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

Furnace – Art on Paper Archive is a destination for viewing contemporary art with a focus on works on paper. Located in a unique building in the center of Falls Village, a former post office and town hall, this edifice was a bank just prior to the town acquiring it in the early 1960s.

Furnace/Art on Paper Archive refers to the town’s history as an iron smelting center and references the energy used in the creative process. The clean white flat files in the gallery hold the “archive” of works on paper by gallery artists. Exhibitions of one-person, solo shows run throughout the spring, summer and fall.

Winter: Selections from the Flat File 2021, will showcase the growing number of artists with work in the archive. Framed and unframed works on paper will be arranged salon-style to experience the many diverse works and processes. The northwest corner of Connecticut and surrounding areas hold a treasure of artists, whose creative energy is the driving force and experience for art viewing.

furnace-artonpaperarchive.com
107 Main Street, Falls Village

Anne Dranginis Paved the Way for Women in Law

By Joseph Montebello

Anne Dranginis has set the standard for women in the field of law and is recognized as a leader in the legal community. Recipient of numerous awards, she was the first female to serve as the Assistant State’s Attorney of Connecticut, was appointed to the Connecticut Superior Court in 1985, and in 2000 was appointed to the Appellate Court, serving a total of 20 years. Now in private practice, Dranginis specializes in family law. Throughout her stellar career, two things have remained constant—her passion for law and her love for Litchfield, where she has spent her entire life.

“I grew up in Goshen,” says Dranginis, “on Beach Street, just a few steps over the town line. My mother was a teacher in Litchfield, who maintained that Judges Andrew Roraback and Hope Seeley were her star pupils, even though she taught me as well. My parents were politically involved and I was interested in politics and loved political cartoons. I thought I might go on to medical school and got a scholarship to Manhattanville College. Then I had to tackle calculus and the counselors suggested I might be better in a verbal field. I went on to graduate from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

“It was a state school and I had no desire to leave home at that time. I was on the rules committee for the Democratic Party and I stayed involved in state politics.”

At the time Dranginis got her law degree, there were firms who didn’t want to hire women. Determined, she made a cold call to Lew Rome, an attorney and politician who served in the Connecticut State Senate. She got the job. It was merely a stepping-stone to an amazing career.

Dranginis practiced law with the firm of Rome and Case until 1977 when she became the first woman Assistant State’s Attorney for the Connecticut Superior Court. She set the bar high and her success has opened doors for other women to enter the legal field. She has a keen interest in the administration of justice and in improving the system. Following her years on the bench, she is now practicing family law at Pullman & Comley.

“I think I have been so fortunate. I’ve been given opportunities to learn and where I can make a difference.”

Dranginis is admired by all who know her, from her huge circle of friends to her colleagues.

“I have had a very unique experience with Judge Dranginis,” says Campbell Barrett, a lawyer at Pullman & Comley. “I appeared before her when she was a judge, have argued cases against her when she worked at her prior firm, and now have the pleasure of being her colleague. She is a one of a kind legend.”

While Dranginis has thrived in her professional life, her personal life has had its share of sadness. In 2016 her husband Billy Jacobs died after a second bout of cancer.

“He made me laugh all the time,” she recalls. Two days after he died I went to the courthouse to pick up a decision. Working was my normal; I wouldn’t know what to do if I didn’t work.”

Two years later Dranginis lost her daughter Charlotte to a drug overdose.

“I was angry at the choices she’d made, she had so much promise. I had mourned Charlotte for so long and had played the scene over and over for years. I don’t give myself time to react to the enormity that has been handed to me. You have to keep going. Every day is normal until it’s not.”

And while it is impossible to forget, Dranginis has a coterie of friends and loves to entertain. She and her sister Mary recently moved into a new house in Torrington, where one can rest assured there will be much holiday cheer.

Developing an Eye for Photography in Litchfield

By Hannah Van Sickle

The only remaining photos Tom Holzel has of Camp Wonposet—a place of summer solace on the shores of Bantam Lake that closed in 1997 after a 91-year run—were taken in 1952 with a Kodak Baby Brownie camera he bought for $1.98 at the drugstore on an ordinary outing to Litchfield. Looking back, the innocuous purchase stands out as a gift—more valuable than any festooned with printed paper and bright bows—for through its flip-up frame viewfinder, what would develop into Holzel’s lifelong passion snapped into sharp focus. 

Inquire after his favorite claim-to-fame and Holzel will recount how he discovered Margaux Hemingway, swimming in the pool at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel circa 1975, and sent 36 slides to the Ford Modeling Agency—only to find the rising fashion model and actress splashed upon the cover of Vogue magazine the following September (along with a few of his unattributed snapshots inside). 

