Home NorthSouth Aug2010 by HAN Network

HOME A Hersam Acorn Special Section

August 2010

Ancona’s Market Doing What Comes Naturally

The Girl On The Land Story of Women’s Land Army

Highstead Preserving Paradise

Greenwich Post • The Darien Times • New Canaan Advertiser • The Ridgefield Press • The Wilton Bulletin • The Weston Forum • The Redding Pilot • The Lewisboro Ledger

Highstead ... preserving, protecting paradise by Lois Alcosser

Highstead staff photos

The warm hue of goldenrod brightens the landscape and attracts butterflies.

The dictionary dismisses a weed as “undesired, uncultivated and useless.” Most gardeners would agree. But at the paradise in Redding called Highstead, there are wildflowers and wild grasses growing so freely and beautifully that the word “weed” makes no sense. Highstead was formed in 1982 when Mr. and Mrs. James C. Dudley set aside an initial 36 acres of woodland as a sanctuary for the study and appreciation of native plants, animals and woodland habitats. Through additional gifts of land, Highstead has become a center for conservation, ecological research and enhancement of native landscapes. There are now 150 acres of diverse woodland, meadow, pond and swamp habi-

tats, and over two miles of trails through the property. It all adds up to a unique understanding of the intelligence of nature, the resilience of New England forests, the earth’s natural cycles of life and how our land-use practices have changed the landscape. At Highstead, not only the concept but the actual sensation of “green” can be felt. Walking into a stand of self-propagated sassafras trees is like walking into a poem. There are 72 cultivars and forms of mountain laurel and 14 species of deciduous azaleas. But more than the size, variety and visual discoveries everywhere, the way you relate to the landscape at Highstead is through simple, natural pleasure. Bill Toomey, Highstead’s director, explains the mission: to connect people

��

�� 2

HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

�� August 2010

with plants and woodlands in their own backyards and afar, to motivate the appreciation, conservation and stewardship of all natural landscapes for the benefit of the environment and ourselves. This is done in many ways: studying why ash trees have been declining, analyzing the spread of bittersweet, Japanese stilt grass and barberry. Of particular interest are the deer enclosures, designed to calculate the effect of deer on tree seedlings. For example, Bill comments, “Many of the mountain laurels haven’t been looking as well as they should lately, and so a study is being done. Is it deer, or is it a decrease of sunlight? Or something in the soil? “The landscape around the main building has been intentionally managed,” he says, so visitors can readily identify the trees and bushes growing there. “The acreage further away has been left to grow on its own, but it’s also being managed the way it has for hundreds of years. Meadows are created from forests, for farming and grazing. The meadow must be mowed, otherwise the forest would creep in and there’d be no land for farming. “In addition to the misconception about weeds,” Bill says, “there’s that other negative

��

Kalmia’s beautiful blossoms and evergreen leaves make it one of our outstanding native plants.

phrase ‘invasive plants.’ It’s true that when a plant is brought from its native habitat to some other place and it finds the right conditions for growth, it will grow. It’s not the plant’s fault. Bittersweet, for example, is a delightfully decorative plant that people pay for at city florists. But when it wraps itself around the trees in your backyard, it’s an enemy. You can’t just tear it off or spray it with something; it may take decades to get rid of it completely.” See Highstead page 13

��

Call Us Today!

��

Be Prepared For The Next Storm.

��

August 2010

� ��

HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

ANCONA’S MARKET

Doing what comes naturally by Priscilla Whitley

Top-quality food and service are hallmarks of Anocona’s Market in Ridgefield.

��

Summer weather has arrived, which to any foodie means grilling. Whatever the meal, outdoor living is all about delicious, healthy food. Ancona’s Market, in the Branchville section of Ridgefield, has been in business for 80 years. Now, the third generation of this family, Joe Ancona, grandson of the original owner, has taken on a long-standing commitment to offering their customers the highest quality of meat and produce in the area. Joe put it this way, “I’ve become the gatekeeper at Ancona’s, so it’s my job to bring in quality foods. In general, there are many things about food people don’t know, so educating the consumer is what I’m committed to, which means bringing in the healthiest products I can find.”

When it comes to beef, whether a steak, roast or the All-American hamburger, Ancona’s has chosen to go all the way to Montana for natural beef – Montana Ranch Brand Certified Piedmontese Beef, which has a superb taste and tenderness. “Montana Ranch is a great transition for us,” Joe said. “What I tell people is, try [it] and taste the difference. This beef has a much cleaner and lighter sensation, while still having a very full, rich flavor because these animals are primarily grass-fed.” Montana Ranch Brand, with headquarters in Billings, Mont., partners with select family ranches in the United States that raise the Piedmontese breed of cattle, which are native to the Piedmont region of northwest Italy. A unique-looking animal, it developed a lean physique and

��

�

��

HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

��

August 2010

��

A 1940’s photo shows the original Joseph Ancona’s Meat and Grocery store.

heavy muscular structure, appropriate to the high-altitude environment in which it thrived. These attributes, combined with the way the animals are raised, produce a juicy, full-flavored beef with less fat and cholesterol than the traditional beef found in most markets.

