and columnist. Her work has appeared in Reader’s Digest and various airline publications. Her accolades include feature-writing awards from the New England Press Association and the Society of Professional Journalists. Gerri grew up in Ridgefield and continues to keep an eye on the community. In this issue, she delivers another edition of “How We Met.”

DEBORAH HAYN

Creative Director KIM ZEISS

Operations Manager LAURIE NEWKIRK

Director of Digital Strategy SHARON PECK

Production Manager KELLY GELS

ROGER GARBOW is a member of the International Motor Press Association, founder of Full Throttle Marketing, and a contributing writer for TownVibe, RoadandTrack.com, TheDRIVE.com, MensHealth.com, and Monticello Motor Club. For this issue, Roger spent a week with his son driving (not flying) in a Honda Passport to watch car racing in Ohio. “It was a great way experience a journey together,” says Garbow.

DANIEL C. LEVINE is the artistic director of A Contemporary Theatre of Connecticut, where he both directs and performs. He is a seasoned Broadway actor who has performed in shows such as Les Misérables, Chicago, Mamma Mia!, The Rocky Horror Show, Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy, and Little Shop of Horrors. In this issue, he chronicles his experience working with Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz, who Godspell Levine will direct for ACT in February.

DOUGLAS P. CLEMENT is the former executive editor of The Litchfield County Times publishing group, and founding editor of LCT magazine. A former senior editor and digital editor at Connecticut Magazine, he has covered arts & culture for The New York Times, dining for Edible Nutmeg, art for Take, among others. He is also principal of Boardwalk Media + Communications. In this issue, he reveals expansion plans for Regional Hospice Center.

10 //

RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE Holiday 2019-2020

Operations Assistant Contributing Writers Heather Borbeau, Julie Bruce, Douglas Clement, Roger Garbow, Gerri Lewis

Contributing Photographers Rana Faure, Doug Foulke, Kristen Jensen ADVERTISING SALES 203-431-1708 Camille Giacomazza (ext. 113) Jennifer Hines (ext. 210) Jill Lawlor (ext. 115) Wendy Packer (ext. 117) Lisa Stiehl (ext. 112) Cara Vermeulen (ext. 213) We welcome input about this and future issues.

Please address letters, queries, and ideas to editorial@townvibe.com. To advertise: advertising@townvibe.com or call us at 203-431-1708. For those outside Ridgefield, to subscribe for one year, send $25 to: TownVibe 386 Main Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877 203-431-1708

Ridgefield Magazine is a publication of TownVibe. ©2019. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publisher. townvibe.com

“One of the Real Joys this Holiday Season is the Opportunity to Say ‘Thank You’ to Our Customers and Employees.

Wishing you the Warmest Thoughts and Best Wishes this Holiday Season.”

David Beylouni and Darren Beylouni, Owners and Operators

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town

feedback

THE BIG 2-5 I think that your feature “The Ridgefield 25” is a fabulous idea. I have just moved to town, and one thing I have noticed is that there are lots of people helping other people, lots of organizations to support various causes. I’m so glad that Ridgefield Magazine takes the time and space to honor them.

—Monica Shoa I read the honoress in your “Ridgefield 25” selection very carefully.

There are a number of people I would like to nominate for next year’s list and will go to ridgefield25.org to do so. I tempted to list those names, but I don’t want to spoil the surpise.

—Edward Jacobs

JAGGED LITTLE PILL How cool that the music director for the new show in New York Jagged Little Pill lives here in town [“Ten Minutes With,” Nov/Dec]. Seems like a really interesting guy.

—Daniel Maas

TAMBOR TIME Thanks for publishing that article with Jeffrey Tambor [“Making Connections,” Nov/Dec]. I’m taking his workshop at the Ridgefield Playhouse because of it. It’s been great so far, and I’m so happy to have a local acting outlet, which I was missing!

—Tami McCarthy Jennifer Moore Stahlkrantz has the ability to make celebs feel comfortable and talk. Another great interview!

—Sue Groner

» Send comments to

editorial@townvibe.com

Let Colonial Ford Get you Home For the Holidays in the All-New Completely Redesigned 2020 Explorer and Escape

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• Head-up display keeps you informed with various driver-assist features that include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Lane-Keeping System, Navigation, incoming calls and more.

“Wishing our customers and employees All the Joys of the Season and Happiness Throughout the Coming Year.”

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This, that, and the other things

Hey, Miss

S H A R K … S A N TA !

Santa Claus will join the dive team at The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk during December to help demonstrate that sharks aren’t blood-thirsty killers. Santa will strap on his custom scuba outfit and enter the Aquarium’s 110,000-gallon “Ocean Beyond the Sound” exhibit, which is home to eight-foot sharks, swim to the exhibit window for viewing and photos. The Santa dives are part of a regular Maritime Aquarium program where guests can see and talk with volunteer divers swimming in the exhibit. Dives will be on Thursday, Saturday, and Sundays in December—until he’s off to his real job. maritimeaquarium.org

14 //

A boutique with a mission for teens and tweens opened November 1, across the parking lot from Mannen. Miss Confident offers a premium collection of stylish, tasteful, well-made clothing to inspire confidence in young girls.

The shop’s specialty is dresses, special occasion wear, and accessories, meant for moving-up ceremonies, musical performances, and family outings. Says resident and owner Brooke Wyatt: “As a mother of two middle-school-age daughters, it’s been challenging to find outfits for nicer occasions that are age-appropriate. My goal with Miss Confident is to provide our community with a selection of girls’ specialty wear.”

Easy As CBD

P L AY I T A G A I N , S A M

That’s a Peach

For nearly half a century, the Mark Twain Library will bring in a trove of fine art for the 47th Annual Mark Twain Library Art Show from December 6 to 15. “This is a truly special event as it not only attracts unknown local artists and famed artists alike,” says library director Beth Dominianni. The art show draws talent from more than 100 local and regional artists. As a juried show, artists gain entry by approval from a respected artist or curator, the juror. marktwainlibrary.org/artshow

The Rice family of Ridgefield participated in The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Towns Program this past summer. In their travels with ten-year-old Tristen from New York City, they took a photo of him picking a peach. And shazam, the Rices were the winners of the 2019 Fresh Air Fund photo contest, selected from the hundreds of photos submitted by volunteer host families along the East Coast and Southern Canada. The photos capture the fun-filled experiences our volunteer host families shared with Fresh Air children this past summer.

RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE Holiday 2019-2020

The Pharm Stand has opened on Main Street.

The small wellness boutique offers a wide collection of CBD products—which are all the rage.

CBD stands for cannabidiol, an essential component of medical marijuana, and extremely popular to help with anxiety, lack of sleep, and other health matters. “It’s been amazing to see interest develop in the area with respect to CBD,” says owner Chris Singleton, thepharmstandco.com

Stylishly Fit FitGuana fitness club has moved to a larger second-floor studio in its Bailey Avenue building. With birch-branch décor, hardwood trim, and a juice bar, it’s as stylish as it is functional.

The fully outfitted studio, run by trainer Sander Vanacker, offers HIRT, HIIT, tactical fitness, yoga, and personal training. Free week for newcomers. fitguana.com

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8 0 0.9 9 9.9 O N S

town

we’ve got answers What is the history of the entryway at Manor Road and West Lane?

»

MANOR ROAD off West Lane west of the fountain is the old main driveway into the Upagenstit Estate of Frederic and Mary Lewis. In its heyday, the estate consisted of more than 100 acres and had some 100 staff members: chauffeurs, butlers, housemaids, cooks, groundskeepers, and stable staff. Mr. Lewis even had his own personal physician housed on the estate.

Lewis was a prominent New York City banker. The old lithographed postcard above shows the estate around 1910 with its extensive strolling gardens just beyond the gates. Huge greenhouses that rivaled what you’d find at a botanical garden were to the right of these. Mrs. Lewis and her head horticulturist, John W. Smith, specialized in growing orchids, which often won awards at national shows.

The manor house, which later served as the main building at Grey Court Junior College, is shown in the distance. The driveway (Manor Road) can be seen winding around its current route at the left. Today, the mansion and gardens are gone.

The stonework at the entrance is still there today. —Jack Sanders

What’s the deal with the blue tree on Wilton Road West?

»

MIMI AND DAVID van Wees and four children live in a beautiful blue classic home, where Main Street becomes Wilton Road West. When they bought the house

PHOTO // WITH PERMISSION OF JACK SANDERS

in 2004, this birch tree was growing close to the house. Says David: “Mimi and I have always liked this tree.

Since we have owned the house it had a history of seeming to die and then come back to life. A couple years back when we installed the circular drive, we replanted it from the corner of the porch to its current location. This summer the illness returned and was confirmed fatal by our local tree expert Todd Forest. We were bummed.” Forest turned the van Weeses onto an artist named Konstantin Dimopoulos, who paints live trees with blue watercolor to bring attention to them and their beauty.

“Our son Simon liked the idea and helped me prep the tree, and I simply painted it with a roller.”

He adds: “We have been surprised

by the amount of positive feedback.

Several people have stopped to take pictures, yell approval, or given a thumb’s up. Two people have come to our front door to let us know how much they like it. One lady said that it brings her joy and purposely drives by to see it. Overall it’s created some fun and conversation.” And a short article in a magazine. —Geoffrey Morris

» Send us your questions:

editorial@morrismediagroup.com

Holiday 2019-2020 RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE //

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Holiday / 2019-2020

CHRISTMAS PAST This High Ridge Avenue home was part of the Tiger Hollow House Tour in 2015.

Knock, Knock Tagging along on the biennial Tiger Hollow House Tour //

››

By Julia Bruce

IT’S AS TIGHTLY GUARDED as the Academy Award winners and the recipe for Coke—what houses are on this year’s Tiger Hollow Holiday House Tour.

Six homes—resplendent in holiday décor—will be open to ticketholders on Friday, December 6. This biennial event is the main fundraiser for Tiger Hollow, Inc., the non-profit that supports Tiger Hollow Stadium at Ridgefield High School. While the town of Ridgefield covers the costs of ongoing maintenance there, funding the recently installed scoreboard, for example, came from private donations. “The funds raised by the Holiday House Tour are used toward larger capital projects for the improvement of the facility,” says current Tiger Hollow president Jill Bornstein.

