Health + Wellness

Quiet Light Counseling

How Lauren Buckley Transformed Her Personal Pain Into Professional Purpose Article by Katie Parry | Photography by Veronica Green Photography When she was a little girl, Lauren Buckley used to daydream about getting married and having a big family. “All I ever wanted was to get married,” she recalls. “I wanted to have seven kids. That’s all I ever wanted! I was so excited when I got pregnant. I was so happy.” We’re sitting on cozy, overstuffed furniture in the office of her private practice...

Entertainment

It’s Babs!

Barbara Costello Dishes on @brunchwithbabs and her Spectacular Second Act Article by Katie Parry Unless you’ve consciously uncoupled from both social media and mainstream media, chances are you’ve heard of Brunch with Babs. And if you live in Ridgefield, you almost certainly have. Barbara Costello never set out to become “America’s most lovable grandma.” She wasn’t trying to go viral. She never even dreamed of becoming a New York Times –bestselling author! For Barb, the center of her...

Local Services

Founders Hall

The Power of Gratitude in Ridgefield Article by Jessica Mancini | Photography by Kate Wark Photography Gratitude in Ridgefield is more than a passing feeling. It is part of the rhythm of life here, as familiar as the glow of storefronts along Main Street on a winter evening or the voices of neighbors greeting one another at the market. It lives in the small gestures that bind us together and in the traditions that make this town feel like home. At Founders Hall, gratitude is something we see...

Travel

Off-Peak, On Point

Where to Go—When Everyone Else Isn’t Article by Kelly Berlin With the school year now in full swing, we’re dishing out a little dose of inspo for the upcoming holiday breaks. Our best advice: skip the most hyped-up hotspots and well-trodden locales, and go slightly off-season and off-the-beaten-path to find fewer crowds, lower prices, and more fun-filled adventures! For December Break Going into panic mode while searching for flights to FLL or MIA during the festive season? Close that...

Food + Beverage

Chef Irene’s Filipino Pancit

Stir-Fried Noodles with Chicken and Vegetables Article by Irene Santos 1 cup cabbage, thinly sliced 1 cup carrots, thinly sliced 1 cup green beans sliced on the bias 1 cup yellow onion, finely chopped 3 teaspoons minced garlic 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 whole chicken 2 cups low sodium chicken broth 10 cups water 2 tablespoons soy sauce 8 ounces rice noodles 1/4 cup chopped spring onion plus more for garnish 1/2 cup chopped cilantro Freshly ground black pepper ...

Food + Beverage

Elicit Brewing Company

Elicit’s New Danbury Location Brings Craft Beer, Cocktails, Food, and Fun Together Under One Roof Article by Katie Parry | Photography by Garrett Uhde and Adonis Giantomidis of Defining Studios Elicit Brewing Company—with its dozens of craft beers on tap, separate cocktail lounge, shuffleboard and cornhole bar games, and elevated pub fare—feels like bar-hopping to several different places in one night. The Danbury location, which opened in July, is the third Elicit in Connecticut. Parent...

Food + Beverage

She’s On a Roll

Chef Irene Santos of Spring Roll Supper Club Brings Sizzling Flavors of the Philippines to Ridgefield Article by Kelly Berlin In Filipino culture, it’s good luck to eat noodles on special occasions like birthdays, weddings, and graduations. The lengthy noodles or “Pancit” represent the threads of life and must be eaten without being cut to preserve the fortune of a long life. Chef Irene Santos of Spring Roll Supper Club brings a little bit of good fortune and a whole lot of distinctive flavor...

Food + Beverage

Ridgefield Bagels and Bakes

Two Chefs, a Storied Shop, and the Sourdough that Started it All Article by Katie Parry | Photography by Annie Fandl Photography Emily and Gary King’s meet-cute is something straight out of a Nora Ephron movie. She was a pastry chef at a renowned farm-to-table restaurant; he was the sous chef. When Emily left to help open a new spot, Gary found himself covering pastries—and texting her for advice. One thing led to another, and today the couple is in their second year as owners of Ridgefield...

Home + Design

Studio CME

Blending Interior Design and Architecture to Create Spaces and Places for the Modern World Article by Katie Parry | Photography by Jennifer Zarine Photography Christine Everett, founder of Studio CME, has long been drawn to the visual arts. Growing up, she often exhibited her artwork and dreamed of turning her passion for clothing and garment construction into a career in fashion. After studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology for a time, she ultimately changed course, choosing to...

Wellness

Elevating Families

How SpireTHERAPY Is Redefining Mental Health Support for Kids and Parents Article by Katie Parry | Photography by Natasha Fleming Denise Santangelo may be petite in stature, but she’s impossible to miss. Whether she’s sporting sky-high heels, donning her signature cowboy hat, or wearing a Rubik’s Cube dress (she learned to solve the puzzle in her 40s), the founder of SpireTHERAPY radiates warmth, energy, and compassion. A former litigator in New York City, Denise pivoted careers in the late...