Fitness

Forging Ahead with Purpose

How Mike McManus is Elevating Wellness, One Step at a Time Article by Katie Parry | Photography by Dariusz Terepka Photography Mike McManus has always thrived in a team setting. A former Division I football player at Marist College (now Marist University), he found himself missing the camaraderie and shared purpose once he entered the corporate world. As he advanced in his career, the long hours and sedentary lifestyle began to take their toll. “A theme far too common for so many,” McManus...

May 2025

Education

Dolce Vida

Scott Callahan Is Reshaping Medical Aesthetics Through Expertise and Education Article by Katie Parry | Photography by Annie Fandl Photography With its sleek, chic sign and stunning antique exterior, Dolce Vida Medical Spa has a presence on Danbury Road that commands your attention. Whether entering through the grand front doors or the discreet side entrance, clients step into a whimsical, dazzling space—plush velvet chairs, a crackling fireplace, cheeky artwork alongside Rembrandt replicas...

May 2025

Local Services

Lift. Move. Give.

How Ridgefield’s Ezra Zimmerman Turned EZ Services Into a Force for Good Article by Katie Parry EZ Services is not your average business. What sets it apart is its owner, Ezra Zimmerman. Zimmerman has lived in Ridgefield his entire life. He launched EZ Services in 2011, starting out with a little bit of everything—from tree work to junk removal to moving. Over the years, the company became more focused on moving. Now renowned throughout Fairfield County and beyond for its white-glove...

May 2025

Beauty

Fresh-Faced & Fabulous

Amanda Gabbard’s Ultimate Glow-Up Guide for Radiant Skin Article by Katie Parry Dewy skin is in, and spring is the perfect time to embrace this sought-after look. We’re sitting down with makeup artist extraordinaire Amanda Gabbard to learn how to achieve an effortlessly luminous complexion. Gabbard is a celebrity makeup artist, licensed esthetician, and cosmetic educator with over two decades of experience in the beauty and entertainment industry. Based in New York City, she has worked on...

April 2025

Local Services

The Farmers Next Door

Meet the Women Feeding Ridgefield Article by Katie Parry | Photography by New Light Creative Services Ridgefield, like so many towns in Connecticut, was once a predominantly agrarian community. Over the past century, however, acre after acre of farmland has been developed to accommodate its growing population.  According to research compiled by Phil Esser in Agrarian Presence in the Country Place Era , Ridgefield boasted several thousand acres of farmland as recently as one hundred years...

April 2025

Real Estate

Karla Murtaugh

Turning a Leap of Faith into Real Estate Excellence Article by Katie Parry | Photography by Ashley Hutchings and Jay Graygor Karla Murtaugh is one of Ridgefield’s most recognized names in real estate—so much so that it’s hard to believe she didn’t start her career in the field. Karla’s journey to Fairfield County began in 1987. When her company relocated to Dallas, she stayed in New York after meeting her now-husband, Greg Murtaugh. She then took a position at an international optical company...

April 2025

Education

Opening Doors

How Ridgefield A Better Chance is Helping Students Achieve a Brighter Future Article by Katie Parry For nearly four decades, Ridgefield A Better Chance (RABC) has been transforming the lives of young people of color by providing access to an education they might not otherwise receive. The national nonprofit, A Better Chance (ABC), was founded in 1963. In 1985, a group of Ridgefield High School (RHS) students proposed bringing the program to Ridgefield. With the dedicated support of RHS...

April 2025

Food + Beverage

Flobee’s Roadside Stand

Serving Up Southern Bites and Family-Friendly Nostalgic Delights Article by Katie Parry | Photography by Kate Wark Photography “When we painted the stripes, a friend texted Aaron and said, ‘I saw the stripes! They look just like a jacket I had in 1980!’” Nadia Blair recalls, standing inside the newly opened Flobee’s Roadside Stand. “And I thought to myself: Nailed it! ” Nadia, who co-founded Flobee’s with her husband, Aaron Blair, and their good friend Ric Gutierrez, spent weeks looking at...

March 2025

Home + Design

Changing Homes, Changing Lives

From Custom Closets to Garage Makeovers, Liberty Closet and Garage Transforms Spaces and Supports Heroes Article by Katie Parry | Photography by Jennifer Zarine Photography Liberty Closet and Garage Company (LCG) has been in business for nearly two decades. As one of the sole independent closet and storage companies in the area, that speaks volumes about the quality of their work—and their employees.  LCG’s owner Tony Sigillito began his career on Wall Street but left finance in early 2001...

March 2025

Local Services

Rowe Construction

Helping Homeowners Love Where They Live with Craftsmanship and Integrity Article by Katie Parry | Photography by Abby Cole Photography A house is often the biggest investment a person will make in their lifetime. “When you invest in your home, you’re not just making upgrades—you’re enhancing comfort, efficiency, and long-term value,” says Connor Rowe, founder of Rowe Construction. “Simple changes, like replacing windows or adding spray foam insulation, not only reduce energy bills but also...

March 2025