Author Archives: CT Buzz News
26th Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration Honors MLK + Local Resident
Ridgefield’s 26th Annual MLK, Jr. Day Celebration, A Free Event for the Community Stream Live Online or Attend in Person Monday, January 17, 2022 @ 2 pm January 17, 2022 marks the 26th anniversary of Ridgefield’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, honoring the legacy of the great civil rights leader with an awards ceremony, speakers and performances. Each year as the community joins together to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King, The Spirit of Dr. King Award is given to a Ridgefield resident for their outstanding commitment to service and selflessness. This year the award will be presented to Allison Stockel, Executive Director of The Ridgefield Playhouse. This free community event will feature performances by ACT of CT’S Daniel C. Levine and Bryan Perri, actress Kimberly Wilson, The Ridgefield Chorale, Ridgefield A Better Chance students, MoJazz Dance, Ridgefield’s poet laureate Barb Jennes, Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray and many others. This year’s celebration will be a hybrid of live and virtual performances, with attendees able to attend in person free of charge, or to watch live on the The Ridgefield Playhouse YouTube channel on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 17th beginning at 2pm. Over the years, the town’s MLK Jr. Day celebration has changed and grown – from standing on the steps outside of the Community Center, to becoming a larger event in the basement of Town Hall, to becoming even more celebratory when moved to The Ridgefield Playhouse in 2013. The words of Martin Luther King Jr. have been reiterated and celebrated year after year. The campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began soon after his assassination in 1968, but it wasn’t until 1983, when President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law, and it was first observed three years later. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names, or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000. Ridgefield’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration is a production of the Town of Ridgefield and the Ridgefield Playhouse. # # # |
Give the Gift of Creativity with Muse Squad
What do you get the child who has everything? How about the gift of creativity? A Ridgefield mom and business owner’s unique writing program helps youth in the community to build skills and polish their craft.
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” ~Albert Einstein
RIDGEFIELD, CT — For a child who is into gaming, the digital world, and other online activities, giving the gift of writing might not sound too appealing. However, when you present it in such a way as Ridgefield Mompreneur Brittney Richardson does, kids will learn through fun which makes it a win-win.
Richardson, the founder of Muse Squad, is launching her youth writing program this January. She designed the creative online course for aspiring young writers to hone their craft in a way that is fun, engaging, and unique. By the end of completing the program, students will have the start of a novel, a short story, or several standalone pieces to put in their writing portfolio.
With Brittney Richardson’s Muse Squad, kids and teens can enjoy the benefits of writing while working with like-minded individuals. Her writing-club based approach enables students to form lasting relationships and help initiate ideas they might not have come up with had they been working alone.
According to kids writing advocate Andrea Bergstein “Statistics show that reading helps develop your writing skills, but writing helps develop your cognitive growth, organizational abilities, and the power to influence others through persuasion. In short, writing powers the brain.”
She continues, “Studies show that children who practice creative writing more often are generally better in other subjects too like math, science, and languages. Challenging themselves to come up with creative thoughts and problem solve, builds the confidence and discipline students need to succeed in all areas of life.”
In the winter program Richardson said that she intends to “pass on the literary techniques and wisdom of outstanding teachers while demonstrating several of my own unique strategies for generating inspiration. I can say firsthand, that the people I met in workshops during grad school, were some of the most gifted individuals I’ve ever come across, and I found mentors in my instructors.”
Miss Brittney’s interactive teaching method and imaginative writing prompts will foster creativity and help tweens and teens find their literary voice. Each class has an original theme and allows time for students to read their work aloud.
To sign up for the program, visit the Muse Squad website by clicking here.
Westport Writers Workshop Offers Zoom & In-Person Classes for Writers of All Skill Levels
WESTPORT, CT—The Westport Writers Workshop (WWW) is offering a combination of online and in person classes this winter at their brand new space, located at 25 Sylvan Lane, Unit J, Westport, CT just down the road from their former location. Executive Director Liz Matthews stated that their new location features a gallery-like space with a large workshop/community space that enables them to collaborate with other local arts organizations.
Their Winter Workshops begin the week of January 10th and open registration is being held now through January 10th. Classes are limited to even participants to allow for helpful critiques from instructors and fellow writers. With over 100 workshops a year to choose from, WWW welcomes writers of all skill levels and genres with classes and workshops that are designed to suit any schedule, with options in the morning, afternoons, and evenings. Saturday-only workshops and one-week writing-intensive programs are also held at various times throughout the year.
