Beside the Point

Catching Up (Again)

2008-05-06T10:55:00.002-04:00

Sort of a bizarre winter – a good friend of mine died just before Xmas and the seasonal greys sort of overcame me. But spring is back, the flowers are about to bloom in the Borough. So here's a little bit of this and that around Stonington.

First of all, go to the Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, which is ending a wildly successful national tour with a last two performances at Stonington High School on Sunday, 18 May 2008 at 1 pm and 4 pm. Jeff Brown, the author, lived in Stonington Borough and asked before his death to have this live theatre event end in his town – and all proceeds are going to benefit the Stonington Free Library and two other local non-for-profits (I heard their names but forgot to write them down, it's my fault!). ALL the profits of the Stonington shows, so it's both a fun event and terrifically worthwhile for local institutions like the Library. The tickets are only $15 for children, $20 for adults and it's live theatre, which is great and unpredictable (both good things).

Well-known Stonington painter David Black is having a New York gallery show entitled "New York Paintings" which opens on Thursday the 8th of May, 2008, at Denise Bibro Fine Art, 529 WEst 20th St, 4W, New York 10011. If you're in the Big Apple, you can stop by from 6 to 9 and have a drink and admire Mr Black's work.

The Stonington Players putting on "Anatomy of a Murder" at the COMO, from Thursday, 8 May through Saturday, 10 May 2008, all performances start at 8 pm. The Stonington Players are really a wonderful local troupe that puts on excellent and fun productions (I loved last year's "Our Town") so everyone should support them. I can't remember what tickets cost, but I know they're quite reasonable. And you all know where the COMO is.

The La Grua Center ribbon-cutting ceremony on 19 April was a great success. Mrs La Grua herself did the honors, and quite excellently. State Senator Andrew Maynard, Burgess Jeff Callahan, Regan Morse, Annamaria Palmer, Cormac O'Malley, Bill and Shelly White, Sandy Fromson, Diana Leslie and lots of other friends were there to congratulate her. Dorothy Papp spoke and introduced her. Work has already begun on rehabilitating the Old Foundry as a living memorial to the late Maurice La Grua.

More anon. Sorry for the long delay.

Catching Up

2007-10-25T09:57:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the delay, folks - some sad personal business kept me from giving my full attention to Beside the Point. I won't be coy: a good friend of mine, who, by the way, very much liked Stonington and visited the Borough often, finally lost her battle with cancer. So, again, my apologies for not having updated the sites for a while.

Better late than never: Four Starr Gallery, in the Velvet Mill, will have an opening for its new exhibition "Works on Paper" on Friday, 26 October, 2007, from 5 to 8 pm. This show will feature works on paper (one of my personal favorite types of work) by Sheila Barbone, Tod Johnstone, Yves Parent, Rieta Park, among others. Four Starr Gallery is located at 22 Bayview Avenue. For more info, call 860-535-1844.

Do you how to prepare johnnycakes? Do you even know what a johnnycake is? Well, if you answered no to either of those questions, now's your chance to fill in those gaps, by attending a "Breakfast Party" on Saturday, 3 November 2007, at 10 am, at the Captain Nathanael Palmer House, 40 Palmer Street, Stonington. This "breakfast party" is being held in honor of the new, and quite attractive, hard-cover edition of The Davis Homestead, a memoir of fifty years on a farm in Lower Pawcatuck, written by John Lawrence Davis and edited by Borough resident Emily Lynch, and now reissued by the Stonington Historical Society. Health permitting, John Whitman Davis, whom we all know from the Stonington Farmers Market and who is the son of the author, will demonstrate, with his wife Velora, "johnnycake cuisine", using cornmeal from the farm itself. Sounds terribly macrobiotic, doesn't it? Wonder if Alice Waters will hear of it? Anyway, anyone interested in learning more about johnnycakes and buying a copy of the new Davis Homestead book, please let the Stonington Historical Society Executive Director Mary Beth Baker know, on 860-535-8445.

Boom Out - Is Kanabis In?

2007-09-29T23:45:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-27T15:24:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-27T14:59:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-27T14:44:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-21T08:41:00.001-04:00

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

2007-09-18T18:40:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-18T10:15:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-13T15:54:00.000-04:00

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?

2007-09-13T15:46:00.002-04:00

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

2007-09-06T20:26:00.000-04:00

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.

