Hersam Acorn Newspaper HOME Magazine September 2010 Eastern Edition

8/8/2019 Hersam Acorn Newspaper HOME Magazine September 2010 Eastern Edition

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Special Section to: The Valley Gazette I The Stratford Star I The Milford Mirror I The Amity Observer I The Trumbull Times I Fairfield Sun I The Huntington Herald I The Monroe Courier I The Easton Courier

SEPTEMBER 2010 HERSAM ACORN NEWSPAPERS

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2 HOME Hersam Acorn Newspapers September 2, 2010

Do you reside in a spic-and-span house or a clandestineminefield of toxins? Dont let the glint of floorboards anddecorated walls fool you. Enemies may lurk! Indoor air

levels of many pollutants may be two to five times and,occasionally, more than 100 times higher than outdoor lev-

els, the United States Environmental Protection AgencysWeb site states.

Going green begins at home for good reasons. Experts

have linked respiratory problems, allergies and otherhealth issues to poor air quality. Coupled with the fact

that the American Lung Association estimates that peoplespend 90% of their time indoors and 65% of their time at

home, a thorough clean-up may be the right prescriptionfor health-conscious homeowners.

Air cleaners and purifiers can help remove such bad-air

culprits as tobacco smoke. Generally, proper ventilationcan eliminate radon gas, which, in the natural decay pro-

cess, most soils exude. The gas may then pass throughcracks and holes in a homes foundation. Carbon monox-

ide, another gas to beware, is emitted from such combus-tion sources as fireplaces, wood stoves and kerosene and

gas space-heaters. Homeowners should take precautionarymeasures and install radon and carbon monoxide detec-

tors.

Responsible consumerism is abloom, and homeownershave a bevy of options to help them further clean-up

and green-up their homes. Our Green House, Real Life ...Naturally is a company that sells environmentally safe and

allergen-free products for home and garden includingbaby, pet, personal-care, gift items, and chemical-free,

Is your home hazardous to your health?by Stacy Lytwyn Maxwell

Pam Davis, owner of Our Green House, sells environmentally safe and allergen-free products for home and garden.

1000 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton CT 06484203-926-2080

Copyright 2010, Hersam Acorn Newspapers, LLC

Jackie Perry, editorBryan Haeffele, designer

Thomas B. Nash, publisher

For advertising information

call 203-926-2080SEPTEMBER 2010 VOL IV, ISSUE 8

Special Section to:

The Valley Gazette The Stratford Star The Milford Mirror

The Amity Observer The Trumbull Times Fairfield Sun

The Huntington Herald The Monroe Courier The Easton Courier

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September 2, 2010 HOME Hersam Acorn Newspapers 3

non-toxic pesticides and household-clean-

ing products.

Proprietor Pam Davis, whose warehouse islocated in Monroe, recalls that when she

opened in 2003, she wrote product descrip-tions to explain each merchandise item and

its beneficial uses. People used to come inthe store and theyd be like, Why do I need

this? They had no clue. Theres so muchabout it now; people are actually getting it.

For instance, they realize the bleach theyve

been using is actually dangerous, and theyunderstand the importance of switchingover, Pam says.

These days her converted customers are

green savvy and, in a complete turnaround,sometimes educate her with newfound

information. Pam, too, remembers thatin the early days the hunt for environmen-

tally conscious goods was difficult. Now, incontrast, the growth in the marketplace hasspurred price drops.

Her product criteria, however, remainunchanged. First of all, if it could be

organic then that would be preferable.Next, Pam looks for eco-friendly or green

items; in other words, recycled materials

or sustainable woods, such as bamboo.Accordingly, her merchandise reflects cus-

tomer demand for cloth tote bags, stainlesssteel water bottles and so on.

Hot sellers at Our Green House are organic

mattresses, pads, linens and accessoriesfor beds. As far as natural cleaners and

pest controls go, Pam says that althoughconsumers may have to be more diligent

with, say, applying bug repellent, overall its

working power is as effective as chemicallyladen products.

New moms are the best consumers atOur Green House. They realize potential

hazards in their home and want to switcheverything out so that it protects the baby,

Pam explains, who raised her now pre-teen and two teenagers in an ecologically

friendly environment.

