Coincidence is a funny thing and turns up completely disconnected to anything at the weirdest of moments. I was glancing thru a newspaper article that had this really lengthy and very detailed description of students in grades 2 thru 8 competing in a storytelling competition with everything from poems to parts of the Iliad. The author of the article quoted from the book The Enchanted Hour, The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction by Meghan Cox Gurdon. (Harper Collins Publishers, 2019.)
It happens that I was just talking to people in Norwich about constructing a living hut somewhere on city property. I was thinking that across from the beach area at Mohegan Park would be a great place to arrange some of the fallen branches from the area woods with a few morning glory and moon flower seeds that could grow over the frame that would be large enough for eight to ten seated children at a time that could be used for a story time. The Story Hut would be taken down in the fall and perhaps another Story Hut erected somewhere else the following year.
Assembling a story hut frame would take a bit of time and a few volunteers but because it uses fallen branches it cleans up the woods and trails of Mohegan Park. This type of hut is not suitable for camping, or campfires, as it’s not really a shelter but a plant trellis frame for lightweight plants. It would be fun to add some peas and bean seeds to the mix but people have allergies and fresh vegetables right off the vine while listening to a story such as Jack and the Bean Stalk might prove too hard to resist. The cost to taxpayers, and participants is free. Not even the Norwich Recreation Department could create a charge. It will though take some effort and participation. According to the back of the Morning Glory seed packet they should be planted in May. The Norwich Plant Swap just happens to take place on Sunday, May 3 , from 10 -2, so if you’re interested let’s talk.
Anyway, check out the book, The Enchanted Hour, The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction and lets join together as residents of Norwich, CT in creating our own, however temporary, community and activity centers.
Spring was in the air today even if the temperature was cold and snow mounted on the ground. Today, I picked up my seeds from the URI Master Gardener Program. 12 different types of herbs, 24 types of flowers and a variety of 37 vegetables all made available by RI Job Lots.
So this is my vision and I need some help from you to achieve it.
Vision 1 – Turn as many gallon milk jugs into mini-greenhouses as possible.
Needed gallon milk jugs. I am willing to collect them from you in groups of five.
Vision 1a – Get in touch with me if you would like to take responsibility for growing some of the seeds. This would be a great help so do not hesitate!
Vision 2 – Bring extra plants for adoption to the Norwich Plant Swap on May 3rd, 2020.
Vision 3 – Assemble plants of peas, beans, morning glories and moon flowers in a frame large enough for small group story telling. The seeds have been supplied but they need a place and a frame to grow on. Ideas, frame and volunteers welcome.
Vision 4 – Plant flowers and vegetables for soup kitchen and other free distribution. Direct sow seeds will be available at the Plant Swap May 3rd 11 am – 1 pm. Sorry but I am still working on the plant swap location.
Can you be responsible for only one flower or vegetable? Yes.
Can you be responsible for more than one flower or vegetable? Yes.
Can you just add these to your garden? Yes.
Can you choose for yourself from what is available? Yes.
What if they don’t live? That would be sad but that happens.
Can I make a milk jug greenhouse for myself. Absolutely. These directions are from the “web.”
How to start milk jug greenhouses step by step: Step 1: Cut your jugs in half and toss out the lids. Step 2: Moisten the soil really well. Step 3: Add seeds. Step 4: Close your container and seal all air gaps with duct tape. Step 5: Label the jug. Step 6: Set them outside in a full sun location.
So, will you join me in this project?
Sometimes I can tell the time of the year by the postings and advertisements I see. The usual and expected ones I can block out with practiced ease. It is one of the reasons I am so strongly against advertising unless you have a physical product to sell. I refuse to believe I am the only person who blocks out advertisements for things that they are not interested in.
What never fails to get my attention though are promotions of products, places and events. I think its because the promotion is usually tied into the teaching or learning of something even if I have to pay for it. I like to learn.
This time the posting was for “Forest Bathing,” in Shelburne, Vermont. The description sounds lovely. You “Experience the winter wonderland and connect to nature. Slowly walk and pause amongst the quiet dormant trees, fluttering birds and scurrying animals. Enjoy the stunning beauty on the land, the light of the sun and the crisp winter air. Give yourself this time to slow down, de-stress and follow your certified guide through a series of sensory connection invitations to practice Forest Bathing and a new level of Nature Mindfulness from 10 AM- Noon.” For only $25 and you will be served a hot locally foraged tea too.
Now the walk and the tea also come with a certified Nature & Forest Therapy guide which I imagine to be very helpful but its almost a five hour trip each way for me so I probably won’t be taking advantage of the opportunity.
But taking a slow walk through a silent forest listening to the birds and the animals scurry about does sound like a wonderful idea so I went to my nearby Mohegan Park and had a very slow stroll. Yes. Even slower than my usual snail pace along two of the five marked trails. This time I looked up every once in a while to see what birds I might spot. I checked the surrounding ground for fresh green growth due to the unseasonably warm weather we have been having and I looked for signs of the tiny waterfalls I see during the wet seasons. In my imagine besides the tiny waterfalls I also need to be on the lookout for the huts and homes of elves, gnomes and small animal homes.
And then my mind begins to wander and here are a few of the questions I began to ask and eventually I looked to the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy for answers when I got home.
What is a Forest therapy walk like? An entire walk is typically 2 to 4 hours long and covers no more than a quarter mile. In that short distance most people experience contact with nature in a much deeper way than they ever have prior to the walk. On Forest Therapy walks, people have a wide range of experiences, some of which they feel are significant, even profound. Guides are trained in the skills and perspectives needed to be supportive witnesses of these experiences.
Why is walking in the woods so good for you? “Studies have confirmed that spending time within a forest setting can reduce psychological stress, depressive symptoms, and hostility, while at the same time improving sleep and increasing both vigor and a feeling of liveliness,” reports Mother Earth News.
What are the real benefits of Forest Bathing? It is proven to reduce stress hormone production, improve feelings of happiness and free up creativity, as well as lower heart rate and blood pressure, boost the immune system and accelerate recovery from illness.
How many trees are in a forest? he answer is that the world is home to over three trillion trees—with almost half of them living in tropical or subtropical forests. There are roughly 400 trees for every human. 12,000 years ago, before the advent of agriculture, Earth had twice as many trees as it does now.
What is a small forest called?’ Forests’ are bigger than ‘woods’. But a small collection of trees is not necessarily ‘the woods’. Something smaller (without specifying actual size) would be called ‘a stand of trees’. (i.e. if you can go into the collection and not see the end of the tree s, then you’re not in a stand of trees).
Mohegan Park is definitely a forest and we had some incredibly forward thinking people in Norwich at one time. I wonder what they would think of the City now?
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is not until February 14 through February 17, 2020 next month but I have been checking out some new and different places around Norwich, CT. Of course, if we finally have some winter weather I might just look out my kitchen window while I sip my ever present cup of tea.
To count the bird has gotten even easier than it has been in the past.
Count the birds you see in any fifteen minute period.
Just keep track of the kinds of birds you see, (For example: 5 cardinals, 3 crows if its a big flock enter your best guess.
and how long you watched. (15 minutes or more)
Enter your information on line at www.BirdCount.org.
Look for the “Submit Observations
You can enter your observations from anywhere in the world through March 1 but the counts should be from just these four days.
So where are the places I am checking out? Fast food parking lots. Spaulding Pond. Lower Pond. The Little League field. Indian Leap. School playgrounds. Yantic field. The Rose Garden. 8th Street Bridge, Brown Park, Laurel Hill Park, My back yard.
Which birds did I look up pictures of? Crows, hawks, sparrows, ducks, swans, geese, doves, pigeons, cardinals, woodpeckers, wrens and more Here is the list for the New London County as generated eBird.org I have never even heard of some of them.
Date:
Start Time:
Duration:
Distance:
Party Size:
Notes:( Location )
This checklist is generated with data from eBird (ebird.org), a global database of bird sightings from birders like you. If you enjoy this checklist, please consider contributing your sightings to eBird. It is 100% free to take part, and your observations will help support birders, researchers, and conservationists worldwide. Go to ebird.org to learn more!
Waterfowl
Pink-footed Goose
Brant
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Widgeon
Mallard
Mallard (Domestic type)
American Black Duck
Mallard x American Black Duck (hybrid)
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Greater/Lesser Scaup
King Eider
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Grouse, Quail, and Allies
Ring-necked Pheasant
Wild Turkey
Grebes
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Pigeons and Doves
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Rails, Gallinules, and Allies
Virginia Rail
Shorebirds
Purple Sandpiper
American Woodcock
Wilson’s Snipe
shorebird
Alcids
Razorbill
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus
Gull
Loons
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Cormorants and Anhingas
Great Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Herons, Ibis, and Allies
Great Blue Heron
Vultures, Hawks, and Allies
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Accipiter
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Owls
Eastern Screech-Owl
Great Horned Owl
Barred Owl
Long-eared Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Kingfishers
Belted Kingfisher
Woodpeckers
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Woodpecker
Falcons and Caracaras
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Tyrant Flycatchers: Pewees, Kingbirds, and Allies
Eastern Phoebe
Jays, Magpies, Crows, and Ravens
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Crow
Common Raven
Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Larks
Horned Lark
Kinglets
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Nuthatches
White-breasted Nuthatch
Treecreepers
Brown Creeper
Wrens
House Wren
Winter Wren
Marsh Wren
Carolina Wren
Starlings and Mynas
European Starling
Catbirds, Mockingbirds, and Thrashers
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Thrushes
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Waxwings
Cedar Waxwing
Old World Sparrows
House Sparrow
Wagtails and Pipits
American Pipit
Finches, Euphonias, and Allies
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Longspurs and Snow Buntings
Snow Bunting
New World Sparrows
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Sparrow
Yellow-breasted Chat
Yellow-breasted Chat
Blackbirds
Eastern Meadowlark
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Blackbird
Wood-Warblers
Orange-crowned Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Cardinals, Grosbeaks, and Allies
Northern Cardinal
Norwich residents have been talking about the need for a Community Center. A place for:
Classes
Meetings
Dances
Fundraising events
Gatherings of all kinds
Recreational activities
By common definition – A community center should provide a safe place for young people to hang out, make new friends, and stay out of trouble. With a focus on sports and fitness. Community centers can also reduce childhood obesity and promote health and wellness. This entire definition works well for old people, veterans, single parents and families by providing easy access to events, programs, courses, and general information about the community.
Taking part in a community center brings a sense of accomplishment and joy, and that’s important because family time brings a stronger sense of connection within the family.
Taxpayers and residents I take this opportunity to give you Dodd Stadium. That’s right our very own, not always convenient minor league baseball stadium. It has indoor and outdoor spaces, facilities, playground, meeting rooms, exercise rooms, food facilities, and more that are not fully utilized. Its a baseball stadium with potential in addition to on-site convenient parking.
Community Centers fall into two categories: those with pools and those without, and come in three basic sizes: small (under 15,000 sq. ft.), medium (from 15,000 sq. ft. to 32,000 sq. ft.) and large (over 32,000 sq. ft.). The largest is over 60,000 sq. ft. and the smallest is about 3,000 sq. ft.
It needs to have convenient parking, public restrooms, cooking facilities, and capacity for multiple groups.
Taxpayers and residents I take this opportunity to give you Dodd Stadium. That’s right our very own, not always convenient minor league baseball stadium. It has indoor and outdoor spaces, facilities, playground, meeting rooms, exercise rooms, food facilities, corporate meeting spaces and more that are not fully utilized.
The facility has a seating capacity of 6,270 and features areas that are ideal for hosting events of all types including a multi-tiered BBQ pavilion, indoor batting/pitching facility, climate controlled luxury suites, and its own restaurant and bar.
PAST EVENTS INCLUDE:
High School & College Baseball
High School Soccer
Concerts
Wedding Ceremonies
Banquets/Awards Dinners
Corporate Events/Conferences
Business Meetings
Fantasy Sports Drafts
Holiday Parties
Charity Fundraisers
Barbecues and Picnics
Team Building Events
I will grant you it is not the most perfect solution to even our cities most current needs but it is a facility we are not taking full advantage of while it is in good shape. It even has night time lighting.
During the Unicorns season I am certain we can arrange other accommodations. In kindergarten most of us learned the importance of sharing so as adults I am certain we can review the concept and put it into practice.
It is not on a current public transportation schedule but with a little prodding and assistance and time that could be changed.
A brand new, state of the art facility with all the bells and whistles and pools would be wonderful but why don’t we use what we have now to its fullest potential before we burden the taxpayers with more.
That is correct, I used the word burden. Taxes in Norwich, CT are a burden and one that will continue to grow as unfunded educational demands will continue to be placed on cities and towns, our infrastructure continues to age and fail, our population ages and our large industry leaves our state in droves. Electric Boat cannot save us all.
How much longer do we need to wait? Why do we have to wait? In the last election, promises were made, why should we be made to feel guilty for expecting them to be kept, or at least an attempt made to keep the promises. To at least follow-up on the suggestions. What our leadership refuses to do, we, the taxpayers and residents must do for ourselves.
Did you know there is a designated color of the year? Every year a color is chosen by the High Court of color. I never even knew there was a high court of color. But apparently it is Pantone, and the color for 2020 is classic blue. At least according to Vogue and the New York Times articles. Multiple articles. So who am I to argue. So now is the time to spruce up your wardrobe with blue as you are going to be wearing a lot of it.
Almost every month has at least one but usually more designated wear this color or that color to support or protest something. So mark these on your calendar to wear blue –
January 2020 – January 11th, 2018 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the United States and the Blue Campaign, a project of the Department of Homeland Security, wants you to wear blue on the 11th to pledge solidarity with trafficking victims and help end slavery now.
February 28, 2020 Rare Disease Day
March 1st – National Dress in Blue Day is celebrated each year on the first Friday of March.
April 5th, 2020 – Rock & Roll Day
May 5th, 2020 – National Teachers Day
June 19, 2020 The Men’s Health Network founded the Wear BLUE Day campaign to raise awareness about men’s health.
October 5th 2020. The first Monday of every October is World Day of Bullying Prevention™!
November 14, 2020 World Diabetes Day
and don’t forget every Friday for a $5 United Way donation is wear your blue jeans to work day.
So get ready ladies and gentlemen for a celebration of the blue haired ladies, fresh looking blue jeans, blueberry everything from burgers, potatoes, drinks and delicious healthy desserts, teenagers not blasting the blues and visits to fresh and salt waters guaranteed to chase the blues away!
Sometimes the stuff I get in my e-mail account is just too amazing to be altered. This time it is an e-mail from the Quartz Obsession <hi@qz.com> written by Natasha Frost, edited by Whet Moser, and produced by Tori Smith.
They are a curious bunch of writing characters who ask some of the most delicious questions. Today’s article was all about Hot Cocoa! The writers were obviously not aware of the great importance of cocoa to Norwich CT but I will repair that oversight as soon as I finish this cup of cocoa from Craftsman Cliff Roasters of 34 Broadway, Norwich, CT https://craftsmancliffroasters.com. Allow me to recommend a very, very, dirty hot cocoa that is indeed even better than being wrapped in a cozy, warm blanket in front of a cheery fireplace on a freezing cold evening.
Their article brings to light all sorts of commentary I will admit I have never, ever heard told before.
For example: The “hot chocolate effect” is the name given to the rise in pitch heard when repeatedly tapping a cup of hot liquid once a soluble powder like hot chocolate, instant coffee, or salt has been added, as you might while stirring it with a teaspoon. It is also known as the allassonic effect.
Did you ever watch the 1934 Disney Hollywood Party, where a brave battalion of hot chocolate soldiers must venture forth and draw (candy) swords against warring gingerbread men, perched atop a cookie castle? Wouldn’t it be fun to watch a movie and this short Disney classic while drinking a cup of cocoa?
In 1636, the Spanish historian and travel writer Antonio de Léon Pinelo pondered a difficult question: Did drinking hot chocolate break ecclesiastical fasts? At the time, monks and other members of the Catholic church spent a significant portion of the year fasting, including abstaining from meat, eggs, and other tasty foodstuffs. Hot chocolate didn’t obviously break any God-given rules, but it seemed deeply suspect.
This 17th-century book, written entirely in Spanish, explores the various views of theologians and other thinkers on this hot topic. Despite the pope giving the drink his blessing, the anti-chocolate brigade did score some wins—the drink was banned by some orders, like the Carmelites. Mind you, you can hardly blame them, writes Mexican historian M. Mercè Gras Casanova: “The drink’s extraordinary quality and delicacy led some to conjecture that such a delicacy must necessarily be a sin.” And I confess to even enjoying this sin, perhaps a tad too much.
Coffee brings you up, tea cools you down. Hot apple cider pairs with a cold morning at the farmer’s market; consommé is for the ailing; butter tea is largely the province of yak farmers on the great Tibetan plane, or, in its coffee form, of biohackers in Silicon Valley.
Hot chocolate is like none of these. It is a treat, but not so holiday-bound as eggnog or mulled wine; it gives you a lift, but you can still have it just before bedtime. It befits the young and the old, the sick and the well, urbanites and country-dwellers. Most of all, it is a drink that says, “I love you.” (You can use it to remind yourself of that, too, if you need to.)
Wherever you go (almost), you will find a version of it. Colombians add cheese. Filipinos may include peanut butter. The Viennese top it with a thick slug of whipped cream. In Mexico, where it originated, it is minimally grainy and maximally invigorating. But where did it come from, and how did we all fall in love with it?
550: Calories in a large Starbucks hot chocolate—the same as a Big Mac
$13.95: Cost of a razzle-dazzling Frozen Hot Chocolate at the deeply kitschy Manhattan restaurant Serendipity 3
2,000: Cups of Chocolati poured and consumed every day in the court of Montezuma, the 16th-century Aztec leader
1,291: Instagram hits for the hashtag #blossominghotchocolate, Dominique Ansel’s telegenic chocolate-marshmallow concoction
7:3: Ratio of dark to milk chocolate in British food writer Felicity Cloake’s “perfect” hot chocolate
24 g (8 oz): Daily ration of chocolate provided to polar explorer Robert Scott’s men on their 1911 trek to the South Pole
35%: Growth of Mexican hot chocolate on US menus since 2015
People have been turning the seeds of the cacao plant into drinks for thousands of years—in Mexico, cacao-based beverages have been a staple since at least 1,900 BC. Later, cacao was a popular drink among the Maya, who took it warm, and the Aztecs, who preferred it cold and seasoned with spices like chile and vanilla. (It was said to have been brought to humans by the god Quetzalcoatl, who was cast out by his divine peers for sharing it.)
Early Spanish colonists weren’t so sold, however: Christopher Columbus in particular had little time for it. But gradually, the drink made its way into Spanish life, first among monks and friars and then as a luxury good, popular in the Spanish court. By the end of the 18th century, it had conquered Europe—but wrought misery in the process. Hot chocolate was so popular that it created a thriving market for slave labor in the New World, with cacao plantations variously owned by the English, Dutch, and French.
Though today we think of bar chocolate as the original, most essential form of the treat, the first chocolate bar wasn’t sold until 1847, when a UK-based manufacturer, Joseph Fry, figured out the right proportions of cocoa powder, cocoa butter, and sugar to make a solid bar.
Although some people say “cocoa” to mean hot chocolate, cocoa powder and solid chocolate are two different products made from the cacao bean. Either can be used to make hot chocolate—cocoa dissolved into warm milk with some sugar makes a thinner concoction than the thick Spanish style made from melted chocolate and milk, and used for dipping churros.
Making chocolate is itself a long process. It begins with seeds from the cacao tree, which is native to Mexico. They have a very bitter taste and to improve the flavor, they are piled in vats to ferment for up to a week. After that, they’re put in the sun to dry for another week or two, before being cleaned and roasted.
This gives us cacao nibs, which are then ground into a powder called cocoa mass—chocolate, in its simplest form. But there’s still a ways to go. First, that mixture is heated until it melts into a liquid called chocolate liquor. Next, it is separated into its two parts—dry, crumbly cocoa solids and the fatty pale yellow cocoa butter that gives chocolate its creamy texture. To make chocolate, they’ll be put back together with sugar and sometimes milk.
Cocoa is produced when the cocoa solids are processed into a fine powder. It is intensely flavored, but not sweet at all. It is generally used in baked goods—and hot chocolate, or hot cocoa, of course.
1502: Christopher Columbus encounters cocoa beans for the first time—but is much more interested in gold and silver.
1657: London’s first “Chocolate House” is opened by a Frenchman, who promises the drink at “reasonable rates.”
1828: A Dutch chemist adds alkaline salts to chocolate liquor, creating Dutch process cocoa powder.
1961: Swiss Miss becomes the first instant cocoa brand to hit US shelves.
1975: British soul band Hot Chocolate releases their chart-topping single “You Sexy Thing.”
2009: Emmy-winning choreographer Debbie Allen stages the first performance of the Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, updating the festive Tchaikovsky original.
2019: New York’s City Bakery, home of “America’s most iconic hot chocolate,” closes its doors.
America’s Test Kitchen and Alton Brown have similar, simple recipes for creating your own. Both recommend Dutch-process cocoa powder; as the cooks at America’s Test Kitchen point out, the alkaline salts raise the pH level, giving it “fuller flavor and deeper color.” ATK recommends white chocolate chips; Brown suggests adding a pinch of cayenne pepper like the Aztecs, which he says “ups the flavor ante quite a bit, and as called for here certainly won’t be sensed as ‘heat.’” He also adds cornstarch as a thickener, as is done in Spain and South America. (You can also thicken it Viennese style, with an egg yolk.)
Cayenne or chilies are common ingredients in Mexican hot chocolate, as in this Bon Appétit recipe, which also calls for cinnamon and almond extract. The Latin Kitchen has an even more elaborate version, which includes anise, nutmeg, pink peppercorn, and cardamom.
Not addressed in this lengthy article is whether an individual can overdose on hot chocolate? Or even be addicted. It may be an addiction I can live with.
Three minutes may seem like the blink of an eye or an eternity when it is your turn to speak before the Norwich City Council.
Usually when addressing the Norwich City Council I am reading a list of dates, times, places and events I would like them to attend so I don’t use a presentation system; but when I am speaking with a request or just giving my opinion I use “the 27-9-3 system.”
“The 27-9-3” system or “elevator pitch” was developed for the Vermont Legislature years ago. The average length of a sound bite to make a persuasive point is 27 words. A sound bite in broadcast media averages nine seconds and the average number of messages or points in both print and broadcast media is three.
Keeping in mind, “Who is the audience?” What appeals to their self-interest? What do you want them to think, understand or do? How do you want them to feel? What message do you want to get across? Here are a few suggestions to help you clearly state the problem, the vision and the goal.
Limit the number of key messages to a maximum of 3 – 5 points using as few words as possible.
Keep the language simple.
Important messages are mentioned first and last in a list.
Cite sources that are credible by the audience.
Introduce subjects with genuine empathy, listening, caring and compassion to establish trust in high-concern and stress situations.
Graphics, visual aids, analogies and narratives help people remember your points.
Use constructive, solution-oriented key messages with three or more positive points rather than negative, non-productive absolutes and indefensible phrases or absolutes.
Tell the information in summary form. Tell the high-lights of supporting information. Repeat the information in summary form.
Have you gone into the grocery store produce section and found yourself staring at an unfamiliar fruit or vegetable and wondered what it was? How to cook it? Serve it? Wondered what it tasted like? Well, don’t feel too lonely. You are not the first, nor the last.
Here is a little story from the Norwich Courier, January 27, 1890, titled, A New Banana Hater.
Finds a bone in his first banana and calls his second a sweet potato.
At a recent Norwich spread where fruit was liberally served, there was a man who had never eaten a banana, and did not know the name of the fruit. When he saw the fruit upon the table he determined to try it. He did not know what to call the fruit, so he said to the friend beside him.
“I would like to try one of those, “pointing to the bananas, “but I don’t know how to go to work to eat one!”
“You shall have one,” replied his friend and I will prepare it for you!”
The friend took the banana, cut off the end, and pushed into it a small china doll he had in his pocket. He then partly removed the skin and handed it to his neighbor, who made a straight bite at it; and feeling the doll in his mouth he nudged his friend and said,
“Look out when you eat them, for there is a small bone in this one!”
When he removed the doll from his mouth he became aware that he had been the victim of a joke, and throwing down the first banana he looked languishly toward the fruit dish, and in a tone marked with disgust he said so he could be heard the length of the table.
“Will some gentleman be kind enough to pass me another sweet potato!”
The laughter which followed his request nearly paralyzed the young man. In future he will know a banana when he sees it.
Don’t be too quick to laugh or judge. Have you ever purchased a bunch of plantains in place of a bunch of bananas. Both are long and yellow but bananas can be enjoyed raw or cooked but plantains are best cooked. Peel and slice diagonally in half inch pieces. Heat a frying pan with enough oil to create a sizzle. Then carefully lay in the plantain pieces and mash each a bit with a fork as they soften. Turn over only once and drain on a paper towel before sprinkling with salt or spices or cinnamon and sugar and serving.
So I was reading the August 8, 1827 Norwich Courier and completely missed that the steam mill was in Providence and not Norwich until after I had a fundraising thought whirling through my head. What if one or more of the historical churches, committees, groups, or organizations had such a treat as a fundraiser or sold such historic tastes in cupcake foils.
This is the article that spurred my thoughts, “The proprietors of a Steam Mill, lately erected in Providence, last week gave a public supper of Hasty Pudding and Milk, of which about 150 of the inhabitants, including doctors, professors, students, manufacturers, mechanics, editors and printers, partook to their hearts content. The knights of the quill give a very amusing account of the performances at table, & of the quantity devoured, and appear to be in much better writing order for being full fed on wholesome food. One of them remarks that, agreeable to the prevalent fashion of the town, no ardent spirits were introduced-no china nor fingers were burnt-no milk nor molasses spilt, and no one was seen either on or under the table from the commencement to the close of the festival. “
So what exactly is Hasty-Pudding? The description reminded me an awful lot of a fancy pancake breakfast. Recipe books and the internet gave me a variety from raisins to other dried fruit, cranberries, blueberries, candied fruit, candied ginger, diced peppers, maple syrup, caramel, molasses, dustings of cocoa, fruit powders and powdered sugar. But, with tremendous gratitude I found the following from Preservation Maryland 10/09/2016 with only the suggestion you adjust the recipe to suit your own and your family tastes. I am a bit heavier handed with the spices and added a little chili powder to the mix of one batch and 5 spice powder for a different punch on a third. My favorite was the five spice with maple syrup and butter but it did go well with lemon marmalade too.
Hasty Pudding was first described in England around 1599, and appeared in numerous recipes from the American colonies throughout the 18th century. When Hasty Pudding came to America, the recipe changed to incorporate cornmeal, then also known as Indian meal, which was cheaper and more abundant than the English flour that the original recipe called for. Because of this substitution as well as the similarity between a native dish, Hasty Pudding became alternately known as Indian Pudding. The recipe was anything but hasty, since the pudding could take up to a few hours for colonists to cook!
In 1796, Amelia Simmons of Hartford, CT wrote a recipe for “Hasty Pudding” in the first American recipe book, American Cookery, with the instructions:
“3 pints scalded milk, 7 spoons of fine Indian meal, stir together while hot, let stand till cooled; add 7 eggs, half pound of raisins, 4 ounces butter, spice and sugar; bake one and a half hour.”
Here, is a modernized version of a Hasty Pudding in the spirit of Amelia Simmons, as it captures what was popular among colonists and captures the adaptation that sometimes must take place in a new environment.
Ingredients
2-3 pints Milk (or cream, depending on desired thickness)
1 ½ cups Cornmeal
1 ½ cups Melted Butter
1 cup Sugar
2-3 Eggs
¼ tsp Cinnamon
¼ tsp Nutmeg
¼ tsp Ginger
¼ tsp Cloves
¼ tsp Pumpkin Pie Seasoning (optional, good for flavor!)
¾ cup Raisins (optional)
Directions
Scald the milk in a pan, and stir in cornmeal while still hot. Continue stirring on the heat until the mixture thickens.
Remove from heat and let cool.
Stir together melted butter, sugar, and eggs in a separate bowl, and mix it in.
Add in spices and raisins as needed according to the taste.
Pour into cupcake tins or a pie tin and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Enjoy!
The above modernized method of cooking yielded a light, cinnamon-flavored bread, which was delicious with a pat of butter and a bit of jam.
The Maryland Preservation posts were prepared and written by Miranda Villesvik, one of Preservation Maryland’s Waxter Interns.
Connecticut resources were not so generous to include old or updated recipes while listing the Connecticut connections such as the following from Amy Nawrocki and Eric D. Lehman who teach creative writing and literature at the University of Bridgeport.
The first Connecticut colonists found corn-based dishes practically inedible. The niece of Governor John Winthrop wrote to him from Stamford in 1649, happily declaring that her generous husband ate corn, so that she could eat wheat. Not only did their European stomachs find the gritty grain hard to digest, their initial prejudices singled out corn as a Native American food, which they considered sinful and “tainted with savagery.” However, since wheat grew poorly in our rocky soil, they had few other choices, so they learned how to plant and cook this “turkey wheat.”
Corn in colonial New England was tough to chew, so Native Americans combined it with beans and squash or ground it into cornmeal, soaked it in water, and fried it. The colonists adapted their methods, using animals’ intestines or cloth bags to slowly simmer the cornmeal into what they called a “pudding.” This “hasty” or “Indian” pudding became a staple of early Connecticut diets, but even mixed with other foods like fruit, meat, or nuts, it was a decidedly unpopular dish, receiving little but scorn for the next 100 years.
However, as European stomachs adjusted, hasty pudding became a healthy and tasty part of the meal and was often served as a side dish, like a traditional English pudding, or fried for breakfast. There were three versions alone in our country’s first cookbook, American Cookery by Amelia Simmons, published in Hartford in 1796. Simmons and others suggested scalded milk instead of water, eggs, molasses, and spice. All agreed that “the preparation of this pudding cannot be hurried.” The cornmeal needs to absorb liquid and thicken slowly, or it “will be spoiled.”
By the 1800s, the people of Connecticut felt a keen nostalgia for this meal. While touring Europe, author and diplomat Joel Barlow wrote the famous, mock-heroic poem, The Hasty-Pudding, after a meal of the Italian variation of this dish, polenta.
I sing the sweets I know, the charms I feel,
My morning incense, and my evening meal,
The sweets of Hasty Pudding. Come, dear bowl,
Glide o’er my palate, and inspire my soul.
A half century later, Harriet Beecher Stowe spoke of the Indian puddings of her youth with the same longing. But by then, the dish was already shifting from a breakfast food to a dessert. This was due to the growing availability of wheat from huge Midwestern farms and sugar cane from the Caribbean. As American taste buds became accustomed to sweeter dishes, more sugary recipes were created. A recipe from Torrington in 1904 even suggested putting layers of “boiled frosting” between tiers of Indian pudding to make a “layer cake.”
Into the 20th century, Indian pudding remained a common dish, featured in such places as Connecticut Magazine. As corn itself became sweeter, though, cooks turned to fritters, chowder, flap jacks, and roasted ears as the best ways to prepare this vegetable. As cornmeal faded from the northeast in the mid-20th century, Indian pudding, unfortunately, disappeared from restaurant menus, remaining primarily in inns and taverns as a nostalgic throwback.
All I have been experimenting in the kitchen with is soup lately and the truth is, none of the soups were worth mentioning. BUT, I was perusing the August 1, 1827 Norwich Courier and happened upon this recipe by The Farmer for Pickling Cucumbers. Now I just have to keep track of it until next August. Anyway, “A correspondent of the American Farmer gives the following as a new process for pickling cucumbers, by substituting whiskey when vinegar is scarce.
I gathered the cucumbers from the vines, and without any other preparation then washing them clean, dropped them into a stand containing a mixture of whiskey and water, one part of the former to three parts of the latter. I secured them against gnats, flies and eternal air, by tying a flannel close over the top, and laying over this a board or stone, and neither moved or examined them until Christmas, when I found them not merely equal, but decidedly superior to any pickles I have ever tasted. They were hard and of a very fine flavor, and what has been particularly admired in them, they retained the original color of the cucumber, not exhibiting the green, poisonous appearance of pickles that had been salted and scalded in copper. My whiskey and water (no salt having been used or heat employed) is now an excellent vinegar for the table.”
Now I just have to stop thinking about a whiskey dressing on my salad.
