January 2018
publicationsÂŽ
www.inkct.com
Vol 14 Issue 146 2018
A guide to finer living in Connecticut & abroad.
Complimentary
THE SMARTER CHOICE FOR
Delivering the Most Advanced Cancer Care to the CT Shoreline Middlesex Hospital is bringing the front line in the fight against cancer to the shoreline. Our new Cancer Center in Westbrook is home to our talented team of cancer specialists who can collaborate with the world’s top cancer experts at Mayo Clinic. And it brings with it all of the same advanced cancer treatments we offer at our first Cancer Center in Middletown—all closer to home than you’d ever expect. middlesexhospital.org/cancercenter
3
www.inkct.com
Features
JANUARY 2018
Columns, Reviews, Events
ISSUE CONTENTS
Cardinal Points The Oakum Boys
Litchfield Distillery: “The Spirit of Hard Work”
pg. 8
pg. 26
The Cheesemonger Cheese for the Holidays 2017
pg. 62
The Cupping Room Consider Nature’s Apothecary
pg. 66
On The Vine Port
pg. 68
January Events
pg. 70
Upcoming events in Connecticut
Chariho Furniture... The “Destination” Furniture Store
pg. 20
Christine Ohlman The Beehive Queen Reigns in a New Year... pg. 26
Steamboat Storytellers at The Griswold Inn, Essex
pg. 30
Wishing everyone a safe and prosperous New Year! From all of us at Ink!
INK staff Contributors:
Advertising:
Jeffery Lilly- founder/publisher/webmaster
Contact us to receive our media kit complete with detailed advertising information including ad rates, demographics, and distribution in your area.
Stephanie Sittnick - publisher/sales/design
Pulp Passion & Power The Robert Lesser Collection
Carolyn Battisa - editorial
pg. 36
Laurencia Ciprus - editorial
Susan Cornell - editorial Caryn B. Davis - editorial/photography Charmagne Eckert - editorial Mark Seth Lender - Cardinal Points Nancy LaMar-Rodgers - editorial Barbara Malinsky - editorial Rona Mann - editorial
Gail Gelburd: the Artist’s Koan pg. 56
We encourage the public to submit stories, poems, photography, essays, and all things creative. If you know of a person or place of interest, please submit your ideas to: submissions@ink-pub.com We will do our best to put your ideas in INK.
Paul Partica - The Cheesemonger
Please direct your advertising inquiries and questions to: Stephanie Sittnick - Director of Advertising advertising@ink-pub.com - 860-227-8199 Cheryl Powell - Greater Connecticut cheryl@ink-pub.com - 860-608-5749 Rona Mann - Clinton, CT - Rhode Island six07co@att.net - 401-539-7762 Jacki Hornish - Litchfield jacki@inkct - 401-539-7762
A. Vincent Scarano - photography
Every issue is printed using 100% Soy based ink. All content of INK Publications including but not limited to text, photos, graphics and layout are copyrighted by INK Publishing, LLC. Reproductions without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. Ink Publishing, LLC is not responsible for images or graphics submitted by advertisers which are not copyrighted or released for use in this publication.
INK PUBLISHING, LLC 107 Hemlock Valley Rd., East Haddam, CT email: info@ink-pub.com www.inkct.com
REdesign YOUR KITCHEN
RingsEnd.com
800 390 1000
6
Charming country cape nestled on 4.25 private acres in the historic town of Hadlyme.
This home boasts 2799 sq ft of living space. Perfect floor plan for entertaining your guests in a updated kitchen with custom granite countertops. Granite Center island with seating. open to dining room, living room, and post and beam great room with airy vaulted ceilings, floor to ceiling masonry fireplace with 2 french doors leading to sun filled deck. This 4 bedroom 3 full bath home has the unique quality of first or second floor master bedroom option. Upstairs master bedroom features 2 walk in closets, Private master bath with jacuzzi tub. This home enjoys hardwood floors throughout, central air conditioning, Oil heat, a fireplace and 2 wood burning stoves. Generator and hookup included. All of this on a professionally Landscaped large level yard perfect for outdoor entertaining, gardening, or horse property. Spacious 2 car garage with wood burning stove and stairs leading to second floor storage area. This is a must see home. Only minutes to center of town and major highways. $ 349,000. For more photos go to : www.107HemlockValley.com Contact Joel Lucas 860.304.9150 bankerbuddy@hotmail.com
SEVEN CONTINENTS. SEVEN SEAS. BUT MORE THAN SEVEN WONDERS. Experience the Last Frontier by land and sea— an Alaska Cruisetour. See the bears roaming, whales breaching, and glaciers thundering to the sea. Then travel aboard a glass-domed train—as luxurious as your ship—on a multinight adventure to Denali National Park. We’ll indulge you in stunning accommodations, globally inspired cuisine by our Michelin-starred chef, and intuitive service. Visit CelebrityCruises.com, call 1-800-CELEBRITY, or contact your travel agent.
©2017 Celebrity Cruises. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador.
8
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
9
10
From Farm to Bottle Litchfield Distillery: “The Spirit of Hard Work” by RONA MANN / Photos by Tony Vengrove
11
Their story and path to success began with Jack, Peter, and David Baker’s grandfather, back more than a century ago. Henry Baker, Sr. traveled these rolling hills by horse and carriage, going door to door delivering half gallon bottles of pure spring water to his loyal customers. From those humble beginnings, and with a steadfast
“One day we looked around at our beautiful rolling hills and said, “Boy, wish we could bottle this.” So we did.
T
hus begins a great American story... the kind that built the foundation of this country and everything it stands for. It’s a story of one family, their hard work, and their unending perseverance; of one generation passing down to the next the importance of holding values close and never losing sight that the customer is more important than anything else you do. ®
Although they built their business in the hills of northwest Connecticut, it is the quote at the top of this page that is what Litchfield Distillery is truly built upon. That quote is everywhere: it’s Left to right: “The Batchers” David Baker, Naomi Adler, Jack Baker the sign you see when you enter the distillery, and it’s the message on every bottle commitment to the people he served, Baker of the small batch high premium spirits the built what was to become Crystal Rock, still in company produces. business today and a major factor in the water, coffee, and office supply business throughout
New England. It has grown exponentially and has a full complement of employees, yet no one travels by horse and carriage any longer. Although now replaced by the “horseless carriage,” the practice of making the personal home and business delivery has never waned. When Henry Baker, Sr. died, his widow, Gladys took over the reins in the late 1940s. “She was one of the first women in business back then,” says Jack Baker, one of her three grandsons, “and she was a success, empowering the company and keeping it growing.” Jack and his two brothers, David and Peter, grew up in that business, learning that working hard was the only way to work and taking care of the customer the most important part of the business. About four years ago the brothers decided they wanted to reinvest in Connecticut in a way that would continue the commitment to growing their family business. A year later, Litchfield Distillery was born, a micro distillery dedicated to the production of premium small batch whiskey. While the terms “small batch, “hand made,” and “craft” are used liberally,
12
not everyone understands exactly what they are. Small batch whiskey is produced when the contents from small selected barrels are mixed and aged. Jack Baker explains that their classic bourbon mash is comprised of 70% corn, 25% rye, and 5% barley, while their vodka is 100% corn, all products of those same rolling hills in Litchfield County. The brothers, who call themelves, the Batchers of Litchfield Distillery, consider their partnership with the farmers of Litchfield County to be a prime factor in producing a quality product. “They do the growing. We do the batching.”
That batching is done carefully and purposefully as you walk through the batching rooms where all bourbon is aged in oak barrels that have been charred, a practice that dates back to the 15th century. Charring the wood does not lend a smoky flavor, but instead caramelizes the sugar and opens the wood, making it easier for bourbon to extract flavors. At Litchfield Distillery those flavors run the gamut from straight bourbon to vanilla, cinnamon, and coffee. There is also on occasion a products may be found in nearly 1000 stores, limited edition where the restaurants, and bars in Connecticut and are bourbon has been resting currently being distributed in Rhode Island, in a port cask for extra Massachusetts, and New York. This new year flavor. Litchfield Distillery brings plans to expand into major cities: produces a barrel of Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and more. bourbon – 250 bottles – per day. The brother “People are now asking for our batchers also produce bourbon, vodka, and gin by name. seasonal vodkas: But we’re not in any hurry,” Jack strawberry in early summer, blueberry in says.“We want to develop our mid-summer, and brand in a condensed space.” apple in late fall, always using fruit from the local farms. Litchfield Distillery is a proud destination on the Connecticut Spirits Trail. Like its wine Right now, Litchfield counterpart, the Spirits Trail is comprised of Distillery’s small batch craft spirits makers from every corner of
14
Connecticut. These producers make everything from gin and vodka to whiskeys, rums, liqueurs, even moonshine! Locally grown crops are incorporated as much as possible, and most offer tours and tastings. Currently there are 11 craft spirits makers on the trail with more to come, but are they considered competitors to Litchfield Distillery? “Absolutely not,” Baker states firmly. “We are brothers in the industry. We help each other as much as possible and let people know those other locations exist. That way we all
benefit.” And right now it appears Litchfield Distillery is the beneficiary of good product, good neighbors, and good press. “We’re world class spirits in a small way,” Jack Baker says proudly. “That’s all we know.” The brothers also know hard work. They grew up with it at Crystal Rock, and it’s the foundation upon which Litchfield Distillery was built. That’s why they didn’t just come up with a slogan and slap it on their branding; they trademarked it, so it would be theirs alone forever. “The spirit of hard work.” Sometimes it’s difficult to pick the right kind of story to start a new year. Often people are a bit down after the holidays, the weather is cold, the skies are gray. But the story of
Litchfield Distillery was exactly the right choice to start this new year. Theirs is a shining reaffirmation of the solid values upon which our country was built. It is a story born of hard work and dedication to the land under their feet and to building success slowly and purposefully, never once forgetting their core values. Yes, we looked at Litchfield Distillery and said, “Boy, wish we could tell this story.” So we did. Visit www.LitchfieldDistillery.com for hours or to book a tour and tasting. (you must be 21 or accompanied by an adult) (860) 361-6503 The Distillery is located at 569 Bantam Road (Rt. 202, which runs through the center of Litchfield ) and is a beautiful drive through those rolling hills that will forever be home to the fabulous Baker boys.
