Lyme Times

A Look Back: Revisiting some of our favorite feature photos from 2008

2009-01-05T16:23:54Z

In compiling our top five photos of the year, we considered several criteria in the process. Overall punch, great angles, drama, and irony, among others.

Using those criteria, we soon discovered several Times photos were contenders for the top five spread. As such, we had to expand our concept a bit and placed our second string of favorite photos in smaller form on the front page of the paper.

We hope you enjoy these photos as much as we enjoyed capturing them.

To view the corresponding Top 5 photo album featured in the Jan. 1 Lyme Times inside spread, click on the photo at right.

Renovation Remains on Track: Supporters kick off LOLHS track renovation with ribbon-cutting

2009-01-05T16:22:15Z

A makeshift sign in front of the Lyme-Old Lyme High School track, currently under renovation, once read: “Future site of Charles M. (Chuck) Niblack, Class of 1988, Memorial track.”

It was a sign of good things to come—in this case, a regulation-sized track that will finally let the school’s track team train on its own field and host conference meets.

The old gravel track was too small and made of inferior materials, according to John Rhodes, the school district’s facilities director. Lyme-Old Lyme students train at Old Saybrook High School.

The upgrade is now possible thanks to a $1.1 million donation by Lyme residents John and Heidi Niblack. The track will be named after their late son, Charles.

The Lyme-Old Lyme school district held a groundbreaking ceremony in late December in front of the fenced-in construction site that was the school’s old track field.

Despite temperatures in the lower 20s, town officials, school board members, representatives from the project’s architecture, and contracting firms, and members of the track team—some in Santa hats—showed up to formally kick-start the project.

Stephen Burke, captain of the indoor track team, thanked the Niblack family for the “quality track” they were providing the school and community.

“Many times have I trudged back into the locker room after a long track workout following a rainy day, covered in mud,” said Burke, a senior. “All I can say is, never again…And even though I will not be in school to experience [the new track] from a student’s perspective, I will certainly be back next year to run on the new track, and hopefully will run on it many times in the future.”

Charles “Chuck” M. Niblack, the Niblacks’ eldest, graduated from the school in 1988 and excelled in track and field.

“He didn’t do much jumping up in the air, but he did everything else he could on the ground,” said John Niblack during the ceremony.

Charles and his brother, John, who were 26 and 25 years old, respectively, died in a car accident in 1997.

The Niblacks’ donation will cover about two-thirds of the $1.67 million project, which is expected to be completed in time for the 2009-10 school year, according to Rhodes.

The school district will pay for the remaining amount with funds saved up for capital projects, according to schools Superintendent Elizabeth Osga. Simsbury-based Simscroft-Echo Farms was awarded the project contract.

The track likely would not have been renovated if the Niblacks hadn’t stepped forward. Voters rejected a $54 million high school renovation project that included improvements to the track in May 2007. Track renovations were one of the first things to go when the school district pared down the building project.

A slimmer $47.8 million building project won voters’ approval in October.

By JENNA CHO
Staff Writer

Ever-Expanding Grace and Loving Dogs: Niantic business partners branch out

2009-01-05T16:20:25Z

Even in this down economy, people still want something special for themselves—and for their pets. Local business owners Candy Shapiro and Rachel Rinoski, betting that will continue, have expanded from one to three retail establishments in downtown Niantic.

The two, who opened Grace, a coastal lifestyle shop at 31 Pennsylvania Avenue in Niantic in early 2007, have launched two more businesses across the street.

“We both have a huge love for the ocean and the simple, relaxed lifestyle that people have here,” said Rinoski, who came from Fairfield County. Shapiro hails from West Hartford. The two met through Niantic Main Street. Shapiro, the organization’s president, previously ran Gracie Gracie; Rinoski serves on the board.

“When we formed Grace, we really wanted to create a coastal lifestyle store with a little bit of everything, from home furnishings and décor to women’s clothing, accessories, and jewelry,” said Rinoski, who previously had Cottage Lane a few blocks west on Main Street.

The two envisioned a woman, named Grace, to develop the store’s inventory, which runs from linens and bedding, candles and apothecary, books and stationery, to hand-knit sweaters, breezy dresses, hats and bags, and jewelry.

“You think of somebody who has her own grace and style, sort of follows the fashion but is not dictated by trends. She is still very classic and creates her own trend,” Rinoski said.

There’s even an occasional blog posting by Grace Girl on the store’s Web site. She muses about childhood memories of Christmas, offers clips of her favorite mood music, and reports on trips to New York City.

Grace, the store, caught on and had outgrown its space.

“We’ve always been known for having the latest and the most incredible selection of hair accessories,” Shapiro said, “and we didn’t have the ability to keep it that way in this store.”

Enter Style and Grace, at 30 Pennsylvania Avenue, in the front of long-standing Bay Styles Hair Salon that is run by Beverly Newburgh.

“It’s a fun concept,” Shapiro said. “You can go and get your hair done, have a day of beauty, shop for some great hair accessories and jewelry.”

The shop carries all the hair accessories previously at Grace, plus a line of handbags, a line of jewelry priced for every pocketbook, hats, and scarves. The two businesses are run separately, so a customer can shop or come in for a hair appointment or do both.

“It’s been a great relationship,” Shapiro said. “Beverly’s already getting new walk-in customers from our presence, and her clients are becoming ours.”

For the Love of Dogs

Avid dog lovers, the two women always included a specialty section for the coastal pet in Grace. As things got tight, they decided the pet products didn’t fit.

“People kept coming in and calling for things for their pets, so we had to keep going into storage to bring them back out. It took on a life of its own,” Shapiro said.

Must Love Dogs opened in early November at 44 Pennsylvania Avenue, near Niantic Plumbing, another downtown institution.

