Carmela Sabilia (The Peanut Lady)

Dr. Darla Shaw portrays Carmela Sabilia, better known as "The Peanut Lady" or "Mama Joe," who emigrated from Italy to Georgetown in 1898.

Dr. Darla Shaw portrays Carmela Sabilia, better known as “The Peanut Lady” or “Mama Joe,” who emigrated from Italy to Georgetown in 1898. In the 1920s and 30s, one day each week Mrs. Sabilia roasted peanuts over a wood fire and sold them for 10 cents a bag walking a 13-mile round trip from Branchville to Main Street. This 20-year enterprise was undertaken to pay for her son’s college tuition. The other six days she worked in her husband Joe’s store, Sabilia’s Groceries, Fruit & Vegetables, Ice Cream & Candy.

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The Queer Side of Ridgefield

This new book shares LGBTQIA+ experiences of Ridgefield through personal stories gathered during our community oral history project, preserving voices and perspectives that will broaden the understanding of the town’s

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