INK MAGAZINE - NOVEMBER 2023

A Guide to Finer Living in Connecticut & Abroad NOVEMBER 2023

Vol 18 Issue 214 inkct.com

Great Gifts on Guilford's Historic Green

Women's and Men's Accessories - Art - Home Furnishings - Barware Engagement - Wedding - Children's - and Much More!

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NOVEMBER 2023 Vol. 18 Issue 214

Feature Stories

Departments

Essex

The RiverLane

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If You Love Fashion...

Like the butterflies that adorn her neck, Robin Zubretsky shares that pave´ - that same beam of sparkle that radiates throughout her shop on Main Street.

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Old Lyme

Richard Freeman

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A Man of Many Titles Ask Richard Freeman how he would introduce himself to strangers at a cocktail party, and he quickly replies, “I am a jeweler.” Then he adds, “I am a stone dealer first.”

Cape Cod Cranberries Bodaciously Boggling

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The North American cranberry – one of the few fruits native to this landmass – can be traced back 12,000 years. A staggering 80 million pounds of cranberries are consumed just at Thanksgiving tables each year.

Where does this fruit come from?

w/o borders

Lisa & Elsa

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A Long-Awaited Meeting Why did I go to Africa?

Well, when I was a little girl, I saw the movie Born Free. I loved animals at that time and one of the main characters was Elsa the Lioness. Have you guys seen that movie?”

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Diane’s Dish - memorys and the Cuckoo’s Nest What’s Greg Drinking? - Thank you, that is it.

The Cheesemonger - Proscioutto of happiness

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“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

– John F. Kennedy As we enter this season of rest and subsequent rebirth, hopefully we find ourselves with a little more time to put our “busy” lives on pause and engage in some thoughtful reflection. To take a personal inventory of the many people and experiences in our lives that have left a lasting imprint, and all of which form who we are in the present. To observe your life up until now, is to look back fondly, or perhaps consider the way things “could have been different.” When looking back in time, there is the inevitable full circle effect that leads back to the present. Thus, I have never been the should have, could have, type of person. The past is like a well to drink from, or a map to help you navigate new terrain. If you have the interest, all your experiences will foster you and will help you grow and develop into a stronger and higher self. The past is always there for you.

Practicing daily gratitude has always been very high on my list. I see it as a gift within a gift. To be thankful or grateful in a sincere way, is the connective thread to something meaningful. Like the most beautiful bell that rings out long after its initial sounding. This holiday season, may you all find love and grace in each day.

Contributors

Jeffery Lilly founder / publisher

Ashley Alt - columnist

Gregory Post - editorial

Laurencia Ciprus - editorial

Carolina Marquez-Sterling - design

Susan Cornell- editorial

John Tolmie - editorial

Rona Mann - editorial

Jan Tormay - photos/editorial

Advertising

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

Jeffery Lilly - Publisher 860.581.0026 Bob Houde - Eastern Connecticut bob@inkct.com 860.303.6690

Rona Mann - Greater Connecticut six07co@att.net - 401-539-7762 Richard Malinsky - Shoreline richard@inkct.com - 215.704.9273

On the Cover: “Cranberry Crate” - Courtesy Cape Cod Cranberries

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REALISM TODAY Sept 29 to Nov 25, 2023

Leonard Mizerek, Across the Bay, Oil, 18 x 24”

Kyle Stuckey, Seaside, Oil, 18 x 23”

Paul Beebe, Afternoon Sail on the Connecticut Shore, Oil, 10 x 20”

Kyle Stuckey, Seaside, Oil, 18 x 23”

SUSAN POWELL FINE ART 679 Boston Post Road Madison, CT 203 318 0616

Larry Preston, Apples, Oil, 16 x 24”

Jim Laurino, Sisters Farm, Oil, 16 x 18”

ELIZABETH ENDERS: A DIFFERENT TIME, A DIFFERENT PLACE On view through

Jan. 14, 2024 Exploring landscape, nature, and the role of place in the imagination, this exhibition presents recent work by contemporary artist Elizabeth Enders (American, born 1939).

Lyman Allyn A R T

M U S E U M

Celebrating the power of art since 1932

Chicago (detail), 2022, oil on linen. Courtesy of the artist and the Betty Cuningham Gallery, New York.

625 Williams Street • New London, CT lymanallyn.org • Exit 83 off I-95

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VA L E N T I N E H . Z A H N C O M M U N I T Y

G A L L E R Y

T H E GA L L E RY AT M I D D L ES E X H E A LT H S H O R E L I N E M E D I C A L C E N T E R

Gallery

Exhibit

/.-,+*)('&%.$&#"*!& ), & - .,& ,-* & (), & . -(& & ( )-(-& "" $-* . . *-,)('& & .-* &" &&%+, *- !.*& -') . . .*& , & & ,

November 13 - January 26 Reception • Wednesday, November 15 • 5 - 6:30 p.m.

/" "*&,) !., ) !., & ) ) ) ),&'-* .-*, -* .-*, "*'&"*& - - &

& ,&

Michael Centrella, Snow Squall (detail)

Visit the gallery at the Shoreline Medical Center or online at MiddlesexHealth.org/RVA The River Valley Artists Holiday Show • Changing Seasons exhibit features work from artists

who live and create in Chester, Essex and Deep River.

With more than 40 artists, the group participates in art shows and other activities throughout the year.

250 Flat Rock Place, Westbrook, CT 06498 860-358-6200 + info@midhosp.org + MiddlesexHealth.org

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erhaps the first thing you notice is the butterflies.

Robin Zubretsky wears each one individually on two simple chains around her slender neck, one slightly higher than the other. They are beautifully crafted, encrusted with what appears to be a pave´ setting of closely set small diamonds creating a beam of sparkle, but there is nothing gaudy nor ostentatious about them. Like true butterflies, their beauty lies in their simplicity and grace.

Whether you believe, as do Native Americans, that butterflies symbolize hope and rebirth or agree with others who liken them to a renewed start in life or career, they are the perfect fit for a woman who spent 30 years of her life in money management - first as a CPA in Hartford - and then as a CFO of a major international financial firm based out of New York. After a short intermission, in her second act, we find Robin turning a historic landmark bank into a boutique, while in the process turning the heads of females from near and far who enjoy dressing with a special brand of style.