The impetus for Our Green House startedin 1992, when her husband, Michael, work-

ing for a general contractor, oversaw arenovation on an apartment building in

Manhattan. When lead-testing was pro-posed for the project, the company turned

to a Massachusetts-based company, which,

at the time, was one of the few that had theknow-how to complete the job.

Necessity is indeed the mother of invention.

In 1993, Mike started Willow Environmentalon Willow Street, thus the name, in Hoboken,

N.J. Eventually he moved the company toSandy Hook, a section of Newtown. The

company now tests both residences andbusinesses for lead paint, mold, radon,

asbestos and water quality. Mikes enter-

prise sparked Pam to use environmentallysound products.

Im in a lot of houses with mold, whichsome people are very sensitive to, says

Mike, and they often are allergic to chemi-cal-based products, so the natural cleaner

was a good place to start ... and so beganOur Green House.

The minimum price for an inspection and

full report, Mike says, is around $400; about75% of his business consists of prospec-

tive home buyers. Home inspections havechanged, he says. Its not like it used to be

... you look through the house, saying, I likeit, a lot. For budget-conscious consumers,

he gives them guidance via the telephone,

and advises them what they should searchfor.

Eco-friendly life is a family affair for the

Davis household. In fact, their son, Michael,was one of a team of six Newtown Middle

School students to win first place and$25,000 in the 2010 Northeast division of

the Lexus Eco Challenge (scholastic.com/lexus). Called the Men in Green (menin-

green.net), the teams focus was defores-

tation. They obtained and reforested 3.5acres of town land with more than 2,500new plants.

Best place for a green world? Look no fur-

ther than your home turf.

Our Green House is at 476 Pepper Streetin Monroe; 203-445-2926; store hours by

appointment. For virtual online shopping:

ourgreenhouse.com; local shoppers may shop

online and pick up their order the next

day. Willow Environmental (willowenviron-mental.com); 800-866-8378; 203-270-3595;

[email protected].


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The perfect time to visit Connecticuts many

wineries is now. An early spring and warm

temperatures have advanced harvesting from

late September and early October to early and

mid-September.

More than 20 wineries are listed by the

Connecticut Vineyard and Winery Association,

10 of them in western Connecticut. They

stretch from Jones Winery in Shelton, just

north of the Merritt Parkway, to Land of Nod

(which sounds like a fairy tale but isnt) in

northwest Connecticut.

There is no better way to relax and unwind

than to pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it with

a sampling of local wines. September offers

mild temperatures and a chance to share in

harvest festivities.

At Haight-Brown Vineyard in Litchfield, those

of you who have fantasized about walking

around with purple feet can actually compete

in a Grape Stomping contest the weekend of

Sept. 18 and 19. Haight-Browns tasting room

is open seven days a week: 10:30 to 5 except

Sunday, 12 to 5. This winery also offers a

train ride through the New England country-

side on Saturday, Nov. 6, where you can feast

on exquisite food and fine wines while enjoy-

by Col. Jack E. Daniels

CONNECTICUT

WINE TRAIL

Lots of sampling, a little stomping


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ing the beauty of the fall foliage.

Hopkins Vineyard in Warren, a favorite of

mine, is located high above the shores of

Lake Waramaug. This farm, family owned

since 1787, welcomes visitors every day from

May to December, 10 to 5. After touring the

winery, give yourself a reward and walk up to

the Hopkins Inn where fine cuisine is served

on a shaded terrace or in one of several din-

ing rooms. The Inn is open year-round, but

the dining rooms are open only from April

through December. Their Harvest Celebration

is scheduled Sept. 18 and 19 from noon until

5.

New to the Hopkins scene is the Sachem

Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast, which over-

looks Lake Waramaug. The recently restored

1870 farmhouse has four guest rooms fur-

nished with fine antiques, comfortable read-

ing chairs and luxurious beds, and offers a

delicious farmhouse breakfast.

Sandy Hook, exit 10 off I-84, is home to the

McLaughlin Vineyards, which is planning a

big Harvest Celebration on the weekend of

Sept. 25, 26. Tickets for $20 may be booked

on PayPal, or pay $25 at the door. Special

events and tours for children will be held

throughout the weekend. A 19th Century

barn converted to a winery and tasting room

is surrounded by a profusion of beautiful flow-

ers. In total, there are 160 acres with hiking

trails and picnic facilities on the lawn. Prior to

becoming a winery, the farm, which borders

the Housatonic River, was already famous for

its maple syrup from the hundreds of maple

trees on the property, which are still produc-

ing. Hours are daily 11 to 5. Reservations

for the festival may be made on the Web at

mclaughlinvineyards.com.