Today was the first day of the Great Backyard Bird Count 2020. I have had a strange relationship with the birds this year. Usually by now I have been filling my birdfeeders on a daily basis due to a covering of ice and snow on the grass, trees and bushes. This year however, all the growth is exposed and truth be told I am staring at my lawn thinking I will be mowing it in March.
What all that means is that I have not been feeding my birds seed, millet and corn. I did put out a few cakes of suet when we had a chilly spell but my ground has not been frozen for long and so the birds have had plenty of food to forage.
So what will all this mean to which birds I see and hear. I don’t know. The hawks are still circling. The doves are still sitting on the phone wires. The sparrows are hiding in the green bushes. The cardinal couples are still pecking at the ground below where the feeders hung. The robins are a sprightly bunch that are pecking at something in my lawn.
To be a citizen scientist just takes 15 minutes of your time counting the birds and reporting the numbers you count at www.birdcount.org No one will ask for dues, membership, donations. There are no age limits. It does matter not just where the birds are, but where the birds are not.
But of course I have to add a bit of history from the January 2, 1890 Norwich Bulletin article titled, “Summer In Winter.”
Anyone who has kept a list of the appearances of birds, flowers, etc., this winter which have been noted by the newspapers, must have by this time a collection which will be well worth showing to his grandchildren, – if he ever lives to have any, which seems to depend in large measure upon the changing of our climate back to its old style.
Butterflies and even common flies have been caught during the entire month of December. South Griswald has reported black snakes out in force from the 13th to the 25th of the same month. North Stonington has reported garden and field flowers in bloom. Almost every town in the county has reported blue-birds visible on Christmas day, and dandelions in full flower have been picked since that date in the open air.
Over in Meriden two young men taking a walk up Wintergreen hill on December 31st found upon a southerly slope such quantities of trailing arbutus that they returned with a hatful of the fragrant pink and white flowers, all in full blossom.
If Pilgrim Fathers had landed on the “stern and rock-bound coast” any such winter as this, they wouldn’t have been troubled by the severity of the winter. They might have brought their hammocks ashore, slung them between two trees after the fashion of those White Rock adventurers spoken of yesterday morning who disported themselves on Christmas day, and gone to sleep with nothing more to trouble them than the fear that they had missed their reckoning by a couple of thousand miles and landed somewhere in the tropics.
This coming weekend is by far and away my most favorite weekend of the year. It is President’s Day Weekend February 14 – 17, 2020. No it’s not my birthday or anniversary, although it is a Friday Valentine’s Day, it’s the start of the Great Backyard Bird Count. I get to sit with a cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa and depending on the weather sometimes inside and sometimes outside and some times in my car. (I am not certain where the car fits as its outside but I am inside a car and sitting down.)
For 15 minutes at a time. Sometimes longer. I just sit and watch nature and count birds and write down where I was, the time, the date, and how many of what I saw. Then usually after dark, instead of my usual boring computer routine I go to the website and fill in my numbers. Then I check to see I anyone else filled in their numbers of what they saw in my area. Sometimes I check to see what is going on in my friend’s area in another part of the country and sometimes in another country. What was once a count just in North America is now a global event.
A dear, dear friend and I who live in separate countries used to arrange to bird watch at the same time wherever we were as a way to do something together even though we were miles, and on occasion a continent apart.
There are no age limits. You can do it with small children, students, adults, senior citizens, a special someone, or alone. Many of us do it with realizing it. “Look there are three cardinals in the yard!” No one will follow up asking for donations or asking you to join something. At work, you are not on a break but are doing your part as a citizen scientist. Honest. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!
1. Create a free GBBC account if you have never participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count or any other Cornell Lab citizen-science project, or have not participated in the GBBC since 2013. If you already created an account for the GBBC in the past, or if you’re already registered with eBird or another Cornell Lab citizen-science project, you can use your existing user name and password.
2. Count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the GBBC. You can count for longer than that if you wish! Count birds in as many places and on as many days as you like — one day, two days, or all four days. Submit a separate checklist for each new day, for each new location, or for the same location if you counted at a different time of day. Estimate the number of individuals of each species you saw during your count period.
Enter your results on the GBBC website by clicking the “Submit Observations” tab on the home page. You may also download the free eBird Mobile app to enter data on a mobile device. If you already participate in the eBird citizen-science project, please use eBird to submit your sightings during the GBBC. Your checklists will count toward the GBBC.
Norwich was twice the most reported city in Connecticut and by your participating in the count can be again this year. YOU can even watch the counts grow on line! Without ever having to attend a boring and meaningless meeting, or make a donation, YOU can be a community activist.
GBBC.org will take you where you need to begin.
I hate reading things on Facebook because I never write down the interesting things that have caught my attention and then can never find it again.
What caught my attention this time was an article about a new fairy trail opening somewhere out west. I tried looking it up with Google but all I found were articles about Fairystone Park in Patrick County, Virginia.
Fairystone Park is a great park with all sorts of physical things to do like hike trails, horseback riding, and searching for a particular type of stone they have built a story about.
Then there is the Fairy Forest near Heber City, Utah. They took a one mile heavily trafficked trail and invited the public to paint large rocks and build and hang wind-chimes, fairy houses and troll homes , for the toddlers to find.
The Breckenridge, Colorado Forest is very large and there are trails for burros, and horses, Alpine Lakes and installations such as a sawmill but areas have been reserved for trolls, fairies and elves. Nothing elaborate but very simple, charming, natural and amusing.
Perthshire in Scotland goes all out! You take a train from either Edinburgh or Glasgow to a special bus being certain to bring warm coats, mittens, scarves and boots or you can stay in nearby Fonab Castle. It is only during the month of October and it is entirely outside. Every day is a different magical experience with sounds, light shows, fire shows, storytelling yurts, wandering characters and different themes. Scottish foods and drinks are available on site and special menus are available at participating locations throughout the town and area. This is a celebration for all ages not just the toddlers. You choose the events and the stories to be heard as they have a selection to tell that entertain from toddler, to tweens, to teens, adults and seniors.
So why am I going on about all these places? Because I would like there to be a one half mile toddler trail in Mohegan Park. A simple, relatively smooth path wide enough for two strollers lined with large brightly colored stones, maybe some tiny Flintstone-esque fairy houses for toddlers to find, ideally, (when something is a concept you should always shoot for the moon.) interchangeable storybook kiosks that the child or adult can read as they go along the trail. That is my dream anyway.
As residents of Norwich, CT we cannot depend on the City leadership to take action. We must take the actions upon ourselves to create the city that we want to see. That we want to live in and raise our families.
Later this spring I will be looking for help to build a Storytelling Trellis for Morning Glories to grow on so that children can sit beneath the trellis and hear stories of the past of Norwich as documented by the Norwich Bulletin. Watch this blog for details!
I like to look forward to what is going to be happening next. In two weeks is the Great Back Yard Bird Count. It can be outside or inside, alone or with a group, with coffee or without. Sorry. Got a little lost in thought for a moment. So what comes after that? What can we, in Norwich, CT, be looking forward to in March? March winds?
In 1984 I was pushing the idea of a Wind Festival in Norwich. Outdoor events such as flying kites and discs. I thought it would be fun to have amateurs and experts and demonstrations on how to fly as well as how to make them.
Does anyone besides me recall the hot air balloons that would float across the Norwich skies on Saturday and Sunday mornings? How about a tethered ride in a balloon? Just up and down would be a treat for many and what a spectacular and new view of the city could be seen.
Lower Pond is a contained area for small sized water activities. Spaulding Pond Swim area could be used for the raft race to the other side.
Then there are all the vendors who could sell wind products. The things that we think of easily and the ones that require more thought. Glass blowers, wind chimes, whistles, flute and other instrument makers, wind socks, kites, weather vanes and whirling birds and pin wheels.
What about a movie or two about wind and breezes – Gone with the wind, Inherit the Wind, or Wind in the willows and I bet there are a whole host I can’t list. The book clubs could even participate.
Maybe there could even be a display of March-ing bands? I never claimed I would tell good jokes or that I was not full of hot air!
Cost plays a huge part in everything in the City of Norwich, CT, well we have plenty of fields in Mohegan Park. Certainly a group could sign up to use one of them. Another group could sign up for another and so on. I am not certain if vendors with and without food are treated the same and require permits. We have a Department of Recreation that should be able to help with the coordination.
Maybe the City Council could agree to waive the permit fees for the day? Just once, as an experiment for the vendors to test their wares in the waters of Norwich and whether it would be financially worth it to them to pay to be a vendor at Norwich events.
Remember blowing bubbles and how they floated away on a breeze? Did you ever make a giant bubble the size of one you could step in? Have you watched a feather float on the wind? Wouldn’t it be fun to sponsor a bubble or a feather blow for little kids?
Do they still have the balsa wood plane kits? How far and how fast can you fly yours?
There could be races on land and water for wind powered rafts.
With the new found emphasis in Norwich on mental and physical health perhaps a few of the organizations could meet on common ground and sponsor a citywide event, on one day, in fields all over the city, including the dog park dedicated to wind. That’s right. An outdoor event without alcohol. The adults could demonstrate to their children that fun can be had without alcohol. That would be very different for Norwich but it can be done.
No expensive bouncy houses but lots of walking, running, leaping, laughing and playing in fresh air and sunshine.
In the mean time March 29th is Good Deeds Day in Mohegan Park. Come and help with a clean-up, Take a hike on a Mohegan Park Trail on Earth Day April 22 or 26th. May 3rd is a Plant Swap. June 13 is National Garden Exercise Day in the Rose Garden and National Trails Day. June 28th will be CT Historic Gardens Day in the Rose Garden. September 26th is National Public Lands Day in Mohegan Park.
Many of us are home, without an income and taking a harder look at what is in our cabinets and what we are purchasing. No worries! The same thing was done back in the day and a cookbook was assembled by the Norwich Bulletin Social Corner. There is no date in the edition I am looking at so I am guessing the 1950’s or possibly earlier.
I am going to share some of the recipes just as they are given. Some because they sound tasty, some because they made me smile and some because they me laugh. Some I recognize under a different name today. Ladies and gentlemen while everything and more is available on-line, go old school and see what’s in the cookbooks in your kitchen.
Gravy for Two – ½ lb cubes stew beef, 2 tablespoons fat, 1 large onion. Cut up onions and fry them in the fat until light brown and then add the beef cubes add 1 or 2 green peppers, salt to taste, ¼ tsp sage, ¼ tsp cloves, ¼ tsp cinnamon; add pepper to taste, 1 can tomato soup and a cup of water. Put on the back of the stove and simmer for 3 hours or until meat is cooked. It is good on potatoes or Johnny cakes. Celery may be added. – Orchide
English Dish – 1 lb hamburg, 1 or more fried onion, 1 can creamed corn, mashed potatoes.
Fry onions a little, add hamburg, salt and pepper to taste, cook but not brown. Butter a casserole dish, place hamburg and onion mix on bottom to layer, put mashed potatoes over it. Add the corn and dot with butter, place in oven until corn on top browns. Serve with ketchup. – Green Hollow [No baking temp listed so probably 350]
Mock Meat Loaf – 1 ½ cups ground bread crumbs, 1 ½ cups coarse chopped English Walnuts, 2 stalks finely chopped celery, 1 hard boiled egg, 1 onion, 3 cooked potatoes mashed, some pimentos cut up.
Add above ingredients all together. Then add one raw egg beaten. Salt & pepper to taste. 1 cup hot water. A little poultry seasoning. Dot with butter. Bake ½ hour in moderate oven [No baking temp listed so probably 350] – Lilo
South American Chop Suey – 1 lb hamburg, 1 onion, 1 green pepper, 1 cup cooked rice, 1 can tomato soup, salt & pepper to taste. Chop onion and pepper. Fry in a small amount of fat until done. Add hamburg and let fry then pour off excess fat. Add tomato soup and cooked rice and simmer a few minutes to blend flavors. – Grace
Leftover loaves – 1 ½ cups chopped cooked ham, 2 cups chopped cooked noodles, 1 tablespoon chopped onion, ½ teaspoon chopped parsley, 1 egg, 1/8 teaspoon celery salt, 1 tablespoon flour, ½ cup milk. Mix together, bake in greased pan 25 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes after it comes out of the oven Salt and pepper to taste. – Tricks
Veal Frigaulet [Note: Spelled as in book] – Cut veal into bite size pieces. Brown in a skillet or heavy iron kettle, taking care not to burn. When nicely browned, simmer slowly, adding enough water to make a gravy. When nearly done add ¼ teaspoon allspice, salt and pepper to taste. When veal is done thicken with flour and a little chopped parsley. Serve with mashed potatoes, green string beans, cold slaw or a green salad. – Paradise Corner
Baked apple with onion. 3 apples (sliced,) 1 small onion, 1 cup well packed brown sugar, butter or margarine, bread crumbs. Butter casserole. Crumble one or two slices of bread in the bottom. Sprinkle with half the sugar. Slice the apples and add onions alternately that have been sliced thin. Add remaining sugar, dot with butter and cover with bread crumbs. Bake 1 hour or until apples are done with a cover on. More sugar may be added. This is good as a side dish while hot. [Personal note: I cut back on the sugar and change the spices at times to include cinnamon, or ginger, turmeric, or hint of curry. I serve on rice. At Thanksgiving I mix in a can of whole cranberry sauce.]
Eggplant Columbia – 1 small eggplant, 1 ¼ cups medium white sauce, ¾ cup chopped ripe olives, ½ cup grated cheese. Pare and quarter the egg plant. Cover with boiling salted water. Boil for 15 minutes. Drain. Place in greased baking dish. Combine sauce and olives. Pour over the eggplant. Top with cheese. Bake in 375 degree oven for 10 minutes. – Wiltwyck
Torquemado -[Personal Note: This is not to be confused with Tomas de Torquemada – the Spanish Grand Inquisitor responsible for the death of thousands of Jews and suspected witches during the Spanish Inquisition (1420-1498)] 3 medium onions – sliced and separated into rings, 2 tablespoons bacon fat, 2 cups canned tomatoes, 2 eggs, 3 or slices buttered toast, salt & pepper to taste. Cook onions in hot fat until yellow. Add tomatoes and simmer about 20 minutes or until onions are tender. Add salt & pepper. Remove from heat and add eggs, stirring them quickly in the tomato mixture. Serve over toast triangles. Yield – 3 to 4 servings – Grace
Mountain Dew – 4 or 6 rolled crackers, 1 pint milk, 2 egg yolks, butter size of walnut. Bake 1/2 hour. Add beaten egg whites with 3/4 cup sugar. Bake 15 minutes 1 pint sweet milk, 4 tablespoons cocoanut, ½ cup cracker crumbs, yolks of 2 or 3 eggs. Add beaten egg whites with 1 cup sugar. Bake ½ hour. – Semaeve [Note: This is as it appears. No changes whatsoever.]
Vinegar Dumplings – 1 cup molasses, 1 cup water, ¼ cup vinegar. Let above come to a boil and drop dumplings into syrup. Note: Do not make dumplings too large as they will sear all over much better. – Lena
Ring-Tum Diddy – ½ lb grated American Cheese, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 can tomato soup, a few grains of cayenne (optional), toasted crackers or toast. Melt cheese over a slow fire in saucepan; add cayenne and tomato soup. Stir well until thoroughly mixed. Serve on large crackers or toast. – Fuchia
Did you receive a thin envelope from the U. S. Census Bureau? But you put it down and then lost it? Kids used it as scrap? Did the dog eat it? Did you open it, look at the blue page with a box around a 12-digit number and decide to do it later? Now is a good time.
BUT, if you can’t find the blue paper or it hasn’t arrived, you can still reply. Everyone is invited to reply no invitation required.
Step 1 – Go to the website my2020census.gov
Step 2 – Either fill in the 12 digit number from your blue page
or
Click on the line saying Do not have a Census ID
Step 3 – Click on the correct response for you and then Next
Please select where you will be living on April 1, 2020.
A U.S. state or the District of Columbia
Puerto Rico
Somewhere else
Step 4 – Fill in the correct response for you and then Next
Where will you be living on April 1, 2020? (Help)
Please provide a complete street address for your residence. Provide the street address you would use to have a package delivered directly to your residence, not a rural route or P.O. Box address used for mailing purposes. A street address is the most helpful for processing your response.
Address Number Ex: 101 Example Address Number: 101
Street Name Ex: N Main St Example Street Name: N Main St
Apt/Unit Ex: Apt 23 Example Apartment or Unit Number: Apt 23
City
State
ZIP Code
Or I do not have a street address
Then the system will take you through the Household, people and final questions.
At the end you will be given a 32 digit confirmation number with the suggestion you print out the page but it is not required.
I printed my page out so I could show it in case a Census person comes knocking at my door.
So relax. Completing the 2020 Census is important but if you don’t have the invitation with the number, its O K. The Census2020 computer system is still ready 24 hours a day for you. Call 1-844-330-2020 with any questions, problems or concerns or just check out the website most answers are there.
I am trying to clean. Operative word is trying. I came across a book and I set it aside but then it fell to the floor so I had to pick it up again. I read the title, “The New York Book of Tea,” by Niles & McNitt, 1995 and put it on the table to read later. I was passing by the table later when it fell to the floor. This time, I decided to have a seat and a peek at the contents.
It is a small book but its contents are much like a Visitor to Norwich booklet of the 1920’s. It lists where to have a rest, a cup and the type of tea to enjoy there, what their best savory or sweet is and the price. Hotels, restaurants, tearooms, museums, department stores are all listed. How to choose between Japanese and Chinese teas. How to choose a tea by its packaging. All were very interesting. Very concise and well written but I got stuck on the section titled, Where to buy tea ware, subsection – Setting the table. More things I never even knew I did not know.
If you ever need a gift for me, may I suggest anything from this list. I abbreviated some of the descriptions.
A Teapoy: a small pedestal table with a lidded compartment to hold glass or lead containers for tea and porcelain mixing bowls for combining special blends.
A Tea Caddy: A container of silver, glass or inlaid wood in an extraordinary variety of shapes and sizes.
A Caddy Spoon: A short handled scalloped spoon used to measure tea leaves. In the early days, Chinese merchants included a scallop shell tea leaf scoop in each tea chest they shipped to Europe.
A mote spoon: A dainty, slightly pointed spoon with a shallow or pierced bowl to skim off specks of tea leaf that may escape the pot into the cup.
Tea strainer, tea kettles, and tea stands were described too.
A tea tray can be almost two feet in length; designed to hold a kettle on its stand, a teapot, a sugar canister, tea caddies, and a milk pitcher. The tray was usually footed to prevent contact with wood surfaces and had raised edges to prevent things from sliding off. The tray might have been fashioned from silver, tole, or papier-mache. The weight of the tray has my arms sore now and I am questioning the weight and strength of the papier-mache.
A tea table is small with a rim.
A muffin dish is of course made of silver, with a hot-water liner and high domed lid to keep the muffins warm. A muffineer is similar to a large-scale domed pepper pot with a perforated decorative top. Its used to sprinkle cinnamon or sugar on toasted goodies. You should use proper etiquette to toast your bread near the fire with your long handled two or three-tined spindly handled toasting fork so you don’t burn your face or hands.
A sugar basin holds pieces of sugar broken off from a cone. Sugar tongs permit guests to pick up the sugar and place it in their cup.
A well placed slop bowl makes it easy to dispose of the dregs of the prior cup of tea.
Teacups are shallow, gently swelling bowls with a single handle which may also be footed.
The saucer is a shallow plate with a circular indentation to prevent the cup from slipping off.
A creamer is a small pitcher for milk. Although cream should never be put in tea- its high fat content masks the flavor and oil globules may float to the top.
Teaspoons are a pointed or oval spoon used for blending milk and dissolving sugar into tea. In the hierarchy of spoons, they come after the dessert and before the coffee spoon.
I have to go now. I need to find out what a coffee spoon looks like.
Be safe. Wash early. Wash often. Stay well.
This is a full fledged rant. I am on the official government DO NOT CALL lists. The list for my land line phone and the list for my cell phones. I am not at all certain who it stops from calling me. People call me to sell car insurance, windows, doors, roofs, health insurance, Medicare hole insurance, solar panels, and great savings on my utilities, and credit cards.[Side rant: My utility bill is over 93% NPU customer membership fees and not usage) This company or that company is a paid solicitor to collect for the local police, fire and rescue services. Not according to the Norwich Chief of Police and Fire Departments/rescue services. Researchers need my dollars to find a cure for diseases that have not been invented yet. On occasion, depending on my mood, I have given them the inside number to the police department. I was just trying to be helpful.
I can’t trust the numbers I see because I have seen my own number being used. That’s right, one day my caller ID told me I was calling myself. I picked up and learned I was collecting for some charity I had never heard of. I put them on hold and called an immediate meeting of my split personalities, my separate identities, my aliases, my conscience, but there was a delay to wait for the triplets, Me, Myself and I to show up (they are always late.) I asked everybody if they had given our number to a company to use to call for donations. No one said they had. Oops. I left the person on hold while I checked and then forgot them.
I let calls go to an answering machine and voice mail but sometimes, I am expecting a call and pick up the phone when it rings. I have begged, pleaded, demanded, spoken with the supervisor and the manager to be removed from their list to call. If I can get enough information from them I send it to the Secretary of State Office, the CT Attorney General Office and the Better Business Bureau (but the companies are from out of state so they can’t even put them on a bad list.)
I can’t not answer because I don’t recognize the number or the name. I frequently deal with friends I haven’t met yet for an assortment of local and far away projects. If you get a message, please don’t hang up but leave a clear message and a phone number and I will call you back.
Thanks for listening. I feel better now.
Remember to wash your hands with soap. Even the webby part between your fingers and be well.
When times are tough everyone needs a reflective story time. The Norwich Morning Bulletin borrowed this story from the New York Sun on February 28, 1891. So settle in and settle back and at the end of the story, titled, “Making Diamonds Grow.”
“Look at this stone,” said a young journeyman jeweler in a street car the other day, removing a tissue paper wrapping from a piece of white wax, in the center of which a beautiful diamond blazed. “That is worth at the least $180.”
“How is it you can afford to buy such a valuable stone as that?” asked one of his friends who knew his circumstances.”
“I will put you onto the map,” said the jeweler. “That stone has been growing for a year, and I think that it has got its growth.”
“What do you mean by a diamond growing?” asked the friend.
“I will tell you. You remember the little spark I had in my scarf pin Christmas. Well, this is what it has grown to in less than a year. That little stone cost me a dollar and the pin cost me $2.80. I sold the pin for $8., and bought an eight carat stone a little off shade for a trifle over $5. I bought a stud setting. You know you can get those things quite low now. They are made up by the thousands by firms which do not take finished goods. Well, I put the stone in the setting on a spiral and sold it the same week for $18. Then I went to the office and bought the best stone I could get for $15 and mounted that in the same manner. I wore it a month and then sold it for $30, and I put $25 into another stone. It was a little beauty, and I traded it for another one of about the same size, and got $5 to boot. That put the stone down to $20, and I put it into a setting that cost me about $3, and sold it a few days later for $35. I got another stone for $30, and had it two months before I made a turn with it; then I cleared $12 and put the money into a beautiful stone, which brought me up to $60, when I sold it in a handsome stud setting.
“Then I got a chance to sell a ring for $75, and I made it to order, putting in a stone which cost me $42.50. I put the whole $75 into another stone, which I carried around for a while, and had fully made up my mind to keep, but a butcher offered me $100 for it and I sold it to him. It was in a crown setting, which cost me $6.25. For the hundred I got a dandy stone, and I was sure I would keep that one, but I have had four better ones since, and have got up to $180. I can’t go much higher than that, I guess, for there are few men of my acquaintances who can afford to tempt me with a profitable offer for it. I wouldn’t sell it tonight for $200, because I know that I have got a bargain. I’m a pretty good judge of diamonds, and when I put that stone in a nice ring I will make it look like $250 worth, and I don’t think that anybody can persuade me to sell it for anything less. In all the changes I don’t think I have put in more than $16 or $18 of my pocket money. The rest has all been profit on the stones and settings.”
Alright now ladies and gentlemen of 2020, “Discuss.” What lesson is being taught? Is it different from the lesson learned? Could this be done today? How? Does his math prove out? Do you think the story is true? Why was the story printed in the paper? What questions are you raising?
When you go to the public meetings you observe the most amazing things. The downtown roundabout was one of those things. The flower filled fountain on Washington Street may become the center of the Roundabout again. Almost exactly where it once stood. In August 2017 I wrote about the wonderful woman of Norwich, CT who thought of it, designed it and after a large public battle, monumental (couldn’t resist a pun) fundraising saw the project through.
Today, there is no rock with a plaque giving her credit. Few today know her name or any of the myriad of things she was and still is responsible for in this city. So once again here is her name and her story. I take pride in once more giving a name to the people of action who grasped responsibility and took the actions necessary to get things done. In Norwich it was usually a struggle and against the odds and the advice of others. As people travel past the fountain on Washington Street I hope someone will remember to tell this little tale. Bravo Mrs. Hubbell! May your fighting spirit continue to live on in the residents of Norwich, CT.
This information is from the August 25, 1906 Norwich Bulletin, The Fountain and Birds and Beasts. – What a persistent little woman did for God’s creatures.
It’s always a pleasing sight to passengers waiting on the Trolley cars in Franklin Square to note the enjoyment obtained by the birds and the cats and the dogs of the little low-down troughs in the Franklin Square fountain and the large dogs ‘ bathtub on the back of that quencher of thirst for human beings and horses; but few people remember how that fountain came to be such a perfect boon for man and bird and beast.
In the days when that fountain was designed Mrs. Lucretia Bradley Hubbell was a more active woman for years than any other woman in Norwich and, like her friend, Dr. Walker, she was doing things for others whenever she could find an opportunity. When she first broached the subject of making those little animal troughs her views were simply laughed at, but by her persistent effort that fountain was made a perfect servant for all God’s creatures.
When the birds are drinking and bathing there on hot summer days and the setter dogs are bathing in the rear trough and the pet pugs and smaller dogs are rolling in the little pools of water beside the fountain, those familiar with its history witness the fruits of one persistent woman’s sympathy and love for dumb creatures. The wisdom of her work is shown by the creatures she spoke for in these close and sultry days.”
The fountain has moved but God’s creatures are still enjoying the troughs now filled with flowers. Thank you once more Mrs. Lucretia Bradley Hubbell for your caring, persistence, and foresight.
Maybe this time when its moved we can all learn a bit more about the work of Lucretia Bradley Hubbell, woman of foresight and action.
Yes! The Connecticut State Legislature is in session. So now all the organizations and people with an agenda are telling their friends, families, supporters, and members to call, write and testify in Hartford to support or not to support on a date and place subject to last second change.
Recently I attended a very nice presentation of the Connecticut Women and Girls Task Force on Public Policy. There were two very nice speakers on Advocacy Training explaining that advocacy is defined as any activity to effect social or political change. That advocacy is an opportunity for everyone to make their voice heard through legislation, administration and our communities.
I also read a great article in Nature Conservancy Spring 2020 by JoAnn Tredennick whose tips I have added.
Together we advocate by building relationships in our communities and with our legislators and coalitions. Educating ourselves, our communities and our law and policymakers. Did you know that the same people who write, create and pass the laws are not the same people as the policymakers?
You can learn more about the steps of how a bill is passed on the Connecticut General Assembly website www.cga.ct.gov Each bill must have a public hearing before it moves forward. Most legislators do read and listen to the testimony presented. Your voice matters. Spend time with candidates before they are elected. Become a trusted source of reliable information.
Advocacy is about sharing your experience through salesmanship, persuasion and facts. Be prepared with facts to back up your story. Keep your story short and to the point. It’s your story so it’s ok to have emotion.
Talking to your legislator in Hartford can be hard as they are generally rushing from one meeting to another. Be flexible. Do not be offended if they have to rush off unexpectedly or if their phone rings. Just turn to the legislative aide and identify yourself by name and town. Keep your story to under thirty words. Then ask the legislators position on the specific issue. It is acceptable and encouraging to have a Legislator say, “I will have to get back to you.” Ask for a written response if you spoke with an aide and not the legislator and don’t forget to provide your name, address, phone and e-mail for the response. Say “Thank you,”regardless of the result. There is always a next time.
When you write testimony for a public hearing be certain to have the correct hearing number as it may change at the last minute. Clearly state your position (support or oppose) and how it will impact individuals and communities. Give examples of your experience and data. When you e-mail the testimony cc: your own legislators.
Why are you still reading this? There are issues that are important to you. Be heard!
Now why didn’t I ever think of that? Make an x-shape with two wire hangers so that an upside down flying disc can be laid in the opening and fill with water for a bird bath or place a few marbles in the disc with the water so the bees, moths and butterflies can have an easier time enjoying a refreshing drink.
Butterflies are attracted to over ripe bananas so put a banana in a hanging corn birdfeeder during the summer. Better butterflies than the cursed and destructive squirrel that rips and destroys my porch cushions every year for her nest. By the way, I have thrown away the cushion without replacement. She will have to resort to branches and leaves like everyone else.
Moths, can be attracted with a smear of paste on a tree made of beer, brown sugar, and overripe banana. Do not smear it on house as the mix may also attract ants.
I never thought about night insects as pollinators until I read an article somewhere (I should have made notes but I did not) of how there are daytime and nighttime moths. The nighttime moths also spread the flower pollen during their nightly search for nectar.
When you plan your garden consider planting a few areas with late day or night blooming plants or flowers. As the days grow longer and warmer the afternoon and night bloomers extend the beauty of your garden.
I have a few plants that spread easily and I am pretty certain they are really weeds but they are pretty so they stay. I have planted clumps on purpose and can barely keep them alive for the season. I am also blessed with volunteers. Volunteers are the plants that grow with abundance and joy that found a home in my soil by accident or nature.
I saw a big brown rabbit the other day. The first I have seen in a long while due to some hunter cats and two hawks that consider my area their hunting and feeding ground. I encouraged the hawks to hunt and feast on the resident groundhog. You’re right I do not like him or her. He built the den right next to my house foundation with no consideration for upsetting my roses and plantings. Let alone, the huge deep entryways he built for his home. One entry was not enough for him, he has built at least three entries and just threw the dirt wherever he saw fit. I checked with Norwich city hall and he did not file any building permits or plans.
If you have started looking at your yard thanks to this early warm weather, mark your calendar for the Norwich Plant Swap, to be held from 11 am – 2 pm at the Lower Parking Lot of Mohegan Park Center in Norwich, CT. No fancy pots needed. Bring your “extra” plants with roots or bulbs wrapped in newspaper. Indoor and outdoor plants are welcome. First time adopting plant parents and experienced gardeners are encouraged. We are hoping to see a wide selection of herbs, flowers, vegetables, trees and bushes. Learn two make plant pots from a can. There will also be a variety of free seed packets available. Plenty of free parking. No reservations needed. No plants to swap? That’s ok, you are welcome with hope you will find a plant or two to take home.
Someday I would like to have an original thought. Every single one of the suggestions I have made to the leaders of Norwich, CT to do, has been something that has already been done somewhere else. I am just looking for Norwich, CT leaders, elected, organizational and volunteer, residents, taxpayers and businesses to discover that Norwich is diverse and can appeal to an even greater diversity of people and interests than what it has in the past and the present.
In the future I would like to see Norwich, CT be listed among one of the top ten artsy towns in Connecticut. On June 28, 2018 Natalie Clunan wrote an article for Only in Your State on what she referred to as “7 Artsy Towns.” Clunan wrote about Old Lyme, Norfolk, New Haven, Chester, Ridgefield, East Haddam and Cornwall.
Five museums demonstrate Norwich, CT has as much history as those towns. Have you visited them all? Can you name them? We have two playshops in Norwich that bring plays and musicals to the public. Which performance did you enjoy the most? Varieties of music can be heard year-round thanks to Strange Brew, Lottie Scotts Jazz Series, Rock the Dock at Brown Park, and people of all ages can still enjoy the experience of music on a genuine town green. Make it a date night! Speaking of green Norwich is home to a 500-acre wood in the center of the city with walking trails, ball fields, basketball and tennis courts, a beach, picnic facilities, and more with plenty of convenient parking and everything is free. No admission, parking or use fees.
