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Spotlight on local Asian-American communities
The best bean
Wedding trends for 2022
Coffee with the most perks
So many mushrooms
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magazine
on the cover Taylor (left) and Jonathan (right) hold hands on the grounds of the Ocean House on their wedding day. photo by maggie conley photography
this month 2 0 2 2
photo by jackiefoxphotography.com
A P R I L
SPRING WEDDING TRENDS FOR 2022
48 april 2022 7
CORRESPONDENCE 10 E ditor’s note 11 Meet our press
Get to know some of our writers and contributors
photo by catherine dzilenski
departments
11 Catching up
Corrections and updates from previous issues
IN THE SPOTLIGHT 13 Back in the studio
Lyman Allyn Art Museum bringing back a wide range of new and existing programs after COVID-19 disruptions
PEOPLE & PLACES 19 Scooter’s journey
36
A “tail” of survival
24 Better Together
TASTE 33 The best bean
Holistic medical campus provides relief to veterans
Coffee with the most perks
28 East meets west
36 Beer, burgers, &
As the local Asian-American community grows in southeastern Connecticut, residents and municipalities consider how best to serve and celebrate them
bourbon
Engine Room focuses on American classics photo courtesy of lyman allyn art museum
13
42 So many mushrooms The science of growing fungi
46 Restaurant listings
HOME & GARDEN 57 Architecture as a storyteller
Eastern Connecticut’s famous residences chronicle a history of architecture, ingenuity and family
62 Garden time is here! Brought to you by Burnett’s Country Gardens
64 Stroll southeastern
Connecticut’s gorgeous gardens
Private homes and public parks seasonal spectacle to behold
8
magazine
71 Right now
Humanitarian relief ideas to help Ukranians in crisis
photo by bridget shirvell
TRENDING 72 The 5 best directorial debuts of the last 5 years
64 Turning pages
The promise of spring
76 Local finds
Shop unique. Shop local.
84 photo by g.a. peck
64
LIFE CYCLES 79 Holistic medicine complements
traditional at local wellness center
Brought to you by Your Country Doctor
80 Ten things our parents & grandparents did that we should do today
84 Three bread-based recipes to make with kids
Cooking with kids is a metaphor for life: it never goes as planned but is often sweeter
EXPLORATIONS 89 Uncovering prehistoric CT
Who roamed Connecticut before humans?
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april 2022 9
correspondence | EDITOR’S NOTE Mystic River. photo by debi anderson
dear readers,
H
appy April! We made it through another
actual dinosaur tracks pre-
harsh winter and the beauty of spring
served in sandstone at The
is upon us. I simply adore seeing spring
Dinosaur State Park right
blooms pop out of the earth as I walk
here in Rocky Hill?
around my garden. Because there is a lot
We could all use a sto-
going on in the world, I find it so import-
r y of triumph over trau-
ant to connect with nature to preserve my own san-
ma. Scooter the dog’s story
ity and mental health. I hope you can find moments
of resilience has given me
of serenity and enjoy the rich tapestry of the natural
faith that no matter how
artwork that Mother Nature provides for us.
dark things may feel, there are still kind and gener-
In this issue, writer G.A. Peck explores spring
ous people willing to help make it better. Check out
beauty with her article and accompanying photos in
the full details of Scooter’s rise from abused rescue
“Gorgeous Gardens.” Speaking of beautiful, it’s wed-
to a very loved social media star in “Scooters Jour-
ding season. Check out the 2022 trends and learn
ney: A “Tail” of Survival”.
more about how couples have navigated COVID-19,
If you are looking for a restaurant to try or need
gotten creative with their celebrations, and even
a reminder about how good The Engine Room is,
started new trends based on the current landscape.
check out the article “Beer, Burgers, and Bourbon.”
From the dresses, to the flowers, to the cakes, there
I plan on adding that to my list of places to visit as
is so much to devour in “Wedding Trends 2022”.
soon as possible.
If you are looking for things to do with your kids
As always, thank you for reading and thank you for
over spring break, look no further than this issue
your helpful feedback. We are thrilled to be a month-
for kid-friendly, at-home recipes curated and shared
ly part of your Sunday morning routine.
by Bridget Shirvell. I personally cannot wait to make
With gratitude,
her great-grandmother’s Banana Bread recipe. I have special handwritten recipes from my own relatives that I have delicately preserved and look forward to making with my kids too. If you need to get out of the house and are feeling adventurous, take a day trip to a dinosaur park in Connecticut! In fact, did you know that there are
10
magazine
Shannon Cushing, editor
LETTERS, UPDATES, ABOUT US
meet our press
ANN BALDELLI worked as a reporter and editor at The Day for almost 40 years. Since her retirement, she has continued to do freelance writing and editing. A native of New London, she is a graduate of St. Michael’s College in Vermont and has been a longtime Stonington resident.
At the wonderful suggestion from some of you, we wanted to provide more details about the talented writers of TDM. In the next few issues, keep your eyes open for their bios and headshots. Enjoy!
GRETCHEN A. PECK began her professional career as a beat reporter for a local daily newspaper, covering municipal government. She’s worked in magazines and newspapers ever since, including as an editorial director and editor-in-chief. Peck writes The Day’s weekly real estate section, Welcome Home, which publishes each Friday in print and online. She lives in New London, where she’s currently renovating a historic home with her husband, Healy. When she’s not reporting, Peck can be found kayaking the Sound, snowshoeing and snowmobiling the trails across Vermont, enjoying live music, reading, and cooking for friends and family.
JENNIFER CARMICHAEL is a Contributing Writer at The Day Magazine, who enjoys profiling amazing people and writing about home design trends, where to eat, or new places to explore and experience. She grew up in Connecticut and graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Rhode Island.
catching up:
| correspondence
BRIDGET SHIRVELL is an independent journalist specializing in parenting, climate crisis solutions, and food systems. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Food52 and more. She’s currently working on a book on parenting in the climate crisis. In addition to writing, Bridget is the social media editor for the nonprofit news organization Civil Eats. She lives in Mystic, Connecticut in an old home she is slowly fixing up.
KITTY WILLIAMS graduated from Salve Regina University in 2018 and now lives in Brooklyn, NY, where she works as a freelance virtual assistant and writer. She shares her personal writing projects on her website, amykatherinewilliams.com, and hosts a podcast called Cinematic Identity, where she interviews people about the movies that are special to them.
CONGRATULATIONS to Suzie Flores from Stonington Kelp Co. for being named a finalist for the 2021-2022 National Outstanding Young Farmer Award. Finalists are chosen based on their progress in their farming career, their conservation practices, and contributions to their community. Suzie Flores was featured in our January issue in an article called “In Celebration of Seaweed.”
We want to hear from you! Send your questions, comments, suggestions, and ideas to thedaymag@theday.com. Or look us up on social media. You may even be featured on this page in a future issue. By getting in touch with us, you give us permission to reprint your comments.
april 2022 11
in the spotlight E N T E R TA I N M E N T
C U LT U R E
photo courtesy of lyman allyn art museum
ARTS
arts are back at Lyman Allyn Art Museum
12
magazine
in the spotlight
Back in the studio LYMAN ALLYN ART MUSEUM BRINGING BACK A WIDE RANGE OF NEW AND EXISTING PROGRAMS AFTER COVID-19 DISRUPTIONS
A studio space is home to the popular First Saturday art programs, which have taken place for more than 25 years.
written by dirk langeveld photos courtesy of lyman allyn art museum
not available for young children. But at the Win-
f ter signif icant disr uptions caused by
ents praised museum staff for offering a chance for
COVID-19 in 2020, in-person programs have
people to get out and taking steps to ensure a safe
started to return in force to the Lyman Al-
environment.
A
lyn Art Museum in New London.
ter Wonder Day event in early December, many par-
“People have been pretty excited, and grateful for
The lingering impact of the virus is appar-
the precautions that we’re taking,” says Eileen Don-
ent in certain precautions, as well as a decision to re-
ovan, director of learning and engagement at the Ly-
turn events to a virtual setting in January due to the
man Allyn Art Museum.
spread of the Omicron variant. The museum asks vis-
There are a wide variety of programs at the Ly-
itors to RSVP for programs, and entry times are stag-
man Allyn Art Museum, catering to both families
gered for some occasions. Even after the indoor mask
and adults. One of the most recognizable occasions is
mandate was lifted in Connecticut, the museum opt-
the monthly Free First Saturday program, which has
ed to keep the requirement in place for visitors.
been going on for more than 25 years and includes
Families have often been more reticent about at-
free museum admission and a guided studio art ac-
tending programs since the COVID-19 vaccine is
tivity. Science Saturdays, on the third Saturday of
april 2022 13
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each month, are free with admission and feature a science-themed art activity in the studio. The Saturday activities are often inspired by one of the museum’s visiting exhibits. For example, the Free First Saturday program for February created Valentine’s Day cards based on the designs of Norman Ives, whose work will be featured through April 24. Even during more stringent COVID-19 restrictions, the museum found a way to make the Saturday activities available to families. Instead of offering the programs in the studio, they were provided as take-home kits with the lesson and materials included. This option is still available for the museum’s outreach programs if recipients such as schools or libraries prefer to avoid an in-person event.
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magazine
in the spotlight
left Special events offer a more in-depth look at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum’s collections. right The museum is looking to expand its collaboration with other cultural organizations, such as welcoming the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra for an outdoor performance. bottom right The Lyman Allyn Art Museum hosts regular workshops, including after-school, morning, and drop-in sessions.
Debuting this past fall, small group workshops build on the private art lessons the museum began offering as an alternative to group programs. There is also a monthly homeschooling workshop, after-school sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, morning sessions on Thursdays and Saturdays, and drop-in workshops during school breaks - including sessions occurring April 19-22. The Art History For All lecture series, a multiweek course taught by professors and other experts, has returned to in-person presentations in the Lyman Allyn Art Museum’s auditorium this spring after shifting to virtual sessions. These intensive courses have typically been offered on Thursday mornings, but the museum is working to offer a weekend option to cater to working adults. Starting on April 28, cultural historian Richard J. Friswell will lead a course on how art and literature helped forge the United States’ national identity. Recently introduced programs aim to provide a more casual and relaxing time at the museum. A happy hour event, set to take place each quarter in the museum’s Hendel Library, began in the fall and gives people a chance to visit and mingle outside of
april 2022 15
in the spotlight
regular hours. A yoga class took place on the muse-
features programs highlighting the work of six con-
um’s grounds during the summer and has moved in-
temporary award-winning Black poets.
side to the library during the colder months.
Dawson says the Lyman Allyn Art Museum is a
The museum is also looking to give visitors a clos-
community-based institution, working to offer a wide
er look at the staff’s work with Open Collections Days,
variety of programs that can interest a diverse range
which were introduced in December and take place
of people. The museum is also looking to increase its
every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. During this
collaboration with other cultural organizations in the
time, the collections management associate moves
area, including the potential for more musical events.
her work to the library so visitors can observe her cat-
“There are so many great organizations in New Lon-
aloging items. This staffer also chooses an “Object of
don proper and throughout this region that we’re ex-
the Month” to display to illustrate how expansive the
cited to work with new people,” says Donovan.
museum’s collection is.
Admission to the Lyman Allyn Art Museum is free
“It’s a way for a lot of people to go behind the scenes
for New London residents, members, and children
and to make our collection more accessible to the pub-
ages 12 and under. Visitors can also get passes from
lic,” says Rebecca Dawson, director of communica-
several local libraries, good for two adults and two
tions and visitor services.
children.
From 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 9, the museum will host “The Power of Words: A Celebration of Black
For more information on the Lyman Allyn Art Museum’s
Poets in Connecticut.” Presented in conjunction with
programs, visit lymanallyn.org or call 860-443-2545.
Connecticut Poet Laureate Margaret Gibson, the event
16
magazine
left A quarterly happy hour event allows visitors to meet and mingle outside of normal museum hours. above Special events offer a more in-depth look at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum’s collections. right The Lyman Allyn Art Museum has debuted a yoga program, which takes place on its grounds when weather permits.
april 2022 17
people & places ENVIRONMENT
FINANCE
PEOPLE
N E W & N O TA B L E
photo courtesy of dr. stefana pecher
BUSINESS
saving Scooter
18
magazine
Better Together CT helps veterans
Asian-American community grows
people & places
Scooter’s journey A “TAIL” OF SURVIVAL
T
written by traci neal
he stor y of Scooter the dog has a very happy ending but comes with
below Scooter snuggles with his sister Patsy in his forever home in Connecticut. photo courtesy of jp williamson bottom Despite his past in the south, Scooter is a loving, trusting and sweet boy, says his dad, JP Williamson. photo courtesy of facebook.com/scooterthebuly
a trigger warning: If you’re squeamish about the details of how we get there, go ahead and look at the cute
pictures and turn the page. It’s a story of survival, of hope, and of the determination of a small band of saviors up and down the East Coast, and of a little pit bull from South Carolina who captured their hearts and became a social media sensation. If you’re still reading, let’s just clear one thing up: Scooter is doing awesome. He’s a happy, goofy, docile dog who’s living his best life with his forever family in Killingly. He can’t tell anyone about his life before his rescue in January 2020, but his scars tell the story for him, says Kathy Williamson, chair of Wings of Freedom Animal Rescue in Griswold, one of the organizations that helped Scooter along the way.
WEEKLY ADOPTION EVENT Wings of Freedom invites prospective forever families to its weekly adoption event, held on Saturdays at Tractor Supply Co., 476 Boston Post Road, North Windham. Here, they can meet available dogs (usually about 10 to 12 of them are on hand) and get more information about the organization. Dog-lovers interested in volunteering or becoming a foster are also encouraged to attend. For more information, please visit wingsoffreedomanimalrescue.org.
Turn the page to read more about Scooter. content advisory: The following pages contain descriptions of animal abuse. april 2022 19
people & places Scooter, who’s now 3 to 4 years old, was part of a dog-fighting ring, though he wasn’t a fighter, Williamson says. He was used as bait. “Scooter was hung by his back legs in a fighting pit and other dogs were allowed to learn to fight with him,” says Williamson, explaining how live animals are used to provoke fighting dogs to attack. “When he was rescued, he had 150 bite wounds on his body, one ear had been bitten off, another was barely hanging on,” says Williamson, adding that he was covered in dried blood and fresh wounds, some muscle-deep. He was also positive for heartworm, a parasitic infection that can be lengthy, complicated and expensive to treat, she says. “When they were done with him, they dumped him on a rural road and left him to die,” says Williamson. Although dog-fighting is a felony in all 50 states, it’s still happening in many parts of the country, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. An investigation in New York in August 2021 led to the rescue of more than 80 dogs and the arrest of 10 men in connection with a dog-fighting ring that spanned Long Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Another investigation in Connecticut that summer resulted in the seizure of 15 dogs in Meriden and Orange and the arrest of three people suspected of operating a dog-fighting ring. Submissive dogs like Scooter are used to train fighting dogs, Williamson says. There are reports in some parts of the country of people stealing family pets or answering “free to good home” classified ads to collect bait animals, she warns. When they’re too beat up or become a financial burden because of illness or injury, they’re dumped, says Williamson, who co-founded Wings of Freedom in 2014 with three other local women. Scooter has become WOF’s “poster child” to stop animal cruelty, she says. “In our seven years in operation, we’ve rescued over 2,600 dogs and probably adopted a little over 2,500,” says Williamson. “The goal of our organization is simple: to speak for those who have no voice by rescuing them and giving them whatever support they need—vetting, training—and then finding them permanent homes.”
