Author Archives: CT Buzz News
Candlewood Lake Authority Kicks Off 50th Anniversary with Lake Cleanup
BROOKFIELD, CT —The Candlewood Lake Authority has announced that they are kicking off CLA’s 50th Anniversary with an event to benefit Candlewood Lake. A clean up project is being organized at Candlewood Lake on Saturday, May 21, 2022, for the annual “J. Marsicano and F. Cioffi Memorial Candlewood Lake Clean-Up.”
As teams did last year, boat Captains will provide their own cleanup crew. Captains and crews should pick up their materials (bags, gloves, and additional instructions) between 8-10 a.m. at the New Fairfield Town Park boat launch. Crews will return at around 12 noon to unload the trash picked up at the ramp and then will gather at the park for lunch.
To sign up and fill out the waiver, visit the Candlewood Lake Authority’s website.
https://candlewoodlakeauthority.org/Volunteer
About Candlewood Lake Authority:
The Candlewood Lake Authority is wholly dedicated to the safekeeping of Candlewood Lake. We promote responsible recreation, conservation, and stewardship for the largest lake in the state of Connecticut. Candlewood Lake Authority partners with the many stakeholders to advocate for Candlewood Lake including owners FirstLight Power, federal permittee Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) as well as local public officials, businesses, and residents.
Southbury’s Arts Escape to Host Kid’s Egg Painting Workshop & Visit with the Easter Bunny
SOUTHBURY, CT—The Easter Bunny has recently announced that he will be hoppin’ down to Arts Escape in Southbury for a visit with the kids after Arts Escape’s Easter egg painting workshop. Instructor Kothy Hafersat will introduce kids and teens to the art of dot painting which will lead to the creation of beautiful works of art on wooden Easter eggs.
The instructor Kothy (not Kathy) is a national educator for three sewing machine companies—Singer, Viking and Pfaff. She is a certified Zentangle instructor, co-owns and runs a pattern company that produces quilt and sewing patterns, and is a professional digitizer for the 6D embroidery software company which is sold to use with today’s embroidery sewing machines. She has been teaching kids and adults for over 30 years.
The class includes three eggs to paint and take home plus a photo with the Easter Bunny after class. Each child will also receive a goody bag. The workshop takes place on Saturday, April 16, 2022 from 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Arts Escape, 493 Heritage Road, Southbury. The fee for the 2-hour workshop is $25 and the class is limited to 20 students.
Register on Arts Escape’s website by clicking here.
About Arts Escape
Arts Escape is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Arts Escape encourages engagement in the arts through an extensive range of programs and classes. Our community of adult learners explore the arts in a welcoming and nonjudgmental environment. At Arts Escape, our values and goals support the research that participating in creative activities improves adults’ problem-solving skills, self-esteem, and well-being.
“Arts Escape, where creativity and learning promote well-being.”
Give Your Home a Makeover with New Windows from Elite Construction Group
BROOKFIELD, CT—With Spring weather on the way, many homeowners are
beginning to think about improvements to their home’s exterior. Upgrading to vinyl
siding, adding new windows and doors, and a new roof can boost your property value by
tens of thousands of dollars, according to experts in the field. Inflation is now at the highest level since the 1980s, according to experts, supply chain issues due to Covid, and the cost of materials skyrocketing, making home improvements might be the last thing on a person’s mind. However, David Alger, owner of Elite Construction Group in Brookfield, said now is not the time to neglect your biggest investment—your home.
“Leaving an old, worn-out roof for too long can lead to major, expensive problems down
the road,” Alger stated. “A leaky roof can cause water damage with water working its
way down to your windows and siding. This could be very costly to repair and cause
structural damage as well.” Alger said.
His in-house design team works with all budgets in mind to create a cost-effective plan
for homeowners to improve their homes from windows to doors to roofs and more. One
of the best ways to start on home improvements when trying to increase a home’s
energy efficiency, while also adding a fresh new aesthetic and some curb appeal, is by
adding new windows.