16
T h e
P r e m i e r
Kelley’s Pace
Sticky Situat ions
ge The Villa Alice In
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
Wishing you ity peace, prosper in and laughter the New Year. Shop. Dine. Stroll through over 40 unique shops and eateries.
Olde Mistick Village | Exit 90 off I-95 | 27 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT 860.536.4941 | oldemistickvillage.com
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
Gifts • Home Décor • Design Services
VAL EN T I N E H . Z AH N C O M M U N I T Y
i*OTQJSFE CZ PVS MPWF GPS USBWFM BOE JOUFSJPS EFTJHO NZ IVTCBOE BOE * IBWF DSFBUFE B VOJRVF CPVUJRVF JO EPXOUPXO .ZTUJD $5u %FC ,PMMNFZFS
G A L L E R Y
T H E G A L L E R Y AT M I D D L E S E X H O S P I TA L S H O R E L I N E M E D I C A L C E N T E R
Gallery Exhibit
Jan. 11 - Mar. 14 Reception • Thursday, January 25 • 6 - 8 p.m.
www.adore.world /adoremystic 26 West Main St. Mystic, CT • (860) 980-3908
Judy Ross, Wind in My Sails, fine art quilt (detail)
Experience the Community Gallery at Middlesex Hospital Shoreline Medical Center
Featuring fine art quilts by members of
Studio Art Quilt Associates Connecticut Region Gallery open during regular business hours Sponsored by
250 Flat Rock Place, Westbrook, CT 06498 860-358-6200 • info@midhosp.org • middlesexhospital.org
17
18
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
$FMFCSBUF UIF /FX :FBS XJUI åOF BSU GSPN UIF $PVSUZBSE 'BDUPSZ 4RVBSF t 8BUFS 4USFFU *OOFS $PVSUZBSE # t .ZTUJD $5
XXX DPVSUZBSEHBMMFSZNZTUJD DPN
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
19
20
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
A Division of Nautical Needles
Annual January Fabric Sale 30% OFF ALL BOOKED FABRICS
eileenandtaylor.com
500 Main Street Ste. 6 Deep River, CT
860-399-9754
21
22
23
Same as It Never Was Chariho Furniture... The “Destination” Furniture Store by RONA MANN
Y
ou have, no doubt, heard of destination restaurants. They’re the ones with strong enough appeal to draw customers from well beyond their communities. People will drive miles, even crossing state lines for that special experience because it’s got something different, something unique, something worth going the extra mile. Well, now they’re coming to a country furniture store...a destination furniture store with merchandise not readily found elsewhere and a customer base that extends and crisscrosses the United States. When Ed Smith opened Chariho Furniture 30 years ago he had little inventory, but a lot of ambition and plenty of youthful dreams. He also had but one goal in mind: he wanted to be
different. Smith decided early on that he didn’t want to be like other furniture stores in the region, all selling the same stuff and advertising it at the “lowest prices.” He wanted to stand out. He wanted a standard of quality no one else had, and he wanted the “wow” factor. Thirty years later he got it...in spades. “There are a lot of major furniture retailers around, “Smith begins, “but there are fewer and fewer independent furniture stores. So I had to carve out a niche.” He did so by positioning Chariho Furniture as a “destination store,” one people in search of the finest handmade American pieces would flock to from all over the state, the region; and the rest of the country. His location is not situated on a major road nor in a highly trafficked shopping area, even though it’s just off I-95 and Route 138 in Rhode Island (the main road to
both the University of Rhode Island and Newport). But Richmond, Rhode Island was not necessarily a destination for anything...until Ed Smith made it one. Smith realized early on that, “There is always a market for quality,” so he built his business on superbly crafted high end furniture that could last a lifetime; and suddenly smart furniture buyers from all over the United States began to find Chariho Furniture. Today the business is more than 25,000 square feet and fills three floors with names synonymous with the highest standards in the industry: names like D.R. Dimes antique reproduction furniture, Harden, Hitchcock chairs, Henkel Harris, and American Leather, just to mention a few. Ed Smith does not sell cheap furniture, but instead sells furniture that lasts, guaranteeing his customers the
24
Amish are putting a unique twist on their work. “The coolest contemporary stuff is now being built by the Amish these days,” Ed smiles, acknowledging that the Amish are now embracing and utilizing new domestic solid woods like exotic tiger maple.
lowest price in the market for pieces they can pass on to the next generation. Chariho Furniture ONLY sells handcrafted, benchmade, solid wood, customizable furniture, all of which is American made.
ditional pieces many customers favored, but also added the unique. “Any time a furniture rep would point out something that he felt would never sell, I’d say, ‘I want it!’ And it sold!”
Four years ago Smith’s daughter, Stephanie, who had grown up in the business, working part time while in school, made the commitment to full time and was named Chief Operating Officer, replacing Ed’s mother who decided it was time to retire. Now 25 years old, Stephanie has done her homework and is smart, savvy, and ready to take this destination furniture store to the next level.
So if you think Chariho Furniture sells nothing but your grandparents’ furniture, take another look. You’ll now find red leather chairs and twin stools festooned with Tibetan lamb fur that Ed playfully calls his “lhasa apsos.”...and they’re selling, because although these unique pieces may be a departure from the traditional, absolutely nothing has been compromised. Everything in the store was, is, and forever will be, handcrafted, benchmade, customizable, and crafted of solid wood. Every piece – every single piece is all American made.
Not one to ever rest on his laurels, Ed Smith knew it was not enough to be the same store Chariho Furniture was years ago. It was time for a big shift in style; it was time for the “wow” factor. So when Ed and Stephanie went to market to purchase merchandise for the store, they continued to choose the tra-
Long known for their beautifully crafted Amish furniture, Ed is quick to note: “We don’t “dabble” in Amish furniture; we have over 30 different lines, all American made – nothing imported.” But even Amish furniture is changing and evolving. While the traditional clean lines and timeless designs are still being handmade, even the
Smith has also increased and enriched his interior design service. “Every single person on the floor has at least some interior design training. I require it, so we can truly serve the customer professionally.” According to Stephanie Smith, “We are an eclectic group, ranging in age from the 20s to the 70s...all different personalities and all different styles, but all supremely trained to best represent the exquisite, traditional, cool, and fun lines that make up Chariho Furniture.” “No one, absolutely no one, is pushy,” Ed states firmly. “People come to us because they want what we have, so there’s no need to push them. We’re here to answer questions or help, but only when and if they ask for it.” Smith is proud that 50% of the customers who come through the door make a purchase; the industry average is 20%. Additionally with a very strong online presence, they are constantly selling and delivering all over the United States and beyond. “We wouldn’t sell to California, New Jersey, or Florida if we didn’t have this quality or if we were overpriced.” Yes, Chariho Furniture is a true destination store with no gimmicks and no fanfare, but a place with access to over 100 American made lines of furniture that speak for itself. Thirty years ago Ed Smith carved that niche. Thirty years later it remains a sustainable one. Time to see for yourself...so, go the extra mile. Find Chariho Furniture at Exit 3A off I-95 10 Richmond Townhouse Road, (Jct. 112 & 138) Richmond, RI Or find them online: www.charihofurniture.com (401) 539-9043
25
26
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
860.912.0829 • info@annegaffey.com Connecticut • Massachusetts annegaffey.com
How long will it take to experience everything StoneRidge senior living offers? A 3-month trial might about cover it. n n n n n n
T h e
Relax in our indoor, heated saltwater pool. Take classes in our state-of-the-art tness center. Give our ne dining menu a thorough once over. Explore your creative side in our arts studio and woodworking shop. Make new friends at our cultural and social events. And that’s just the beginning!
Of course, even after 3 months*, it still might not seem like enough time.
Call 860.245.9972 for more details.
*Some restrictions apply. Talk to a sales counselor for complete details.
186 JERRY BROWNE ROAD I MYSTIC, CT 06355 I 860.245.9972 I WWW.STONERIDGELCS.COM
27
28
fathers cannot follow. The high wee whistling of Oakum Boys will continue for a while. For this is the time of fasting.
