Couple launches social media management company

Written by The Ridgefield Press
Friday, 10 February 2012 05:34

Bonnie and Matt Dewkett of Ridgefield have opened Social Ocean Media, which assists business owners, both small and large, in establishing and maintaining a social media presence.

“Social media has become increasingly important to businesses,” said Ms. Dewkett. “The United States social media audience grew 37% in 2011. Business who don’t have a social media presence are less able to connect with new customers, and enhance their relationship with current customers.”

She said “Social Ocean Media makes sense of the social media phenomenon and helps business harness the benefits it has to offer.”

Meals and nurses help the elderly

Written by The Ridgefield Press
Thursday, 09 February 2012 05:42

A partnership grant was recently given to two Ridgefield non-profit organizations, working together to help elderly residents.

Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association (RVNA) and Meals on Wheels of Ridgefield received $25,000 to serve elderly members of the Ridgefield community in their homes with health care services and meals.

The money came from the Noble Charitable Trust, which works to help seniors live independently. This grant would allow seniors, living independently in low-income housing in Ridgefield, to remain in their homes and receive home-delivered nutritious meals as well as home care nursing services.

Auslander trumpets ‘The Pajama Game’

Written by Ruth W. Feldman
Wednesday, 08 February 2012 05:29

In June 2011, the Connecticut High School Musical Theater Awards recognized Michael Auslander for Special Achievement for his pit orchestra performance in 42nd Street at Ridgefield High School.

This year Michael returns, trumpet in hand, and joins 26 other high school musicians in presenting the musical comedy “The Pajama Game” at Ridgefield High School, March 9, 10, 16, and 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Despite having bronchitis during rehearsals for last year’s production, he did not miss a single practice.

Paramedic is town’s newest firefighter

Written by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
Tuesday, 07 February 2012 05:46

A licensed paramedic who has been working in the emergency room and ambulances at Danbury Hospital for eight years is joining Ridgefield’s Fire Department.

“I grew up in emergency medicine,” Kevin Woessner told the selectmen. “My mother was an emergency room nurse.”

Mr. Woessner was unanimously approved by the Board of Selectmen as a new hire after an interview at their Jan. 18 meeting. He will go through 14 weeks of training at the state firefighter academy, and with his paramedic experience will be ready to work in the most advanced level the fire department has in its ambulance service.

At dancing gala, the money is for the music

Written by Lois Street
Monday, 06 February 2012 05:32

Roy Reeves hesitated when he was asked to dance for dollars during Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra’s “Dancing with the RSO,” a gala fundraiser themed on the popular TV show “Dancing with the Stars.” As a local “star” — Mr. Reeves is the owner of Bissell House restaurant — he was approached to do the cha-cha with professional dancer Nancy Boelts, the assistant ballet mistress at Ridgefield School of Dance.

“I am not an experienced dancer,” Mr. Reeves said. Eventually, though, he agreed to participate. “I thought it would be fun, and it’s for a good cause.” But there was another significant motivator: “My staff pressured me into it!”

One day during lunchtime at Bissell House, members of the staff heard Gina Wilson, the orchestra’s executive director, ask their boss to compete at the gala. Instantly Mr. Reeves was serenaded with a chorus of “You should do it! You should do it!”

Feet have many problems; Dr. Chauhan can offer help

Written by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
Sunday, 05 February 2012 05:49

Taking care of people’s feet is work Dr. Aparna Chauhan enjoys, and to share the benefits of her skills with her neighbors she’s opened a podiatry office Ridgefield, her hometown.

“It’s a very gratifying field,” she said. “You make the relief right then and there. People walk in with pain, and walk out without it.”

That’s not always the case, of course. But for many foot problems — and she treats a great variety of them — people can feel better right away.

“The foot is one of the most neglected parts of the body, and very complex,” she said.

She opened Family Foot Care & Surgery of Ridgefield on Jan. 18 at 38B Grove Street.

Dr. Chauhan is also a partner in New Haven Podiatry Associates, a three-doctor practice with offices in Hamden and New Haven.

Two doctors join primary care practice here

Written by The Ridgefield Press
Saturday, 04 February 2012 05:40

Jennifer B. Rubin, MD, and Jonathan M. Gordon, MD, have joined Western Connecticut Medical Group at its primary care office at 21 South Street.

They join Dr. Jay D’Orso, Dr. Simon O’Regan and Dr. Weiming Seo, and Joan Charash PA-C, in the practice of internal medicine, family medicine and pediatrics at what used to be called Ridgefield Primary Care.

Dr. Rubin is board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics.

She completed a residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at Yale-New Haven Hospital after earning medical and undergraduate degrees from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. She also attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

Appalachia Service Project plans info session

Written by Dave Sigworth
Friday, 03 February 2012 05:57

Ridgefielders can learn how to become part of this summer’s local Appalachia Service Project (ASP) — a weeklong outreach to make homes warmer, safer and drier — during an informational session on Thursday, Feb. 9.

The ASP introductory slide show will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Carriage House of Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church, 207 Main Street.

This no-obligation night will introduce high school students and their parents, and any other interested volunteers to the Appalachia Service Project overall, and especially to the Ridgefield group based at Jesse Lee and plans for this year’s trip June 30 to July 8.

Birth: Georgia Loomis

Written by The Ridgefield Press
Thursday, 02 February 2012 07:23

Georgia Kincaid Loomis was born on Monday, June 27, 2011 to Scott and Nancy Rowe Loomis of Ridgefield.

Georgia joins sister Madeleine, 6, and half-siblings Stephanie, David and Alex Loomis.

At birth, she weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces and was 18 inches long.

Birth: Ava Ippoliti

Written by The Ridgefield Press
Thursday, 02 February 2012 07:22

A daughter, their first child, was born to Sonia and Michael Ippoliti of 85 North Street on Oct. 3 in Norwalk Hospital.

She has been named Ava Gwyneth and she is a 10th generation Ridgefielder.

Grandparents are Marcia Ippoliti of North Salem Road and Pamela and Herman Schuster of Rochambeau Avenue.