To begin, “She was always a fashionista,” her affable sister-in-law and much-prized right hand, Wendy Gaudette chimes in. Robin immediately counters tongue in cheek with, “The two most important things each day are the weather and fashion, and they’re also the two things that keep changing.” When Robin tired of all the international travel her high-powered job demanded and was looking to stay closer to

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home and husband, she sought a career change but wasn’t exactly sure what that would be.

The wonderfully enchanting village of Essex that equally captures both resident and visitor with its unrelenting charm, watercolor-worthy vistas, and outgoing people had always beckoned to Zubretsky. Even though her primary residence had been in New York City, Robin also enjoyed a second home in Deep River and frequently found herself wandering those six short miles from home right into Essex Village.

She bought the site of the former Liberty Bank circa 1873 and set about to slowly and purposefully make it into a space that would be welcoming, would check all the many boxes she had in her mind’s agenda, and would still maintain and give homage to the architecture and character of the place, for this is what had always appealed to Robin about Essex, and she was not about to tamper with history!

She retained the high ceilings that had significantly contributed to the distinctive architecture of the bank, pulled the bars off the windows, and let in the light in such a way that it complements the vibe of the store and makes the clothing just “pop,” and even kept the facade of the night deposit box!

However enthusiastic as Robin is about showing off her double entrance, her “living room” of a first-floor-showroom with its comfy chairs and sofas, and the way the carefully curated clothing is displayed by color and style, she is nearly giddy when she speaks of the second floor...which she does frequently! Mirroring in many ways the prized salons of Saks

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Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and other customeroriented boutiques, Robin really put her focus, her talent, and considerable vision into the second floor. Where the bank only had a 400-square-foot loft she completely remodeled and built out a newly created space so that the building had a large and serviceable second floor. It is here that The River Lane has much of their formidable inventory displayed in a variety of sizes. So, if a customer eyes a dress or pair of slacks not in her size downstairs (where most of the medium sizes are), chances are very good she’ll find the perfect fit on the second floor.

That much-loved second floor also houses the most stylish shoes in a multitude of sizes, more cozy seating, a wonderful dog named Coco who only “works” Mondays and Fridays, plus a whole host of snacks and a collection of top-flight wine and champagne for their TGIT “lagniappe” (New Orleans-speak for a little something extra) and froze´s during their huge Black Friday celebration that spills out in the parking lot. Sound a bit over-the-top, pretentious, stuffy? Quite the opposite! Here’s a shop where you can drop in just for a glass of bubbly, kick off your shoes, sit on the sofa, and laugh and chat with the wonderful people who work there. It’s “that” kind of atmosphere, and yes, there is much laughter always.

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Another real “plus” at The River Lane is that Zubretsky has put together a team of professionals -stylists who curate - who really know and have worked in high-end fashion previously.

Not only that, but each one is a different size, so they have the ability to try on a particular garment they think is “right” for a customer, show it to them electronically, and then either ship it, put it aside until the customer comes in; or if it isn’t exactly right, try on another! More often than not, even though The River Lane will ship merchandise, their curious customers love to come in. If they’re out-of-towners it means a trip to the fabulous Essex Village, perhaps lunch at the Gris, a walk through the picturesque area, and of course, a lengthy stop to visit their friends at The RiverLane.

Yes, it’s a very special place and an even more special way of doing business, but she didn’t do it alone. Robin Zubretsky is one smart cookie, so all along the way she has forged partnerships with the very best builders, designers, advisors, and marketing professionals she could find from the physical renovation of the building to how to shop the retail shows’ buying seasons (the two major ones being the Spring Show and the Fall Show). Zubretsky never pretends to be an expert because she is always seeking to know more. “If I’m not learning, I’m miserable,” she asserts...and means it! She is one of those rare individuals who wants to take away something new and important from everyone she meets. She looks you in the eye, smiles an easy smile, makes no presumptions, and above all, listens. Really listens before jumping into any conversation.

Coming up as we march headlong into the holidays will be pop-ups and trunk shows, a newly expanded shoe room, more champagne to pop, and more customers who quickly become valued clients and friends.

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Robin Zubretsky and Coco

Like the butterflies that adorn her neck, Zubretsky shares that pave´ - that beam of sparkle that radiates throughout her shop. She smiles as the door opens and an employee comes in to join the team for the day, she smiles as she greets both the curious new customer as well as the old friends who drop by daily to sit on the couch and share some coffee or wine and conversation. They don’t always have to make the cash register ring, and that’s just fine. Because Robin Zubretsky is fulfilling one of her goals, that of building a community within a community. A community of beautiful style you just won’t find around these parts. A community of beautiful people both in the shop (on both floors!), and out on the street. The RiverLane wears its uniqueness in its approach to showing customers well-made clothing and accessories, helping them style to best show off a look, keeping prices in line so people can find something beautiful to own, develop their own signature style, and realize that it all begins where the historical lane of Essex meets the river.

The RiverLane is right in the heart of Essex at 7 Main Street and has its own parking lot! www.theriverlane.com (860) 662-4688

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S H O P E A R LY LY • S H O P S M A R T • S H O P L O C A L

LIVE E lif l fef L CALLLYY

Everything h e r e i s mad de by LOCAL artists and artisaans.

Original Fine Art Local Pottery Silks & Weaving Woodworking Soaps/Candles Cutting Boards

Jew welry Boxes Earrin ngs/Jewelry Nee edle Felting

s Artistic Frames s Custom Mirrors s Turned Bowls Forged Iron s Journals/Cards Just Cool Stufff

Gallery Show w: Beneath the Clouds

Hours: Thurs & Fri Noon-5pm Sat & Sun 10am-6pm 22 Darling Road, Salem 860.608.6526 8 salemredhouse.com

G A L L E RY • A RT I S A N G I F TS • C L AS S ES

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Watermelon Tourmaline Necklace

by Rona Mann / Photography by Jeffery Lilly / Jewelry Photos Courtesy of Richard Freeman

W

hen you’ve been in a business or profession for over 40 years you generally accrue many titles along the way, and maybe along the way they’ve lost their importance.

