<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Celebrate National Cheese Day Wednesday June 4 with 109 Cheese &amp; Wine at The Marketplace at Copps Hill!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Dive into a world of flavor and discover the finest selection of cheeses. From creamy brie to sharp cheddar…their selection is seemingly endless!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And there’s something to every cheese lover!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Cheese and charcuterie platters are just a phone call away: 203-438-5757. And be sure to check out the 109 Grilled Cheese!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Stop by The Marketplace at Copps Hill – 109 Cheese &amp; Wine where the cheesy delights will make your taste buds dance.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Check out the </span><a href="https://files.constantcontact.com/b074dccb001/8af3a777-5f40-4a66-a5be-54d9dcb7e65a.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Platter and Appetizer Menu</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Click here to visit the</span><a href="https://ct.menumavin.com/carts/menu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"> online ordering platform</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Call 203-438-5757 or visit</span><a href="https://109cheeseandwine.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"> </a><a href="http://109cheeseandwine.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">109cheeseandwine.com</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">109 Cheese &amp; Wine is located at 109 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877</span></p><p><br></p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Join Fairfield County Bank to learn about the benefits of a 529 Plan tomorrow, Thursday, May 29. Start planning your child's future with Fairfield County Bank! $100 will be contributed to the first 5 plans opened*.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Refreshments will be served!</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">529 College Savings Day will take place at the following Fairfield County Bank locations:</span></p><p><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/branch-locations/new-canaan-ave-norwalk.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(12, 35, 64);">Broad River</a></p><p><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/branch-locations/chestnut-hill-norwalk.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(12, 35, 64);">Cranbury</a></p><p><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/branch-locations/danbury-road-ridgefield.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(12, 35, 64);">Danbury Road</a></p><p><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/branch-locations/post-road-darien.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(12, 35, 64);">Darien</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/branch-locations/post-road-fairfield.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(12, 35, 64);">Fairfield</a></p><p><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/branch-locations/federal-road-danbury.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(12, 35, 64);">Federal Road</a></p><p><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/branch-locations/danbury-road-georgetown.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(12, 35, 64);">Georgetown</a></p><p><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/branch-locations/mill-plain-road-danbury.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(12, 35, 64);">Mill Plain Road</a></p><p><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/branch-locations/wall-street-norwalk.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(12, 35, 64);">Wall Street</a></p><p><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;*Fairfield County Bank consumer checking account clients are eligible for one (1) $100.00 (non-Fairfield County Bank consumer checking clients are eligible for $50.00) contribution from Fairfield County Bank after a minimum of $200.00 in contributions are made with assistance of a Fairfield County Financial Services financial consultant to a 529 College Savings Plan within six (6) months of opening the plan. Offer expires on May 30, 2025. Depending on your state of residence, there may be an in-state plan that provides state tax and other state benefits, such as financial aid, scholarship funds and protection from creditors, not available through a 529 plan. Before investing in any state’s 529 plan, investors should consult a tax advisor.</em></p>

<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is releasing $30 million in state grants to 46 small towns in Connecticut (including Ridgefield) that will be used to complete a wide variety of infrastructure improvements, such as road safety reconstruction projects, emergency management upgrades, sidewalk and pedestrian safety enhancements, educational and recreational facility upgrades, and other kinds of capital improvement projects.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ridgefield will receive $280,640 in state funding for concrete endwall replacement on Canterbury Lane. This will be matched by $102,160 from the town.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The grants are being provided through the </span><a href="https://officeofthegovernor.cmail20.com/t/j-l-wittjkt-tlluktttuu-u/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Small Town Economic Assistance Program</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> (STEAP), a state program managed by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) that delivers grants to small towns for economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects. In addition to the grants from the state, each municipality is also contributing funds, bringing the total spent on the 48 projects to $43.4 million in a combination of state, local, and other funding sources.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Towns seeking funding under this current round of STEAP grants were required to submit applications to the state by February 20, 2025. Towns selected to receive grants will soon be contacted by OPM with an official award notification and further instructions. Funding to support these grants was recently approved by the State Bond Commission, a group that Governor Lamont leads as chairperson.