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SponSored by

JUNE 2017

A Message from Grace

Thanks to all who joined our annual meeting in May. We appreciate your interest in Founders Hall. If you missed the

meeting, you can read a summary on the back page.

You’ll find plenty to do at Founders Hall in June. Hear about the experiences of a WWI nurse and the best beach reads for summer. Summer semester classes start on Monday, June 19. Be sure to get your registration in by Tuesday, June 6.

June is bookended by two great events. Battle of the Chefs on Sunday, June 4 is an exciting culinary showdown that benefits Founders Hall. As you’ll read below, we once again have three talented and fun chefs competing. Please encourage your family and friends to join the Battle. On June 30, celebrate Independence Day at our annual picnic. It’s a great way to kick off the holiday.

Founders Hall is a Donor-Supported Education and Recreation Center for Individuals Age 60 and Older

193 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877 • 203.431.7000 • www.founders-hall.org • Facebook: Founders Hall RidgefieldM/W/F: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Tu/Th: 8:30 am - 8:30 pm

Ridgefield CrossingsA Benchmark Senior Living Community

No stranger to being in the culinary hot seat, Minin is a former contender on the Food Network’s “Chopped”. He is also co-owner of The Village Tavern in Ridgefield and will soon open a second restaurant in Ridgefield with his Village Tavern partners called Romolo Gastro Pizza.

How are you preparing for this much anticipated culinary showdown?I’m not nervous, but in the same token I’m up against a basket of “unknown” ingredients, two great chefs, judges that will decide your ability to cook in one dish, I’m cooking in a “foreign kitchen” in a parking lot and I have to make it happen in 60 minutes... I think I need a drink already!

What’s your recipe for success?1 cup of respect, 1 cup of integrity, 1 cup of honesty, 3 cups of believing. Love what you do and do it with love. There isn’t enough time to waste, if you want to achieve your dreams.

Read an excerpt from Battle media sponsor Hamlet Hub’s recent interview with Chef Minin. For the full article and interviews with Chefs Anastacio and Desiano, go to www.news.hamlethub.com.

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HIGHLIGHTS 1 O.W.L.S RVNA Blood Pressure Screen 4 Battle of the Chefs sponsored by Fairfield County Bank 6 New Member Coffee Summer Semester Registration Due 8 Book Discussion: Some Luck 9 Tea: Books of Summer sponsored by Books on the Common 13 Trip: Chihuly at NY Botanical Garden 16 Seminar: Mongolia Incident, Letters of a WWI Nurse 19 Summer Semester Begins 30 Independence Day Picnic sponsored by Fairfield County Bank and Ridgefield Crossings

MEET CHEF GERMANO MININby Kerry Anne Ducey

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Tea

BOOKS OF SUMMERFriday, June 9

2 pm

Ridgefield Library’s Mary Rindfleisch and

Dorothy Pawlowski will share the hottest books

for summer.

SEMINAR

The Mongolia Incident: Letters of a WWI NurseFriday, June 16, 1 pm

The wartime letters of Zella Maude Judy open a window into the past world of military nursing. Citing extensive research into her letters, her grandson Vernon Beck will tell the story of a young woman who, when she found unspeakable suffering, stepped forward to do what she could to ease the pain. She survived tragedy on the troopship Mongolia, was gassed, and stricken by influenza; yet she emerged with her sense of duty intact and spirit of rebellion undaunted. Maude’s letters also reveal a woman who does not fit easily into our notion of what a military nurse should have been like. While she was hard working, skilled and completely devoted to the care of wounded soldiers, Maude was also feisty, fun-loving and adventurous. Come hear this deeply personal story of a remarkable woman in extraordinary times.

Thursday, June 8, 3 pm

Some Luckby Jane Smiley

facilitated by Mary Rindfleisch of the Ridgefield Library

Book Discussion

New MeMber Coffee

Tuesday, June 6

10:30 am

Meet staff, make friends,get involved!

Summer SemeSter

BeginS on June 19

Please return your registration by

Tuesday, June 6.

