Shout Out – March/April

Grammar Takes Center Stage at the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival

Returning to the beloved Prospector Theater, RIFF celebrates a decade of community-building by bringing high-quality independent films to Ridgefield, CT. The four-day festival, featuring nearly 30 highly curated films, runs from May 15–18, offering a diverse lineup of narratives and documentaries that entertain, educate, and inspire.

Opening night puts grammar in the spotlight with a welcome reception followed by the uplifting documentary Rebel With a Clause. The film by husband Brandt Johnson follows grammarian Ellen Jovin on a cross-country journey to all 50 states, answering grammar questions and offering advice from their traveling Grammar Table. Their adventure captivated media outlets nationwide, earning coverage in over 100 print, radio, and television stories. Along the way, people from all walks of life stopped by the table—to share a laugh, settle linguistic disputes, and confront their grammar insecurities.

These conversations unfolded in small towns and big cities, outside bookstores and coffee shops, on beaches and mountainsides. But Rebel With a Clause is about more than just grammar—it’s a story of human connection. In a time of profound social and political division, the Grammar Table is a rare space for unity and friendly debate. Come for the grammar. Stay for the humanity. Jovin and Johnson will join attendees for a post-film Q&A. Ridgefield’s independent bookstore, Books on the Common will be selling Ellen Jovin’s book, Rebel with a Clause – Tales and Tips from a Roving Grammarian at the event which will include a pre-screening reception in the Prospector’s Star Bar.

Tickets are available at the Prospector Theater. For more information on the featured films and schedule, visit http://riffct.org.

Save the Date

For Ridgefield Senior Spectacular Expo

Based on feedback from a town-wide survey of seniors residing in Ridgefield taken in 2023, the Ridgefield Commission on Aging (CoA) is inaugurating a new Senior Spectacular Expo, which will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 12-4 PM at the Ridgefield Parks & Recreation Building. It will be the largest event for seniors in the history of Ridgefield.

The need for more transportation for seniors is an ongoing concern. The concept of the Expo was born to raise funds towards this mitigating this problem. The event is free, celebrating the 6,000 estimated Ridgefield seniors, and connecting them to a broad range of exhibitors, speakers, and diverse informative activities.

Rising seniors can also take advantage of resources as they navigate the Expo for themselves or for an aging loved one. Right at Home, Ellie Mental Health, and TewesCARES are a few of the many participants; there will also be food, music, and giveaways from many of our local merchants. CoA has reached out to invite neighboring communities in both Connecticut and New York.

The Expo has already received support from many in organiztions in Ridgefield. Student volunteers from NCL, LionsHeart, and the Boys and Girls Club will be on hand to assist attendees in navigating through the day’s programs.

Patricia Yaffa, Vice Chair of the Commission on Aging since 2023, encourages all seniors to embrace life and become familiar with the “Spotlight on Seniors” section at ridgefieldct.gov. This section highlights the many ongoing goals of the CoA. All nine members of the CoA are working closely with the Office of the First Selectperson and the Department of Social Services to make the Expo a reality.

Attendees are encouraged to register in advance of the Expo, in order to prepare for the large number of visitors expected. Register at https://ridgefieldcoaseniorexpo.eventbrite.com. For more information please visit the Spotlight on Seniors at ridgefieldct.org.•