holiday in the country 2010 north/south edition

8/8/2019 Holiday In The Country 2010 North/South Edition

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November 24, 2010

Special Section to: Greenwich Post I The Darien Times I New Canaan Advertiser I The Ridgefield Press I The Wilton Bulletin I The Redding Pilot I The Weston Forum I The Lewisboro Ledger

BryanHaeffelephoto

HolidayCountry

in the

Bachanalian Feasts Of The PastAnd A Salute To Dom Perignon

Preservation Of The ModernsNow Listed As Historic Places

An Array Of Distinctive GiftsAwait At Festive Markets


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2 Holiday in the Country Hersam Acorn Newspapers November 24, 2010


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November 24, 2010 Holiday in the Country Hersam Acorn Newspapers 3

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Heres a stunning book that combines photographs of delectablefood, interviews with farmers dedicated to the best that nature

has to offer, comments from great chefs, and their recipes.Harvest

to Heat, Cooking with Americas Best Chefs, Farmers and Artisans

(Taunton Press, Oct. 2010) by Darryl Estrine and Kelly Kochendorfer

is a book that anyone (change that to most everyone) would like

to own. If you care about food, where it comes from and beautiful

ways to present it, its a book youll savor.

Darryl Estrines photographs are like paintings, and peppered

through the book are conversations with farmers, fishermen,

cheese-makers, bakers, people who raise organic beef cattle, dairy

cattle, lambs, chickens, pigs and turkeys,

whose names may be unfamiliar but whose

practices are changing the way we think

about food.

A nice surprise on pages 219 and 220

Annie Farrell and Betsy Fink of Wiltons

Millstone Farm are featured as organic pro-

ducers of tomatoes, corn, beans, herbs,

grass-fed beef, chicken, eggs. (Annie Farrell,

the Veg Lady, gave directions for a backyard

vegetable garden in the May issue ofHome.)

Harvest to HeatA GROUNDBREAKING LOOK-AND-COOK BOOK

by Lois Alcosser

Far left: Annie Farrell of Millstone Farm in Wilton workswith Chef Bill Taibe of LeFarm in Westport to supply the

restaurant with a diversity of fresh produce. (Darryl Es-trine photo). Ellen Silverman book cover photo.

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Millstone Farm supplies organic produce

to Westport chefs Bill Taibe of LeFarm and

Michel Nischan of The Dressing Room, who

says, Anyone who reads Harvest to Heat

will be as compelled to cook from it as I

am.

In her foreword, Alice Waters, owner of

Chez Panisse, in Berkeley, Cal., one of

the first restaurants to use local, seasonal,

organic produce, writes, Harvest to Heat

embraces the incredible regional diversity

of our country while solidifying the connec-

tion between land and plate. It represents

a new generation of cookbooks, for a new

generation of cooks.

This is not just a coffee-table book of pretty

pictures. Its filled with the words, ideas,

feelings and creativity of those whose lives

are devoted to the joy of growing, cook-

ing and eating the best that food can be.

There are sections with recipes for: starters,

salads, soups, main courses, sides and des-

serts. In each section, you get to know the

farmers who grew the food and their chef

customers.

In the salad section, you find out about

Tim Stark, who started by growing 3,000

tomato plants on the roof of a Brooklyn

building and now owns a 58-acre farm that

grows 100 varieties of tomatoes, which he

sells at the Union Square Farmers Market

in New York City. One of his customers is

Chef Daniel Boulud of Daniel restaurant in

New York, who shares his recipe for stuffed

cherry tomatoes with zucchini and yellow

tomato vinaigrette. You realize that salad is

not just a delivery vehicle for getting dress-

ing into your mouth, says Chef Boulud.

Ridge Shinn, beef farmer in Hardwick,

Mass., says unequivocally, Grass-fed cows

make the best burgers. Period. His mission

is to prove that grass-fed cattle produce a

more flavorful meat than their grain-fed

relatives, and in the process are a boon

to the environment. Chef David Shea of

Applewood restaurant in New York, gives

his recipe for Braised Short Ribs with red

wine, onions and carrots. It makes you hun-

gry just reading it.

Though Alice Waters says she loves the puri-

ty and simplicity of the recipes, which let

the ingredients shine, many of these reci-

pes may seem quite ambitious (especially

for someone whos used to three-ingredient

recipes). But the photographs are so mag-

nificent, theyd tempt the most average of

cooks to try Chef Charlie Palmers Duck

Meatballs with Pomegranate-Orange Glaze

and Pureed Parsnips or Chef Maria Hines

Individual Chocolate Ganache Cakes. Many

recipes require precision. When it says to

use 10 chives, about 8 inches long, cut onto

1/4 inch pieces, theres a reason.

Starting with devotedly grown, local, organ-ic ingredients in tune with the season,

preparing delicious, nourishing meals is a

reward in itself, which can happen daily.

But whether or not you use the recipes,

your attitude toward the food you shop for,

prepare and eat becomes more thoughtful,

more respectful, more attentive to one of

lifes essential, sensual pleasures.

However you use it, Harvest to Heatwill

heighten your appreciation of food.

The next time you scramble eggs, youll

scramble them with reverence.

Reindeer Festival & Santas Workshop

Santa and his live reindeer are coming

to town to McArdles Florist & Garden

Center, 48 Arch Street, for the 2010

Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santas

Workshop, presented by Mercedes-Benz

of Greenwich to benefit Kids in Crisis.

