Ink Magazine - February 2018

February 2018

publicationsÂŽ

www.inkct.com

Vol 14 Issue 147 2018

A guide to finer living in Connecticut & abroad.

Complimentary

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www.inkct.com

Features

FEBRUARY 2018

Columns, Reviews, Events

ISSUE CONTENTS

The Cheesemonger

Everything You Need to Know About Fondue

Pandemonium and Serenity: Par for the Course at Ashleigh’s Garden

pg. 10

pg. 60

The Cupping Room Why Drink Tea?...Clear, Calm…Really.

pg. 64

On The Vine Cabernet Sauvignon

pg. 68

February Events pg. 70

Upcoming events in Connecticut

Old Shoes, New Footprints Keeping it Local at Penny Lane Pub

pg. 18

Good Night Lights Banishing the Bogeyman for Sick Children

pg. 26

Between a Prince and A Lady A Decade of Super Bowl Halftime Shows

pg. 34

Get your Ink online at inkct.com Share your favorite stories with friends on Social Media!

On the cover this month: Artwork by Mirel Emanuel Ologeanu, 2013

INK staff Contributors:

Advertising:

Jeffery Lilly- founder/publisher/webmaster

Contact us to receive our media kit complete with detailed advertising information including ad rates, demographics, and distribution in your area.

Stephanie Sittnick - publisher/sales/design

The Hartford Art Sled Derby

Carolyn Battisa - editorial

Downhill Art in Elizabeth Park

Laurencia Ciprus - editorial

pg. 44

Caryn B. Davis - editorial/photography

Susan Cornell - editorial

Charmagne Eckert - editorial Mark Seth Lender - Cardinal Points Nancy LaMar-Rodgers - editorial Barbara Malinsky - editorial

The Slater Memorial Museum:

Rona Mann - editorial

A Treasure Trove of Art From Five Continents

Anthony Reczek - editorial

pg. 52

We encourage the public to submit stories, poems, photography, essays, and all things creative. If you know of a person or place of interest, please submit your ideas to: submissions@ink-pub.com We will do our best to put your ideas in INK.

Paul Partica - The Cheesemonger

Please direct your advertising inquiries and questions to: Stephanie Sittnick - Director of Advertising advertising@ink-pub.com - 860-227-8199 Cheryl Powell - Greater Connecticut cheryl@ink-pub.com - 860-608-5749 Rona Mann - Clinton, CT - Rhode Island six07co@att.net - 401-539-7762 Jacki Hornish - Litchfield jacki@inkct - 860-488-0393

A. Vincent Scarano - photography Every issue is printed using 100% Soy based ink.

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

INK PUBLISHING, LLC 107 Hemlock Valley Rd., East Haddam, CT email: info@ink-pub.com www.inkct.com

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Pandemonium and Serenity: Par for the Course at Ashleigh’s Garden

by RONA MANN / Photos by Stephanie Sittnick

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here are many articles that begin, “This place is different from any other,” and it’s generally a testament to some unique feature of that place, a good sales pitch.

Then there’s Ashleigh’s Garden which needs no “sales pitch” because it is a magical environment conceived, built on, and thoroughly dedicated to the wonder of living...and it all begins with “Winter.” Although she may be lounging near the door when you arrive, “Winter” will raise her rather enormous head when you enter, soon to be joined by “Sammy” and perhaps “Captain.” Just don’t let their size fool you. These are gentle, wellbehaved Akitas who are fully trained and certified as therapy dogs. Their gentleness belies their size for they neither jump nor

threaten; they merely look at you with big, soulful eyes and longing expressions, hoping you’ll stop a minute and pet them on your way into their wondrous environment.

If you must have a label, then Ashleigh’s Garden is a full service floral shop; but we can assure you it’s like none you’ve ever encountered nor will again because more than the stunning arrangements, the beauty of simple design, and their award winning wedding pieces, Ashleigh’s is a place of rescue, redemption, and hope. It is a place where life is found not just in the artfully designed blooms, but in every corner of the space, for Ashleigh’s is

home not just to “Winter,” “Sammy,” and “Captain,” but to a few of their friends as well.

For starters, there’s “Harry,” “Widget,” “Garcia,” “Bridgette,” “Humphrey,” “Beakman,” “Olive,” “Morgan,” “Dede,” “Natasha” and “Ingrid,” “Josephine,” “Peaches,” “Gracie”...it is impossible to remember them all since “them” by last count includes: 3 Akitas, 36 parrots, two rather substantial Russian tortoises, a couple of Bearded Dragons (lizards), and whomever else Allison Sloane decides to rescue, save, and love. And that’s just within the walls of Ashleigh’s Garden. Sloane’s home menagerie includes emus, more cats, snakes... and well, you get the idea.

Sloane is as unique as her

14 area before coming back home to settle in her native Connecticut.

Ashleigh’s Garden was originally a garden store, opened nearly 24 years ago and named after Allison’s daughter. “I wanted to be close to her, so she came to the store with me every day.”

“environment.” A Connecticut native, she “came from a family of entrepreneurs, “so I always had a natural bent for business.” But Sloane also had a natural bent for the outdoors...for flowers and animals and the world around her. Two fine arts degrees later from Southern Connecticut State University, she immediately opened Seaflowers in Essex right after college. That was followed by time spent hiking the Appalachian Trail to raise awareness of Lyme disease, of which Allison was an early victim. Then it was on to Raleigh, North Carolina working for the largest florist in the

Ashleigh’s Garden grew as quickly as did the little girl, and soon Allison was incorporating a full service flower shop. But she did not want the typical.

Instead, she was drawn to the sophisticated art of Dutch floral design which incorporates elegance, simplicity, balance, stability, dominance, proportion, and rhythm. It is an intricate discipline, one for which the florist must apprentice and one of the primary reasons Ashleigh’s Garden stands above the rest.

Allison’s “ark” began when she “rescued” a snake from a pet store in Virginia, “a place with horrible conditions that didn’t know how to care for animals. I decided a place was needed for animals no one cared about like reptiles and exotic birds, a place where people

could become educated.” She started Ashleigh’s Rainforest in 2002 and soon had 137 animals of all types. “It was and still is all about unconditional love.”

Ashleigh’s Garden is cavernous in size, but Sloane has filled it with beautiful things, giving it a smaller and more personal feel: exquisite flowers (“we get 800 roses every week from sustainable sources, all pesticide free”), garden accessories, several lines of jewelry, gifts, and one of the largest card departments seen outside a Hallmark store! Like the flower arrangements, everything is simple, elegant in design, and makes a statement. The jewelry is not ornate, but stands out in its simplicity and is very well priced. The cards run the gamut from the sarcastic to the inventive to the softly touching, and gifts are unique. This is not an in-and-out shopping experience, not by any stretch of the imagination. “It is not unusual

15 not just for animals, but for the people who care about them. There will be a tree of life, butterfly conservatory, rain forest aviary, adoptions, boarding, classrooms, workrooms, an exotic veterinarian, party rentals, a cafe, gift shop, and a place for local veterans to relax and enjoy the environment.

It’s about a $40. million dollar dream, but Allison Sloan is used to making things happen. “We are actively seeking a corporate entity to underwrite this effort because with my background I can make it selfsustaining within a year. It will be like an onion...peel back the layers, and there will be something for everyone, especially the animals.”

Alison and her beloved Captain. He was a fixture at the shop and to all who visited. Sail on to beautiful waters old friend. Rest in peace.

for customers to spend an hour or two here because there’s so much to see, so much to learn, and so many animals to meet,” Allison smiles.

There are no pre-made floral arrangements at Ashleigh’s Garden. Everything is individually designed and crafted for each occasion, with their wedding work garnering awards every year. But Allison wants to talk about the animals since “the word of mouth we get for our flowers says it all.”

