Glastonbury, CT October 2023

OctoberThe Food Issue

You might notice something a bit different about this month's issue. We decided to have a little fun and try an illustration for October, which is our Food Issue. The cover is by Christy Corey of West Hartford, an artist and illustrator specializing in food and travel-related artwork. The cover is her unique take on one of the menu items offered at Gather55, a Hartford restaurant that grew out of a soup kitchen run by the nonprofit Hands on Hartford

We also have a story this month on Gather55, which has an innovative, pay-what-you-can business model and runs a daytime cafe as well as an upscale dinner restaurant.

If you're interested in getting more of your food from local sources, you'll want to check out our story about farm-a-leaf, a unique new farm in Bolton that grows all of its produce by a method known as hydroponics. It's an all-natural process that allows farm-a-leaf’s owners, Chris and Maria Rivera, to grow a variety of produce 365 days a year!

For many, fall brings the desire to clean house or refresh your interiors. With that in mind we spoke with Melissa Stelzer, owner of The Nutmeg Home, a decor and gift shop in Old Wethersfield. This charming boutique is located on the first floor of an old home in the heart of the Old Wethersfield historic shopping and business district.

October means it's nearly Halloween and in a nod to that favorite of all harvest-time activities we have a story about the delights to be found at the annual Keene Pumpkin Festival in Keene, N.H. The annual event, held on Oct. 21 this year, is a great day trip for kids and their parents alike and features thousands of carved Jack O' Lanterns that are illuminated at night.

We also have some fall inspired recipes this month, including ones for pumpkin bread and an apple galette to round out our October issue of Glastonbury Lifestyle Magazine . We hope you enjoy it!

GARY PERRELLI, PUBLISHER @GLASTONBURYLIFESTYLE

October 2023

PUBLISHER

Gary Perrelli | gary.perrelli@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Eileen McNamara eileen.mcnamara@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Jill Barry | jill.barry@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Ivy Perrelli | ivy.perrelli@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Angela Broockerd, Don Seaman

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Brian Ambrose, Janie Jones, Marisa Balletti-Lavoie

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

Let’s

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city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

1: OculusDocs, the newest eye care center in town, recently held a ribbon cutting. 2: Dr. Jenny Cha owns the new OculusDocs offices at 221 Addison Road. 3: D-Fine Mind and Body Wellness held a ribbon cutting at its 99 Citizens Drive center. 4: The team at D-Fine. 5: The CT River Valley Chamber's recent tour of the Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford. 6: The tour included several local business groups, including the Farmington Valley Young Professionals. 7: The tour included a Hartford Yard Goats game. Photography by Brian Ambrose

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @glastonburylifestyle

1-7: Glastonbury recently sponsored National Night Out featuring several town agencies and highlighting their work.

Photography by Brian Ambrose

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Dr. Griffin O’Connor Seeing Patients in Glastonbury

Dr. Griffin O’Connor, DVM, is now seeing patients full time at the Glastonbury Veterinary Hospital. Dr. O'Connor manages the family-owned animal hospital. She and her husband, Dr. Jason Haviar, recently purchased Glastonbury Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Haviar also works at the animal clinic. The couple are longtime Glastonbury residents. Founded in 1965, Glastonbury Veterinary Hospital is located at 121 Pratt St. Visit Glastonburyvet.com for more information.

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Glastonbury Square Dance Club Offering Lessons

Looking for a fun place to meet new people and get some exercise? You might want to check out the  Glastonbury Square Dance Club. "We are a fun group of people and we look forward to dancing with you!  The square dance club has been meeting for 60 years and welcomes dancers of all ages. It also offers lessons Visit them at Glastonburysquaredanceclub.com or call 860-205-9353.

Local Realtor Launches Men Wear Pink Campaign

Mike Daly, of New England Prestige Realty, has launched a campaign to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer. A cancer survivor himself, Mike joined the national Men Wear Pink initiative and has created his own fundraising effort, Mike Wears Pink. "After my treatment ... I was shocked to learn 1 of 8 women will face a breast cancer diagnosis. This put my survivorship in perspective. Visit Cancer.org for information on Men Wear Pink.