From Nov. 26 to Dec. 24, children, pets,

adults and families may have their photos

taken with Santa, with proceeds benefit-

ing Kids in Crisis. Photo packages begin

at $29.99 and include a gift bag filled

with coupons to shop at participating

downtown Greenwich stores. Hours for

the Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santas

Workshop are: Monday through Friday,

noon to 5:30; Saturday, 9 to 5:30; Sunday,

9 to 4. Reindeer feeding times will take

place daily at 9 and 4. More information

on this magical holiday experience is at

greenwichreindeerfestival.com.

Greenwich Holiday Stroll Weekend

For two days, Greenwich Avenue comes

alive with carolers, musicians and special

performers as participating retailers fill

their stores with specialty food, drink and

holiday cheer. Hours for Holiday Stroll

Weekend 2010, presented by TD Bank,

are Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 to 7 andSunday, Dec. 5, from 11 to 4. Parking is

free.

This year, Reindeer Festival passports will

be available via the participating retail-

ers to encourage shoppers to visit the

various stores and support Kids in Crisis.

Shoppers will receive a stamp from the

stores after making a purchase, and can

turn in their passports at the end of the

weekend to Santas mailbox at McArdles

Florist & Garden Center to enter a draw-

ing for a prize. For more information,

visit greenwichreindeerfestival.com.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS IN GREENWICH

Santas reindeer will arrive for a visit on Nov. 26 at McArdles Florist & Garden Center.

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The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche has

said that without music, life would be a

mistake. It has also been said that laugh-

ter is the best medicine, that the cinema

provides an escape to worlds unknown,

that the magic of opera can melt your

soul.

When someone recently asked me what

would be a most unusual gift, tickets to

the Ridgefield Playhouse came to mind.

It can be a source of magical, life-alter-

ing pleasure and probably one of the best

places to buy a gift that isnt another bottle

of wine, reindeer sweater or musical tie.

Exaggerations aside, if you are looking for

something different and dont feel much

like shopping, the Ridgefield Playhouse is

one-stop shopping, and there truly is some-

thing for everyone.

From the person who loves to cook (Healthy

Holiday Cooking with Chef Jehan De Noe,

Dec. 15) to the person who loves to rock

(Dickey Betts, Jan. 28), to the one who loves

to dance (the ultimate Abba Tribute Band,

March 12) to the one who loves magic

(Joshua Kane, Borders of the Mind, March

27), to the kid in your life (Madeleine and

the Bad Hat, Jan. 22) to the love of your life

(Valentines Day with Chris Botti, Feb. 13),

look no further than the playhouse.

Whether its tickets, gift cards as stocking

stuffers, even raffle tickets to win a new

Mercedes, you can definitely find some-

thing for the person who has everything.

For those who love the blues, theres no

denying that you should get them tick-

ets for the ultimate blues show on Feb.

24, Blues at the Crossroads, the Robert

Johnson Centennial Concert starring Big

Head Todd & the Monsters and living

blues legend, David Honeyboy Edwards,

Hubert Sumlin, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin

Malcolm. For jazz lovers, theres the amaz-

ing Preservation Hall jazz band, March 18;

or the Afro-Cuban All Stars, March 25. If

you have someone whos nostalgic for 50s

music, theyll love tickets to the 50s Dance

Party, featuring the music of Buddy Holly,

the Big Bopper & Ritchie Valens, Feb. 26.

For those who have a Celtic soul, theres

Orla Fallon, April 15, or for someone who

loves rock and roll, theres One Night of

Queen, April 26.

Then theres the Metropolitan Opera Live

in HD, with various operas each month for

only $25 a great way to introduce some-

one to opera or satisfy the opera buff.

So when it time to fill those stockings, light

those candles or just say thank you for all

youve done this past year, head for the

Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, paral-

lel to Main, or call the box office, 203-438-

5795, or go online, ridgefieldplayhouse.

org. And have a happy and healthy holiday

season!

The Ridgefield Playhouse offers magical gift ideasby Allison Stockel

Chef Jehan de Noe takes center stage with a cooking show, just in time for the holidays.

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9/22


Thanksgiving, with its groaning festive tables,comes upon us all too quickly, followed by

the holiday season, bringing even more

opportunities to gorge on delicious food and

wine. To rid ourselves of guilt prior to these

gustatory events, I decided to check on some

historic dinners.

Many of us have read of the original

Thanksgiving dinner ordered by Governor

Bradford, where early Pilgrims feasted

on clams, oysters and other seafood, plus

wild turkey and deer all at one sitting.

However, fewer of us have read about the

Lucullan banquets prepared for Louis XIV,

the Sun King, born in 1638. In her Chateau

at Pontchartrain, Madame la Chancelireserved Louis a total of 168 varied dishes,

beginning with 16 warm hors doeuvres and

eight soups, ending with 24 assorted pas-

tries, 24 dishes of fresh fruit and 24 dishes of

sweetmeats, preserves and sweet sauces.

Two centuries later, in 1867, Napoleon III

opened the largest Worlds Fair. It was billed

as the Universal Exposition. Wilhelm II,

King of Prussia, later to became Emperor

of Germany, Alexander II, Tsar of Russia,

and his son, Alexander, who later became

Tsar Alexander III, all attended. A dinner

in their honor was held at the Caf Anglais

in Paris on June 7. It became known as the

Dinner for Three Emperors. Certainly more

modest than the banquet served for Louis

XIV, it shows similarities, particularly in the

order of service: soups followed by fish, fowl,

roasts and desserts. Wines were the finest

for the era. All are still available to us now

if we can afford them! Madeira, which

was aged by a voyage to India and back,

Chateau dYquem, Chambertin, Chateau

Margaux, Chateau Latour and Chateau Lafite.

Oddly, the list of wines does not include

Champagne.

Dom Perignon (1638-1715), a Benedictine

monk from the Abbey of Hautvillers, is

referred to as the father of Champagne.