“We look for and carry a lot of hard-to-find, specialty items for pets,” said Shapiro, who frequents trade shows and seeks to stay on top of new products. The top three for dogs are clothing, both functional and fun, toys, and natural food treats.

“People are very concerned with what their dogs are eating and as dog-owners, we are too,” she said. “Every dog food item the store stocks is human grade and we try to bring in organic pet foods when possible.”

The shop stocks a lot of its products from New England sources and the two owners pride themselves in quick response time for special requests. The doggy treats are freshly baked, made to order.

Two and four-legged customers are welcomed. On opening day, Shapiro said, there were as many dogs as people in the shop.

“Dogs are awesome customers. They’re always happy,” laughed Shapiro. “After they come in once,
owners can’t walk by without bringing them in. The dogs put their paws on the counter and look at you face-to-face.”

The three retail establishments are within easy walking distance along Pennsylvania Avenue, which is handy for customers and staff.

“It’s beginning to look a bit like New York,” joked Shapiro. “You’ll see us rolling racks of products and display pieces across the street.”

“Grace has been great for both of us, having a partnership and bringing together separate customers that we both have,” Rinoski said. “It’s really been a great experience developing these new businesses.”

“We always have our eyes open for new opportunities,” added Shapiro.

By Suzanne Thompson
Special to the Times

For current hours and newest products, go to www.gracestores.com and www.mustlovedogs.ct.com. Both sites offer online shopping, too.

At the Capitol: A New Year in Hartford

2009-01-05T16:18:11Z

Happy New Year! Please accept my very best wishes for 2009; I hope the year ahead is characterized by happiness and good health for each of you. Please celebrate responsibly this weekend and take care to avoid any increased risk of starting 2009 off on the wrong foot.

At the Capitol, the New Year signals final preparations for the start of the 2009 legislative session next Wednesday. Each odd-numbered year the General Assembly convenes for its long session to begin the two-year term. Preparation of the two-year state budget is always the number-one priority; this year the formula for a balanced spending plan in the face of so much economic uncertainty will be hard won.

And while the budget process might earn the most headlines over the next six months, my colleagues and I will remain busy working to enact policies in other areas as well. I am pleased to have been reappointed co-chair of the legislature’s Public Safety and Security Committee, which has responsibility for the state Department of Public Safety and matters regarding the state’s first response provided by police, firefighters, and paramedics.

This assignment has been rewarding, challenging, and constantly stimulating, and I’m grateful to Senate President Don Williams for entrusting me with this position for another term. Recent lessons we’ve learned about the critical importance of emergency preparedness were painful and heartbreaking; our common memories join us in a renewed commitment to preparedness and motivate me to be thorough and exhaustive while refining public safety protocol and standards.

I will also serve another term as a member of the Public Health Committee, where I will continue to fight for greater access to high quality, affordable healthcare for my constituents and all state residents. We must continue to find ways to cover more residents with health insurance so regular check-ups and early detection and treatment of illness can limit the overall expense of healthcare.

No one denies that preventative care is more cost efficient than treatment of late-term or chronic conditions, and certainly emergency care is the most expensive of all. Other pressing issues in the state’s healthcare delivery network include the high cost of malpractice insurance for doctors and the continuing economic viability of hospitals throughout Connecticut.

Senator Williams has also added one appointment to my workload. When the new term begins next week, I’ll join the legislature’s Education Committee and I’m looking forward to beginning my work there. The importance of outfitting our public schools and preparing
Connecticut students for the challenges of the future cannot be underestimated.

The role of Connecticut’s public education system will assume even greater prominence over the next few years as we work to stabilize a tumultuous economy. The system will not only be required to accomplish more with fewer resources, it will be called upon to prepare a competitive, even superior workforce. Employers seek smart, innovative, hard-working employees. Our public school system must encourage and produce these traits in our students if we are to retain our place as a profitable home for corporations and small businesses.

The state’s business climate and economic fortunes will factor mightily when I consider my third committee assignment, reappointment to the legislature’s Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee. It has responsibility for the revenue side of the state budget and this is familiar territory for me because I was co-chair of this committee while serving in the House some years ago. Nevertheless, the committee has an unenviable task ahead this term, given the economic slowdown.

Each and every New Year is welcomed with raucous cheers, noisemakers, and even fireworks, in seeming defiance of the always unpredictable future. The greeting for 2009 this weekend will be no different. Somehow, despite the unprecedented circumstance, I sense we’re all looking forward to it, with firm and common resolve to meet and overcome whatever challenges we face.

Again, happy New Year.

Andrea Stillman represents the 20th Senatorial District, which includes New London, Waterford, East Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Salem, and Montville.

Planning for 2009

2009-01-05T16:14:52Z

As I complete my first year as first selectman, I wish to thank everyone for all the help and hard work to make our town the great place to live that it is. I have the good fortune to serve the town with a group of dedicated public servants who truly do put their community first. The commissioners who donate much of their spare time to preside over issues concerning all of us, work tirelessly and selflessly to achieve the best solutions for the common good.

As I look over the past year and begin to peek in to the next, I am reminded of the value and importance of community. We have a great town and will need to come together to ensure success, especially in this new fiscal environment.

The current financial situation in our state will have an impact on our budget next year, for which we must begin preparing now. The state provides millions of dollars in revenue annually to East Lyme for such items as road repairs, support for state facilities, and education

The economic downturn has caused a reduction in revenues to the state, such as sales tax—people are buying less—and income tax—people are making less. These reductions will most likely be transferred to the towns and cities across Connecticut. We have begun to prepare for these declining state revenues by locking in savings in this current budget. To date, we have put aside approximately $250,000 saved through competitive bidding and purchasing adjustments.

