Monday, May 31, 2021

Memorial Day


Memorial Day at the Lounsbury House.  Built in 1896 for a former Connecticut governor, the house has served as a center for the Ridgefield Veteran's Memorial Community Association and for the last 60 years has been Ridgefield's community center and an event venue.

Sunday, May 30, 2021

The First Congregational Church of Ridgefield


 This church was organized in 1712.  The current building is the third structure that has housed the congregation.  It dates to 1888 and stands on Main Street at the intersection with West Lane.

Saturday, May 29, 2021

Green and Purple


 I love the way this house echoes the colors of the rhododendrons.

Friday, May 28, 2021

Two Friends

 With masks coming off and places opening up, it was time for me to try doing some portraits again.


When I asked Gus to tell me about himself, he said, "I am just a man trying to figure out how to live the rest of my life."  Aren’t we all?  Gus lost his wife a year ago, sold his house in Redding and bought a condo in Ridgefield.  He spends his time visiting friends at Starbucks or riding his bicycle.


Rodney's answer was, "Me too."  He is one of Gus' Starbucks friends.  His rental across the New York state line in North Salem runs out this summer, so Rodney is trying to decide whether to stay here or move to another state where he has family. 

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Country Road


 The bus goes up and down this pretty road twice a day.  Nice job if you can get it.

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Deer Friends


 Since my teens I have lived in cities or near-in suburbs,  My Ridgefield home is my first in the country.

These are two of the deer that forage in the preserve behind my house.  If I ask them nicely to eat the ferns and the swamp cabbages, do you think they will leave my newly planted flowers alone?

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

The Hauley House

The Hauley (or Hawley) House is Ridgefield's oldest.  Many of the very old buildings in town have become museums or similar nonprofit homes, but this one looks like it is still in private hands.

It was built around 1714 for an early minister.  He also served as town clerk.

There are wonderful Museum in the Streets historic signs all around town.  They would make for a fun history walk, but so far I have just been checking them out one at a time when I happen upon them.  This one is near the Hawley house and gives some background.

Monday, May 24, 2021

The Aldrich

I have shown exhibitions at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum before.  Twice.

But I think this is the first time I have shown the museum itself (on the left) and the administrative building (on the right).  On a beautiful spring day with great light.

Sunday, May 23, 2021

Prayer Wall

Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church is on what used to be the Village Green on Ridgefield's Main Street.  The people of the church recently created a temporary wall where passersby can write public prayers on a chalkboard or put private prayers in a locked box. 

Saturday, May 22, 2021

New Yawk

 

I'm a Boston guy.  Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins, Patriots.  Even when I moved to Hartford, the balance was still maybe 55-45 Boston over New Yawk.  But, now that I am in southwest Connecticut in the summer, right up against the New Yawk state line, there are daily reminders that this is Big Apple country.

Friday, May 21, 2021

Canada Goose

 They are not my favorite birds.  (Poop everywhere.)  

But a stately Canada goose and its reflection warrant a photo.

Weekend Reflections

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Scott House

The Scott House was built at a prominent location on Ridgefield's Main Street in 1713 by an Irish immigrant, David Scott.  It passed through many hands over the centuries.  By the end of the 20th century it had become decrepit and was no longer suitable for occupancy, especially in the center of town. 

In 1999 the Scott House was acquired by a preservation trust and a fundraising campaign began.  The house was disassembled and, when enough funds were raised, reassembled several blocks away from the center of town.  It is now occupied by the Ridgefield Historical Society.

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Ridgefield Library

 

The library is a fine asset, at the northern edge of Main Street and the downtown commercial district.

It combines a handsome building from 1903 with an expansion in the 1980s that more than tripled its size and another major renovation and expansion completed in 2014.. 

Monday, May 17, 2021

"Storytime"


Storytime has sat on a bench in front of Ridgefield Library for twenty years.  It honors a retired director of the library, who served from 1975 - 2000.  The sculptor is Glenna Goodacre, who also sculpted the Women's Vietnam Memorial on the National Mall in Washington.





