<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This past Tuesday, July 23, the Ridgefield Playhouse released tickets for their Fall Gala featuring Elvis Costello and The Imposters with Charlie Sexton to members, with public sales opening today. Friday, July 26. Scheduled for Saturday, November 9, the Gala has already sold out, making it the fastest-selling Gala in Playhouse history!</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Following the success of their Summer Fundraiser, which featured a sold-out concert with the Goo Goo Dolls, this overwhelming response speaks to the caliber of the artists at the Playhouse and the enthusiasm from their supporters.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;“We are thankful for the incredible support from our community, and we can’t wait to celebrate with everyone this fall as we head into our 25th year at the Playhouse!” remarked Executive Director Ashley Paltauf.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Elvis Costello, a two-time Grammy Award winner and a member of both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is set to deliver an electrifying performance. Known for his timeless hits such as “Alison,” “Veronica,” and “Watching the Detectives,” Costello’s career spans decades and includes over six hundred published titles. His impressive catalog features collaborations with music legends like Paul McCartney, Roy Orbison, Chet Baker, and Johnny Cash.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For a complete list of upcoming Ridgefield Playhouse performances, visit </span><a href="https://ridgefieldplayhouse.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://ridgefieldplayhouse.org/</a></p><p><br></p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">The Ridgefield Farmers Market returns tomorrow, Saturday, July 27, from 10 am to 2 pm on the scenic grounds of Jesse Lee Church. This weekend, it coincides with SummerFest, making it a perfect opportunity to enjoy both vibrant community events. Check out the latest Market Picks from founder Corrin Arasa.</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Morning Delights</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">It’s going to be a perfect Saturday in Ridgefield, so stop by the market early (it opens at 10 am!) and grab some coffee and fresh pastries from the Bubble and Brew truck. Make some flower crowns with local fresh flowers from Wild Iris and The Hickories and have a picnic before heading down to SummerFest!</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Fresh Finds</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Every single week, each vendor brings something new to the table. Sweet Brioche has the season's first local peaches for her famous Peach Cobbler. Henny Penny has the season’s second harvest of honey, which has a deeper flavor than the first one, with notes of early summer—great to pair with cheese or yogurt. You can only get it here at our market!</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Specialty Drinks</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Cross Culture Kombucha is bringing seasonal Plum Blueberry made with locally grown fruit and a spicy Mango Habanero!</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Summer Harvest</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Tomatoes, corn, peppers, squash, flowers galore, and all of the summer crops are being harvested today to bring you the freshest local organic goodness to your table tomorrow.</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Hot Tip</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Pre-order the pizza dough from </span><a href="https://fattoamanobreads.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Fatto a Mano</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> (this is the only way to get it) and layer it with fresh veggies, pesto, and cheese for the ideal summer meal. Yum.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">A big thanks to our favorite Farmers Market sponsors, Fairfield County Bank, Karla Murtaugh Homes, and HamletHub, for all of their support! See you tomorrow!</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Visit the Ridgefield Farmers Market online at </span><a href="https://www.ridgefieldfarmersmarket.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.ridgefieldfarmersmarket.org/</a> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">and follow along on Instagram @ridgefieldfarmersmarket </span></p>

<p>The Peter Parley/West Lane District Schoolhouse will be open Sunday afternoon, July 28, from 1 to 4. We’ll be sharing some information about a former student who was part of the accomplished Goodrich family, which included, of course, Samuel G. Goodrich, known as the author Peter Parley.</p><p>Abigail, born in 1788, the elder sister of Charles and Samuel G. Goodrich, was the daughter of the Rev. Samuel Goodrich and Elizabeth Ely Goodrich. She grew up to be a minister’s wife and an educator of young women, which led to her becoming one of the first woman magazine publishers and editors in the United States. By 1837, her Mother’s Magazine had a circulation of 10,000.</p><p>The Peter Parley/West Lane District Schoolhouse is maintained as a small museum by the Ridgefield Historical Society and is open to visitors the last Sundays of May through October. Jack and Sally Sanders will be on hand to answer questions and there will be refreshments. For more information, please visit <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1Kzgp08qIDoOqc71146YkgiTcmbRokEm1DL6p3j31h3UEzfytnapbNfbs_aem_uCY2H2rz4MUZGnQgE3zFlQ&amp;h=AT1gcc-Hz4OmWroQ-ukAVPdwbOKO2rlKCaqvk7avKV0zH9P20PeXBfHFylLetldrjbG64--Ibt9JzAaeGH3fk2camrCx5bQedBmmn9XvVYuf58ZZCXYFP1SGm4-M9lFh0a2cr0o&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT09XmyQQVht9NfRJWXJmk-8GHQrNrY5v5fOqIxZiWFBc_zWevQ9n5BCh3pPs5XROTKWKHVUNIPinWt64vpTAlz2m3ZwEuEJJyAAFTlDjWeshDA-QtzASM-gDNSNPVhFxbmhttnyKcw5_ILMAg2jFrGK7SqW1YdiiKvb_gf8R3huvdsoTXC2897T4XfLC27-q-gEYiK-c3O8VpWdtptvGzJ_gLWztCIutmzA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/</a></p>