Parrots of many varieties, macaws, and cockatoos happily inhabit the bird rooms in the back of Ashleigh’s Garden, their greetings, protests, and chatter easily audible throughout the store; but if Sloane has her way, they won’t be there for long. She has launched a project of enormous proportion to build a rain forest right here in Connecticut. Well more than a pipe dream, she has engaged architects to draw up plans for this two story facility that is

If pandemonium is defined as wild and noisy order, then Ashleigh’s Garden is the place where it exists. But it is also a place of great beauty, of simplicity, and of dreams about to come true for happy brides, rescued animals, and the woman in the center of it all, fueled by hope and love.

This is Ashleigh’s Garden.

500 Main Street, Deep River (860) 767-2889 www.ashleighsgarden.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: Shortly after this story and its images were filed, “Captain,” the beloved elder statesman of Ashleigh’s Garden named for Allison’s dad, a WWII hero, passed away.

He was a special soul, a major presence who will be missed by so many, most of all Allison.

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Old Shoes, New Footprints Keeping it Local at Penny Lane Pub

by RONA MANN / Photos by Jeffery Lilly It would seem like a no-brainer, right?

Not so. Not so at all if you’re a seasoned hospitality guy like one of the new owners of Penny Lane Pub in downtown Old Saybrook. Alex Foulkes didn’t get where he is by resting on anyone else’s laurels. He earned his own through hard work, small mistakes, and big efforts; and he’s not exactly willing to rest on them any time soon!

Johnny Ad’s on the Post Road. “Bob knows everyone in town,” Alex stated flatly. “He has shaken hands, kissed babies, some even called him the ‘Mayor of Main Street.’” Yes, impressive shoes indeed, but Alex Foulkes is not trying to fit into the shoes worn by Bob Hansen.

He’s got his own pair of pretty big loafers and plans to walk in them throughout the local area, greeting old friends and making new ones, all the while keeping the very best of Penny Lane Pub while adding a few “tweaks.”

It’s not easy stepping into the shoes of another. In this case it was the pair worn for years by Bob Hansen, former owner of Penny Lane Pub and still proprietor of the very successful

A Connecticut native, Foulkes studied business at Ithaca College in Upstate New York. “My first foray into the hospitality field was when I did a work-study program and got a job at my

T

ake over an existing, wildly successful restaurant and pub and just sit back and let the dollars continue to roll in. Easy?

Co-owners - Alex Foulkes Wilson Castaneda

school’s dining hall.” Within a short time Alex was promoted to manager and remained in that position until he graduated. “I then went to work in an office, but that didn’t last. I hated it. I wanted the restaurant business.”

Thus began a series of positions in the field

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where “I learned the hospitality business right on the job, made mistakes, and benefitted from them.” He took a job as a Catering Manager in Ithaca which he enjoyed, but after marrying a social worker, the couple decided to move back to Connecticut five years ago.

Alex is no stranger to Penny Lane Pub having come on board as a front of the house manager more than four years ago. Immediately he was thrust right into the workings of a very successful operation that was “always busy.”

He had to learn and learn fast, thriving on the pace and mastering every aspect of the business. “If a kitchen worker called out, I would find myself in the back, learning as I went. I also worked the bar, the front of the house, jumped in wherever I was needed.”

About three years ago, Bob Hansen approached Alex and Head Chef, Wilson Castaneda, inquiring as to whether they might have interest in buying the business.

Hansen planned to retain Johnny Ad’s, but was also looking to move on to other ventures. Two years ago the deal was consummated, and now both Foulkes and Castaneda are partners in the popular neighborhood restaurant. “It’s a good match,” Alex adds. “Wilson is an excellent chef and knows how to run the kitchen, and I run the rest of the house. We work very well together.”

Castaneda and Foulkes have made room for some new menu items, admitting that “when we change things, we expect and get some kickback from regular customers. We make changes for a certain reason and ask our customers to try new things, but if it doesn’t work out, we’re not afraid to go back if necessary.”

One of the changes Foulkes has made was to improve the beer list. Alex not only enjoys beer, he knows it and know it well, having studied both the art and science of this

The men were smart about making changes.

“The bones were always great here,” Foulkes said, “so we just figured we’d tweak a bit here and there.”

One of their first “tweaks” was the addition of a new sous chef – also named Alex – who is multi-talented, working well under the pressure of a perennially busy environment and turning out food that is consistently good.

“Alex is also a great manager,” Foulkes adds, “so if someone on staff has to call out, customers don’t know the difference in quality.”

delightful product of the hops. He has used his considerable knowledge, therefore, to carefully craft a new and expansive beer list, keeping old favorites while introducing customers to new flavors and lighter beers, many with less calories that still satisfy. And always, he is mindful of the local connection.

“I support ‘local’ completely,” he says.

We want to use local suppliers as much as possible and cultivate long term relationships, both with vendors and our customers. It is what drives me and drives Penny Lane Pub.” To that end, Foulkes and Castaneda use meat that has been sustainably raised, they source as much as they can from local producers, and have maintained the “garden out back” first planted years ago, a major source of the restaurant’s produce. New tables and chairs have been purchased for outside seating, an extremely popular option once the warm weather arrives. It fosters and promotes the idea of Penny Lane Pub being such an important part of the Old Saybrook

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community – a place where neighbors can wave to neighbors as they go by, and visitors to the seaside enclave can be enticed to come on in and join the fun.

Contributing heavily to that fun is the restaurant’s staff, both front and back of the house. “We have a great team here,” Foulkes affirms. Most of them have been here a long time, many even before I came. They live in

this community and genuinely like where they work. That says so much. Our staff is truly the backbone of this place, We never forget that first and foremost, it is the hospitality side of the hospitality business that is most important, so we’ll continue treating people well here.”

His work cut out for him, Alex Foulkes smiles, shakes hands, and strides quickly away in his

shoes...his own shoes...ready to walk the walk and talk the talk, perpetuating the success that is Penny Lane Pub. Visit soon and often at 150 Main Street, Old Saybrook and check frequently at www.pennylanepub.net and on their Facebook page to keep up on ongoing entertainment and events (860) 388-9646

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29 severely altered by drugs and shots and the ravages of their illnesses, don’t get to smile too often. That’s the way it used to be; then one day Steve Brosnihan came into their rooms and into their lives, giving them something to look forward to each evening, something to smile about, something to shed light on their very dark situation.

Hasbro Children’s Hospital

There’s something about the power of light.

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or centuries, little children who were afraid of the bogeyman begged to have a light on in their room when they went to sleep at night.

The light provided comfort, security, and let them know someone was there to watch over them.

To a child who is seriously ill, there is no greater bogeyman than the fear they feel when they live with constant pain, when people in white coats are frequently poking and prodding them, putting them through procedure after procedure to get to the root of their illness to hopefully cure them. These little people of the bald heads and the bodies that have often been

Brosnihan, who commutes by bike and bus from his home in Bristol some 16 miles away, has been at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island for just over 28 years. A quiet, unassuming middle aged man, Brosnihan has the playful and intriguing title of Resident Cartoonist for the hospital.

Although not a paid employee, Brosnihan spends approximately ten hours there each week, compensated by a non-profit organization, VSA Arts Rhode Island. Brosnihan laughs, “I am my own fundraiser, directing grants and donations to VSA Arts to support my work at Hasbro.” That

Steve Brosnihan

work includes visiting children of all ages on all floors, entrancing them with his cartooning, and ultimately coaxing them and teaching them to do the same. In doing so, Brosnihan draws many smiles.

In the spring of 2010 the cartoonist was completing a visit to a young teen patient he

had gotten to know well over the period of several weeks. The young man was to be discharged the following day, and the two friends realized they might not see each other again. As Steve looked out the window from the boy’s hospital room he realized that the

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route to his bus stop was visible, so he told the young man that he would be on that corner at a certain time that night and would turn his bike to flash a good night signal from the light mounted on the handlebars.