Richard Freeman, a man who smiles easily and often, enjoys having a few titles because he has always appreciated the diversity of what he does. Jeweler. Gemologist. Designer. Curator. Procurer of Finely Sourced Gems and Minerals. They are all important to him and frame what has been a life of which he’s proud. However, there is a decided difference between someone who merely holds a title and someone who has earned that title: TRUST.

In the case of Freeman who has spent the majority of his life in the Old Lyme area and is widely known and respected, trust is not something he earned in the past tense. He continues to earn that trust every day with every new client, every repeat client, and from those who may be carefully shopping to find just the right fit and comfort level with a fine jeweler, someone they can trust with their family’s history and milestones as well as with their gemstones.

Ask Richard Freeman how he would introduce himself to strangers at a cocktail party, and he quickly replies,“I am a jeweler.”Then he adds,“I am a stone dealer first.” Depending

21 upon how long that cocktail party might last, Freeman’s life would make for great conversation because his is a great story that is still happily continuing.

He never dreamed when he was a student at the University of Connecticut heading headlong toward a Master’s Degree and career in social work that his life was about to take a 180-degree turn and soon he and another like-minded student involved down the same career track would become friends, give up their brand new careers and set out on a life of bright colored gems and years of road trips dotted by gem shows. But that is precisely what Freeman did when he and fellow Family Therapist, Jim Elliott decided that social work left a terrible taste in their mouths.“Every day it was bad stories,” Freeman said.“I wanted beautiful things and happy stories.” Elliott as a young man had always cut stones as a hobby, so following his UConn graduation he traveled to Central America where he first discovered there was a promising future in buying and selling colorful gemstones.

Within a very short time, Richard Freeman joined him, turning their friendship into a partnership, and the two began to crisscross the United States, knocking on doors and taking part in every event they could that was sponsored by the International Gem and Jewelry Show, the largest such organization in the United States.

Elliott and Freeman worked together for 40 successful years, initially working out of the house, then opening a retail store in Old Lyme, EF Watermelon...not a traditional jewelry store, but a beautiful gallery exhibiting estate jewelry, original design, and objets d’art. Here, lifelong friendships were forged with shoreline residents and others who became more than customers, and the two men concentrated not on just selling a piece now and then but took an active interest in educating their clients and building their collections.

Their success was not limited to their own talents in identifying high-quality gemstones, but in building a cohesive team of artists, each an expert in creating keepsake jewelry. From lapidary artists to those who are expert in creating settings and casting, the store flourished becoming very popular with local people whose friendship and

support provided the backbone for the high-caliber work they offered.

Richard readily credits, Janet Vitkavage, the one-of-a-kind custom jeweler for much of the success of the shop. Vitkavage has an eye for color and producing exquisite detail having worked for Tiffany’s and David Webb in New York before choosing to join the two men in Old Lyme, and suddenly the bar was raised even higher. “It was our finely sourced gemstones, but Janet’s design,” said Freeman.

As has happened with many a business, EF Watermelon closed during the pandemic. They were still at the very top of their profession, but Elliott wanted to step away, and the timing was just right.

Freeman retired to his home, and that lasted about six weeks!

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“I wasn’t ready. I loved this business, I loved creating fine jewelry for people who love color: color like bright ruby reds, sapphire blues, and emerald green, but I could provide those same vibrant colors in the blue, red, and green shades of sapphires, tourmalines, and tanzanites, mined in Africa and especially in Brazil which produces 60% of the world’s colored gemstones.” Freeman and Elliott had previously traveled throughout the world and had cemented relationships with people in nearly every country, so he knew exactly where to find what his clientele wanted, what would make a magnificent piece that would be worn and not forgotten.

Legacy Bracelet Diamond Sapphire Ring

“Worn,” that’s the operative word here as Freeman talks about safe deposit boxes.“You know how many safe deposit boxes there are just in this area? They lie in bank vaults with old pieces of fine jewelry no longer worn because the setting may be tarnished, the look not appealing, so they just lie there. And one day when no one in the family wants them, they are melted down or given away. I will take those pieces and make something beautiful from your history. It might be your grandma’s pin that now becomes a necklace, a bracelet celebrating the birth of your children or grandchildren, or it could be a 53-year-old watch that’s outdated and hasn’t worked in years. I can give it new life!”Note: Janet Vitkavage still works for Richard creating exquisite designs with every project she is given.

Sitting in the light-filled space that is Richard Freeman Fine Jewels, there is a story on every wall, every table, or mounted on a pedestal by the window. “The largest finest emerald ever found on earth and weighing 2000 carats we had and sold to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. We have also worked with the Smithsonian, the new wing of gemstones at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and galleries, museums, and installations throughout the United States and around the world. He smiles again, then leans back in his chair. A man who has more than paid his dues, worked hard, risen to the very top of his profession, and still has no thoughts of retirement.“After 40 years I’m no longer in retail. I have the finest contacts in sourcing the best gems and minerals all over the world. I can do what I do from here or in Colorado where my grandchildren live, and I enjoy every day, every piece I build, and the fact that I am giving my clients history and legacy and something beautiful all in one.

I’ve traveled the world, been in mines all over the world, and I’ve gotten to experience the geology of the world, so I can make incredible jewelry at a very fair price. I tell my clients to go unlock that safe deposit box they haven’t looked at in a long time. Make an appointment, and we’ll sit down and create something beautiful and wearable together.”

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people who love color: color like bright ruby reds, sapphire blues, and emerald green”

Diamond Sapphire Ring Tourmaline Drop Earrings

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“ I tell my clients to go unlock that safe deposit box they haven’t looked at in a long time. Make an appointment, and we’ll sit down and create something beautiful and wearable together.”

Diamond Necklace

Richard Freeman: a man very much at peace with himself, with his career, and his talent for making beautiful fine jewelry with the help of some of the most well-known experts in the world.

He is indeed the ringmaster of a glorious circus of worldwide artists. Richard Freeman smiles one last time and says,“This is my story now.”

Take a look: www.richardfreemanjewels.com Make an appointment: (860) 608-1768

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The season of gratitu ude Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate our loved d ones, give thanks and show our gratitude by giving back to the causes most importantt to us.

Contact us today to learn more about charitable c giving.

Poulin Wealth Ma anagement Group 200 Glastonbury Bo oulevard, Suite 103 Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860) 657-1757 www.poulinwealth.c com Investment and insurance products: • Not insure ed by the FDIC or any other federal government agency • Not a deposit off, or guaranteed by y,, the bank or an affiliate of the t bank • May lose value © 2023 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, registered investment adviser and Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC.

