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

Cooking and entertaining is a huge part of country living and Martin Rook has all of the tools, serveware, and equipment we need at his shop in the village of New Preston.

When you first walk into New Preston Kitchen Goods, you are taken aback with how much the space can hold. The owner, Martin Rook, keeps the shop well-organized and stocked by displaying a variety of items from traditional cookware to contemporary place settings. On the shelves are glassware by Simon Pearce, pots and pans by All-Clad, gourmet coffees and teas, gorgeous linens and flatware, and the latest inspirational cookbooks.

With an excellent eye for design and armed with his knowledge of the industry, Martin has made all of the tough decisions for us by selecting kitchenware and serveware of the best quality and value. All we have to do is consider size, color, and quantity. Martin used to be a professional cook and pastry chef at a few top restaurants, so his experience is first-hand.

Located in the historic village of New Preston in Washington, the lovely building is originally from 1850 and was renovated in 2002. Here’s a look at one of our favorite shops and some fascinating details about Martin’s accomplished background.

Where are you originally from and how did you end up in New Preston, Connecticut?

MR: My spouse, Richard, and I live in Manhattan. We also have a house in Washington. Litchfield County started out as a place where we spent weekends. When we opened the store, my schedule reversed. Now I am in the store Thursdays through Mondays, and in the city Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In the summer of 2002, we were having lunch at the Boulders on Lake Waramaug. We then drove into New Preston and noticed a For Sale sign on the New Preston Pharmacy building, owned by the pharmacist Harold Stoeffler, who was retiring, and his wife, Pat. Long story short, we bought the building as an investment and were considering what kind of tenant would be good for the pharmacy space. We felt a kitchen store would compliment what was already in town. Then, since I am both a journalist who reported on the housewares industry and a trained chef, we decided that a kitchen store was something we could operate ourselves. New Preston Kitchen Goods opened just before Thanksgiving that same year.

At what age did you become interested in cooking?

MR: I have been interested in cooking all my life. My maternal grandmother and her sister were accomplished, traditional cooks so I have no memories that don’t include food. A broader interest developed when my father was attending graduate school in physics. We had friends from both India and China, and when visiting them I was always drawn to their kitchens. The memory of my first taste of fresh ginger is as vivid now as it was 40 years ago.

After a great career working at fine restaurants, what made you decide to open up a shop for cooks?  

MR: I was working in the city as electrics editor for HFN (Home Furnishings News). Kitchen Aide was a sponsor of “Cooking Secrets of the CIA.” Reading their press releases on that sponsorship got me interested in attending cooking school. I completed the two-year program at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, in 1999, after which I worked as a patissier at La Grenouille, on E. 52nd Street in NYC. As a student, I also worked as a legumier at Picholine on W. 64th Street. That was when Dave Pasternack, now Chef at Esca on W. 43rd Street, was Chef de Cuisine there. He is the most talented cook I have ever had the honor of working for (true professionals call themselves “cooks;” “chef” is technically a management designation. It means one is boss of the kitchen.) I stopped working in restaurant kitchens because I was needed to run the store.

Who are your customers? Locals? Weekenders? Tourists? All of the above?

MR: We count both locals and weekenders as our main customers, though weekenders tend to spend more. Not, I suspect, because they’re New Yorkers but because they’ve got two kitchens to equip. We also get tourists — people who love the area and carve out time to be here a few times a year. One might also include the house guests of locals and weekenders as tourists.

Are your customers knowledgeable about food or do they count on your advice?

MR: Most of our customers are quite knowledgeable about food.  And, if not, they at least know what is necessary to throw a good dinner party. I would venture to guess that entertaining at home is what really drives our business. Many times they come into the store looking for a specific item. If they’re preparing a dish for the first time, they might want to discuss what they need to buy in more depth. I like to think our customers trust and value our guidance.  I’ve talked customers OUT of buying something they come in for, as often as I’ve talked them INTO buying something.

What are some of the most popular items in the store?

MR: The most popular “gadgety” item in the store right now is an herb stripper. It is a small dish with four holes of different diameters on the handle. You push the stem end of fresh herbs through the appropriate hole and the leaves are stripped off the stem and fall into the bowl. Also popular is Bee’s Wrap, beeswax-coated cotton fabric that is used to cover bowls, etc. (much like plastic wrap).  It can be washed and reused for up to one year, and is made in Vermont. Enameled steel plates have been extremely popular for outdoor dining this year, more so than melamine. And ongoing favorites are the ceramic salt box with hinoki cyprus lid, from Bee House, stamped paring knives from Dexter-Russell, and square table candles from Dadant & Sons.

Do people mostly buy items for themselves or as gifts?

MR: I would say one quarter of items sold are sold as gifts. Certainly more than that in December.

Occasionally, we find wonderful antiques and vintage kitchen goods in your shop. Are you planning on selling more?   

MR: Some of my most treasured kitchen items at home are antique or vintage. So if I come across something good at a sale or auction, I pick it up for the store. My current favorites are cast-iron skillets I found in Atlanta. They are new old stock, meaning old but never used. They are from the Favorite Stove and Range Company in Piqua, OH, and were made between 1916 and 1935. There is simply no comparison between these and the iron skillets manufactured today. In fact, I’ve pretty much just stopped ordering new cast iron (except for enameled dutch ovens). I carry carbon-steel saute pans from France that possess the same benefits and characteristics of cast iron. I also have in the store now some very old confit jars from France that, while I probably wouldn’t preserve duck legs in them, stand on their own as lovely pieces of “sculpture.”

Do you like to cook and entertain at home?

MR: I love cooking at home, and when we entertain I like to think friends leave our home feeling special and well-fed.

What advice would you give the young beginner cook? 

MR: I would advise beginning cooks to remain curious, and be flexible. If you like the way your mother cooked chicken, and Christopher Kimball writes in Cook’s Illustrated that it’s the wrong way, go ahead and use your mother’s method and don’t fret about it.  Don’t let anxiety over the means interfere with your enjoyment of the end. Probably the best guidelines on how to cook, as opposed to how to follow a recipe, can be found in Julia Child’s original “French Chef” series (DVDs are available from WGBH Boston).

