HEALTH + WELLNESS
DR. BLAINE LANGBERG, RIDGEFIELD’S RESIDENT RENAISSANCE MAN
KELLY BERLIN OF JET SET INSPIRE SHARES THE HOTTEST HOTEL OPENINGS THIS SEASON!
LIFE + CULTURE
RIDGEFIELD COMMEMORATES AMERICA AT 250 WITH A YEAR OF CELEBRATIONS
Supply and demand continue to drive our local real estate market, as reflected in Q1 2025 results for Ridgefield. Unit Sales were down nearly 13% due to lack of inventory, while our Median Sales Price is up 33% and Average Sales Price is up 48%. We are starting to see an uptick in the number of new listings hitting the market, many with multiple offers within days.
For those contemplating a sale, the present market conditions are highly advantageous. Our accomplished team of professionals will assist in optimizing your property for market readiness. The COMPASS 3-Phase Marketing Program continues to achieve significant success. We invite you to explore how this program can benefit your transaction. We extend our sincere gratitude for making Karla Murtaugh #1 in Ridgefield again. When you partner with us you can expect a forward-thinking approach to marketing and a platinum level of customer care and integrity across all price points. We recognize a home is your biggest asset, so whether you’re buying or selling, don’t settle. Contact us today for a private consultation.
We live in an age obsessed with efficiency and productivity. And I’ll admit—it’s a trap I sometimes fall into, too. The trap of believing that the only things worth doing are those I can calculate— down to the time, effort, and investment they’ll cost me. The things that offer the most control and the least uncertainty.
But the truth is, that’s a pretty sad and unfulfilling way to go through life.
We have to leave room for exploration—for trying new places and things, for being a beginner again, even for getting lost. It’s in those unstructured, open-ended moments that real connections are made, friendships are nurtured, and trust is built.
Over the past few months, I’ve been thinking a lot about my relationship with my kids—how we operate as a family, and what we truly love spending time doing. To get clarity, I started by looking at what we don’t love spending time on. For us, it’s screens. For your family, it might be too many over-scheduled weeknights or not enough dinners around the table.
But what I’ve realized is that “adventure” and “exploration” don’t have to be big or complicated. They can be as simple as playing a board game on the patio, walking a new trail, or hunting down a fun cookie shop in a part of town we’ve never been to.
Our hope with this issue is to inspire you to make room for exploration. To prioritize time away from the regular routine. To lose yourself on a trail—or in a book. To finally take that trip you’ve been dreaming about. And to make time for the things that matter most to you, but so often come last on the calendar.
BRUCE BERNSTEIN, PUBLISHER
@RIDGEFIELDLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE
July 2025
PUBLISHER
Bruce Bernstein | bruce.bernstein@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Katie Parry | katie.parry@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Pam Antonacchio | pam.antonacchio@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Geoffrey Morris, Kelly Berlin
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Jennifer Zarine Photography
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Dr. Blaine Langberg Wears Many Hats
Local Travel Agent Kelly Berlin Puts the Top Down on the Hottest Hotel Openings in the Region
Ridgefield Commemorates America at 250
The Zulkeski Brothers Are Reeling in Ridgefield’s Next Generation of Anglers
Kory (left) and Kris (right) Zulkeski, owners of the recently opened bait and tackle shop, KAZ Outdoors. We caught up with them at Mamanasco Lake for the first state-permitted fishing tournament Ridgefield has seen in years.
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Marche is a boutique architecture studio specializing in bespoke residential new builds and renovations. With a focus on elegant, functional design, each project reflects the client’s unique lifestyle. Whether crafting a custom home, executing a thoughtful renovation, or pursuing a sustainable upgrade, every step of the process is guided with creativity and precision. Designing a home is a unique opportunity to shape how one lives. Marche helps create homes that truly feel like yours. Visit MarcheArch.com and follow along @marche_architecture.
by Darcey Stone
Meals on Wheels has been delivering meals with a smile to Ridgefield residents in need for the last 60 years. Their part-time staff and over 175 volunteers planned, prepared, and delivered 54,000 meals in 2024! Since Meals on Wheels does not receive any federal or state funding, they have no age or income restrictions, which means they rely entirely on support from the community. Visit mealsonwheelsofridgefield.org to learn how you can help.
