INK MAGAZINE - SEPTEMBER 2022 by Ink Publications

Vol 17 Issue inkct.com200 A Guide to Finer Living in Connecticut & SEPTEMBERabroad2022 A Guide to Finer Living in Connecticut & VolSEPTEMBERabroad202217Issue200inkct.com

You have surgical and non-surgical weight loss options, and a team of professionals to help you at every step. MiddlesexHealth.org/Weightloss More ways to lose weight.more

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Ashley Alt - ask ashley Susan Cornell - editorial Caryn B. Davis - editorial/photography Nancy LaMar-Rogers - editorial Rona Mann - editorial Paul Partica - the cheesemonger Daniel Lev Shkolnik - editorial Carolina Marquez-Sterling - design John Tolmie - editorial Jan Tormay - editorial Robert Rabine - editorial Joe Urso - ad design

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Feature Stories

Jeffery Lilly860.581.0026Publisher Bob Houde - Advertising Director bob@inkct.com 860.303.6690

A “Loose Association” Coming together in Plein Air Night Boat to New York Connecticut River History God’s Left Ear Part III Final Carlsons Landing Excellence in Essex Album of Flowers / Interesting Times Catherine

Jeffery Lilly founder / publisher “Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” Eleanor Roosevelt WELCOME TO OUR 200th ISSUE OF INK PUBLICATIONS! If you have been following/reading this humble offering since the beginning, a heart felt thank you is in order. If this is the first issue of INK you have come across, thank you as well and we hope to see you again soon. For those who do not know, we began this voyage in December of 2005 with our premier issue. INK was born out of the local publishing scene. I was working at The Main Street News in Essex as a designer, photographer, and photo editor. Since those days in terms of local community publishing a great deal has changed. In some ways for the better, in other ways perhaps not. My inspiration and experience is this... Having relocated here after living and traveling across the country, I found myself in the Northeast and loved it. I was immediately struck by the many wonderful and deeply accomplished individuals that I was coming into contact with. Every person I met had an interesting arch and plotline. There is so much here “Let’s start a magazine!” he says. Regardless of this, my first worry after launching our premier issue was “what if we run out of stories? Well, eighteen years later, and no editorial droughts have ensued. We are built first and foremost on people and their stories. Our advertising partners are the absolute best and without them we would not be able to set down a magazine of any quality. So to them the biggest thank you of all. If you like and appreciate seeing the magazine every month, the next time you go out shopping and see one of these people tell them that INK sent you and also thank you! It’s my belief that every community should have it’s own INK. It has been a journey and a pleasure to meet, interview, and present all of the incredible people that we have featured over the years. Thank you to everyone involved!

Ink Studio/Gallery - 314 Flat Rock Place F125, Westbrook, CT 06498 - email: submissions@ink-pub.com - visit www.inkct.com

SEPTEMBERinkct.com2022Vol.17Issue200

Exhibiting at Lyman Allyn2212405258 Crusty Old Diver - Sons, Stripers, and Slots 30 The Cheesemonger - A cheese buyers guide 60 September Events - Get out and live a little 62 4 32 64

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

On the Cover: Catherine Christiano; Poison Ivy, Chrysanthemums, and Bitter sweet | November 2016; from the series Album of Flowers | Interesting Times; 2020-21; oil, acrylic and transfer prints on panel; 36 x 36. Photo credit: Paul Mutino. visit

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7 The Premier Resource t o the Connecticut Artisan Specializing in New Construction and Remodeling Projects for Residential & OpenCommercialtotheTrade & Retail interior & exterior lights table & floor lamps lamp shades door homehardwareaccessories Tidewater Lighting & Design YOUR SHORELINE LIGHTING SHOWROOM Located 32B Wall St., Madison, CT follow203-779-5128www.tidewaterltg.comusoninstagram @tidewaterlighting Year-end strategies that fit your wealth management plan As we ease into fall and the final months of the year, now is a great time to review your year-end tax considerations, charitable giving and retirement contributions and make sure they align with your financial goals. Contact us today and ask about our second opinion service. Poulin Wealth Management Group 200 Glastonbury Boulevard, Suite 103 Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860) 657-1757 | www.poulinwealth.com RBC Wealth Management does not provide tax or legal advice. All decisions regarding the tax or legal implications of your investments should be made in connection with your independent tax or legal advisor. © 2022 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, registered investment adviser and Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved. 22-GN-00624 (04/22)

8 The Premier Resource t o the Connecticut Artisan oming EUpc Evvents dEAANDAL new EN AND APDSC aandgl . 30 – NSEPT UB JT CLART OTHARINE LTC A . 10, 2022OV. OWURIED SH LFARD WOARILL 2FE Country LaneHarley Bartlett, , oil Octoberr 8, 20 Free Admissio022, 10 am – 3 pm n and Free Parking www.LLyymeArtAssociation.org TDiscover New Products & Learn New Teechniques Special Deals, Free Samples, and Discounts

The Premier Resource t o the Connecticut Artisan Jeanne Rosier Smith, Dawn’s Glory, Pastel, 18 x 36” Deborah Quinn-Munson, Break of Day, Oil, 24 x 36” Tom Hughes, Last New Snow, Oil, 18 x 24” Susan Powell Fine Art 679 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT 203 . 318 . 0616 www.susanpowellfineart.com September 16-October 22, 2022 Opening Reception Friday, Sept 16, 4-7 pm Artists to watch 9

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11 The Premier Resource t o the Connecticut Artisan Virtual Gallery Exhibit VALENTINE H. ZAHN COMMUNITY GALLERY THE GALLERY AT MIDDLESEX HEALTH SHORELINE MEDICAL CENTER 250 Flat Rock Place, Westbrook, CT 06498 860-358-6200 + info@midhosp.org + HarcourtMiddlesexHealth.orgDavis, Owlet Arch (detail) September 6 - October 21, 2022 Visit the gallery from the comfort of your own home at MiddlesexHealth.org/CVCC Group exhibition featuring selected works by members of the Connecticut Valley Camera Club Sponsored by andAnthonyofGiftLAAM,paper.onlinocut2000,Portfolio),(WadsworthBandsColorLewitt,Sol York.New(ARS),SocietyRightsArtists/EstateLeWittThe2000,©2015.10.86.Enders.Elizabeth 625 Williams Street New London, CT Exitwww.lymanallyn.org0632083offI-95Lyman Allyn ART MUSEUM 9 0 th Celebrating the power of art since 1932 Artist and Collector at Play Sol LeWitt: — Closing October 16 —

by Rona Mann/

Photos by Jeffery Lilly

f you’re familiar with plein air painting, you visually might conjure up a perfectly dressed and coiffed french impressionist sitting perfectly ramrod straight at his or her easel gazing at the landscape and trying to capture it Perfectly on canvas. Well, it’s time to rewind that tape!