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NEW ENGLAND LANDSCAPE September 29 – November 9, 2023 Opening Reception: Friday, October 6, 5 –7 pm

Concurrent show

BON APPETIT

Presenting Sponsors

Art: Janine Robertson, Lavender Haze Mystical Shadows, oil.

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Photography by Laurencia Ciprus

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T

he Cranberry – that fiercely loyal fruit – reliably surfaces each November. Little red sandbags stack up in produce aisles across the country. Ditto that with cans of the gelatinous stuff – giving up the fight with a butter knife smack and a whoosh. A staggering 80 million pounds of cranberries are consumed just at Thanksgiving tables each year. Where does this fruit come from? Like Santa and Easter Bunnies – what happens the rest of the year is a mystery. In actuality, delivering this steadfast staple to consumers is a year around, multi-billion-dollar industry.

The cranberry industry and their consortium of contracted growers have been advancing production techniques for hundreds of years. Beginning in 1816, Revolutionary War veteran Captain Henry Hall cultivated and harvested his first crop from wild vines he propagated and transplanted into his bogs in Dennis, Massachusetts. The Hall Family Farm continues the tradition today, operated by the 8th generation of Hall descendants.

The North American cranberry – one of the few fruits native to this landmass – can be traced back 12,000 years; pre-dating the first settlers by centuries. When Pilgrims discovered the vines in the New World, they were similar to berries found in England. German and Dutch settlers renamed the fruit crane berry because the flower and vine resembled the head, neck, and bill of a crane. Over time, the e fell away. Crane berry morphed into cranberry. Today, there are over 100 varietals of cranberries and counting.

Cranberries thrive wild in the bogs – lucky geological consequences after glaciers in the region broke apart to carve out the land. These pools are sandy basins, evolving over time into enriched kettle ponds containing a stew of peaty sand and clay – ideal for cranberries to grow, sustain and thrive. Today, these heirloom vines continue to bear fruit. The Mashpee Wampanoag People – spread across southeastern Massachusetts and Eastern Rhode Island for the past 12,000 years ¬– incorporated ibimi / the wild cranberry into their culture with an annual harvest. Along with the Algonquins – who called cranberries sassamenesh / bitter or sour berries – wild cranberries were consumed in a variety of ways. In addition to eating them raw, they were also dried to make nasampe/a cereal, or pemmican – an early superfood – a mixture of berries, dried meat and animal fat which could be stored for months. There is a myriad of other

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they are 90% water. Interior air pockets help the projectiles go airborne and bounce nicely. New Jersey grower John “Peg Leg” Webb discovered in the 1880’s, that the bounce was a great test for ripeness!

Pure luck to line up with A.D. Makepeace Farm in Wareham – the largest cranberry producer in the world. Makepeace is also Ocean Spray’s largest grower-owner, boasting 1,750 acres of picturesque bogs spanning the towns of Carver, Middleborough, Plymouth, Rochester, and Wareham, MA. John Makepeace was one of three founders of Ocean Spray, along with Elizabeth Lee, and Marcus L. Urann – the 1912 master mind behind the canned cranberry. A massive cooperative of 700 global growers, 70% of all cranberries are from Ocean Spray, and approximately 375+ growers in the state of Massachusetts produce 25% of the total U.S. cranberry supply. Considering the yield and demand, it’s incredible to witness the non-stop choreography of the very brief harvest. documented medicinal usages. Healers and Medicine Men used cranberries in traditional rituals to combat fever, swelling, and as a topical skin remedy for pox; to cure shingles, as an early antibiotic, and as an antidote to scurvy and motion sickness.

The rich red juice has been used as a natural textile dye.

Cranberries conjure up memories: stringing cranberries with popcorn for Christmas garland. My mother taking down a small crystal bowl each year and filling it with my greatgrandmother’s traditional holiday sauce. Cranberries also made great red bb’s for bonking. The berry bonks well since

Although synonymous with Fall, the growing process is a year-round enterprise. In winter, the bogs are flooded and prepared to weather over the vines. Ice provides insulation and every few years, bogs are re-sand to keep the vines in mineral balance. In Spring, the water is removed, the vines begin to flower, and bees take over to pollinate the crops. Many growers utilize beekeepers, bringing in honey and bumblebees to ensure the maximum harvest! By mid-Summer the flowers have fallen away, and the berries begin to develop and ripen to red – if exposed to sunlight – and white if maturing without the sun.

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Fast forward to October and the harvest –from mid to late September and completed by early November. Timing is crucial. To maximize yield, the fruit must be harvested at the peak of ripeness with immediate turnaround. Everyone is on standby. The call came after a run of grey and the hop-inthe-car and GO drive out to the Cape. Entering the property, it’s evident that Makepeace Farm preserves the charm of New England nostalgia. There is a shop and a small museum visually describing the harvest and the history of the industry.

The bus tour is seamlessly organized by Kim Minott and led by all-things-cranberry expert Judy Joy – a retired Ocean Spray manager – whose narrative made it memorable. As the bus navigates the land, red bogs under blue skies and sun

stun. Information flows. Two methods are used in harvesting cranberries ¬– the more labor-intensive dry harvesting, and wet harvesting. Dry harvesting – which requires far more finesse to preserve the whole berry – is reserved for the fresh-toconsumer market. This method utilizes walk-behind machines to coax the berries off the vines and into burlap bags.

Remember the air pockets that made cranberries fly when you threw them as a kid? It’s why cranberries float in water. In wet harvesting, bogs are flooded to make the buoyant berries rise to the top and ease removal from the vines. Water reels – aka egg-beaters – agitate the water in the bogs, releasing from the vines and rising to the surface of the water. Wooden or plastic booms corral the berries – often several inches deep in a stunning swath of scarlet. They lifted by conveyor or pumped into a truck, to take them to the receiving station for cleaning. More than 95% of the crop is wet harvested. Wet harvested cranberries are used for juices, sauces, sweetened dried cranberries, ingredients in other processed foods or in nutraceutical products.