Clunan illustrated her article with photos of smiling and happy people enjoying group and solitary activities. Photos of food showed variety and always plated at its best. It is long past time for Norwich, CT promoters and photographers to begin telling the experience of Norwich with photographs that show joy, laughter and people. Selfies and the same three people in every photograph are unacceptable. Readers need to see the building and the openings of buildings and businesses not more photographs of empty buildings, or another last photo before the building or company closed, burned or was torn down. Show employees a work. Show clients happily making decisions. Make it clear Norwich is a dynamic community.
Norwich, CT has some lovely old homes that would benefit from En Plein (artists who work outside) artists being welcomed to visit and to paint. Next time you are paging thru a travel magazine or visiting a website count how many photographs are of photographers or artists painting a scene or a home. We hear a lot about the architecture of Norwich so why aren’t we promoting it? Let’s begin a program of showing off the wounds and the scars of the growth of the city over the years.
It’s exciting to see such interest in walking tours of Norwich, CT and some of the tours have begun to demonstrate some creativity. Otis library has past issues of the Norwich newspapers on microfiche and film so true local stories from different eras, some happy, some tragic and some completely improbable can be told. What a change those would be from the “a dead person lies in the grave below that old headstone.” “A revolutionary war hero is said to have eaten dinner here.” Or one of my favorites, “On this street, everyone was a millionaire.”
Glad to know the dead person was buried but I like the stories of what a person did while they were alive. Sometimes its the details of how they died that get my attention. Before the age of the World Wide Web it was easy to make up stories of great people eating and sleeping because it was hard to check the facts. Now everyone can check whether that famous celebrity was in fact where the claim is said to be or if its a much repeated fairy tale. Millionaires there might have been but I enjoy more the story of the father who built the Norwich mansion for his son in hopes he would behave more like a man of worth and take his responsibilities seriously. I adore the well documented story of the insurance swindling couple of Norwich, CT. Runaway husbands and runaway brides of Norwich deserve their own Hallmark series. Lost love, jewelry, exciting destinations of New York, Washington DC and Chicago spiced with detectives, taxi drivers and meddling in-laws and parents. Dad was a famous artist. Son was on a buying trip to Norwich for specialty items. Hearts fluttered but then what happened? Sorry, I got a little carried away.
How many of us will travel miles to attend an event we read or hear about but are too busy to attend a similar event right here in town. Have you ever been to a First Friday of the month in Norwich? Have you enjoyed a Polish Supper on a Second Friday? You have missed a delicious treat if you have not.
Drone photos are a developing industry and Norwich has some interesting and unique roofs with features that can only be seen from above. What a tourist and promotional draw it would be to the city if the some of them were photographed and used as an enticement to draw other drone photographers and hobbyists.
Diversity festivals are a current rage and Norwich has a rich history of celebrating the religious and cultural origins of its residents but instead of taking charge Norwich residents are fine with flying a flag of a chosen country and assembling the same for each event out of town food trucks and purveyors of plastic toys and bouncy houses. Parades too have begun to re-appear on the streets of Norwich but there will be no laughter, noise, or music. Parades in Norwich are silent and solemn events. I want to hear the noise of a parade above the car radio. I want to see the parade and the skill demonstrations on the local cable and school stations and websites. I want to hear the music of the radio station even if I don’t like it.
Norwich is a city where there are things to do, people to see, meet and greet but we, as residents need to brighten the dingy, shine the light, and be loud and proud as the old becomes new again.
I knew if I looked long enough and hard enough somewhere in the annals of Norwich I would find the solution to some if not all of my modern day issues. For the past month my waistline has spread.
Today, I am looking at the April 17, 1895 Norwich Bulletin at an article titled, “Not A Norwich “Invention.”
“The latest craze invented by a chronic dyspeptic” of Norwich, says the Bridgeport Union, “is to abolish the habit of eating breakfast. The first meal of the day is to be taken at noon. The proprietor of a hotel in Norwich is a strong friend of the go-without breakfast idea. ‘Now, said he‘ If I can teach’em to give up dinner and supper my fortune is made, this being a hotel on the American plan.’”
Our esteemed contemporary is mistaken in thinking the “craze” spoken of is of Norwich origin. It is “The Gospel of Health” ably advocated by an eminent western physician, and it has proved very beneficial to several hundred people in Norwich. It is a custom promotive of a natural appetite, temperate eating and good health. It has really restored the health of many people in this vicinity, and when they patronize the hotels they do not ask for lower rates on account of the change of habit. They enjoy life so much better than they did that they are glad to have the hotel men reap a large profit. A trial of this new way of living even furnishes satisfactory physical evidences of its virtue, and those who have tried it do not mind having it called a “craze” or at being themselves called “cranks.”
I have been doing more sitting these past two months and certainly having two meals a day would be a benefit to my waistline and my budget. Even more if I could use the breakfast budget for the supper budget and keep it to a bowl of hot cereal that is warm and filling, coffee or tea and a piece or two of fresh fruit. I have plans. Plenty of thoughtful and well-intentioned plans. I just need to follow through on them. Now there is the rub.
I really do love my George Foreman Grill. But I truly, truly do wish it had some of the features my mother’s table top electric waffle maker. I actually found two hidden at the very back corner of a cabinet.
I graduated high school in 1974. The waffle makers probably hadn’t been used since I was in grade school. O.k. back to the grills. Both grills are shiny silver and have heavy black and white striped cloth covered electrical cords with electrical plug at one end and a large, heavy fitting on the other that attaches to the two large prongs on the back or side of the grill.
Both grills are heavy and the lids are attached on hinges. The hinges are vertical so a sandwich can be over an inch and a half in height. The fancier grill little legs is strictly a grill with smooth top and the bottom grill has a small well that goes all the way around the edge of the bottom. Both the top and bottom heat and give the bread a lovely brown and the oil from the cheese would catch in the well to be cleaned up with a paper towel. It was great for eggy bread with cinnamon and sugar too. The lid could also be locked into an open position and very thin pancake batter drizzled on the smooth bottom for after school snack.
The other one is much more utilitarian and heavier. It sits on a heavy base and like the fancier one has a height adjustable lid but its there they differ. This grill has a double purpose. Both the top and bottom grills have two usable sides. One side of the grill is for waffles and the other side is smooth.
A grilled cheese sandwich could be smooth on both sides or have waffle squares on one side and be smooth on the other, or both sides could have waffle bumps! Both sides of the bottom plate had a well for any extra juices or oils. I can imagine how it would be used today but back in the day it was strictly for batter cakes, waffles and the occasional grilled cheese.
I want my George Foreman to have that same versatility. My George Foreman makes great toasted cheese sandwiches, and smashed potatoes and the occasional bean and fish burger but imagine if it had a removable and reversible top and bottom grill!
Oh well, a girl can dream can’t she?
Are you thinning your garden beds? Are your indoor plants multiplying? Are you looking to adopt a plant? The location for the Norwich Area Plant Swap on Sunday, May 3, 2020 has moved to the St Vincent de Paul Parking Lot, 120 Cliff Street, Norwich, CT 06360 from 11 AM to 1 PM promptly. This is an event to share indoor and outdoor seeds, bulbs, roots, baby plants, and gardening tips.
All are welcome and encouraged to participate. No reservations are needed. Plants do not need to be in pots. Plants may be wrapped in newspaper. On-site splitting tools will be in limited availability.
In the planning stages since last fall with all of the imagination, hopes and dreams of a want to be gardener. Seeds were ordered. Some to sow in personal gardens, some to share with friends, some to be given away.
Fresh dirt with much consultation with a more experienced gardener was purchased. Mini-greenhouses from milk jugs collected from friends were planted with seeds and I have been waiting. According to the seed packages the jugs should be over flowing with flourishing greens ready to be thinned and split up to new homes. The seeds did not listen when read what the packets said about how they should stretch and make themselves truly comfortable in the dark environment and they should reach about for their brothers and sisters close by before making the journey upwards into the sunshine and fresh air. With four days to go until the plant swap the ground only today has been broken. The plants will not be ready for adoption to new homes. Last year I thought this year I might be able to split my rhubarb but this afternoon it is still barely two inches tall above ground. I was so excited when it broke ground and opened its first tiny leaf but then its stopped. The hostas are still furled straight and tall Not ready for a successful transplant. The ferns that will later tower over my five feet in height are not yet taller than the vinca ground cover they live with. The chives are standing straight and tall but then they have since last fall. I have been trimming them all winter for soups, salads and spreads, The mints are all up and I will have a few of those to share. The oldest of the peonies, its got to be close to seventy years old in the same spot is stretching straight and tall toward the sky but I am not sure if its ready for a share or two.
In my head I dreamed of healthy full plants, smiling, happy plants anxiously awaiting adoption to new homes with wonderful caring and proud new plant parents. Even my violets and johny-jump ups that live beneath my wisteria aren’t in the abundance of last year. Last year was a purple and white carpet with spots of shining gold. More than enough to share. This year there are just a few violets looking longingly for the party they remembered.
The bridal wreath has bloomed and I will try to bring some for those who want an early white blossoming bush. Perhaps also some of the Japanese Quince which grows into a beautiful red flowered bush with one to two inch sharp thorns. But the tiny birds love the bush and seek the protection of those thorns.
The potato and sweet potato plants are not doing much above or below the ground but you can always plant those in a tall laundry basket to enjoy in the fall.
Everyone is welcome. Experienced and new gardeners. Those with extra plants and those looking to try gardening for the first time. No reservations are needed. Safety and social distancing, and masks are important so please be patient with us as we try to create a proper and safe environment for all.
Discovery! On my cookbook bookshelves sat the 1975 version of Aunt Sammy’s Radio Recipes – The Great Depression Cookbook edited by Martin Greif [142 pages]. There is a very long, and never read, introduction to Aunt Sammy, who lived, entered the homes of over five million “radio friends” five or six days a week for fifteen minutes from Monday, October 4, 1926 through 1944.
“This morning,” the announcer said, “we are going to introduce Aunt Sammy, the best authority we know on housekeeping. Every day, excepting Saturday and Sunday, she will chat with you t this time. Ask your neighbors over to meet her. Send your problems to her. Make her your friend and adviser. It is now our pleasure to introduce Aunt Sammy, our official radio representative of the U.S. Bureau of Home Economics, at Washington D.C.”
For the next fifteen minutes, fifty women – stood before fifty different microphones across the country reading fifty identical scripts prepared by the US Department of Agriculture Radio Service. Fifty different speech patterns, dialects, and accents all telling the same hints and jokes.
Then on the shelf completely ignored was a ¼ inch thick light green, similar to smooth construction paper, 142 page book titled, Aunt Sammy’s Radio Recipes Revised , from the Bureau of Home Economics, U.S. Department of Agriculture stamped from the Office of Francis T. Maloney United States Senate. I have to insert here everything I know about Francis T. Maloney.
Francis Thomas Maloney (March 31, 1894 – January 16, 1945 Died of a heart attack) was a U.S. Representative from Connecticut from 1933 to 1935 and a U.S. Senator from Connecticut from 1935 to 1945. He was a Democrat.
According to the first page Ruth Van Deman, Associate Specialist in Charge of Information and Fanny Walker Yeatman, Junior Specialist in Foods, Bureau of Home Economics wrote the book issued in May, 1931 and for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D.C. For the price of 15 cents.
This is the enlarged fourth edition and is only a supplement to the information on food preparation given in the leaflets and bulletins.
In April for example was the suggestion for Easter Dinner of Roast shoulder of Lamb with mint stuffing, carrots, asparagus on toast, spiced jelly, spring salad and lemon sherbet with sponge cake.
Dinner 1 – Cheese soufflé, spring onions on toast, browned parsnips, olives and radishes, and Rhubarb Betty.
Dinner 2 – Pork chops, savory cooked lettuce, parsley potatoes, chili sauce and Jelly roll
Dinner 3 – Fish timbales, rice, turnip greens, pickled onions and cottage cheese with pineapple sauce.
Dinner 4 – Curried fowl with carrots, flaky boiled rice, buttered asparagus, orange salad with apricot whip.
Dinner 5 – fresh beef tongue, wilted dandelion greens, fried potato cakes, and banana pudding.
Some of these are self explanatory and some need assistance. Savory cooked lettuce? See age 51 6 slices bacon, 3 quarts shredded lettuce [ 2020 note – I might switch out for cabbage, kale, spinach or leaf lettuce] 2 tablespoons vinegar, salt and onion juice.
Cook the bacon in a heavy skillet until brown and crisp, and remove it from the fat. Add the shredded lettuce to the hot fat and stir until it wilts. Add vinegar and bacon broken in small pieces, salt if needed and onion juice if desired and serve at once.
Fish Timbales – 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 cup milk, 2 eggs, 2 cups flaked cooked or canned fish 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon minced onion, [2020 note – I add 1 teaspoon celery minced fine] salt to taste.
Prepare a sauce of the fat, flour and milk, add the beaten eggs, fish, and seasonings, and salt if needed. Pour the mixture into greased custard cups and bake in a pan of hot water in a moderate oven (350 degrees F.) for 30 minutes. Turn the timbales onto a hot platter and garnish with slices of lemon and serve at once.
Tuna, salmon, shrimp, crab meat, fresh cod, or any other fish that may easily be separated from the bones may be used in timbales.
Curried Fowl with carrots – [I will pretend that fowl = chicken. But it reasonably could be, ¼ cup sliced turkey, duck, goose or pigeon or even rabbit in a pinch.] 4 pounds fowl, salt, 2 tablespoons fat, ½ cup sliced onion, 1 quart water, flour, ¼ teaspoon curry powder, 2 cups shredded carrots, cooked.
Disjoint the fowl, salt and flour the pieces, brown in the fat, and transfer to a kettle. Cook the onion for a few minutes in the remaining fat, pour in the water, and add to the chicken. Simmer until the fowl is tender, and drain off and measure the liquid. For each cup of liquid, blend 1 tablespoon of flour and 2 tablespoonfuls of chicken fat, stir into the broth, cook until thickened, add the curry, chicken, and cooked carrots, heat through, and serve with flaky boiled rice. If desired, serve with grated fresh coconut to sprinkle over the curried chicken.
Wilted dandelion greens – 2 quarts dandelion greens, 4 tablespoons bacon fat, ¼ cup mild vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt.
Wash the greens thoroughly, and cut into small pieces with scissors. Heat the bacon fat, vinegar and salt in a skillet, add the greens, cover and cook at moderate heat until the greens are wilted. Serve at once.
If you want to know how to cook your fresh beef tongue, sorry but you are on your own.
Happy eating!
It’s not just Covid-19, it’s also allergy, cold and flu time. Some of these recipes for the sick sound pretty tasty. Some, might have been a test. If you were sick enough to be in bed, you’d choke the stuff down. If you were well you’d be up and out of bed just to get away from it.
I have made some of these and found a couple of them really good, some interesting but I had no desire to try them again and a few should only be made and served at Hogwarts.
In the Rumford Complete Cookbook 1940 there is even a page of very helpful hints. For example “Have all hot beverages brought to the door of the sick room in a covered pitcher, then poured into the cup, thus avoiding the danger of spilling liquids into the saucer while carrying them to the patient.”
“When the dietary is limited, serve the foods that are permitted, in as many forms as possible to avoid sameness. For instance, beef tea may be given hot in the form of beef essence – as savory jelly, frozen, and as beef tea custard; practically the same food but more palatable because served in different forms.”
Lemonade – 1 lemon, ½ pint cold water, 2 or 3 lumps of sugar. Rub the sugar over the rind of the lemon to extract a little of the flavor. Squeeze the lemon juice over the sugar, add the water and stir till the sugar is dissolved. If the lemon is very large a little more water may be used. A thin slice of the lemon may be cut off before squeezing and placed in the glass with the lemonade.
A good substitute for the lemon juice is Horsford’s Acid Phosphate.
Barley Water – 2 level tablespoons pearl barley, 1 quart cold water, 1/3 level teaspoon salt, juice of a half a lemon, Also a little sugar if desired.
Wash the barley, pour the water over it and soak for several hours. Add salt and cook in a double boiler for at least three hours. Strain through cheese cloth or a fine strainer, flavor with lemon, and add sugar if liked.
Toast Water – 2 slices stale bread toasted, 1 cup boiling water, 1/6 level teaspoon salt.
Toast the bread till golden brown and dry all through, or dry it in a moderately hot oven till golden brown and crisp. Pour the boiling water over it and add the salt; cover and set aside until cool. Strain, and serve hot or cold. Some add milk, cream and sugar, and serve hot in place of tea or coffee.
Eggnog – 1 egg, 2/3 cup milk, 1 level tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon wine, pinch of salt.
Separate the white from the yolk of the egg, beat the latter and add sugar, salt and milk. Stir in the wine and beat, and add the white of the stiffly beaten egg at the last moment before serving.
Junket Eggnog – 1 egg, 1 cup milk, 2 level teaspoons sugar. ¼ junket tablet [2020 Note: Junket is a company that made prepackaged powdered dessert mixes and ingredients for making various curdled, milk-based foods, such as rennet custard, ice cream and rennet tablets. ] 1 teaspoon wine.
Separate the white from the yolk of the egg; add the sugar and wine to the yolk, then blend with the white. Have the milk lukewarm and add the egg mixture to it and immediately stir in the junket dissolved in a teaspoon of very cold water. Pour at once into small glasses and grate a little nutmeg or cinnamon over the top. As soon as set put on ice to chill.
Shirred Eggs – Two eggs, 1 level tablespoon butter, salt & pepper to taste.
Melt the butter in an egg shirrer or any fireproof earthen baking dish; break the eggs into the dish and season to taste. Cook in a moderate [2020 Note 350 – 400 degrees] oven until set and serve in the baking dish. Shirred eggs cook very nicely if placed on an asbestos mat on top of the range and covered with another mat kept for such a purpose. This saves heating the oven if there is no other baking to be done. A little chopped parsley, cheese or a few fried bread crumbs may be sprinkled over the eggs before cooking, if desired.
Albumenized Milk – 1 egg white, ½ cup lime water, 1 cup milk. Mix all ingredients, place in a shaker or covered jar and shake well. Strain and serve at once, plain or sweetened as preferred.
Wine Whey – 1 cup milk, 2 tablespoons sherry
Boil the milk, add the sherry and remove from the fire at once. Let stand til the curd is separated from the whey, then strain through a fine cloth and serve as it is or reheat.
Beef and Tapioca broth – ½ pound steak or shin of beef, 1 pint water, 2 level teaspoons tapioca, 1 egg yolk, salt.
Cut the beef into small pieces, add water and let stand for half an hour; then cook in a double boiler two hours; strain, and press as much as possible of the meat pulp through a sieve. Add the tapioca, return to the saucepan and cook half an hour longer. Season and pour the broth over the yolk of the egg which has been slightly beaten. Serve at once.
Invalid’s Tea – 1 level teaspoon tea, 1 cup scalded milk, Sugar to taste. – Bring the milk to the scalding point and pour over the tea. Let the two infuse for four minutes, strain, and serve with or without the sugar. Tea made by this method nourishes as well as stimulates.
Clam broth – 6 clams in shells, 1 ½ cups water, ½ level teaspoon butter, if allowed.
Scrub the shells and put them in a saucepan with one cup of water. Cook till the shells open, remove the clams, chop and return them to the saucepan with water. Cook ten minutes, strain, and add the remaining water if necessary to reduce the strength of the broth. Season and serve.
Beef Juice – ½ pound top round of beef, pinch of salt.
Broil the meat for about two minutes to “start” the juice, then press all the liquid from it with a meat press or an old fashioned wooden lemon squeezer. Turn into a warm cup, or colored glass to disguise the color; add salt to taste, and serve. As this will not keep it must be prepared fresh for each serving.
Beef Tea – ½ pound top round of beef, ½ pint water, pinch of salt.
Cut the beef in small pieces, the smaller it is cut the more easily it will give off its juices, or scrape it from the fiber. Add the cold water and stand aside for half an hour. Then place in a Mason jar, cover and stand in a saucepan of cold water; let it heat slowly to about 140 degree and cook two hours; strain and season. It is better to have the jar raised from the bottom of the sauce pan, that it may not come in too close contact with the heat of the range. Beef tea may be served hot, frozen, or in the form of a jelly, the latter consistency being obtained by the addition of one scant teaspoon of granulated gelatin soaked five minutes in a tablespoon cold water and added to the beef tea as soon as the latter is strained. Stand in a cool place until set.
Oatmeal Gruel – 1 cup water, ¼ level teaspoon of salt, 2 level teaspoons oatmeal or rolled oats.
Have the water or milk actively boiling, shake the oats into it and cook fifteen minutes. Then place over hot water (a double boiler is best) and cook one hour. If the gruel is made with milk add the salt just before serving; with water, it may be put in earlier. Strain if desired to remove the particles of oats.
Corn Meal Gruel – 1 ½ cups water, 1/3 level teaspoon of salt, 2 level tablespoons of corn meal
Have the water actively boiling, shake the corn meal gently into it and cook twenty minutes, stirring constantly; then turn the whole into a double boiler and cook two hours. Strain if desired.
Arrowroot Gruel – [2020 Note: Arrowroot is a form of starch derived from the root of a plant that grows in tropical regions. Processed into a white powder, arrowroot is useful as a thickening agent for soups and sauces.] 1 level tablespoon arrowroot, 1 cup milk, ¼ level teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons wine, a little sugar if desired.
Mix the arrowroot smoothly with a little of the milk, heat the remainder and, when boiling, put in the arrowroot and cook gently for ten minutes; add salt and sugar and at the moment of serving, beat the flavoring. Arrowroot contains little nutriment, but is useful as a vehicle for the serving of stimulants.
Irish Moss. [[2020 Note: Carrageen moss is edible seaweed which is plentiful on the rocky Irish coast and is used in most parts of the island. When bleached and dried, it will keep for years.] One Small handful Irish moss, 3 cups milk, one level teaspoon sugar, 1/3 teaspoon vanilla or other flavoring.
Wash and pick over the moss carefully, add it to the milk in a saucepan, and simmer the two until the moss begins to dissolve. A double boiler is preferable as it prevents too rapid cooking. In about twenty minutes, if the moss is dissolving, strain through cheese cloth, add sugar and flavoring, and turn into wet moulds or cups to cool. Serve with cream and sugar.
Savory Custard – 1 cup beef or good chicken stock, two eggs, 1/6 level teaspoon salt, pepper.
Beat the eggs until light but not foamy; add salt and pepper if not objected to. Have the beef or stock hot and pour it over the eggs. Strain into greased cups or small moulds, and cover each with greased paper. Stand the moulds in a vessel of hot water and cook gently, either in the oven or over the fire, till the custard is set. As soon as a knife blade inserted into the custard comes out clean (not milky looking) remove from the fire. Unmold and serve hot or cold. Do not let the water surrounding the moulds boil or the custard will be honeycombed and less digestible.
Puffed Egg – One Egg, pinch of salt.
Separate the yolk from the white of the egg and beat the latter to a stiff froth, adding the salt. Turn into a cup and place in a steamer or vessel containing enough water to come halfway up the sides of the cup. Steam three minutes and if at the end of that time it is puffy looking, drop the unbroken yolk into the center of the white, replace the cover of the pan and cook until the yolk is nearly set. Serve in the cup in which it is cooked.
Custard Soufflé – Two level teaspoons butter, one level teaspoon flour, 1/3 cup milk, one egg and one tablespoon sugar.
Melt the butter, add flour and blend mostly smoothly without browning. Pour in the milk and cook three minutes after boiling point is reached. Separate the white from the yolk of the egg and beat each. Pour hot mixture (let it cool a little) over the yolk, put in the sugar and fold in gently the stiffly-beaten white. Turn into two greased cups and bake in a steady oven till firm – about fifteen minutes. Serve at once with or without sauce.
Egg Cream – Two eggs, two level tablespoons sugar, grated rind and juice of half a lemon, two tablespoons water.
Separate the whites and yolks of the eggs, and beat the yolks with sugar till well blended; add the lemon juice, rind and water, and cook in a double boiler stirring constantly till the mixture begins to thicken. Add whites of eggs beaten until thick, and cook till the mixture resembles thick cream. Cool and serve in small individual cups or glasses.
Dainty Pudding – Thin slices of stale bread without crust. Fresh, hot stewed fruit sweetened to taste, custard or cream.
Cut the bread into pieces about three inches long and an inch wide. Line a cup with the pieces fitted closely together: fill with hot, deep-colored fruit, and place more bread over the top. Place a plate the pudding, put a weight on the plate, and set aside until cold. Turn out, and serve with cream or custard.
Tapioca Jelly – one- third cup tapioca, one and one half cups water, one-third cup sugar, juice and grated rind of one half lemon, two tablespoons wine.
Have the water at the boiling point in a double boiler, shake in the tapioca gently and cook for one hour; strain if desired clear, or the tapioca can be left in. add the sugar, lemon juice and rind, and when cool the flavoring.
Chicken Chartreuse – One cup cold cooked chicken, salt, pepper and a little grated lemon rind, one egg, one cup chicken stock, or half stock and half cream, one level tablespoon granulated gelatin.
Mince the chicken finely, pass through a sieve and season to taste. Soak the gelatin for ten minutes in the cold stock or stock and cream, then heat to boiling point and, when the gelatin is dissolved, strain it over the chicken. Add the yolk of the egg lightly beaten, then the white beaten to a stiff froth. When partly cooled turn into a mould and put aside till very cold and set. Unmold and cut in thin slices.
Sweetbreads a la Newberg – one pair of sweetbreads, three level tablespoons of butter, one cup thin cream, two egg yolks, one tablespoon of sherry, salt and pepper to taste
Parboil the sweetbreads in slightly salted water, cut them in cubes and cool. Melt the butter, put in the cubes and cook gently for five minutes. Add the cream and simmer for five minutes longer; then put in the well-beaten yolks of the eggs and cook until they thicken, being careful that the sauce does not curdle. Season to taste, and add the flavoring just before serving. This may be served on toast.
Beef Cakes – one quarter pound very lean round steak, salt & pepper and toast.
Cut the meat into strips, remove every particle of fat, and scrape the pulp from the fiber of the meat. Season slightly, remembering the palate is more sensitive to seasonings in sickness than in health. Form into very small balls or cakes, and broil about two minutes. Serve on rounds of buttered or dry toast.
Scraped Beef Sandwiches – One-quarter pound very lean steak, salt & pepper, Plain or buttered toast.
Remove all fat, cut the meat into strips, scrape the pulp from the fiber, and season. Spread on thin slices of bread or toast, buttered or plain; cover with another slice, and cut into small strips.
Water can sometimes be a little bland or sometimes the chemical tastes are just a bit too strong so when I came across these punch, syrups, ades and drinks recipes I had to share.
Most of the recipes are from The Community Cookbook of Woonsocket, 1947 and need slight adjustments for 2020 but those are up to you. It ‘s fine if these just serve as a base for an idea or combination of your own.
Pineapple-Raspberry Ade – 1 cup water, 1 cup canned crushed pineapple, 1 cup raspberry juice, juice of 1 lemon. Mix all the ingredients. Keep in refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve in tall glasses with ginger ale cubes and fresh mint leaves. – Mrs. Ned Mattlin [2020 Change – Use frozen ingredients and it makes a tasty smoothie or slush]
Grape Juice Punch – 1 pint Grape Juice, 1/3 cup lemon juice, 1/3 cup Orange Juice, 1 cup Sugar, 4 cups water or ginger ale. Combine fruit juices with sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add water. Chill thoroughly before serving. – Mrs. Coleman P. Falk [2020 Change – Add sugar only to your taste or not at all]
Lemon Punch – Juice of 6 lemons, juice of 3 oranges, 1 quart water, ½ cup mashed strawberries, ½ cup crushed pineapple, fresh syrup. Mix fruit juices, Sweeten to taste with syrup. Add water and crushed fruits. Garnish with very thin slices of Orange. – Mrs. Ned Matlin [2020 Change – Use frozen ingredients and it makes a tasty smoothie or slush]
Syrup notes: Thin syrup – Bring to boil 1 part sugar to 3 parts water.
Medium Syrup – Bring to boil 1 part sugar to 2 parts water.
Thick Syrup – Bring to boil 1 part sugar to 1 part water.
Juice from fruits may be used in place of water to make syrup.
Cocoa Syrup – 2 cups water, 2 cups sugar, 1 cup cocoa, ½ teaspoon salt. Stir water and sugar until dissolved. Boil five minutes. Mix cocoa with additional water to form a paste. Add to syrup. Boil slowly for ten minutes. Add salt. Keep in refrigerator. Use two tablespoons syrup for each glass hot or cold milk to make milk shake, hot chocolate [2020 Change – Serve on cake or ice cream]
Coffee Syrup – Put one cup sugar and one cup very strong coffee into a saucepan. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Boil about ten minutes. – Mrs. Charles Berlow [2020 Change – Serve on vanilla ice cream, or mix into a glass of cold milk]
Chocolate Fizz – For each serving use four tablespoons chocolate syrup, 2 tablespoons cream, and ginger ale to fill glass. Serve cold. – Mrs. Maynard L. Ginsburg [2020 Change – Use root beer in place of ginger ale]
Individual Egg Nog – Beat 1 egg yolk with two teaspoons sugar until thick and lemon colored. Add one cup hot milk, slowly, beating vigorously all the while. Add one-half teaspoon vanilla, a dash of nutmeg or ginger. Beat egg white until stiff and mix into first mixture. Serve piping hot – Mrs. Fred Israel
From Favorite Recipes by the Women’s Fellowship 1st Congregational Church, Norwichtown, CT
Indian Punch – 2 cups sugar, 1 quart water, ½ cup lemon juice, 2 ½ cups strong tea, 1 pint cold water, 1 teaspoon almond extract. Boil sugar and water for five minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Before serving, add ginger ale. – Mrs. Florence Fries
Do you want to know why your taxes are so high? YOU can watch and listen to the presentations, questions and concerns addressed to the Norwich, CT City Council, Mayor and City Manager as they set up the budget for next year. This is a wonderful opportunity to see your government at work from the comfort of your own couch.
Watch the Norwich City Council Meeting held on April 6, 2020 at Norwichct.org then watch or participate in the process. Here is the information, times, dates, phone numbers and codes
PURPOSE: To levy taxes on the ratable estate within the City of Norwich and the City and Town Consolidation Districts.
Copies of the proposed ordinances are available for inspection and distribution in the Office of the City Clerk, 100 Broadway, Room 215, Norwich.
Schedule of budget reviews for the 2020-2021 BUDGET as well as upcoming Council meetings.
All meetings will be held at the Council Chambers on the 3rd Floor of Norwich City Hall and by conference call Monday, April 6, 2020 7:30 PM Council Meeting – Presentation of City Manager’s proposed budget.
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 – Departmental Budget Hearings
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM 6:00 East Great Plain VFD
6:15 Laurel Hill VFD 6:30 Occum VFD
6:45 Taftville VFD
7:00 Yantic VFD
7:15 Norwich Fire/Emergency Management
7:45 Police Monday,
April 13, 2020 – Departmental Budget Hearings 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
6:00 Human Services/Recreation
6:45 Public Works
7:30 Planning & Neighborhood Services
8:00 Public Utilities
Tuesday, April 14, 2020 – Departmental Budget Hearings 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
6:00 Otis Library
6:30 Public Schools
Thursday, April 16, 2020 – Departmental Budget Hearings/Public Hearing 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
6:00 City Clerk/Elections
6:20 City Manager/Mayor/Human Resources
6:45 Finance/Treasurer/Assessor
******* 7:30 PM 1st Budget Public Hearing Monday, ******
April 16, 2020 Public Hearing , Thursday, 7:30 PM
Telephonically pursuant to the following instructions:
1. Call phone number first dial 860-215-8140 and then when prompted, enter the conference ID# 4038191 followed by the pound (#) key. AND/OR
2. Email to the Office of the Mayor at mayorsoffice@cityofnorwich.org to be received no later than 7:00 PM on Thursday, April 16, 20202. AND/OR
3. Written communication sent or delivered to the Office of the Mayor, 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360 to be received no later than 4:30 PM on Thursday, April 16, 2020.
April 20th, 2020 7:30 PM City Council Meeting
Monday, May 4, 2020 7:30 PM Council Meeting –Adoption of Council Preliminary Budget
***** Monday, May 11, 2020 7:30 PM 2nd Budget Public Hearing *****
Telephonically pursuant to the following instructions:
1. Call phone number first dial 860-215-8140 and then when prompted, enter the conference ID# 4038191 followed by the pound (#) key. AND/OR
Email to the Office of the Mayor at mayorsoffice@cityofnorwich.org to be received no later than 7:00 PM on Monday, May 11, 20202. AND/OR
Written communication sent or delivered to the Office of the Mayor, 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360 to be received no later than 4:30 PM on Monday, May 11, 2020.
