The guest rooms at The Falls Village Inn are intimate and freshly updated. With classic cocktails and lagers in the Tap Room and hearty American fare in the Eatery, it’s no wonder the historic Inn is a popular gathering place for locals and visitors alike.
At the center of the small town of Falls Village (the second smallest in Connecticut) is an iconic architectural beauty beckoning to us with its old world charm. When Colin Chambers, an advertising executive, came to the area to do business at Lime Rock Park five years ago, he fell in love with it and bought The Falls Village Inn. He and his partner, Susan Sweetapple, have kept the best elements from its rich, historic past and updated the building with taste and style.
Built more than 175 years ago and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Inn was restored in 2010 with celebrated New York interior designer Bunny Williams (a Falls Village resident) overseeing the design and decoration. The five guest rooms are a perfect combination of simple sophistication and comfort.
The spacious, new dining room is roomy enough for large parties or intimate for a romantic dinner for two. In the summer, you can choose to dine al fresco on their old-time porch. Serving fresh caught seafood and locally grown produce that changes seasonally, the Eatery offers a wide range of dishes (Fried Atlantic Oysters, Fish & Chips, Flat Iron Steak, Rustic Style Lemon Chicken, Short Rib Ragu, and Chicken Pot Pie) on their menu. Chef Aaron Johnson (from Boston and New York) prepares the flavorful meals with meticulous attention to detail and they are beautifully served.
VERONICA DAY
The relaxed atmosphere in the Tap Room is perfect for enjoying a classic cocktail like The Falls Village Inn Old Fashioned made with small batch, locally-made Berkshire Bourbon; locally-sourced Grade A Certified Organic, 100% Pure Crown Maple Syrup; Angustura bitters; and muddled cherry, orange and lemon, served on the rocks. Although he is known for his delicious signature cocktails, Bartender Chris Ceprano also serves draught ales, lagers and pilsners, all reasonably priced. The bar menu includes the usual burgers, fries, and tasty sandwiches, but it also offers clam chowder, chicken pot pies, crab cakes, and grilled steaks.
If you’re looking for some adventure after relaxing on the porch enjoying the fresh air and sipping a drink, there’s much to do in the area—from fishing, rafting, and canoeing to attending the historic parade of antique and vintage cars at Lime Rock Park. Within walking distance of the Inn, just upstream from the steel bridge over the Housatonic River, is a stunning set of waterfalls—the second biggest falls in the state of Connecticut. If you like hiking, the Appalachian Trail runs through the town, so hop on and experience a national, natural wonder. The David M. Hunt Library is a great place to satisfy your intellectual side, often holding interesting lectures, book signings, art shows, and other events. Nearby towns worth visiting are Salisbury-Lakeville, Millerton, New York, and Great Barrington and Lenox, both just over the border in Massachusetts.
VERONICA DAY
Situated in the Litchfield Hills—close to the Berkshires—The Falls Village Inn has a strong connection to the community, which explains its neighborhood feel. They hold events such as wine tastings and fundraisers. A friendly atmosphere, cozy rooms, and delightful food and drink, it’s where the action is. And it’s literally at the heart of the village, right next door to the fire department. You can’t get any more charming than that!
Accomodations include wireless internet, HD flat-screen TV with satellite service, and a continental breakfast. The Falls Village Inn is two hours and 15 minutes north of New York City or two hours and 30 minutes west of Boston. If you have any questions about scheduling your stay, contact Innkeeper Susan Sweetapple at:innkeeper@thefallsvillageinn.com
Hours of Operation: Dinner served at 5pm Cocktails served at 4pm Lunch served at noon on Saturday Brunch served at 11am on Sunday
To book a room, go to the reservations page at: www. thefallsvillageinn.com For dining reservations, call:860-824-0033
Kathryn McCarver Root, founder and owner of KMR Arts Gallery in Washington, has opened a significant exhibition of photographs by Lisa Elmaleh that create a visual narrative of Appalachia and the Musicians of West Virginia. BY SARAH PARKER YOUNG
‘How dear to my heart, how precious the moments
We stood shaking hands and singing a song.’ – Hazel Dickens, Won’t You Come And Sing For Me
This quote appears in the artist’s catalog of images from ‘American Folk’, the current exhibition at KMR Arts Gallery. The subject of the poem resonates with the show, as music seems to permeate the settings of the photographs, whispering among the standing musicians and lifting the textured leaves of tobacco plants. Lisa Elmaleh unveils the surreal beauty of the West Virginia and the people who inhabit it, where they live and the richly textured backgrounds.
TOBACCO BY LISA ELMALEH
Lisa Elmaleh describes writing the musicians’ stories with light and this is reflected in the meditative, authentic quality of the photographs. Lisa chose to use nineteenth century process of making photographs, including the wet collodion process on glass negative and the tintype. Because the exposure is much longer, 8 seconds, the subjects become more comfortable and the result is more real and naturally thoughtful.
“‘I like to photograph people where they live, to spend the day with them and create a more conscious photograph. People are particularly present and illustrate their engagement,” explains Lisa. The image below of Denis Rhodes, owner of the tobacco field, captures him on his ‘dancing board’, a platform used to create a beat that takes the place of traditional drums in local music.
DENNIS RHODES, HAWESVILLE, KY BY LISA ELMALEH
Lisa travels with her large format 8 x 10 camera (named Fitzgerald Fitzwilliam Fitzgeorge) and her darkroom is in the back of her 1996 Toyota Tacoma. She enthuses that her truck is a great house: a bed, a darkroom and a stove. By living among her subjectsthe photographer offers a visual cue to the rhythms and settings of the culture.
LISA ELMALEH’S TRUCK WHERE SHE KEEPS A DARKROOM.
“While I am in the truck, I can hear them sitting and playing music as I am running the plates through in the darkroom,” adds Lisa giving a picture of how naturally she herself has become a part of the landscape.
MATT KINMAN AND MOSES NELLIGAN BY LISA ELMALEHJIM’S PORCH, 2013 BY LISA ELMALEH
At the exhibition opening, we sat down with Kathryn McCarver Root to discuss the work of Lisa Elmaleh, the gallery and fine art photography.
KATHY ROOT, PHOTOGRAPHED BY MIKE YAMIN
When did you first meet Lisa Elmaleh?
Kathy: I met Lisa 6 years ago, soon after she graduated with high honors from the School of Visual Arts in NYC. I was impressed by her devotion and commitment to the medium of photography. There is a connection to the past, with her choice of process, and the contemporary, or now, with her choice of subjects. Lisa is an extraordinary artist.
You had a show of Lisa’s work before, what work was in the exhibit and when was it?
Kathy: The first show of Lisa’s work at KMR Arts was The Everglades, September 25 – December 18, 2010. The Everglades photographs were made over a period from 2008-2012, using the wet plate collodion process on 8×10 inch glass plate. The prints were gelatin silver prints which Lisa made herself in the darkroom.
THE ELMALEH EXHIBIT AT KMR ARTS GALLERY. MIKE YAMIN
What are the elements of Lisa’s work that appeal to you the most?
Kathy: The key attributes of Lisa’s work that I admire the most are the integrity and the authenticity of the work. Lisa has said about the portraits in American Folk, “There is an aspect of tradition and history in what I do that connects to the tradition and history in what they do.” Also, in looking at Lisa’s work, the viewer is always deeply aware of where the picture is, that is, a sense of place and undeniable connection between the person and the land.”
You have worked with many diverse artistic photographers. Is there a common quality about these different photographers’ work that you are attracted to?
Kathy: The singular common quality in the work of every artist exhibited at KMR Arts is that the work is worthy: it is work that I would want to collect and own myself.
KATHY ROOT WITH LISA’S WORK, PHOTOGRAPHED BY MIKE YAMIN
Your gallery has been called a rare gem in Litchfield County. You have brought many culturally important exhibits to this area. What has been your proudest moment as the gallery founder and owner?
Kathy: There have been some terrific moments in the gallery’s history: opening day of the gallery in June, 2007 with friends and supporters from near and far, the first one-person show in 2009 at KMR Arts of Lillian Bassman’s iconic fashion work with coverage in the NY Times, and the anniversary of the gallery (5 years) which culminated in an exhibit of Diane Arbus’s work. Arbus was and is one of the most provocative and controversial 20th century American artists.