After harvesting, cranberries are removed from the bogs by either bog vehicles or helicopters. Although this is a multi-billion-dollar industry, the equipment employed has been developed through the farms and consortiums. Heavy equipment giants like John Deere cannot justify the R+D for this relatively small market of users. The fruit is delivered to fresh fruit receiving stations where it is graded and screened based on color and that ability to bounce.

With a bumper crop of information as the takeaway from the educational tour, cranberries become more than just-for-Thanksgiving. October is Cranberry Month in MA, and the berry is the official fruit of the Commonwealth. Aside from

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the nostalgia, legend, and lore, the industry faces a myriad of ongoing challenges. International tariffs, water conservation issues, irregular yields congruent to climate shifts, plus costly farm maintenance and re-sanding cycles – all factoring into the necessity for innovation and research. There have been notable advancements – some facing arbitrary backlash. The establishment of solar farms on non-farmed acreage provides income and a financial offset for years when crops lag. Water conservation areas circulate and recirculates water for irrigation.

The UMASS Cranberry Station is in Wareham, MA is essential to sustaining and advancing the industry. This research center is where they propagate original vines, with Massachusetts boasting of two heirloom varietals. Leela Saisree Uppala, PhD, Extension Assistant Professor Cranberry Pathology offered thoughtful insight into industry hurdles: The cranberry industry is currently at a pivotal juncture, presenting both challenges and opportunities for research and extension efforts.

The persistent challenge growers face in Northeast (MA, NJ) and other growing regions is cranberry fruit rot. It is a complex disease associated with over a dozen fungi. We are evaluating novel targeted fungicides that are less harmful to environment, easy to adopt cost-effective cultural practices; with a goal to assist our growers in producing high quality

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Leela Saisree Uppala, PhD, Extension Assistant Professor Cranberry Pathology

fruit with reduced resources. Today, cranberry growers are confronted with new challenges: substantial shifts in climate patterns, longer growing seasons, warmer winters, and an increase in rainfall events. In the future, a changing climate will continue to influence the success of cranberry farming. Stricter regulations imposed by export markets has caused the industry to grapple with the loss of commonly used chemistries and fungicides. This has led to a surge in cranberry growing costs, increased fruit rot, and a decline in both yield and fruit quality.

We are emphasizing that growers integrate all tools “Chemical, Cultural and Biological fruit rot management tools” for sustainable management. Our efforts are directed in developing best integrated management tools. Through this, there will not be overreliance on chemicals, which in turn reduces impact on environment and reduces cost of cultivation.

This year when you toss that bag or can of cranberries into your cart, you’ll know more about this noble little fruit than you’ve ever bargained for. Happiest of Holidays INK Readers!

Cranberry Bringing theHome Bog Home Cranberry Duos DuosBringing the Bog Home Bringing the Bog

the QR UseUse theUse QRQR codes the codescodes for delicious for for delicious delicious cranberry recipes! cranberry recipes! cranberry recipes!

K ingdom of the H awk V I N E YA R D NORTH STONINGTON, CT

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Diane’sDish

on Shoreline Dining

Photos and editorial by Diane Stober

Back Home Again For me, dining out is so much more than the food. Depending on the day, I can say that the atmosphere, company, familiarity, service, proximity, food, my mood, etc., or some combination of those affects my assessment of a dining experience. So, when a friend of 30 plus years said, “Can we do Mexican? I could really use a Cuckoo’s Nest fix.”I was more than happy to oblige. To me, Cuckoo’s Nest is one of those restaurants that I like for the combination of familiarity, and consistency. Yet, little did I know why it has always felt so familiar to me.

I grew up in Branford and lived on the Connecticut shoreline until 2010.

Then, I left Connecticut for three years living in other states and even another country. When I decided to move back to Connecticut in 2013, I was thrilled to find a home in Old Saybrook, where that same friend lived for 30 plus years! Funny thing: within two years of my arrival in Old Saybrook, she left town for East Haven. (I try not to take that personally.)

Growing up in Branford, the favorite (and only) Mexican restaurant was Su Casa. A cozy restaurant with intimate wood booths, low lights, and a guitarist playing soothing music for the diners. Su Casa served its final dinner over five years ago after a 44-year run. Apparently, there has always been a connection between Cuckoo’s Nest and Su Casa.

The genesis for both Su Casa and Cuckoo’s Nest was at a restaurant in Westport over 45 years ago, where a couple of people who worked together decided to each go on their own. One opened Su Casa in Branford, and one opened Cuckoo’s Nest in Old Saybrook. Jim Fitzpatrick opened Cuckoo’s Nest by turning a 200-year-old cattle barn into a restaurant in 1976. (And where did that name come from you ask? As the story goes, folks said an Irishman opening a Mexican restaurant had to be Cuckoo!) Jim ran the restaurant for 36 years before selling to two longtime employees: Heather Emanuelson and Edmilson “Eddie” Souza. Eddie immigrated from Brazil as a young man and started as a dishwasher in 1993 working his way up to head chef. Heather grew up in Old Saybrook and began waitressing at Cuckoo’s Nest in 1998 and now runs the operation. One interesting tidbit, Heather is half Native American Indian. This Mexican restaurant with Irish roots is truly multi-cultural.

But are there other ties to Su Casa? Yes! When Su Casa closed, the owner contacted Cuckoo’s Nest to see if they wanted any items from there, and Heather and Eddie wisely decided to take some things. The mural pictured and even some of the wooden booths came from Su Casa. Plus, like Su Casa, they also have entertainment for diners. Stop by any Sunday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. and you’ll hear jazz on the piano being played by Charlie, who has been playing at Cuckoo’s Nest for 47 years. Congratulations Charlie and thank you!

As you will learn about me through these columns, I am a big fan of happy hours – small plates and a glass of wine is the perfect dinner for me. So, when my friend and I met at Cuckoo’s Nest, we decided to take advantage of their happy hour menu. I ordered the Original Taco Truck Burrito Wrap and she ordered the Chicken Southwest Quesadilla. The wrap was loaded with the meat that I had selected, and my only quandary was should I use a knife and fork or just go for it with my hands? I actually did a combination of both. It was delicious! My friend’s quesadilla was so fresh tasting and scrumptious.

And when having Mexican food, the perfect accompaniment is a margarita with salt, on the rocks ($5 during happy hour).

