<p><br></p><p>(RIDGEFIELD, CT - April 29, 2025) - The newly formed Ridgefield Independent Film Festival Film Society (RIFF FS) will host three filmmaker education events at the <strong>10th Anniversary Edition</strong> of <strong>RIDGEFIELD INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL,</strong> <strong>May 15-18, 2025.</strong> All three are free and open to the public with registration at the links below.</p><p><strong>RIFF FS’s Conversations with Filmmakers Series</strong> includes a master class with filmmaker <strong>Brooke Berman: MAKE YOUR MOVIE (how to do it now for less) </strong>at<strong> 10AM Saturday, May 17th </strong>at the<strong> Ridgefield Library.</strong> Brooke’s film “Ramona at Midlife” screened at RIFF last year and garnered the OUTSTANDING NARRATIVE FEATURE award and is now streaming on Apple TV+. Brooke will give aspiring filmmakers the courage and tools to finance and make their own film. <a href="https://ridgefieldlibrary.librarymarket.com/event/riff-master-class-brooke-berman-110094" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Learn more here and register</a></p><p>Also at the <strong>Ridgefield Library</strong> is <strong>ANATOMY OF A SCENE, Friday, May 16 2PM. </strong>Filmmakers Dan Schechter (“Life of Crime,” “Supporting Characters,” “After Class”) and Brian Russell (“Not the Same Clarence,” “Silver Sizzle,” “Cascades”) will analyze and discuss the anatomy of a scene from five 2025 RIFF Official Selections with filmmakers: </p><p>Andy Keir “Persons Unknown”; Joey LaFrance “The Next Bells”; actress/producer Joanna Fang “Smiley Death Face”; director Brian Russell “Cascades” and filmmaking duo Jason and Brett Butler “Thanks for the Room.” This event is free to RIFF audiences and the general public. <a href="https://ridgefieldlibrary.librarymarket.com/event/hold-riff-119635" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Please register to attend</a>.</p><p><strong>The Prospector Theater</strong> will host <strong>ACCESSIBILITY IN FILMMAKING</strong> on <strong>Friday, May 16 12:30 pm</strong> in the Star Bar. The Prospect Production team will present an interactive exhibit showcasing the latest updates to Adobe Premiere captioning software including AI transcription features and their Graphic editor. Additionally they will be providing a look behind the scenes into how they create their Audio Description files for all of their content and materials providing info for best practices and accessibility. <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAJVmON3-ESLiYHFLqQSewPnMIxr7B8t_IbQ0xAXxVZGWKXg/viewform?usp=header" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Register here to attend.</a></p><p>Tickets are <a href="https://www.prospectortheater.org/riff2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">on sale now</a> on the Prospector’s <a href="https://www.prospectortheater.org/riff2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">website</a> for what will be RIFF’s first accessible film festival May 15-18. RIFF will screen a curated selection of 31 independent films from around the world with nearly all screenings accessible to persons needing accommodations for hearing (closed captions) or vision (audio descriptions). Accommodations may be requested through the theater’s <a href="https://www.prospectortheater.org/specialrequests" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">website</a> or at the box office.</p><p>Check out RIFFs 2025 programs <a href="https://www.riffct.org/2025-film-programs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">here</a>.</p><p>Purchase tickets <a href="https://www.prospectortheater.org/riff2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">here</a>.</p><p>Please visit: <a href="https://www.riffct.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.riffct.org/</a> and <a href="https://www.prospectortheater.org/riff2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.prospectortheater.org/riff2025</a> for updates and details.</p>

<p>Wayne Hathaway Tinker, affectionately known as 'Tinker' or 'Tink', born on January 29, 1931 passed away peacefully at his home of 60 years in Ridgefield, CT, surrounded by his loving wife and children, on February 15, 2025.&nbsp;</p><p>Raised in Wilton, CT, he graduated from Staples High School in 1949 and attended a few semesters at UConn’s agricultural program, before enlisting in the Army where he served in the Korean War as a medic.&nbsp;He spent many of his formative years on a family dairy farm in Canaan, CT, where he credited the lifestyle and lessons learned from his extended family with shaping him into the confident, hardworking, honest man he became.</p><p>The quintessential working man’s hardworking man, Tinker retired in July 2024 after a respectable 40-year career as an Organic Landscaper, preceded by over 30 years as an accomplished Mason Contractor. His craftsmanship is still visible in many homes throughout southern Fairfield County, from Ridgefield to Wilton, Westport, New Canaan, Stamford, and the surrounding areas.