<p>The Wilton Board of Selectmen held a Public Hearing on May 5, 2025 regarding a proposed&nbsp;lease between the Town of Wilton and the Friends of Ambler Farm, Inc., which manages&nbsp;the operations and programs at Ambler Farm for the Town of Wilton. The Board of&nbsp;Selectman plans to vote on the terms of the lease at its regularly scheduled meeting on&nbsp;May 20, 2025. The Board of Selectmen invites members of the public who were unable to&nbsp;attend the Public Hearing to submit their comments about the lease before the May 20th meeting to the First Selectman at toni.boucher@wiltonct.gov&nbsp;</p><p>For a copy of the lease visit <a href="https://www.wiltonct.gov/board-selectmen/pages/ambler-farm-lease" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.wiltonct.gov/board-selectmen/pages/ambler-farm-lease</a></p><p>*Image courtesy Ambler Farm</p>

<p><strong>Protect Your Privacy at Fairfield County Bank’s Shred Day in Norwalk</strong></p><p>Fairfield County Bank is helping community members take a proactive step in protecting their privacy with a free Shred Day event on <strong>Saturday, May 10, 2025</strong>, from <strong>9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.</strong> at the <strong>Broad River Office</strong>, located at <strong>121 New Canaan Avenue, Norwalk, CT</strong>.</p><p>Open to the public, the event invites individuals and households to safely dispose of sensitive personal documents, reducing the risk of identity theft. Whether you're clearing out old tax returns, medical records, utility bills, or other paperwork containing confidential information, this is a secure and convenient way to ensure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.</p><p>Common items accepted include:</p><ul><li>Tax documents</li><li>Medical records</li><li>Utility bills</li><li>Credit card statements</li><li>Payroll information</li><li>Any documents with personal identifying details</li></ul><p>Hosted in partnership with ProShred Security, the event is part of Fairfield County Bank’s ongoing commitment to community security and financial wellness. Please note that Fairfield County Bank is not affiliated with ProShred Security.</p><p>To learn more about what to bring and what to expect, visit:</p><p> <a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/ShredDays2025/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/ShredDays2025/index.html</a></p><p>Have questions? Contact Fairfield County Bank at 203-431-7431 </p>

<p>This spring, Emerson College students, including Eleanor Winrow of Wilton participated in Red Wolf, a show about a monster that knocks on a grieving family's door. The show set stage from March 26-29 in Emerson College's Greene Theater.</p><p>Written by Madison Mondeaux ('26) and directed by Joe Antoun, the play follows teenage Jamie and her family as an urban legend hunts them down one by one. Most notably, the production won the Rod Parker Playwrighting Fellowship for NewFest 2025, Emerson Stage's annual celebration of new works.</p><p>Emerson Stage and the Department of Performing Arts are where the next generation of actors, designers, stage managers, technicians, administrators, and educators work alongside distinguished faculty, professional staff, and visiting artists to bring skills learned in the classroom to vibrant life on stage.</p><p><br></p>

<p><strong>Cultivating a Sustainable Future: Wilton’s Commitment to Ambler Farm</strong></p><p>Twenty-five years ago, the Town of Wilton made a promise—to preserve Ambler Farm not as a relic of the past, but as a living, breathing resource for the future. Today, that promise stands ready to be fulfilled as the final phase of restoring the historic <em>Raymond Ambler House</em> nears completion.</p><p>When Wilton purchased the 22-acre Ambler Farm property in 1999 from the Elizabeth Raymond Ambler Trust, it inherited not only a landscape rich with agricultural and architectural history, but also a responsibility: to restore and maintain the Victorian farmhouse and surrounding barns for public benefit. The deed of sale made that obligation clear—these buildings were to be brought up to code and put to use for education and agriculture, serving the community that had invested in their preservation.</p><p>In 2005, <em>Friends of Ambler Farm</em> (FoAF), a dedicated nonprofit partner, stepped up to bring that vision to life. Though never intended to assume the Town’s financial burden, FoAF has since shouldered the lion’s share of the work, raising over $11 million to create educational programs, community events, and hands-on experiences that have drawn more than 25,000 visitors annually. In doing so, it has turned Ambler Farm into a regional treasure—and a true cost savings for the Town of Wilton.</p><p>More than $1.2 million has already been invested in restoring the Raymond Ambler House, ensuring its structural integrity and preparing it for community use. This final round of funding will bring the space to life—as a classroom, a gathering place, an office, a porch for morning coffee, and a home for the kind of connections that make Wilton feel like Wilton.</p><p>What lies ahead is not merely the restoration of a house—it’s the completion of a commitment. Once finished, the Raymond Ambler House will stand as a physical embodiment of Wilton’s agricultural heritage and its community spirit: an environment where past and present meet, and where future generations will continue to learn and grow.</p><p>At this year’s <strong>Annual Town Meeting</strong>, residents will have the opportunity to support this vision through a bonding proposal for the completion of the Raymond Ambler House. This is more than a vote—it’s a moment to reaffirm Wilton’s investment in its values, its history, and its future.</p><p><strong>Voting will take place at Wilton High School Clune Center:</strong></p><ul><li><em>Tuesday, May 6th at 7PM (at the end of the Annual Town Meeting)</em></li><li><em>Saturday, May 10th from 8AM to 6PM</em></li></ul><p>For questions or to schedule a tour of the Raymond Ambler House, please contact Executive Director Ashley Kineon at ashley@<a href="amblerfarm.org." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">amblerfarm.org.</a></p>