One of the most enjoyable tours is in

Brookfield, where Dr. DiGrazia (who still has

a medical practice) presides as founder and

winemaker of DiGrazia Vineyards. A pioneer,

he has been intensely involved in producing

high antioxidant wines. He explained his

processing and the benefits of his technique

to our Wine Wizards group. After the tour,

we adjourned for a picnic lunch on his arbor

patio, which was very restful with its bubbling

stone fountain. There are two dozen wines

ranging from dry to sweet. As an old Air Force

retiree, I was not able to resist buying a bottle

of Wild Blue, featuring an Air Force fighter

jet on the label. Made from blueberries, it was

delicious and surely would be the winner in

any antioxidant contest. The winery is open

seven days a week from April to December;

Hours are 11 to 5. Should you want more

details of his pioneering, antioxidant work

and his theories on why hands-on winemak-

ers live so long, call the winery and arrange

a tour to coincide with his presence 203-

775-1616.

A short distance from DiGrazia, you will find

the White Silo Winery in Sherman. Yes .

. . they do have a white silo. The winery is

housed in a 19th-Century dairy barn that

has been converted into a modern winery,

while maintaining its original charm. This

winery features fruit wines made from fruit

picked in the orchard but they are not

sweet! Some are semi-sweet and there are

some refreshingly dry. Take a trip and relax at

their wine bar or sit outdoors on the garden

terrace, which overlooks the farm, and sip a

winery specialty, Blackberry Sangria. Hours

are Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and major

holidays, 11 to 6.

Fruit wines made from fruit picked on the

family farm are also a feature of the Jones

Winery in Shelton. They also offer grape

wines, including Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc,

Merlot and Vidal Blanc. If you enjoy his-

tory, you will find a visit to this 150-year-old

farm, where Jamie Jones represents the sixth

generation of the Jones family, fascinating.

Tasting room hours are Fridays, Saturdays

and Sundays from 11 to 5 from May through

December. From Thanksgiving weekend

through Christmas Eve, the winery is open

seven days a week.

Sunset Meadow Vineyard, atop the Litchfield

Hills in Goshen, will present you with a

choice of five white, four red and one blush

table wines. Nine-thousand vines are nur-

tured on the 21 acres, which has views of

Mohawk Mountain and Mt. Tom. The winery

emphasizes respect for the environment and

natural resources, using sustainable farming

methods. The tasting room is open from

April through December on Fridays, Saturdays

and Sundays, 11 to 5, with extended hours for

the Harvest Festival on the weekend of Sept.

25, 26.

To learn more about Connecticuts many

thriving wineries, visit their Web site, ctwine.

com. Here you will find maps, a list of winer-

ies and the many special events underway

festivals, concerts and more in the pro-

lific vineyards of Connecticut.For questions or

commentary, e-mail [email protected].

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Plant an edibleforest gardenTO SUSTAIN YOURSELF AND NATURE

by Lois Alcosser

Nibbling on sea kale. Chewing a bit of

sweet cicely. Discovering that yarrow leaves

on cuts will stop the bleeding. Planting a

Nanking cherry tree and a pawpaw. It was

all part of a full-day session at Wiltons

Millstone Farm to learn how to create an

edible forest garden in the backyard, or to

turn a lawn into your own mini-wilderness.

Led by Connor Stedman, botanical edu-

cator, designer and teacher, who says he

works to help people build healthy, resil-

ient relationships with themselves, with

each other and with the natural world.

Whats so different about an edible gar-

den? you might say. Vegetable gardens

are edible. Yes, but this is agraforestry,

using plants and trees that have been

growing wild in the forests of the world forSustainability means choosing plants that provide food, medicine, fuel, fiber, protection and

beauty. Lois Alcosser photo

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centuries plants that provide food, medi-

cine, fuel, fiber, protection and beauty, all

from the planets original ecosystem.

Its a matter of meeting human needs

without depleting the health of the planet,

Mr. Stedman explained. Whats happened

since the industrial revolution is discon-

nection with nature. Our food comes to

us canned, boxed, processed. Produce is

often shipped from thousands of miles

away. Agribusiness has replaced agricul-

ture; acres of single crops, such as corn

and soy, saturate our diets and deplete the

land.