The cattle are allowed to roam freely on land managed in a sustainable manner. Not only does this ensure a healthy animal, it also maintains the range lands for future generations. One of the most important

��

See Ancona’s Market page 6

��

August 2010

�

��

�

��

�

��

�

��

�

��

HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

Ancona’s Market continued from page 5 factors in the raising of these animals is the lack of antibiotics, steroids or any supplemental growth hormones, making them unique when compared to their corn-fed counterparts. Cattle are brought to maturity in about 16 months by feeding them large quantities of corn that is high in fat and concentrated sugar, which fattens them up quickly. Corn also presents a health issue for cattle; it’s hard for them to digest, and so hormones

and antibiotics are needed to keep them healthy. “And we’re the ones now consuming exorbitant amount of chemicals as a result,” Joe said. “Most people don’t know the ramifications of corn-fed beef. It’s [important to know] because “this waste can now be found in our watersheds and marshlands, having an adverse affect on our health.” In contrast, the Piedmontese cows mature longer and develop a higher amount

��

of muscle. This particular breed has a mutation of the myostatin gene, a natural trigger in all mammals that causes the muscular development to cease after puberty. “What happens,” Joe explained, “is the Piedmontese cattle keep [developing muscle] through the course of their life, and, in doing so, the muscle tissue becomes one, very lean, and, two, the actual cells in the strands of muscle get smaller and closer together, so once cooked it becomes very tender. With commercially raised cattle on a high-corn diet, you get a huge saturated fat problem and a huge cholesterol problem.

The Montana Ranch Brand pastures them longer so they’re eating grass longer, which is their natural feed. Grass gives cattle a high Omega 3 fatty acid content, which is important to a lot of people right now. “The beef from Montana comes in very lean, with little gristle,” Joe said. “Beef cut up into small pieces results in a lot of surface area. That’s where the bacteria comes from, which is the main transporter of E. coli. We don’t use small pieces, we buy whole chunks of beef from one animal.” Ancona’s, a full-service market, cuts all their meat in store. They grind their beef

CLASSIC NEW ENGLAND BARNS

��

PRE-CUT WITH

��

AUTHENTIC MORTISE & TENON JOINERY

��

(860) 350-5544

GAYLORDSVILLE, CT

HANDCRAFTED TIMBER FRAMES

www.newenglandbarn.com

��

HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

August 2010

first thing in the morning, giving it a 24-hour shelf life before pulling it off. So popular is their ground beef, they grind another round midafternoon, since the first batch has sold out. Earlier in the year, Ancona’s partnered with Apple Ridge Farms, part of a local Community Supported Agriculture organization that raises six cows, organically, on the former McKeon farm in Ridgebury. “We had a great response to this, so hope they’ll continue in the future,” Joe said. Ancona’s provides the Little Pub, in Branchville, with all their superb ground beef and the concession stands at Little League games

Although still on Rte. 7, a 1950s photo shows the market’s new and expanded home.

HOME AUGUST 2010

VOL XIV, ISSUE 7

Special Section to: Greenwich Post, The Darien Times, New Canaan Advertiser, The Ridgeﬁeld Press, The Wilton Bulletin, The Redding Pilot, and The Weston Forum in Connecticut, and The Lewisboro Ledger in New York

Jackie Perry, editor Jessica Perlinski, designer • Thomas B. Nash, publisher • For advertising information call 203-438-6544

in Ridgefield will be selling Montana Ranch burgers. It will be served Friday nights at the Ridgefield Boys and Girls Club barbecues. With their long-standing tradition of quality products, Ancona’s Market is committed to educating and enlightening their customers on the value of good food. Joe feels that his best approach is to offer people top-quality food and they’ll come back for more. That way, Joe said, “I’m serving my customers in the tradition my grandfather established 80 years ago.” Ancona’s Market is at 720 Branchville Road, Ridgefield; 203-544-8436; Web, anconasmarket. com. ■

� � � � � � � � � ��

�� Box 1019, Ridgefield CT 06877 203-438-6544

��

�� August 2010

��

HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

‘The Haunted Ink Bottle’ Home of the Month • August 2010

LOCATION: Christened by a former owner, a Joycean scholar, after a home in Finnegans Wake, this house in Wilton was once part of a cedar tree farm. PROPERTY: Two acres offer scenic views from the porch, patio and deck. HOUSE: The antique farmhouse has a spacious living room with rustic beams, dining room with an original stone fireplace, gourmet kitchen and two bedrooms, one a master. The original barn, now connected to the house and recently renovated, has a series of open rooms ideal for entertaining, plus two bedrooms. There are two full baths and one half-bath. GARAGE: Two-car attached. PRICE: $1,150,000. REALTY: William Raveis. Agent: Michelle & Company, 203-454-4663. Photography: Bryan Haeffele.

