Your guide to the heart of Litchfield County:
Discover local stories, hidden gems, and must-know events.

By Brandee Coleman Gilmore

Rejuvenating is serious business. We work hard, and we’ve all been through a lot lately. 

When it’s time to breakaway for a reboot, our local spas make sure no (massage) stone is left unturned. Whether you want the sort you’d see in the movies, or a totally hidden individualized experience, there’s a spa in the Litchfield Hills for you.

A Balanced Body Massage & Spa

A Balanced Body Massage & Spa is a beautifully-appointed oasis in the middle of Thomaston. Balanced Body offers a comprehensive line of body work and skincare, including cupping and express facials with top of the line products. Ask about their spa parties, military discounts, and direct billing for Teamster members.

10 Marine Street, Thomaston, thomastonspa.com

Altorelli Med Spa

It’s one-stop shopping at Altorelli Med Spa in New Preston. Their staff boasts decades of experience in non-surgical cosmetic and wellness treatments. In addition to several options for facials and massages, Altorelli also offers organic spray tanning, lash tinting, and even chiropractic work. Weekends are by appointment only, making it the perfect place for a midweek mental health break.

131 New Milford Turnpike, New Preston, altorellimedspa.com

Byrde + the b

Yes, it’s a wicked luxurious hair and nail salon in Washington, but Byrde + the b also offers full service aesthetics. Their signature facials promote the good stuff like collagen production and vitamin A absorption…throw in some great art (for sale) and the hip vibe, and this spa visit qualifies as an outing in and of itself.

10 Titus Road, Washington, byrdeandtheb.com

DPZ Spa

The technicians at this spa have experience and education and want to give their clients exactly what they are looking for—whether that be classic or trendy. Their services range from lashes & brows, to facials, manis & pedis, make-up artistry, and waxing. 

469 Bantam Road, Litchfield, thedpz.com

Faces in Thyme

For the client seeking privacy in a spa (because, honestly, that post-treatment look is hardly pretty!), this one-woman operation, Faces in Thyme, offers one-on-one services at their location in Bantam, or at your home. For 25 years, Faces in Thyme has offered manicures, pedicures, a myriad of facials, and other body treatments, by appointment only. Note, however, no massage therapy is available.

10 Cobble Court #7, Litchfield, facesinthyme.com

Joe’s Salon + Spa

This place is in its twentieth year of touting progressive, effective spa treatments enveloped by top-notch service. Clients flock to New Milford for their Vital Defense anti-aging facial, and we like “The 1/2 and 1/2” offering 60 minutes split between a facial and back/shoulder massage.

25 Bank Street, New Milford, joessalon.com

Salt of the Earth

The staff at this spot in Woodbury are prepared to cocoon you with care. Salt of the Earth in Woodbury can customize holistic, outside-the-box approaches for pain, anxiety and lingering health issues, or simply offer you a salt cave session to clear your head (figuratively and literally). Services range from cellular vibration and red-light therapies, to sound healing and reiki.

787 Main Street S, Woodbury, naturalsalthealing.com

Skin + Tonic

From their pretty Instagram feed to their pretty environs in New Milford, Skin & Tonic promotes clean beauty. The owner’s deep background in skincare rejuvenation and makeup artistry is met with a passion for holistic wellness. They’ve recently added an infrared sauna, and boast a menu of exclusive body sculpting, waxing, and lash procedures.

66 Railroad Street, New Milford, skinandtonicct.com

The Lulu Face Co.

Want to follow up your facial treatment with a custom makeup application? Litchfield’s The Lulu Face Co. offers a unique experience, blending both lipstick and mineral powder cosmetics solely for you. They also offer makeup application lessons, and go through your current bag of tricks to help you sort out what works and what doesn’t.

7 North Street #4, Litchfield, lulufaceco.com

The Spa at Litchfield Hills

A locally owned and operated outfit in Litchfield, The Spa at Litchfield Hills consistently checks all the boxes—peels, massages, hair, nails, and waxing that get you picture perfect for the big events on your calendar…all done with professionalism in a lovely, calming space. One unique offering: flower essence tinctures customized for your wellbeing.

