Can you tell us about your background and what attracted you to the Ridgefield Historical Society?
After working as a network news producer, I happily plunged into the fact-free worlds of pottery and writing fiction. But a decades-long fascination with the Battle of Ridgefield drew me to the Historical Society. On a cold and rainy day, my wife and I took a walking tour of the Battle. Even in the miserable weather, I could tell that the people of the Historical Society were not only smart and welcoming, but they’d also created a vibrant organization that was serving Ridgefield wonderfully.
How long have you lived in Ridgefield and what brought you here?
My wife and I moved to Ridgefield two years ago. We were drawn by the town’s friendliness and its strong sense of community. It’s hard not to feel at home while strolling down Main Street past families with kids and dogs in tow, enjoying the many restaurants and shops, the busy library and beautiful Ballard Park.
What is your area of focus on the Board of Directors at the Historical Society?
I’m coordinating work on a Federally-funded hi-tech archaeological survey of the Battle of Ridgefield. The survey could solve some intriguing mysteries about the Battle that continue to puzzle historians. It could also add to the mounting evidence that our town played a critical role in turning the tide of the Revolution in favor of the Patriots.
What is your favorite era of history (Ridgefield, national, or international)? Why? Is there a particular historical person, event, or topic you’re most interested in?
The colonial period was a time of extraordinary turmoil for the citizens of our town. I’m drawn to that era, feeling great sympathy for the men and women wrestling with the agonizing decision of which side to choose. Our Town Hall still has the original minutes from town meetings during which the debate took place almost 250 years ago. You can actually sense the emotions in that room in the shaky handwriting of the person reporting those events!
Why should people care about history and the Ridgefield Historical Society in particular?
Our local history provides us with a foundation. It’s filled with precedents, challenges met and lost, and decisions already hashed out that bind us together. But if you just like a great yarn, our history is also a page-turner filled with brave founding families, immigrants, eccentric millionaires, rogues, artists, famous writers and celebrated actors! The Ridgefield Historical Society is where our story lives! It’s where it’s uncovered, preserved and, most importantly, made available to anyone interested in what we in Ridgefield have done, who we are, and where we might go from here.
What other interests do you have?
I make pottery in my home studio. I throw a variety of porcelain pieces that I decorate with underglazes. I also write fiction. I’m about to self-publish a children’s book called Springtime Miracles and Mud about a crowd of slightly offbeat animals who go on a pilgrimage together that changes their lives.