Born in the same year as Louis XIV, it was

also his fate to die in the same year as the

king. So why, then, was no Champagne

served? Two thousand years before Dom

Perignon experimented with sparkling

wine, the still wines of Champagne werefamous for their flavor and intensity. Pliny,

Roman author and naturalist wrote, Other

wines from Gaul which have been recom-

mended as fit for the Kings table are those

from the land of Rheims, known as Ay.

Just a few years after Pliny died in 79 A.D.,

the Emperor Domitian issued a decree in

92 A.D. that all the vines in Gaul should be

destroyed. His Roman legions were devoting

too much time to enjoying the fruits of the

vine and not enough time to the produc-

tion of healthy cereal and dairy products.

Domitian felt that the consumption of wine

did not favor military discipline nor promote

heroic behavior. Be that as it may, the fact is

that for 200 years, vines were cultivated in

secret until Probus, a wiser Emperor, who

not only lifted the ban but ordered his troops

to assist in reconstruction of the decimated

vineyards.

Then came a tremendous boost to the area

and a blessing to the wines of Champagne.

In 481 AD, Clovis was crowned at Rheims

as King of France. He ruled for 30 years,

conquering almost all of the territory that

comprises France today. Clovis converted to

Catholicism, becoming the first Catholic ruler

in France. As we know, wine is an important

part of the sacrament thus holding a prime

position in Christianity. Growth of viticulture

accompanied the spread of Christianity.

Kings of France have been crowned at

Rheims Cathedral for centuries, and in 1575,for the first time, wines of the Champagne

area were the only wines served at the coro-

nation of Henri III. However, the sparkling

wine we think of as Champagne was still a

century away. The production of bubbly,

as it is commonly called, occurred in some

years purely by accident. It wasnt until the

genius of Dom Perignon that a way was

invented to guarantee the formation of bub-

bles by adding a sugar solution to each bottle

of wine, thereby changing the production of

sparkling wine from an occasional rarity to a

welcome certainty.

In Champagne today, you can see a life-sizestatue of Dom Perignon, as well as a paint-

ing of him by Jose Frappa in the courtyard

and offices of Moet et Chandon in Epernay.

A tour of the cellars in an electric cart will

demonstrate the almost endless extent of

the tunnels carved through chalk, which

gives the grapes their unique flavor.

Thirty-five years after the Dinner for Three

Emperors, a banquet was held in honor

of Emile Loubet, president of the French

Republic. Eight courses were served, begin-

ning with hors-doeuvres la Russe, continu-

ing with Dunkirk Salmon, Filet de Boeuf,

Jellied Duck, Chicken du Mans, Salade Jean-

Bart and finishing with pastries and a fruitsupreme of peaches and Greengage plums.

Accompanying wines were Sauternes from

Barsac and reds from the Medoc. Chateau

Gruaud Larose is the only wine identified by

specific labeling.

A review of these great dinners, and the

wines that accompanied them, surely should

help us shed any sense of guilt that results

from our own holiday overload.

For questions about wine and pairing food

with wine, e-mail [email protected].

Bacchanalian feasts of the pastAND A SALUTE TO DOM PERIGNON

by Col. Jack Daniels

...wine is the professor of taste, the liberator

of the spirit, and the light of intelligence...

Paul Claudel, French diplomat, author

A DAY OF FESTIVITIESThe New Canaan Historical SocietyThe New Canaan Historical SocietyThe New Canaan Historical SocietyThe New Canaan Historical Society

13 Oenoke Ridge13 Oenoke Ridge13 Oenoke Ridge13 Oenoke Ridge

Saturday, December 4, 2010Saturday, December 4, 2010Saturday, December 4, 2010Saturday, December 4, 2010

Come and join the fun!

VICTORIAN TEA12:00 - 3:30

Enjoy a relaxing break in our Victorian Tea Roomholiday music ~ tea ~ sandwiches ~ sweets

$10 adults ~ $5 children

GINGERBREAD HOUSE DISPLAY & AUCTION11:00 - 3:30

Bid on your favorite to bring home for the holidays

CHILDRENS WORKSHOPS11:00 - 3:30

Gingerbread Houses to make and decorateVictorian Cornucopias to decorate & fill with candy & toys

$5 each project

BOOK READING AND SIGNING1:00

Local author Laurie Griffith Walker will be here to readfrom and sign her new book, Wetherton, the story of a

fictional Connecticut town and two women tiedtogether by their differing views of its history.

UNIQUE NEW CANAAN GIFTSholiday cards from our collection,

bayberry and beeswax candles,New Canaan mugs and trivets, and more

SILVERMINE ROOM EXHIBITCarl Schmitt 1889-1989

An Artists Live

A Retrospective ExhibitFor more information

visit nchistory.orgor call 203-966-1776

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10/22


Are you crafty? No, not devious, sly ortricky. But rather a creative, artistic or

handicraft type who enjoys making gifts

for family and friends. When I asked

busy people from New Canaan to Goldens

Bridge, the overwhelming response was,

Who has the time?

Its a terrific way to share your creativ-

ity and talent with people who will really

appreciate it. Instead of wasting time cir-

cling the mall parking lot or standing in

department store lines, you can fit your

crafting around your own schedule. You

can knit while watching TV or paint holi-

day cards or ornaments while listening tomusic after the kids have gone to bed.

The time commitment to planning and

executing the craft items can be a great

stress reliever, as well. You can release

your inner artist and block out the frenzy

of work and school.