Do you see any current trends in modern fine art photography?
Kathy: In terms of current fine art photography, I think there will always be an audience for distinctive work with a sense of integrity. As technology progresses, the place for the photograph as object will be more collectible and desirable.
What are three things that make a great photograph?
Kathy:
1. A photograph should make the viewer stop for a moment and pay attention and feel something.
2. A photograph can be great because it tells a story or because it makes you look at something a different way: for example, Paul Caponigro’s work is all about nature—trees, acorns, ice, water—but he sees these familiar things in a way different than we do. Arbus’s work is a great example of this: photographs that highlight something or someone you didn’t really see before.
3. The viewer always brings their perspective when they look at a photograph. I think that is one of the most interesting aspects of photography: there is a notion that because a photograph is made with a mechanical device, that it simply shows the viewer what is there. But actually, the mechanical device (the camera) in the hands of a talented photographer makes a photograph that shows the viewer exactly what the photographer wants them to see. Then it is up to the viewer to interpret or react to the photograph. I think the back story can be relevant but it is not required.
About Lisa Elmaleh:
Lisa Elmaleh, is based in Brooklyn, New York, and Paw Paw, West Virginia, and graduated with high honors from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Ms. Elmaleh is the recipient of numerous scholarships, grants, and residencies including: the Tierney Family Foundation’s Tierney Fellowship, the Nikon Vision Scholarship, the Silas H. Rhodes Scholarship (School of Visual Arts), and the Everglades National Park Artist in Residency (Everglades National Park, Florida). Elmaleh’s work has been exhibited in numerous group shows as well as a one person show at KMR Arts in 2010. Ms. Elmaleh is also available for portrait commissions through KMR Arts. She teaches large format photography at the School of Visual Arts and the Fashion Institute of Technology.
KATHY ROOT AT KMR ARTS GALLERY, PHOTOGRAPHED BY MIKE YAMIN
About KMR Arts:
Kathy McCarver Root is a photography dealer, working with individual and corporate clients to purchase and install fine art photography. McCarver Root gained her experience over two decades while working as a photography editor for books (Lillian Bassman, Bulfinch, Weekend Retreats, Rizzoli) and prestigious magazines (Esquire, US Weekly, and InStyle). KMR Arts marked its 5 year anniversary with a memorable show of vintage prints by the photographer, Diane Arbus in October, 2012. Kathryn McCarver Root was named one of Litchfield County’s 50 Most Influential People by Litchfield Magazine. For more information on the gallery, visit www.kmrarts.com.
The show will run through January 3rd, 2015.
KMR Arts 2 Titus Road Washington Depot 860-868-7533 www.kmrarts.com
The art of giving goes local, with our holiday gift guide featuring the best from area artisans, artists, authors, and craftspeople.
‘Tis the time to begin shopping for holiday gifts for friends and family. But there’s no need to hit the mall or tackle the online frenzy of Cyber Monday. We have a wealth of creative neighbors right here in the Northwest Corner who offer homemade, handcrafted, one-of-a-kind items that make terrific gifts. Support our arts community while giving beautiful, natural products created with passion. Here are some of our favorites:
MIKE YAMIN
Rich and Delicious Chocolate Sauce
Made in New Preston by local resident and entrepreneur Vi Owens, Unsurpassed Chocolate Sauce is a delicious topping on ice cream or for dipping fresh fruit into. The original recipe was passed on to Vi by her mother, who developed the yummy sauce back in South Carolina when she and her siblings were growing up. Since then, Vi has updated the recipe and added some new flavors of her own.
After warming up an open jar of sauce in a boiling pot of water, pour some over your favorite ice cream and see it harden ino a crackling chocolatey covering. The combination of the soft, creamy ice cream and the hardened chocolate makes for a tasty treat.
The sauce is offered in an 8 oz. jar in 4 different flavors: Classic Chocolate ($10), Classic with a Hint of Mint ($10), Dark Chocolate ($14), Dark Chocolate with Ginger ($14). You can also purchase a set of 4 mini jars (4 oz. each; set priced at $26), which comes in a nicely packaged wooden crate. It’s a great gift for the holidays.
Any of the Unsurpassed flavors hit the spot. Try the classic and the dark as a dipping sauce for strawberries, then sprinkle with nuts. Or drop a swirl of classic sauce into a bowl of butternut squash soup. A few of us have been known to dive in with a spoon and devour it straight from the jar!
Unsurpassed Chocolate Sauces are available at the following local shops: Nine Main Café in New Preston, The Pantry in Washington Depot, Sullivan Farm in New Milford, Averill Farm in Washington, and The Brookfield Craft Center in Brookfield. Or you can place your special order by contacting Vi Owens: suthnr45@mac.com
Works of art are wonderful gifts to receive and to give, and this area has plenty of talented artists with paintings for purchase. Here, we feature one of our favorite local artists, Tom Hlas of Norfolk. His paintings are about balance, color, shape and movement. A sense of place is what one feels when looking at Tom’s art. He points out that his paintings are not depictions of actual locations. “Rather my intent is to create spaces and places where the mind can travel, where one can daydream, where one can mentally rest and enjoy a sense of belonging and a sense of being at home.”
Tom’s works vary in price from $150 for a printed work on paper to $2,000 for a painting, and more.
The three works featured here are original paintings:
“Edges” – Mixed Media on Canvas, 36″ x 18″, $1,100.
“Beyond the Hills” – Mixed Media on Paper, Image 5″ x 7″ (matted and framed to 11″ x 14″), $150.
“Evergreen” – Mixed Media on Paper, Image 5” x 5” (matted and framed to 12” x 12”), $125.
To see more of Tom Hlas’s work, to purchase a painting, or to contact Tom, go to:tomhlas.com To purchase small print reproductions of works on paper go to: artworksbytom.com
SILDER GUILDED INK BLOT WALL ART BY RON NORSWORTHYHAND-POURED CANDLES BY RON NORSWORTHY
Silver, Graphic Ink Blots & Hand-Poured Candles
Artist Ron Norsworthy lives in Litchfield County, although his background is very international in the design world. He has worked on more than 300 commercials, music videos and photo shoots with some of today’s biggest superstars like Madonna, as well as timeless icons like Aretha Franklin and Tony Bennett. One of Ron’s career highlights came in 2009, when he designed the First Family’s custom set for the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington, D.C. He is the principal designer and founder of N•HOME, a line of luxury bed linens and home accessories.
Not too long ago, a line of Ink Blots was added to his home design portfolio, which are now available at J. Seitz in New Preston. Norsworthy creates framed “Rorschach” style imagery in hand applied silver leaf. The “hidden” imagery when you look very closely might be a stag or a skull, for example, but upon first look it is just a beautiful graphic design. They are quite intriguing and very popular.
Ron Norsworthy has also designed beautiful hand-poured candles in a Pine scent that are sold in chic gift bags. The containers are oversized, silver ceramic (reusable) and works of art, in themselves.
The hand-silver-gilded and limited edition Ink Blot Prints with skull imagery in glamorous frame are $398. The hand-poured jumbo candles in silver ceramic container with chic gift bag are $68.
J. Seitz 9 East Shore Rd New Preston 860.868.0119 www.jseitz.com
TOP AND MIDDLE: TASTY TEA BREADS; BOTTOM: DELECTABLE APPLE-CRANBERRY SOUR CREAM CRUMB PIE. PHOTOGRAPHED BY MIKE YAMIN.
Delicious Homemade Goods by Local Bakers
There’s nothing like receiving an edible gift during the holidays. The Smithy in New Preston offers a great selection of homemade goodies baked locally.
Lisa Klein, a local baker based in Bridgewater, has a line of Springerle Tea Breads which are sold at The Smithy. These delicious tea breads are seasonal, so right now there are French Apple, Pumpkin Spice, and Choclate Zucchini (which is very, very popular). For the upcoming holidays, she will be making Egg Nog Tea Breads, something we are all waiting for! The tea breads are sold for $6.50 each.