Photography Brian Ambrose

The RiverLane Hosts Pop-Up With Bonded Permanent Jewelry.

The RiverLane boutique in Essex recently held a pop-up with Bonded Permanent Jewelry. Moms, sisters, daughters and besties were invited to experience a memorable afternoon filled with shopping, wine and food, and beautiful permanent jewelry. The one of a kind, permanent jewelry experience offers welded jewelry, custom-sized to fit your wrist, waist, neck, ankle, or finger. RiverLane specializes in creating an easy-to-shop experience featuring over 50 high quality brand-name designers. Visit TheRiverLane.com for more information.

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Lisa Lazarus Named to 100 Women of Color

Lisa Lazarus, of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, was recently named to the 8th Annual Class of 100 Women of Color. She is being recognized for her civic engagement and philanthropic and professional efforts to create a more equitable and inclusive society. The 100 Women of Color Gala & Awards was held in September and recognizes contributions made in numerous categories. Lisa is a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway in Glastonbury. Lisalazarus.bhhsneproperties.com for information.

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Photography Marisa Balletti-Lavoie

Day Trip: The Keene Pumpkin Festival

This Annual Harvest-Time Event is a Halloween Favorite For Adults and Kids

Looking for a great family day trip this October that you can enjoy with your kids?

Check out the Keene Pumpkin Festival in Keene, N.H.

What started in 1991 as a small community event has grown into a grand pumpkinpalooza festival featuring thousands of carved pumpkins, ranging from the simple and silly, to elaborate and eerie.

Held in the downtown business district of Keene, (best known for being home to Keene State College) the annual pumpkin festival kicks off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21. The festial draws thousands of visitors and includes food vendors, music and an arts and crafts show. The family-friendly festival is also intended as a way to give a boost to Keene’s downtown business district.

“The Pumpkin Festival has been broadcasting to the world what can happen when people come together for no other purpose than making magic happen,” Nancy Sporbor, the event’s founder, wrote on the event’s website. “Unlike most other festivals, our’s

has no ulterior motives. It is not about making money, amassing funds for charity, selling stuff, or trying to get votes. The heart of the Pumpkin Festival lies in the pumpkins. What better gift could there be than to show the world what a community can do?”

If you go during the day make sure you stick around for sunset, because that’s when the festival really, and literally, shines. Organizers at dusk light up the pumpkins that are on display in a variety of places all throughout the downtown, including the ones on the giant “pumpkin tower” - a dizzying pyramid of hundreds of pumpkins at one end of Main Street. The glow from thousands of pumpkins is truly an amazing sight in this quintessential New England village!

Keene Pumpkin Festival

Main Street, Keene, N.H.

Saturday, Oct. 21

Online: Pumpkinfestival.org

On Facebook: @Keenepumpkinfestival

ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA

The Pumpkin Tower at dusk is an awesome sight.

Jack O' Lanterns arranged in a tree in the downtown.

A rack of pumpkins are lit at dusk at the Keene Pumpkin Festival.

Kids are amazed at the sheer number of pumpkins on display.

The Pumpkin Tower on Main Street in Keene N.H.

Our Philosophy

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA

Butter Head lettuce is ready to pick at Farm-A-Leaf.

Growing Up: farm-a-leaf

A COMPANY MAKING LOCAL FOOD MORE ACCESSIBLE

Ever wondered why most Americans shop at grocery stores? Many of us spend a considerable amount of time making grocery lists, driving across town, walking down aisles, and often buying much more than we anticipated.

We end up with foods that are overly processed, sprayed with chemical pesticides, driven hundreds of miles to reach the store, with a shelf life that’s shorter than your patience in the checkout line.

While we’re accustomed to this routine, wouldn’t we all prefer a healthier, more convenient alternative? One that gives us peace of mind knowing where our food is grown and what kind of practices are used to grow it.

At farm-a-leaf, this is exactly what founders, Chris and Maria Rivera, have set out to do. They own and operate a small family farm in Bolton that specializes in growing leafy greens and herbs.

