Stories

Celebrate a ‘French Founding Father’ on his July 1 birthday in Ridgebury

<p>A hero of the American Revolution, who celebrated his birthday in Ridgebury in 1781, will be honored here on the 300th anniversary of his birth on July 1.</p><p><a href="http://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(37, 76, 130);">The Ridgefield Historical Society</a> and <a href="https://meetinghouse.life/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(37, 76, 130);">The Meetinghouse</a> in Ridgebury will present historian Keith Marshall Jones III who will give an illustrated presentation, <em>Rochambeau – America’s Forgotten French Founding Father</em>, on Tuesday, July 1, at 6:30pm in the historic Meetinghouse at 602 Ridgebury Road, Ridgefield. Held in honor of the 300th anniversary of Rochambeau’s birth (July 1, 1725), the presentation will be followed by a reception.</p><p>Tickets are limited, non-refundable, and expected to sell out quickly. ission is $15 for of the Ridgefield Historical Society and The Meetinghouse in Ridgebury, and $20 for those who aren’t yet . Tickets can be purchased online here: <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/rochambeau-americas-forgotten-french-founding-father" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(37, 76, 130);">https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/rochambeau-americas-forgotten-french-founding-father</a></p><p><strong>The French Encampment</strong></p><p>On July 1, 1781, French Lieutenant General Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau, celebrated his 56th birthday right here in Ridgefield. While his superbly equipped and immaculately clad 4,700-man army camped in Ridgebury Parish, en route to Yorktown to General George Washington’s forces and secure American independence, the Comte dined at Ensign Samuel Keeler’s nearby tavern. The following morning, one of his regimental chaplains conducted Connecticut’s first inland Catholic Mass.</p><p> Keith Marshall Jones III on July 1 to commemorate Rochambeau’s birthday visit and explore the story of his army’s two-day stay in Ridgefield. Learn why French money, arms, and manpower paved the way for American independence. Discover how it was Rochambeau, not General George Washington, who devised the bold stalemate-breaking strategy that led to the decisive victory at Yorktown, and how he later narrowly escaped the guillotine during the French Revolution as thanks for his efforts.</p><p>Keith Marshall Jones III, Founding President of the Ridgefield Historical Society, is the author of <em>THE BATTLE OF RIDGEFIELD, Benedict Arnold, the Patriot Militia and the Surprising 1777 Battle that Galvanized Revolutionary Connecticut </em>(2024). Other books include: <em>JOHN LAURANCE, the Immigrant Founding Father America Never Knew </em>(awarded the American Philosophical Society’s 2019 “Publication of the Year”);<em> CONGRESS AS MY GOVERNMENT, Chief Justice John Marshall in the War for Independence</em> (2008); <em>Farmers Against the Crown</em> (2002); and <em>The Farms of Farmingville</em> (2001). He lives in New York City and Connecticut.</p><p>For more information : <a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(37, 76, 130);">[email protected]</a> or 203-438-5821</p><p><br></p>

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Dr. Leah Glaser to Present at KTM&HC on June 5

<p><strong>Ridgefield, Conn</strong>.— Keeler Tavern Museum &amp; History Center’s (KTM&amp;HC) Revolutionary Perspectives series continues this June with an in-person talk by Dr. Leah Glaser. us in KTM&amp;HC’s Garden House on Thursday, June 5 at 7pm!</p><p>Glaser, a professor at Central Connecticut State University, will discuss how public history can raise awareness about the&nbsp;history of natural resources, their preservation, and what such practices can teach us about the causes of and mitigation of climate change. She'll also share insights from her recent books:&nbsp;<em>Interpreting Energy at Museums and Historic Sites </em>and <em>Branching Out: The Public History of Trees</em>.&nbsp;This program provides fascinating context for some of the themes KTM&amp;HC has been exploring in its newest public tour, “Beams to Balustrades,” which focuses how the museum’s historic house has utilized energy efficiency to withstand centuries of weather, generations of owners, and even a cannonball or two.</p><p>Glaser is a professor of history and coordinator of the public history program at Central Connecticut State University. She has worked in the field of public history and historic preservation for the last thirty years, consulting with municipal, state, and federal agencies, including positions at the United States Bureau of Reclamation and the National Park Service. For the last twenty-five years, while publishing on topics related to the history of energy, she has worked closely with the National Council on Public History to emphasize issues of environmental sustainability through conferences, committee work, and publications.</p><p>KTM&amp;HC's&nbsp;Revolutionary Perspectives&nbsp;series celebrates innovative approaches to how we discover, interpret, and share American history, with an emphasis on themes of memory and identity. The series is ed by a grant from the&nbsp;Wadsworth R. Lewis Fund. Thank you!</p><p>For more information, go to <a href="http://www.keelertavernmuseum.org/events" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.keelertavernmuseum.org/events</a>. Parking is available onsite at 152 Main Street, Ridgefield.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong></p><p><br></p>

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New Ridgefield Dance Studio Brings Movement & Community to the Floor

