As the 068 area settles into the rhythms of fall, with yellow buses signaling a new academic year, another campus in Ridgefield is coming alive with its own kind of excitement. At Founders Hall, adults aged 60 and older are heading back to class to nourish curiosity, build community, and embrace lifelong learning.
Founders Hall offers an extraordinary array of classes that span the intellectual, physical, and creative spectrum—from history and foreign languages to science, art, and poetry. It’s a place where aging is not defined by limitations, but by exploration.
The hum of possibility fills the hallways as members gather to learn something new or return to long-set-aside passions. For Dr. Joe Ellis, a former Ridgefield High School principal, retirement wasn’t a slowdown—it was a chance to rediscover himself. “You say to yourself, what haven’t I done yet?” he says. That mindset led him to take up piano and drawing. He credits Founders Hall with helping him stay physically strong—through tai chi and yoga—and mentally engaged. “I believe I speak for the thousands of members when I say that Founders Hall has added a wonderful dimension for the 60-plus community.”
For many, stepping into this next chapter of life can feel uncertain. Founders Hall provides a welcoming bridge between what was and what’s next. After stepping away from her career in 2021, Jane Byrnes began sampling classes across disciplines. Her most recent leap was into the arts. “I was a bit apprehensive,” she admits about joining her first art class. But instructor Lily Fertik created such a supportive space. “I felt a sense of creativity I didn’t even know I had.”
That spirit of discovery is just as present among those who’ve spent their lives immersed in the arts and education. Margaret Sullivan, a former curator at the Guggenheim and nonprofit leader, immediately connected with the quality of instruction at Founders Hall. She cites courses like Film: Eight by Hitch with Robert Klaeger and Music Appreciation with Michael Lankester as standouts. She and her husband, Rick Lawrence, recently made a generous gift to support Founders Hall programming and will host a table at the Breakfast Feast this fall. “We believe it’s an obligation to give back—to sustain this place for the long term,” she says.
That theme of connection—between people, passions, and past and future—is central to what makes Founders Hall so much more than just a place to take classes. Ron Shirk, a retired communications professional, praises the organization’s new branding for clearly communicating its mission. “It’s not just a place to gather,” he says. “It’s a learning center, a living center.” Ron now finds himself immersed in poetry, Italian, and history—while also playing basketball and taking fitness classes. “The classes challenge you in ways that redefine what aging looks like.”
Perhaps no one embodies that redefining spirit more than Mark Ceconi, a former elementary school teacher and artist whose work has appeared in The New York Times Book Review. Now, Mark is preparing to teach his own workshop at Founders Hall, joining the community of instructors who bring their experience full circle. “I’m inspired every day by the people here,” he says. “This place keeps us curious, connected, and young at heart.”
At Founders Hall, fall isn’t just a season—it’s a reminder that learning never gets old, and life’s most meaningful chapters are still being written.•