Sustainability has become a buzzword.

It means resilience, dependability, last-

ing performance, utilizing and respecting

naturally replenishing resources. But its

been taken over by companies, such as

Monsanto, to describe synthetic imita-

tions of nature and cloning experiments.

The truest expression of sustainability is

the movement called Permaculture, which

originated in Australia in the 1970s as a

method of meeting human needs while

increasing ecological and social health. An

edible forest garden is a good example. The

steps needed to create this garden can also

be applied to ones life.

First, define the goals. Make an assess-

ment of whats available. Create a design

that combines goals and availability. Do

a reality check to make sure your plan is

practical and achievable. If your goal is

to make your forest garden authentic and

functional, which plants and trees should

you choose?

The size of the trees matters they should

be manageable when fully mature (honey

locust, basket willow, mulberry). Are the

fruits and seed pods edible? Are the roots

medicinal? Do they provide shoots for

basketry? Will the bark repel predators?

Will they grow in part-shade? Do the roots,

stalks or leaves repel insects? Will the flow-

ers make tea? Are they flood-tolerant?

Plants such as hardy kiwi produce fruit

that has 10 times more Vitamin C than

citrus. American persimmon is bitter when

Edible continued on page 8

OPEN HOUSE

Saturdays andSundays

The Best Is Yet To Come

Maintenance free homes allow you to enjoy the

best years of your life.

and full basements.

Ideally located near numerous golf courses, world

Offering by


8/10


unripe, but fully softened its delicious and

nutritious. Since it ripens in November and

December, the fruit often falls off into the

snow. Fruiting shrubs like currant or goose-

berry are disease-resistant. Pawpaw grows

in partial shade and the bark is useful as

an insecticide.

How do you choose the site? Though an

edible forest garden re-creates the condi-tions of a forest, it isnt in a forest. More

likely it will be in your backyard. It should

be easily reachable. It should be orna-

mental and have usable soil. Though most

Connecticut soil is compacted, rocky and

sandy, its sufficient for a forest garden.

Turning lawn into edible forest is an excit-

ing learning experience. Why do some

plants seem to transplant well and others

droop and never seem to recover? Plants of

different species are like different people;

they each have their own shock response

(and different likes and dislikes when it

comes to soil, sun and water).

Theres no one way to plant a tree, said

Mr. Stedman, but heres the best way.

Remove the burlap, position the plant, dig

a hole better to plant a tree or shrub

too high rather than too low. Make the

hole wider than it is deep. The soil level

should be just above the roots. Throw in

some compost. Spray with a fish emulsion.

Tamp down the soil to remove air bubbles.

Water it. De-compact the soil around the

tree. Lay wet cardboard around the tree

as a weed barrier. Pour mulch over it, cut a

hole in the cardboard and put a small plant

into the hole.

Youve just planted a Nanking cherry tree

and artemisia, with edible, medicinal, eco-

logical, aesthetic benefits. Hint: Oldtimers

used to throw a couple of potatoes into the

hole. Theyd sprout, grow and rot, making

space for the trees roots.

Theres a wonderful book, The Botany of

Desire, by Michael Pollan, which is about

how we need plants and how plants need

us. A consensual, productive, sustainable

love ... ready and waiting in the garden.

Ediblecontinued from page 7

Visit our Website at Nancystree.com


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LOCATION: This Victorian-style farmhouse in Stratford

is only a stroll away from the beach.

PROPERTY: On less than an acre, the house is sur-

rounded by attractive landscaping enhanced by Belgian

block and other stonework, and is easily maintained so

theres more time for the beach. A wraparound porch

and patio are just the place to enjoy the sea air.

HOUSE: Built in 1951, this attractive home was custom

renovated in 2003; high quality craftsmanship prevails

throughout. Theres a living room with fireplace, dining

room, family room, den, kitchen and master bedroom

suite on the first floor, three bedrooms on the second

and a total of three baths.

GARAGE: One-car attached.

PRICE: $599,900.

REALTY: William Pitt Sothebys.

Agent: Mary Amenda, 203-988-5277.

Photography: Wayne Ratzenberger.

TIMELESSAppeal

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