Photography by Kate Wark Photography
Kelly Berlin began her career at Travel + Leisure in New York and followed her passion for travel to Hong Kong. After 14 years living and working in Asia, she moved to Ridgefield. Now a Luxury Travel Agent with SmartFlyer—a Virtuoso affiliate—Kelly specializes in multi-generational trips, family travel, and honeymoons. Securing exclusive perks, upgrades, and personalized service for every itinerary, Kelly’s global expertise ensures every trip is seamless. Ready for your next getaway? Reach Kelly at (917) 753-8401, kelly.berlin@ smartflyer.com, or @jetsetinspire.
Photos By Siobhan
Dr. Blaine Langberg, Ridgefield’s local orthodontist, is a man who wears many hats—and not just the funny ones he dons to celebrate his patients’ new smiles.
Langberg majored in Mathematics and minored in English at Union College, where he wrote his thesis on fractal repetition structure in poetry. Specifically, he explored whether poets of nature employed more fractals—or repeating patterns—in their work than city-dwelling poets. This early academic curiosity—part science, part art—would set the tone for a life filled with both structure and creativity.
For a career, Langberg settled on orthodontics and was accepted into the hallowed halls of Harvard School of Dental Medicine. He spent seven years at what he jokingly refers to as “The H Word.” Having met his future wife Rachel at Union during his sophomore year, they started dating when they were studying in Boston. The couple eventually married, settled in Ridgefield, and now have three daughters.
“I got my first full time job at 30!” Langberg tells us, laughing. But 22 years into his career, the fact that he was a late bloomer to the workforce is irrelevant. His joie de vivre is peaking—and it’s as epic as it is contagious.
Like the fractals he once studied, the cadence of Langberg’s life has taken on its own sort of fractality. There are so many branches and offshoots with their own pattern and rhythm. And at the center of it all, the trunk, is his family.
“Great pride and joy come from my family,” Langberg says. “My wife and three daughters keep me grounded and remind me that at the end of the day, nothing beats the love and happiness we share together.”
The first branch on this sturdy, metaphorical trunk is, of course, orthodontics.
Langberg opened his eponymous practice in Ridgefield at 17 Danbury Road in 2003. When the space next door became available in 2013, he expanded. With an arcade, children’s play area, state-of-theart scanning technology (farewell, gag-inducing impressions!), and five open bays where the magic happens, the office feels anything but clinical. It’s warm, vibrant, and inviting—just like Langberg himself.
As Ridgefield’s only resident orthodontist running a one-office practice (he does not want other offices to be a distraction), Langberg is as local as it gets—a setup that keeps him deeply connected to the community he serves. Whether he’s calming a nervous patient at their first appointment or celebrating with a newly braces-free kid during a hilarious (or more likely, mortifying) “parade” through the office—often while wearing one of the many whimsical hats in his collection—Langberg somehow makes orthodontics joyful.
Then there’s the philanthropic branch.
Langberg is deeply committed to giving back, regularly donating his time, expertise, and resources to local causes. He supports numerous organizations, including Boys & Girls Club, Run Like a Mother, Ridgefield A Better Chance (RABC), and The Prospector Theater.
At a recent RABC gala, alumna Lashawnna Mullins shared how having braces at Dr. Langberg’s office helped change her life. As a student at Ridgefield High School, Mullins received pro bono orthodontic care from Langberg. During her speech, in true comedic spirit, she joked about “how much… or how little” she wears her retainers.
The Langbergs, who are always looking for ways to give back to the community, have decided to become a host family for a future RABC scholar.
“The Ridgefield community has been very supportive of my practice,” Langberg tells us. “It’s very important for me to reciprocate, for me—and my family—to give back in any way we can.”