If youve never tried it, think about getting

your craft on to express yourself, save a

little money and ultimately give gifts with

a personal touch. Jennifer at Katonah Yarn

Company (120 Bedford Road in Katonah,

N.Y.) says that hand-knit holiday orna-

ments with beading accents are popular

gift items to make and can be personal-ized with a childs name or family sur-

names. Hand-knit toys, such as a stuffed

cashmere elephant or teddy bear, are

great ideas for youngsters on your gift list.

Teens we talked with were buying yarns

in wool, alpaca and cashmere to knit col-

orful, fingerless gloves for friends. Why

fingerless gloves you might ask? To keep

those texting fingers free, of course!

Over at Sugarbeads in Ridgefield (113

Danbury Road), Nikki tells me that mid-

dle-school and high-school girls are com-

ing in to buy beads and charms to make

bracelets and necklaces for friends andfamily this holiday season. In addition to

the vast assortment of beads in all shapes,

colors and sizes, the beaded bracelets

can be personalized by incorporating

charms (initials, peace signs, tiny horses)

to express the recipients hobbies and

interests. Adults with more experience in

jewelry-making are buying crystals, glass

beads and semi-precious stones to make

earrings for family, friends, co-workers

and teachers.

Express your inner artistIMPRESS WITH ONE-OF-A-KIND GIFT

by Kim Kovach

Express continued on page 18

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11/22


Scampering along sandy beaches, luxuriat-

ing in the gentle, balmy breezes coming offthe tropical waters, Jennifer Paginelli grew

up appreciating St. Croixs resplendent nat-

ural beauty. Its culture, people and laid-back

feel permeate the lush textiles and whimsi-

cal crafts and accessories she has designed

for Sis Boom, the Wilton-based company

she founded in 1996.

The latest product in Jennifers signature line

of brightly colored fabrics which many

industry professionals have compared to

those produced by Lily Pulitzer is called

Queen Street. Its name comes from a

famous street on the island where the his-

toric roots of Spanish, English, French and

Dutch cultures converge, she explained.

Deep, saturated colors mimic the harbor

waters, and the batik- and Japanese-like

prints would have flowed from some of the

ships, like pirates booty. The collision of

these elemental styles is what I attempt to

achieve in everything I do. Imagine water

for miles, sugar cane fields sitting on roll-

ing hills and windmill blades pushed by the

gentle Caribbean trade winds.This is a place

where I played as a child and lives on in my

imagination.

When Jennifer moved to the Connecticut

suburbs to raise her family in the mid-

1990s, she began to scour local flea mar-

kets for interesting wares to furnish her

newly purchased Wilton farmhouse. I was

inspired by the vintage fabrics that I found,

and I began to create one-of-a-kind crafts

using all the old textiles and trimmings,

she explained.

It was from these simple, creative endeav-

ors that her expanding textile business

arose. Photographed and written about in

all the top interior design and decorating

magazines, Sis Boom has received national,

as well as local, acclaim. The annual open

house parties she hosts seasonally at herWilton home are filled to capacity. And,

even though she has regretfully scaled back

the amount of time she can devote to mak-

ing the crafts that she carries, her unique,

handmade holiday ornaments and wreaths,

available at the American Folk Art Museums

gift store in New York City, continue to sell

out each year.

This years holiday extravaganza is on Dec.

9, 10 and 11 from 9 to 5 at 40 East Meadow

Road. For the first time, Jennifer is drawing

upon the talents of stylists Mary Tucciarone,

Nancy Geaney and Madeline Rhodes also

talented quilters and jewelry designers

who will transform the familys living room

into a showroom. Her professional team

also includes photographer Tim Geaney.

The goal, Jennifer explained, is to show

people how well the new Queen Street line

could be used to make beautiful slipcovers

and pillows. Each year, Sis Boom launches

30 original patterns to accompany the beau-

tiful textile designs. The Sis Boom open

house has an eclectic assortment of sample

dresses, blouses and accessories available

for purchase at reasonable prices. Jennifer

noted that laminates are also available, so

seamstresses could create weather-resistant

rain gear. Offering a warm welcome to any-

one interested in learning more about Sis

Boom and the product line, Jennifer said

she especially enjoys meeting first-time visi-

tors. Everyone is welcome to drop in, she

said. The best customer is a curious one.

The company name, Sis Boom, is derived

from a childhood nickname bestowed upon

her by her twin brother, James Byrne. A

marketing executive, he is responsible for

promoting her burgeoning company, which

continues to maintain its upward momen-

tum despite the recent dismal economy.

Reflecting on her textiles popularity, Jennifer

credits its West Indies origin. She said,

Sitting above the equator, St. Croix is home

to loose-fitting garments, outspoken colors

found in schooner sails, the flags of many

nations, the hat-wearing church ladies, the

turbans, dashikis, muumuus all of it! The

tutti frutti colors of homes raking up the hill-

sides must have been inspired by the gua-

vas, mangos and plantains hanging outside.

The soul of the West Indies

is inside me. The signature

of all my textiles is about

an untouchable time, inno-

cent but cosmopolitan - and

with fabrics everywhere. I am

grateful for the opportunity to

keep bringing them to you.

This spring Jennifers first

book, Girls World, will be pub-

lished by Chronicle Publishing

Company, a leader in the craft-

book genre. Drawing upon her

years of creatively putting together clever

decorative accessories lamps made from

artificial flowers, picture frames detailed

with fun collage and dcoupage patterns,

and zany but easy to make overnight bags.

She outlined the books pages so that others

could create what Fairfield County consum-

ers have been privy to for some time.

For me, everything spills into the next cre-

ative endeavor, she explained. I love doing

the ornaments, and from there I recent-

ly started designing jewelry. This design,

though, will then influence the next textile

line I come up with. There is a real intrinsic

flow to it all, and Im grateful for that.