P H O T O S / / H U LYA K O L A B A S

Holiday 2019-2020 RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE //

19

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home décor

A new committee, led by co-chairs Allison Romeo and Erin McMurray, brings fresh enthusiasm and ideas to the beloved seasonal event.

“We’ve learned a lot through this process and had plenty of support from the previous committee,” says McMurray.

Both women were inspired to take on the role because of their ties to Tiger Hollow, and their love of Ridgefield

says McMurray. The morning of the event, ticketholders pick up the list of houses and a map at a Lounsbury House continental breakfast. The tour is self-guided—there is no specific order in which to visit the houses, and guests can spend as much times as they want at each location.

“Each of the homes on the tour offers something different, whether it is the interior

IT’S A SECRET // Organizers are not revealing the

list of homes on the tour until guest arrive and Christmas. “Tiger Hollow is such an asset to the community,” says Romeo.

The main field alone supports over 600 events a year, including practices, games, and events such as the Fourth of July fireworks and the Father’s Day 5K. “Part of the magic is the surprise or the big reveal,”

design, history, architecture, or decorations,” says Romeo.

Most of the homeowners have a connection to the Tiger Hollow—children who play sports at Tiger Hollow, either through the high school or other organizations.

One home will be heavy on Ridgefield Tigers décor.

To secure sponsors, Romeo

and McMurray contacted interior designers, architects, and landscapers involved in the improvement of each house. Sponsorship comes with signage at the specific house as well as promotion in the marketing campaign. New this year is a raffle of a holiday tree created by interior designer Kim Harper. Additionally, artist Annie Caravelli produced a limited-edition custom ornament featuring the Holiday House Tour logo that can be purchased on the day of the event or at tigerhollow.com. “We were looking for new and creative ways to raise additional money,” says McMurray.

The event relies heavily on volunteers to facilitate the 450 to 500 visitors expected to attend. “It’s such a great event that people want to be involved one way or another,” says Romeo. Volunteers assist inside the homes as well as coordinating parking of vehicles and directing traffic. The event happens rain, shine, or snow. Thanks to booties generously donated

by Casey Energy, the homeowners’ floors are protected.

“Friends and family can come together to get into the spirit while raising money for the Tiger Hollow facility,” says McMurray.

By Any Other Name The Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association has changed its name to RVNAhealth. The organization now serves 28 towns and offers care and wellness services for all ages, stages, and levels of health.

Explains CEO Theresa Santoro: “Rebranding was identified at our 2014 strategic retreat when we recognized that there was an increasing disconnect between our direction—who we are, what we do, where we do it, and where we’re headed—and the name by which we call ourselves.”

20 //

RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE Holiday 2019-2020

Alt-Gifts ›› WINE & FOOD Instead of buying your friend a bottle of wine, buy both of you spots in a wine-tasting or cooking class. There are plenty available nearby. ›› EVENTFUL Tickets to a sporting event, music venue, theater performance, or museum are a great way to spend time together. Kids (or adults) can design their own ticket for an afternoon together playing board games, rewatching a classic movie, baking cookies, or going for a hike in Bennetts, Pond, Pine Mountain, or Mt. Lakes. ›› USE YOUR TALENT Consider making handmade coupons for skills or services you’re good at: babysitting hours, design services, closet organizing, wood-splitting, gardening, a sampling of your famous holiday cookies. ›› EXPERIENTIAL GIVING Experience-focused gifts include an annual membership to the Aldrich Museum, Keeler Tavern, ACT, the Ridgefield Bicycle Sport Club, etc. Consider giving workouts to fitness clubs such as FitGuana, Fit Club, or Elevation Spin. Movie tickets to The Prospector are always welcome or pass to RSO. ›› BE CHARITABLE Charitable gift-giving is a rewarding experience for both the gift-giver and the receiver, and there are unlimited options to donate in a loved one’s name. For animal lovers, donate to ROAR. Instead of a teacher gift, donate in their name to the Ridgefield Education Foundation, the ABC program, or the school’s PTSA.

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theater

COLLABORATORS Wicked and Godspell composer Stephen Schwartz (left) and ACT artistic director Daniel C. Levine at the ACT office.

Casting a Spell Working with composer Stephen Schwartz on Godspell //

››

YOU ARRIVE at ACT of CT, and a smiling usher shows you to your seat. House lights dim, and the show begins. For the next two hours you are transported to a different time. You meet new characters, you experience a range of emotions, and you leave the theater exhilarated and with a smile. That is the magic of theater! In fact, it was Stephen Schwartz’s “magic” that so inspired me as a child that I said, “I have to be a part of that!”

Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics to the mega-hit Broad-

way musical Wicked. He also wrote, among other works, Godspell, Pippin, The Baker’s Wife, Working, and lyrics to the films Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Prince of Egypt, and Enchanted. He has won Academy, Grammy, special Tony, and Golden Globe Awards. He and his talented wife Carole are longtime residents here in Ridgefield. Simply put, Stephen is one of the most important and prolific theater icons of our time.

To honor him, ACT of CT decided that one production per season, for the

By Daniel C. Levine

first three seasons, will be a dedicated Stephen Schwartz show. Last season, we produced and presented Working.

In February, ACT will put on Stephen Schwartz’s Godspell.

When a professional theater like ACT wishes to produce a musical, we must contact the licensing agency and apply for rights to the show.

It is very expensive. Our production of Evita, for example, cost us $39,000—that is just for permission to present Evita, and does not account for any of our production costs (which total around $300,000

per production). The language in the licensing contract is very clear: You may not make any changes to the storyline, text, music, dialogue, lyrics, and you may not delete or add any material.

However, when ACT produced Working, because of our close relationship, Stephen gave me permission to re-conceive the show.

That’s a big deal and rarely happens. Stephen and the licensing agency that represents Working liked our production so much that the very show Ridgefield audiences got to see first will likely be a

Holiday 2019-2020 RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE //

21

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new licensable version! This truly helps put ACT (and Ridgefield) on the map.

Now we turn our efforts to Godspell. Pre-production for our musicals begins about six months before the first day of our three-week rehearsal period (yes, just three weeks of rehearsal!), which for Godspell meant this past August. During these months of pre-production our designers are hired (scenic, lighting, costume, props, sound), and the creative team is formed (director, choreographer, music director). Actors are the last to be hired—usually just eight weeks before the first day of rehearsal. As Stephen

theater reminded me as we began our collaboration on Godspell, “Dan, you’ve got to cast the show really carefully. Remember Victor Garber, Martin Short, Andrea Martin, and Gilda Radner were all Godspell cast members!”

So, what am I doing with Godspell? I got the idea this past April when Notre Dame in Paris burned. I saw those flame-filled images and something clicked. What if I set the ACT production of Godspell in an abandoned church? What if this church was in midtown Manhattan and was slated to be demolished tomorrow to make room for condominiums?

What if nobody had stepped

foot in this condemned holy place for a decade, save for a group of homeless who had been squatting there for six months? What if the condo developers cared more about their project than for the discarded souls trying to survive in this wrecked sanctuary? I started to explore these ideas with Stephen.

Godspell was crafted in such a way that the show is open to interpretation. Says Stephen: “The show is recreated every time it is put on, based on what take the director imagines and what the cast comes up with during rehearsal.”

Godspell begins with a song called “Tower of Babble,” in

which several philosophers’ beliefs are in conflict with one another. This leads to chaos and violence. At the height of the violence, Jesus arrives and brings “a different way of looking at life that could ultimately unite them all.”

With my concept, this opening song doesn’t really “fit.” It would be a challenge to have “Tower of Babble” begin the story in the way that I want to tell it. I’d been struggling with this for weeks.

I asked Stephen for some help. After my impassioned description of how I’d like the ACT production to begin, Stephen said, “You’re right, Dan. With what you

want to do, ‘Tower of Babble’ really doesn’t work.”

I thought to myself, “Shoot, I guess I’m going to just have to re-think this entire thing.”

And then Stephen said the most remarkable thing, “If you are going to go with this concept, Dan, then really go for it.

Don’t just touch upon it and back away. Go there! You have my permission to cut ‘Tower of Babble’ from this production.”

Wow! I walked Stephen to the front door of the theater and said, “Thanks, Stephen, that was really helpful!”

Stephen replied, “It’s great work, Dan, I’m really excited for this.” As I walked back to my office to continue outlin-

ing some of my ideas for my vision of the show, I smiled and thought, “Stephen Schwartz is leaving the theater that I co-founded, is allowing me to tinker with his show, and told me that I am doing great work.

This is a good day.”

It is an odd (and excellent) feeling when a hero and role model becomes a friend and colleague. I quickly disappeared back into my office and spent the next seven hours refining my concept for the upcoming show here at ACT.

» Stephen Schwartz’ Godspell, directed by Daniel C. Levine, takes the stage at ACT of CT from February 6 to March 8.

SCRIPT TO STAGE // As director of ACT’s production of Godspell, Daniel C. Levine regularly tweaks the script, even drawing stage layouts to help visual how his concept of Stephen Schwartz’s enduring story will take form on the ACT stage here.

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Tied With a Bow It’s more than the thought that counts when it comes to wrapping //

››

IT’S DEEPLY embarrassing, but no one in my immediate family can decently wrap a gift. It’s much worse than mere bungling; it’s awful, including reusing last year’s wrapping paper because I’m thrifty and don’t Brits do this? I believe this custom of smoothing and saving and re-using wrapping paper is a British thing; an English neighbor friend said so when I handed her a gift I’d wrapped in beautiful if battered paper. “This is just like home!” she said, wincing.

Christmas morning at our house is quite the experience.

24 //

Disparaging remarks regarding the jumble of badly wrapped gifts are discouraged, as is taking pictures. In years past there was the obligatory slew of apologies for horrible presentation, but we’re way beyond that. What’s the use, since some of us, I won’t mention names, don’t see the point of gift wrapping, as isn’t the fun of Christmas tearing off the paper as quickly as possible?

My failure as a gift wrapper is rooted in personal history.

As a child, I decided early on someone else should do my gift wrapping. Marguerite, our nanny/housekeeper,

RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE Holiday 2019-2020

quickly lost patience with my clumsy efforts. On the occasion of any birthday or holiday that required a wrapped gift, she seized paper, ribbon, tape, and scissors away from me and did the job herself to spare our family from humiliation. In college, my freshman roommate, Carolee, secured a seasonal job at the mall in Macy’s gift wrapping department. Carolee attempted to school me in the professional wrapping tricks she picked up, but soon threw in the towel. “Some people just aren’t cut out for this,” she said.