407 Bantam Road, Litchfield, litchfield-spa.com

The Well at Mayflower Inn
As part of the Auberge network of world-class spas, reality meets expectations here in Washington. The countryside-chic interior ribboned with greenery sets the stage for services ranging from customized facials to innovative East-meets-West healing…and even foraging hikes that culminate with tea. Watch for their unique seasonal retreats.

118 Woodbury Road Route 7, Washington, aubergeresorts.com/mayflower

Winvian Farms Spa

This 5,000-square foot sanctuary fits right into its winsome surroundings in Morris. The nationally-ranked spa offers a solid menu including barefoot (Ashiatsu) massage, yomassage—a blend of yoga and massage, and oxygen facials. The infrared sauna is free to all spa guests, and you can enjoy a farm-to-table lunch after your treatment.

155 Alain White Road, Morris, winvian.com

By Nancy McMillan

Step into the lobby of the Salisbury headquarters of National Iron Bank and you’ll see a modern bank with historic touches: an old wall clock from the original bank building in Falls Village and a mural representing iron workers. Take a few steps further into the back office, and you’ll enter history, all the way to 1847 when the bank was founded.

The first teller counter, moved from the Falls Village office, fills one wall. Its bow-front counter is topped by two windows—one each for the cashier and the president—covered in scrolled wrought iron. Next to it sits the original vault door; on the wall behind it hang framed exhibits of the silver currency print plates and currency sheets. Security consisted of a guard dog and a gun in the drawer.

Iron Bank took its name and its logo—Iron Works—from the community it served when it opened 175 years ago with $193,000 in assets. Today, there is little evidence of a thriving iron industry in the northwest corner but beginning in the late 1700s and continuing into the early 1900s, ten towns from Canaan to Washington along the Housatonic River were home to iron mining pits; the area was known as Iron Country. The Ore Hill Mine in Salisbury, with three mining pits, was the greatest of these, known worldwide for the quality of the iron cast in its furnaces.

Back then, banks produced their own currency. Transparent, tissue-paper sheets showing the stamp of the iron worker were burned in a pot-belly stove at the quarterly board of director meetings; the currency had to be destroyed before fresh bills could be printed. At the end of the Civil War in 1865, President Lincoln created a federal currency and all banks ceased printing their own bills. Iron Bank then became National Iron Bank (NIB).

From the start, the bank has taken its role in the community seriously. “Community banks are important all over the country,” says Steven Cornell, CEO and President. “And it’s always about relationships. We live in our community, and we want our local businesses to thrive.” The bank services Litchfield County through four branches and two loan offices.

During the pandemic lockdown, NIB did not close. “The employees wanted to be here,” Cornell says. “Many of the bigger banks didn’t want to deal with the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loans. People were desperate; their businesses needed that money to survive.” The bank wrote personal letters to every business in the area to “make sure they knew they could come to us, and that we’d do it quickly—as fast as we could with the changing rules.” NIB administered $20 million in PPP loans. 

What does the future hold for the oldest private bank in New England? In the short-term, a series of 175th anniversary celebrations throughout the county; in the long-term, a new state-of-the-art office in Litchfield, and a consideration of cryptocurrency. 

National Iron Bank, with current assets of $250 million, has weathered wars, recessions, depressions, and economic panics by adapting to change while maintaining its values and living up to its logo: Iron Works. —ironbank.com

By Charles Dubow

The pandemic was a challenge to restaurants across the U.S. Some were forced to close, others had to reduce staff and hours, but to Brook Noel and Andy Stowers, owners of Saltwater Grille in Litchfield, it became an inspiration. In October of 2020 they converted one of their two dining rooms and opened Salt 2.0, exclusively offering healthy takeaway food with an emphasis on seafood and vegan options. The concept has been so successful that not only has Salt 2.0 continued on after indoor dining returned but they have gone on to open up two new outposts in Brookfield and Torrington. 