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12/22


I may be the only woman in the worldwhos a cantor and teaches Swedish

Embroidery, says Cantor Deborah

Katchko-Gray, and shes probably right.

This is her 11th year as cantor at Temple

Shearith Israel in Ridgefield. In 1981,

she was the second woman cantor in a

Conservative pulpit. In 1982, she initiated

the Women Cantors Network, which now

has 300 members. She is the fourth gen-

eration of her family to be a cantor.

She was introduced to Swedish embroi-

dery by Ellen Temkin, when she was a

cantor at Temple Beth El in Norwalk. Ellen

had seen table-runners decorated withSwedish embroidery and thought how

perfect the colorful, tapestry-like border

designs would be for a tallit, the tradi-

tional Jewish prayer shawl. Ellen was my

teacher, the cantor explains, and after

I learned the technique, I made prayer

shawls for my four sons, two stepsons and

my husband. I actually made about 24

for my family and friends. Each design

related to the recipient in a personal way.

For two of her sons, she sewed a small

piece of their baby blankets into the four

corners, so, she explains, Theyll always

feel safe and protected.

When women of the Ridgefield congrega-tion saw her work, they wanted to do it,

also. Even women who had never sewed

wanted to make prayer shawls for their

sons and daughters. Nine years ago, she

started giving classes in her home. Once

you learn, Swedish embroidery can become

addictive, she says. Its really more like

weaving than embroidering. Its done on

huck cloth, a sturdy fabric that has tiny little

squares. The needle doesnt go through the

cloth, the stitches are only on one side. In

addition to traditional patterns, theres no

end to the designs you can create your-

self.

Twice each month, students bring theirwork-in-progress to be examined and

admired. Cantor Deborah gives further

instructions and lots of praise. Gale Berman

of Pound Ridge displayed a beautiful design.

Ive only been doing this for two days!

she says. Rhonda Lackow of Ridgefield

made a prayer shawl for her son with a

pine-tree design. He loves the outdoors,

and helped his grandfather, a builder. I

added small squares of his grandfathers

work glove at the corners. Wendy Meyer

of South Salem remarked, I hate to sew; I

dont even replace buttons, but I can do this

for hours. Recently, the first male student,

Creating spiritual holiday giftswith Swedish Embroidery

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Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray and a student display prayer shawls decorated with Swedish embroidery.

Alan Pilch, joined the group, to make him-

self a prayer shawl.

I love teaching people how to create their

own designs, the cantor says. I feel its a

spiritual experience that fits very well with

my music, which has always been in my

life. My mother was my fathers accompa-

nist on the organ.

In high school, she sang and played the

guitar. In college, she sang in coffee housesand at the Hillel group for Jewish students.

One day I was asked to lead religious ser-

vices for the High Holidays. I was 19, and I

sang for 2,000 people. I decided thats what

I wanted to do.

One of her teachers at Boston University

was Elie Wiesel. He became my mentor. I

have every one of his books and letters hes

written to me. For his 70th birthday, I led a

sing-along, and gave him a recording of it

for his 80th.

In addition to prayer shawls, many differ-

ent things can be decorated with Swedish

embroidery: curtains, table-runners, guest

towels, cosmetic cases, dolls, hats, hand-

bags, as well as challah or bread covers to

match china patterns. They all make very

special gifts. Theyre especially precious

because theyre made by hand.

A gift certificate to learn Swedish embroi-

dery would be original and useful. Lessons

start with a private session to cover theactual technique and various stitches, as

well as how to create a personal design.

Private lessons costs $50 and drop-in ses-

sions are $20 for two hours. A do-it-yourself

instruction book is available for $18 at

Temple Shearith Israels office in Ridgefield.

Cantor Katchko-Gray may also be commis-

sioned to create designs.

For more information, call 203-244-0644.


14/22


Call me crazy, but as much as I love to bake,I dread the thought of making Christmas

cookies. Like most people, I have a million

things to do in preparation for the holidays,

and making cookies is at the very bottom

of my list (right there with making my own

wrapping paper).

Fortunately, Connie Grant, owner of Galaxy

Cookies, is more than happy to make

Christmas cookies, as well as virtually any

other holiday or themed cookie you can

imagine, so I dont have to. Whether I want

a dozen custom-decorated snowman sugar

cookies for Christmas Eve or Hanukah at

our house, or a box of Connies famous

Toffee Crater Crunch cookies to give to ourmailman, I know I can pick up the phone

or jump on the Internet to order whatever

I need.

I have been buying cookies from Connie

since she first opened her business more

than five years ago, and in that time, I think

Ive become something of an expert on

the subject....from purchasing her cookies

for teachers gifts to bringing my daughter

to a childrens cookie-decorating birthday

party at Connies shop (and lets not for-

get the extensive research Ive done eat-

ing Connies delicious cookies). If youre

looking for a unique gift for that special

someone this holiday season, then Galaxy

Cookies is just the place for you.

Recipe For Success

Connie, a Darien native, began baking

when she was just a child, starting with her

Easy-Bake Oven when she was five years

old. After a decade-long corporate career,

Connie decided to cash in her 401(k) and

start her own business. I knew I wanted to

do something creative that would involve

baking, she recalls. I knew I could bake,

and I could drive, so I put the two together

and decided to launch a cookie-baking ser-

vice with local delivery.

Working with her mother (and part-time

resident baker and delivery person), Julia,

Connie settled on Galaxy Cookies for her

business name, knowing she could cre-ate all types of baked goods around the

planetary theme. Mom and I sat down

and came up with galactic cookie names,

Connie says, and I created our slogan, Out

of This World!, which is what I expected the

cookies to be.