EVENTS

INDEPENDENCE DAY PICNICFriday, June 30, noon - 2pm

Cost: $10/12 NR

Billy Michael’s Millennium Band

Picnic Fare

Pie Contest (See Lisa for details.)

Please sign up through registration or at the front desk by

June 19.

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June at the Movies Let’s Play!

Collateral Beauty 2 pmRetreating from life after a tragedy, a man questions the universe by writing to Love, Time and Death. Receiving unexpected answers, he begins to see how these things interlock and how even loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty.2016, Will Smith, Edward Norton 97 mins.

The Dressmaker 2 pmA glamorous woman returns to her small town in rural Australia. With her sewing machine and haute couture style, she transforms the women and exacts sweet revenge on those who did her wrong.2016, Kate Winslet, Judy Davis 119 mins.

Loving 2 pmThe story of Richard and Mildred Loving, a couple whose arrest for interracial marriage in 1960s Virginia began a legal battle that would end with the Supreme Court’s historic 1967 decision.2016, Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton 123 mins.

Gulliver’s Travels 3 pmTravel writer Lemuel Gulliver takes an assignment in Bermuda, but ends up on the island of Liliput, where he towers over its tiny citizens.2010, Jack Black, Jason Segal 85 mins.

La La Land 2 pmAs their success mounts, an aspiring actress and a jazz musician are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart.2016, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone 128 mins.

Temple Grandin 2 pmBiopic of Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who overcame the limitations imposed on her by her condition to become a Ph.D. and expert in animal husbandry.2010, Claire Danes, Julia Ormond 107 mins.

Moonlight 2pmA chronicle of the childhood, adolescence and burgeoning adulthood of a young, African-American, gay man growing up in a rough neighborhood of Miami.2016, Mahershala Ali, Shariff Earp 111 mins.

2fri

5mon

12mon

16fri

19mon

23fri

Noreen AgriEvelyn BottaliJack DavidCarol Del GrossoKristen GeddisBetsy GoodenoughSusan HandelmanThomas HobanIrwin KashanskyBonnie KearnsHarold OssherFlorence PahmerJames Tobin

New Members(as of May 15, 2017)

Bingo* Fridays** 1 - 3 pm

Bocce Tues./Thurs. 9:30 - 11:30 am Chess Mondays 1:30 - 4:30 pm

Gardeners Third Friday 1 - 2:30 pm

Mah Jongg Thursdays 10 am - 12 pm

Mexican Train Wednesdays 2:30 - 4:30 pm Dominoes

Needlework Thursdays 12 - 1:45 pm

Pinochle Thursdays 2:30 - 4:30 pm

Quilting Tuesdays 2 - 4 pm

Rug Hooking Wednesdays 1:30 - 4 pm

Scrabble Thursdays 1 - 3 pm

Walking Mon./Wed. 8:20 am

Woodcarving Mondays 1:30 - 4 pm

**except June 9 and 30

26mon

*Bingo sponsored by

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RAFFLE WINNER

Founders Hall, a 501(c)3 public charity incorporated under the name Founders Hall Foundation, Inc., was established by the Couri and Goldstone families. The Foundation has an agreement with the town of Ridgefield to lease the land and run Founders Hall through 2022, with the option for future extensions. With continued support from generous people like you, the Foundation will run Founders Hall for generations to come.

DEVELOPMENT

SPRING FOR THINGSThanks to many generous members, our annual Spring for Things campaign raised $5,647 to purchase 187 items. The hot ticket item was room-darkening shades for the lecture room. With money from “tulip purchases” and an anonymous donation, we have ordered the shades, which will enhance those classes that use the projection screen.

“This is your oganization. We’re proud to be stewards of it for you.” ~ John Couri, President, Board of Directors

Board of Directors chairman Steven Goldstone and president John Couri along with executive director Grace Weber and development director Cindy Nesbitt reviewed our past fiscal year with members on May 16. “We’re

a healthy organization,” reported John, “but we need to build up a reserve.” He noted plans for an endowment to generate income that can offset expenses, enabling us to “maintain our operations with the best programming.”