Additionally, I have asked our department heads to withhold spending 1.5 percent of their budget, which, if accomplished, will result in an additional savings of $280,000. We have ratified one union contract, have a tentative agreement on a second, and are in discussions with the other two that expire on June 30. I think it is important to resolve all of the union contracts so that we may clearly identify a long-term fixed budget for wages.

Our town employees work hard to provide us with services that we all depend on. I have begun working with Human Resource Manager Renee Fecteau on developing and implementing a comprehensive wellness program for all town employees. The effects will not only be a healthier lifestyle for everyone, but studies have shown wellness programs contribute to an improvement to the bottom line costs of health insurance. As we are self-insured and pay our claims up to a certain amount, this will save money in the long run and wellness is the future of health care.

As always, contact me with any comments or questions at pformica@eltownhall.com or at Town Hall at 860-691-4110. Thank you again for your support and have a terrific New Year.

By Paul Formica
Special to the Times

Salem School Honor Roll - First Trimester

2009-01-05T16:13:19Z

Criteria: Principal’s Roll – Students receiving all As, every subject area including specials.

High Honor Roll – Students receiving all As except one B, every subject area including specials.

Honor Roll – Students receiving all Bs or higher, every subject area including specials.

Grade 8

Principal’s Roll: Daniel Gage, Kayla Giordano, Nicole Lee, Erin Lucas, Erica Pierce, Michaela Ryan, Zoe Smallidge, and Emily Taylor

High Honor Roll: Jillian Cirillo, Ian Hill, Thea Hudson, Devin Perez, Cassidy Rodgers, and Kristen Walter

Honor Roll: Christopher Aquino, Deanna Coleman, Kyrra Gelinas, Matthew Gillespie, Richard Griffiths, Nicholas Hughes, Alexander Lyall, Daniel Malzahn, Antonnia Mann, Gerald McKenney, Timothy Myers, Brandon Page, Elise Petersen, Jacqueline Plasse, Lauren Redfearn, and Logan Young

Grade 7

Principal’s Honor Roll: Jennifer Beebe, Morgan Brown, Emma Cipriani, Colleen Durkee, Emily Leen, Devon MarcAurele, Lauren Perron, Meagan Ryley, and Eric Sanfilippo

High Honor Roll: Molly Bennett, Joseph Casciano, Regan Ewald, Alexander Gaito, Meredith Moore, Nicolas Page, and Kirsten Trower

Honor Roll: Cody Abdeen, Nicholas Bobowicz, Amandine Bogart, Hannah Burke, William Butler, Arnold Chappell, Shae Crosby, Emily Crowley, Colton Dempsky, Kyle Gurnee, Amanda Lack, Jeremy Luck, Rebecca McGlone, Ryan Miller, Nathaniel Morrow, Connor O’Toole, Mitchell Pennell, Patrick Rafferty, James Robson, Brooke Soderberg, Nicholas Soli, Kiefer Stroebel, Alexis Tolley, Rachel Vandale, Meghan Volberg, and Brianna Weaver

Grade 6

Principal’s Roll: Hannah Alaimo, Natalie Andrews, Olivia Bernier, Melissa Butler, Kyle Ewald, Robyn Ferris, Allison Gagliano, Troy Gray, Kassidy Harris, Megan Holt, Nicholas Hotary, Matthew LaRose, Kailey MarcAurele, Mitchell Ryan, and Melinda Wei

High Honor Roll: Alexander Arnott, Alexis Cohen, Samantha Lee, Amanda Paradis, and Vanessa Vurno

Honor Roll: Rebecca Alaimo, Sarah Andrews, Arthur Bradley, Ashley Carsillo, Morgan Clewell, Brittany Courville, Abigail Dye, Dominique Harris, Shahan Kamal, David Kennedy, Jr., Kaiser Leuze, Benjamin Li, Carly Miller, Kevin O’Sullivan, August Pimentel, Haley Shettles, Kayla Sinko, Zane Smallidge, Hanna Suarez, Danielle Sullivan, Emily Velidow, Taylor Winder, Bailey Windhom, Mark Wojcik,
Eugene Wong, and Timothy Zack

Grade 5

Principal’s Roll: Alyse Acuna, Theresa Durkee, Jacob Hughes, Alexandra Marsh, Isabelle Moore, Kirsten Thompson, Michael Trailor, and Elizabeth Verish

High Honor Roll: Katherine Bowen, Travis Franco, Danielle Gaito, Ashley Makowski, Matthew Spang, Greta Stroebel, and Dylan Worrell

Honor Roll: Cassidy Abdeen, Rachel Belanger, Alexis Bell, Olivia Burton, Douglas Cipriani, Julia Cipriani, Kaylie Crosby, Johanna Damberg, Madisyn Erb, Nicholas Ferguson, Julia Franklin, Serina Gelinas, Nicholas Ghirardi, Audrey Hebbel, Lauren Moore, Devin Noe, Olivia Rianhard, Sarah Rudker, Shawn Ryley, Nina Sanfilippo, Olivia Santana, Emily Scott, Brittany Townsend, and Benjamin Wojcik

LAA Hosts Four Gallery Talks

2009-01-05T16:11:18Z

Did you ever wonder what inspires an artist to create? The Lyme Art Association will host “The Creative Process,” a series of four galley talks this January and February. Participants will get an inside peek into the creative minds of three individual artists, and then hear a panel discussion with four artists to find out what common threads run through the creative minds of professional artists.

The talks will begin on Jan. 22 with “The Artistic Journey of Christopher Zhang.” Zhang is a noted international artist, who began his career in his native China. Now based in East Lyme, Zhang travels the world looking for inspiration. Zhang combines his knowledge and experience in both Eastern and Western art traditions to create a unique body of work. He will present a slide show and discussion.