Photo courtesy of William Raveis

The Girl on the Land Serves the Nation’s Need STORY OF THE WOMEN’S LAND ARMY OF AMERICA by Lois Alcosser “It’s a hard job to plant potatoes, It’s a darn sight worse to hoe; It’s a hard job to weed tomatoes, When the pesky things do grow. Farewell to all the bright lights, Good-bye, old Broadway We are all out here to serve our country, And you bet we’ll stay!” (To the tune of “Tipperary”) This is just one of the songs that circulated to celebrate the Women’s Land Army of America (WLA). There were 20,000 women across the country, 400 in Connecticut, who left their homes and families to replace the farmers who went to war in 1917. It’s all documented in Fruits of Victory by Elaine Weiss, who consulted hundreds of sources to research the subject, with special thanks to the Wilton Library.

There were 400 women in the Connecticut unit of the women’s land army.

��

Est. 1987

Serving Fairﬁeld County

��

THE GARAGE DOOR EXPERTS www.lifetimedoor.com

Outstanding selection of doors to choose from

��

�� 10

HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

Visit Our Showroom Today - 54 Research Dr. Stamford, CT

203-323-4165

August 2010

She found long-lost posters issued to recruit “farmerettes.” One showed a woman in overalls and straw hat, “The Girl with the Hoe, behind the Man with the Gun.” “The history had been forgotten,” Ms. Weiss says. “I didn’t know about it until I met Alice Holway in Vermont, a former farmerette, who was still working the land at age 80. She regaled me with stories and was very proud of having done her bit in service to the country. “With that as an incentive, I had a grand adventure in archival archeology because the history of the WLA was scattered and buried for nearly nine decades. It wasn’t a government organization; it was privately funded and privately run.” In 1917, one of the big questions was, “How are we going to feed everyone?” There were slogans: “The fate of the nation depends on food,” and “Food will win the war!” But where was the labor? Women could be the answer. It would be hard work, learning to drive a tractor, hoeing, weeding and harvesting all day. But women responded. Students, factory workers, teachers, office See Farmerette page 12

��

�� August 2010

� � � � � ��

��

�� HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

Farmerette continued from page 11 workers, rich and poor. There was a twoweek training period with strict rules. A Connecticut farmerette wrote in her diary: “Was told to bring low-heeled shoes, overalls, middy blouses or men’s soft shirts, rain gear, bedding, towels and a lunch box. No jewelry or good clothes. Day starts at

5:45 a.m., put on my working togs and learn how to hoe tobacco.” In Connecticut, the tobacco issue became a problem. The WLA was supposed to provide essential foodstuffs to nourish the troops and stave off famine. But tobacco? “I need smokes more than anything else,” claimed a poster of a soldier. After much controversy,

it was decided that if tobacco helped the troops relax, it was an essential crop. Two Connecticut women who ran the state’s WLA were Corinne Alsop (mother of the future journalists Stewart and Joseph) and Grace Knight Schenck, both of Wilton. Grace Schenck was a natural-born organizer. Three months after arriving in Wilton, she initiated the first women’s suffrage meeting at Town Hall, launched the Women’s Suffrage League

and an Equal Franchise branch. Women were working the farms, but they still couldn’t vote. WLA uniforms varied in different states. Some wore overalls, some wore skirts or belted smocks covering their overalls. Sunhats were a necessity. In 1917, overalls for women were outrageous. Women driving tractors? Impossible! But those objecSee Farmerette page 14

��

HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

August 2010

Highstead continued from page 3 Bill studied biology and marine biology at Fairfield University, worked for the Nature Conservancy and studied the science of soil ecology in North Carolina. “I was always interested in frogs, flies and snakes and loved the woods as a boy.” He remembers his late teacher Salvatore Bongiorno, whose passion for ecology was the influence that led him to the field. Highstead is reaching out to the public with many unusual events. Recently, Dr. David Kittredge, professor of forestry at the University of Massachusetts, introduced “Wildlands and Woodlands, a vision for the New England Landscape.” Based on the question of what the landscape will look like in 50 years, the vision calls for a long-term conservation effort to retain at least 70% of the region in forestland, permanently free from development.