20
magazine
below Scooter thanks his friends, supporters and the team of volunteers, animal control officers, and veterinarians who helped save his life. photo courtesy of facebook.com/scooterthebuly bottom Scooter with his first foster mom, Elizabeth Wood, who began posting pictures of Scooter wearing handmade hats. “I wanted him to have ears again,” writes Wood. photo courtesy of facebook.com/scooterthebuly
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people & places At any time, the rescue has 100 to 150 dogs on its rolls, all cared for in foster homes while awaiting permanent placement. The nonprofit hosts fundraisers and regularly staffs concessions at a number of venues, including UConn basketball games at Storrs and Rentschler Field, the XL Center and Dillon Stadium, to raise money for the dogs’ care. “For every dog we rescue, we have to raise $200,” Williamson says. Scooter’s is an extreme case, she says. “Most of the dogs have owners who [can’t keep them] or the owner died. We take local surrenders and work with some animal control officers when they have special circumstances.” WOF has become part of a large network of rescue agencies in the Northeast that are working with partners in the South to find forever homes for the neglected and abused dogs there, Williamson says. “They’re in an extremely bad situation in the South,” says Williamson. “They’re overrun with dogs that are being abandoned because of irresponsible owners. It’s really, truly a problem and there are lots of good rescues doing the same thing we’re doing, probably 30 or 40 in Connecticut alone. So, when you have that many and they can’t keep up with the output from the South, somebody needs to be looking at what’s going on down there.” A lthough Connecticut ranks a middling 29th in terms of U.S. states’ anti-cruelty legislation, according to the Animal Legal Defense Fund, some southern states tend to consistently rank in the bottom-third. The ALDF publishes an annual U.S. State Animal
22
magazine
left A collection of photos from social media that have helped make Scooter famous. Followers of “Scooter’s Journey” on Facebook began making more hats and sending them to him. “I wanted his hats and his dressings to express his sweet, resilient spirit,” writes his first foster mom on Facebook. photo courtesy of facebook.com/scooterthebuly right When JP Williamson saw this picture of Scooter, he “called in every favor I have” and became Scooter’s forever dad. photo courtesy of facebook.com/scooterthebuly far right Scooter living his best life in his forever home in Connecticut. photo courtesy of jp williamson
Protection Laws Rankings Report, which assesses
As it turns out, Williamson’s son JP saw Scoot-
the strength of each state’s animal protection laws.
er’s picture on the Facebook page, the one of Scoot-
“Until they make this a problem for people it’s not
er wearing a lion’s mane head covering, and their fate
going to stop, and who suffers is the dogs,” says Wil-
was sealed, he says.
liamson. “There are still places in the South where
“When they posted his picture, I think it was the
it’s allowable to leave your dog on a chain in your yard
lion headdress on him, I was sitting down and I called
24/7. The dog has never stepped inside the house.
my mom immediately and said, ‘OK I’m calling in any
That’s their idea of having a dog. We also see a lot of
favors I have. That one’s mine.’ It was an immediate
hounds that, if they can’t make the grade hunting,
reaction,” says JP.
they just leave them tied up in the woods to die.”
“Except for not having ears, he acts like a normal
That would have been Scooter’s fate after the grave-
dog.” He loves the snow and car rides, people, and
ly injured pup was dumped on a back road in rural
even other dogs. “He follows me around like a shad-
York, S.C. His story has been chronicled on a Face-
ow,” JP says.
book page called “Scooter’s Journey,” which details his rescue and rehabilitation.
“Honestly, once he got back up to weight except for the scars, you couldn’t tell he had been in a bad sit-
The page went viral for Scooter’s story, but also for
uation,” says JP. “People come over all the time and
the dozens of adorable pictures posted by Scooter’s
he never reacts to people, he just wants to climb into
first foster mom, Elizabeth Wood, of Scooter wearing
their lap. He also wants to be friends with every dog
hand-knitted doggie hats where his ears used to be.
he sees. He doesn’t have that fear you’d think he’d
He became a social media sensation, with hundreds
have.”
of followers logging on from all over the country to see his new hats and wish him well.
Almost two years to the day after Scooter’s rescue, another dog was found near the ditch where Scooter
“The hats started because I wanted him to have
had been dumped in York County, S.C., according to
ears again, to look like a normal dog, but it became
the “Scooter’s Journey” Facebook page. “Bea” a young
so much more,” writes Wood on the Facebook Page.
female pitbull, had also been used as a bait dog and
“I wanted his hats and his dressings to express his
is receiving treatment for her wounds. Learn more
sweet, resilient spirit. I wanted him to have fun!”
about Bea and enjoy more of “Scooter’s Journey” on
Scooter spent about a month with Wood before
Facebook at facebook.com/Scooterthebuly.
making the trip to Wings of Freedom in Griswold— and his forever home.
april 2022 23
people & places | NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT
Better Together written by traci neal photos courtesy of dr. stefana pecher
A
fter battling chronic pain and neurological
disease. The 8-year-old began experiencing problems walking that became so severe one physician wanted to break his hips and reset them.
symptoms for most of his life, Brad Davis says
His Lyme symptoms persisted into his teens, then his
he feels better than he’s felt in years, thanks
20s, and doctor visit after doctor visit resulted in the same
to a fledgling organization in southeastern
treatment: pharmaceuticals—antibiotics, anti-inflam-
Connecticut that he says changed his life.
matories, painkillers.
Davis was a typical farm kid growing up on his fami-
A knee surgery while serving in the Air Force left him
ly’s dairy farm in Stirling until a tick bite turned into Lyme
addicted to opiates. After a medical discharge, Davis
above The nonprofit Better Together CT in North Stonington is a working farm that serves as a retreat for veterans, first responders, and the community, offering veteran retraining programs and a peaceful atmosphere. top right Veteran Brad Davis battled chronic pain and neurological symptoms caused by Lyme disease for most of his life, but says he found community and healing at Better Together CT. bottom right At Better Together CT, veterans receive training in growing organic hemp and vegetables, utilizing sustainable regenerative farming
24
magazine
HOLISTIC MEDICAL CAMPUS PROVIDES RELIEF TO VETERANS returned to his family’s farm to take advantage of Connecticut’s pilot hemp program and today, the 33-year-old veteran is off the painkillers and running a successful CBD business “from seed to sale,” he says. “The Lyme disease has significantly receded,” says Davis. Much of the thanks goes to Better Together CT, a nonprofit that promotes holistic healing for veterans and the community through nature and the arts and using non-invasive therapies it offers for free to veterans on its campus in North Stonington. Better Together, headed by Dr. Stefana Pecher, is a working farm on 33 acres that serves as a retreat for veterans, first responders and the community, who come here to work with the animals— rescued mini-horses and chickens among them— and receive training in growing organic hemp and vegetables utilizing sustainable regenerative farming methods. It’s part of a vision Pecher has for the site she
The fellowship he found at Better Together, Da-
calls the Eagle Summit Medical Campus, which
vis says, has been almost as powerful, both per-
includes her existing family medicine office, and
sonally and for his young farm business.
the nearby Country Wellness Center, where ho-
“She is a master at pulling people together,”
listic therapies, including a hyperbaric oxygen
says Davis of Pecher and the volunteers she works
chamber, infrared sauna, a sensory deprivation
with, recalling a Halloween day snowstorm a few
(float) tank, salt therapy, reiki and massage, are
years back when Pecher and others from Better
provided.
Together showed up at Davis’ farm to help him
Davis says the therapies Better Together offered to him have changed his life.
harvest his crop before it froze. “I had been so stressed out because half my
“They brought me a lot of relief,” he says of the
field was covered in snow,” recalls Davis. “Dr. Stef
infrared sauna, float tank and hyperbaric thera-
called and said, ‘Don’t worry, we’re on our way!’
pies, and his own CBD oil, which he produces on
She’s helped me so much.”
his family’s Stirling farm and sells under the brand name BAD’s (for his initials) CBD Oil. “It’s definitely one of the most powerful things I’ve found for [my symptoms],” he says.
Pecher purchased the 4,200-square-foot wellness center building from the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation in April 2018, around the same time she bought the farm from a former patient.
april 2022 25
people & places | NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT
“A patient of mine had been telling me for years, ‘When I retire Doc, I’m going to sell you my farm.’ It’s located right across the street from the office and was this beautiful playground,” says Pecher. “I just had to figure out how to share it with the community.” Pecher, along with now-members of the Better Together board, Nancy Hilton and Carolyn Howell, came up with a way to serve the growing number of veterans seeking help for PTSD and other service scars, and train them in agriculture and forestry.
WISH LIST Better Together CT is in need of volunteers
They grow farm-to-table vegetables in indoor aeroponic state-of-the-art high-yield facilities, along with outdoor hoops for year-round hearty vegetables and hemp farming.
to help with electrical work, plumbing, septic,
“We came up with this idea because we work with a lot of vet-
wood and sawmill operations and installation
erans and we got to know these guys for many years and figured
of a heating system for the indoor grow house,
out the shortcomings of the current medical system,” says Pech-
according to its director, Dr. Stefana Pecher. It
er. “This just gave us another way to provide healing.”
is also seeking solar panels and art supplies and equipment for therapeutic art classes. For more information about donating your
Working outdoors, she says, “was perfect during COVID. We’re using the farm for outdoor therapy and horse therapy. The whole atmosphere is one of feeling safe and peaceful.”
time or goods, or to participate in programs at
The farm also offers hiking trails, kayaking, fishing, and a vari-
Better Together CT, call 860-389-2697 or visit
ety of other outreach efforts and community events, such as the
bettertogetherct.org.
HempStock Festival, scheduled this year for Aug. 6. The festival is a chance for the public to learn about the benefits of regenerative farming and hemp, Pecher says of the crop that can be used for CBD as well as products like textiles, biofuel and bioplastics. The festival includes vendors, speakers and live music. Art classes are available to veterans as part of a healing regimen. More options are added as new volunteers join the team, Pecher says. In addition, Better Together hosts monthly wellness discussions for the community and monthly New England Medical Cannabis Seminars and support meetings, many of which are available on YouTube, she says. Expansion plans at Better Together include more job networking for veterans, establishing indoor crops, including microgreens
26
magazine
and hemp, and implementing an industrial hemp program for the development of hemp products. “We’re already doing some of it,” says Pecher. “We have an indoor hoop house up and we’ll be partnering with a couple of farmers to clean their land with hemp because it can also remediate toxins in the
clockwise from bottom left Merchandise is offered at the Better Together CT store in North Stonington; The Better Together CT farm and retreat are located next to the Country Wellness Center, where holistic services are offered in conjunction with medical treatment; Handmade items at the Better Together CT store. Art classes are offered to veterans in the community as part of a healing regimen; Animal therapy in the form of touch therapy with mini horses and chickens is also part of the Better Together CT curriculum for interested participants; Better Together CT offers training to veterans in growing from seed to sale. Pictured here are some of the CBD products manufactured on the working farm (top) and canned vegetables
soil. Then we can use the stuff we grow for non-ingestibles, like clothing, biofuel, bioplastics and other products.” Pecher says Better Together vol-
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unteers have been working with the
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Pequot land, including a community septic system, well, and road improvements. “We work with the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation and have since the beginning because this building used to be theirs,” Pecher says of the
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Presentation July 21st 1:00pm at NLAE Center
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Country Wellness Center. “They’re our neighbors.” She says members of the tribal nation will be at the Aug. 6 HempStock event “so their neighbors can
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get to know them a little too.”
april 2022 27
east west people & places |
meets
Spotlight on the local Asian-American communities
28
magazine
L
written by g.a. peck
surrounding the region’s two biggest employ-
ast year, the Pew Research Center—
ers, the casinos, have welcomed next-genera-
based on analysis of U.S. Census Bureau
tion Asian-Americans and immigrant newcom-
data—reported that the Asian-Amer-
ers to the region. What this means for the com-
ican population is “the fastest grow-
munity is more diversity and all the byprod-
ing racial or ethnic group in the U.S.”
ucts of it—a broadening of culture, arts, music,
From 2000 to 2019, this segment of the popu-
cuisine, perspective, and experiences to share.
lation grew by 81% nationwide, from 10.5 mil-
But this change in demographics also raises
lion to 18.9 million, Pew reported. The data
some important questions, particularly for lo-
represents the population in all 50 states and
cal municipalities and the real estate commu-
the District of Columbia.
nity. Is the region prepared to offer affordable
The Asian-American community across the
housing to a largely immigrant population? Are
country is quite diverse, representing more
there good jobs to be had, and are these com-
than 20 countries across East Asia, South-
munities ready and poised to seize those em-
east Asia, Asian-Pacific nations, and the Indi-
ployment opportunities? What do Asian-Amer-
an subcontinent.
icans require of their neighbors, philanthropic
The Asian-American community across
organizations, and municipal governments to
Connecticut, and particularly in southeastern
ensure that they are recognized, heard, seen,
Connecticut, has followed this trend. Locally,
supported, and appreciated as they settle into
Norwich, Groton, Montville, and other towns
their new homes and communities? Christine Nguyen is the director of development and communications with the Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) in Boston, an organization founded in 1987 to support Boston’s Chinatown community. “It was born out of a need to address the housing crisis then, and of course, displacement and gentrification are still two ongoing challenges that the Chinatown community faces,” Nguyen explained. The ACDC is funded through public grants, corporate and community foundations, fundraising events and individual donations. Today, it focuses on a three-part mission: to build and preserve affordable housing; to work with young people and families through civic engagement; and to work with the community to equip them with education and tools they need—for example, helping them develop a budget, a savings plan, and their financial literacy, so that they can buy homes of their own and have the opportunity to build generational wealth. Southeastern Connecticut could model a similar organization here.
april 2022 29
people & places
“We realized that we have to set a standard for what
status—so, looking at areas where there a lot of work-
people know about the financial system, not just for
ing-class households that do need this type of support.”
