September 12, 2009

THE RECORD-REVIEW: "Talk of the Town"

By BONNI BRODNICK

Is your skin feeling all fertootzed from sun and chlorine? Pound Ridger Mia Camacho-Fitzgerald is the balm. As founder of Clean Ridge Soap Company, she has discovered the elixir to make your skin feel replenished and renewed. Using only the best and purest products available, Mia makes bar and liquid soaps, lotions that contain such lushy natural ingredients as avocado butter, jojoba and olive oils. These veritable beauty potions also include essential oils of geranium, lavender, lemon grass, lime, peppermint and rosemary; as well as ground vanilla beans, almonds, oats, annatto seeds, sandalwood powder, ultramarine oxides and parsley for colorant

“I started the business because I moved to Pound Ridge and my skin became dry and itchy from the well water,” Mia told us from her stand at the Farmer’s Market in front of Joan Silbersher’s Antiques & Tools of Business & Kitchen on Westchester Avenue. Mia took a class to learn how to make her own soap, and within a few months, made over 500 bars to give away to friends and co-workers. They loved the soap and offered to pay for additional bars. Turn to the next page, and Mia’s Clean Ridge Soap Company products are now shipped nation-wide. There are over 120 products, including soothing lip balms and yummilicious diffusers and candles. From soap bars to gift boxes and spa baskets, you and your epidermis are sure to rejoice. For a complete product primer, go to the Clean Ridge Soap Company, www.cleanridge.com.

Be sure to note this special event on your calendar: longtime former Pound Ridger Margaret Monkman, who now lives in New Canaan, will present her new book,“Bombs and Lambs,” on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 4 p.m. at the Hiram Halle Library. The book is a memoir of her childhood in England during World War II. Margaret wrote parts of the book over the years, and was inspired to complete it during her participation in the Library’s Memoir Writing Group. (Josina Van De Maas’s memoir, “Pappa’s Papers: Memories of a Dutch Childhood,” also came to fruition in this wonderful class hosted by our Library.) After Mrs. Monkman’s book talk, there will be a signing and refreshments.
We also just learned that there will be a book signing for the launch of Dick Major and Vince Manna’s book, “Images of America: Pound Ridge,” on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. More on that in upcoming “Talk of the Town” columns, but you might want to note that in on the calendar while your pen is poised for autumn bookings.

The seat of wellbeing awaits you. Marlene Gallagher has designed a series of yoga classes for those not comfortable in a traditional beginner’s class, but interested in exploring the benefits of yoga despite limitations due to age, inactivity, inflexibility, medical conditions, or injury. Marlene will teach breath exercises and a variety of postures and stretches to increase strength, flexibility, and balance. Additional benefits of the practice include stress reduction and gentle re-invigoration. Chairs will be used throughout most of the class.
The fall schedule is Tuesday and Friday, from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. at Pound Ridge Community Church; and Thursday 3-4:15 p.m. at O2 Living in Yellow Monkey Village, Cross River. “I am also available for home visits and am happy to work with any level of physical ability, even the bed-ridden,” Marlene said. “My gentle yoga classes make a nice gift for a friend in recovery.” Go to the source for more information. Telephone 232-3062 or e-mail marlene29@optonline.net.

Don’t think the Town Park is going dormant just because day camp is over and the pool is closed. Busy weekends ahead! The Country Fair comes to town tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Sponsored by Pound Ridge Lions Club and Pound Ridge Recreation Commission, this annual autumn fair is a great community effort supported by townsfolk, volunteers, other Pound Ridge organizations and supportive local merchants. (Shop local! You’ll save time and gas, and the service is better!) All proceeds from the Country Fair will go to support the humanitarian efforts of the Lions here in Pound Ridge and around the world. . . . And on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is the 7th Annual Pound Ridge Car Show. So stick around. Lots of fun happenings ‘round the ‘Ridge the next two Saturdays.

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