On Jan. 29, Kathy Simmons will present “A Personal View of the New England Landscape.” She will discuss and demonstrate her painting techniques. She said, “My goal is to capture my sense of the scene before me rather than provide a literal rendering of what I see. And, by leaving some things left unsaid, I invite you to bring your own thoughts and response to the painting.”

Feb. 12 will feature Rosemary Gurpide, discussing “The 21st-Century Bronze Age.” She will explain the intricacies of creating a bronze sculpture from start to finish, with demonstrations of works in each stage of the process.

The final talk in the series will be a panel discussion on Feb. 26, featuring four artists. Dennis Sirrine and Del-Bourree Bach are LAA’s two new elected artists, and veteran elected artists Jennifer Holmes and Catherine Elliott will join them. They will discuss plein air painting and studio painting, their inspiration, techniques, and any other subjects that come to mind in the course of this informal gathering.

At each talk, the audience will be encouraged to ask questions, and each artist will bring examples of their work for viewing. All talks will begin at 2 p.m., and refreshments will be served.

The Lyme Art Association is at 90 Lyme Street in Old Lyme. For more information on “The Creative Process,” exhibitions, purchase of art, art classes, or becoming a member, call 860-434-7802.

The Cat Who Lost—and Found—His Meow: A tale of hope by local authors/illustrators

2009-01-05T16:10:11Z

Antoinette Ledzian of Stonington describes arriving at the recent publication of her first book, The Cat Who Lost its Meow, as a serendipitous journey—a journey almost as interesting as the one “Cat” takes in this delightful new children’s book.

The story, described as “a three-fold tale of loss, search, and rescue,” is told through the eyes of a child visiting grandma at the beach, where, to process the loss of a loved one, she paints and the youngster writes in a journal.

The child discovers a cat stuck in a lobster trap that has lost its meow and is too weak to escape. The child begs grandma to keep the cat, but the bottom of the lobster pot gives way and the frightened cat runs off. Following a series of wild adventures including an unlikely friendship with a bird, Cat comes back safe and sound—and so does Cat’s meow.

Cleverly, it turns out that the child, who has been keeping a journal, is actually the author of the book.

Ledzian wrote, illustrated, and designed The Cat… with her husband Richard—both are artists—along with Susan Paulson Epstein of New London, a licensed social worker, parent coach, and author of several parenting books.

The Ledzians are owners of A Writer’s Garden, in its 15th year in Stonington, where they combine art, writing, calligraphy, photography, letterpress, and graphic design to illustrate the written word. They specialize in creating beautiful memory books for people for weddings, anniversaries, births, and other special occasions. Located in their appointment-only studio, A Writer’s Garden also sells one-of-a-kind journals, framed art works, and miscellenous artist’s tools, and of course, their new book.

A certified expressive arts facilitator, Antoinette also runs Art Bound, a summer camp that encourages young people to express themselves through the creative process.

The Cat Who Lost its Meow officially launches the Ledzians’ new venture into the book publishing world as Chase-En-Point Press, which will publish small high quality runs of hard and softcover children’s, poetry, and photography books.

The Journey

Four years ago the Ledzians attended a job fair at the Mystic Marriott where Susan Epstein was giving a coaching seminar.

“I told her my life was happy and fine but the last piece at my age, over 60, was that I wanted to write and illustrate a children’s book,” Antoinette recalls. “Susan said, ‘I’ll help you,’ and we became instant friends.”

The Cat… was a team effort encouraged by Susan’s coaching. The two women met weekly for four months to compose the story, sometimes in New London at Ocean Beach and Alewife Cove where various elements of the story began to unfold.

Antoinette found a colorful painter’s cloth in a trash can on the boardwalk at the beach, which provided the richly textured cover design—and theme that runs throughout the book, and Susan’s cat, Quatro, who had lost his meow, was the inspiration for the title.

Richard drew pen-and-ink sketches and Antoinette painted the illustrations, created additional graphics and drawings, and designed and typeset the book, which was printed by Finlay Printing, an FSC (Forest Stewardship Certified) printer that has been in business in Bloomfield for 132 years.

“Quality was very important to us and we didn’t want to go overseas,” Antoinette says, “We wanted to invest money in a first-class printer here in Connecticut.”

Antoinette stresses that the book, which is filled with metaphors, can be read by any age child—or adult—on many levels and interpreted in a variety of ways. The concept of the book is to demonstrate the power of healing and processing emotions through art, writing, journaling, storytelling, friendship and trust.

Hope is an essential theme, she says, and is illustrated in all the opposites that come to play in the book, such as danger-help, enemy-friend, darkness-light.

“It’s the balance that is necessary in art and in life,” she says. “The [book’s] final message is [about] unconditional love.”

Partial proceeds from the sale of The Cat... ,which is $16.95, softcover, are being donated to PROTECT, a national pro-child, anti-crime membership association. One hundred percent of purchases of The Cat… bookmarks ($3.95 a pair) are being donated to PROTECT.

“I’m on the advisory board of PROTECT and I’m passionate about working with children,” Antoinette explains, “and especially with a national organization committed to protecting children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.”

The Cat Who Lost Its Meow and bookmarks can be purchased online at www.TheCatWhoLostItsMeow.com, at The Hollow art & antique gallery in Mystic, and at The Other Tiger bookstore in Westerly, Rhode Island.

By Amy J. Barry
Special to the Times

Parent's Eye View: Kids Need Hopeful Role Models During Troubled Times

2009-01-05T16:08:54Z

We are living in precarious times, bombarded with mixed messages, unsure of what the future holds.