Returning to Cuckoo’s Nest is like returning home: memories of Su Casa, the warm and familiar atmosphere, good company, food, drink, and service. Dining out with a long-time friend is always a treat. Yes, it’s good to be home again!

Diane is the owner of CT Shore Walking Food Tours, LLC. She hosts three-hour walking tours of Old Saybrook, sharing her knowledge of local history. Visit her website is: https://ct-shore-walking-food-tours.ueniweb.com/ or you can email her at: ctshoretours.oldsaybrook@gmail.com

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It s He ere!

We are SO excited! After many years of dreaming, scheming, and believing, the Pandemonium Rainforest Project is fulfilling its mission to create an animal sanctuary devoted to the rescue and rehabilitation of exotic birds and reptiles!

We are proud to announce th the op pening off the new Pandemonium Rainforest Projec Anim A al Sanctuary!

Our mission has been to provide forever homes for unwanted animals through rescue, education, and sustainable husbandry.

We have worked very hard to create an entire campus devoted to the celebration of all animals, from our goats, dogs, and chickens to exotic birds and reptiles.

(Maybe e even a few w hu um mans needing ding g rescuin ng g, too.) g, Come visit the new sanctuary*, meet our birds and reptiles, do a little shopping and enjoy your day.

The sanctuary and gift shop are open Thursday Sunday 10-5

*We continue to support our anim mals through a small admissions fee to the sanctuary.

Pa P andemonium Ra Rainffo orre est Pr Pro ro ojject is s a 50 501-C3 3 No Non-p -prro ofit fit Orrg ganizatiio on. All yourr do yo donattiions go o di dirre ectly lyy to o the ca carre e and rre ehabilit lita atiio on of our animals s..

Behind tth he PR RP P Thrif riftt shop at 112 West Elm Street; Deep River, CT. (860) 322-4275

www.pandemoniumrainf nffo oresttp project.org

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Whether you grew up wanting a golden ticket to a chocolate factory or an invitation to attend a wizarding school, you hopefully learned a valuable lesson years ago: saying“thank you.”This skill is not intuitive, rather it is initiated from a delicate combination of nature and nurture, community and core values. So frequently uttered that it is often perceived as a perfunctory rather than an earnest expression. So it is with Pinot Noir, especially recently with the Pacific Northwest examples, the reputation precedes the pour. So when I break precedent and skip a beer month to highlight a screw-topped offering from Oregon: I hope you will understand. I am thankful that my dear friend Annette from Cove Ledge Package Store understood the assignment and pointed me towards A to Z Wineworks 2021 Pinot Noir!

While the fall sports teams from the Tristate area might not be going the distance this season, the same should not be said of the glorious grapes from the state of Oregon for which we are so lucky to have access. A to Z Wineworks is a rare opportunity for newbies and aficionados to put their glasses together in harmony. The nose of this wine is a full-on Turkey Day bouquet of vibrant red berries that invoke cranberry (from scratch or in cans, no judgment) to the perfect pitch point. Your first sip leans into those tart notes and returns with clove and cedar to balance the acidity. This wine was the miracle of over 70 different vineyards in the Beaver State, and thankfully some oak was incorporated along the way! The subtle vanilla and coffee that creeps through the aforementioned acidity is beyond pleasing. The screw top might have had your great aunt clutching at her pearls, but all you need to hold onto tight is your glass, because just one bottle surely won’t suffice. Trust your turkey with nothing less than this triumph.

One of the reasons this month had to feature a wine was because of how serious my family takes Thanksgiving Day from a culinary perspective. While my father and I are lowering a perfectly brined bird into a smoker with a bucket of beer soaked wood chips waiting eagerly on the side, my aunt Lynn is no doubt checking up on her from- scratch pies to make sure every aspect is up to snuff.

My aunt Sue will be making sure appetizers and cocktails are

flowing, while my Uncle Chuck and Aunt Nancy (the real wine experts in my family) are doing everything in their power to make sure the space we will occupy will do the same. My mother will pour everything (pun intended) into the sides and gravy. My brother and his wife will bring craft beers and stuffing aplenty.

There are always aunts and uncles who are in rotation, and this year some of the core members will be missing and missed.

Whether you are down the road or in downtown Pawtuxet Village, know your laughter will be missed more than whatever you would have brought ‘up the hill’. My wife and I have a tradition of sneaking in some Costco pumpkin pie and an Irish coffee after running the Mystic YMCA Turkey Trot, although with the expectation of a second child around the same time, we might make some adjustments this season. It is often chaotic, with friends and neighbors popping into the ‘Irish snug’ at our house for a beverage by the wood stove, but it is every bit the symphony of shared joy that makes life worth living.

A to Z Pinot Noir is a wine that will find itself welcomed and well regarded as any guest at your table this holiday season. I know there is a debate on the ethics of chilling red wine, but I will say this much: ten minutes in your fridge (or in the garage depending on the year), and this wine is just that much merrier.

For around $20 a bottle, the culinarychallenged at the table can afford to bolster their contribution with this perfect Pinot. Just make sure you find Annette (or your town’s equivalent) before it is sold out!

This November, I can only hope that you and yours find a table where you are at peace with the world. There is so much that is outside of our control which makes it that much more vital to be a bright and present light for those in your life who mean the most. To that effect: early November will be marked by the wedding of longtime Saltwater Farm stallworth and dear friend, Jess Maloney to her fiancé, Marc. Please join me in adding her nuptials to your list of reasons to raise a glass this month. Between that and the above-mentioned expansion of my family, I find myself bursting at the seams (and that is before you factor in the feast)!

Finally, thank you for taking the time to read this article every month. The feedback comes sporadically and is always so meaningful, it truly is a joy to create something that has made people smile. Thank you for reading and supporting Ink Magazine, it means more than you can imagine.

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By John Tolmie / Photoos by y Lisa Ballint hy did I go to A Africa? Well, when I was a little girll, I saw the movie Born Free. I loveed animals at that time and on ne of the main characters was Elsa the Lionesss. Have you guys seen that movie?” Lisa Ballint asks with her bright smile, “It centers on a E European couple who move to Kenya to settle in n the bush and live off the land. Unfortunately y, the husband shot a female lion that was goiing to attack.”