Several of their winter workshops include playwriting, screenwriting, fiction, memoir, poetry, and the classes listed below:
Veteran writer Christine Pakkala will teach Writing About Your Life: Memoir for beginner to intermediate writers which focuses on the craft of writing about our own lives in either the personal essay or memoir form. They’ll explore the elements of storytelling that apply to fiction and memoir, as well as memoir’s unique role in making sense of life experience through reflection. Writers will receive feedback in an encouraging atmosphere.
“Our aim is to create a community of writers who support one another by practicing deep listening, compassionate responses, and thoughtful feedback. We recognize that writing is a risky endeavor and that sharing what we write in a workshop setting requires courage. As a community, we support one another in that endeavor by offering rigorous support and a gentle critique,” Pakkala said.
Intro to Screenwriting with Kate Montgomery introduces aspiring writers to the unique craft of screenwriting. Attendees will learn formatting, story structure, character development,dialogue, pacing, and the three secret ingredients to every successful screenplay. Each class is a fun, fast-paced mix of short lectures, group and individual writing exercises, and table reads with course materials you cna keep to reference later.
For those who are into poetry, Charles Rafferty offers students the opportunity to learn about the genre from a poet whose work was published in The New Yorker, Ploughshares, The Southern Review, and O — Oprah Magazine. Each week, participants will share a poem, and the instructor will lead a discussion of the manuscript, highlighting what is working well and suggesting ways to improve it.
For more course offerings this winter and to register, visit the Westport Writers Workshop website. The Westport Writers’ Workshop is an independent literary arts center offering enriching, supportive creative writing classes, as well as literary readings to the local public in Connecticut. Their organization also provides free writing workshops to underserved populations in their own communities. To learn more, visit the WWW SCHOLARSHIPS and SUPPORT US pages.
About Westport Writers Workshop:
Since 2003, the Westport Writers’ Workshop has been offering workshops for every level of writer, from novice to published! Our instructors offer friendly, supportive writing workshops designed to encourage, inspire, and spark your imagination.
With over 100 workshops a year to choose from, we welcome writers of all skill levels and genres. Our workshops are designed to suit your schedule, with options in the morning, afternoons, and evenings. We also host several Saturday-only workshops and one-week writing-intensive programs throughout the year. You can learn more about our workshops by visiting our WORKSHOP page. Let Westport Writers’ Workshop help you discover and develop your own unique writing talent and voice.
Our Philosophy: You can expect a supportive group led by an experienced instructor. You’ll write, read, and learn from each other. Focus is always on the quality of the writing – not on the subject matter. Writing begets writing. The more you commit to your writing, to showing up for your writing group, the more you will write. By joining a community of writers, you will become a stronger writer and influence others to refine their craft. Our philosophy and practices are inspired by Amherst Writers & Artists and Pat Schneider’s book, Writing Alone and With Others.
Our Mission: The Westport Writers’ Workshop is an independent literary arts center offering enriching, supportive creative writing classes, as well as literary readings to the local public. Our organization also provides free writing workshops to underserved populations in their own communities.
Our History: In 2003, Jessica Bram founded Westport Writers’ Workshop. In 2010, Jessica moved the workshops into the second floor of the historic building on 3 Sylvan Rd. South in Westport. In 2013, Valerie Leff bought WWW and became the Director. In 2014, Valerie created a Board of Directors and transformed the business into a nonprofit with a mission to offer enriching, supportive creative writing classes, as well as literary readings to the local public, and free writing workshops to underserved populations in their own communities. In 2018, Michelle Bradley came on board as the Executive Director, and in summer 2019 when Michelle’s family was transferred to Chicago, Liz Matthews took over as the Director. In March of 2020 with the onset of COVID-19, the workshops transitioned to the Zoom platform and were offered remotely. The organization grew to include writers and instructors outside of our immediate community.
‘Muse Squad’ on the Rise in Ridgefield
A Ridgefield mom and business owner tells the story of how her unique writing program helps youth in the community to hone their craft.
RIDGEFIELD, CT — Our Small Business Spotlight shines a light on local businesses that we may not know that well. This feature highlights Ridgefield Mompreneur Brittney Richardson who is the founder of the newly launched Muse Squad, a youth writing program.