The former Wonposet camper has remained an avid photographer for nearly seven decades. Following a two-year stint as a professional in NYC, a scene he likened to “a vicious racket,” Holzel ceased taking commissions and vowed to become a professional amateur. Even more serendipitous? After making the trek to Morris from Upper Montclair, New Jersey for a half-dozen summers in the 50s, Holzel and his wife Dianne now reside in Litchfield full time. Upon retirement, they scoured the entire Connecticut coast (seeking a spot equidistant to their kids in Greenwich and Boston). One day, while destined for Kent, they passed through Litchfield. Holzel remembers his wife saying, “Hold on, what place is this?” Suffice it to say, they drove no further.

As inveterate hikers, one of the couple’s earliest discoveries was Topsmead State Forest—510 pristine acres gifted to Nutmeggers in 1972 by the late Edith Morton Chase. “We were thrilled by its gardens, and wide tree-lined fields and woods,” says Holzel who naturally began photographing a locale he dubbed “the secret garden of Connecticut” (there were zero street signs pointing the way eight years ago). Holzel ultimately created Friends of Topsmead State Forest where he not only showcased the state of natural beauty found atop of Mrs. Chase’s meadow, but also garnered hundreds of followers who—if only from a distance—enjoyed the residual gifts of Holzel’s picture-taking expeditions at Buell Road. 

“I am an innovator, not a worker bee,” says Holzel of the waning thrill he found publishing yet another image of a monarch butterfly, clinging picturesquely to the side of some colorful bloom. While he’s passed the official baton—selling the site to Jenny Riggs who, along with a burgeoning group of Topsmead aficionados, turned it into a 501c3 operation—Holzel remains drawn to Topsmead. “The mostly wide-open fields are really glorious,” he says of the popular spot for dog walkers and cross-country skiers once the snow flies.

Holzel’s artistic eye has developed along the way; today, composition—the arrangement of things in a way that strikes the eye as interesting—is his primary focus. Memories of bygone days, like The Hurricane of 1955 (when he was a 14-year-old camper at Wonposet), loom large. “We woke up, eyes hardly open, and stepped out into water,” he remembers of the morning after Bantam Lake rose more than ten feet to the base of the sturdily-constructed platform tents. “We were astonished!” Holzel recalls, before the fun of getting into canoes and paddling about camp to wake the others ensued. “It was an unforgettable experience!” he reiterated—one that, 66 years later, has come full circle (as evidenced by eight 4 x 6 prints which, for the bargain price of fewer than two bucks, were included in the price of Holzel’s first camera). All of which he still has.

Ira Smith, owner and operator of Kent Wine for over 20 years, serendipitously fell into the liquor business after helping out his then girlfriend’s father in his newly acquired liquor store. Smith’s career progressed to working for a family-owned fine wine importer and distributor where one day he overheard a colleague mention that a wine store in Kent was for sale. Smith partnered with a friend with the intention of a quick flip. That was 1995. By 2000 Smith ditched the blazer to operate Kent Wine.

1. What do you love about your industry? 

I know how lucky I am to continue to enjoy the relationships and experiences born of my tenure in the wine trade. Eating with best friends at Maison Lameloise in Chagny to making new friends at Santiago’s raucous Mercado Fish Market. Discovering that it doesn’t have to be Grand Cru to be great, Premier Cru will be just fine, thank you. 

2. What liquor and or wine do you think is overrated?  

Anything remotely related to Pappy Van Winkle bourbon continues to be wildly overpriced. Finding value in Burgundy and Brunello continues to require constant research.

3. And underrated?

We tend to recommend less well-known bargains including Kavalan whiskey (Taiwan), Boyd & Blair vodka (PA), Nonino amaro (Italy), and interestingly, Petit Chateaux Bordeaux.

4. What are the most popular items sold during the holiday season?

Interestingly, consumers typically buy better quality and spend more for their recipient than themselves. Is this consumer altruism? Popular gifts include Clase Azul tequila, red Bordeaux, Paolo Scavino Barolo, aged Colheita port from Kopke, and rioja from Lopez de Heredia, and Doisy Daëne L’Extravagant sauternes.

5. What makes for a good hostess gift during the holidays?

The unexpected and always appreciated is to greet your guests with an ice-cold Copita of Fino sherry from Lustau or Gonzales Byass. A flute of crisp dry crémant rose from Victorine de Chastenay or a brut rose champagne from Henri Billiot will always be welcome. Either will bring smiles to your guests.