With ties to philanthropy, Langberg’s life also has a comedic branch.
A few years ago, at a fundraiser for The Silver Platter Foundation— an organization founded by Rachel that provides goods and services to families affected by adult blood cancer with children living at home—Langberg discovered an unexpected passion: stand-up comedy. He bid on—and won—a comedy class with Christine O’Leary, former artistic director and occasional host of the Ridgefield Playhouse’s comedy series.
“Comedy is a fun way to tell a story,” Langberg tells us. “It provides me with an outlet to use a different part of my brain. It’s another avenue to spread more joy in the world, this time through laughter!”
Since that class with O’Leary, Langberg has performed across Fairfield County and competed in Last Comix Standing at Mohegan Sun. He’s also taken the stage in New York City at The Comic Strip Live, Broadway Comedy Club, and Stand Up NY.
Next is the spiritual branch.
Raised in the Jewish faith, Langberg and his family are members of Congregation B’nai Chaim in Redding. In his 30s, during a visit to Restoration Hardware, he stumbled upon a book about Siddhartha. While Rachel shopped, he flipped through the pages—and something clicked. That chance encounter sparked a spiritual journey into meditation and Buddhism. Today, Langberg proudly identifies as a “JuBu”—a Jewish Buddhist.
“JuBu is a thing!” he says, laughing. “‘I didn’t make up the name, unfortunately. The term was already coined in other nonfiction books before I discovered it.”
While he may not have invented the term, he did write a book about his spiritual evolution, adding yet another branch to his ever-expanding tree: author.
Langberg’s debut novel, Journey of a JuBu: How a Neurotic Jew Found His Inner Bu was published in 2020. Though fictional, the book offers a playful window into Langberg’s inner life, following a Harvard-trained orthodontist, Jacob, as he searches for a worklife balance while on a quest for inner peace.
His second novel was published in January of this year. Conquering Whitney: A Mountain of Misadventure follows Jacob—yes, the same Harvard-trained orthodontist—as he accepts a friend’s invitation to climb Mount Whitney... only to find old demons resurfacing.
If you haven’t already guessed, the book is a thinly veiled recollection of Langberg’s own midlife crisis—and epic real-life climb— which is still another branch on Langberg’s tree.
Langberg has always enjoyed hiking in and around Ridgefield. But hiking up mountains is exponentially more difficult. According to him, it’s also more rewarding.
Five years after hiking Mount Whitney, Langberg went on to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Then, last summer, at 52 years old, he trekked to Everest Base Camp where three of his branches converged: hiking, orthodontics, and philanthropy. At
Namche Dental Clinic, the highest dental clinic in the world, he donated a bag of toothbrushes and other supplies he had carried all the way from Ridgefield to Nepal.
“Hiking clears my mind—it’s another form of meditation. I love being out in nature, breathing the fresh air, and getting my heart going. And nothing beats the beautiful scenery. It’s been fun challenging myself to reach new heights—literally and personally.”
Despite his renaissance-man résumé—orthodontist, philanthropist, comedian, spiritual seeker, author, adventurer—Langberg is remarkably grounded. He’s as comfortable teaching orthodontic residents at Harvard as he is chatting with a nervous first-time patient or joking with a parent in the reception area.
Though his accomplishments are impressive, Langberg is anything but intimidating. Approachable, warm, hilarious—and above all, genuine—he also happens to be phenomenal at fixing smiles.
“Whether it’s patients or parents in my office, fellow comedians, or strangers on a hike—I love connecting with people,” Langberg says. “I think that’s my superpower. We all have one, and I really enjoy learning about everyone’s journey.”
“Whether it’s patients or parents in my office, fellow comedians, or strangers on a hike—I love connecting with people. I think that’s my superpower. We all have one, and I really enjoy learning about everyone’s journey.”