&nbsp;</p><p>A devoted and ever-present father and mentor to many, Tinker was not a religious man but he believed in and lived by the golden rule: doing unto others as you would have done to you. As such, always a man of action leading by example, he became actively involved in the early years of SCOR, not only coaching but also becoming a key volunteer. Without fail you would find him setting up and lining the soccer fields bright and early every weekend (and some week days), rain or shine, often with his son by his side, before heading off to work. This led to his decades-long involvement with Ridgefield Parks &amp; Recreation, where he proudly served as an active and engaged Board Member for over 24 years, instrumental in the growth and development of many of the town's athletic fields. Additionally, he contributed to his community as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Building Commission during the 1980s and 1990s.</p><p>In addition to his hobby as a skilled woodworker, Tinker was a master storyteller, both written and shared, known for his booming voice, animated mannerisms, and hearty, contagious laugh. He delighted in sharing tales of his childhood adventures on the farm, his college years, and his army experiences where he was affectionately known as ‘Doc’. In addition, he drew from his career which introduced him to a variety of characters along the way, from clients to fellow contractors and tradesmen. To know Tinker was to know a man who filled his years with life and joy.</p><p>Forever grateful for the time we were blessed to be part of his journey, Tinker is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Brigitte Tinker, daughter Andrea Tinker Nielsen, son David (Courtney) Tinker, grandson Andrew Tinker, and step-granddaughters Abby du Preez and Mia Pierandri. He is predeceased by his mother, Mary Tyler, father Theodore Tinker, brother Norman Tinker and many beloved dogs, including Muddy, Buzzy, Rhapsody and Maggie.</p><p>A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held on Saturday, June 7th at Ridgefield Parks &amp; Recreation, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.&nbsp;For those who wish to attend, please bring a treasured story about Tinker to share in his memory - whether written or spoken. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all gifts be made in his honor to Friends of Ridgefield Parks &amp; Recreation Commission, Inc. or Ridgefield Visiting Nurses Association.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p>The Town’s Form of Government Committee is transitioning from its research phase to one of decision-making as it seeks to discern what form of government will best serve Ridgefield residents in the future. </p><p>The Committee plans to make its recommendations to the Board of Selectpersons by July 1. Before then, it will hold public hearings, currently scheduled for Saturday, June 14 (10:30 AM) and Monday, June 16 (7 PM). The Committee also welcomes public comments at the beginning of each of its meetings, generally held on the first and third Monday of each month, 7 PM, in Town Hall’s large conference room. All meetings are livestreamed through the <a href="https://www.ridgefieldct.gov/form-government-committee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Town’s website</a>. Committee meeting agendas and minutes are also posted <a href="https://www.ridgefieldct.gov/form-government-committee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">there</a>.</p><p>To better understand how various forms of government serve people, the Form of Government Committee has been meeting with elected leaders in other Connecticut towns. Some of those towns share Ridgefield’s Town Meeting/Board of Selectpersons form of government. Others have modified that form, or moved to different forms such as Town Councils with Mayors or Managers. Over the past nine months, the Committee has also consulted with representatives from various government advisory groups for their insights on best practices in our state and region. Committee members have also met with Ridgefield’s elected leaders and Town department heads.</p><p>Using results of that research as the basis for much discussion and debate, the Committee is now considering whether hiring a professional with the relevant education and experience to assist with the increasingly complex job of running a town of 25,000 people would benefit Ridgefield. They are also carefully looking at the roles and responsibilities of the Town Meeting and Board of Selectpersons to see if some modifications could make each of those bodies more effective while maintaining voters’ voices in key decisions.</p><p>One finding is clear: civic engagement is key to good governance. The Committee encourages all residents to stay informed of its progress and to express opinions at meetings, hearings, or in writing to <a href="mailto:torfoga@ridgefieldct.gov" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>torfoga@ridgefieldct.gov</strong></a> .