four assorted personalities in paint-stained jeans, sloppy overly large shirts, hair blowing wildly in the wind, straw hats at the ready so the gray doesn’t yellow, a curious little Airedale Terrier puppy along for the ride, and an unplanned adventure into the outdoors about to commence. Coolers and Tupperware in tow crammed with snacks, they are prepared to be out there for hours. Nobody knows how many, nor do they care. Nobody knows precisely where they’ll land or who might join the party on any given day. But they have left the fourwalled studio, trading it in for sky and water, rabbits and egrets, groundhogs, and the occasional rainstorm...or hurricane. It’s how they roll. Out here – wherever here is on a specific day – the landscape is their canvas, the clouds their frame, the sun, their friend or enemy, and they happily give themselves over to whimsy and weather and friendship and love of their art. This is “The Loose Association,” a rag-tag bunch of painters of a certain age, whatever that age may be. Like hippies of another era, they are hanging loose, doing their own thing, chilling out, and having one helluva good time doing so. On this particular day, four of their number have come together at Waterford’s Harkness State Park, a favorite venue not far from the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, New London waterfront, and ferries, trains, and buses. But all of that is left behind as these artists who long ago named themselves, “The Loose Association” meet up with cookies and smiles and art kits

INow,picture

in tow. They never know what to expect, and that’s what makes this quartet and their plein air experience both unique and mysterious. Like children climbing into a treehouse, today will be an adventure, and each day brings a different experience to be savored. They have painted in farmers’ fields, on beaches, in state parks, wildlife management areas, wherever the mood and inspiration take them.

Sometimes they meet weekly, other times more or less often, but they do so in all weather and all temperatures 12 months a year, especially favoring nocturnal jaunts.

Meet Garnet from Preston; Zimra from Lisbon; Janice, who drives all the way from Westfield, Massachusetts; and Kerry, a model maker and art fabricator for 25 years in Brooklyn, now relocated to Eastern Connecticut. All so very different, but all united in their love of doing what they do in the wide open. There is no schedule.

So in many cases, after they’ve checked the meteorology of a given day, they just pack their cars with their kits, decide where they’re going, and just show up. Garnet has always had Airedale Terriers. She favors the breed for their intelligence, easygoing demeanor, and loyal companionship. This day she introduces “Freyja,” her new 10-week-old puppy, happily sniffing out the locale and even happier to be included in the day’s activities. Her name is derived from Norse mythology where Freyja was the most renowned of goddesses in charge of love, fertility, and battle. This Freyja seems not to care about any of it except the “love” part. She easily gives it, asking nothing more than some food and a belly rub in return. Garnet, who possesses a delightfully wicked sense of humor says, “My dogs aren’t trained, they just become polite.”

“We check the moonrise and the phases of the moon,” Janice begins. Garnet quickly adds, laughing, “But we’re not great on tides.” Janice ponders, “I can never tell if it’s in or out.”

"My dad used to say that death is a big career move for a painter." “

Janice takes a peek at the clouds to see how fast they’re moving on this day. “They change very fast which alters what we do.” Weather is supremely important because as the old adage says, “oil and water don’t mix,” and rain can quickly ruin a painting. That’s one of the downsides of plein air painting, but The Loose Association doesn’t let that get them down. Both Garnet and Janice talk about the time they got caught in 1998 in Hurricane Bonnie. They were frolicking in the ocean on a particularly hot day, and the lifeguards kept waving for them to come in. The two artists just waved back. Finally, the lifeguards themselves fled the beach, and the women decided maybe they meant business. They had.

Although each of the four we spoke with... Garnet, Janice, Zimra, and Kerry have different techniques, organizing their palette seems paramount to them all. Zimra works in watercolors, pen and ink, and pastels; while Garnet favors pastels most of all. Whatever their medium, an easel, some sandpaper, an assortment of fine papers, and a myriad of color seem most important. Garnet bristles at being called an artist. “We’re historians more than we’re artists. Time will tell if you’re an artist.” Then she laughs, “My Dad used to say that death is a big career move for a painter.”

A word for the uninitiated about plein air painting. Most folks have heard of the most prominent plein air painters like Monet, Renoir, Georgia O’Keefe, and Winslow Homer, among the best known. The Loose Association while not as famous still works in the same way, painting from observation encountering different light sources ranging from direct sunlight to window light, moonlight, and overcast light. Night painting is often best illuminated by a portable LED light.

take photographs, but Janice adds, “If I’m almost done, I’ll take a photo of the grain up close to use when I’m back in my studio filling in details.”

According to Garnet, “We exhibit as a group as well as in individual shows. Janice and I exhibit in juried competitions throughout the region: Lyme Art Association, Granby Land Trust, Mystic.” Each artist is decidedly different in how often they work. Janice and Garnet paint daily, sometimes in pairs, sometimes alone. For over 20 years the two women have painted together weekly all seasons of the year. Zimra joined in about 15 years ago, and Kerry’s the new kid on the block starting during the pandemic with instruction and inspiration from Garnet who started him on her love of pastels. “I had been so busy making art for others and not myself,” he said, adding, “The pandemic made me re-evaluate my priorities.” He clearly loves plein air painting now which he calls, “a mental health exercise.”

“I don’t ever go home with homework. It’s about the experience of the day, and for me, there’s never a bad day.” “

All members of The Loose Association agree that painting outside has to be done quickly and deliberately. While they take some time to find just the right place, the best position to capture the light, and the constantly changing atmospheric conditions, they are each of them, organized and deliberate once they begin. Plein air painting is nothing but methodical work. Most painters begin with a loose charcoal sketch to give the artist the feel of the design. Some 16

Water is even more challenging to a plein air painter Whether it’s an ocean, river, pond, or lake, each requires different handling, and in the case of ocean waves where it is critical to capture the movement and light effects of breaking waves, it is of the utmost importance to know if the tide is coming in or out, so Janice is right to be concerned about her weakness in discerning one from the other.

As Zimra says, “We don’t intend to have adventures, they just happen.”And that’s precisely how this happy little coterie of insanely talented artists rolls. For more information on where The Loose Association is exhibiting or to join them for a plein air adventure, contact: Garnet Wrigley at www.garnetart.com Just make sure you bring along some cookies...and perhaps a dog treat!

When Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas first came to America he flew into what was then called Idlewild (now JFK) Airport in New York. Immediately he became entranced by the name “Idlewild,” commenting to a reporter. “Idlewild. What a perfect name for a poet or artist of any sort. How grand it is to be both idle and wild.”

