Dr. Blaine Langberg and Patients Support the New Ridgefield Library

Dr. Blaine J. Langberg DMD MMSC, previously a sponsor of our Ridgefield Kids Read for the New Ridgefield Library Read-a-thon, has done it again.  This time he has turned to the generosity of his patients to help support the Campaign for the New Ridgefield Library.  During a fundraiser in his office Dr. Langberg challenged his patients to fill a jar with the tokens that they would normally turn in for prizes.  When the jar was filled, Dr. Langberg promised to donate $1,000.00 to charity.  Well, the kids did it, and Dr. Langberg has made the New Ridgefield Library one of the recipients of his and his patients' kind generosity. Chris Nolan, Library Director, was pleased and grateful to accept a $500.00 check for the Campaign for the New Ridgefield Library.  Thank you to Dr. Langberg and all of his patients who participated in this great fundraiser!  

The Library & The Prospector: Twice As Much Fun on Prospect Street!

Several people have commented on the considerable size of the construction site at the corner of Main and Prospect Streets.  From some angles, the entire block seems like one big hole dug most of way down to China.  We just wanted to remind people that there are actually two separate construction projects going on in that area.

The Library has completed demolition and excavation and is busy with foundation work on its portion of the block, closer to Main Street.  At the same time, on largely the same construction schedule, The Prospector movie theater project has demolished the old bank/theater further down the block on Prospect and is pouring concrete for its own building.  The two teams of builders are carefully coordinating efforts to accommodate a lot of big machinery in a tight proximity!

So what you are seeing is actually the beginnings of two buildings that together will form an exciting cultural campus in the heart of downtown.

Historical Pictures of Library

Here's what the Morris Memorial portion of the Library looked like in 1903 (plus a bonus shot of Smith Tavern, which used to sit on this property)..

The ceremonial groundbreaking for the New Ridgefield Library took place on a beautiful fall day.  Very soon afterwards, the construction fence went up and preparation for demolition began.  It doesn't look so calm and beautiful now!  Shown digging in are Capital Campaign Chair Philip Lodewick, Library Board Chair Peter Coffin, a young Library enthusiast, Library Director Chris Nolan, and Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi.