<h2>Your Guide to the Weekend in Ridgefield</h2><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Friday, November 22</strong></p><p><a href="https://thealdrich.org/events/educator-open-house" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Educator Open House at The Aldrich</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ridgefield Guild of Artists </span><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/rgoas-festive-home-opening-weekend-preview-party" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Festive Home Preview Party</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/the-wailin-jennys-at-the-ridgefield-playhouse" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">The Wailin’ Jenny’s at Ridgefield Playhouse</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/wicked-at-the-prospector-and-qa-with-composer-stephen-schwartz" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">WICKED at Prospector Theater and Q&amp;A with Stephen Schwartz</a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Saturday, November 23</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ridgefield Guild of Artists </span><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/festive-home-opening-weekend-free-admission" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Festive Home Opening Weekend</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> - FREE Admission</span></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/tubby-tims-christmas-tree-stand-opens" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Tubby Tims Christmas Stand Opens</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/home-craft-fair-at-first-congregational-church" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">H.O.M.E. Craft Fair at First Congregational Church</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/mom-and-daughters-night-out" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">RPAC Moms and Daughters Night Out</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/friendsgiving-dinner-at-850" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Friendsgiving Dinner at 850</a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sunday, November 24</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/symphonychorus-christmas-concert" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">SymphoNYChorus Christmas Concert at Jesse Lee</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ridgefield Guild of Artists </span><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/festive-home-opening-weekend-free-admission" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Festive Home Opening Weekend</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> - FREE Admission</span></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/home-craft-fair-at-first-congregational-church" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">H.O.M.E. Craft Fair at First Congregational Church</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/the-smithereens-with-guest-vocalist-robin-wilson" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">The Smithereens at Ridgefield Playhouse</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/live-turkey-pardoning--scavenger-hunt" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Turkey Pardoning at Lounsbury House</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/acoustic-song-circle-1727774758540" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Acoustic Song Circle at Meeting House</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/tim-dillon--american-royalty" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Tim Dillon American Royalty at Ridgefield Playhouse</a></p><p><a href="https://thealdrich.org/events/all-ages-discovery-tour-14-5" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">All Ages Discovery Tour at Lounsbury House</a></p><p><br></p>

<h2>Talking Turkey </h2><p>On Sunday, November 24, 068 Magazine and Lounsbury House will partner for Ridgefield’s Second Annual Turkey Pardoning! Folks near and far are invited to join the festivities in front of the Lounsbury House on 316 Main Street. This year’s lucky bird is Pepper, a handsome turkey, who will be pardoned by none other than Rudy Marconi, Ridgefield’s First Selectperson.</p><p>The event will kick off at 11:00 am with lots of opportunities to celebrate the season and spread goodwill. EZ Moving, Ferrendino Enterprises, Chefs’ Warehouse and your own 068 Magazine are partnering to purchase gift cards that will be donated to those with food insecurity in our community and will be distributed by The Angel of Ridgefield, an organization which honors the life and legacy Ridgefielder Sharron McLeery with a mission of giving, helping, and supporting members of the community and Ridgefield Social Services. SOAR, a local non-profit, will be on hand and will provide flowers that can be used to bring a bit of joy to the holidays.</p><p>At noon, children can participate in a scavenger hunt, where they can search the Lounsbury lawn for Turkey-themed prizes. Then at 1:00, the big event! First Selectperson will do the honors of pardoning Pepper, ensuring that he will live a long and feather-full life. </p><p>Reusable, keepsake shopping bags that will commemorate Pepper’s Pardon, will be available for purchase, with the proceeds benefiting the Ridgefield Boys and Girls Club as well as the Ridgefield Veterans Memorial Community Association, a 501c3 that was established when the town of Ridgefield purchased the Lounsbury House. </p><p>Please come out on November 24th as we celebrate community and caring and of course pardoning Pepper! </p><p><br></p>

<p>Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff in honor of former Governor M. Jodi Rell, who passed away at a Florida hospital on Wednesday, November 20, following a brief illness. She was 78 years old.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Flags should be lowered effective immediately and remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not yet been determined. The Office of the Governor will send out a notification when flags should be returned to full staff.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Governor Rell was Connecticut’s 87th&nbsp;governor, serving from 2004 until 2011. She was only the second female governor in Connecticut history. She also served as lieutenant governor for ten years and as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives for ten years, representing Brookfield and Bethel.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">“Governor Rell represented the very best of Connecticut values, expanding healthcare and childcare, and making Connecticut one of the first states in the country to recognize same-sex unions,”&nbsp;Governor Lamont said. “She became governor almost reluctantly and at a time of great turmoil, and she used her newly acquired authority to bring stability to state government in a way that was very much needed at the time, focusing on strengthening state ethics laws and rebuilding the trust of the residents of our state. Her style of leadership was not fabricated or manipulated in any way. The Jodi Rell that the people of Connecticut saw in public was the Jodi Rell that she was in real life – calm, rational, caring, approachable, and devoted to her family and to her state. During this time that I’ve had the honor of serving as governor, she has become a very good friend. We had a great bipartisan conversation at the Rell Center last year and had a lot of fun at the annual holiday parties at the Residence. I will miss her at the door greeting Christmas well-wishers next month. We will all miss Governor Rell, who left the state a better place. Annie and I extend our condolences to the entire Rell family.”</p><p class="ql-align-justify">In accordance with the governor’s directive, flags will be at half-staff on the Connecticut State Capitol building and all other state-operated buildings, grounds, and facilities statewide. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, and any other private entities and government subdivisions are encouraged to lower their flags for this same duration of time. Since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">&nbsp;</p><p><br></p>

