INK MAGAZINE - DECEMBER 2020

Vol 15 Issue 179

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December 2020

Vol. 15 Issue 179

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Feature Stories

Departments

Family Hearth & Patio

“Warming the Soul”

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Blue Moon Gifts

“A Lovingly Curated Collection”

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Ask Ashley - 4 Tips for a More Enjoyable Season On the Vine - Holiday Wine Picks Hopping Around CT - Beer’d Brewery, Stonington

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Chevy & Jani Chase “He’s Chevy Chase & You’re Not”

The Legend of Holly Claus

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“Dreams are Forever”

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“The Girl Who Lived at the North Pole”

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Patti Reiss Brooks

Debrah Goodrich Royce “From TV Silver to Storytelling Gold”

Crusty Old Diver - Cooking with Crusty The Cheesemonger - Holiday Favorites

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Because the holidays will look different this year, our memories of the past are more important than ever. This year INK has teamed up with New York Times best selling author Brittney Ryan to offer a taste of a story with our readers that is both hopeful and enriching. A Christmas gift that has recently come to us that we wanted to share with you. It’s called The Legend of Holly Claus, and it’s a Christmas tale that transports you back in time. This contemporary classic has everything one could wish for —a beautiful and compelling heroine, fanciful characters, gripping adventure, and a wonderful love story…[It is] an homage to all the great fairytales, an insightful portrait in which all cultures, legends, and myths come together in one magical place. A tale that dissolve every boundary, including time itself. Laurel Long’s beautiful illustrations (one of which is on our cover) creates a world of wonder to visit at Christmas. Brittney and her team worked tirelessly to get this timeless piece into this December issue, so make yourself a cup of cocoa, find a comfy spot, and let the story of Holly Claus whisk you away. Here, we give you a peek into the wondrous world of Forever…

Jeffery Lilly

Contributors Ashley Alt - ask ashley Susan Cornell - editorial/photography Caryn B. Davis - editorial/photography Alletah Ganino - Editorial Alison Kaufman - music mirth & mojo Heather Kelly - life on sugar Jim Lalumiere - hopping around ct Art LiPuma - on the vine

founder / publisher

Rona Mann - editorial Carolina Marquez-Sterling - design Paul Partica - the cheesemonger Vincent Scarano - photography John Tolmie - crusty old diver Kate Tolmie - photography Jan Tormay - editorial Joe Urso - design

Advertising

Contact us to receive our media kit with detailed advertising information.

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Llapka Sherpa

“Walking the Walk”

Jeffery Lilly - Publisher 860.581.0026 Bob Houde - Advertising Director bob@inkct.com 860.303.6690

Rona Mann - Greater Connecticut six07co@att.net - 401-539-7762

Cheryl Powell - Greater Connecticut cheryl@ink-pub.com - 860.608.5749

Richard Malinsky - Shoreline richard@inkct.com - 215.704.9273

John Tolmie - Eastern Connecticut john@inkct - 860.460.0005

On the Cover: Illustration by Laurel Long / Legend of Holly Claus Last month: Cover sculpture was by Ron Bence / Hygienic Art Park

visit inkct.com

All content of INK Publications including but not limited to text, photos, graphics and layout are copyrighted by Inkct LLC. Reproductions without the permission of the publisher are prohibited. Inkct LLC is not responsible for images or graphics submitted for editorial or by advertisers which are not copyrighted or released for use in this publication.

Inkct LLC - 71 Maple Avenue, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 - email: submissions@ink-pub.com - visit www.inkct.com

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An Investment for Life, Warming the Soul

Family Hearth & Patio Rings Up Customers for Life

by Rona Mann / Photos by Jeffery Lilly

“We no longer build fireplaces for physical warmth. We build them for the warmth of the soul. We build them to dream by, to hope by, to home by.” ...Edna Ferber, Author December. It’s a mixed bag, isn’t it?

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ure, it heralds the start of the holidays with all the food, the fun, and the family and friends, but it’s also cold, and this year not too many of us are feeling quite as cozy as we have in years past.

Well, it’s high time!

Time to hear some good news, time to make some plans that are both fulfilling and fun, and time to invest in the place where you’re going to spend the winter this year and a wonderful spring and summer next year. It’s time for a trip to Family Hearth and Patio in New London, where they don’t just sell fireplaces, hearths, stoves, inserts, and accessories, they also sell peace of mind, and you just can’t put a price on that. For when you buy something from this company, you’re buying them as well,

an entire staff of professionals who know what they’re doing and how to do it and do it well.

Family Hearth and Patio does not just ring up a sale, they ring up customers every day who stay with them year after year because the Family Hearth and Patio folks stay with them. This team of professionals has got your back whether you’re looking for a complete design and construction project, or just buying a wrought iron cricket to adorn your hearth for good luck in the new year.

It was only four short years ago that owners Paul Dumaine and his wife left the corporate world behind and never looked back. His wife had amassed a long career in banking and was thinking retirement; Paul had been Operations Manager for an HVAC company in New Haven, had a solid background in construction and

in starting a hearth division, and was most definitely not thinking retirement. Ever the persuasive, energetic salesman, he convinced his wife to join him in taking the plunge into their own retail operation. Economically, it wasn’t the best time of times, but Paul had complete faith and more than a healthy dose of chutzpah. Thus, the plunge was taken, and from then on, there was no looking back.

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Sift Bakery, Mystic

From the outset, Dumaine was determined to make Family Hearth and Patio different. Different from other shops that sold the same products, but left the homeowner on their own to either figure out complicated installation or to find and hire someone who knew how to do it. No, from the outset, Family Hearth and

Patio was determined to do it all, to not only be the one-stop shop for their customers, but to get and keep those customers for life. That’s the meaning of “family” in Family Hearth, not just theirs, but yours as well.

While the focus this time of year in the North-

east is solidly on fireplaces and wood stoves, this company also is the place for patios, fine decks, outdoor kitchens, and anything else you may want to enhance your indoor or outdoor all-season comfort. What you can imagine, they can design and build, and many customers are already planning their spring and summer projects. “Our consults are always free,” Paul says,“so it costs nothing for us to sit down and discuss YOUR plans and YOUR ideas. Then we put that together with the all-important budget and a realistic timeline and see if we can’t make that happen for you.”

Dumaine also stresses that Family Hearth and Patio offers financing of all types, takes every major credit card; and yes, they even take cash. Remember cash?

They not only build patios, decks, and do complete rebuilds, they also sell fine patio furniture. To prolong the season and keep people healthy outdoors, they also sell outdoor heaters, but according to Paul, “We carry only the good ones, top of the line.” This ensures maximum safety as well as maximum comfort and is an investment that will pay off for years to come.

Keeping people warm and cozy and most of all safe during the upcoming winter is primary in importance to Family Hearth and Patio.

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see what they have, but hear what they can do to custom design your dreams, transforming them into a warm and delicious reality.

And what about chimney cleaning? It’s such a very important chore to attend to before you even think of lighting your first fire of the season or installing something new. Family Hearth and Patio will not only clean your chimney but also your existing fireplace to prevent hazards and fires and give you peace of mind with every fire you enjoy this season.

Want something exciting they’ll talk about long after they leave your home? Talk to Paul about building an outdoor custom fire table. It’s a fire pit taken to the next level and a very high one at that. You can see a photo of a fire table on these pages, not only the ultimate in entertaining, but something you will enjoy for years to come as it will no doubt become the centerpiece of your patio.

Consultation, custom design services, fireplace cleaning, repairs, rebuilds, and the all-important

From stoves and fireplaces to fireplace inserts, grates, glass doors, grills, tool sets, and all accessories, their inventory spans a wide range, so whether you want a wood stove nestled in the corner of your log cabin and want to burn wood, gas, pellets, or other bio-fuel; to a roaring fireplace in your large and open house, it is well worth the short trip to New London to not only

warranties on both labor as well as product is what you get when you bring your family, your dreams, and your imagination to Family Hearth and Patio. Don’t assume all fireplace stores are alike, for this is not a“fireplace store,”but a firm commitment to the warmth, the enjoyment, and the safety of the people they serve.

They ignited the fire four and a half years ago, and it’s still burning brightly because of the Dumaine’s knowledge, talent, creativity, and commitment to product, staff, and customers.