<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Get ready to tee it up in style. The nonprofit USA Junior Golf Federation is proud to partner with Midspring women’s golf apparel to host a fun-filled Women’s Golf Day celebration on Sunday, June 1, on The National short course at The Golf Performance Center.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Midspring, co-founded by childhood best friends and Ridgefield High School grads Meredith (Maher) Carmody and Shannon (Galowski) Arniel, blends performance with polish. Their high-quality line of women’s golf apparel transitions effortlessly from the course to the everyday.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“Our line is designed with three pillars at the foundation of all of our styles: performance functionality, flattering fits and fashion femininity. We appeal to the most experienced of players as well as the novice recreational golfer and have clientele spanning all ages and stages. Regardless of your level of play, we hope our styles make you feel confident as you move throughout your day from the course, to courts, to calls, to carpools, to cocktails and everywhere in between,” says Carmody.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Women’s Golf Day isn’t just swings and putts—it’s a Sunday well spent. Think good company, a little golf guidance, tasty bites, bubbly in hand, and a breezy 9-hole round on The National. Guests will also have the chance to shop Midspring’s latest collection and enjoy a mimosa bar and brunch bites throughout the morning.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Grab your girls, your clubs, and make your way to The Golf Performance Center for a morning of fun, fashion, and fresh air. Whether you're a seasoned player or just golf-curious, this event is a great way to get into the game—or just enjoy a mimosa while browsing some great gear. No clubs? No problem. Registration is required to play, no need to register if you’re just stopping by to sip and shop.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"We’re thrilled to partner with Midspring to promote Women’s Golf Day! We want to work together to engage, empower and support girls and women through golf to build a foundation that creates a network to support the continuation of golf no matter what skill level while engaging in a charitable cause at a local level,” says Kim Genzburg, Executive Director of USA Junior Golf Federation.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The National, a 9-hole course designed for speed and enjoyment, offers a refreshing take on the game—quick enough to play in under 40 minutes and open for public play. Located at 824 Ethan Allen Highway in Ridgefield, The Golf Performance Center is changing how we play, learn, and love golf.A portion of the event proceeds from Midspring sales will support the USA Junior Golf</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Federation’s scholarship program at The Golf Performance Academy.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Register here:</span><a href="https://thegolfperformancecenter.com/womens-golf-day/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://thegolfperformancecenter.com/womens-golf-day" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://thegolfperformancecenter.com/womens-golf-day/</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">About Midspring</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Midspring creates refined, functional golf apparel for women who want to feel comfortable, capable, and confident. Designed to transition seamlessly from a morning on the green to the rest of your day, Midspring is committed to celebrating the everyday athlete in every woman. Learn more</span><a href="https://midspringsport.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://midspringsport.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://midspringsport.com/</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">About USA Junior Golf Federation</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A 501(C)3 non-profit organization dedicated to fostering and educating the next generation of aspiring junior golf athletes. The Federation is committed to providing junior golfers at The Golf Performance Academy with the financial assistance and support they may need to enable them to excel on their way to playing collegiate golf and beyond. Learn more here (I don't know how to embed the link :) )</span><a href="https://usajuniorgolffederation.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://usajuniorgolffederation.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">https://usajuniorgolffederation.org/</a></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>It’s Flower Time! Annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale Is This Coming Weekend!</strong></p><p class="ql-align-center"><strong><em>Wilton Garden Club’s Time-Honored Tradition Celebrates 86 Years&nbsp;</em></strong></p><p><strong>WILTON, Conn., May 5, 2025</strong>&nbsp;– The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wiltongardenclub.org/about-us/history/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;"><strong>Wilton Garden Club</strong></a>&nbsp;(WGC) will hold its<strong>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wiltongardenclub.org/upcomingevents/plant-sale/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;"><strong>86th Mother's Day Plant Sale</strong></a>&nbsp;this Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10, at the Wilton Town Center gazebo. This cherished tradition offers something for everyone, whether you’re a master gardener, a novice green thumb, or simply looking for the perfect floral Mother’s Day gift. The sale’s proceeds fund WGC’s year-round efforts to beautify Wilton and promote environmental conservation, preservation and education initiatives.