As tragedy often comes, it is u usually replaced by a need which brings hope aas the man found three baby cubs cawing for theeir mother. “So, the couple tries to raise the cub bs, but of course the government steps in and teells the couple it is illegal.” g Lisa recounts, “T Tw wo of the cubs were sent to a Norwegian circus, but they attempted to keep the third one. They named her Elsa and did their best to ween her into the wild so when the government finally ordered her to be released, she would be ready y.. She just about died immediatelly but managed to live four years, ultimately succumbing to a diseaase.” piqued The infuriating yet heartwarming story captivated Lisa and p her interest in the animal kingdom as well as kindled in her a oining keen sense of adventure. And venture the globe she did by jo the United States Navy and translating her passion for all-thiings p to animals in the form of a degree in Zoology y.. But for Lisa, a trip Africa was her lifelong dream. One that would be just out of reach time and again.

The year was 2020 and Lisa ha ad finally booked her adventure of a lifetime. It wouldn’t be Covid that stood in her way y. Lisa was going

to make this trip hap ppen no matter what. She is a reesourceful, strong, and determin ned woman. ‘Improvise, adapt aand overcome’ are one of the many mottos m she absorbed during herr service in the Navy y. It appeared heer dreams to visit the spirit of Ellsa the Lioness were finally at hand. But a sudden cancer diagnosis changed the nce I was seven years old, I had d been dreamplan again. “Y Yeah, sin with the cancer ing of traveling to Affrica. But In 2021 I had to deal w gh that.” Lisa says with a wavee of a hand as if and had to get throug “Th came another th life-hurdle lif h dl in i 2022 it were a mere annoy yance, “Then that I had to overcom me.” Lisa is a beautifully open yet stoic human who doesn’t bother w with the details of her recent trials as her payoff for overcomin ng the hardest knocks in life came to fruition in the summer of 2023. She would take nine flights, visit three African

48 countries, stay in nine primitive camps, and mingle with distant cultures over the course of fourteen days.

All her destinations were booked purposely as far from urban centers as possible. She would sleep in the dense jungles and far out in the arid bush. Her companions would be international campers, local guides, and the indigenous peoples of humanity’s Mother Land. Her response when asked if she felt any trepidation. “Sure! All my friends and family were concerned about me traveling alone. But I only listened to one of my friends who travels the world for her job. We discussed my dilemma about people warning and worrying, but she quickly convinced me. She said, ‘LISA! GO!’, So… I did.”

The trip would prove challenging right at the start.

Lisa lost her phone on her first day of travel basically disconnecting her from all things Connecticut. All things American. All things familiar. Most modern-day humans cling to the refuge and safety of the LED screen. In many ways the human spiritual experience has been hindered by the perpetual onslaught of information. It wasn’t by choice, rather fate brought Lisa a bona-fide Bob Ross moment. Her happy accident loosened the chains of her luxury and security allowing her to completely immerse herself in her journey ‘home’. “I left my iPhone on the plane in Germany. So, I didn’t have it for nearly my entire trip and as you can guess, the first couple of days were a bit squirrely for me.” Lisa chuffs for a moment. Then she raises an eyebrow and continues.

“It was like an intervention from the Universe. If I was to go on a spiritual journey, I had to disconnect.

Before I left, I was thinking about sending some pictures, and maybe text a little bit. And then when I was getting closer, I thought, I really don’t want to be on my phone at all.” The old saying of ‘be careful what you wish for’ came true for Lisa as texting and sending photos wouldn’t be a problem. “After a day trying to get my phone back, I realized I couldn’t do anything except just let it go. And I really was able to let it go. That’s the way it was supposed be and I felt at peace.”

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Lisa spent much of her time with the Maasai people. The Maasai are a culture of proud warriors who inhabit Kenya and Tanzania. The Maasai do not recognize the physical boundaries of these countries and have perpetually been at odds with governing bodies and other native tribes. Since the onset of colonialism in the mid-19th century to the present, the Maasai, like the American Natives Tribes, have been forced from much of their fertile lands. However, due to their warrior class status and their solidarity, the Maasai have been able to remain true to their culture and regain some of the rights to graze their ancestral lands. “When I was in Kenya, I stayed at ‘porini’ camps.

They are the most basic primitive camps you can imagine. The areas where we stayed in Kenya reside on Maasai land and the camping grounds are leased to safari companies from the Maasai who were also hired as guides. The porini (zones encompassing about an acre) are leased out for a ridiculous sum. Around ten dollars a month!” Lisa says in disbelief, “They are taken advantage of because the traditional Maasai don’t deal in or exchange in currency, rather their wealth is determined by the size of their herd.”

Maasai distinguish themselves from other tribes not only by their extreme independence but their bold blood red and black patterned ‘African blanket’ or ‘shuka’ cloth and who are known to dance joyously by jumping up and down. “It was completely spiritual spending time with them, and I felt like I was in every moment, each second, I was paying attention. It all made sense about the people, the animals, and the land about how everything has a purpose.” Lisa explains her connection to the land and its inhabitants. She points to an imaginary spot and says, “That animal just wants to stay alive tonight, and every other animal just wants to kill it. And that’s what it’s about. I really was able to see this divine order. That everything happens for a reason. It was just so clear to me. And in our world over here in Connecticut, there is a divine purpose, that everything happens for a reason. But it was so, so, so, so clear over in Africa.” Lisa continues to transport her audience to a night safari in Kenya, “You see an animal out by itself at night, it was panicking because it was looking for herd to be in. It’s all about life and death… all the time. We took night drives at sundown. So, we would go out during the day and then go on night safaris, so we experienced Both. My favorite was when the sun was settling down. We were able to see for a fair amount of time after sunset. It was amazing!

Then the truck had lights so we could see on our way back under the stars.” When asked what the stars looked like. “You know, I

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don’t even remember looking up at the stars.” To Lisa the world she had known for so long dissipated as she embraced the angular emotions and the stark order of life in the African bush.

“I wasn’t around any towns. I was deep in the African Bush.” Lisa clarifies just how disconnected to modern civilization she was for fourteen days. “It was awesome. I basked in the culture of the Maasai and witnessed how they interacted with each other and the land around them. I asked one of my Maasai guides what he would like me to bring back home with me.” Lisa furls her brow, “He said something completely different than I wasn’t expecting.” She pauses to gather the right words, “He said to educate others about the Maasai. That the Maasai are proud and good. But most importantly, that the Maasai love the animals and they love their land.”