Garnet sums it up succinctly. “I don’t ever go home with homework. It’s about the experience of the day, and for me, there’s never a bad day.”

18 The Premier Resource t o the Connecticut Artisan

20 The Premier Resource t o the Connecticut Artisan

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efore trains, cars, and airplanes became the preferred modes of travel, steamboats dominated the Connecticut River transporting passengers and goods from Connecticut to New York City and beyond. Erik Hesselberg, a former environmental reporter for the Middletown Press and executive editor of the Shoreline Times in Guilford, recently published a new book entitled, Night Boat to New York, that examines the 116-year period (18151931) when steamboats were a prolific part of our maritime heritage.

Above: Charles Dickens traveled on a Connecticut River steamboat in 1842, Steamer Hartford on one of her last trips down the Conn River

Rosedale1913, at Goodspeed Landing

“What’s interesting about the steamboat is that it was so multi-purposed. It was a floating hotel with luxury accommodations and wonderful meals. It was also an entertainment venue. Minstrel shows were performed, and there was always a piano and dancing to an orchestra. It was a precursor to the modern cruise ship,” Hesselberg says. During its heyday, the Connecticut River steamboat fleet consisted of 50-60 vessels. Regular nightly service during the week began in 1824 with excursions on the weekends. The route started in Hartford with principal stops in South Glastonbury, Middletown, Middle Haddam, East Haddam, Hadlyme, Deep River, Essex, and Old Saybrook, before reaching Peck’s Slip on the East River in lower Manhattan at the foot of where the Brooklyn Bridge now stands. From New York, boats went farther up the Hudson River to Albany and across Long Island Sound to Providence where trains made it possible to reach other land-based locations. The Connecticut River was part of that transportation network and was a principal destination. But steamboats also served as floating warehouses carrying thousands of tons of merchandise to New York that included piano keys from Deep River, tobacco leaf wrappers grown in Windsor, auger and drill bits fashioned in local mills, pistols from Samuel Colt’s Hartford factory, Connecticut River shad, and even farm fresh vegetables.

The voyage took about 12 hours, which Hesselberg notes may seem quite long, but the journey had a relaxing rhythm all its own. “You got on in the afternoon, had dinner, socialized with friends, listened to music, went out on deck at night under the cover of moonlight while steaming downriver and through the Long Island Sound. Then you went to bed in a nice stateroom and woke up to the Manhattan skyline,” says Hesselberg who grew up on the Connecticut River in Haddam. Through the art of storytelling, his well-researched book paints an accurate and colorful picture of the evolution of these steam-powered vessels, the history of Connecticut, and the country during this time frame, and the transition from horse and buggy to the steamboat, to the automobile, and how it ultimately changed the way we live and Hesselbergwork.credits the Hartford Courant, which was started in 1764 and is the oldest continuously published newspaper in the United States, as an excellent primary source

for the material he needed to produce the book. He spent a year culling through their digital archives before sitting down to write which took an additional 12 months. “The whole history of the steamboat is documented in that archive and told through various stories, but another local paper called the Middlesex Gazette, which was very popular back then, was also extremely helpful. For example, they devoted an entire edition to the visit of the Marquis de Lafayette when he came to Middletown in 1824 onboard the steamboat Oliver Ellsworth,” Hesselberg says. Because there was such good information on Lafayette, his story became an entire chapter in the book.” While conducting research, Hesselberg found inspiration in the way newspaper articles were crafted in that time in a more lyrical and personalized manner as opposed to just reporting straight facts. “The use of language was just gorgeous and much closer to literature. There were a lot of descriptions of the steamboats that were really beautiful and vivid descriptions of the Connecticut River and the scenery,” says Hesselberg who is a regular contributor to Voices on the River, a website devoted to Connecticut River history.

Therefore, Hesselberg’s book is not only alive with rich imagery, but also with anecdotes about the many colorful characters involved in the steam travel trade, along with the businesses that were established on the river’s banks as a result. The author has taken a deep dive into uncovering local history and finding connections to people the public might recognize like writer Charles Dickens who took a steamer down the river. Or railroad and shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt who spent 10 years ruthlessly, yet unsuccessfully, attempting to annihilate his rival, the Connecticut River Steamboat Company, to replace it with his own. Or how William Goodspeed, an avid theatergoer and shipping tycoon recognized a golden opportunity to build a world-class opera house in East Haddam in 1876 that is still in operation. Performers at the Goodspeed made their way to this tiny village via steamboat from New York.

“New York was the hub for fashion, finance, and industry. All the trends that were happening in New York got brought up the river. So, a place like East Haddam which was a little farming community suddenly becomes cosmopolitan by having a daily connection to New York. This is what enabled William Goodspeed to build the opera house because he had New York folks that wanted to come Ralph Waldo Emerson Ivory off-loaded in Essex, truck of tusks. 26

Above: Depiction by Nathanial Currier of Vanderbilt’s Lexington destroyed by fire on the Sound in 1840, Cornileus Vanderbilt, dominated Long Island Sound steamboating for more than a decade.

up and see shows and spend some time in the countryside,” Hesselberg says. The steamboats also brought men of questionable character to East Haddam which was the largest port on the river. It had two steamboat docks and two grand hotels, the Steamboat Hotel and Champion House, that still exist but have since been turned into apartments. (Champion House was later purchased as a summer home by Ferdinand Ward for his wife Ella Champion Green, who desired the resort because it had been named for her ancestors. Ward was known as the “Best-Hated Man in the United States” and his skills as a swindler and a master of the Ponzi scheme were on par with that of Bernie Madoff).

Above Clockwise: Long Island Sound 1866, Steamboat Broadside, Steamboat docks Yellow Circle Marks Peck Slip NYC. 1830s, Steamboat Harford.

Above: Sidewheel Steamboat Bunker Hill, 310 tons, built in 1835, Steamer Island Belle docked in Essex early 1900s

“In telling the story of the night boat I am also telling the story of a hundred years of history in America during a period of great transformation,” Hesselberg says. “I felt there was room to also talk about the social and the cultural history of the steamboat, how much it brought to the local areas, and how much it brought New York culture up the Connecticut River because that’s really what happened,” Hesselberg says.

Night Boat to New York is available online and in many local bookshops.

The great age of the steamboat began its decline as train travel improved and automobiles became more commonplace. Additionally, the eternally shifting sands of the Connecticut River, made it increasingly difficult to navigate, and soon, the boats ceased operation. Still, their story has been immortalized in Hesselberg’s fine book.