The Oakum Boys King Penguins South Georgia Island
Here, or there, baby penguin’s persistence still earns a meal. Late-molting King Penguin father or early molted King Penguin mother will file through the surf, returning with a cropfull. Squid and little lantern fishes that glow and rise from the deeps and the dark of the Southern Ocean. Lucky the baby penguin with her hunger at the right time, right… there: She pecks and begs and stretches high as she can go. And the meal comes up, the long sharp parenting mouth leans, opens, grasps around; the meal goes straight on down. And Baby hungers still, for more.
Photos and editorial © Mark Seth Lender
There will be no more. Not ever.
The Oakum Boys stand in a huddle, hanging around, hanging around, whistling for their supper. Their King Penguin mothers and King Penguin fathers have business of their own, standing around standing around, waiting for new feathers. Like curled fall leaves, like peach-colored snow, tiny worn-out plumes litter the ground washing down in rivulets on to the sand, into the sea. Land bound in their state of near undress, the mothers and the
The mothers and the fathers are all done. The long weeks have begun of no food for self, or other. They taptap-tap the Oakum Boys on their brown downy heads: Enough is enough they say. And the mothers and fathers lean away, pointing up toward the cloudless day. The only sup of Oakum Boys will be that they garner on their own now, and ever more hereafter.
Field Note: Adult King Penguins are so different from their offspring early observers thought they were distinct species. Whalers called the baby penguins Oakum Boys, for their tan-colored coats that reminded the men of the tarred cotton twine used for caulking. It was a term of endearment though it did not save the young penguins, nor their parents, from slaughter. That has ended, at least for now. King penguins are large birds. The adults are almost a meter in height and my guess is that they are somewhat nearsighted, because when they come over to look at you they don’t stop until well inside your comfort zone. Once there, they stand and stare for a long time. They “Penguinamorphise” us, at least as much as we Anthropomorphise them. That nearsightedness is likely a functional choice. It is very difficult to design an eye that sees as well underwater as it does above water. And the majority of the time, penguins are in and under, water. Between breeding cycles they are at sea continuously for at least 4 months, and even when on land to mate and to hatch and rear their chicks, they return to the sea in long shifts to feed. To survive the rigors of total immersion in the Antarctic Ocean at – 3o C (28o F) penguins rely on three things: A
heavy layer of fat, plenty of fat-rich food to provide the tremendous number of calories needed for homeostasis, and extremely dense, tough feathers. Those feathers need to be nearly perfect. Shafts must be straight so that individual feathers lay down tight forming an effectively waterproof coat; they must trap just the right amount of air for added insulation; they must be well-oiled and perfectly smooth to minimize drag. Feathers that are frayed and worn cannot accomplish these things and once a year they must be replaced. King Penguins undergo a catastrophic molt, which means they loose all their old feathers at once and it takes about a month for the new ones to completely grow back. During that time penguin chicks are not fed because parents cannot enter the water to fish. They would freeze to death if they did. Even once the molt is complete and parents can swim and feed again, they need a significant portion of the calories they consume to restore their own body weight. And the chicks go hungry. During this time the begging of the chicks is still rewarded but not as often as the chicks would like. When the parents think the chick has had enough – or they themselves have “had enough” - they lean away, or stand tall, and when all else fails they gently tap the young ones on their heads. That we can read and understand these
gestures clearly for what they are, is no trivial thing. Maybe the penguins are right to approach us they way they do, and our critique of Penguinomorphisation is misplaced. Perhaps we are more alike than different… Some writers complain about penguins, that they have a nasty disposition, that the odor of their colonies is overwhelming. It’s just not true. King Penguin voices are symphonic (especially the whirring calls of the adults which express several dissonant yet melodious tones simultaneously), their demeanor is curious and intelligent, and no colony I’ve ever visited is nearly as bad the fish hold of the average fishing boat. South Georgia Island is as a remote a place as you can find. I made several landings on South Georgia and many more in and around the Antarctic Peninsula. There were no human footprints anywhere and I did not encounter a single ship besides our own in 20 days at sea, not even as a silhouette on the horizon. I am offered all kinds of opportunities for travel these days, and everyone prefaces their offer with “It’s the Trip of Lifetime.” This one really was. Mark Seth Lender is a producer for wildlife content at Living on Earth ( LOE.org ), the only program on US Public Radio exclusively dedicated to wildlife and environmental reporting.
30
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
SAY “I DO” AT
THE DEACON. A QUINTESSENTIAL NEW ENGLAND EXPERIENCE.
SAY “I DO” TO…
• Exceptional cuisine
• Hair & makeup – expertly done on-site
• The buttercream icing you’ve always dreamed of • Breathtaking owers
• A beautiful bridal suite – ve guest rooms for you and your guests
• Beautiful CT shoreline location – so miuch to do
• A ceremony where no detail goes unnoticed
Say “I do” to a private tour at THE DEACON – and see how we create a wedding day that’s perfect for you. 325 Main Street, Old Saybrook CT, 06475 TheDeaconBnB.com | 860.395.1229
31
32
C h r i st i ne O h l m an
Queen of the Hive
Music, Mir th & Mojo
by Ali Kaufman
Last March Christine skipped across the pond for the Sessions Panel in Germany and Paris to be part of a group whose mission is to enrich, educate, and empower. No stranger to putting herself out there for a good cause, there are a few in particular that have become a part of her life. The Institute for the Musical Arts, or IMA, in Goshen Massachusetts is headed up by Ann Hackler and June Millington. Millington, who was the lead in the band Fanny, the first all girl group to be signed to a major label, knows a thing or two about strong women. With Bonnie Raitt on the Board of Directors and Christine also serving, as well as her hands-on involvement doing a workshop called Foremothers, this yearly camp has become a way to inspire a new generation of musicians.
Extended Cut
The Beehive Queen Reigns in a New Year...
No matter how much the January temperatures drop, the river of American song will never freeze over; certainly not with the likes of Miss Christine Ohlman flowing down that stream. From her homes in Connecticut and New York, her music winds its way to Muscles Shoals, New Orleans, Nashville, and with an ever widening tributary to Memphis. The Bee Hive Queen has been expanding her reach, perhaps now more than ever. The very successful release of her 2010 album, The Deep End, brought with it new opportunities and made her busy schedule even more so.
Second, nationally known Little Kids Rock, is the name of a foundation based out of New York that holds a star studded gala each year raising millions while transforming lives by making sure hundreds of thousands of public school children have musical opportunities to help unlock their true potential. Christine has
33 been with Little Kids Rock since the first event was held at B.B. King’s in 2009 to honor the late saxophonist, musician, and actor, Clarence Clemons. That first event raised $160,000; this year they raised $1.3 million.
34
Third is the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic which strives to support the great need for medical care regardless of the musician’s insurance status or ability to pay. These are all causes that are near and very dear to Christine’s heart, and she continues to lend her time and star power to help keep the donations flowing in.
Along with so many worthy entities that this Connecticut legend champions, bringing a hip shaking good time to the masses ranks right
up at the top of her To Do list. A joyful time worth noting was the River of Love event that took place at the Trinity Church in New Haven last year. Flanked by the Boys and Girls Church Choir that evening, it was obvious how incredibly moved and emotionally uplifted she was. “In particular, singing The Deep End was extraordinary, very poignant indeed,” Christine shared with a delighted chuckle. If there is a downside to being so in demand, it may be that the bookings take her away from the recording process for the highly anticipated new album, The Grown Up Thing. Do not despair fans of the hive, this is coming! The new year will bring a ramped up effort through Pledgemusic.com as the process continues to advance. You can’t rush perfection; and Christine is nothing if not a perfectionist, both on and off stage. We get a taste of the sweetness headed our way with some of the forthcoming songs being played by Ohlman and her band, Rebel Montez at their current shows. One song in particular is Burning Sugar, inspired by an article in the New Yorker about women who fight fires in the Bayou. The sugar Christine sings about morphed into a metaphor for love and has a decidedly Cajun groove. I was granted permission to share that Paul Thorn and members of the Subdudes will guest on the album, among others that she is keeping under wraps until the new record hits.
I for one can’t wait! As prolific as Miss Christine is, songwriting is still a magical mystery for her and a gift for which she is abundantly grateful. Some songs will literally percolate for years before they are ready to pour out, ah...but when they do, they are good to the last note! Another thing Ohlman is intensely grateful for are the strong friendships that have stood the test of time, especially in the music business. Big Al, aka Alan Anderson is like Christine’s musical big brother, going back to the days before NRBQ when his band was the Wild Weeds and Christine’s baby garage band. The Wrongh Black Bag used to open for them in teen clubs! Wrong is meant to be spelled with the H on
35 She shared that the magnitude of the recognition caught them by surprise; and that “no matter what side of the aisle you are on, SNL has become a sounding board for the country.” Christine is proud to be associated with a show that is truly part of the fabric of America’s pop culture.
the end; they thought it was adorable as teens, and it certainly set them apart! Not only are Christine and Al still fast friends but you can usually find her guesting at the gigs he has been playing here in the Northeast. G.E. Smith is another incredible musician Christine mentioned and counts as one of her closest friends, as they have come full circle and find themselves on a level playing field. I could not wrap up our conversation without a nod to her longtime standing as vocalist for the Saturday Night Live Band. 2017 brought with it a slew of Emmy nominations and wins!