Grace reviewed highlights of 2016, and announced that online registration will be available this fall. Cindy reviewed sources of funding, mentioned a variety of ways to give, and encouraged members to thank community sponsors. Steve recognized three bequests from members. “They gave because they were enthusiastically involved and because of who they were,” he said, adding, “and they benefited from the friendship and love from Founders Hall.”

In response to questions, Grace noted that expenses, revenue and membership all grew in 2016; that additional fitness classes are limited by facility space; that evening programs have been successful, and that popular trips can be repeated. Board member Rudy Marconi added that the town has plans to add 30 parking spots this year.

You can read details in your 2016 Impact Report, which was mailed to you. That report and financial statements are also available on our website. If you have questions, Grace’s door is always open.

ANNUAL MEETING

Congratulations to Peggy Jett, lucky winner of two tickets to the Battle of the Chefs on Sunday, June 4. Join Peggy at the Battle for life-long learning. General admission tickets are $100 and the proceeds will support all of the programs you enjoy here at Founders Hall.

Maria Maley, Irene Sciscenti, Donna Egloff, Kathy Moriarty, Mike Weiss and Dave Campell were just six of the 150 members honored at our volunteer luncheon. Their gifts of time and talent are invaluable to Founders Hall!

HATS OFF TO VOLUNTEERS

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Kay AblesAmerican Gold and Diamond BuyersBarbara and Adrian AnastacioJoseph and Aida AnastacioAnonymousJoel R. AnyanRichard AttridgeJessica and Joshua AuerbachChloe BallMaureen and Geoffrey BartlettCharlotte BazydolaArthur and Ellen BeckerJohn and Lori BerisfordPhyllis BestLarry and Nancy BossidyBernadette BrennanZelda S. BrennerPearl and Nelson BromsPaul and Laureen BubniakFred M. Burke and Lisbeth KellyEileen and Gim BurtonDavid and Martha CampbellJoan CampbellJoseph CarasziRichard CarboniMaria CarlinoCaudatowa Garden ClubPing and Sally ChowChris and Laurie ChristiansenJinny and Warren ClarkMr. and Mrs. Theodore ClevelandColby’s of RidgefieldTreva CollinsClaire CopenMary M. CostaSabina CrozierDeanna CunninghamKay CunyPaula CurryCustom Care Building ServiceCarol DalessioHarry DaytonHelen DeFlorioJerry and Barbara DineenMeg DownsTracy and Brett DubinEthel EckhausEdwards Jones

Donna and John EgloffMr. and Mrs. Robert EllisInga EngstromExxonMobil FoundationAngelina and Vincent FaloticoMary Ann FerraroBonnie R. FischerBeulah Fisher and Dr. John K. FisherGriswold Home CareLorraine and Brian ForrlerDorothy M. FranksMarion FreerPatricia and Jim GareauFay GaudetJane and Frank GengoAnne GirouxMr. and Mrs. Stephen GluckRichard and Evelyn GodboutRay GoddardRela GolanMichael and Sheila GrayArlene HallettEllie HartogIrene C. HolcroftMrs. Ruth I. HolzthumPeggy and Richard InserraLaura IslerHoward and Harriet JacobsJeff and Linda JaslowLaverle JessupMary KalettaMichael and Barbara KaplanKeeler Tavern MuseumElaine KelemenTerry KellerWilliam KenyonJerry and Maureen KiernanRichard and Gigi KoleszarRay and Joyce KoontzBessie KrysiewichLaManna/Gervais DesignFrank and Bunny LancasterBill and Bernadette LangensteinLaurel Ridge Health Care CenterSusan LawDonna LawrenceBob and Loire LeavittVirginia Leeman