By Eve Marx

Shabby as my results are, at least I make an effort.

My husband, nicknamed Mr. Sax, has long abandoned any pretense gift wrapping matters. He caused a ruckus one Christmas morning handing me a gift “wrapped” in a crumbled brown paper bag. “I wrapped it myself,” he said, sheepishly. Our son took a picture on his phone and posted it on social media, where it immediately got lots of likes. “This just made my morning,” his friend from grad school commented.

Here’s a true holiday gift wrap story. Jessye Norman,

the opera star, who recently passed away, was a friend of June Goldfinger, the designer. Goldfinger had a store in Katonah called KGS, which stood for Katonah General Store, although the store was anything but general.

In the early 1990s when she opened, it was very exclusive.

She sold house wares and fine linens and a smattering of jewelry of her own design, and some clothing. Some say the clothes were actually early designs of Eileen Fisher, and maybe they were.

A week before Christmas, she closed the store one evening to the public to give Norman a private shopping

night. As Goldfinger’s employee, I was there to wrap what Norman purchased.

The soprano was regal and awesome and bought a lot of stuff. Goldfinger, well aware of my limitations, was prescient in that for the first time ever she stocked in a supply of gift bags, which were a new thing at the time. The genius of the gift bag is all you need is loads of nice tissue paper. Norman was duly impressed.

In recent years my family has adopted a hard-and-fast rule to holiday shop only in local stores where they offer courtesy gift wrapping—or beautiful gift bags.

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Mr. Sax’s Gift Wrap Tips

Give the gift of a custom fit!

FIRST, LAY IN SUPPLIES

GET TO WORK

›› Buy the nicest wrapping paper you can find, but if there’s no time to shop, go with newspaper.

›› Lay the object to be wrapped on the paper.

›› Buy a six-pack of scotch invisible tape; it’s not that you’ll run out, but more likely most of the tape will get stuck on the roll and you won’t be able to get it off. ›› Don’t mess around with ribbon or bows. ›› Use big scissors because they’re fun to use.

›› Take the big scissors and cut randomly. ›› Fold over object to be wrapped.

Make it fit. If it doesn’t, fold paper repeatedly it until you make it fit. ›› Holding paper down, reach for the tape with your other hand; pull tape off, tear it without getting your finger stuck, and put the tape where your finger is. Repeat until the entire package is covered with tape. ›› Get a really nice card and make sure you gave a really good gift.

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quality of life

MOST OUT OF LIFE A rendering of what will be Regional Hospice’s second-floor space, designed by Roger Ferris + Partners, Building Under the Stars.

A Triumphant End Regional Hospice and pediatric care //

››

CHELSEA WHEELER was a special girl, something goosebumps confirmed as we talked in 2013 about her dream of becoming a chef—both inspiring and heart-wrenching. Chelsea, then ten, was unable to eat, relying on an IV for nutrition as she and her family waited for a life-saving small bowel transplant.

A condition known as pseudo-obstruction had caused irreversible intestinal failure for Chelsea, whose family was raising money for transplant costs when I wrote about her. Complications began immediately after the transplant and ultimately prevailed. Chelsea died in July 2017.

26 //

It took the serendipity of meeting another visionary woman, Regional Hospice president and CEO Cynthia Emiry Roy, to reveal my lingering sadness was the wrong emotion for honoring Chelsea, whose obituary declared, “Although her body failed, Chelsea’s soul triumphed.”

Roy and her team at Regional Hospice and Palliative Care in Danbury played a role in that triumph, granting Chelsea a bucket-list wish in 2016 by organizing a “day of glamour” fashion show in which Chelsea “lived out her dream as a red-carpet ingenue.” A photobook documenting the day is a record of living life to the fullest and celebrating the promise

RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE Holiday 2019-2020

By Douglas P. Clement

and possibility of each new day—reflecting the Regional Hospice philosophy.

Chelsea’s story is also emblematic of a profound need in Connecticut and the U.S. for hospice care for terminally-ill children, who either die in a hospital or at home, where their death can leave an imprint of grief on the family and friends.

Regional Hospice is rising to the challenge with a Building Under the Stars initiative to expand hospice care for children by creating four inpatient rooms on the second floor of the Center for Comfort Care and Healing. Only four other hospice facilities in the country have in-patient facilities for children.

The level of need is profound. Regional Hospice provides services to between ten and 15 children a day, and Roy estimates 300 children within a 50-mile radius of Danbury die from terminal illnesses each year.

Building Under the Stars is a collaboration between Regional Hospice and Roger Ferris + Partners, of Westport, acclaimed for its environmentally-responsive architecture.

Like the current 12 rooms on the first floor, the new in-patient rooms for children will feature pull-out couches, tables and chairs, balconies and screened porches with doors wide enough to let the patient’s bed pass through.

They’ll also look out over the

woods, where new walking paths will accommodate battery powered cars young children can drive through the landscape.

A companion initiative will create an endowment fund to provide respite care for families with children receiving hospice services, something insurance doesn’t cover. The ill children will come to the center so parents and families can get a break.

“There’s almost no one in the state doing that,” says Roy. The name Building Under the Stars references the dramatic feature planned for the children’s rooms in the new North Star pavilion wing, innovative night sky ceilings glowing with a sense of wonder. “A significant part of the tapestry of the heavens, the North Star speaks to infinite possibility, to the wonder and depth of the universe, which is both boundless and timeless,” Regional Hospice says in a release. “To ponder the nighttime sky is to marvel at the complexity and beauty of our true nature.”

Roy, who came to Regional Hospice in 2007 with a vision of building the in-patient center, first had to work with the Connecticut legislators to revise state regulations for in-patient hospices. The Center for Comfort Care and Healing opened in 2015, “providing hospital quality care while looking and feeling more like a luxury hotel,” explains Roy. Regional Hospice primarily provides services in people’s homes, and offers overlay services for patients at skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, but shines brightest in providing an uplifting end-of-life experience through the inpatient model. “Today, this day, is a good one, and that’s what good hospice care is all about—making the best of every day,” the characters say in one of Regional Hospice’s animated explanatory videos.

“People can come here from anywhere,” says Roy, and they come as much to live as to die.

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car travel TICKET TO DRIVE The new Honda Passport has great accessories, including a neat popup roof camper, to make a trip a true adventure.

Road Bonds The joy of car travel //

››

I’VE BEEN a fan of the road trip since I was a kid. I have fond memories of traveling with my parents and three brothers in mom’s olive green Ford Country Squire wagon, resplendent in all its woodgrain glory.

Being the youngest, I sat in the rear-facing seat—in the wayback—absorbing every sight from the confines of my rolling fishbowl.

Still today, I find car travel so much more enjoyable than by plane. You can listen to your own music, have wonderful, deep conversations, eat when you want, and be comfortable. Plus, you get to see the great scenery.

28 //

By Roger Garbow

When our own two kids were growing up, my wife and I took them on road trips all over the US. Except for the lack of a rear-facing seat, the experience was just as memorable. So when my now-25-year old son Ben inquired about attending an IndyCar race with me this summer, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for the two of us to hit the road and reconnect. We looked at the racing calendar and picked the Mid-Ohio round of the series. I hadn’t been to Ohio’s classic road course in more than a decade, but it’s one of my favorite tracks and a nice nine-hour drive away.

RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE Holiday 2019-2020

The first ingredient in a great road trip is a worthy steed. Since Honda was the title sponsor for the MidOhio race, I thought it only fitting to drive one of their vehicles. The ridiculously nice folks at Honda offered up a new for 2019 Passport for the journey.

The Passport was perfect for the task: plenty of room for people and cargo, built-in trailer hitch for a bike rack, and good ground clearance and AWD for the track’s notoriously muddy campground. Plus, Honda’s legendary ergonomics and driving comfort make long trips effortless. The Passport

shares a platform with Honda’s Pilot SUV and excellent Ridgeline pickup. Initially the Passport might seem like just a more rugged version of the Pilot. While it shares the same wheelbase as its bigger brother, the Passport is shorter with less overhang and more ground clearance.

The Passport is esentially a Ridgeline SUV. Which is not a bad thing.

We mounted up my Thule box on the Passport’s standard roof rails, put our bikes on the back, and hit the road.

The drive from Connecticut to Mansfield, Ohio, took us across the seemingly endless ribbon of Pennsylvania’s route

80. The light traffic and wellmarked lanes were a perfect test for the Passport’s Honda Sensing driver-assistance suite. The adaptive cruise control works smoothly, with less drama than some other vehicles exhibit when a car pulls in front of you. It slows you down, but in a calmer manner. The lane keeping works fine and is a marked improvement over the last Pilot I drove with less ping-ponging.

The overall driving dynamics, from steering feel and handling to ride comfort and braking, are as good or better than any other mid-size, two-row SUV/ crossover.

The Passport’s interior features plenty of storage and

a great infotainment system. I applaud Honda for going back to actual knobs for volume and tuning. Traditional left and right knobs work better than every other solution I’ve seen and are easy to use without taking your eyes from the road.

Traveling by car gives you the opportunity to have unhurried discussions. Conversations with Ben always flow freely and ranged from architecture (Ben’s profession), to politics, to movies, and of course, cars. At the halfway point, we stopped for fuel and lunch at a Dutch Pantry Family Restaurant in Clearfield, Pennsylvania.

Carbed up, we motored on.

Ben is always introducing me to new music and interesting podcasts so I let him handle the entertainment. We laughed out loud to episodes of the comedy podcast “Punch Up The Jam” and expanded our brains with the always excellent “99 Percent Invisible.”

We planned to go right through to the track, but a billboard caught our attention: “Grandpa’s Cheesebarn, this exit.” Since we needed to stock up on food for living in a rental camper for three days, why not start with cheese?

Could you do that in a plane?

The camper was a new 29foot unit set up right alongside the track. It was a great setup

for the weekend where we were woken each morning by the scream of engines. We decided to drive up to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Friday evening to take in the museum and grab a fun meal in Cleveland.

Having the bikes allowed us to take in the racing action from every part of the sprawling facility. Which was another advantage of traveling by car: bringing extra stuff.

The trip home was quicker as we had work to get back to, but the conversations continued. A few days later, Ben sent me a note about what a great time he had. Me, too, my boy.