</p><p>“Our&nbsp;plant sale is literally iconic,” Andrea O’Meara, WGC president, said. “We are frequently commended on its success, especially its extensive variety of plants, its rich history of 86 years, and our members’ enthusiastic dedication to the effort. We’re very proud to host such a special event for our town. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate Mother’s Day and kick off the spring growing season.”</p><p>From herbs to perennials to patio containers, the sale will feature an extensive variety of more than 4,000 plants that are sure to do well in customers’ gardens because most are locally grown by WGC members – either in their own home gardens, at the club’s community garden at Allen’s Meadows, or in the greenhouse at Wilton’s Comstock Community Center. Offerings will include:</p><ul><li>Organic&nbsp;<strong>vegetable</strong>&nbsp;<strong>and&nbsp;herb plants</strong></li><li>Stunning&nbsp;<strong>perennials</strong>&nbsp;</li><li>Colorful&nbsp;<strong>annuals</strong></li><li>Large variety of rare&nbsp;<strong>dahlias</strong></li><li>Pollinator-friendly&nbsp;<strong>plants, shrubs&nbsp;and</strong>&nbsp;<strong>trees</strong></li><li>Show-stopping&nbsp;<strong>patio containers</strong></li><li>Flowering&nbsp;<strong>hanging baskets</strong></li><li>Eye-catching&nbsp;<strong>wildflowers&nbsp;</strong>and&nbsp;<strong>native plants</strong></li><li><strong>Decorative baskets</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>china teacups</strong>&nbsp;filled with gorgeous flowers. (*Ideal for a Mother’s Day gift!)</li><li>Beautiful&nbsp;<strong>fresh-cut floral bouquets&nbsp;</strong>(*New this year!)</li></ul><p><strong><em>The plant sale will be held – rain or shine – at the Wilton Town Center Gazebo on Friday, May 9, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.&nbsp;Additionally, for extra eager gardeners, a presale will be held at the Comstock Community Center greenhouse on Wednesday, May 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.</em></strong></p><p>WGC members work throughout the year to prep for this amazing effort. Thousands of plants are locally dug by members from each other’s gardens during the months leading up to the sale. The members then spend several weeks potting and caring for the plants at their homes. As these plants are acclimated to Wilton weather, they usually thrive with proper care in customers’ nearby gardens. WGC plants typically also have a larger, more established root ball than plants sold elsewhere that are grown from a single plug and thus take longer to establish in the soil.</p><p>Haiku Durden, co-chair of the sale with Ann Margaret Mannix, said: “So much of what Wilton Garden Club does throughout each year is in preparation for this sale. It’s our signature event, and we love that it helps our town welcome springtime and celebrate Mother’s Day.”</p><p><strong>A Proud History</strong></p><p>Every year – rain or shine – since 1939 in May, on the Friday and Saturday before Mother’s Day, WGC has held its annual plant sale. In 1939 the sale’s venue was Wilton’s Old Town Hall with plants hand dug from members’ gardens much as it happens now. Over the years, the sale grew and moved to Center School in 1978. And in 1986, the opening of the fully automated greenhouse at Wilton’s Comstock Community Center enabled WGC to accept cuttings and plants from its members in early autumn which, still today, along with hundreds of seeds, are propagated and nurtured by members throughout the winter. To date, thousands of such plants as well as those dug from members’&nbsp;gardens are sold at the plant sale every year.</p><p><strong>A Community Effort</strong></p><p>The Wilton community is also actively engaged in the WGC plant sale. Foremost are the shoppers who come to the sale and purchase the plants every year, a tradition many of them say has been passed down from their parents. The American Legion provides much needed coffee for the sale’s volunteers, and Wilton Boy Scout troops have kept overnight watch after some plants went missing in the 1990s, naming themselves the Flower Guard. Wilton Girl Scouts recently joined the Flower Guard as well, alternating sleepover nights with the Boy Scouts. The scouts also help WGC dismantle the sale after it ends on Saturday, which the club greatly appreciates.</p><p><strong>Plants for Philanthropy</strong></p><p>Proceeds from the plant sale are used for WGC’s many philanthropic efforts which include:</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maintaining most of the gardens in town (post office; Veteran’s Memorial; town sign at Rt. 7/33; Schenck’s Island Chess Park; and Horseshoe Road Garden)</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cultivating native plants and eradicating invasive plants throughout Wilton</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Garden Therapy workshops with seniors at Comstock Community Center</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Holiday decorations throughout Wilton</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Holiday garden baskets to seniors through Wilton Social Services</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Charitable donations to nonprofits such as Norwalk River Valley Trail, Norwalk River Watershed, Wilton Historical Society, Wilton Library, Green Teens at Trackside, and Woodcock Nature Center, to name just a few.</p><p>For more information visit:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wiltongardenclub.org/upcomingevents/plant-sale/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">https://www.wiltongardenclub.org/upcomingevents/plant-sale/</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p>