“I left the hospital that night and flashed the signal back towards the patient’s room as scheduled. To my surprise and delight I suddenly saw the rectangle of his window blink on and off in reply. I smiled all the way home.”

signaling back with a blink of their room lights. Even parents joined in, blinking back using cell phone lights or small flashlights.

The signal soon evolved into a four-flash affair to signify “Good Night Has-Bro,” and sometimes the number of flashes corresponded with the syllables in a patient’s name, “Good Night Ben-Ja-Min.”

In the ensuing weeks Brosnihan realized that quite a few rooms had a clear view of the bus stop; and if he pointed a good flashlight from over a steel fence, he could send a signal that would be easily seen from the hospital. The good night signal soon became “standard procedure,” with many

It wasn’t until 2015 that Brosnihan took the project he now called “Good Night Lights” a step further. He began talking up the project

with nurses and other staff members which culminated in a one minute signaling from 8:30-8:31 each night. Now it was time to take it out of the hospital’s four walls and onto the streets of Providence.

Brosnihan’s first approach was to The Hot Club, a nightclub in direct line with the hospital. There was no hesitation on their part whatsoever, and soon club patrons were joining in with flash and cell phones lights from the club’s deck along the Providence River. The blinking room lights from the hospital in joyous response simply buoyed the project, and it flourished.

Next, Steve approached the tugboats of the Providence Steamboat Company, their management and crews embracing the project, using the powerful searchlights on the boats to flash their good night message. By Christmas Eve that year the Biltmore Hotel was onboard and continues participating to this day, thanks to a bright automated beacon installed on their roof.

Early on, Good Night Lights found a sponsor in COAST Products of Portland, Oregon when the company learned that Brosnihan was using one of their lights to produce his signal. Since then, COAST has donated over 100 high quality flashlights to Good Night Lights. Additionally, The Tomorrow Fun for Children with Cancer (on whose board Steve sits) provides the needed batteries.

“There have been new developments weekly,”

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Brosnihan informs, “including an increased interest from Brown University (whose Science Library already participates) to get buildings and students involved on a nightly basis.

Several buildings are moving towards the installation of automated signals.”

Brosnihan also notes that former patients celebrate their return to health by supporting both the hospital and current patients with a signal of their own. There are now more than 25 businesses that signal as part of Good Night Lights including Tockwotton on the Waterfront, a senior residence in East Providence, several police departments who position cruisers in strategic spots and flash their lights, a yacht club, a number of major downtown office buildings, the Omni Providence and Hilton Garden Inn hotels, churches, patrol boats on the river, and even the electric power plant. Steve adds that

individuals and families have joined in by using their car headlights and hand-held lights to signal from various points around the city, thoroughly delighting the children at Hasbro who are only too eager to flash back.

Good Night Lights has slowly caught national media attention, featured just months ago on “Inspiring America,” a part of the NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt as well as coverage from the Associated Press and a variety of broadcast and newspaper outlets nationwide. All this attention has inspired Orlando and Detroit to begin similar projects in their cities, with inquiries continuing to come in from as far away as Australia.

“I have dreams of seeing many more participating signalers in the near future. I want to grow this ‘Magic Minute’ into a tradition that any hospitalized child can look forward to on any night they look out their window at 8:30. I’ve had some kids literally tell me it’s the best thing that happened all day,” Brosnihan said.

When you’re in the hospital you don’t have much to look forward to, but thanks to one man with one idea and just one light on his bike, Good Night Lights has put smiles on sick kids’ faces, lessened some of their parents’ stress, and removed the bogeyman from every room at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

Yes, there is indeed something about the power of light.

Link to video story here: https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/how-thecity-of-providence-comforts-sick-children1050234947655

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Between a Prince and A Lady

A Decade of Super Bowl Halftime Shows

by Nancy LaMar-Rodgers / photos by A. Vincent Scarano / Tribe

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t’s the two-minute warning...then the countdown...and out of the gate they bolt, pulling off the ultimate performance in stage design and set production. While most of the TV audience is busy replenishing their drinks and snacks between the game’s halves, the production and staging crew have seven minutes to pull off an extraordinary feat.

What the television audience doesn’t realize is that the commercial break is a heart thumping, adrenaline blasting urgency akin to any Olympic event for both the production staff and the hundreds of volunteers who have roughly seven minutes to put in place the star studded celebration that is the Super Bowl halftime show.

to an undertaking of a team of gladiator-like stagehands that literally run dozens of carts through a mile long tunnel, place them precisely where they need to be on the field, and then begin the frenzied, feverish endeavor of fitting it all together. The arrangement of components, and the need for accuracy in just seven minutes, is truly a Herculean triumph for all those involved. It is the job of these hard core staging professionals to work through the heated and palpable excitement of the crowd, moving in uniformed fashion to bring the creative vision of the production design to realization and securing the platform for an ass-kicking performance of the superstar who graces the stage.

designs. From Prince to Lady Gaga, Tribe has conceptualized some of the most stunning, lavish, and rousing shows seen at the 50 yard line. Bruce and Shelley Rodgers are the owners and creative team behind Tribe Design, dedicating themselves to making those 12 minutes of entertainment the most spectacular, high-powered, and lusty experiences for both the live and TV screen audiences. With the biggest names in music taking the stage, Tribe understands that the production design value must exceed the expectations of the performer so that the audience is infused with an energy that carries the fans of both football and music to a whole new height.

Those in attendance at the stadium; and even luckier, those on the field, stand as witnesses

For over a decade, Tribe Design has been responsible for the creative genius behind the Super Bowl’s halftime show stage

Creative director, Bruce Rodgers is responsible for sculpting together the elements that will ultimately be a synthesis of what he knows he can pull off during a twelve minute concert and what the artist wants. Rodgers not only has to

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take into consideration the desires and ideas of some of music’s biggest stars, he also needs to work with the intricate technicalities of only seven minutes to make it all come together.

“We have been lucky to work with an incredible team under the supervision of Executive Producer Ricky Kirshner for 12 years running.

Each year we join together to create something that not only challenges us but will also wow a very sophisticated audience.

All in all, we’re part of a 1000 person production team; and we take great pride in creating a Super Bowl scale spectacle for our demanding audiences. Our set designs are made up of 30-40 carts on average, each cart filled with special FX, lighting, and audio gear. We have about 20 people assigned to a cart; and after a two minute warning, the carts begin the race down the tunnel, which in some stadiums can be a mile long.”

Rodgers points out that this enormous achievement is a collaborative effort between his team and very talented staging supervisors.

“We have a war room, and we do a great deal of pre-work putting the puzzle together because you have to understand that you are not only mixing in people, the fans that surround the stage, and the stagehands, but you are mixing in pyrotechnics and various other

an Emmy; and as Rodgers explains, “we have consistently for the past ten years been rated the best segment of time for that three hour football game. Yes it’s the Super Bowl, but even more people now are tuning in for the halftime show.”

As we scroll through Tribe’s YouTube channel of past Super Bowls, I am amazed by not only the intricacies of the designs themselves, but also how such elaborate design and production risks are pulled off in such a short period of time. I can’t help but wonder about technical difficulties, considering the setup is like the response of an Emergency Services Task Force. Rodgers comments on Tribe’s first Super Bowl gig with Prince, and how his heart was in his throat for those seven minutes.

technical aspects that have to work perfectly together in a seven minute time slot.”

Tribe’s halftime sensations have garnered them a number of accolades and nominations.

The Lady Gaga production was nominated for

“Whatever could have gone wrong, went wrong. It was our first Super Bowl gig, and I was convinced it would be our last. We were in Miami, and it never stopped raining. It rained all day during rehearsal; and it continued to rain throughout, including a downpour during

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the show.”