Me, too. n

Ten Minutes With //

A CYCLIST AND VIDEOGRAPHER

Noah Manheimer

is co-owner of Enchanted Garden in Ridge-

field, where he is director of the school of music, and also acts as a video instructor. In November, an avid cyclist, Manheimer rode 500 miles with Beyond the Team, a group of five former Navy Seals on a 1,000-mile fund-raising journey from Virginia to Florida. His role was to capture their journey with his GoPro. ic to complaining. I didn’t hear a single complaint. They rose to the occasion, and when we hit the finish line everyone was in great spirits.

What was the schedule? We were up at

five am, didn’t eat breakfast, just GU and beef jerky and sports drinks along the way—no meals until dinner.

Where did you sleep? We slept in RVs,

we slept outside, we slept at an Air Force base. It was pretty fluid.

Did people greet you? Yes, there were

quite a few people, and the day after we finished, the guys spoke to a group at the Navy Seals Museum and there were about 2,000 people.

Did you train? Yes, I trained quite a bit.

I rode pretty regularly—about 150 miles a week—then started doing longer rides than usual, building up to a century ride.

Did you do a century—a 100-mile ride— before this? No, the farthest I got was

How did you get involved? They had me

at cycling and video. Those are two of my favorite things rolled into one.

There must have been more of an at-

30 //

lice escort for the entire thousand miles, with one lane closed off. One guy’s job was to interface with local police along the way to make that happen.

traction to get you to ride that far. The

How does cycling a thousand miles give

military is something I have very little experience with, and I am always interested in learning about a subject I know little about. These guys were all former Navy Seals. Everyone involved was part of the military, except for yours truly.

them visibility? In their own words,

they are not spring chickens. So to ride a thousand miles is an extraordinary challenge. We made stops at VFWs and interacted with military personnel, so among Navy circles they got visibility.

So military people ran the operation? Yes,

How were they at riding? There is a cul-

food, logistics, all that. There was a po-

ture in the military that’s not sympathet-

RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE Holiday 2019-2020

about 80 miles in my training. But as you know, since the terrain was flat, 80 Ridgefield miles is like 200 Florida miles.

Anyone from Ridgefield part of it? Bill

Goins got me involved and was in a van riding behind the team and filming from a drone. He will produce videos for their cause and a long-form documentary.

What’s their specific cause? Proceeds

from the ride benefit the VIP Neuro­ Rehabilitation Center in San Diego.

What’s your takeaway? I feel very fortunate to have been involved, I learned a lot along the way, and it was good exercise. —Geoffrey Morris

PHOTO //

NOAH MANHEIMER

How We Met //

By Gerri Lewis

Living the Dream

››

CINDY ZHANG was an emergency-room nurse in Shanghai, China, when she met her future husband. It was the 1990s—the era of the one-child rule; the era of limited choices and little freedom. And for Cindy, the American dream was as far away as the continent itself.

Being a nurse was a demanding job for Cindy and came with severe consequences. She had no flexibility in her work schedule, and the fact that

34 //

RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE Holiday 2019-2020

a heart ailment left her taxed didn’t matter. In her country, working was a requirement.

Sam Yang had been working in a toy exporting company and was less than satisfied. But when he was invited to a friend’s wedding, something shifted. He took one look at Cindy, who also attended, and he was immediately star struck. He liked that Cindy was “so beautiful, so smart, and so kind.”

Cindy didn’t feel the same spark. Following a wedding in China, the old folk go home and the young people traditionally gather to play games. Everyone talks and laughs and parties. It was there that Cindy and Sam exchanged contact information. But when Sam kept asking Cindy out, she declined, because she thought, “He’s not my style.”

Although shy, Sam was determined.

He surprised Cindy by repeatedly showing up after her hospital shift to accompany her home. He rarely came

empty handed, always bringing her little gifts, like a flower.

As Cindy continued her grueling schedule, her heart condition began to take its toll. After a year, she landed in the hospital. Sam again surprised her, this time not just by visiting and bringing flowers, but also by taking care of her and being so kind.

“He is so good to me,” she says.

It may have taken a year and a serious illness, but Cindy began to realize that Sam made her feel “warm.” A year and a half after they met, they were married, and after another year their son was born. Cindy’s hospital benefits were good, but after 18 months of maternity leave, she was required to go back to work.

With the threat of Cindy’s illness always looming, Sam continued his caretaking, this time seeking other options for his family. Relatives in New York urged him to come to Queens.

Again, Sam was smitten, this time with a new country. He was amazed by the freedom, and endless possibilities. He liked the “choices and the chances.” When Cindy and their son followed, she didn’t feel the same way.

Being a homebody, she missed her family and the cramped living conditions were stressful. But the thought of changing jobs was appealing and she returned to school.

As the two made their way in the U.S., an opportunity to buy a nail salon became available. Cindy already had her license, but Sam was uncertain. This time it was Cindy who did the convincing. They purchased The Nail Plaza on Danbury Road and eventually moved to Ridgefield.

Now, nearly 25 years after first meeting, Sam and Cindy have moved their parents to the states. They spend a lot of time in the Chinese community of Queens, but love their lives in Ridgefield, where their son grew up. “Our story,” says Cindy, “is an American dream come true. It’s a success story.” n

Find the Fake Somewhere in this issue is a fake ad.

Find it and send your answer to editorial@townvibe.com More than 200 people took part in our Fake Ad Contest in the NovDec issue. Congratulations to everyone who picked Ken’s Overalls.

The winner, selected randomly from a list of all those who entered and provided the correct answer, is Paul Stoogenke of Ridgefield. Winner receives a gift certificate to an area business.

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special advertising section

the hot list Gifts for those you love

Photos

36 //

by

GIFT GUIDE Holiday 2019-2020

P e t e r L o pp a c h e r / / A T o w n V i b e P u b l i c a t i o n

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Our Yarn Box from Hannah’s Ideas in Wood keeps knitters organized, with Bristol Ivy’s “Rhyme” hat in Cashgora and Spincycle Yarns, or BIPOC indie dyer Farmer’s Daughter Fibers’ Foxy Lady.

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GIFT GUIDE Holiday 2019-2020 //

37

the hot list

Red, White, or Both If you haven’t tried a Chenin Blanc, we’ve got a treat for you. Indaba Chenin has the acidity, freshness, and texture in a perfect mix to make everyone smile. A red to buy by the case is Excelsior, this impossibly authentic Cabernet for $10. Generational winemakers and hand-harvested sustainably farmed fruit. One of the best value Cabernets in America. Both from Cape Classic Wines, South Africa.

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38 //

GIFT GUIDE Holiday 2019-2020

Holiday 2018-2019 GIFT GUIDE //

35

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Fleece-lined, high-quality wool from Maine.

These hats are handmade in Stowe, VT, exclusively for Hickory & Tweed, $54 to $69.

Hickory & Tweed Ski and Cyclery, 410 Main St., Armonk, NY, 914-273-3397 hickoryandtweed.com

Scents, Bling, and Soothe Kahlo is an eco-luxe destination for handmade gifts by artisans near and far, and features a variety of sustainable brands, clean beauty, ethical fashion, and global finds for the home. Ombre hand-dyed scarf in midnight blue, Soko silver cuff, Tambra candle, Fair-Trade beaded necklace, Bath Bomb with embedded crystal, fabric-covered journals, Bliss Spritz, crystals, and sage bundles.

Kahlo, 65 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge, NY, 914-764-3677 kahlocollective.com

As Easy As CBD Give the gift of relief. Choose from over 200 CBD and wellness products in stock. Specialized gift boxes starting at $50 or create your own for that special person or pet! All from The Pharm Stand. With two locations centrally located in Westchester and Fairfield counties, The Pharm Stand is your source for the latest and most reliable CBD products from around the country.

The Pharm Stand 470 Main St., Ridgefield, CT,15 Maple Ave., Armonk, NY, 475-215-5802 thepharmstandco.com

GIFT GUIDE Holiday 2019-2020 //

39

the hot list

And to All a Good Night Give the gift of sleep—luxurious bedding is at the core of the ultimate night’s sleep. At the Linen Shop, choose crisp percale or soft sateen sheeting, the loft of down bedding, or supple knit top layers to spoil your special someone with an extraordinary experience of comfort. Add a custom monogram for the perfect personal expression.

The Linen Shop, 21 Elm St., New Canaan, CT, 203-972-0433 thelinenshopct.com

Can You Taste It? Taste of Fairfield - WinterFest brings together restaurants, markets, vintners, distillers, brewers, and the people to enjoy it all. The focus on this January 26 fest is comfort food, party food, and food you’d serve at a Super Bowl party. There will be music, standup comedy, bowling, and roving entertainment. The venue is the lavish Brooklawn CC, offering a great, warm indoor space, with plenty of parking and elbow room.

Taste of Fairfield WinterFest, Brooklawn CC, Fairfield, CT tasteoffairfield.com

PHOTOBLANDORI.COM

A Short Drive to Paradise

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GIFT GUIDE Holiday 2019-2020

A visit to Columbia County, NY, can be as relaxing or stimulating as one desires. There is culture, history, recreation, antiques, boutiques, farm markets, and holiday joy. Columbia County rolls out the festive red carpet for the holidays. Unique boutiques and farm markets dot the countryside offering the perfect gifts for everyone imaginable. There is a farm & flea market Nov 29, Winter Walk Dec 7, WinterFest Dec 14, and so much more on the calendar.

Columbia County Tourism, 410 State St., Hudson, NY, columbiacountytourism.org

Worldly Flavor, Locally Made Gins, vodkas, and whiskeys made in Connecticut.

Fifth State Distillery (formerly Asylum) creates award-winning spirits from Connecticut non-GMO corn, all handcrafted in small batches. Bold and unique flavored vodkas (ginger, cinnamon, and celery), outstanding gins, and our CT Maple Whiskey, with just a hint of Connecticut maple, $25 to $40.

Fifth State Distillery, 259 Asylum St., Bridgeport, CT, 203-258-3422 fifthstatedistillery.com

Let the Good Times Roll—Live!

The Ridgefield Playhouse is a regional powerhouse for live muisic, family performances, and more. Tickets to shows at The Ridgefield Playhouse make great gifts—from stocking stuffers for family shows like Acrobats of China on March 8 or Masters of Illusion on February 27 to a night out at a concert by Richard Marx on February 20 or a comedy show, like Piff the Magic Dragon on January 18 (pictured). Give them something they’ll love—and you know will fit. Gift certificates are also available!