Asian immigrants, but for all immigrants who are un-
Immigrant communities require what any of us need
familiar with the system,” Nguyen said. “Even for folks
to feel secure and to thrive: an affordable home, good
who were born here, navigating the homebuying pro-
schools, professional and small business opportunities,
cess—even for native English speakers like myself—is
and a sense of being valued, a sense of belonging. But the
a complicated thing, so we break down the process, not
communities may also need a little extra support, in the
only in English but also in their native language.”
form of language and practical skills development—for
“We have another initiative that ACDC is part of,” she
Sa-on Morse, a local Realtor with Randall Real-
nizations to advance language access across all offic-
tors-Compass in East Lyme, immigrated from Thai-
es of government.” What that means is lobbying local
land to the United States in the late 1960s. She knows
municipalities to strategically hire personnel with lan-
firsthand what it’s like to come to a new country, to get
guage skills that reflect the communities they serve or
settled, to learn English, and to become an invaluable
to have information and materials translated to multi-
member of the community.
ple languages. Ultimately, this better informs and engages the whole community. The ACDC has expanded its reach to the suburbs of Boston, including in Quincy and Malden. “Quincy, I think at this point, has over 25% [of the population] that identifies as Asian, and then similarly in Malden, I think over 20% of residents identify as Asian. So, we’re looking for communities with high percentages of Asian immigrant populations, but a lso at things like economic
30
example, how to lease or buy a home.
added. “We’re working with different community orga-
magazine
“Many Asian Americans come here because
Morse would like to see local communities
of the casinos,” Morse explained. “They’re look-
not just embrace their Asian-American neigh-
ing for jobs that pay well. There is a misconcep-
bors but to celebrate them. She spoke of how oth-
tion that people coming from China, for example,
er states and larger cities host festivals in honor of
are wealthy, but that’s not true. They come to find
Asian-American culture, but Connecticut has very
a more sustainable way of living, and many send
few. Among them is the Riverfront Dragon Boat &
money back to their families overseas, to help sup-
Asian Festival in Hartford, to be held on August 20,
port their relatives.”
2022, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mortensen River-
Morse acknowledged that language tends to be
front Place. Bushnell Park in Hartford will be the
a barrier for many immigrant families, preventing
venue for the June 2022 Chariot Festival of India,
them from fully accessing employment and gov-
which features Indian dance performances, yoga
ernment services. Even when communities do have
and meditation experiences, vegetarian cuisine,
resources for language development, too often,
and activities for the kids.
they’re not sure how to access them. Morse hopes
But she’d like to see more celebrations, perhaps
that gap can be bridged as the community grows.
even hosted by the local casinos. A festival to cel-
Another challenge this community faces is ac-
ebrate the Chinese New Year would be a great
ceptance. Too often, conversations about immi-
start to honoring the community and introduc-
grant communities devolve into “us versus them”
ing non-Asian-Americans in the region to Asian
rhetoric, devaluing and dehumanizing immigrants
achievements, culture, cuisine, tradition, and to
rather than embracing their contributions to the
their new neighbors.
community. Morse offered an example in Norwich, which years before had been considering creating a “Chinatown” district downtown, but the plans couldn’t get off the ground, largely because of local business owners expressing concern that it would lead to escalating crime rates, an assertion Morse called “ridiculous.” “All Asian-Americans are trying to do is make a living and support their families here and back in their native countries. They live frugally and try to conserve money as much as they can,” she said.
Dr. Pecher’s Family Medical Center offers quality care at our Walk-In at our Urgent Care facility.
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Call today 860-389-2697 or visit us at
https://www.country-wellness.com/ april 2022 31
CUISINE
R E S TA U R A N T S
FOOD & DRINK
photo courtesy of la llorona
RECIPES
taste
Coffee perks
32
magazine
comfort food at Engine Room
the science of growing mushrooms
taste
The best bean COFFEE WITH THE MOST PERKS
According to Dr. Bob Arnot, internal medicine doctor, author of The Coffee Lover’s Bible, and former chief medical correspondent for NBC and CBS News, “Coffee really may be the single healthiest thing because it has the greatest number of polyphenols than any food.” Polyphenols—the same compounds that make fresh fruits and vegetables, red wines, and teas healthy—exert powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the body, fighting the forces that fuel many diseases. They also improve overall mood, boost metabolism and cardiovascular function, while spurring weight loss. Yet, most of us, unfortunately, drink coffee that strips away much of the polyphenols. A few years before writing The Coffee Lover’s Bible, Arnot was bicycling in Kenya with a team of top cyclists and stopped for a cup of coffee. Ironically, not a coffee drinker, here’s where he enjoyed the most unbelievable cup. Between this experience and reading research about people living longer, healthier lives in five geographic areas known as Blue Zones—OkiAmericans need to change the way we drink coffee to unlock its true health benefits. photos courtesy of green & tonic
written by jennifer carmichael
D
rinking coffee is how most of us start our
nawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica; Loma Linda, California; and Ikaria, Greece—he decided to take a closer look at the coffee that they were drinking.
day. Those long lines we witness at the
The Ikarians particularly intrigued and inspired
drive thru each morning pretty much prove
him to write his book. In fact, in a New York Times
that Americans rely on coffee’s caffeinat-
Magazine article, National Geographic Fellow Dan
ed fix and the habitual routine it produces.
Buettner called Ikaria “the island where people for-
And while there’s been studies through the years
get to die” because one in three Ikarians lives into
suggesting that coffee could be bad for our health,
their nineties. While an active, stress-free lifestyle,
it could be the healthiest thing we put in our bodies
and Mediterranean diet contributes to their longev-
all day. Part science, part art, brewing a great cup of
ity, Arnot determined that their health is also a result
coffee can change your life. But Americans need to
of their high intake of antioxidant-rich coffee. And he
change the way we drink it to unlock its true poten-
found that it’s the way that they prepare their coffee
tial in delivering better health and longevity, as well
that’s unique, starting with a finer grind and higher
as better taste.
boiling water temperatures.
april 2022 33
taste “A good bean, lighter roast, fine grind, and extract-
of coffee so that it’s tasty and good for you. The result
ing the coffee for a longer period of time at higher
is Supr Brew™ with seven times as many polyphe-
boiling water temperatures make for a better coffee
nols as popular brands such as StarbucksTM. A sin-
in terms of health,” notes Arnot, who has traveled the
gle-origin coffee, organically grown and harvested
world researching and conducting studies to, ulti-
in Colombia, it is then roasted in Vermont at optimal
mately, determine that preserving the polyphenols
temperatures and delivered fresh (avoiding mold con-
within coffee can lead to many health benefits and
tamination, which is surprisingly common among
delectable taste. “You can destroy the polyphenols
other brands).
by roasting the coffee too much. And you don’t want
“We believe that
to over extract because then coffee becomes bitter.
Supr Brew™ has
So, there’s a certain art to this.”
the opportunity to
Not all coffee plants are created equal—some have
disrupt the indus-
more polyphenols than others. Many coffees are
tr y, challenging
made from low-quality, over-roasted beans that offer
the way that main-
few to no health benefits. Arnot recommends find-
s t r e a m br a nd s
ing a local roaster and choosing a single-origin cof-
source, roast and
“Coffee really may be the single healthiest thing because it has the greatest number of polyphenols than any food.” DR. BOB ARNOT fee, which features flavor at its purest because the beans come from a single farm within a country like Ethiopia, Kenya, or the highlands of Columbia, at higher altitudes. Light roasts tend to be richer in polyphenol antioxidants than darker roasts. When coffee starts this way, it can and should be enjoyed black. A caloric mix of cream and sugar does not offer any health benefit. Arnot partnered with Green & Tonic, the plant-based eatery with five Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York locations—New Canaan, Darien, Westport, Cos Cob, and Rye Brook—to source a high polyphenol coffee bean and perfect the art of extracting the right amount
34
magazine
left A better tasting and healthier coffee with 7x more polyphenols than its competitors. photos courtesy of green & tonic right A Supr Brew™ can be purchased as whole beans in 12oz retail bags at all Green & Tonic locations and can be shipped nationally, upon request. photo by first click photography
brew their coffees,” said President Gabriel Sorgi of
somebody else who might want to do this, mea-
Green & Tonic, which is celebrating its 10th anni-
suring all these polyphenol levels, creating a huge
versary this year. “There is not a lot of transparency
international database of all the different coffees.
within each step of the coffee growing, sourcing,
As a physician, I’d love to see other people mak-
roasting and brewing process—which ultimately
ing really, healthy coffee. But for now, I believe it’s
leaves the coffee devoid of the valuable health ben-
pretty unique.”
efits that only coffee can provide. Supr Brew™ pro-
To find a good coffee outside of Supr Brew™,
vides a superior coffee experience from taste to
Arnot recommends visiting coffeereview.com,
health.”
which conducts blind, expert cuppings of coffees
Supr Brew™ is served as a drip and pour over coffee at all of Green & Tonic’s five locations. It can
from all over the world, and reports the findings in the form of 100-point reviews.
also be purchased as whole beans in 12oz retail
“If you’re getting a score in the nineties,
bags ($15) at the store and can be shipped nation-
you know you have a great, great tasting
ally, upon request.
coffee,” says Arnot. “And the chances
Supr Brew™ espresso will launch in Spring 2022.
are it’s going to have a very good
“Green & Tonic is way, way ahead in terms of the
polyphenol level as well because
science,” notes Arnot, who worked four years on
they tend to almost all be the
perfecting what is now Supr Brew™. “Our chem-
lighter roasts.”
ist says we’re at least 18 months to years ahead of
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april 2022 35
beer,
taste | RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
burgers, &
bourbon written by jenn mcculloch photos by catherine dzilenski, idlewild photo co.
B
eer. Burgers. Bourbon. “Those three items represent American classics and are the backbone of the Engine Room menu,” said Nick Georgetti, general manager. “Engine Room is a regionally recognized restau-
rant with the feel of a neighborhood joint. We offer scratch-made comfort food with a focus on the burger, always sourcing locally and seasonally when possible. When it comes to food, Engine Room’s chefs concentrate on local ingredients. Known for their burgers, Engine Room exclusively sources its beef from two local farms: Beriah Lewis in North Stonington and JW Beef in Stonington. “We go through about one whole steer a week and you can taste the difference,” said Georgetti,
36
magazine
right With warmer weather coming, the patio at Engine Room will be open to enjoy the wide variety of beers. left Burgers made with locally sourced beef are a menu staple at Engine Room. below The Engine Room Old Fashioned, one of the most popular cocktails, is also available to-go.
who has been with Engine Room since the summer of 2014.
“We source as much as possible from local purveyors, including produce—greens, peppers, radish-
While the burgers may be the centerpiece of
es, squash, herbs, flowers, sprouts—from our own
the menu, Engine Room has a variety of start-
farm, Stone Acres Farm in Stonington,” said Geor-
ers, sandwiches, and entrees for every pal-
getti, who noted Engine Room sources its toma-
ate. Starters range from lobster bisque and
toes from Hillandale Farms, pork from Soltel
steamed mussels to kale caesar salad and
Farm, mushrooms from Seacoast Mushrooms,
Carolina hush puppies. In addition to burg-
cornmeal from Davis Farm, eggs from Provid-
ers, guests can enjoy fried chicken, BBQ
er (a farm co-op), and fish, lobsters, and shell-
pulled pork, or grass-fed veal meatballs
fish from local fishermen.
on a sandwich.
Though there is a full wine and cocktail list,
Main entrees include a choice of salads,
the focus at Engine Room is on craft beers
fried chicken, or fish, a housemade tagliatelle
and bourbon with 16 rotating tap lines as well
with Bolognese and Mystic Cheese Co. fin-
as “the area’s largest bourbon selection.” En-
back cheese, pan roasted monkfish or pan
gine Room has more than 100 whiskeys on
seared scallops with Davis Farm flint polen-
the shelf, including more than 50 bourbons,
ta. A butcher’s steak of the day is offered dai-
nearly 20 ryes, and a large variety of Japa-
ly as well as specials.
nese whiskey, Irish whiskey, and Scotch.
april 2022 37
taste | RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT left The exterior of The Engine Room. right While the menu has a variety of items, Engine Room is known for its burger selections. below Engine Room is available for large parties or offers off-site catering through 85th Day Food Community.
Even with the focus on bourbons, the cocktail list has a variety of libations. There is also a selection of canned beers, seltzers, and cocktails. Georgetti noted that beer and bourbon selections rotate regularly, though the “house” bourbon is Four Roses, which is featured in the restaurant’s most popular drink: The Engine Room Old-Fashioned. “While it’s certainly the most popular drink, the cocktail list—curated by our bar manager Meg Thompson—always incorporates a unique seasonal rendition of an old fashioned that is always well received,” said Georgetti. “The bar program at Engine Room is developing some of the most creative and thoughtful cocktails around, as well as procuring great local beers and an extensive whisky selection. “Our 16 draft beer lines represent some of the most boutique and allocated beers in the region, as well as some fan favorites,” added Georgetti. “The draft selections are rotating daily, so there is always something for the beer aficionado. We carry a wide array of great local brews, but we also feature beers from around the world including Italy, Switzerland,
38
magazine
Germany, and Japan—if it’s good, we pour it. We want to offer something new and interesting for customers
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every time they come in.” Engine Room’s building dates back to the late 1800s with the restaurant celebrating the industrial details
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tage timbers and windows. “The industrial look and feel make a per fect backdrop for a vibrant restaurant and bar scene, making Engine Room the perfect night out,” said Georgetti. While Engine Room’s building may date back more than a century, the restaurant makes full use of today’s technology. Guests can order takeout through the restaurant’s website as well as view available tables and make reservations. Engine Room is available for private events and offers off-site catering through 85th Day Food
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april 2022 39
taste | RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT clockwise from bottom leeft Among its full bar menu, Engine Room has more than 100 whiskeys on the shelf; Engine Room offers a variety of appetizers, including wings; In addition to a robust beer and bourbon list, Engine Room has an extensive selection of creative cocktails; Engine Room exclusively sources its beef from two local farms: Beriah Lewis in North Stonington and JW Beef in Stonington; Sunday Brunch is just one of Engine Room’s special offerings; Housed in a historic building, the features at Engine Room offer a nod to its industrial history.