<p>RIDGEFIELD – Open your holiday season right with a powerful, inspiring evening of familiar carols and sacred music on Saturday, Nov. 23 when The SymphoNYChorus presents its annual Christmas concert at Jesse Lee Church.</p><p>New York City’s premiere choir and orchestra, The SymphoNYChorus is a Christian, faith-based community of vocalists and instrumentalists committed to sharing the message of God’s love with musical creativity, passion and excellence. Its director is Henric Ideström, Jesse Lee’s interim music minister.</p><p>Their 7 p.m. concert will feature renditions of favorite Christmas carols and classical seasonal pieces as well. This exciting and passionate company will have your spirits soaring. Their annual holiday performances always fill Jesse Lee’s sanctuary with people and with joyous music.</p><p>There’s no admission fee, but an offering will be taken. </p><p>Learn more about the SymphoNYChorus at <a href="http://www.thesymphonychorus.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">www.thesymphonychorus.com</a>. Or follow them on Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/thesymphonychorus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">www.facebook.com/thesymphonychorus</a>.</p><p>Jesse Lee Church is at 207 Main St. (at Branchville Road). For details about other advent-season events, including services on Christmas Eve, call the church office at (203) 438-8791 or go to <a href="http://www.jesseleechurch.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">www.jesseleechurch.com</a>.</p>

<p>Ridgefield is welcoming a new festive holiday tradition this year, thanks to resident Cynthia Long, who was inspired by her many Christmas Eves spent caroling at Washington Square Park in New York City. After moving to Ridgefield last year, Long decided to bring the festive magic of community caroling to her new hometown.</p><p>“We are so excited to bring our favorite NYC holiday tradition—Christmas Eve caroling—to Ridgefield this year!” said Long. “This will be a free community event in Ballard Park, and our mission is simple: to build community and share the joy of the holiday season with Ridgefield friends and neighbors.”</p><p>The event will take place at the gazebo in Ballard Park on December 24, from 5 to 6 PM. All are invited to join their neighbors for an evening of music, community spirit, and holiday cheer. Free songbooks will be provided, but many of the tunes—ranging from secular carols to traditional hymns and even a few Hanukkah favorites—are sure to be familiar.</p><p>The caroling is open to everyone, from seasoned singers to those just looking to soak in the festive atmosphere. Song leaders will guide the group, making it easy for participants of all ages to join in the fun.</p><p>Whether you’re new to Ridgefield or a lifelong resident, this event promises to be a joyful way to celebrate the season and connect with neighbors.</p><p><strong>Event Details:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>What:</strong> Christmas Eve Caroling in Ballard Park</li><li><strong>When:</strong> December 24, 5 to 6 PM</li><li><strong>Where:</strong> The Gazebo at Ballard Park</li><li><strong>Cost:</strong> Free!</li></ul><p>For questions or more information, email <strong>ridgefield.caroling@gmail.com</strong>.</p><p>Follow along on social media for updates:</p><ul><li><strong>Facebook:</strong> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1312986123390844/?rdid=S8O1XMHYLrvfMr5Z&amp;share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F15HEWisiMN%2F" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Christmas Eve Caroling in Ridgefield</a></li><li><strong>Instagram:</strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ridgefield.caroling/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@ridgefield.caroling</a></li></ul><p>Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to be part of Ridgefield’s newest holiday tradition!</p>

<p><strong style="color: rgb(32, 31, 30);"><em>WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME</em>&nbsp;CAST AT THEATER BARN</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(32, 31, 30);">The Ridgefield Theater Barn will present&nbsp;</span><em style="color: rgb(32, 31, 30);">What the Constitution Means to Me</em><span style="color: rgb(32, 31, 30);">&nbsp;starting January 31st, 2025.&nbsp;The play, by Heidi Schrech, is directed by Nancy Limbacher Meyer and stars Ann Alford, Timothy Huber, and Zoe Guaman.&nbsp;Performances will take place Friday and Saturday evenings from January 31st&nbsp;through February 15th&nbsp;2025 at 8pm, with Sunday matinees February 2nd&nbsp;and 9th&nbsp;2025 at 5pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p><em style="background-color: rgb(251, 251, 251); color: rgb(32, 31, 30);">What the Constitution Means to Me</em><span style="background-color: rgb(251, 251, 251); color: rgb(32, 31, 30);">&nbsp;premiered off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop on September 12, 2018. The play opened on Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theatre on March 31, 2019. Initially announced for a 12-week engagement, the Broadway production extended twice and fully recouped its investment, shattering box office records, for a total run of 24 weeks. Following Broadway,&nbsp;</span><em style="background-color: rgb(251, 251, 251); color: rgb(32, 31, 30);">What the Constitution Means to Me</em><span style="background-color: rgb(251, 251, 251); color: rgb(32, 31, 30);">&nbsp;played a record-breaking limited engagement run at the Eisenhower Theater at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., as well as two sit-down engagements in Los Angeles and Chicago before halting performances due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent;">Tickets are $35.&nbsp;</span><strong style="background-color: transparent;">ALL SALES ARE FINAL</strong><span style="background-color: transparent;">. Tickets can be purchased at&nbsp;</span><a href="http://ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org</a><span style="background-color: transparent;">.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent;">Seating is cabaret-style, and the audience is invited to bring food and drinks (concessions are also available). Doors open one hour prior to curtain.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent;">More information is available on their website,&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent;">www.ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org</a></p>