</p><p><br></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><p>As a small business owner and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Anthony Veiga brings a comprehensive approach to financial planning, further enhanced by a Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA™) designation. This unique combination allows Anthony to not only offer expert guidance in areas such as retirement planning, investment strategy, and risk management, but also to understand and address the emotional and psychological factors that influence financial decision-making. By integrating behavioral insights with technical expertise, Anthony helps clients make more confident, values-based choices, especially during times of market volatility or life transitions. This dual perspective creates a more personalized and resilient financial planning experience for both clients and prospects. In his spare time, Anthony is a proud and active member of the Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Department.</p><p>The Marketplace at Copp's Hill is located at 109 Danbury Road in Ridgefield.</p><p><span style="color: rgb(35, 31, 32);">For more details, visit </span><a href="http://www.vantagewm.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.vantagewm.net</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(35, 31, 32);">Direct / Text / Fax:&nbsp;203-341-7415 </span><a href="mailto:aveiga@vantagewm.net" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">aveiga@vantagewm.net</a></p>

<p><strong>The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra (RSO) celebrates 60 years of marvelous music at THE ERAS GALA on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Ridgefield Playhouse.</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>This exciting, entertaining evening, six decades in the making, will include a special performance by the RSO, featuring highlights from six eras (decades) of music, unique silent and live auctions, and a pre-concert cocktail reception for orchestra seating ticket holders.</p><p>THE ERAS GALA brings the community together to celebrate an organization whose mission is to enrich the cultural lives of the citizens of Ridgefield and the broader regional area by presenting musical performances of the highest artistic quality.&nbsp;The event also pays tribute to the history of an organization that has been a cornerstone of Ridgefield’s arts culture for decades.&nbsp;</p><p>“We have been celebrating the 60th&nbsp;anniversary of the RSO throughout the 2024/25 season with marvelous music presented in large concerts and smaller chamber performances, but THE ERAS GALA will put an exclamation point on the year!” says RSO Executive Director Laurie Kenagy.&nbsp;RSO Music Director Eric Mahl says of the event, “The performance of fabulous music that has been played by the orchestra in the past is a truly meaningful way to acknowledge such a significant milestone. Sixty years and hundreds of concerts later, the RSO looks forward to continuing the tradition of excellence in programming and performance, working to innovate and inspire into the future.”</p><p>Music on the program for THE ERAS GALAS includes fabulous short pieces or excerpts of significant pieces by Mozart, Charles Ives, George Gershwin, Aaron Copland, Antonín Dvořák, Mikhail Glinka, and Sergei Prokofiev.&nbsp;Great music performed by, and featuring, the outstanding musicians of the RSO!</p><p><strong>The gala event will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM at the Ridgefield Playhouse (80 East Ridge Road, Ridgefield).&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Eras Tickets, including orchestra seating and a 5:30 PM cocktail reception, are $150.&nbsp;Concert Only Tickets with mezzanine and balcony seating are $75.&nbsp;Tickets can be purchased by calling the RSO box office at 203-438-3889 or online at&nbsp;<a href="https://ridgefieldsymphony.org/eras-gala" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">https://ridgefieldsymphony.org/eras-gala</a></p><p>The RSO encourages those interested in helping to sponsor the event to visit&nbsp;<a href="https://ridgefieldsymphony.org/rso-genesis/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/THE-ERAS-GALA-1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">https://ridgefieldsymphony.org/rso-genesis/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/THE-ERAS-GALA-1.pdf</a>&nbsp;for more information.</p>

<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Join Ann’s Place on Wednesday, April 30 for an exciting evening featuring some familiar faces around town who will strut their stuff on stage while raising funds that go directly to supporting free services for cancer patients and their families.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This event will have you rolling in laughter in the aisles with award-winning comedian Christine O’Leary and will feature our wonderful models wearing spring and summer fashions curated by Elegant Ridgefield.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For more information, including how you can support the models, visit </span><a href="https://www.annsplace.org/all-events/2025/fashion-show" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">www.annsplacefashion.org</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Adult Tickets: $40</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Child Tickets (12 and Under): $20</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Livestream Tickets: $10 </span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Purchase tickets </strong><a href="https://ridgefieldplayhouse.org/event/on-the-runway-familiar-faces-benefitting-anns-place-ridgefield-2025/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><br></p>