Family Hearth and Patio: “for the warmth of the soul.”

Family Hearth and Patio is located at 571 Broad Street, right in the heart of all that’s happening in New London. (860) 574-9388 www.familyhearthandpatio.com

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It’s Never Once in this Blue Moon A Lovingly Curated Collection of Goodies, Whimsies, & Must-Haves!

by RONA MANN / Photos Jeffery Lilly

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ane Grey was an accomplished American author who wrote novels and achieved a good deal of popularity in his time. He died in 1939, so he is not so easily remembered any longer, but he did have some memorable quotes, among them:

“Once in a while, once in a blue moon, people will surprise you, and once in a while people may even take your breath away.”

Funny, Grey never knew Jeff nor Vickie Cotton – they probably weren’t even born yet – and still he described so perfectly in his quote what these two extraordinary ordinaries have dedicated the better part of their lives to doing, well more than once in a blue moon.

The Cottons were managers in the corporate world years ago, however they were never

“corporate types,”for there is a sense of whimsy about them that is most definitely not of the button-down variety! And when you combine their learned knowledge of business with their inherent sense of what works, knowing what people like, what’s beautiful, and what’s fun, you have an enterprise that only comes along never just once in a blue moon, but again and again.

Some 25 years ago, Vickie and Jeff opened Blue Moon in the West Farms Mall in West Hartford.

A shop specializing in items for body, spirit, and soul, the store did well and is still thriving, but it is their shoreline venue, located next to R.J. Julia right in downtown Madison, that has their heart...and the hearts of long time customers.

People who remember the years of Blue Moon when they were part of the Guilford community and are now only too happy to come to the new Madison location because they know what’s in store...and yet they have no idea

what’s in store, which is part of its charm. It’s what draws people again and again to Blue Moon Artisans and has always been this way.

It’s not your average gift shop, matter of fact, it doesn’t seem right to call it a “gift shop” at all, for you won’t find the kitschy, the common, and stuff you’ll see up and down the avenue in other stores. The Cottons have always prided themselves on making Blue Moon Artisans one-of-a-kind, and like the rare occurrence for which it’s named, this shop continues to de-

16 their business card, “a lovingly curated collection of gifts, jewelry, and accessories for your home.”

light, surprise, tease, and seduce the soul every time you visit.

You’ll never find 20 of the same item at Blue Moon as this is primarily a handcrafted business where each piece you see has been individually crafted, cast, painted, or designed.

“When it comes to the other gift stores in the area, we complement each other, yet people appreciate that our shop is different from others in town,” Jeff says, and Vickie adds, “We have received incredible support from the other small businesses here. Madison is a great town.” The Cottons live near their newest venue and are residents of Clinton, loving the proximity to the shoreline.“This is our future,” Jeff affirms.

Despite the pandemic which has kept Jeff and Vickie from traveling to national craft and gift shows this year, their long-standing relationships with craftspeople and artisans, have enabled them to still amass a beautiful shop filled with handcrafted art and gift items that keeps evolving. Best of all, there is something for everyone from babies to collectors and at every price point, so it has to be first on your list for holiday gift shopping this year. Blue Moon is unique because of the unique way in which the Cottons have designed it - according to

Although Blue Moon Artisans has a number of Christmas themed baubles, bangles, and beads, it is most definitely not a Christmas shop. Blue Moon focuses on gift items that are handcrafted, fair trade, or made of upcycled (reused but upgraded to a higher quality) or reclaimed materials. When an item is reclaimed it is reused in its existing form either for its original purpose or for an alternate purpose. Recycled products, on the other hand, are items that have been made using old materials that have

been broken down and repurposed into something new.

The inventory changes quickly at Blue Moon, why is why the Cottons urge customers to come in and not rely on internet ordering. “We are a hands-on, touch it, and make sure you love it before you buy it store,” says Vickie. “We find things you don’t find on the internet, so we urge people to come into the shop where we strictly observe all Covid protocols.”

Just a brief walk throughout the small space which is beautifully adorned with merchandise and never crowded, and you might find colorful bracelets fashioned from semi-precious stones, affordable diamond jewelry from the Ella Stein collection, or Southwestern silver jewelry.

Jeff and Vickie’s customers have always loved their myriad of signs, but these are neither posters nor made of cheap balsa wood. These are clever, wistful, beautiful, meaningful quotes silk screened by hand

pieces that you can heat in or chill in, and they never need polishing. on heavy wooden slabs, ready to become art on your walls, or on those of someone for whom you care.

How about hand-crafted window hangers, so unique, so unusual, so very much a Blue Moon favorite? Hand-painted tea towels are different and wonderful, just wait till you see the wide variety, and soaps of every kind and in every color and aroma will delight the recipient.

Bags? There are leather bags, tote bags, and PETA-approved vegan bags, plus pillows, pottery, and delicate glass blown items.

You may be captivated by the Beatriz Ball Collection straight out of the Big Easy, New Orleans and sent to Madison for a perfect wedding, shower, holiday, or“you”gift. Here are individually made, one at a time, metal cookware

Make sure to check out the baabaazuzu display of one of a kind handmade mittens, scarves, sweaters, and other woolens fashioned from upcycled sweaters...you have never seen anything like them, and they are yummy!

While you’re at it, check out the new hand woven wools from Ireland - just one touch and you’ll know they’re special.

Even if you don’t have a fireplace of your own, you might like to purchase a pewter cricket to adorn a friend’s hearth for good luck. It’s a gift made more special when you pair any gift with one of Blue Moon’s hand painted cards. Don’t forget to check out the unique and whimsical serving pieces, perfect for the upcoming holidays. Ask to see the “Save room for seconds!” platter.

When it comes to gift shops in general, there are those things we want and those things we actually need. Blue Moon proves you can have it all because all their aisles and alcoves are “justification” aisles where you can justify any want into an immediate need, and you’ll always come back for more.

Come visit and see why Zane Grey was right, for...

“Once in a while, once in a blue moon, people will surprise you, and once in a while people may even take your breath away.”

And they will.

Convenient to everywhere: Blue Moon, 782 Boston Post Road, next to R.J. Julia in downtown Madison (203) 421-6091

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Chevy and Jayni Ch Chase hase Profilee By Alli Ganino

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riving through We Westchesterr,, New Y Yo ork in mid-October e feels more th than a a litt ttle bit it like aap pproacch hing the t set at the start of a Hallmark a Christmas movie. The snow hasn’t’ started falling yet, but the trees are wearing their most brilliant n colors. Horse farms line winding roads that eventually lead to historic town greens surrounded by book shops, cafe fes, and art galleries. It’s exactly the kind of place you’’d expect a gorgeous fall to turn into a winter ffu ull of fluff ffyy snow, w, hot chocolat ate, and perfe fectly ly constructed snowmen. It would be the Christmas of Clark Griswold’s’ dreams, so maybe it’s no surprise that at this is where h actor Chevy Ch Chase Ch lives li today day.

Chevy and his wiffee Jay ayni moved ffrrom Califfo ornia to New Yo York in 1995. They’ve been in the same house ever since because, as Chevy say ays, y “I love this house..” It’s certainly a house that at fe feels like love. Chevy and a Jay ayni share their home with two of their three daughters (the oldest is married m and living in Ohio), fo four dogs, and two Cornish Rex cats. a Books, aart, an and ffrramed photos fill the house. Ass we sat at down to talk, one of Chevy’’ss daughter’s’ handed him the breakfast shee’’d made him -- egg whites, ham, and d avocado may ayo on toast. The home they now live in didn’t alwaayys look the wayy it does today. y. The Chases made exttensive renovations, living in the pool house ffo or almost two years until the mai ain living space was finished. Chevy loves l the terrace they added to the home while Jay ayni laughs at at the fact that at theiir living room was built over the hom me’s original indoor pool. The pool is empty, y, of course, but u still exists under the t floor. Wh When they were improving v g the home, home Jay ayni thougght it would be great at to hav ave a treadmill that at, with the push of a button, t would emerge fr from the floor. When not in use, it could be lowered into the empty pool below. w. They opted not to add this ffeeat ature, but Chevy say ays it would hav ave been “the ffu unniest, costliest, thing to do..”