As we head into the new year I asked if Miss Ohlman had any advice to share about how she continues to seemingly age backwards, avoiding the pitfalls that have taken their toll on many in the music business. I really hoped she was going to recommend a moisturizer or some vitamin supplement, but her advice was as straight forward as she is. “Live a happy life, don’t hold grudges, get good sleep, and drink a lot of water.”
also be able to link to her campaign to help get The Grown Up Thing released. To get involved or find out about the causes mentioned above,
Well, if that is what keeps you looking and sounding 20 years younger, gimme my pillow and pass me a glass of water!
please visit the links below. http://www.ima.org/. For Rock and Roll Camp for Girls http://littlekidsrock.org/. Little Kids Rock
To learn more about where you can catch Christine Ohlman and
http://neworleansmusiciansclinic.org/about/
Rebel Montez, please visit http://christineohlman.net/. You will
New Orleans Musicians Clinic
36
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
37 33
38
STEAMBOAT0 a
o
a Art Collection
g
The Griswold Inn
Artwork © Griswold Inn Collection, Paul Foundation, Essex, CT
39
Steamboat Storytellers at The Gris photos and profile by Caryn B. Davis
The Griswold Inn in Essex, Connecticut, is the best New England has to offer. It exceeds our expectations of what a quintessential New England inn should look like; but more importantly, feel like. On any wintry day, visitors to the Tap Room can expect a roaring fire, congenial conversation, and a lively atmosphere. You immediately feel a sense of belonging, even if you have never been to The Gris (as it is affectionately called by locals) before. It’s somehow familiar. Maybe it’s in the DNA of the building itself. Or maybe it’s all the people that have passed through these same doors during the inn’s 242 year history for the same reason - to congregate and experience community. Geoffrey Paul and his brothers Greg and Doug (the current proprietors, along with Doug’s wife, Joan) have fond memories of The Gris. “My parents brought me to the Tap Room when I was five. I am sure it’s the first bar I ever went to. This is what you did back then in Essex, particularly on a snowy day. Locals would walk down, gather in front the fireplace, and listen to music,” says Geoffrey Paul whose family purchased the inn in 1995, becoming the sixth family to own it. “The more I traveled outside of Essex, the more I appreciated what a special place it is and appreciated the traditions carried on here that have been lost to other places. It became important to us to preserve those traditions and keep them alive and maintain the authenticity of The Gris because it still performs the same function it always has. It’s still the heart and soul of the community,” continues Paul. The Gris developed from necessity when Uriah Hayden was commissioned by the government to build Connecticut’s first warship, the Oliver Cromwell. Hayden owned a shipyard in Essex and an inn. The inn provided lodging for the shipwrights and the politicians who came to inspect their work. After the Cromwell was launched in 1776, the inn continued to expand. Ethan Bushnell took it over and added a tavern
Z
40
in 1806. The British used it as their headquarters in 1814 when they raided Essex, burning ships in the harbor. When steamboat and ferry service was established on the Connecticut River in 1824, Essex became a major port of call and the inn, a respite for travelers. Today The Gris has the distinction of being one of the oldest continuously operating inns in the country and is home to residents and tourists alike.
The Gris has the largest collection of material relating to the history of steam boating on the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound that exists anywhere. This includes those in private
Throughout the centuries, the inn has meant many things to many people. This is evidenced by an impressive collection of steamboat art and ephemera (approximately 1000 pieces) covering the walls. “Many objects were donated by our patrons who wanted to be remembered. Maybe one was a captain on a steamboat on the Connecticut River in the late 1800s, and this was his favorite bar; so he gave The Gris a print of his vessel. Many pieces came to us like that because we pre-date most museums and historical societies,” says Paul. “Much of what is here has been here for the life of the inn and hangs on the same wall as when it was first acquired.”
collections and museums. In fact, they often loan artwork to museums. But while their collection is well rounded, they have added key pieces to further enhance the narrative. “This collection was accumulated before the
Z
art critics and museum people decided who was important in the art world and who wasn’t. We have some important masterpieces, but there is also just stuff, that to someone else might not represent much value, but to me tells a story. You can see a collection in a museum with some spectacular items, but the collection can lack a soul because it’s almost too perfect and too –sterile,” says Paul. “This collection happened organically. It was created because somebody had a connection to the subject manner.” One of the masterpieces Paul is referring to is an 1889 oil painting by Antonio Nicolo Gasparo Jacobsen, a renowned 19th century marine artist. In his lifetime, Jacobsen produced 6000 portraits of steamboats. The originals were sold to the ships’ owners or captains, but prints were made for passengers who could not afford them. Paul is particularly enamored with this piece because in addition to it being one of the artist’s finest, it tells a great story. And Paul is drawn to stories, which is just one reason he collects art. “When I see a print or painting of a steamboat
Norman Rockwell called “Steamboat Race on the Connecticut.”
Artwork © Griswold Inn Collection, Paul Foundation, Essex, CT
in flames, for example, I want to know what that event was about. Why was it commemorated? It must have been important to someone at the time. That’s what I think this art keeps alive - these human stories,” says Paul. “In Jacobsen’s painting we see the
steamer "Connecticut" with its white gleaming hull emerging from dark storm clouds, basically symbolizing the Industrial Revolution and the power of man to overcome nature.” Another favorite is a drawing, circa 1930, by
“It’s the only maritime picture he ever did that took place on the water. It was an illustration for a Saturday Evening Post story about a fictitious steamboat recklessly racing another boat up the Connecticut River. It shows the drama of the steamboat inspector looking to arrest the captain,” says Paul. “The original oil painting came up for auction some years later. It’s now in the collection of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, who themselves are considered pretty great storytellers.” Other items that speak to local history are three silk banners carried by women from the “Temperance Movement” who marched down Main Street Essex in the 1840s. (Many found their way into The Gris to gather their husbands).
Artwork © Griswold Inn Collection, Paul Foundation, Essex, CT
42
43
“These courageous women banned together to promote temperance, which means the responsible consumption of alcohol. This was the rallying cry for women to organize for the first time in our nation’s history. These very same societies morphed into women’s suffragette societies and brought women the vote. So the symbolism of these early banners is much more than just protesting excessive drinking,” Paul says. Also on the wall is a gun collection with pieces from Connecticut manufacturers Samuel Colt and Simeon North, among others. “One is a flintlock hunting rifle from the early to mid 1700s given to us by a local family about 150 years ago because they wanted a place to keep their history alive. A poem was inserted into the barrel dated July 7, 1776 that read: My dear son Jared./I give you this my gun./Do not handle it in fun./But with it join ye ranks of Washington/ and make ye British run./ And when our war for independence is won/ we shall sit down and have a glass of good old rum./ Your father. “Today we send our sons and daughters to war, and we give them what we hope is the very best weaponry and technology to keep them safe. But at that time, the only thing this father had to give his 14 year old son was this family’s hunting rifle; and with it, he said, ‘go and fight the greatest super power on earth,’” reflects Paul. It is stories such as these that chronicle the history of Essex and Connecticut and the Griswold Inn’s place within that communal past and present. The Pauls, as stewards of this priceless collection and antique inn, continue to restore both responsibly and faithfully. The Gris will host complimentary tours of their art collection led by Geoffrey Paul on February 11, March 4, and April 8. For more information log onto www.griswoldinn.com/art-tours/
Z
44
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
45
46
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
think outside the box
R I V E R FRAMES Art Framing & Gallery 860 526 1137 the red barn at 25 maple street, chester ct wednesday - saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
47
48
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
INSTINCTIVELY DIFFERENT>>
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
49
50
51
PULP PASSION & POWER THE ROBERT LESSER COLLECTION AT: The New Britian Museum of American Art
by Laurencia Ciprus uffering for art. There have always been those underappreciated/misunderstood painters with a long vision aimed too far ahead of the curve – jumping the gun and prematurely delivering a level of exceptional work to the wrong place and at the wrong time. Maybe this is why the work of the finest artists capture the highest value in dollars and popularity only when the artist is six feet under. Humiliation and poverty are often big parts of the deal. Jackson Pollock, Norman Rockwell, and Vincent Van Gogh – driven mad for his genius – lead a long list of creatives tortured both by social bias and the arbitrary opinions of the latest and greatest art gurus and power pundits. Then there is Pulp Art.