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29 The Premier Resource t o the Connecticut Artisan

by John Tolmie

Each day during the warmer months in New England are coveted by those who live along the rugged shores of the Atlantic Ocean. For the droves who visit New England, not quite a few congregate along the southeastern shore of Connecticut to book a day of the best fishing on some of the finest charters in the world. As many of us know, the cold water of the coming winter causes the majority of our finned friends to swim south to warmer climes. However, when the water temperature rises in early spring, balls of bait begin to appear drawing predetory species of fish to migrate north again where they spend the season feasting on abundant food sources of Connecticuts nutrient rich coastal waters. Striped bass, blue fish, black sea bass, scup and other pelagic fish, in turn, attract predators of their own. Anglers from all over the United States and from countries far and wide, gather to test their skill with rod and reel in hand. Connecticut is chock-full of first-rate boat captains who are rarely known to pull up to the dock without a cooler full of fresh fish for their customers. Once such operation is nestled in Spicers Marina in Noank at the mouth of the Mystic River. Wild Bills Action Sports is the premier charter in Southeastern Connecticut. Captain Bill was pleased to hear a few of his favorite customers would be returning again this summer as his guests. Two brothers from Western New York had moved to the Nutmeg State years back. The older sibling, Craig McCalister, transplanted to the Whaling City after retiring honorably from military service. He decided to settle down and make New London his new home where he began a veteran’s equine therapy organization and took ownership of a successful underground bar. 33 Golden Street is a venue where the

The Season of Sons, Stripers, and Slots

locals gather to relax, drink cold beer and watch live music. Drew McCalister, the younger brother, has been recognized as one of the world’s most talented and sought-after welders in the industry today. Employed at Electric Boat, Drew is responsible for critical welding projects on U. S. Navy nuclear submarines. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as they continue to honor their beloved late father, remembered for his efforts and love that brought his community closer together. They couldn’t help that they have made quite an impact since their arrival to southeastern Connecticut, it what their father taught them. New friends and tribes are always a positive, but family time is a must. Drew has two sons who still live in Western New York and a close friend who had relocated to the Carolinas. It had been way too long since they were all together, so plans were made, ﬂights were booked and the date agreed upon had ﬁnally arrived as the brotherhood of six would soon join Wild Bill on a day of adventure on the high Captainseas.Bill runs a tight operation. The crew was to arrive at the dock no later than 4:50 just before the crack of dawn. The Captain was not

dissapointed as the scraggly entourage wiped the sleep from their eyes as they arrived on time. Bills custom vessel, built by the engineer who designed hulls for Viking Yachts, is docked just behind his infamous bait and tackle shop. He smiles and invites the boys around back where they climb aboard. At exactly 5am, the engine roars to life as the ﬁrst mate casts the lines. Wild Bill begins to explain to his guests what to expect as he guides the boat from its slip and slides toward the mouth of the Mystic River. The destination will be somewhere on the east of Fishers Island where slot sized striped bass and blue ﬁsh have been recently congregating.

Last year, a slot limit was imposed on the harvesting of native striped bass in the north east region of the Atlantic. Regulations have been changing year by year as governing fisheries experts consistently balance the food source harvested from the sea while maintaining a healthy striped bass population. The minimum length of a striped bass for the past decade or so has been twenty-eight inches. The new slot limit allows an angler to keep a single fish per day as long as the fish is between twenty-eight and thirtyfive inches. The larger fish are mature, and this breeding population is now protected affording this iconic species to continue to flourish along the Eastern seaboard. It is a conservation effort that has already produced positive results for the fish as well as creating new challenges for the angler. The imposition of a slot limit on striped bass is a first, and with it came grumbling amongst fishermen from Massachusetts to Maryland. However, after 33

In Neptune’s Domain, it is against the law to bring life’s woes aboard. It is a time to breathe the misty air, taste the spray of salt and make memories that last a lifetime.

Captain Wild Bill has been through decades of ever-changing regulations, has rolled with each new challenge and is known for being a stickler to following the rules. His first mate, a young lad cutting his teeth in his freshman season on the sea, jovially chats with the boys through a grin of teeth covered by twin tracks of metal braces. The friendly busting of chops starts as it always does on most charters with the first mate usually taking the brunt. Captain Bill smiles with a palm down alluding to take it easy on his fledgling mate. A captain and his first mate are a team that becomes a family over the months of a season on the water. Fishing brings families together as it did on Wild Bills Charter that day. The open water is a place where all worries are left behind on dry land.

the initial season, resourcefulness of sea dwellers aligned with the rules and have continued to enjoy harvesting fish, while benefiting from maintaining a healthy and robust fishery.

The slot limit has made it very difficult to land a proper size keeper bass. With only seven inches of wiggle room, it would be anyone’s guess if each customer would bring home a fish for the grill. They would soon find out if luck was with them as the sun

Dedicated to Watson “Irish” McCalister who loved soccer, loved fishing, loved his community and most of all, his beloved family.

35 broke over the horizon splashing its light across the smooth morning water. The rip at Latimer light is a distinct line that runs perpendicular to Fishers Island. Crossing the rip, the first mate begins to set up the rigs for the impending action. Bill motors off shore somewhere to his secret fishing spot as the boys are broken up into teams of two. A pair of eager fishermen will sit on fighting chairs at the stern. They are schooled on jigging while trolling with wire line. This technique is where the tip of the rod is snapped quickly back and then released and repeated again and again. It is a workout in itself, but the cardio has just begun when the rod suddenly takes the shape of a candy cane as a fish swallows the lure and runs. The youngest boys from Western New York are at the head of the line as each lands their first plump New England striped bass. Smiles and highfives and hoots and howls come from everyone as laughter and excitement drown out the chug of the diesel engine humming in the belly of the boat. Both fish are barely within the upper end of the slot limit. Between the crew and the customers, eight fish are allowed to be harvested. The next set of anglers take their turn on the aft deck. Again, a pair of keeper bass come over the side, both measuring thirty-four inches in length. The cooler begins to fill as each bass that is hooked measures at the high end of the slot. Less than two hours had passed and the boat had maxed out for the day. However, Bill had more tricks up his sleeve. It was time for some catch-and-release action in the Land of the Giants. Captain Bill motors South East as his first mate sets up for another run. The promise was kept as massive forty-pound bass bite and fight. On the surface a net is used to bring the fish safely on board. After a few quick photos, Bill runs a clinic on how to release the majestic breeders unharmed back into the briny depths.

When the time to head back to port came, Wild Bill shook his head in disbelief. It was a magical day where every fish was a keeper at the start. He told his guests that they had just been spoiled and would probably never have a day quite like the one they had just experienced. But the future was far off as the family and brotherhood on deck relished in the memories made that perfect summer day.

