CONNECTICUT
EAST
Complimentary
YOU R
LIVE
LEARN
G UI D E
TO
E ASTE RN
The Other Connecticut
E X P L O R E
CO N N E CTICUT ISSUE 3
FA L L / W I N T E R 2 01 8
w w w. c o n n e c t i c u t e a s t . c o m
Stop in for a sweet treat or the perfect gift for someone special!
Fine Chocolates
• Gift Baskets • Greeting Cards • Boxed Chocolates • Truffles • Novelites
• Fudge • Pint Sized Ice Cream • Baking Accessories • Hot Chocolate Bar
Gift Certificates Available 112 Main Street Unit #10 • Putnam, CT 06260 • 860-315-9682
Connecticut East is published by Global Design & Publishing, LLC, a local agency operating in Connecticut for over twenty years. Owned by husband/wife team, Jim and Kelly Tourtellotte, life-long residents of northeastern Connecticut, Global Design is Connecticut-grown!
CONNECTICUT
EAST
CONNECTICUTEAST – featuring all things east of the Connecticut River. We are ‘the other Connecticut.’
YOU R
G U IDE
TO
E A S T E R N
C ON N ECT ICUT
Recent state funding cuts have slashed Connecticut’s tourism/marketing budget therefore, fewer publications are being produced at the state level. The good news is that Global Design does not rely on state funding, we are private and we are local. We enjoy traveling throughout New England and find that Eastern Connecticut is easily overlooked for a day trip or overnight. Eastern Connecticut has more to offer than first meets the eye, and we intend to tell our readers all about it. We want our audience to explore the region’s natural resources, awaken senses with arts & culture, savor outstanding culinary experiences, and treasure new favorite places. Connecticut East covers Windham, Tolland, Mystic and New London counties, plus attractions close enough for a day trip or overnight. Connecticut East is designed to serve adventurous consumers interested in local attractions, exceptional dining–from pub-fare to upscale–comfy accommodations, exciting entertainment, unique business and personal services, art events, seasonal happenings, outdoor adventures, Connecticut grown and a whole lot more! Connecticut East is published twice a year with a Fall/Winter issue and a Spring/Summer issue. 15,000+ copies are distributed free to businesses throughout eastern Connecticut and beyond. We want to personally thank the businesses who support Connecticut East and remind our readers to shop local! We hope you enjoy, Jim & Kelly Tourtellotte
This publication is Published & Distributed by:
GD
Noah’s, Stonington
Featured in this Issue: 4-7 The Garde Arts Center, New London 8-9 Noah’s, Stonington 10-12 The Eastern CT Craft Beer Experience, Eastern CT 13-15 Ekonk Turkey Farm, Sterling 16-18 Artist’s Open Studios of NECT 19 Winter Activities at CT Audubon, Northeastern CT\ 20-21 Click, Willimantic 22-23 The Wine Cellar at 85 Main, Putnam
GLOBAL DESIGN & PUBLISHING LLC Contact us at: 860-963-0414 • kelly@gdpublishing.com www.gdpublishing.com
www.connecticuteast.com
Copyright ©2018, Global Design & Publishing, LLC. Any reproduction without our written permission is prohibited. Design: Jim Tourtellotte Advertising and Media Contact: Kelly Tourtellotte, 860-963-0414. Writers: Cris Cadiz, Caroline Sloat and Nancy P. Weiss, all local residents of northeastern Connecticut. CONNECT IC UT E A S T 3 Printing provided by 101 Business Solutions, Brooklyn, CT
The historic entrance and marquee The Garde Arts Center box office is just inside the door.
4
CONNECTICUT EAST
Restored to Movie Palace Elegance, The Garde Arts Center is For and About Community BY CAROLINE SLOAT
New London’s Garde Arts Center is Southeast Connecticut’s center for the performing arts. “Broadway touring shows, legendary artists, and movies are booked year round. But the heart of the season is the regional organizations that come here to perform,” says Executive Director Steve Sigel. The Eastern Connecticut Symphony performs six or more concerts; the Eastern Connecticut Ballet presents several holiday performances of The Nutcracker with a live orchestra, as well as graduations, and other community events. “With our smaller venue, The Oasis Room, the Garde is also a showcase for folk and jazz artists from the community.
O
fferings for the Fall of 2017 include the Manhattan Short Film Festival (October 1), four events featuring the Eastern Connecticut Symphony, two in collaboration with the Eastern Connecticut Ballet, a return engagement of the exuberant Off-Broadway favorite Girls Night: The Musical 2017 (October 27), and Cherish the Ladies, Celtic Christmas (December 1). Melissa Etheridge will perform on Friday, December 15. Tickets for these events are on sale now. Other dates for the 2017-18 season may be found on the theater website: https:// gardearts.secure. force.com/ticket/. The Garde opened as a grand movie palace in 1926. It was the golden age of motion pictures and vaudeville and the architects of theaters that presented this entertainment went for drama. The decoration chosen for New London’s Garde represented the exotic
style of North Africa. Designed to dazzle its audiences, the rich Moroccan themes of the architectural details and wall paintings continue to wow today’s theatergoers. The property was valued at a million dollars when Warner Brothers studio purchased it in 1929, and then the Depression engulfed New London and, indeed, the whole of the United States. Operating under several different managements, movie screenings continued until 1977, and the next owners tried unsuccessfully to make a go of it. During its movie palace days, the offices and storefronts in the building had been desirable rentals. Gradually the doctors and dentists offices closed as did street-level retail. The theater is still standing thanks to a series of preservation miracles. This faded property was considered too large and too daunting until the Garde Arts Center, Inc., was created in 1985. Not deterred by the challenges of breathing new life into the property, this
brave group of citizens was determined to preserve a structure once hailed “one of the finest theaters in New England.” But to do so, it would require assistance from the State of Connecticut and a change in status from a commercial business to a nonprofit venture. In April 1988, Steve Sigel was hired as the Garde’s first director. Since then Sigel has led the Garde’s board and staff in community and civic planning ventures. The theater has grown into its mission becoming a vibrant center for residents of southeast Connecticut to connect (and reconnect) around a series of shared cultural experiences. But first, Sigel explains, “many millions of dollars had to go into the building.” This challenge was framed in terms of the capacity of the community to invest in itself, “for the quality of life, education, social services, and culture. The Garde had to be clean, safe, and extraordinarily unusual to meet these expectations.” Through many community conversations around this theme, it turned out that the Garde had many supporters with treasured memories and a personal commitment to its restoration and revival.
K Antique flooring k K Vintage building materials k K Architectural antiques k Giving old wood new life... Pomfret Center, CT 860-655-5259 Available by chance or appointment. W W W.OLDWOODWORKSHOP.COM CONNEC T IC UT E A S T
5
Historic lobby--Kids at the candy counter. This pre-restoration view of the lobby provides no clue to the rich detail of the original interior paint that was discovered as part of the preparation for re-opening as the Garde Arts Center.