S
The Pop – Populist Art of the 1930’s and 40’s was the sucker punch of all time to a superlative A List of epically talented illustrators
and artists. Mostly guys and a few gutsy women – many classically trained at the most respected art schools – cranked out scores of deeply detailed and dazzling covers for the cheapest low-brow publications and were paid next to nil for these 20”x30” original works on canvas. But America was hurting, and these were tough times. Generally this was one of the few avenues that these illustrators and painters had, so they could continue to make their art and keep food on the table. Dubbed “Pulp” – because these quick visual hits were printed on the cheapest junk that could legitimately pass as paper – it gave the predominately working class male reader an escape and cheap fantasy
from long grinding hours, horrible working conditions, and the darkest times with the 10 cent read of the minute. American Pulp Fiction was pretty much the Reality Television of that era. Not everyone was as excited about this cutting edge art form. The steamy, sexist, and uber violent stuff was unapologetically offensive and rendered in a limited eye popping palette of vivid red, chrome yellow, and cobalt blue. These visuals hit the raw nerve of the traditionalists and highbrow art critics; more comfortable with a socially acceptable,
52
magazines like Spicy Mystery, Weird Tales, Thrilling Wonder Stories, and Detective Tales. The characters needed to be strong, the fast action in freeze-frame, and overall, darkly menacing and dangerous. Despite the quality of the work, its lack of popularity in the fine art world rendered it useless and the canvasses disposable. Theses artists rarely wanted the canvasses returned, unless they were going to paint over the images to turn around another cover. At the time, the cover art held absolutely no collectible value, and the stockpiles couldn’t even be given away. Canvasses was thrown out with the garbage or even burned when publishers like Conde Nast and Popular Publications had to deal with a backlog stashed in their warehouses. But ironically, many of the Pulp Fiction writers had a better outcome to their career path. Writers like Edgar Rice Burroughs, Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Ray Bradbury all moved up into the realm of higher end pub-
conventional, and more mainstream work. Despite the detailed execution of Pulp Art covers, this was definitely not the art that would wind up on a collectors wall, in a gallery, or distinguished museum. The social censors forced the roughest stuff out from the public view, stashing the magazines behind the counters of local smoke shops and newspaper
stands. The sheer volume of output by these artists was amazing; some illustrators creating up to seven images per month in impossible detail without any sacrifice to quality or precision. The formula was simple, and the competition for attention on the stands fierce. It was the artist’s job to capture the reader with a vivid cover shot full with primary color, unlimited gore, cowboys, mobsters, and space aliens – with an image of half naked women thrown in and subjected to the darkest depravity – to hawk
53
54
hadn’t been destroyed. Decades later, the Robert Lesser Pulp Art Collection carries an amazing legacy of artists who offered lent talent to a fascinating genre. Looking at it with today’s eye, this was good art – even great art, with many similarities in the composition of the scene, figure detail, and color work consistent with the makeup of highly regarded classical paintings. At one point, the collection held an estimated value of $9 million dollars in the current market, set by an offer to purchase from a single collector. Instead of opting to sell it off, Lesser set out looking for a museum to house and preserve it. This
lications and into legitimate and respectable publishing. Many also shifted into script writing and jumped onto an emerging Hollywood scene, with the film industry having little or no elitism in their content. In contrast, works by artists like science fiction illustrators Frank R. Paul – with his impossibly detailed Futuristic landscapes and Hannes Bok were ignored even by Sci-Fi fans, as were the stunning works of Norman Sanders, E.L.Parkhurst, and Margaret Brundage - the most famous female illustrator in Pulp Art. Fortunately for the legacy of these painters, Robert Lesser took notice in the early 1970’s and hatched a methodical plan to recover the surviving pieces of Pulp Art. On a personal mission to preserve this part of American culture, he began amassing the original cover art he managed to find – either through auctions, persistent word-ofmouth, or luck. With the majority of canvasses gone, Lesser only managed to recover a fraction of the total original output which
was not an easy undertaking, since most museums still held a tight and arbitrary prejudice against Commercial Art. Finally, Lesser connected with Douglas Hyland – then, the current Director of the New Britain Museum of American Art – in the early 2000’s. The two visions clicked, they began a like-minded dialogue, and moved on in collaboration to mount a stunning Pulp Art show at the NBMAA, which drew a steady stream of visitors and a fresh fan base for the genre. In 2003 Robert Lesser published his fascinating and comprehensive full-color volume about the genre, entitled Pulp Art: Original Cover Paintings for the Great American Pulp Magazines. With full-page color plates, history, and commentary on this historic time in art and publishing, Lesser has managed to tell a great story, along with the help of a variety of editors, writers, and storytellers who have/had a connection with the genre and came forward to provide individual essays. Notable among them is Danson Burroughs, the grandson of Edgar Rice Burroughs, the author and creator of Tarzan.
55
Unfortunately, this great book remains out of print, but the title is still easily available for purchase online and is on the shelves of select public and university libraries. Fast forward: comfortable and confident in his ongoing relationship with the NBMAA, Lesser made the decision in 2013 to present the museum with his entire 200 piece collection – even adding to it with a further donation of $1.3 million to ensure its continued
conservation into the future. The works are displayed with both the original artwork and a copy of the published magazine cover. This remains timeless stuff of fantasy; now given the proper lighting and wall space, the color, action, and artists’ imagination pulls you in. The depth of the collection is astounding, and it is an ongoing exhibition with the collection shown in rotation. There have been special exhibitions mounted over the years to introduce and re-introduce the
works to a fresh viewing public. Visit the NBMAA for the opportunity to experience this fascinating artform through the Robert Lesser Pulp Art Collection. This is a rare, first-hand look at the unique and vibrant artwork that marked a unique period in American Popular Culture. For more information go to: www.nbmaa.org
56
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
A full year of ink 12 great issues
$39.95
one low price!
only
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Mail payment to:
Ink Publishing/Subscriptions P.O. Box 995 Deep River Ct. 06417
www.inkct.com
57
58
Gail Gelburd: the Artist’s Koan By Laurencia Ciprus / Photos by Paul Gobel
I
s the artist the work, is the work the artist, or is each element autonomous under its own power? Previewing the environmentally focused Far Eastern oeuvre of artist, writer, critic, and educator Gail Gelbard an overriding riddle – in this case, koan – reveals itself with the impact of your first glimpse. You want to sit down with her and delve deeper. A studio visit is quickly arranged at her enclave in the Berkshires. First – a long look at the work.
The Ph.D. and Professor in the Art Department at Eastern Connecticut State University, is currently exhibiting both her installation series, Encased Memories and Public Art Piece, Unbound Presence at MS17 Art Project in New London – the highly innovative and progressively dynamic contemporary gallery focusing on social and environmental commentary and a myriad of global concerns.
There is a prelude to the exhibition gallery housed in the adjacent public space. The artist’s five semi-transparent 20 foot scrolls curtain the soaring atrium at MS17, boldly illustrating the dynamism and unpredictability of water with the raw power and varying ferocity of cascading waterfalls. This is an interactive experience: viewers stand beneath the panels¬ – each an archival digital print on fabric embellished with encaustic (wax) medium; and in this place, feel the movement of water against nature. Standing amidst the boldness of the work, the effect is humbling…close your eyes and sense the chilling mist on your skin. Nature becomes bigger than you are, and there is a profound sense where Gelburd is going with this conversation. Beyond the waterfalls, Encased Memories speaks to Gelburd’s myriad travels to the Far East and her passion for Eastern philosophies, culture, and aesthetics. These are the people
who have spoken to her and provide unlimited and haunting inspiration for visual language. Having spent a great deal of time in Japan – especially in the area of the Tsunami of 2012 ¬– there was no other option but to revisit this place. She constantly photographs water and nature, and the Tohoku Tsunami mirrors her powerful convergence of nature and elements. The work is self explanatory in a universal language of loss, change, and rebirth. Her Tohoku pieces speak of individuals and the falsehood of permanence in daily life when nature abruptly reclaims itself. These photo-
59
60
graphic vignettes appear in suspended animation with the encaustic layer freeze framing the events. Equally eloquent are the pieces depicting the aftermath of the Gorkha Earthquake in Nepal. She has been there as well. Having moved within the social landscape of these people and their daily routines back dropped by the Himalayas, Gelburd lends equal attention to this tragedy. The cohesive element linking these artfully profound depictions inside the gallery is the simplicity of the artist’s replicated Zen garden at the threshold of the gallery. It appears like a quotidian thing at first – something you encounter, and move through. This thing is larger than its deceptive openness. The garden challenges the viewer to tramp through the perfection and defy and disorder the raked order of the grayed gravelly garden to get to the exhibition. Over your shoulder you catch the randomized footprints – a mash-up of the
controlled beauty. Gelburd’s work is a conversation about the impermanence of the heavy-handed order and control we try our damnedest to impose on nature. Despite our best efforts, obsessively raking the metaphorical garden back to our sense of right, everything continues to change; the humbling disorder always seems to prevail. This big blue ball is a mutable place, and Gelburd’s work is a parable about our temporary position in this universe. It’s all a highly impressive and impactful takeaway before the studio visit: the artist’s extensive travel, her universality in the flow of nature, and the vast stores of knowledge and dexterity necessary to communicate a lifelong career into visual essays surrounding the tragedies of the temporal. It’s a restful hourlong unwinding drive to Gail Gelburd’s home in the Berkshires. Her old millhouse that once manufactured hay rakes – versus Zen rakes – comes up quickly. The initial view agrees with
the first impression of her exhibitions and instantly validates all the conjectures about the artist and the work. A Balinese gate anchors the property, a waterfall moves freely despite the late fall weather, which will transmute the water into frozen suspended animation. Tibetan prayer flags humbly flutter in the breeze, and the river embraces the property. Like the art, everything is moving in nature and poses further questioning.