If it’s a pie that you’re after, try the Apple-Cranberry Sour Cream Crumb Pie (pictured above) from piemaker Linda Mazza in Warren. She also makes other pies including the all-time favorite Triple-Berry Pie, as well as a Chicken Pot Pie. Priced at $22 each.
The Smithy is located at the site of the last blacksmith shop in the town of New Preston. The store shelves are filled with varied, creative, and tasty offerings from the growing family of local Smithy vendors. Now open for the first time over the winter season from Wednesday through Sunday. Hours: Wednesday to Friday: 11am-5:30pm; Saturday & Sunday: 10am-5:30pm.
The Hickory Stick Book Shop carries a wonderful selection of books all year long, but we found four books that are particularly special because they were conceived, written, edited, created, or drawn by local authors, editors, cooks, and illustrators. These books are all of the highest quality in their genre and are most likely on everyone’s holiday wish list:
Vegetarian Dinner Parties
150 Meatless Meals Good Enough to Serve to Company
by Bruce Weinstein and
Mark Scarbrough
Local cookbook authors Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough—residents of Colebrook—offer a modernist take on vegetables, while giving us advice on how to serve these dishes at dinner parties. In this beautifully designed book you will find advice on how to plan a dinner party, how to pair dishes, pour options for each recipe, and tips for make-aheads in almost every recipe. This cookbook is a sure winner! $32.50
World Order
by Henry Kissinger
Local author and resident of Kent, Henry Kissinger offers a deep meditation on the roots of international harmony and global disorder. Drawing on his experience as one of the foremost statesmen of the modern era—advising presidents, traveling the world, observing and shaping the central foreign policy events of recent decades—Kissinger now reveals his analysis of the ultimate challenge for the twenty-first century: how to build a shared international order in a world of divergent historical perspectives, violent conflict, proliferating technology, and ideological extremism. $36
Bohemians, Bootleggers,
Flappers & Swells
The Best of Early Vanity Fair
Edited by Graydon Carter
Roxbury resident and editor of Vanity Fair Magazine, Graydon Carter brings to life the Roaring Twenties, the Jazz Age, and the age of Gatsby in this book honoring the 100th anniversary of Vanity Fair. Featuring great writers on great topics, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Dorothy Parker, Noël Coward, P. G. Wodehouse, Jean Cocteau, Colette, Gertrude Stein, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Sherwood Anderson, Robert Benchley, Langston Hughes and many others, this book is entertaining. $29.95
Edward Hopper Paints
His World
by Robert Burleigh &
illustrated by Wendell Minor
This striking picture book biography offers a look into the world of American painter, Edward Hopper. As a boy, Hopper knew that he wanted to be an artist, and he never stopped believing in his dream. Local artist and Washington resident Wendell Minor has beautifully captured Hopper’s story as well as his fascination with light and shadow. This is a great gift book for young readers and aspiring artists. $17.99
Ray Baker is a master gardener and artist from Bethlehem, who gathers and dries various stems, leaves, and pods, and painstakingly creates amazing holiday ornaments, some tipped with gold. He has quite a following in Litchfield County. Pergola will be carrying them in their shop during the holiday season. Prices range from $6 to $36.
Pergola Home 7 East Shore Road New Preston 860.868.4769 www.pergolahome.com
MIKE YAMIN
Locally Produced Syrups & Sauces
For gifts that delight the taste buds, try a pair of high quality maple syrups from the well-established Brookview Sugar House in Morris. Available in Grade A Light Amber and Dark Amber, a large bottle is $18 and a medium-sized bottle is $14.
Wild Carrot Farm in Bantam is known for its delicious organic pasta sauce, made from their gourmet heirloom tomatoes picked at the peak of the season. This sauce is very popular with the regulars at The Smithy, and makes a heartwarming gift. $9 per jar.
The Smithy is located at the site of the last blacksmith shop in the town of New Preston. The store shelves are filled with varied, creative, and tasty offerings from the growing family of local Smithy vendors. Now open for the first time over the winter season from Wednesday through Sunday. Hours: Wednesday to Friday: 11am-5:30pm; Saturday & Sunday: 10am-5:30pm.
Laura Daly, a master milliner from Washington, sells gorgeous handcrafted hats for any season, in a variety of styles. Who doesn’t need a hat for the blustery winter season? How about commissioning a custom hat from Laura to attend the annual Tea for Two Hundred affair this coming summer? The lovely faux-fur hood, shown above, is lined in black velvet and finished with frog closures. It comes in a size medium and is priced at $150. Shown below the hood is a fur felt cloche with leather and feather trim. It fits a 23″ head (size 7 3/8) and is priced at $250.
For these or custom hats, contact Laura Daly Millinery: ldmillinery@gmail.com or call 860.248.0979
Artisanal Birch Bowls and Platters
Designer/maker Dana Brandwein from dbO HOME in Sharon, hand crafts these porcelain serving pieces by rolling birch bark into thin slabs of clay, then hand cuts and forms each piece. The perfectly imperfect variations reveal the artist’s hand resulting in pieces that are as beautiful as they are functional. These stunning bowls and platters are the perfect gift for any home—traditional or modern—and are available at Privet House in New Preston, with prices ranging from $110 to $175.
Privet House 13 East Shore Road New Preston (860) 868-1800 privethouse.com
MIKE YAMIN
Mud Ponies Bring Good Luck
Louise King is a local artist from Bridgewater, who handcrafts clay ponies. Her horses are a lively mixture of Persian and Chinese representations of horses “crossed with the memory of carrousel horses I’ve known,” says King. Gestural and whimsical, they prance, gallop flat out (supported by Sharon Blacksmith William Trowbridge’s forged iron stands), or simply stand gazing at the passing scene with equine dignity. Mud Ponies are available at the Hickory Stick Book Shop in Washington and range in price from $45 to $65. They ship happily, eat nothing at all, and are happy in herds. Also known for bringing good luck!
All of your senses are affected when you pick up a bar of Rick Distel’s RAIN Soaps. From the beautiful packaging to the subtle fragrances of the natural, plant-based products, these soaps brighten your home during the holidays and are wonderful gifts. The soaps are triple milled in France but the fragrance formulations are all done by Rick, and gorgeously wrapped right here. His own storefront/studio is closed, but he has chosen Pergola to continue providing Litchfield County with this very special soap. All soaps are priced at $12.
Renowned wildlife carver Richard A. Morgan creates one-of-a-kind decorative shore bird decoys from his studio in Warren. Each decoy is faithfully reproduced and finished by hand. No two are exactly alike. The fine quality shorebird decoys are patterned after authentic Early American hunting decoys. Completely handmade of native woods and hand painted to resemble the aged and painted appearance of the originals, they are authentic reproductions. Recognized and sought-after collectibles throughout the country, these delightful decoys are available right here in Litchfield County at The Hickory Stick Book Shop in Washington, prices range from $25 to $150.
Goshen resident and artist Ben Wolff has followed in the “hands” of his father, Guy Wolff, and throws very beautiful small planter pots in a modern palate of cream, rich brown, dipped grey, and sandstone. He has even just created a special incense holder for Pergola in New Preston. The incense holder is $16 and the pots start at $12, depending on the size of the pot.
CATHY WISMAR, MARKET TOWN, 2014ROGER MCKEE, UNTITLED 1, 2014ROBERT CRONIN, BOYS AND GIRLS, 2014
Square Pictures from Local Artists
Every year, the Hunt Library in Falls Village holds its popular year-end flash art exhibit, 12X12. Works in drawing, painting, photography, assemblage and other media range from the familiar fun pieces by Robert Cronin to sports illustration by Peter Bergamo Jr. and beautiful abstracts from Kathy Wismar, both new to the exhibit. The show opens on Friday, December 12 with a free reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Artworks are all take-away in a 12” x 12” format and are priced at $100 each. A portion of the art sales will benefit the library. Artworks will be replaced on the wall as they are sold. The remaining works will be on display through Saturday, January 3. This is a great opportunity to purchase a locally created, original piece of art for your loved one!
