
Ian Ridgway kneels in the nursery to show how a young tree that he grafted is growing.
L. Tomaino
Ian Ridgway kneels in the nursery to show how a young tree that he grafted is growing.
CORNWALL — The Cornwall Garden Club hosted an apple tree workshop at Ridgway Farm on Town Street Saturday, April 26.
More than twenty attendees gathered in the farm’s newly built barn, which when finished will house a store, tasting room, cold storage for fruits and vegetables and someday, a cidery.
After a welcome to the farm, Gordon Ridgway said he hoped the future store would offer “really good local food and a place for people to come and enjoy what we have here.”He expects the farm store to open this year to begin selling homegrown maple syrup and organic produce.
He introduced Peter Del Tredici, formerly of Harvard Arboretum, who is a fellow Cornwall apple enthusiast.
Ridgway’s son, Ian, explained that when he graduated from college in 2019, he searched for something to do to “not just follow in the old man’s footsteps.”He discovered a book called “Uncultivated,” by Andy Brennan, which inspired him to learn cider-making.
Nowadays, he explained, there are basically seven basic varieties of apples in stores. “Older varieties go by the wayside and are lost to history,” said Ian.
He set out to find the older varieties, also known as heritage apples, in historical Cornwall orchards to use them in his grafting. Heritage apples are known for being more flavorful.
Ian began grafting apple trees in 2023 and demonstrated the process. He uses semi-dwarf apple trees for his root stock, which determines the size of the tree. He likes the resulting height. “About 12 feet high.”
The first step in grafting is to select a scion and root stock of similar diameters.Then both pieces get inch-long cuts on a slant to expose wood.These are lined up again and notches are cut in both pieces. “You cut the notch in both so they can hook into each other,” explained Ian.
Next a wound dressing is applied, and a piece of plastic tape is added around the wound for stability. Both keep water and other substances out.
Ian led the group out to the nursery where the newly grafted trees are kept for about two years. He pointed out some with green leaves, saying, “Green means happy.”
Once ready to leave the nursery, the young trees are moved to the orchard and are planted about 12 feet apart.
Ian placed a young tree in a hole big enough to give the roots plenty of room to spread. He made sure that “the graft union is a couple of inches above the soil line.”The young tree was then watered, and soil was added around the roots.
“Certain varieties of apples make better cider,” Ian commented, “generally, those with higher sugar content.” Ridgway Farm has more than 500 trees and 30 varieties of apples growing now.
One variety, Redfield, is known for having red flesh and red skin. It gives the cider a reddish color. Another, Wickson, he said, has “an insane explosion of flavor.”
Ian expects to make cider from his own apples in about five years.
Joan Anderson Turnure, 91, died after a long illness on May 3, 2025, at Noble Horizons in Salisbury, CT. She was the loving widow of Michael DeBurbure Turnure.
A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Church in Salisbury on June 1, at 1:00PM, followed by a reception at The White Hart Inn.
To view the whole obituary please visit www.kennyfuneralhomes.com.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
CANAAN — The Lord welcomed Liz home Sunday, May 4, 2025, after leading a long life of faithful service, to Him and to us. She loved life and people. While living in Dunnellon, Florida for her waning years, she remained attached to her roots in Canaan, Connecticut.
Though small in stature, Liz was big in heart. After a successful long career as a hairdresser, she remained active and involved. A consummate homemaker, baker, cook, reader and world traveler, Liz enjoyed her several Pomeranians, especially Queen Sheba and Sweet Pea, her final pups. Her hobbies included crocheting, gardening, walking and picking flowers for the table. Liz’s service to others included being a Life Lioness, a Daughter of Isabella, a VFW Auxiliary Life Member, a VA Gainesville Hospital Volunteer as well as service ministries of bereavement and bingo at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
Her survivors include sisters, Stephanie Togninalli (Louis), and Elsie Zucco (Oliver) and many nieces and nephews, grand, great grand, and great great grand nieces and nephews, and her loving, longtime companion, Walter J. Fleck. In Heaven, Liz will join her beloved husband of over 40 years, Frank J. Zucco, parents, Alice and Dazzi Colli, and sisters Anna Smith, and Mary Tyler.
A 10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, May 23, 2025. Services will be held and she will be interred with Frank in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Canaan, Connecticut at a later date. Elizabeth appreciated the love, prayers, and support she received throughout her life.
SOUTH KENT — Denis Rene LaFontan, 81, a lifelong resident of South Kent, passed away peacefully at home on May 6, 2025, surrounded by family.
Born June 25, 1943, at Sharon Hospital, he was the son of the late Andre, Sr. and Elisabeth (Hosslin) LaFontan. He attended Kent Center School and Housatonic Valley Regional High School.
On Jan. 14, 1966, he married Beverly Card, the love of his life. Denis and Beverly were married for 59 wonderful years and Beverly still resides at home.
Denis worked all over Connecticut as a Heavy Equipment Operator, was one of the operators of LaFontan’s Humus and ended his career as the owner/operator of South Kent Construction, LLC, retiring in 2005.
Denis was an avid woodsman who appreciated and understood Northwestern Connecticut’s forests and wildlife. He was a passionate hunter and fisherman, passing on his love and respect for the outdoors to his children and grandchildren.
Family meant everything to Denis. He loved his home and there was no place he’d rather be. He enjoyed walks on his nearby parents’ property also known as “the mountain.” Much of the wood harvested from the “mountain” was used in the wood stove in his basement that kept his family warm all winter. In his later years, Denis enjoyed good conversation out on his porch-especially about recent animals that he or others had seen, like “Boo” the neighborhood bear that Denis had fondly named after numerous sightings.
Denis is survived by two sons and a daughter; Vincent and his wife Maria of Kent, and Lyle and his wife Elaine of Gaylordsville, and Rebecca and her husband Daniel of South Kent. His grandchildren; Olivia, Abigail, Madison, Morgan, Alexandra and Raphael; and two great-grandchildren; Rowan and Harrison.
The family is planning a private burial. Memorial donations may be made to the First Congregational Church of Kent, 97 North Main St. Kent, CT 06757.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.