61
62 nected; and during her time as museum director at Hofstra University, she had a singular opportunity to work with this luminary as a friend and colleague over the course of 5 years. There is also her work with Romare Bearden and her curation of his distinguished traveling show, with the companion volume she authored on this iconic African American artist. She also reflects on an interview with sculptor Henry Moore conducted in the middle of a field; his massive round-edged organic work juxtaposed with a random herd of frolicking sheep. There is tea and warmth surrounded by layer upon layer of visual essays. There is evidence on the walls of her color period – the saffron Color my World¬; the early shrouded experiments with encaustics. and the black and white India photographs upholstering the bedroom which mark her time in Goa and beyond. Above the helix of a spiral staircase the rough beamed gallery soars and is warmed by additional work and hospitality. The artist is animatedly approachable, and the air crackles with instantaneous connection and conversation. Gelburd’s dog, Rembrandt serpentines around the place, and there is an infusion of humanity into the home. We talk about her extensive body of writings and over twenty notable curated exhibitions in eight countries, including an extended time with John Cage – arguably one of the most profound influences to contemporary art. Gelburd and Cage con-
It’s an eclectic and storied life so far, with the balance attributed to a strong Buddhist foundation. Her Om Shanti exhibition was presented in Goa earlier in the year. Goa has gained a sense of safety and familiarity to Gelburd. She received a fellowship to study Jain art in India, has spent many vacations in meditation and solitude behind the walled confines of Jain monasteries, and those of a variety of other sects. She also holds a 2nd degree black belt in karate and looks at the movements as just another form of creative and thoughtful expression. Beyond the Eastern emphasis, the artist has also spent a great deal of time in Cuba and was the recipient of a distinguished Rockefeller Foundation Grant for an immersive study of Cuban art. Her resultant work and writings from this period include: “Beyond the Hype: Cuban Art,” and a major exhibition, Ajiaco: Stirrings of the Cuban Soul, a major exhibition that she curated with more than 50 works of art by 23 artists which began at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London, Connecticut and traveled to Hilliard Museum in Louisiana and the Newark Museum in New Jersey. There was also a working relationship with the Whitney in New York. The shadows are dark, and it’s time to wind down the con-
versation. So, is the artist the work, is the work the artist, or is each element autonomous under its own power? In this artist’s case: all of the above, and none of the above. It depends on the season, nature’s force, and the time and space. Gelbard reflects in her artist’s statement about man and nature. “When the human form realizes that it has a symbiotic relationship with the river, the sea, the trees, and the mountain, we can begin to accept the precious majesty of our environment and become one with it.” She presents us with questions, answers, and an essential hope. Contact Gail Gelburd at gailgelburd.com and learn more about the MS17 Art Project exhibition and events at https://ms17artproject.com/
64
65
Paul Partica, The Cheese Shop, Centerbrook CT
I Forgot the Name of the Cheese I thought I would start the New Year off with a little help to all retailing Cheese Mongers. Considering the known number of cheeses now topping 12,000, it’s difficult to reply to a customer ’s needs when they ask for a cheese that’s “round and yellow and good.” I then usually thank them for narrowing it down to a couple thousand cheeses (wink) and ask if they can describe the cheese a little further. Below are a few considerations that can help make easier work of finding a cheese:
Source Knowing the country of origin, if domestic, the state, and maybe the name of the maker can quickly end the search.
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 eight ounce 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 cheese monger.
Color This parameter is becoming a little less helpful because of the increasing demand for natural products. Since all cheese is naturally white, when you see a colored cheese it generally means color was added. On a positive note, the usual coloring agent is Annatto, an orangereddish color found in the crushed seeds of the Annatto tree, found in South America. Annatto adds no taste to cheese, only color. Some of the colored cheeses still available today are:
Shropshire Blue - A blue cheese very similar to Stilton in size and shape, only with a very deep orange color Mimolette – Napoleon’s version of Holland’s Edam balls, who wanted them to have color in order to differentiate them from Holland’s version Beemster XO Gouda - A very aged form of Gouda, this cheese is lactose-free and has undertones of whiskey and butterscotch Double Gloucester - An English cheese similar to cheddar, made from milk from the Gloucester breed of cows Cheddar - Made in various parts of the world
Rind Appearance This can be most helpful in describing a cheese. Here are some types you might find helpful in describing rind appearance: White Mold - The snow-like covering of the soft-ripening cheese family such as D’Affinois, Brie, Camembert and many goat cheeses Brown-Reddish Rind - Found in the washed-rind family in cheese
like Limburger, Chaumes, Pont L’Evêque. Also found in larger hard cheeses such as Appenzeller, Comte, Gruyere, Challerhocker and Morbier Natural Rind - Cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Piave Vecchio, Emmenthal, Tomme de Savoie, Raclette, Crucolo, and Grana Padana Waxed Rind - Many cheeses fall into this category. Goudas, Jarlsberg, Moosbacher, Black Knight Tilsit, Midnight Moon, Lamb Chopper, Parrano, etc. Cheddars are also waxed, but many have a cheese wrapping before the waxing 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 Mango Stilton, Cranberry Wensleydale and Wensleydale with fig and honey. Foil Cheeses - Almost all blue cheeses come wrapped in foil Liquid Container - Many cheeses are packed in liquid for preservation and flavor, such as Feta in salt brine and goat cheese in oil
Texture 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?
Aroma You will not soon forget the aroma of Stinking Bishop from England. I keep it double-wrapped and in the closed-door walk-in refrigerator. It will make a limburger seem sweet and innocent. Most of your washed-rind cheeses have this pungent smell. Soft-ripening cheeses can often have a subtle smell on mushrooms. You will also find some cheeses having the following aromas: buttery, grassy, earthy, smoky and even “barnyardy”.
Flavor 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 well-aged cheddar versus pungent being the strong taste of Limburger or Chaumes, and of course, Stinking Bishop.
Success 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 cheese monger can find your cheese - or maybe another cheese very similar to it. If all else fails, cheat. Use your smart phone to take a picture of it. Paul Partica, The Cheese Shop of Centerbrook, Centerbrook CT www.cheeseshopcenterbrook.com
T h e
P r e m i e r
R e s o u r c e
t o
t h e
C o n n e c t i c u t
A r t i s a n
67
68
Philip Parda, Savvy Tea Gourmet
69
Consider Nature’s Apothecary Wouldn’t You Rather Have a Cup of Tea?
M
an has always survived and thrived from the bounty that Mother Nature has provided. We are still discovering the valuable information about plants which we've known little about, and many of us are re-discovering benefits of natural products vs. synthetic manmade creations, in this case Western modern supplements & medicines. Many of us would also prefer a natural solution to “routine” and not so “routine” ailments and conditions. Maybe there are natural options that could make life a little better for us all. Yet we find ourselves living in a world where our first reaction to abnormal conditions that life presents us is reaching for a pill bottle. As a society, we’ve become so reliant on the miracles of modern medicine that we’ve become removed from natural options that can, in some cases, manage the conditions equally as well as modern medicine, and in many cases I suspect better. Worth consideration when reaching for that pill bottle are the side effects that come along with so many medications, many of which are related to dosage sizes relative to the vast variation in body size of our population. For centuries, the Chinese have said that “tea is 10,000 medicines” as it has been a plant associated with not only vitality and longevity, but with restorative properties, neurological health and cognitive function. Today, the ancient Chinese claims are backed up by scientific study that now explains that tea contains hundreds, or perhaps thousands of bioactive compounds such as amino acids, caffeine, lignins, proteins, xanthines and flavonoids. It is the tea flavonoids and related polyphenols that account for the majority of health benefits, and equals 35-40% (by weight) of the amazing Camellia sinensis leaf (tea plant). Research continues on the crucial role tea’s bioactive compounds play in various areas of health, of which the list is astounding! Some of these areas of health reported on recently in the 2014 Tea Council of the USA’s report “Tea and Health” are:
Tea’s Role in Cardiovascular Health Tea’s Role in Cancer Risk Reduction Tea’s Role in Neurological Health Tea and Metabolism, Obesity and Body Composition Tea and Diabetes & Blood Sugar Control Teas Role in Immune Function Tea’s Role in Oral Health Tea and Reduced Risk of Kidney Stones Tea and Reduced Risk of Osteoporosis
What Mother Nature has Created for Us Nature’s bounty however, is much more vast than only the amazing tea plant Camellia sinensis alone. In the wonderful world of botanicals, Mother Nature has provided us a plethora of natural ingredients consisting of the chemical essence of our existence, somehow combined and evolved in ways that have given them their unique identity and properties. In 2737 BC Shen Nong, known as “The Divine Healer” was credited with documenting the tea leaf and its medicinal strengths. His life’s mission was studying Mother Nature’s vast offering to identify how plants could help man. Camellia sinensis, although being a most valuable and powerful plant, is one of hundreds or possibly thousands of botanicals that contain keys to effectively interact with our body chemistry to nourish or restore. My fascination with herbs and other botanicals goes back to the 1970’s, nearly as far back as my love affair with Camellia sinensis. My introduction to green tea, along with its magical sounding properties, or “Antioxidants”, ignited my passion even further into this divine cup of health.