We asked Langberg to share some of his favorite local hikes to explore this summer. His top picks? Bennett’s Pond State Park, Leon Levy Preserve, and Seth Low Pierrepont State Park. To set up a complimentary orthodontic consultation, visit braceyourselves.com (see what he did there?). Both of Langberg’s books are available at Books on the Common and online. And follow him on Instagram @ drblainelangbergortho and @blainelangberg
Local Travel Agent Kelly Berlin Puts the Top Down on the Hottest Hotel Openings in the Region
ARTICLE BY KELLY BERLIN
With endless blue skies, shimmering sunshine and “just right” temps, there’s no place more idyllic than the East Coast in the summertime. And there’s no better way to soak it all in than with a summer road trip.
Not sure where to set your GPS? We’ve got you covered with a round-up of the newest and most exciting hotel
If your inner urbanite is craving a summer night on the town, look no further than The Surrey, a chic, discreet haven tucked into a sophisticated townhouse on the Upper East Side. The landmark American property for European hotel brand Corinthia, The Surrey also houses NYC’s first outpost of dynamic restaurant and member’s club Casa Tua, of Miami and Aspen fame, and a sublime spa by Sisley. Just revealed at press time, The Surrey will launch an exciting offer this summer for guests living within a two-hour driving radius of the property with flexible check-in and check-out times: “Arrive at your convenience and depart at your leisure, indulge in a stay designed for effortless relaxation”. Looks like your weekend plans just got a major upgrade! corinthia.com
openings in the Northeast. From a hip hideaway in the Hamptons to a wellness escape in the Hudson Valley to a sophisticated NYC haven, plus two buzzy new haunts in Litchfield, and a history-filled mansion and farm in NJ, the open road is calling and your next fabulous escape is just around the corner!
Hamptons lovers, rejoice! The owners of the Colony Palm Beach are bringing their effortless glamour and perfectly placed pops of pink to East Hampton this summer with the opening of The Hedges Inn and its signature restaurant, Swifty’s. Located in the heart of town and featuring just 13-rooms, The Hedges offers a host of fun and nostalgic amenities—from a thoughtfully stocked provisions bar with all-day artisanal snacks and local treats, to their signature full-service beach buggy and butler experience, to a bespoke bike program. Add in epic trivia nights, beach bonfires with s’mores, and intimate interactive events featuring local luminaries for your most memorable weekend yet on the East End. thehedgeseasthampton.com
If a full health and wellness reset is at the top of your summer wish list, newly opened The Ranch Hudson Valley beckons with its renowned fitness and diet regimen. After more than a decade of reshaping minds and bodies at the OG wellness retreat, The Ranch Malibu, the program has arrived in our own backyard. Set in a historic lakefront Manor House on a 200-acre forested property, The Ranch offers 3- or 4-night group programs, with each day featuring a signature schedule of mountain hikes, strength training classes, restorative yoga, deep tissue massage, and delicious, organic, plant-based meals. Frazzled, frenzied, exhausted? No matter what state you arrive in, you’ll depart The Ranch with the strength of body and mind to take on whatever life brings your way. theranchlife.com
For a quick local getaway, look no further than Litchfield, where cutting-edge hotel brand Salt Hotels has transformed the Litchfield County Courthouse into a unique luxury boutique hotel, which pays homage to the building’s storied past. Original elements such as old judges’ benches and jury boxes have found new life as banquette seating in the hotel’s restaurant, aptly named The Courtroom—a buzzy dining spot featuring upscale tavern fare—and The Verdict, a rooftop bar with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. New, design-led, great dining? Guilty as charged! theabnerhotel.com
For an upscale Connecticut countryside retreat, the brandnew Belden House & Mews offers an idyllic option. Set across three in-town acres in Litchfield, the property comprises several historic buildings meticulously restored by the owners of Troutbeck in the Hudson Valley. Guests can choose rooms in the original 1888 Belden Home or The Mews, each featuring 16-hour daily butler service, or a 3-bedroom penthouse with its own living room, kitchen and private terrace—ideal for larger family stays and special celebrations. The Bathhouse is the wellness and fitness hub of the property featuring a full-service spa, while the property’s seasonal outdoor swimming pool is a serene oasis during the warmer months. Coming this fall, The Firehouse promises to be a new mainstay for the community with casual drinks and dining, while the Dining Room, helmed by Connecticut native Chef Tyler Heckman, presents a seafood-focused menu sourced from the New England coast paired with seasonal local produce. We’re tagging Belden House as THE place to stay for NYC’s jet set come autumn—so book now before the prices go up! beldenhouse.com
