<p>Ridgefield Guild of Artists is pleased to announce the return of its biennial juried photography exhibition,&nbsp;<em>Camera Works</em>, opening Saturday, February 22nd&nbsp;with a reception from 4-6pm. It is free and open to all. “Every other year, we present a show&nbsp;highlighting&nbsp;the talents of our members whose focus is&nbsp;on&nbsp;photography,” said Mary Harold, Guild Vice-President and photographer.&nbsp;“Our juror has&nbsp;selected&nbsp;a beautiful collection of images for&nbsp;all to enjoy.”&nbsp;Of the 252 pieces&nbsp;submitted&nbsp;by&nbsp;81 artists to be presented to the juror, Daniel&nbsp;Menzo&nbsp;chose a total&nbsp;of 77&nbsp;pieces by&nbsp;59&nbsp;artists to be included in this&nbsp;exhibition.&nbsp;</p><p>This year’s juror,&nbsp;Daniel&nbsp;Menzo,&nbsp;is the Marcia Brady Tucker Curatorial Fellow in the Department of Photography at the Yale University Art Gallery. He holds a PhD in Art History &amp; Criticism from Stony Brook University.&nbsp;He commented on the presentation of works before him:&nbsp;</p><p>“…I understand the time and passion that goes into these pictures, and I am grateful to each one of the photographers for sharing their work. Although I could not feature everyone’s submission, one goal was to include as many artists as possible, which has the added benefit of expanding our understanding of what photography is and what it can do.”</p><p><em>Camera Works&nbsp;</em>runs&nbsp;from Saturday, February 22nd&nbsp;through&nbsp;Sunday, March 23rd. Ridgefield Guild of Artists is located at 34 Halpin Lane, at the bottom of the hill across from the Theater Barn. Regular gallery hours are Wednesday – Sunday, 12-4pm. For more information about this show, and all Guild offerings, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.rgoa.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">www.rgoa.org</a>&nbsp;or call 203-438-8863.&nbsp;</p><p>RGOA is a non-profit 501c3 arts organization, now in its 51styear, providing opportunities to show works, take classes, and support over 300 member artists. All donations are gratefully accepted.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Save the date for Summerfest 2025, happening Saturday, July 26th, from 10 AM-3 PM!</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Last year’s event was packed with energy, amazing vendors, and thousands of attendees strolling through Ridgefield’s iconic downtown. This year, we’re raising the bar again—and you’re invited to be part of the fun.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Whether you’re selling handmade goods, sharing your art, or showcasing your business, SummerFest is the perfect opportunity to connect with the community and meet new customers.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Vendor applications are officially OPEN!&nbsp;</span></p><p><a href="https://4qol4sfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ELhMReOl1O-UHPcpPUHAg_uAUFWvV5vqTPGBamdDatCZ1a6rRrbh7EsBP-M9KVtfV2IwbX7iw3h_A73lgZDVoszuwg61s6iGIIOi7sLsOXQOzO1JXU52UMdPlRPtilXzR7OSTl22b6f56KAXSKwhpQIyaJUNZ5rtrsRBbTtmGsU=&amp;c=5iUycqtUzLAWk1SnZBO0ovK8uwFCpDIiowiLMzJaAkvrLl0CNJ0p2Q==&amp;ch=Oy3B89cqSipbyZurSXVtuERlEg5i_mazyBLfGgqZ6O-83oi__6Kedg==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Register Now!</a></p><p><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Don’t wait—spots fill up fast (last year we SOLD OUT), and we’d love to have you back on Main Street. </em></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p>To the Editor,</p><p>As the Chief of Police for the Ridgefield Police Department, I have had the honor of serving our incredible community, my hometown, for many years. I have seen firsthand the exceptional service that our officers provide as well as the unwavering support from those we serve. I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed new public safety facility and to urge our community members to recognize its importance to public safety.</p><p>Our current facility, while having served us well for almost 50 years, is no longer sufficient to meet the growing demands of modern law enforcement. We are facing significant challenges due to outdated infrastructure, lack of space, and insufficient resources. A modern facility would not only improve operational efficiency but also enhance our ability to respond effectively to emergencies, provide additional training opportunities, and ensure the safety of both officers and residents.</p><p>In addition to the police department, the new proposed public safety facility will be home to all of our community’s first responders to include a central dispatch center. By housing all of our emergency services under one roof it will improve coordination and response times during emergencies, create cost savings through shared resources, allow for efficient use of space, enhance communication between departments, and provide a stronger sense of community safety by centralizing services in one location.&nbsp;</p><p>I encourage our residents to please consider supporting this critical investment in public safety. A properly equipped public safety building benefits everyone by promoting a safer, more secure, and well-prepared community. Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter.</p><p>Respectfully,</p><p>Jeffery Kreitz, Chief of Police, Ridgefield Police Department</p><p>*Learn more about the Public Safety Project and Tuesday's Referendum <a href="https://www.ridgefieldpublicsafetybuildingproject.info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.ridgefieldpublicsafetybuildingproject.info/</a></p>

<p><strong><u>For Sale: 47 Old South Salem Road, Ridgefield</u></strong></p><p>Exceptional modern home plus separate guest cottage in premier southern location, just moments to the New York border and right on the pick-up route for the Katonah train station shuttle.</p><p>Architecturally designed main residence with 2,080 sf, 3 bedrooms, 2/1 baths, extensive recent updates, soaring ceilings and drenched in natural light; plus CA. 1800 two story, 1 bedroom legal rental cottage with 972 sf, vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, fireplace with wood stove insert, bright kitchen, sun room, office, full bath, plus separate driveway and parking. Set back privately on 1.56 acres with stone walls, bluestone patio, organic raised bed vegetable garden, plus flowering perennial gardens. The first floor features generous rooms and open flow: the formal dining room with custom built-ins is open to the newly remodeled designer kitchen featuring subway tiled backsplash, quartz counters/breakfast bar, Subzero fridge; sunny dining area with sliders to the stone patio, and open to the family room. </p><p>The main level also features a dramatic living room with vaulted ceilings that adjoins a spacious den and cathedral ceilings ideal as game room, office, or studio. The 2nd floor features hardwood floors; newly remodeled designer hall bath; luxurious primary suite with walk-in closet and private bath; plus 2 additional bedrooms, one with ladder to bonus sleeping loft! Like new inside and out: new roof; new siding; new boiler; central air plus (2) split systems; new roof solar panels plus full house Tesla solar power battery; backup/generator in garage with new circuit panel; and more!</p><p>Take a virtual tour of the property =&gt; <a href="https://www.seetheproperty.com/478354" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.seetheproperty.com/478354</a></p><p>To learn more about this property, contact Laura Freed Ancona <a href="https://www.williampitt.com/our-agents/list/lauraancona" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>