Chevy Chase and Jayni Chase at a Mills Entertainment event showcasing Christmas V Vaacation.

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Clockwise: Chevy Chase and John Belushi at Saturday night live. Chevy Chase and friends.

Christmas Vacation Movie. Jayni and Chevy on the set of Modern problems.

Chevy and Dana Wheeler- Nicholson in Fletch.

The Chase family didn’t choose this corner of New York by chance. Chevy spent summers in an old family home in Woodstock. When the house was quiet, Chevy recalls, he could hear a humming inside the walls. That humming turned out to be bees. His family set up a hive in the yard, encouraged the bees to relocate, and enjoyed harvesting their honey. After moving back to New York with their children, Chevy and Jayni installed bee hives on their property. Each year, they harvest and bottle the honey with the help of an apiarist.

They are currently working with an apiarist named Chirs who advised them to switch to a more natural, sustainable method of keeping bees. Instead of harvesting all of the honey each year and giving the bees sugar water to drink during the winter, they leave the bees enough honey to live on during the cold months, harvesting only the extra for bottling. With this approach, the bees are more likely to thrive and survive the New York winters. A friend of Jayni’s, who also keeps bees, suggested she think of a name for their honey. One day, the name Funny Honey popped into Jayni’s head because, she says, “My husband is funny!” The name stuck and now each bottle of their honey sports a Funny Honey label. Funny Honey is available seasonally and in limited quantities on Chevy’s website, www.officialchevychase.com.

Chevy’s life isn’t one of complete retirement these days. His television and film career still resonate with a legion of devoted fans. Even if you didn’t grow up watching the iconic National Lampoon movies starring the all-too-relatable Griswold family, odds are you know Chevy Chase from Community or from classic episodes of the first season of Saturday Night Live. Colin Jost and Michael Che weren’t even born yet when Chevy Chase created, and anchored, the popular Weekend Update segment. Chevy’s fans are eager to see him, a fact recognized by Mills Entertainment. About a year and a half ago, Mills Entertainment reached out to Chevy with a great idea: They would offer screenings of Chevy Chase movies followed by a live Q&A session with the actor himself.

After watching, for example, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Chevy would walk onto stage to a standing ovation. He says, “Everyone wants to know about Randy (Quaid) and how he’s doing now. Great guy, I miss him.”

Jayni laughs about the number of people who had questions about that infamous squirrel. There are plans in the works to schedule Covid-safe screenings before the holidays. Chevy joked the entire audience could consist of people already infected with Covid, but most likely the screenings will implement more basic social distancing tactics like smaller audiences, virtual watchers, masks, and plenty of hand sanitizer.

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Clockwise: Jayni Chase. Next three Images of Chevy Chase in the role of I.M. Fletcher in Fletch.

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Clockwise: Iconic figure from Fletch. Painting by Patrick Ganino from a photograph of Chevy Chase with Jayni and one of his birds reflecting in his sunglasses. Funny Honey made from bees from the Chase estate. Sticker from his line available at officialchevychase.com

The best way to keep up to date on Chevy’s screenings is to follow him on social media. Like many celebrities, Chevy’s social media is a collaboration. When he first joined Facebook, Chevy asked his younger half brother John Cedarquist to manage his account. John, a noted NYC graffiti artist known as Crunch in the 1970s, was good with Facebook and had access to boxes of old family photos. John built Chevy’s page and shared photos regularly. This arrangement worked well until, as Chevy laughingly told me, John posted a photo of Chevy’s daughters with a caption about their cleavage. It would have been funny if the caption didn’t appear to have come from their own father. The girls protested, and John was relieved of Facebook duty. These days, Chevy’s social media and official website are managed by Social Tuna, a boutique firm owned by Patrick Ganino. Social Tuna oversees the content, but the captions and wording are all Chevy. “It’s kinda fun to write the captions. It’s easy for me. That’s my humor!”

Chevy notes with a chuckle. Jayni adds, “Chevy would say things all day that were mind blowingly funny,and there was no one else there to hear it!” Thanks to social media, we can all witness Chevy’s humor, even during quarantine!

Life for the Chase family doesn’t only revolve around Chevy’s acting career.

Jayni, a passionate environmentalist, founded the Center for Environmental Education in 1988. The recipient of numerous conservation awards, Jayni isn’t the type of person to slow down at an age when many people relax into retirement. She’s on the Board of Directors of Friends of the Earth, a non-profit that works to create a more just and healthy world. She’s also on the board of the Billion Oyster Project, which aims to repopulate New York Harbor’s oyster beds. To date, the Billion Oyster Project has restored oyster reefs at 15 sites from across all five boroughs!

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Clockwise: Chevy and Jayni on wedding night. Chevy and Jayni in their home. Jayni wearing a shirt with Chevy’s drawing on it called “cat butt.” At home with (left to right) daughter Caley, Chevy and Jayni. Social Media post of Funny Honey with Chevy, Jayni, son-in-law Ryan and daughter Cydney. At home doing an online charity event to raise money for the billion oyster Project (from left to right) Daughter Emily, Jayni and Chevy

Another partnership Chevy and Jayni focus on involves Jayni’s own health journey. In 2015 she developed a knee problem that led to a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, possibly with Lyme disease as a root cause. While working with Dr. Junella Chin, a medical marijuana advocate and author of the book Cannabis and CBD for Health and Wellness, Jayni learned of the many health benefits of CBD. She started to consider the idea of creating a line of high quality CBD products, then met Jay Provost of Hath CBD. They hit it off and Jayni, along with her partners, opened The Pharm Stand, a wellness boutique in Armonk, NY. They opened a second location in Ridgefield, CT, just as Covid-19 struck. While the Armonk store has closed for good, the Ridgefield location is open, as is their online store. The Pharm Stand carries only the highest quality products with third party testing and detailed information about every batch available on their website.

What better time to rediscover your favorite Chevy Chase moments than during a quarantine? If, by some chance, you’ve managed to bungle through life without being exposed to the comedy of Chevy Chase, pick up the remote, refill the eggnog, scroll through your favorite streaming platform, and make up for lost time.

You can find Chevy Chase on Facebook, Instagram @chevychase and on Twitter @ ChevyChaseToGo. Visit his website officialchevychase.com for tour dates and to shop exclusive merchandise. You can learn about the Billion Oyster project at billionoysterproject.org and Friends of the Earth at foe.org. The Pharm Stand is located at 470 Main St., Ridgefield,CT or you can shop online at thepharmstandco.com.

Ask Ashley

4 Ways to Make the Holidays Enjoyable (Instead of Anxiety-Inducing) this Year

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smacks society into shape. And guess what, they don’t have anything to do with drinking a slow cup of coffee or taking a brisk walk.

How you view them depends, of course, on your perception of this “jolly” season.

1. PLAN your get togethers ahead of time, dedicating the most time to people you actually want to be around not who you feel forced to spend time with

he holidays are a unique time of year. They roll around faster than we’re ready, they seem to drag on forever when they’re here, yet we can’t believe they’re over once New Years has passed.

There are two types of people when it comes to the holidays: Those who love them, and those who loathe them. I fall somewhere in between, but this year I have decided to laser in on the positives instead of the negatives as my family (and yours) will predictably be pulled in more directions than we’re comfortable with because...Everyone. Wants. A. Piece!

In the realm of spending quality time with loved ones in the comfort of our homes and relishing the gourmet dishes, this year I’m committing to giving my mind an actual break from the grind of deadlines and responsibilities -- on top of the overwhelm and drama the pandemic and presidential election has graced us with.

That said, what I’d really like to see more of this holiday season is people (women and mothers in particular) basking in the moment instead of running themselves ragged gift shopping and in-law pleasing.

Because if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that life is meant to be cherished, not rushed.

So! Here I give you 4 super specific ways to prioritize yourself this month, so you can squeeze these last ounces of goodness before 2021

If the theme of this holiday season is prioritizing yourself, we’ve got to really commit to it. And that can’t happen unless we stick to a plan of what some would refer to as being selfish.

If you’re planning on (safely) seeing anyone outside of your quarantine bubble, let me paint you a picture: Mom wants a fancy Christmas dinner party at her house, followed by a gift exchange with the grandkids, ending with a family picture by the fireplace. Meanwhile, Uncle Jon wants to host a small, low-key garage party, where he will serve Bud Light cans and meat and cheese appetizers.