The state-of-the-art indoor vertical farm is 320 square feet and grows over two acres of produce using vertical channels and a climate-controlled environment. The technology built within the farm regulates the humidity, grow lights, and carbon dioxide levels – all important elements needed for indoor plant growth. All of the plants are grown using hydroponics, a technique of growing plants with water-based nutrients rather than soil.

“With hydroponics, you aren’t tied to land conditions like you would with traditional

farming, and you use much less water and space,” Chris says. “We don’t have to worry about pests or the weather, and we can grow our plants 365 days a year.”

This means customers are receiving high quality produce all year round, with no use of pesticides or herbicides, he adds.

“We want to provide a safe, trusted product to our customers so using clean ingredients to grow our plants is very important to us” Maria adds. The company’s commitment to sustainable practices extends to their use of 100% compostable packaging, with plans to incorporate reusable packaging that will be exchanged at the time of delivery.

At farm-a-leaf, greens are harvested every week and delivered next day to customers. This assures they receive super fresh, long-lasting produce, all reasons why customers are turning to farm-a-leaf for their weekly produce.

Along with peak season quality, the company prides itself on the service it provides to customers. They sell produce online, offering one-time purchases or subscriptions for weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly deliveries. The subscription service comes with exclusive offers, and customers can save more by buying larger quantities. For those who are new and interested in trying out the greens, farm-a-leaf offers a Sample Box with some of the farm’s best sellers

including their Summer Crisp Lettuce, kale, arugula, basil, or parsley.

Less than a year in operation, farm-a-leaf is moving fast to expand its online presence and product offerings. The company is looking to serve more local customers in Bolton, Vernon, Glastonbury, West Hartford, and other nearby towns.

“We know life gets busy so why entrap yourself in the mundane routine of grocery shopping? We want to simplify your routine so you can spend time focusing on what matters most to you,” Maria says.

For information visit farm-a-leaf.com.

Chris Rivera checks on some of Farm-A-Leaf's seedlings.

Chris and Maria Rivera inside their farm trailer

Gather55 evening restaurant lead Andrea Fleming

FROM SOUP TO CONFIT, GATHER55 FEEDS THE SOUL

ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA

For years, Hands on Hartford operated a soup kitchen in downtown Hartford that helped feed the city’s needy.

When Covid struck in 2020 the soup kitchen shut down for a time and reopened last year in a new space at 55 Bartholomew Ave., near the Parkville neighborhood, as a pay-what-you-can cafe, Gather55.

Inspired by innovative soup kitchen programs offered in other large cities, the cafe operates as a participatory restaurant where customers can pay whatever they are able for meals in return for volunteering at the eatery.

“During the day we run a participation model restaurant where folks can come to eat and make a minimum contribution of $2 and volunteer for half an hour in the restaurant in return for their meal, or they can pay the full menu price of the meal,” says Molly Reynolds, manager at Gather55.

At night, the restaurant transforms from a casual lunch and breakfast cafe into an upscale restaurant that offers full-course meals with the help of a rotating host of professional chefs from Connecticut who volunteer monthly to develop the menus. The guest chef for October will be Alejandro Leiva from Terrano Restaurant in Hartford.

Gather55 is designed to bring together people of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. The restaurant’s dinner menus offer your choice of two or three course prix-fixe meals with a certain number of seats set aside for customers who can’t pay the full menu prices.

The restaurant’s unique business model has been embraced by patrons, Molly says.

“Both restaurants are bonded by our mission to harness the power of food to connect diverse communities. People who have gotten to know us love the concept, the idea that 60 percent of our daytime patrons are people who can’t afford this kind of dining experience and that the 40 percent of customers who can afford it are helping the rest of the patrons enjoy this experience.”

There’s no tipping at Gather55, but the evening restaurant does charge a 20 percent service fee on meals “that goes to support the overall restaurant operations,” Molly says.

“A lot of diners make donations even above that because people seem to feel really good about supporting our mission.”

The breakfast and lunch menu includes dozens of sandwiches and meals, many of them for less than $10, CONTINUED >

Chefs James Edwards and Lenny Texidor

Chef Jeff Lizotte from Present Company

The exterior of Gather55.

such as quiche florentine, a breakfast sandwich, avocado toast and a soup du jour.