</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 20);">Alexandra McCausland and Lauren Minor will perform in Four Seasons, their final ballet as high school dancers, the weekend of June 7-8 at The Ridgefield High School. They are both members of the pre-professional division of the Ridgefield School of Dance having joined the studio as high school freshmen.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 20);">Alexandra and Lauren have many years of dance behind them, and while not planning to pursue professional careers, both plan on dancing at the University of Connecticut, where they will attend this fall, studying psychology and environmental science respectively. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 20);">Alexandra started dancing at the age of two while living in London. Having performed in numerous ballets, the role of Arabian in this past year’s </span><em style="color: rgb(20, 20, 20);">Nutcracker</em><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 20);"> is among her favorites. </span><em style="color: rgb(20, 20, 20);">A Midsummer Night’s Dream</em><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 20);">, though, is her favorite ballet, the music and being on stage with her friends made it special. A ballet enthusiast, she also is part of the jazz company as a contrast in ballet technique. This love of dance has taught her dedication and hard work. “Dance is definitely a big commitment. Some weeks, it’s every day,” she said. “There’s a lot of training that goes into it so it makes you very focused.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 20);">Having danced in Wilton since the age of three, Lauren joined the Ridgefield School of Dance in 2021, a pivotal year when she was considering giving up dance. She found her passion rekindled in the Ridgefield studio, which quickly became her “home away from home.” Having performed for many years, she said she especially enjoyed her role as Mrs. Stahlbaum, Clara’s mother, in this year’s </span><em style="color: rgb(20, 20, 20);">Nutcracker</em><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 20);"> where she also performed the role of Sugar Plum Fairy. “It felt like a full circle moment as a senior and an apt way to conclude my many years of training. I get to act and dance; it was such a wonderful role,” she said. Besides ballet, Lauren has taken modern and contemporary classes, which broadened her perspective on dance. “They have helped me a lot with ballet and to have a different mentality,” she said. “You can get into a strict ballet mindset but having different ways of thinking about movement, your body and space is really great.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 20);">Spending most afternoons and evenings together develops a special camaraderie between dancers lending to a strong bond. They treasured the Sunday rehearsals and lunches with fellow pre-professional dance sisters. Both dancers expressed their appreciation for the way their teachers improved their technique and instilled confidence. “Ms Jess is obviously an amazing teacher. She is great during rehearsals and she has really helped me improve my technique while still keeping classes fun and engaging,” said Alexandra. Lauren agrees, adding Ms. Jess has </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 20);">“high expectations but also knows how to correct us in a very effective way.” “In Miss Jamie Rae’s class, there is this environment where you can try things, fall down, mess up and it’s going to be okay because we will all laugh together and figure out what happened…and make it work” adds Lauren.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 20);">“Lauren and Alexandra have been a wonderful addition to our pre-professional division and we will miss their dedication and poise.” says artistic director Jessica Boelts. “They have both grown so much as dancers in these past years, and as always, we look forward to their return to dance when home in Ridgefield.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 20);">Tickets for the June 7 and June 8 performances at the Ridgefield High School are available at </span><a href="https://www.theridgefieldschoolofdance.com/four-seasons-2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.theridgefieldschoolofdance.com/four-seasons-2025</a><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 20);"> or 203-894-5957. The Ridgefield School of Dance is located at 66 Grove Street.</span></p>

<h2><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Local Business Champion: MythBarkers</span></h2><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Meet Ridgefield native, founder and co-host of </strong><a href="https://mythbarkers.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;"><strong>MythBarkers</strong></a><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> podcast, Laura Petrucelli.</strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;</span></p><iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m2dQUcyjkY0?showinfo=0"></iframe><p><br></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">About the Founder</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Laura has spent her career building celebrity and corporate brands in the dynamic world of sports and entertainment. A former WWE executive, she has a passion for storytelling and creating content that leaves a lasting impact. Laura now devotes her time to helping rescue dogs get their much-deserved second chance at life. She has become a skilled dog “matchmaker,” pairing families with their perfect canine companion. A mom of three rescue dogs (now living in Wilton), Laura enjoys opening her home to dogs in need and volunteering with NY and CT-based animal shelters.</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">What is MythBarkers?</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">I recently launched a new podcast for dog parents called MythBarkers with my friend and co-host Yena Kim, the creator behind the successful </span><a href="https://mensweardog.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">MensWear Dog</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">.</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Your mission behind MythBarkers?</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Our goal with MythBarkers is simple: we want to make pet parenting easier and help enrich the lives of all of our beloved dogs. With the help of various pet experts, we aim to debunk common myths and misperceptions about our canine companions across four key areas: health and wellness, training &amp; behaviors, adoption and rescue, working pets and influencers. Each episode tackles a specific myth or misperception about dogs (like “is a wagging tail a sign of a happy dog?”), and we leave our listeners with helpful guidance, tips, and recommendations to use with their own dogs.