The garage party sounds more appealing to you this year. You don’t want to disappoint anyone, so what do you do?

In order to prevent hurt feelings, lay out the expectation now that you are happy to attend both gatherings (if you feel comfortable), but will be spending the better half of the evening at Uncle Jon’s.

This will nip those feelings of guilt and anxiety in the bud, and ensure you will enjoy your socially distanced get together.

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2. Utilize this 30-second mindfulness trick when your outspoken brother-in-law gets on your last nerve.

Referred to as the“half-minute shift”from Dr. Rick Hanson, a psychologist specializing in the science of positive brain change, is a powerful way to get your mind right in moments of duress (or sheer annoyance).

Here’s how to do it: (1) Take a long, slow, deep breath. (2) Take a deep breath while thinking of everyone you care about. (3) Take a deep breath while thinking of everyone who cares about you.

Step outside for some fresh air to really utilize this (quick!) mindfulness trick. I promise it works in reframing your mind to a place of gratefulness. Especially when you’re feeling irritated.

So, it makes sense that a condescending remark about your tongue piercing or expensive car can quickly trigger feelings of rage or guilt.

Try and refrain from letting one comment about your lifestyle dictate your mood by gently reminding yourself that you are capital ‘S’ Satisfied with the person you are.

Simply change the subject and move on. Keep in mind that it is no one else’s business how you spend your money or what you do for a living.

If your lifestyle makes you happy, it truly does not matter what other people (family members included) think about it.

That said, keep living life on your terms. And don’t apologize for it.

4. Remind yourself that you are in control of the situation.

Sometimes all we need is a reminder that we are in charge of what happens. We hold more power than we think when it comes to enjoying our lives (instead of complaining that the holidays look “different” this year).

Happiness is a choice, just like letting your aunt’s judgy comments get to you (or not) is a choice.

Takeaways Life truly is what we make of it. If we head into our parent’s house dreading predictable conversations about politics, that fraction of time spent there is going to feel heavy and resentful.

3. Let the judgment from the “responsible” sibling roll o your back by owning yourself.

What do I mean by“owning yourself?”I mean own who you are, where you are in your life, and what you represent, despite familial dismissals and eye rolls about your appearance, occupation, or place of residence.

Being back in our family cohorts (whether a physical place or presence of family members) can dredge up real emotional trauma. We walk into our old bedroom and BAM, we’re 15 again, feeling guilty for sneaking out the night before.

On the other hand, if we swing the door open with a smile on our face and a positive mindset that the weekend is going to be great, that could very well change the course of the entire stay, and maybe even the rest of the holiday season.

For more happiness hacks and ways to live life more vibrantly, sign up for my newsletter: https://ashleyalt.substack.com/

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31 T h e

P r e m i e r

R e s o u r c e

t o

t h e

C o n n e c t i c u t

A r t i s a n

32

A New Y

st Seller

Holly Clau Claus us fe fee e ls destined to tak a e its place besiide our favorite holiday classics.

Julie Andrews

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AD DEAR SAN ANTTA LETTER LETTEER FROM 18 1 72 THA AT CHANGEED CHRISTMAS FOR REVER W

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For centuries, centuries Wish had ssearched fo for a child who would be mov ved to write a very special letter, a letter that would chang would change e the e world world.

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This Christmas, in th he spirit of generosity and giviing, ing write a letter to Santa that gives your wish away. y.

What do you wish for someone else?

'10/ &*-0/ %$#0.!/ +**0 ,-+%

37

Yo our destiny will come to you as a a dream,” breathed t the ancient pages.

“And at that mo oment, your purposse will awaken, and your magical journey will begin. You will make the dreams and hopes of oth hers come true, and yyour legend will w go on for o ever.”

38

IN THE GLLORIO OUS SILLVER KINGDOM OF FOREVER, THE SECR RETS OF CHRISTMA AS UNFOLD D O

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By Toni Leland

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Santa’s House as it looks today at Wilmington, NY Media photo from Santa’s Workshop website

For Patti Reiss Brooks, every day was Christmas...

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Brooks, now 80, smiles as she tells the story of how she “invented� the North Pole.“The family was traveling to Lake Placid in the car, and I was probably being a pest, so my mother asked my dad to tell me a story.�

Julian Reiss had a large repertoire of stories that he’d made up to entertain his six children. The story he told that day was about Baby Bear hopping onto an iceberg that took him to Santa Claus, where Baby Bear could help Santa and his elves get ready for Christmas Eve. When the story ended, 6-year-old Patti was quiet for a few moments, then asked “Can we go to the North Pole? Please, please! You could fly us in your plane.�

46 Brooks doesn’t remember much about the rest of that trip, but apparently her father’s imagination worked overtime on the idea, and three years later, Santa’s Workshop opened on the slopes of Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington, New York the first theme park in America.

The charming village, complete with Santa’s elves and roaming reindeer, has remained a pop-

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Agnes Reiss enjoyed her role as an elf at Santa’s Workshop Courtesy Peter Reiss

ular attraction for 79 years and was featured in a documentary film in 2018. The Reiss family also published a book that same year about the park and Julian Reiss’ projects: The Man Who Dared to Dream.When Reiss began what seemed like a pipe dream, his goal was to create “a magical place that will awaken the imaginations of children and adults alike.� His enthusiasm spread to several people who stepped up to be a part of the ambitious project.

When asked how she felt about having the North Pole right in her backyard, Brooks smiled. “I learned early on that the only ride at Santa’s Workshop would be pony rides, and I could spend my days with the ponies.�

Brooks is a lifetime horse lover and has owned horses since her first pony, Sandy at the North Pole. For more than forty years, Brooks and her husband, Bob, bred and raised champion Morgan Horses in East Lyme at Hallelujah Hill. “The ponies were always at the North Pole, and I could ride whenever I wanted,� she said. “But best of all, I could choose one pony to be my very own if I promised to give pony rides.� She laughed. “And I could keep the ten cents.�

Brooks went to the North Pole every day during the summer, and stayed all day long until her dad went home after the park closed.

Patti Reiss worked every day at Santa’s Workshop giving pony rides on her horse Sandy.

Courtesy Patti Reiss Brooks

How did this amazing little theme park become so popular? The idea was to create a storybook that children could walk through, as if they were a part of it. Everything would encourage children to touch, explore, and play in a way that essentially no other offering in America did in the 1940s - a time when the world belonged to adults, war, and work.

47 Arto Monaco was the artistic designer who came up with the delightful village featuring Bavarian overtones. Cabins were constructed of cedar or white birch logs that were cut from the woods on the property, the brightly colored roofs were steeply pitched for snow, and a little brook ran through the site, so they dammed it up to make a lovely little pond.

The entire park was planned and built without blueprints or floor plans. Monaco simply drew what he envisioned for each feature, then it was implemented. The actual “north pole� was built

by Patti’s brother, Bob. Standing six feet tall, the pole was engineered to get cold with the flip of a switch. Eventually, it would be covered with six inches of frost.

Harold Fortune, a Lake Placid entrepreneur, became the marketing leg of the endeavor, though Reiss hadn’t planned to use the park as a money-maker. By the time the project was completed, however, Reiss had seen that some sort of entrance fee was needed. He agreed to 76 cents per visitor!

One of the first Santas with Rudolph at the North Pole Courtesy of Reiss Family

Santa’s Workshop at the North Pole opened on July 1, 1949, and by August, daily attendance was in the thousands per day. In 1953, reindeer from Alaska joined the park, and the United States Postal Service officially classified “North Pole, New York� as a rural postage station with its own zip code. By then, more than a million people had visited.

The original reindeer team and Santa Claus in 1953. Courtesy of Reiss

“

Brooks said, “All us kids worked for Santa at some time or another. It was a natural thing to do. My brother Peter worked the parking lot.

I gave pony rides. My sister was an elf and a cashier. Brother Bob took over management of the park when my father died.� Historically, most of the local kids have found their first job at Santa’s Workshop.