Air-Pack Deficiencies Draws Fines for Borough Fire Department

2007-08-30T14:22:00.000-04:00

The Stonington Borough Fire Department is being fine $300 by the Connecticut Labor Department's Division of Occupational Safety and Health for not having a "complete policy on the use of air packs and for deficiencies in air-pack training" according to a news item in the Day. OSHA was advised of the air-pack problem by a Borough firefighter who filed an official complaint on 9 July about the department's not having enough packs. Chief Hoadley had removed 7 of 14 air packs from service after they had tested unacceptable. A 12 July inspection by OSHA of the department found four air-pack violations plus other failures in training and policy regarding air packs. Chief Hoadley accepted responsibility for these findings and said he hoped the department would be in full compliance with regulations by 1 October. Fourteen new air packs have been ordered for the department, at a cost to the Borough of more than $69,000. Another air pack will be purchased by the Stonington Fire District. These should be delivered by the end of this week. Chief Hoadley and Borough Warden Don Maranell said they hoped that OSHA would reduce the fine if the fire department meets the 1 October deadline.

Children, please !

2007-08-30T14:10:00.000-04:00

Yet more proof that drinking and driving don't mix – Tuesday night, just before 10 pm, two folks got into a vehicular contretemps around Grand and Water Streets. Had to do, reports say, with parking. Ms Barbara Oliver, 62, of the Big Apple was parking her car, assisted by Steve Sheehan, 57, of Groton, when she, inadvertently one can only hope, ran over his foot, pinning it. Sheehan responded energetically, by kicking the car with his free foot and, in the mild words of the Day report, "shouting expletivs." Indeed, our ears are tingling now. Police and bystanders were able to lift the offending vehicle off of Sheehan's foot (which, we're told, seemed somewhat smooshed - yuck! – but he declined medical services.) Ms Oliver got a ticket for DUI and other minor infractions, while Mr Sheehan of the flattened foot was charged with criminal mischief and second-degree breach of the peace. Turns out they were acquaintances, too. Now if they can only stop those evil skateboarders!

Water, water, everywhere

2007-08-28T17:28:00.000-04:00

The Four Starr Gallery show "Coastal Landscapes" opens this coming Friday, 31 August 2007 with a reception from 5 to 9 pm. Artists with work in this exhibition and sale include Sheila Barbone, Chris Dixon, Gray Park, Howard Park, Sarah Seip, Tod Johnstone and Rieta Park. The show runs through 26 September 2007. The Four Starr Gallery is located in the former American Velvet Mill building, 22 Bayview Avenue, Stonington, and hours are Monday-Friday 10 am - 5 pm and Saturday 10 am - 2.30 pm. For more info, call 860-535-1844.

Mi casa es su casa

2007-08-28T13:31:00.000-04:00

The folks at Calvary Church in the Borough want to invite everyone to come by the Parish Hall in Church Street, just opposite Borough Hall, on Wednesday night, 29 August, at 6 pm to hear about their recent work building houses in Ecuador. Here's a copy of the e-mail I got:

Hola Amigos!

Por favor - come join Mark & Sewell Robinson, John & Sara Groton, James Fayal, and other HABITAT BUILDERS for a SLIDE PRESENTATION on their recent mission trip to Ecuador.

TOMORROW NIGHT!!
Wed., Aug. 29, 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall

Brushing Up

2007-08-23T17:02:00.000-04:00

Our spies, who are, of course, everywhere and usually dressed in ways I can't begin to describe (sartorial subtlety is not their strength, but gossip is), tell me that William Kimmerle, son of George and Lynn of Water Street, has been painting at the School of Visual Arts in New York – this YouTube video introduces Mr Kimmerle and put him in the never-easy position of having to "explain" his work in just over 45 seconds (Kimmerle interview starts at 2.13). For a less stressful viewing of young Kimmerle's new work, click here.

She's BAAAAAACK!!!

2007-08-22T08:43:00.000-04:00

Janis Albamonti, formerly of Fun! in Water Street, confirms rumors that she and husband Ron will be coming back to the Borough (or environs) soon. See Letters to the Intelligencer for details and pix (of many doggies).

Down in Baltimore over Labor Day

2007-08-22T08:35:00.000-04:00

Anyone passing through or near Baltimore, Maryland, on the Labor Day weekend, Thursday 30 August through Sunday, 2 September 2007, might like to say hello to Borough resident Rick Unruh, whose Greenwood Gallery will be exhibiting at the 27th Annual Baltimore Summer Antiques Show at the Baltimore Convention Center, which is downtown at the Inner Harbor. If Rick's booth is cleaned out (we hope so!), you have 549 other fine art and antiques dealers to inspect, plus 60 dealers of antiquarian books.

Sail Away...

2007-08-21T14:44:00.001-04:00

Lots of sailing activity in the harbor this past beautiful weekend, some of which is nicely covered on the J22 blog called Fishers Island Sound J 22. Personally, I think it's probably a good thing to keep the Committee Boat "on its toes", as it were, with a little 'close contact'. But of course I am an avowed and proud landlubber.