“Nature’s Apothecary” Emerged Evolved from fascination in amazing Artisan Teas created from wisdom passed from generation to generation, from hallowed and renowned growing regions, combined with intrigue of ancient mysterious healing properties of tea, and consummated with the natural healing properties of other botanicals and a life-long love of gardening. Nature’s Apothecary has become the underlying mission for our work at Savvy Tea Gourmet, as my partner Judy and I are living our mantra “Improving Lives with Tea…One Sip at a Time”. We’ve been able to blend a passion for tea and herbs-selecting and growing these plants to help people every day. By growing an ever-increasing amount of the botanicals used in our blends at our organic gardens in Killingworth, we are even further integrating our lives with the teas and blends we offer our customers. Our message is simple, “Wouldn’t you rather have a cup of tea?”. Beyond hundreds of personally selected Artisan Teas from around the world, containing the power of Camellia sinensis, we have an entire section of botanical blends that have been created to address a wide range of common conditions that we encounter throughout our lives. On a daily basis customers appear at our counter genuinely interested in how they may be able to manage an issue related to health and wellness. In many cases, we are able to offer teas, herbs, other botanicals, or blends that offer relief, or improved management of the condition.
Health areas we address frequently are; Immune System Fortification Stress/Anxiety Control Headache Inflammation Reduction Cold/Flu Tolerance & Recovery Indigestion Centering Circulation & Detox Blood Pressure Cholesterol Reduction Weight Reduction/Control Energy Insomnia A Medicine Chest in a Teacup Each and every day, we are showing people that there truly can be “A Medicine Chest in a Teacup”. We can tell not only by the immediate reaction of people to our suggestions, but by their comments the next time we see them, and the invaluable feedback they provide that has become “semi-hard data” for us in understanding our products and process. First and foremost, we believe in prevention, and focus our message on maintaining wellness through “The Healthy Tea Lifestyle”. This approach suggests combining daily consumption of Camellia sinensis with healthy lifestyle choices for diet, exercise and rest. Keeping our Immune system in top working form, and letting tea support it through its powerful antioxidant properties creates the environment for wellness. Managing many life conditions with tea and other botanicals can then give you an natural option to help you avoid reaching for that pill bottle.
Philip Parda, Savvy Tea Gourmet, Madison, CT 06443 savvyteagourmet.com
70
71
By Art LiPuma, General Manager, SeaSide Wine & Spirits, Old Saybrook, CT
Port Well winter is here, cold weather and perhaps some snow. The holidays are over and it’s time to relax , enjoy sitting by the fire and having some port wine. Port is a fortified wine made of grapes mixed with brandy for a final alcohol content of 19 - 20%. There are several styles, including non vintage, Late Bottle Vintage ,Vintage Tawny, aged Twanys and Colheitha. Non vintage or ruby ports are the least expensive way to go. A great soft but of course sweet wine. Late bottle Vintage (LBV) is aged for 5 to 6 years before bottled. It is also fined, filtered and cold stabilized to prevent sediment forming. The last of the Ruby’s is simply called Vintage Port . The most expensive and least produced. This wine is aged in oak barrels and then bottled 2 years after the declared vintage. Due to the quality of the wine and the short aging process in the barrels, it needs further aging in the bottle for at least 20 to 30 years until it matures. Since these wines are not filtered, over the years they develop quite a bit of sediment in which case suggest it should be decanted. Twany is another style The grapes they use are not quite as thick as the previous mentioned style and are aged longer in oak barrels. This gives it a brown tint to the color unlike the ruby which is black cherry in color. The entry level is simply called Twany Port, aged a little longer than the traditional Ruby. Twany’s can also be labeled as 10 year, 20, 30 and 40 year. Twany’s are blended so it is not an exact science of the years, but more of an average. Lastly there is a single vintage called Colheitha. This a richer and higher quality tawny. Lastly white port is also produced but not as popular so less is produced. Ruby ports give a more sweet, rich taste a deeper weight to it. Where a tawny is lighter and has a nutty finsh.White has a little less complexity as the ruby and slightly resembles the tawny. 80 different varieties of grapes could be blended into port. The most common ones are Touriga Nacional , Tinto Cao , Touriga Franca,Tinto Roriz and Tinta Barroca, for red port. White port is generally blended with, Viosinho, Fina, Gouveio, and Malvasia. All “True Port” is grown in Portugal. There are many port like dessert wines that are produced that use to be called port . Due to new regulations unless it comes from the city of Oporto in Portugal it cannot be called port. California for example makes some great Zinfandel and Petit Sirah dessert wines. Tantilize your palate and enjoy a port with dessert. Or by itself by the fire! Art LiPuma Seaside Wine & Spirits, Old Saybrook CT
JANUARY EVENTS
72 January 1 - February 28 New Britain "Ghana Paints Hollywood" New Britain Museum of American Art. This exhibition features over 50 hand-painted movie posters created by Ghanaian artists during the mid 1980s to the early 1990s, also known as the “Golden Age” of Ghanaian movie posters. Through this exhibition, viewers can experience these artists’ exceptional skills and their imagination-driven depictions of Hollywood movies such as Coming to America, The Matrix, Indiana Jones, and Rocky. New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St., New Britain, CT 06052 (860) 229-0257
January 1 - February 19 Essex 24th Annual Holiday Train Show. Connecticut River Museum The family-friendly exhibit, created by train artist Steve Cryan, features more trains, new scenery, and lots of surprises to be found in the fully operational 26-foot model train layout. Visitors are challenged to find a scavenger list of various objects hidden within the settings while the smaller visitor set can get hands-on at an American Flyer layout designed for toddler-size viewing. The exhibit is a true locomotive extravaganza and a perfect outing for train fans and all who are young at heart. Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St.Essex, CT 06426 (860) 767-8269www.ctrivermuseum.org crm@ctrivermuseum.org January 1 - 31 Mystic CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN MARINE ARTThis juried show features the works of marine artists recognized by the Society as the best in contemporary marine art. The exhibition includes 120 works of painting, sculpture, and scrimshaw from the nation's leading marine artists. Selected from more than 500 pieces submitted for consideration, the works represent a wide variety of subject matter, medium, technique, and inspired vision. Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration 55 Coogan Blvd.Mystic, CT 06355 January 1 - 7 Old Lyme Holiday Show & Sale. Historic and contemporary art in all sizes. Features both newly discovered paintings by Old Lyme colony artists as well as works by a select group of contemporary artists. Thu.-Sat. noon-5 p.m., Sun. noon-4 p.m. (860) 434-8807 www.cooleygallery.com The Cooley Gallery 25 Lyme St. Old Lyme, CT 06371
Jan 1 - 27 Madison Festive Holiday Show at Susan Powell Fine Art. 33 award-winning Artists from around the country will be featured at the Annual Holiday Show at Susan Powell Fine Art Gallery in Madison. The show will continue through January 27. We offer a versatile selection of landscapes, marine art, still lifes, floral, figurative, and New York City scenes. Exhibiting Artists are: Kathy Anderson, Carol Arnold, Del-Bourree Bach, Julie Beck, Peter Bergeron, Stephanie Birdsall, Kelly Birkenruth, Karen Blackwood, Dan Brown, Deborah Chabrian, David Dunlop, Eileen Eder, John Falato, Judy Friday, Vincent Giarrano, Neal Hughes, Timothy Jahn, Carol Jenkins, Susan Jositas, Sarah Lamb, Sarah Stifler Lucas, James Magner, Anne McGrory, Leonard Mizerek, Cindy Procious, Deborah Quinn-Munson, Carlo Russo, Polly Seip, Claudia Seymour, Dennis Sheehan, Jeanne Rosier Smith, Katie Swatland, and George Van Hook.The gallery is located at 679 Boston Post Road, Madison near the fire station. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm, and anytime by appointment. For further information, please call (203) 318-0616, visit wwwsusanpowellfineart.com to see works in the show, or email susanpowellfineart@gmail.com. January 11 Madison The Wharf Unplugged featuring Vance Gilbert. Join us for an evening of fine dining and a performance by Vance Gilbert. Singer/songwriter Vance Gilbert burst onto the scene in Boston in the early '90s and soon became known for his sophisticated melodies and harmonies inspired by his jazz roots. He has recorded 12 albums, has a song on a Grammy-nominated children's album, and has opened for artists including Aretha Franklin, Arlo Guthrie, and Anita Baker; comedian George Carllin; and most recently, Paul Reiser and the The Subdudes. Reservations required for dining room seating. To make yours, please call 203-350-0014. clock Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 7 PM - 9 PM. Madison Beach Hotel, 94 W Wharf Rd, Madison, Connecticut 06443
January 11 – March 14 Westbrook Featuring selected works from Studio Art Quilt Associates Connecticut Region at the Valentine H. Zahn Community Gallery located at Middlesex Hospital Shoreline Medical Center. Meet the artists at an opening reception to be held on Thursday, January 25 from 6 – 8 p.m. The Gallery is open during regular business hours and is located at 250 Flat Rock Place, Westbrook, CT. For more information, contact Middlesex Hospital at 860-358-6200 or zahngallery@midhosp.org.
S
73
January 8 Essex BURNE-JONES’ LE CHANT D’AMOUR AND THE PRERAPHAELITE DREAM January 8 @ 7:00 PM. Following the Romantics, the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood took up four thematic arenas which were newly spiritualized since 1790: On Monday, January 8, 2018 at 7 p.m. at the Essex Library, Associate Professor of Art History, Robert Baldwin, will explore Burne-Jones’ painting, Le Chant d’Amour, as it combines all four arenas in a particularly rich composition. Historically, it returned to an imaginary chivalry where “true love”existed far from mercenary London with its modern marriages of convenience. This illustrated lecture is free and open to the public. For more information or to register, please call the Essex Library at (860) 767-1560. The Essex Library is located at 33 West Ave. in Essex.