Research into similar theaters around the country also proved helpful. The restoration process was informed by two images of the auditorium from the 1920s. Views of the lobby at mid-century, however, showed that the décor had already been disappeared under coats of white paint. Donations came in the form of funds and labor. Two professionals came in to teach restoration techniques to volunteers, who performed 95 percent of the work. These volunteers–families, amateurs and artists–learned how to rag paint and stencil walls. “We found the original color palette, so we had what was needed to bring it back to its original glory.” For example, a close look below the areas painted white revealed layers of red and green. The stage was reequipped and new seats were purchased to replace the 1950s-era school auditorium seats. Since re-opening the programming has evolved, as has the technology for its presentation. Each winter the Garde returns to its movie palace glory in anticipation of the Academy Awards. Subscriptions are offered for screenings of as many Oscar-nominated films as are available. “Once 35mm movies were no longer being made, a new system became necessary to continue to show movies,” Sigel explains. So it was back to the community for a campaign that raised $500,000 for the purchase of a state-of-the-art digital screening and sound system.
The theater interior is decorated in a Moroccan motif. The paint was restored by volunteers after the Garde Arts Center was formed in 1985 to preserve the old movie theater to keep the performing arts a vibrant part of the southeast Connecticut community.
6
CONNECTICUT EAST
The current community campaign, “Re-energize the Garde,” is funding the replacement of several elements that will benefit audiences and performers as well as establishing a reserve fund. (This addresses in part the challenges that followed the economic downturn in 2008 when the “Garde took a hit.” Sigel describes the shrinkage in corporate and individual support that caused the board “to rethink the operation and reduce its staff ” that resulted and the necessary rebuilding that followed.) As of July 2017, the Garde Arts Center, Inc., was halfway to its $2.1 million goal. During the summer of 2017, complete HVAC upgrade with new, energy-efficient components was installed. From the box office to backstage, spaces will now be warm in winter and comfortably cooled in the summer. The plan also includes replacement
of the fire curtain and main stage curtain with new curtains that meet current professional operating specifications. The organization continues to work hard “to make the Garde a place about people,” says Sigel. The programming is a blend of touring, regional, and community events. The Oasis Room is a venue for showcasing new artists from the community, such as the recent Evening with Lisa Marien, a fundraiser for this long-time New London music teacher and jazz singer who is making her first recording. Another community focus is on youth and families. A summer program brings in a group of young people to create and perform an original musical in the course of a week. The New London Talent Show that grew out of a local tragedy addresses some of the fear, anger, and anxiety of bored kids. The Garde hosted the national premiere of PJ Masks Live! Time to be a Hero, a new live-action musical production based on the Disney Jr. TV series. This was the culmination of an intensive week of rehearsals in the theater to finalize the show for its national tour. Ten thousand children will attend the six Schooltime Performances of touring shows again in the winter and spring of 2018. The touring company of The Wizard of Oz will present an evening performance on May 3, 2018. Sigel is absolutely committed to engagement in the arts as a means of creating community in the region. “The Garde’s future depends on the notion that it is important for people to come together in large groups.”
The new lobby area with State Street beyond the large windows that were once for display in tenanted stores. Now the lobby is enticingly visible from the street.
ing kitchen, is another place where different segments of the Garde’s audience can come together. “When you connect people to the arts,” Sigel observes, “it is safe way to imagine the possibility of other connections.” Walter Garde, the Hartford businessman who spent his summers at an estate in New London might only recognize the contours of his theater and the business blocks that surrounded it. But he would
surely applaud the entrepreneurial spirit of the community nonprofit that now owns the block of three buildings. It just requires a little imagination to see how the magic of movies and vaudeville for its twentieth century transforms into the magic of live performance and, yes, films, in the twenty-first century. This is the spirit that inspires the current campaign for the Garde, which has just completed its 90th Anniversary Season. The theater and community are looking ahead to collaborate on additional enhancements to secure the future of this historic performing arts center. Perhaps it is not a coincidence that the Wizard of Oz is the touring Broadway show that will alight at the Garde in May 2018. The Tin Man’s heart is an apt metaphor for the continuing collaborative journey of the arts center in the Eastern Connecticut community. The Garde Arts Center is located at 325 State Street, New London, Connecticut. www.gardearts.org (860) 444-7373 ext 1.
Part of that is attention to traffic patterns and parking. Sigel supports New London’s recent search for a better way to move traffic through the city that was cut apart when I-95 was laid out. A recent realignment of the traffic routing brings more vehicles past the theater marquee, for example. A glance over to the theater marquee while stopped at a traffic light on State Street now entices commuters to the box office and into the audience for a show. Entertainment, such as live theater and music or carefully curated movies, offers an opportunity to rediscover the pleasure of going out at night. New London has excellent restaurants that thrive when they serve patrons of the theater. The Oasis Room, which functions as a small performance venue with its own caterCONNEC T IC UT E A S T
7
Noah’s BY NANCY P. WEISS
“I think there I something special about a place that has been feeding people for almost 100 years,” said John Papp, owner of Noah’s Restaurant in Stonington. Papp surveys the world from a comfortable table next to the horseshoe shaped bar in the busy borough on the Connecticut shore. He has been operating from the same spot for 38 years and much to the relief of locals and anyone who appreciates fine food, he is not planning to leave anytime soon.
S
ince 1979, Papp, a transplant from the mid-West and now an inveterate New Englander, has provided his own special touch to the 75 seat establishment located on the corner of Church and Water Street. Following several years traveling around Europe, he stopped his camper
Photo courtesy of the Florence Griswold Museum
8
CONNECTICUT EAST
restaurant and the residents of Stonington settled into a place that welcomes everyone to share a meal and enjoy a conversation. John Papp’s attitude toward food is simple. He believes in cooking from scratch. The menu features specials every day that reflect what is available and fresh. From
trailer at Mystic Seaport, where he was allowed to discreetly park for several weeks. He and his former wife explored the area and discovered Stonington Borough. At the building that would become Noah’s, he met Freddie and Louise Fayal (the owners of the building that housed the restaurant) who wanted to sell and even better, were willing to hold the mortgage. Noah’s took shape and with the addition a year later of Stanley Schwartz, a friend and skilled baker, the region gained a remarkable destination
his Hungarian and Italian forebears, he inherited his bright green eyes and his acute sense of taste. He grew up with good food and wanted to do something that reflected his background and gave him free rein to experiment with a wide palette. Whether cooking with Stonington red shrimp, a local delicacy, or stirring up a breakfast omelet, he strives to run a very “egalitarian” restaurant by having something for everyone at a reasonable price. A year ago, Stanley Schwartz decided to retire. Noah’s might have been put up for sale to the highest bidder, but deep down John Papp was not ready to abandon the lifestyle and engagement that he enjoys. He also felt the community would suffer if Noah’s were dramatically altered. A new partner emerged, Andrew Field, who is also married to Papp’s step-daughter, Katie. Field has a background in the restaurant business having set up and managed a variety of establishments. He also worked at Noah’s and represents a new generation of ownership. “I have respect for the core values of the place. If there is joy in the kitchen, it reflects strongly in the food. I want to keep our employees and our customers happy,” said the 38-year old Field. On the wall between the bar and the dining room, there are three framed items that in another place might be a list of frequent diners. Instead, they celebrate the names of wait staff and restaurant workers who have worked for five years or more. On top are employees of more than 15 years. Andrew Field plans to carry on the tradition
as he values the workers as a true team. His mother-in-law, Debbie, began working at Noah’s three decades ago. A member of the Portuguese community, she grew up in the Borough where her grandfather owned a coffee shop. She joined Noah’s as a pastry chef and became general manager. Ten years ago, she married John Papp. They live upstairs above the restaurant and enjoy the comings and goings of their grandchildren. In the dining room large 2’x3’ photographs of Stonington storefronts at various times of the year catch one’s attention for
will add to the tradition while honoring the past. From the daily specials to the jovial atmosphere, where a server waxed poetic about the meals the staff enjoy at the end of the evening, Noah’s is a special place in a unique town that embraced the restaurant nearly four decades ago and shows no sign of stopping now.