The dinner menu includes three-course meals for a fixed price of $55, or $40 for two courses. Some of Gather55’s recent offerings have included Crispy Confit Chicken, by Chef Jeff Lizotte, of Present Company Restaurant,  Pork Chop Milanese by Chef Billy Grant, of Bricco Restaurant, and Spicy Potato Curry, by Chef Ashley Flagg of Millwright’s Restaurant.

Connecticut Chef Tyler Anderson, a James Beard Best Chef nominee seven years in a row and a previous CT Chef of the Year, worked with Hands on Hartford to develop Gather55. Tyler, who has worked at or operated several Connecticut restaurants, was committed to assisting the hungry and reached out to Hands on Hartford in 2019.

As he and Gather55’s organizers began developing the eatery, many chefs from around the state rallied around the idea and continue to volunteer for Gather55.

“I have a lot of chef friends in the community and they all wanted to give back and thought the participatory business model was a great idea.”

In June, Gather55 won a $40,000 grant through the “Backing Historic Small Restaurants’’ program, which is funded by American Express and administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Gather55 was the only Connecticut restaurant to win one of the National Trust’s grants.

Gather55

55 Bartholomew Ave, Hartford 860-929-2316

Online: Gather55.com

On Open Table: G ather55-hartford

On Facebook: @Gather55

Chef Lenny Texidor

A meatball sub prepared at Gather55

ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA

The Nutmeg Home

A Home Decor Boutique With a French Country Flair

Like many businesses born during the pandemic, The Nutmeg Home has a unique backstory.

The store’s owner, Melissa Stelzer, was operating an online business out of her home prior to the pandemic. A seamstress, designer, entrepreneur, and marketing aficionado, Melissa was selling her handmade sewing designs online and dabbled in selling home goods as well. Back then, “hand-sewn garden gnomes were a huge seller among her home decor sales,” she says.

When Covid and the resulting mask mandates swept the country early in 2020, she quickly shifted gears and began sewing and selling masks online as well. Her sales went through the roof.

CONTINUED >

Melissa Stelzer

“I started selling masks wholesale to other sellers, and I was getting so many orders, 50 at a time, I could barely keep up with the demand. That’s what funded all of this--gnomes and masks.”

“This” is Stelzer’s home goods and decor shop, The Nutmeg Home, located in the heart of historic Old Wethersfield, at 165 Main Street. Melissa opened the shop in November of 2020.

The bright store flowing with natural light from large front windows and located on the first floor of an old house, reflects Melissa’s design aesthetic: whites and neutrals, understated elegance, as well as comfortable and uncomplicated design elements.

“I would describe my aesthetic as clean, neutral, a kind of French country cottage with a modern edge,” she adds. She has a reputation of carrying unique home decor at a reasonable price that can fit any style.

The Nutmeg Home sells home furnishings and decor, as well as gifts, including jewelry, hand-made soaps, paintings and prints, baskets, and a few clothing items.

Additionally, this shop is probably best known for unique seasonal products, locally made dough bowl candles, and real-touch florals.

Melissa says she tries to offer American-made goods as much as possible, including a line of locally-made, seasonal candles that carry the store’s brand.

“They’re made by my parents!”

The store’s offerings change with the seasons, and Melissa says she tries to stay tuned in to current trends and influencers as much as possible, while still staying true to products that can work with any home.

The Nutmeg Home

165 Main St., Old Wethersfield

Email: TheNutmegHome@gmail.com

Online: TheNutmegHome.com

On Social: @TheNutmegHome

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THE FLAVOR OF FALL

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

Apples are the trademark fruit of fall, and with the many varieties to choose from, there is an apple that is sure to please any palate. They can be included in both sweet and savory dishes and are delicious and incredibly healthful. We all have heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” While they aren’t a cureall, apples are packed full of polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamin C, B vitamins and fiber. Make the most of autumn’s best produce and the flavors of fall with these simple recipes.