Rodgers essentially believed his Super Bowl career was over as Mother Nature had the potential to make the show-stopping effects impossible. He wasn’t even sure Prince would agree to go on, given the danger of a stage powered up, with water pounding down, but Prince being Prince said, “let it rain.” The iconic image emblazoned in the media’s archives is a statuesque Prince, shadowed and backlit behind a graceful, flowing, and flying white silk. Looking back, Rodgers recalls that for a moment some considered scrapping the silk, for fear the industrial strength fans would not have enough power to raise the soaked material. Fortunately this was not the case; and perhaps through some divine intervention, the ethereal threads rose to the occasion, and the Prince performance was perhaps one of the most poignant and magical in Super Bowl history.

The history of Tribe’s foray into Super Bowl stardom dates back to the days when the small LA based company was hired to do production design for bands that were up and coming, as well as TV award shows and other smaller productions. The group’s unique vision and “no fear” attitude of pushing design into unknown territory has gained the company a reputation of inspired ingenuity. While Tribe’s resume reads as a who’s who from the past twenty years of all genres of music from Dave Matthews to Bruce Springsteen, to Madonna, Dierks Bentley, and Beyonce, they have never rested on their laurels...it is the Super Bowl half time shows that illustrate this most powerfully.

“Afterwards we always reflect on the show; and for the most part we know we’ve done a good job, but I always ask myself, could we have done better? I measure it by the energy of the crew. These are aggressive, ambitious, and competitive stagehands and producers who want to walk away from the halftime show thinking ‘we just kicked everybody’s ass, and no one can touch what we do.’ I can tell we nailed it by the energy of the crew when it’s over,” Rodgers explains. And nailing it they do, but the couple is quick to point out that they are working with the best in the business when it comes to pulling off this theatrical sensation, including executive producer Ricky

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Bruce and Shelley Rodgers

Kirshner and director Hamish Hamilton, two of the biggest names in the industry, distinguished in their respective fields.

Despite working with the best, there are unique challenges of having a performance at the Super Bowl since for the most part, people are there for the ultimate football game; so a performer has the tough job of putting on a show that will pump up the audience, no matter what their musical taste might be, and this is why Tribe’s designs have earned so many honors. While they have no control over the performance, they seek to afford the fans a theatrical whirlwind that they might not experience anywhere else.

As we scroll through footage, it’s easy to understand why Lady Gaga’s 2017 design was nominated for an Emmy. As the petite songstress leaped from the top of the stadium, there were roughly 600 drones lighting her flight. Not only did the element of the drones provide her a starlit sky to gaze upon as she opened the show with a nod to a unified America, but they added an intensely dramatic element to her acrobatic performance. Like an agile boxer, the lights bob and weave in cadence with each bounce and step of the performer’s swagger and swerve. For

Rodgers, the design is really about who the performer is, each show having its own feel or energy. The Tribe team understands that each performer is obviously different, and some need to have more input than others. But essentially it is their job to take an artist’s desires and turn them into something that is

not only feasible in seven minutes, but something that is going to be a unique moment in the performer’s musical history.

While every design may not be as elaborate as Lady Gaga’s, it is Tribe’s job to understand not only the artist’s music, but also the persona of the performer. For example, Rodgers points out that both The Who and Springsteen are

more old school rockers who are all about the music itself.

“For Springsteen it’s more raw because this guy doesn’t want or need all the bells and whistles. But it’s the halftime show, so there has to be something going on for the TV audience; so for Springsteen I was able to add the element of a video wall. Springsteen told me he didn’t do video walls, but at the same time he trusted us enough to know that we would keep the rawness and let him get down and dirty in close proximity to the audience, while still allowing those tuning in to get just as pumped as if they had been on the field.”

As with any master of his or her craft, both Bruce and Shelley are humbled by their success and attribute much of it to the incredible team of artists and staff with whom they have been able to collaborate. With the Super Bowl just days away, the Rodgers team is immersed in the elements that will come to fruition on February 4th when the stage will once again be set, the audience fiercely pumped, and the nation will be watching another exhilarating, electrifying, and explosive twelve minute performance of a lifetime.

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The Hartford Art Sled Derby: Downhill Art in Elizabeth Park

By Laurencia Ciprus / Photos by Sue Fenton

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hat’s a heap more fun – and much, much safer – than racing cafeteria trays downhill, straight into traffic? (Yeah…we know…you tried it once). The answer: the 6th Annual Hartford Art Sled Derby! The 2018 installment of the Capitol City’s annual technicolor extravaganza of absurdity, fun, and amazement will be back again at Elizabeth Park’s Hartford Overlook on Saturday, February 10th from 11-2 PM. Rewind back to the beginning: Organizer Paul Spirito was ice

skating with talented pal, Anne Cubberly – the Connecticut Art Goddess and Night Fall creative powerhouse. Outdoors in the snow, ice, and winter, the abstract conversation naturally turned to the Minneapolis Powderhorn Park Art Sled Rally. Mix artists and ideas and cold thin air, and they got instantly excited with lots of ‘how great could it be’ and ‘let’s do this in Hartford.’

The event is a simple plan that gets better and better: just take anything that will slide down the hill; transform it into a fast, fancy, and foolish moving piece of sculptural art and invite the entire community to come! They did and continue to do so.

Back to Paul: he was so excited with the Minneapolis model that he jumped in feet first to replicate it in Hartford and became the event’s official organizer. What began as a “what if” conversation, morphed and naturally expanded over six years from grassroots to a

full-on annual community event. Spirito sees the Art Derby as more of a parade than a race, and everyone and anyone can participate. “It has an organic nature.” You just show up at the park with your most tricked out, fantastical

downhill contraption and pray to the gods for heaps and heaps of snow. So far, the weather has cooperated; and what started with 100 people and 12 sleds the first year, now draws a crowd of over 300 with 36 sleds and counting.

Impressive, with pretty much only the FB page as the PR component. To date, this year’s Facebook count has logged in 3000 interested followers. The event is a beautiful, easy thing

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which successfully unites the diverse neighborhoods sprawled out across the city. It also coaxes kids and families to spend a Saturday together creating something magical and playing outdoors without much more than an imagination.

The sleds range in size and from the absurd to the insane, the brilliantly hilarious to the ambitious. “Folks usually get invested and come back each year – especially the families.

You can watch the kids grow up and their

sleds advance and get more and more creative.

One little girl started out with all her stuffed animals aboard her sled, and now she adds a few more details each year. There was also this family who did a whole Star Wars series with a Millennium Falcon heading the pack.

And…there was the downhill recliner, a massive pirate ship, bedsled, a dragster, and even a downhill outhouse! There are also trophies for…well, just about anything the most irreverent judges come up with on the fly: Pinkest Sled, Fastest Bathtub, Best Crash, etc.

Paul Spirito is the ideal fit as the ringmaster of this event, equipped with boundless imagination and an undergrad degree in Product Design. He spent ten years as a toy designer with a stint at Coleco – remember Cabbage Patch Kids? – and concocts the prizes by hand from donated trophies upcycled and embellished with knickknacks, feathers,

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NPR’s Chion Wolf; L.B. Munoz from The Republic Restaurant, and NightFall’s Anne Cubberly regularly judging, and the iconic Chion doubling as announcer at the award ceremony. Spirito defines puppetry as “an object that is performed,” and these downhill pieces of performance art definitely fit the description.

Things have gotten a bit more organized after the first year and maybe a little more complicated and – with growing success – trickier. The City of Hartford stepped up in year three when the Mayor’s office noticed the crowd increasing in the park and then insisted on permits, Porta Potties, and insurance. The once little event had grown up and become an institution! Hartford government pulled aside some red tape and helped out with grants. By 2017 a Kickstarter initiative was in place for the year and funded the entire event in less than a week. This year -2018 – has proven even more fruitful, with people from all corners of the community stepping up to provide the necessary funding. Spirito adds, “This is a small, tight knit, and supportive

and gewgaws. (One of the most important details on the trophies is the white gaffers tape for the last minute award titles inscribed in Sharpie).