Sunday, May 16, 2021

JT Farm

 The towns across the New York state line are loaded with horse farms and wholesale nurseries.  On the way back from an errand on Friday, I stopped to admire JT Farm in South Salem.

It is a big, 51-acre fenced property with horses grazing in fields out of this picture. 


 Googling JT Farm, I learned that it is owned by James Toon and is a premier training, sales and show stable.  Toon is a leading trainer of horses for hunting, jumping and equitation.

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Kensico

I went across the New York state line to get something yesterday.  On the way back I came across Kensico Cemetery and Gardens, so I turned in.  The entrance and tower gate are attention-getting.


The cemetery has far more mausoleums than most other cemeteries I have seen.



The 250-acre cemetery dates back to 1889, when New York City cemeteries were running out of room.  It was built on farmland in Valhalla, because of railroad access.  Noted baseball players and entertainers are buried here.  I saw mention of Sergei Rachmaninoff and Anne Bancroft

Friday, May 14, 2021

The Rear Exit

Outside Hoo Doo Brown's back door is a colorful array of old advertising signs. 

I see some space for additions.

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Hoo Doo Brown

Ridgefield's favorite BBQ place is Hoo Doo Brown.  Some outlaws on the wall have been masked.

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

The Neighbors


I knew that they lived here, but I had not seen them this spring.

They appreciated the meal I provided.

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Growing Pains

I found someone to mow the lawn.  Later this week.  Better late than never.

Sunday, May 9, 2021

Happy Mother's Day

 

A veterinarian in South Salem, New York, has a pair of dog statues out in front.  This week they are wearing dresses and bonnets, perhaps in honor of Mother's Day.

Saturday, May 8, 2021

Ferns are a'coming

The fiddleheads are still tight but showing signs of popping into ferns very soon.

Friday, May 7, 2021

Lilies of the Valley


 I took a walk around the neighborhood.  One has a bed of lilies of the valley in front.  Nice.

Thursday, May 6, 2021

And Tulips!

 

Tulips are also usually gone before I arrive back in Connecticut.  This year I am still seeing many colorful stands of tulips.  This plot is in front of Milillo Farms, a small shop behind Main Street in Ridgefield.  It sells fresh produce and groceries, everything from steaks, seafood and prepared foods to freshly baked pies, cookies, breads, fruits and vegetables.  In season many of their products are locally sourced.

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

I'm Back


 I usually don't get back to New England while the daffodils are still in bloom.

They are nearing the end of their bloom, but it was still a treat for me to see them.

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Roanoke

 I stayed in Roanoke on the way back to Connecticut, as I did on the way south last October.

The Hotel Roanoke and Convention Center is a beautiful, classic hotel in downtown Roanoke, high on a hill across the tracks from the railroad station and the downtown.

The hotel connects with the downtown through a glass and steel elevated passageway across the tracks .

On the other side is the Taubman Museum of Art.  It closes at 5.  I arrived at 5:15.


City Market is a nice older brick building leading to a neighborhood of restaurants, bars and shops.  It reminds me of a smaller, less touristy and less busy version of Boston's Quincy Marketplace.

A brick wall in the City Market area welcomes visitors with a simulated old-fashioned advertising sign.

Between City Market and the railroad station there were throngs of well-dressed young people who looked like they were coming from a graduation or going to a prom, or both.

In an upper level of the railroad station, there is a big round 2010 sculpture by Edwin White.  Beneath the Roundhouse emulates the roundhouses that turned trains around.

Monday, May 3, 2021

Savannah

 On my way back to Connecticut, I stopped in Savannah the first night.

On past trips between New England and Florida, I often stopped for dinner at Six Pence Pub, but this time it was mobbed and masks were rare.  I have been vaccinated, but still prefer not to push my luck.


James Oglethorpe, founder of Georgia, stands in Chippewa Square.


There are charming houses on every block of the historic district.


It was date night.


Savannah College Art and Design is everywhere around the city, and the students provide a welcome vibe.  I am happy to report that art students love ice cream as much as ever.  The line was a block long.


The house that came into prominence with the novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a very popular venue for parties attended by well-dressed and well-heeled guests.