On the one hand, we have a president-elect who promises change in the New Year when he takes office and has instilled a sense of hope and enthusiasm in many Americans. There is also increasing evidence that optimism and positive attitude play a key role not only in people’s mental health, but also their physical well being.

On the other hand, we’re in an economic downturn of grave proportions that’s causing enormous stress for families faced, at the very least, with financial insecurity, not knowing if or when the other shoe will drop, and those for whom it’s already dropped and are coping with the loss of jobs—and even homes, due to foreclosure.

So how do parents maintain that important equilibrium between being truthful and communicative with their kids, while at the same time staying positive and hopeful and making them feel safe in the world?

I asked several child psychologists to share their thoughts with me.

“Children may become frightened or confused by these unexpected threats to family security and will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react,” says Marilyn Giuliano of Old Saybrook, in her 28th year as a school psychologist, currently at Mile Creek School in Old Lyme. Giuliano is also state representative for Connecticut’s 23rd District.

Giuliano suggests that parents make time to talk to their children and reassure them that they’re safe and so are other important adults in their lives.

“Your words and physical presence will be comforting and will give you the opportunity to monitor your child’s reaction,” she says, and “to the extent possible, stick to normal routines for meals, homework, chores, and bedtime.”

Younger children will be comforted if you read or play quiet games with them before bed. Spend a little extra time tucking them in and let them sleep with a light on if they ask for it.

”These activities are calming, foster a sense of closeness and security, and reinforce a sense of normalcy,” Giuliano says.

Abby Lipschutz, a licensed clinical psychologist whose practice, Shoreline Psychological, is based in Madison, has been working with children, adolescents, and families since 1996.

Lipschutz concurs with Giuliano that first and foremost, kids need to feel physically and emotionally safe and that needs to be balanced by a realistic picture of the world without creating undue anxiety.

She suggests having family meetings and discussing some of the changes that may be taking place, such as not going to go out to dinner as much or foregoing a family vacation this year.

This can be a wonderful opportunity to teach children about values and money and gratitude about what they do have, Lipschutz points out.

“Great lessons come in during these times of distress,” she says.

Parents can help kids feel like important, contributing members of their families and community by asking them to shut off lights to conserve energy or volunteer with mom or dad at a local soup kitchen to help those in even greater need.

Lipschutz also notes that parents shouldn’t create anxiety by projecting about what hasn’t happened yet and should speak as close to the present as possible.

“It’s not helpful to project into the future if there’s a great unknown,” she says. “It’s better to help children live in the present.”

“Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate,” Giuliano advises. “Elementary school children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with your reassurances that the daily structures of their lives will not change.”

Both women agree that maintaining a hopeful attitude is key when the world is throwing curve-balls.

“Hope is a psychological strength that not everyone possesses,” Lipschutz points out. “You really have to teach hope and model hope. We live in a society that’s very fearful, very negative. On the flip side, hope instills optimism, and when optimists are faced with difficult situations, they don’t give up.”

Giuliano adds that fostering resiliency in children helps instill hope and optimism.

“Resiliency is that important and adaptive psychological attribute that allows kids to be calmer, more optimistic, and creative problem solvers in the face of adversity,” she says. “Teaching the dimensions of resiliency helps to create strong kids.”

The bottom line is, no matter how rocky the road may get during these challenging times, children—of every age—who feel loved and safe, encouraged rather than discouraged, included rather than excluded, helpful rather than helpless, will develop the inner resources to cope—and even thrive—no matter what obstacles are put in their path.

E-mail Amy Barry at aimwrite@snet.net.

Youth Services Report: The Busy Season Continues

2009-01-05T16:06:47Z

Our fall programming has come to a close, with many noted successes. We proudly displayed the chosen photos from our Photography Club in the Community Center, outside of the library for the month of December. We look forward to seeing more from these young photographers in the future.

We’d like to give a special thank-you to Ron Bence for his much welcomed expertise and advice during our class. The Lyme Times’ own photographer Deb Beckwith also came in to speak to our group and was very inspirational. Thank you, Deb. We also appreciate the use of the Smith Harris grounds for our Landscape and Architecture class.

Sitter Survival successfully graduated 25 new CPR and first aid-certified babysitters into our town’s pool. If you are interested in hiring a babysitter, please give us a call and provide some information specific to your needs. We keep postings on our Job Board for three months, or until you tell us you don’t need it there any longer. Babysitters are encouraged to check our board regularly for jobs. One will contact you if interested in the assignment. From there, you will meet with a prospective babysitter and their parents or guardians to see if they are the right fit for your family or situation. Please feel free to contact us if you require more information or would like to post an opportunity.

Open House is still accepting registrations and meets every Thursday after school. We look forward to continuing Open Center throughout the winter. Students walk over after school, listen to music, and hang out with friends, have a snack, and do homework or arts and crafts. Young people can also play ping-pong, foosball, billiards, or any number of other games. We would love to improve our center with a donated video game system and games during this time of holiday buying and upgrading. So, keep us in mind if you have an extra system.

Ski Club is now closed and will run Monday evenings starting Jan. 12, 26, Feb. 2, 8, and 23, weather permitting. A snow make-up day is reserved if needed on March 2. Please bring your equipment for drop-off Monday mornings from 8 to 10 a.m. Call us for more information as needed.

Home Alone will start on Wednesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. from Jan. 28 to March 11, excluding February vacation week. This program will take place in the Olive Chedali room in the Community Center. This program is recommended for 5th and 6th graders, but is ultimately at the parents’ discretion. Participants learn how to be home responsibly, without supervision. We utilize expertise from area police, the fire marshal, and other guest speakers. This popular course fills up fast and space is limited. Reserve your slot as soon as possible. The cost is $45, and includes materials and snacks.