David M. Hunt Library 63 Main Street Falls Village 860.824.7424 huntlibrary.org
MIKE YAMIN
Botanicals on Handmade Paper
Stephanie Wargo of South Kent has a passion for paper and has worked exclusively with Pergola on a botanically-inspired stationery collection. Individual cards, boxed notes, gift tags, and place cards are printed on exquisite handmade paper with her own drawings/watercolors of plants direct from her garden. These delightful one-of-a-kind gifts range in price from $9 to $60.
A new restaurant opens up in Woodbury and brings a great vibe to the area. With a bustling bar scene and an impressive array of dishes on its menu, be prepared to wait for a table.
Driving on Route 6 by the intersection of Route 64, we have all noticed the beautiful barn-like structure that has been vacant for some time, but now we have a reason to turn into the parking lot. Touted as a “modern American restaurant”, Market Place Kitchen & Bar is just that. Specializing in American farm-to-table cuisine, they regularly update their food and drink menus to reflect what is currently fresh from their farmers. Executive Chef Steve Scarzella uses local and organic ingredients, and restauranteurs Eli Hawli, Ayman Hawli, and Marc Anderson pride themselves on following a progressive approach towards healthy and sustainable foods.
THE MAIN DINING AREA AT MARKET PLACE.
The interior of the space is made of sustainable and local materials, utilizing beautiful 300 year old barn wood. The large dining area is open to the kitchen and has a friendly, casual feel.
FOR STARTERS, SMOKED BACON MUSSELS AND CRISPY CALAMARI
Your meal begins with a delicious and warm crusty bread served with artichoke and roasted garlic butter. The plentiful menu offers up everything from sushi rolls to duck confit, from oysters toshrimp and grits, and that’s just the appetizers. “Market Place Boards” include a charcuterie board and a cheese board. For starters, they have delicious salads and soups, and don’t forget to try their flatbreads. For main dishes, choose from house-made pastas to Chicken Marsala, a Fish Fry, and burgers and sandwiches, including a Braised Short Rib Grilled Cheese to die for. Truffle Fries with Aged Parmesan, Fine Herbs, and Truffle Aioli and Chickpea “Fries” with Sriracha Aioli are just two sumptuous offerings on their creative sides menu.
THE OPEN KITCHEN IS SET AT THE BACK OF THE LARGE DINING AREA.THIS RICH DESSERT CAN EASILY BE SHARED BY TWO OR THREE.
For dessert, try the flourless chocolate cake served with a salted caramel gelato and a cranberry compote. So good! The cozy bar area at the front is large, yet fills up rather quickly. Their Cosmopolitans were fresh and tasty. All in all, Market Place is a welcome addition to the neighborhood, and is a great place to meet up with friends.
ENJOY A COSMO AT THE LIVELY BAR WITH FRIENDS.
Takeout and catering are available, as well as special packages for private functions. Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11:30- p.m. – 1:00 a.m.; Friday – Saturday: 11:30 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Washington resident and powerhouse broker Stacey Matthews recently sat down with Happening in the Hills in her light-filled home to talk about lifestyle, fashion and country life. BY SARAH PARKER YOUNG
As a former Wall Street trader, Stacey Matthews certainly saw the value in the unique beauty of Litchfield County when she first came here fourteen years ago. Originally just spending weekends in an antique farmhouse that she renovated with her husband Pels, the couple and their twin boys eventually moved to the area full time. Now, the owner of a successful real estate agency, Matthews has formed bonds with numerous artisans, designers, retailers, chefs and other local businesses.
Tall with striking auburn hair, Matthews has a strong sense of personal style both in the home and with her apparel and accessory choices. On this day, she wore a bold Madeline Weinrib brown and white striped caftan dress paired with a pendant from the Indian design collaborative Yatra. We asked her about some of her influences, inspirations and style must-haves.
What are the fashion items you cannot live without?
Stacey: I love color; orange, purple and lime green. Because of my height, I love large statement necklaces. Locally, my new favorite handbags are hand-stitched leather totes designed by Eric Leitz. I love colorful scarves and shawls and one of best shops in the area is R. Derwin in Litchfield.
Is there a design element in your home that inspires you?
Stacey: I love to create artistic vignettes with plants. I collect plants like other women collect handbags and shoes! I also like themes with my potted plants. For example, in my doorway for summer and early fall I use all white pots with all white flowering plants from Painter Ridge Maple Bank Farm.
CONSTANCE SCHIANOCONSTANCE SCHIANO
Did you use a designer?
Stacey: Well, for my old house, I used two good friends who are also local designers: Karen Davis of Davis Raines Design and Phil Gorrivan of Philip Gorrivan Design. They each did different rooms. When we moved to this house, I sold some of the furniture from the previous house and then mixed up everything from different spaces. So I can’t blame any one designer for the current result. I recently bought new family room furniture from Cara Hotchkiss at Oliphant in Litchfield. Her store is truly amazing and her look is exactly in line with my current tastes. So I have added many things from her store over the last couple years. I also love to shop all the stores in New Preston—so chic!
COURTESY OF MICHAEL Bowman
How do you choose your art?
Stacey: At this point we have made a decision to buy local artists or pieces from clients when they are moving. We recently acquired our second Gary Komarin painting which is quite large and is our newest infatuation. We placed it where we could see it every day in our passings. The large Matt Wood painting in the dining room came from The Behnke Doherty house when I sold it last year. The yellow colors truly brighten my day when I see it, and it changed my opinion about yellow. It’s gone from one of my least favorite colors to my current favorite and I have added yellow accents to the dining room since realizing that I like yellow.
We also have a large Robert Dash painting of Proust from the 1950s in our dining room. One of my clients who is an art collector left it stored improperly and it became covered on both sides with mold. When she asked me to have it thrown out before I listed her house, I decided to take it home instead. It took quite a bit of work to find someone to save it but it looks brand new now. It’s not something we would have bought ourselves but we have come to treasure it and recently went out to the Hamptons to see Dash’s work exhibited in the Parish Art Museum. I have a few things on my radar for future purchases. I need to find a space for a photo I love at KMR Arts in Washington and I love a photo by local photographer Darryl Nitke that I want to surprise my husband with for his birthday. (He won’t read this right?)
Our office currently has an exhibition of works by Harold Lewis, who was a local mid-century painter who had gallery shows throughout the US in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. We have worked with his widow to present these paintings locally for the first time. I have my eye on a few of my favorites that we will likely buy when the show comes down, but who knows, maybe they will sell first!
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What is your entertaining style?
Stacey: I love the creativity of setting a pretty table. I cut the flowers form my garden and it never looks the same twice. That is my favorite part, as I mentioned before, I love plants and flowers and have over 40 indoor plants alone. We have a lot of parties and that is the reason I have such a large kitchen. No one ever leaves it. We serve drinks while I am cooking and everything is very casual. My husband and I cook almost everything ourselves when we entertain. I’ve had up to 30 people and done the whole thing on my own. I think people appreciate that and I know I appreciate a home cooked meal over a catered one any day.
What is your favorite part of the house?
Stacey: The kitchen! This is the room I am most proud of. I designed it completely myself and my builder, Sean Woodward, did a great job executing it. The cabinets and counter tops were custom made by local craftsman. My favorite single piece of furniture is my kitchen table which was custom made by York Street Studios in Woodbury. I had a dark, boring table there before and when this light one came in, it truly changed the whole room. I am thankful for it every day—and for Linda and Stephen’s work in making it.
Your life as a real estate agent is very hectic. If you have a free afternoon, how do you spend it?
Stacey: I love family time, making a picnic at the Washington Club beach or out on a boat with friends on Lake Waramaug. In the winter, we play hockey on the frozen lake. We also love to stop by Arethusa in Bantam for an ice cream. One of my very favorite things to do is to go with a friend for a walk in Steep Rock Preserve, in preference to just sitting and reading.
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We finished up our conversation with some positive insights into the current housing market. Matthews has seen an upswing that coincides with the improvement in the economy. There are more young people from NYC who have large budgets for housing and who are attracted to Litchfield County where they can get more for their money with more land than in Westchester. The Matthews Group continues to grow with 20 agents in a team-oriented environment. The tech-savvy agency has launched a newly redesigned web site with an engaging country life blog and is one of the few to offer clients a comprehensive social media program.