What’s new and exciting from the world of cookware? Any new technologies or features that are trending? 

MR: I’m not sure how new and exciting it is, but I’m happy there are more and better alternatives to teflon as a non-stick pan surface.

What are your goals for the future of New Preston Kitchen Goods?

MR: I’ll consider New Preston Kitchen Goods to be a success if our customers continue to find what they want and need here, and enjoy the shopping experience. That’s no small feat in the age of Amazon, let me tell you. I would also like to attract customers from a larger geographic area. People from other parts of New England or the NYC metro area who are taking a day trip, friends of people with weekend houses here. And it always gives me special pleasure when the children of existing customers start cooking on their own and become customers themselves.

Not to be overlooked is the fact that Martin has been raising chickens at his home since 2009. At the shop he sells the eggs that he doesn’t use himself, donating 100% of the take to The Animal Welfare Society of New Milford. They are widely considered the best eggs in the county.

New Preston Kitchen Goods is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 am to 5:30 pm, and Sundays, 12 to 5 pm. 

New Preston Kitchen Goods
11 East Shore Road
New Preston, CT 06777
860.868.1264
info@newprestonkitchengoods.com
www.newprestonkitchen.com

For Litchfield County resident Craig Cooper, a visit to Monhegan Island in Maine sparks a lifelong passion for the work of American artist James Fitzgerald. By Sarah Parker Young

Craig Cooper has given an excellent home to the paintings and prints of James Fitzgerald that he has purchased over the years. Many of these grace the walls of the light filled and loft like office of The Cooper Group, a private mortgage banking division of United Bank in Litchfield County.

Monhegan Island, a rugged idyllic spot, has attracted artists, fisherman and visitors since the turn of the century. The cliffs, distant views and ocean air encourage an appreciation of the simple life and reveal the essence of nature so appealing to both painters and art enthusiasts. It is here that Washington Depot resident Craig Cooper first discovered James Fitzgerald, an enigmatic and powerful artist who chose a reclusive existence to focus on his art.

In the 1930’s, as part of the artistic community of Monterey, CA and Cannery Row, brought to life by John Steinbeck, he became influenced by Oriental philosophy. This prompted him to examine the spirit, rhythms and timelessness of his subject matter. At this same time, he married a stunning dancer and was being recognized as a major artist. The acclaim and standing in the art community in Monterey did not appeal to him as he felt ‘success’ would force him to paint in a particular manner desired by the public.

In 1943, the artist made the move to Monhegan where he found the environment conducive to his evolution as an artist. His paintings of landscapes, working men and animals, all seem to capture the experience and highlight the essential elements. Here is what Fitzgerald thought of detailed realistic art:

“Realism is a blind alley, a form of philosophic ignorance that believes a set reality. If that were so, there would be no reason for painting. Simple realism isn’t enough… pure painting is concerned with timelessness.”

With an office that has more of a vibe of a Greenwich Village gallery, Craig is a very different sort of mortgage banker. He lives with his paintings both in his office and at home and is devoted to cataloging articles and collecting books that reference the artist. His after work hours include reading art journals, listening to Jazz musicians like Coltrane or singer/songwriters James Taylor and Joni Mitchell while enjoying the palette of a complex red Bordeaux. We had the opportunity to sit with Craig in his Washington Depot office, to talk about the artist James Fitzgerald and about his collection.

When did you first develop an interest in art?

I had no formal training and did not study art history in school.  I was exposed to art growing up and my father painted as a hobby in Middlebury CT as well as collecting local artist’s works. We had a summer home in Rockport on the  Cape Ann Peninsula in MA and I become interested in the art colony there in the early 1900’s that included Edward Hopper and Stuart Davis.

Did this passion for art continue as you grew up?

I remember in my twenties going to NYC quite a bit for work and that I would wander into the midtown galleries. I went into The Kennedy Gallery and saw a John Marin Painting. I was always turned on by Americanism, modernistic abstract style and was never attracted to old world painting. I would read Charles Burchfield books as well as old catalogs and the magazine ‘Art in America’. I loved how the American Artists who represented Coastal Maine and their use of watercolor as a medium. Edward Hopper also painted wonderful works of the Italian section of Gloucester, MA.

How were you first introduced to James Fitzgerald?

In 1991 I went on a trip to Monhegan Island, 16 miles off the coast of Maine.  This rugged community with studios all through the hills and trails has a connection with the Rockport art community at the turn of the century. I was staying at the island inn and saw a poster about the Fitzgerald studio on Horn Hill and the visiting hours. There were a couple there, Anne and Edgar Hubert, who had been gifted the estate by the artist upon his death in 1971. They would place paintings on an easel much like the artist had done originally and tell stories about the work. This was followed by a contemplative silence. Something profound happened to me on that day like the day I first saw the John Marin painting in NYC.

How did you come to make your first purchase of a James Fitzgerald work?

After I had sat for the studio hours similar to those Fitzgerald had held in the 1990’s and much as Anne had sat herself in 1958, I wrote her a letter about the experience. I had seen the painting ‘Three Alarm Fire’ and would by chance that painting be for sale? She saw how much it meant to me and that it was not a monetary investment so it became the first in my collection. I also purchased ‘Furling the Sail’ which features fishermen in yellow slickers.

Can you tell us more about your relationship with Anne and Edgar Hubert?

I would visit them in Dover, MA once a year and also go to Monhegan every year. This started a pattern over the years as Anne and Ed realized I was a novice collector and this had the same appeal as when she first sat in the artist’s cottage in 1958. I continued to buy paintings from her during these years and also after Ed’s passing, I would accompany her to shows and exhibits of James Fitzgerald’s works.

What are the special qualities of James Fitzgerald as an artist that you most admire? 

James Fitzgerald was self-taught and he would study a location over and over and contemplate the subject. I admire his uniqueness and how he appreciated eastern philosophy and Zen Buddhism.

You have become part of a circle of collectors and admirers of Fitzgerald’s work that are committed to his legacy.

I felt honored that Anne Hubert allowed me into her inner circle.  I am on the Kent Fitzgerald Legacy committee and continue to be a benefactor.

How does your study of the artist and your collection bring to your life? 