Monday, May 18, 2020 7:30 PM City Council Meeting
Monday, June 1, 2020 7:30 PM Council Meeting –Tentative date for Budget Adoption
Norwich is divided into five voting districts represented by six council members elected at-large who serve two-year terms. The mayor is elected at-large for a four-year term, is a voting member of the City Council, and is responsible for coordinating economic development in Norwich.
The city manager is the paid administrator of the city and is hired by the City Council. The City Council is responsible for setting city budget, policy, and planning decisions. The city manager administers the policies set by the council as well as all city department personnel.
The City Council generally meets on the first Monday and the third Monday of each month at 7:30 pm in Council Chambers in City Hall. You can check the municipal meetings calendar for dates and times of these meetings and those of other boards.
Comcast customers may view these meetings live on Channel 97. Assistive Listening Devices. Additionally, recent meetings may be viewed online.
Government Structure
In addition to all powers granted to towns and cities under the constitution and general statutes of the state of Connecticut, the City Council also has specific powers to be executed through the enactment and enforcement of ordinances and bylaws which protect or promote the peace, safety, good government, and welfare of the city and its inhabitants.
The council also has the power to provide for the organization, conduct, and operation of the departments, agencies, and offices of the city; for the number, titles qualifications, powers, duties, and compensation of all officers and employees of the city; and for making of rules and regulations necessary for the control, management, and operation of all public buildings, grounds, parks, cemeteries or other property of the city.
The city manager is appointed by and directly responsible to the council and serves at the pleasure of the council. The manager is responsible to the council for the supervision and administration of city departments.
With the sunshine after the rain and the winds people are venturing outside. Outside to a different world. Some places look the same as other years, for example the daffodil hill across the street from the Norwichtown Shopping Center/Mall. The daffodils are in bloom and the cheery yellow makes even the most dour of us smile. It seems that the early April showers have brought us early flowers.
McDonalds now takes orders one car at a time. I think I detected a note of disappointment when I gave my order for only a senior black coffee. There was only one car getting gas at the station. The price is a wonderful $1.89 but when people don’t leave their homes they don’t use as much fuel. In three weeks I have not used a quarter of a tank. The Dunkin Donuts is closed next to the laundromat. It was a dine-in location and only those with car window service are being kept open. The laundromat has sign asking patrons to please load their cleaning into the washers or dryers but to wait outside in their cars while in process.
I’ll bet Irene’s Restaurant wishes it still had the ice cream service windows of the 1960’s. I do miss those cones!
Stop & Shop was an adventure. Shelves were full but people were being very careful about their purchases. I witnessed many more people with a list. More people on their phone describing and asking what they should get. There are arrows on the floor indicating which direction you could walk in that aisle. People whisper now in the store and frown at people who see a friend and have a moment of conversation. Distances are respected. I didn’t realize I was holding up two other shoppers while I read ingredients on a package. I am not certain people understand about cross-contamination but the stores still get points for their efforts. For example the plastic bag placed over the debit/credit keyboard doesn’t stop anything because everyone is still touching the same plastic bag.
I had visitors to my home today. A couple out for a Sunday drive because they were both suffering from “Cabin Fever.” We chatted in my front yard. Another friend dropped by with a huge box of magazines. “You always know what to do with them.” I wish I did but right now I am not certain what to do with them. If you would like some magazines please contact me.
By the way, I did manage to rake the fallen branches in the front yard and I am contemplating taking the lawn mower in for a tune-up and sharpening. Give me a break it’s only just April!
People are getting to know their neighborhoods while taking a stroll to get a bit of fresh air while they can. People are waving at each other. Spending time in the neighborhood parks and greens. I find myself looking for the cameras as I am certain I have somehow been transported back to the 1960’s.
The car wash has a sign saying “Unlimited Washes for $30.” That really is a bargain for people with seasonal allergies to mold, spores and pollen. Have you looked at your windshield lately? Mine was powdery green and I sneeze three times and have to blow my nose every time I poke my nose outside. In addition to everything else its allergy time.
As strange as this sounds, the Virus, has given us all a brief pause, to stop and smell the roses and to learn how precious life is and that we need to enjoy what we have as a gift.
Wash often and stay healthy.
Attention News reporters and photographers and those that want to be helpful. Please stop lining people up side by side and shoulder to shoulder in a long line. Show respect and safety for the participants and social distancing. You can be creative using angles and still give everyone their fame and publicity.
We are seeing a lot of extremely poor food service practices because they are volunteers with good hearts. Let’s all practice safety for everyone.
Tie back the long hair. A hair net or cap is not a beret to be worn as a fashion statement atop the head. It is to keep hair out of and away from other peoples food.
Roll or push back the sleeves of your clothing. Sleeves fall down, they drag over things. You may be careful. You may think it did not brush against something but sleeves can and sleeves do. Ever find a stain on your sleeve?
If you are in a kitchen, put on an apron. An apron is a piece of clothing that you put on over the front of your normal clothes and tie round your waist, especially when you are cooking or assembling food in order to prevent your clothes from getting dirty. The apron protects your clothing but it will also protect the food you are making, crating, or serving from any invisible to the naked eye germs or other hitchhikers that may have caught a ride on your clothing. Clothing that you are safely wearing at home, in the street, and near other people.
Plastic gloves are to prevent cross contamination. Defined as the process by which bacteria or other microorganisms are unintentionally transferred from one substance or object to another, with harmful effect. Using one pair and touching everything defeats the purpose and protects no one and nothing.
Dirty kitchen clothes The clothes were clean when you put them on but you have been home, in a vehicle, in a different building, you picked up a tray, bag or box.
Unclean utensils. The ladle may not have been lifted out of the pot but YOU are using, stirring or serving spoon, knife or ladle that was handled by someone else a moment ago. Maybe you saw them. Maybe you did not. Who else has dried their hands on the dish towel? Who used the pot holder last?
Pests (not necessarily rats and mice but that pesky fly or fruit fly or hungry ant.)
Raw food storage (includes fresh fruit and vegetables) can lead to cross-contamination. Here are some of the ways to avoid cross-contamination: Personal Hygiene- Thoroughly wash your hands and face when handling food. Coughing, sneezing or even touching your hair, or sleeve can lead to cross contamination.
Wash your hands well before you participate in a kitchen task, sometimes while you are in the midst of a task, and definitely after you have completed a task and before you move on to the next one.
Thank you all for having such wonderful giving hearts in this trying time but I am tired of being at home so the more safety and cleanliness rules we follow, the sooner we can all go back to our pre-virus lives.
So I was chatting with a long time resident of Norwich, CT about how names are lost through time. A name that is well known for a time will be completely forgotten and any deeds done by that person will be credited to another.
For example in the Norwich Bulletin of July 6, 1903 Henry P. Goddard, then of Baltimore, MD gave a very lengthy speech filled with his memories of old Norwich at the dedication of the Hubbard Gates at the Norwich Town Cemetery.
How many of the spoken by Mr. Goddard do you recognize? “When such Norwich born orators as Daniel C. Gilman, Donald G. Mitchell, Timothy Dwight, Edmund C. Stedman, and William T. Lusk have treated the subject one must be bold who essays it.” Who?
Daniel Coit Gilman (July 6, 1831 – October 13, 1908) an American educator and academic. Instrumental in founding the Sheffield Scientific School at Yale and subsequently served as the second president of the University of California, Berkeley, the first president of John Hopkins University, and founding president of the Carnegie Institution. He co-founded the Russell Trust Association, administrators of the business affairs of Yale’s Skull & Bones Society. His term of twenty five years as president of Johns Hopkins in 1876 is said to have been the start of postgraduate education in the United States.
Donald Grant Mitchell, aka Ik Marvel, (born April 12, 1822, Norwich, died Dec. 15, 1908), American farmer, clerk to the U.S. consul at Liverpool and writer known for nostalgic, sentimental books on American life, especially Reveries of a Bachelor (1850).
Timothy Dwight (1752-1817), not to be confused with his grandson, Timothy V. Dwight of Norwich. Dwight was a prominent New England theologian, educator, and poet. Born in Northampton, Massachusetts, in 1752, Dwight enrolled in Yale at 13 and graduated in 1769. Among his many professional achievements was the founding of a successful school in Greenfield Hill CT, in 1783. As pastor of the Congregational Church there and, he published The Conquest of Canaan— the first epic poem produced in America. He became the eighth president of Yale in 1795, serving until 1817. Dwight allowed for greater faculty participation in college government, that ultimately modernized and enhanced the relevancy of the curriculum to be offered future generations of Yale students.
Timothy V. Dwight was born in Norwich, CT, the son of James Dwight. His paternal grandfather, Timothy Dwight IV, served as president of Yale from 1795 to 1817. He was the great-grandson of Major Timothy Dwight and Mary (Edwards) Dwight, the latter’s father being the Rev. Jonathan Edwards,third president of Princeton. His mother was Susan, daughter of John McLaren Breed, by his second wife Rebecca (Walker) Breed, who was the daughter of Robert Walker, a judge of the Superior Court of Connecticut.
Edmund Clarence Stedman (October 8, 1833 – January 18, 1908) was an American poet, critic, essayist, banker, and scientist.
William T. Lusk (May 23, 1838 – June 12, 1897) was an obstetrician and a soldier who rose to the rank of Assistant Adjutant-general during the first three years of the Civil War. Upon retiring from the Union Army, he finished his medical education and became a professor as well as president of the Bellevue Hospital Medical College and in 1882 wrote the text ‘The Science and Art of Midwifery. ‘
But the loquacious Mr. Goddard then recalled the historic women of Norwich, CT. The same women that have not been credited or acknowledged since. The musical accomplishments of Louise Downing Reynolds. Misses Eliza Perkins and Lizzie Greene who founded the Norwich Soldiers Aid Society. He reminded his listeners that it was the women of Norwich who raised the monuments to Uncas and Miantonah, founded the Village Improvement Society, the Sheltering Arms, Rocknook Home, and the School House Club. So who were these women whose names do not appear on our many plaques on a rock? Where are their names and their mentions by all our new and well-read and very modern historians? Why is it so much more exciting to believe modern fantasies than to dig deep and discover the truths and the pride of what once was? Come on Norwich, CT historians dig deeper!
Memorial Day, this year, Monday, May 25, 2020 is not only celebrated as Memorial Day but for years at the Leffingwell House Museum it was the official “Planting of the Banana” day somewhere near the flag pole in the Silver Star Mothers Garden. [ The garden around the flag pole was created in the 1980’s to honor the Silver Star Mothers of Norwich who had a child wounded in military service. Later Blue and Gold plants were added to honor Mothers with children on active duty and those killed in action.] The planting of the banana began when the “Norwich Rose” was planted near the flagpole. The “Norwich Rose” was part of a promotion of Norwich, CT by Walter Way who gave hundreds of rose bushes to be planted throughout the “Rose City.”
My neighbor challenged me to find out why roses like bananas and if other plants like them too. This is what I learned of course from the internet. So it must be true.
12 Uses For Banana Peels In The Garden
What all are banana peels good for?
Banana skin or peels being nutrient-rich, make an excellent source of natural fertilizer for your yard and garden. They provide your plants with:
Potassium: This nutrient helps your plants grow strong roots, and it also helps enable good distribution of water and nutrients. Potassium helps regulate plant enzymes and supports your plants in growing stronger stems. All of this works together to help grow strong, sturdy disease and pest repellant plants.
Phosphorus: This nutrient also helps build healthy roots and shoots, and it is absolutely essential for the successful production of blossoms, pollen and fruit. Plants that receive plenty of phosphorus grow big and strong.
Calcium: Roots and stems are also dependent upon ample calcium for strength and proper development. Calcium assists in breaking down soil nutrients such as nitrogen, and it supports other minerals in moving through a plant’s system.
Magnesium: This mineral supports healthy photosynthesis, which is absolutely essential for all aspects of plant growth and health.
Use these tips to make the most of these valuable nutrients!
1. Brew Some Banana Peel Tea
Create an all-natural liquid organic banana peel fertilizer filled with potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen using just banana peels and water. This combination feeds and strengthens plants and helps them resist diseases and pests.
Brew This Nourishing Banana Peel Fertilizer Tea In Several Different Ways
# 1 Fill a large jar (2 quarts) about three quarters of the way with water. Set the jar of water in your refrigerator. Whenever you eat a banana cut the peel into small pieces and put the pieces into the water.
Keep the jar of boiled banana water in your refrigerator for about a week. When it is full, strain the peels out and mix the banana water with a gallon of plain water. Use this “compost tea” to water your plants and give them a healthy dose of minerals.
# 2 If you don’t want to keep a jar of chopped banana peels in your refrigerator, make small batches of banana peel tea for plants. Do this by placing banana peels in a 1 quart Mason jar filled with water. Allow the jar to sit (loosely covered) at room temperature for two days. Remove the peel and use the water as-is for watering plants.
Note: I would NOT use this on plants indoors without some testing!
Related Reading: Yes! You Can Use Old Tea Bags In The Garden
2. Don’t Throw Away The Soaked Peels!
Use soaked banana peels as fertilizer. Dehydrate them and then grind them into powder for working directly into the soil, or make a slurry of the soaked banana peels using your blender. Work the slurry into the soil surrounding plants for nourishment and also for a certain measure of pest control.
Dehydrated banana peel powder makes an excellent addition when starting seedlings. Mix a pinch into the starter mix in each pot be sure that your seeds get off to the best start.
If nothing else, remember to add the soaked banana peels to your compost heap or bin!
3. Pest Control
Working cut up banana peels into the soil surrounding your plants not only feeds the plants, it also will help naturally deter green aphids and other pests. You can also spray your banana peels compost tea directly onto plants to help repel aphids. As a bonus, your plants will absorb the minerals in the compost tea through their leaves.
4. Banana Peels In Compost
Whether you compost using a compost pile, a bin or a vermicomposting setup, adding banana peels (whole, chopped up, soaked or as a slurry) is a good idea. If you do add whole banana peels, be sure to bury them deeply near the composting coffee grounds so as not to attract pests such as raccoons and possums.
Soaking, chopping, grinding or making a slurry of banana peels makes the nutrients more readily available to plants and facilitates quick breakdown of the peel. For this reason, some pre-compost processing is desirable.
5. Amend Your Soil
You can use banana peels composted directly as a soil amendment in the autumn when preparing flower and veggie beds for the winter.
Chop banana peels up and work them into the soil or add them whole. Again, just be sure to bury them deeply under mulch if adding them whole since they may attract mammalian nocturnal invaders.
On the upside, they attract beneficial insects, worms and microbes that will work hard through the wintertime improving the quality of your soil.
Have you thought about, banana peels for roses?
Roses respond very well with brighter blooms and more flowers when they get “fed” banana peels and coffee grounds.
6. Plant a Banana Peel
When planting seeds outdoors give them a direct jolt of nutrients by planting a banana peel along with them.
Dig a trench two inches deep and at least long enough to accommodate the banana peel strip. Lay strips of banana peels flat with the inside facing up and put the seeds on top.
Cover with light, rich, well-drained soil and water, care for your seeds as usual. As they germinate, create roots and begin growing they will greatly benefit from the rich fertilizer created by the decomposing banana peels.
Thank you to all who have served, and currently serve and their families.
What is with the spreading of the fear and apprehension in Norwich? Everyone is always afraid of change regardless of slight and regardless of the company of others in a similar situation.
Why can’t the people we choose as leaders and employ to be our leaders, lead. The pandemic has placed every city and town in a place they never imagined to be and some will rise to the challenge and some will fall. Norwich has been falling for a very long time and it is time we say a collective, “Enough.”
How can we say, “Enough?” Let’s start by cleaning up our streets. Not just the main streets but the back ones and the side ones as well. Going for a walk? Carry a trash bag. Go out with the kids and the grand children and pick up the litter.
Have one household at a time in your area schedule a big pick up and don’t hesitate to add to it.
Norwich is more than just the downtown. All promotions should be citywide. For example – Norwich has an enormous amount of old buildings and homes for sale. Some may have a history and some are just old. But imagine the impact if the properties for sale or rent with an interesting history had, just for example, the silhouette of Christopher Leffingwell, one of the early entrepreneurs of Norwich, CT.
Instead of whining about the change in table space within local restaurants use the change to create some new specialties. For example – How about a healthy box lunch? Some things simple, attractive and easy. Some places might even be able to have some boxes frozen or microwave ready. Yes most places already do that, but lets really promote it. Same old box but with a fancier sticker.
Was it really last summer? Well anyway, I was out of town for an event and there was a booth with a selection of boxed meals from a number of different restaurants. If I remember correctly all the boxes were the same price regardless of contents. I don’t remember what I chose but I remember it was tasty.
Can you imagine being able, in one location, to choose from 36 Town, 99 Restaurant, Bella Fiore, Brick & Basil, Canggio, Fat Cat, Friendly’s, Great Oak, Harp & Dragon, Irene’s, Jack’s, Johnny’s, Joy’s, King Wah, LaStella, Lazizah, Mi Casa, Namoo, Norwich Golf Course, Occum Pizza, Old Tymes, Prime 82, Punjabi, Tulli’s Uncle D’s, and the Yantic River Inn?
Personally I am not a fan of moving tables out onto the street. I do not find it enjoyable to eat a meal at the same level and within a foot or so of a belching car exhaust and what if it rains? Has anyone put forth the idea of expanding the number of tables at our city parks? Just a few cement ones along the outer rims of our parks? Or at least increasing the benches? There is always someone touting how Norwich, CT has three main rivers, and a bunch of ponds and streams and over-sized mud puddles well then how about engaging some of our youth and action groups to clean up a few areas to install trash cans and picnic tables?
Norwich has a full hand of play shops in town. Why can’t they take turns putting on lunch time performances at the Brown Park Gazebo, or an after Five at the Field House at Mohegan Park? On a Wednesday Evening beginning at 5:15 and ending at 6. The play is in the field house and bring your own lawn chair to sit on the field.
There has been much discussion about Diversity Day and the Italian and Greek Festivals. This is a tremendous opportunity to expand the audiences through virtual experiences. This is a time when there can be multiple, close up and personal demonstrations of crafts of the various countries, including cooking, sewing (costume making, beading, embroidery, shoe making), occupations in various countries we don’t see here, how to steer a gondola, fishing techniques, dance, health and exercise in different cultures. Start working with the local high schools and colleges that have media and film training programs and look at your local cable companies and see which talk shows would be interested in having the dancers or singers or contestants on their shows. Talk to a local radio station about interviews, speakers, singers and special programs.
Stop telling me about everything that needs to be changed and change the focus to new looks, new horizons and new ways of “getting it done.”
Well thank the heavens that its spring and will soon be summer. Lunch at work is going to be a new adventure for so many. Its not the food so much as where are we going to be allowed to eat it.
The lunchroom with long tables will soon be a thing of the past. Possibly replaced by smaller tables to allow for greater social distancing. Did placemats really fall out of fashion or did we just get used to using the paper bag or wrapper in its place? I will be carrying my own knife, fork, and spoon. Do you know who’s fingers were last in the communal box of plastic ware?
For those lucky enough to be working in Norwich, CT there are quite a few outdoor spots with benches and picnic tables to escape the office and phones for those few minutes of lunchtime peace.
But what happens if it rains or its cold outside? Will we be relegated to sitting in our cars in the parking lot? Where will we be allowed to breathe without our mask on?
I am certain there will soon be rules for what is allowed and not allowed as designs for masks at work. Will there be one design for servers? Another for receptionists? Professionals? What will be the etiquette for telling someone they have a mark on their face shield?
What about phones? Are there disposable covers for the phones or will we need to adjust to the muffled and distorted voices of people speaking through a mask on a telephone?
How long should the break to wash your hands be? Are there ever going to be public restrooms again?
Will there be a return to the pay toilet and a coin operated soap and towel dispenser?
I just have so many questions as to who has touched what and when and who is going to be paying for all of the cleaning and protecting?
Shopping for clothing and shoes will be going under some changes too.
Just breathe. There are going to be a lot of very new and strange changes about to happen that we will have to adjust to, discover how the change can be improved upon and then wait for that change to occur. Everything in its own good time. Just continue to breathe and repeat. One thankful day at a time.
Our reaction to the Corona Virus has been a learning experience for us all. Lessons in what is truly important to us as individuals, families, employees, and employers.
What apparently we have not figured out is what is important to our collective communities. For example, we have not been able to grasp how we can work together to have community events.
Go big or go home has always been the American way and we don’t know how to slow it down or reduce it. If it cannot be held in the exact same way as it was done before, the event can’t happen.
Well, I say, yes it can. Events can still be held, but differently.
Music festivals can still happen but not in the same confined spaces. Go outdoors where there is more room to spread out and have more distance between friends and families. Understand that speakers and natural accoustics can help spread the sound of bands. It is not necessary to herd the observers.
Artist exhibits can be distanced further apart and aisles made to keep people moving in a single direction. Art shows could be filmed for local access television or placed on a dedicated web site of the festival. What a way to have an accurate count of interest? What about the local newspaper? Can they print in color? How can they help to support the arts?
Contests can be put onto multiple screens for greater viewing. Now would be a good time to make friends with the local cable company and take their classes on how to film, edit and produce for television. Most high schools have a media department and some have their own public or cable access channels. Now would be a good time to ask for the help of their students and advisors. Of course, it would be a really good opportunity for the school to demonstrate their community involvement and support not to mention the real life experience the students would receive and their might be some opportunity for community service credits or college application examples of service.
Radio does not have to be only music. Do you have a local radio station that can help with getting the live or recorded music onto the air and into the community? Is there a way that, for example, someone might be able to have a weekly telecast of events or progress reports of events? Very 1950 in style with lame jokes and name dropping of local people and businesses and what is being worked on?
Has anyone considered Norwich, CT to be a multiple venue site? Different events on each of the Greens located throughout the city with a coordinated guide of times and places? Could some of the churches help with parking and perhaps venues?
Social distancing is an opportunity to examine and re-examine, change, try out new and different ways of doing things. It may well be the catalyst that Norwich, CT has needed to make changes and improvements on how we do things.
I cannot stress how important it is to not cancel events without first examining the supporting bones of the event and then thinking who is the real audience, what are the events, what is the purpose of the event, when is the event, where is the event, do all events need to be in the same location? How can the event be held safely? It may well be that only parts of a larger event can be held but if you don’t look, and talk and discuss alternatives you will never know.
You may have already read this thank you but this time I’d like you to read it looking at it as a different way of presenting what is considered to be the normal. A different way of presenting what has been done in a new, healthy and safe way. A new way of presenting normal.
I want to establish a new normal that is different from the past models. It is possible to go back to our lives, activities, enjoyments and our jobs. We just may have to discover a few new ways and paths to do so. Where is your sense of adventure? How long has it been since you took that deep breath and made the leap into something new? Something different? Go ahead! Take the leap!
The May 3 2020 Norwich Plant Swap was an outstanding success. Huge THANK YOU’s to all who attended and came from next door, and Hanover, Bristol and places throughout Connecticut.
There were lots of successful plant adoptions of indoor and outdoor plants. Jonni Ford from Zen Hollow Greenery in Hanover CT brought a huge selection of indoor tropical plants from her greenhouse. A wonderful couple brought elm trees ready for planting from his own adult tree. So many people brought seeds to share. One very industrious woman brought her collection of heritage seeds to share. Seeds that she had collected from her own flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs. She made it sound so easy. But, I know from personal experience, it’s not.
There are not enough words to thank St Vincent de Pauls for opening up their driveway and green lawn for us today. Without their help, support and cooperation this event would have been canceled.
Masks were worn. People parked and respected distances and the need of people to look at things carefully and to ask questions. A more civil and polite group could not be found anywhere. There were helping hands to help set up, helping hands with extra plant cups and newspaper and helping hands at the end to clean up.
Arranging for a plant swap is easy. The only rule is that all the roots, plants, seeds, seedlings, starters the whatevers are free. Everything is available for plant adopters to take home. Arrangements for leftover plants should be made in advance but not a requirement.
Hope you enjoy the photos taken by Patty Small.
I was just in my kitchen making a fresh container of tea. It’s becoming my summer favorite cold tea. As a hot tea, I wasn’t very fond of it, ok, the truth is I didn’t like it at all. But the other day I forgot that I didn’t like it and made a cup and took it out onto the porch. Then after I sipped it, I remembered I didn’t like it and set it down while I read my book. That’s when it happened. The tea cooled. I took a sip before I was going to pour it into the plants and it was delicious.
Had a magical house elf switched the tea? What was this magical elixir? It was the same tea but in a different circumstance. Now I have a gallon container of it in the refrigerator and will soon need to get another box of it. What I did was go out of my comfort zone. I tried something and it didn’t work for me but then I tried it again in a different way and what do you know? It was perfect.
The residents, taxpayers, and leaders need to try that approach. Try new things and if they don’t meet the current needs, try again in a slightly different way. If doing the same things, the same way and not getting a different result is not working; how about trying something new or looking at the desired result first and then working to develop a new way to reach the desired goal?
Norwich, CT has a broad and diverse culture and there have been many celebrations held throughout the years. But thanks to Covid we need to work a little harder, together, to expand and share our cultures. Our leaders need help. The leaders we elect. The leaders we hire and the leaders who volunteer.
Let’s ask our local newspaper to create a local recipe column. The kind where members of the community send in their recipes, with help from the English as a Second Language classes and the citizenship classes. How many different ways are there to make chicken soup? What’s for breakfast? If entire shelves of bookcases can be written on these topics how about a local column?
Is it possible for there to be articles for example on the ways the same or similar crafts are done in different countries and cultures? It could be woodworking, embroidery, tea making. All the same yet very different. We might have learning exchanges and experiences and that is almost as good as a jumpy house and much less expensive.
Some of the banks have been stepping up and supporting future commercial accounts with business and bookkeeping classes. Maybe its time for the newspapers to start educating their readers and potential advertisers and contributors about the ever-changing role of newspapers, their adverts, and legalities. How do you get an article published in the paper? What are the secrets and perhaps a few tips?
We as residents need to know what is happening in our area and its time for the various medias to tell us and to teach us what they need from us to give us what we need for a successful community.
WICH/WCTY radio stations have call in shows but what if they were asked to have volunteers from the citizenship class talk about why they want to become United States citizens.
The time is now for the residents and taxpayers of Norwich, CT to take back the control of our city. Now is not the time to quit committees. Now is not the time to protest, destroy and make demands. Now is the time to settle down and get to work sharing our individual visions to create an honest shared vision as we proudly step forward into the future of our community, our city, our state and our nation.
I do not bake. Ever. I blame it on my old gas oven not maintaining temperature. The fact that my previous attempts (once upon a time I tried) have all been undercooked, over-baked, burnt, lop-sided, or just plain odd have nothing at all to do with me and my skills as a baker. The fault is with my oven. I just wanted that to be clear.
Anyway, when I saw this fund-raiser I thought it to be ingenious and fresh. The results on their website looked amazing. This was their invitation, “Readers, authors and friends of Historians Cooking the Past: Participate in a virtual bake-a-thon in honor of Juneteenth and Canada’s Indigenous People’s Day. Efforts and donations will be in solidarity with #bakersagainstracism. Anyone can join in the fun for a good cause!”
Join us as we engage with our memories and make some new ones during this tumultuous moment! Get grounded, coat your anxiety in sugar, throw some dough around. Re-enact all of those community kitchen, fish fry, bake-sale moments that have brought us together traditionally to nourish and support each other!
The college made it a Facebook event and then asked the participants to make a short video sharing by posting the moment on social media with appropriate tags.
I had never heard of Ragebaking before but apparently there are rules that have been posted and been making the rounds since July 11, 2016.
You can bake alone or with folks, but whatever you make must be shared, preferably with strangers. Pass it out. Mail it. Throw a party. Take it to the nearest shelter. Set up a #ragebaking stand. However, you do it, spread the love and make sure folks know what’s in it so you don’t kill anyone with food allergies.
Challenge yourself. Make something you’ve never made before. Perfect your old game.
Always wanted to try to make a four layer cake or reverse engineer your grandmother’s biscuit recipe? Wanna take your pie game to the next level? Do it!
Embrace the fail and celebrate it. Take just as many pictures when you screw up as when you don’t. Remember that Martha Stewart has an entire company of folks helping her achieve that perfection. There is a journey to greatness that you often don’t see. Embracing the fail is embracing that journey and the beauty of putting it out there. When you do that, you’ll find other folks are on it too. You are never alone in the fail.
If you’re ragebaking with folks, everyone must bring something to contribute.
Whether it be the recipe, baking pans, ingredients, music to ragebake to, hands to cleanup or love. Remember that not all contributions are the kind bought with money. Work together and work it out. Take turns. It’s all hands in and hearts on.
Ragebake with purpose. Bake with intention.
Whether it’s to chase the blues, have real talk and support folk, raise money for a cause or to have fun, think about what you’re doing. Set the theme and the tone and go in.
Be thoughtful, considerate and kind
If you don’t know how to do that, let the ragebake be your guide. It goes without saying that ragebaking is open to all- no racism, homophobia, transphobia, sizism, sexism or general hateful ridiculousness. Don’t ruin what should be a good time for everyone.
Show us how you ragebake.
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter and use the hashtag #ragebaking when you post pictures or video of what you made,the folks you made it with or the reason why you made it. Show us how you do it.
Obviously this is not to be done in July and August but these are the things that take time to plan. Fall, winter, holidays and more are coming. The what to bake, the category, the ingredients, finding that perfect recipe. What came to your mind? Do you have an old Norwich, CT area cookbook? Church? Chamber? Radio Station? Historical Society? Take a peek thru and see if anything looks interesting? Fun? Absurd to even attempt? (Hint: Those are the best!) This is a time for ethnicity to shine! What recipes do you have from the “old country?” Start your planning now.
You are absolutely correct. It is absolutely none of my business. But I am going to toss my two cents in anyway. I have heard a rumor that Diversity Day in Norwich is canceled. I have heard a rumor that all of the Ethnic Festivals in downtown are canceled. I have not heard so much as a whispered peep of any events taking their place.
Do our social leaders really think that the only way to teach and acknowledge diversity is thru Americanized restaurant food, alcohol, and jumpy houses? Without those, there can be no festivals? Let me help with a few ideas for community diversity education. No worries I have more if needed.
A Sunday, Bring your own picnic, with different ethnic bands playing each week. Local restaurants or organizations could even sell bagged lunches as profit makers while people picnic on the grass while keeping social distance.
Use on-line cooking classes to introduce new flavors, herbs, and textures. Sell kits of measured ingredients with purchase instructions for an on-line in home cooking class.
Create child and adult story times with your local cable station. Have people read aloud stories from different countries. Try and have a bit of a creative show and tell as well. Maybe five, well spaced children listening to the story.
The adult story time can range from the casual stories, fairy tales, legends, to exciting chapter books or biographies of people from different countries.
How about a fashion show featuring the clothing and costumes of different lands? Imagine the impact of costumed males and females waving to traffic as they pass by. Consider sewing or assembly lessons with limited class sizes.
Gardens can be a very personal thing and with a little planning and advance promotion gardeners could grow the herbs and plants of a particular area. Some might be difficult and some not possible but you won’t know if you don’t try.
Sub-titled movies from different countries could be shown on a screen at Dodd Stadium. People could sit in their cars and laugh or cry with stars they are not familiar with.
Social distancing does not mean we have to stop enjoying life, being with each other, laughing with each other. We just need to find different ways to do it. It’s important that we continue to live our lives!
This gardening season I am watering liberally with Epsom salt. It’s one of those old wives tales that I heard somewhere, at some unknown time. This year it surfaced in my brain and I decided to try it. I am just putting a teaspoon in the large watering can and watering the plants. This is just like planting the banana. A partial, faded memory with no clear direction if I am doing it right or wrong.
So far the results have been mixed. Some of the plants have perked up considerably. Of course it could just be that I am watering them. But the roses, and peonies seem happy, and filled with blooms. The upside down hanging tomato is way bigger and bushier than the ground tomato. This is the largest and most solid crop of milkweed I have ever had. The spearmint is growing taller and sturdier than is reasonable. The porch ferns are a little over four feet tall now so I am expecting that they will top my five foot height soon. The rhubarb seems to appreciate it and has had a recent growth spurt. My other herbs don’t seem to care and are just being normal.