“We saw an opportunity,” says Noel. “I’m a pescatarian, my daughter’s a vegan, and my husband’s a carnivore. We wanted to offer food that was affordable, fresh, and healthy and still have something for everyone.”

And it does. The beauty of Salt 2.0’s menu is in both its salubriousness and its mutability. Want a salad? There are over 50 different ingredients one can choose from ranging from different bases (rice, beans, shaved Brussels sprouts, romaine, etc.) to veggies (artichoke hearts, red beets, jalapeno, etc.) to proteins (chicken, steak, blackened shrimp, etc.) to toppings (peanuts, guacamole, shredded pepper jack, etc.) to dressings (Caribbean-mango, chipotle, fire-roasted salsa, etc.). Additionally, Salt 2.0 offers a nice variety of bowls, soups, wraps, burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. (There are even gluten-free desserts.) 

Salt 2.0 has caught the wave at the right moment. Healthy eating has never been more popular. Sales of organic food have doubled over the past decade and saw a spike during Covid when millions of homebound Americans sought out healthier food options. McDonald’s is now offering the McPlant burger and in 2021 award-winning Manhattan restaurant 11 Madison Park switched to a plant-based menu. Salt 2.0 proves that healthy food can be not only good for you but also delicious.

Open Daily 11:30am – 8:00pm. Delivery available through GrubHub and DoorDash.

salt20togo.com
26 Commons Drive, Litchfield
84 Main Street, Torrington
802 Federal Road, Brookfield

Photos by Miki Duisterhof

A coach can help you identify the habits that are not working for you and set goals to change them. The process offers a holistic approach that is very much a mentoring relationship that creates a key ingredient for success-accountability.

What motivated you to become a health and life coach?
I spent over 25 years as a landscape designer and found myself advising clients and friends… I saw the difference it made in their lives, so it was a natural fit. 

What is your central philosophy to coaching and how is your approach unique?
I take a holistic approach by looking at all aspects of my client’s lifestyle… I hold a vision of the future that they desire, as if the results have already happened.  

How do you envision a healthy, well-balanced person? 
I feel a healthy, well-balanced person is content and living the life they want to live—one who acknowledges the beauty within themselves and the power to change. 

What are the ingredients for a fulfilling life from your point of view? 
Identifying what is important to you and having the inspiration to make it happen. Creativity and self-awareness are key to personal fulfillment. 

“Change your habits, change your life.” What does that mean?
To change a habit is to change a behavior. Change happens through the little choices we make in each moment of every day.

How do habits define our lives?
Habits are an efficient way to save us time and energy. It’s about identifying which ones are self-defeating and may be impeding us from living the life we desire.

How does your coaching method create lasting change? 
Understanding that change is a step-by-step process, not an event. As we continue to build upon what is working in our sessions, my clients discover the art of self-mastery.

What is self-mastery?
There are many facets to self-mastery. Basically, it is a command of oneself through acquiring the understanding and awareness to enhance physical, mental, and spiritual well-being with the habits, thoughts, emotions, and actions that serve the positive self.

What can clients expect when they begin this process with you? 
The initial consultation starts the foundation of the relationship and helps me achieve clarity on what an individual wants to be experiencing. I am here to guide them to their goals by providing a safe space and judgment free zone. Our work together is a place for transformation.

How do you create a goal or focus for your sessions? 
I guide my clients to discover where they are right now, where they want to be, and what the best pathway to success is for each individual. This focus helps them connect to their truth. 

How do you help the client stay on track?
We both make a commitment and take responsibility for our part in the process. My method of coaching provides the right accountability, and the right support and guidance to stay on track.  

What do you find rewarding about working with people? 
Seeing my clients become happier, healthier, and more energetic as they achieve their goals and advance their personal development. 

Margit Von holds a certification from the Health Coach Institute and a design certificate from NYIAD.

860-898-0883, margitvon.com

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By Pamela Brown

Feel calm and refreshed, balanced and renewed. Isn’t that something we crave right now? “People are becoming more in tune with their health and well-being and taking an active role in it.  We’ve seen an influx of new health and wellness seekers coming in over the past two years,” says Mary Donahue, Director of Spa & Wellness for THE WELL at Mayflower Inn, Auberge Resorts Collection in Washington.