,+*)(')&%$')#"!& $) "!) ) )' ) % ) !) " ! ) )# ') ) (! +) % ) ) " The North Pole was also home to the country’s first petting zoo. Baby goats, lambs, reindeer, and other assorted domestic animals roamed freely throughout the park, tame and friendly, a delight to young and old alike. For five cents, visitors could buy rye crisp crackers for the deer or a baby bottle filled with milk for the young animals.

“

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In the early 1950s, the ultimate visitors arrived at the North Pole: Walt Disney Studio representatives. They were impressed by the storybook characters that created a sense of friendliness and order in the village.

With Santa’s approval, Walt Disney hired a number of the workers to help develop what became Disneyland. Opened in 1955, it became the next theme park that shared the belief that dreams can come true.

Brooks’ father was well-known for his generosity.

When a wishing well at the North Pole generated more than $5,000, Reiss decided to give the proceeds away, and another of his wonderful ideas was born. Operation Toy Lift was one of the first national Christmas charities for children. Flying a single-engine plane and dressed up as Santa Claus, Reiss visited town after town across New York, delivering Christmas presents to orphaned or otherwise needy children.

In no time, corporations were joining the operation with donations of hundreds of free toys, the wishing well generated more than $30,000 for more toys, and Esso Oil Company donated the use of a C-46 plane and pilot to carry 15 tons of gifts to 13 states. Operation Toy Lift was promoted by Ed Sullivan, Perry Como, and Jackie Gleason, and wishing well donations doubled every year.

Julian Reiss’ chapel near the pond. Courtesy Reiss family

Every day for the past 79 years, the theme song plays around the village. North Pole Town was written by Lew Daly and John Berger and had whimsical lyrics that Brooks sings to this day.

Where’re you gonna look for Santa?

Where is it he hangs around?

It’s north-north east By south-south west Follow all the buttons on your daddy’s vest.

Go by car or Go by ski and You’ll be standing at the lollipop tree.

Where are all the toys assembled?

Where do all the wheels go ‘round?

Want to know?

Want to go?

Just do a right face You’ll be on Whiteface You’ll be at North Pole Town.

Patti Reiss Brooks of East Lyme was the inspiration behind Santa’s Workshop Photo by Toni Leland

In 2001, 40 years after Julian Reiss’ death, the park was sold to a developer who set out to destroy it by selling off all of the features.

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Above: Modern carousel featuring Rudolph and the famous story reindeer Courtesy of Santa's Workshop Website. Below: Original entrance to the park Courtesy Reiss Family

When the Reiss family realized this, they spent three years in court to get it back, eventually finding another investor who believed in the value of Santa Claus and who would keep the park as it should be.

Areas of the village were upgraded, and several modern rides were added - a carousel featuring Santa’s famous reindeer, flying sleighs, and a train ride through the park. Today, Santa’s Workshop still draws visitors from far and wide as children and grownups enjoy the magic of an ageless story.

Santa’s Workshop, North Pole, NY 324 Whiteface Memorial Hwy. Wilmington, NY 12997 518-946-2211 www.northpoleny.com Book: The Man Who Dared to Dream Available on Amazon

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FROM

TV “SILVER” TO STORYTELLING

GOLD Deborah Goodrich Royce’s Favorite Role is Enriching her Community

By Caryn B. Davis Photos courtesy of Deborah Goodrich Royce & Cutty McGill Above Right: Author Deborah Goodrich Royce Lower Right: Author Deborah Goodrich Royce at a book talk for Finding Mrs. Ford.

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D

eborah Goodrich Royce has always been a storyteller of sorts, first as a dancer using movement to convey a narrative and now as a novelist committing words to a page.

But her arrival as a writer didn’t just happened overnight.

Every twist and turn along the way led her to that moment.

Royce grew up in a suburb near Detroit with her Belgium grandmother who spoke fluent French and instilled in her a love for language. When she entered college, she majored in French and Italian and opted to attend a semester abroad in Paris where she also pursued acting and dance.

Just prior to her senior year, Royce caught a lucky break and was cast as a dancer in the movie Those Lips, Those Eyes, alongside the legendary Frank Langella and Animal House icon, Thomas Hulce.

“Those men and women who were dancing on Broadway and my heart goes out to them for this horrible year are at the top of their game.

I was not at that level,”

“The choreographer for that film was the choreographer for the Goodpeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut. He was very friendly and was probably just showing off, but said I should come audition for him. I took him at his word,” says Royce.

So when Royce saw a casting call in Variety for the summer season at Goodspeed with that same choreographer, she went straight to New York. Although she was not selected, she dedicated the next year of her life to dance. She received many callbacks, but soon understood it was not her forte.

“Those men and women who were dancing on Broadway - and my heart goes out to them for this horrible year - are at the top of their game. I was not at that level,” she says. “But I always loved acting, so I thought I’d give it a shot. If it didn’t work out, I’d go to grad school at Georgetown and major in Foreign Service.”

Within a year, she was cast in the role of Silver Kane on the daytime soap opera, All My Children opposite career veteran actress, Susan Lucci. “It was a huge opportunity to be able to work with Susan, and I learned a lot from her,” says Royce who years later would use this experience to create Eleanor Russell, the main character in her upcoming book, Ruby Falls. (Russell is a soap opera star who gets fired under suspicious circumstances).

Royce was not fired, but her character was written out of All My Children. She soon landed a role on another soap called The Guiding Light, but instead, flew out to Los Angeles to screen test for a new pilot with Christopher Lloyd.

“I will never forget driving onto the lot at Paramount Pictures.

It was different than walking into the studios in New York on the set of a soap. I saw the big gates we have all seen in movies and the word Paramount above. It just blew me away,” Royce recalls.

Although she did get the part, the pilot was not picked up, but Royce decided to stay in L.A. where there was far more work for a budding actor than in New York.

Over the next ten years, she starred in several feature films such as Remote Control, April Fool’s Day, and Just One of the Guys; and on nighttime television including 21 Jump Street, Beverly Hills 90210, St. Elsewhere, Return to Peyton Place, and The Deliberate Stranger. She also met and married producer, Pliny Porter and gave birth to their two children.

But L.A. was changing. Between a writer’s strike where work had ceased and the L.A. riots, which were motivated by the acquittal of the four LAPD officers who beat Rodney King, the couple decided to temporarily relocate to Paris, when an opportunity arose.

“Pliny’s mother had bilingual Montessori preschools, which still exist.

She asked him to move there to help with some real estate projects,” Royce says.

Royce was hired as a reader by a French film studio. Her job was to read novels and scripts and write a synopsis on what worked well and what didn’t. This was the beginning of a shift that eventually led her to penning her own books. Eventually, they returned to New York where Porter took a job working for Julia Roberts, while Royce was hired as a story editor for Miramax.

“Story editor was a cool position, and my years there were like going to writing school. I received everything that was submitted to the studio be it a screenplay, a novel, a magazine article, or a pitch. I would distribute it to the readers, and we would review it and decide whether it was worth the studio’s time or not,” Royce says.

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oyce also worked on the development of several feature films during her tenure at Miramax that included Emma, The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain, Walking and Talking, and early adaptations of Chicago and A Wrinkle in Time.

In the late 1990s, she began writing short stories, screenplays, and treatments, and ultimately left Miramax. She also got divorced, and although it was “very devastating and derailing,” her writing became her saving grace. “At that weird moment when my life was falling apart, writing stepped up from a back seat in my life to take a more prominent position,” she says.

At a friend’s urging to get her out of her funk, Royce accepted a lunch invitation. Her friend, was renovating a house in the Catskill Mountains owned by Charles “Chuck” Royce, a pioneer of small-cap investing. The pair met, and a few years later married.

Committed to the arts, historic preservation, and helping small businesses and communities, the couple have taken on many restoration projects such as the Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island; the Deer Mountain Inn in Tannersville, New York; and the Avon Theater in Stamford, Connecticut, in addition to several Main Street revitalization projects that include Tannersville and Westerly, Rhode Island. “To be in a functioning town is very gratifying with people having their own businesses. There’s value in that,” says Royce.

In between all these projects and serving on the governing boards of the New York Botanical Garden, the Greenwich Historical Society, and the PRASAD Project, as well as advisory boards for the American Film Institute, the Greenwich International Film Festival, the Preservation Society of Newport, and the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, Royce has continued writing.

