On November 22, 2014, Ridgefield’s Main Street was shut down and filled with over one thousand people dancing to Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.” The energy that morning was truly infectious and was all in support of then, 14-year-old, Zoe Butchen and her newly created “Dance Shake Donate” campaign supporting The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s’ Research (MJFF). Zoe’s father, Jeff, had been recently diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease (PD) at the age of 51. PD is the second most common neurological disorder, affecting roughly 1 million Americans and 6 million people worldwide.
Ten years later, Zoe’s passion to positively impact the Parkinson’s community has grown tremendously and has become her full-time career. What began as a dance challenge has grown into an ongoing effort inspiring countless individuals and raising over $150,000 for Parkinson’s research. Zoe now works on MJFF’s Corporate Giving team where she actively stewards relationships with the Fox Foundation’s corporate donors. Zoe’s impact has truly come full circle. Each day she is reminded of the deep support of the Ridgefield community on that cold, fall morning, which only inspires her to keep fighting for a cure. The discovery of a biomarker in the last year has only accelerated scientific research into a new era for PD.
If you’d like to support Zoe’s fundraising efforts, please visit DanceShakeDonate.com or if you’d like to get involved with The Michael J. Fox Foundation, please visit michaeljfox.org or Zoe can be reached at zbutchen@michaeljfox.org
On Sunday, November 24, 068 Magazine and Lounsbury House will partner for Ridgefield’s Second Annual Turkey Pardoning!
Folks near and far are invited to join the festivities in front of the Lounsbury House on 316 Main Street. This year’s lucky bird Pepper, a handsome turkey, will be pardoned by none other than Rudy Marconi, Ridgefield’s First Selectperson.
The event will kick off at 11:00 am with lots of opportunities to spread goodwill. EZ Moving, Ferrandino Enterprises, The Chefs’ Warehouse and your own 068 Magazine are partnering to purchase gift cards that will be donated to those with food insecurity and will be distributed by The Angel of Ridgefield, an organization honoring the legacy Ridgefielder Sharron McCleery Lavatori and Ridgefield Social Services. SOAR Together, a local non-profit, will provide flowers that can be used to bring a bit of joy to the holidays.
At noon, children can participate in a scavenger hunt and search the Lounsbury lawn for turkey-themed prizes. At 1:00, First Selectperson will do the honors of pardoning Pepper, ensuring that he will live a long and feather-full life.
Reusable, keepsake shopping bags commemorating Pepper’s Pardon, will be available for purchase – proceeds will benefit the Ridgefield Boys and Girls Club and the Ridgefield Veterans Memorial Community Association, a 501c3.
Ridgefield’s own celebrity makeup artist, Amanda Gabbard was handpicked by fashion designer Christian Siriano and his team to be one of just 20 makeup artists working on his buzz-worthy Spring/Summer 2025 Collection at New York Fashion Week this past September.
This iconic event, held twice a year in Manhattan, is one of the hottest tickets in the fashion world. Gabbard was thrilled to be part of Siriano’s A-list glam squad. “It’s an incredible honor to work alongside such talented artists, ,” Gabbard shares.
Gabbard met Siriano last year at the opening of Siriano’s show at D.Colabellas Fine Art Gallery.
Siriano put out the call for makeup artists to join his NYFW team. The post exploded, with over 4,000 applicants from around the globe. From that enormous pool, Amanda Gabbard was chosen! She hit the ground running, working her magic on top models in the biz as they got ready to rock the runway with Siriano’s latest jaw-dropping designs.
Many of us go about our days unaware of the hidden population of neighbors who are unable to prepare their own meals due to age, illness, injury or other disability. Meals on Wheels of Ridgefield (MOW) is here to help. MOW has been feeding neighbors in need for fifty years, and the organization continues to grow and thrive.
MOW began in 1974, preparing 24 meals a week. Today, they prepare over 1,000 weekly meals in their commercial kitchen in Ballard Green – over 53,000 meals last year!
Unlike other Meals on Wheels groups, the Ridgefield organization receives no federal or state funding, which enables all qualifying Ridgefield residents to receive meals at no charge, regardless of age or income. MOW is funded entirely through generous donations from the community.
MOW relies on only 5 part-time employees and a group of 175 volunteers. MOW driver volunteers also offer a much-needed check-in to homebound individuals. Rotary Club President Ken Wippermann recalls a story when a MOW volunteer became concerned that this client was not answering her door. The police were called and found the woman had fallen. “The MOW driver helped save her life,” says Ken.
“MOW welcomes volunteers as well as monetary donations to help sustain the organization into the next fifty years and beyond,” says board member Hilary Aronow. Visit www.mealsonwheelsofridgefieldct.org to learn how you can help.