<p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Pivot Dance Club</strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">, founded by professional dancers and longtime Ridgefield residents Tonja and Randy Dias, is creating a joyful new space for connection, confidence, and fun through ballroom, Latin, and social dance. Opened in January, the studio offers private lessons, group classes, and social dance parties for dancers of all ages and experience levels.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">After a festive ribbon cutting with the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce on May 13 — where First Selectperson Rudy Marconi ed a lively Merengue lesson alongside guests — and a packed launch party that weekend, the studio is now in full swing.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“Our goal isn’t just to teach steps—it’s to help people connect, express themselves, and feel part of something meaningful,” said co-founder Tonja Dias.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">The Pivot team includes</span><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">three additional highly experienced instructors who are helping build this dynamic dance community. One of them, Alexey Gavrilov, hosts a monthly Argentine Tango Milonga — a social gathering for tango dancers — held on the first Friday of every month from 8–11 PM.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Want to try it for yourself? us for a night of dancing — our treat!</span></p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Thursday, June 27: All-levels Bachata Class (7:15–8 PM) + Practice Party (8–9 PM)</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Thursday, July 18: All-levels Salsa Class (7:15-8 PM) + Practice Party (8-9 PM)</span></li></ul><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Mention this press piece when you arrive and enjoy the evening as our guest.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Pivot Dance Club is located at 21 Governor Street in Ridgefield, inside the Way of the Sword Academy, where owner Mike Martin has warmly welcomed the studio into his dynamic, multi-use community space.</span></p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Learn more </span><a href="http://pivotdanceclub.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">http://pivotdanceclub.com</a></li></ul><p><br></p>

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Ridgefield Playhouse Wraps Its 21st Season of Arts in Education

<p>The Ridgefield Playhouse Arts in Education program presented by the Leir Foundation&nbsp;has wrapped up its 21st&nbsp;season of bringing curriculum-rich, live theatre to students. </p><p>Hosting more than 15,000 students and teachers each year—over 60% of whom come from Title I communities—the Playhouse enhances classroom learning through live theater and enrichment programs, all offered free of charge.</p><p>As part of the “From Page to Stage” enrichment program, 5,700 books were gifted to students, each&nbsp;tied to a performance they attended. While tickets are free, many schools face challenges in affording field trips.&nbsp;To help overcome these barriers, the Playhouse collaborated with teachers to cover the cost of 45 buses and provided nutritious lunches to more than 1,500 students during the school year.</p><p>From a first-grade teacher at a Title 1 school after seeing A Year With Frog and Toad, “Our students were absolutely beaming with excitement throughout the entire experience, and it was truly a magical moment for them to see the characters they’ve been reading about come to life on stage.” </p><p>“We are proud of our mission to introduce area students to the power of live theater. Hosting students from Ridgefield and all across our region builds excitement for learning, fosters creativity and expands imaginations. It also contributes to social-emotional growth as most students are seeing their first live production,” says Jodi Simon Stewart, Arts in Education Director. </p><p>The Ridgefield Playhouse’s Arts in Education program continues to expand its impact by livestreaming performances directly into classrooms—reaching students who might otherwise never experience live theater. With over 170,000 virtual views, these performances offer educators a powerful, curriculum-connected resource they can access with ease. </p><p>This program is made possible entirely free of charge to schools thanks to the generosity of our Board of Directors, The Leir Foundation and a community of dedicated ers. We’ve made great strides—but there’s still so much more we can do with your help.</p><p> us in bringing the magic of live theater to the next generation. Your makes it all possible. </p><p>If you are interested in ing the Arts in Education program, please Jodi Simon</p><p>Stewart at&nbsp;<u style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">[email protected]</u>.</p>

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Ridgefield Farmers Market Now Weekly! Opening Day is Saturday, June 21!

<p><strong>Ridgefield Farmers Market Expands to Weekly Schedule</strong></p><p>The Ridgefield Farmers Market is growing — and going weekly. Executive Director Corrin Arasa says the most common she heard from the community was a resounding call for a weekly market. “And now,” she says, “it’s happening.”</p><p>Opening Day is set for Saturday, June 21, and from then on, the market will be open every Saturday through October 4. The third season of the popular local market promises a strong mix of returning vendors and exciting new additions.</p><p>“Heading into our third season, we’re hitting our stride,” said Arasa. “We’ve brought back many of your favorites from last year, along with a few new vendors I couldn’t be more excited about.”</p><p>Updates about vendors and hip information will be shared on Instagram at @ridgefieldfarmersmarket and through the market’s communication channels.</p><p>Community are encouraged to spread the word and mark their calendars — Ridgefield’s Saturday tradition is about to get even better.</p>

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Why Small Businesses Matter in Ridgefield: Tdarcart

<h2><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Local Business Champion </span><a href="https://teresadarc.myportfolio.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Tdarcart</a></h2><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Meet Teresa D’Arcangelo founder of </strong><a href="https://teresadarc.myportfolio.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Tdarcart</strong></a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Why did you start your business":[]}