Avon Theater on a Summer Night

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“My life has been defined and enriched by stories. I grew up reading, watching films, and creating made-up worlds with my friends. Stories are really the foundation of all the arts— written, visual, auditory—and I am grateful every day for having had some ability to spin a good tale. In a time like this, which is challenging in so many ways, let’s embrace the stories and the storytellers,”

Above Left: Treat Williams at the 40th Anniversary Screening of Hair at the Avon Theater. Above Middle: Deborah and Chuck Royce on Avon Theater Stage.

Above Right: Avon Theater Toni Morrison Screening with Harriet Cole. Lower Left to Right: Deborah Goodrich Royce, Amy Steel, Deborah Foreman, Leah Pinset Aprils Fools Day Lower Right: Avon Theater Cast of Hair 40th Screening August 2019

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Above: Deer Mountain Inn, Tannersville NY Left: Deer Mountain Inn Bar, Tannersville NY Bottom Left: The Ocean House Right Page: Aerial View of the Ocean House in Watch Hill

Drawing upon experiences in her own life, her first book, Finding Mrs. Ford, takes place in Detroit and Watch Hill where she and Chuck share a summer home. A self- proclaimed Hitchcock fan, the book is a psychological thriller, sprinkled with characters she has re-imagined from her own past. It was published in 2019 and has since garnered rave reviews.

Her second book, Ruby Falls, is due out in May 2021. It’s “a nail-biting tale of a fragile young actress, the new husband she barely knows, and her growing suspicion that the secrets he harbors may eclipse her own.” Royce is busying working on her third book, which takes place in Florida during a pandemic.

“My life has been defined and enriched by stories. I grew up reading, watching films, and creating made-up worlds with my friends. Stories are really the foundation of all the arts—written, visual, auditory—and I am grateful every day for having had some ability to spin a good tale. In a time like this, which is challenging in so many ways, let’s embrace the stories and the storytellers,” Royce says.

For more information log onto https://deborahgoodrichroyce.com.

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“To be in a functioning town is very gratifying with people having their own businesses. There’s value in that,”

FIND F M R S ROYCE I NA HGG O O D R I C H el A Nov

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Growing up in the Shadow of Everest Lhakpa Sherpa Walks the Walk

By Caryn B. Davis Photos Courtesy Lhakpa Sherpa

“I keep climbing because I love mountains.

It’s a beautiful experience, and it makes me stronger. ”

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ount Everest is an imposing figure towering 29,029 feet tall. It is the earth’s highest mountain with a summit straddling the international border between China and Nepal. While most climbers start in May when weather conditions are optimal, it is still a perilous proposition. To date, Everest has claimed more than 300 lives of those attempting to scale this Himalayan giant; and yet, even with understanding the risks and knowing that death may be the consequence, every year, climbers still come. What drives them?

The first of several unsuccessful attempts to reach the summit started in 1921 with George Mallory and Guy Bullock, members of the British Mount Everest Reconnaissance Expedition. Their sole mission was to find an alternative route up the mountain because Nepal was off-limits to foreigners at that time. They ascended via the North Col but were about 6,000 feet short of reaching the summit. They returned a year later climbing higher than before, but still did not meet their goal. However, this feat earned them the distinction of being the first people in history to go higher than 26,247 feet. Over the next 30 years, more endeavored to reach the top, but it wasn’t until 1953, when Sir Edmund Hillary, an explorer from New Zealand, and Tenzing Norgay, a mountaineer from Nepal, succeeded in making history.

Since then, over 4,700 people have reached the peak but of those, only 18 percent are women.

While Apa Sherpa and Phurba Tashi Sherpa (both males) hold the record for reaching the summit twenty-one times, more than anyone else, it is Lhakpa Sherpa, who holds the Guinness World Book of Records title as the only woman

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in the world to have reached the summit ninetimes. This is an amazing achievement for anyone, both athletically and financially as a single climb require years of intense training and averages between $30,000-$70,000 in cost. It becomes even more daunting for someone like Sherpa who has no education, no formal training, no endorsements, no nutritionist, and no money. Sherpa makes minimum wage and uses her income to support herself and her three children. Yet, she has managed to cobble together a living doing odd jobs and working as a dishwasher at Whole Foods and still climb Mount Everest and still become a world record holder! What Sherpa is rich in, is heart, determination, strength, and drive. Still, it can’t be easy; yet, her dream is very much alive.

“I keep climbing because I love mountains. It’s a beautiful experience, and it makes me stronger.

Everest is a little different each year due to the way it erodes and changes shape,” said Lhakpa. Also, what makes her strong is her walk to work every day. She can’t afford a car, so instead she walks which helps to keep her in shape for her treks.

Walking is something Lhakpa has had to do her whole life. She grew up in a small village in Nepal in the shadow of Mount Everest, without many of the simple conveniences most of us take for granted. Lhakpa was one of 12 children, and like many Nepali families, Everest was in their blood and part of their family’s income. (Her father and brothers served as mountain guides for tourists). While this was considered men’s work, Lhakpa “wanted to follow them.” Her mother forbade her and told her it was her duty to stay home so she could learn about running a household and being a wife, with the ultimate goal of securing a husband. But Lhakpa decided early on this was not for her. She would instead break tradition.

“In Nepal, girls did not go to school. But I told my mother I can do the men’s job too. I just wanted to be outside and go hiking and explore,” Lhakpa explained, “And I wanted to show the people of Nepal that women can do outdoor jobs, and they don’t have to live only as housewives.”

Her father finally acquiesced when she proved she could keep up with the vigorous walking pace and carry heavy loads for the tourists.

Her training began from necessity. Every day, her mother had her escort her brothers to their school, which was a four-hour walk round trip.

She carried her younger sibling on her back the

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“In Nepal, girls did not go to school. But I told my mother I can do the men’s job too.

I just wanted to be outside and go hiking and explore,”

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mountains just to prove a point that women deserved an equal opportunity,�

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climbing Everest nine times, she carved out a life for herself and her children. entire way, much like the Yaks that transported food and gear for the climbers that were now left in her charge.

“My dream was always to challenge the men. I wanted to do that by fighting with big mountains just to prove a point that women deserved an equal opportunity,” Lhakpa said.

Sherpa’s first attempt to climb Everest was in 2000.

She was part of the Nepali Women Millennium Expedition. While she did make it to the top, she was not the first Nepali woman to do so. Pasang Lhamu Sherpa had earned that distinction in 1993, but on her descent, the weather turned unexpectedly, and she lost her life to the mountain. Lhakpa successfully climbed again both in 2001 and in 2003, eight months after giving birth to her daughter...this time with her brother, Mingma Gelu and her sister, Ming Kipa. This event made Kipa the youngest person to reach the summit at age 15, a record she held until 2010 when a thirteen-year-old American climber named Jordan Romero, beat it.

In between these two climbs, Lhakpa immigrated to the United States with her now ex-husband, settling in West Hartford and leaving her beloved mountain behind. Lhakpa arrived without any marketable skills nor full command of the English language, but much like the determination she put towards

Lhakpa was planning on making her 10th trek up the mountain this past May to break her own record when Everest was suddenly closed until further notice due to the Coronavirus. Still, she keeps her dream alive and continues to prepare and train for next year.

“I set up my mind like a soldier because it’s a tough job with a lot of risks. I prepare physically by working hard and keeping in shape. Spiritually, we Sherpas pray before we climb. It’s called ‘puja.’ Emotionally, I simply respect the mountain. I put on my gear, and the mountain seems too big. I’m like a little mouse, but I do the best I can,” she said.

Lhakpa has started her own guide business here in Connecticut called Cloudscape Climbing. She leads hikes around the state, throughout New England, and treks to Mount Everest, its Base Camp, and to other scenic Himalayan mountains. She also consults with those intrepid climbers who want to know how to properly prepare for a mountain climb, what gear they should bring, what they can expect, how to survive in harsh environments, and more.

Currently, Lhakpa is seeking funding for her 10th climb through her Go Fund Me page. I am sure, come 2021, she will be back on the mountain.