From the internet, I finally looked it up. I learned that using Epsom salts in gardens is not new and farmers learned long ago that magnesium sulfate fed plants become greener. The magnesium helps plants to absorb nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Which in turn helps in the creation of chlorophyll, vital for photosynthesis and leads to the plant having more healthy blooms and fruit.
So magnesium is one of the nutrients plants need to grow but, it’s a minor nutrient which means plants don’t need very much of it. The sulfate consists of sulfur and oxygen but it is also only a minor nutrient for plants.
According to what I read, we should all have our soil tested in the spring so we will know what needs to be replenished for better gardens. Farmers rotate their crops but home gardeners have a strong tendency to plant once and then leave it alone until the plant makes its unhappiness known by not blooming or growing.
Fortunately, for me, Epsom salt cannot be overdone and its safe for almost all plants. I have been adding a teaspoonful to the water every other day or so. Now I learn I’m only supposed to be adding it to the water once or twice a month at the most. Oops!
I also learned that my beans, kale and lettuce are perfectly happy and prefer soil with low levels of magnesium. That could explain a lot! Roses, tomatoes and peppers love magnesium. This could be a good thing but perhaps its time to put the bottle of Epsom salts back in the cabinet.
These are the directions on how to use Epsom salt in your garden correctly from the web site https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/epsom-salt-gardening.htm
When diluted with water, Epsom salt is easily taken up by plants, especially when applied as a foliar spray. Most plants can be misted with a solution of 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of Epsom salt per gallon of water once a month. For more frequent watering, every other week, cut this back to 1 tablespoon (15 mL). With roses, you can apply a foliar spray of 1 tablespoon per gallon of water for each foot of the shrub’s height. Apply in spring as leaves appear and then again after flowering. For tomatoes and peppers, apply 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt granules around each transplant or spray (1 tbsp. or 30 mL per gallon) during transplanting and again following the first bloom and fruit set.
Happy gardening!
Americans are always angry. Anger can be a good thing. If used well anger can be a very helpful motivator. So what precisely are you angry about? How can we go about changing what is making you so angry?
I say we because I am always willing to encourage and help change. Change is always growth. Sometimes growth is good, healthy and helpful. Sometimes growth is annoying, confusing, and frankly, not at all helpful or a good thing while in the process of being changed. Often, the changes we think we need are not the changes we need and so we need to go backward in the process to go forward and try again. And sadly, there are all too often the occasions where some very good things are lost or cut so there can be future improvements.
What are the improvements you would like to see? Realistic improvements please. I have met few people who would not like world peace, an end to poverty, clean water and access for all, abundant medical care, and free basic education for everyone. Now, let’s get real about the changes we can make by our own actions and influence. If we each do just a little bit, and our little bits join together, and more of the bigger bits and little bits become attached to one another to become a chunk, and more little bits and bigger bits, and small chunks attach themselves the chunk becomes a bigger chunk pretty soon you have a change that can proudly be lived with.
For example – If you are concerned the police are acting inappropriately in your town or area, ask for more training. Become active in setting up and endorsing getting acquainted situations. Encourage situations that allow participants to be seen as individuals and not mobs. Recognize that we are all human beings that regardless of exercises and training, we all react to situations instinctively. It’s not often that fear causes someone to relax.
If you are concerned about health care. Be the person who helps set up the blood drives. Be the person who raises the funds for free medical care, PAP smears, mammograms, Emergency Services, dental clinics, eye clinics and hospital beds. Encourage farm stands, community gardens, and healthy free and discounted meals.
If you are concerned about education read with students. Almost everyone loves to read to young children but consider forming a book club with older students using books and magazines that can help them learn skills, and be looked to as sources of information. Magazines such as car, truck, boat, motors, science, the list is endless. Find a way to feed into the interests of the students. Tutor students if you are able. Support the tutoring of students if you are not. Help your teachers to be better teachers by supporting your students at home.
If you are concerned about your taxes. Become active in your community, city and town to find ways to reduce or hold the line on your taxes. Serve on the committees, and boards. Ask questions. Don’t give up. Join political parties that are seeking candidates for office. Encourage people to run for office, or run for office yourself. Don’t just accept broad promises, ask for specifics. Know what the job description is and that the promises being made can be done by the person in that position and always – VOTE! When it comes to taxes, Americans real voice is not yelling, writing Letters to the Editor or whining, its in elections and voting for the people who have the power to make the changes.
Don’t hesitate to vote for change. To vote for someone new. To vote for fresh eyes and new ideas. Politics was never meant to be a lifetime career. It’s your votes that allow it to be. Term limits means voting for someone not currently in office.
Be angry but put that anger to work. Become the changes you want to see. Create the changes you want to see. Work towards and help others toward the changes. Make the changes you want to see. We do not all need to agree on every single item but if we all work toward improvements together, we can have a better world.
Small house museums have an immense advantage this summer over the big museums during the age of social isolation. Small house museums are small and for the most part see just small groups at the best of times. Tours can also control was is touched much more easily. This is when small house museums should shine with a glow rivaling that of the sun.
I was talking with a friend at a small house museum in another state and she was lamenting that they were discussing closing the museum because they couldn’t have their regular tours. That was where the conversation started but not where it ended.
Small house museums have a very definite period to focus their story on. It’s all good whether its twenty years or two thousand years. Just take a deep breath, close your eyes and let your mind wander to what the day to day life must have been like for the time and place and the people.
They were workers, inventors, farmers, business owners, employees, healers, lawyers, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, cooks, cleaners, travelers, entertainers, and more. They were just like you. So use local people, employees and docents with their skills as program hosts, pod-casters, speakers, writers, comedians, and singers to be ambassadors for your museum on local radio stations, cable shows, TikTok, and whatever other variety of communications are now out there.
The job of the museum is to make certain that they have as much accurate information as possible.
My personal favorite is story tellers and comedians. I enjoy listening to people tell stories written in different periods of time. Many stories, tales and fables are no longer appropriate for the age group they were originally written and intended for but they are perfect for a more mature audience. Arrange for small readings in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, do a pod cast of a chapter book, or read on radio or cable television.
See who among the members plays instruments and then ask if they would learn to pay some period appropriate music and not the dreary stuff but the lively tunes that have never been out of date or fashion. Was handkerchief dancing culturally appropriate? How about line dancing? Outside on a lawn or parking lot will be fine. How many instruments were played at the local dances at the time? In Norwich there are some wonderfully documented stories of impromptu dances held in kitchens and main rooms. For my friend folks would gather in the barn. She told me the story of a farmer who learned to play for his cow so she would give more milk. It is perfectly acceptable to have audience limits, with multiple shows with different offerings. Use that to generate interest and most of all you won’t wear out all of your volunteers at the same time.
Period fashion shows mixed with a bridal show has enormous potential for cable and pod-casters. Taking turns in the bedrooms of the small house museum are modern brides, bridesmaids, mothers-of-the brides, grooms all being “helped” to get dressed by people in period costumes. Short vignettes of lace making,hand stitching, stories of old, new, borrowed and blue, customs, hemming, seams in, seams out, waist and bust sizes, dress colors. Don’t leave the men out. Hats, tails, suits, vests and what did the men wear on their feet? How differently were their clothes tailored? There could be a whole show demonstrating how material was dyed? My friends museum has treasures left from the wagon trains including a wedding dress with a 16 inch waist!
What about the decorations and the flowers? Help local florists by encouraging them to demonstrate their versatility and talents by creating a variety of period appropriate bouquets and decorations. Does your house have a garden? What from the garden might have been used? Was there cake? Do a baking and cooking demonstration. The possibilities are endless!
What are some of the smaller, lesser known, collections in your museum? Lets bring them out and show them off. Now is when the rest of the details can be shown and told. Make certain donation information is prominent and clear.
What games and activities did children play? What were their chores? How did people date? My friend wanted to know more about the dating candle. What were the rituals? Do we have similar rituals today?
Let’s make this the summer of the small house museum!
Finger bowls are not convenient or fashionable when eating at home or when eating out in most restaurants. I don’t like it when restaurant employees sweep or vacuum near me while I am trying to enjoy a meal; so I have assembled a few alternatives to the sloshing and spraying of disinfectants on the tables and chairs near restaurant patrons.
Not so long ago with stake away seafood, chicken and ribs restaurants would always include a few packets of “Moist Towelettes.” My suggestion is that restaurant patrons be given a packet when they are seated and given a menu and a second at the end of their meal. A sticker with the name of the restaurant would be the encouragement for people to come back for more. Food certainly and not just the convenient packets that fit so easily into pocket, or purse.
Tables and chairs, whether inside or outside are difficult to clean and sanitize at the best of times. Spraying disinfectant after every diner leaves just does not sound like an enjoyable experience for those in the nearby tables and a damp table and chair doesn’t sound enticing either. I suggest disposable table cloths (paper or plastic) placed when the diners are seated and removed when they leave. Table sized washable mats or tablecloths would also work. For busy places that can become a lot of laundry. Although, come to think of it, Norwich does have a commercial laundry in its very own business park.
The mats, the size of the table, and not place mats could bear advertising, sage advice, photos or even the menu. A seasonal community calendar might be a thoughtful promotion too.
Some of the finer dining establishments might want to bring damp, warm, towels at the beginning and end of the meal. Just the size of a face cloth would do but folded nicely with the crest of the business centered.
Cleaning and clearing of tables becomes easier by folding up the edges and disposing in restaurants that use all paper and plastic.
I wish that even one of these suggestions was original but alas, not one of them is. Norwich, CT could show its potential and leadership by trying some of these suggestions and letting others see how well or not well they work in our community. There are more businesses to be founded, business loans, and investment funding available to try new and different things. Some may work and some may be a trial but isn’t trying something better than doing nothing but complaining?
It is almost that time of the year when the senior residents of Norwich, CT begin talking about the age of the City of Norwich and how grand the old celebrations were because they have a collection of the post cards or have gone to the Otis Library website and used the link to old and mostly unidentified and blurry scanned photographs.
How I wish they just dug a little bit more into the history of the events and read some of the available descriptions of the events. Truth is often stranger than the fantasies that can be dreamed up.
With thanks to the internet which can be given enormous credit for spreading of tales but also fresh new insights through a wider lens than we are accustomed to looking through. For example, this article, written by Wayne L Youngblood, philatelist, editor, storyteller, and appraiser of Prairie du Sac WI, was sent to me by a friend because it mentioned Norwich, CT.
Just a thought but the Leffingwell House Museum, in Norwich, CT, has an extensive collection of paper, newspapers and communications from the 1840’s – 1860’s that would make a fabulous, unusual and unique collection display that could draw in new visitors.
Some of this information appears in the Norwich Bulletin bi-annually, but I don’t recall in as much detail.
Mummies Among Us (Philatelic feature) Wayne L. Youngblood
It’s possible there are mummies lurking in your collection – or at least parts of them.
We frequently don’t give much thought to the paper our stamps and covers are produced on, but papermaking has a long, colorful and somewhat sordid history involving various crimes, body snatching and – now – confirmed evidence of perhaps widespread use of mummy wrappings for pulp.
For many years the idea of mummy paper has been debated and was thought by many in the world of papermaking to be little more than urban legend. Mummy paper includes any number of products created using (at least in part) the linen wrappings of mummies imported from Egypt. As it turns out, from a relatively recent discovery, a number of our philatelic artifacts may contain traces of mummies.
Due to many reasons, including a rapidly growing literacy rate and the rapid expansion of the newspaper industry, the demand for paper spiked during the mid-19th century. At the time, most paper was made with a high percentage of rag content, and demand for rags far outstripped the available supply. By the mid 1850s, papermaking in America was approaching a crisis, with no significant new source of rags in sight. In Britain, it was not uncommon for criminals to dig up the recently deceased, sell the bodies for medical dissection and peddle the clothing as rags for papermaking. In the United States, however, another scenario began playing out.
Isaiah Deck, an archaeologist, geologist, explorer and physician, gave thought to mummy paper after having visited Egypt in 1847 searching for Cleopatra’s lost emerald mines. While there, he noted the huge number of mummies and parts (human and animal) that were frequently exposed in “Mummy pits” after sandstorms. By Deck’s calculations in 1855, there were enough easily accessed mummies providing linen of the “finest texture” to sate the papermaking needs of America for about 14 years (at the average consumption of 15lbs per person per year). (1.) Besides, the bones of animals (and, he presumed, humans) were already being extensively used for creating charcoal for Egyptian sugar refineries. Linens for paper, he reasoned, should be obtainable for “a trifling cost.”
Even earlier, in its Dec. 17, 1847, issue, the Cold Water Fountain, a temperance newspaper in Gardiner, Maine, ran an article regarding the potential use of mummies for paper: “The latest idea of the Pacha of Egypt for a new source of revenue is the conversion of the cloth which covers the bodies of the dead into paper, to be sold to add to the treasury,” according to the article. (2) The paper went on to describe the fine quality of the linen and its superior suitability for papermaking.
One of the earliest reports of mummies as paper pulp comes from 1858, when a visitor to the Great Falls Mill in Gardiner, Maine, complained about the smell of rags, noting “…but the most singular and the cleanest division of the whole filthy mess … were the plundered wrappings of men, bulls, crocodiles and cats, torn from the respectable defunct members of the same … [to be mingled] with the vulgar unmentionables of the shave-pated herd of modern Egyptians…” (3) An example of a locally produced folded letter mailed from Gardiner in 1860 is shown in Figure 1. It bears an example of Scott No. 25.
Dard Hunter, in his Papermaking: The History and Technique of an Ancient Craft, documented a paper mill in Gardiner, Maine (likely Great Falls), that – in 1863 – used mummy wrappings due to a shortage of rags during the Civil War.
A History of the S.D. Warren Co., produced in 1954 to celebrate the centennial of the papermaker, discussed the shortage in a chapter detailing the transition to wood pulp. For rags, “one of the most unusual sources was Egypt, where many yards of cloth wrapped around thousands of mummies were stripped and shipped to paper-hungry countries.”3
Unfortunately oft-repeated legend that mummy linens caused multiple outbreaks of cholera in part led to the general acceptance that mummy paper was only a myth and not a reality.
However, it is well documented that in Europe mummies were being ground up for a snuff-like “medicine” and for use as a paint pigment (named “mummy”). It certainly is not only conceivable, but probable, that linens were used for papermaking in multiple U.S. locations. However, likely due to prevailing religious sensibilities regarding corpses, the use of these imports was not widely publicized.
The prime piece of physical evidence is the existence of a broadside discovered by mummy researcher S.J. Wolfe in the Brown University archives, reinforced by the Figure 2 example I located several years ago – the only one known in private hands. The item was created for the Norwich, Conn., Bicentennial Celebration in 1859 and features an ad for the Chelsea Manufacturing Co. of Greeneville, Conn., at the bottom, “the largest paper manufactory in the world.”
The text, enlarged in Figure 3, reads (in part): “The material of which it is made, was brought from Egypt. It was taken from the ancient tombs where it had been used in embalming mummies…”
Footnotes:
1. Deck, Isaiah, “On a Supply of Paper Material from the Mummy Pits of Egypt,” Transactions of the American Institute of the City of New York, for the year 1854 (Albany 1855, pp83-93).
2. A Cold Water Fountain, Gardiner, Maine, Dec. 17, 1847.
3. Northern Home Journal, Gardiner, Maine, Aug. 12, 1858.
4. A History of the S.D. Warren Co., 1854-1954, Westbrook, Maine, 1954 (page 33).
It’s entirely possible that a good number of U.S. envelopes manufactured during the 1850s and ’60s from multiple factories (if not stamps themselves and stamped envelopes) may very well contain traces of mummy. What’s in your collection?
Canceling the large events is as if a giant re-set button has been triggered. Growing up in the 1960s I watched as events and family events grew and expanded until they were no longer local and family events but were boring commercial operations.
Let’s celebrate the return of old fashioned fun begin with modern spins and imagination. Lets raise money not for giant conglomerates but for our cities, towns and the local people.
Sell a box of ingredients or even just the recipe with a code for the demonstration on website or local cable station of how to make a particular dish in the private home
Bring back the publication of the Local Cookbooks. The ones with names of fabulous and not so fabulous local cooks you recognize.
Miss seeing the animals perform or in cages? Set up a parade or a circus in your neighborhood of stuffed animals, and pets. See what tricks your neighbors have taught their pets to do.
Enjoy a neighborhood “Masked Event.”
No movie theater in town. Show a movie on the outside wall of a building. What a tremendous opportunity to re-paint at least one side of the local firehouse! Or a school. Gee I wonder if one of the painting companies would be willing to show off why they should be hired to paint your house?
Set aside a day or a weekend to take people out on small boat tours. Row boats, motor boats, rafts, gondolas, canoes, kayaks, the options are endless.
Demonstrate safe camping procedures by having a safe camporee. Set up ten, safe, campfires for groups of 6-8 to roast marshmallows or hot dogs on provide a roving singing minstrel (ok someone in town must play a guitar, banjo or accordion). Two hours and then the next group.
Beaches are a bit tricky and do require a budget. You’ll need the medium sized plastic pools filled with water for people to splash their feet or wade in. You’ll need some children’s sand tables with fresh sand to build sand castles in. I say tables as adults love to play in the sand but often don’t like the sitting on the ground part. Encourage a turtle or frog race and set up pools with fish in different places. This type of event is wonderful for local nurseries and landscapers to show off their creative side. Don’t hesitate to ask them. Create the place, or paradise you like to spend your vacation in at home. Work with your friends and neighbors to create yours and theirs happy places.
Make the memories you want your children and grandchildren to remember with smiles and pride.
It is so odd to read about your habit, your issue, your problem, to realize it is reality for more than just you. I just read an article about people who have, “Tsundoku.”
The word is a noun defined as “letting books pile up unread on shelves, floors or nightstands.
There is a word for me? Does it also include the books I now have on my Kindle that I haven’t gotten to yet or is it just for the books I can hold in my hands?
How and why did the Japanese find it necessary to create a term used to describe a person who owns a lot of unread literature?
The article I read said a Professor Andrew Gerstle who taught pre-modern Japanese texts at the University of London explained to the BBC that the term might have been found in print as early as 1879, meaning it was likely in use before that.
According to the article, and who am I to doubt it, the word “doku” can be used as a verb to mean “reading”. And the “tsun” in “tsundoku” originates in “tsumu” – a word meaning “to pile up”.
So when put together, “tsundoku” has the meaning of buying reading material and piling it up.
That is me. During this extended period of isolation I have made a few dents in my piles of books, but then I have also added to my stacks of books. Loans, gifts, recommendations, the clearing of someone else’s home to mine.
The brief interest in learning something new or reviewing something old. A catchy phrase in the description. A cover that is a dream, a memory or a fantasy. What is it about collections of words that is so interesting? Why do we want to hoard certain collections of words? Why not just buy a single giant dictionary? All of the very same words in the books would be in the dictionary All ready to be re-assembled in any way, shape, form or order you would like them to be.
I tried that. I have a very large dictionary and I read in full a page or two but the words did not transport me to other places. The orderly words did not tell me how another person’s mind turned their thoughts to actions, good or bad. The words in the dictionary were flat while the words placed in a different order by another can transport me to other places, other worlds. They can explain what I do not understand. They can instruct so I can do. They can give me insight into how another’s mind works.
“Tsundoku” may not be such a bad thing. Perhaps it’s just a symbol that an individual has a want, a yearning, a need to escape the chains of a reality beyond their control.
Read on!
Everyone should be wearing a mask. Maybe not in your own home or when you are alone in your car but certainly when you are outside, in groups or in contact with other people, at work and at school, shopping, visiting and wherever else you might be.
So why are people still wearing dull, plain masks? Speaking for myself if I were a national chain I would have every employee wearing a smiling mask in my store colors, or a mask saying, “May I help you?” or a mask just saying, Hi!”.
Students should be provided with masks in their school colors. How fun it would be to see “Hi1” on masks in different languages.
Has anyone thought of designing masks with name tags so when they are washed or misplaced they can be returned to the correct person? Not that anyone would ever take off a mask and just accidentally leave it somewhere or have it slip out of their pocket, purse or backpack.
Masks would be great micro-billboards for advertising. How long have we been putting identifying labels on purses, shirts, jeans, shoes, jackets and lest we forget our under garments?
Seriously, let your mask make a statement about who you are, who you represent or maybe even who you would like to become.
Growing up how many of us had underwear labeled for the day of the week? If you can’t recall, ask your momma. Maybe it could be a fashion statement with Wednesday being Hump Day, Thursday bearing, Is it Friday yet? And Friday, a giant grin with TGIF!
Maybe face masks could coded? Green for first shift. Yellow for second shift. Blue for third shift.
Maybe the masks could be coded for work teams?
These are just a few ideas of what can be done with masks. Let’s all stop whining about having to wear them and accept them as our new normal and step off into the future.
My personal thanks to the people who will walk and run on the side of the road facing the traffic where there is no sidewalk. I can see you and more importantly you can see me. We do not need to make eye contact or acknowledge one another but it is calming to know that we are both aware of each other.
I am always more aware and I admit nervous as I am driving but there is someone peddling, walking or running with the traffic so I am behind them. My fear is that there will be a trip or a fall into my lane of traffic because they are looking over their shoulder at me or I will swerve into their lane or into them because my hands holding the wheel follow my eyes, or there is a slide of my tires, or a pothole whose bump moves my car to the right by just that fraction. I know I am not supposed to have these thoughts and fears. I know that according to the rules of the road all rod traffic should move in the same direction and that may be fine for cities and places with wide streets and places with well kept and marked shoulders, verges, right-of-ways, or reserves.
Where I live the grass may be mowed 30 feet back from the tar but the shoulder may or may not be marked, its broken and decayed surface will be beneath slippery salt and sand from a winter where it was piled on icy roads to provide the large vehicles traction in the winter, general dirt, cigarette butts, trash, collected run-off and other disgusting things. Our shoulders road and street shoulders are sometimes gutters and not places for safe walking riding, biking or traveling.
The City of Norwich, CT is finally beginning to try and make our streets and sidewalks safer, better and easier to use. New, long needed stop signs have been placed. Some drivers are annoyed but honestly I am grateful as the stop signs really do make it safer for cars and pedestrians alike. It slows the traffic down, almost to the speeds that the roads were designed to be traveled on. What? You have not been witness to my reciting, “Just because you can, does not mean that you should.” Just because you can put that “pedal to the metal” on that narrow, strip of road, does not mean that you should. You share that road with others and its not the moving right along that becomes the issue. The issue is having enough room to stop those thousands of pounds of machinery. It’s the tires having enough grip on the surface of the road. Its the unexpected reaction of the other vehicle, or obstacle, it is all about the unexpected. No one plans an accident. Accidents are just that. By chance in-opportunities.
So in this time of learning how to be socially distant. Of a time when we are learning to depend more on ourselves by taking walks, jogs and runs we also need to practice and learn and adapt to what is safe for us and what we need to demonstrate to our, collective children and other impressionables how to interact and share our streets and roads safely and effectively.
Please stay healthy and please stay safe.
Are you in a rut? I am. I wear outfits by the day of the week. My Tuesday outfit cannot be worn on Monday and I am not certain what horrible thing would happen if I wore my Thursday skirt with my Friday blouse. Inconceivable!
I am also in a food rut. Not only do I eat the same foods repeatedly but I serve them the same way. Plopped on a plate. Leftovers bagged or wrapped and into the fridge. Done.
No not done. I need to change. I need to take some pride back to the stuff on my plate. I was looking at the pictures in the Minute Rice Fast Fabulous Meals cookbook. My attention was caught by a layered salad in a clear glass bowl. It was cheerful and colorful and tempting and it looked easy.
I didn’t have need of a single large salad so I looked over my available glass and plastic ware. I had four extra large plastic cups. So long on my shelf they needed a wash just to remove the dust! So sort of following the directions for the layered salad I began.
My thin slices of red onion were too large for the bottom of the glass so I quartered them. They gave a little space for the dressing that would come later. Then I put in a layer of cooled white rice. Then a layer of thawed frozen peas, I cut up some ribbons of fresh carrots next, a layer of sliced and stemmed fresh spinach as I don’t like iceberg lettuce, avnother layer of onion, more rice, some drained kidney beans, and sliced black olives. Covered in plastic wrap and into the fridge. Neat. Tidy. And so pretty.
I made a favorite vinaigrette of rice vinegar with a spoonful of peach jam and a sprinkle of hot pepper flakes, slices of garden fresh cucumber, sliced tomato and cold tuna completed the meal.
If you think you are in a rut, stand up. Look around. See what is near by. Take a stroll to see what is over the hill. Go ahead. Put one foot in front of the other. You can do it.
Today I stopped at a friends to wish her a happy birthday. Thanks to Covid her friends were all assigned dates and times for a visit over the month so her home would not be crowded with people, laughter and high jinks all on a single date. Instead the laughter and high jinks, although, subdued, was spread out and the only regret was that masks had not been stamped or printed with a variety of laughing mouths or smiles or perhaps just the words “Happy Birthday.”
I was treated to the story of a family group coming to visit wearing elaborate eye masks above their mouth masks. Identification of her great-grandchildren took a bit longer than planned and there was plenty of laughter, photos and the cutest video of the hinting and guessing game that had ensued and entertained.
We had a wonderful visit and her next visitors arrival signaled my departure. Although her next visitor was also excited to see me. “Just the person! I have cookbooks in my trunk for you to look at.”
The couple were trying to downsize and had hoped they’d run into me. I could not take them all but I came home with a few treasures. One of the treasures was a 1987 bound collection titled, “Babushka’s Kitchen.”
On February 18, 1985, Babushka turned 85. The family had enjoyed many happy, sad and grateful meals prepared with love by Babushka. She had shared her recipes of a little of this, a touch of that with many over the years and bonded in the kitchen with new family members, nervous brides and seasoned family chefs. As a tribute, one of the grand-daughters asked the now far-flung family to send her their favorite, “Babushka Recipe.”
Some of the recipes are a simple list of ingredients. Not a measurement in sight. You look at what you have and will know instinctively the correct proportions for your tastes at the time.
Some recipes were unique. At least to me. Here are two that made me smile.
Sour Cream Dressing
1 8 ounce container of sour cream
Salt and pepper
Scallions or chopped chives
Drop of lemon juice
Stir sour cream, a little drop of lemon juice, salt and pepper together until smooth. Add chopped green scallions or chives.
Add to tossed salad and mix together. Refrigerate until icy cold and serve.
Cranberry Chiffon Pie
1 baked 9-inch pastry shell
1 envelope (1 tablespoon) unflavored gelatin
½ cup cold water
2 cups or (½ pound) fresh cranberries
2 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup whipped cream
1 Tablespoon sugar
Prepare and bake pastry shell; cool. Soften gelatin in water. In medium saucepan, combine cranberries and softened gelatin. Bring to boiling; simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often. Cool.
In large mixing bowl, combine egg whites, the one cup sugar, the lemon juice, salt and cranberry mixture. Beat until mixture holds firm peaks, about 6-8minutes. Stir in one cup whipped cream. Pile into pastry shell. Chill 4-5 hours.
How would you make either of these recipes your very own? I am not a baker. So for the Cranberry Chiffon Pie, I am thinking a store-bought cookie crust or perhaps I might crush a box of coconut cookies, add some fresh or toasted coconut and butter before pressing into a pie plate to harden. And because I am lazy I might cook the cranberries as directed but substitute cool whip for the whipped cream and chill. Something new for Thanksgiving perhaps?
Eyewear
I am hot, sticky and annoyed. So get ready this is going to be a rant. This morning I awoke and reached for my glasses on the nightstand to find that the right earpiece was no longer connected to the lens frame. So I wait until mid-morning to go to the eyeglass store for a quick repair. I hoped.
This is the second time the temple or earpiece has disconnected from the frame. The screw is in place but the dowel that connects the two pieces has broken.
I have only worn glasses for the last fifty or so years so I am still new at wearing them. They go on my nose first thing in the morning and are the last thing removed at night. I wash and wipe them periodically during the day depending on my activities. This pair is about three years old and I need to get a new pair but I have an exam scheduled for October so I am not looking to buy another pair now in July.
Can you leave the glasses and we’ll call you next week when they are ready? No.
Will you be waiting then? Yes.
Would you mind waiting in your car it will be at least a half hour? Fine
Folks, I wear very thick, strong glasses. I cannot be without glasses to safely walk let alone drive. Waiting in a car, in a parking lot without a shade tree in sight, on a sunny, humid, hot mid-summers day was not a treat so I moved to wait on a bench in the outer hallway.
I could overhear the staff comments. Why is there a woman waiting on the hall bench? Did you ask her to wait outside? All said from their very comfortable air conditioned office.
When my glasses were finally ready after 90 minutes since I brought them in, they were handed to me with a lecture that glasses have a limited life span and to preserve their life span I shouldn’t open and close them repeatedly during the day as it stresses the structure.
What do the manufacturers and designers think people are going to do with the glasses? Granted I also use them as a fashion statement to enhance my natural fabulous look. Is it wrong to expect that my eyeglasses should be able to open and close without issue, repair or replacement? My prescription for progressive lenses are not covered by insurance so every pair, paid for by me, is over $400. Is it wrong that I expect the glasses and frames should have a life span of a few years? Quality should not be an add-on. It should not be wrong to expect it. We, as Americans, need to bring personal pride back in our manufacturing. Our manufacturing. Not some other countries mass market manufacturing.
In my house mail I had a business envelope from the Secretary of the State, Elections Administration Division and if you are a registered voter in Connecticut yours has been or will be in your mail shortly.
Open it up. Inside you will find only two things #1. A business reply envelope with a window so when you complete and fold the second item the envelope will already be addressed. No stamp needed if you mail it within the United States. #2. is a one sided form titled, Application For Absentee Ballot.
All registered voters are receiving the absentee ballot because of Executive Order7QQ, and everyone can use COVID-19 as the reason for using an absentee ballot in Connecticut.
Be certain to check the information in section I. Is your name, address, date of birth and party affiliation correct?
Remember, because you are affiliated with a party allows you to vote in only the primary of that party in August, but in November, you can vote for whichever individual , of any party, you choose.
The date of the Connecticut primary is August 11, 2020 and you are asked to check the party you are affiliated with, either Republican or Democrat. No other parties are having a primary at this time. Other parties will be on the November 2020 ballot.
Section II. – Statement of Applicant saying why you want an absentee ballot. Everyone can check the top box saying, “COVID-19.” No documentation is required.
Section III. – Applicant’s Declaration is a simple statement saying you are telling the truth and then there is a place for your signature and the date you signed.
Only if someone helped you complete the form does anyone complete Section IV. Declaration of person providing assistance. That person signs their name, prints their name, phone number and their home address.
Then the form just needs to be folded so the Pre-printed address of the City Clerk’s Office shows in the window of the Official Election return envelope.
You, are also responsible for writing your return address on the envelope, sealing it shut and dropping it in the mail. No postage needs to be put on the envelope.
How easy was that? Since each voter received their own absentee ballot application and envelope I suggest each application be sent in separately in its own sealed envelope. Because of record keeping this is not the time to save postage and combine applications in an envelope. Later on election auditors will be looking at the number of envelopes received on given days, how many handed out in person and how many applications received on those days.
Happy voting!
Norwich, CT is a city with empty volunteer boards and commissions which is not a symbol of a thriving and vibrant community. To make the changes that are desperately needed to turn our city around we all need to stop depending on somebody else, and to take control by participating. That’s right. I am calling you out. I don’t care what you participate in or on but it is now critical to the survival of our city that we each do something.
Many of us volunteer out of a sense of community pride, some duty, some tradition and still others responsibility.
There are other reasons to be a part of a committee such as to be with other people, to feel a part of the city, to feel useful and needed, to gain job experience, management experience, insight into how an operation is run, to get school credit, to learn about City government, to have a say in how tax dollars are spent, to learn new skills, to build and maintain a positive interaction with the community, and/or personal interest.
Promotion to fill the many community and city openings is done only through a posting of the position on the City of Norwich website. Interested people have to look for the postings, apply and go through a resume and interview process.
Go to Norwichct.org; then click on Government on the top ribbon; then click on on the left panel click on boards and commissions; then select volunteer opportunities.