Located on 20,000-square-feet of picturesque countryside in the Litchfield Hills, the newly reimagined spa retreat has partnered with the renowned Auberge Resorts Collection to offer the best-in-class health and wellness experience. “We want people to feel excited, relaxed, and rejuvenated. We are a holistic destination that focuses on the mind-body-spirit as a whole to help people optimize their overall well-being,” says Donahue.

Guests receive personalized attention and customized treatment plans and experiences based on their unique concerns and goals. You can indulge in some of the THE WELL’s amenities, including indoor/outdoor pool, restorative spa, whirlpool, East-meets-West state-of-the-art healing practices, spa treatments, expert-led health coaching sessions, daily workshops, fitness classes, and seasonal retreats, as well as learn about their integrative, organic beauty products. 

A rotation of visiting masters features top wellness practitioners in different areas that make guests feel nurtured and grounded. “We are pioneering a new way to care for your health,” adds Kane Sarhan, co-founder and chief creative officer of THE WELL. To help guests rediscover their best selves and achieve their wellness goals, such as improving their nutrition, digestion, sleep, or reducing stress, THE WELL has a team of practitioners, led by Dr. Frank Lipman, chief medical officer and expert in functional medicine. “We offer luxury treatments and services, but we take it to the next level, offering acupuncture, a Forest Craniosacral that harnesses the healing power of nature to soothe the senses, and vibrational energy and healing work,” explains Donahue, noting the goal is to provide a health-centric, regenerating, uplifting escape for every member and guest.   

There are different membership programs, including annual, seasonal, or mid-week that offer prioritized appointments and accessibility, special rates, and complimentary amenities. Donahue explains that practicing self-care and making the best lifestyle choices is important for everyone. “We want our guests to leave with a new way of thinking about their health and to continue their wellness journey after they leave.”  

“October is such a beautiful time in New England. You can come here and go on guided naturalist hikes with outdoor experts and take wild foraging classes and learn about the environment and our sustainable practices,” says Donahue, who grew up in Litchfield County. “I love the area. THE WELL at Mayflower Inn is a hidden gem. It’s an amazing place—it’s world-renowned as well as a historic property. It’s always been special to me,” she adds. “We have a whole ecosystem in our backyard that offers year-round wellness, and our guests are leaving with a new way of thinking about their own health. For me, it’s about the joy in seeing guests come in and leave transformed.”

118 Woodbury Road, Washington, aubergeresorts.com/mayflower, 860-629-7016

By Clementina Verge

Nationally-renowned sports orthopedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Bazos recently opened private offices in New Milford and Danbury as part of SEP Orthopedics, after recognizing a need in the region he has called home for three decades.

“Being airlifted or transported somewhere—usually to Hartford, Yale, or New York—with a serious injury is physically and mentally disruptive. This way, recovery is not delayed,” explains Dr. Bazos, who has performed more than 10,000 surgeries during his illustrious career and whose eminent sports medicine and training includes degrees from Harvard, Yale, and Columbia. 

A self-described “hometown doctor,” he and his wife Ann settled in Litchfield County 30 years ago, restoring a 1740s Bridgewater home and raising three daughters. Two graduated from local schools; one attends Rumsey Hall. 

Invested in the community, Dr. Bazos passionately cares for the increasing number of “artistic, creative people who are active, whether in sports, recreation, or farming.” When injuries occur, quick access to concierge-level care in sports medicine—whether knee and shoulder surgery, arthroscopy, or pediatric and general orthopedics—guarantees relief and reassurance. 

“This independent practice allows me to make the best decisions for individual patients. They get the best of both worlds: city sophistication and a personal approach in a small, intimate space,” assures Dr. Bazos, who is affiliated with the Nuvance system, but makes referrals to outside providers, including Yale-New Haven, Hartford, and Columbia-Presbyterian hospitals.

Skilled in non-surgical and minimally-invasive surgical techniques, Dr. Bazos founded SEP Orthopedics in 1992. For continuous academic growth and patient convenience, he maintains New York affiliations and a Manhattan office.