Summertime in New Jersey may conjure images of boardwalks and beaches, but the newly opened Pendry Natirar presents a whole different kind of family fun in a luxe countryside getaway filled with organic outdoor pursuits. A stately Tudor-style mansion built in the early 1900s and set amidst 500 rolling acres in Somerset County, the property, which has been lovingly restored by the Pendry Hotel Group, features three signature restaurants and lounges, a giant pool with its own alfresco restaurant, and a host of incredible summer programming to suit every age range and taste. From Bee Experiences and Animal Encounters, to Archery and Axe Throwing, to a Greenhouse Series and Garden Parties, to a farm-to-table Cooking School, there is so much fun to be had! If you’re planning a visit, join the annual Clam Bake on July 26 or Pig Roast on Aug 24, which are sure to be highlights on your summer calendar. pendry.com/natirar
This summer, charming, history-filled Mystic turns the page on a new chapter in its history with the opening of a luxury hotel property that’s every bit as quintessential as the seaside village itself. Nestled on the campus of the Mystic Seaport Museum, the impeccably-designed Delamar Mystic is steeped in maritime history. Charles Mallory Sr., sailmaker and shipbuilder, first arrived in Mystic in 1816. More than two centuries later, Charles Mallory, the current owner of Delamar Hotels, holds both his ancestor’s namesake and passion for the seaport. The hotel is home to the splashy La Plage Restaurant & Oyster Bar, with a menu focused on locally sourced seafood, fresh produce, and sustainable meats, using flavors and cooking preparations influenced by the Portuguese whalemen who settled in Mystic in the 1800s. After a day out on the town, guests enjoy the hotel’s state-of-theart spa and fitness center, take a dip in the heated swimming pool, or relax on the outdoor patio overlooking the scenic Mystic River. Ready to dive in? Delamar has a “CT Neighbors” rate for residents. Enjoy special savings on your stay at any Delamar location in Connecticut by using the promo code CTNeighbors and showing a valid state ID at check in. delamar.com
It’s time to put the top down, throw your weekend tote in the trunk, fill up your iced coffee and get going… the promise of uncharted adventure lies in the road ahead.
It was a hot July day in Philadelphia nearly 250 years ago when 56 men stepped forward and did something unthinkable. With ink and conviction, they signed a parchment that would become one of the most revered documents in history—the Declaration of Independence. But in 1776, it was not a sacred relic. It was a death warrant.
These men, founders of a new nation that had yet to win a single battle, pledged their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor” to the cause of American independence. They weren’t just risking abstract ideals. They were placing a bounty on their own heads. The British Crown saw them not as patriots, but as traitors, and traitors were to be hanged.
Take Thomas Nelson, a signer from Virginia. During the war, British troops occupied his family mansion. Rather than spare it, he reportedly urged General George Washington to open fire on the British occupiers. He knew that liberty came at a cost—and he was willing to pay it in brick, blood, and legacy.
Despite overwhelming odds, those men and the ragged army they inspired endured. Against the most powerful empire in the world, the revolutionaries held their ground—at Valley Forge, in the swamps of the Carolinas, and finally, triumphantly, at Yorktown in 1781. Victory, however, did not mean stability.
The years that followed were chaotic. The young nation limped along under the Articles of Confederation, a loose framework that couldn’t even compel states to pay taxes. The dream was flickering. In 1787, many of those same revolutionaries gathered again in Philadelphia, this time behind closed doors, to craft a more lasting solution. What emerged was the U.S. Constitution—a bold structure of checks and balances, of rights and representation. It was not perfect, but it was resilient.