6. What are some of your favorite local spirits?

Without a doubt the Baker family at Litchfield Distillery has been crafting spirits that we recommend on merit and not just as a local. What many people don’t know is that they are also very committed and generous to the greater Litchfield County community. Hopkins Vineyard and Millbrook Vineyards & Winery also have wide appeal.

7. What life lessons has wine taught you?

Making good wine has many parallels to how we try to live our best life. Respect for nature, commitment, and determination to persevere vintage after vintage. Chateau Ausones’ Pascal Delbeck said his best wines were made in the most difficult (frost, hail, rain, sunburn…) vintages. There are two types of wine; wine I like and wine I don’t like. The truth is always in the bottle no matter what we thought before the cork comes out.

By Hannah Van Sickle

Brittany Hrabcsak is passionate about baking all year ‘round. As the holidays approach, she has a singular focus: designing, baking, and building gingerbread houses. The 21-year-old college student has been fine tuning her craft for some time. She began assembling gingerbread houses from a box when she was very little; a dozen years ago, she attended a make-and-take event at the Silo in New Milford. Now, for a decade, the South Kent resident has been crafting gingerbread houses—from dough to powdered-sugar dusting—entirely from scratch in her home kitchen. As to her best tip for beginners? “It’s not always going to go perfectly, so you have to keep trying.”

Hrabcsak’s calm demeanor is misleading, as the details are dizzying. It all starts with a theme, dreamed up in her head, which is translated to construction-paper then transferred to parchment before it is cut out in dough. Ideal thickness ranges from ⅛ -¼ inch, depending on the overall size of the house, with weight-bearing walls trending thicker, the roof thinner. Then comes the fun part: frosting. “We haven’t found the perfect recipe,” Hrabcsak says of royal icing. The entirely edible “glue” that holds the house together and pipes intricate details is kept stable and smooth with egg whites and cream of tartar. “If the icing is too thick, it holds well but is hard to get out of the [piping] bag,” says Hrabcsak, “and vice versa.” Balance, therefore, is the goal. 

Five years ago, Hrabcsak entered the Kent Gingerbread Festival for the first time—a sweet, local celebration touted as one of the largest gingerbread festivals in the state. Last year she had two entries: the first, a replica of the Kent Flower Market (commissioned for display at RT Facts); the second, a replica Whoville of her own design (from How The Grinch Stole Christmas), which went on to snag the contest’s grand prize. When it comes to decorating, modeling chocolate and fondant—in up to 15 different colors—are the stars. There are a few shortcuts, silicone molds and pop-out impressions, but the rest is just hard work and attention to detail. “It takes a while, step-by-step,” she cautions while pointing to the fun: making it colorful, crafting figurines, using sprinkles. Last year Hrabcsak mastered the skill of making flowers, noting “I’ve never had to be that detailed before [working on the Kent Flower Farm replica].” 

Hrabcsak gets a second pair of hands from her mom, Melissa. The pair work, on and off, a few hours each day and most of the weekends leading up to Thanksgiving; in total, each house can take up to five full days to complete “if working straight,” says Hrbcsak. Challenges do abound, even with oodles of experience. One year, they ran out of powdered sugar. “I plan ahead, but there’s always something,” she says, understandable considering the countless pounds of ingredients required. After the final flourish of frosting has been piped then comes transport (which Hrabcsak also has down to a science): “Put the house in the trunk of the car, and drive very slowly.” While Hrabcsak is hard at work on this year’s entry, for the Kent Gingerbread Festival’s 10th Anniversary, her theme remains under wraps. While gingerbread houses generally shine as decorations in December, come January they are put to equally good use. “We feed them to the animals,” Hrabcsak says, before mom chimes in: “The squirrels and the birds love them.”

It takes a village, and Litchfield County has quite a few of them! We’ve shared a handful of organizations that are helping people and animals in our county every day. Of course, there are numerous food pantries, land trusts, schools, arts organizations, pet shelters, and libraries that are always in need. These organizations need our help in a range of ways…feel free to reach out to see how you can contribute.

ASAP!