Reading about the artist and enjoying the paintings became like meditation for me. My interest developed as a way to wind down from work. In a way, it has helped me build business as I rarely meet people face to face, unlike realtors, and it gives me the ability to relate to people on a different level than just finance.

To learn more about the artist James Fitzgerald, visit: www.jamesfitzgerald.org

The Cooper Group, a Private Mortgage Banking Division of United Bank is located at 10 Titus Road, Washington, CT 06794.

It’s time once again for our annual guide to Farmers’ Markets and Pick-Your-Own Farms in Litchfield County where you can find locally grown fresh produce and artisanal foods.

FARMERS’ MARKETS

Cornwall Farmers’ Market
Saturdays, 9 am – 1:00 pm
June – October
413 Sharon Goshen Turnpike
(Rte. 128)
Cornwall

Kent Farmers’ Market
Saturdays, 9 am – 12 noon
May – October
Kent Green
Kent

Larson’s Farm Market
547 Danbury Road
860.350.2676

Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market
Saturdays, 10 am-1 pm
June 21 – October 17
Center School
Woodruff Lane
Litchfield

Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Indoor
Winter Market
Saturdays, 10am-1pm
October 24 – June 15
Litchfield Community Center
421 Bantam Road
Litchfield
litchfieldhillsfarmfresh-ct.org

New Hartford Farmers’ Market
Fridays, 4 – 7 pm
June 1 – October 5
Pine Meadow Green
Rte. 44 & Church St.
New Hartford

New Milford Farmers’ Market
Saturdays, 9 am – 12 noon
May 12 – November 17
Town Green
1 Main Street
New Milford
www.localharvest.org/new-milford-farmers-market

Norfolk Farmers’ Market
Saturdays, 10 am – 1 pm
May 19 – October 13
Town Hall
19 Maple Avenue
Norfolk
norfolkfarmersmarket.org

Salisbury Farmers’ Market
Sundays, 10 am – 2 pm
In front of Chaiwalla
Where Routes 41 and 44 split
Salisbury

The Morris Marketplace
Sundays, 11am – 2 pm
June 15 – November 2
On the grounds of the registered
historic “Sam Paletsky Cattle Dealer Barn”
21 Higbie Road
near the intersection of
Routes 63 & 109
Morris
www.themorrismarket.org

Thomaston Farmers’ Market
Thursdays, 2:30 – 6 pm
July 5 – October 25
Seth Thomas Park
100 South Main Street (Rte. 6)
Thomaston
nwctfarmersmarkets.com

Torrington Farmers’ Market
Tuesdays, 3 – 6 pm, Saturdays, 10 am – 1 pm
June 2 – October 30
Library
12 Daycoeton Pl.
Torrington
nwctfarmersmarkets.com

Washington Farmers’ Market
Saturdays, 10 am – 1 pm
Washington Park
6 Bryan Hall Plaza
Washington Depot
860.484.9333

Watertown Farmers’ Market
Saturdays, 9 am – 1 pm
July 14 – September 29
Library Parking Lot
470 Main Street
Watertown

Winsted Farmers’ Market
Fridays, 3 – 6 pm
July 6 – September 14
East End Park
1 Park Place
Winsted

Woodbury Farmers’ Market
Wednesdays, 3 – 6 pm
July – September
43 Sherman Hill Road
Woodbury

PICK-YOUR-OWN FARMS

Angevine Farm
40 Angevine Road
Warren
860.868.7226
fall produce and pumpkins

Averill Farm
20 Calhoun Street
Washington Depot
860.868.2777
averillfarm.com
apples and pears

Bunnell Farm
298 Maple Street
Litchfield
860.567.9576
bunnellfarm.net
flowers and pumpkins

Ellsworth Hill Orchard
& Berry Farm
461 Cornwall Bridge Road
(Rte. 4)
Sharon
860.364.0025
ellsworthfarm.com
apples, blueberries, cherries,
peaches, pears, plums, pumpkins,
raspberries, and strawberries

Evergreen Berry Farm
435 Bassett Road
Watertown
860.274.0825
evergreenberryfarm.com
blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries

Harris Hill Farm
99 Ridge Road
New Milford
860.354.3791
harrishillfarm.com
pumpkins

Litchfield Hills Blueberry Farm
23 Schrowback Road
Plymouth
860.283.9571
blueberries

Maple Bank Farm
57 Church Street
Roxbury
860.354.7038
maplebankfarm.com
blueberries

March Farm
160 Munger Lane
Bethlehem
203.266.7721
marchfarms.com
apples, blueberries, cherries,
peaches, pumpkins, and strawberries

Starberry Farm
81 Kielwasser Road
Washington Depot
860.868.2863
starberry@snet.net
apples, apricots, cherries,
nectarines, peaches, plums

Tonn’s Orchard
270 Preston Road
Terryville, Plymouth
860.585.1372
apples, peaches, plums,
pumpkins, and flowers

Tom Truelove and Lindsay Rush pride themselves on running a pasture-based farm raising heritage breed pork, grass-fed beef, heritage turkeys, and roasting chickens. Their free-range eggs are out of this world.

Truelove Farms was started in 2009 by Tom Truelove, a Bethlehem native, on family friends’ land that had been fallow since the 1970s. Four little piglets—Tamworth pigs— were the beginning of his dream to run a sustainable farm. Tom is part of the nationwide movement of young and educated new farmers, who—despite a lack of family farming background—have made a conscious decision to help change a food system that many view as broken. Truelove Farms strives for an “old fashioned” style of farming, based on pasture rotation and animal welfare. Raising animals this way is much more labor intensive, but the folks at Truelove Farms believe it’s the right way, both for consumers, animals, and the land. 

With help from his girlfriend Lindsay Rush and his mother Jane who is a retired school teacher, Tom oversees the 109 acres of land of which half is pasture. Lindsay lives there but only works at the farm part-time — she is a full-time researcher in Middletown. “I do farm chores on weekends and handle the farm business and marketing. Tom is the main farmer year-round, with his mother, aunt, and farm property owner helping in the busy summer season.” Lindsay grew up in rural Pennsylvania and enjoys being outdoors. She went to grad school at Yale, getting a Ph.D in genetics, then getting her post doc at Wesleyan. Tom grew up in Bethlehem, attended the University of Vermont for his undergraduate degree, and Breadloaf School of English at Middlebury College for his Masters degree in English. They are focused on using natural, grass-based practices to ethically raise their animals. They don’t use growth hormones or sub-theraputic antibiotics, and all of their animals are brought up on pasture for a better quality of life and a higher quality product.