“We offer scratchmade comfort food with a focus on the burger, always sourcing locally and seasonally when possible.” NICK GEORGETTI
Community. In addition to Engine Room, 85th Day Food Community also includes Oyster Club, 85th Day Catering & Events at Stone Acres Farm, and The Port of Call, which is a cocktail bar and restaurant collaboration with The Real McCoy Rum opening this spring in the old Emporium Building next to Oyster Club. The 85th Day Food Community works together with a mission to “to share the story of our food, from seed to harvest, introducing the people, places and practices involved along the way…Our philosophy is to shorten the distance between farm and table, sourcing as locally and sustainably as possible,” according to 85thdayllc.com. The 85th Day Food Community hosts seasonal pop-up dinner series at Stone Acres Farm, provides full-service catering, and presents other special events. Engine Room hosts happy hour every day from 3 to 5 p.m. with $5 food selections including the happy hour cheeseburger, Carolina hush puppies, fried chicken skins, salmon jerky, and deviled eggs. Drink
40
magazine
specials are also $5 and feature the Engine Room Old Fashioned, an herb-infused gin and tonic, wine, and a draft selection. Fisher’s Island Lemonade is also available by the can for $6. Engine Room also opens its patio as soon as the weather breaks. “Our large patio opens as soon as the weather breaks and there’s nothing better than an Engine Room burger paired with a cold beer and tasty porch whiskey,” said Georgetti. “We are lucky to have such a long tourism season here in Mystic, but we still depend on locals for year round business. Our daily happy hour and weekly promotions like Monday’s Burger & Beer, Friday’s Flintstones, and Sunday Brunch help to keep people coming back. Not to mention our friendly bartenders and servers that have regulars that come in on a daily or weekly basis. We believe deeply in the art of hospitality and that starts with a great team.” Engine Room, 14 Holmes St., Mystic 860-415-8117 | www.engineroomct.com
april 2022 41
taste |
mushroo SO MANY
The science of growing fungi
I
story and photos by Ann Baldelli f gourmet mushrooms had pers on a l it y t r a it s blue oy s t er s would be easy-going and maitakes temperamental. Ju st a sk mu sh room f a r m-
er Chris Pacheco, who is a walking-talking encyclopedia of fungi facts. In the climate-controlled, misty grow rooms at his Stonington-based Seacoast Mushrooms, he is nurturing shiitake, maitake, lion’s mane, chestnut, black pearl, pioppino, king, blue, and golden oyster mushrooms. He sells a couple thousand pounds of what he grows each week to restaurants and at farmers markets. Seven years ago, when he started Seacoast, Pacheco could barely give his mushrooms away. But now there is a growing market for his woodbased gourmet fungi, which are different from the cellophane-wrapped, grown in manure variety commonly sold in grocery stores. At his farm, Pacheco mimics nature, or at least how mushrooms g r o w n on s t u mp s a n d t r e e s i n the wild. He begins his high-level
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clockwise from top left A block of Lions Mane mushrooms. When the Lions Mane is cooked, it’s said the texture and taste resemble lobster; A block of Chestnut mushrooms. This is the first year Pacheco has grown the nutty-flavored chestnuts, which are also called cinnamon caps; A thriving block of Maitake mushrooms, which are also known as Hen of the Woods. Maitakes are a feathery, light mushroom with an earthy flavor; Blue Oyster mushrooms. At farmers markets they are sold as a great addition to dishes such as a warm mushroom salad, omelets, or with pasta, chicken or fish.
ms
process (he spent 15 years as an engineer at biopharmaceutical giant Amgen in Rhode Island) with sawdust that he buys from a mill in the northeast corner of the state. That sawdust is stored outside until he’s ready to put it in a commercial mixer with nutrients like soy hulls, wheat bran and rice bran, hydrate it, and blend it all together. Once that’s done, he packs the substrate in polypropylene bags and sterilizes them in an autoclave. He likens the autoclave to a giant pressure cooker and explains the process kills off “bioburden”—other microorganisms in the sawdust and grain mixture that will compete with the mushroom spawn that will soon be introduced. Typically, he sterilizes about 500 bags at a time, and from the autoclave they go directly to a “cool room” until they’re ready for “the clean room.” There, an employee dressed in a protective lab coat, face mask and hair net, adds the grain spawn and seals the bags. Within days mycelium develops and weaves a web that binds the medium together. The bags no longer feel like loose sawdust; they’re more solid as the mycelium consumes the nutrients and mushrooms grow inside. It’s science and Pacheco says, “I’m geeking out now,” as he explains that the bags are like cocoons and the CO2 level inside each “block” climbs to 20,000 parts per million, helping the mycelium to thrive. Each bag has a filter patch that helps to regulate the CO2 inside. Once the incubation period is up, the bags are moved to climate-controlled grow rooms—insulated shipping containers— and holes are cut in every bag to cause a significant drop in CO2. The release tricks the mycelium into thinking it’s going to die. It goes into preservation of species mode, which requires it to produce spores. To do that, it has to put out a fruit body—voila, the mushroom. They grow quickly, and in three to four weeks Pacheco can do what it takes two years in the forest. His mushrooms double in size almost daily. But it’s a very complicated process and early on, when Pacheco first got started, there were more mistakes than successes. It was also a hard sell in 2015 when he tried to convince restaurant chefs and passersby at farmers markets to buy his maitakes and pioppinos.
april 2022 43
taste | He’s working to increase his per-bag yields and experimenting with new varieties. Now, two years since COVID arrived, 60 percent of what he grows goes to restaurants and 40 percent is retail sales, almost all of that sold at farmers markets. One of the new varieties Pacheco is growing is the nutty-flavored chestnuts—also known as cinnamon caps—which he started late last fall. They’re great in a risotto and sell out quickly. He’s also added black pearls, a hybrid between a blue oyster and king trumpet, which grow in a cluster like the blue oyster but have more of the texture of the solitary king trumpet. “The most popular are the maitakes and shiitakes,” Pacheco says. “The restaurants like blue oysters, they love the oysters. I think because they have a subtle flavor to them and a creamy texture and they go with evBut he quickly learned that he could educate cus-
erything—pork, poultry, seafood, and on their own.
tomers about the unique flavor of mushrooms, their
So, they can put them in a lot of dishes and that’s why
health benef its, and how to cook with them. He
they use them all the time.”
worked hard at it and when he did, they started to buy
In his grow rooms, there are floor-to-ceiling racks of
them and to encourage their favorite restaurants to
plastic bags sprouting different kinds of mushrooms.
serve more gourmet mushrooms.
They are remarkable shapes and colors and up close,
At the markets, he handed out recipe cards and ex-
some look like exquisite sculptures. It’s humid inside
plained how to make stuffing with his shiitake and
and there are occasional blasts of mist, shrouding the
blue oysters, and vegetarian “crab cakes” with his li-
various fungi in a gentle fog. It’s mystical.
on’s mane. But this was a self-taught farmer who after learning
in Stonington. He is working with town officials and
everything he could about mushroom-growing on his
foresees a larger barn and operation off Taugwonk
own and from books, visited Japan multiple times to
Road near Interstate 95. Mushrooms are a growing
meet with and talk to experienced growers there so he
business, he says.
could improve his production here. After all that work, investment and effort, he wasn’t giving up. His business was really taking off when Covid hit two years ago. He was selling 90 percent of his mush-
44
Pacheco has plans to move and expand his farm
“A big piece of it is people are eating more mushrooms and less meat,” he explains. He’s constantly preaching the health benef its of consuming mushrooms.
rooms to restaurants when they were shuttered be-
Maitakes are rich in antioxidants that help
cause of the pandemic in March 2020. It was a difficult
with cancer treatment. Lion’s mane reduce
time, and Pacheco threw away thousands of pounds
inf lammation and boost mental
of his fungi.
clarity. Pioppinos are good for your
For a while, he partnered with chefs and other busi-
heart. Every mushroom has its
nesses to come up with creative ways to use his mush-
benefits —king oysters are rich in
rooms. They developed and sold mushroom chorizo,
vitamin B and aid in digestion,
mushroom burgers, mushroom falafel, and mush-
shiitakes are loaded with
room beer. But now, he’s focused again on growing and
protein and build muscle,
selling his fresh mushrooms.
golden oyster contain zinc
magazine
and copper and support a strong immune system, and blue oyster are rich in B vitamins like niacin and riboflavin. All that, and they taste good, too, says the mushroom farmer. “If I could get everybody to shift just one meal of their week to mushrooms as opposed to meat,” he says. “They are just so good for you, they really are.” There are always customers lined up at his tables at the farmers markets in Stonington, New Haven, Westport, and Greenwich, waiting to buy Seacoast Mushrooms. They sell by the ounce for $1 or $1.50, depending on the type, and most customers take a half a pound or more. The farmers markets are the perfect place to sell them, Pacheco says, “because mushrooms need a buddy. “Mushrooms are not ready to stand on their own yet,” he says.
left to right Chris Pacheco of Seacoast Mushrooms holds Shiitake mushrooms in his grow room. The Shiitakes grow in a substrate that looks like a log. These mushrooms have an earthy and smoky flavor and are rich with umami; A closeup of Chestnut mushrooms in the grow room at Seacoast Mushrooms in Stonington; Golden Oyster mushrooms in the grow room. These mushrooms are mild, buttery, and nutty and pair well with stir fries, curries, and eggs.
“So, I’m selling mushrooms and the person next to me is selling greens, and the guy across from us
four of the top five best-selling dishes on the menu.
is selling pork. And I tell a customer, ‘You can pair
And recently, when Pacheco was at another
these maitakes with those wild ramps and some of
restaurant chatting with an employee there about
that pork to make a dish from heaven.’ We leverage
his fungi, a customer who overheard their conver-
the farmers market.”
sation interrupted to ask if he was “the mushroom
Restaurants all across the state have his mushrooms on their menus, in everything from soups, to marsalas, risottos, burgers, and even, the king trumpets sliced into medallions to stand in for scallops. At one popular Mystic restaurant, the chef re-
man?” Yes, he told her, and he says she gushed to say, “You’ve changed my life.” His wood-grown mushrooms, Pacheco says, are finally finding their way.
cently told Pacheco that his mushrooms were in
FRESH BEER BREWED HERE !
april 2022 45
taste | RESTAURANT LISTINGS ASIAN
FAMILY STYLE
PINK BASIL
Our menu reflects the time-honored traditions of authentic Asian cuisine. With influences from Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam, our dishes can transport you around the world in one bite. Open Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 12-9 p.m. 27 Coogan Boulevard, Building 3B, Mystic, CT 06355 860-245-4470 | pinkbasilct.com
MEDITERRANEAN
GROTON TOWNHOUSE RESTAURANT
PICK POCKETS
We are a family-style restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week. We also have a large assortment of freshbaked pies and cakes daily. Open daily 6 a.m.-9 p.m. 355 CT-12, Groton, CT 06340 | 860-449-0355 grotontownhouserestaurant.com
A vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free lifestyle isn’t for everyone. But even for meat-eaters it’s a nice change of pace to munch on crisp juicy veggies. Eat healthy, live healthy. Open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Closed Sunday 214 CT-12, Groton, CT 06340 860-910-0235 | pickpocketsdeligroton.com
FINE DINING
PAN-ASIAN
85 MAIN
SPICE CLUB
BAKERY/CAFE
DEKE’S BAGELS
Fresh, contemporary fare, seasonally influenced. Fresh seafood, steaks & locally grown produce. High quality sushi and full raw bar. Enjoy creative cocktails while dining on our patio, weather permitting. Open Sunday-Wednesday 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. 85 Main Street, Putnam, CT 06260 860-928-1660 | 85main.com
Deke’s Bagels sells fresh bagels, sandwiches, muffins, coffee, smoothies and more. Order online or come visit our Niantic or new Guilford location. Open 7 a.m.-2 p.m. 157 W. Main Street, Niantic, CT 06357 1013 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT 06437 860-739-9509 | dekesbagels.com
Price range Online ordering Open late
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magazine
Take out
Breakfast
Brunch
Delivery
Entertainment
Lunch
Outdoor dining
Cash only
We serve healthy, home-cooked Thai, sushi, and Pan-Asian cuisine in a casual, familyfriendly environment. Open since 2012. Open Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-3 pm and 4-9:00 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 12-9 p.m. 239 Main Street, Niantic, CT 06357 860-451-8121 | spiceclubct.com
Dinner
Kids’ menu
Alcohol Served Twitter
Call ahead Instagram
PIZZA
WOODFELLAS PIZZA
SPORTS BAR
184 PIZZERIA
C.C. O’BRIEN’S
Family owned and operated, located in the Haley Brook Plaza, on Rte. 184. Check out the GRAB & GO fridge - varieties change daily. Pizzas, grinders, sandwiches, wraps, calzones. Monday-Friday 10 a.m.- 7 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.- 7 p.m.; Closed Sunday 2440 Gold Star Highway, Mystic, CT 06355 860-245-0800 | 184pizzeria.com
Friendly Irish Sports Cafe serving a variety of pub food. Award winning Burgers & Wings with Sports on 23 TVs! Pool & Darts. 28 draft beers. Serving food Tuesday 3 p.m.-9 p.m.; Wednesday & Thursday 11 a.m.-9.p.m.; Friday & Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m.-9 p.m. Bar open later 8 Mechanic Street, Pawcatuck, CT 06379 860-599-2034 | ccobriens.com
NANA’S BYREK
Located in The Velvet Mill in Stonington, Woodfellas, takes pride in quality, woodfired, unique, and delicious food! Contact us regarding our Rolling Pizza Truck and New Mobile Salute Bar Cart!. Open Wednesday-Friday 4-9 p.m. , Saturday-Sunday 12 p.m.-8 p.m.; Closed Monday & Tuesday The Velvet Mill, 22 Bayview Avenue, Stonington, CT 06378 860-715-9663 | woodfellaspizza.com
THE STUMBLE INNE
SEAFOOD
J & R SEAFOOD
At Nana’s Byrek everything is made fresh daily, in house. We offer the following: pizza, byrek, entrees, grinders, paninis, quesadillas, salads, dessert, catering, birthday parties. Kids make their own pizza. Open Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday 12-8:30 p.m.; Closed Monday 316 Boston Post Road., Waterford, CT 06385 860-437-3030 | www.nanasbyrek.com
Family owned, J&R Seafood Market is committed to bringing you the freshest seafood, delivered daily. Enjoy market-made chowders, prepared meals, lobster rolls, live lobsters, and more. Open daily 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. 45 Williams Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355 860-415-4656 | jrseafoodmarket.com
Great food, happy hour, live music, pool tables, darts, trivia, karaoke. Nominated for best burger! Open Monday-Saturday 3 p.m.-12 a.m.; Sunday 1-10 p.m. 90 Halls Road, Old Lyme, CT 06371 860-434-2342 | facebook.com/TheStumbleInne
To advertise your restaurant on this page, email thedaymag@theday.com. april 2022 47
g n i d d we
s d n tre g n i r p s
2 2 0 2
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magazine
o tailors
sy of valentin
photo courte
couple, who completely transformed the spacious,
written by jennifer carmichael
S
open-air tent into a brilliant aviary filled with butter-
pring wedding season is off to a promising
flies, a kaleidoscope of streamers, and vibrant flow-
start. And while some couples are throwing
ers spilling out of birdcage centerpieces.
large celebrations, others are opting for a
“The inventive decor celebrated the transporting
more intimate affair. But what rings true for
beauty of summer by the sea, but also showcased the
all is a wedding that’s personal and memora-
trend for transforming a standard tent or ballroom
ble. Brides and grooms are reinventing their own tra-
with immersive decor stretching all the way to the
ditions, thoughtfully and creatively planning every-
ceiling,” says Laurie Hobbs, group director, public
thing from unique decor to a show-stopping cake and
relations and marketing at Ocean House and its sis-
timeless and fun fashion. The goal is to create a spe-
ter properties.
cial experience for both themselves and their guests.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS AND EXPERIENCES
At Ocean House, in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, old-
She says that another wedding last year had an amazing wall of “take your own” champagne glasses for guests to help themselves after stepping out of the ceremony. With people posting on social media, visuals are important more than ever.
world elegance meets the barefoot, salt-tinged ease
“It was beautiful, clever and ver y novel,” add
of the beach. Known for its glamorous receptions
Hobbs, who is seeing “Instagrammable moments,”
with oceanfront views and surprising sophistication,
as a definite element that they might not have seen
Ocean House was the chosen venue for one creative
five years ago. “They’re looking for these memorable
april 2022 49
r o l y a T & n a th a n Jo
50
magazine
moments not just for Instagram, but for everyone to look back fondly on and mention specific examples of why it was fun and unique.” While couples still very much want a large, traditional wedding, there is a trend toward smaller weddings, or what she refers to as “reservation window” weddings. Instead of reserving their day one or two years in advance, brides and grooms are being spontaneous, booking six months or less. If there is a cancellation, or if couples can plan festivities outside of a weekend, Ocean House can accommodate the request.