STACEY & PELS MATTHEWS AT THEIR REAL ESTATE OFFICE
Where do you go when you’ve fallen in love with the Litchfield Hills? We asked some of the area’s residents to share their personal favorites.
To commemorate the Two-Year Anniversary of Happening in the Hills, we have put together this collection of impressions by folks who know the area well. Whether it’s an overlooked or underappreciated site, a personal observation, or specialized information about a place that is well-known, these contributions are just a few of the many, wonderful ways we spend our time in the Northwest Corner.
We acknowledge that Litchfield County provides endlessly rich experiences, and that this article is by no means exhaustive. It is our hope that you will be inspired by the enthuiasm of our contributors to explore even further and discover secrets of your own, and then let us know for next year. Below are this year’s Best-Kept Secrets of the Northwest Corner:
Twin Lakes, Salisbury
(Lake Washining & Lake Washinee)
No matter the season, whether biking the perimeter, paddling the shoreline, or just driving around it (which I do on my way down to Pergola) this special spot always stirs me. With Bear Mountain in the distance, the westward views are quite something. Quiet reflection. And on Sunday mornings in season, Mary’s classic pancakes at the very vintage O’Hara’s Marina hit the spot.
David Whitman Pergola, New Preston
Nonnewaug Falls
This is a favorite, magical spot of mine. “The Falls” is a very special out of the way place in Woodbury under towering pines that has an atmosphere of spirituality. There is a bronze plaque on a stone describing the legend of an Indian chief that ended his life there. It is such a peaceful beautiful spot—I almost hate giving the secret away! If you go, enjoy the solitude, and please tread lightly, and leave no evidence of your visit!
Sharon Curran Artist & Owner of RBarn Stables, Bethlehem
NONNEWAUG FALLS. PHOTOGRAPHED BY MIKE YAMIN.
Blackberry Brook
My favorite spot in the Northwest Corner is lovely little Blackberry Brook at the Beckley Furnace. This wonderful brook is home to a great number of well-fed trout. There are a couple of picnic tables to enjoy lunch with a view of the old iron furnace and the water flowing past — a great place to contemplate and appreciate nature.
Veronica Day Artist, Food Editor, Food Stylist, Morris
Fly-Fishing at Blackberry Brook. Photographed by Patrick Sullivan.
Sawyer’s Bar
My fave spot: Sawyer’s Bar in Torrington, walking distance from the Five Points Gallery, on a quiet corner along the river. The crowd here is diverse, the bar staff friendly, and the food unexpectedly delicious and memorable. Prepared by the bar’s Bahamian chef-owner, the vegetable curry served with rice is outstanding, as are the spicy fish tacos and truffle fries! My only complaint would be the at-times overwhelmingly loud music issuing from the bar’s juke box at the behest of some of the restaurant’s younger patrons.
Jessica Jane Artist, Art Blogger and Occasional Curator
LION’S HEAD. PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA FIELDING.
Lion’s Head Summit
I chose Lion’s Head summit for two reasons: it is a supremely picturesque drive to the trail head in Salisbury and the most breathtaking vista from the second highest elevation in Connecticut at 1,738 feet. But the real reason for giving it my highest endorsement as a best kept secret is due to the fact that every time we mention the hike to locals and hiking enthusiasts no one we know has experienced the glory of Lion’s Head. Once you summit the view is witnessed from a sheer scrabble of slate boulders embedded into the mountain side (not for the weak at heart when it comes to heights) and the view encompasses Sharon, Lakeville and Salisbury which resembles an aerial painting of New England’s finest countryside.
My favorite things this fall are pizza at Averill Farm from Pizza to the People—just divine. And the Saturday Afternoon Trail at Pond Mountain Land Trust in Kent—any day of the week and season, it’s just the most beautiful place. And reading Happening in the Hills to find other treasures in our area.
Ira D. Goldspiel Sotheby’s International Realty & Proprietor of The Inn at Kent Falls
ZINKE’S HOMEGROWN, AT NORFOLK MARKET. BY BRUCE FRISCH.
Norfolk Farmers Market
One of my favorites spots in Norfolk is not just a spot, it’s a happening. It’s the Norfolk Farmers Market that takes place on Maple Avenue on Saturdays, May into October, with special additional market offerings in late fall and winter. The Farmers Market isn’t just a place to get great produce, foods and handmade items. It’s also a place to get your gardening questions answered, hear local music and perhaps more important, see friends and acquaintances and be introduced to new friends. It’s a wonderful meeting place to say a quick hello to a neighbor, chat with the vendors, renew friendships, stroll and enjoy the open air. I always walk away feeling renewed by seeing friendly faces, hearing the jolly hellos and touching base with those around me even if only for a brief minute.
Tom Hlas Artist, Norfolk
CHUBBY BUNNY FARM’S STAND AT NORFOLK MARKET. BY BRUCE FRISCH.
Washington
When I am here, at home in Washington and in my life day to day, seeing familiar faces, driving past familiar places, doing the same bits of living, I often forget where I am.
Flying into the airport from wherever I’ve been in whatever season it might be, driving back from Windsor Locks past the airfield, around the reservoir past corn fields, along the back road past other people’s homes, the pond with too many water lillies, past barns and barns that are no longer there. Past the sign that says “New Milford” that inexplicably doesn’t mention Washington Depot, past the western views onto Wykeham Road and onto my road, leading home; that moment from a trip long or short, that the grass is greener here, the air is sweeter, the garden is screaming for us to stop even in the middle of the night to see what has grown over a week or just a few days. Past the loosestrife, the Queen Anne’s lace, the chicory, the fireflies, the neighbor’s dog barking.
We stop with flashlights to look at the garden we’ve sown for thirty years and I remember where I am. I remember all the people who are gone now and of my best friend who died when she was 94, the year I turned 50 and nearly died of cancer and how my community took care of us as one family. I remember the widows ringing bells at the church on the Green where we were married long before, and while we sat torn apart by loss and still together in the balcony.
Of my son grazing these fields for 22 years.
Of fighting to keep our little towns alive and being shocked that it is always a fight.
But still, coming home to a wood fire and the tree frogs singing.
The light in snow and in spring. The dead of winter and the white clover of summer. Tiny scilla as bright blue as a star poking its head up,
I curse it and I worship it.
Barabara Hyde Talbot Washington
ROBINSON GARDEN IN WASHINGTON. PHOTOGRAPHED BY RICH POMERANTZ.
Garden Conservancy and Hunt Hill Farm
I have two best kept secrets, both of which are known to some but hardly utilized as much as they deserve.
First, are all of the amazing gardens that are open to visit through the National Garden Conservancy’s incredible Open Days program. Litchfield County has perhaps the highest density of most wonderful gardens of any region in the country and this program opens the gates to all. These are not your grandma’s gardens – I’m talking really creative landscapes here!
Next is the Silo at Hunt Hill Farm in New Milford. Sure, you say, we know that one, but when was the last time you were there? I am continuously amazed by people telling me they have never been, or not in many years. They have fantastic cooking programs, a world class gallery and a wonderful store, you knew that. But did you know that they have a Smithsonian-affiliated museum of Skitch Henderson’s memorabilia starting from the early days of his career at the Tonight Show all the way up to the 21st century? Did you know you can have weddings or other events there, catered by top chefs? Did you know they have acres of beautiful land (recently used for a very successful and well attended civil war re-enactment)? It’s time to pay another visit!
Rich Pomerantz Photographer, Washington
THE NORTH END STORE IN BARKHAMSTED. BY KATHLEEN KELLY.
The North End Store
There’s a reason GPS exists… You won’t find this one without it! The North End Store is the glistening jewel on the ring of West Hill Lake in Barkhamsted. Stop in for an iced tea and stay for a meal! Enjoy weekly live musical performances and water views from the spacious patio under the stars. Drive from anywhere to feel like a local. The North End Store on Perkins Road has a best kept secret: delicious Lobster Rolls, seven days a week, May thru October! Families gather and bring SUPs and Kayaks. Steps away is the free public boat launch. Order ahead or come-in off the water… they’ll make ’em to order. Don’t forget to ask Ms. Brenda, “How’s the Indian Chief?”