By Sarah Butterfield
Special to the Times

For further information, or to get a printable registration form online, go to www.elysa.org. ELYSA is located at 45 Society Rd. in Niantic, 739-6788.

A La Carte: Scampi Into the Kitchen

2009-01-05T16:05:10Z

One more holiday season has passed, and now it’s time to make fires in the living room fireplace, hunker down, snuggle under a couple of fleece throws, read lots of books and magazines, and, when I’m tired of reading or napping, scamper into the kitchen (which is pretty nippy after the warm living room) and make some good comfort food—soup for lunch, meatloaf for dinner or, a White House favorite, grilled cheese sandwiches on Arnold white bread and Campbell’s tomato soup made with milk.

This holiday season, Doug and I gave each other the best present ever: We took a train to New York City, had dinner at a restaurant called Celeste on the Upper West Side (amazingly inexpensive place that serves fabulous Italian food), then took a cab to the magnificent Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine on Amsterdam Avenue.

Part of the cathedral was ravaged by a fire seven years ago and some of the damage included the 8,500-pipe organ. After disassembling the organ, the pieces were sent to Missouri, fixed, and sent back to New York. It took years before the organ was made whole. That night, we sat in the choir loft and watched and listened as the Paul Winter Consort—musicians, singers, an Irish dancer, tympani, and that incredible organ—played for three hours for the festival of the winter solstice. If you can ever go to this event next December (or consider going for the summer solstice in June), please do this for yourselves. The evening was positively magical.

We trained home the next day to Old Saybrook, arriving one hour after Doug’s oldest son, who lives in San Jose, arrived for five days. He’s a big eater, so that night I made pepperoni pasta with a salad and Doug’s bread. The next day I stuffed and roasted a seven-pound chicken along with mashed potatoes and sweet corn I’d frozen from the summer’s harvest. The next night, the second day of the snowstorm, we drove to Pizza Cucina (see “Nibbles”). The last night of his visit, I made scampi with linguine and another salad. I have been tinkering with scampi for years, and I think I’m finally getting it right. See what you think.

Scampi

Yield: 4 servings

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

8 to 10 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup (or a little more) good white wine

1/2 to 1 cup chicken broth for extra liquid (homemade or good,
low-sodium canned)

1 to 1 1/2 pounds extra-large shrimp, shelled and de-veined and allow to sit a few minutes on paper towel
to dry

1 teaspoon of cornstarch

1/4 cup of white wine

1 tablespoon butter

20 to 25 grape tomatoes, halved
(optional)

Salt and freshly ground pepper,
to taste

Fresh Italian parsley, chopped

1 pound linguine or any kind of
spaghetti

Bring stockpot of water to a boil over high heat.

While water is coming to a boil, heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add garlic; sauté for 30 to 45 seconds. Add white wine and allow to evaporate a bit (about 3 or so minutes). Bring to medium and add chicken stock; allow to heat through. When hot, place shrimp in skillet. When the bottoms of the shrimp turn pink, turn them over. When done, remove shrimp from the skillet. Mix cornstarch with wine and add to skillet; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and add tomatoes (if using) and cook for another few minutes. Add shrimp and cook for a minute or so, then add butter, salt, and pepper to taste and toss parsley.

Meanwhile, liberally salt boiling water and add pasta. Cook just until al dente (a little less than package directions). Drain pasta, and then add to sauce. Toss. Serve hot. (And although Italian purists cringe, I also serve freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano cheese.)

Nibbles: A Recommendation by Lee

Usually I order pasta with meat sauce at Pizza Cucina, and it’s one of my favorite Nibbles ever. My husband likes that, too, but he also loved pasta with scampi and owner Robert’s chicken parmesan, which isn’t much of a sophisticated dish but he turns it into a symphony. We also love his pizzas, especially the Margherita and the authentic Napolitano with fresh mozzarella.

But a few weeks ago, in a mood of creative culinary pique, I ordered the BLT pizza. What arrived was what I think is the most interesting pizza of all: crispy, thin pizza crust with nice pieces of bacon, maybe a little cheese, and chopped tomatoes covered with creamy garlic dressing, tossed with the green parts of romaine lettuce. I am particularly fond of hot and cold things at the same time and the hot crust and bacon warmed the tomatoes, but the lettuce was at room temperature. I shared one slice, ate four more slices, then picked the bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes off the rest of the crusts. This way I could pretend that I was just eating salad.

Pizza Cucina

117 Boston Post Road

East Lyme

860-739-6234

Lee White of Old Lyme has been a food editor and restaurant reviewer for more than 25 years. You can e-mail her at Leeawhite@aol.com.

Grape Adventures: Toasting the Holidays

2009-01-05T16:04:05Z

Instead of exchanging gifts this holiday season, my wife and I enjoyed a night out at a French restaurant in New York City. My brother and his wife, who were visiting the city to see the new production of South Pacific, and my cousin and her husband joined us.

The restaurant we selected specializes in fish, and white wine pairs particularly well with seafood. Since we would be eating food with a French accent, we decided to have French white wine with our meal.

The wine list had just a few less listings than the phone book, and most of them were new to me. I could offer many reasons why they were unfamiliar, but in all honesty there was only one: price. But this was our Christmas, so…

We wanted to try something we don’t drink at home, and I was puzzling over the list when our waiter offered some suggestions. Luckily, some of the wines were offered by the glass so we could sample without having to purchase an entire bottle.