January 13 Westbrook Dancing Dream: A Tribute to ABBA. ABBA Dancing Dream Water's edge Resort and Spa Cocktail Hour: 6:00pm. First Set: 7:00pm, Theme Dinner: 8:00pm, Second Set: 9:00pm. Dinner & Show. Price excluding tax & service charge, or book our Overnight Package which includes overnight accommodations and one ticket per adult to the show. 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm, $49 Waters Edge Resort and Spa, 1525 Boston Post Rd. Westbrook, CT 06498
January 15 - 21 Middletown Taste of Middlesex County. The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce announced that its restaurant week, the third annual Taste of Middlesex County, featuring restaurants throughout Middlesex County. Restaurant week is designed to highlight the numerous and diverse dining experiences within the greater Middlesex region. Taste of Middlesex County features a fixed price three-course meal options for just $20.18 or $30.18, (does not include beverages, tax or gratuity). The three course components include an appetizer, main entrée, and dessert. Participating restaurants and menus can be found on middlesexchamber.com/taste and are updated daily. Reservations are made with the individual restaurant. 393 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 347-6924 www.middlesexchamber.com/taste January 15 Hartford Winter Vacation Exploration Connecticut Science Center These popular day program for ages 6-12 feature a different science theme each day. Hands-on activities will keep kids smiling and engaged with projects, experiments, games, and supervised time in our amazing galleries. Experienced STEM Educators and caring staff make sure that campers get a one-of-a-kind experience that will make their school vacation memorable and fun! (860) 520-2177 Connecticut Science Center, 250 Columbus Blvd. Hartford, CT 06103 ctsciencecenter.org/programs/camps/camps@CTScienceCenter.org
JANUARY EVENTS
JAN 12-14 East Haddam 13TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS STAGED READINGS | FESTIVAL PACKAGES & TICKETS | Every musical got its start somewhere—for many, it was at Goodspeed. Don't miss your chance to see the next big hit at Goodspeed's Thirteenth Annual Festival of New Musicals. Hundreds of musical theatre lovers will gather on the Goodspeed campus for staged readings of brand new works as the brightest new writers and performers collaborate to create the future of America's greatest art form. It's something different...come join us! STAGED READINGS FIVE POINTS FRIDAY, JAN 12, 7:30 PM Music by Ethan Pakchar and Douglas Lyons Lyrics by Douglas Lyons Book by Harrison David Rivers New York City. 1863. Set amidst the tumult of the Civil War, Five Points chronicles the journeys of two men - Willie Lane, a young black performer at the famed Almack’s Dance Hall, and John Diamond, an Irish immigrant and former jig champion - as they risk everything in pursuit of the American Dream. SWEETWATER SATURDAY, JAN 13, 7:30 PM Music by Sean Mahoney Book & Lyrics by Patricia Noonan As World War II shakes the nation, sisters Beth and Frankie join women from across America to fly for the US Army. Leaving home to train in Sweetwater, TX, these Women Airforce Service Pilots risk their lives without military status. From history’s margins, Sweetwater brings the WASP center stage in an epic story about the joys and costs of being female pioneers. PASSING THROUGH SUNDAY, JAN 14, 1:00 PM Music & Lyrics by Brett Ryback Book by Eric Ulloa Based on the work“Walking to Listen”by Andrew Forsthoefel Passing Through tells the incredible true story of a young man who journeys on foot from Pennsylvania to California, collecting stories as he goes. When his trek brings to light a repressed family trauma, he must use the lessons he’s gathered to confront his past. Set against the backdrop of America, it’s a musical about community and the healing power of forgiveness. BOX OFFICE 1.860.873.8668 MAILING ADDRESS, PO Box A East Haddam, CT 06423-0281
JANUARY EVENTS
74
January 19 - March 2 Old Lyme 26th Annual Associate Artist Exhibition and Newly Elected Artists. Landscape, portrait and still life paintings, as well as sculpture, all by Associate Artist members, will be featured in the Association’s front galleries. An exhibition of works by six new Elected Artists will be on display in the Goodman gallery. Opening reception on January 28, from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Lyme Art Association, 90 Lyme St., Old Lyme, CT 06371 (860) 434-7802 https://lymeartassociation.org
January 19 - February 4 Putnam Almost Maine. On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost's residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend—almost—in this delightful midwinter night's dream. TNECT (The Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut, Inc.) at the Bradley Playhouse Street Address: 30 Front Street (Route 44) Putnam, CT (860) 928-7887 January 19 - 21 Hartford A Scottish Fantasy. The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts Hartford Symphony Orchestra is breaking out the bagpipes for 2018 with a concert of music inspired by the vibrant country of Scotland. Maxwell Davies’An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise is a vivid depiction of a joyous wedding celebration, gloriously concluding with a bagpiper performing in full Scottish regalia. Bruch’s four-movement Scottish Fantasy, pays homage to Scottish folk melodies including “Auld Rob Morris,”“The Dusty Miller,”“I’m a’Doon for Lack o’ Johnnie,”and the patriotic anthem“Scots Wha Hae.”Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3,“Scottish,”is the result of the composer’s preoccupation with Scottish history, and his visit to the ruins of Holyrood Chapel in Edinburgh while on Grand Tour in 1829, calling to mind the wild romantic landscapes of the north, at the same time stormy and jubilant. 860 987-5900 Please join us for a pre-concert talk one hour prior to to the concert. The Bushnell 166 Capitol Ave. Hartford, CT 06106
January 26 - 28 Uncasville Sun Wine & Food Fest Mohegan Sun. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, food enthusiast or simply looking for an exciting weekend, you’ll find it all at Sun Wine & Food Fest. Sun Wine & Food Fest returns with its signature showcases including the Grand Tasting and Celebrity Chef Dine Around. Sip and sample your way through a jam-packed lineup including Sunday Brunch with Martha Stewart and the addition of Divine Delights, a sweet pairing of decadent treats and dessert wines. Bourbon Tasting: Start your weekend early and taste a variety of fine bourbons during the Bourbon Tasting inside the Uncas Ballroom. Mix and mingle at the tasting while enjoying top-quality bourbon along with delectable food provided by Bear’s Restaurant Group and a cigar courtesy of Boutique Cigar. January 26, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Tickets $90. Divine Delights: The Sun Wine & Food Fest sweetens the deal this year with an all-new event. Divine Delights is your passport to explore a world of decadent desserts paired with the perfect wine to savor every sweet bite. Presented by E & J Gallo Winery, Divine Delights is an after-dinner treat you’ll want to save room for! January 26, from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. Tickets $90.The Grand Tasting: Sample over 1,000 varieties of wines and beer. Sip and sample some of the best wine and beer, as well as an array of specialty spirits inside the Convention Center. Plus, foodies can sample signature dishes from the region’s most highly rated restaurants. The Main Culinary Stage is the backdrop for two days of celebrity chef demonstrations along with fun-filled contests. January 27, from noon-5 p.m. Tickets $99. Vintage Cru Tasting: Taste the “best-of-the-best” vintages from around the world and get one-onones with the winemakers. Learn the principles behind their craft and get a closer look into some of the finer wines Sun Wine & Food Fest has to offer. Sponsored by Big Rock Oyster, Vermont Creamery and Celebrity Cruise Lines, inside The Cabaret Theatre. January 27, from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Tickets $150, and includes the Vintage Cru Tasting and a $50.00 iGourmet gift card. Tickets do not include access to the Grand Tasting. Celebrity Chef Dine Around: Guests are invited to the Celebrity Chef Dine Around to watch the masters at work in the Uncas Ballroom. Celebrity chefs such as Alex Guarnaschelli, Rocco Dispirito and Todd English will be on-hand serving up their best recipes at several live cooking stations. Enjoy the pairing of fine wine or premium beer to complement each signature dish. January 27, from 8 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Tickets $199. Sunday Brunch with Martha Stewart: She’s a world-renowned household name and she’s ready to put her spin on Sun Wine & Food Fest’s Sunday Brunch. Domestic diva Martha Stewart hosts the ultimate feast of savory food and drink during this exclusive brunch event. January 28, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tickets $90. Sun Wine & Food Fest Ticket Packages: Gain entry into the Friday night Bourbon Tasting and the Saturday Sun Wine & Food Fest Grand Tasting with the Grain & Grapes Package. The package is $150.00 and includes entry into both events. Or, bundle the events on Friday including the Bourbon Tasting and Divine Delights presented by E & J Gallo Winery with the Grain & Goodies Package. The package is $150.00 and includes entry into both events. The Saturday Food & Wine Package is a perfect choice for guests interested in the Grand Tasting and the Celebrity Chef Dine Around. The package is $250.00 and includes entry into both events. Select the Winemakers and Chefs Package for access to fine wine and signature dishes at the Vintage Cru Tasting and the Celebrity Chef Dine Around. The package is $300.00 per person and includes entry into both events. Guests looking to experience a little bit of everything are able to purchase the Food & Wine Weekend Package which includes entry into the Grand Tasting, the Celebrity Chef Dine Around and Sunday Brunch with Martha Stewart. The package is $325.00 per person and includes entry into all three events. Mohegan Sun1 Mohegan Sun Blvd, Uncasville, CT 06382