Spirito shifted gears and developed a background in puppetry with an MFA from the UCONN Program – the only university in the country which offers a degree in the art form.

It’s all irreverently unofficial, with

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arts community. Everyone gets involved when something needs doing. They love this event and want to keep it alive and well.”

There have been improvements added each successive year. There is now live music. The marching band, Hartford Hot Several, led by Josh Mitchum, has added an uber-cool musical component to the event, with Chion Wolf on drums. (What can’t she do)? Mitchum likes to mix Hip Hop with New Orleans Jazz; and the band opens the event, plays full-on during the judging, and at the finish. Also, sets of traffic cones are set in place down the hill – 20 feet apart – to keep the crowds from colliding with the speeding sleds. Spirito smirks, “It’s a great effort, but as the momentum builds throughout the morning and everyone gets into the spirit, the cones mysteriously begin to creep closer.” There are sleds representing commu-

nity groups who regularly participate, including Hartford Roller Derby, Make Hartford, and a virtual sled from Sea Tea Improv, which the team members describes as the crowd imagines it moving downhill.

There have been some funny moments says the organizer. “There was this guy who was insisting on sending his new baby daughter – like weeks old – down the hill on his young daughter’s lap. There was a discussion, and the crowd totally vetoed the idea. The biggest voodoo is the snow factor.

Spirito is absolutely certain that there will be plenty of the white stuff for the event, and his positive attitude hasn’t failed him yet. Weather has not foiled the Art Sled Derby to date.“I remember the 2016 Derby. We woke up to below zero temperatures, and there was an Arctic blast that swept in.

Would it be too cold?

Never…it’s Derby Day! By the time the sleds lined up at the top of the hill, the weather broke, and the sun came out to warm things up. Someone up there always likes us…without fail!”

Aside from the benefits of unedited creativity and fun for all ages, Sprito cannot emphasize the vast enrichment benefit the Hartford Art Sled Derby gives back to the city. “This initiative is a major driver in promoting creativity

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throughout Hartford neighborhoods, and the best part – the very best part – is the openness of the event. Everyone can make and bring whatever they want and experience the day in their own way. The kids continue to be so great, and it is a simple way to bring Hartford

folks and people from surrounding towns together.” Is there a future wish list? “It would be amazing to coax in the food trucks from across the city. There is always room to add on to the event – little-by-little each year.”

“The 2018 Hartford Art Sled Derby is Saturday, February 10th from 11 – 2PM at the Hartford Overlook at Elizabeth Park. Enter on the corner of Asylum Avenue and Prospect Avenue. Find them on their Facebook Page: Hartford Art Sled Derby.

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The Slater Memorial Museum: A Treasure Trove of Art From Five Continents

By Barbara Malinsky / Photos courtesy Slater Museum

55 In 1884, William Albert Slater, son of the Norwich industrialist, memorialized his father, John Fox Slater with a new building at the Norwich Free Academy. The young Slater was educated, successful and enjoyed travel, theater, music, and art. During frequent visits to France with his wife Eleanor, he purchased contemporary art. His philanthropy provided for the expansion of educational opportunities and affordable access to the arts for local citizens. His gifts touched residents in their everyday lives.

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ehold the wonders of antiquity! Entering the Slater Museum you are immediately surrounded by some of the world’s most famous statuary. You might be at the Louvre because there is Nike (Victory) of Samothrace but then there is the Psyche of Capua from the Amphitheatre of Capua, Italy. As you turn, you see the Satyr or Marble Faun from the Capitoline Museum in Rome that is a copy of a Greek bronze. In fact, they are all copies, over 150 of them. The object of the collection was to bring to the general public art pieces that might not otherwise be seen. In 1888, Norwich Free Academy Principal Robert Porter Keep convinced William A. Slater to fund the acquisition of plaster casts of ancient sculpture in addition to Slater’s gift to construct Slater Memorial Hall. A museum was born!

Another installation at the museum is a chronological tour of the Slater’s Grand Tour of the world that was a common practice among the wealthy. They and their crew visited the many historical sites in their yacht named for Eleanor.

Viewing the photographic exhibit will vicariously take you away to various places around the globe.

The photographs become even more interesting with the added quotes from Eleanor’s journal as she observed each stop along the long itinerary. In the Azores

Eleanor commented, “Pico …looked grand in the morning light.” At the Leaning Tower of Pisa she noted, “The town of Pisa is uninteresting but the tower repays one for the drive which today was frightfully cold. The tower is one hundred and eighty-three feet high and thirteen feet out of perpendicular.”

Several visits to sights in India followed…Dakhma or Tower of Silence in Bombay, the Jal Mahal, and a parade through

Jaipur. In Ceylon, they visited the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Ceylon (modern day Sri

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Lanka). “The world famed Temple of the Tooth is a humbug but is of course a curiosity to be visited. The relic is strongly locked up and an armed guard stationed at the entrance of the shrine to further protect it. Only a few of the faithful and now and then a titled European are allowed to look upon it.”

Onto Japan where we see an overview of a port city, possibly Kobe then the Chion-in temple Kyoto, headquarters of the Pure Land Sect, the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan. In China the Slaters visited The Flowery Pagoda, the main structure of the Temple of Six Banyan Trees, a Buddhist Temple. “The visitors to Canton are taken to numerous temples, pagodas, etc. and while they are beautiful and not ordinary it is the getting to them that is interesting and charming to strangers. The streets are from four to ten feet wide, often filled with a crowd buying and selling, working at trades, heaving burdens, jostling and jabbering.”

The next port of call was Hawaii with Diamond Head in the distance. Then, heading home to Alaska where the Slaters visited Sitka and then California. There are more photos and commentary when the exhibit is personally explored.

The Slater also has a gallery of African Art. According to Director Vivian Zoe, “With a significant number of African Americans living in Norwich and in our school population, we feel that reflecting the rich artistic heritage of that population is important and a way to engage the community. It’s also important to note that John Fox Slater, for whom the building and museum are named, gave one million dollars to seed a fund in 1884 to educate freed slaves. The fund still exists and is part of the Southern Education Fund, which still assists the historically Black colleges.”

Several collectors have contributed objects over the years. Lou Atherton, a retired U. S. State Department Foreign Service officer, spent a good deal of time in Africa and gave his entire collection to the museum in one gift.

Jerry Lopez, another U. S. State Department Foreign Service employee, has been donating pieces acquired in Africa. Also, artist and Hartford Art School professor Paul

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Zimmerman donated his collection to the museum. The gallery comprises masks, utensils, weapons, musical instruments, and more.

The museum also has a collection of Asian Art, the Vanderpoel Gallery of Asian Art that contains Korean, Chinese, and Japanese artwork as well as artifacts from the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia and Persia.

from weaponry to whaling tools, which are represented in the collection. It is also known for its painters: John Denison Crocker, Ozias Dodge, Alexander Hamilton Emmons, and others.

More than a repository, the museum hosts six exhibits throughout the year. Some are initiated by the museum and others are hosted by

Focusing on home, The Norwich Galleries tell the story of three centuries of life in the Rose City through fine and decorative art, household and industrial objects, archaeological artifacts and documents. This gallery interprets every aspect of the region’s history and continues to grow by ongoing contributions.