Nina tried a Domaine Jean-Michel Gaunoux (2005) Meursault (Les Terres Blanches), around $45, from the Burgundy region, which is in the center of the country between Paris and Nice in the south. Meursault is an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC). France has comprehensive wine laws that strictly regulate what grapes may be used in specific wines, how and in what location they must be cultivated, and the alcohol content of the finished product. The highest quality wines are classified as AOC, followed by Appellation d’Origine Vin De Qualité Supérieure (AOVDQS), Vin de Pays (country wine), and Vin de Table (table wine). The name of the place of origin can replace the “Origine” as in “Appellation Meursault controlée.”

The Chardonnay varietal is widely grown all over the world, and many of the finest (and most expensive) whites are made with Chardonnay as well as some less expensive and not so fine. Less acidic than wines made with Sauvignon Blanc grapes, Chardonnay ages well in oak which imbues the wine with a “buttery” characteristic (this is a good thing) and adds hints of vanilla.

Nina liked the Domaine Jean-Michel Gaunoux, and so did I. The fruit was not overpowered by the oak.

I tried a Chassagne-Montrachet (2006) from Domaine Michel Neillon, also from Burgundy. Wines from Montrachet are composed entirely of Chardonnay and, like most French wines, they are referred to by their place of origin rather than by varietal. Some, if not the most, expensive whites in the world come from this region and can cost more than $1,000 per bottle; the Cassagne-Montrachet does not hit those heights but is still pricey at around $55.

What was a very pleasant surprise was the white’s depth and complexity; characteristics I usually associate with red wine. I must say that my descriptive powers pale beside those of a writer on burgundywinecompany.com who asserts, “Cassagne-Montrachet is feminine, but not in a girlish sense.” I guess you’ll have to try the wine to see for yourself if this assessment is valid.

The other wine on the table was a Chateau de Fonsalette – Cote du Rhone Blanc (Reserve), around $55. The white wines from this region, such as the Chateau de Fonsalette, are usually made by blending Grenache Blanc with other locally grown varietals such as Marsanne.

Grenache Blanc produces straw-colored wines that are refreshingly crisp. Grown mostly in the northern Rhone valley, Marsanne produces rich wines that have “hints of spice and pear.”

I took a sip and found it very pleasant, but my sister-in-law raved about the Chateau de Fonsalette. The aromas of fruit and spice were alive
for her; she discovered her new favorite white wine for celebrations and holidays.

The wine at the restaurant was new and stimulating, and the food was wonderful. So was the company. All in all, Nina and I agreed that it was a truly memorable evening and one of the best presents we have ever exchanged.

Jon Day lives in Old Lyme. If you have any questions or recommendations of wines you have enjoyed, e-mail him at grapeadventures@gmail.com.

Success and Second Chances: Salem ReStore a successful 'people place'

2008-12-29T16:46:29Z

George Warner has been fielding calls for weeks from people all over the region inquiring about a special item that’s not yet for sale at the ReStore in Salem.

About a month ago, a homeowner remodeling his Groton home dropped off a clawfoot bathtub at the Salem store. On its side is a depiction in black oil paint of the Mystic Seaport.

“You never know what’s going to come in,” said Fran Marquardt, a volunteer at the store since its opening. “You never know what’s going sell and never know what’s going to get people’s interests.”

George Warner, the store’s manager, said he is trying to get a historian or an appraiser to look at the tub before the store puts it up for sale.

While the tub may be one of the more unique items at the store, it’s one of tens of thousands of items that have been donated in the last seven months since the ReStore’s opening.

Besides an immediate influx of donations, the store has experienced quick success since its opening. In its first six months, the store’s net gain has reached $100,000 with the proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut, according to Terri O’Rourke, the executive director of the Habitat chapter.

O’Rourke said the chapter predicted the store’s net gain at only $60,000 for the year.

“It’s wildly successful right now,” O’Rourke said. “It’s well ahead of our goal, but we’re cautiously optimistic about the winter months, when typically these things slow down. But we predict we’ll have a very strong first year.”

The early success of the store has brought it closer to meeting another goal—bringing in enough money to pay for the construction of a Habitat home. The homes can cost up to $150,000 to build, O’Rourke said.

Salem’s ReStore is the only one in southeastern Connecticut and one of four in the state. ReStores are set up by local Habitat chapters to collect donated items from businesses and individuals and sell the items at a reduced price. The money goes to the local chapter to help pay for the construction of the volunteer-built homes for those who can’t afford to buy one.

The store also has a green mission. It aims to keep items in the “use cycle” rather than being thrown out and collected in a landfill.

“We’re keeping things in people’s hands,” Warner said. “It starts with the donations. If it’s something that’s been tenderly used over the years or something that’s left over from a job or construction site, then those things don’t belong in landfills.”

Most of the items donated to the ReStore are appliances or furnishings. The items usually arrive to the store with individuals who drop off donations. However, a couple of times each week, a truck unloads a shipment of items donated by local hotels or other businesses that are renovating or remodeling.

There are also the companies that contribute merchandise they can’t sell or could use a year-end tax credit.

Warner said it’s not uncommon that some of the regular shoppers will arrive before the store opens on days that the truck brings the “new” items to the store.

There’s a screening process, he said, that determines if the store will take the item based on if it will sell or fits in with the merchandise of the store.

He said each ReStore has its own identity. ReStores in the Midwest and in California, he said, contain more construction materials for contractors and builders.

However, at the Salem store, the shelves and racks are stocked with many common home appliances and furnishings from old doors and dishwashers to dryers and pianos.

There’s also the not so common items like the clawfoot tub, the water-bed frame, or the tattoo parlor/dentist chair, which was listed at $250.

The store combines the merchandise found in specialty stores (like the glass Pella entryways selling for $2,000 and a granite counter top priced at $750) with the mystery and set-up of a yard sale.

The mystery is what attracts some of the ReStore’s shoppers.