Robert and Gerri LewisLock Install of RidgefieldCarole LongMichele and Richard MahlandMaria MaleyTom and Patti MaloneyHarry ManchesterVincent and Marilyn ManeriJohn and Jeanette MannuzzaDeborah and Jay MartinLinda MassieVera Caporale and Richard MayhewPatricia McGearySusan McGourthySusan and Joseph McGowanMilillo FarmsTeresa MongelliMontanari Fuel Service, Inc.William and Frances MontiMary R. MorrisroeChris and Marion MuellerJim and Lynn MullenJean NethercottDeborah NorleyTom and Mary Ann O’GradyUrsula OlsenNoreen O’MaraAlberta and Bob PappollaPatricia’s PresentsRobert PaukerSheila PearlNeil PivarnikLoretta PratoKathleen PreliMary and Philip PrussackAnne RamovReese, Hirsch, Shoults & HarrisonMeveral RickertRidgefield Cosmetic & General DentistryRidgefield Drive Ur Car ServiceRidgefield LibraryRidgefield Overhead Doors, LLC.Ridgefield PrimeRidgefield Supply CompanyRidgefield Thrift ShopGoldie Robitaille

Alan RockwellRon RogersKent and Margaret RohrerEllen RossKarin RuebeckMr. and Mrs. Rudy L. Ruggles, Jr.Ridgefield VNARita R. SamelsonHelen SandersTad and Priscilla SanfordSaugatuck Homecare Inc.SBG Senior Life ConsultantsJoAnn Kish and Jane ScarbroughShirley SchneidermanAnthony and Irene SciscentiMary Jane ScottEric and Phyllis SetterstromL. M. SherdalManny SilvaIda SilvestriWalter and Sabina SlavinEarl and Marian SloanBarbara SmithDavid B. Smith and Maria Victor-SmithMary SmithHarold SprattEdie StaffordMargo StalegaPatricia StephensLynne SwansonHelene TaylorJoel H. ThirdMary TobinGabby and David TracyKitty and Joe TrenchPeg and Ed VanDeventerBert and Cynthia VeilleuxJohn VignoliVisiting AngelsRichard and Shirley WalterElizabeth WatersMarianne WattleyJean and Clifford WebbMichael WeissDon and Diane WestergrenDon and Jayme WilkinsonSteve and Sally WilliamsonBill and Barbara WymanYoung’s of Ridgefield

DONORS

Thank you to all our donors from April 11 thru May 10, 2017

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TICKETS ON SALE NOWGeneral: $100 Chef’s Table: $500www.founders-hall.org or call 203.431.7000

Founders Hall • 193 Danbury Road • Ridgefi eld CT

Join the BattleWatch three fabulous chefs match sharp knives and quick wits;cheer them on as they compete to create the winning entrée;taste their appetizers and vote on your favorite; indulge in an open bar, delicious hors d’oeuvres (featuring the competition’s secret ingredients) and desserts; engage with chefs, host and judges; and support life-long learning.Don’t miss this mouth-watering, soul-satisfying, culinary showdown.

Paul DesianoRidgefi eld Academyformerly Cello

Mike AnastacioPurdy’s Farmer &the Fish

Germano MininTh e Village Tavern

COMPETING CHEFS

Event Sponsor

BATTLE of theChefsto benefit Founders Hall

SUNDAY, JUNE 4 • 4 - 7PM • FOUNDERS HALL

Founders CirCleIf you can’t afford to donate now, why not consider leaving a bequest to Founders Hall in your will? A legacy gift costs you nothing now, will proclaim your values, inspire others, and impact lives for years to come.

Anonymous Joan Antkiw*Stephen AntkiwRose M. Antonucci*Theresa BachLee V. BlumJoan BubertJim ChristianoJeanne CookElaine CouriJohn CouriJack Daniels*Julienne DanielsLiz GoldstoneSteven GoldstoneMaryann GriersonPeter GriersonEmelie Howard*Claudia KellyJames KellyAline Lawrence*Tom LeskoDolores MacNeillMargaret McEachernBeverly OsgoodBill OsgoodJoanne PatrickJohn PatrickCarol M. PerineCandace PlechaviciusMary Laura PritchardTom PritchardBarbara Schneider*Lori SeibertTed SeibertHelene TaylorAlayne Vlachos

*in grateful memory