Norwich was an important place in the eighteenth century because of trade opportunities provided by the confluence of three rivers. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Norwich merchants like Christopher Leffingwell were the principal purveyors of provisions for the patriot army, earning Connecticut the moniker “The Provision State”. Norwich was a powerhouse of industrial productivity including everything

the museum from various institutions. Some past exhibits have been the ongoing Annual Connecticut Artists Juried Exhibition, which begins the year: 2017 was the 73rd Exhibition, the 127th Norwich Art School Student

Exhibition, the Connecticut Women Artists 86th Annual National Open Juried Exhibition, The Connecticut Pastel 23rd National Juried Exhibition, Life’s Landscape: The Art of Ron Wing, who was a Norwich Free Academy graduate, Meadow Life – a celebration of Connecticut’s open lands and green spaces, and Local Color that is a dual exhibition presented by Studio Art Quilt Associates members from Connecticut and the Northern California/Nevada region. Upcoming exhibitions include the Photography of the Grand Tour.

Many of the images on display will be on view to the public for the first time. Also, on view from October 15, 2017 through January 15, 2018 will be the work of Bela Lyon Pratt: Sculptor of Monument. The exhibition will feature the work of the Norwich native, revealing his innate draftsmanship and his ability to capture a range of human emotions – passion, strength, fragility - rendered in bronze and marble.

The Slater Museum is a bustling place. To explore go to museum@nfaschool.org

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Everything You Need to Know About Fondue

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The Cheesemonger Paul Partica, The Cheese Shop, Centerbrook CT “I hear fondue is coming back,” people say of late. In my home, it never left. We make fondue every New Year’s Day, a tradition started many years ago. And we make it often during the cold weather season.

That said, fondue is indeed making a comeback.

Originating from Switzerland, Fondue gets its name from the French word “fonder,” which means “to melt.” Although the original fondue was made from cheese, many related dishes now share the name.

Have you ever heard of bread dipped in olive oil with spices because one could not afford butter? Much the same way that some of today’s great Italian cuisine is derived from yesteryear’s peasant food, fondue was also once considered peasant fare. It proved a practical way to repurpose leftover dried cheese and opened wine.

Day-old cubed bread for dipping completed this great culinary concoction.

Fondue is easy to prepare. And once all is prepared and all are seated, the only reason to get up is to open another bottle of wine.

Fondue Guidelines Safety first. Be mindful of a hot fondue pot, which can be especially dangerous when making an oil-based fondue such as beef. You will want to use a table with plenty of room to keep the live heat in the center of the table and out of harm’s way. Ensure you have plenty of room to spread out all the side dishes needed, along with plates for individual use. Also note that most new electric fondue pots come with a breakaway electric cord to help avoid a passerby taking the pot with them.

I use both fuel and electric models and have good results with both, provided the pots are of good quality to begin with. Swiss-style earthenware pots are still the biggest sellers. It is always a good idea to place a large cutting board under the pot to protect the table from burns or spills.

Fondue is often served with wine, but many prefer beer, Kirsch or other liquors. I tend to drink dry white wine since it pairs well with the white wine I use in the dish. The old saying, “Don’t cook with a wine you wouldn’t drink,” is admittedly not one I always adhere to.

I won’t waste my Grand Cru in cooking food, but I will in a fondue because wine represents almost 50% of its ingredients.

Although many variations of fondue exist today, I still prefer the original Swiss Recipe given to me by the President of the Switzerland Cheese Association, some fifty years ago. It basically calls for a blend of Swiss cheeses, Emmenthal and Gruyere, dry white wine and some crusty bread. You can also add a little Appenzeller cheese for more flavor.

Have Fun Don’t be afraid to experiment with other items besides bread.

Apples, mushrooms, ham, shrimp, and assorted vegetables also work well. We also enjoy a side salad. There is no rush to this meal and everyone can eat at their own pace.

So, give the following recipe a try. It’s tried and true, and hearty enough to serve as a meal for two.

Basic Fondue Recipe (Serves Two)

Part 1 1 pound cheese (net after rind is removed, shredded or cubed) (1/2 pound Emmenthal and 1/2 pound Gruyere*) 2 tablespoons arrowroot (corn starch or flour will also work) Nutmeg and pepper to taste All of Part 1 can be prepared in advance. As a note, we prepare Part 1 kits in the store for customers when ordered in advance, along with the recipe for part 2. This service has become quite popular, as customers like the ease of creating a perfect fondue with most of the work eliminated.

Part 2 1 cup dry white wine 1/4 cup Kirsch (optional as this can be too strong for some) 1 garlic clove Squeeze of lemon juice 2 loaves French bread, cut into bite sized cubes * To avoid a bland tasting fondue, purchase a well-aged Emmenthal and Gruyere.

Rub the fondue pot with the cut garlic clove, then discard the garlic. Make sure Part 1 is prepared properly including coating all the cheese with arrowroot to stop the cheese from sticking together.

Heat the wine in the fondue pot until hot, but not to boiling point. Stir in the squeeze of lemon juice, which adds acidity, to help the cheese and wine incorporate. Add the cheese to the wine, a handful at a time, until fully melted and of smooth consistency.

Tradition has it that when dipping your fork into the pot and losing your bread, the man must buy the next round. Should a lady lose her bread, she must kiss the guy to her right. You can always start your own tradition.

Always cut the bread with some remaining crust on each piece so you have something for the fork to hold on to.

Bottom Browning Fondue needs to be consistently stirred to stop the cheese from browning at the bottom of the pot. If you catch it just right, the bottom of the pot will form a crust that can be peeled with a fondue fork. In my home this gourmet treasure is often fought over.

Paul Partica, The Cheese Shop www.cheeseshopcenterbrook.com

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Why Drink Tea?...Clear, Calm…Really.

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The Cupping Room Philip Parda, Savvy Tea Gourmet

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enturies ago, during the time man was discovering the delight of consuming tea as a steeped beverage or “Tea Soup” rather than as the medicinal antidote it had been used as for by generations before, Chinese scholars, writers, poets and artists were early adopters in what would become the spread of tea throughout the globe, which continues even today.

The emergence of this miracle elixir spread throughout China like a groundswell amongst nobility and higher circles of thinkers and creators, eventually reaching common man and finally remote villagers throughout the land.

A forward thinking Emperor, Hui Zong early in the 12th century having become enamored with the wonder of tea became instrumental in the tea experience we enjoy today as he made it a major objective of his tenure to put vast resources of both monetary and human capital into physically spreading tea throughout China wherever it could flourish form its place of discovery in China’s southernmost province. The enchantment with tea by those involved with creative thinking was driven by its ability to enhance one’s state of mind to a condition of clarity through which thoughts, concepts and actions readily flowed. With the enhanced state of mind however came a complementing state of body where calm sensation of body coincided with mind clarity resulting in a relaxed but non-drowsy condition ideal for contemplation, concentration or creativity.

Clear Calm…and Amazing L-theanine The ancient Chinese creative thinkers knew that tea would enhance their ability to accomplish their work and to embellish their thoughts, but they had no idea how or why. Today through scientific research, evidence has emerged that helps us understand the connection between enhanced cognitive performance and tea.

Investigation of what I’ve decided to call “Clear Calm” leads us to the relationship of the caffeine in tea and its not-so-well understood or known counterpart L-theanine. L-theanine is an amino acid that is exclusive to tea, and that is considered by the scientific community as a bioactive compound. Studies have been done on tea and specifically on the L-theanine in tea that support conclusions that tea plays a beneficial role in Neurological Health & Cognitive Health.

L-Theanine in tea has been shown to directly affect areas of the brain that control attention and ability to solve complex problems while enhanced attentional processing has been shown to be a result of the synergistic relationship of the caffeine and L-theanine combination in tea. It is this relationship that dramatically improves the effectiveness of caffeine in tea compared to caffeine in coffee. The advantage of the caffeine in tea over coffee begins with Clear Calm, and is enhanced with a more gradual entry into the blood stream and a longer, less abrupt sustained effect resulting from a later entry point into our system than caffeine in coffee. This allows the caffeine in tea to effectively interact with L-theanine, and assist many other body functions in beneficial ways. Many experience a caffeine anxiety with coffee due to its early entry into our bloodstream, with a short sustained effect. Not so with tea.