With a trademarked name, Connie opened

her shop in November 2003 in Westport.

I wanted a location where people could

not only come and buy homemade cook-

ies made with all natural ingredients, but

also sit down and have a cup of coffee

(iced or hot) and a hot, just-out-of-the-oventreat.

In April 2010, she relocated the store to 12

Knight Street in Norwalk, midway between

the Merritt Parkway and I-95. Within walk-

ing distance of the Fat Cat Pie Co., an

anchor store in the area, the shop is ide-

ally located for holiday shoppers looking to

either purchase cookies as a gift or simply

take a break from their busy holiday sched-

ules.

Homemade For The Holidays

Connies cosmic drop-cookie creations

include Cosmic Chocolate Chip, Celestial

Snickerdoodle, Toffee Crater Crunch, BigDipper Double Chocolate, Oatmeal Rocket

Chip and Bing Bang Peanut Butter, to name

a few. Im always looking for new ideas for

cookies, she says. The Oatmeal Rocket

Chip actually originated with a client who

wanted a chocolate chip oatmeal cookie for

his business, I told him he had to come up

with the name, and he did!

The shops custom holiday decorated sugar

cookies, which start at $3.50 per cookie,

Galaxy CookiesHOLIDAY TREATS ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD!

by G. Lisa Sullivan

Order early, since most of Galaxys holiday cookies are made-to-order.

Galaxy Cookies continued on page 18


15/22


An appreciation for Modern homes has

been a long time in coming. Across the

country, many of them have already been

demolished, and others are still being con-

signed to the same fate. But the persistence

of a small group of believers gradually took

hold, and the movement has grown to the

point where many more of these homes

will survive.

The truly exciting news is that the National

Trust for Historic Preservation has accepted

a statewide listing of Modern residential

architecture into the National Register of

Historic Places. Eighteen Modern residenc-

es in New Canaan have been recognized as

historically relevant and added to the State

and/or National Register of Historic Places,

the nations official list of places worthy

of preservation. Listing in the National

Register of Historic Places provides a for-

mal honorary recognition of a propertys

historical, architectural or archeological sig-

nificance based on national standards.

Two Modern Icons

Two homes by two modern masters

are icons of the movement. One is the

Farnsworth house In Plano, Ill., by Mies van

der Rohe and the other is Philip Johnsons

Glass House in New Canaan. And whats so

amazing is that right here in our midst is

not only Johnsons Glass House but quite

a few others he built, plus the work of four

other masters, who together with Johnson

Preservation of the ModernsNOW REGISTERED AS HISTORIC PLACES

by Jackie Perry

While the Johnson House frames its setting, the Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe appears to float. Whitney French photo

HolidayCountry

in the

Preservation continued on page 16


16/22


were known as the Harvard Five. They are

Landis Gores, John M. Johansen, Marcel

Breuer and Eliot Noyes. In New Canaan

alone, around 100 modern homes were

built by these and other noted architects.

Now owned by the National Trust for

Historic Preservation (a non-profit mem-

bership organization to save and preserve

our history) both houses are open for

public tours, and to better understand

the appeal of a modern house, a tour is a

must. There are many superb photos of the

Glass House, but there is no substitute for

standing within and looking out. It truly is

a picture frame for the natural beauty that

surrounds you.

The landscape was as carefully designed

as the house itself. There is nothing within

these 47 acres that was not planned to

contribute to the whole concept from

the gated entrance to the strategic place-

ment of buildings, to the pathways leading

to them, to the trees that were cleared, to

those that were planted.

Around the house are 14 structures that

were erected to explore design ideas and

also to fulfill various functions. Johnson

thought of the house as his 50-year diary.

Among them is the Lake Pavilion, which

explores ideas Johnson later used in the

design of the New York State Theater at

Lincoln Center. The Painting Gallery, a

grass-covered mound, houses his collec-

tion of modern art. The Sculpture Gallery,

a series of staircases with bays for sculp-

tures, has a glass ceiling, and on a sunny

day theres a fascinating play of light

and shadow. The Library/Study was also

designed as an event on the landscape.

Bookshelves are packed with architectural

books from the 19th Century onward.

The Brick House is separated from the

Glass House by a grass court, although the

two were conceived as a single composi-

Preservationcontinued from page 15

Philip Johnsons Glass House in New Canaan was an exchange for creative ideas.

FromTh

e

Afford

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ClosetExperts

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17/22


tion. In stark contrast to the transparency

of the Glass House, it is composed of three

solid brick walls, with only a skylight and

circular windows in the rear wall to let in

light. It houses all the support systems for

the main house, and there is also a guest

bedroom and reading room. It is now closed

to visitors because of mold caused by rising

water from an underground stream, which

only grew worse in a violent storm this past

summer.

Modern Views Fund-raiser

A restoration project, known as Modern

Views, is under the direction of the lead-

ership of the Glass House, which is the

National Trusts Center for Modernism. It is

spearheading a year-long initiative to raise

funds not only to preserve the Brick House

but for site preservation at the Farnsworth

House, as well.

The projects directors asked 100 contem-

porary artists, architects and designers to

donate drawings, models and other works

of art with a short statement to explain how

these two iconic buildings have influenced

their art. Their artwork is now featuredin a book, Modern Views, published this

fall by Assouline, which is noted for its

fine art books. The book includes historic

photographs and construction drawings

of both houses and an introduction by

Paul Goldberger, New Yorker architectural

critic, reflections by Phyllis Lambert, found-

ing director of the Canadian Centre for

Architecture, and an essay by architectural

historian Sylvia Lavin.