Still, one truth burned at the core of it all: the idea that “all men are created equal,” the foundational line of the Declaration. That phrase, written by Thomas Jefferson, rang with clarity but lived in contradiction. Slavery remained legal, and millions lived in bondage beneath the flag of liberty.
Fast forward “four-score and seven” years after the signing of the Declaration, and a tall, gaunt man from Illinois stood on a
battlefield where tens of thousands had died. President Abraham Lincoln, in his “Gettysburg Address,” didn’t speak for long. But his words thundered through time.
He didn’t talk of vengeance or victory. Instead, he said the war was a “great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.” Lincoln saw the Civil War not just as a conflict over territory or secession, but as the ultimate test of the Declaration’s promise.
At Gettysburg, he reframed the Constitution through the lens of the Declaration. “All men are created equal” wasn’t just poetic flourish—it was the cornerstone of the American experiment. And it was worth preserving, even if it cost hundreds of thousands of lives.
Lincoln understood what the founders had risked: their lives for an idea. He understood what the Union soldiers were dying for: to protect and expand that idea. In the final words of his address, he urged the nation to ensure that “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
That sentence, like the Declaration itself, wasn’t merely a political statement—it was a promise. And it was bought with blood. From Lexington and Concord to Appomattox, from Jefferson’s CONTINUED >
quill to Lincoln’s oratory, America’s story is one of constant reckoning with its ideals.
The signers of the Declaration were hunted men who gambled everything on the chance that freedom might prevail. They won that gamble. The Constitution they inspired set the groundwork for a republic. But it was Lincoln who reminded the nation why it all mattered. Without equality, liberty is hollow. Without justice, freedom is fragile.
Today, we rightly celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks and flags, because the men who started it did so at the risk of everything. And we quote Lincoln inspired by the fact that he was reaching back to the very beginning— to the parchment that dared to declare that all men are created equal.
The founding of America was not a single moment, but a journey. It began in defiance, was tested in war, codified in law, and reaffirmed in civil bloodshed. Every generation since has been asked, in one way or another, to continue that journey.
Pictured in the photo on page 24 from left to right: Meetinghouse director Deborah Rundlett, RCA250 co-chair and ECDC chair Geoffrey Morris, Property Twins Team at Houlihan Lawrence's Stephanie Heering, Louzette Dovaras, Elegant Ridgefield owner and secretary Elizabeth Murray Ellis, Ridgefield Arts Council member Renee Brown-Cheng (in white), co-chair and Theater Barn executive director Pamme Jones, Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center board president Sara Champion, Keeler Tavern executive director Hildegard Grob, Dawn Fawcett, and committee treasurer Jim Carone.
Ridgefield will commemorate America’s 250th year with a yearlong series of events. It begins on July 4, 2025, with a barbecue and gathering at Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center, punctuated with a reading of the full Declaration of Independence. Admission is free, burgers are $7.50.
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2025, 10 AM TO 2 PM, KEELER TAVERN MUSEUM & HISTORY CENTER, 152 MAIN STREET
It ends a year later with a weekend packed with events. A townwide parade at 10 am on Friday, July 3, 2026, starting at Jesse Lee Church, heading north on Main Street to Ballard Park. Everyone can march but you must apply and explain your float or group, falling under the theme Evolving Liberty.
Liberty Ball, Friday, July 3, 5 pm, Lounsbury House, 316 Main Street. Purchase tickets at ridgefiedct250.org
Townwide festival, Sunday, July 4, 2026, 10 am to 2 pm, Ballard Park: period games, demonstrations, and contra dancing. Admission is free.
To learn about the dozens of other events taking place throughout the year, visit ridgefieldct250.org and follow the committee on Facebook and Instagram @ridgefieldct250
ARTICLE BY KATIE PARRY PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER ZARINE PHOTOGRAPHY
The Zulkeski Brothers Are Reeling in Ridgefield’s Next Generation of Anglers
The Zulkeski brothers have always loved fishing.