L-theanine is said to create the “Relaxation Effect”, and in studies has been shown to lower blood pressure. It is the improved performance on attention tasks and subjective alertness of the caffeine in tea in combination with the psychoactive properties of L-theanine that create this powerful phenomenon.

L-theanine, significantly increases activity in the alpha frequency band and indicates based on human electroencephalograph (EEG) studies that it relaxes the mind without inducing drowsiness, Other clinical studies indicate that tea consumption exerts acute positive effects on aspects of mood. My personal experience at Savvy Tea Gourmet serving customers from an observational perspective concurs that tea embellishes the customer experience and is conducive to conversation and communication.

Customers usually don’t realize how the tea is contributing to their experience, beyond simply the aroma and flavor, but research and observation indicates there is very much more, including positive mood states. This condition perfectly

sets the stage for what I call “The Opportunity Beyond The Cup” where tea contributes to socialization and is the central phenomenon associated with tea drinking through much of Asia.

Interestingly, meta-analyses have shown positive mood states lead to improved creative problem solving. Studies also tell us that tea positively affects the “pleasantness” of mood immediately after consumption, including positive affect induction which is a procedure for recalling personal happy memories.

Clear-calm and you…

Not unlike the ancient Chinese creative thinkers, your life is filled with interactions and demands for which you want to be at your best. For those already benefiting from the cognitive power of tea, you already know not only how the tea is positively impacting your life, but you also know how much you would not like being without it. For those not yet tapping into the powerful benefits of the cognitive side of tea, it’s time for a paradigm shift...re-think tea.

As tea is an abundant source of flavonoid antioxidants, most of our usual discussion of tea health normally centers on polyphenols like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and the role it may play in cancer risk reduction. Adding on the neuroprotective and neurorescue action of EGCG and its potential implications for age-related dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, you have a powerful and compelling reason for drinking tea on that basis alone. If another layer of cognitive performance enhancement based on the contributions of the relationship between the caffeine and L-theanine is added to the equation, the case for tea becomes even more compelling.

All this talk about tea, and we’ve not gotten to the best part…drinking it. The aromas and flavors of tea bring joy and delight to our lives. Our lives are not only embellished with an array of health and performance benefits, but mood states and pleasantness abounds with knowledge and appreciation of Artisan Teas. Discovering teas from unique famous growing regions throughout the world brings yet another pleasure to you as you experience their uniqueness in character and appreciate their contribution to your health and life experience. It all starts with the quality of tea in your cup, your experience & appreciation preparing it and, sip-by-sip the sensation that that emerges as “Clear Calm”.

So what if you cannot handle caffeine…at all?

You can still benefit from L-theanine, and you can still benefit from the antioxidants in tea. You can still enjoy great tea aromas and flavors. What you cannot experience is the powerful combination of caffeine and L-theanine in their synergistic state, and the same level of Clear Calm. Decaffeinated teas can offer you a delightful tea experience. My advice is to consider the impactful properties of L-theanine, and satisfy yourself that you understand the differences between caffeine in coffee, and caffeine in tea. The concern I have is that many people rule out caffeinated tea because of their lack of knowledge of L-theanine and its complementary relationship with caffeine in tea, and live their lives without the powerful benefit of “Clear Calm”. If you are embarking on a project, having a conversation with a friend, or for whatever reason want to zone-in your attention level and focus onto something in particular, steep a cup or pot of Artisan Tea, and let the magic happen.

Clear Calm develops through a metamorphosis of positive mood state to enhanced attention & clarity, focused concentration, engagement, creativity and performance. Tea provides a gift of pleasure, health, and enhanced performance, day-by day, one sip at a time. Discover Tea…and Clear Calm.

Philip Parda, Savvy Tea Gourmet, Madison CT Savvyteagourmet.com

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

Cabernet Sauvignon C abernet

Sauvignon is a rich , complex red wine grape with the flavor of black currants , chocolate, cherry and even tobacco, to name a few. This grape can also have a great deal of tannin, which makes it sought after wine for cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon originates in France as confirmed by the findings in 1997 by Bowers and Meredith of the University of California at Davis.

This was proven by “DNA fingerprinting” “ where the results that the Cabernet franc and white Bordeaux grape (Sauvignon Blanc) were planted together and spontaneously created Cabernet Sauvignon. This red grape is found in many parts of the world.

It is grown to be produced on its own or with a particular countrys predominate grape.

In France, it is grown prodimantely in Boredaux, but also grown in areas such as Province, Entre-deux-Mere.Wines from Bordeaux are blended with up to 5 grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petite Verdot.

Tridontaley Cabernet Sauvignon is the predominate grape in Medoc and Graves the left bank of Bordeaux. These wines are full flavored, dry and quite tannic. Another country that grows this grape would include Australia.

Austalia is famous for their Cabernets blended with Shiraz which is either the predominant or secondary grape. This results in a rich berry taste and spicy finish. Chile and Argentina also export some great Cabernets. In Spain they are grown mostly in Rioja and blended with the Tempranillo grape.

Although this grape is grown in many areas in Italy it is best known in Tuscany where it is blended with Sangiovese, Merlot or Syrah. These blends are called Super Tuscans. These wines are noted as Spectacular Blends from high rated wineries including Orenellaia, Sasscaci, Solaia to name a few.

Although these wines were and still are some of the highest quality wines of Tuscany, the phrase “Super Tuscan” has less merit. Recently any Tuscan blend is referred to as a “Super Tuscan” no matter the quality of the wine.

Some of the other countries that grow Cabernet Sauvignon include Canada, New Zealand, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico and Israel. In the United States it is grown in most states that produce wine. The highest producing areas would be California, Washington State and Oregon. California is the largest grower of Cabernet out of the 3 areas mentioned, due to the warmer climate where it thrives the best. In the United States it only has to contain 75% to be certified as a Cabernet on the label. There are many blends that are produced with this grape. A more favorable blend is called Meritage which can only contain those grapes in Red boredaux Wine. Some of the most famous Cabs from California are Caymus, Silver Oak, Groth, Dominus, and Opus One, which is a joint effort of Robert Mondavi from California and Rothchilds from Boredaux France. Cabernet Sauvignons are full bodied rich wines, that can be paired best with hardy dishes including steak, stew and red sauce and much more.

With Valentine’s Day approaching lovers of Cabernet will be delighted to know the wine pairs well with chocolate. In buying your next hearty wine it should be a Cabernet Sauvignon, to experience a delicious long lasting flavorful red wine.

Enjoy!!

Art LiPuma Seaside Wine & Spirits, Old Saybrook CT

FEBRUARY EVENTS

72 February 1 - 28 New Britain "Ghana Paints Hollywood" New Britain Museum of American Art. This exhibition features over 50 hand-painted movie posters created by Ghanaian artists during the mid 1980s to the early 1990s, also known as the “Golden Age” of Ghanaian movie posters. Through this exhibition, viewers can experience these artists’ exceptional skills and their imaginationdriven depictions of Hollywood movies such as Coming to America, The Matrix, Indiana Jones, and Rocky. New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St., New Britain, CT 06052 (860) 229-0257

February 1- 25 Westerly RI February Show at Artists’ Cooperative Gallery Of Westerly: “The Artists’ Favorites” Ever wonder what your favorite artist’s favorite piece is? And how they created it? Welcome to “The Artists’ Favorites,” the February Show at the Artist’s Cooperative Gallery of Westerly, where artists in media from oils and photography to sculpture, textiles and jewelry will display the work they love the most. Come see your favorite artist’s favorite work…and perhaps find a new favorite. Be sure to visit the new “Gallery Shop” that features gifts, prints, and cards and will is located in the small window area to the right of the front door. Artists’ prints of their work can still be found in the Print Gallery, which is promised to be new and improved for February. And of course, as always, shopping is tax-free at the Artists’ Cooperative. Opening Reception Friday, February 2, 5 to 8 PM Gallery hours are Wed-Sat from 11AM - 7PM & Sun 1 - 5PM Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly 7 Canal Street, Westerly, RI 02891 Free and Open to All Tax-Free Shopping