The Dutch Epicure Shop bakery may be one of the most overlooked gems in Litchfield County. It’s located in a nondescript building, on the outskirts of Litchfield’s village center, that most people likely just drive right by. Run by the nicest family, they’ve been importing quality foods from all over Europe for 41 years and their selection of meats and cheeses is absolutely amazing. I stop in every time I’m in the area!
Steve Pener Realtor @ William Pitt Sotheby’s
POND MOUNTAIN TRUST. BY STEVE PENER.
Pond Mountain Trust
One of my favorite places is an overlook found in Pond Mountain Trust in Kent. This view is gorgeous, over Fuller Pond toward Macedonia State Park, yet a bit hard to find, up an unmarked path off of the Saturday Afternoon Trail. Founded by the late Myra Hopson, Pond Mountain Trust is a hidden gem as well — 800 acres of conserved land with a wonderful trail network open to the public.
Steve Pener Trustee of Pond Mountain Trust, Kent
View of Lake Waramaug & Whittlesey Road
The top of Tanner Hill Road to get a spectacular view of Lake Waramug. Even with all the construction on this hill in the past decades, it is still quite a sight. I always try to take visiting friends to this spot as an introduction to the area.
If you enter Whittlesey Road from 202, you will eventually come to the perfect pastoral view. This is what most of Washington used to look like.
Laura Daly Milliner, Washington
THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK FLEA MARKET. PHOTOGRAPHED BY SCOTT PHILLIPS.
The Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market
One of my favorite things to do on a Sunday morning is to stroll the aisles of TheElephant’s Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, taking in the “flea” culture with its colorful cast of characters and its crazy-good mix of vintage items for sale. Listening to the banter, the haggling and complaining; with the sun beating down on the rows of vendors and folks browsing; with the beautiful hills in the backdrop; the locals, the weekenders, and the visitors, with their hats and their smiles; the bumpy carts, the stamp on the hand, the creative displays, the lemonade stand, the Korean food truck and the fields brimming with parked cars. A reminder that we are all connected, looking for truth and beauty—even if it comes in an old jar full of buttons that someone else collected years ago.
Teresa Fernandes Art Director, Washington Publisher of Happening in the Hills
THE LITCHFIELD HILLS. PHOTOGRAPHED BY VI OWENS.
The Litchfield Hills
My favorite place in the Litchfield Hills is being able to view them from a Hot Air Balloon. It’s a breathtaking view as well as a daring experience.If I told you my favorite spot, then it wouldn’t be special any longer. So, I choose the Hills themselves, and somewhere in there is my favorite spot.
Vi Owens Owner, Unsurpassed Chocolate Sauce, New Preston
AER BLARNEY BALLOONS IN BETHLEHEM. PHOTOGRAPHED BY VI OWENS.
THE LITCHFIELD HILLS FARM-FRESH MARKET IN LITCHFIELD. BY SCOTT PHILLIPS.
Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market
Regardless of what else is going on in my life, I look forward to my year round Saturday morning visits to the Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market. Yes, it’s my way of shopping for locally grown food. But it is so much more. The participating local non-profits, artists, musicians, chefs and art activities for children all contribute to the nickname for the farmers’ market — the Community Living Room. It’s the place my kids ask to go and the place where I bump into folks from around town whom I don’t see frequently. And it’s always great to meet folks who have come from a distance and learn why/how they got to our market. I always leave with good local food and a smile on my face.
Kay Carroll
Michael Trapp, the Gunn Library, and Washington Supply
One of my favorite shops is Michael Trapp in West Cornwall. Michael sees and interprets the universe very differently than most mortals. If you can keep an open mind, he can take you on an incredible journey.
I am also a huge fan of the Gunn Memorial Library…I am never so humbled as when I am in a library, and realize how much there is for me to learn. And yet, very ironically, I also find it to be a very calming place.
And finally, there is Washington Supply…although billed as a hardware store, I actually think they defy description. No matter what I go in there looking for, miraculously they always have it…and “their service with a smile” is completely refreshing!
Suzanne Cassano Owner, Privet House, New Preston
Plymouth Center
A historic gem that most people drive right by is the little village of Plymouth Center, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The village, located on Main Street (Route 6), features a white steepled Congregational Church, a cemetery where 38 soldiers from the Revolutionary War are buried, a traditional New England green, and historic houses.
My favorite place in Plymouth Center is the Burying Ground. The inscriptions on the gravestones tell us about life in colonial Connecticut. One stone reads “Emily Bronson, age 2, died of a scald”. Another is inscribed “Frelove Darrow, died with her daughter stillborn”.
Jerry Milne Member, Plymouth Historical Society
THE BURYING GROUND IN PLYMOUTH PHOTOGRAPHED BY MIKE YAMIN
The Morris Marketplace
The Morris Marketplace is not your typical farmers’ market. It’s a place for family and friends to relax and enjoy a real working farm and embrace the area’s best local farmers, foodies, artisans, chefs, and musicians. Not to be missed are the most amazing grilled dishes at The Marketplace Grill run by Chef Chris Eddy. At the farm there are lots of fun events scheduled throughout the season such as tethered hot-air balloon rides, kid’s arts and crafts, axe-throwing demonstrations, hay-rides, festivals, and seasonal activities such as the on-site corn maze and sunflower walking trail. Sundays at the Marketplace are one of the area’s best-kept secrets.
Ben Paletsky Business Manager, South Farms Agricultural
THE MORRIS MARKETPLACE. PHOTOGRAPHED BY SCOTT PHILLIPS.
With today’s interest in home gardening, Peter Montgomery believes that “home orchards” are the next logical step. He is on a mission to help home owners in reviving old apple trees, planting new orchards, and maintaining them.
Many older Litchfield County properties have ancient, neglected apple trees that were once the source of libations and sweetners for the table. Some are still capable of producing a crop, but need remedial pruning to begin the process. Peter Montgomery helps home owners revive old fruit trees on their properties. “Every orchard has three unique attributes: location, soil and nutrients. Amending the soil improves nutrient uptake by the tree, which is key to the production of growing healthier trees and better fruit,” he explains.
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Peter is passionate not only in reviving old trees but also about planting new fruit trees. Why should we grow fruit trees? His response is simple: For the aesthetics – the spring bloom; for the yield – fruit for the table; for landscaping – improving curb appeal; for the satisfaction of growing a food crop; permaculture – returning the land to productivity; air quality – reducing the carbon footprint; and to shorten the grocery supply chain. He says the goal is to grow better fruit, not perfect fruit, responsibly. Perfect fruit is the providence of commercial growers. “My permaculture experiment now yields rhubarb and raspberries in July, then Asian pears in later October. When mature, the new trees will produce July through September.
With a 16 fruit tree orchard on half an acre, Peter grows Asian pears, plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. “I am specializing in Asian pears because I could not find a good one—a tree ripened piece of fruit—in Connecticut the way I did when I lived in Silicon Valley. All the farmer’s markets there had fresh picked Asian pears. They are the best fruit I have ever eaten. As they ripen on my trees, I check sugar content for ripeness with a Brix meter. When the meter reads “12”, the pears are at their peak. Late October picking is the highlight of the growing season here.”
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Peter Montgomery is also working with Peter Moritz, of Acorn Tree Care. They both attended the same prep school, Suffield Academy, graduating in 1972. In 2005, Peter Montgomery moved to Warren not knowing that his friend was also in the area and stumbled across his name in an alumni magazine. Soon, they were approached by a homeowner to plant an orchard in Rhode Island, so they decided to pool their resources together.
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There is a great sense of pride and accomplishment in growing your own fruit. Most families think they don’t have the space or time to tend an orchard, but you don’t have to plant a huge orchard. You can plant a few trees close together in a small space, and it wouldn’t require much maintenance. If you’ve already delved into a vegetable garden, this is the next step!
To find out more, contact Peter Montgomery at: petersgardens@optonline.net. If you are interested in taking one of his Home Orcharding Seminars, Peter will be presenting in Litchfield on November 12 and in Danbury on December 11.
A colorist with an unbounded love for the land, abstract artist Tom Hlas finds inspiration in the rural surroundings of Northwestern Connecticut, as well as in the memories of the Iowa farmland where he was raised.