A former associate professor of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine at NYU Langone Hospital for Joint Diseases, Dr. Bazos founded the nation’s premier event medical company, CrowdRx in 1989, providing years of service as medical director for Madison Square Garden, Yankee Stadium, and the U.S. Tennis Open, among others. He serves as tournament physician for the Big East Men’s Basketball Tournament and oversees national events, including Burning Man and this year’s Super Bowl.

Locally, Dr. Bazos has treated a vast network of coaches, players, and sports enthusiasts throughout Litchfield and Fairfield counties. He finds it especially gratifying to guide young athletes through healing and rehabilitation.

“Initially, an injury may appear catastrophic, especially if someone can’t play baseball for a while or perhaps must even miss a year. That’s a big deal,” he explains. “But the reassurance is that you can get back to where you were or even better, because the training skills and aggression required on the field aids in good recovery post surgery. Helping the community in such capacity is very rewarding.” 

A unique feature of SEP Orthopedics is innovative communication allowing patients to call or text, whether to schedule in-person or telemedicine appointments, reach out during emergencies, or send photos of swollen knees or twisted ankles for evaluation. 

The goal is to establish relationships with school nurses, trainers, and residents, empowering them “to address immediate needs and hopefully save trips to emergency rooms or urgent care centers.” 

“My new practice welcomes the entire family and provides state-of-the-art orthopedic care for all patients, from elite athletes to weekend warriors—everyone interested in getting back in the game,” Dr. Bazos assures.—orthosep.com

131 Kent Road, Bldg. A, Suite 201, New Milford
73 Sandpit Road, Danbury

Educational decisions are among the most important choices parents make for their children. With increasingly competitive and complex admission processes, educational planning can feel overwhelming, even daunting. Working with an educational consultant can alleviate the stress by providing clear guidance to navigate the process and secure admission to a well-matched school where your child will thrive. 

Cairn Educational Consulting offers expert guidance for families seeking enrollment in independent boarding and day schools by providing families with individual attention and customized guidance throughout the admissions process. The firm was founded by Alex Ince, a former boarding school admissions director, and Mike Corbelle, previously an outplacement director for 8th graders looking to attend independent boarding and day schools. Combining her admissions expertise and his placement experience with their comprehensive network of relationships with admissions directors nationwide, Alex and Mike empower families to make informed and joyful education decisions.

Their individualized consulting begins by exploring who the student is, and then finding a variety of schools that fit who they are. “Knowing a child enables us to leverage our knowledge of independent boarding and day schools across the United States. Because we have visited and researched these schools, we know the offerings and understand their nuances, allowing us to identify the best fit for a specific student,” Alex and Mike explain. “Additionally, because we have developed trusting relationships with admissions directors at these schools, we are able to ensure that each child we work with will be truly known as an applicant.” 

Alex and Mike guide this process to pinpoint academic strengths and challenges, as well as extracurricular interests. Their success in working with families during the inquiry process is grounded in their ability to establish rapport and trust. Clients are able to be candid enabling Alex and Mike to prioritize needs as well as goals.

In addition to developing a list of right-fit schools, Alex and Mike support families throughout the admissions process. This includes student-specific support with essay writing, including topic development and proofreading, as well as interview preparation and overall timeline management. Their consulting extends beyond application submissions to providing guidance about school acceptances and final enrollment decisions.

No consultant can guarantee admission to a particular independent school, but Cairn Educational Consulting promises to identify the best path to a child’s educational future at a school where they will be happy and successful. Working with Alex and Mike harnesses years of wayfinding experience to make a child’s educational aspirations a reality.

By Joseph Montebello

Photographs by Ryan Lavine

Alibaba Awrang greets me at the door of his new home with a big smile, wearing a traditional Afghan embroidered shirt. As I step inside, following tradition, I remove my shoes. I was told that food would be served—an understatement to say the least. The floor of the living room is covered in a colorful Afghan rug and on it is spread a sumptuous feast of traditional Afghan dishes, all prepared by Awrang’s wife Gul Ziwar.  