ICING ON THE CAKE
The wedding cake invites another opportunity to
create a visual impact with many opting for high barrel cakes with double tiers on each level. One trend is custom cake hoops decorated with fresh f lowers or left plain for a more modern look. The idea is to add an interesting focal point to either the cake itself or the wedding cake table. Decorating the cake with fresh
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321 Main Street • Niantic, CT 06357
860.333.4260
april 2022 51
or even wooden flowers is also popular. And soft color cakes such as blush creams or eucalyptus are in demand. According to Rachel LaChica, director of catering at Ocean House Collection including Ocean House and Weekapaug Inn, “Popular desserts for 2022 include carrot cake and VVV (Vanilla, Vanilla + Vanilla) cakes. Declining in popularity have been dessert buffets because of health/COVID concerns.” Donna Everett, owner of Creative Cakes by Donna in Haddam, who has been in business 37 years, and has created more than 30,000 custom wedding cakes, tells brides, “Complete a really nice meal.” She personally does not recommend a dessert or coffee station. And she especially does not like the latest trend of having a custom small cake for a cake-cutting ceremony, but then serving cupcakes to guests. This trend doesn’t really work, she says. “Think about it,” she laughs. “If you’re dressed to kill at a wedding and you see the bride cut a wedding cake, would you want a cupcake? With that said, if the couple really wants cupcakes or other finger foods for dessert, it’s nice to put a group together on each table to enjoy after the cake for a little extra.”
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magazine
top, left to right A simple wedding cake. photo courtesy of creative cakes by donna; A beautiful bride in a Kate McDonald Gown photo by maggie conley photography; A gown with billowy sleeves by Made with Love. photo courtesy of the white dress by the shore; High slitted gown by Ines Di Santo; photo courtesy of the white dress by the shore bottom Valentino Tailors makes fun and interesting tuxedo liners, like this one featuring a Cuban theme. photo courtesy of valentino tailors
“Wedding cakes are a fashion,” Everett continues. “They are here to stay forever. I tell all of my brides that cupcakes, donuts, and pies are all fads. They come and go.”
A FASHION STATEMENT
A return to timeless is taking center stage for bridal gowns
and attire for grooms. Boat necks and long sleeves are coming back, along with more clean and classic fabrications, such as a return to satin in 2022 and 2023. “For so long, we’ve been seeing plunging necklines and sheer lace bodices, and we’re seeing a shift towards more traditional and classic necklines,” says Beth Chapman, owner of The White Dress by the shore in Clinton, who just celebrated 18 years in business. Textured floral jacquard is a fabric that designers are introducing into their collections, says Chapman. And gowns are also seeing slits, which is different and interesting. Instead of a plunging neckline, brides are showing a little leg. And billowing, romantic, dramatic sleeves are very in fashion. “We thought we would never see billowing sleeves after Princess Diana got married,” says Chapman, who sees the trends emerge at Fashion Week in New York City twice a year, spring and fall. “Sleeves are often detachable, so that a bride can have an option of wearing them for the ceremony and then taking them off for the reception.”
Best of
MUSIC, DANCE
ENTERTAINMENT returns to Storrs!
Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano In-Person & Livestream April 5
Colin Mochrie’s HYPROV with Master Hypnotist Asad Mecci April 8
JORGENSEN CENTER
MOMIX April 19
Spring 2022 Events On Sale Now jorgensen.uconn.edu
@JorgensenUConn FOR T HE PERFORMING A R T S april 2022 53
Men are typically the more practical side of the couple, wanting to get more use out of their wedding day attire, notes Enzo Valentino, owner of Hamden-based Valentino Tailors. They had been getting lots of requests for charcoal grey and navy blue suits, but recently they’ve seen an increase in requests for traditional black tuxedos. “We find that the brides are still driving the bus by setting the theme of the wedding, says Valentino. “The grooms then follow with either a suit or tuxedo depending on the level of formality. Most grooms will sneak in a little of their own personality by choosing a fun lining for the inside of their tuxedo jacket. We recently did a groom’s jacket with a Cuban theme of
e k o o r B & C aitlin cigars, palm leaves and vintage automobiles! It’s one place where the guys can be a little expressive. We
encourage it by showing them how serious the jack-
et looks when it’s buttoned up and how fun it can look when they flash it open.”
54
magazine
Caitlin & Brooke’s wedding at the Ocean House in Watch Hill, RI. photos by jackiefoxphotography.com
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home & garden GARDENING
DECOR
ADVICE
photo by g.a. peck
R E A L E S TAT E
Famous homes in eastern connecticut
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magazine
spectacular gardens
home & garden
Architecture as a storyteller EASTERN CONNECTICUT’S FAMOUS RESIDENCES CHRONICLE A HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE, INGENUITY, AND FAMILY
The Beaumont House in Lebanon, Connecticut dates back to 1790 and derives its name from the family who built and lived in the house. photo courtesy of the lebanon historical society
T
written by g.a. peck
Lebanon, Connecticut was incorporated in 1700, and
he eastern half of Connecticut—and espe-
the town played a role as a base of operations for the
cially the southeastern corner—is rich in
Continental Army during the American Revolution.
centuries of architectural history, includ-
The Beaumont House dates back to 1790, when
ing some rather famous homes. Whether
Samuel Beaumont, a cooper by trade and Revolution-
they’ve remained private residences or lived
ary War patriot by choice, moved his wife, Lucretia,
on as historic institutions, these and other historic
and their family into a home previously built by his
and remarkable properties help tell the region’s long,
brother.
ever-evolving story.
BEAUMONT HOUSE, LEBANON
Samuel and his wife raised nine children in Lebanon, including one of their sons, William, who went on to become quite famous in his own right. Accord-
The quaint Beaumont House is part of the Leba-
ing to the Lebanon Historical Society, he went on to
non Historical Society’s Museum and Visitors Center.
become an Army surgeon and later specialized in
april 2022 57
The Beaumont House was donated to the Lebanon Historical Society and moved to its current site in 2014. photo courtesy of the lebanon historical society
NANCY MESHAM HEIDI HOSS HILARY REID WENDY VISGILIO
study of the digestive system. Samuel, Lucretia and their other children farmed the land and operated a cider mill while living in the house, which comprised just five main-floor rooms, a rustic basement and an attic space. The Beaumont’s Colonial-era home was moved twice in recent years and came to its current site in 2014, when it was donated to the Lebanon Historical Society. A couple of years later, it was restored and furnished with curated Beaumont family belongings from the 1810-1814 era, based on historic probate court documents recorded at the time of Samuel Beaumont’s death. The Museum is open year-round, Wednesday through Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m. On Saturday, June 11th, in honor of the Connecticut Museum Open House Day, the Lebanon Historical Society is hosting its Hands-On History Fun Day, with games, rides in an authentic Model-T, immersive experiences into chores like butter churning, corn grinding and rug beating; and demonstrations on
SOLD.
NANCY MESHAM (860) 227-9071 nancymesham.com
860.227.9071 | nancymesham.com | 86 Halls Road | Old Lyme, CT 06371
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magazine
home & garden blacksmithing, broom making, spinning and Windsor chair making.
DENISON HOMESTEAD, MYSTIC
The Denison Homestead at 120 Pequotsepos
Road in Mystic is a property with a long familiar legacy. The shingle-style colonial farmhouse at the center of the homestead museum today dates back to 1717, built by Caption George Denison and his wife, Lucy Gallup Denison. Six generations of Denisons lived here at “Pequotsepos Manor” in the centuries since, up until 1941 when the property was gifted to the nonprofit Denison Society and destined to become a museum. Since 2007, the house and other buildings on the 160-acre property have been undergoing restoration. In addition to the historic manor, the property also includes the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center and gorgeous stroll-worthy gardens. On Sunday afternoons, from June to October, the Homestead hosts the Denison Farmers Market. This year, the market kicks off on Sunday, June 5, 2022.
HEMPSTED HOUSES, NEW LONDON
The Hempsted Houses in New London, Con-
necticut are remarkable for many reasons, in-
top The Denison Homestead in Mystic traces its roots back to 1717. Six generations of the Denison family lived and worked on the homestead, until the property was donated to the nonprofit Denison Society and designated as a historic site and museum. photo courtesy of the denison homestead museum above The Hempsted Houses — the earliest of which dates back to 1678 — both survived the burning of New London and the 1780s Battle of Groton Heights. photo by g.a. peck below The Hempsted Houses, which date back centuries, stand inconspicuously at the corner of a busy New London intersection, preserved for the public photo by g.a. peck
cluding that they remained in a single family, passed down through generations for centuries, until 1937, when Connecticut Landmarks bought the property, preserving its history for future generations. Joshua Hempsted built his simple woodframe home in 1678, and his brother Nathaniel had his home built adjacent to the property a number of years later. According to Connecticut Landmarks, Nathaniel Hempsted enlisted Acadian exiles to construct it. Both of the homes survived the 1780s Battle of Groton Heights and the burning of New London.
april 2022 59
home & garden The Hempsted Houses will reopen to the public in May 2022; tours are available by reservation from May through October—free for New London residents.
MONTE CRISTO, NEW LONDON
By any measure, Eugene O’Neill’s childhood was
difficult and memorable, and it understandably informed his writing later in life as he became one of the United States’ most beloved playwrights. He was born in New York City to actor James O’Neill, an Irish Joshua Hempsted was a diarist, who wrote extensive-
immigrant, and his wife, Mary Ellen Quinlan. His
ly about his life in New London. His own chronicles pro-
parents often traveled, so young Eugene spent time
vide a guide for the historic preservation of the property
in a Catholic boarding school and for two years of
today. The Hempsted Houses are still owned and operat-
his life, in a sanatorium, while battling tuberculosis.
ed by Connecticut Landmarks. The Hempsted family themselves owned slaves, but
in their home at 325 Pequot Avenue in New London,
their homes also served as safe houses for former slaves
a grand 1840s-era shingle-style home overlooking the
who were traveling north by way of the Underground
Thames River. His father named the summer cottage
Railroad network. A Black Heritage Trail plaque com-
“Monte Cristo” as a nod to one of his favorite roles in
memorates Adam Jackson, a man born into slavery and
The Count of Monte Cristo.
purchased by Joshua Hempsted to tend the Hempsted
60
In the summers, the O’Neill reunited as a family
O’Neill’s memories of Monte Cristo inspired two of
farm and as barter with other local land and business
his works, Ah, Wilderness! and Long Day’s Journey
owners. A year after Hempsted’s death, Jackson became
Into Night, for which he was posthumously awarded
a free man.
a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The tragic tale recounts
magazine
left Known as Monte Cristo Cottage, award-winning playwright Eugene O’Neill’s childhood summer home looks out across Pequot Avenue in New London, to the banks of the Thames River. photo by g.a. peck bottom left Roseland Cottage made its debut in 1846 as the summer home of Henry Chandler Bowen and his large family. It was built in the style of Gothic Revival, with Victorian-period flair and embellishment. Bowen was a newspaperman and he ran a silk and dry goods business in New York City. The family spent most of the year at their impressive Brooklyn residence, but sought refuge here at Roseland Cottage during the summers. photo courtesy of historic new england \ historicnewengland.org below The gardens at Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, Connecticut, leave visitors awe-inspired during their peak blooming seasons. Among the beautifully landscaped grounds at the historic home is a boxwood parterre that dates back to 1850. photo courtesy of historic new england \ historicnewengland.org bottom Roseland Cottage’s bowling alley is believed to be the oldest indoor bowling alley in the United States. photo courtesy of historic new england \ historicnewengland.org
an autobiographical day at Monte Cristo, as it unfolds for a family shadowed by addiction. James O’Neill was an alcoholic, and his wife became addicted to morphine. The playwright would go on to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama four times, and also received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1936. He married three times and fathered three children. Monte Cristo was added to the National Registry of Historic Landmarks in 1972. It is owned and maintained by the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, in nearby Waterford. Prior to the pandemic, tours of the property were open to the public. However, supply chain delays have also delayed some necessary repairs to the property. The hope is that Monte Cristo will again be open for public tours later this year.
ROSELAND COTTAGE, WOODSTOCK
Roseland Cottage made its flamboyant debut in 1846
as the summer “cottage” for Henry Chandler Bowen and his wife, Lucy. Henry made his name as a newspaperman and proprietor of a silk and dry goods business. They built their summer home in the Gothic Revival style, overtly ornate in its vogue Victorian design. A few years later, the Bowens brought in landscaping experts to create beautiful gardens around the property. The couple and their 10 children sought refuge and summer retreat at Roseland Cottage, escaping the hustle and bustle of New York City and their primary residence in Brooklyn. During the 1870s, the Bowens expanded the home to accommodate more live-in help. Roseland Cottage was appended by an icehouse, an aviary, a carriage house and barn, and a bowling alley—the oldest surviving indoor bowling alleys in the nation. It stands on the site today, fancy, frilled, audaciously pink, and as a testament to its careful preservation by the Historic New England nonprofit. Weekend tours of Roseland Cottage are available from June to October.
april 2022 61
home & garden
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What time of year do you use this space?
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How much sun does your space get?
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For a small state, Connecticut has a lot of variability in hardiness. If you live by the shore, you have different choices than if you live in the hills. How windy your space gets can also factor in what you might choose.
magazine
4
What is in your space right now?
Is your space a blank slate and ready for planting or are there older shrubs, sod, or weeds that need to be addressed first? Examining this will make a world of difference in how to plan your gardening tasks and planting timeline.
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What is the soil like and has it been tested?
Getting a test is helpful but not a must. You should examine the soil to observe if it is sandy, wet, barky, stony, or has other characteristics. You can get your soil tested or get information on how to obtain a test at your local garden center.
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What are the dimensions of your space?
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april 2022 63
home & garden
gorgeous Stroll southeastern Connecticut’s
PRIVATE HOMES AND PUBLIC PARKS SEASONAL SPECTACLE TO BEHOLD
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written by g.a. peck or southeastern Connecticut, it felt like a hint of spring to come when temperatures rose to an unseasonable 60-degrees in mid-February. Of course, avid gardeners had been thinking ahead to spring for many months before, planning the plantings they’ll introduce to their yards, flower
and herb gardens, when the ground thaws and becomes pliable again. They eagerly await the fruits of their autumn labors, when bulbs were last planted. Gardening is a labor of love for people passionate about creat-
ing beautiful spaces that are also healthy for the environment and pleasing to pollinators. Their labors “pay off” from spring to fall, bearing gifts of color, texture, fragrance, and fascination.
A GIFT OF GLAMOUR AND GARDENS
It was 1907 when the wealthy philanthropic couple, Edward and
Mary Harkness, bought Eolia Mansion as their summer home. The 42-room mansion—in the style of Roman Renaissance Revival— had been built just a year prior— new construction. Since 1950, Eolia Mansion has been owned by the state, and is the crown jewel of the Harkness Memorial State Park. The state maintains the grand Eolia and offers it to rent for special occasions—weddings, conferences, private parties, and teas. Annually, the mansion is opened to the public for guided tours, but the 237-acre grounds draw crowds of their own, year-round. It’s a favorite spot for walkers and their leashed, four-legged friends. The expansive lush lawns provide the perfect unfettered spot to sail kites in the air on gusty days. “Eolia” was the island home of the Greek god of winds.