their composition and color. More than decoration, the art prints are available for sale from John Papp Photography. From taking the shot to framing and mounting the finished product on the wall, Papp creates what he sees and what he wants to share. Noah’s Restaurant reflects the diverse interests and good taste of the original owners. The new partner, Andrew Field,
Stonington Borough is a charming seaside village situated on a mile-long peninsula, located midway between New York and Boston and just minutes from downtown Mystic. The Borough features quaint shops, eateries, and beautiful Inns for longer stays.
Noah’s Restaurant – 113 Water St., Stonington, CT, 860-535-3925 Noahsfinefood.com
To learn more visit http://stoningtonboroughct.com/
The Leader In Quality Custom Homes & Remodeling
From design to completion Woodstock Building Associates works together to ensure consistently superior craftsmanship. Building costs are tailored to fit your budget without compromising quality. If you are looking for an experienced, organized, cost conscious builder, call Woodstock Building Associates today.
HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF CONNECTICUT, INC.
CT Home Improvement Contractor #565903 • CT New Home Construction Contractor #160
Woodstock Building Associates, LLC • 78 Prospect Street • Woodstock, CT 06281 • 860.928.0897 • wbahomes.com
CONNECT IC UT E A S T
9
Outer Light Brewing Company
THE EASTERN CONNECTICUT CRAFT BEER EXPERIENCE BY CRIS CADIZ
Mike Teed and Cory Smith opened Black Pond Brews in 2010 in the basement of Danielson Adventure Sports, which happens to be my local bike shop in downtown Danielson. Our weekly shop ride is called Coast & Toast. It involves riding at a nearby state park and then heading back to the shop to eat, drink and socialize. Black Pond Brews has been pretty convenient for a group of thirsty mountain bikers. We got to sample whatever was freshly brewed and fill growlers to take home. Over the years, we have watched as Black Pond Brews grew and transformed a stark cement basement into a tidy, efficient brewing space and a really cool tasting room and patio. Mike and Cory are friendly and accommodating; they have created a great spot to hang out; and they love making beer. Interesting beer. Good beer!
C
raft beer enthusiasts in Connecticut have reason to be grateful for the recent rise and success of small breweries like Black Pond Brews. They can enjoy fresh brewed beer, right where it’s made, experience the creativity of the brewers and even get to know them. Thanks
to thirsty and curious beer lovers, avid homebrewers like Mike and Cory are now entrepreneurs working toward making their passion for beer into a living. “We have made lots of improvements,” says Mike, sliding his hand across the surface of a shabby chic bar crafted from repurposed wooden pallets and other salvaged wood. “We definitely look a lot less ‘budget’ now!” Black Pond Brews is currently one of just a few craft breweries in northeastern CT, but Mike says more are in planning stages now. “It’s been slow growing. When
we first opened there were only a dozen or so in the state, now we are pushing 60,” he says. “It takes a few years to get going so it’s nice to see people are thinking about opening up more in this region.” Black Pond Brews is a member of the Connecticut Brewer’s Guild, which has been around since 2012 but is now taking shape from a fairly informal group. “We need to become more organized,” says Mike. “The brewing industry has over 1,000 jobs in CT and that’s growing every month. The state should recognize and encourage that growth.” Mike says that legislation in 2012 was a step in the right direction. It allowed small breweries to have tasting rooms without food service and sell growlers, refillable “take home” bottles that usually hold 64 ounces. “Prior to that you could only function if you were big enough to have a bottling line, which is expensive,” he explains. “As soon as they offered up the retail aspect it made sense for small breweries to get started.” Black Pond Brews recently was approved for an additional license to serve pints. Formerly, they were only permitted to do tastings, usually an ounce or two to sample beers on-site, and growler fills. Like many other small breweries, BPB also distributes to local restaurants, which serve their beer on tap. Dana Bourque, President of the CT Brewers Guild and owner of Firefly Hollow Brewing (fireflyhollowbrewing.com) in Bristol, CT, is excited about the Connecticut’s fledgling craft brew scene. “I got into it 7 years ago in 2010, when there were only about a dozen small breweries in
Founded “to promote the interests of the fledgling craft beer scene in Connecticut,” the CT Brewers Guild is working to facilitate tourism through a website, a database, tours, and passport incentives. Currently, their Facebook page has information and events. “It’s a very exciting time for us,” says Dana. “We are young and there are lots of options. By the end of this year we should have some amazing resources up and running.”
Tom Drejer, who grew up in Cromwell, is co-owner of Outer Light Brewing Company in Groton. “As part of a small local brewery, I wear multiple hats…brewer, accountant, mechanic, accounts receivable, social media specialist, floor mopper…it goes on and it’s like that for most of us!” he says. Tom sees the growth of the state’s breweries as part of the overall trend in
the Northeast. “Craft beer is popular. The New England Style IPA is still captivating the hearts of new and long-time craft beer enthusiasts. That style has brought a lot of new people into the craft beer scene, and I think we’ll see people branch out to other styles of beer. Craft beer enthusiasts love to try to new things.” The growth of CT breweries is in part due to state regulations and legislation, but it relies on customers who care about their beer and their communities. “Our society has become much more focused on the environment and realize the importance of keeping things local, helping our own economies,” says Tom. “It all makes the local area a better place to live, and small businesses are in turn focused on how they can do more for their communities as they grow. Outer Light has a “child friendly” taproom on Bridge Street in Groton with seating where you can drop in for pints, flight, growlers and cans. They encourage guests to bring in their own food or get take-out from local restaurants that deliver. They keep a book of menus on hand for that purpose. “In eastern CT, we have a bunch of breweries…none that should be missed!”
Custom Wood Flooring - From Our Forests to Your Floors
Conserving Forests | Crafting Wood | Since 1965
the state. The Guild now has 40 members, which does not include everyone. That’s a 300-400% increase in less than decade.” Dana suggests that to get a sense for what’s happening in your state, drink local. “Try the small batch stuff that the brewer wanted to test out because it was a product he or she was excited about. Going to the establishment is the best way to see what cool fun new stuff your local brewery is coming out with.”
