Enjoying summer days close to home, at events and venues unique to your hometown, are some of the most memorable experiences in life (plus, you can get cozy in your own bed at the end of a fun-filled day).
Our series “What makes you crack a smile” highlights the local people, places and events that make our community an enjoyable place to live.
Get your flip-flops and summer ON and find out what makes Emily Pambianchi, founder of Social Graces Communications, crack a smile.
Tell us about your favorite summertime destination in Ridgefield
What is better on a warm summer day or night than a scoop of homemade ice cream from Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe?
What community event do you look forward to attending? How does it make you feel?
Ridgefield’s Memorial Day parade has been a tradition in my family for generations. I love seeing friends and family lining the streets in patriotic clothing, cheering on and remembering the people who fought for this country. I love bringing out-of-towners and newcomers to the parade, they fall in love with the town – it is the epitome of small-town Americana!
What summer activity in Ridgefield makes you crack a smile?
I have the honor of directing the SPHERE Performing Arts class and our summer night rehearsals at Jesse Lee are my favorite. Honestly, it’s the best moment of the week for those two hours. Our members show up and do the work; singing and dancing, seeing friends, learning from volunteers, and creating new relationships – I can’t do justice to describing the magic. The sun greets us as we leave for the night, and the energy is radiant.
Do you have a cherished memory of summer in Ridgefield?
My childhood summers in town were the best. My Noni had a huge swimming pool in her backyard, and she had my siblings and our cousins swimming there all summer long. I have so many happy memories there. There were eight of us, and we always had a blast. There was a diving board, a slide, a lawn with never-ending Wiffle ball games, a huge basement to play in when the weather got iffy, and a freezer filled with frozen treats and sodas for us. It was the best!
This story was originally published on Hamlet Hub.