“Seldom does history give us a second chance to restore our natural infrastructure,” Dr. Kittredge says. “Each year, thousands of acres of forests and farms are bulldozed for houses, roads, commercial buildings and parking lots, but 63 percent of New England woodlands are privately owned. With easements from willing private land owners and strategic conservation acquisitions, forestland can be retained.” An art exhibition, “Songbirds of the Eastern United States,” is planned for Sept. 11 to Oct. 29. On Sept. 11, from 10: 30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the artists will discuss their work and share the experiences that inspired them. For details, 203-938-8809 or www.highstead.net Highstead is at 107 Lonetown Road, Route 107, in Redding. ■

The mission of Highstead is to instill an appreciation of our natural habitat to inspire us to become conservators.

��

• ��

��

�� August 2010

��

HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

Farmerette

��

continued from page 12

��

tions soon faded away and so did stereotypes. Ultimately, the objectors, the groups that feared male farmers were being replaced, changed their minds. Poems, songs, drawings, cartoons flourished. Farmerettes sang while they worked,

��

Does your outdoor furniture look this good ?

��

�� 14

HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

Get it all back in shape with us at

Decorating Consultant on Staff

Powder Coating

despite heat waves, aching muscles and $15 monthly wages. (The going farm rate was 25 cents an hour.) The WLA was considered an example of democracy in action. With the end of World War I and a lack of funding, the WLA disbanded. The women who’d been active leaders turned their attention to the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Before World War II, Eleanor Roosevelt championed the idea of reviving the WLA, and, in 1943, it became a branch of the United States Crop Corps, which was recruiting volunteers for emergency farm work. Among the historic pictures Ms. Weiss found is one showing two generations of a farmerette family: a mother wearing her breeches, puttees and belted smock uniform from World War I and her daughter in one-piece denim overalls, no longer shocking attire, from the Crop Corps of World War II. Fruits of Victory may be purchased at Barnes & Noble or ordered at your local bookstore. It’s available on the Web at fruitsofvictory.com or at Amazon.com. ■ August 2010

Bethel Garden Fair MARK YOUR CALENDAR Come join the fun at Bethel’s Eighth Annual Gardening Fair, Sunday, Aug. 15, from 12:30 to 5. The theme of this year’s fair is Edibles, and the array of gardening activities is sure to please everyone. Presentations by gardening experts will include: Edible Landscaping, Vegetables Contained, Vegetables that Grow Above the Soil and Vegetables that Grow in the Soil. Information booths will cover a variety of topics – vegetables, invasives, turf care, ferns, power tools for gardeners and low-toxic gardening approaches. Master gardeners will answer your gardening questions and offer free pH testing of soil samples. This totally free event, sponsored by the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program of

Fairfield County and the Connecticut Master Gardener Association, requires no pre-registration. Free refreshments, demonstrations, a free plant raffle and a sale of gently used gardening books are planned for those who attend this eagerly awaited annual gardening event. The fair takes place on the grounds of the Fairfield County Extension Center at 67 Stony Hill Road in Bethel, less than a mile from Exit 8 on I-84. Call the Master Gardener office with questions, 203-207-3262, or check the fair Web site, BethelGardenFair.com.

��

�

��

August 2010

HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

Rhode Island Waterfront Properties

Providence: 30 min Boston: 1.5 hours NYC: 3 hours Call John Krekorian for all shoreline properties at ReMax Flagship (401) 788-3711 788-3711 or or email email John John at at jkrekorian@rihomesearch.com jkrekorian@rihomesearch.com (401)

Coastal living at it’s best. Custom built home in Anawan Cliffs with ocean views. Architecturally designed shingle style home with amazing views of Narragansett Bay. Private association and beach. Gold LEED �� green with style. ��

Oceanfront beach house. Private oceanfront with gorgeous views from Point Judith to Watch Hill. 3br 2.5bath. ��

�� OPEN HOUSE �� OPEN HOUSE Saturdays and �� Saturdays Sundays and Sundays ��

Great cottage. A must see. Great views. Oceanfront. Wow. Impressive ocean views from Pt Judith to Beavertail �� price. Great surf spot. ��

The Best Is Yet To Come

Maintenance freeTo homes allow you to enjoy the The Best Is Yet Come best years of your life. Maintenance free homes allow you to enjoy the �� best years of your life. �� and full basements. �� and full basements. �� Ideally located near numerous golf courses, world ��

��

HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

Offering by ��

��

August 2010