<p><strong>A.C.T. of CT now accepting applications for the 2025 Posthumous Prodigy Productions Fellowship for Musicians</strong></p><p>A.C.T. of CT is proud to announce that applications are now open for the 2025 Posthumous Prodigy Productions Fellowship Award, a prestigious initiative honoring the memory of the late Bryan Gallace of Southport, Connecticut. This fellowship, created in tribute to Bryan’s extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication to music, provides a transformative opportunity for emerging musicians.</p><p>Bryan Gallace, a 2014 graduate of Fairfield Ludlowe High School and the Regional Center for the Arts, was a gifted musician whose passion for his craft was evident from an early age. As a senior at Berklee College of Music, pursuing a B.A. in Professional Music, Bryan’s promising career was tragically cut short at just 21 years old. In addition to his musical brilliance, he was a passionate advocate for equality and justice.</p><p>The Posthumous Prodigy Productions Fellowship was established by Caroline Kellen, a founding board member of A.C.T. of CT and a director of the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation. She reflects, <em>"A light like Bryan’s can never be allowed to fade. It is a privilege to honor his spirit by supporting and amplifying the voices of other gifted musicians.”</em></p><p>Each year, the fellowship awards a one-time grant of $30,000 to a selected musician, empowering them to create and develop new musical works—across any genre—and further their professional growth.</p><p>A.C.T. of CT’s Artistic Director, <strong>Daniel C. Levine</strong>, shares, <em>“We are honored to help carry forward Bryan Gallace’s legacy through this fellowship. It is incredibly rewarding to witness the impact this support has on deserving artists.”</em></p><p>A.C.T. of CT’s Resident Music Supervisor, <strong>Bryan Perri</strong>, serves as the fellowship’s advisor, working closely with the selection committee to identify and support outstanding talent.</p><p>Musicians interested in applying can find detailed eligibility requirements and application guidelines at <a href="www.actofct.org/posthumous-prodigy-productions" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.actofct.org/posthumous-prodigy-productions</a>. The deadline for submissions is <strong>April 15, 2025</strong>.</p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ridgefield High School grad and former HamletHub intern has been off the grid for a while, and she hasn’t been on vacation or enjoying solace in a faraway place. The spunky, smart, and oh-so-joyful 27-year-old has been fighting for her life.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And now, she’s sharing her story with the world. Amber just penned: </span><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">My Inflamed Brain </em><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">a fight against Anti-Dopamine Receptor 2 Antibody-Positive Autoimmune Encephalitis.</em></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The synopsis reads:</span></p><p><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Picture this: You wake up one morning as a 10-year-old unable to swallow, a skill you had just last night. You've lost the ability to swallow. Trying to swallow your own saliva causes you to feel like you're choking. Water scares you. Food scares you now. Your desperate parents take you from specialist to specialist who cannot figure out what's going on and provide diagnoses that make no sense to you all. 10 years later, your symptoms have multiplied and worsened and you're held in a psychiatric ward against your and your parents' will. Everyone thinks you're "mentally ill", but one doctor thinks differently and discovers your immune system is attacking your own healthy brain, causing inflammation. Your body has produced antibodies against the Dopamine 2 receptor. That inflammation led to neuropsychiatric symptoms. This neuroimmune condition is called Anti-Dopamine Receptor 2 Antibody-Positive Autoimmune Encephalitis. Now 27-year-old Amber Bodeur will take you along on her journey with Autoimmune Encephalitis and all the lengths she had to go to treat it to finally achieve remission.</em></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Amber Bodeur shared the news on Instagram @</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/amberinhayati/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">amberinhayati</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> saying, “SURREAL experience to be holding my autobiography: My Inflamed Brain. I started writing this book in April of 2024 and less than a year later, it is published. This book takes you through my illness, pretty much from the start all the way to remission now. I am so grateful for my parents, family, friends, doctors, and teachers for supporting me always!”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">My Inflamed Brain is</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Inflamed-Brain-Anti-Dopamine-Antibody-Positive-Encephalitis-ebook/dp/B0DV4X773L/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ONC9KFV06OZ5&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4QrsPmdYTC6MW-Earb2fQvk6JaL7Sx70awW2jN-YZcIDj5Oa91Yi6fLeZ59S__I3ZobHswc6CcVP2TZw-uPE_w.pxFBzOgYWLPxO5qo1xTiCDkVxfmW1CAfLZ5pUytigKc&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=My+Inflamed+Brain&amp;qid=1740086023&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=my+inflamed+bra%2Cstripbooks%2C820&amp;sr=1-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"> now available</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> on Kindle and in paperback and hardcover.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Congratulations Amber! We are so happy you are in remission and can add “author” to your list of incredible accomplishments!</span></p><p><br></p>