ASAP! is a social profit organization reaching families of diverse backgrounds from over 100 different towns. Founded in 1999, their mission is to foster creative, hands-on learning through the arts. Their programs provide opportunities for children and adults from all walks of life, allowing everyone to explore possibilities for new experiences. Through honoring children’s imaginations and creativity, they will become the compassionate adults the world needs.—asap.org

Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition

Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition is a 501c3 organization founded in 1999 in response to the increasing threats to local water resources. Today they are a nationally recognized model for scientific investigation, municipal assistance, stakeholder collaboration, community education, and volunteer engagement with a mission to promote the use of science and education to maintain and ensure the availability of high quality water in the Pomperaug Watershed communities.—pomperaug.org

FISH/Friends in Service to Humanity of NWCT

‘Tis the season, yet FISH/Friends in Service to Humanity of NWCT, serves our region’s homeless at the FISH Shelter (35 beds—families, individuals, and vets) and meets the food needs of the hungry at the FISH Food Pantry (643 families) year round. Support is greatly appreciated! Located in Torrington.—fishnwct.com

Helping Hands for Wildlife

Helping Hands for Wildlife is a fully certified and state licensed non-profit organization that devotes their time, energy, and hearts to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing healthy animals back into the wild in their natural habitat when they are ready for a second chance at life. They also focus on raising public awareness about the role we all play in nature.—helpinghandsforwildlife.org

Greenwoods Counseling

Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals provides access to effective and affordable mental health services in Litchfield County, easing the stress of emotional, behavioral, and psychological issues by providing one-on-one assessments to match people to the resources that can help.—greenwoodsreferrals.org

Clover Ridge Animal Sanctuary 

Creating a safe haven that heals and nurtures animals has been the mission of Clover Ridge Animal Sanctuary since its inception in 2016. Despite a global pandemic, sanctuary life goes on as usual: the barn still needs to be mucked, senior dogs rely on life-saving medications, and dozens of semi-feral cats await neutering. Can’t take a pet home with you? A tax-deductible donation to this nonprofit supports the sanctuary’s lucky residents and allows for the gift of shelter to even more animals in the New Year.—cloverridge.org

Women’s Support Services

Domestic violence affects individuals from all socioeconomic, cultural, educational, and religious backgrounds. The mission of WSS is to create a community free of domestic violence and abuse through intervention, prevention, and education. Donations to this nonprofit go towards staffing the 24-hour hotline; providing emergency shelter, counseling, and safety planning; offering support groups and legal advocacy; as well as teaching violence prevention education for students in preschool through grade 12.—wssdv.org 

Food Rescue US/NWCT

When it comes to food, bridging the gap between excess and access isn’t just possible—it’s simple. The nonprofit’s mission—to fill plates, not landfills—is alive and well in the Northwest corner. A trio of moving parts—including 39 donors, 130 volunteers, and 28 food pantries—are working together to feed the 20,000 people in Litchfield County who are currently food insecure.—foodrescue.us

Loaves and Fishes Hospitality House

‘Feed the hungry, empower the weak, nourish the soul’ has been the inspiration behind New Milford’s Loaves and Fishes for more than three decades. The non-profit has been open for a daily meal—every day of every year—since 1984 thanks to a team of dedicated and faithful volunteers.—loavesandfishesofnewmilford.org

Susan B. Anthony Project

Susan B. Anthony Project provides crisis and support services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Give the gift of safety, healing, and growth this holiday season by supporting their efforts on behalf of all survivors.—sbaproject.org

Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County, located in Winsted, and originally established in 1922, provides quality home health, hospice, and home assistance services to all the towns in Litchfield County as well as Burlington, Canton, and Hartland. 

The non-profit, Medicare certified home health and hospice agency’s purpose is to offer advanced, compassionate care at home and in the community. Their wellness clinics promote community health by establishing a patient-managed preventative care plan and by providing educational workshops. The wellness clinics provide each patient with a holistic and individual-centered health screening and have an outstanding rate of success in helping their patients identify health issues and address them through referrals to medical professionals and community resources.  

“As a community-based organization, our mission is to provide excellent, comprehensive, and compassionate home health, hospice and preventive care to the residents of Litchfield County,” says executive director Michael Caselas. Some of the specific services they offer include: skilled nursing, medical social work, disease management, nutrition counseling, bereavement support, end of life care/support, and more. —vnhlc.org

One of the draws of living in beautiful Litchfield is the joy of strolling through town during the holidays, admiring decorations or partaking in holiday merriment. Interestingly, there was a time in Litchfield’s history when holiday festivities were highly discouraged, even taboo! Many of Litchfield’s Calvinist residents attended the Congregational Church, and they believed that Christmas Day shouldn’t be celebrated, but instead spent in prayer. They were shocked by what they viewed as a flagrant celebratory display by the first St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. In 1814, Mary Hunt wrote, “there was a candle in front of every pane of the windows…it looked very beautiful. We thought it grand because we had never seen anything like it before. Even then, I had not heard of giving presents to one another.” In Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Poganuc People, she writes of a similar scenario stating, “there it was… the little church with its sharp-pointed windows, every pane of which was sending streams of light across the glittering snow. There was a crowd around the door, and men and boys looking in at the windows.” Some believed the celebration was political, aimed to gain favor for their preferred party. Others felt the decorative displays were a ploy to gain new parishioners. Nonetheless, it was a sight to behold. However you celebrate the holiday season, we hope it’s magical!

