Ridgefielder Jim Photis and his Irish Setter walk three thousand miles a year

Do you know Ridgefield resident Jim Photis? I bet you do. He’s the lean guy with the quick gait who takes to the Ridgefield streets and sidewalk nearly every day with his Irish Setter. Yes, Setter is singular. And yes, he did walk two Irish Setters up until a few months ago.

“Ivy is nine and is getting too old, her paws hurt when we walk,” Jim told me. “I sort of feel unbalanced now,” he said as he gazed at five-year-old Ellie.

I had a chance meeting with Jim and Ellie today inside of Town Hall where Jim took a pit-stop to pay his taxes. I learned a lot. I left Town Hall with a full head and heart.

At Seventy-one year old young, James Photis told me he walks three thousand miles each year. That’s more mileage than he puts on his car (by far). He has been walking for more than a decade.

He never married but had a close girlfriend who passed away in 2000. (I’m not nosy, with no prompt, he shared that - I promise). Now, it’s just Jim and canine gals - who keep him busy, active, and happy.

“I wouldn’t walk without my girl, it’s too boring,” he said.

Jim boils and de-bones 14 lbs of chicken thighs per week for Ellie and Ivy. “Thighs are the best for the dogs,” he said. In case you’re wondering, yes, the dogs sleep with him. “One on either side,” he said.

“Do you walk every day?” I asked. “No, I don’t walk if it’s below twenty degrees,” he said. “What do you do when you’re not walking?” “I sit in front of my wood burning stove and do crossword puzzles,” he said.

“Do you drink coffee?” I asked. “Never," he said.  “Do you drink wine?” Jim chuckled, “Yes.”

And then, Jim shared some personal fun-facts, life goals and wisdom.

He told me that he is in the running for the longest continuous resident of Ridgefield. “I moved here in 1956 when I was nine years old,” he said.

“I have a life goal,” Jim admitted. “I want to leave as much money as I possibly can to a scholarship fund for Ridgefield High School students.” He quickly self-corrected, “The students don't have to be from Ridgefield High School.”

Thankful for his education, Jim told me he would not have been able to afford college if not for two very generous scholarships he received. His financial goal? He wants to donate two million dollars toward scholarships for students who demonstrate financial need.  I asked, “Are you close to reaching that?” “Yes, very,” said Jim.

Two million dollars is a lot of money. “I made a lot of money in the stock market,” said Jim.

In 1971, Jim took two thousand dollars of his dad’s insurance money and invested it in the market. “It’s very easy,” said Jim. “I’m not a financial expert, I just learned by doing,” he added. From there, he began making a significant amount of money, carefully studying the market and making shrewd investments.

Ok, at this point in our conversation, Ellie was getting restless, rolling on the Town Hall floor, and letting out a few barks. The duo had miles to go before it was time to rest. 

Bets are on that we won’t see Jim and Ellie walking tomorrow due to the snowstorm. He'll be sitting by the wood burning stove doing crossword puzzles, keeping Ivy company.

 

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Submitted by Ridgefield, CT

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