• Mill-direct value from CT’s largest sawmill • Our wood comes from well-managed U.S. forests • Wide plank wood floors available unfinished or prefinished • Post and beam timbers in Oak and Pine up to 26 feet long • Custom wooden stair parts, mouldings, trim, and paneling • Our foresters work with local landowners, helping them keep their forests as forests
Flooring showroom open Mon-Fri 8:00-4:30 or by appt. 101 Hampton Road (Route 97) Pomfret Center, CT 06259 1-800-928-9602 • www.hullforest.com
CONNEC T IC UT E A S T
11
in their beers. We have always strived to help educate the consumer by brewing a variety of styles, which ultimately widens the awareness to beer and the versatility of the brewer.” “With the change in licensing around 5 years ago the brewing industry in CT has exploded,” says Dave. “You now can travel throughout the state and find fresh, local and innovative beers brewed by craft brewers. Each one of us are brewing unique and flavorful beers and serving a thirsty public.” Dave points out how much the state benefits from the craft beer industry and the added tourism it provides. “Thousands of dollars are poured into local communities due to the effects of passionate brewers and their desire to make something special for the consumers.” At Black Pond Brews, Mike Teed knows that success equals good beer. He laments that Connecticut’s small breweries are making a lot of really good beer and not getting recognized, some that have won international awards. “There’s a lot of hype behind Vermont and Massachusetts breweries,” he says. “The same thing goes for New Hampshire and Maine; there are lots of really great breweries you just don’t hear about.” Mike suggests that CT beer lovers explore craft beer in their own back yards. “Take the time to check out what’s available locally. Even if you haven’t heard a lot about us in the big magazines, we have a lot of up and coming places that are really great.”
Outer Light Brewing Company
says Tom. He suggests visiting The CT Brewer’s Guild Facebook page and staying tuned to that group’s efforts to organize an official CT Beer Trail. The Willimantic Brewing Company is the longest running craft brewery in eastern CT. Widely known as Willi Brew, it is a popular pub that attracts people for its food, beer and unique setting in a historic building in downtown Willimantic. “We opened as Main Street Café in 1991 as a sandwich, coffee, and ice cream deli,” says David Wollner, head brewer and manager. In 1997 after nearly a year of renovations, they moved into the stately 1909 granite and limestone U.S. Post Office Building, which had lain vacant for nearly 30 years, and became a full service craft beer restaurant. Willi Brew serves tasty pub food plus an extensive selection of American and other local beers on tap. They also feature an on-site seven-barrel brewery where Dave, a highly respected master brewer, crafts their own beers. “We had to begin educating the consumer as to what flavorful beers should taste like and how they pair well with food,” says Dave. “We would have beer dinners featuring local breweries and highlighted the brewers and how their passion for brewing is reflected
Visit & Taste! Black Pond Brews, Danielson, CT Open Thurs – Sunday for pints, tastings, and growler fills to go.
East Hampton: Fat Orange Cat Brew Co. (seasonal – fatorangecatbrewco.com) Norwich: Epicure Brewing (www.facebook.com/epicurebrewing/)
Outer Light Brewery and Tap Room, Groton, CT Open Wed – Sunday for pints, tastings, and growler fills to go.
These Guys Brewing Company (brew pub - www.theseguysbrewing.com) Salem: Fox Farm Brewery (www.foxfarmbeer.com)
Willimantic Brewing Company, Willimantic – restaurant and brewery CT Brewers Guild – also a good source of info on locally crafted beer www.facebook.com/CTBrewersGuild/
Fat Orange Cat Brew Co.
12
CONNECTICUT EAST
Eastern CT Beer Trip Danielson: Black Pond Brews (www.blackpondbrews.com) Willimantic: Willimantic Brewing Company (brew pub - willibrew.com)
Haddam: Steady Habit Brewing Company (steadyhabitbrewingcompany.com) Stonington: Beer’d Brewing Company (beerdbrewing.com), Groton: Outer Light Brewing Company (www.outerlightbrewing.com) Pawcatuck: Cottrell Brewing Co. (www.cottrellbrewing.com)
FRESH AIR AND SUNSHINE FOR ALL AT EKONK HILL TURKEY FARM:
This Popular Source of Pasture-Raised Turkeys adds a Corn Maze for Fall Visitors BY CAROLINE SLOAT
Turkey on the table is a Thanksgiving tradition. Anyone interested in more than “just any” turkey should consider a bird raised at Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm on Route 49 in Sterling, CT, where the Hermonot family’s enthusiasm for agriculture has diversified into a large operation that still looks and feels a lot like a family farm.
I
t’s not just about turkeys anymore: this being the twenty-first century, the hilltop farm has evolved into a destination that is well worth a visit. It’s possible to spend time walking around and also buy farm produce including reserving a holiday turkey. Each fall there is a corn maze to explore; barnyard animals to visit; and a shop selling frozen cuts of farm-raised meat, baked goods, sandwiches and… ice cream But the story begins with turkeys. Rick Hermonot, who studied agriculture in college, began raising turkeys for his family’s Thanksgiving as a hobby twenty years ago. Friends and neighbors soon came along asking how they might buy one of their turkeys, so the family tradition gradually took off into a business. As the number of turkeys being raised grew, so did the need for more space. Originally from western Connecticut, the family purchased a foreclosed house and farm with a dairy barn and set to work cleaning up the overgrown site. It is hard to imagine that this part of Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm’s history is so recent. The Hermonots are now the largest growers of pasture-raised turkey in Connecticut. On a recent visit in August 2017 some 3,500 birds were enjoying a healthy diet, with plenty of fresh air and sunshine. Elsewhere around the farm were chickens, goats, sheep, beef cattle, and field crops. “It sounds like a lot and it looks like a lot, but what we raise is a blip in the
universe of raising turkeys,” says Katie Hermonot. Turkeys are seasonal, she explains. “They lay their eggs seasonally and we obtain our poults from a hatchery.” The poults are delivered in batches through the
spring and early summer to have birds of different sizes for her customers. The farm raises two different kinds of turkey. Broad breasted whites comprise the majority of the flock. “They are the standard breed raised in
CONNECTIC UT E A S T
13
the United States, but we don’t raise them the same way as the birds generally found in supermarkets—plump and with big breasts. Ours get plenty of exercise outside on grass.” This has the additional benefit of making the birds more disease resistant. Although in the summer the turkeys prefer to cluster in the open barn during the daytime to stay out of the heat, they are free to go outside and do spend most of the time outdoors in the fall once the days are cooler. Because turkeys are “extremely curious (Katie’s words), they will follow me around the farm.” She proved this by taking this writer into the grassy brush of their empty fenced-in field where they were soon surrounded by a flock of turkeys, who came out
14
CONNECTICUT EAST
of their barn to check on their visitors. When we moved on, they returned to the shade of the barn until evening when they wander out under the watchful eye of Blue, an Anatolian Shepherd chosen because it is a nocturnal breed. Blue works the night shift and will bark at any predator that he doesn’t know. Because the turkeys spend much of the day in their barn most visitors to the farm don’t see the full complement of turkeys being raised. A small number of turkeys and other poultry are housed near the farm entrance for visitors to see (and hear their characteristic clucking and gobbling). There are also some sheep and goats in a nearby enclosure.