As I have blogged before Norwich, CT leadership has no understanding of promotion and seldom recruits volunteers either through announcements, feature stories, presentations, or even “word of mouth” from enthusiastic volunteers. I only know of one group, the Information Volunteers, in city hall, that receive any kind of recognition for their work and dedication. City leaders seldom seize an opportunity to praise and publicize its volunteers by mention in speeches, talks, or writings. With a bit of reminding there may be a perfunctory thank you for your service when someone moves away, or retires. But the time has come to hear, “Thank you” by tweet, in person, in morning announcements, with baked goods, or garden produce, Facebook shout-outs!, hand-written notes, thank you videos, newspaper articles and blogs, gifts, pins, emails, volunteer spots, photos, formations, letters, lattes, pot lucks, certificates of appreciation, gift cards, chocolate, flowers, flash mobs, photo albums, graffiti walls, use your imagination for more creative ways to say thank you that I haven’t mentioned.
Norwich, CT needs volunteers from all walks of life. We need volunteers of all ages with a wide diversity of backgrounds. People with professional, technical and clerical experience. Retirees as well as those still working and students.
The residents and taxpayers of Norwich, CT have relinquished much of the administration, operation and decision making to non-residents and it is time the residents and taxpayers took back the responsibilities and opportunities. Now is the time to step up, to make the changes that will move our city forward.
Individuals appointed to any board of the City of Norwich:
Must be a resident elector of the City of Norwich.
Must be up to date in payment of property taxes.
Certain appointments have restrictions or qualification imposed by the Charter, state statues, or by ordinance, individuals applying for such an appointment or reappointment must meet and comply with such restrictions or qualifications to be considered.
All applicants including those requesting reappointment must complete an application through the City’s website. After the application has been received, interviews will be scheduled through the Mayor’s office. Not all positions may be open at the time of your application
As of July 1, 2020 there are openings on the Baseball Stadium Authority, Board of Assessment Appeals, Building Code of Appeals, Cable television Advisory Committee, Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Commission on the City Plan, Design Review Board, Ethics Commission, Harbor Management, Historic District Commission, Ice Arena Authority, Inland Wetlands & Watercourses, Norwich Supportive Housing Committee, Public Appearance and Beautification Committee, Public Utilities Commission, Redevelopment Agency, Regional Tourism District, Senior Affairs Commission, Southeastern CT Water Authority, and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
My neighbor is from the mid-west and she does not let me forget it. We were talking about all the fairs being canceled this fall and what we would miss the most. The displays, the various contests and of course the food.
I have nothing to contribute to conversations about how to grow the largest fruit or vegetables. I have no firsthand experience planting sardines beneath my corn and beans or feeding whole milk to pumpkins. I can admire quilts and the products of all skilled crafters but my own skills end there.
I can however discuss food endlessly I thought. I was wrong and have missed the Iowa State Fair regional favorite – Hot Beef Sundae. Described with sheer reverence as served in an oblong paper tray, three scoops of tender mashed potatoes, lovingly smothered in a rich brown gravy with almost no fat and strained of the garlic, onions and mushrooms used for flavor and the most tender smoked and shredded beef , lightly sprinkled with shredded aged cheddar cheese, topped with a tiny dollop of locally sourced sour cream and a cherry tomato. And it must be eaten with the long sundae spoon of course.
Doesn’t that description beat an all beef hot dog, on a stick, dipped in corn bread batter and deep fried?
Have you ever been to a Strawberry Festival? Yes? My neighbor was a judge for a Strawberry Chili Contest one year. Now there was a combination I had never, ever, even contemplated. I could not find recipes for Strawberry Chili other than my neighbors which is delicious and easy.
To 1 tablespoon vegetable oil add 1 large diced onion, 2 large diced cloves of garlic, 1 diced stalk of celery, and cook until transparent, add 1 pound ground turkey or sausage, add 1 chopped red pepper, one small jar of strawberry jam without seeds, 1 cup tomato sauce or catsup, season with salt and pepper, add chopped jalapeno pepper, 1 can Heinz vegetarian baked beans and 4 cups frozen strawberries. Serve when the strawberries are heated through.
(Note: If you assemble in a crock pot add 1 tablespoon molasses, 2 tablespoons light soy sauce, and a dollop of brown mustard for an even richer flavor. )
While I was poking around I found this recipe for Strawberry Baked Beans in All Recipes. 4 cup fresh strawberries; hulled , 4 teaspoons vegetable oil, ½ cup ketchup, ¼ cup strawberry jam, ¼ cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons dark molasses, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 1 chipotle chili in adobo; chopped, 1 clove garlic; minced, ½ cup onion; diced, ½ cup red bell pepper; diced, 2 fifteen ounce cans pinto beans; drained, 1 tablespoon parsley; chopped.
Coat strawberries with oil and place on skewers – lightly char on bbq grill (optional) (Never occurred to me)
Preheat oven to 300
In a medium sauce pan, combine strawberries, ketchup, jam, balsamic vinegar, molasses, soy sauce, mustard, chipotle chile and garlic.
Cook over medium heat until strawberries start breaking down – about 15 minutes. Using an immersion blender, blend strawberry mixture until smooth. Continue cooking until sauce is reduced by one third – about 15 minutes
In a Dutch oven, heat 2 teaspoons of oil. Add onion and bell pepper – saute until soft. Add pinto beans and 1 1/2 cups of the strawberry sauce (remainder can be used elsewhere or saved). Place pan in the oven and bake at 350 degrees until sauce thickens – about 25 minutes. Transfer to serving bowl and garnish with parsley
Also in All Recipes.com was this for Strawberry Chili Peppspier Jam – 4 cups fresh or frozen strawberries, chopped and crushed, 3/4 cup jalapeño peppers, finely diced, 1 large lemon, 6 cups sugar, 1 tablespoon red chili flakes (optional.) Mix together strawberries, jalapeños and pectin in a large saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil that can’t be stirred down. While the mixture is heating up, zest and juice the lemon. You should have about 1/4 of a cup of lemon juice to add to the pan. Add a pinch of zest if you like the lemony zing! Add the sugar and continue to boil, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add the chili flakes for extra heat. Stir thoroughly. Allow to cool and refrigerate.
What fair activities and food will you be missing this fall?
The leaders of Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) are doing a good thing by extending the moratorium on shut-offs. Their customers and the residents of Norwich, CT thank them. But there is more that they should be doing. More that is simply not even written into the management textbooks yet.
When the NPU budget was presented to its Board of Directors, a corporate profit margin expectation was built in. In the past normal, the margin was high and while achieving that profit margin might have a negative affect on some customers the over-all impact would be absorbed by the customers with nothing more than a bit of grumbling because of the expected, ever-increasing costs of the utilities.
But then, then there came Covid-19 with local, state and national, mandated, and out of the customer’s control shut-downs. Shut-downs and circumstances beyond the individuals and customer control, while the costs of the utilities, insurances, and rents/mortgages continued. Costs that not just continued but continued with the expectation that the charges would be paid, and with fees and penalties applied to meet the expected profit margin.
When it became apparent that a large and ever increasing number of customers were having problems meeting the payment expectations during the crisis, companies backed off, and generously created moratoriums and some stopped late-fees, penalties and interest. The executives of the companies scrambled to make their own corporate cutbacks so the shareholders would not need to become aware that the corporation might not meet the imagined profit set into the budget.
In the case of Norwich Public Utilities, the shareholders, the stakeholders, are in fact its customers. The very same customers who are struggling to pay the bills, to not be shut off.
The leadership of NPU and its Board of Directors should have by now had a genuine and honest sit down discussion on the expectations of the budget, profitability and margins. A prepared for discussion where the timelines for the projects, that the profits were going to be used for (that’s what I was told so I am going with it), would be reviewed and discussed. Make no mistake, I cannot think of a harder discussion for executive leaders to have with their fellows, their Board and their shareholders. But I also cannot think of a more important one at this time in history.
The comparison of the profit of what was budgeted to be earned during the old normal versus what was actually earned in the current normal means what precisely? Currently a very healthy profit is still being made. What needs to be seen and happen, is the setting of a new, lower and much more realistic for the times budget goal. Then a comparison of the new goal and the reality.
Lowering profit expectations is generally not a good sign for a business but, these are extraordinary times with a very skewed reality. The customers of Norwich Public Utilities need leadership that takes their circumstances into account.
NPU leaders deserve a lot of credit for the job they are attempting but they need to be encouraged and re-assured that future plans and visions sometimes need to be adjusted and re-focused due to circumstances beyond their control. The re-evaluation of future plans is not leadership failure, it is the very definition of good leadership. The leadership of NPU needs to be reminded that they are a public utility and their shareholders are their customers. Their customer/shareholders are their strength. More than 75% of the customers are current with their bills, they deserve some credit too. (On a personal note: An actual reduction in my customer fees would be much appreciated.)
At a recent meeting NPU officials presented actual expenses and revenues through July 31 and projections for August, September, and October. The three-month budgeted revenue period totaled $22.2 million, but the new projection estimated the three-month revenues at $19.9 million, a 10.3% drop. The anticipated cash balance on Oct. 31 is projected at $38.5 million, down by $951,000, or 2.4%, from the budgeted figures. If the leadership adjusted their figures to a slightly lower budget profit, they’d be back to bragging how their customers are exceeding their expectations. Even with an international crisis. It’s all in how you look at it through the smoke and mirrors.
Honoring veterans is a long standing tradition in Norwich, CT. There are the monuments on the point of Chelsea Parade. The veterans organizations do their best to put flags on veterans graves every year. There are the parades and the flag ceremonies on given days. Coffee houses for vets are a recent addition to local activities.
But not one thing is done, scheduled or even considered for the last Sunday in September. The date this year is September 27, 2020. That is the Sunday dedicated to the Gold Star Mothers and Families who have endured the loss of a son or daughter while in the service of our country. Other veteran notable dates in September are Patriots Day, September 11th; Constitution Day, September 17th; and National POW/MIA Recognition Day, September 18th.
Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day was established on June 23, 1936 by a Senate Joint resolution to honor mothers whose child was killed or became missing in action, or died later as a direct result of their service. “Family’s Day” was added in 2012 by President Barack Obama.
The Leffingwell House Museum had a lovely Silver Garden surrounding its flag pole for a few years to honor those who became ill, injured or wounded while in the service. The proper name for the two acre Norwich Rose Garden is the Veterans Memorial Rose Garden in Norwich, CT although there is no sign declaring it as such.
I would like to see one of the veterans groups take command in Norwich, CT of that last Sunday in September and join the rest of the country honoring the Blue Star Families. The official flag or banner that is white with a red border and features a blue star for each family member who has served in the U.S. Military during a period of war or hostility.
A silver star represents a family member who was injured , wounded, or became ill during combat.
A white star is the yet to be approved by the U.S. Secretary of Defense, symbol which will be to honor the veterans and service members we are losing everyday to suicide.
September is also the designated National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. For more information and resources please visit the websites www.veteranscrisisline.net ,or www.bluestarfam.org ,or www.bluestarmothers.org,or www.goldstarmoms.com ,or www.goldstarwives.org.
Information for this blog came from an article I read in the September 2020 issue of the VFW Auxiliary Magazine.
If I could give a travel and tourism award for best promotional advertising for a state it would go to Alabama! The advert is in the August/September 2020 issue of Conde Nast Travel
Titled “This is Alabama” it’s a photo taken of the Little River Canyon National Preserve in Fort Payne one-third blue and white sky. Where it is written This is Alabama. From the sugar white beaches of the Gulf State Park to the pine covered Southern Appalachians in Little River Canyon, you can take it all in. Then the remainder of the page is a drone view of a large wooded area with a very narrow river running through it. With three one inch square boxes highlighted in white with See the sunrise spread across the treetops in bold white print. Smell the freshness of the loblolly pines. Listen to the river whispering its secrets. Get the full view at See AL360.com
It is clean and clear in its presentation and masterful in its simplicity. There is just a large single bird in flight that compels you to go there for the scenery and the peace to be found there.
On the facing page is an article explaining how innovative eco-hotels are developing as an industry because conservation matters in Alabama and they are proud of their efforts and want everyone to experience their progress and dedication to the environment for themselves.
In the well written article nine unique and very different environmentally aware destinations are explained. Each sounds more wonderful and intriguing than the next. I am not certain they could all be covered properly in a lifetime let alone a week’s vacation.
If the State of Connecticut ever decides to up its game and seek help in promoting and advertising even some of what is available in Connecticut they should have a serious talk with whoever is handling matters for the State of Alabama as they are doing an outstanding job and have earned accolades for a job well done.
As I was working on another project I came across an advertisement for a dog bone garland. It was cute but the price was ridiculous for purchase as a decoration and even more outrageous as a sample. But the thoughts it generated from the picture – priceless.
The image was a pretty string with medium weight shiny paper, vertically hanging, medium sized dog bones in assorted colors. I don’t recall the length but it wasn’t very long. Coincidentally someone emailed me for how to make a donation to the Norwich Animal Shelter and that got me to thinking.
So here is an idea for you to make your very own. In my ideal world there is a lovely holiday tree lightly covered in twinkling lights, It might not even be an evergreen but a maple, birch, or oak alive in a pot but bare for the winter. (Not for long though) Amid the branches and the twinkling lights are hanging leaves with requests from the local shelter of varying prices. Toys, food, donations of money for veterinarian bills, treats, sponsors for vaccinations, etc. The local food bank that has clients that also have pets to feed and care for too.
Also hanging might be paper notes in the shapes of dog bones in honor or memory of a particular pet, maybe some cat toys, or perhaps someone would like to remember or honor a particular bird. Of course the tree would be in a prominent place where it could be seen by the public. A lobby or a window display perhaps? In my mind I could see not just a tree but an electric train running in circles below with a waving mouse engineer, a kitten napping on a flat bed car and a puppy wagging a great long tail from the caboose. Did I mention the bowl with the live beta fish swimming? Or the cage with the gerbil industriously exercising on his wheel? Who can remember the last time there was a full-on holiday window display? There is a great true Norwich story of a window display in the downtown that had a very entertaining evening visitor that drew crowds for a while. Pease watch my blog as I will be running that story again as we get closer to the holiday season.
Window displays and community actions can go a long way to draw attention to your business.
I know its way too early to be even thinking about holiday decorations and plans but just keep this in mind when it is time and you and your business or group is looking to do something a little different, a little special and with a whole lot of meaning.
Weird fundraising idea courtesy of Tasty posted on the World Wide Web.
On the World Wide Web a Tasty producer was challenged to make a 100 Layer Crepe Cake. He experimented and found a recipe. He made 100 in regular size then he found a giant crepe making pan and set to work. It was a challenge making 100 paper thin crepes. It was a challenge making four different creams to go between the layers. The result was gorgeous and the eaters seemed to enjoy it.
Here are the fundraising ideas.
Make crepes with four or five different creams or fruit fillings. Pre-sell for pick up on a specific date and time. Needs: Crepe makers or pans, stove, electricity, flour, eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt, creams and fillings, containers, hot dog paper wrappers so they hold the round shape?
Just do the 100 crepe challenge and sell slices. Even the normal size crepe makes a lot of pieces. Won’t bring in thousands of dollars but could still be fun.
Personally, I would like to see this as a Diversity Week challenge. That’s right, ask the different ethnic groups, churches and other diversity week participants to make their version of the 100 layer crepe challenge that they could sell, or give away at an event. Everything would need to be made in safe kitchens with safe ingredients. Sorry but home kitchens would not be allowed. This is a fun, challenge so groups could share the available kitchens. Probably using the kitchens at designated times.
Have you had crepes from Denmark, Serbia, France, Belgium, Peru, Cyprus, Scotland, Ireland? Have you ever tried Alebele, Banh Xeo, Palacinky, Aebleskivers (Sooo good), Langos, Socca, Toutons, Okonomiyaki, injera, Pannekoek, Uttapam, Serabi Beras, or Hobak Jeon? Some of these are more technically a little thick for a crepe but they are still delicious and available at most international hotels that serve breakfast to those more adventurous than the fruit and yogurt I generally stayed with.
So what do you think? Is anyone else tired of a bouncy house being the international diversity tribute in Norwich CT and willing to try something else? Something that will highlight the tastes and flavors of other countries and serve also as an educational piece and tribute to the world we are a part of.
I am cursed. I see things. I see opportunities. I see visions of possibilities. Norwich, CT is a city filled with people from a variety of other cultures and ethnicities. Almost every week some group or other is raising the flag of another country at the Norwich, CT City Hall with a few local politicians and a few young people with speeches that are way too long and teach nothing about the flag being raised.
In downtown Norwich, CT there are the occasional ethnic street festivals complete with a bouncy house but in the age of Covid those have slowed in number. The church festivals have slowed and speaking for myself, I will miss the Greek Festival, Italian Festival, Russian Festival foods and thank the merciful heavens that the Polish Church figured out a way to continue their fund raising once a month dinners. Yum! Yum! And don’t let me leave out the Diversity Festival with its not for food trophy.
Anyway, I was reading through another International cookbook series and had a thought. If Norwich, CT is so proud of the number of diverse cultures and ethnicities of Norwich why doesn’t one or more of the plentiful committees and organizations, for example, the Norwich Community Development Corporation, either of the two Chamber of Commerce’s, Downtown Development, a neighborhood watch, a veterans group, a political party, ask our wide and diverse residents to submit a recipe symbolic of their ethnicity or culture for a cookbook or a column that could run in the Norwich Bulletin or be printed separately but given to potential home buyers and businesses as a marketing piece promoting our said diversity.
A physical piece that could demonstrate who the residents and businesses are. A continuing reminder that we are more similar than we are different. People love to go on vacation, to see different places, to try new and exotic food, and wines. So why not ask our residents what their favorite meals are when they think of the “old country?”
This is a way to celebrate the diversity of Norwich, CT. This is a way to make Norwich, CT home to everyone. This is not the job for a single person. Like so many other things in life this requires a committee of dedicated people willing to work together. I wish that was something found in Norwich, CT and regret its absence every day.
I am very excited to announce that my CT election ballot was in my mailbox on Saturday. Voting by mail for me could not be easier. I opened the envelope in the cool and privacy of my own home.
I opened the ballot flat and colored in the little bubbles next to my choices.
I folded the ballot in half and placed it into the inner envelope provided.
I followed the directions to sign and date on the lines provided and sealed the envelope.
The next part was a little tricky. I had to make sure that the printed address of the Town Clerk showed thru the outer envelope window. To be honest I never knew there were Suite numbers assigned to the various offices in the Norwich City Hall. It makes the office locations sound so professional. I have always just asked for and blundered my way to the Tax Office, Assessors Office, City Clerks Office, etc. Anyway, I sealed the correctly addressed envelope. Placed my fanciest return address label in the left corner and even though it says on the right No postage necessary if mailed in the United States I added a single stamp. Then all I had to do was drop it in a mail box.
How easy. How simple. How private. My voting for the primary is complete. No muss. No fuss. No waiting in a line. No concerns over cleanliness. No concerns at all.
I liked it. I trusted it. I want to hear how many others in Norwich chose to vote by mail ballot. I am not interested in who anyone voted for. I am only interested in how many of us took advantage of voting by mail out of the number of eligible voters. Eligible voters are those that have registered to vote. Because this election in August was a primary it is important to know the total number of eligible voters in each party as each voter can only vote for the choice of candidate in their party.
In November, it will be important to know the total number of eligible registered voters of all parties and unaffiliated voters in Norwich combined, the number choosing to vote by mail-in ballot and the number choosing to vote in-person. Personally, I do not care who you vote for, I only care that you do vote. Your voting ballot is personal. Your voting ballot is private. Your voting ballot is confidential. Please do not try and save the government money by putting two ballots in one envelope. One ballot. One envelope. It is government money well spent for once.
My grateful thanks to the Connecticut Secretary of State who has worked so long and so hard to make this mail-in ballot a viable option to everyone.
“Hi. I am seeking two bored children between the ages of 8 and 12 willing to work for food. Do you know where I can find any?” “When do you want them?” “It’s a little too hot at lunchtime but how about sending them over around 4 pm. I have a new cookbook I am going to have them test out.”
“They have both been in the kitchen with me and the mess they make is unbelievable.” “No worries The book is called, “Hungry Kids Camp Fire Cookbook #1” “Have you met my kids?” “Yup. They are perfect and the reason I called. Send them!”
At 4 pm on the dot one almost 8-year-old boy and a just turned twelve-year-old girl appeared at my door and followed me to my very hot backyard. We sat at the table while I explained what they were going to do. They were going to pick up the fallen twigs and branches in my yard to create a campfire in the safe fire pit we have used before. I even had a convenient grate for use later. Then we were going to look thru the cookbook and see which recipes they would like to try.
I provided each one with paper and pencil so they could each pick what they wanted and then we would look to see if there were any matches. Two very different kids with very different tastes but both were more interested in trying to see if it would work and the actual eating was a bonus. So what did we try? Newspaper egg. Wrap raw egg in a full sheet of newspaper and then soak it in water before you bury it in the hot coals between 5-8 minutes then peel and eat. Glop. 3 Tablespoons butter in a skillet. 3 cooked sliced potatoes. We used a can of sliced potatoes. 1 cup of cubed ham. Careful with the knife! And cook for four minutes. Beat five eggs gently and add ½ cup chopped pepper and/or onion. Stir until eggs are almost done then top with Glop Sauce and grated cheddar cheese. Glop Sauce. Melt 3 Tablespoons of butter n a pan with 3 Tablespoons of flour and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Then add 1 and ¼ cup milk while stirring and bring to a gentle boil while stirring, stirring, stirring. Allow to cool a bit before pouring on Glop.
Pioneer Drumsticks. 3 pounds of your choice of ground meat, 1 cup crushed corn flakes, 2 eggs, 1 minced onion, well bashed before mincing, salt and pepper. Other than the mincing of the onion and we added celery and garlic all the mixing was done in a large sealed plastic bag used 12 large wooden craft sticks were soaking in water. Once all was mixed we divided the mixed meat into two bags. One for each chef. Then each had to evenly flatten out their meat to be divided into six equal portions and then each divided portion was wrapped around a craft stick with a couple of inches left as a handle. Then they were cooked on the grill. And eaten with Magic Sauce – a mix of 1 cup mayonnaise and 1 and ½ Tablespoons yellow mustard. They were not interested in the Sausage Puck part of the recipe but delighted in the magic sauce in place of Barbq or catsup. Salad on a stick. They cleaned out my vegetable drawer once I okayed they could work on their knife skills cutting up the vegetables and choose the order they went on their own skewers. More magic sauce for dipping and not the yucky bottled stuff. They even each tried a grilled skewer! Then we had orange peel brownies. I had to send one home to borrow a package of brownie mix. Just had to cut two oranges in half and remove the pulp for snacking. Make the brownie mix in yet another plastic bag and then fill the orange peels about ¾ full. We weren’t really certain about just placing the peels in the coals turning then around a couple of times so we wrapped two in aluminum foil and two we put directly in the coals. The aluminum foil did cook through faster but the ones directly in the coals won the taste test. The kids were great! The choices they made for the foods on their lists were very appropriate and balanced. One is definitely all about breakfast and the other is more about lunch than dinner. Salad is fine so long as it’s not lettuce and it should always be served on a stick. The newspaper egg was not a hit. Glad we only made one. The glop was ok but really needed the glop sauce. The pioneer drumsticks made a lot and went home for lunch, snacks, or parents. There was a suggestion of using pretzel rods but I don’t know if they would stand up to the heat. The orange brownies were a hit and I wish I had thought to get a giant marshmallow to melt on top as frosting. Maybe next time.
Clean up was as quick and as easy as promised. 2 Pans. 2 cutting boards. 2 knives. A few metal skewers were carefully washed in very soapy water. Used plastic ware, bags, and aluminum foil trashed. Newspaper burned. The fire allowed to die down and carefully and slowly drowned with the hose.
The kids were returned unharmed, with full bellies, and in good humor. I think the kids had fun. Their mom had a little break. I had a chance to try out the recipes in a new to me book without the work of doing it myself and my yard is free of small branches and twigs. Winners all around!
No sooner had I turned on my old, newly swept for viruses, computer to check my e-mail than a message was received from someone looking for more background on what I long ago posted about Norwich Nutting Day.
I had to confess I never really new anymore than it was a day off from school as I was growing up. It was even called Nutting Day on the school calendars and for the teachers it was an In-Service Day. I knew the tales I had been told but I had honestly never done more research. This is part of my blog of August 24, 2015 about Nutting Day.
“I miss traditions. For example once upon a time in a land called Norwich, CT on a specific fall day close to All Hallows Eve, the students were given the day off from their studies to go into the woods and lanes of the area with baskets, bags, and even aprons sewn shut at the sides to make huge pockets to gather the ripened walnuts, butternuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts and other nuts that were bountiful. It was Nutting Day!
The various nuts and shells would be treats for the long winter serving as well as flavoring, filler, dyes, and/or ground into flour for breads, pies and cakes. When more was collected than the family could use it was sold as any other crop and shipped to other areas. It was a way for even the youngest to contribute to the coffers of the family.
On this special day teenage boys and teenage girls roamed the woods. This was a special day as normally girls were not permitted into the woods without an adult escort and certainly not together with a teenage boy. “
In the British Isles, September 14 was the day when children would forage in the woods to collect hazelnuts, because this is when they are supposed to be perfectly ripe. In some legends, young maidens who go out a-nutting are in danger of becoming pregnant without benefit of marriage — this is probably less due to the fertility associations of nuts and more to the fact that Nutting Day gave you a chance to be alone in the woods with your lover.
By the mid-1970’s Nutting Day was a teacher in-service day at Norwich Free Academy and a day off from their studies for the students and now it has disappeared altogether.”
My new friend told me that if you worked as a lace maker, Nutting Day had a special significance. Lace makers spent long hours working at their craft, and because of the precise nature of their job, their eyes were often tired and achy by the end of the day. They were often told to bathe their eyes in gin, which stung, but refreshed them enough that they could work a few more hours. From this day until Shrove Tuesday in the spring, you could use a candle and continue to work during the dark winter months. A drop of gin in the eyes and a drop of gin for me might help to keep me working.
September 21st sometimes called the Devil’s Nutting Day, is the date on which mortals should never gather nuts and never go nutting on any Sunday in autumn because you might meet the devil doing the same thing and neither of you would be in church, where you were supposed to be.
The devil’s nutting bag is mentioned in the play, John Endicott, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – ACT I: SCENE II –
“Nice angels!
Angels in broad-brimmed hats and russet cloaks,
The color of the Devil’s nutting-bag. They came
Into the Meeting-house this afternoon
More in the shape of devils than of angels.
The women screamed and fainted; and the boys
Made such an uproar in the gallery
I could not keep them quiet.” William Wordsworth also wrote a poem called Nutting, but it’s much too long for this blog. Much to my surprise I also learned that in the past Philadelphia also celebrated Nutting Day and that they had recently resurrected it as part of a multi-cultural event with their Vietnamese population celebrating Tet Trung Thu (The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Lantern Festival, Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a traditional festival celebrated by the East Asian people and the East Asian cultural sphere. Wikipedia )
Those helpful folks posted not just the activities but menu’s and recipes. If Norwich, CT had a group that recognized its residents cultural diversity it might plan now to do something similar in 2021. They invited the food vendors and food trucks to add nuts to their offerings. Local restaurants had guest ‘chefs’ from the local community help design specialty items.
“Because it’s a weekend we’ll have a Nutting Day playlist for adults to relax with while the kids play some yard games of their choosing. It’s fine if the kids’ Nutting Day game involves acorns and slingshots, so long as their targets are non-biological, and impervious to acorns. There was also a list of ‘Asia’s Street Games’ to learn and play.
Dinner will start off with small plates of Grape, Celeriac and Apple Salad w/ Goat Cheese & Hazelnuts, with the optional goats cheese easily pushed to one side if it ends up on the wrong plate.
Our main plate will be Grilled Pork Tenderloin w/ Hazelnut Romesco & Fresh Oregano Vinaigrette. The tenderloins were snatched up on sale, the romesco is really nice, the vinaigrette on meat is not for everyone. With that, kids can serve themselves Broccoli, Chili & Cashews, and a Sweet Potato Casserole (w/ pecans) and Green Beans Amandine.
For chocolate lovers there is Chocolate & Hazelnut Cake. For fruit lovers there is Pear & Almond Pudding Cake. After dinner, coffee, a few nut liqueurs, quiet… During a film night for the kids, Theresa will reprise some of her Nutting Day Cookies from years past.”
Do you remember ‘Nutting Day’? Do you have some nutty recipes to share? I am thinking it’s almost time for some walnut chili!
I missed it. I waited and watched and then I missed it. The fall brush pick-up by the Norwich Public Works Department. They have already been through the part of Norwichtown where I live. But on the up side I am going to be clipping and raking and will have my brown paper bags ready for the City wide bagged leaf collection that begins on November 23, 2020.
If you live in Taftville, Occum, Plain Hill, Westside, Laurel Hill or East Side you will have until Monday, September 28, 2020 to gather your brush to the front of your yard and have the City Public Works people tote it away. I am very jealous. I missed my opportunity to do some light trimming and only have to lug it to the corner of the front yard. Now I have to trim it. Wrangle it into the backseat and trunk of my car and take it in multiple trips up to the transfer station myself. It is not a job I consider to be fun.
I like the clipping and the cutting part. I don’t even mind the stacking. Its the getting it into and out of the car and the sneezing that goes along with traveling with the leaves and branches. By the time I have done two loads my eyes are red and almost swollen completely shut, I am sniffling and constantly blowing my nose which becomes red and glows and I am not ashamed to say becomes the envy of Rudolf. If you watch the papers you’ll see reports of unexplained earthquakes, have no worry its only my sneezes upsetting the New England Richter Earthquake Scale. On any exposed skin little red dots will appear. Give them a few minutes and you will observe me begin to unconsciously begin to brush it as though there was a bug crawling on it, a few more minutes and it true scratching, an extended period of time, say a half hour and I am clawing at my skin. Only a soapy shower and a complete change of clothes will calm my body down. The clothes I was wearing are kept in closed plastic bags until they are laundered separately.
OK now that I am done whining did you write November 23, 2020 Bagg3d Leaf Pick-up on your calendar? You should you know. Brown bags are available for purchase at Ace Hardware, ShopRite, Agway, Loews, and just about everywhere. Please stock up early. If you can gather your neighborhood bags all in one place to make them more noticeable to the drivers and easier for pickup. Remember the date November 23, 2020!
I am going to blame it on the computer issues I have been having and not my faulty memory if I have posted this recipe for Whiskey Pickled Cucumbers before from the Norwich Courier of August 1, 1827.
According to the article, a correspondent of the American Farmer, sent in the following process for pickling cucumbers by substituting whiskey when vinegar is scarce. If anyone would like I do know a couple of different recipes for the making of homemade vinegar but then I also have three versions of recipes for homemade whiskeys. Whiskeys take longer to age, make much larger quantities, and require items not so commonly found nowadays. Just saying.
Anyway, step one is to gather the cucumbers fresh from the vines without any preparation just a quick rinse off of any dirt and then just drop them into a jar containing one part whiskey and three parts water. Step two – secure the top of the jar against gnats and flies by tying a flannel over the top and then laying a board with a heavy rock on top and then not disturbing them until Christmas.
Per the article, the pickles were found to be superior to those preserved in vinegar. Better preserved color. Better taste. The texture was a firmer, crispier pickle. The author of the article suggested that the whiskey and water mix of the pickles be used as a table vinegar.
I don’t think there is a whiskey flavored vinegar available at the supermarket or approved by Weight Watchers or the Keto Diet although it can’t hurt to ask.
From a 2017 issue of Mother Earth News I found this recipe for Spicy Beer or Bourbon Pickles. Modern recipes are a bit more involved but do sound delicious.
2 1/2 pounds small pickling cucumbers, 1 garlic clove, 1/2 cup local craft beer or a bourbon whiskey, 1/3 cup water, 3/4 cup cider vinegar, 3/4 cup raw sugar, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard seeds, 1 tablespoon black peppercorns, 1 tablespoon sea salt, 1/2 tsp chili flakes.
Prepare the brine by combining the rest of the ingredients, along with the garlic, in a medium, stainless steel pan, then bring the liquid to a simmer, stirring gently to dissolve the sugar and salt. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.
Add the cucumber quarters vertically into warm, dry sterilized jars.
Pour in the cooled brine to fill the jars to about 1/4 inch below the rim. Tap the jars gently to remove any air bubbles and top up with brine if necessary.