The books participants represent nine

countries and three continents (Asia,

Europe and North America), demonstrat-

ing the breadth of interest in this project.

All artwork featured in the book was put upfor auction, sponsored by Sothebys, with

the proceeds going toward the Modern

Views project.

GIFT IDEAS

A Gift of Distinction

If youre looking for an unusual gift, con-

sider a tour of Philip Johnsons Glass House

in New Canaan. Tours range from $30 a

person for a 90-minute tour to the grand

tour: a private two-hour, in-depth tour of

all the buildings photography allowed

topped off with a gourmet dinner at

the Four Seasons restaurant in NYC (which

was designed by Philip Johnson) for $400

a person. The tour guides are excellent,

welcome questions and enjoy conversing

with tour members. Youll learn a lot from

the guides and often from discussions with

the tour-goers, as well.

Modern Views (available at the Glass House

Visitor Center, 199 Elm Street in New

Canaan, and at philipjohnsonglasshouse.

org/programs/modernviews/) would make

a most distinctive gift. You will also find a

diversity of interesting books on architec-

ture and design at the center, and there are

other unusual gift items, as well.

On Saturday, Dec. 4, visitors to the cen-

ter will have an opportunity to meet Jens

Risom, the Danish-American designerwhose work appears in Modern Views ,

and who will be signing copies of the book

from 10:30 to 11:30.

An absorbing media installation at the

center consists of 24 mini computers, each

with a continual loop ranging from two to

20 minutes, that present a fascinating look

at the various aspects of Philip Johnsons

life and work.

For more information, 203-594-9884; phil-

ipjohnsonglasshouse.org.

Sideffects of a Danish Do orway by Al Taylor


18/22


feature candy canes, snowmen,

Christmas trees, Santa hats and Stars

of David. Many of my customers

order a mix the drop cookies and

the sugar cookies for platters and

trays, says Connie, who does the

majority of baking herself, while her

trusted assistant, Gabriella, focuses

on decorating. Cookie bouquets can

also be ordered, with assorted drop

cookies baked on stems and bun-

dled into a flower box.

Clients purchase Connies cookies

as hostess gifts, party favors and for

holiday centerpieces and office par-

ties. You can order initial cookies,

which are great for small gifts, or

even for wedding favors, she says.

The custom cookies can be individu-

ally wrapped in cellophane and a

bow (one less thing for you to do!).

Spreading Holiday Cheer

A number of area businesses orderConnies cookies to serve in their

stores during the holidays, and her

customers often buy the cookies

to give to the staff at their doctors

offices, or the retail stores they

frequent. I have a standing week-

ly order for the Westport Country

Playhouse, which buys dozens of

cookies each week, Connie says.

With most of her cookies made

to order, Connie recommends that

customers place orders early, par-

ticularly during the holidays. We

also ship cookies to other states, so

I advise my clients to plan ahead,

she says.

The Cookie of the Month Club, with

drop cookies offered in three-, six-

or 12- month increments, makes

an excellent holiday gift, as do the

shops cookie decorating kits ($10)

and gift certificates.

We also do kids birthday parties

here, with the children decorating

the letters of their names and some

shapes, Connie explains. Parents

can also bring their kids here to

decorate cookies (3 for $6) as a

rainy/snowy day activity, or during

vacation.

On Saturday mornings (and

Sundays, through the holidays),

Connie makes some kind of break-fast treat, like croissants, blueberry

muffins or cinnamon-rolled cup-

cakes for people to have with their

coffee. I want people to think of

my shop as a cozy, inviting place to

hang out, she says. I love being

around people, and like one of

Santas elves, Im always here bak-

ing anyway.

For more information: 203-810-4752;

galaxycookies.com.

Galaxy Cookiescontinued from page 14

A local source for craft supplies is Janets

Planet Art (10 Woodsbridge Road in Katonah).

Owner Janet carries paints for decorating

glass and ceramic ornaments, as well as

acrylic paints for decorating wooden picture

frames and hinged jewelry boxes, and fabric

paints to personalize canvas tote bags for

great teacher gifts. The store also carries a line

of Judaica craft kits for kids.

Nancy in Cross River started her own little

workshop at home making papier mch

Santa Claus figurines. She formed and sculpt-

ed the six-inch to 18-inch- tall Santas, and

painted the bright red hat and suit, white

beard, black boots and belt, and twinkling

eyes on each St. Nick. She made so many that

she sold some of the Santas at craft fairs, in

addition to giving them as gifts to family and

friends.

Susan from Katonah gets the whole family

involved in making holiday gifts. Susan says,

Making gifts is another outlet for my creativ-

ity, and its more personal. With five daugh-ters, in pre-school to middle school, Susan

buys plain ceramic mugs, plates or bowls

and lets the girls decorate and personalize

each item with special ceramic-paint markers.

The designs can be baked in the oven to set.

The girls can then fill each bowl or mug with

home-baked cookies or an herb plant for a

favorite teacher or coach.

A healthy-food gift idea comes from Tracy in

South Salem, who makes home-made, all-nat-

ural granola. She packages the granola in chic

containers to mail out to family and friends.

Tracy includes recipe cards to encourage

recipients to try making their own versions

at home. Her four granola flavors (apple cin-

namon, blueberry walnut, apricot pecan, and

pineapple almond, free of processed sugar)

have become such a big hit that Tracy is think-

ing of packaging her granola to sell at farmers

markets in the near future.

