Boom Out - Is Kanabis In?

Jean Fuller Gest, attractive owner of Boom, now in Westbrook and Old Lyme, seems to have given up her restaurant space at Dodson's Boatyard in Stonington and rumor has it that Azu, Bravo Bravo and Olio entrepreneur Carol Kanabis is taking over. When and with what name, I have no idea – yet. Or even if it's going to happen. But of course it would be great if it did. Cross your fingers.

Word also has it that the owners of Zavala Authentic Mexican in New London are opening a new restaurant/branch in the former Nonie's Deli across Water Street from the ever-popular Water Street Café run with celebrated panache by Stephanie and Walter Houlihan. Let's hope this branch of Zavala accepts credit cards, though!

Query

Anyone remember Sy's Dock at 25 Hancox Street, right at the corner of Diving? Was it a fish factory for a time or just a dock where you could buy fish? I know the Henry family owned a lobster business just to the north, on the other side of Diving Street, where the dock has been turned into a flourishing garden (!) but I'm curious to find out what happened to the business at Sy's Dock. And who was Sy? Thanks for any information.

The Return of The Stonington Mirror

The Stonington Mirror is back! It re-inaugural issue is dated Friday, 7 September 2007, and featured a review of Sue Scala's art opening at Noah's Restaurant, a reprint of an article on the Holy Ghost Festival, a great old photograph of Stonington sailors from the 1950s, and reprints of pages from 1850 and 1950, as well as an article on the "Borough Clock Tower". Word has it that The Stonington Mirror will appear every two weeks now, and I know I'm looking forward to the next issue. Welcome back, Mirror!

Weekend Reminders

The St Mary Church annual picnic is this Sunday, 30 September, from 3 to 6 pm on the Rectory lawn in the Borough, and there's lots to do (races, games, bingo and pie-eating – after which I'd recommend a spin class at I Can Fitness) and it will also offer a chance to meet and welcome the new pastor for St Mary, Monsignor Richard P. LaRocque, who was the pastor of Christ the King in Old Lyme for 14 years. It's free and open to the public.

And before that, you can swing by the United Church of Stonington, 67 Main Street, Stonington Borough, to see its Members Art Show (2-5 pm) – entry is $5 and goes towards the church's Piano Fund.

There's a more complete listing of things to do in and around the Borough (but mostly in) at Coming Events & Things to Do at The Stonington Intelligencer.

Apologies

A few troubles with the Intelligencer server today. Don't know why as yet or when it will be back up. Sorry to all for the inconvenience.

A Defence of Poesy

Borough resident, poet, librettist, essayist, professor, editor and Lord only knows what else J D McClatchy has just had a poem, Resignation, published in this week's New Yorker magazine. You might get to hear him read it in person if you're really, really nice and ask him to in person at his upcoming public reading this coming Saturday evening, 21 September, at the Mystic Arts Café, where the gallery will open at 7 pm and the reading will begin at 7.30 pm (tickets $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $4 for students). The Salt marsh Opera will also give a preview of its upcoming production, The Barber of Seville.

Blogging Long Island Sound

I happened across this blog, Sphere, when I was looking for some information about Long island Sound. Sphere is local, well-written and interesting, and for that reason I'm pretty sure it will be a pleasant discovery to more than a few Borough folks, who doubtless share many of Mr Andersen's concerns.

Connecticut Special Olympics hosted by Stonington Harbor Yacht Club

About 100 athletes are expected to participate in the 2007 Fall Sports Sailing Program of the Connnecticut Special Olympics this coming weekend, Saturday and Sunday 15 and 16 September, in Stonington Borough. Hosted by the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club, the Special Olympics will be inaugurated by a parade through the Borough beginning at 9.30 am at the Yacht Club, Water Street and Cannon Square and the regatta will begin at 12.45 pm. The public is invited to cheer, applaud, and watch these skilled athletes on the water.

Is Stonington Now Santa Fe East?

Is it just me or does it seem that the Borough is becoming a real arts center, like Santa Fe or Key West? I might just be imagining it, but there is something real happening this coming Saturday, 15 September: painter Guido Garaycochea (who's cleverly got a web site here) is having an open studio from 4 to 8 pm at his temporary studio located at 145-D Water Street (that's down the little alley next to Grand & Water Antiques) and le tout Stonington (and all of you who are less tout too, of course) are invited to stop by to see examples of his latest work. Call 860-449-2759 for more info.

Catching up

Sorry for the lack of updates – lots to do on a busy, and quite beautiful, Labor Day weekend, some pictures of which (Holy Ghost Feast at the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society, the reopening of La Grua's shop) will be posted in Scene and Herd on the Intelligencer.

Anyway, lots of things coming up in and around the Borough this fall. For instance, this Saturday is the annual Sergio Franchi Concert, which starts at 3 pm and goes till 6 pm, with food and beverages available on the estate. Mrs Eva Franchi will present the 2007 Sergio Franchi Scholarships and the performers will be accompanied by a 32-piece orchestra. Tickets are $50 and must be ordered in advance.

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Tomorrow, Friday, 7 September, at 5.30 pm, yachtsman Iain McAllister discusses the restoration project of the 36-foot cutter Peggy Bawn and classic yacht racing at the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club, 9 Stonington Commons, 32 Water St., Stonington. Call 860-535-0680 for information and reservations.

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Stonington Runners, take note of the following press release I just received:

"There is a new website for walkers and joggers that showcases scenic running routes in the area. The site, Jog New London County, features beautiful photos, custom-drawn maps, helpful descriptions and important statistics like mileage, elevation and current weather for each route.

The routes take runners through parks, boardwalks, and quiet residential areas and offer a range of picturesque views including lakes, beaches, woods, and farmlands.

Aside from jogging routes, the site also provides a calendar of upcoming area races, running articles, and a gift shop with jogging-related t-shirts, bags, and cards.

For more information, visit www.JogNewLondon.com."

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Finally, we'd like to wish Borough resident (and our great neighbor) Jim Boylan a speedy recovery from a little "incident" he had last weekend, which involved hospitals and helicopters and ORs and which, we happily note, ended up well. We hear he's already back to pro bono editing for the Stonington Historical Society, of which he was of course a past president.