<p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The weekend and a glorious one it is expected to be! From SummerFest to a sunset run, music, celebrity softball and more - Ridgefield is the place to be!</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Did we miss anything? Add an event to our calendar&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/events/editor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">here</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Saturday, July 27</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/ridgefield-farmers-market-1721767896258" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Ridgefield Farmers Market is OPEN</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/summerfest-family-day-at-lounsbury-house" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">SummerFest Family Day at Lounsbury House</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/summerfest-1717617170325" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">SummerFest in Downtown Ridgefield</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/intro-to-babysitting-for-students-age-10-18" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Intro to Babysitting at Ridgefield Library</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/southwest-cafe-margarita-5k" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Southwest Cafe Margarita 5K</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/ridgefield-playhouse-announces-special-guests-for-bernie-williams-day" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Bernie Williams Day at Ridgefield Playhouse</a></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Sunday, July 28</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/meet-abigail-goodrich-whittelsey-a-west-lane-district-school-alumna-on-july-27" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Peter Parley Schoolhouse OPEN</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/charles-ives-music-festival-kicks-off-on-sunday-july-28-at-lounsbury-house-1721767164586" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Charles Ives Music Festival at Lounsbury House</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/yoga-and-reiki-workshop" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Yoga and Reiki Workshop at Meetinghouse</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/deep-sleep-meditation-instruction-returns-to-st-stephens" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Deep Sleep Meditation Instruction at St. Stephen’s&nbsp;</a></p>

<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">OMG take a look at these all-natural, chef-made sweet treats! Yes... please.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">Chef Bernard has been bustling in the kitchen, cooking up a storm with a delightful mix of new creations and classic favorites!</span></p><ul><li><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">Chocolate or Vanilla Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich</strong></li><li><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">Chocolate or Vanilla Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich</strong></li><li><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">Black Cherry Swirl Ice Cream</strong></li><li><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">Gluten-Free Buttermilk Fried Chicken</strong></li><li><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">Salmon Burgers with Grilled Lemon and Dill</strong></li></ul><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Visit&nbsp; À Table’s website </span><a href="https://www.atableus.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.atableus.com/</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> and follow along on Instagram @</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/atableus/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">atableus</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p>

<p>Things are moving along over at Ridgefield High School! This summer, a significant project is underway with the installation of a solar canopy over the student parking lot, aiming to reduce energy use and costs. Funded through Eversource’s Zero Emissions Renewable Energy Credit (ZREC) program, the canopy will provide 1.2 megawatts of solar power, enabling the school to purchase energy at a reduced rate.</p><p>Once complete, the Ridgefield High School Solar Canopy will offer an annual production of 1.5 million kilowatt-hours, equivalent to the energy usage of 100 homes. This initiative is projected to save the Town $1.5 million over 25 years.</p><p>The carport includes 1,938 solar panels covering 224 parking spaces. The project is investor-financed, meaning there is no cost to the Town or taxpayers. This addition complements the existing roof solar array at the high school, reinforcing Ridgefield's commitment to renewable energy.</p><p>Ridgefield High School is one of seven schools in the district that have been updated with solar energy equipment. Farmingville, Barlow Mountain, Ridgebury, Scotland Elementary Schools, and East Ridge and Scotts Ridge Middle Schools are all currently equipped with roof solar systems. Branchville Elementary is undergoing roof installation now, and Veterans Park Elementary is in the pipeline. Additionally, Barlow Mountain is scheduled to receive its second solar array this fall.</p><p>Schools are not the only town buildings that embrace solar energy. The Venus Building and Yanity Gym both started generating energy from their solar panels this past January, expected to save the town an estimated $20,000 annually.</p><p>“Ridgefield is committed to increasing the use of solar energy wherever possible,” commented Jake Muller, Director of Facilities &amp; Purchasing for the Town. “Garages 1 and 2 at the Highway Department are next in line to receive solar panels on their roofs.”</p><p>Ridgefield's dedication to sustainability is evident through these initiatives, ensuring a greener and more cost-efficient future for the community.</p>