To a beginning writer, finding a time and place to channel creativity is key. With that in mind, Brittney Richardson designed the online course for aspiring young writers. By the end of completing her unique program, Richardson said, students should have the start of a novel, a short story, or several standalone pieces to put in their writing portfolio.
- Business: Muse Squad
- Owner: Brittney Richardson
- Website: https://musesquad.godaddysites.com
- Address: Virtual/Ridgefield
How did you come up with the name?
Coming up with a name was a bit of a process. I wanted it to appeal to kids without being childish, and it was very important to draw in all genders. My incredibly talented husband did the logo.
Why start a business in this town?
We moved to Ridgefield five years ago, and obviously, fell in love with the town. I was researching creative writing for kids and couldn’t find much in our area. That’s when I got the idea for the program. I’ve always loved kids, and I’ve always loved writing. I knew that if something like this was offered when I was a teen, I definitely would’ve been a part of it!
What business are you in?
I think of Muse Squad as more of a writing club than a business. That being said, I intend to pass on and make accessible, the literary techniques and wisdom of outstanding teachers. I also plan to demonstrate several of my own unique strategies for generating inspiration. I can say firsthand, that the people I met in workshops during grad school, were some of the most gifted individuals I’ve ever come across, and I found mentors in my instructors. So why not offer this experience sooner than college?
What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?
Writing is kind of a niche hobby for middle schoolers, because it doesn’t really become mainstream until they get older. But that doesn’t mean kids this age aren’t just as talented or creative as students in MFA programs. The most difficult challenge is having to do this online, rather than in person like I was intending. There is a certain energy when a group of creative people are in a room together, and I will do my best to achieve this same experience in a virtual world.
Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?
I consider myself more of a tireless writer, and an advocate of kids. So no, I never second guessed it. Once I came up with the idea, I had to follow through.
What’s been your proudest achievement since opening?
The overwhelmingly positive feedback I have received, and the anticipation of our winter launch, which begins January 27th, 2022.
How does your business give back or get involved in the community?
I hope Muse Squad can be the start of a local community for young writers. This innovative class is not about graded assignments; it’s about honing your craft. My goal is to run meetings where kids can tune into their creativity and bounce ideas off their peers. This program will give
anyone who joins a chance to showcase their ability and express their point of view, and supply them with the space, tools, and confidence to explore their artistry.
Photo: Brittney Richardson.
Muse Squad business logo by Brian Richardson.
CT Veteran Owned Company Carries on in Marine Father’s Mission
“Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don’t have that problem.” ― Ronald Reagan
BROOKFIELD, CT—A local Marine who served in Afghanistan is following in his late father’s footsteps and honoring him not only in serving the country but also keeping the “mission-first mentality” that he learned while on active duty. Brookfield resident and business owner David Alger said that today and every Veterans Day is special to him because it gives him time to reflect on what his father’s service meant to him and how he is working diligently to keep his spirit alive.
“My father Jack Alger was in the Marines and passed away when I was just 17-years-old,” Alger said. “I wanted to follow in his footsteps and always thought of the Marines as the ‘elite’ branch of the military who would be pushed the hardest. “
The late Mr. Alger was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the Vietnam era. He retired after 35 years as a licensed plumber and was an active member of his community. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church Men’s Society; the Knights of Columbus, Housatonic Council 40; the Catholic War Veterans Giuseppe Leto Post 61; the Brookfield Lions Club and the Concordia of Danbury. Like his father, David Alger values giving back to his community and supports many local charities through his business, including Brookfield Football & Cheer, the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Foundation, and more.
“Ultimately it’s all about being mission minded, going above and beyond, and being honest. I want to set a good example for my children just like my father did for me,” said Alger.
For more information, visit eliteegroup.com.
Turn Your Basement Into a Home Office/Game Room with a Custom Remodel from Elite Construction Group
BROOKFIELD, CT—With the work-from-home trend continuing to take our nation by storm in the wake of COVID-19, many contractors are busier than they’ve ever been. According to Rick Welday of Forbes, “71% of office workers were doing their job from home all or most of the time last year. Additionally, nearly 93% of school-aged students reported some form of distance learning during 2020. These are huge numbers that underscore the drastic ways in which we’ve had to adapt technologically as the state of the world changed around us.” (Pew Research Center).