It’s that time again, when shopping, baking, and planning celebratory festivities begin to take over the final months of the year! We recently discovered Dorothy Deming’s invitation to a Christmas Ball at Phelps Tavern in 1802. The Phelps Tavern once stood on East Street in Litchfield, next to the Congregational Church, and was known to hold student balls and holiday celebrations in their top floor ballroom. We couldn’t help imagining yuletide celebrations from 200 years ago. There were likely stolen kisses under a “kissing ball” made of boxwoods, hot wassail (roasted crab apple) punch, or dancing the Minuet. A gun firing squad may have even marked the occasion! We learned that George Washington was a fan of eggnog, so we imagine that it would have been served to some during this time. Though menus would have varied with income levels, a feast of roast goose, clam soup, and hickory nut macaroons would have been found on tables in town. Many of the holiday traditions enjoyed today were not introduced until later in the 17th century. Christmas trees wouldn’t have been in homes (introduced as a tradition from Germany) until decades later. Surely Dorothy Deming, of the well known Deming Family who lived on North Street in Litchfield, would have enjoyed her evening celebrating the holidays at the Phelps Tavern. Which cherished traditions are part of your holiday celebrations?

New Dermatology Office Opens in New Preston  

By Clementina Verge

From obtaining an accurate diagnosis and treatment to achieving the best version of one’s self, the benefits of seeing a dermatologist run more than surface deep.

“The skin is the largest organ in our body and by far the most visible,” notes Dr. Andreas Boker, a Manhattan-based dermatologist who opened New Preston Dermatology in September. “It reflects our internal well-being and is a means of expressing self-confidence.”  

A professor in the Department of Dermatology at New York University, Dr. Boker has advanced fellowship training in specialized skin cancer surgery, as well as extensive experience with medical and surgical interventions and cosmetic procedures including injectables and lasers.

“I have always been drawn to the visual aspect of the field,” he explains. “As dermatologists, we are the ultimate diagnosticians because without fancy tools or testing, we are trained to recognize patterns, colors, shapes, and textures on the skin, helping us diagnose any given condition. But we are also artists, employing safe and effective procedures and technology to help patients restore their natural beauty.” 

Common ailments range from psoriasis, rosacea, to scarring and acne, whose effects on self-worth and morale can be devastating, Dr. Boker explains. He has witnessed countless lives changed by skin transformations: “Treating these conditions can improve patients’ appearance to the point where they achieve the confidence to pursue a new relationship, overcome depression, or pursue careers they otherwise would have avoided.”

Dr. Boker’s passion for meticulous work is backed by more than a decade of experience practicing in Manhattan, where he has earned multiple recognitions and maintains a busy practice with over 3,400 5-star reviews.

Five years ago, however, on a quest for tranquility from the city hustle and captivated by Litchfield County’s pastoral beauty, Boker purchased and restored an 1801 farmhouse in South Kent, and his fondness for the area increasingly grew.

“What made me want to spend more time here and do something professionally are the incredibly interesting people I have met,” he reminisces. “I have forged solid friendships that have inspired me to become a more permanent member of this wonderful community.”

Dr. Boker’s artistic eye and attention to detail are evident in his recently renovated office space in the heart of New Preston, where with help from a local architect, he aimed to preserve the charm of a historic building and merge it with state of the art medical equipment and furnishings.

“I want patients to feel comfortable and at ease in this space, especially when discussing or undergoing potential medical treatments,” he explains.

“Especially in Litchfield County, where people spend more time outdoors, skin cancer poses a serious concern,” he notes.

“It is the most common cancer seen in humans and is the direct result of cumulative sun exposure,” cautions Dr. Boker, who is extensively experienced in treating it using highly-specialized, minimally-invasive Mohs micrographic surgery.

Routine yearly skin exams are therefore paramount for monitoring new suspicious lesions or changing moles.

Whether you are seeking preventive care, cosmetic treatments, or guidance on a dermatological condition, Dr. Boker is excited to offer comprehensive care for all of your skin’s health needs. —newprestondermatology.com