Lots of photos from the Farmers Market here.

A fine band concert organized by the SVIA took place on the Square last Sunday evening, just as I, alas, had to face the traffic on I-95. Lots of people enjoying the music as I regretfully drove past.

Tracking (Not So) Still Lifes

2007-08-14T12:44:00.000-04:00

Another fine art establishment has moved into the Borough: Adelaide Fine Art, owned by one-time and now again Borough resident Ann Marenakos, has set up an elegant base for showing and selling 19th and 20th century art, mostly American but with, for instance, a few French tableaux as well. (Some pictures of Ms Marenakos and of her new gallery can be seen here)

Of course the Borough is rich with galleries showing new and old paintings etc. Among my perennial favorites are The Greenwood Gallery on Wadawanuck Square with its fine, museum-quality Connecticut Impressionist and Tonalist works on display, Roberto Freitas, 119 Water Street, who shows a lot of Early American paintings, and Devon House Antiques and Gallery, at 72 Water Street, near the Inn, where I keep seeing some particularly lovely landscapes in the window, by an artist whose name I don't know. At any rate, a nice reason to take a constitutional in the Borough on a fine summer afternoon.

Lobsters al fresco

2007-08-12T10:06:00.000-04:00

The weather Saturday was spectacular, and especially perfect for the Stonington Borough Fire Department Lobster Boil (see pictures here) held in front of the Fire House. A stout gentleman asked "How do they get the butter like this?" – to which I had no immediate clever answer (a FD person later advised that they simply melted it). Lots of politicos in evidence, including Bill Brown (First Selectman of the Town of Stonington), Don Maranell (Warden of the Borough), and Scott Bates (Burgess).

Wet & (Not So) Wild

2007-08-10T13:04:00.000-04:00

A dreary day in the Borough – harbinger, no doubt, of autumn to come, with blustery nor'easters etc.

Fun evening at the opening last night of the 51st Regional Art Show in Mystic (though the traffic was something else, and the parking lot packed!) I overheard reports that local art dealers are scouring the Velvet Mill looking for artists to exhibit. Pictures here.

Did anyone besides me notice the fireworks off Sandy Point last night? Rather pretty, if, I suspect, illegal. I tried to get photos but my camera is too slow when it's pitch black (can't figure out what to focus on.) Someone else "answered" these fireworks with fireworks of their own, shot off in the vicinity of Ash Street, it seemed to me. Collusion in crime? Maybe.

Don't forget the Lobster Dinner tomorrow night benefitting the Stonington Borough Fire Department – for $20 per person, a local lobster drenched in butter, corn, cole slaw etc – starts at 6 pm (or soon thereabouts, I think) at the Fire House.

Waiting

2007-08-08T13:31:00.001-04:00

While we didn't have, to my knowledge – I slept quite soundly last night, thunderstorms equal to the ones our friends in Manhattan experienced last night (and subway service is still screwed up, I'm told), it is hot and incredibly humid today in the Borough, as I wait for a password to upload the latest issue of The Stonington Intelligencer – these computer things so often foil my best efforts!

Anyway, two local art events of note: Sue Scala's exhibition now at Noah's Art at Noah's Restaurant in the Borough and the 51st Annual Regional Show at the Mystic Arts Center, which opens tomorrow night from 5.30 pm to 7 pm and for which 1st prize was awarded to a painting by the Borough's own Jan Mercer. Go see them both.

Westerly Band Concert, Wed. August 22 at 7 pm

2007-08-07T13:18:00.000-04:00

Everyone in Stonington has heard the Westerly Band – these fine fellows and fellowettes in their crisply smart uniforms march in every Borough parade (and were the subject of a painting by Borough artist David Black a few years ago – a painting which I think still lives in Trumbull Street in arty SoCa). Well, every summer when it sizzles, the Westerly Band plays a free concert in nearby Wilcox Park, Westerly (a spectacular city park designed by a former associate of the King of Park Design Frederick Law Olmsted — think Central Park in NYC and Mount Royal Park, Montréal).

This year's concert will be held on Wednesday, 22 August 2007, at 7 pm at the bandstand in the park and it will feature, we're told, lots of types of music: popular, show tunes, classical and marches. But, sorry, no rap or techno.

From the e-mail we got: "A highlight of this year's concert is the "Spirit of Westerly", a march composed by Par Siravo, a trumpeter with the band. A long-time member of the Westerly Band and the Columbus band, Mr. Siravo composed this march as a tribute to Westerly's musical heritage."

It's free, it's close by, and admit it, your Wednesday evening's not already booked up.