With the rise of work-from-home parents and learn-from-home students, finding space in the home where children and their parent employees can focus at the same time, under the same roof, is crucial to both of their success. With many families having several children and one or two work-from-home parents, finding a quiet space to concentrate can be quite a challenge.
So how are families solving the noise/space issue in their homes? Enter in David Alger, owner of *Elite Construction Group. “Now more than ever we’ve seen an increase in people rethinking their home living spaces. From home offices, to renovating a basement or garage and turning it into an office, family room or a den, we’ve seen it all. This trend is not going away any time soon.”
Alger and his team of designers, carpenters, and home remodeling crews have been busy churning out top quality family rooms, home offices, attic space makeovers and more to accommodate the rising demand.
“Businesses are trending towards having employees work from home even after the pandemic has passed because the cost in doing so is beneficial. This shift in the market has prompted some homeowners to consider major home renovations to develop these additional spaces in their home—whether it’s refinishing a basement, creating an office space in a large room, or a small addition.”
“More than a year into the pandemic, more than 56% of American workers are still working remotely, with 41% fully remote. This represents a 44% increase from prior to the pandemic. And of those continuing to work remotely, 82% hope to continue to work from home at least one day a week or more in the future. These sentiments are presenting a challenge to return-to-office strategies as companies look to retain their employees. In fact, many employees have expressed that they would look for a new job if they were no longer allowed to work where they choose,” Welday stated.
For more information on how you can turn your home living space work better for you and your family, contact David Alger at Elite Construction Group”: (203) 648-9995 or David@eliteegroup.com.
*This is a sponsored post. To learn more about your business being featured on CT Buzz News, please email CTBuzzNews@gmail.com.
Photo credit: Rendon VA
Westport Writers Workshop to Host In-Person Fall Classes in Brand New Space as Well as Online
WESTPORT, CT—Westport Writers Workshop (WWW) is pleased to offer an interesting range of both in-person and online classes this fall for aspiring to established writers. After operating online-only classes and workshops since COVID-19 halted operations, the organization is glad to have a safe, welcoming, place for writers to learn, grow, and network in a brand new, gallery-like space located at 25 Sylvan Lane, Unit J, Westport, CT just down the road from their former location. Westport Writers Workshop welcomes the community to an open house reception on Thursday, September 9th 6 from 6 to 8 pm. The reception is free and open to the public.
Executive Director Liz Matthews said, “After 17 months of offering our creative writing workshops remotely, we are reopening in a new space that we’re really excited about. This new location features a gallery-like space with a large workshop/community space where we hope to collaborate with other local arts organizations in this new space. Along with our workshops, we’ll be offering free readings and publishing events.in our new space.”
Board Chairman Anne Lonergan said, “We are thrilled to be honoring our roots as an in-person workshop that thrives on the energy created by writers around a table.”
Ellyn Gelman is excited to offer the first in-person class at Westport Writers Workshop’s new location, 25 Sylvan Lane, Unit J, Westport, CT. Inventing The Truth – The Craft of Memoir and Personal Essay will explore theme, dialogue, action, structure, scene, character, voice, style and timeline. The instructor will provide prompts based on-topic discussions. Once per term each writer will have the opportunity to submit ten pages for written feedback. This workshop is for all levels. The class will be held on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning on September 10 and running through October 22, 2021.
Intermediate Fiction instructor Jessie McEntee, who will be teaching in-person workshops on Monday mornings shares, “It’s an exciting opportunity for rebuilding community in a new space.”
For those who wish to stick with online classes this fall, author Libby Waterford will teach Intro to Fiction in a nurturing, positive environment.
“Each week we’ll talk about an aspect of fiction and then workshop our writing,” Waterford said.
Writers are asked to bring a story idea to the first class, or work on their in-progress fiction manuscript. Topics explored will include plot, character arcs, conflict, point of view, beginnings, and endings. This class is ideal for writers just dipping their toe into fiction, coming from the world of memoir, or who are having trouble finishing their manuscript.
The class will be online via ZOOM on Monday evenings from 7 – 9 p.m. beginning on August 30 and running through October 18, 2021.
For those who love words in the form of poetry, instructor Shanna Melton is offering a safe haven to gather online in her class, Poetry: Writing from the Inside Out.