According to Charlotte Reach of Hunker Design, trends in windows for 2022 include arched and circular windows and floor-to-ceiling windows with accents that pop in an all-white room.
“More homeowners are using their homes to show off their individuality. It makes sense, as people have gone from having to be home to wanting to be at home in an environment that expresses their personalities and individual tastes. Since no one could travel [during quarantine], homeowners had to bring those experiences into their homes.”
Alger said that adding modern windows offer better insulation, which makes it easier for your heating and cooling system to keep your home energy efficient.
“If your energy bills are skyrocketing, replacing the windows in your home might be the solution to more savings down the road,” said Alger.
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.
Westport Writers Workshop Celebrates ‘National Poetry Month’ with New Spring Classes
WESTPORT, CT—Westport Writers Workshop (WWW) is offering a combination of online and in person classes this spring at their new space located at 25 Sylvan Lane, Unit J, Westport, Conn. 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 spring workshops begin the week of March 28th and open registration is now open. 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 spring workshops include a creative nonfiction class (Writing About Your Life), Poetry (April is National Poetry month), an Introduction to Screenwriting workshop, an in-person Write to Prompts class (Just Write), and a new workshop on Writing Novels, as well as the classes listed below:
Workshop in Poetry – All Levels with Charles Rafferty: This class is for students interested in learning about the genre from Charles Rafferty, whose poems have appeared 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. As time allows, there may also be general discussions of craft and perhaps some in-class writing.
WHERE: Online via ZOOM
TIME: 7 Tuesdays, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
DATES: March 29, April 5, 12, off, 26, May 3, 10, 17
Introduction to Novel Writing with Rahla Xenopoulos: Embarking on the exciting and, at times daunting business of writing a novel. The class will focus on banishing the pesky inner critic, developing characters, establishing themes and structure, excavating and exploring your story, and deciding on a narrator.
WHERE: Online via ZOOM
TIME: 7 Fridays, 10am to 12noon
DATES:April 1, 8, off, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20
Flash Fiction with Liz Matthews – IN PERSON: In flash fiction, writers become attuned to language on the sentence level. This is good practice for writers of all genres, as you’ll learn how to transform abstract ideas into specific moments. We’ll pay close attention to pacing, metaphor and imagery, endings, and poetic techniques to employ in writing flash. There is room to experiment and take more risks with poetry or prose told in 1,000 words or less. Each week students will study examples of both well-known and more obscure writers who have mastered this form. During and in between workshops, you’ll receive unique writing prompts for continual inspiration and support.
WHERE: In person at: 25 Sylvan Road South, Suite J, Westport, CT 06880
TIME: 7 Thursdays, 10am to 12noon
DATES: March 31, April 7, 14, off, 28, May 5, 12, 19
Writing Books for Kids with Christine Pakkala: Have you always wanted to write a picture book or a book for children or teens? This writing workshop is targeted for adult writers of picture books, early and middle grade and young adult fiction. The goal will be to support each writer’s efforts to develop and hone new projects as well as works-in-progress. We will explore the art of creating characters that young people care about and with whom they can identify. In addition, we will exercise our ability to bring emotion to our narratives, to bring setting to life, and to strengthen our plots for greatest impact. The weekly sessions will employ positive, non-threatening feedback in a small group environment. Workshop members are invited to bring up to five double-spaced, 12-point-font pages of writing to the first session. Please note: email your pages to the instructor as well as the entire group. Please keep your word count to a maximum of 1250 words.
WHERE: Online via ZOOM
TIME: 7 Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
DATES:March 30, April 6, 13, off, 27, May 4, 11, 18
Writing About Your Life (Beginner) with Phoenix Glass-Destruge: Thinking about writing a memoir or personal essay? Perhaps you’ve already begun but aren’t sure where to go next. Maybe there are subjects you wish to ignore, that feel taboo, or worse yet, boring. You may ask yourself, “Why would anyone care about what I have to say?” or “How could I possibly share this part of myself?” If you’ve had these fears, or any fear related to writing, I promise you, you are not alone. These concerns are part of the process and mean you are doing something right. Here is the truth: your story matters. It is not too dark nor too dull. Mary Oliver said the writer, “stands between two marvelous and complex things—an experience (or an idea or a feeling) and the urge to tell about it in the best possible conjunction of words.” The merging of experience and written word will be the objective of this workshop, where each week writers will bring pages of new or revised writing to read aloud and receive feedback on what is working and what might be strengthened.