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39 The Premier Resource t o the Connecticut Artisan HOPEWITHRIDESUS.

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he centerpiece of Catherine Christiano’s first solo museum exhibition, Album of Flowers/ Interesting Times now on view at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London is a series of large paintings that chronicle a year. Each of the month’s panels juxtaposes a collage of content from The New York Times with carefully painted seasonal flora. The still lifes are placed directly within the context of 2016, the pivotal and emotionally charged election year during which the series was conceived. The concept of an “Album of Flowers,” of pairing flowers with the months of a year, is common in the traditions of Eastern and Western art. Because Christiano wanted to depict local plants and flowers alive, as if growing in the landscape, she looked toward historical examples by early Japanese and Chinese artists, such as Tao Rong (China, 1872-1927) and Katsushika Hokusai (Japan, 1760-1849).

“I found an aesthetic model in their lyrical flower paintings which often incorporated calligraphy and poetry. As with paintings from the Edo period in Japan, the elegance, space, and rhythm of the layout were important to me in designing my paintings. The Japanese term “ma,” which means “gap”, “space,” or “pause,” is a concept where the “empty” negative space holds as much weight as the flowers in paintings. The negative space in my series, however, is filled with newspaper imagery and text forcing everything to the picture plane and

The backgrounds, which resemble a front page, represent the omnipresent backdrop of societal activities in everyday life. The Old Lyme artist sifted through piles of New York Times material from January 2016 through January 2017 to carefully construct the collages.

In addition to the Album of Flowers | Interesting Times series of paintings, this exhibition includes a selection of early works as well as a few preliminary floral paintings. The early works show the evolution of her work with newspaper imagery. Several intricate graphite drawings and a collection of oil still lifes painted on cropped newspaper pages are included.

Prior to earning a BFA and becoming a full-time studio artist, she spent her twenties earning finance and engineering degrees and working in those fields. Among the positions she held was one located in the World Trade Center, for which reading The Wall Street Journal was intrinsic to her morning routine. Because newspapers have been ubiquitous in her life, when she turned to artmaking, she instinctively incorporated them into her work.

“With the news now a constant flow, I’ll check websites several times a day. While painting, I listen to podcasts and news broadcasts. With what I’ve heard or read still in mind, I may switch realms and head outdoors to where my garden of flowers seems persistent, uplifting, and offers respite from chaos,” she says. The idea for the Album of Flowers | Interesting Times series evolved over a period of years. “Early on, I had created still lifes with newspaper. Then around 2015, I decided that I wanted to explore my concept of juxtaposing subjects from nature with newspaper content in a series of larger paintings. With the 2016 election on the horizon, I thought it would be interesting to work with newspapers from that year,” she says, adding, “It seemed logical to have a panel for each month, and since I love flowers, to pair each one with local Whenflora.Christiano was close to completing the Album of Flowers | Interesting Times series, she decided she would like to exhibit the work in a public space. Her preference was to first exhibit the series close to where she lives in southeastern Connecticut so that she could share it with her community. The Lyman Allyn Art Museum was the first museum that she contacted.

filling the ‘void’ with current events,” Christiano explains.

Christiano is known for her detailed representational works. She often works in series and by constructing compositions that combine several visual resources within one piece. Works may include multiple panels, mirrors, or painted still lifes juxtaposed with newspaper content reflecting contemporary concerns.

When she and her husband made the decision to relocate to southeastern Connecticut so that he could pursue a job opportunity, she decided to give art a chance before searching for a new job. Christiano spent several years at the Lyme Academy working from the human figure and completed a BFA in 2001.

Born and raised in suburban New Jersey to first-and second-generation parents, Christiano’s path to studio art was unconventional. Because she was very strong in analytical subjects as a student, she was steered toward a degree in engineering. She was also curious about the business side of things, so she earned an MBA with a concentration in finance.

After work hours, while employed by organizations like Deloitte and GE, she developed her skills in art-making which led her to the National Academy of Design School in New York City. Her teacher there recommended the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in the heart of the former American Impressionist colony.

She has not recently been paid to do work in either engineering or finance, but the skills learned while in those fields have been very useful in her studio practice and in life. “Being a studio artist means that, in addition to creating artwork, I am running a small business and must handle everything that entails. That

She notes, “As challenging as it can be to sustain a studio art practice, I am grateful that I was able to create a life for myself in the arts.”

“Switching careers, especially from one in the corporate world to one in the arts, also meant changing my identity, which was a gradual process. There was never a pivotal moment when I broke the news to family and friends. Imagine, my parents probably assumed I’d be some sort of manager in the business world!”

“Personally, the pandemic has made me more aware of the uncertainty in life. Also, I need large blocks of undistracted time to create my work. The pandemic lockdown period was a highly productive gift of time when I created most of the work in the series Album of Flowers | Interesting Times. I am now more mindful of how I spend my time. The pandemic period was also a very isolated period, so I am much more appreciative of simple pleasures like gathering around a table, being part of an audience, viewing art in person, and engaging with other artists in group settings.

has included managing my electronic equipment, software, and website, drawing up plans for a studio renovation, and taking a project management approach to long-term projects. I do keep an eye on the financial markets and general economic trends. It is not unusual for me to listen to an economics podcast while working. The David McWilliams Podcast is a favorite.”

The pandemic, as it has for all of us, has changed the artist. “The most significant outcome of the pandemic period that will over time influence the art that I create is the much greater diversity of artists whose work is now, finally, being exhibited in museums and galleries. The visual conversation is no longer restricted to specific segments of the population,” she explains.

When she’s not in the studio creating artwork, the next most likely place to find her is in the kitchen cooking. There is a link on her website to her personal collection of recipes. She made the link public during the pandemic when everyone needed to cook and dine at home.

“

“My maternal grandfather owned a French restaurant and from a young age, I learned to appreciate good food. I began collecting recipes when my kids were very young, and I needed to quickly access reliably good ones. It’s a work in progress that reflects my tendency to seek a reproducible result.”

Christiano designed the seal for the Town of Old Lyme and illustrated the memoir Poverty Island, published by the Old Lyme Historical Society. Her work has also been published in American Artist Drawing; on the cover of JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association; and on the cover of Trusteeship, a journal of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and SheColleges.exhibits primarily in the Northeast. Her work has been included in exhibitions at several regional museums and university galleries, including the New Britain Museum of American Art. She has also exhibited with the George Billis Gallery in New York City and Los Angeles and from 2013 – 2019 was an active member of the itinerant cooperative group Gallery One.