“We will surface and honor the internal thoughts and perspectives that we have about life through the powerful medium that is poetry. The mission is to use prompts and other creative tools to motivate the creative process. It also creates a space to share and get a reaction from other writers who can advise us on how to enhance our work. This is a place to develop our writing,” Melton stated.
This class is held online on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 12 noon beginning on September 1 and running through October 13, 2021.
Adele Annesi’s class, Emotional Craft of Fiction: How to Find and Write the Story Under the Surface, teaches writers how to provide readers with their own satisfying emotional journey.
“We also look at how to craft the story’s emotional landscape, its emotional arc and meaning, the plot, and the reader and writer’s emotional journey. Each writer can email up to five pages weekly to the instructor and the group for detailed feedback. Discover the deeper connection with your story, your characters, your audience, and yourself. The workshop is suitable for writers who took the first Emotional Craft of Fiction workshop and those new to the concept,” Annesi shared.
This class is being held online in ZOOM on Thursdays, from 1 – 3 p.m. beginning on September 2 and running through October 21, 2021.
To register for any of these classes, visit Westportwriters.org.
Westport Writers Workshop will be hosting an open house at their new location, 25 Sylvan Lane, Unit J, Westport, CT, on Thursday, September 9th from 6 – 8 p.m. Executive Director Liz Matthews said, “We hope you’ll stop by to check out our new space, meet our instructors & other writers, and have a drink to toast the re-emergence of our in-person workshops and events! This event is free and open to our community. Come around back to our entrance – there’s plenty of parking. Bring a friend who is interested in learning more about Westport Writers! Music by Dustin Lowman and photography by Jim Waterbury.”
For more information, visit Westporwriters.org.
About Westport Writers Workshop:
Since 2003, the Westport Writers’ Workshop has been offering workshops for every level of writer, from novice to published! Our instructors offer friendly, supportive writing workshops designed to encourage, inspire, and spark your imagination.
With over 100 workshops a year to choose from, we welcome writers of all skill levels and genres. Our workshops are designed to suit your schedule, with options in the morning, afternoons, and evenings. We also host several Saturday-only workshops and one-week writing-intensive programs throughout the year. You can learn more about our workshops by visiting our WORKSHOP page. Let Westport Writers’ Workshop help you discover and develop your own unique writing talent and voice.
Our Philosophy: You can expect a supportive group led by an experienced instructor. You’ll write, read, and learn from each other. Focus is always on the quality of the writing – not on the subject matter. Writing begets writing. The more you commit to your writing, to showing up for your writing group, the more you will write. By joining a community of writers, you will become a stronger writer and influence others to refine their craft. Our philosophy and practices are inspired by Amherst Writers & Artists and Pat Schneider’s book, Writing Alone and With Others.
Our Mission: The Westport Writers’ Workshop is an independent literary arts center offering enriching, supportive creative writing classes, as well as literary readings to the local public. Our organization also provides free writing workshops to underserved populations in their own communities.
Our History: In 2003, Jessica Bram founded Westport Writers’ Workshop. In 2010, Jessica moved the workshops into the second floor of the historic building on 3 Sylvan Rd. South in Westport. In 2013, Valerie Leff bought WWW and became the Director. In 2014, Valerie created a Board of Directors and transformed the business into a nonprofit with a mission to offer enriching, supportive creative writing classes, as well as literary readings to the local public, and free writing workshops to underserved populations in their own communities. In 2018, Michelle Bradley came on board as the Executive Director, and in summer 2019 when Michelle’s family was transferred to Chicago, Liz Matthews took over as the Director. In March of 2020 with the onset of COVID-19, the workshops transitioned to the Zoom platform and were offered remotely. The organization grew to include writers and instructors outside of our immediate community.
westportwriters.org
Local Marine, General Contractor Offers ‘Mission-First’ Mentality to Homeowners
BROOKFIELD, CT—As a Marine who served in Afghanistan, Brookfield resident and business owner David Alger is committed to working diligently to render an outstanding work product. As the owner and general contractor of Elite Construction Group, Alger’s work ethic is strong because he has a “mission first mentality” when it comes to handling his clients’ requests and needs.
According to the Veteran’s Mental Health website, a “mission first mentality” is one that is task-focused, sets defined goals, and achieves them.