The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Rd., Ridgefield, CT, 203-438-5795 ridgefieldplayhouse.org

Warm and Colorful Make a statement this holiday season with luxurious cashmere and more. Playful stripes and cable knits will bring joy in the color of the moment—optimistic pink! Keep cozy in this fabulous puff scarf, reversible hat and gloves all by White and Warren. Let Rubysue in Katonah style you for all your holiday parties. Rubysue focuses on you!

Rubysue, 157 Katonah Ave., Katonah, NY, 914-232-6277 @rubysuekatonah

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Renovate to Celebrate A HOLIDAY HOUSE WITH HISTORY B 42 //

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HEN JOE AND YOLANDA PISONI first saw Iradell, a run-down estate on Rippowam Road, they thought—how sad that a house with such rich history was in such disrepair. The house had belonged to Consuelo Vanderbilt Earl, great-great granddaughter of the financier Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. She bought what was then a 26-acre estate in the late 1940s and lived there with her fourth husband, raising all sorts of animals including a kangaroo, miniature cows, a tiny horse bred in England and a hen that laid blue eggs. She also bred Skye and Silky terriers among other dogs and helped them gain official recognition from the American Kennel Club in 1959.

When the Pisonis purchased the estate, it had been empty since Mrs. Earl died in 2011 at the age of 107. By then the 23 acres had been paired down to nine. The gardens were in disrepair, and none of the normal house maintenance had been done for many years. Everything in the home was dated and needed replacing.

What the house did have was spectacular millwork. It had original fireplace surrounds and plenty of charm. The neglected grounds had the potential to be beautiful and the home was positioned well on the top of a ridge. Basically, it had good bones and with the right creative input, it could be spectacular.

Taking on such a restoration would be daunting for some, but Joe and Yolanda were well suited-this was their seventh house renovation in Ridgefield. It helps that Joe owns Stonecrest Builders out of Ridgefield and has access to the kind of resources it would take to bring Iradell back to life. It also helps that Yolanda’s talent for design and her fascination with the house’s history made her the perfect

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RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE Holiday 2019-2020

â?ą

FA LA LA LA Decking the halls is fun in this historic home. There are four fireplaces on the main floor alone that the family decorate. Owners try to replicate the grandeur of days gone by with elegant dining using gold as an accent. Daughter Tatiana steals a quiet moment on the piano in the library.

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RED SEASON Holidays in the kitchen are especially fun and the oversized island creates an inviting place for guests to mingle over a festive brunch. Lina and Carlos Botero on the left and right of Yolanda and Joe Pisoni toast the season in the family’s new kitchen. Denise Werner joins in the celebrations. Mily in the spirit.

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RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE Holiday 2019-2020

advocate for protecting things others might have tossed. The first order of business was to rip out the interior of the house. The goal was to salvage everything that could possibly be re-used like light fixtures, original millwork, original fireplace mantels and surrounds.

Joe and Yolanda had some great finds, like a monkey ceiling light they hung in the living room and the chandelier that now lights their bedroom. A fireplace surround that could not be completely saved is represented by the intact tiles Yolanda saved and had woven in with new stone. Even when some of the library panels had to be replicated, small inserts were saved.

The house had a wing where the “help” had once lived attached, but it had no garage. Joe removed the wing and added a three-car garage, back entrance, mudroom with a media room on the second floor, and a back hall staircase. The new addition was added to look as close to the original structural design as possible.

Fixing the infrastructure was a major undertaking. New plumbing, electrical, heating, air conditioning all had to be added. All windows had to be replaced. Smart home features were incorporated. “We basically took everything out and just left the exterior shell,” says Joe. Once the inner workings were completed, the couple decided to create a more modern open floor plan. They wanted to have all of today’s conveniences and décor, but had to be careful to preserve as much of the home’s rich history as possible.

For the most part, the living room, dining room, kitchen and library/entrance are all in the same place. What’s different is that doors were removed between the kitchen eating area and the kitchen work space to create a large eat-in-kitchen that opens to the big family room beyond. A former kitchen work space became a streamlined butler’s pantry. The original fireplace boxes remain in the family room,

Holiday 2019-2020 RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE //

47

but a new wall of stone flanked by bookcases is now the centerpiece of the room. A wall of glass now embraces the view and opens to the terrace beyond.

Where once there were eight small bedrooms, there are now four en-suites. The master has his and her bathrooms and walk in closets. A small porch off the master has become Yolanda’s go to place to relax and overlooks the spectacular garden the couple has begun restoring.

One of the most significant rooms in the house is the first thing you see when you walk through the front door. A large library is paneled with wood that was retrieved from the former boat, Alva—the Vanderbilt family yacht and gives a glimpse of the home’s former grandeur. The oversized fireplace has a stone mantel brought by the Vanderbilt’s from Europe. In contrast, the homeowners created a modern floating staircase with floor to ceiling windows behind. The staircase itself stands like a piece of art and required engineering and artistic talents to create a curved open structure that is not only exquisite in itself, but also allows for an open view to the grounds beyond.

A variety of well-built stonewalls from the original estate still exist and continue to frame the house. The owners protected the exterior ambiance and found original stone dog sculptures from Iradell that still sit to greet visitors.

Yolanda wanted to have a more contemporary house, but wanted to protect the original beauty. “I now know what the word transitional means!” she says.

The project took two years, although Yolanda says that Joe’s other customers always came first so maybe that time could have been shortened. It doesn’t matter, they both say. The house is a comfortable place for guests, and Joe and Yolanda have enjoyed decking the halls of this historic house for their holiday entertaining. n

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GOLDEN TOUCH No red and green for their holiday decorating. Shimmering blue and silver match the living-room décor.

RIDGEFIELD’S 2019 HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 9AM - 3PM Start oo Ridgefield's Holiday Stroll with the 2019 Holiday House Tour! Several generous families of Ridgefield open their decorated homes for all to enjoy!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW For more details, visit www.tigerhollow.com

THE GALIONE FAMILY

THE TREGURTHA FAMILY

Shop Local Shop Ridgefield It’s Where We Live Stroll down Main Street, to the Marketplace, around Branchville and see all that town has to offer. Great shops and restaurants providing all your gift-giving needs. New stops such as Zoe & Co Sugarbeads in the heart of downtown Main Street, or the venerable Turkey Ridge, providing supremely tasteful gifts, jewelry, and home decor for years. Or Angel Cooperative in Branchville: providing gifts for the home, the body, or the soul. There is so much to offer.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ZOE & CO SUGARBEADS!

393 Main Street • Ridgefield, CT 06877 • 203-431-6655

YOUR SPIRITUAL WONDERLAND FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING

HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR FRIENDS & FAMILY 51 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rt 7), Ridgefield, CT

PURVEYORS OF POSITIVITY A Unique Lifestyle Boutique Featuring the first Shungite Room in the USA. HOME • BODY • SOUL • Wide selection of crystals & jewelry • Candles, essential oils, incense & soap • Feng Shui & home decor • Spiritual gifts, statuary, decks, books & cards • Private & group readings, reiki, guided meditation, sound therapy & energy work

Next door at 49 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rt 7), Ridgefield, CT

A DIVINE SPIRITUAL CENTER The Angel Wing is available to rent for individual or group sessions, workshops, classes, retreats, or for any therapeutic practice including yoga, meditation, reiki, massage, musical events, and more. Optional rental spaces include a large open room and/or an intimate private room with massage/reiki table.

203 -4 3 1 -2 959 • WWW.T H E A N GE LCO O P.COM

JEWELRY

HOME DECOR COMPLIMENTARY GIFT WRAP

On the Town

Five days, 114 films, 40 filmmakers, and 4,000 attendees—the fourth annual Ridgefield Independent Film Festival was a smashing success. From the opening night screening of Gorman Bechard’s documentary Pizza: A Love Story followed by a lively pizza party at the Ridgefield Theater Barn, to an elegant award ceremony held at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum. Sponsors included Atria Senior Living, CT Dept of Film and TV, Sacred Heart U, TownVibe, ECDC, and the Ridgefield Thrift Shop. Wine for the weekend was poured and provided by Julie Milligan (middle far, right) and Alex Milligan of David Milligan Selections. Food by Some Things Fishy.

PHOTOS BY KRISTEN JENSEN

RIFF ROARS THROUGH RIDGEFIELD

On the Town

Every tree needs a champion.

M O U N T A I N

R E S O R T

NEW FOR

2019-2020 !

350-SEAT BASE LODGE 5 NEW TRAILS EXPANDED SNOWMAKING Catamount Mountain Resort Hillsdale, NY / S. Egremont, MA 518.325.3200 / 413.528.1262

CatamountSki.com

Bartlett’s Ridgefield experts champion our clients’ trees and landscapes.

Al Krivickas 203-744-1400 pruning • fertilization • tick control insect and disease management

On the Town

GRACE FARMS BENEFIT Grace Farms Foundation in New Canaan hosted its fourth annual benefit to advance nature, arts, justice, community, and faith, and sustain the award-winning Grace Farms.

The benefit focused on “Our Sustainable Future� to support its commitment to slave-free supply chains, environmentally conscious business operations, the restoration of native wildlife and habitats, and gender balance.

Clockwise from top left: The benefit committee. Kathy Kladopoulos Megdanis, Bill Robinson, and Dr. Ernest Megdanis. Megan Hely Walsh, Emily Adams, Keyon Victor Adams, and John Walsh.

Lots of ns fun butto to push !

Wilton Historical Society

GREATTRAINS HOLIDAY SHOW Opens the day after Thanksgiving | Friday, November 29, 2019 Holly Jolly Saturday with Santa | December 14 Gauges include: G, HO, N, O, S, Lego Members free. Non-member kids: $5; adults: $10 Open through Monday, January 20, 2020 Check our website for Train Show schedule and more holiday programs!

224 Danbury Road ( Rt 7 ) Wilton, CT 02897 | 203.762.7257 | wiltonhistorical.org

On the Town

SAVOR LOBSTER

PHOTOS BY AMANDA DUFF

On September 22, some 250 guests gathered at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk for the first annual Savor Lobster, with a Best Lobster Taste competition, won by LobsterCraft of Fairfield. Clockwise from top left: East Coast Kombucha of South Norwalk was serving freshly tapped flavors. The crowd mingles and tastes in the Newman’s Own section of the Maritime Aquarium. SoNo 1420 serves ultra-premium spirits, some infused with CBD.