More home-made gift ideas gleaned from

Westchester and Fairfield artisans include

watercolor notecard sets, beeswax candles,

natural soaps, flavored vinegars, whimsical

holiday ornaments, wooden birdhouses, and

seed starting kits. If you arent too handy

but have a flair for presentation, why not put

together unique gift baskets? Search library

book fairs for theme books on cooking, mys-

teries, gardening, poetry or short stories, and

thrift shops for unusual baskets and contain-

ers. Complete your elegant gift baskets with

clear wrapping and ribbon.

You dont have to be a famous TV chef orhome-design guru in order to express your

inner creative force this holiday season. Just

plan ahead, set up your work space and

put on some good music. Its a great way to

unwind, relax, be creative, save money and

give more personal holiday gifts.

Kim Kovach is an author and writing teacher in

South Salem, N.Y. Her family will be receiving

copies of her latest creation a new childrens

chapter book, Kitchawan Kenny and the Summer

Garden Mysteries due out in December.

Expresscontinued from page 10

CAPPY & SON and DAUGHTER INC.


19/22



20/22


Once again, the gallery barn of the

Ridgefield Guild of Artists is getting a

merry make-over. The sixth annual Festive

Home: Objects for Living and Giving is now

open for business. The usual white-walled

gallery is transformed into vibrant holiday

home vignettes showcasing the variety

of gift-giving, decorating and entertain-

ing items. It runs through Friday, Dec. 24,

with expanded shopping hours Tuesday to

Sunday, 11 to 5.

The gallerys merchandise is all hand-

selected, many handmade and reason-

ably priced. There are items for everyone

on your list ornaments, candles, cards,

glassware and pottery, jewelry, scarves,

bags, stuffed animals, toys, artwork and

more. This years fund-raiser, a stenciled

art project, is a wall of small canvases

of Ridgefields landmark fountain, created

and donated by guild members and for sale

at the show.

The guilds president and chair of Festive

Home, Rachel Volpone, cant say enough

about the energy that comes to the barn

as the decorators transform the window-

less white gallery into something quite

extraordinary. The common thread of

this years show seems to be vibrant color

the very different palettes of each deco-

rator bring a distinct sensibility to each

space. Each design team explores its

sense of the holidays, and their vignettes

create the lush backdrop for the objects

for sale.

Four design teams return to Festive Home

this year. Molly Hirsch has been decorating

in Fairfield County for some time, develop-

ing her clients needs into lasting, timeless

design. Using some of her favorite colors

acid green, deep chocolate brown and

robins egg blue Molly designed her own

fabric inspired by Ridgefields Cass Gilbert

Festive Home returns to Guild Barnby Mary Pat Devine

Andrea Anderson loves working with color, adding a dash of fun and whimsy. Mary Harold photo

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Fountain. She uses it as the backdrop to

her space in the gallery, and will catch the

eye of shoppers as they enter and turn the

corner into the barn. One of her furniture

pieces is a custom concrete console made

by a local artisan. I love the way an indus-

trial substance like concrete can be used to

make a piece that can be very classic and

soft, she says.

Olley Court is a Ridgefield Main Street fix-

ture. The shop features home furnishings

and accessories with an eye for the artistic

aesthetic. Co-owners Susan Buzaid and

Robin Curnan invite you into their guild

space with brights and neutrals gray,

orange and pink. They marry natural stone,

elegant grays and silvers with pops of

color.

Local interior designer Olga Adlers vignette

greets shoppers in the front room of the

holiday emporium. Born, raised and edu-

cated in Europe, Olga finds inspiration in

fashion, nature and her extensive travels.

With the help of Vic DeMasi of Monarch

Painting, Olgas environment draws you in

with a rich color scheme of purple, deepolive green and gold. Imagine a holiday

party in an enchanted forest. Walk a mossy

path, sit by the fire, get sprinkled with some

fairy dust and have a drink! says Olga.

Terri Reilly and her team of Lori Bova and

Annie Hill transforms part of the middle

room with a warm and inviting environ-

ment that brings you home at last. Their

vignette features bright, bold colors to com-

bat the grays of winter.

Three new teams join Festive Home for

2010. Beth Rosenfield is a Ridgefield

designer whose vision is to create a home

vignette that combines unique accessories

with traditional furnishings for a serene

holiday tableau. Maximizing the height

and shallow depth of her space in the front

room, she has created a cozy nook appear-

ing larger than it really is by combining

lighting, softly draped fabrics, rich wood

tones and sophisticated colors.

Andrea Anderson is owner of Hazel & Sid,

an eclectic lifestyle store on Main Street in

Ridgefield. She has lived in Argentina and

France and often travels to those places to

bring back authentic finds from local mar-

kets, designers and artists. As an artist, her

design sense comes from an artists point

of view, which leans toward the quirky and

unexpected. Her space is in the middle

room and is inspired by color vintage

holidays with a sense of fun and whimsy.

Lisa Casagrande, Christy Kinsman and

Jeanne Rowella opened the Gilded Nest

three years ago, featuring new and vintage

furniture, lamps, mirrors, chandeliers, deco-

rative accessories, jewelry and gifts. The

inspiration for their vignette in the middle

room is a dreamy, glamorous holiday set-

ting featuring a vintage gilt vanity and twin-

kly lights to showcase the guilds holiday

items for sale.

Festive Home is the guilds largest fund-

raiser of the year, helping to bring in much

needed operating and program funds. The

guild is at 34 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield.

For more information: 203-438-8863;

[email protected]; rgoa.org.

Molly Hirschs fabric design was inspired by the fountain in Ridgefield. Mary Harold photo

806 Federal Rd. (Route 7) Brookfield, Connecticut . 775-6272

www.motherearthcrystals.com . Call for Holiday Hours

Free Stocking Stuffer With Every Purchase!

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22/22


holiday in the country 2010 north/south edition

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