“Whether the mission is completing the obstacle course in record time, getting through tank gunnery, or getting a college degree, a goal-focused mindset is a huge benefit. Things had to get done when we were in the military, no questions asked. From getting to morning formation to start physical training to completing our part of an annual training exercise, you did the best you could as part of the team with the resources you had,” said Duane K. L. France, combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan and mental health counselor.
Alger agrees with France’s explanation.
“Veteran-Owned makes me feel like I am providing a top-tier service and product. I want our clients to know that we are different from others and feel it’s obvious from the first time we speak,” Alger shared from his newly opened Brookfield office.
Supporting local charities, sports teams, and the schools are also important to Alger as a local business owner and parent.
Alger served in the Marine Corps in Operation Enduring Freedom, a mission created in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. He specialized as a field radio operator and surveillance sensor operator and received several medals and recognitions as a result of his service.
After completing his tour of duty, Alger said he wanted to open Elite Construction Group business after hearing from family and friends about their need for an honest, quality construction enterprise in the area. He attributes his skill in leadership that he learned in the Marine Corps as a major contributing factor to his success.
“I started Elite Construction Group in 2013 because I wanted the opportunity to bring integrity into the remodeling industry while providing a great customer experience and Grade A product,” he noted.
Alger, who has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Information Technology from Southern New Hampshire University, utilizes technology for projects and said that coupled with stellar customer experience has helped his business grow.
“The transparency and communication our clients receive from start to finish is what keeps them coming back and referring us to their friends and family,” Alger said.
Despite the challenges of this past year due to COVID, Alger said that his business is growing by leaps and bounds due to the current boom of the real estate market. In addition, many of his clients are working from home and requesting additions and renovations for office space.
“At first there was an immediate pause [due to COVID], as people were leery of us coming into their homes,” he said, continuing, “the lack of workers, supply chain demand, and the drastic increase to materials that went up over 200 percent were also a challenge but we overcame that and are carrying on full steam ahead.”
Alger said that Elite Construction Group is “growing every day, and continuing to expand our teams.”
For more information, visit eliteegroup.com.
Ridgefield Area Children with Autism Can Find Refuge in New Learning Center
RIDGEFIELD, CT—Families who have children with autism or kids on the spectrum can find relief from the stress of scheduling multiple appointments with therapists, dealing with insurance companies and other related issues at the area’s newest child development center that is specifically tailored to their needs. Springtide Child Development Center is pleased to announce the opening of their newest location on Copps Hill Road in Ridgefield, Conn.
Co-Founder and CEO Jia Jia said she opened the facility in Ridgefield after seeing a great need in the area for the unique services they provide for families who are impacted by autism. Springtide opened its first center in Trumbull in June 2020. In this short amount of time, they’ve seen tremendous need and have gotten really positive feedback from the families they work with.
For Jia Jia it’s personal.
“When I was a kid growing up in Salt Lake City, we had a really close family friend with a kid with autism. They would fly their therapist from the East Coast to Salt Lake once a month, and then work with their kid on the therapeutic practices throughout the month, until they could see their therapist again next month. I remember how difficult this was for the family, and also how much the therapy helped. Nearly 30 years later, I am struck by how access is still a major issue for many families today,” she shared.
The center hopes to provide refuge for parents who struggle to schedule appointments across multiple therapists and have to navigate the tough waters of dealing with confusing insurance issues and other related problems by streamlining the process all into one place.
“I realized I could make a difference,” Jia Jia said. “Over the last 20 years, I have worked for some of the most innovative and customer-oriented healthcare companies, and I discovered I could apply my learnings here to really help families. We offer convenient interdisciplinary centers where kids can receive ABA, occupational and speech therapies in one location. We manage all the insurance paperwork. And we integrate our practices with seamless technology that improves the quality of our practice and enhances our therapist effectiveness.”
Jia Jia said they opened in Ridgefield because they loved the town Ridgefield and its community. Prior to Springtide, Jia Jia served in multiple executive leadership roles including Director of Operations at One Medical Group (NASDAQ: ONEM), SVP of Operations at Sandbox VR and COO of Oxeon Partners, and VP of Service Experience at Oscar Health Insurance (NYSE: OSCR).
Candlewood Lake Authority Shares Important Water Safety Tips
BROOKFIELD, CT—Marine Patrol is Ready for the Season!