Seal and store in the fridge for at least 2–4 days before eating
Keeps for up to 4 months in the fridge unopened. Once opened, keep refrigerated and eat within 4 weeks.
Admit it. These recipes are inspiring you to get up off the couch. Let me know how yours come out and by the way, I am always available to sample.
Have you ever heard of the “Source to the sea Cleanup?” It is really an activity of the Connecticut River Conservancy and a few other places. The Source to Sea Cleanup is an annual trash cleanup of the Connecticut River and tributaries across the four-state watershed — NH, VT, MA, & CT. Thousands of volunteers help make the water cleaner, river banks safer and wildlife happier. This 4-state community event is possible thanks to the generous help of volunteers, sponsors, businesses, watershed organizations, Girl Scout and Boy Scout Troops, school groups, municipalities and community members.
I don’t know how the CRC did it but they managed to team the Source to the Sea Cleanup with the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup and American Rivers National River Cleanup to create a stronger local program for cleaner waterways around the U.S. And the world.
If you have any questions they have an outstanding website that has answers for questions you haven’t even thought to ask yet. www.ctriver.org/our-work/source-to-sea-cleanup/ This is their 24th year so they have had a lot of practice. Don’t get me wrong, Norwich has had some practice too but nothing organized or formal. Norwich residents are creatures of habit. Mostly its the same residents meeting to clean up the same places time after time. Then we pat ourselves on the back and tell everyone what a good job we have done. Once in a great while someone will make great fuss that someone should clean up a different area but that person does not usually participate in a clean up of that area.
After being a Norwich resident for so long I think it was the formal organization of Source to Sea Cleanup that caught my attention. There is a website. There is an app. The date is open, and up front, September 1 – 30, 2020. In Norwich I am forever being chastised for asking that a date, a time and a place be put on any advertisement, internet post, internal and external memo.
Then they created #riverwitness a new campaign for people to post and share photos, videos, and stories of a specific visit to a river creating a beautiful mosaic of the river. A single site where everyone is free to post their photos or borrow photos.
There is a strong advocacy program called #RiverWitness, so people can not just learn how to get involved and learn how to keep the rivers clean and how they can effectively lend their advocacy voice to all four of the Connecticut River States. In Eastern CT we have yet to figure out how to get an advocacy voice heard through the towns of the same state the Shetucket, Yantic and Thames Rivers run through. The Last Green Valley makes very nice pamphlets of lists of what is available in some towns. But it does not have a strong advocacy component.
The CRC did not run away from or ignore the Covid-19 issues. They adjusted by stretching their program to last an entire month and encourage participants to keep a safe physical distance, work in smaller groups with people you already know. To consider it a DIY project and to gather supplies from around participants homes. They provided on-line registrations, asked participants to wear proper personal protective equipment, including gloves and masks, practice safe physical distancing and follow the mandates provided by state and U.S. Health agencies.
It is too late to participate this year but lets see if we cannot work up some interest for 2021 and do a really loud, proud and thorough cleanup of our rivers, the Shetucket, the Yantic and the Thames from their humble beginnings, through the various towns to Long Island Sound.
In the morning. In the evening. Its deer herd feeding time! I do not ever recall seeing as many deer in Norwich as I am seeing this year. Fortunately there are plenty of tender plants for them to eat. My hostas for example. Tender, sweet and delicious. Of course, the bittersweet, which I would love for them to eat, is a tough invasive plant that no one including the deer consider a treat.
There was a fairly lengthy time though not all that long ago when the deer were not plentiful. From 1936 to spring of 1996 a herd of deer were kept in a special enclosure in Mohegan Park so they could be regularly enjoyed by visitors. By spring of 1996 there were 53 deer in the zoo’s three-acre fenced-in enclosure. Six died during the winter and five escaped after a hole was cut in the fence in March and the remaining 42 were turned over to Ponte Brothers, of Westport, Mass., after being tested, at Norwich’s expense, for potential health problems. Then in a cost saving measure, some were shipped out of town to be auctioned off in Ohio, and sold to Texas game farms where they were hunted and killed for trophies.
My very favorite deer story of Norwich appeared in the Bulletin on November 6, 1895 and the New York Times the next day. Its the story of how a deer was seen on Lincoln Avenue and chased all the way to Chestnut Street. Its the small details of the story that make it so charming.
“A real live deer appeared in Norwich Tuesday morning and it was not in captivity either, but its movements were as free and unrestrained as if this city were its natural haunts.
The deer was first seen at about 5:30 am in the yard of Mr. CP Cogswell on Lincoln Avenue by a carrier of the Bulletin. The deer was frightened by the approach of the boy and it bounded through the street and in an instant disappeared in the direction of Chelsea Parade.
The deer was next reported as being seen on Chestnut Street where a dog owned by Ames McCaffrey scented the big game and gave chase. The deer left the dog in the lurch, taking a cross street to Franklin Street. The animal was later seen trotting down to Franklin Square by Andrew Marshall, the bank janitor. Just then an early electric car arrived from Greeneville. Among others on board were Michael McInerney of Taftville and Timothy Cary of Central Avenue. They saw the deer on the square. All the witnesses pronounced the deer a doe.
The approach of the car frightened the animal and it made a sudden turn, jumping over the head of a lad who was walking through Main Street. The deer sped through East Min Street towards the Preston Bridge. C. Avery Champlin was on his way to the early train north and saw the deer cross the Shetucket river into Preston. No further reports of its having been seen were received on Tuesday. “
“The legislature of 1893 made it a grave offense to kill a deer in this state so that sportsmen would do well not to shoot at the creature if it should continue in this neighborhood.”
Following the streets mentioned makes a great city hike and a really interesting one if the locations of the old businesses are identified. In addition to the expected stables, veterinarians, tailors, seamstresses,
dry good peddlers, butchers, there were numerous carriage painters, artists, a wooder (I am guessing someone skilled in the use of both an ax and a saw), and mill workers.
On the point of Chelsea Parade filled and maintained I think now by the Women’s City Club of Norwich, is a large fountain that has wandered from where it once served as a center of downtown. But why was it there? Who designed it? Who paid for it? The City of Norwich, CT has no history of doing things willingly, gleefully or joyfully. For any action taken whether long ago or currently there is a battle to be fought.
The historians and walking guides of Norwich, CT will tell you how the women of Norwich have always been downtrodden, unheard and powerless. The poor dears ran about in their aprons from the 1700’s to the 1960’s wringing their hands asking, “What should we do? Please tell us what we should do?” Fortunately the facts speak quite loudly, clearly and differently.
For example, this is most of the story of Mrs. Lucretia Bradley Hubbell and her battle for the ‘Birds and Beasts Fountain.’
I did not do this research myself. I am just happily presenting an article from the August 25, 1906 Norwich Bulletin,
The Fountain and Birds and Beasts. – What a persistent little woman did for God’s creatures.
It “is always a pleasing sight to passengers waiting on the Trolley cars in Franklin Square to note the enjoyment obtained by the birds and the cats and the dogs of the little low-down troughs in the Franklin Square fountain and the large dogs ‘ bathtub on the back of that quencher of thirst for human beings and horses; but few people remember how that fountain came to be such a perfect boon for man and bird and beast.
In the days when that fountain was designed, Mrs. Lucretia Bradley Hubbell was a more active woman for years than any other woman in Norwich and, like her friend, Dr. Walker, she was doing things for others whenever she could find an opportunity. When she first broached the subject of making those little animal troughs her views were simply laughed at, but by her persistent effort that fountain was made a perfect servant for all God’s creatures.
When the birds are drinking and bathing there on hot summer days and the setter dogs are bathing in the rear trough and the pet pugs and smaller dogs are rolling in the little pools of water beside the fountain, those familiar with its history witness the fruits of one persistent woman’s sympathy and love for dumb creatures. The wisdom of her work is shown by the creatures she spoke for in these close and sultry days.”
The fountain has moved but God’s creatures are still enjoying the troughs now filled with flowers.
Bravo Mrs. Hubbell! Thank you once more Mrs. Lucretia Bradley Hubbell for your caring, persistence, and foresight. May your fighting spirit continue to live on in the residents of Norwich, CT.
The poetry posted along the walking trail of Mohegan Park caused me to remember that a long, long time ago the residents of Norwich, CT communicated with each other using words and poetic license. There was a real effort to make the poems purposeful, easy to read and mostly heartwarming and funny.
I enjoyed the duel of wits between Edmund Clarence Stedman published beginning in the Century Magazine of June 1894 and his discussion of the characters and habits of “Nancy, Sarah, Emily Louise (Huntington), proud maidens four,” and the subsequent rejoinder by their neighbor, Marian Fitch Loomis, published in the Bulletin on February 27, 1895, “Edmund Clarence Stedman! ’tis not quite kind of you, To mock the ladies Huntington, your friends and kinsfolk, too.”
But as I walked on I recalled the “Proposal Poem.” Locked in the archives of the Leffingwell House Museum. The letter Peter Lanman of Norwich, CT wrote to Lydia S. Bishop after his first wife passed away. They had been married around 20 years.
Lydia Bishop had been engaged to Daniel Tyler of Sutton, MA who studied medicine at Amherst, traveled to California but died in New York presumably on his way back. While waiting for his return Lydia was teaching school in Sutton, MA.
“My dearest Miss Bishop, I’ve heard all my life
That you were cut out for a widower’s wife,
And lately I’ve had the misfortune to lose
A worthy, excellent, exemplary spouse;
And pain would replace her for life is but brief,
And should not be wasted in mourning and grief.
I’ll “describe my position” as well as I can;
I’m a pleasing, affable and good natured man –
Thick-set, middle aged good looking some think
And can strike up a match as quick as a wink;
I have nine precious children-dear nice little creatures
Like the dear departed in form and in features;
But the boys have my temper, are rather unruly-
Self-willed a little bit rude (To speak truly);
The oldest’s past twenty – the youngest, dear child,
Is a sweet little cherub of but three summer’s mild,
And, of course, as he cannot recollect any other,
He never will know that you’re not his own mother.
You must manage and save I’m happy to learn
You are expert at the needle – can do any trim
In the house – but the knowledge that comes most important
Is the knowledge you have of the Greek and the Latin.
You must teach all the boys, for I give you my word
That to send them to school I can never afford.
I look upon money as you do of course –
The pride of the worldly – contemptible dross, –
I look upon money as you do of course –
The pride of the worldly – contemptible dross, –
At the bottom of crime and the root of all evil,
The invention of all wicked men and the devil.
You’ll be pleased then to learn that my income is small,
And servants so dear that I keep none at all.
Come thus, and share all – all my cares and my joys –
My own little girl and eight promising boys –
Reject not my suit, nor my fond hopes much,
But come, dear Miss Lydia – preside o’er my flock.
(Who could possibly say no?)
Not Lydia. Their marriage in 1857 did not last long as Peter’s first. Peter married his third wife Mary E. Golding in 1866.
Morn on her rosy couch awoke,
Enchantment led the hour,
And mirth and music drank the dews
That freshen’d Beauty’s flower,
Then from her bower of deep delight,
I heard a young girl sing,
‘Oh, speak no ill of poetry,
For ’tis a holy thing.’
From “Poetry” by Lydia Huntley Sigourney born in Norwich, CT and came to prominence while living in Hartford, CT.
With thanks to One Book One Region there are temporary installations of poems by 2020 Choice author Joy Harjo, along the walking paths of the Arboretum at Connecticut College, Ledyard Public Library, Mohegan Park and UConn at Avery Point. No two installations have the same poems. These walking path additions will add to the enjoyment of the Last Green Valley “Walktober” promotion. Each installation will remain in place from Monday, September 7 through Monday, November 2, 2020 conditions permitting.
More information can be found on the One Book One Region website: http://onebookoneregion.org/events/\
If you are in the mood for facilitated book discussions mark the following September dates on your calendar and please follow their individual directions for on-line participation.
Tuesday, September 8, from 6:30–7:30pm — Groton Public Library — Book discussion facilitated by Laurie Wolfley, Professor of English at UConn Avery Point. Visit the Groton Public Library calendar of events here for contact information and to register.
Wednesday, September 9, at 7pm — Otis Library — Join the Otis Library Changing Minds Book Club for a virtual discussion of the One Book One Region 2020 selection Crazy Brave by Joy Harjo. Please register for the discussion by e-mailing Adultprograms@otislibrarynorwich.org, or you may register on the Otis Library website calendar at www.otislibrarynorwich.org.
Thursday, September 10, at 6:30pm — Gales Ferry Library — Book discussion via Zoom facilitated by Librarian Elaine Steele. Copies of Crazy Brave are available at both library branches. Share your thoughts and hear what others have to say. No registration necessary; the Zoom link will be posted on our events page (click here).
I was in the Dollar store when I saw it for the very first time. It was on an end cap of an aisle. A whole strip of them just hanging there. At first glance I thought I was seeing individual packets of pop corn but why would someone buy an individual packet of unpopped pop corn when they could buy a box containing four or six packets for the same price, one dollar. What made this pop corn packet special? How about it wasn’t pop corn? Its flat like a microwave pop corn packet. Its in cellophane like a pop corn packet. Its Pork Rinds! Huh? Pork rinds are not flat. They must mean this is filled with pork rind powder. Is that a spice? A flavoring? I look closer at the package. The directions in its microscopic print say to unwrap from the cellophane and place in the microwave. I am still looking at a very flat package and not completely understanding. So I take one over to the chips aisle. There I see the bag of pork rinds I am familiar with. Its the size of a regular bag of potato chips or pretzels but filled with light brown puffy bits about an inch in size. They look crunchy. You know I brought a flat packet home.
I was on the phone to my neighbor the carnivore the second I got home. “If your microwave works I will be right over. I have something for you to try!” So the two of us examine the flat packet a little more closely and I am wishing I had bought two so I could cut a packet open and see what is inside.
We almost followed the directions. Put the packet in the microwave folded flaps up for two minutes and thirty seconds. We microwaved for three minutes. The bag quietly puffed up but not like the microwave pop corn does. I don’t know what we were expecting. But we took it out and opened the bag to hot, tan, crunchy and very salty pork rinds. The best my neighbor says she has ever had. I did not try them but they certainly looked very tempting.
Where am I going with all this? In today’s email was an article, Trick or Meat? 14 Healthy Snack-Size Carnivore Halloween Treats by Ross Wollen, a chef and writer from Maine. He is also the executive chef for the Belcampo Meat Co. He was diagnosed in 2017 with Type 1 diabetes and now focuses on naturally low-carb cooking. He writes of giving out not sweets for Halloween but packets of dried meat, poultry and fish.
Of course, his article focuses mostly on those of his company but giving out meats not sweets is not something I ever considered. Yes. This from the woman who once included an onion and a story of how onions are used to ward away the flu. No my house did not get egged. Rather the kids thought it was pretty funny the crazy old lady gave them an onion, a story and treats.
Snack Mates created a special line of meat snacks for kids. In pouches perfect for a pumpkin pail (or a lunchbox). Flavors include low-carb hints of maple, turkey and cranberry, and beef and cherry.
So what did Mr. Wollen recommend? A couple awesome new biltong businesses, and Brooklyn Biltong offers its tender dried beef marinated in Peri-Peri in little two ounce packs, perfect for sampling and sharing. Biltong is the beef jerky of South Africa, and is traditionally made without any sugar at all. Unlike jerky, which is sliced into thin strips and dried in an oven, biltong is marinated in vinegar and then air-dried one big slab of beef at a time, and sliced afterwards for a more tender final product.
Goodfish prepares the pork rind of the sea, Wild Alaskan salmon skins lightly fried in sustainable palm oil, in flavors like Chili Lime and Spicy BBQ.
Epic might well be the most important business in the growing keto meat snack market. They’ve got all sorts of products to investigate, but nothing says Halloween more than a grab-bag of “bites”, six different recipes from six different animals, Beef, Pork, Chicken, Venison, Bison, and Salmon.
If you are looking for a new celebration treat San Francisco’s 4505 Meats has quickly grown from a lone farmer’s market stand into a small empire of porky brilliance. The company’s fried pork rinds are a huge hit and are now widely available, and a new party treat has just hit the shelves: this mix of two different types pork crackling mixed with cheddar cheese crisps, called Cheese-Charrone Mix. Since I couldn’t find this brand locally you can really make this one your own.
Pork rinds aren’t the only crispy skins in the game. Flock’s chicken skin chips are thin and crunchy like potato chips, zero sugar and high protein.
Epic is back at it, with a sampler pack of individually wrapped mountain man fuel: turkey, venison, beef and salmon strips.
What’s a beef thin? The innovators at The New Primal have invented a meaty snack with a crispy bite, “the tempting look of jerky and the satisfying crunch of a chip.”
Another new product, the popular grass-fed beef stick company Nick’s Sticks now offers a sack of individually wrapped mini sticks, a perfect on-the-go meat snack.
Wild caught salmon, marinated in organic flavors and smoked over flavorful hardwood. Sweet Maple or Chipotle Molasses. This salmon jerky has a touch of molasses or honey in it, but not enough to throw you off your keto diet.
For the even more adventurous Wollen suggests the Exo Protein Bars. You want to talk about spooky? Wollen says to try an Exo protein bar, the snack bar made out of … gulp … crickets! Insect protein is actually super trendy, super healthy, and super environmentally friendly. Wollen says these bars are delicious and are absurdly packed with protein and fiber. There are three flavors to choose from Chocolate Fudge, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip. Enjoy!
Wollen ends his article with what is really gross. But what better way to terrify your family than to distribute tubes of edible crickets? These crickets are exceptionally healthy, come in all sorts of flavors, and are sure to be … memorable. They include Garlic, Cotton Candy, Lasagna, Pizza, Indian Curry, Lemon and a few others that should come with recommendations from Hogwarts.
Portabella mushroom and turkey jerkies together in one pack is a new product called Shroom Splits. Healthy snacking ingredients with a slightly sweet marinade.
Each year Halloween is a blood glucose management nightmare thanks to the overload of candy said to be on average 3 cups of sugar per person. But Halloween 2020 is going to be very different. So let’s all just adjust and embrace it by making it special and healthy. By the way, most of the products mentioned are available in stores in the Norwich, CT area.
Recently I received an invitation from the Native Plant Trust that forced me to acknowledge how very lucky I am to live in Norwich, CT. The Native Plant Trust owns and operates Nasami Farm, a native plant nursery in western Massachusetts, six rare plant sanctuaries in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont and Garden in the Woods, a renowned native plant and botanical garden in Framingham, Massachusetts.
The invitation was to make an appointment for a visit, or a Winter Walk through their curated woods between Mid-October and Mid-March supervised by one of their staff or trained volunteers.
In Norwich, CT, every single resident and visitor has an open invitation to take advantage of a little over 500 acres of non-curated, some native and all wildly growing woods with and without trails, 365 days a year, from dawn to dusk. Everyone is invited to walk, run or even hop one or more of the five maintained trails or to create a trail of their own. To walk with others or in solitude. The choice is always yours. With thanks and reverence to community members who had the foresight to see the importance of having access to green space Norwich has something special.
What Norwich, CT does not have, and could certainly use is a dedicated group, ready, willing, trained and able to take on some of the same or at least similar responsibilities as the Native Plant Trust.
The Native Plant Trust is very specific in their mission, to monitor, protect and restore rare and endangered plants, to collect and bank seeds for biological diversity, detect and control invasive species, conduct botanical and horticulture research, and educate the public, from home gardeners to professional land managers.
In my view, Norwich needs a group with a mission to monitor, and protect its plants, to collect and bank seeds for the promotion of biological diversity, to identify, detect and control invasive species, and to educate the public on these topics.
Norwich has a number of gardening groups all with very similar structures and goals. I am not suggesting creating yet another group but joining the groups together. Creating a group with a vision of the City of Norwich as a whole with sub-committees to focus on specific areas, villages or parks. Sub-committees willing to lend each other a hand as projects and goals take substance and form. First on the agenda is to remove the ego’s that prevent us from working together and in Norwich that may take a while.
In the meantime, as I dream of a City of residents united and working toward a shared goal we have the acreage of Mohegan Park and a dozen or more other smaller parks, greens and parades located throughout the city to enjoy each and every day throughout the year.
Do you read the magazines and newsletters from the various organizations that you belong to? Organizations for example such as AARP or AAA? I don’t. They arrive in the mail and usually go straight into the recycling bin.
I like, use or support the organization enough to pay fees or dues but would be quite content if they never sent me another magazine or newsletter ever again. It is the repetition I object to. Its always the same topics in the articles. The same advertising. The same pleas for money to support the cause. Good heavens writers, editors and publishers examine what you are sending out. When was the last time you ran an article on that very same topic? Go ahead take a look at your past year.
Politics in Texas and California are in every issue. I live in Connecticut and have absolutely no influence in what residents in those two states do.
Are boomers not as mentally astute? The studies say that if the brain is exercised regularly the person will retain its strength and its possible for it to get stronger. Your articles on this subject are mind numbing.
You should have planned better for your retirement when you were in your twenties. Planning for retirement at 60 to retire at 65 is not the best plan. Who knew?
There are companies and individuals looking to separate you from your money for things you don’t want or use. They should look at their own advertising. A help button for only $20. a month. Life insurance. How about a computer designed for the aged? Interested in a smart phone plan? Don’t bother comparing car insurance, we will tell you what you need and make certain you get the best price. How to read the date codes on bread and other items that you can’t read without the aid of a microscope. Sign over your well invested money and we will make it grow faster for only a small charge that will shrink the bottom line of what you receive. Do you know how to return items you have bought? This company will do it for you for only a small fee that is twice the amount you paid for the item.
You don’t really understand your own medical conditions or the type of medicare and medical insurance you need. This company will hook you up with the proper coverage so that absolutely nothing you think you have paid coverage for will in fact be covered and every doctor and medical facility within a 100 mile radius will be out of network. And don’t forget showers. Everywhere I look there is another advertisement for a walk in shower for the aged.
My complaint isn’t that all of this stuff isn’t useful, its the repetition of it. Find writers capable of writing about a variety of topics. How about how to cut family recipes from quantities to feed four or more to two? How about an article on how to travel by train with ease and comfort? Where are the best places to post notices for finding someone to mow the lawn or shovel the walk? Instructions on making steps safer for the visually impaired. Taste buds change as you age, what tastes better or worse? Fashions change with age, body type as well as height and health issues. What items should your wardrobe include?
OK my rant is over now. Thanks for reading.
This is a call to action and a challenge to the Norwich Bulletin and the Day newspapers. Follow the example of the New York Times, (See In the Rising Voices of 10 Young Poets, a Call for Change October 9, 2020) and create a space in your papers for promising young poets, under the age of 30, to showcase their skills and talents as they respond to all that is happening in America.
I suggest removing the criteria of race by encouraging young writers of our multi- cultural, ethnic and racial community to speak up, and write what is on their minds and in their hearts. Not just promising black voices but, Chinese, Puerto Rican, Haitian, Middle Eastern, Polish and all voices. Feature different authors weekly. Believe it or not publishing this type of writing was a common practice for local newspapers until the 1950’s when it fell out of fashion. Lets bring it back.
The New York Times used their online capabilities by once a week focusing on the works of poets 12 – 19 years of age and how they are responding the current climate of America. It may be new to most adults but it is the norm for them. How do they see our world? How do they view our and more importantly their future. The Times project includes interviews and recordings of the poets reading their works. Many different departments and desks collaborate to make each episode unique and special.
The Times idea was generated internally from Jaspal Riyait, an art director with a 20 year old son coping with the present worlds turmoil thru art. According to Ms. Riyait, “We started looking at a very particular time when young minds are molding and forming and not being influenced but being an influencer. And I think that was really important.”
Neither the Norwich Bulletin nor the Day need to reach across the country to different groups like the Times did. As local papers you can reach out to the local schools, groups and libraries that may already have writers, poets and artists looking and waiting for an opportunity to have their voices in its various ways heard.
Both the Norwich Bulletin and the Day have magazines searching for new readers and subscribers. Here is an opportunity to enhance that search, to create a community voice, to speak and be heard by the next generation of readers and writers. The artists, poets and writers, you select to give voice to locally may be heard by others who can help grow and expand their horizons. Horizons that may be regional or national competitions, performances, or competitions at various festivals. Your newspaper or magazine can become known as where someone got their work first published. You may become synonymous as being the first place a voice of tomorrow should be heard.
Will the topics of the articles that appear daily in your newspaper be an influence to their work? Will they reflect the people they see every day? How do they see their lives? Their challenges? Their futures?
Publishers and Editors of the Norwich Bulletin and the Day, are you up to the challenge?
I have a love/hate relationship with politics. I love participating in it, voicing my opinion, casting my vote, working toward my view of a better place to live, work and leave behind. I hate discussing it because we all do not share the same definitions of terms, words, and outlooks.
Many of us have learned our terms not from reading history and forming our own definitions from our understanding of what we have read, but from television, movies, newspapers and magazines written by people who already share our viewpoint or we wouldn’t be watching or reading their work. So here, with the help of dictionaries, the internet and Wikipedia (Ugh. I hate to admit I resorted to that.) are a few definitions that have worked their way into some recent discussions.
Marxism is a political and economic theory where a society has no classes. Every person within the society works for a common good, and class struggle is theoretically gone.
Hitlerism. Hitler’s views and commentary depended on his needs, claims and circumstances. He claimed he was only against “Jewish Marxism,” but there was also focus on anti-Semitism, anticommunism, antiparliamentarianism, German Living Space, “Aryan race” superiority, and German nationalism and a few more I can’t put into less than 1,000 words.
Anti-Semitism is hostility to, prejudice, or discrimination against people of the Jewish religion.
Anti-communism is any political movement against communism.
Communism is very like Marxism. Private property and a profit-based economy is replaced with public ownership. Major manufacturing, production, mining, farming, all natural resources are communal and government operated or controlled.
Fascism is a right-wing government ruled by an authoritarian leader. There is only one political party, and only one state. All matters including economic difficulties are responded to with preparation for war.
Parliamentary System – The head of state is not the head of the government. The executive branch must have the confidence of and is accountable to its legislature.
Presidential System – The head of state is the head of the government but the executive does not derive its powers from the legislature but from its voters.
Anti-parliamentarianism , can generally claim these basic disadvantages for the parliamentary systems:
• Legislative flip-flopping The ability for strong parliamentary governments to ‘push’ legislation through with the ease of fused power systems.
• Party fragmentation. An advantage of presidential systems is their ability to allow and accommodate more diverse viewpoints.
Of course there are more types of governments and many more definitions than the ones I have given here. This is just to serve as a reminder that in America we all have the rights and privileges of choosing which definitions we prefer use, follow and discuss. We have the freedom to have and share our opinions. It is our right to ignore the opinions of others.
I won’t use the correct quote but, “Opinions are like noses. Everyone has one.” and “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even if it’s wrong.”
I heard it on NPR. At the start of the Covid pandemic a man in Montreal attached a locked box with a slit opening marked, “Requests to the Universe.” to a fence. Then slowly as time went on quietly and without fanfare some tiny and some large slips of paper began to appear in the box when he checked. He would empty the box very early in the morning or very late in the evening so he wouldn’t be seen. Some of the requests to the universe were in envelopes and some on scraps of paper or sales receipts. There were hopes in pencil, pen, crayon and marker. Some of the requests were deeply personal. Asking for health, rent money, a new job, recovery, an end to a pain, or an end to taxes. Some were prayers for an end to the pandemic, world peace, or a cleaner environment. Others wanted a specific object such as a new computer game, toy, or a new car. There were all manner of hopes, dreams, wishes and prayers.
Each request was deeply personal and the man could tell it was heartfelt and meaningful to the writer. Even the ones that appeared to be humorous had to be thought about and obviously meant something to the author.
Do you think if a lot of individuals asked for the same thing, such as an end to world hunger there might be a response from the universe? Is the rising water table of the oceans the answer from the universe for more water?
If there was such a box located near you, what would you write on a slip of paper to drop in the box? Would you drop just one request to the universe in the box? Would you go out of your way just to slip your request in the box? Would you make more than one request to the universe? Do you ever now make requests to the universe? Has the universe ever replied? Was it the reply you expected or hoped for? Is it right to ask the universe for help with a personal problem?
Shout out to Ace Hardware of Norwich, at 148 W Town Street for sending a reminder about feeding the birds in the cool and cold months.
Different birds are attracted by different foods so be sure to hang your feeders at a fair distance so the feathered can find the foods they prefer easily. I don’t set out food in the summer. There is more than enough food for them to find fresh and growing in my yard. I do put out fresh water as there is not a natural source close by.
Feeding the birds though is not limited to just feeding the ones you like. Noisy birds, messy birds, and scavenger birds may also be attracted to your feeders. I am not going to mention the other fuzzy, bushy, and naked tailed critters that may enjoy the food and the ground droppings.
Last spring I purchased a bag of mixed seed and grain food that had a seed one bird in particular loved. I am not sure which particular seed it was but I can go on for an hour describing the seeds he/she rejected and tossed to the ground. The seeds on the ground attracted the little birds that didn’t mind eating on the ground. When the hawks were hunting all the little birds would scurry to the bushes and hide in silence. But then the mice might sneak in to dine on their selection of the cast-off seeds. I do not know why they had no fear of the hawks. (The cat never bothered the mice or the birds but the moles and the voles were another story. They didn’t eat the seeds but the cat loved to hunt them.)
I wish something would hunt the ground hog and the squirrels. My yard has the best tasting grubs and clover in the area. I know this to be a fact because the number and size of the visiting ground hogs and rabbits has increased substantially this year. For years we seldom saw a rabbit, but this year they are plentiful. My point to all these tales is your food attracts multitudes of animals and may also bring some plant additions to your yard as well.
Keep the food source fresh and replace the feed at least 2x each week. Toast and bread crumbs alone do not give the birds the nutrition they need to stay warm and healthy. Provide fresh water for both drinking and bathing. Surprisingly birds like to be clean and bathe all year round.
Wash your hands before you clean and fill your feeders and then afterwards.
Store your seeds in clean, airtight containers. A couple of years ago I got a tiny version of the old style metal trash can because it was the right size for the bag of seed I was using and it was cute! In less than two weeks the raccoon’s had figured out how to take the top off then the battle of the bungy cords began. At first my seed was safe. Then as the seed lowered, they would topple the can to get the lid to pop off. Then it was chewing the cord until it snapped and they had free access to all the seed they could eat. A lot! Now I keep the seed in glass jars with tightly screwed on lids.
Suet blocks stay in the back corner of the freezer all year round. Every other year or so I will buy fresh suet to melt and make my own blocks and then I remember why I buy it. Making it yourself is smelly and its an odor I don’t care for. If you make your own, well good for you. Watch who eats and steals your peanut butter pine cones. You know you make and hang them at least once a every couple of years so just admit it. If there is another Covid lockdown, consider stringing popcorn for the birds and animals. Quarter inch slices of fresh oranges are attractive to the birds in winter too. If you are amused by the bushy tailed menaces of the yard and forest at least make them work for the unsalted peanuts. They are truly little nerds and seem to like solving problems with dedication and determination.
There are a variety of bird counts all year round and participation continues to get easier each year. Look out the window and count the birds at the feeder for in most counts 15 minutes at a time. Enter your counts on-line and see other areas, towns, states, countries or your neighbors I enjoy the Christmas Count in December and the Backyard Bird Count on Presidents Day Weekend in February. Do you have a favorite? This is a great activity for the very little as they learn to count. Its fun to do with friends and family at the same time in different locations. I do it with friends in Iowa, Michigan and Virginia. We call each other, and sit at our respective windows, count the birds we see, sip coffee and enjoy a great visit. This year I will miss a nursing home visit with a friend and participating in the bird count watching their bird feeders.
To quote Ace, “Make the birds tweet about your home.”
Americans give thanks on Thanksgiving Thursday, then its Black Friday, the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season, then its Support Small Business Saturday, Artists Sunday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday There are more days following and each and every one of them involves the spending of money.
To be honest they are all worthy days. I can’t think of one single day that is not deserving of our full support. My personal preferences do favor the lesser known days such as Artists Sunday and Giving Tuesday.
Artists Sunday is a reminder to shop with local artists to give gifts that are something special, unique and hand-crafted. Things that are special and may have a deeper meaning than a mass-produced box store trinket. How many of us have spent the pandemic clearing out the shelves and drawers of mass produced items?