Pork is the main product at Truelove Farms. They have 90 pigs being raised exclusively outdoors, in both the shagbark hickory grove and a second-growth hardwood forest. Gregarious and social, the pigs are kept in herds and rotated through their woodlot pastures. Truelove Farms relies on heritage breed hogs, specifically Berkshires and Tamworths, old breeds out of favor industrially, but ideally suited to producing fantastic pork when raised on pasture. ” The pigs are allowed happy lives. They sleep in the shade and wallow in the mud and behave in a perfectly piggy fashion. In our woodlots, the hogs are truly at home, raised in a millennial old tradition in synch with the land, the seasons, and most importantly, the nature of the pig.” With plenty of room for movement and a naturally balanced diet high in vegetation, the pork they offer is not only leaner than what comes from the factory, but far more flavorful, and the lard they provide is pure and perfect for baking or just frying farm-fresh eggs.

The  laying hens live in mobile coops, roaming around the fields and spending their time nibbling grass and hunting for bugs. With bright golden yolks, thick whites, and unparalleled flavor, the completely free range, pasture-raised eggs are in huge demand. With almost a thousand chickens laying eggs, they are able to sell about 50 dozen eggs at the Farmers Market in Coventry on Sundays. 

The beef from the herd of about 60 is lean and flavorful. Their cattle are raised with care, eating the grasses of the fields, the hay from neighboring farms, and just enough supplemental grain to keep them healthy and happy. With no pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers on the pastures, the cattle are completely hormone and antibiotic free. “We use management intensive rotational grazing to get the most out of our land and our animals, and whether it’s a perfectly grilled summer burger or a warming pot of braised short ribs, we believe you’ll be able to taste the care and attention we put into our beef.”

Local customers are reached through several area farmer’s markets and at the store on the farm, where they sell beef, pork, sausages, eggs, roasting chickens, and turkeys in the fall. All are grass-fed and pasteurized. “We’ve been fortunate to build a dedicated customer base, that has not only made our business possible, but really grounded us in the community. One of our goals is to help people connect to their food and we frequently take customers around to show them our practices. Some people can’t make it in person, so we actively post about our animals on both Facebook and Instagram. We’re proud of how we raise our animals and take great satisfaction to see it resonating with people who might never have thought twice about their shrink wrapped meat from the supermarket,” says Lindsay Rush.

It’s not easy to make a living running a farm and Tom and Lindsay take it one day at a time. They set their goals modestly. Last year they received a grant from FACT (Food Animal Concern Trust) and they used it to renovate the old barn, with new stalls. They would like to build a better space for their store one day. Hiring more staff is also a goal. For now, they feel that they are very lucky to have access to 109 acres of land with happy, healthy animals roaming around. And their customers are happy too.

Truelove Farms products can be found at these Farmer’s Markets in the summer: Stratford Farmer’s Market, Old Greenwich Farmer’s Market, Branford Alps Farmers Market, Monroe Farmers’ Market, Wooster Square, Coventry Farmers’ Market. In winter they will be at City Seed Indoor Market  in New Haven.

There is a small convenience store at the farm, open weekday afternoons and weekends from 10am-6pm (or later, if you see the open-flag out).  You can stop by and pick up anything from a dozen eggs to a top round roast.

Truelove Farms
122 Thomaston Rd
Morris, CT 06763
truelovefarms@gmail.com
203.217.6234
www.truelovefarms.org
www.facebook.com/pages/Truelove-Farms/227668727774
www.instagram.com/truelovefarms

Day of Design returns to the Mayflower Grace on Saturday, June 13th when renowned interior designers, stylists and writers will take part in a series of panels.
BY sarah parker young

“The details are not the details. They make the design.”
-Charles Eames

Was it the wallpaper? The choice of color? A bold piece of furniture or art? Details matter and the elements of design speak to each other to create the narrative of an exquisite interior. Designers hone their skills with a study of historical design elements, travels, an appreciation for art, a love of architecture and even individual objects. For the professionals and enthusiasts alike, design is a voyage of discovery that includes layering colors and textures, collecting what we love and incorporating fine pieces that make our houses, homes.

On Saturday, June 13th, a select group of design professionals will gather again at The Mayflower Grace to take part in a ‘Day of Design’, The unique and talented design experts who live or have weekend homes in our historic towns will joined by NYC-based designers to share some of their secrets during a full day of panels, an al fresco lunch and a ‘Meet the Designer’ cocktail party. There will be a book signing with Robert Couturier with his luscious book, ‘Designing Paradise’ and Susanna Salk with several of her new design book titles including “Be Your Own Decorator’ and ‘Decorate Fearlessly’.

The first morning panel, ‘Styling the Collection’ will bring together Kathryn McCarver Root of KMR Arts Gallery, designer Alan Tanksley and the Editor in Chief of New England Home Magazine, Kyle Hoepner to discuss how to curate, style and display collections. The talk cover very different collections from fine art photography to accessories and antiques. The second morning talk covers ‘Bold Moments in Design’, a subject that examines those elements of design that make a statement and elevate design to unique beauty. The three panelists have rich backgrounds; Stacy Kunstel is a designer, stylist and a writer for national magazines who also founded the design company Dunes and Duchess with her husband, photographer Michael Partenio. Kati Curtis and Justin Shaulis are young energetic interior designers recognized in the press for their eye for what is fresh, bold and chic.

After lunch, the afternoon continues with more engaging panels. First up is ‘The Narrative of Wallpaper’ with dynamic interior designer Philip Gorrivan and Melissa Mittag who is Managing Director for North America for Fromental, a global luxury brand specializing in scenic wall coverings and fabrics. They will give an informative talk on how wallpaper can transform modern interiors and tell a unique story in contrast to other wall treatments. Following this panel is a discussion of ‘Designing Paradises’ with internationally renowned Robert Couturier who is included in Architectural Digest’s prestigious annual list of the best decorators. From Morocco to South America to the Litchfield Hills, the residences that Couturier has built and decorated are the houses of our dreams.