WHERE: Online via ZOOM
TIME: 7 Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
DATES: March 29, April 5, 12, off, 26, May 3, 10, 17
For more course offerings this spring and to register, visit the Westport Writers Workshop website. 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 now offers both in-person and online classes and has grown to include writers and instructors outside of our immediate community.
Danbury’s Irish-Americans Kick Off 2022 St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations with Parades & More
DANBURY, CT—After two years of cancellations due to the global pandemic, Danbury’s Irish-Americans are glad to celebrate their Silver Anniversary at the 25th Annual Danbury St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The month-long celebrations kicked off on Sunday, Feb. 20th with their St. Patrick’s Day Parade fundraiser at Molly Darcy’s, followed by the St. Patrick’s Day Ball on Saturday, March 5th. Not even a “bomb cyclone” could stop Danbury and New Fairfield area Irish-Americans from celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New Fairfield (Danbury’s parade will be held on 3/20/22). New Fairfield resident Peter Hearty was presented with a proclamation from State Senator Julie Kushner for his contributions to the town by organizing the 52nd annual New Fairfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Danbury’s Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians hold the St. Patrick’s Day Ball annually the first Saturday in March at the Amber Room where they honor the man and woman of the year. This year, Richard Hawley, of Danbury, and Wendy Mitchell, of Brookfield, were named the Hibernians of the Year. Hawley was recognized for his years of fundraising at the annual golf classic and for starting the setback league. Mitchell was recognized for her efforts to raise funds for the club at last year’s “SHAMROCKAPALOOZA” benefit concert, serving as co-chair of the parade for the last five years, and serving as state recording secretary and webmaster, division Catholic Action and publicity officer.
The Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Foundation and the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center kicked off their month-long St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with the annual Irish Ball on March 5, 2016. Danbury’s new Mayor Dean Esposito presented Mitchell and Hawley with a proclamation from the City of Danbury for their dedication the mission and helping to preserve Irish culture in the greater Danbury area. Senator Julie Kushner presented a proclamation to both from the State of Connecticut.
The duo will have the distinct honor of leading the City of Danbury’s parade on Sunday, March 20th at 2:00 p.m., along with their fellow Hibernians, Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums Corps, Newtown Horse Guard, Girl Scout and Boy Scout Troops, local politicians and officials, Danbury and surrounding town’s fire departments, Danbury police, and other marching units. The Danbury St. Patrick’s Day Parade is co-chaired this year by Kevin Hearty and Catherine Bach.
The following events are planned for St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday, March 17, 2022:
- 9 a.m. Bethel flag raising, 1 P.T. Barnum Square, Bethel
- 11 a.m. – Mass at St Peter Church, Main St. Danbury with prayers in English and Gaelic
- 12 p.m. – Irish flag raising at Danbury City Hall, Deer Hill Ave. followed by refreshments
- 12:30 p.m. on – Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center (GDICC), 6 Lake Ave., Danbury, corned beef, cabbage, Shepherd’s pie, Irish soda bread, and refreshments. The GDICC has Guinness and Harp on tap as well as a wide variety of other libations. Local Irish dance schools will perform and live bands Fiddlesuice and Steve O’Tree & Friends will play traditional Irish favorites.
On Saturday, March 19th, Two Roads Brewery is sponsoring a “Tap Takeover” with Tipperary Knights, $5 Two Roads specials, raffles, and more!
The 25th Annual Danbury St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held this year on Sunday, March 20, 2022. It is being sponsored by Title Sponsor, Townsquare Media Danbury, Platinum Sponsor Mercedes-Benz of Danbury, Gold Sponsor UK Gourmet and Dream Home Realty of CT. The parade steps off at 2 p.m. at Center and Main Street, Danbury in front of St. Peter Church.