“It’s just the curiosity,” said Sam Hassan of Quaker Hill. Hassan and his wife, Juliette, made a recent trip to the ReStore in search of light switch covers.

“We want to see what’s in the store. And the prices helps out with the funding” of Habitat homes,” he said.

But what keeps the Hassans coming back, besides the free homemade cookies, are the volunteers, they said.

The volunteers are also the reason for the store’s early success, said Warner, who as manager is the only paid employee at the store.

“We have members that work three or four uncompensated days here every week,” said Warner. “They’ve kind of adopted the store and made it really about the people. It gives us the ability to have a different atmosphere. It’s a true people place.”

By MICHAEL NAUGHTON
Staff Writer

One Man’s Pilgrimage: Local man’s Q&A book on the Mayflower Pilgrims gains in popularity

2008-12-29T16:36:33Z

Montville resident William Muttart started out researching and writing a small history of the Mayflower Pilgrims and their arrival in America because he wanted to create an accurate history to pass on to his three sons, six grandchildren, and two step-grandchildren.

The motivation to write that history came in 2001 after Muttart discovered he is a direct descendent of seven of the 102 passengers onboard the Mayflower who braved the cold North Atlantic during their 66-day journey from England late in 1620.

“Prior to that, even though I was rather interested in history, I really hadn’t paid much attention to the story of the Pilgrims,” Muttart stated.

Shortly after he learned of his family’s lineage, however, Muttart says he began noticing how articles in newspapers seemed to be highly critical of the Pilgrims.

While some early information he found was true—like the Pilgrims did not first step ashore onto Plymouth Rock but waded ashore on Nov. 11 west of the area known today as Provincetown, Mass.—he found so much other conflicting and negative information, “I began to wonder if everything I’d been told about the Pilgrims was true,” he said.

His research over the next five years eventually turned into the book One Hundred & Eleven Questions & Answers Concerning the Pilgrims: Passengers on the Mayflower, 1620, which Muttart self-published in 2007.

In the 16 months since its initial publication, the book has been gaining the interest of history buffs, historical scholars, and school teachers.

A background investigator by trade for federal judges assigned to the U.S. District Court in Connecticut, Muttart is familiar with the process of digging into records to ferret out information.

“If you learn nothing else from this job, you learn that you better be accurate, you better be objective, and you better be thorough,” he pointed out. “I wanted to put together objective information no matter where it led me.”

Once Muttart had completed his initial research and recorded what he’d found, he realized it was time to verify his facts.

“I contacted the Mayflower Society, in Plymouth, and they referred me to a woman who was a former librarian for the society who was quite knowledgeable about Pilgrim history,” he explained.

That librarian was Linda Ashley, whom Muttart says he still has not met in person.

“When she read the material, she thought I had the beginning of something that should be published, or at least distributed on a wider scale than just to my family. She edited a couple of drafts and was pretty supportive of the whole project, so I asked her if she would co-author the book with me,” Muttart said.

When Muttart sent the manuscript to Peggy Baker, director of the Pilgrim Hall Museum, she agreed to look at it despite her initial reservations.

Her quick reply was a welcome surprise for Muttart, who wanted his information to be as accurate as possible.

“She wrote a five-page letter to me, and it was right to the point, telling me where my information was wrong,” Muttart said. “I really appreciated that, because that was really the springboard for my information being accepted and being accurate. I really have to thank Peggy for getting me over the top with my information.”

The stamp of approval for Muttart came when the staff at Plymouth Plantation agreed to offer his book for sale.

“That’s the last place I would have expected to market my book,” Muttart admitted, “since they are very particular about what they handle. You’d better be accurate about your information.”

Over the past year more than 300 copies have been sold at Plymouth Plantation, and Muttart says the buyer sent him a note recently declaring the book a “huge success.” Muttart believes the book has become such a success in the marketplace—considering the number of related titles it’s competing against—because it contains no long narrative, no fictionalized storytelling, and no drawn-out characterizations, just quick questions and answers.

“I call it a ‘Reader’s Digest’ approach, where you can pick and choose a few questions, and then hopefully you’ll want to read the whole thing,” he noted.

While the material is stated simply, Muttart says much of the information he provides deals with controversial information about the Pilgrims.

“What’s bothered me over the years is the great amount of erroneous information that’s been printed. And it seems like the week before Thanksgiving [each year] everybody wants to dig up an article about the Pilgrims that exposes something about their background that is rather unsavory,” Muttart mused.

“I rarely see an article that is very truthful toward the Pilgrims. It really surprises me,” he added, and describes how an archeologist mentioned in one article said “the Pilgrims were intolerant and discriminated against Catholics, Jews, and Indians.” It’s a statement that Muttart takes exception to, since his own research has never been able to reveal documentation to support such a claim.

“There may have been an individual Pilgrim who did something at one time that wasn’t acceptable, but as a group there was never any indication of that,” Muttart stated.

In the 16 months Muttart’s book has been on the market, teachers across the country who have gotten wind of it have ordered it for their students, and the Governor General of the Mayflower Society published a review recommending that all 27,000 members of the society place it on their reading list.

“When I started doing this, you might assume I was trying to find information that would put the Pilgrims in a better light,” Muttart said, “but I wanted to write what I found just for my children and grandchildren, no matter what I found.”

One Hundred & Eleven Questions & Answers Concerning the Pilgrims by William P. Muttart and Linda R. Ashley is available from the publisher at $16.50 for a single copy, two books for $15.50 each, and three books or more at $14.50 each. Prices include the cost of sales tax and shipping. For more information, write to Mayflower Books, P.O. Box 341, Montville, CT 06353; send e-mail to mayflowerbooks@99main.com; or call 860-848-7418.

By Jason J. Marchi
Times Correspondent