</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">How can our readers listen to your podcast?</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Episodes of MythBarkers are available to watch on </span><a href="https://m.youtube.com/@MythBarkers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">YouTube</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> and listen to on </span><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2TVOurp8BWR18ZvkiXV4VY?si=vUs5mebeR1upyO847uydMw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Spotify</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">. We’re also in the process of building up our presence across social media on </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mythbarkers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Instagram</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">, </span><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mythbarkers_" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">TikTok</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">, </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mythbarkers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Facebook</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> and </span><a href="https://www.threads.com/@mythbarkers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Threads</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> where we regularly share short-form content from and related to our podcast, along with sharing our MythBarkers “MicroMyths” where we debunk a dog myth in 60 or less.</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Tell me a bit about the journey that took you to MythBarkers.</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">I had a successful career in professional sports and entertainment, including spending 9 years rising through the ranks at the CT-based media juggernaut, WWE. There I was able to have a crash course in storytelling, building brands, and using a platform to give back. Since leaving corporate three years ago, I’ve dedicated my time to the rescue dog space.</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Do you collaborate with any local businesses or nonprofits?</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">I work closely with ROAR in Ridgefield and SNARR Northeast in Brewster, NY, in various capacities, including as a dog volunteer, foster mom, and adoption coordinator. I’m also working with the CT Humane Society as they prepare to open their state-of-the-art Animal Resource Center in Wilton this summer, which is going to be amazing!</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Anything else you want the community to know?</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Having been a dog mom for nearly 10 years, I have to say I’ve learned so much more being fully immersed in the world of dogs, and I’m hoping to share my experiences, knowledge, and network to support dogs and dog parents in a larger way.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Tune in to episodes of MythBarkers on </span><a href="https://m.youtube.com/@MythBarkers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">YouTube</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> and </span><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2TVOurp8BWR18ZvkiXV4VY?si=vUs5mebeR1upyO847uydMw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Spotify</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Follow MythBarkers on Instagram @</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mythbarkers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">mythbarkers</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> and </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mythbarkers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Facebook</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Visit MythBarkers online </span><a href="https://mythbarkers.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">https://mythbarkers.com/</a></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">HamletHub thanks</strong><a href="http://www.jkinfordbeautygroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;"><strong> </strong></a><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;"><strong>Fairfield County Bank </strong></a><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!</strong></p>

<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tM_8HNEXzlQ?showinfo=0"></iframe><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">CHIRP concerts kicked off yesterday with Ridgefield High School Orchestra! The outdoor concerts in Ballard Park continue this Tuesday, June 3 with John Papa Gros and a special appearance from Christine Ohlman.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“Sharing New Orleans with the world is my calling,” says pianist and organist John “Papa” Gros (pronounced grow). “That’s what I have been doing and that’s what I’ll do the rest of my life.” For over 30 years Gros has brought his city’s celebratory culture to listeners around the globe. Gros mises all the sounds of New Orleans – funk, trad jazz, brass band, blues – and makes it his own signature gumbo. Learn more: </span><a href="https://johnpapagros.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://johnpapagros.com</a></p><p><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Underwritten with the Generous Support of Wadsworth Lewis Fund</em></p><p><a href="https://chirpct.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">CHIRP</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> - Concert Happenings in Ridgefield Parks are FREE, summer concerts are made possible by generous sponsors. Selectperson Barbara Manners is the visionary behind CHIRP.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Visit </span><a href="https://chirpct.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">CHIRP Website</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> for complete lineup and </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChirpCT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">follow on Facebook</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Mark your calendars—warm evenings, great music, and community spirit await.</span></p><p><br></p>