You might say artist Tom Hlas has come back to the land. He was born and raised in a small rural town in Iowa, where he was the eighth of ten siblings. He took up residence in big cities like Miami and Philadelphia, and his journey continued as he moved to Maryland to study drawing and painting, before finally coming to rural Connecticut, where he has settled in Norfolk.
His path from the farm landscapes of his childhood to the countryside of the Northwest Corner was not a direct one. Along the way, he picked up a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music and did postgraduate studies in Philosophy and Theology. He worked in marketing, graphic design, and art reproduction; and was awarded two month-long artist residencies in Vermont. This circuitous route has led him to a place he now calls home, a place that brings success, recognition, and contentment.
Tom has been painting full time for about ten years, but he was always creating art. Since the age of four, he knew he wanted to be an artist. The wide open skies and the patchwork designs of the Iowa farmland from his childhood years can be seen as an integral part of his paintings.
“CROSSING OVER”
Tom Hlas creates vibrant abstract paintings that reflect his world with a rich boldness in both color and composition, and it has a resonance that is universal. He says his art is informed by his memories and currant thoughts, as well as by “being inspired by the colors and sights around me, especially the ever-changing sky and rural landscapes. I refer to my paintings as a geography of the heart and mind.”
His paintings are about balance, color, shape and movement. A sense of place is what one feels looking at Tom’s art. It draws you in and tugs at your heart. And one can’t help but notice a recurring element in much of Tom’s work: the circle. It appears in many shapes and sizes, in subtle forms as well as through repetition and pattern. “The circle is a primal mark denoting creation, infinity, unity, and wholeness with its sacredness and sensuality,” says Tom.
It’s worth noting, however, that living in the Connecticut countryside has had an impact on Tom’s work. On his blog, he says, “As I look back at the art I’ve created the last couple months, I’ve noticed that while my use of circles has continued, squares and rectangles have appeared in a strong way.” He also points out that his paintings are not depictions of actual locations. “Rather my intent is to create spaces and places where the mind can travel, where one can daydream, where one can mentally rest and enjoy a sense of belonging and a sense of being at home.”
Recently, Tom had an exhibition at the Norfolk Library. Out of thirty pieces, about half were sold. We had a chance to speak with Tom about his work and process.
“DANCE IN DELIGHT” / MIKE YAMIN
How did you become interested in art?
Tom: As far as I can remember, I’ve always been interested in art. One of my earliest memories took place when I was about four years old. I was playing on my parents’ bed and my older sister was in the bedroom ironing clothes. She asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I replied I wanted to be an artist. She said, “You won’t make any money!” But that didn’t stop me! I remember watching the Jon Gnagy show on television and following his along using large sheets of paper as he taught that anyone could draw using the four simple shapes of a ball, cylinder, cube and cone. Imagine my delight when, as a small boy, I received an official Jon Gnagy “Learn to Draw” Kit from Santa Claus! In hindsight, I see that gift as a huge vote of confidence from those most important to me.
MIKE YAMINMIKE YAMIN
Are any of your siblings interested in art? And what role did you have in such a large family?
Tom: Both my mother and the younger of my two sisters loved to draw and were quite good at it. It was an activity they just did, rather than pursue. I grew up the eighth of ten children. My role, as I see it now, was a peacemaker. I always wanted people to get along. That is as true now, as it was growing up.
ARTIST TOM HLAS WITH PAINTINGS “GRATITUDE”, AND “JOURNEY” / MIKE YAMIN
Tell us about your Czech heritage. Has being Czech
influence your work?
Tom: I grew up in a very ethnic Czech extended family. Daily life was marked by the foods, music and traditions of my ancestors even though we were a second and third generation immigrant family, my parents and elders held on tightly to the Czech language and a proud heritage. We were a farm family. Everyone my family knew or socialized with were farmers. My family totally identified with being “Bohemian”. That heritage ran through our veins in every aspect of life. It was years later that I realized that Bohemians came from an area (Bohemia) that is now a part of the Czech Republic. I can no more separate myself from my ethnic heritage than a fish can from water. My heritage may not always show up visually in my work, although sometimes I use Czech words as a graphic element, but childhood memories, boyhood daydreams and the Iowa farmland with its big, open skies are a huge source of inspiration.
“REMEMBRANCE” / MIKE YAMIN
You have a degree in Vocal Music. Do you still sing?
Tom: When I went to college, I thought I would double major in both art and music. But those two majors are very time consuming with studio hours and requirements. In the end, I decided to focus solely on my degree in vocal music. For years and years I was involved in liturgical music both as performer and choir director. But my life has moved in a different direction and I no longer sing publicly.
ARTIST TOM HLAS AT HIS STUDIO WITH WORK IN PROGRESS / MIKE YAMIN
You create small works on paper that are 6×4 or 7×5 inches. Apart from the difference in size, how do you approach these small pieces in comparison to your paintings? Are they sketches for larger pieces?
Tom: I do not use my small works as sketches for larger paintings. In fact, I never create sketches for my paintings. I approach my small works as I do any sized painting and they are works unto themselves. In fact, often times a small work will take longer to create than larger works due to their diminutive size.
My style of painting is responsive and intuitive. Once I determine a painting’s finished size, I lay down a layer (or multiple layers) of paint to cover the substrate whether it be canvas, wood panel or paper. Then in a organic, spontaneous manner, I work and develop the painting without any prior sense of what it will look like in the end. I primarily create mixed media paintings using acrylic paint, graphic pencil, torn painted paper and fabric. My creative process is a give and take dance or exploration. I place a single stroke or element onto the painting and then react to that placement with a responding element, always keeping in mind the balance, color, shape and movement within the painting.
SOME OF TOM’S WORK EXHIBITED AT THE NORFOLK LIBRARY / MIKE YAMIN
Who are some of your favorite abstract artists and
print makers?
Tom: As far as the famous artists of yesteryear, I find inspiration in the paper cut-outs of Henry Matisse, the color field paintings of Mark Rothko, the way John Singer Sargent handles paint, the mixed media work of Robert Rauschenberg and the vibrancy of Joan Mitchell’s paintings as well as her print work. But I find perhaps even more inspiration in many, many contemporary painters and print makers who are working today.
“Composition” and “Transcription” / Mike Yamin
How long have you been living in the Northwest Corner and what brought you to the area?
Tom: My partner, Paul, and I moved to Norfolk, CT in October, 2012. Paul was born and raised in Connecticut and we’ve had a small cottage in NW Connecticut for several years. So it seemed like a logical move after living in large cities for over 25 years.
How has living in rural Connecticut influenced your work?
Tom: I find living in rural Connecticut totally inspiring. I would have never guessed it. But moving to a rural area has awakened memories of growing up in rural Iowa. Since moving to NW Connecticut, abstract rural landscapes, often depicted from what seems like an aerial view, have crept into my work.
“ÉTUDE IN RED AND GOLD”
Are you represented by a gallery?
Tom: I am not represented currently by a gallery. The last three galleries that represented me (through no fault of my own!) have gone out of business. The art market has changed drastically, as have many other business markets, since 2008. Many, many galleries have closed across the country. I guess it’s a sign of the times. But I haven’t lost heart and hope to be represented by galleries soon. My web sites show many of my works. One can’t buy my original paintings directly online, but some of my small print reproductions of works on paper are sold online.
How do you spend your day? Do you paint for a certain amount of hours every day or is it more fluid?
Tom: My work day is very fluid. Since I use acrylic paints and gels and work with one color at a time, I work in short bursts to allow the paint to dry between applications. So my creative process is paint, wait, paint, wait, paint, wait. During the waiting periods I’m able to do all the tasks involved in daily life: shopping, cooking, correspondence, housekeeping, and of course, volunteering. My day covers all my waking hours. I don’t keep to a work schedule. I may work into the night hours as likely as the morning, afternoon or evening hours.
What is your role at the Norfolk Library? Are you very involved in your community?
Tom: I am a member of the Library Associates, a group of volunteers that works to promote the library and enhance its programming. I serve on both the Events Committee and the Fundraising Committee. I am also an active member of our local artist guild, Norfolk Artists & Friends. Shortly after moving Norfolk, I decided to jump into volunteering with both feet as a way to meet folks and get to know the town. Needless to say, it’s worked.