The Awrang family includes Alibaba, his wife, and their four children: Arman,15; Arezo,14; Ali,12; and Taha,10. Their road to America and safety has not been an easy one. The Awrang’s were evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, in August 2021, as part of the 95,000-person migration orchestrated by the United States. They spent six months at an American army base in Qatar, another month at a safe haven in Virginia, finally arriving in New Milford and their new home at the end of March.

As refugees have continued to arrive—Connecticut is expected to welcome more than 500—finding suitable housing and schooling and employment have become a challenge. In an effort to help facilitate these, a group of concerned citizens in Washington, CT have formed the Washington Refugee Resettlement Project (WRRP) in collaboration with the New Milford Refugee Resettlement. Both groups are working in conjunction with the Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS) in New Haven.

“Community sponsors play an integral role in helping refugees get off to a strong start in their new home country and eventually to become self-sufficient,” says Carolyn Setlow, WRRP Senior Advisor, Communications. “We have over 50 volunteers who are dedicated to every aspect of resettling the family we are sponsoring. As it turns out Alibaba Awrang is a highly respected artist in Afghanistan and we are working hard to reestablish him in his chosen field now that he lives here.” 

Awrang is indeed a talented artist, who defines his work as calligraphy, but it does not resemble the art form we know in this country. It is a combination of hues and lines and is created with different colors of ink. Because his work is well revered in his homeland he has had a number of shows in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and Bahrain.

“I taught in Tehran and in Afghanistan for more than 20 years,” explains Awrang, who is becoming fluent in English. “I was head of the department of calligraphy.”

Although he had a treasure trove of his art in his homeland, he was only able to take a few pieces with him. But he has already been back at his easel doing what he loves most. Martha Bernstein and Mary Davis, who run the employment program for WRRP, are reaching out in many directions to get Awrang connected to a gallery.

Meanwhile his four children have been attending public school and have settled nicely into making new friends. Gul Ziwar, in addition to being a marvelous cook, is also a talented seamstress and both she and her daughter Arezo do magnificent needlework, which is sewn into dresses, blouses, belts, and pillows. She spoke no English when she arrived in this country, but she is learning the language and hoping to find work that makes use of her talents.

Awrang has recently been commissioned by the Museum of Islamic Art to create a modern calligraohic artwork for its collection.

For more information: www.wrpp.net or e-mail info@wrrp.net

By Joseph Montebello

Photographs by Rana Faure

The first thing one encounters turning into the driveway leading to Dana Kraus’ High Meadow Farm are the trees. Many of them—50 Norway spruce, crabapple, pear, and beech, and a small apple orchard. There are boxwoods, shrub roses, buddleia, hydrangea standards, and dappled willows. A sight to behold. One has now entered the world of beauty, peace, and tranquility that she has created.

“I used to be a runner,” explains Kraus, “and I ran the Sharon road race. Before this house was built in 1996 the race was on this road. I loved the land. When I saw the house that had been built it was perfect. It went up for sale, I was outbid. The new owner sold it again and I had just sold my home and I bought it. I loved the bones of the house, it’s so pared down. The original owners built a modern farmhouse, clean, and spare. There are views in every direction. It all speaks to me.”

In 2020 Kraus moved in and began making it her own special haven. The house needed many repairs, most of which are not visible. She added two rooms to the 3900-square-foot dwelling—a mudroom and a dining room. During Covid she created a beautiful patio—perfect for warm weather entertaining.

After a stellar career in magazine publishing where she cultivated jewelry clients, Kraus founded DK Farnum Estate Jewelry, a collection of one-of-a-kind 20th century pieces. She buys and sells entire estates, in addition to individual pieces. DK Farnum Collection is available for viewing by appointment only.

“I look for distinctive design,” she says. “I try to buy things unlike anything I’ve seen. That’s what spoke to me about this house. It was an individual’s vision that was similar to mine—pared down but it had oomph and weight and gravitas.”