February 1 - March 2 Old Lyme 26th Annual Associate Artist Exhibition and Newly Elected Artists. Landscape, portrait and still life paintings, as well as sculpture, all by Associate Artist members, will be featured in the Association’s front galleries. An exhibition of works by six new Elected Artists will be on display in the Goodman gallery. Lyme Art Association, 90 Lyme St., Old Lyme, CT 06371 (860) 434-7802 https://lymeartassociation.org February 1 - 19 Essex 24th Annual Holiday Train Show. Connecticut River Museum The family-friendly exhibit, created by train artist Steve Cryan, features more trains, new scenery, and lots of surprises to be found in the fully operational 26-foot model train layout. Visitors are challenged to find a scavenger list of various objects hidden within the settings while the smaller visitor set can get hands-on at an American Flyer layout designed for toddler-size viewing. The exhibit is a true locomotive extravaganza and a perfect outing for train fans and all who are young at heart. Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St.Essex, CT 06426 (860) 767-8269www.ctrivermuseum.org crm@ctrivermuseum.org

February 1 - March 14 Westbrook Featuring selected works from Studio Art Quilt Connecticut Associates Region at the Valentine H. Zahn Community Gallery located at Middlesex Hospital Shoreline Medical Center. The Gallery is open during regular business hours and is located at 250 Flat Rock Place, Westbrook, CT. For more information, contact Middlesex Hospital at 860-358-6200 or zahngallery@midhosp.org.

February1 - 4 Putnam Almost Maine. On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost's residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend—almost—in this delightful midwinter night's dream. TNECT (The Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut, Inc.) at the Bradley Playhouse Street Address: 30 Front Street (Route 44) Putnam, CT (860) 928-7887

February 1- March 31 Chester The Third Annual Juried Show at Maple and Main Gallery of 250 carefully selected paintings and sculptures by artists from Connecticut and beyond is on view through March 31. On First Friday, Feb. 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. Please see works from the show at mapleandmaingallery.com. Maple and Main Gallery at One Maple Street, is open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 860-5266065; mapleandmain@att.net; please visit the gallery on facebook and Instagram.

February 1- April 7 5th Annual Connecticut Coast & Country Winter Wine Trail. Passports for the 2018 Connecticut Coast & Country Winter Wine Trail may be picked up at any of the four participating wineries.

The Winter Wine Trail encourages participants to visit each one of the wineries between the dates of the program and get their "passport" stamped at each location.

Those who participate not only get to taste the variety of great wines, but there are over $2,000 in prizes. To be eligible to win, participants must visit all the participating wineries and get the "passport" stamped by April 6. There is no purchase necessary to receive a passport or get it stamped. Stay overnight, eat and drink at a local restaurants and support local farms and businesses. (203) 453-2338 www.ctcoastcountrywinetrail.com February - April 15 Essex "Contemporary Moments: Paintings by Molly McDonald" Cooper & Smith Gallery. Exhibit showcases new abstracts by Molly McDonald. Molly draws from past and present experiences, in combination with observation and imagination, to create color fields that are simultaneously meditative and energetic. Cooper & Smith Gallery 10 Main St.Essex, CT 06426 (860) 581-8526 www.coopersmithgallery.com art@coopersmithgallery.com

February 2 - February 24 Madison Valentine Gems - New show at Susan Powell Fine Art. Opening Reception Friday, Feb. 2, 5-8 pm. Join us for a festive winter opening reception for our new show: Valentine Gems. Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served, meet the artists, and enter our Valentine raffle. Many of our favorite award-winning Artists, as well as new Artists we are introducing, are participating in this group show at Susan Powell Fine Art Gallery in Madison. This exhibit features a varied selection of subjects; land & seascapes, marine art, still life compositions, wildlife, florals, and romantic city scenes, in Oil, Watercolor, Acrylic, and Pastel. All are exquisite gems for your Valentine! The gallery is located at 679 Boston Post Road, Madison near the fire station. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm, and anytime by appointment. For further information, please call (203) 318-0616, visit wwwsusanpowellfineart.com to see works in the show, or email susanpowellfineart@gmail.com.

February 2 Mystic Featuring the work of KATHARINE GATES and bubbly. Katharine Gates is an oil painter living in Stonington, CT. Trained at Salve Regina University, Katharine holds a BA in studio art with a concentration in painting, as well as a BA in Art History. She has exhibited in various galleries throughout Rhode Island, Connecticut, and abroad in Assisi, Italy. Katharine paints Plein air landscapes as well as live event paintings, where she aims to capture the authenticity of the people and places she observes. 5:00 - 7:00pm INFO@CURATED.WORLD 1-800-249-0129 29 W. MAIN STREET, MYSTIC, CT 06355

FEBRUARY EVENTS

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FEBRUARY EVENTS

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February 3 - 4 Hartford 13th Annual Connecticut Kids Fair Connecticut Convention Center.

Fun, entertainment, exhibits, prizes and more. Here's a one-stopshopping for the latest products and services fro growing families, including national, state and local companies offering product samples and valuable information. Plus, the event presents entertainment, celebrity appearances and loads of activities for families with busy babies and toddlers. Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd. Hartford, CT 06103 (860) 249-6000 www.jenksproductions.com

February 14 Mystic HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, LOVERS. Join us for a lovely selection of wines & bubbly from Mystic Package Store, unique floral bouquets made on-site by Flower Belle (10am-7pm), classical guitarist Ron Murray, painting with Olives & Easels & ENJOY 25% OFF Jennie Kwon gold jewelry & 15% off all sterling jewelry for the month of February February 14, 2018 | 4:00 - 7:00pm www.curated.world 29 W. Main Street, Mystic, CT 06355

February 6 Old Saybrook Bridging the Arts! Curated Film Series at the Kate. Bridging the Arts is a curated film series co-sponsored by Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts and the Kate. The series features a selection of art films produced highly-regarded the by Checkerboard Film Foundation, Inc. and includes a brief lecture before each film. Tuesdays at 5:30 pm | $15 The Kate 300 Main Street Old Saybrook

February 8 Waterbury Mattatuck Museum Febtoberfest is 5! Join us for the happiest Febtoberfest yet as we mark 5 years of bringing the mid-Winter sunshine to Waterbury. This year, in addition to local breweries, guests will have the opportunity to sample American wine from the region and beyond. Event is 21+.

Mattatuck Museum 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $35 in advance, $40 at the door.

(203) 753 0381www.mattmuseum.org info@mattmuseum.org 144 West Main St. Waterbury, CT 06702

February 22 Lecture by Dr. Ellen Frank. Sparking Light from Darkness: Transforming Anguish into Beauty. The lecture will focus on the work of “Cities of Peace” to celebrate cities in rubble for their unique histories and their power to inspire hope and action among their demoralized citizens. As “Cities of Peace” illustrates the power of artistic engagement to help build a global culture of understanding, it also celebrates the best of the human spirit. Cities of Peace” honors the history and culture of various cities that have experienced major conflict and trauma, including Baghdad, Beijing, Hiroshima, Jerusalem, Kabul, Lhasa, Monrovia, New York, Sarajevo, and Yerevan. Frank’s visit to Jerusalem in 1999 inspired her to produce the first painting in the series and to visualize the creation of other works representing additional cities that have survived strife. The series directs action through hopeful energy by celebrating the best of the human spirit, transforming anguish into beauty. For more information about “Cities of Peace” visit: http://www.citiesofpeace.org/ Reception at 5 p.m. Lecture at 6 p.m. $15 Limited Seating. Reservations Required. Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts 84 Lyme Street Old Lyme, CT 06371