ARTIST TOM HLAS WITH PAINTING TITLED “TRAVELING HOME” / MIKE YAMIN
What else do you enjoy besides music and art?
Tom: Both my partner and I are good cooks. We like to eat well, socialize and entertain. In fact, I’m surprised how busy our social life is after moving to NW Connecticut. I also like to knit, although I haven’t been clicking my needles much this past year. My knitting passion is knit lace. I like to knit circular shawls with larger-than-usual-sized needles.
Tom Hlas will be showing his work in a solo exhibition in
Bridgewater this coming November. Check our GOINGS ON
section in the upcoming November issue to get the details.
To see more of Tom Hlas’s work, to purchase a painting, or to contact Tom, go to:tomhlas.com To purchase small print reproductions of works on paper go to: artworksbytom.com
With Andy Stowers and Brook Noel at the helm and executive Chef Robert Peotter in the kitchen, this seafood restaurant has become a local favorite, with one of the best bar scenes in the area. BY Lisa Fielding
Sometime last month I went to see a friend’s band play at Litchfield Saltwater Grille and expected an evening of great music and potentially lackluster food. To my surprise, the restaurant turned out to be a quality experience from the ambiance, service and cuisine.
The band was playing on the patio and unfortunately it was the first evening when temperatures dipped into the fifties. I was not prepared. One of the staff, whom I later learned is the owner, made a considerable effort to situate a table for me near the solitary heat lamp. Even so, I elected to sit inside—and happy I was—as Andy Stowers and I struck up a conversation about him and his wife Brook Noel’s decision to purchase the establishment in December of 2013. I thought this was a rather bold move given the fact that neither of them are restaurateurs and moved here from Wisconsin without any other infrastructure to greet them. Andy was a software executive and Brook is a published self-help author. Their safety net was bringing executive chef, Robert Peotter, with them in order to oversee the restaurant’s menu planning and management. Robert has over 25 years of restaurant experience from seafood to steakhouse concepts.
MIKE YAMIN
We started with a generous and perfectly executed cocktail while warming our now frigid bones with their delicious Connecticut clam chowder (a near cousin to New England). It was chock full of fresh clams, fresh herbs that included thyme and dill, with a creamy milky base that wasn’t too thick and also delivered a fiery kick. In a word, excellent. We sampled some crab cakes which I must confess needed more crab and a lighter touch. Fish and chips were next and the plate was generously heaped with lightly battered cod deep fried to a crispy golden finish. Fries were piping hot and also just the right texture. The tartar sauce was also a cut above and included fresh herbs and lots of chunky relish. We ordered the SWG Signature Salad and it was, as promised, loaded with cubes of smoky bacon, blue cheese, craisins and slivered almonds.
MIKE YAMIN
The restaurant space is vast and in addition to the bar and main dining rooms, it features a raw bar and space for private gatherings. I asked Andy what he hoped would be a take away for his clientele he said something to the effect that they weren’t looking to create elevated cuisine but to provide quality food in a warm environment with gracious service so customers left satisfied, happy and ready to return on their next night out. It’s an honest approach to restaurateuring that if maintained consistently could be the key to their success.
MIKE YAMIN
Litchfield Saltwater Grille is open seven days a week, 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., except on Mondays, when it opens at 4 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. On Sundays, dinner is served all day. The Lounge is open late on Fridays and Saturdays. There are 5 separate dining/lounge areas plus an outdoor patio that can seat 40. Happy hour deals are from 4-6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Their calendar of events includes happy hour, tarot card readings, wine pairing dinners and, of course, live music.
At R Barn Stable & Studio in Bethlehem, artist Sharon Curran lives a focused life training and boarding horses, while creating beautiful ceramic sculptures of her equine friends.
“I guess you might say I run a boarding house for equines,” says Sharon Curren, owner of R Barn, a laid back, small, and friendly stable that caters to owners who “really love their horses.” She boards, rides, and trains the horses and their owners—and she is passionate about it. “A few of the horses are retired and don’t get ridden; but most are ridden, and their owners take weekly dressage lessons.” Unlike many boarding facilities with high turn-over rates, the older horses that come to R Barn live out the rest of their lives there.
You would think that taking care of 13 to 15 horses would be a full time job, but somehow Sharon finds time to pursue her other passion: art. Within her cluster of stables, the training ring, and her home, is an art studio where she lovingly creates sculptures of horses. Most people with more than one passion end up choosing just one, but Sharon Curran has combined her love of horses with her love of art and turned them into two successful, intertwined careers.
MIKE YAMIN
Sharon’s mother ran an obedience and training school for dogs in New Jersey when she was growing up. To her parents’ surprise, when Sharon was 3 years old she got on a pony for a photo and wouldn’t leave. She tried to go home with the photographer and his pony—she was hooked! By age 8, she had signed up for riding lessons and learned how to ride her first horse. Later, she was able to pay for more lessons by working in the stables, cleaning and taking care of the horses. She bicycled to a nearby stable for her lessons after school. The first horse she ever owned was given to her when she was 13, by the owner of the stables she worked at. This was just the beginning of a life long passion.
MIKE YAMIN
As a teenager, in 1965, Sharon wrote an essay for Seventeen Magazine, in which she was quoted as saying, “I’m mad about horses and mix them into everything I do, including my art studies. Wanting to make pictures of the horses I loved so much was what roused my interest in drawings, and then all forms of art. If it weren’t for horses, I probably wouldn’t even be in art school. I’m paying my tuition with money I have earned—and am earning—grooming, training, and showing horses.”
MIKE YAMIN
Sharon attended a three-year art program at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts, and then received a Ford Foundation Scolarship to the Art Students League in New York City. She was able to convince her art teacher to let her draw, paint, and sculpt only horses.
MIKE YAMIN
Her ceramic horses have a distinct style—not too folksy, not too modern. She fires her pieces first, to take the water out from the clay; this is known as bisque. Then she fires them a second time with a glaze in either an electric kiln or a raku kiln (a Japanese method). She also at times uses a gas or wood kiln. Each method delivers its own result. And each piece is unique. Sharon also works in wire, wood, glass, copper, cast stone, acrylic paint, and mixed media. She explains that her approach to her art is unusual because she depicts one subject matter through a variety of styles and media. Most artists find a style and medium, and their subject matter varies.”
MIKE YAMINMIKE YAMIN
Sharon’s work has been exhibited at the Tremaine Gallery at Hotchkiss School, at the Salmagundi Club in New York City and at the Mattatuck Museum. Her horse creations are priced from $80 to over $3,000 and have been purchased by private art collectors in the United States and around the world.
Sharon has lived and worked at the property in Bethlehem for over 30 years. Her home is a testament of her love for everything horse-related—decorated with horse pillows, paintings, memorabilia, and vintage crops, whips, etc. She even has an adorable foxhound for a pet. The charming house is connected to the art studio, which is connected to the stables, which are connected to the indoor ring, which then leads to the outdoor ring. “It’s really great not having to go outside in the bad weather to feed the horses or check the kilns. With the indoor ring attached I can even go ride a horse without going outside! Now that’s spoiled!”
MIKE YAMIN
Sharon’s clients come from Washington, New Milford, Roxbury, Woodbury, and New York City. The owners of the horses range from teenagers to some very active senior citizens. She also has a couple of her own horses and shows them. “I train for dressage and sometimes show an 18 hand warmblood named R Frodo.”
Last October, the Dressage Foundation, a national organization, recognized Sharon as a Century Club Member. To qualify, the combined years of the rider and the horse must reach a 100 years or more. The Foundation also requires that horse and rider perform a dressage test at a show, judged by a dressage professional. With her thoroughbred, Slick, whom she has owned for over 30 years, Sharon passed the test. The club was formed in 1996 and there are only 174 Century Club Members. Sharon is #156.
SHARON CURRAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY MIKE YAMIN
If you would like to contact Sharon, sign up for training lessons, board your horse, or purchase a sculpture, you may contact her at: rbarnstables@yahoo.com
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Vegetarian Dinner Parties
World Order
Bohemians, Bootleggers,
Edward Hopper Paints