Thoughtful Gifts for Everyone on Your List!

Toys • Books • Games • Jewelry • Blue Q Berkshire Gifts • Museum Memberships

The

Shop

Museum members save 10% everyday.

Berkshiremuseum 413.443.7171 39 South St, Downtown Pittsfield

Originals Copied or PDFs Printed 12 Mill Plain Road Danbury, CT 06811 203.743.6755 www.minutemandanbury.com printing@minutemandanbury.com

Ridgefield Eats

H O L I D AY 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0

The Cake Box

RIDGEFIELD Ancient Mariner

A long-standing favorite, it produces a solid menu for a casual night out.

451 Main St. / 203-438-4771 ancientmarinerct.com M

Bailey’s Backyard

This popular eatery, off Main Street, has long been a leading farm-to-table restaurant, featuring its Market Table Tasting Menu on Wednesdays.

23 Bailey Ave. / 203-431-0796 baileysbackyard.com M-E

Baja Cocina

Fresh, ounter served a-la-carte Mexican food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Bright beachy interior.

426 Main St. / 203-438-0022 bajacocinact.com M

Bareburger

In the Yard town

BAILEY’S BACKYARD proprietor Sal Bagliavio started this popular eatery in his late 20s, and

now the expanded farm-to-table eatery is celebrating its 20th anniversary. During the restaurant’s first 14 years, the still-youthful Bagliavio was also its chef.

“Some of that time I could go to the old Ridgefield farmers market to get the freshest, local ingredients,” he says. Today, Bailey’s sources ingredients from a network of Connecticut-wide farms, including the Horseshoe Farm in Ridgefield and Holbrook Farm n Bethel.

Now to celebrate his 20th year, Bagliavio has hired a new chef, William DeLuca. “Bill has been working in our kitchen for a few months, and starting this fall, the lunch and dinner menus are 100 percent his creations,” says Bagliavio. “Bill has great ideas, is very exacting with the recipes and, as we continue to develop his team, he will be a terrific mentor to the kitchen staff.” A graduate of the Connecticut Culinary Institute, DeLuca has worked for area restaurants, including Terra in Danbury.

In addition, Bailey’s has a new seating policy. Explains Bagliavio: “I am saving a portion of dinner seating on Fridays and Saturdays to allow for walk-ins! I want Bailey’s to be accessible to all.”

—Heather Borbeau

Bailey’s Backyard 23 Bailey Ave., 203-431-0796 baileybackyard.com E

A trendy string of burger places in Brooklyn has settled in as a steady regular, offering organic, grass-fed meats and a non-meat option.

38 Danbury Rd. / 203-438-2273 bareburger.com M-E

Barn Door

A good selection of family-friendly, American-style food, including burgers, seafood, and homemade pasta, plus a raw bar.

37 Ethan Allen Hwy. 203-493-5038 barndoorridgefield.com M-E

Bartolo

Authentic Italian fare from a veteran of the Ridgefield restaurant world, now with an expanded bar and dining space.

103 Copps Hill / 203-894-8141 M-E

Bernard’s and Sarah’s Wine Bar

Bernard’s and its upstairs eatery, Sarah’s Wine Bar, provide exceptional food and service in elegant settings. Both provide a can’tmiss opportunity for any special night out.

20 West Ln. / 203-438-8282 bernardsridgefield.com E

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RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE Holiday 2019-2020

On Big Shop Lane serving coffees, teas, one-of-a-kind cupcakes, and other bakery items.

1 Big Shop Ln. / 203-403-2558 thecakeboxofct.com I

850 Degrees

Pizza many ways—New York style or wood-fired. It also has a welcoming bar area.

424 Main St. / 203-894-5395 850degrees.com M

Gallo

This eponymously named Italian eatery has a welcoming owner and is involved in the community.

Expanded bar, Italian-style menu.

5 Grove St. / 203-431-7726 galloridgefield.com M-E

The Hideaway

It’s a bar, it’s a pub, it’s a family eatery. Bar food, bar scene. Solid and extensive menu.

30 Grove St. / 203-438-7676 thehideawayridgefield.com M

Hoodoo Brown BBQ

The real-deal barbecue, with meats slow-cooked to savory perfection, offering family dining, reasonable prices, and a bar.

967 Ethan Allen Hwy. 203-438-6033 M

Hunan Noodle Bar

Winner of the Readers Choice Award in Ridgefield Magazine, offering top-quality pan-Asian food in a stylish modern setting.

461 Main St. / 203-431-4588 ridgefieldhunan.com M

Luc’s Café & Restaurant

An authentic bistro with outstanding food, attentive servers, and a true feeling of being in France.

3 Big Shop Ln. / 203-894-8522 lucscafe.com M-E

Mannen

Quality Japanese and other Asian food with lively and entertaining hibachi in a separate room.

15 Danbury Rd. / 203-438-8727 mannenrestaurant.com M-E

M = Moderate

E = Expensive

Posa Ristorante

High-end design, quality service, and fresh handmade dishes distinguish this new eatery. Wide glass doors open to a new patio, “for drinks and charcuterie.”

90 Danbury Rd. / 203-894-5355 posaristorante.com E

Prime Burger

Burgers, fries, shakes, and salads, with counter service.

449 Main St. / 203-431-3000 primeburgerct.com I-M

Prime Taco

A wide selection of tacos and margaritas with counter service.

32 Danbury Rd. / 203-403-3533 primetacoct.com I-M

Ross Bread Shoppe

Great bread, breakfast, coffee, special dishes, and more.

109 Danbury Rd. / 203-438-4822 rossbread.com I

Red Rooster Pub

Family eatery with a long list of burgers and a large bar.

43 Danbury Rd. / 203-403-3021 redroosterpubridgefield.com M

Southwest Café

This sure-fire spot never disappoints—from green-chili stew to the open-faced quesadilla salad.

In business over 30 years, run by the talented Barbara Nevins.

107 Danbury Rd. / 203-431-3398 southwestcafe.com M

Sucré Salé

This French creperie, with an enthusiastic following, serves sweet and savory breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

109 Danbury Rd. 203-244-5653 M

upscale menu, a fun vibe, and a killer cocktail menu.

439 Main St. / 203-438-2500 tequilaescape.com M-E

TerraSole

Quality Italian food in a dining space with a farmhouse feel— providing fine wines and nice outdoor space.

3 Big Shop Ln. / 203-438-5352 terrasoleridgefield.com E

Tony’s Deli

The way a deli should be: good sandwiches and breakfasts.

622 Main St. / 203-438-8465 I

Tusk & Cup

Supercool coffee bar and hangout.

Coffee, breakfast, salads, and other lunch items. Nice leather decor.

51 Ethan Allen Hwy. 203-544-0800 I

Village Tavern

A superb Main Street location, with brickwalk outdoor seating, happening bar scene, and delightful menu. A great place to go before a concert, on a summer night out, or to watch a game.

378 Main St. / 203-403-3400 thevillagetavernct.com M-E

REDDING / GEORGETOWN Black Cat Grille

An all-American style pub with generous shareable appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, BBQ ribs, and a variety of salads.

58 Redding Rd. / 203-587-1276 blackcatct.com M

Milestone

Inspired by its sister restaurant in SoNo, Tablao has opened in a small alleyway off Main, with the same great tapas, bar scene, and vibe as in Norwalk.

426 Main St. / 203-244-5320 tablaowinebar.com M-E

Tequila Escape

Rancho Alegre

The owners have transformed the former 439 Kitchen into a Latin-fusion eatery, with a more

Spinning Wheel

Vintage building constructed in 1742 glammed up by three hip, third-generation restaurateurs.

An appealing menu offering gluten free and vegetarian options amongst other mouth-watering dishes. Worth a spin!

109 Black Rock Tpke.

203-664-4000 / swredding.com M

BEDFORD The Barn and Farmhouse at Bedford Post

One historic inn with two restaurants. The Barn serves casual breakfast and lunch with seasonal seating options like fireside tables in winter and a charming outdoor terrace in warmer weather.

954 Old Post Rd. 914-234-7800 bedfordpostinn.com E

Bedford 234

Nestled beside the Bedford Playhouse, Bedford 234 offers sophisticated, farm-to-table, comfort food. Lively bar scene.

635 Old Post Rd. / 914-234-5656 bedford 234.com E

Truck

The newest addition to the Georgetown scene, a neighborhood gathering spot with simply prepared fare made from scratch and classic cocktails, with professional, understated service.

2 Georgetown Rd. 203-587-1700 milestonect.com M

Tablao Wine Bar

This is the place for you. If it’s your birthday the Mariachi band will sing you a song.

6 Main St. / 203-544-9464 ranchoalegrect.com M

A fun, authentic, and family-friendly Mexican eatery. Craving salsa, guacamole, or burritos?

Inspired by the down-home cooking of northern New Mexico, Truck serves up tacos, enchiladas, and signature salads with locally grown ingredients.

391 Old Post Rd. / 914-234-8900 truckrestaurant.com M

BEDFORD HILLS Nino’s

Across from the train station, this upscale tavern offers an extensive wine list and homemade northern Italian cuisine. Party room for special occasions.

13 Adams St. / 914-864-0400 ninosrestaurantofbedford.com M

CROSS RIVER Bacio Trattoria

This is a longtime favorite at the cross roads in Cross River.

The food is better than ever, including customer favorites, like pasta with seafood, cannelloni, osso buco, and game meats.

Ten-seat bar for cocktails or eating. Dine in/take out.

12 North Salem Rd. 914-763-2233 baciotrattoria.com M

KATONAH Blue Dolphin

A broad range of well-priced, flavorful Italian favorites (with a focus on Amalfi Coast fare) continues to draw locals. Outdoor seating in season.

175 Katonah Ave. 914-232-4791 thebluedolphinny.com M

Farmhouse Tavern

Casual dining featuring classic American fare and craft beer, wine, and cocktails for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Wide selection of menu items from paella to Cornish game hen to lamb burger, all made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

128 Bedford Rd. 914-401-9600 farmhousekatonah.com M

Le Fontane

A longtime favorite, featuring great ambiance and solid, southern-Italian cuisine—it will save you a trip to the Amalfi Coast.