But for those looking to make an impact in the lives of others then the most important of those spending days is “Giving Tuesday.” “Giving Tuesday” is a global movement for everyone to take actions, large and small, to create a better community through acts of kindness, donations of goods, time , money, notes of compassion, advocacy for causes, and care for family and friends.
2020 Covid has given us all a gift. A peculiar gift but still a gift. The gift of time to look around and to really assess what is important and meaningful to us, our friends, family and neighbors. “Giving Tuesday” packs a powerful punch in the abilities of organizations to continue their work and services to those in need when the fundraisers we are all more accustomed to cannot be held.
The needs for the works and services of not-for-profit agencies and services goes on regardless of the state of the world and in fact, the needs have risen exponentially.
Giving Tuesday, often stylized as #GivingTuesday for the purposes of hashtag activism, is a way to help without leaving your safe and comfy home. On Tuesday, December 1, 2020 some organizations have donors ready, willing and able to match donations. Doubling or more your single donation.
Norwich, CT is home to many organizations that do good things for many people. For example The Arc Eastern Connecticut, 125 Sachem Street, Norwich, CT 06360 (www.thearcect.org )is a non-profit organization founded in 1952 by families who sought opportunities for their children who at the time were not welcome in the public school system. Today The Arc serves over 800 people with intellectual issues of all ages and offers advocacy, employment opportunities, in-home supports, life skills training, recreation, supported residences, and person-centered, community based services.
This Tuesday, make a difference and give generously.
The holiday gatherings are going to be smaller so this is the perfect time to try those new recipes or maybe an old recipe. But do you still have to make the giant quantities? NO! And that is really the best part. This year the meals I deliver to friends will include shot glass, martini glass and juice size glasses of not so classic foods.
Mashed turnip was a staple on the Thanksgiving table when I grew up. So this year it’s part of a pretty, layered medley in a shot glass with mashed yam, mashed parsnip and tiny creamed onions. I once had a neighbor who would pick onions out of her meals every day of the year but on Thanksgiving and Christmas there had to be creamed onions and she would eat exactly three.
Salad will be in a martini glass. A variety of cut greens, carrots, celery, peppers, tomatoes, glistening squares of pickled beets and slices of cucumber balanced on the edge with a slice of lemon.
Who doesn’t love mashed potatoes? So into a wine glass is first the gravy and then the mashed potatoes. Then a potato crumb topping for the crunch factor.
In old punch glasses is a nest of buttered onion slices topped with steamed green beans brought just to color and then chilled in ice water to save their color.
I have not figured out how to display an array of the most important part of the holiday meal. The olives, pickles, and cranberry sauce. I was horrified to learn that there are people who don’t like them! Well to them I say, “Fine. Thank you. More for me!”
In the 1800’s the term “pudding” was not a dessert but a meat or vegetable side dish. So here are a couple of old recipes that can be made with leftovers.
Sweet Potato Pudding Take your leftover mashed sweet potatoes or yams. You are doing the cooking so adjust for what is already there before you add a little cream, butter and a little powdered sugar, grated nutmeg, powdered cinnamon, and a hint of mace. Juice and grated peel of a lemon, a drop of rose water, a thimble of wine, and a glass of brandy (Apricot or ginger both work well.) Stir these ingredients well. Add a couple well beaten eggs and continue stirring. Pour into a buttered dish and bake it three quarters of an hour. Eat it cold. (Original recipe was From Miss Leslie’s Complete Cookery: Directions for Cookery by Eliza Leslie, 1851 edition, reprinted 1863, originally published 1837, all in Philadelphia.)
Pumpkin Chips 1. Cut slices from a high-colored pumpkin, and cut the slices into chips about the thickness of a dollar; wash them, dry them thoroughly, and weigh them against an equal weight of sugar; add to each pound of sugar half a pint of lime or lemon-juice, boil and skim it, then add the pumpkin; when half boiled, take the slices out of the syrup and let them cool; then return them, and boil until the pumpkin becomes clear. The peel of the lemons or limes, pared very thin, boiled until tender, and added to the chips when nearly done, is an improvement. These are more like pumpkin jellies and very sweet. (From The Carolina Housewife, Sarah Rutledge, Charleston, South Carolina, 1847).
Mash Chips – Football? Movie? Then there must be crunchies. After dinner are there small amounts of this and that left in the serving bowls and not room in the fridge? Gently, gently fold them all together. You might need to add extra bread crumbs or a beaten egg to act as a binder. Then spoon, scoop or shape into cookies or balls to bake in the oven for snacks. Very popular too is pressing into waffles. Have you ever used cranberry sauce as a dip or salsa? Delish!
Happy, Healthy and Safe Thanksgiving to all!
I went looking for the press release with the information about the virtual lighting of Norwich, CT City Hall. The latest information on the Official Facebook Light Up City Hall page was for 2017. The AAA information was from 2019. The Official City of Norwich, CT calendar doesn’t show it at all. The main page of the City of Norwich, CT has no reference to it at all. I know I read the press release from the Mayor’s office but I somehow misplaced it. I know I saw a reference to the press release in the Norwich Bulletin but I can’t seem to find that either. By the way, Brown Park lights are beautiful! Please check them out with a drive-by or using the Boat Launch Webcam https://www.norwichct.org/813/Boat-Launch-Webcam
All I recall is that the first two or three paragraphs were a lot of information on why it could not be held in person like other years and I recall that the last line was thanking the two people who videotaped whatever will eventually be presented.
Yes. I am envious of the other towns that just said, “OK. It’s 2020 the year of doing the same differently.” No long winded whining, accusing or complaining just, and with enthusiasm, real or make believe I cannot attest, “This year 2020 out tree lighting, and other activities will be virtual!” Please join us through computer, cctv, cable, zoom or radio on a given time, date and access information. Promotions have been clogging my media accounts since the first week of November.
I have access to more information for what is happening in towns and cities in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Virginia and Rhode Island than I do for what is happening in Norwich, CT. I am so impressed with the places that are demonstrating a real enthusiasm for virtual presentations even if they do not really feel it. There are promotions encouraging watch parties for municipal tree lightings. Zoom calls to see the annual holiday concerts, dances and ballets. “Kitchen Cha-Cha” will be two hours of dancing music on a local radio station. The radio station will be posting photos of people dancing in their kitchens only on their website. A tree lighting will be done virtually by a selected student from the local elementary school. Teachers and students must all be logged in. A special artwork project will assigned and distributed for the evening. The Main Street businesses have agreed to display the projects in available windows. Parents and students are encouraged to find their students work. The Middletown Chamber of Commerce has at least four different promotions between now and Christmas including three Saturdays of scavenger hunts, Buy local events, and holiday lighting activities. All are in part but mostly done virtually.
Norwich, CT had a great event last Saturday at the main Little League field with a wonderful variety of vendors who were ready, willing and able to sell you their imaginative and unique wares. The organizers tried to tell people. But only by Facebook so only certain people are reached. There is going to be a Shop Local. Buy Local. Street Vendor Show sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. But before you go there may I suggest you visit the small drug stores located in every community of Norwich and check out their gift selections, the new Smoke & Gift shop in Norwichtown also has some amazing non-tobacco related items including hats, purses, jewelry and scarves.
When you are tired of being virtual please try a game of disc golf at Mohegan Park. The first hole is by the parking lot for the Field Pavilion. Want to practice first? There is a practice hole by the back of the beach parking lot. Great parking. Easy access. Open to all with no fees involved.
Norwich, CT residents deserve a little fun! It has been a long, long year for everyone so here are a few ideas to liven our city up. Ideas that can be done in all portions, areas, communities, hallways by young, old, singles, groups and shut-ins. Did I leave someone out? My apologies but please join in all are welcome. Even the civic leaders, politicians, businesses, chambers of commerce, churches can join in.
The first is to place a wreath on every door and gate in Norwich, CT. Every single one! A wreath is simply an assortment of flowers, leaves, twigs or various materials constructed to form a ring. Mostly used as a symbol of eternity in many cultures around the globe, and as household ornaments, ceremonial events, cemetery and holiday decorations.
The wreaths can be large or small. There can be one wreath or multiples. They can be plain or colorful. They can be the Norwich, CT symbol that our city will continue on for eternity.
Who remembers when every business had a wreath on the door and bells too? Speaking of which.
Number two is to join a global movement to ring bells at 6 pm on December 24th for two minutes on front steps. That’s it. Just ring any bell you might have handy for two minutes on Christmas Eve. Think of the sounds of bells carrying in the air together. It would be nice if the church bells joined in but that would mean working together. Families and friends separated by miles can ring the bells together as one. Just another reminder that no one is alone and we are all in this together.
Number three is a little harder and requires a little planning, some imagination and artistic talent. Gnomes are big this year. One city, has encouraged its gnome population to come out and play. It took a little while but slowly the residents are posting photos of gnomes practicing their caroling, not affected by covid, the young gnomes are still in school, gnome bakeries, gnome shops, gnomes playing in gardens and on lawns. Some are built with tomato cages and some are free form. Some are using flower arrangement clay or Styrofoam. In a different City, also welcoming gnomes, I think smaller than Norwich, has Chamber members leaving notes of welcome and encouragement to the gnomes and their hosts to shop early and local. What are the gnomes doing in your yard?
These three activities are simple, easy and thrifty. You do not need to do them all. You don’t have to check in with anyone else. You don’t have to do any. There are no fees. No fundraisers will start to calling you, emailing you. There are no complicated directions. Personally I think its a crying shame our Chambers and politicians have not been the ones encouraging these ideas. A newspaper could ask for photo submissions and put them on a page that subscribers could see. A radio station might take a drive and describe the gnomes of a neighborhood or dedicate a special hour or two of music for gnomes to play by. What instruments do gnomes play? What games do gnomes play? Gnomes are thought to have come from Scandinavia but then traveled across the globe to every continent over 1500 years ago. Where are the cookie, cake, candy and savory dishes loved by our globe traveling gnomes?
Number Four. The City of Norwich is going to have a virtual Tree and City Hall lighting but those in charge are still being shy with the details. But that does not mean that we residents, voters, and taxpayers need to be shy too. If its like previous years there will be only one string of lights on the tree so what do you think of filling the tree or at least the reachable branches with hats, gloves, masks, mittens and socks in plastic bags.
I cannot take credit for any of these ideas. Not one. Each idea is already being done in other places, cities and towns across the globe. Just not in Norwich, CT but they could be. We have the space, facilities and the population. We just need the leadership and the encouragement. What will you be doing?
Let’s start a new tradition! Something simple. Something that everyone can participate in. Young. Old. Family members and friends near and far. It can become a theme for a City that has placed a memorial bell in front of its City Hall.
It is an activity that can be done by one or in groups. Where quarantine can be safely broken and heads can be poked outside through a door or a window. Transportation is not required. It can be a soft tinkle or a loud bong. Elaborately organized or spur of the moment. A hint is that its something that was used across the globe for centuries to communicate over long and short distances. A message that crossed language barriers.
If you love old movies you’ll know its a signal that an angel gets its wings.
Politics, beliefs and religion don’t really play a part. It is about announcing that we are all here. We are all together.
The new tradition is that on Christmas Eve at 6 p.m. everyone step outside onto their doorstep and ring a bell for two minutes to spread a little Christmas spirit and to help Santa fly his sleigh.
Let’s see bell cut outs on windows. Bells on trees. Bells on lapels. Let us join together to ring bells throughout the land.
This has not been the best of years, so let’s end 2020 with a bit of Magic, hope and togetherness.
On a bench. In a plastic bag. There was a book and a note. I looked around to see if its owner was nearby. The book could be important to somebody. I remember carrying books around with me from school and forgetting or leaving them in odd places when my attention was shifted to something more interesting. OK, OK I still carry books with me and leave them in odd places.
I stepped closer and read the note hoping for a clue to its owner. The book had been left there on purpose. In large clear type the note said, “YOU FOUND ME!! This is a gift for you! – It’s FREE! keep it, Leave it or pass it on!
Kindness Abandonment. It was placed here for you to discover and enjoy! If you wish to share what you found today we’d love to hear from you! We can be located on:
Facebook Kindness Abandonment
Instagram kindness abandonment
Mewe kindness Abandonment
Tumblr kindness Abandonment
With apologies I was only able to check the Facebook site. I do not subscribe to the others. It’s a fairly small group of almost 130 members whose stated mission is, “Spreading KINDNESS far & wide by abandoning an item for another to randomly find. “
So as winter slowly approaches I would like to suggest that in addition to the hats, gloves, mittens, socks, face masks and scarves Norwich residents provide on trees and fences, perhaps we could leave a few other necessities such as a purse with feminine hygiene products maybe a few see through bags with 3 generic holiday cards with stamped envelopes, or maybe a novel, a collection of poetry or even a read-a-loud book.
While it is important to remain socially distant, it is also important that we all acknowledge that we are not alone. It is together that we move forward into the future with respect and kindness.
When was the last time you were in Utley & Jones Pharmacy? They’ve been in Norwich, CT for almost 150 years and many of them at their current location of 112 Lafayette St beside the Backus Hospital visitor parking lot. You don’t need a prescription to go there. They are also a gift shop with wonderful and inventive items.
There is already a display of penny rugs to hang on a tree with portraits of cats and dogs. A penny rug dates back to the last quarter of the 19th century. Back then they were a way to use scrap materials and tuck away a coin or two. Today’s penny rugs are a holiday tree decoration to honor a past or present pet cat or dog in felt.
As the holidays creep closer I sometimes feel that I am under attack to buy, buy, buy! But a lot of my friends and I have been trying to clear out some space in our homes and we don’t want to fill them up with more stuff. Our intentions are rather to only bring into our homes things that bring us joy, fill a need or serve a purpose. The displays at Utley & Jones filled me with calm and clarity and a sense of peace.
There were not multiples of each item. A few items had a match but most items were unique and differed from the one beside it. The recipient of a gift from Utley and Jones Pharmacy would recognize that it was chosen with care and thoughtfulness and not a random object off an assembly line, tossed in a shopping cart and delivered with a sigh of relief and a tired smile. The objects were all quality and special. I had the feeling I was in a Hallmark movie gift shop that though missing gaudy seasonal decorations there was something special there just waiting for me to recognize it and take it home.
2020 has been a crazy year and the holidays are coming quickly. Join me in a rebellion against mass production and big box store stuff. Lets return to a time of thoughtful and meaningful treasures. Help me explore our small businesses and shop locally.
Breathe. Now start planning. There will be another election on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. In 2021 it will be a municipal election. It will be the election where you choose who will be making the decisions on how your tax dollars are going to be spent in your community.
What is important and what will have an immediate impact on you and your family?
How much money will be spent on education, fire protection, police?
How will the budgeted money be spent?
Who will be the decision makers?
What experiences do the candidates, your future leaders have, in budgeting, in leadership, in the art of delegation? How well do they communicate and express themselves? What are their visions of the future? Do the visions of the candidates match well with your visions of what you would like to see in your community? Have the candidates demonstrated leadership? Are the candidates well known and respected in the community? Questions! Considerations! Is it really too early?
What do I think should be happening right now? Thank you for asking!
I would like to see a reservation being made today for Tuesday, October 6, 13 and/or 20, 2021 for Slater Stage at Norwich Free Academy by the League of Women Voters of Southeastern CT, and the NAACP for a debate or forum to present the candidates to the residents of Norwich, CT. There are a lot of positions open on the ballot and to accommodate time more than one evening may be needed.
In September, I would like to see those two organizations invite the NFA activity group to join them in developing questions for the candidates by examining the actual responsibilities of the positions on the ballot.
I want to see the forum on the local cable station, on the education station, (NFA has their own station that they don’t use so here is a perfect opportunity) and then on YouTube. I would like to see a radio station air it live but also replay it for their morning listeners. I want people to know about it in advance, not afterwards. I want the dates to be one of the first dates put on all the candidates calendars.
In my ideal world, the local newspapers would be printing a transcription of the questions and responses. There would even be a promotion by the newspapers asking their readers what questions they would like to ask the candidates.
If the political town committees can spend a year raising funds for campaigns, can they please spend some time learning and teaching their candidates what the jobs are that they are campaigning for? Yes I am holding the Town Committees responsible for the education of their representatives. The candidates are representing you, Town Committee, don’t you want to look your informed best?
The future of Norwich, CT is not up to someone else. The future of Norwich, CT is not up to the unknown them. The future of Norwich, CT is not the result of only the past actions or in-actions. The future of Norwich, CT is up to us. Together we can create a vision for Norwich, CT and together we can make the vision a reality. The future of Norwich, CT must begin now.
Tucked into an old cookbook was a pamphlet book 34 pages long titled, “Martha daughter of Mehetabel Chandler Coit, 1706-1784” published by Bulletin Print, Norwich, Conn. 1895. Before the first page a cut page has been pasted saying, “The favor with which the Book of Mehetabel Chandler Coit has been received by her descendants encourages us to offer them this memorial of her daughter Martha. M.P.G., E. S. G., L.G.L. Under the Elms, Norwich Town, Conn. Christmas, 1895.”
Many of the personal letters contained later in the book have sad context, telling of deaths, sickness, and personal complaints. Travels and events can be verified by other collections of letters with similar information and hopefully more details. The letters were written before spelling of words became standardized so it is much better and much easier to understand them if they are read aloud. A modern comparison of the letters would be of a person sent off to summer camp. A camp much like the one described in the old song by Alan Sherman, Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah (A Letter From Camp). A list of who is ill, infirm, dead or dying. Happy events , and personal details are few and only briefly mentioned if at all.
The introduction to the book captured my interest because of how the authors speak with authority about stories told “early in this century.” Then the stories become almost magical. I wish someone had recorded the tales but maybe someone elsewhere has and Norwich could re-claim them. I am envious of the places that have maintained the traditions of oral story telling. The few Norwich tales most repeated generally come from a single source that liberally borrowed from more modern fiction than historic fact.
From the introduction, ”Early in this century the children of Daniel Lathrop Coit of Norwich, Conn., used to hear an old family servant, “Bristor,” formerly a slave, whom they called “Uncle Boo,” talk about “Ma’am Greene.” He had various marvelous tales about his once finding a pot of gold, and how “in time o’ the war folks made mangoes out of cucumbers,” confirming his statements by saying, “Poor old Missus, she dead and gone. If Ma’am Greene were alive she would tell you the same.” I would love to know how to make mangoes out of cucumbers.
Ma’am Greene would have been Martha, born April 1, 1706, married in 1731 to Daniel Hubbard (died 1741) and married Thomas Greene in 1744 (died 1764). Martha died in 1784. Martha had five children with Daniel and two surviving children with Thomas. Thomas was a widower, married to Elizabeth Gardiner.
The pamphlet comments that, “Really, one would think that there was a dearth of “suitable” young people in those days, so close and intricate are the marriages of certain families.” Second son, Daniel Hubbard, married Mary Greene, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Greene. Elizabeth Hubbard married Benjamin Greene, nephew of Thomas Greene. William Hubbard married his cousin Lydia Coit, daughter of Martha’s brother, Joseph.
In 1895, when the pamphlet was written, a wedding fan of Martha Coit and a silver porringer were still in possession of Coits in Guilford, CT and a framed small piece of embroidery in New Haven, CT. I wonder where they are today.
The first commercial not-blockbusting movie filmed in Norwich, CT that I have found was in May of 1916 called “The Romance of Norwich.”
The film was financed by Hydris Film Studios of Mt. Vernon, NY. The largely amateur cast was headed by Margaret Kelly and David Sheehan. Not surprisingly I was not able to locate a match in the current IMDb.
“The Romance of Norwich” played for two weeks at the Auditorium Theatre. The members of Norwich, CT society could see themselves on the street by the corner of the Shannon Building and in the crowd in front of Saint Patrick’s Church during the wedding scene. There was even a brief glimpse of the locals coming out of the Auditorium Theatre after viewing the pre-view production.
According to the newspapers of the time, my only source of information, it was a really excellent film due its clear and distinct pictures in every scene and the well-known and talented amateur cast of Norwich people.
Has anyone got any family stories they would like to share of an ancestor being in the film? I wrote the current Hydris studios but never heard back and doubt they are one in the same.
I haven’t been able to get to the NY archives to search around there for a while. So help! Lets join forces and see if we can’t discover a copy of the film and have a local showing.
The Connecticut State Film Commission (https://portal.ct.gov/choosect/film-office) site was not particularly helpful because I was looking for past information and they are trying to focus on the future. I will note that the 15 photos submitted by Norwich, CT to represent Norwich, CT are horrible and do not do any justice to the city. I do not have enough words to express how disappointed I am in how the City of Norwich is represented as a dark, defeated and dismal place. They look like photos I might take and that is no compliment. The photo of the Wauregan ballroom is the outside of the building. Dodd Stadium is a photo of the building and not the field and its blurry as if taken from a moving car. The Norwichtown Green is a photo of the sign. A photo of Yantic Street? Not a photo of the lovely and unique bridge in Yantic? Not a single photo of the 500 acre Mohegan Park? The marketers of Norwich, CT couldn’t find anything scenic or unique or a pretty vista in Taftville, Occum, Laurel Hill, Plain Hill, Yantic, Norwichtown or Mohegan Park. Seriously. Call me anytime for a tour of Norwich, CT so that the Connecticut State Film Commission photo library site can be updated. Photography is one more skill that I do not have but I can recognize a variety of interesting places, vistas, and architectures. Norwich, CT has hundreds of residents placing photos of Norwich, CT on Facebook, ask them to submit some untouched, innovative photos of various sections of the City. If there are limits on the Film Commission site as to the number of photos allowed choose some photos that show every possible section of the city to its best advantage. Responsible leadership understands that it’s important to ask for help when dealing with something new or out of the ordinary. Norwich, CT needs leaders that know how to market a city in a positive light and be ready, willing and able to use and take advantage of all it has to offer.
When a movie company comes to a film site in addition to the money made from the licenses, permits, rentals, human resources, publicity etc. there is the site restoration. That is why so many cities and towns fight so desperately to be a film site. It’s pretty much a film industry contract standard that any location used by a film company must be restored to its previous or better condition. That may mean fresh new street paving or road barriers or fences, fresh paint, or sidewalk repair. Sorry about the rant but I would like to see more of Norwich, CT in a variety of medias and not just as the dismal home zombies or our main street being used to represent a back alley of a larger city.
Isn’t there a group in Norwich, CT that would like to sponsor a Norwich, CT movie weekend with screenings of Holiday for Heroes (2019), Everybody Wins (1990), Remains (2011), The Romance of Norwich (1916), Wishin’ and Hopin’ (2014) or how about “Parrish” (1961) written by Mildred Savage of Norwich, CT. It might make a great fundraiser for new or additional Christmas Lights, or 4th of July Fireworks.
I was listening to something over the internet today and had a realization. Sometimes there is good out of the bad. I think I can safely say that the Covid pandemic has been a bad thing for most people. But some people have discovered new products and businesses they never imagined before.
Some businesses made changes they didn’t think they were quite ready for and surprised themselves. Schools discovered that there were wonderful ways to bring the classroom into homes and homes into classrooms. That distance learning is different but possible with a little imagination and practice. Change is not always a bad thing.
I love a variety of music and the pandemic has given me the opportunity to hear, see and visit a variety of tiny, inventive and very personal concerts from around the globe. I have had the opportunity to see and hear musicians play their instruments in their kitchens, hallways and front lawns. At a concert I may hear a particular soloist but thanks to a virtual concert I have seen their face or their fingers on their instrument. Things people in an audience cannot see. In person only performances have been heard and seen by wider audiences than ever imagined.
I have heard the voices of musicians. I have now had the opportunity to observe musicians switch from playing one instrument to another. With grateful thanks I have listened to artists play together from their homes in different countries. Things we would never have had the opportunity to hear before covid.
Through the magic of the internet I have been able to participate in meetings across the globe. Meetings where it is expected that people ask difficult questions as answers and solutions are being sought. I have been privileged to virtually attend meetings, lessons and demonstrations of cultural diversity. Respecting other cultures is more than just about throwing a party with balloons and costumes. Education must be the primary piece of a cultural exchange. Education for businesses is key for understanding and success. Everyone involved must have respect for the others.
It is long past time for Norwich, CT residents to recognize diversity in ways beyond foreign food adjusted for the American palate. Returning to normal from the depths and darkness of Covid is an opportunity for members of the Norwich, CT culturally diverse community to share and shine with demonstrations of skills, talents, abilities and products.
2021 is not just a new year it should also be a new beginning for us all.
It’s that time of the year when we keep our eyes to the sky. During the day we look for clouds and at night we look at the planets and the stars and the occasional satellites we think are falling stars and meteors.
But when I am with my neighbors we check out the holiday lights and the rooftops. You never know who might be practicing a night landing. Don’t you dare roll your eyes at me I am very serious.
I live by Backus Hospital where LifeStar helicopters land and lift off during the day and during the night with someone’s most meaningful and precious cargo. But, at this time of year, in addition to the comings and goings of the helicopter, up on the roof top can clearly be seen for miles is the Backus Hospital Christmas Tree.
With its takeover by Hartford Healthcare many of the strong traditions of a neighborhood hospital have been lost so its been wonderful to see the yearly tradition of the tree being kept. Thank you Hartford Healthcare for retaining this small symbol of hope, health and peace in Norwich, CT.
On a personal note, I am looking forward to seeing the fundraising begin for new seasonal lights for downtown Norwich, CT and perhaps some “Welcome,” or “Happy Holidays” lights at each of the gateways to the City of Norwich. Norwich, CT has more than one entrance leading into the city and it would be a true boon to the businesses of the City if the travelers on the roads were presented with positive reinforcements of their welcome to the City.
Yes, the lights are expensive, and it may take many on-going efforts to raise the necessary funding. Complaining is easy but being a part of the solution requires lots of minds, lots of different opinions, lots of effort and and lots of dedication. Join forces with your family, friends, neighbors and groups to be an active participant in making the City of Norwich, CT all that you want it to be. Don’t wait until next year, let’s start now.
Is your 2020 – 21 Norwich, CT group or organization interested in a Covid safe fundraiser? Maybe there is interest in raising funds for new holiday street lights for the various entry points to the City of Norwich, CT or the downtown? It’s OK to raise money during different events throughout the year. It’s been done before – honest!
On Saturday, June 18, 1994 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, sponsored by the Norwich Tourism Commission for only a contribution of $10.00 the public was invited to tour 7 lovely private home gardens, visit the Rose Show and Tea sponsored by the Women’s City Club and view the Norwich Memorial Rose Garden and the proceeds benefited the Downtown Beautification Projects.
Jeanne White was the Chairperson. Johnny London and Tom Nevers were in charge of publicity. Erwin Goldstein wrote the descriptions of the gardens. Karen Gilliland was the chief hostess. Jaclyn Finocchio created the delicate art work. Henry Dixon directed the signage and Olive Buddington, Nancy DePietro, Joy Leary, Marjorie Mandell, and Eunice Robbins were the ticket selling team.
I am not certain which of the listed gardens, other than the Norwich, CT Memorial Rose Garden still exist today but I am certain there are some Norwich, CT gardeners that would be delighted to share their gardens. They just might need to be asked. Maybe the garden centers might like an opportunity to show off their technical know how of how to choose types of plants for certain areas. Possibly there are some yard and lawn care companies with clients that might allow visitors to see their professional workmanship.
Imagine the interest to be generated by a promotional article asking the Norwich residents for examples of how small spaces can be “utilized to grow a host of shrubs, perennials, herbs and annuals.” There are homes with delicate courtyards with nooks, statuary and small pools. In another promotional piece explain you are seeking a “beautiful historic home, graced by a large elegant garden.” In whose neighborhood can an example of “Raised beds, container plantings, richly organic soil, and an ample greenhouse be found?” Where can an example of a “cottage garden” or a “dynamic, colorful yard” or “medicinal herb and flower beds” or a “comforting varied landscape” be found?
Gardens are a way to encourage the diversity of the residents of the City of Norwich, CT to shine! Possibly a tour or program could be created addressing the various approaches to gardening with an emphasis on gardening by different cultures. There are English, French, Italian, Greek, Japanese, and Chinese style gardens hidden away in Norwich, CT. Maybe they are just waiting for someone to show an interest?
June 2021 is six months away. It is time to start working on our future.
In 2020 it was finally agreed that the light displays in the downtown were worn out and no longer suitable for display. So maybe its time to do a little fundraising so new lights can be purchased by next Christmas. If we start now it can be done. No need to form another committee how about those in charge of such civic matters have a meeting and choose a leader.
It is expected that there will be grants, donations and gifts from the usual assortment of banks, companies and of course Norwich Public Utilities but where will the rest of the money come from? How will it be raised?
Yes you can have another bar crawl, yard sale, bake sale and Night at the Casino. Those are all very nice. Very safe and extremely boring. Many of you have heard this before. If you have stop reading now.
I am proposing, once again, an “Elf School.” The schools are very popular in Europe and it is where I borrowed most of the ideas from. “Elf School” is not an original idea. But it does take a good bit of planning and organization. The hardest jobs are 1. Finding a location with enough room for multiple small groups to meet at the same time. 2. Choosing the date or dates. 3. Selecting the classes and age groups. 4. Deciding on the price or donation. 5. Selecting the instructors for the time slots. [It’s harder than you think to tell people they have not been chosen as a presenter.]
I have found it helpful to have multiple organizations join forces for the day. Each group taking on a specific age group. This breakdown is strictly for example Ages 2 – 6, Ages 6 – 12, Ages 12 – 16. Adults, Seniors.
Twenty minute sessions are the most popular but some of the adult and senior sessions can last an hour. Depending on topic. Don’t be afraid to break rules. Remember – YOU are making the rules. DO what works best for you, and the age group you are servicing. On occasion some places there were multiple weekend presentations – 1. for children, 1. for adults with child care available 1. for Seniors and special classes.
If you are fortunate to have a culturally diverse community invite them in at the earliest planning stages. Use their knowledge, experience, talents and stories to help promote your event. Build excitement about your event in the community. Get the community talking about your event. Supply your newspapers with stories and photographs of the various groups preparing for the event, exchanging information, training, practicing. Discuss, discuss, discuss individual and group vision of the event.
The event for ages 2 – 6 should not last more than two hours maximum. Examples of options – How to brush your teeth, How to walk like an elf, Elf story, Elf Art, Elf Games, Santa’s Naughty/Nice List Survey (Extra Teen volunteers can be really helpful here)
Ages 6 – 12 and 12 – 16 should have the most options. Don’t hesitate here to allow all ages to decide what and where their interests lay. I split the ages but only for the sake of my convenience to make certain I had something for everyone. All ages enjoy listening to story tellers those that share from their head and those that read from books. Try not to use the same person. Mix up the people and the stories. Story tellers are a great promotional tool, so are photos of recipes that will be brought to the exchange, show off the pretty party trays someone will be teaching how to make. Some of the presentations were expanded for Adults and Seniors. Here is a smattering of potential presentations you and your group can look into. It is your event. You are in charge. Go wild! Make Santa proud!
Research and tell holiday and little people stories from different cultures and countries.
Teach food customs of different cultures and countries holiday treats
Teach how to convert recipes they can share from the measurements of different countries and Indian Tribes.
Re-enforce everyone can move with the Santa Shuffle, How to Walk like an Elf for all ages
Practice public speaking
Demonstrate how to wear the funky hat and keep your cheeks rosy
How do you recognize Santa
Elf names
Spring, Summer and winter chores for elves
The qualities of good elfing
Elf Hospitality
Making attractive refreshment trays
Pot Luck Supper Recipe Exchange
Baked goods decorating
Toy assembly
Family Photography Tips
Earn certificates
Bicycle safety
Skateboarding for beginners
Make, learn and teach crafts
Skills of Laughter (communication, public speaking and presentation) with silly reindeer and elf jokes
Elves and Hidden People Research Study Certificates
If location has Wi-Fi there is even a Santa’s Naughty and Nice List test
Elf Photo Station
Outside Games
Having Fun in the Snow (Practice making snowmen and angels)
Elf Detection Certification
For more information see what you can find available on Google “Elf Schools” and visit www.Northpole.com
There can be a set fee or free donation container. Depending on what and how many groups and volunteers there are and what they choose to do. I like to see students research and choose how they want to present themselves as elves. Adults could be the fill-ins, helpers and safety. Perhaps do some of the more complicated crafts, cookies and decorating.
Cost to put on this fundraiser, with multiple organizations, and donated space, was less than $100 per organization and the local high school and Little League ran a snack and lunch café. I do not know what they spent for their food and supplies.