Memorial Day weekend marked the official opening of the summer season. The Candlewood Lake Authority Marine Patrol are the first responders on the entire lake measuring 11 miles long, 2 miles wide, and 65 miles of shoreline spanning five towns. The Patrol strives to ensure all boaters share a safe recreational experience on the lake.
Assistant Chief of Marine Patrol Henry Dyson encourages all boaters to take extra time to do a safety check before they head out on the water. Many boaters have a checklist for opening and closing the boat. Create a personal checklist for essential safety gear.
- Make sure your drain plugs are in prior to launch.
- If you aren’t a mechanic, it is a good idea to have a certified boat maintenance professional give your vessel a once-over before you put the boat in the water to make sure it is seaworthy.
- Be sure you add fresh fuel.
- 4. Check the expiration date for appropriate safety equipment including your fire extinguisher. If you shake your fire extinguisher you should feel powder moving around inside the device. If the powder is not moving inside have the extinguisher checked by a fire professional or replace it. Instrumentation must be in the green. Check your vessel horn, and if you use one, your air horn.
- If safety gear is still in its original packaging, open it so you can quickly access it in case of emergency.
- Check the condition of your life vests, moldy or torn PFD should be replaced. Make sure all PFDs are the appropriate size for each passenger. Add an extra life vest if you pick up a passenger or two – or if you need to be a good citizen for someone in distress.
- Put a map of the lake in an easily accessible compartment.
- Make sure you have a charged cell phone and if you have one, an extra battery pack for longer days on the water.
Chief Nick Mellas urges boaters to use caution on the water this early in the season.
- Seasonal storms can cause large debris to be moved from the islands or personal property into the lake. Be on the lookout for natural obstacles and floating docks or vessels which may come loose around the lake.
- Water levels are variable, pay careful attention to hidden hazards.
- Be sure you read and understand what buoy markers are in your line of sight, give hazard buoys a wide berth. Never tie your vessel to a marker buoy.
- Before May 31, you must wear a life jacket on a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. Beginning June 1 and through October 31, you must have a life jacket with you, and you should always make sure you wear it.
- Lake temperatures at this time of year can be in the 55 to 60-degree range. Did you know that there is no difference between lake temperatures of 30 vs 60 degrees Fahrenheit? Hypothermia or cold shock can affect you in a matter of minutes and without a life vest, you may not survive. 50 -60 is the danger zone.
Boat traffic on Candlewood Lake can be particularly busy on the weekends. Boaters are encouraged to be courteous of fellow boaters and to be good citizens of the lake. Marine Patrol will be actively present on the water this summer. Don’t hesitate to stop and ask a question or just to say hello. We will see you on the lake!
What you need to know about operating a vessel on Candlewood Lake
Licensing and Safe Boating Certificates (SBC) –
CLA encourages all boaters to take a Boating Safety course and earn a state of CT Safe Boating Certificate (SBC) to keep you – and others – safe on the waters.
- An SBC is required for Connecticut residents, owners of real estate in Connecticut, and anyone using Connecticut waters more than 60 days a year.
- Connecticut recognizes certificates from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Rhode Island for use on our waters.
- All personal watercraft (PWC) operators on Connecticut waters must possess a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO) from DEEP.
Water Skiing Endorsement
Emily’s Law was passed in 2015 in Connecticut for operators of a vessel engaged in water skiing, tubing, or any passengers riding in the wake. Operators:
- must be at least 16 years old.
- must hold the appropriate license and/or certificate (see above)
- must hold a Connecticut DEEP-issued Safe Water Skiing Endorsement.
Anyone who held a valid license and/or certification before October 1, 2015, is grandfathered from the endorsement requirement. If you received an SBC after October 1, 2015, and your SBC doesn’t already include the endorsement, you need to take the two-hour towing endorsement available free of charge through the online sportsman licensing system.Water Skiing, Wakeboarding, Surfing and Tubing Safety Reminders
- By law, water skiing is towing anyone behind a vessel under power. This includes surfing, wakeboarding, and tubing.
- Operators must comply with the DEEP Safe Water Skiing Endorsement regulations.
- There must be a responsible person at least 12 years of age on board to assist the operator and observe the progress of the person being towed.
- Towing a passenger behind a vessel is not permitted from one half-hour past sunset to sunrise and when weather conditions limit visibility to less than 10 yards.
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