By Thanksgiving, the white turkeys will have grown to weigh between twelve and thirty-five pounds depending on when they arrived at Ekonk Hill. Katie also raises a few (between sixty and eighty) heritage breed turkeys. They are characteristically “long and lanky and have more dark meat.” They take longer to raise and end up smaller, typically between eight and fourteen pounds. Although, she observes, “anyone ordering a bird from us has to understand that we can only promise a weight within a range, and even that depends on weather and other conditions while the bird is being raised.” Through hard work and intensive study of agricultural practices, the Hermonot family has turned a rundown property into a viable business needing additional space. Three years ago, they had the opportunity to
purchase adjacent farmland where they now grow hay and corn for their animals and for sale. The family–Rick and Elena and their daughters Ashley and Katie–now farms three hundred and thirty acres of land that has been preserved for agricultural use. Brothers Chris and Jon now have their own farms. Each has a degree from UConn where all studied in the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources “in the parts of the program that interested each of us,” says Katie. For her, that was sustainable agriculture and food systems and included a semester abroad in Florence, Italy. They continue to stay in touch with their faculty mentors, who in fact recommended the benefit of building the barn for their expanding flock. As the farm has grown, it became clear that to thrive in a seasonal business such as raising turkeys, it was necessary to be able to do more than sell whole birds. Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm is now a state-licensed poultry processing facility. The Hermonots were among the farmers who lobbied for the Connecticut legislature to create a state inspection program so that local agriculture, especially farmers who do not slaughter year round, can compete with Massachusetts and other states. Now Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm can sell turkey at farmers markets and their own farm store. The store freezer is filled with turkey parts, ground turkey and sausage meat, as well as chicken, and cuts of beef cattle, pigs, lamb, and goats that they raise. The meat for sale at the farm store and farmers markets “for anyone who feels like we do about their food,” says Katie. Farm-raised turkey is also cooked on site to make into tasty sandwiches and pies available at the store. Katie admits that the family “is pulled in a lot of directions.” We are running a farm, and “things are always breaking down.” Despite this, “we are able to expand every year.” The store, managed by Ashley Hermonot, has taken over the old dairy barn. In the summer (and winter weekends), the store is open for lunches, farm-made ice cream, baked goods and an assortment of Connecticut- and New England-made country gifts. Ashley is responsible for participation in farmers markets, currently going out to three each week. Some of the items now carried in the store are made by vendors she has met at the farmers markets. “And to think this all
began because we were selling our turkeys out of a barn door,” she reminisces. How does one order a turkey? Call the farm at (860) 5640248 or print the order form off the website http:// www.ekonkhillturkeyfarm.com/ordering_info.html. Turkeys are $4.99 a pound and require a $20 deposit. “We will come as close to the requested size as possible,” Katie promises. A limited number of group tours can be arranged. Examples of groups who have visited include Girl Scouts, horse groups, and homeschoolers. “We want to show how we raise the animals, but plan the tours around our other work,” Katie observes. Call (860)
564-0248 or e-mail info@ekonkhillturkeyfarm.com to make arrangements. The Corn Maze is open weekends through October and includes wagon rides around the farm. Admission includes unlimited access to the corn maze, mini maze, barnyard animals, hayrides, ring toss, corn hole, and more! The maze stays open after dark on Saturdays for Night Maze between 6 and 9 p.m. in October (bring your own flashlight!). The farm store is open daily until new years, but because hours change seasonally and are shorter as the days get colder, a check on the farm’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ ekonkhillturkeyfarm/) is recommended before heading over.
Rendezvous with friends in 2018. 825 Colonel Ledyard Highway (On CT Route 117) • Ledyard, CT 06339 860.464.2987 • www.mauglesierravineyards.com
LIVE MUSIC FRI 6-9 AND SUNDAY 3-6 CONNECT IC UT E A S T
15
An Art Adventure: Artists’ Open Studios of Northeast CT BY CRIS CADIZ
Ever wonder what it’s like to live the artist’s life? The chance to answer this question is available every year in private studios throughout northeastern Connecticut. Artists’ Open Studios (AOS) is a free, self-guided tour of the workspaces of over 80 artists in 26 towns. It’s a chance to meet painters, sculptors, fiber artists, photographers, metal-smiths, woodworkers, potters, glass artists, jewelers, and other fine artists. It’s an opportunity to ask questions, see demonstrations, and even buy original art directly from the creator. AOS occurs every Thanksgiving weekend and the weekend following; next year will be the event’s 30th anniversary.
“W
e have a lot of new artists this year – 90 showing in 52 venues,” says Aline Hoffman of Maple Brook Studio. “Some venues are individual studios and some are groups. I am always surprised at how many people look at our brochure and then ask me in what place the show is held.” AOS of NE CT was founded in 1988 by fine artist Shauna Shane of Fenton River Studio. “Shauna started it in Mansfield with a few neighbors,” says Aline. “I think her idea was to educate people. That’s our first by-law. I think our last is to sell art. I started my gallery in 1988 and 1990 was my first year participating. Nobody came here because I was the only person outside Man
16
CONNECTICUT EAST
sfield/Storrs. Then it began to expand.” AOS provides the public with unique opportunities to meet artists, explore a wide variety of art forms, and support a valued tradition of creativity in our state. Aline has been President of Artists’ Open Studios since she retired as a school counselor in 2006. Like many artists in AOS, Aline has been making art her entire life. The walls of her cozy 1840s home in the historic section of Coventry show her diversity as an artist over the years. One can see her evolution from pen & ink
and oils to delicate Chinese brush painting to her current passion, pyrography, which is the process of burning designs into wood with heated tools. In her studio, the delicate feathered visages of owls, raptors and other birds gaze back from the walls, inscribed with heat and fire onto natural wood surfaces. Touring Aline’s home and studio is the essence of AOS. One sees the person behind the creations. The life of an artist can sometimes be isolating. So, while AOS was created to educate people about art and artists, it also benefits
the artists themselves, who welcome people into their workspaces to share ideas, inspiration, techniques and more. Gathered around Aline’s dining room table today are three other artists who participate in AOS by showing their work at Maple Brook Studio. “The origination of AOS was visiting artists in their studio space and watching them work,” says Aline. “But not everyone has a studio space.” Jean Henderson is a photographer who has shared her work at Maple Brook Studio the past two years. Her graceful prints include close-ups of flowers and water. “Something will catch my eye, a pattern, a raindrop. My soul responds to something. Nature is my studio and my bedroom is my
digital base,” says Jean, who has learned you cannot separate art from the artist. “My primary motivation is to be a role model for mental health clients and their families.” Jean has bipolar disorder and sees her art as a way to reach out to others with mental health issues. “Nobody told me I could get better,” she says. “Then in 2009 I approached my youthful passion and taught myself through online resources. The photography has helped my healing process. I am doing what I was sent here to do. I found it’s much more important to me to be the role model than to make sales. Last year’s open studio I risked [sharing this] and it was very well received.”