APPLE GALETTE WITH CARAMEL DRIZZLE

Easier than pie but with all the same textures, this gooey warm dessert is sure to please. For simplicity, this can be made with a premade crust.

INGREDIENTS: INSTRUCTIONS:

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cubed

• 1/4 cup iced cold water

Filling:

• 2 apples, peeled and sliced into thin slices

• 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

• 1 1/2 tablespoons flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• Caramel sauce

• Optional: 1/4 chopped walnuts or pecans

Crust:

(Note: If running short on time, store bought crust works great, too.)

Mix flour, salt and sugar together in a bowl. Cut in the butter. Add water and mix until moistened. Lightly knead the dough and then form into a ball. Next, flatten dough into a thick circular form and refrigerate for one hour.

Filling:

Mix the apples, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar together in a bowl.

Assemble and Bake:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into a circle and set on parchment paper. Arrange apples in center of dough, leaving about one inch of space for the edges. Fold crust over the apples and press to seal edges. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with pecans or walnuts. Bake for 35 minutes. Serve with caramel sauce and ice-cream.

ELEVATED GRILLED CHEESE

This take on the classic grilled cheese is sure to satisfy your fall cravings. With the combined flavors of savory and sweet, it packs a punch for your taste buds.

INGREDIENTS: INSTRUCTIONS:

• 1/4 red onion, sliced

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Sliced sourdough bread

• 1-2 tablespoons butter

• 4 ounces Brie, sliced

• Fig jam, or preferred choice of jam

• 1 Granny smith apple, sliced

• Arugula

• Thinly sliced ham, optional

Heat olive oil in the skillet and add sliced onions. Cook for a few minutes and then add brown sugar. Sauté until soft. Set aside. Butter the outside of the sourdough bread. Next, spread jam on the inside of both slices. Add cheese, apples, onions and arugula. If using meat, add as well. Top with slice of bread and grill on skillet until both sides are toasted and cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!

APPLE CHUTNEY

This Indian-inspired dish is the perfect fall topping for pork chops and also pairs nicely with ham. This is so easy to make and will fill your kitchen with the aroma of fall.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 2 cups Granny Smith apple, chopped

• ¼ cup pecans or walnuts

• 1/3 cup apple juice

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar

• 3 tablespoons dried cranberries

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• ¾ teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat butter in saucepan, then add remaining ingredients. Cook over medium heat until the sauce has cooked down and the apples are tender. Serve over pork chops. Enjoy!

Kristen Mosdale Makeup Artist and Stylist

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

OCTOBER 1ST

Historical Society of Glastonbury's Annual Tag Sale

WELLES-SHIPMAN-WARD PROPERTY, 972 MAIN ST., SOUTH GLASTONBURY | 9:00 AM

HSG's Giant Annual Tag Sale will be from Sept.29-Oct. 1. Early Bird hours are 8-9 a.m., Friday for $10. The sale starts at 9 a.m. the rest of the weekend. HSG is accepting donations on Mondays at 9 a.m. at the Welles-Shipman-Ward House until Sept. 25, and on Saturdays, until Sept. 16, 8 a.m. to noon. Visit Hsgct.org for information.

OCTOBER 2ND

Ella Waters Event Series: Peter Biedermann in Concert

WELLES TURNER MEMORIAL LIBRARY, 2407 MAIN ST. | 6:30 PM

Peter Biedermann is a solo, "finger-style" instrumental guitarist based in Green Valley, Arizona. He has performed in several different contexts since the mid-1970's. While his music doesn't settle into any particular genre, it is a hybrid, contemporary style. Visit WTMLIB.info for more information.

OCTOBER 5TH

Watkinson Hosts Information Session

WATKINSON SCHOOL, 180 BLOOMFIELD AVE, HARTFORD | 9:00 AM

Watkinson's monthly information session starts at 9 a.m. with registration and refreshments. You’ll have the opportunity to meet faculty and school leaders, tour the 40-acre campus, see classes in session and hear from a panel of current students. If that date doesn't work for you visit Watkinson.org/visit  to schedule another time.