The moderators for the panels are two of the most preeminent style setters and design mavens in the industry. Susanna Salk, a Litchfield County resident is a prolific author of highly regarded design books including her latest publication, ‘Decorate Fearlessly!’. Stacey Bewkes, founder and writer of Quintessence, has a mantra to ‘Experience, inspire, inform – it’s all about living well with style and substance.’ After 17 years as an art director in New York City, she left the corporate world for Connecticut. She adds, “It is a continuing love of design that led to the creation of this lifestyle blog, a discerning online guide to those special discoveries that make life just that much better.”

The event is presented by John-Richard, a Mississippi-based company, specializing in luxury furniture, lighting, accessories and art. Other sponsors include New England Home Magazine, The Matthews Group at William Raveis Real Estate, The Cooper Group and Alan Barry Photography.

Kyle Hoepner, Editor in Chief of New England Home magazine summed it up perfectly, “New England Home magazine is delighted to be a sponsor of the 2015 Day of Design at the Mayflower Grace. Just like last year’s very successful event, the Day of Design this year will bring together designers and design lovers from our region with figures of national and international stature. It is sure to be a time filled with beauty, style, and—best of all—the sharing of knowledge and delight, all in the bucolic setting of Washington, Connecticut.”

The cost for the day is $170 which includes entry to both morning and afternoon panels, refreshments, lunch and a VIP cocktail party. Reservations are required and can be booked by calling Christine Afiouni at The Mayflower Grace: 860-868-9466

A community of visual artists in Norfolk has organized an Open Studio Tour for us to see where they work and how they work—sharing their process and their art forms.

The town of Norfolk has enjoyed a long history of attracting and inspiring many fine artists as well as art patrons. The artist Parker Newton (1811–1928) enjoyed painting winter scenes in Norfolk. An early patron of American art, Robbins Battell (1819–1895), assembled a large collection of paintings by native artists that was hung in the music room and library of Whitehouse on the grounds of the Battell Stoeckel Estate in Norfolk. The gallery was regularly opened for viewing and shared freely with the people of Norfolk. It included landscapes by Hudson River School artists Frederic Church, Thomas Cole and George Inness.

In 1898 Carl Stoeckel (1858–1926) and Ellen Battell Stoeckel hosted Frederick Dielman in Norfolk. Dielman (1847-1935) was president of the National Academy of Design and a distinguished artist who designed mosaics for the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress. The Stoeckels had just published Music and Poetry of Norfolk, a book of poems and songs in tribute to Ellen’s father, Robbins Battell. At the southern tip of the Norfolk Green is Battell Fountain, carved in granite and designed by Stanford White with bronze work by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. It was the gift of the Eldridge sisters whose house and gardens faced the Green. The Village Green is now the center of the Norfolk Historic District.

After the Eldridge sisters died, their cousin Ellen Battell Stoeckel remodeled their home as a community center known as Battell House. In her will she provided for the creation of a trust that would enable music, art, and literary offerings to be carried on under the auspices of Yale University on her property. In 1939, the bucolic Stoeckel estate was transformed into a campus for the Norfolk Music School of Yale University. This evolved into the Yale Summer School of Music and Art where the arts continue to flourish today.

Norfolk Artists & Friends is a membership organization of professional artists living and working in or near Norfolk. It was founded in 2007 through a conversation between Ruthann Olssen and Patricia Nooy Miller, when Patricia proposed the idea of having a salon gathering of artists from Norfolk. They invited 56 artists and met for lunch. By 2009, the group had its first show at the Battell Stoeckel Art Gallery, sponsored by the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival-Yale School of Music. Today, the members work in a wide variety of visual arts such as painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry and decorative arts. Each year in August they put on a group show at the Battell Stoeckel Arts Gallery on the grounds of the Battell Stoeckel Estate.

On Saturday, June 13, a group of members from the organization will present an Artists’ Open Studio Tour. These artists will open their studios in conjunction with the Connecticut Open House Day, which is sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. The open studio tour is a great opportunity to visit the artists’ studios, see where they work and learn more about how they create their art.

The tour includes the studios of Anita Holmes (photography), John Thew (sculpture), Nina Mascetti Ritson (etchings and watercolor), Ronald Sloan (Painting), Ruthann Olsson (interior arts and design), Susan Dorazio (painting), Susan Rood (printmaking), and Tom Hlas (mixed media painting). Recently, member John Thew made a custom scepter for the Yale School of Art. The scepter includes a number of elements—a hand represents the artist working, figures surrounding it represent the heart, brain and eye of creating, and a cloud represents the source of ideas. The hand is hammered of copper, the symbols are in brass, mounted on a staff of black finished wood. This is just one example of the quality of this group’s work.

Plan to spend a delightful and educational day with local artists in the town of Norfolk and who knows, maybe you will come home with piece of art.

Saturday, June 13, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
norfolkart.org
www.ctvisit.com

The popular eatery in the village of New Preston is being run by Whitney Flood and Julie Retzlaff. The California couple have brought new ideas and energy to an old favorite.

Whitney Flood and Julie Retzlaff arrived in the Northwest Corner six months ago from the West Coast to run Nine Main Café. They have been busy baking, cooking, and getting to know their customers in the charming 19th century Colonial building on Main Street in New Preston. Julie grew up in Cambria, a lovely coastal town right in between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and Whitney is originally from New London, New Hampshire. Easy-going and friendly, they took time away from the café to speak with us about their new venture.

What brought you to this area? 

We both love the East Coast and we had been wanting to return. When the opportunity came to us to run Nine Main, we flew out to see the place and the town this past September. We fell in love with the place and we moved two months later. We feel very fortunate to be here. We love the town and the people.

What kind of experience do both of you have in the food and restaurant industry? 

We both lived in New York for several years. Whitney was the sous chef at Tocqueville a community favorite French Restaurant just up from Union Square. Both of us also lived and worked in Big Sur, CA at Post Ranch Inn’s Sierra Mar fine dining restaurant. Whitney was the sous chef and worked with the dialing changing menu, sourcing local ingredients, working closely with local farmers.

