Laid-back yet very intentional, Kate Perry approaches life with a deeply sustainable outlook—and she practices what she preaches. She’s the kind of person who makes thoughtful choices and then builds a life around them.
Tucked away on nine and a half acres in Redding, Kate and her husband, Jeff Andrews, live on part of Jean’s Farm, a property Mark Twain originally purchased for one of his daughters. The land abuts acreage held by the Redding Land Trust, underscoring her deep commitment to savoring the town’s quiet, rural character.
Kate grew up in Ridgefield and spent a decade in Seattle after college. When she returned to Connecticut, she turned away from busier towns, and fell in love with Redding’s calmer, more understated way of life. “There’s less traffic, more space, and a real sense of community,” she says.
Kate and her husband share their land with four horses, three Great Pyrenees, one mixed hound, free-range chickens, ducks, peacocks, two turkeys (including Wishbone, a famously pardoned bird), a feral barn cat, and a conure parrot named Frankie What-What. Animals, Kate says, have a subtle but powerful way of communicating. “Their energy is like nothing else.”
When you step into the minimalist home Kate has built, her priorities become obvious. Reclaimed wood from the property lines the entry walls. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame peaceful views of animals roaming and the land beyond. A cozy fireplace anchors a living space filled with comfortable, unfussy furnishings. Kate admits this quiet retreat is essential to her well-being. The space is so special that she and Jeff held their wedding there.
Kate’s connection to Redding extends beyond her property lines. Along with business partner Gerry Valenti, she opened The Georgetown Owl, a restaurant and market that reflects her upbringing and belief that food is a cornerstone of community. The café side offers well-made breakfast and lunch sandwiches and an espresso bar, while the restaurant focuses on comfort food and craft cocktails with a creative edge, supported by frequently changing menus. “We wanted to create a cozy spot with great food,” Kate says, “something that fits Georgetown’s energy and history.”
Kate describes Georgetown as “a slice of remarkable history in the middle of a beautiful area” and she’s passionate about helping the community remain special. She serves on the Town of Redding’s Planning Commission and on the board of Georgetown Village Restoration, Inc., a not-for-profit dedicated to supporting Georgetown’s local businesses and residents.
One of the organization’s most visible efforts is Georgetown Day, an outdoor street festival Kate spearheads with her fellow organizers. The annual event attracts roughly 5,000 people and features more than 90 artisan vendors, live music, and a beloved chili cook-off. “It’s such an amazing day that showcases what Georgetown is all about,” Kate says.
If there is a typical day in Kate’s life, it begins alongside Jeff doing animal chores—feeding horses, setting hay, and letting out the birds for the day. “I love starting my day that way,” Kate says. “It dusts off the cobwebs.” Weather permitting, she rides her horse, Scottie. Her workday varies, sometimes on-site and sometimes at home. Evenings are a mix of quiet nights, dinners out, and time spent at The Owl.
It’s a life that balances people, place, pets, and appreciation for what’s good in the world—exactly the way Kate Perry intends it. •