Parade Day is Sunday, March 20, 2022:
- 2 p.m. Greater Danbury St. Patrick’s Day parade begins in front of St. Peter Church, Main and Center Streets
- Shuttle buses will begin at 12 p.m. at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center, 6 Lake Ave., Danbury
- Corned beef & cabbage, Shepherd’s pie, Irish soda bread, and refreshments will be sold at the Danbury Irish Club, 6 Lake Ave., Danbury. Local Irish dance schools and live bands will perform traditional Irish favorites.
Questions? Call the club at (203) 739-0010 or email DanburyIrish@gmail.com.
Photo: Wendy Mitchell, 2022 Danbury Lady Hibernian of the Year, Richard Hawley, 2022 Danbury Mens Hibernian of the Year
Photo Credit: Marion Lynott, Irish Flare Photography
Office Furniture Pop-Up Shop Offers Work-From-Home Clients Deep Discounts in Danbury
DANBURY, CT—For Russell Castro and his wife Andrea, Covid’s impact on the supply chain has caused business to boom as millions of Americans opt to work, and learn, from home during the pandemic. The pair, who have been in business for more than 30 years, noticed that their customers were fine with giving up their commute but not their high-end office chairs.
Originally from Rockland County, New York, the family now has ties to New Fairfield with the owner’s brother, Rick Castro, also his business partner, having deep roots in the community for over 25 years. Brothers Russell and Rick Castro partnered to open OFIS Furniture as a pop-up shop located at 61 Newtown Road in Danbury, next to Denny’s Restaurant.
Russell has been selling high-end, gently used office furniture since 1994. He said he went into business after college, being unable to find a job that he liked.
“Two friends were in the business of removing old phone systems from companies that went out of business, then saw that there was a huge resale value in the used furniture that was left behind,” Russell said. “Landlords needed the space empty and the clients asked us to remove it.”
During and after quarantine, the partners said a big change they have seen since the pandemic is people taking part in the “Great American Resignation” and starting their own business. They have seen people who used to work in the corporate environment now starting their own hair salons, boutiques, and small businesses. Even accountants and tax professionals have been coming to them as they, along with thousands of Americans, have chosen to work for themselves rather than deal with the corporate world.
Castro said they are one of the largest office furniture liquidations companies in the country and being able to help people downsize or move off into their own business venture has been so rewarding.
“We take in the furniture from Fortune 100 corporations and resell it to smaller Fortune 500 companies. During Covid, people working from home found themselves sitting on a folding chair and were missing that high end $1,500 ergonomically correct chair that they had at the office.”
All of the furniture they sell is in excellent condition, cleaned and sanitized, and in stock with no long lead times. They offer affordable delivery and stand behind their product by offering a 3-year warranty even after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. If the chair breaks and is not functioning properly, they will repair or replace it for our customers no questions asked.
“The people came from hours away,” he shared, “sometimes with the whole family—kids looking for a good learn-at-home set up. We have been getting calls from the Westchester and Connecticut area for furniture and decided to open up a second location in this area to help meet the demand in this area.”
The owners said they decided to take their furniture “on the road” and “test the waters here in Connecticut.” They hope to extend their lease should the demand and market call for it.
“We have been doing this for 30 years and it is all we know. This new retail sector is fun as we get to meet new people, learn what people do and help them to find what they need to work better and feel better. Knowing we are helping someone on many levels feels good. Saving them a lot of money is great. When people walk through our door to buy a single chair or to furnish an entire office and when they see our inventory and the prices their reaction to us is, ‘Why would we go anywhere else?’ or ‘Why would we buy new office furniture when we can buy this for 2/3 off new?’ That is what we are proud to offer. During the year we have clubs/organizations that we work for donations,” Russell said.
The Grand Opening of OFIS Furniture will be on Saturday, March 5th from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. They will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. They will also be open by appointment for home furnishing clients.