Linda Popper creates “organic jewelry” using sustainably sourced shells, pearls, gemstones, and recycled materials for her business Nature’s Artistry. She travels to shows across the country for much of the year selling her work. “I’m a gypsy, an itinerant artist,” she laughs. Her jewelry is inspired by her love of nature and she sees AOS as a chance to spread her mission more than sell. As an artist who supports herself with her work, she is clearly a good business person, but she also values art that is approachable and sells her work at a variety of price points. “I try to bring it in at a reasonable cost. I call it a celebration of mother nature. My philosophy is how can we revere if people are excluded?” This is Linda’s 5th year showing at Aline’s studio “We like to talk about inspiration and our methods. I like to talk about conservation because I am a conservationist. I love the education process,” she says. “Frankly, I could make a lot more money someplace else. I like sharing what I do and teaching my neighbors about it.” AOS was also designed to “develop a sense of shared community and support among artists.” Maple Brook Studio is a perfect example. Aline, Linda and Jean share an obvious supportive connection through their art. “We have a mutual admiration society,” says Aline. “I really saw Jean blossom last year and become more confident.” Linda sees the event as a great opportunity for emerging artists to be educated and to network with other artists. “Every year we are approached here by artists… ‘I’m thinking of doing this,’ they say…We encourage them to ask questions.”
“Some people do rely on this for sales,” says Aline. “It’s their biggest couple days of the year. But it’s not just walking into a cold gallery and looking at art.” According to Aline, the audience at Maple Brook Studio changes every year. Aline’s husband Bill also participates in AOS. A self-described “bladesmith,” he makes handcrafted knives at his on-site forge. “Many come to see Bill’s knives, especially men,” says Aline. “I work with red hot metal and a 4K pound power hammer. For me it’s more of a craft than art,” he explains.
NEWCITY BUILDERS, LLC
The Foundation Replacement Specialists Newcity Builders LLC and Midstate Excavation & Landscaping LLC are proud to announce their merger to provide customers suffering from crumbling foundations the highest quality foundation replacement, and customer service that is second to none. 24 Mason Lane • Somers, CT 06071 860.919.5619 • www.newcitybuildersllc.com License NHC.0012117
CONNECTIC UT E A S T
17
people find their workspaces. Brochures are available to download/print online, pick up at participating venues or email aosct@ earthlink.net. The 26 towns of AOS: Andover, Ashford, Bolton, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Eastford, Hampton, Hebron, Killingly, Lebanon, Mansfield, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Stafford, Thompson, Tolland, Union, Willington, Windham, Woodstock, Sterling.
Bill made his first knife at age 12 and didn’t make anything else until he was ready to retire. Then he went to school in Arkansas to better learn the craft. “I have become known around town as the knife guy,” he says. This is as much for the successful sharpening business he also runs, including a popular booth at the Coventry Farmer’s Market. Most of Bill’s knives are made by commission only and include hunting, kitchen and utility knives. Tim Rainville is Vice President of Artists’ Open Studios. His woodworking business, The Looking Glass Shoppe, is hidden away in East Woodstock, where he relies on word of mouth to attract business. Tim creates unique contemporary pieces that combine wood and metal. He also offers furniture restoration and conservation,
18
CONNECTICUT EAST
which he has done for over twenty years. “I like being in my shop doing restoration work, preserving family history.” He clearly values the secluded nature of his shop but opening his studio during AOS is a good way to introduce the public to his work and to his processes. AOS occurs every Thanksgiving weekend and the weekend following. “For people visiting family during the holidays, it gives them something to do. Some make it an annual tradition,” says Linda. “You can’t do it all so they do different regions every year.” The AOS website is a great resource for planning your art adventure. You can search by artist name or location. All the different media are listed as categories, so you can organize your exploration by what kind of art you like. Or do it by geography. Each artist has an online profile, with location, description, images and website link if they have one. There are links to directions and a map on nearly every page. The AOS printed brochure is also an indispensable tool. A redesigned format with map and directory is easy to manipulate and to navigate with in the car. Visitors are also guided by purple and gold signs that artists place on the roadside in their neighborhoods to help
www.aosct.org www.facebook.com/aosct.org Artists’ Open Studios of Northeast CT November 24, 25, 26 & December 2 & 3, 2017. Open 10am - 5pm each day. Note: not every location is open every day. See website/brochure for details. Aline & Bill Hoffman, Maple Brook Studio & Forge (www.maplebrookstudio.net) Linda Popper, Jewelry, Nature’s Artistry (www.naturesartistry.biz) Jean Henderson, Photography (jeanhendersonart.com) Tim Rainville, The Looking Glass Shoppe, East Woodstock
Winter Activities at Connecticut Audubon BY CRIS CADIZ
Although many birds have flown south and the landscape might be hidden in snow, winter is not a quiet time at the Connecticut Audubon Society’s Pomfret and Hampton locations. The Grassland Bird Conservation Center, Bafflin Sanctuary and Trail Wood all feature numerous activities both indoors and out all winter long. In addition, anyone may use the walking trails year round, from dawn to dusk for free. “Winter is all about getting out and walking” says Director Sarah Heminway. “We’ve got over 10 miles of walking trails, peoplecan also cross-country ski and snowshoe, but we ask all to stay on our designated trails.”