Album of Flowers | Interesting Times is on view at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum, 625 Williams Street in New London, from September 10 through November 6, with an Opening Reception on Friday, September 9 from 5 to 7 pm. FMI: Christianolymanallyn.orghasa shop on her website https://catherinechristiano.com/shop/ where one can purchase small original paintings, hand-pulled stone lithographs, and limited-edition reproductions.

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49 The Premier Resource t o the Connecticut Artisan

50 The Premier Resource t o the Connecticut Artisan

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Carlson’sRestaurant,LandingEssex by Robert Rabine Coastal Cuisine

“The disparity between a restaurant's price and food quality rises in direct proportion to the size of the pepper mill.” Bryan Miller

Carlson’s was my home away from home for three years, sitting in on the construction meetings when the building was half ﬁnished.

A truly gorgeous structure designed by Centerbrook Architects, with construction by AJ Shea, custom woodwork by Bruce Thurrott Cabinetry, and interiors by Lawrence Hamre Designs. Sullivan Lawn Care installed and maintains the eye-popping landscape. It was a world-class project from the beginning, purposefully using local talent. The foundation alone took over a year-with 70 pilings driven 75 feet down, covered with six feet of waterproof shale before the concrete was poured. The decks and patios overlooking the marina and river are works of art, with teak ﬂooring and custom stainless railings, outdoor furniture by Janus et Cie. Interiors resemble a custom yacht with huge windows, matte grey walls and oak ﬂooring-mod white vinyl banquettes and chairs dot the small dining room so you get to feel like you are having lunch on a mega yacht for about one millionth the cost. At Carlson’s, the bar is the star; custom-built of sapele mahogany, it juts out toward the water. The views of The Connecticut River Museum and across the CT River to Lyme are unparalleled. Go on a late Wednesday afternoon and watch the Essex Yacht Club’s weekly regatta while sipping a cold one and slurping some oysters, and you’ll feel like an old salt yourself even if you hate the water. Be sure to catch local artist Melissa Barbieri’s fantastical undersea mural on display in the front foyer.

As I was driving up to Carlson’s Landing for the ﬁrst time in months, I had forgotten how beautiful it is in downtown Essex. Tucked in between the Connecticut River Museum and the historic Essex Boat Works, I sold Carlson’s to my landlord at the beginning of the year and I haven’t been back since, worried the staff and regular clientele would start to think of me as that crazy uncle who just wouldn’t go away. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was curious as to how the operation had evolved under new management, so we went in and hung out under the radar, kinda. Luckily, curiosity did not kill the cat, and I’m happy to report that Carlson’s Landing is better than ever.

As a restaurant Carlson’s Landing was off to a great start initially, offering a yacht- club experience to the general public. Four months later it was Covid Interruptus and we were forced to close down for an entire quarter, losing Executive Chef #1 in the process. That winter, we closed again for four months after the governor rolled back the Covid protocols, and we lost Executive Chef #2 in that process. It seemed for a while that we were snake bit, but it ended up being a lucky break. It brought current Executive Chef and General Manager JP Dillon to Carlson’s Landing from Trumbull Kitchen. My sous chef Eric O’Brien (now the Exec at Black Jack’s Saloon) introduced us. Kismet perhaps, but a darn good match nonetheless. Chef Dillon has created an erudite, modern American menu that reﬂects the tony ambience and plays well with the demands of the local market. J.P. told me his cooking philosophy is quite simple: sourcing sustainable products and “letting their natural ﬂavors shine. That is the key for me.” His menu mix is decidedly produce-centric Menu design is a complex process that can make or break a restaurant.

I recently had both lunch and dinner on the deck at Carlson’s with Jim Fitzpatrick of Cuckoo’s Nest fame, and my husband, who is a legend in his own mind. Great views, beautiful weather. The fresh and interesting lunch and dinner menus (some lunch entrees are smaller versions of dinner fare), include a modern take on raw bar with crisp, ice-cold 59

Carlson’s menus change almost weekly and everything is made inhouse except the bread (not enough room), with a craft beer and cocktail list that changes to match the menu. The wine list is short and sweet with mostly California and French offerings, modestly priced with both esoteric and recognizable stuff, and a changing BTG (by the glass) list. A tasting menu is available at dinner and you can pair it with a wine or cocktail ﬂight. The cocktail list is seasonal and affordable, taking advantage of locally distilled Highclere Castle Gin.

Grain Bowl with faro, quinoa, chickpeas, fennel, avocado and watercress; a delicious Crab Salad with pecans and citrus, watercress and mint included three delicious hunks of tempura-fried haloumi that were an unexpected treat. I’ve always loved Chef Dillon’s salads-flavorful, interesting textures and always perfectly dressed.

Shrimp Cocktail (with the world’s best cocktail sauce.) Baked Clams with brie, shallots and garlic were fabulous. Brie and clams? Push the envelope, why don’t you. But it all worked. In fact, it worked so well I have stains on my new Tommy Bahama shirt. Tuna Tartare has edamame, pickled garlic, scallions and sesame seeds, dressed with a slightly too-mild pear gastrique (ask for croutons.) Crab Egg rolls were crispy and packed with crab, julienne veg, and mint. New England Clam Chowder was hot, chunky and delicious, but could use a pinch of salt. Salads include a sturdy Caesar; a

Carlson’s Landing 63 Main Street Essex, CT 06426 (860) Carlsonslanding.com767-2727

Starters include Deviled Eggs; de rigueur Shishito Peppers; silky house-made Ricotta Croutons with charred lemon and pickled radish; steamed PEI Mussels with potato cream and bacon. Don’t miss the Charred Octopus with fennel sorbet. It’s become a classic. Larger plates for lunch include a small Steak/Frites, Fish and Chips, a couple of Burgers and a fat Chicken Sandwich with pickled carrots and chili sauce; Grilled Salmon and Scallops come with alternate accompaniments for lunch and dinner. The Carlson’s Lobster Roll is an awesome take-off with shredded fennel, apple and carrot slaw on top. The dinner menu features a Grilled Filet with bacon-fat potatoes and black truffle; Halibut has asparagus and pea pesto; a delicious Brown Sugar Glazed Mahi-Mahi comes with white bean ragout, a cherry tomato salad and roasted red pepper coulis poured tableside. Perfectly cooked Green Circle BBQ Chicken came with a slightly-toospicy Israeli couscous strewn with cherry peppers and Sundayfeta. Brunch is a hoot during summer. Caribbean Vibe steel drum band plays on the lawn-kids dance on the grass as mom and dad tap their feet to the reggae and enjoy a Bloody Mary or mimosa on the deck or on the grass and talk about the week ahead. Menu items include Steak and eggs; a couple variations on Eggs Benedict, one vegetarian and one with rosemary hollandaise. Apple Stuffed French Toast; two variations of Crepes-one vegetarian and one with goat cheese and pear. Maple Glazed Salmon and a Burger round out the brunch menu. The bar is usually packed on Sunday, so plan accordingly. Desserts are made in house. Panna Cota was cool and creamy with a touch too much strawberry sauce. Double Chocolate Gelato disappeared along with a glass of Gratien & Meyer rose crémant from Loire. Coffee and Espresso by Ashlawn Farms. Service is brisk and friendly, and prices are reasonable for a tourist town. And, by the way, they have very small pepper mills.