The owners will be on hand at the Grand Opening to meet and greet visitors. Mention “Buzz” to get $20 off your purchase. For more information, call OFIS Furniture at (732) 677-8450 or Rick Castro at (203) 733-8807 or visit their website: OFISfurniture.com.
Brookfield Arts Commission Announces Addition to ‘Shorts & to the Point’ Film Festival
BROOKFIELD, CT—Brookfield has a long history in the film community and has held the “Shorts & to the Point” short film festival for 14 years running. This year, the Brookfield Arts Commission (BAC) is expanding their offerings with the addition of a regional screening of shorts by local, indie filmmakers.
Commission member Jeremy Farrell said, “We could not be more excited to take this opportunity to highlight up and coming filmmakers from our corner of the world! The entire Arts Commission is looking forward to seeing all of the amazing submissions and showing the best to the wonderful folks of Brookfield and beyond.”
On April 2, 2022 the Commission will host a lovely Saturday afternoon viewing of short films by independent filmmakers. Filmmakers residing in Connecticut and its bordering states of Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island, or films having been shot in these states, are invited to submit to the screening.
The “Regional Indie Afternoon” will be a wonderful addition to the “Shorts & to the Point” Brookfield Film Festival which is scheduled to run in the Brookfield Theatre, April 1-3, 2022. The BAC looks forward to highlighting the works of independent filmmakers alongside more established filmmakers. Filmmakers accepted to the festival are also invited to be part of a Q&A panel discussion immediately following the screening. If you are an independent filmmaker who makes short films, they want to hear from you!
Submissions were opened on December 1st, and the submission deadline is March 1, 2022. To learn more, visit https://filmfreeway.com/ShortsandtothePoint and feel free to reach out to brookfieldartscommissionct@gmail.com with any questions.
For more information regarding Regional Indie Afternoon, please contact Jeremy Farrell at jeremykf60@gmail.com.
Kids Can Find Their Literary Voice with Muse Squad
A Ridgefield Mompreneur contributes to the arts scene with her 10-week, MFA-inspired program for middle schoolers. And there’s still time to join the squad!
RIDGEFIELD, CT–Let your child’s individualism shine and bring their creative side to the surface by being a part of Muse Squad’s class of 2022. This winter, there’s a fresh new way for tweens and teens to get involved in their local writing community. All are welcome!
Brittney Richardson, founder of the newly launched Muse Squad, a creative writing program for kids, plans to use mastery-based learning to instill advanced literary techniques and inspire confidence in her students.
“Mastery learning refers to a shift in responsibilities, so that a student’s success or failure is more reliant on the instruction and not necessarily the student’s ability,” according to Top Hat, an online learning platform.
Richardson designed the course to feel more like a club, and to complement other studies. “With a stress-free atmosphere and no grades, there’s no pressure, just fun,” she said about the Thursday night class.
“Mastery-based learning can be traced to the 1960s, when Benjamin Bloom, a professor at the University of Chicago and an education psychologist, challenged conventional classroom practices. He imagined a more holistic system that required students to demonstrate learning before moving ahead. But the strategy was not widely used because it was so labor intensive for teachers. Now, with computer-assisted teaching allowing for tailored exercises and online lessons, it is making a resurgence,” said Kyle Spencer in a 2017 New York Times article.
Richardson strives for inclusivity. She said, “You don’t have to be a seasoned writer to sign up for the course. Maybe you’ve never tried to write creatively before, but wonder, what if I’d be good at it?”
Throughout the program, young writers will build skills, polish their craft, and bond with like-minded peers. Each class has a unique theme and includes time for students to read their work aloud. After completing the original curriculum, students will have the start of a novel, a short story, or several standalone pieces to put in their writing portfolio.
Muse Squad adds a new fun and engaging facet to Ridgefield’s already vibrant arts community. In Miss Brittney’s evening class, your child can give the essays and papers a rest, and for 90 minutes, let their imagination go free. Visit the website to learn more.
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.
CT Buzz News 