Her keen eye for the unique complements her decorating sensibility. There is a seamless blending of old and new, period and modern. The house is an example of restraint and carefully curated furniture and accessories. All, of course, accentuated by the four shades of Donald Kaufman white paint. But there is an occasional element of surprise for contrast—the period wooden sideboard, the cowhide covered chairs. The neutral walls are the perfect backdrop for one of Kraus’s passions—works on paper. Included are works from the collection of gallerist Alan Stone, drawings by Gaston LaChaise, and drawings by Francoise Gilot. Various other pieces of art grace the pristine walls, including photographs by Kenzo Izu, Watanabe drawings, and a large still life of apples from her previous orchard by Eric Forstmann.

“I like drawings because I can see the progression, how the lines form and what is created. Structure. Whenever I am considering a piece of jewelry I always look at the back to see how it is constructed.”

In keeping with her pared down philosophy Kraus entertains simply and elegantly.

“The dining room is small and cozy,” says Kraus. “I can’t seat more than 12, which is fine. In good weather we have drinks outside and then sit down to dinner.”

While she is not a designer per se, Kraus finds beauty in shape and form and natural things.

“I can’t create, but I love watching the process.”

Kraus loves to garden and to cook, but does take time off when she can.

“I like to travel and try to get away to refresh my thoughts, gain new experiences. But I love coming back, savoring the beauty, the peace, and tranquility that this wonderful place has to offer.”

By Elizabeth Maker

Photographs by Antoine Bootz

For Fiona Ocain, a gifted young flutist from Cornwall, her career trajectory was fortuitously redirected by a text from her father about alpacas for sale on Craigslist.

“My Dad sent me and my sister this Craigslist thing as sort of a joke,” says Ocain, 24, regarding her father, local logger Gary Ocain, and sister, Chloe, 26, of Brooklyn. “We looked at the pictures of the alpacas and their sweet faces, and we’re like, um, yeah? We’re getting them! Obviously!”

The demure Ocain, with long auburn hair and an easy laugh, strolled around the 50-acre property where she lives with her parents—land that’s been farmed by her family for generations—and recounted her journey from flutist to farmer. She earned a bachelor’s degree in flute performance from Connecticut College, then a master’s in music from University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2020. “But during my masters, I was becoming really disillusioned with the music world, and told my professor that I really needed a break,” she says. “It’s a super competitive environment, not really suitable for my temperament.”

Around the same time, students were sent home because of Covid. “Being home again, I started to realize how much I appreciate living in a rural area and how much I love being outside with my animals,” she says, stroking her three alpacas, Thea, Theo, and Mary, and looking out across a mesmerizing expanse of undulating mountains.

So Ocain got busy and did what any millennial determined to learn how to make alpaca fleece products would do: “I went on Youtube!” Within weeks, she had hired two local men to shear the alpacas (which involves tying their legs together and lying them down—“a little dramatic, as with all things alpaca,” Ocain says with a giggle); skirted the fiber (which means removing anything coarse or dirty); sent the fiber to a local mill for carding and spinning; and began knitting socks, mittens, shawls, Christmas ornaments, and gifts.

Ocain created an Instagram account for her fledgling business, @cloverhillalpacas, in November of 2020, and the next month began selling her wares at The Local in West Cornwall. The Local, just beyond the historic Covered Bridge over the Housatonic River, is a market collective where all profits flow back to the farmers, artists, cooks, and craftspeople who live and work in the Cornwall area. “I just love how sustainable and local it all is,” she says.

In 2021, the family added five sheep to the farm: Ivory, Peanut, Daisy, Stormy, and Gussie. Their sheared wool combined with the alpaca fiber, “gives it more strength, more integrity,” Ocain explains.

She’s also begun selling products on Etsy, which keeps her so busy, she often recruits her sister, mother, aunt, and grandmother to knit and craft to meet demand. “We’ll have a family dinner or something, and everyone’s sitting there knitting or making something!” 

Caring for the livestock is the easy part. “They’re very set -and-forget animals. They eat just grass, hay, and a vitamin supplement. They’re happy, that’s what they do all day is eat. Eat and get loved.”