Ridgefield’s First Ever Turkey Pardon!
Every Thanksgiving, the annual pardoning of the turkey at the White House by the president is a favorite tradition for families, starting with President Lincoln when he pardoned the family turkey (requested by his son) and spared him from the family dinner table.
On Sunday, November 19th at 4:00 pm, for the first time ever, Rudy Marconi, First Selectman of Ridgefield, will pardon a fortunate turkey named Nugget who was destined for a local oven. Marconi will welcome Nugget and make a few remarks about the beautiful town of Ridgefield and all it has to offer during the holiday season. T-Shirts will be on sale commemorating the event and all proceeds will be donated to The Ridgefield Fathers Club and Ridgefield Boys & Girls Club.
The Ridgefield Fathers Club (RFC) is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to support youth activities, provide aid to senior citizens and underprivileged families, and improve our community through charitable works. Perhaps their most famous fundraiser during the holidays is a visit from the mischievous Ridgefield Grinch! The Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield is a youth activity center designed to offer programs for school-aged children after school and during vacations. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence.
The day’s activities will also include a scavenger hunt to find as many turkey “look-alikes” throughout Main Street businesses. Find the most and you can pick up a prize at the RPAC Gallery when you turn in your scavenger hunt sheet! Local businesses will also be participating with discounts for Pre-Black Friday specials and our restaurants will create specialty cocktails and appetizers for the parents!
This event is made possible by 068 Magazine and The Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce.
Well Deserved Recognition
On October 12th the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut held their Annual Business Supports the Arts Awards Breakfast at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury. “We were honored to recognize the outstanding achievements of awardees this year. Their creativity, passion and skill enrich our culture and inspire us all,” says Lisa Scails, Executive Director, Cultural Alliance.
Among those honored was Dee Dee Colabella, who was awarded the Arts in the Community Award for her contributions to the arts and culture in Ridgefield, as well as her role as an entrepreneur and business leader. Colabella is the owner of 068 Magazine, RPAC Art Center and Academy, RPAC Gallery, D. Collabella Fine Art Gallery, and is the founder of the non-profit ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative. “Thanks to all the artists I work with and the ArtFul Board members. I can’t believe how much we have accomplished and there’s still more to come,” says Colabella.
Also honored was Olga Meija of Danbury, who received the Mary Rindfleisch Heart of Arts Award, Wendy Cahill, owner of Molten Java in Bethel, who received the Arts Impact Life Award, and the Danbury Mall for the BSA Award.
The Cultural Alliance (cawct.org) connects with and provides support for artists, creative entrepreneurs, and arts and cultural organizations. They strive to ensure the continued representation of diversity and equity.
This Train Trip is Worth Taking
By Gerri Lewis
All aboard, because the day after Thanksgiving, these trains are leaving the station when the Wilton Historical Society kicks off its annual Great Trains Holiday Show. Multiple train gauges (G, HO, N, O, S and Lego) are showcased as they chug chug along through scaled settings that take up most of the two 18th and 19th century Historical Society buildings.
Would-be conductors will enjoy the hands-on button pushing which allows visitors to enjoy an interactive experience. As mesmerizing as it is to watch the trains meander through magical mythical villages, travel over bridges, through tunnels and wander around buildings or towns with lights flashing and horns blasting, the settings themselves are particularly clever. An outdoor movie theater, a small-town USA scenario, an old-fashioned village, a fire department complete with vehicles and an entire snow filled scene with skaters, sledders, skiers and other winter activities are a few of the scenes that depict one delightful scenario after another.
As an aside, there is even a display of toys from bygone eras. One of the unique things about the show is that the models and their settings represent different eras, thereby keeping with the historical theme.
Wilton Historical Society Director Nick Foster says that each year they try to add something new. New or not, this traditional show will appeal to all age groups. Hosted by the Wilton Historical Society the event kicks off a number of festive events including Holly Jolly Saturday with a visit from Santa on December 9th. For information contact the Wilton Historical Society: wiltonhistorical.org or call 203-762-7257.