We also ran our own catering and events company for ten years in Los Angeles serving local, organic, gourmet fare throughout southern California. We opened our first restaurant in Culver City, CA called The Muddy Leek again providing local, sustainable, organic cuisine, and also serving a full bar of all organic small batch spirits, wine and beer. Both of us have a passion for farming and working with local venders sourcing the best quality ingredients both organic and sustainable. Whitney is an award-winning chef who takes pride in creating artisan breads, seasonal fair, and creative savory dishes.

What kind of changes can we expect at Nine Main Café?

We have already made changes at Nine Main by sourcing local organic ingredients. Everything we do is made in-house from scratch. We care about the ingredients in each and every dish. We strive to bring a variety of both sweet and savory items as well as daily specials.

Recently, we have gotten a nice response from our house sourdough English muffins, our gruyere cheese and ham muffins, kale chips, as well as our new brisket gyro sandwich which is now on the board daily. We did change some of the former sandwiches out with some new ideas… We offer daily changing breads, soups and always a special sandwich and grilled cheese-of-the-day, as well as a quiche and some baked goods.

During the summer we will be grilling outside on the barbecue and also offering Friday Night Family Dinners. As well, we offer takeout for larger parties and events. Nine Main is the place where you can pick up dinner on your way in or out of town.

Do you use local sources? 

Absolutely. We are working with as many local farmers and farms as possible. Most recently we have sourced from Anderson Acres, Camps Road Farms, Arethusa, Wild Carrot, New Preston Provisions for our jams, and Riverbank Farms.

In addition to running the restaurant, you also have a catering business? Tell us more… 

In addition to the takeout items we are offering at Nine Main, we have our own outside catering company called Farmers and Cooks where we do a gourmet fine dining kind of experience offering cocktail parties, dinner parties and large gala style events serving everything from mini grassfed sliders to black truffle lobster dumplings.

How has the response been so far?

The response has been positive— we hear on a daily basis how great the place looks and how delicious the food is— particularly the breads, soups and daily changing specials.

The café always seems busy. Do you ever have any down time? 

We are used to working a 15-hour day— back in Los Angeles we had a restaurant that served lunch and dinner and we worked long hours— this is a great change for our family. We are able to eat dinner together, take late afternoon walks with our dog Lucky and our daughter Zellia— we feel blessed to be here in New Preston!

What our your plans for dealing with the arrival of weekenders and tourists for the summer? Will you have more tables outside? 

Yes, we will have more tables and we have been working hard to make the kitchen and the check-out line more efficient. We care about the locals and summer visitors— we hope to keeps things smooth and consistent all year round.

What plans do you see for the future of Nine Main? 

We plan to continue to offer great food— meeting the needs of our customers by offering simple, tasty lunches as well as a few gourmet dishes. We are also excited about the dinner ideas to come— creating family style dinners with entertainment throughout the summer.

Nine Main Café is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 am – 3:30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 am – 3:30 pm.

Nine Main Café
9 Main Street
New Preston
860.868.1879

On the evening of June 6, ten hosts and hostesses will open their homes for a dinner party to honor a Luminary. This exciting Gunn Library fundraiser is not to be missed.

Every year the Gunn Memorial Library in Washington holds its annual fundraiser called Library Luminaries to honor visionary men and women who have excelled in their fields and inspired us. Unlike other public libraries, the more than one-hundred-year-old Gunn Memorial Library raises most of its operating budget through individual philanthropy and annual events.

For more than 20 years, the Library Luminaries fundraising event has featured men and women who have excelled in their fields and inspired us with their vision, commitment and excellence. They include actors, educators, doctors, writers, artists of every stripe, architects, restaurateurs, entrepreneurs, designers, public servants, and business people. The list of past luminaries is stellar— Jerry Adler, Linda Allard, Christine Baranski and Matt Cowles, Polly Bergen, Candace Bushnell, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Joseph Califano, Cesare Casella, Martha Clarke , Bill C. Davis, Frank Delaney, Mia Farrow, Milos Forman, Peter Gallagher, George Grizzard, Pete and Molly Gurney, James Ivory, Henry Kissinger, Larry Kramer, Ann and Dennis Leary, Michael Maren, Frank McCourt, Danny Meyer, Carolyne Roehm, Scott Rudin, Dani Shapiro, Alfred Uhry, and Karen Valentine, Ambassador William vanden Heuvel, Simon Winchester to name a few. Needless to say, tickets to the event are a precious commodity.

This year, 10 simultaneous dinner parties will take place – all hosted by generous and interesting area residents in their homes, and each highlighting a notable “luminary.” Dinner guests ante up a contribution to the library for the privilege of attending. Seating is naturally limited by the size of each home (usually between eight and twenty guests), and competition is brisk to get a seat. Prior to the individual dinner parties all the hosts, luminaries and dinner guests gather at the library for cocktails before heading to their respective dinners.

Celebrity schedules can be demanding and personal time is precious, but the library has been fortunate that an invitation has struck a chord and inspired professionals to lend a hand when able. The Gunn Memorial is one of the great treasures of our community, and thanks to the generosity of the benefactors that hold and attend these dinners each spring, we can continue to enjoy everything it has to offer. Recent Connecticut statistics reveal that Gunn Memorial Library boasts double the number of visits per capita of towns of its size and performs at the top of library measures statewide. This means that the community values the library and takes full advantage of its services and resources.

