As we hear on the news daily, refugee camps around the world are packed with families yearning for a new, safe home. Imagine the relief of arriving in America… and also the challenge of finding -- and furnishing -- a place to live. Enter CIRI, the Connecticut Immigrant and Refugee Coalition, a non-partisan organization that has “promoted the rights and opportunities of immigrants and refugees in Connecticut, to foster their civic participation, and to facilitate their economic contributions” for nearly three decades. Among the many services they offer, CIRI helps these vulnerable newcomers find and outfit their homes.

Who doesn’t love a thriller? Add a timely, thought-provoking storyline with characters that range from grade school to septuagenarian and you’ve got the makings of a stellar selection for Fairfield’s beloved One Book, One Town program. The title that fits this bill is…Warrior Girl, Unearthed by Angeline Boulley.

As many of you now know, I had the privilege of growing up overseas in the beautiful country of Perú. There is always something new to discover—breathtaking beaches lining the coastline, the incredible sand dunes in Ica, the Manu Biosphere Reserve known for its rich Amazonian biodiversity, and incomparable Incan ruins woven amidst the Andean mountains. There really isn’t any other way to explain it other than we fell in love with Perú and everything it offers culturally and (let’s face it) gastronomically.

The Fairfield Public Library’s One Book, One Town committee, lovingly chaired by Mary Coe and Claudia Silk, chose The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. “This is a book about connection, acceptance, and positivity. We wanted to spread hope at a time when so many people are feeling frustrated and anxious,” explains Silk. “This year, our decision was almost unanimous, which is unusual for the OBOT selection and really speaks to the universal appeal of the book.”

Nothing quite encapsulates tranquility and happiness like the beaches that so many love in Fairfield. Stretching from Jennings to Southport Beach, each sandy shoreline has a unique personality and characteristics that set each other apart - yet they each have so much to offer. Whether it’s 90 degrees on a sweltering August day, or snowing in January, Fairfield’s beaches have so much to offer.

One chilly winter evening, I decided to take a walk around Westport. Wandering with no location in mind, I peered into closed storefronts and stared out onto the Saugatuck River. I turned a corner here and there, roaming the alleyways, all vacant. Upon one turn, I came across a cluster of individuals, all crowded around a hidden gem.

Sitting at 1520 Bronson Road and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Ogden House is a time capsule into life in Fairfield during 18th century Colonial America. Built in 1750 for David Ogden when he married Jane Sturges, the house serves as an educational experience for visitors to get a look at what every day was like for a Fairfield family 271 years ago.

As the flurries fly and the fluffy stuff covers our lawns, cars, and roads, the anticipation builds in excited children. Sometimes the time we spend with our families includes time-honored traditions passed down through the generations—like sledding.