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Hydrangeas line the path to the main entrance of 209 Main Street, Deep River, a historic Federalstyle home that’s served as a popular bed-and-breakfast in recent years. photo courtesy of william pitt sotheby’s international realty
gardens
april 2022 65
home & garden
“Walk around, and it’s like a botanical garden, filled with coneflowers, roses, lilacs, and so much more.” DIANE DEVRIES
Families lay out picnic blankets, spending quality time on spring and summer days, and couples can be found cozied up on benches overlooking the water. It’s a particularly romantic setting, a nod to its post-Victorian legacy. The property sits perched on Goshen Point, overlooking the lapping waters of Long Island Sound. In the distance, Long Island can be seen from the expansive lawns off the back of the mansion, with Fishers Island and Plum Island in the horizon’s foreground. To the west, there’s sandy beach, a haven for Piping Plovers and Least Terns during their nesting and mating season, and a salt marsh that attracts all varieties of shore birds. From 1918 to 1929, Landscape Designer Beatrix Jones Farrand was
top Luxury-home buyers who share a passion for gardening with previous owners of 15 Evans Lane in Essex will appreciate the care paid to the landscaping around the historic Federal-style home. photo courtesy of william raveis real estate
hired to beautify the grounds and spent those 11 years creating and nurturing several gardens around the
above The gardens at 209 Main Street in Deep River bloom all season long, with peonies, hydrangeas, hostas, coneflowers, roses, lilacs and daylilies. photo courtesy of william pitt sotheby’s international realty
property that still flourish today.
top right During the season, tourists flock to the Eolia Mansion and gardens at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford. photo by g.a. peck
ness State Park have quieted since
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Though the greenhouses at Harkthey once bustled during the Roaring
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end, a brilliant cutting garden blooms each year, with blossoms in every shape, texture and color. Bees appre-
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ciate it as much as the tourists. Off the back of the mansion, there’s a maze of English-style gardens, with hedgerows and specimen trees, purple salvia and statues. Little pathways wind through the gardens, past a shady frog pond, through courtyards dotted with boxwoods, and through pergola-topped conversation spots. The public tours of Eolia Man-
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sion are typically held at peak blooming season, so add a guided tour of the gardens if you plan to visit.
A BEAUTIFUL B&B EXPERIENCE
The historic 1850s-era Federal-style
colonial home at 209 Main Street in Deep River is a remarkable property, currently listed for sale with an asking price set at $950,000, and so are the 0.45-acre grounds, with beautiful
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april 2022 67
home & garden
The garden shed sits poised and ready for the spring growing season to begin at 15 Evans Lane in Essex. photo courtesy of william raveis real estate
gardens and lovely outdoor living spaces. Diane
Outside, there are stone patios and a stacked
DeVries is the listing broker for the property, as
stone fire pit to gather ‘round, nestled flower
well as the assistant brokerage manager at Wil-
gardens.
liam Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty’s Madison and Guilford offices.
begin to bloom and line the walkways,” she said,
DeVries shared some thoughts about the Deep
“while the hostas and daylilies fill the shaded
River property and its most compelling attri-
spaces. Walk around, and it’s like a botanical gar-
butes, including lovely landscaping and gar-
den, filled with coneflowers, roses, lilacs, and so
dens. “This is a quintessential New England
much more.
escape, right at the beginning of the Connecti-
68
“In the spring, the peonies and hydrangeas
“Additionally, there is a custom-made locally
cut shoreline, where you can enjoy all the sea-
milled white oak pergola highlighting the
sons,” DeVries said. “Close to skiing in the win-
stone terrace, with a cast-iron and
ter and boating in the summer.”
stone fire pit, all beautifully lit
The nine-bedroom house has been the site of
by landscape lighting in the
the Riverwind Inn Bed & Breakfast, and it has
evening,” she described the
all the charm of a special-occasion getaway, with
setting.
high ceilings, cozy sitting rooms, restored wide-
“ T h e h o m e o w n-
plank hardwood floors, six fireplaces and bed-
ers have poured their
rooms with ensuite baths.
hearts into planting and maintaining these
magazine
gardens and hardscapes on the property,” DeVries said. The Deep River location puts the owners of this property within walking distance to restaurants and shops. Connecticut beaches are within reach, and the area is rich in theaters, wineries and antique curators. New York City and Boston are just two hours away in either direction.
LORD ESSEX’S LAWN AND GARDENS
Kelsea Hillyer and Edward Hillyer, Realtors
with William Raveis Real Estate’s Niantic brokerage, are the listing agents for another unique and historic home — this one, in Essex. Edward Hillyer described the property in an email to The Day Magazine: “A secluded in-town elegant entertainer, fashioned for fun.” Located at 15 Evans Lane in Essex, the seven-bedroom Federal-style colonial dates back to 1857, and it’s known to locals as “Lord Essex,” for how it presides over Evans Lane. The house was built by the seafaring Captain Henry Hovey, and of course, it’s been updated to live and function like a contemporary luxury home. “Every inch of this gracious country estate is magnificent—a blend of formal entertaining and a cozy private haven that is casual and comfort-
above Visitors to Harkness Memorial State Park find a quiet, shady spot for conversation among the gardens. photo by g.a. peck left Daylillies are hearty even in the harsh New England climate. They have a relative long blooming season, and they add color and height to gardens. photo by g.a. peck
able,” Hillyer explained. “The details are bold: flowless heavy mold-
extravagant entertaining,” Hillyer wrote. There’s
ings, cornices, gables
even a bocce court, mere steps from the pool.
and unadorned friezes,
The property, which includes a barn, is sur-
styled with sym-
rounded by mature trees, providing a private and
m e t r y, p r o -
lush perspective, though it’s just a short walk to
por tion a nd
the center of Essex Village. Here, hydrangeas line
functionality.”
the driveway to the statuesque, column-framed
Captain Hovey
front entrance, and raised-bed gardens just off
surely would marvel at the
the pool patio provide a perfect, sunny spot for
addition of a heated saltwater pool
flowers and herbs.
to the 3.3-acre setting, as well as the
“Essex is one of the most iconic New England
full outdoor kitchen and pizza oven,
shoreline villages in the state of Connecticut—
if he could see it today.
quaint boutique shopping, restaurants that offer
“The sweeping pool exudes an
a wide variety of cuisines, boating, hiking trails,
aura of leisured elegance and is
art galleries and historic home museums that dis-
sited for no-neighbor privacy and
play the town’s heritage,” Hillyer concluded.
april 2022 69
trending SHOPPING
APPS
FA S HIO N
BE AUT Y
Radio controlled sailboat racing in Deep River. photo by maren schober
BOOKS
impressive debuts from new directors
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turning pages book reviews
trending
right now HOW TO HELP: DONATE TO UKRAINE
As of press time, the situation in Ukraine remains dire. Millions of people are in terrible circumstances due to the attack on their country. The following organizations provide lifesaving aid to those in crisis with many volunteers risking their own lives to save others. Here are some websites with more information about how you can help them continue their work.
Unicef: unicefusa.org
Unicef has recently doubled down their efforts to provide critical lifesaving programs to children and their families in Ukraine. They work
to bring health, hygiene, and emergency supplies to the communities most in crisis. This is just one of the ways they are helping. Visit their website to learn more.
Red Cross: redcross.org
The Red Cross is also working tirelessly to bring aid and food to Ukrainians in crisis. They intend to increase their work even more so
in the coming weeks to serve an even bigger population. Visit their website to understand about additional methods of aid.
bethenny.com/bstrong
Bstrong’s mandate is getting refugees out and aid in. In partnership with Global Empowerment Mission, Bstrong has set up a welcome
center for refugees at the border of Ukraine and Poland. Visit the website to read all about their mission.
Humane Society International: donate.hsi.org/Ukraine The Human Society is working to bring support and emergency funds to groups that are helping the Ukrainian people and their animals. They have one time and monthly gift options on their website.
TEMPERATURES AREN’T THE ONLY THING RISING THIS SPRING...
so are home values!
If you are ready to spring into action, The A Team is ready to help!
ALLYSON COTTON | LIZ SQUILLACOTE | VICTORIA TUTTLE CORY WINKELMANN | GARY SCHMID 860.227.6016 | theateam@williampitt.com | theateam.williampitt.com TheATeamSothebys | TheATeamLyme | Old Lyme • Niantic • Mystic
OF WILLIAM PITT SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIOAL REALTY
Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
april 2022 71
trending
The 5 best directorial debuts of the last 5 years
I
written by kitty williams
nterestingly, the best directorial debuts of the last five years are also some of the best films in recent years. As you watch the films listed below, you are not likely to think of them as directorial debuts. If you haven’t as yet seen any of these films, seek them out immediately and then keep a careful eye on what magic these directors create next.
GRETA GERWIG (Lady Bird, 2017) Where to watch: Netflix
Greta Gerwig began her career as an actress and later began to
gain writing credits, most notably as co-writer of Frances Ha, along with Noah Baumbach. While writing a scene in which the main character visits her parents in California for Christmas, it became clear that the film wouldn’t have the time for all that Gerwig wanted to explore. The scene in Frances Ha became a brief montage, Gerwig keeping the extra material that would later become Lady Bird, her first solo directorial debut. This coming-of-age film stars Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf as a daughter and mother in Sacramento who are both learning to grow up and let go. Gerwig received an Academy Award nomination for Best Director for this 2017 film, making her the fifth woman at the time to have received recognition in that category.
BO BURNHAM (Eighth Grade, 2018) Where to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, YouTube, Apple TV Bo Burnham is a name that, depending on your age, you will know from different places. Burnham was best known in his teenage years for his comedy videos on YouTube or the now-defunct app Vine. More recently, he gained popularity from his Netflix standup specials. In 2018, his career matured even further when he wrote and directed a feature film called Eighth Grade. The film follows a young girl in her life as a middle schooler. Though Burnham is now an adult, somehow he beautifully captures the experience of being an eighth grader, which is often not a beautiful time in life.
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bo burnham photo by heather martino via wikimedia commons; eighth grade photo courtesy of a24
greta gerwig photo by martin kraft, cc by-sa 3.0, via wikimedia commons; lady bird photo courtesy of a24
BRADLEY COOPER (A Star Is Born, 2018) Where to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, YouTube, Apple TV A Star Is Born is perhaps most credited for making Lady Gaga’s acting abilities known to the world, and rightfully so. However, Bradley Cooper is not given nearly enough credit for his ability to direct. This 2018 film is the fourth time the story has been told on the big screen, and yet the story is still engaging, fresh, and beautifully told. It was a shock to many when Bradley Cooper was not included in the best director category at the Academy Awards that year, though he still stole the show on the night of the ceremony with his performance of “Shallow” with Lady Gaga. bradley cooper photo by raph_ph, cc by 2.0, via wikimedia commons; a star is born photo courtesy of warner bros. pictures
JOE TALBOT (The Last Black Man in San Francisco, 2019) Where to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, YouTube, Apple TV Joe Talbot directed The Last Black Man in San Francisco and co-wrote that screenplay with his childhood friend Jimmie Fails, whose life inspired the story. This film is about family history, what it means to be from somewhere, and the pain of unrequited love for a city. The opening ten minutes of the film will be remembered forever as one of the most beautiful sequences in film. The other names on this list emerged as directors after already having established themselves in the industry. Talbot, however, has an arcless career path. He emerged suddenly with this feature film credit after creating a short film in 2017: nothing before and nothing since.
joe talbot photo by caroline wallis, cc0, via wikimedia commons; the last black man in san francisco photo courtesy of a24
REGINA KING (One Night in Miami…, 2020) Where to watch: Amazon Prime Regina King, known for her outstanding acting, has many directing credits for episodes of various television shows, but the feature film One Night in Miami… marked her solo directorial debut. As the title indicates, the film takes place during one single night in Miami in the 1960s that Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown all spent together with deep and meaningful conversations about their perspectives as Black men in America. It is a dialogue-driven film that deserves the attention it asks of you. The film is engaging and exciting, and you will want to watch it again the moment you finish it. regina king photo by abc/image group la / flickr; one night in miami... photo courtesy of amazon studios
april 2022 73
trending | TURNING PAGES
The promise of spring
B
written by betty j. cotter
y now, we are all sick to death of winter. It’s supposedly over (technically, it ended last month), yet often the earth takes a while to catch up to the calendar. The snow has melted, the woods echo with bird song, and green shoots of tulips and daffodils are breaking through the soil. T.S. Eliot’s most famous line is “April is the cruellest month,” yet we neglect the rest of that stanza: “breeding/Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing/Memory and desire, stirring/Dull roots with spring rain.”
The beginnings of new life do not come easily, and sometimes they smell like skunk cabbage. Spring is more often a subject of poets than novelists, as though the latter had conceded that only a lyr-
ic could do the season justice. By all means pull out your volumes of poetry, Keats’s “Ode to a Nightingale,” Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass,” the cold realism of William Carlos Williams in “Spring and All.” Whatever stirrings Eliot felt in his cruel month can be found there. But if it’s a book you want to sink into, you have a wide range of choices: the chronicles of naturalists, garden memoirs, biography. This month’s selections could not be more different; we have a Norwegian memoirist and a 20th-century naturalist, settings as diverse as suburban New York and an overgrown patch of Vermont woods. What do they have in common? The glorious beginning that spring promises.
North with the Spring by Edwin Way Teale (St. Martin’s Press reprint, 1990) In his day Teale was a famed nature writer, winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1966 for Wandering Through Winter. Although born in the Midwest, he also is a native son of sorts, having lived in Hampton, Conn., in his later years and dying in a Norwich hospital in 1980. North with the Spring, originally published in 1951, is the first volume in his fourbook series about the seasons. After their son (and only child) died in World War II, Teale and his wife, Nellie, decided that travel might be a way to deal with their grief. Teale got the idea to follow the seasons as they unfurled across the country, and the “Spring” volume takes the couple from the Florida Everglades to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Along the way the reader is treated to Teale’s storehouse of information about nature delivered in clear, lyrical prose. Fair warning: Once in thrall to Teale, you’ll want to read the rest of his oeuvre, which includes more than 30 books.
Spring by Karl Ove Knausgaard, translated by Ingvild Burkey (Penguin Press, 2018) After the tour de force of his massive six-volume memoir/novel, My Struggle, the Norwegian writer Knausgaard embarked on a series of books loosely organized around the four seasons. Spring, the third volume, written in the form of a letter to his new daughter, recounts the breakdown of his then-wife, Linda. You could not find a greater contrast to the genial Teale in Knausgaard, but both writers are after something similar—a way to pin life under a microscope even as time spins away.
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The Invisible Garden by Dorothy Sucher (Counterpoint, 2001) A psychotherapist by training and a writer of mystery novels, Sucher finds herself in midlife seeking solace in nature. She and her husband stumble upon an overgrown property in Vermont and set about restoring it into a summer house. All sorts of calamities ensue—not always played for humor—but as the years accumulate, you can feel the pride she takes in hacking away years of overgrowth and planting a garden that will stand up to the harsh climate of northern New England. Her real subject is human connection, from kind neighbors to a troubled daughter.