By Paul Partica, The Cheese Shop of Centerbrook

I will admit that cheese is a lot more difﬁcult. There are now over 12,000 known cheeses in the world and each cheese has its own particular taste. To make it more complicated you have to beware of the age of the cheese which will alter the taste dramatically. Even with these issues it’s not as bad as it might seem. Fortunately, cheeses have enough common characteristics that they too can be divided into families. If you were told that the cheese is a cheddar you would have a good idea as to what to expect. So, with this being said, we divide the cheeses of the world into twelve families.

Color

This parameter is becoming a little less helpful because of the increasing demand for natural products. Since all cheese is nat urally white, when you see a colored cheese, it generally means color was added. On a positive note, the usual coloring agent is annatto, an orange-reddish color found in the crushed seeds of the Annatto tree, found in South America. Annatto adds no taste to cheese, only color.

Below are a few considerations that can help make easier work of ﬁnding a cheese and help your cheesemonger help you. Describing a cheese by saying the cheese you wanted was round, yellow, and good, maybe true but not very helpful.

The Cheesemonger 62

Size Knowing the size of the cheese can be a very helpful start. Cheese can come in a 200-pound round, like Swiss Emmenthal, or an eightounce round, such as Brie. Mentioning the approximate thickness of a cheese can also help to narrow it down further. For example, Brie will usually be about an inch to an inch-and-a-half thick. I say “usually” because sometimes new cheeses are created with new sizes. So simply saying you are looking for a small round cheese about an inch thick and around half a pound can quickly aid in ﬁnding that cheese. Trying to remember the size of the whole cheese when purchased can be very helpful to your cheesemonger.

Cheese Buying Guide

There are many other ways that you could classify cheese. For example, raw milk vs pasteurized milk, type of milk (cow, goat, sheep), butterfat content, country where made, age of cheese, and so forth. The above mentioned 12 works for us. Remembering your favorites-describing your cheese

Source Knowing the country of origin, if domestic, the state, and maybe the name of the maker can quickly end the search.

I think buying wine may be the easier task versus buying cheese. Most people who drink wine know what they like and want. For example, if you like dry red cabernets you can go into any wine shop and just look for the cabernet section which is usually labeled as such, determine how much you want to spend, (I prefer thinking how much I want to treat myself), and you’re good to go. Even if you don’t know the particular brands or vineyards they carry, you know what to expect.

The Twelve Fresh – Swiss – Cheddar – English – Dutch - Port Salut – Tilsit – Blue – Hard - Soft-ripening - Washed Rind - Goat & Sheep

The Cheese Shop of Centerbrook CheeseCT.com

Brown-Reddish Rind - Found in the washed-rind family in cheeses like Limburger, Chaumes, Pont L’Evêque. Also found in larger hard cheeses such as Appenzeller, Comte, Gruyere, Challerhocker and Morbier.

Waxed Rind - Many cheeses fall into this category. Goudas, Jarlsberg, Moosbacher, Black Knight Tilsit, Midnight Moon, Lamb Chopper, Parrano, etc. Most cheddars are also waxed.

Aroma

You will not soon forget the aroma of a washed rind cheese such as Limburger or Chaumes or Oma. Most of your washed-rind cheeses have this pungent aroma. Soft-ripening cheeses can often have a subtle aroma of mushrooms. You will also ﬁnd some cheeses having the following aromas: buttery, grassy, earthy, smoky and even “barnyardy”.

The larger the group the less you need per person, however, the smaller the group the more you made need. For example, four to six people might require more cheese than what they will actually eat in order for appearance’s sake. No worries, it will make for great leftovers. I also recommend a smaller selection of a larger size. For example, I would rather see four ½ pound pieces instead of eight ¼ pound pieces. Quite often a cheese shop may not have the exact cheese you were looking for. It’s possible to go into two different stores and not ﬁnd one cheese in common. What I love to hear is a customer say, “I like a cheese called XYZ from France, do you have it or something like it”? This gives me direction and makes your shopping experience much nicer.

How much to buy Here’s a guide to quantity of cheese you should buy once you decided on what to buy. A short event with other appetizers, early in the afternoon, not dinner time, no alcohol: 1-1.5 oz. cheese per person Safe range, some other appetizers, wine will be served, close to dinner: 2-3 oz. cheese per person Long event, wine, no other appetizers, afternoon affair, before dinner: 3-4 oz. cheese per person

The texture of cheese can be a great help in describing. Is the cheese spreadable, creamy, crumbly, airy, grainy, dry, sticky, rich, tangy, ﬁrm, soft, hard, and so on?

Liquid Container - Many cheeses are packed in liquid for preservation and ﬂavor, such as Feta in salt brine and goat cheese in oil Texture

Natural Rind - Cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Piave Vecchio, Emmenthal, Tomme de Savoie, Raclette, Crucolo, and Grana Padana.

Cry-o-Vac – Another large group of cheeses with no rind other than a tight plastic wrapping. Examples would be: Creamed Havarti, Gjetost, Swedish Farmers Cheese, Bellavitano and all of the English cheeses with added fruit, such as Stilton Mango, Stilton Cranberry and Stilton Apricot.

Foil Cheeses - Almost all blue cheeses come wrapped in foil. This helps to stop the mold from growing on the outside of the rind.

Flavor

White Mold - The snow-like covering of the soft-ripening cheese family such as D’Afﬁnois, Brie, Camembert and many goat’s milk cheeses.

Last, but not least, if you can describe the ﬂavor, the search can come to a quick conclusion. Is the cheese sharp, sweet, pungent, lemony, nutty, or fruity? Sharp and pungent are often misconstrued. I deﬁne sharp as a well-aged cheddar versus pungent being Limburger or Chaumes.

If you can describe the size of the cheese, its color, the type of rind, the texture, the aroma, and a little of the ﬂavor characteristics, there’s a good chance your cheesemonger can ﬁnd your cheese - or maybe another cheese very similar to it. If all else fails, use your smart phone to take a picture of it.

Success

Rind Appearance This can be most helpful in describing a cheese. Here are some types you might ﬁnd helpful in describing rind appearance.