137 Route 100 / 914-232-9619 lefontane.net M

Muscoot Tavern

This perennial favorite tavern offers regionally famous dishes, like Muscoot mussels, burgers, and pizzas, made with local ingredients. Serving diners for sixty years. Outdoor seating in season.

105 Somerstown Tpke.

914-232-2800 muscoottavern.com M

The Whitlock

A modern farmhouse with a homegrown feel, The Whitlock delivers simple, delectable dishes and lively spirits—all with a taste of tradition.

17 Katonah Ave. 914-232-8030 thewhitlockny.com M

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Eats

CONTINUED

Butchers’ Own A desire to “take a step away from the hustle and bustle of the city” is what prompted a recent move to Golden’s Bridge, according to Erika Nakamura, who owns J&E SMALLGOODS with her wife, Jocelyn Guest. The company, launched in the summer of 2019, reflects the couple’s desire to “create a packaged goods line and continue to source ethically and humanely and work with smaller farms,” says Nakamura. J&E offers a line of uncured hot dogs, kielbasa, and bratwurst that is all natural and free of antibiotics and hormones.

They work with a co-operative of farms in upstate New York and Pennsylvania. Nakamura and Guest are butchers themselves, and the products, says Guest, “are a win-win as we get to work with farmers we’ve worked with in the past and educate consumers about what are in the products.” J&E SmallGoods is sold locally at DeCiccio & Sons and online.

Nakamura says, “We definitely get the sense that this is the type of food that people up here do want—that there’s an excitement about treating your body better.” As they explore the greater Bedford area, some of the couple’s favorites are G.E. Brown and Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard, whose “vegetables are incredible,” says Guest. They love the variety of farm markets in the area, as well. jesmallgoods.com –Abbe Wichman

MOUNT KISCO Kisco River Eatery Convenient, casual dining with upscale comfort food. Popular fireside bar. Outdoor seating in season.

222 E. Main St. 914-218-3877 M

POUND RIDGE DiNardo’s Authentic Italian food in the heart of Scotts Corners for more than 40 years.

76 Westchester Ave. 914-764-4024 dinardos.net M

Inn at Pound Ridge

by Jean-Georges Internationally acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has reclaimed this historic inn and raised the bar on fine dining.

258 Westchester Ave. 914-764-1400 theinnatpoundridge.com E

NORTH SALEM Hayfields Coffee, breakfast, lunch, beer, wine,

58 //

smoothies, and fresh flowers. Shop the boutique while waiting.

1 Bloomer Rd. 914-669-8275 hayfieldsmarket. com M

Market at Union Hall

A convenient health market and European coffee bar selling groceries, frozen food, dairy products, pastries, dessert.

2 Keeler Ln., 914-485-1555 themarketatunionhall.com

there’s no shortages of tasty small bites and a Pisco Bar with variations on the traditional drink as well as other popular wines, cocktails, or beers.

10 Wall St. 203-957-8585 aji10restaurant.com M

plates and selections for parties and kids.

19 North Water St. 203-956-7171 beachhousecafe.com M Blue Cactus Grill

Known for its great quality, down to earth ingredients, extensive bar menu, and fun social atmosphere, Barcelona has brought a piece of Spain and Portugal to Connecticut.

515 West Ave. / 203-854-5600 barcelonawinebar.com M-E

Not your everyday deli, Blue Cactus adds a Southwestern flair to its traditional American fare with burgers, wraps, soups and more and breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They get high marks too for their homemade chips, fries, and banana pudding.

51 Stevens St. 203-838-8800 bluecactusgrillct.com M

Basso Cafe

Bruculino

French-inspired food in a sophisticated yet relaxed country setting.

721 Titicus Rd. 914-669-5450 voxnorthsalem. com M-E

Often touted for its innovative menu and warm art-centric ambience, Basso always pleases with a taste of the Meditteranean and robust wine bar.

124 New Canaan Ave. 203-354-6566 bassobistrocafe.com M

NORWALK

Continuing a long history and esteemed reputation for quality Italian fine dining, Joe Bruno and his team know how to please with delicious food, a sleek atmosphere, and impressive bar offerings.

20 N. Main St. / 203-845-9700 bruculino.com M-E

Beach House Cafe

One-Twenty-One Restaurant and Bar

A casual, country setting with fabulous décor, superb menu, excellent service, and food. Sports a happening bar scene too.

Route 121 / 914-669-0121 121restaurant.com M-E

Vox

Aji 10 With magical flavors from Japanese and Peruvian cuisines,

RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE Holiday 2019-2020

Barcelona

With an all-year round beach vibe, BHC is proud of its great service, cocktails, and a menu that will please with tasty small

Caffe Social Three sisters have given Norwalk one of the coolest places to hang out, complete with funky décor

and the most creative breakfast selections around 73 N. Main St. 203-939-9523 caffesocial.com M The Dilly Duck Shop Tapping into the pride of all things New England and all things Connecticut, The Dilly Duck Shop brings diners delicious rotisserie meats, soups, salads, beers, wines and their very popular housemade fizzes.

666 Main Ave./ 203-956-0040 thedillyduckshop.com I-M El Segundo Take global street food like empanadas and tacos, tostones or arepas, cool graffiti décor and creative cocktails, and you have none other than El Segundo.

3 N. Water St. 203-939-9765 elsegundosono.com M

Evarito’s/Bar Zorro This already festive hotspot just got even more exciting with its recently opened rooftop space Bar Zorro. So, there’s now even more room to enjoy their popular tacos, raw bar, and mexican plates.

16 North Main St. / 203-939-1620 evaritos.com M-E Good Hope Dumpling & Ramen With high marks for broth, baos, and its crispy pork belly, noodle lovers are bound to find a favorite at Good Hope. Plus Bubble Tea! 172 Main St. /203-957-8881 goodhopefood.business.site M Harlan Publick Creative comfort foods as small and large plates in a rustic setting with an impressive drinks selection makes Harlan Public a popular spot for date night and your hippest bunch of friends. In

203.722.2444

14 Depot Place, Bethel, CT 06801 chefbick45@somethingsfishycatering.com

www.somethingsfishycatering.com

the heart of the SoNo restaurant scene.

127 Washington St. 203-831-0727 harlanpublick.com E Il Posto Cozy, fun, with something for everyone, Il Posto has just celebrated its second anniversary, and continues to delight with its Northern Italian fare, specials, and various events.

122 Washington St. / 203-957-8855 ilpostoct.com M-E Lobster Craft It’s all about Connecticut’s most famous and popular sandwich, the hot buttered lobster roll.

Captain Mike began Lobstercraft as a food truck in 2012, and soon added a second truck to the fleet.

Now they have two restaurants—one in Fairfield and a new one at the South Norwalk train

station. They recently won “Best Lobster Bite” at TownVibe’s Savor Lobster.

24C Monroe St. 203-956-5656 lobstercraft.com M Match From the New School Raw Bar and Farm Greens and Veggies, where Match adds its own twists on traditional fare, to the classics the locals have grown to love, it’s easy to see why it has just celebrated its 20th anniversary in SoNo. 98 Washington St. 203-852-1088 matchsono.com M-E Mecha Noodle Bar Walk into Mecha and you may as well be walking along the streets of anywhere in Southeast Asia.

With a popular Happy Hour drink specials and plenty of Baos, Phos,

Eats

CONTINUED

and Ramen dishes, Mecha is a local spot everyone to try.

116 Washington St. 203-295-8718 M No Leftovers Find your favorite Caribbean dishes like pork or jerk chicken, curry goat or oxtail to island drinks, No Leftovers offers an inviting space and great service.

182 Connecticut Ave. 203-354-4333 noleftoversrestaurant.com M Oak & Almond Coupling both a luxe and rustic atmosphere, and a beautiful, large patio, Oak & Almond celebrates the earth in every bite, and has become a much beloved gem in town.

544 Main Ave. 203-846-4600 oakandalmond.com M-E Pontos Taverna When you need that Greek food craving, Pontos will please and satisfy. There’s a reason it has been called the area’s “Hidden Gem.” So, grab their hot pita and one of their many dips, cheeses, or perfectly charred skewers of meat or fish.

7 Isaac St. 203-354-7024 pontostaverna.com M Pokemoto Have some tasty fun at Connecticut’s first Hawaiian poke shop with bowls like Sesame Ginger and Ahi Tuna or Miso Salmon.

Build your own with countless Mix-Ins, Oils, and Sauces.

133 Washington St. 203-956-9800 M Primavera Italian Cuisine Walk in the doors and you’re instantly family at Primavera. All your Italian lunch and dinner favorites with made to order dishes in a warm, candle-lit space.

130 New Canaan Ave. 203-939-9966 primaveraitaliancuisine.com M-E Rincon Taqueria An experience at Rincon is down to earth, warm, and inviting. It is com-

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plete with vibrant decor, a menu loaded with flavor and fresh ingredients, and generous portions.

493 Connecticut Ave. 203-354-7313 rincontaqueria.com M Romanacci Walk in this bar/cafe and be a “Romanacci,” from the streets of Rome and enjoy numerous authentic eats and treats like Panini sandwiches, pizzas, pastries, coffees, all created fresh everyday.

250 Westport Ave. 203-956-7103 romanacci.com M Rowayton Seafood Where upscale meets lowkey and the perfect setting meets delicious food. Isn’t seafood better by the water? Get it all here in the space that was once the oldest lobster co-op around.

From all the traditional favorites to special seasonal fare, you can’t go wrong here.

89 Rowayton Ave. 203- 866-4488 rowaytonseafood.com M-E Saffron Indian Cuisine With top ingredients and great service and its modern take on classic cuisine, Saffron continues to please Norwalk regulars.

There’s no shortage of flavorful appetizers, entrees, and treats.

333 Westport Ave. / 203-295-8393 saffronnorwalk.com M Savor Fiercely fresh, organic, and whole, Savor offers multi-grain or grain free pizzas, salads, and wraps; in addition to a variety of dairy and gluten-free options for the most particular, discerning palates.

430 Main Ave. / 203-939-1666 savorhealthypizza.com M Sedona Taphouse When people talk about Craft options, this is the place; creative beer and wine selections with Southwestern inspired cuisine.

515 West Ave. / 203-299-1800 sedonataphouse.com M Tablao Wine Bar Step out of the pub and walk into

RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE Holiday 2019-2020

a piece of Spain with tasty Tapas and Tablao’s popular Thursday Night Sangria and Paella Night.