S
arah’s favorite spot on the Bafflin Sanctuary 700 acres during winter is Alfalfa Hill on the Cheyne Link Trail. “As long as the wind is not howling too hard, this is a wonderful spot with spectacular views.” Trail maps are available online or at the Center on Day Rd in Pomfret. “For those who prefer a guided experience, there are lots of options throughout the winter. Twice a week, we have scheduled walks” Through February 29th, Wednesday Noon Walks for all ages (including seniors and babes in backpacks) offer fresh air, exercise, good company and naturalist lessons along the way. Thursday Morning Walks start at 8:30 a.m. for those interested in “getting out on the trails in the quiet beauty of the early day.” These weekly guided walks on the Bafflin Sanctuary are led by CT Audubon volunteers and are free to CAS Members; $3 for non members. Sanctuary Manager and expert birder, Andy Rzeznikiewicz, leads Monthly Bird Walks on Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. (Dec. 28, Jan. 18, Feb. 22) to search for wintering species such as horned larks, ducks, hawks, sparrows, and more. Monthly Owl Walks are scheduled on Saturdays (Dec. 30, Jan. 20, Feb. 17) at 7:00 p.m., to find Screech, Bard and Great Horned Owls. The cost for these programs is $5 CAS members; $10 non-members. Does serious animal tracking pique your interest? Consider their Citizen Science Mammal Monitoring Program. Winter is a great time to find track and sign of fisher, river otter, mink, fox, bobcat, coyote and more in snow-covered forests and fields. An adult program, this is a volunteer training program
for wildlife trackers to monitor study sites in northeastern Connecticut. Winter wildlife tracking workshops are held on Saturdays. An Introductory Winter Tracking Hike is scheduled Saturday Dec. 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Four winter wildlife winter tracking hikes are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Jan. 6, Jan. 20, Feb. 3, Feb. 17). Registration is required. Group walks on Trail Wood’s 168 acre sanctuary are also scheduled this winter. Second Sunday Walks offer a chance to “soak up
winter’s beauty with our caretaker at 2:00 PM (Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11). You can discover the magic of Trail Wood in the moonlight on a Full Moon Walk at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 31 and Mar. 1. “In January, February and March we run as much programing as we can on Sunday afternoons,” Sarah says. “Folks are getting cabin fever, and want to get outside. So we try to do a combination of walks, lectures and art openings.” The indoor space at the grassland center at Day Rd, lends itself well to art exhibits. Shows by talented wildlife and landscape artists in painting, photography and more can be seen year round. Programs are scheduled for all ages, including afterschool nature clubs for grades K-6. Winter is a great time to search for animal tracks and sign, which become more obvious in snow. For the protection of the wildlife, sanctuary rules stipulate that all visitors must walk only on the designated trails and to keep their dogs at home. The Connecticut Audubon Society is a member supported organization. If you appreciate the work they are doing and the programs they provide, consider offering your support and joining. For more information visit www.ctaudubon.org/pomfret or call (860) 928-4948.
We are a local Family owned business. Open: Monday - Friday 9 to 5 Saturday 9 to 2
Distinctive Cabinetry & Flooring for Your Home or Office
The most comprehensive cabinet and flooring showroom in Eastern CT! Our showroom is set up to provide you with a pleasant environment in which you may explore the many displays of the products we offer. Come on by and browse our extensive showroom! 27 Meadow Street, Willimantic, CT 06226 • 860.450.8442 • www.designcentereast.com CONNECTIC UT E A S T
19
Cooking Collaboration Fosters Business Savvy and Locally Grown Products BY NANCY P. WEISS
Grow. Cook. Share. That is the mission of CLiCK, a remarkable organization located on a quiet country road just outside of downtown Willimantic. From the sturdy building, to the sprawling community garden, 33-tree fruit orchard, beehives and the labyrinth, CLiCK is a refreshing take on how to combine an open-hearted philosophy about locally grown food with clear-eyed competence in processing, packaging and marketing products made by small entrepreneurs.
CLiCK began in 2009 as a dream
by members of the successful Willimantic Food Co-op. They saw a need for local farmers to have a place where they could process the raw materials they grew into marketable products. With a pilot grant from the Access Community Action Agency and support from a variety of state and local funders, CLiCK opened its doors as the first processing kitchen in Eastern Connecticut in 2014. Soon chefs, producers, educators, small business start-ups and a wide range of people interested in food in all its aspects, embraced the facility, the atmosphere and the expertise of the people involved. Nicki Hoop, who greets visitors from her desk near the front door, is an example of the variety of participants at CLiCK. She operates Trinity Love Café, which specializes in baked items based on recipes from the 14th-17 centuries. Hoop said: “I have friends with food allergies, so I wanted to go back to original 20
CONNECTICUT EAST
cooking that could be adapted. I make a variety of meat, chicken and vegetable pies with no processed meats. Everything is organic and gluten-free.” Hoop’s small business and dedication to high quality is a theme that permeates all the operations at CLiCK. With twenty-two members representing a wide variety of culinary interests and over 250 years of combined professional experience in food preparation and processing, CLiCK needs a steady, but visionary hand. In Rachael LaPorte, the organization has a trained, talented, hard-working individual, who also operates her own business out of the CLiCK professional kitchen, in addition to serving on a part-time basis as Operations Manager.
LaPorte grew up on a farm in Lebanon, CT. A graduate of the culinary program at Windham Technical School, she won a scholarship to Johnson & Wales College in Providence where she earned a degree in culinary arts and restaurant management. Soon she was traveling the world, working in kitchens from California to Italy, with many stops along the way. After a decade of exploring and learning, she returned home and earned a Master’s degree in curriculum development. Her background and her personal interest in the intersection of health, wellness and food science led her to create her own company, Simply Fresh Solutions with her business partner, Shawn Guiney. Simply Fresh Solutions offers an alternative to fast food at a price close to the average fast-food meal of $9.97. LaPorte cooks over 500 meals in 8 hours in the commercial kitchen using locally grown meats and vegetables, including chicken from Woodstock Sustainable Farms, and ground beef and bones for bone broth from Blue Slope Farm in Franklin. The meals are packed in corn based pans, which can be reheated in the oven. Customers pick up their orders at five locations, including a new spot at the Hale YMCA in Putnam. Because Rachael uses the facility at CLiCK herself, she knows first-hand how to create the right environment for other food companies. CLiCK is a one-stop place for food entrepreneurs. At the facility there are professional blenders, slicers, steam kettles, a 10 burner gas range, packaging and bottling equipment, a large deep chill freezer, a large refrigerator, storage space, vegetable wash and prep areas, sanitation equipment and an area for shipping and receiving with a loading dock. Members are assessed a yearly membership fee and pay to reserve time and space for their particular operations on an hourly basis.
The physical plant meets state inspection standards for health and safety, which is a major asset for individuals starting in the food business, but it is the spirit of CLiCK that makes it especially valuable. CLiCk is a place to share ideas and learn new skills. As Rachel LaPorte said, “A passion for food doesn’t necessarily keep the lights on and owning one’s own business is a struggle.” At CLiCK, members can participate in meetings at the business development center. The operation is a Commercially licensed co-op, Class 4 kitchen. Classes are offered in various culinary techniques and conversations are fostered between chefs and farmers to optimize collaboration. There is free ad space on the “Business Wall” and pubic events to promote new businesses. Currently there are 22 business operating from the CLiCK building. These range from hot sauces, such as Dragons Blood Elixir, to Big Baby’s Pop Shop- Gourmet Popsicles, Live on Calm-Bucha- a kombucha tea maker, Square A Bakery – cookies, Willi Wings – hot wings food cart to a beauty products maker – The Raw Era.
The teaching kitchen seats 50 people and is used for ServSafe Classes, culinary groups, community groups and staff training. Plans include updating the demonstration area for recording and broadcasting classes on the internet to remote locations. A private funder has offered a matching grant to create a retail space in the front of the building to give the local community a chance to purchase CLiCK made products. The gift is part of the web of support that established and helps to continue the entire operation. With grants from USDA and CEDF (Community Economic Development fund), CLiCK also partners with Windham area non-profits as well as with two local universities, Eastern Connecticut State University and the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. Quinebaug Valley Community College is also involved. Students from the schools’ complete internships at the facility. Hedley Freake, a member of the board and a professor of nutritional science at UConn has expanded his view of CLiCK over the years. “I became involved in CLiCK because I was it as a useful way in which to integrate UConn students into the Wilimantic community. But my involvement grew as I saw the power of the idea of giving local people from all backgrounds a place where they could launch a business that would give them a meaningful livelihood and stimulate the local food economy. Both commercial and teaching kitchens serve as important venues that allow students and community members to learn about food and nutrition in a practical way with positive consequences for their health,” he said.