Are

CAR Sunday, September 11th Do you love Cars, food, music, tbtiflidftprizes? R SHOWCome to Charles Toyota lli Brewing Company next doo LEIF NILSSON

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Live Outdoor Music at Little Pub Landing

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It’s a Buck A Shuck Brunch on Sundays at Little Pub. Enjoy all the Niantic Bay Oysters you want for $1 per oyster from 10AM-4PM. All Egg Dishes feature Farm Fresh Eggs from the happy hens in The Little Pub Chicken Coop, and all honey used comes from the Little Pub Honey Company apiaries. Reservations suggested. Space is limited. Sunday 10:00AM-4PM. Little Pub Old Saybrook, 1231 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 (860) 339-5591 more info at www.littlepub.com/oldsaybrook

CHARLES TOYOTA 5TH ANNUAL TIMELESS SPRING STREET Spring Street Chester, Co Westbrook Outlets - Se Village Market - Septe you looking for local and who all in the Saturday mber 10th | 10am to 3pm regional small businesses, offer a wide selection of Connect icut gifts and more? Then join us on Saturday, Sep tember 10 th | 10am to 3pm for our Westbrook Outlets Second Saturday Village Market. Our Village Market provides a great opportunity for our shoppers to enjoy national brand stores, local small businesses and pop up ion! Come early for best selection. to see beautiful rides from yesteryear as well as amazing new vehicles. 500 W. Thames St., Norwich Call to register your car

September 10th Uncle D’s Blazn BBQ will join us along with over 45 vendors in our courtyards.

PRESENTS: CONCERTS Saturday, September 10 / 7 - 9 pm ihyeon Celina Berman and Jihwon Na Performing Bach cello suites No. 1,2,3,5 2nd half of the concert will be cello duet. Seasonal concert series of eclectic international an ocal singer songwriter artists from cool jazz to blue grass. $20 suggested donation - BYOB and picnic - Ou Bistro Style Seating in the Amphitheatre Rain or shine! Choose your favorite bottle at the Chester Package Store across the street, get your picnic from any of Chester's ine restaurants and grab a growler from the Little House utdoornd 3pm nect

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Live Big Screen Trivia! Little Pub live trivia nights are held in our enormous dining room complete with a giant projection screen. brook,LittleNightslimited.suggested.ReservationsSpaceisTuesday6:30-8:30.PubOldSay-1231BostonPost Road, Old Say 339-5591 more info at www.littlepub.c Trivia ybrook, CT 06475 (860) com/oldsaybrook

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DIO AND GALLERY TS IN THE GARDEN 0 / 7 - 9 pm hwon Na No. 1,2,3,5 e cello eclecticinternationalduet. and Buck A Shuck Brunch

There will be dancing. Live Music is back at Little Pub ad we’re hosting it under the stars at our new outdoor event space Little Pub Landing. We’ve booked dates with Rock Bottom, Jamie’s Junk Show, and other local favorites. Inside if weather is bad. Little Pub Old Saybrook, 1231 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 (860) 339-5591 more info at www.littlepubcom/oldsaybrook

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Jeanne Rosier Smith, Wonderful Life, Pastel, 36 x 24" Come one come all to our annual pig roast! On the will be serving - Pig, Corn on the cob, Potato salad BBQ baked beans, Coleslaw, Corn bread

The 4hSusan Powell Fine Art

Halley’s debut self-titled record was released on June 4th, 2021. Halley Neal blends sounds that Neal picked up throughout her time studying at her alma mater, Berklee College of Music, as well as in the city she now calls home, Nashville, TN. “This record is certainly a culmination of all of the different sounds and ideas I’ve had floating around in my head for the last three years. It combines some of my favorite elements of classic rock, bands like Fleetwood Mac and Grateful Dead, with soft acoustic guitar and layered vocal ballads.” The record includes a collaboration with artist Plot Twist and her former band, Rose & Kennedy, in an acoustic version of their song “Lover,” and another which was produced by guitarist for Zac Brown Band and former John Mayer co-writer and producer, Clay Halley’sCook.sound blends effortless layered vocals with Americana production, and is deeply rooted in an idea of reminiscence and a throwback to 70’s and 90’s folk. Halley is currently working on her second album, due end of 2022. 605 Main Street / PO Box 71, Middletown, CT 06457 / Contactwww.buttonwood.orgAnne-Marie@ 860.347.4957 See www.Buttonwood.org for show details or call (860) 347-4957 email: TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com

End of Summer Party Constitution Day September 17th Music, Food, Raffles, 2:00 pm till closing - 135 Ga New London Ct For more info contact 860-447-00 AKA. The Rafa Hog Wild Annual Pig WestbrookRoast Town Beach September 17th, 12pm arfield Ave 055

All for 25$ - 30$ the day of event. The Buttonwood Tree Performing A Center Presents: Friday, September 30th, 8 PM Halley Neal Retur Buttonwood Tree. Admission is $20. Halley Neal is a folk-pop singer and songwriter based in Nashville, TN. Inspired by artists like Joni Mitchell and Shawn Colvin, Halley’s sound combines inspirations of folk music from the 70’s and late menu we d, Artsrnsto

Retired Arm Forces Association

- Artists to Watch er 22, 2022 day Sept 16, 4-7 pm ard-winning artists - all re celebrating nature. Realist ew England, as well as whimsiebe,oils Zufar Bikbov, Kelly Birkens, Andrew Lattimore, Jeanne eborah Quinn-Munson, and tion on Friday, September 16 nd enjoy refreshments in the ston Post Road, Madison, near day-Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm, or further information, please atart.com

Opening Reception Fri We are proud to present 10 awa masters of light and atmospher seascapes and landscapes of Ne cal still lifes in the mediums of and pastel will be on andtheThegallfromTheGeoRosruthPartParticipatingartistsarePaulBeeview.

ticipating artists are Paul Bee h, Neal Hughes, Tom Hughes sier Smith, Katie Swatland, De orge Van Hook. ere will be an opening recept m 4-7pm. Meet the artists an lery garden. e gallery is located at 679 Bo fire station. Hours are Tuesd d any day by appointment. Fo (203) 318-0616, email us ansuscalldanpowellfineart@gmail.comavisitwww.susanpowellfinead

September 16- Octobe

INK MAGAZINE WITH WALLS... Open by chance or by appointment 314 Flat Rock Place Unit F125 Westbrook, CT 06498 contact 860.581.0026 - email art@inkct.com Featured Artists: Renee Rhodes Alan James Judy SaraRonJudyDebSerenaPerryBatesQuinn-MunsonFridayBenceDrought-Nebel

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