Tickets are now on sale, and the list of Hosts and Luminaries is as follows:
Sandra Canning hosts Ward Landrigan. Sandra Canning is a Gunn Memorial Trustee, and a fine art and antiques dealer. Ward Landrigan is a celebrated jewelry expert and the co-owner of Verdura.
Pamela & Dick Cantor host Elizabeth Esty. Dr. Pamela Cantor is the Founder, President & CEO of Turnaround for Children and Dick Cantor, a retired investment manager, has been  Trustee of the Cantor Foundation since October 1999. Elizabeth Esty is the U.S. Representative for the 5th Congressional District of Connecticut.
Suzanne & Douglas Day host Marcia DeSanctis & Mark Mennin. Suzanne is Director of the Washington Scholarship Fund. Marcia is the New York Times bestselling author of 100 Places in France Every Woman Should Go, a former television producer, and a travel writer. Her husband Mark Mennin is a sculptor.
Holly Flor & Rudy Mangels host Ken Salaz. Holly and Rudy are enthusiastic supporters of Gunn Memorial and this is their fifth time hosting a Luminaries Library Dinner. Ken Salaz is the “Master of Astonishment”, a premier entertainer with his demonstrations of impossible phenomenon.
Susan & Larry Kessler host Dawn Mello. Susan is the former co-editor of the Zagat London Restaurants Survey, an editor, and cookbook author. Larry advises public and private companies operating in the financial sector. Dawn Mello founded her own consulting company in 1999 after an illustrious career in fashion merchandising.
Christina & Peter Klemm host Moses Pendleton and Cynthia Quinn. Christina and Peter are actively involved in the community while working in their family real estate business. Moses Pendleton is a choreographer and director, a co-founder of the ground-breaking Pilobolus Dance Theater, now with his own dance company Momix.
Cynthia Quinn is a dancer for Momix, as well as teevision programs, music videos, and film.
Abby & Robert Levine host Victor S. Navasky. Abby is a residential real estate broker with the Corcoran Group, and Bob is an attorney and entrepreneur. Victor has served as editor, publisher, and now publisher emeritus of The Nation, as well as Professor of Magazine Journalism at the Columbia University’s School of Journalism.
John Michael Murphy & Jack Rosenberg are Hosts and Luminaries this year. John Michael is a world-renowned interior designer and Jack is an award-winning artist and art instructor.
Nina Teicholz & Gregory Maniatis are Hosts and Luminaries this year. Gregory is a Senior Fellow at the Open Society Foundations and the Migration Policy Institute, co-director at Columbia’s Global Policy Institute. He also serves as senior advisor to the United Nations. Nina is an investigative journalist and author of the the New York Times bestseller The Big Fat Surprise.
Shannon & Brett Wheeler host Terry & Kelley Pillow. Shannon was a long-time biometric technology professional and Brett is a real estate developer. Terry Pillow is CEO of Tommy Bahama Group, Inc.
Guests choose from among the ten dinners when submitting their RSVPs. With donations ranging from $150 per person and up, in the case of a sell-out, placements are determined by a supporter’s contribution level, as well as their date of reply. Event Co-Chair and President of the Board of Trustees Barbara Kohn says, “The diverse programming provided by the library and museum throughout the year is always free of charge, thanks to our generous donors. We are grateful to the steadfast supporters of Gunn Memorial who come together on this night every year to make all of that free programming possible.”

The 20th annual Library Luminaries event to raise funds for the Gunn Memorial Library and Museum is scheduled for Saturday, June 6th. The pre-dinner cocktail party is held at the library, open for a contribution of $75 to those who may not be attending dinners but is included in the cost of a dinner.

For information on how to participate, consult the library’s website at GunnLibrary.org or call 860-868-7586.

Gunn Memorial Library & Museum
5 Wykeham Road
Washington
GunnLibrary.org
860.868.7586

On May 2nd the Hollister House Garden once again opens for visitors until September. This Washington landmark boasts wild color, beautiful vistas, and spectacular plantings.

How does a romantic English garden end up in the Litchfield hills? In 1979 antiques dealer George Schoellkopf planted his historic property with exotic plants in beautiful colors along with common plants. Over time the garden evolved into “a unique synthesis of the formal and the natural, the right angles of paths, walls and hedges melting seamlessly into the lush surrounding landscape, which forms a magnificent backdrop to the garden’s exuberant plantings.”

George Schoellkopf was born in 1942 in Dallas, Texas, where as a child, he battled against the harsh Texas climate to make his first garden. He was educated in Connecticut at The Hotchkiss School and at Yale University. He also holds a Master’s degree in Art History from Columbia University in New York City, where for many years he ran a gallery specializing in 18th and 19th century American antiques and folk art and was thus only able to garden on weekends. He now divides his time between Hollister House and Santa Barbara, in California.

Today, Hollister House Garden is an American interpretation of such classic English gardens as Sissinghurst , Great Dixter and Hidcote, formal in its structure but informal and rather wild in its style of planting. George Schoellkopf continues to be involved and the garden has become a premier horticultural resource for northwest Connecticut and beyond.

Situated on 25 acres of mostly wooded countryside, the garden complements the 18th century farmhouse and barns on the property. The garden spaces are defined by 8-to-10-foot walls and hedges that provide drama and create an architectural framework. The flowers are spectacular all season. In May one can expect to find irises, tulips and forget-me-nots; in June there are roses and peonies; in July the 60-foot tall Tewartia pseudocamellia is covered in white blossoms; in July and August one can’t miss the daylillies; and during the month of September, the dahlias are at their peak.

As one meanders through the property, the Brook Walk is an informal gravel path follows a little upper brook on the left and intersects several formal areas on the diagonal. There are self-seeded oxeye daisies and Silene armeria in the spring and red and melon colored daylilies in the summer. The Gray Garden and the house lie ahead.

From the gravel terrace of the Crabapple Walk one progresses through the Double Borders to the steps between the yews leading up toward the Gray Garden. The Gray Garden is a formal parterre overlooking the Walled Garden below and looking out to the landscape beyond. The Double Borders are divided by a long swath of green lawn and are situated just south of the Walled Garden. This is the heart of the garden where the aim is to orchestrate a continuing succession of constant bloom throughout spring and summer.

From the steps above the Upper Lawn one can see a large part of the lower garden unfolding in the distance with the landscape rising beyond. The Long Border is predominantly yellow with accents of blue and deep maroon red.

There is an intimate little garden on the South side of the original 1760 section of the house. Its circular cobblestone terrace is squared off at the corners by a hedge of the miniature 8” high boxwood ‘Kingsville Dwarf’ and accented at the center with an antique laundry copper overflowing with double impatiens. There are superb views across the 18th century style crisscross fence of the Gray Garden below and the landscape beyond.

Work has begun on the refurbishment of the beautiful 18th century post and beam barn. When completed it will be a venue for educational programs and other garden events.

Hollister House is owned by George Schoellkopf and Hollister House Garden Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the house and garden.