OCTOBER 6TH

HSG's Fiction Book Club Meets

MUSEUM ON THE GREEN, 1944 MAIN ST. | 1:00 PM

The Historical Society of Glastonbury’s Historical Fiction Book Club will host its second meeting and discuss The Thread Collectors. View the Civil War from the perspective of two strong women, a young Black woman who embroiders maps to help enslaved men flee and an abolitionist Jewish woman who stitches a quilt. Reservations required, email martha.poole.hsg@gmail.com

OCTOBER 10TH

Goths, Gargoyles, & God: Building the Magnificent Cathedrals of Europe

WELLES TURNER MEMORIAL LIBRARY, 2407 MAIN ST. | 6:30 PM

In this lecture Dr. Richard Benfield, Professor Emeritus of Geography, Central Connecticut State University, will discuss the glorious medieval cathedrals and churches of Europe. How did they come to be? Dr. Benfield will discuss the early antecedents of medieval church building. Visit WTMLIB.info for more information.

OCTOBER 21ST

48th Annual Glastonbury Apple Harvest and Musical Festival

RIVERFRONT COMMUNITY PARK, 300 WELLES ST. | 6:00 PM

The annual Glastonbury Apple Harvest and Music Festival will be held Friday, Oct. 13 through Sunday, Oct.15 this year. Besides the ever-popular midway of rides and the sale of apple pies, the three-day festival will include a 5K road race and three stages of entertainment featuring dozens of musical acts. Visit Glastonburyapplefest.com for more information.

Big Sing

RIVERFRONT COMMUNITY CENTER, 300 WELLES ST. | 12:00 PM

Join Dr. Uke and the Glastonbury Ukelele band at their in-person performances! Sing along with them as the words are projected on the large screen. The sing-a-long runs from noon to 1 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public and no registration is required. Call The Riverfront Community Center,  860-652-7638, for additional information.

OCTOBER 22ND

Bread and Beer with HSG

WELLES-SHIPMAN-WARD HOUSE, 972 MAIN ST., SOUTH GLASTONBURY | 1:00 PM

Join The Historical Society of Glastonbury for Bread and Beer  from 1-3 pm. There will be a demonstration of bread-making in the beehive oven and beer brewing as done in the 18th century. Samples will be available. Tour the house and barns. Admission is $10 per person, free to HSG members. Visit HSGCT.org for more information.

OCTOBER 27TH

St. James Episcopal Church Hosts Blood Drive

ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 2584 MAIN ST. | 1:00 PM

St. James is hosting a Red Cross blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended to streamline your donation experience. Doing so helps the team to marshal the necessary staffing, equipment and supplies and ensures that there is time set aside for you. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org

OCTOBER 29TH

St. James Episcopal Church Presents Celtic Vespers

ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 2584 MAIN ST. | 7:00 PM

St. James Episcopal Church will host Celtic Vespers, a traditional candlelight service including readings, prayers, and music. The group Wild Notes will perform. They are known for their energetic and exuberant traditional acoustic music with roots in Irish, Scottish, French-Canadian, jazz, and classical. For more information visit StJamesGlastonbury.org.

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It’s Pumpkin Bread Season

The Perfect Recipe For Some Autumn Comfort

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon nutmeg

• 1/2 teaspoon ginger

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil or canola oil

• 1/2 cup melted butter

• 2 eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a mixing bowl, add the flour, baking soda and baking powder, spices, and salt. Set aside.

3. Combine the oil, butter, and vanilla in a liquid measuring cup.

4. In a mixing bowl (with a paddle attachment), beat the pumpkin, sugar, and eggs until combined.

5. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the liquid ingredients. Let this process take about 1 to 2 minutes so the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

6. Using a spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the wet and slowly fold until the ingredients are blended.

7. Prepare a 10 x 5 loaf pan by buttering it really well and then adding a strip of parchment paper to the bottom and up the sides for easy removal.

8. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 1 hour. The bread will be fully risen in the center, like a loaf. Make sure it’s fully cooked and brown on the top otherwise it will fall in the middle once removed from the oven.

ARTICLE BY DON SEAMAN