As Rachael LaPorte listed the number of members of CLiCK, creators of everything from Mexican to Mandarin, hot sauce to ice pops and gluten-free, vegan desserts, she also summed up the goals of the organization in saying: “Stop by CLiCK and let us make your dream a reality. Come join our healthy community of caring individuals.” Contact CLiCK are 860-786-7907 or email: rachael.clickwillimantic@gmail.com or office.clickwillimantic@gmail.com on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ CLiCK.Willimantic.
Ackert Electric has been providing satisfaction for their customers since 1993. Whether you’re building a new home, fixing up an older one or your business is in need of professional electrical services, Ackert Electric is here to help. Give us a call at
860-742-9506 or visit us at Ackertelectric.com
Lic.# E-1 125274
CONNECTIC UT E A S T
21
THE WINE CELLAR AT 85 MAIN Chic and Cozy with an Eye On Value BY NANCY P. WEISS
85 Main, a bustling restaurant at the heart of the thriving Putnam business district, always offers more than meets the eye. On the street level diners enjoy contemporary American cuisine and mingle at tables surrounded by brightly colored paintings or slip into the back and choose a high top table and order sushi or fresh oysters while enjoying a spot at the bar. Three years ago owners Barry and Brian Jessurun and Executive Chef –owner, James Martin refurbished and opened another portion of 85 Main, The Wine Cellar.
S
ince opening day, the Wine Cellar has been the site of lively parties, business meetings, showers, birthday celebrations and quiet, romantic dinners for patrons who choose to be seated in the warm, European-style space. The staff is happy to seat diners there at any time and it is especially busy on Friday and Saturday evening. Barry Jessurun teamed up with design professional Kevin Tubridy to renovate the space. Jessurun knew what he wanted. With a background in theatre, he wanted to create a set where customers would feel transported. The room features a stone wine cave lined with shelves and bins brimming 22
CONNECTICUT EAST
with wine bottles. Three large aerial photographs of Connecticut vineyards, taken by local artist, Leslie Sweetnam, add interest to a long wall, painted in earth tones. Butcher block counters and table tops echo the dĂŠcor making the room, which can accommodate 30 people at a seated dinner
or 34 standing, a special place for a group or a couple. The Wine Cellar lives up to its name in the extent and variety of the wines offered. The premium wine list is value priced, according to Jessurun, who explained that often wines are marked up two to three times their cost. From Sunday to Thursday, when one orders from the Wine
Cellar list, there is 20% off. “I’m all about creating value. That’s my strength as a manager and that has been the guiding principle at 85 Main for the past 13 years. The Wine Cellar adds value by giving our patrons the opportunity to enjoy special wines in a pleasant environment at a very good price,” Jessurun said. The Wine Cellar menu focuses on local products created by local people as part of the 85 Main kitchen. Fresh fish and shellfish hold a special place in the repertoire and wait staff are trained to help diners choose wines that pair well with their meals. Bar manager and wine buyer, Justin Cyr, who began working at The Vine, the predecessor to 85 Main, is as enthusiastic as if he had been hired last week. He noted that the Wine Cellar is busy all the time with private parties and private dining and that he and the owners enjoy keeping the wine list fresh and ever changing. “We taste a variety of wines at wine tastings, perhaps 70 or more. Then James, Barry, Brian and I talk about the wines we like. That’s how we pick what will be
HAIR SALON
Elegant Edge &
DAY SPA
“Where Elegant and Edge Come Together” Full Body Massage by Melissa $20 off your initial 60 Min. Massage $10 off a Full set of Gel nails & Buy 3 Shellac Manicure get one FREE Manicures • Pedicures Facials & Spa Treatments Perm & Color Specialists Men’s, Women’s & Children’s Haircuts Highlights • Body Waxing
Let us take the stress out of your special day.
11 Phelps Way, Willington • 860-429-7900 Elegantedgedayspa@gmail.com ElegantEdgeHairSalonandDaySpa.com Hours: Tues: 9AM - 5PM • Wed-Thurs: 9AM - 8PM Fri: 9AM - 5PM • Sat: 9AM - 3PM • Sun & Mon: Closed
offered on the wine list. We stock the wine room with the bottles we like. That gives more confidence to our staff and ourselves that we know what we have and feel good about serving it. The selection is based on our palates,” Cyr said with a chuckle.
85 Main opens every day of the week at 11:30 am. Dinner is served from 5-9 pm. For reservations and to be on the mailing list for special events at the Wine Cellar, contact Dawn@85main.com or call 860-928-1660.
8 5 main
“An outing to 85 Main can make you feel like you’ve been on vacation” - Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Seafood • Steak • Vegetarian • Full Bar • Creative Cocktails Extensive Wine List • Gluten Free • Inspired Daily Specials Gift Cards Available • Private Dining Room
American Fusion Cuisine
fresh, local, organic, sustainable, artistically driven ingredients
Casual Fine Dining
inviting & contemporary bar atmosphere, seasonal outdoor dining enjoy our raw bar, sushi, lunch, dinner, or late night bar menu served daily 11:30am to 11:00pm
ZAGAT RATED 2016 HHHHH ZAGAT RATED 2016 HHHHH
James Martin Named Connecticut Restaurant Association’s 2014 Restaurateur of the Year Best Seafood, Best Wine List, Best Mixed Drinks, Best Bartender – Norwich Bulletin 2016 City Beat Customer Satisfaction Award!
ZAGAT RATED 2016 HHHHH
85 Main St. Putnam CT • www.85main.com • 860.928.1660 CONNECTIC UT E A S T
23
www.quietcornerinn.com Newly Renovated • Cable TV with HBO Non Smoking Rooms • Micro/Fridge Available Air Conditioned • Hairdryers In All Rooms Free Highspeed Internet • Restaurants/Shopping Nearby
Exit 37-W Off 395 • Rt. 6
Major Credit Cards Accepted
Minutes From Foxwoods Casino & Mohegan Sun
860•774•9644
479 Providence Rd. (Rt. 6) Brooklyn, CT
Daniel’s Plumbing Hot Water Heaters Service Work Remodeling New Construction Licensed & Insured CT Lic. 0286452. P1
justcalldaniel.com
860-753-1149
A Whole New Experience in Personal Grooming!
With over 15 years of experience, we offer skin care, body waxing, professional hair cut & color to our valued customers. All services are performed by certified and highly trained technicians in a clean and comfortable environment. Our belief that waxing should not be viewed as a luxury, but as part of a routine beauty process, inspires us to offer affordable pricing.
20 Bank Street • New London, CT 06320 860-574-9266 • www.onepersonalgrooming.com