If you aren’t already familiar with Hollister House Garden, place it at the top of your list of  things to do this summer. And enjoy a little bit of the English countryside right here in Litchfield County.

Bill Fore is a curator of wines and spirits, and a local legend in the Litchfield Hills. From his New Preston shop, this man for all seasons offers helpful advice on wine, beer, and life.

There’s no question that wine expert Bill Fore can solve just about any quandary you might have concerning wine and spirits (or what to cook for your dinner party, for that matter). His vast knowledge of the grape and of all things culinary, which he shares with a smile and a quick wit (what else would you expect from a man born in a town called Happy?) have made Bill the expert that Litchfield Hills wine and spirits lovers turn to time and again. A visit to County Wine & Spirits may find you greeted by Bill’s dog Dash, a friendly fixture in the shop. And by the time you leave, you have not only the perfect pairing for your meal, but the feeling a trusted friend helped you select it. We sat down with Bill recently to talk about his life, career, and what makes the work he does such a labor of love.

Tell us a bit about your background. Where are you from? Where were you educated?

Bill: I’d like to claim a thoughtful, focused, multidisciplinary philosophy, but the term “checkered past” is probably more accurate. Native of Happy, Texas; grew up in San Antonio, always wanted to be an architect and took a degree in design at Texas A&M University in 1974. But by that time I’d fallen in love with cooking. I went to The Culinary Institute of America, and then  began my restaurant career in Boulder, Colorado. In 1980 I returned to the CIA, where I taught for two years – menu planning and facilities design, purchasing and product management, and supervisory skills. This is also where I met my life long partner (now husband) Joe Loose, and in 1982 we moved to Hartford. There, with two business partners I designed and launched L’Americain, a restaurant that is still one of the great points of pride in my career. 1986 – 89 were in Boston where I helped develop and manage a group of restaurants and cafes.

And how did you get to living and working in Litchfield County?

Bill: In ’89 we took a hiatus from our careers and moved to Connecticut to take a job in private service for a family. I was their personal chef and Joe managed the household. Together we produced beautiful entertaining and facilitated a very comfortable lifestyle for our generous and kind employers. During that time I also was an adjunct lecturer at the Swiss Hospitality Institute in Washington, and eventually took a full-time position there as Vice President. In the mid 90’s I went to work for a wine and spirits wholesaler where I created  a new position, Director of Education. For nine years I taught the sales force how to sell wine in restaurants, and I worked with our customers to improve their wine programs and train their staffs. In 2005 I left the wholesale position and we purchased the shop that is now County Wine and Spirits.

Is it true you spent part of your career as a food stylist? 

Bill: I worked as a freelance food stylist for a number of art directors and photographers between 1986 and 1994. Although it was never a full time passion for me, I enjoyed the challenge of adapting my food knowledge and personal style to the rigorous and very different demands of the studio. Another interesting tangent involves a couple of years as restaurant critic for a regional magazine in the early 2000’s. I reviewed two restaurants a month, but proved too candid for a publication dependent on the advertising income of my subjects.

How does having a culinary background inform your job as an expert in wines and spirits? 

Bill: There are two hallmarks that I think distinguish County Wine: hospitality, and real working knowledge of wine and food. Foremost, we operate more like a hospitality business than a retail shop. The tiny shop is very intimate, and we greet most of our customers by name. Our small staff are all mad foodies and most customer conversations involve what they’re cooking, who they’re entertaining, and how they’re serving it. In effect, our hospitality reflects their hospitality, creating a mutual comfort zone and very loyal customers.

How long have you been the owner of County Wine & Spirits? Had you ever run a shop before?

Bill: This October will mark our tenth anniversary as County Wine and Spirits. Although I had a lot of experience in restaurants, hospitality, wine and food, and teaching, I had never had a retail business.

You are known for having “the finest and most thoughtful wine selection in the county and beyond.” How do you decide what to have in store?   

Bill: Of course we sell a number of wines, spirits and beers that are well known and popular, but a large part of our shop—perhaps 80% —is a very personal, thoughtfully curated collection in all three categories. Our staff collaborates in tasting, which is my opportunity to continue their education, and I have created a monster. When we do it right, it’s no longer a question of whether we follow our tastes or our customers. The result is quality and value, and a knowledgeable staff that listens first then guides customers to make appropriate choices. I also have to credit my CWS colleague Aaron Pierce with the development of our remarkable artisanal beer collection. The breadth and sophistication of his experience in beer is equal to our wine and spirits collections.

How do you deal with customers who know little about wine? Do you enjoy the education part of your job?

Bill: My identity as a teacher is the dominant characteristic of my career. Joe always says be careful what you ask Bill. You might get the whole answer. Our first job is put customers at ease, then subtly encourage them to use the vocabulary they already possess to describe the wines they prefer. If we can do that, then there’s a good chance of helping make a selection they will enjoy.

Can you tell us about the portrait of your dog that hangs in your shop?

Bill: The painting of Dash was created by a local artist named Valerie Leonard. Our not-so-secret weapon for public relations is our dog Dash, who has been going to work with me almost daily for nine years. He’s an executive and only works half days now, but more people in our town know his name than mine. Which is fine with me!

You have graciously been the premier auctioneer at various local events. How did you get into auctioneering?

Bill: The short answer is I am a ham—just give me a stage.  First it was St. John’s Episcopal in Washington, then ASAP Celebration of Young Writers, and many other requests have followed.  I have started to limit these activities in fear of becoming over-exposed; part of my success is my amateur “golly, I guess I can do this” status.

What is your favorite thing to do in the Northwest Corner?

Bill: We love restaurants and we’re crazy about Community Table.  We love driving the convertible around Lake Waramaug in the late afternoon in any season. We’re often privileged to enjoy dinner with friends in their homes—there is nothing a cook likes more than having someone else cook for them. And finally, we are nesters. We love being at home with our dogs.

What do you like to drink? 

Bill: Scotch. But don’t tell anyone.

County Wine & Spirits is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 8pm, and Sunday, 12 to 4pm.

County Wine & Spirits
178 New Milford Turnpike (Rt.202)
New Preston
860.868.2181
countywineandspirits.com