Darwin: Portrait of a Genius by Paul Johnson (Viking, 2012) There are many Darwin biographies out there, but Johnson’s short and modest volume is a good introduction to the naturalist who upended our understanding of animals and man. (Another, more psychological portrait is The Reluctant Mr. Darwin by David Quammen, the audio version of which I’m reading now.) It’s all here, if somewhat breezily: Darwin’s voyage on the Beagle, his years of work leading up to On the Origin of Species, his agnosticism, and his warm and loving marriage, which produced 10 children, only seven of whom survived to adulthood. Like Teale, he possessed a fanatical ability to focus—both men could spend hours watching ants, for example. Darwin remains relevant not just for his description of evolution, but for opinions that remain controversial, including his opposition to birth control and vaccination.
Duck Hill Journal: A Year in a Country Garden by Page Dickey (Houghton Mifflin, 1991) It’s a little early to go mucking about in the garden, but that shouldn’t stop you from dreaming. In this beautifully illustrated volume, Dickey describes the varieties and plans that have worked for her. Not everyone has three acres (or a ready source of compost in the form of horse manure), but Dickey’s sprightly prose is encouraging. The book is organized by month, and April is spent picking bunches of daffodils and cutting back herbs. Dickey and her husband have since left their New York home for Connecticut, an experience she recounts in the memoir Uprooted: A Gardener Reflects on Beginning Again (Timber Press, 2020).
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trending | LOCAL FINDS
Shop unique. Shop local. A
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A. BONSAI GROWING KIT
No green thumb needed! This fun growing kit includes all you need to grow four beautiful Bonsai Trees $39.99 The Bowerbird, 46 Halls Rd. , Old Lyme, CT 06371 860-434-3562 thebowerbird.com
B. JACK BLACK SUPREME CREAM
This triple cushion shave lather leaves skin fresh and fully hydrated. The cream is a blend of Macadamia, soy, and jojoba oils that soothe, calm, and protect from pesky shave irritation. $27 Trove Men’s Provisions, 15 West Main Street, Mystic, CT 06355 (860) 415-8484 trovemystic.com
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Our Advanced Pole System® (APS) is the perfect beginning to your ultimate bird feeding station designed to meet your own individual needs. It lets you create a customized setup that best suits your yard and the birds you want to attract. Stop in to see all of the options. $94.99 Wild Birds Unlimited, 190 Flanders Rd., Niantic, CT 06357 860-739-7302 mywbu.com/niantic
D. BUNNY SALT AND PEPPER SHAKER
Adorn your spring tablespace with these sweet bunny salt and pepper shakers. They are sure to brighten up your dinner conversation and provide an adorable addition to your next party. They make great host/hostess gifts too! $12.99 G’s Country Barn, Yantic River Plaza 50 Pleasant St., Suite 8, Norwich, CT 06360 860-934-5874 gscountrybarn.com
Check out our favorite items for April. As always, shopping local keeps our town
F
centers beautiful and thriving. Be sure to tell these shop owners that TDM sent you their way!
Happy shopping! Contact thedaymag@theday.com to feature your product.
E
E. SEA BAGS
Handcrafted, upcycled bags made from recycled sail cloths in Portland, Maine. Featured is the Sea Urchins Tote Bag with rope handles. Also available are: beachcomber bucket bags with a mesh bottom and pockets, wine bags, and an assortment of tote bags $75-$160 The Bowerbird, 46 Halls Rd. , Old Lyme, CT 06371 860-434-3562 thebowerbird.com
F. STONINGTON VINEYARD’S TRIAD ROSE
The springtime is perfect for drinking rose! According to the Stonington Vineyard’s website, this particular selection is “A unique blend of three grape varieties: Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Vidal Blanc.” It retails for $18.63. Stonington Vineyards, 523 Taugwonk Rd., Stonington, CT 06378 860-535-1222 stoningtonvineyards.com
G
G. PURPOSE, PASSION, AND PAJAMAS
Genevieve Piturro is the author of Purpose, Passion, and Pajamas, a book about Piturro’s career change from a television marketing executive to a professional speaker and personal strategy coach. She has been interviewed on many local and national media sites and will be signing copies of her books right in Mystic on April 9th from 1-3 p.m. $16.95 Bank Square Books, 53 West Main Street, Mystic, CT 06355 860) 536-3795 banksquarebooks.com
april 2022 77
SENIORS
PETS
E D U C AT I O N
H E A LT H
Lighthnouse at Saybrook Point. photo by sean thomas
FA MILIE S
life cycles
vintage parenting
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Cooking with kids
WELLNESS
life cycles
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april 2022 79
life cycles | PARENTING
Ten things our parents & grandparents did that we should do today
N
written by bridget shirvell
ostalgia parenting is having a moment. From viral tweets to Instagram posts to yes articles, it seems like people everywhere are, if not leaning into, at least looking fondly back at parenting philosophies of yesteryear. Our parents and grandparents had plenty of questionable parenting choices; ahem giving coffee to 6-month olds, only giving baths twice a week, and yes, I’m going to say it: the whole helicopter parenting stage. Still, there are quite a few things that we parents today can use for inspiration.
bored outside 1. they let us be
2. they made us go
I spent so much of my childhood running amok outdoors with only my imagination for entertainment. Yet, according to the National Recreation and Park Association, most children today spend only four to seven minutes a day in unstructured outdoor play. And sure, the “go outside and play” command that was frequently uttered by our parents probably had to do with wanting us out of the house, but they were on to something. Children that spend time outdoors in all types of weather experience increased regulation, flexibility and adaptability.
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Raise your hand if you complained about being bored as a child, and your parents gave you a stare that conveyed, “that is so not my problem.” Call it benign neglect. There is so much magic in boredom. When kids have to entertain themselves, their creativity explodes even if it involves something that makes little to no sense to us, such as running around in a circle with the dog, gluing pieces of scrap paper together or building and knocking down block towers. Practice the stare.
3. they gave us
chores (and expected us to do them)
Not only do chores teach kids about household responsibility, time management and planning but when paired with some sort of reward, they also teach children delayed gratification—you work for something, and then you get something in return. Maybe it’s an allowance or the chance to have a friend over or to pick the family movie, or whatever. Chores are an essential part of learning how to be an adult. Plus, they should hopefully take some of the stress of running a household off of you.
4. they let us be
disappointed We want the world to be perfect for our kids. I get it. But all this pressure to shield kids from every bit of discomfort, be it a restaurant not having the food they want, a disappointment at school or a rainy, cold Halloween, is doing more harm than good. Even if our parents didn’t realize it when they were letting us fail, it was a good thing. Kids that learn how to face disappointments practice bouncing back from setbacks and solving their own problems. It teaches them resilience and makes them more likely to thrive in the long run.
screens 5. they didn’t freak out about
I’m going to venture a bet that you watched way more TV as a kid than your kid does. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t worry about how much time my daughter spends on a screen. We’re living in a pandemic, and if I need her to watch 30 minutes of Cocomelon or Winnie the Pooh so I can have a relatively calm and quiet house while I’m writing or on a work call, so be it. If that 30 minutes turns into an hour, it’s fine. I turned out just fine (I think), and so will she.
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life cycles | PARENTING
6. they knew it took a
village When was the last time someone besides you or your partner told your child no or even to pick up their toys? It probably doesn’t often happen if, at all, but our parents and grandparents were OK with aunts and uncles, friends, even the stranger in the church pew in front of us telling us to be quiet. They knew it took a village to raise a child, and they didn’t get in a huff about it. Plus, sometimes your kid is more likely to actually be quiet or not kick the seat when someone else is telling them to knock it off.
7. they knew not everything was
beautiful
Mindful, positive parenting has been all the rage lately but let’s be honest, not everything about parenting is beautiful. Our parents didn’t feel the need to be present and savor every moment, and I’m with them. I know I’m not going to miss the night-time potty training stage or the days when vomit ended up all over the car. It’s OK for everything not to be beautiful all the time. And no, you really don’t need a picture of it.
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sleep was not a lifestyle
magazine
Ask your parents or grandparents about sleep-training style, and they’ll likely give you a blank look. From the Snoo to swaddles to white noise machines, we’re a bit obsessed with sleep these days and have the gear to prove it. Yet as crucial as a good night’s sleep is, we could do with less of the judging of other parents’ sleep philosophies. How long it takes for your child to sleep through the night has little to do with your parenting prowess.
9. they had their own
lives simple
We were not our whole world to our parents. We were important and loved for sure, but so were their jobs and their friends and each other. My parents frequently took vacations by themselves while my siblings and I stayed with a rotating cast of extended family members. Your kids will have a blast without you, and they need to see you have your own life. You are mom, dad, yes, but you’re also you.
10. they kept things
Misshapen homemade birthday cakes, backyard playdates, movie nights at home, and so much more; our parents and grandparents knew there was beauty in the simple, every day. They made less of a fuss over everything from birthday parties to vacations to playdates. The pandemic forced many of us to scale down too, and it’s not the worst thing.
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remember that while there are plenty of brilliant vintage parenting trends, none of our parents or grandparents had to navigate multiple years of pandemic parenting. You’re doing amazing.
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april 2022 83
life cycles
Three bread-based recipes to make with kids COOKING WITH KIDS IS A METAPHOR FOR LIFE: IT NEVER GOES AS PLANNED BUT IS OFTEN SWEETER
Y
story and photos by bridget shirvell ou’ve got to be brave to cook with kids. And maybe a little foolish. Nothing will go as planned. It’ll be incredibly messy. You’ll likely forget an ingredient or a step. Yet, the end result will be pretty sweet. It’s basically a metaphor for life. Cooking and baking with kids is great at any age because it can be as complicated or as simple as they’re ready for. Little kids can learn about different textures by helping mash and mix; slightly older
kids can fine-tune their math skills with ingredient measurements; and still, older kids can experiment with different flavors and techniques. And we can all practice some humility and perseverance when the first attempt needs a second and maybe even a third. Here are 3 bread-based recipes you can make with your kids this spring.
BANANA BREAD 84
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This banana bread recipe, based off my greatgrandmother’s, is impossible to mess up. Seriously. Don’t have 3 bananas; use 2. It’ll be fine. Don’t have nutmeg? Swap in some cinnamon. Don’t want to add in the milk or the salt, go right ahead. It’ll still taste good. INGREDIENTS: 2-3 bananas mashed (if they’re not overripe, mash them and let them stand for 15 minutes) 2/3 to 3/4 cup of sugar, depending on how sweet you want it 4 tablespoons of olive oil 2 eggs 3 tablespoons of milk 1 teaspoon of baking soda 1 teaspoon of salt ½ teaspoon of nutmeg 2 cups of flour ½ cup of chocolate chips DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 350° and grease a loaf pan. Mix in order of ingredients Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the middle tests done.
Make lunch or dinner a party with flatbreads and various toppings. I find it’s a sneaky way to get my daughter to eat vegetables like mushrooms. Traditionally, flatbread is made without yeast and doesn’t rise but feel free to use regular pizza crust. Older kids might want to try making a sourdough starter and using the discard for flatbread. INGREDIENTS: 1 or more flatbread crusts store-bought or make your own from that sourdough starter you’ve had since the pandemic began.
FLATBREAD
½ cup of unfed sourdough starter at room temperature 1 ¼ cups of warm water 1 teaspoon of sea salt 3 ¼ cups bread flour, plus more as needed Suggested toppings: A handful of cooked shiitake mushrooms Balsamic vinegar Pizza sauce Mozzarella cheese Goat cheese
DIRECTIONS If you’re making the flatbread, it works better if you do it the day before. Mix the salt, water and starter until the starter is mostly dissolved. Add it to the flour and squish it with your hands repeatedly until all the flour is incorporated. Sprinkle some flour on your hands and knead the dough until it forms a smooth ball. Place it in a bowl, cover with a cloth and let it sit for at least 8 hours. Preheat your oven to 425° and sprinkle some flour on a pizza pan. Roll out the dough. If you’re using the above
recipe, I split the dough into 3 and then rolled it out. The beauty of flatbread is that it can take all sorts of shapes and sizes so roll it out to fit your family’s needs. Place the flatbread(s) on the pizza pan. Top as you wish. Go traditional with pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese, or my favorite, a handful of cooked shiitake mushrooms, slices of goat cheese and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, or experiment with your own combination. Cook until the dough is golden and crispy, about 15 minutes.
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life cycles
MASHED SOFT BOILED EGGS ON TOAST This simple yet ridiculously delicious breakfast will quickly become a weekday morning favorite. When I was first introducing my daughter to foods, I used to serve a portion of it in a bowl for her and spread the rest on a slice of sourdough bread topped off with any produce we happened to have, such as tomatoes or avocado for myself. Peeling the cooled egg is an excellent job for young kids, as is mashing up all the ingredients in the bowl.
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INGREDIENTS 1 large egg, chilled 1 teaspoon of olive oil Salt and pepper to taste A handful of shredded cheese of choice (cheddar, parmesan, even crumbled goat cheese all work well) Optional toppings such as avocado, pickled onions, tomato 2 slices of sourdough bread
DIRECTIONS Add 1 inch of water to a saucepot, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add an egg (you can cook more than one egg at a time, just make sure to keep them in a single layer) into the pot. Replace the lid and let it continue to boil for six minutes. After six minutes, remove the egg(s) from the pot and place them in an icewater bath until cool enough to peel.
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april 2022 87
explorations D AY T R I P S
G E TA W AY S
photo by joyce atwood
T R AV E L T I P S
Dinosaur footprints in ct
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explorations
Uncovering prehistoric CT WHO ROAMED THE AREA BEFORE HUMANS?
Many of the dinosaur tracks at the Park were made by a dinosaur like the Dilophosaurus. photo courtesy of dinosaur state park
D
written by morgan rizzo
long from New Haven to Deerfield, Massachusetts.
uring the early Jurassic period, Connecticut
Buried in the sandstone rock are track impressions
was located 15 degrees north of the equa-
of dinosaurs from the early Jurassic period.
tor in the supercontinent Pangea. When
On August 23, 1966, when bulldozer operator,
the separation of the continents began, it
Edward McCarthy was extracting land for a work
allowed for the continental crust to break
project in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, he discovered a
and sink, creating a depression called a rift valley.
three-toed track in the sandstone. After removing
This erosion created an ideal condition consisting
more land, over 2,000 tracks were found leading to
of mud and soft sand buried with more sediments
the establishment of a park where visitors can learn
on top which preserved the tracks of the dinosaurs
about prehistoric dinosaurs.
into stone.
The Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, Connecti-
This formation of the Connecticut River Valley
cut was built around the original fossil site and is
around 220 years ago currently stretches 20 miles
a registered natural landmark. The exhibit center
april 2022 89
explorations | GETAWAY is home to 750 tracks with evidence of at least four different dinosaurs in Connecticut. The footprints reveal details of life in the early Jurassic period allowing both scientists and visitors to travel back in time. “Most of the tracks discovered in 1966… are all Eubrontes,” says Michael Ross, Environmental Coordinator and Park Supervisor. “They are three-toed theropod tracks that are 15 inches long made by a dinosaur like the Dilophosaurus.” The Dilophosaurus was about five feet tall at the hip and had two large crests on the top of its head, suggesting its name “two-crested lizard”. The meat-eating dinosaur was a top predator that moved quickly. However, the theropods were not the only dinosaurs that roamed the Connecticut Valley. Ancestors of long neck dinosaurs, the Anchisaurus and a four-foottall carnivore called Coelophysis inhabited the area that now preserve their once hidden tracks.
top Visitors of the Dinosaur Place have the opportunity to ride the pedal karts at Lapilli Landing. photo courtesy of dinosaur place above Bearing its sharp teeth, the Allosaurus is one of the many dinosaurs you can see at the Dinosaur Place. photo courtesy of dinosaur place below Dinosaur State Park is one of the only locations where you can make a plaster cast of a real dinosaur track to take home. photo courtesy of dinosaur state park
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“Through some tracks and fossils, there is evidence for some other animals that are ancient reptiles that aren’t even dinosaurs,” says Ross. “We have evidence for a few of those and mammals too.” Along with dinosaur and mammal fossils, the Dinosaur State Park has over two and a half miles of nature trails that do not contain tracks, but have habitats like a shrub swamp and a traprock ridge revealing what was once melting hot lava. The arboretum surrounding the exhibit center is home to over 250 plants representing species that lived during the time of the dinosaurs. Inside the encapsulated dome, visitors can view bone structure exhibits and learn about the layers of Earth and moving plates in geology exhibits. For
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young children wanting to play with small plastic dinosaur f igurines, there are hands-on activities in the discovery room. Eager, future scientists can observe live animals to recognize similarities between modern and ancient creatures, all while taking in movies that play during the day. Families can bring their own casting supplies and choose a track to cast. With the help of a staff member, they can mix the plaster and make the cast to take home a dinosaur footprint. The Dinosaur Park is located at 400 West Street in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. The grounds are open from 9:30 to 4:30 p.m. and the trails close at 4 p.m. The Exhibit Center is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 to 4:30 p.m. Due to renovations, the Exhibit Center will be closed March 1,
april 2022 91
explorations | GETAWAY 2022 but plans to reopen in August 2022. The Park will remain open. If you are looking to visit a dinosaur park sooner than August, you can make a trip to the Dinosaur Place in Montville, Connecticut. The park was opened in 2003 by a local family looking to create an interactive educational playground for children to learn about the prehistoric past along with curating collections of minerals and fossils. “The park has grown from having a single life-sized dinosaur in our parking lot to over fifty dinosaurs throughout the 60-acre trail,” says Anastasia Lange, Marketing Director of Nature’s Art Village. “The Dinosaur Place in Naabove At the Dinosaur Place, visitors can see replicas of more than 50 life-sized dinosaurs like the Suchomimus along the nature trails. photo courtesy of dinosaur place
ture’s Art Village strives to provide
below The Dinosaur State Park has 60 acres and 2.5 miles of nature trails. The Red trail includes this 300 foot boardwalk over a red maple swamp. photo courtesy of dinosaur state park
cational fun.”
an excellent environment for edu-
“Through some tracks and fossils, there is evidence for some other animals that are ancient reptiles that aren’t even dinosaurs.” MICHAEL ROSS
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Families can immerse themselves in the Jurassic era by viewing the dinosaurs along the trail while spotting an erupting volcano. Along the path, visitors will encounter an interactive animatronic Dilophosaurus and caves to explore. Touch and learn activities scattered among the trails allow for comparison of the shapes and textures of dinosaur teeth, fossils, and other natural objects. “A majority of The Dinosaur Place’s life-sized dinosaurs are a broad representation of dinosaurs found around the world,” says Lange. “We are not limited to just Connecticut-based di-
above Two young boys look up at the 40-foot tall Brachiosaurus dinosaur, large enough to drive a car under. photo courtesy of dinosaur place below The Dinosaur Place’s Splash Pad is New England’s largest zero- depth water park. photo courtesy of dinosaur place bottom Along the 1.5 mile nature trail, take a photo with the Carnotaurus and visit the touch-and-learn activities scattered throughout. photo courtesy of dinosaur place
nosaurs, although our Ancient Fossil Shop has impressive displays of fossils that were found in Connecticut, including real Jurassic-era footprints.” On hot days, children can be sprayed by dinosaur water cannons and get drenched from dumping buckets in New England’s largest Splash Pad. They can get lost in the A-MAZE-asaurus and jump and balance their way through Monty’s Playground, a play system with a 3-D design allowing for multiple ways to climb. From roaring dinosaurs to trembling pathways leading to a volcano, The Dinosaur Place creates an interactive experience for all ages. The Dinosaur Place is located at 1650 Hartford-New London Turnpike in Montville, Connecticut. It is opening this year on April 1st with new additions of a train, expansion of the Splash Pad, and new pedal kart tracks.
april 2022 93
it’s your day INFLUENCERS
Watch Hill Lighthouse. photo by karen parry
Q&A
get to know Beth Bye
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magazine
Beth Bye
C O M M I S S I O N E R , S TAT E O F F I C E O F E A R LY C H I L D H O O D written by erica moser
W
interview came shortly after an announce-
hen Gov. Ned Lamont
ment that her office was soon ending the
tapped Beth Bye to
mask mandate for children and staff.
be commissioner of
Masking children has been a con-
the state Office of
troversial issue, and Bye acknowl-
Early Childhood
edged she has a lot of emails from
in early 2019, she had no way of
parents and people in the Unmask
knowing what was coming down
Our Kids group about the impact of
the pike a year later. But in some
masks on kids.
ways, the pandemic highlighted
But she said she “visited many a preschool classroom, and they looked
the very reasons Bye got into public policy in the first place. Bye, who holds a bachelor’s and master’s in child development, served as executive direc-
a lot like they looked before the pandemic. I don’t see that the masks really changed what happens in classrooms that much.” She was
tor of the 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm in Bloom-
going to continue recommending masking for young
field prior to her current role. Before that, she led the
children and teachers for the time being, even with the
West Hartford community partnership Great by 8, served
mandate gone.
as early childhood director at the Capitol Region Educa-
“It’s that balancing game, of what’s the negative point
tion Council, and helped open two early childhood mag-
here and what’s the negative point there,” Bye said. “But
net schools.
I will tell you that childcare workers feel very exposed
She served as a state representative from 2007 to 2010
working with a population that can’t be vaccinated or
and state senator from 2011 to 2019, during which time
boosted, and they have 20 children, and they don’t social
she championed the effort to create the office she would
distance like 12th graders or 9th graders.”
eventually lead. Bye talked to TDM in mid-February about the work of
Here are some highlights from Commissioner Bye’s conversation with TDM.
her office during the pandemic and lessons learned. The
TDM: We’re two years into the pandemic now. What role
(the Department of Public Health) to make those public
do you see the Office of Early Childhood playing in the future
health recommendations, and things keep changing.
in responding to the pandemic, and how is that role changing?
BB: I think at first, we were just trying to help child-
TDM: Tell me a bit about what the Office of Early Child-
care survive. The governor wanted to make sure that we
hood has done with American Rescue Plan funds and other
had childcare for hospital workers and we stood up pro-
federal relief dollars.
grams for that, and we found ways to subsidize childcare
BB: First, it was emergency deployment: get funds
programs with small grants. With the stabilization fund-
out to programs to help them stay open. We contin-
ing came much larger grants, but those—for many pro-
ued to pay state-funded programs even as their enroll-
grams—are already running out.
ments went down. The second thing we did, working with
It’s a really challenging time for the field. So, our job
philanthropy, was we opened support networks for fam-
is to try to leverage the federal funds that are avail-
ily childcare homes, because during COVID, they’re out
able, to provide communication, and then work with
there on their own. They tended to stay open more than
april 2022 95
it’s your day | Q&A centers and were supporting a lot of families.
The real answer is significant federal invest-
We were projected to lose up to 40% of child-
ment. This is a really important national priority,
care programs in Connecticut, and we lost about
much like roads. Much like people need a road to
1%, which is still too much. But the funding real-
get to work, they need childcare to get to work.
ly helped the programs, because when you look at other states, some states still haven’t gotten the
TDM: What have you seen over the past two years
money out. When you look at other states, they’re
in terms of the developmental impacts and the men-
losing up to 10% of their supply.
tal health impacts of the pandemic on young children?
We have added $102 million into the childcare subsidy system, to help more families afford child-
And what can be done to address the disproportional impact on children with disabilities?
care. The governor wanted to increase the number
BB: I think we’re seeing that children have less
of families we reach, so we upped the income limit.
opportunities for socialization. They missed many
Workforce development’s a big focus of the gover-
days of preschool or childcare because of the pan-
nor’s, so he invested $50 million of the federal dol-
demic, and kindergarten teachers are telling us
lars to open up access to childcare for people in
that kids are really lacking those school readi-
higher ed and workforce development programs.
ness skills, which aren’t about letters and numbers.
The biggest issue is workforce, that they don’t
They’re really about executive function. How do I
have the workforce they need. I talked to a pro-
work in a classroom? How do you listen to a story
gram today in Bridgeport. Fifteen classes aren’t
and answer questions? How do you put your stuff
open at their agency because they can’t hire work-
away? How do you get along with your peers when
ers. I know in your part of the state, workforce is a
you both want the same thing? Preschool teaches
big issue with Electric Boat, and much as Electric
those really important precursor skills to success
Boat needs workers, those workers need childcare.
in school, and helps kids be eager learners, and teaches those fine motor skills. So when they’re
TDM: What is your office doing to address staff shortages in childcare settings, or what more would you like to see done at the state and federal government level?
building with blocks and Play-Doh, they’re building their hand strength to help with writing, later. We really need to support parents, who have been trying to juggle so much, like working at
BB: The workforce issue in early childhood is
home, providing childcare. I think what we forget
actually what brought me into the field 35 years
is part of going to school is this normal separation
ago. As a director, I just kept losing staff because
from parents. You’re with your parents, and then
of the low wages...and got involved in public policy
you go to school and you learn how to behave in a
through that path, trying to get better wages. The
classroom. When you take that away, that has im-
challenge is the system. Parents can only pay so
pacts on both the parent and the child. Parents
much for childcare, and what they can pay doesn’t
don’t get the same kind of break, which impacts
cover the full cost of childcare.
their parenting.
When we sent the stabilization funding, programs needed to commit that a quarter of those
lessons you’ve learned during the pandemic so far, is
health care costs, as a bonus, as a wage increase.
there anything, looking back, that you would’ve done
We are working with the community colleges
96
TDM: What would you say are some of the biggest
funds would go right to workers—to help with
differently?
and have funded their lab schools, which are sort
BB: I think that the lesson we knew but got
of like practice teaching centers. The number of
highlighted was that the childcare system is bro-
majors has gone down with the low wages, but we
ken. It’s too expensive for families, and it’s not pro-
still need to have the workforce.
viding a living wage for the people that work in it.
magazine
The other lesson was that childcare providers are
keep coming back to it—about the role that family
now seen as critical frontline workers. As people
childcare plays in the system. We also learned that
were scared to go to work, they were out there tak-
with another staff person, a family childcare home
ing care of nurses’ children, doctors’ children, child-
can take more children, so we’re looking at those
care workers’ children, so that our communities
regulations.
could continue to survive. The other lesson was that family childcare is a
TDM: On a personal note, what are some of your
critical part of our infrastructure, and we knew that,
favorite things to do in Connecticut when you’re not
but we know even better now that families rely on
working?
them. A little bit of support for family childcare can
BB: I love to go to White Woods, in Litchfield, and
go a long way: providing a nurse line so they have
walk. That’s one of my favorite things. I also am a big
somebody to call, small grants so they can upgrade
biker, so I love bike riding around the state, and the
their homes so that the kids can be outside more or
reservoir in West Hartford. I love to play pickleball,
their bathroom’s more accessible.
and in the pandemic, pickleball was like a savior.
The other thing is that parents’ schedules are changing, and we have a childcare system built for
TDM: Do you have a sense of how long you might
a 7:30 to 5:30 world, when parents don’t work five
want to stay in this role, or what you might want to do
days a week, 7:30 to 5:30 anymore. The pandemic
next?
has shown us that parent voice is so important, and
BB: I serve at the governor’s bequest, so as long
trying to get real-time information about what their
as the governor will have me, I’ll be here. This is my
childcare needs are is not something we’ve done
favorite job I’ve ever had. I think it’s been incredibly
enough of.
challenging during the pandemic, to be sure. But I’ve
In terms of what we might’ve done differently, well,
worked in childcare my whole life. To be able to work
I’m not sure. I look at what other states are doing, and
on these big, systemic issues at this crisis has been
a lot of them are taking the stabilization funds and
the honor of a lifetime.
giving programs something once a quarter for three
I’ve never had co-workers as committed and ded-
years. We got ours out—all of it—as quickly as possible
icated. It’s amazing how people pull together at a
over a shorter time frame, because we saw the crisis.
time of crisis. A lot of people say, ‘We don’t want
Only time will tell what strategy was better.
government in our lives,’ but this is a time when I think government has made a big difference, and
TDM: Outside of COVID, what programs or initia-
to be a part of it has been a real honor. I’ve actual-
tives – especially new ones – has your office worked on
ly got a meeting with the governor right now, so I’ve
over the past two years that aren’t specifically related to
got to run.
COVID?
BB: We’re about to launch a quality improvement system – we’re going to take some public feedback – which will give families information about the quality
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of programs, whether it’s licensed, working on accreditation, or accredited. I think Connecticut has learned so much about—I
1353 & 1383 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, CT april 2022 97
StoneRidge: A community of seniors who are dedicated to supporting each other, learning from one another and where all are welcome.
A Life Plan Community
To schedule a visit, call 860-572-4494 or go to www.StoneRidgeLCS.com. 186 Jerry Browne Road | Mystic, CT 06355
PLACEMENT TEST
Recognizing students have various academic strengths, skills and abilities our Placement Test allows us to put students in the correct classes to challenge and strengthen them.
SAINT BERNARD SCHOOL
Save the Dates! To register for any of the events, call 860-848-1271 or visit SaintBernardSchool.org for a 3-D Tour and to learn more!
April 30, 2022
OPEN HOUSE
Saint Bernard School Grades 6–12 1593 Norwich-New London Tpke Uncasville, CT 06382
We invite you to join us at our Virtual Open House where you can learn about our academic programs, athletics, campus life and much more.
Ask us about our Tailored Tuition Program to help meet your family’s unique financial situation.
April 7, 2022
Great Smiles Start Here!
CALL US TODAY! THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! We pride ourselves on making world class dental care convenient & affordable. Our experienced team of award winning dentist and board certified specialists are devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using a full spectrum of general, cosmetic, surgical and sedation dentistry resulting in beautiful, long lasting smiles! Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with the personalized, gentle care that you deserve.
ALWAYS ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS! cleanings & prevention restoring a confident smile cosmetic dentistry • dental implants invisalign improve your smile teeth whitening • complete whitening sedation dentistry • relaxation dentistry
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Bruce Patte Kenneth No rson, DMD gacek, DMD Melissa Nogo cek, DMD Jason Campb ell, DDS Ross D. Sanfi lippo, DMD
Dr. Jason R. Campbell • Dr. Melissa J. Nogacek • Dr. Kenneth P. Nogacek • Dr. Ross D. Sanfilippo
177 Boston Post Road, Waterford, CT • 860-447-2235
www.waterforddentalhealth.com
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