Sister ship in Ridgefield 86 Washington St. 203-939-9602 tablaowinebar.com M-E The Spread Grab your date and enjoy the selections of tacos or tartares, pork belly bites and special chef dishes like homemade burrata, ribeye, or pork loin. Extensive wine, beer, and cocktails too. There’s a reason the term “innovation” keeps following this hotspot.

70 N. Main St. / 203-939-1111 thespreadsono.com M The Tavern at GrayBarns A true gathering place for locals and guests seeking a destination culinary experience. The main dining room and bar area offer a warm and intimate dining experience that highlights New American cuisine assimilating flavors and techniques from traditional American cooking.

194 Perry Ave. 203-580-1900 tavernatgraybarns.com E Valencia Luncheria Take a tour around Latin America and dip into additional global flavors at this popular, vibrant spot. Grab one of their inventive cocktails, and try hard to pick one arepa from the largest arepa selection around.

164 Main St. / 203-846-8009 valencialuncheria.com M Vedas Indian Cuisine The Original Vedas allows diners to tour India through its diverse menu, with inspiration from Indo-Chinese cuisine. The aroma of spices and fresh naan, roti, and tandoori dishes are enough to draw you in to dip into Vedas.

New, award-winning chef.

388 Westport Ave. 203-846-6634 vedaindian.com M-E Washington Prime Continuously ranked as one of the top steakhouses in the county and in the state, WP

pleases serious steak eaters with its menu and dynamic atmosphere.

141 Washington St. 203-857-1314 washingtonprimect.com E

WESTPORT The Little Barn This cozy and warm establishment has the look and feel of a “little barn” with its rustic wood decor, They offer classic American cuisine with a few Asian-inspired dishes.

1050 Post Rd. East 203-557-8501 littlebarnct.com M Spotted Horse Tavern A collaboration from the team behind Southport’s Gray Goose, the menu features comfort food favorites like steak tip.

26 Church Ln. 203-557-9393 spottedhorsect.com M-E Rive Bistro With seating overlooking the river, and classics like beef bourguignon and cassoulet, it’s a little slice of Paris.

299 Riverside Ave. 203-557-8049 rivebistro.com E

WILTON Aranci 67

Inspired Southern Italian food.

Signature rice balls along with an array of mouthwatering pastas, meat, and fish. Warm and attentive staff.

142 Old Ridgefield Rd. 203-587-1300 aranci67.com E

Bianco Rosso Restaurant & Bar

Branzino, salmon, pastas, veal, scallops, and steak along with excellent pizzas and inventive salads. Delicious prix fixe dinner on Sunday and Monday, prix fixe lunch menu Monday through Saturday. Great service and a sophisticated atmosphere.

51 Old Ridgefield Rd. 203-529-3800 biancorossorestaurant.com E

Cactus Rose

The Little Pub

Authentic Southwestern cuisine including lobster enchiladas, fish tacos, guava bbq glazed wild salmon. Great guacamole and the best margarita in town.

5 River Rd. / 203-762-8484 cactusrosewilton.com M-E

One of a local chain of popular neighborhood pubs that offers delicious sandwiches, salads, and burgers. Spirited pub atmosphere and generous drinks.

Great for lunch, an afterwork get-together, or group outing.

26 Danbury Rd./ 203-762-1122 littlepub.com M

CRAFT 14 Kitchen + Bar New American food—basically modern twists on classic dishes.

A wide assortment of tempting appetizers and hearty mains such as ricotta croquettes, an excellent chopped salad, shrimp and grits. And don’t miss out on the lobster mac ‘n cheese that arrives at the table in its own small cast iron skillet. Specialty cocktails along with plenty o’ beer. Funky rustic decor, lively atmosphere.

5 River Rd. 203-762-6275 craft14.com M-E

Marly’s Bar and Bistro This family-friendly eatery serves up a wide variety of starters, salads, sandwiches, and mains. Also a sports bar scene with screens and lots of regulars.

101 Old Ridgefield Rd. 203-834-2000 marlysbistro.com M

Red Rooster Pub Expansive bar, lots of banquettes, and enough flat screen TVs to ensure you don’t miss

a moment of your favorite sporting event. Standard pub fare including burgers, pizza, quessadilla, and salads.

10 Center St. 203-761-9115 redroosterpubandeatery.com M

Reiki Sushi & Asian Bistro Pan Asian cuisine offering everything from Thai to Chinese and Japanese to Malaysian.

Make sure to try the chef’s OMG Roll or check out the Roti Canai.

Fusion at it’s best. Sleek bar, separate dining room takeout and delivery.

239 Danbury Rd. 203-762-8788 reikiasian.com M

DANBURY Market Place Kitchen & Bar A modern, American eatery:

everything from sushi to meatballs.

33 Mill Plain Rd. 203-616-5836 marketplacedanbury.com M-E

Mezon Tapas

Good selection of tapas: “combining old-world Spain and the new energy of the tropics.”

56 Mill Plain Rd. 203-748-0975 M-E

Tivoli Pizza & Trattoria

Gourmet pizza and authentic Italian cuisine.

79 Newtown Rd. / 203-748-4821 M

Terra

Happening spot in the Hotel Zero, with a lively bar scene.

15 Milestone Rd. 203-730-9200 M-E Like us. You’ll love it! facebook.com/ridgefieldmagazine

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Out & About

H O L I D AY 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0

Singing Strong //

Ridgefield Chorale’s Holiday Pops Concert is sure to be a hit. All of the usual holiday favorites will be delightfully performed December 15 at 7 pm at The Ridgefield Playhouse. Suggested donations of $15 for adults and $10 seniors/students.

Proceeds will support Ann’s Place.

Sweet Brubeck Sounds town

The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra will pay tribute to the legendary American musician

and composer DAVE BRUBECK on December 7. The concert, American: An Exploration Through Music, helps kick off the Dave Brubeck Centennial—celebrating what would have been Brubeck’s 100th birthday in 2020. His piece “Joy in the Morning” opens the program, along with four marvelous jazz selections performed by the orchestra and special guest artists the Brubeck Brothers Quartet.

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet features bassist and trombonist Chris Brubeck, drummer Dan Brubeck, guitarist Mike DeMicco, and pianist Chuck Lamb. Chris Brubeck, who lives in Wilton, collaborated with the RSO three years ago as the composer of a piece written

12.14

An array of natural materials are provided so guests can craft a balsam holiday wreath. Plus nature crafts, doughnuts, cider, face painting, and animal photo-ops—in the outdoor pavilion at Woodcock Nature Center, Saturday December 14, 10 am to 4 pm. $55 per wreath. All ages. woodcocknaturecenter.org

12.6

From December 6 through 28, the Marvelous Wonderettes celebrates the music of the 1950s and ’60s, as four girls take your from prom night to ten-year reunion, with sweet harmony as the vehicle—sporting bouffants and party dresses. Ridgefield Theater Barn. ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org

specifically for SPHERE. “We are absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with Chris Brubeck again, and be the first orchestra to help celebrate what will be a multi-year celebration of Dave Brubeck and his music” says RSO executive director Laurie Kenagy.

Along with the tribute to Dave Brubeck, the orchestra will also perform Symphony No. 2 “Song of a New Race” by William Grant Still, a legendary American composer in his own right, often referred to as the dean of African-American composers.

ridgefieldsymphony.org —Heather Borbeau

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RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE Holiday 2019-2020

Festive Food Keeler Tavern launches the season with Christmas at the Tavern, a festive family event on December 8. No lords a-leaping, but free admission, donuts, and mulled cider.

Costumed ladies serve at the traditional holiday fundraiser in the Garden House each day from December 5-9.

Full Tour

12.14

On Dec 14, the choir of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, led by its new musical director Alcee Criss III, will put on its fabulous Carols by Candlelight, in the sanctuary of the Main Street house of worship.

Beautiful carols with live strings and percussion. Criss will infuse this year’s celebration with some new sounds, drawing from his rich musical background—which includes jazz, choral, and more. Donations encouraged, and all are welcome to attend, at 7:30 pm, 351 Main St. ststephensridgefield.org

The biennial Tiger Hollow House Tour opens its doors on Dec 6, with a kickoff breakfast at Lounsbury House at 9 am. There are five houseowners in the downtown area that will reveal their holiday décor to hundreds of curious home viewers. The daylong event supports Tiger Hollow Stadium. tigerhollow.com

Stroll Get in the spirit with the 20th annual Downtown Holiday Stroll. Starting at 6pm on Dec 6 in Downtown Ridgefield, there will be horse-drawn carriages, carolers, ice sculptures, children’s shows, and shopping. Gather on Dec 7 at 10 am for more seasonal fun!

On Strike // For Zoë Sheehan Saldaña’s exhibition at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, the space will be populated by about 50 of her beguiling handmade artifacts, such as a reverse-engineered “Strike Anywhere” match and a handwoven hammock. aldrichart.org Holiday 2019-2020 RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE //

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The Art of It

Human Spirit HeART & Mind revealed itself at SILVERMINE ART CENTER in early November, opening a window to creativity and well-being by bringing together works by artists exploring mental-health issues while also celebrating the resilience of the human spirit. At the core, many of these works of art show a yearning to understand and accept ourselves and to connect in an authentic way to those around us. Shown here, oil on canvas: Alexander Churchill, Self-Portrait as a Merry Toper. —Heather Borbeau

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RIDGEFIELD MAGAZINE Holiday 2019-2020

A Boutique Restaurant

The complicated simplicity of Italian food

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Lunch & Dinner Tuesday—Saturday 11:30 to CLOSE Sunday 12:00 to CLOSE Brunch/Lunch alla PIETRO $22 3 Courses, Served Every Day until 4:00pm Happy Hour Tuesday – Thursday 4:30-6:30 pm ½ price cocktails & appetizers Holiday Party, Special Occasions!

Inquire about hosting your next event at TerraSole!

Live Jazz Music Every Sunday 12:30-3:30 PM Kids Eat Free Sunday After 4:00 PM (special menu) Mamma Mia Night Pietro’s Mother will host Three Mamma Mia Nights featuring a special tasting menu and teach fresh pasta making and Secret Mamma Felina 3 BIG SHOP LANE RIDGEFIELD, CT 06877 203.438.5352 Sasanello dessert recipe TERRASOLERIDGEFIELD.COM