For more information about Cloudscape Climbing or to make a donation log onto cloudscape climbing.com, gofundme.com/f/everest-and-k2-202

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By Art LiPuma, General Manager, SeaSide Wine & Spirits, Old Saybrook, CT

Holiday Wine Gifts With the wide variety of wines from different countries available to us,

picking out a gift can be interesting and fun. In years past there were many pre- made gift packs of wines, which made it a easy gift purchase, however the wines were not of great quality. Now you can easily pick out two or three wines that you think your recipient would enjoy and put them in a gift box yourself. This is also a good time to be a little creative without going out of their taste profile.

For example if the person on your list likes Pinot Grigio, surprise them with Vernaccia or Vermentino from Italy. Similar to P. G. they have good acidity and a crisp finish. If you need something fruitier, the wines from Vouvray are made of Chenin Blanc. This style will serve your purpose. In the sweet realm you will need to go with a Moscato or an Auslese Riesing from Germany.

Pinot Noir is a great light red that is very popular, originating in Burgundy, France. Pinot Noir can be found from many other countries. Including the United States. There are many choices for choosing a light red aside from Pinot Noir. Cru Beaujolais, which represent one of the 10 villages in Beaujolais, are made of the Gamay Grape. It’s light and lively with medium fruit. These wines are better quality than a Beaujolais Village. For a choice slightly zestier would be something from the Southern Rhone Valley, also in France. The wine ranges from the low cost Cote du Rhone area to small villages slighty higher priced such as Vacqueyras and Gigondas.

The premeire property would be Chateanuef-de- Pape.

If you’re looking for a bolder red, try a California Cabernet Sauvignon. It is gown in great areas Such as, Paso Robles, Sonoma County, Napa, you can find it in almost any area of wine country in California. Washington State produces excellent Cabernets and other parts of the United States.

These wines are full flavored with soft tannins. Another big red can be found in France in the Bordeaux region , which is the blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot , Cabernet Franc , Malbec and Petite Verdot. These wines can be somewhat drier than California Cabernets . Rioja is an area in Spain which produces medium bodied dry reds made predominantly of the Tempranillo grape. Not leaving out the big dry wines of Barolo in Piedmont, and Brunello in Tuscany, Italy. Other bold and interesting wines: Red Zinfandel from Califorina, Amarone from Italy, Malbecs from Argentina, Shiraz from Australia and Red blends from around the world.

On the other spectrum how about a sweet desert wine or Ice wine usually available in half bottles because of its intense and rich flavors. One other in this realm would be a port. Port could be white but mostly red that is fortified with brandy to give the warming feeling for the winter months.

It is important to remember that some of these great wines come in larger bottles, for a special treat!

There’s a great big world of wine out there, happy shopping and don’t forget to pick one or two for yourself! Happy Holidays!!

Art LiPuma

Seaside Wine & Spirits, Old Saybrook CT

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opping Hopping Around CT.

Photos & profile by Jim Lalumiere

Beer’d Brewing Company

brewed in “a nondescript factory in an industrial park, but could be brewed at home on your kitchen stove.”He, like many professional brewers, caught the “home-brew bug” and started experimenting. Brewing bad beers eventually gave way to brewing good beers and soon Aaren found himself volunteering at Cottrell Brewery in Pawcatuck. Armed with his degree and newfound brewing knowledge, he put together a business plan for a pretty sizable brewery, which was then shot down by his wife and business partner Precious Putnam.

He went back to the drawing board and planned something a little smaller, which became the 3-barrel Beer’d Brewing Company in Stonington that pumped out 100 barrels of beer in their first year, 2012.

For Aaren Simoncini, a degree in finance from Rochester Institute of Technology was a safe, dependable future. That is until he opted for a “Beers of the World” tasting course instead of another math elective. Sampling new beers every Friday opened up Aaren’s mind and palate and made him realize that beers weren’t just

The Velvet Mill in Stonington is not the first vision you have when you picture a top-notch craft brewery. What started out as a derelict warehouse became a mecca of like-minded artists, crafters, bakers, and brewers where art supports art. “Come in for a beer and leave with a canvas painting”as Aaren puts it. Beer’d

Don’t Stand Out in the Crowd…

Stand Somewhere Else!

quickly became the cornerstone of this tightknit artistic biome, bringing beer drinkers into one of Connecticut’s first taprooms. Originally, because of Connecticut’s laws, Beer’d had to sample people on their beers, hoping they would buy growlers to go. Luckily, those laws soon changed, and beer started flowing from the taps into glasses, cans and even more growlers. The front tasting area has a bar and a couple high-top tables where people can enjoy a few pints and grab some merch, while the brewery operation is situated in the back of the building.

Not content with having only one brewery, Aaren and crew opened their second location dubbed The Silo in 2019. Nestled in a Groton industrial park, The Silo brewed a majority of the 6,498 barrels of beer Beer’d made last year, missing their projected brewing total by just two barrels of beer! An industrial strength taproom crafted by Livingstone Concrete was built earlier this year and fits 60 people comfortably. A highspeed canning line recently went in, capable of filling and labeling 100 cans per minute. When they eventually reopen to the public, guests will be able to pair their beers with cheese from the Mystic Cheese Company, who has a café next door. What is better than beer and cheese…?

Honestly, nothing.

Beer’d’s strong suit has always been IPAs and IIPAs, which account for a large portion of the brewery’s portfolio. They were making hazy IPAs before the haze-game bum rush. Aaren loves the science behind making a quality hazy IPA, stating that “it’s not just having a bunch of yeast in suspension or adding oak flakes to the beer.”Dogs & Boats is a perfect example of a hazy IPA that isn’t a juice bomb and is Beer’d’s best selling beer. A new batch of Dogs & Boats is brewed every Monday at The Silo, pumping 500 cases of fresh 9.1% IIPA into the market weekly. Besides Dogs, some other IIPAs Beer’d makes is Hobbit Juice, Riff, and You Like ‘A Da Juice. They recently released their collaboration with Pipeworks Brewing Company called Dogs vs. Shinobi which blended both breweries favorite brands and added a guava puree, making for a juicy, tropical and decidedly delicious IPA. Setting themselves apart in the CT craft beer scene, Beer’d decided on their Whisker’d Wit as their flagship beer. Instead of an IPA, as most breweries go with, Whisker’d Wit is an easy drinking Belgian White Ale, with hints of orange and coriander.“We chose this not just for the sake of being different, but because it’s really good!” Aaren expounds.

Rounding out their portfolio, Beer’d also makes stouts such as the roasty Midnight Oil, and has even branched into the pilsner world a bit with their crisp Connecticut Casual.

Owner/Brewer Aaren Simoncini, Victoria Gunderson, Justin Sally

Until recently, Aaren was the mastermind behind most of Beer’d’s beers, but now with a

strong team of 7 brewers, more people are getting involved with recipe development.

There is now a two-keg experimental program in place so any brewer can formulate new brews. Having a good team behind him helps Aaren sleep at night and he sees them as the future of Beer’d. It’s their dedication to consistent, high-quality beers that makes Beer’d do much more than just stand out in the crowd.

Beer’d Brewing Company (The Mill) 22 Bayview Ave, Stonington Hours: Monday/Tuesday – Closed Wednesday-Friday – 4:00-9:00 Saturday – Noon-8:00 Sunday – 1:00-5:00

Beer’d Brewing Company (The Silo) 225 Leonard Drive, Groton Temporarily Closed Jim Lalumiere, lover of all that is hoppy, malty and sour.

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Cooking with Crusty

By John Tolmie

Scup, or Porgy, is a pelagic fish that arrive by the millions along the coastline of Connecticut in the spring. They stay until the water drops to around fifty degrees and then head south for the winter. They are easily angled from shore and can also be purchased at your local seafood market.

Salted Roasted Whole Scup Ingredients: • 2 Whole Scup - gutted with scales intact • 1/2 small leek or onion sliced thin • 1 nugget of fresh ginger sliced thin • 2 sprigs fresh thyme • 6 whole basil leaves • 8 cups sea-salt • Fresh beefsteak tomatoes • Extra virgin olive oil The yield is two servings. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Loosely layer the ginger, lemon, leeks, basil, and thyme sprigs inside the fish without over-stuffing. Place the stuffed fish into a roasting pan atop a thick coating of sea-salt, about half an inch deep. Cover the fish with an additional half-inch of salt. Bake for thirty minutes. The salt will turn into a hard crust which is easily removed with a thin spatula. Then peel the skin from one side of the fish taking care to not allow the scales to fall onto the fillet. Once on a plate, drizzle with olive oil and fresh tomatoes. Use chopsticks to pick out the meat including the cheeks and top of the head. Once half the fish has been enjoyed, pull the spine free exposing the other half. This is a fun and purposefully slow meal to be enjoyed with good conversation and a glass of dry white wine.