We joined Kris and Kory one sunny morning at Mamanasco Lake. When Kris received a phone call, his fishing reel ringtone (which was impressively realistic, we must admit) perfectly underscored just how next-level their passion for the sport runs.
As kids growing up in Norwalk, the brothers learned to fish along the Connecticut shoreline. Their parents had a summer house on Peach Lake in North Salem, where Kris and Kory further honed their casting and reeling skills.
“We always talked about opening a tackle shop,” Kris tells us. “And when we saw this property open up, we decided to finally go for it.”
Kris and Kory, who are both veterans, opened KAZ Outdoors in October 2024, initially aiming to be a one-stop shop for adventuring, with products for hikers, campers, anglers, and more.
However, given the sheer quantity of inventory required to sustain such an operation, it quickly became clear that the setup was untenable. The brothers pivoted, narrowing the store’s focus to selling only bait and tackle.
“Most of our customers were coming in for fishing tackle anyway,” Kory tells us. “Which is what we really wanted to focus on all along.”
For years, Ridgefield’s fishing scene has dwindled. There was no local bait or tackle shop, no tournaments, and more popular lakes farther north drew anglers away. When KAZ Outdoors opened, Kris and Kory were surprised by just how many people were interested in fishing—and more so by how many of them were kids.
“A lot of times, parents come in and simply tell us, ‘Get my kids what they need to catch fish,’” Kris tells us. “And that’s exactly what we do.”
One could argue that this younger generation of anglers—who grew up with the necessity of social distancing—was inspired to take up the sport because of that. Or perhaps it’s that parents are trying to get their kids outside and off screens, and spending a few hundred dollars on some fishing gear and a rowboat is a small price to pay for doing just that. Or maybe it’s simpler still—maybe kids just think fishing is fun... and they’ve gotten hooked.
Despite the demands of running the store, the brothers both maintain full-time jobs.
“It’s not easy, but we make it work because we love what we do and are committed to serving the Ridgefield fishing community,” Kory tells us.
Kory runs KAZ Wildlife. As a licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator, the business specializes in the removal and prevention of unwanted wildlife around homes and properties. Kris works as the sole Animal Control Officer for the Town of Ridgefield, a position he’s held since 2017.
“Kory catches raccoons all morning, and I catch dogs. In the afternoon, we go fishing,” Kris says, laughing.
Once Kory and Kris opened the store, they decided—please excuse the pun—there were bigger fish to fry than just running a bait and tackle shop. They wanted to bring bona fide fishing tournaments back to Ridgefield.
On Saturday, May 3, the first state-permitted fishing tournament in over a decade was held at Mamanasco Lake. Anglers ranging in age from 9 to 69—40 in total—fished for bass on the 89-acre body of water. The pure joy of bringing this tournament to life was evident on both brothers’ faces.
“There are pros on the lake in top-of-the-line fishing kayaks and kids in $200 rowboats,” Kris tells us. “They’re all participating in a legitimate, state-permitted tournament right here in Ridgefield.”
Different tournaments have different rules. To keep things simple, KAZ Outdoors set a minimum length of 10 inches for the fish. Anglers with the top three heaviest bass received a cash prize and a loaded tackle box from various KAZ vendors—including brands like St. Croix, Rapala, Keitech, DRC, and Rugged Road Coolers.
“They’re having a blast out there,” Kory says. “They’re all joking with each other and laughing. Fishing is great because you can do it with friends—or on your own. Either way, it’s a lot of fun.”
What sets KAZ Outdoors apart from big-box stores is the combined knowledge of Kris, Kory, and their employees—many of whom head out fishing after finishing their shifts. Their expertise extends beyond gear recommendations, including tips on local fishing spots. They direct customers to nearby bodies of water within a ten-minute drive or suggest spots farther north, like Candlewood Lake, Lake Zoar, or Lake Lillinonah, as well as coastal locations in Norwalk and Westport.