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Spirituality is part of Lisa’s daily routine as is her sobriety, “I do a lot of things that are spiritual in my sobriety. I thought I was connected to God, but seeing what I saw and living in the moment for two weeks, it was just so beautiful.

It was so spiritual.” Lisa’s stoic countenance shows a voluntary crack as she shares, “It brings up deep feelings right now. You know, that’s where we come from as humans. Where we are all from. I felt like I went home. Maybe that’s why I’ve always wanted to go there. I have always been a free spirit. I was drawn over there and I felt so free.” Lisa pauses and regains her poise with an emphatic statement. “That’s my home. Yes, I honestly feel like it’s my home.

So, I am planning another trip next year!”

Lisa’s affection of Africa sprouted from her love of the story of Elsa the Lioness.

Her trip around the globe wouldn’t have been complete without visiting her childhood friend. “I did get to see Elsa’s grave and had our moment.” Smiles Lisa, “I completed the journey with two Maasai Park Rangers, and we drove through the bush for over two hours. I was thinking we were lost and that there should be signs or something pointing the way. But all of a sudden, we pull out of the bush and up pops this little patch of grass this high surrounded by a few trees.” Lisa says holding her hand a few feet off the ground then points. “And then there’s a rock there and that reads ‘Elsa’. It was so touching.

Just behind the rock was a river, so, I stood there and imagined her playing in the cool water, or laying on the log, or napping up in the tree. I felt like her spirit was there and it took me back to when I was a little girl.” She looks up and smiles remembering the moment, “I couldn’t believe I was at that place. I feel her right now. It was exactly what I needed to see.”

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Her experience was the most impactful of her life and plans to continue more adventures. “It was very, very spiritual. I’ve always been spiritual but going back there didn’t rekindle it. It solidified everything I believe because I was able to see that purity of life that was just perfect. I call it a divine order, that there is a reason for everything. It was plain to see that nothing interfered with it in Africa. I lost my phone. I lost my luggage. I also thought I cracked my ribs. But you know all of that was trivial. I had to tell myself, “Look, look, look at what you are experiencing!” In a healthy way I felt detached from just about everything. That’s how free I was. I cannot wait to go back.”

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The

Cheesemonger The Cheese Shop of Centerbrook

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The Prosciutto of Happiness

by Deana Simmons, The Cheese Shop of Centerbrook

Prosciutto, the perfect balance of pork and salt, with melt in your mouth buttery-ness and sliced paper thin.

What is Prosciutto? In Italy the word Prosciutto simply means ham and the Italians take their Prosciuttos very seriously.

There are two types of Prosciuttos. Prosciutto Crudo a raw, cured ham and Prosciutto Cotto, a cooked ham. Here we’ll be talking about Prosciutto Crudo.

Prosciutto (crudo) is made from extremely high-quality pork legs that are salted and left to dry for a few weeks. While it rests the salt draws out the moisture and creates a barrier to prevent bacteria from getting in. It also helps concentrate the flavors. The legs are then washed and salted again, traditionally by hand with a secret family recipe. Then once again left to dry (age). Prosciutto must dry for a minimum of 14 months, and some are left for as long as 36 months.

The technique for making Prosciutto varies by maker, region, and consortium. Let’s take Prosciutto di Parma DOP for instance. Prosciutto di Parma, aka the King of Prosciuttos, is made with a heritage breed in 11 different regions of Italy, all must be within the Parma province. The climate in these regions along with a Strick diet, which includes whey from Parmigiano Reggiano cheese production, lends a hand to its unique flavor.

In the Friuli Venezia Giulia region where Prosciutto-di-San-Daniele-DOP is produced for example, the legs are pressed after salting giving this prosciutto a dryer texture and a saltier, sweeter flavor due to its higher altitude and different climate.

There are different varieties throughout other regions of Italy, Prosciutto Toscano, Prosciutto di Modena and Prosciutto di Carpenga are just a few. All different flavor profiles and all unique to their specific region.

Seasonings Prosciutto is delicate, sweet, salty, and flavorful. Some are seasoned with herbs such as rosemary & garlic. Others with black pepper or juniper.

All add a different, unique flavor. And the longer they age, the more flavorful they will be.

Eating and Serving Prosciutto can always be enjoyed on its own.

It’s often found alongside creamy cheeses such as fresh mozzarella and burrata. It’s sometimes paired with fresh melon or used as a wrap for asparagus. It’s great with Parmigiano Reggiano or Piave Vecchio or part of a charcuterie board. Prosciutto is also good on pizza or in pasta and pasta sauces.

Here's one of our favorite appetizer recipes for Prosciutto. If you don’t care for pineapple, you can replace it with peaches. Serve this with steely Chardonnay.

Grilled Pineapple with Prosciutto & Brie ( This can also be done under the broiler. Then moved to a 325-degree oven.)

1” thick slice pineapple, peeled and cored.

1 8 to 12-oz wheel Brie or Camembert, cut in half horizontally.

8 slices prosciutto (about 8 oz) Crackers and bread, for serving.

Step 1 Prepare a grill for direct and indirect heat: For gas grills (with 3 or more burners), turn all the burners to medium-high heat; after about 15 minutes turn off one of the side burners and turn the remaining burners down to medium. For charcoal grills, bank one chimney starter-full of lit and ashed-over charcoal briquettes to one side of the grill. Set up a drip pan on the other side to avoid flare-ups. (Be sure to consult the grill manufacturer’s guide for best results.)

Step 2 Grill the pineapple over direct heat until golden on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Let cool 5 minutes, then place on the cut side of one of the cheese halves. Place the other piece of cheese on top with the cut side touching the pineapple. Lay the prosciutto slices out on a work surface so they overlap in the middle and look like the spokes of a wheel. Put the cheese and pineapple round in the middle of the prosciutto and bring up one slice at a time to cover. The cheese and pineapple should be fully wrapped in prosciutto.

Step 3 Grill over direct heat until starting to turn golden and crisp, about 3 minutes. Flip with a spatula and cook until golden and crisp on the other side, about 3 minutes. Move to indirect heat and cover the grill. Cook until hot throughout and gooey, 5 to 8 minutes more depending on your grill. Serve immediately with crackers and bread.

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