American Eels are a hearty breed that can be harvested year-round from jetties and areas from shore where rocky reefs abound. Many Asian markets and fishmongers keep them stocked at your local seafood market.

Roasted Teriyaki Eel with Spicy Mayo Ingredients

• 1lb Fresh Eel fillets • 3 Cups of sushi rice • 2 Tablespoons of Sake or Rice Vinegar • 2 Tablespoons of sugar • 1 Cup of your favorite Teriyaki Sauce • ½ Cup of mayonnaise • 2 Tablespoons of Sriracha Hot Sauce • 1 Tablespoon of cooking oil Yields four servings. Place the fillets in a bowl and pour teriyaki sauce over while leaving a few tablespoons to dress after cooking. Cover and refrigerate for thirty minutes. Cook rice and let cool to about room

Salted Roasted Whole Scup temperature. Add sake or vinegar and sugar to the rice. Fold the rice until the sugar and sake are distributed evenly and set aside. Turn the oven on to broil and Fill a large pot with about two inches of water and bring to a boil. Place a steaming rack above the water line or a pastry rack across the top of the pot. Remove the fillets from the teriyaki sauce and lay them across the steaming rack and cover. Steam the fillets for about 10 minutes. Use a spatula to remove the fillets from the rack and place them on an oiled baking sheet. Broil the fillets for five minutes or until the eel begins to crisp. On a plate, form a sushi rice log about the length of the eel fillets. Place the fillets across the rice and drizzle with spicy mayo and fresh teriyaki sauce. Serve with your choice of steamed greens. Hot sake is a perfect complement to this dish.

White Wine and Herb Striped Bass A prized fish for anglers from Maryland to Maine, the striped bass is also delicious table fare and can be prepared in countless ways. Striped bass can be caught just about anywhere along the Connecticut shoreline and due to its popularity, fillets can be purchased at your local grocer or fish market.

Ingredients:

• 1 Lb. of Striped bass cut into bite-sized nuggets and use white meat only • 1 Cup of dry white wine • 1 Medium Shallot Finely chopped • 2 Lemons, 1 Juiced and 1 thinly sliced • 6 Tablespoons of unsalted butter cut into small pieces • ¼ Cup of capers coarsely chopped • 1 teaspoon of salt • Fresh ground black pepper • 1 cup of chopped herbs of your choosing Combine shallots, wine, and lemon juice in a small skillet over high heat. Bring to a boil and bring to medium heat and let simmer until the base is reduced to a 1/4 cup which will take about ten minutes.

Remove from heat and whisk in butter, capers, 1/4 teaspoon salt, a pinch of pepper, and 3/4 of the herbs. Then set aside and keep warm.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 3 tablespoons of the wine sauce. Season the bass with the remaining salt and add a pinch of pepper. Toss the bass, lemon slices, and remaining herbs in skillet. Cook until the fish begins to flake which should only take about four minutes. Serve in a bowl with remaining sauce. Chopsticks are a fun way to enjoy this dish. Serve with the same wine that was used in the sauce.

Enjoy!

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White Wine and Herb Striped Bass

Roasted Teriyaki Eel with Spicy Mayo

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I never advise to pre-cut or cube cheese into small pieces. Pre-cutting will cause the cheese to dry up and lose flavor, so any leftovers are doomed for tossing. Not even an ill-attempted fondue can save this situation. I always recommend presenting whole wedges on your tray.

Paul Partica, The Cheese Shop, Centerbrook CT

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sn’t it great that the best appetizer you can serve for the Holidays requires no cooking? I refer to cheese. All you have to do is unwrap it, place it on a tray with a few condiments, give it an hour’s time at room temperature, and voila! You’re done. Holiday tasks should all be so simple.

One of the best parts about serving cheese is the ability to prepare it in advance. Cheese is less perishable as you might think so you can shop early for it, leaving time for other last-minute tasks. With a little help from your local cheese shop, you can purchase what you need quickly and avoid those long holiday lines.

When shopping for cheese, be sure to inform your retailer as to when you will be serving it. This should enable him to help you choose cheeses that will keep for your party. Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations and explain what cheeses you do know and like. Naming the different families of cheese that you prefer is always helpful.

This formula works very well in determining quantities: Short event, many other appetizers, early afternoon, no alcohol: 1-1.5 oz. cheese per person Safe range, some other appetizers, wine will be served, close to dinner: 2-3 oz. cheese per person Long event, wine, no other appetizers, just before dinner: 3-4 oz. cheese per person In general, the larger the amount of people attending, the smaller the amount of cheese per person you will want to serve. The opposite is also true. If you are having a small group, say four guests, you will most likely want four 6-8 oz. pieces of cheese for a full tray presentation. Leftover portions can be saved for another day.

Cheese Trays It is human nature to taste with our eyes, so keep your trays attractive. Try to pick cheeses of different shapes, sizes and colors.

Also, choose from different families such as blues, soft-ripening, washed rinds, goudas, goat and sheep, cheddars, etc. You can add fruits such as grapes, pears, dried apricots, figs and dates. Accoutrements like acacia honey, balsamic vinegars, chutneys and jams all add to the enjoyment and visual excitement of your presentation.

If you include nuts, be careful about guests with food allergies. As a precaution, you might want to keep the nuts separate.

Cheese trays can be prepared a day in advance, dried fruits included, as long as the entire tray is wrapped well with cling film (sometimes referred to as Saran wrap) and stored in the refrigerator.

Even two days in advance is okay. A runny cheese like Brie, however, should be wrapped tightly around itself. You can place it in position on the tray, but open it at the last moment.

Crackers should also be kept off the prepared tray. If wrapped with the cheese, they will become soft and soggy. Add crackers at the last minute, just before serving. Place your accoutrements in separate serving dishes with a small spoon for self-service. Not everyone wants a topping on their cheese, and this can create a messy, unappetizing tray in a hurry.

Here are a few more tips that will help make things seamless: • Serve the cheese at room temperature. An hour is usually good.

• Don’t remove cling film from the tray until you are ready to serve. You want the cheese to be warm, but certainly not dried up.

• Cheese labels are always great. Identifying the names of the cheeses and the type of milk used to produce the cheese is helpful for your guest, especially those who can only tolerate goat or sheep milk, for example. It might also save you from answering many questions during the night. You can find attractive porcelain or slate markers for this use.

• I also advise placing a separate knife next to every cheese on the tray. Anyone caught using the blue cheese knife on the Brie should be cut off from the wine as punishment. Don’t feel sorry for them; this leaves more wine for you.

Gift Boxes and Baskets These make wonderful gifts and are a universal favorite because they don’t go to waste. If the recipient is not fond of cheese, someone in the family or a holiday guest is likely to be. When purchasing these types of gifts, try to include a good variety of flavors.

I find that a combination of crackers, meats and other accoutrements works well.

An important consideration is the condition of the cheeses. It is always a good idea to discuss your needs with your retailer at the time of purchase so cheeses arrive to their destination at the proper ripeness. Also, try to ship in the beginning of the week for arrival before the weekend. This might avoid your gift sitting near a post office radiator over the weekend. Ordering in advance is highly recommended. You know that retail stores get busier the closer you get to a holiday, and fresh-cut cheese gifts take time to prepare and ship.

Other Cheese Thoughts Did I mention hot apple pie with a little cheddar cheese on it?

How about Quiche Lorraine, mac and cheese, cheese puffs, French onion soup with Gruyere melted on top, potatoes au gratin, grilled cheese, fried cheese, cheese soufflé and cheddar cheese soup?

How about Fondue and Raclette? Need I say more? Cheese, indeed, for the holidays.

Paul Partica, The Cheese Shop www.cheeseshopcenterbrook.com ofCenterbrook

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Specialty Foods & Espresso Bar

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