“It all depends on what customers are looking for, how much time they have, and whether they’re on a boat or not,” Kris explains. “Fishing can be overwhelming and intimidating. We want people to feel comfortable when they walk in and be able to ask, ‘Where should I go, and what should I use?’”
From popular brands to high-end custom products, KAZ stocks a wide variety of rods and reels. They carry lures ranging from soft
plastics and jigs to spinners and crankbaits. Fresh, live, and frozen bait are always stocked—a rarity in Fairfield County. KAZ also sells other angler gear, including Rugged Road coolers, known for being lighter and more durable than other name-brand options.
KAZ also issues permits to fish the Saugatuck Reservoir, which are distributed by Aquarion Water Company.
New this year are fishing adventure parties for kids who love to fish. KAZ can accommodate up to eight participants on their electric-powered pontoon boat at Mamanasco Lake. Staff members demonstrate proper baiting techniques and offer hands-on guidance. Rods, reels, life preservers, and professional photos are all included.
It’s clear from talking with Kris and Kory how meaningful fishing was to them growing up and how much they still love it as adults.
It’s a core memory they’ve turned into a career. That morning at the KAZ Outdoors fishing tournament on Mamanasco Lake, we witnessed core memories being made by the next generation of anglers. Visit KAZ Outdoors at 714 Danbury Road to get hooked on fishing or check out their website at kazoutdoors.com. For birthday party inquiries, email KAZoutdoorsllc@gmail.com.
MONDAYS
Walled Garden at Keeler Tavern Museum | 7:00 PM
Commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with Poetry in the Garden’s 2025 season: Declarations 2025 - Resilience & Rage: Voices from Marginalized America. Each Monday evening in July, nationally acclaimed poets will share works that explore how historically oppressed communities have been denied the Declaration of Independence’s promised “inalienable rights.” Free.
JULY 1ST
The Meetinghouse | 6:30 PM
The Ridgefield Historical Society and The Meetinghouse in Ridgebury proudly present historian Keith Marshall Jones III who will give the illustrated presentation, Rochambeau: America’s Forgotten French Founding Father. Commemorating Rochambeau’s 300th birthday—and his 1781 Ridgefield visit (both of which took place on July 1), the talk includes a reception. Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Purchase by visiting meetinghouse.life or ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org
JULY 19TH
Woodcock Nature Center | 2:00 PM
Join Ms. Kathleen from the Ridgefield Library and Kelly Donahoe from Woodcock Nature Center for this active story time celebrating outdoor adventures! Participants will meet at the Pavilion at WNC to read a story, visit the Nature Center to meet an ambassador animal, then take a guided hike on the nearby trails. Registration is required and opens on July 5 at 8 a.m., visit ridgefieldlibrary.org.
JULY 20TH
Princesses in the Park
Ballard Park | 11:00 AM
You asked, and Sweet Bean Events answered! Princesses in the Park is bringing enchantment to our community for the fourth year in a row. Join us for a magical experience featuring live entertainment on the main stage, beautiful gazebo photo opportunities, fantastic vendor booths, princess meet-and-greets, royal surprises, and fairy tale fun! 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Free!
JULY 26TH
Main Street | 10:00 AM
Mark your calendars for SummerFest 2025! From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., attendees will enjoy various craft vendors, sidewalk sales, and live entertainment on Main Street. Get up close with vehicles at Lounsbury House where there will be a touch-a-truck, enjoy food with your family, and connect with the community! Free.
JULY 26TH
Race Ends at Southwest Cafe | 7:00 PM
Barbara Nevins and Southwest Cafe present the 19th annual Southwest Cafe Margarita 5k to benefit Ability Beyond, an organization dedicated to empowering every person, no matter their ability, to live, work and thrive as members of their community. The yummy margarita customers know and love will be waiting for them at the post-race fiesta! Visit southwestcafe.com/margarita-5k to register.
