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A Hersam Acorn Special Section

December2010

Greenwich Post The Darien Times New Canaan Advertiser The Ridgefield Press The Wilton Bulletin The Weston Forum The Redding Pilot The Lewisboro Ledger

Christmas TraditionsBlending of Old, Adding the New

My Favorite ThingsMake-ahead Holiday Foods

Feasting and FamilyTimes to Reminisce

for the holidays


2/23

2 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn. December 2010

My mothers cousins back home periodi-cally pester her to visit Italy. She saw themfour years ago, but theyre in their eightiesand shes eighty-eight, so biological clocksare ticking. In early May, we get plane tick-ets and the intrigue begins.

Getting from Rome to Castelvecchiowhere mom was born takes some finagling.I had enough trepidation having her fly, sowaiting around Fumicino until nightfall for

a puddle jumper isnt an option. But hercousins arent lacking in will and coerceanother relative a professional tour guide to take the day off and come get us. Hedrives the sleek, black Bimmer at white-knuckle speeds down highways and upthe middle of winding two-lane mountainroads with villages encrusted like limpets,commenting on sites worth remembering

and some not, though thats hard to imag-ine in Italy, until we arrive in Castelvecchioin an uncharacteristically dreary cold springrain.

Awaiting us are bowls of chicken soupwith homemade noodles and an egg-goldsheen like sunlight. We collapse into bedsbefore going full tilt into three weeks offamily visits.

Most townspeople have abandoned

this cobblestone coil between Adriatic and Apennine with its castle like a crown forthe local campo santo, or cities, that offerthe realization of dreams. Were related tohalf those who remain, addicted as theyare to routine because it represents safety.But they wont refuse a chance to gossip,reminisce and eat though its not aboutthe food, well, not just that.

FEASTING AND FAMILY

Times to rememberby Adele Annesi

Roger Sherman Inn


3/23

December 2010 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn. 3

This visit had three such opportunities the first at Casa Malatini, where werestaying, one at the home of my mothersbrother and the last at a seaside restaurantin Marotta.

At the Malatini home, we have a wed-ding feast of a luncheon in a dining roomnot likely used in four years. Its the heightof insult, not to mention suspicion, if fam-ily invite you for a visit and hold anythingback. That doesnt happen here. We startwith two primi, first courses lasagna inairy bchamel and manicotti. Next, twosecondi tender pork in creamy arti-choke sauce and mouthwatering beef filetsmothered in mushrooms. Yes, its all fresh,and yes, all homemade. Vegetables are amixed roast of seasonal onions, artichokes,eggplant and tomatoes. Dessert well, itwas bought but the bakery makes every

beignet and brioche from scratch. Buyingless than the best for family is the height ofinsult, too.

Barely recovered from this smallest ofthe three gatherings, we go forth the fol-lowing week to the home of my mothersbrother. In this small, tidy home threegenerations are crammed like anchoviesaround the table for dinner, also lasagna,

where nothing is homemade and everyitem was bought from the rosticeria, thelocal oven. Yet, theres no holding back hereeither. My cousin has split herself nearlyin two putting out this spread, taking timefrom caring for a senile father and a motherwhos headed down the same road. We singhappy birthday to my mother as her brothersits by not knowing her from Adam, though

sometimes in his eyes theres a glimmer ofrecognition, as if hes just on the other sideof a window, looking out.

Since this trip is a marathon, not asprint, we pace ourselves before one lastgathering. In a week, mom turns eighty-nine, so we know somethings up. Youcant plan a dinner for 40 people withoutsome details escaping. Yet, shes told only

that some family are invited to a seafoodplace in Marotta, near the beach. Finally,the weather shifts from cool, cloudy daysto sunshine and heat. Around the L-shapedtable piled with course after course ofcalamari and clams and scampi are cousinsmom hasnt seen, some in 50 years liter-ally.

And for her, the reason for this trip isfamily. I went to see my brother one moretime, even though he didnt recognize me,she said. Then all my cousins were there.Twenty of them sit around the restauranttalking old times, saying, remember this,remember that, recalling 60 years ago,before mom left Italy, before the war.

She says that if she could have themremember one thing, it would be thosetimes. I want them to remember when wewere together in sickness and health,

she says.But nobody wants only the times to

be remembered ... before silver cords aresevered or pitchers are shattered at springs,wheels broken at the well or the dustreturns to the ground. Nobody wants justthat, and neither does my mother. Justremember me, she says. Because they doremember me.

The family gathers to surprise Adeles mother, Adele Frattini, fifth from left, with a birthday party.

AdeleAnnesi

Resale Couture


4/23


I dont remember if it snowed onChristmas 1969. I do know a fire danced

with quiet joy in the fireplace and the treesparkled, glittering specks of light glancingoff the gold roping. An abundance of gifts,as if washed ashore by a gentle wave, laystrewn about, all done up in teasing wrapwith inviting bows. Curled up on the sofa,still in pajamas surrounded by family, thedichotomy of truths were the last thing onmy mind.

Theres someone at the door, exclaimedmother, as the bell rang out. We looked at

each other, wondering whod be showingup unannounced at 10:30 on this Christmasmorning.

My father opened the door to a briskwind, and there he stood in full Army uni-form, a bottle of champagne tucked underhis arm. And what was true one minute agosuddenly disappeared, and another truthwalked through the door.

Clint, my friend, my dear friend since wewere children, strode into the living room.

Not a child anymore, not even a boy, thoughonly 20, but a young man home for oneweek from Da Nang, Vietnam. And as hestood awkwardly, the glittering tree at hisback, our safe family Christmas took on adifferent meaning.

We hugged as we spoke all at once.What are you doing here?When did you get home?How long can you stay?Oh, Im so happy to see you.

Quite a few boys from high school nowserved in Vietnam. College boys I knewwere also there. After graduation, their draftstatus abruptly changed, and a quick deci-sion needed to be made. To go or not to go.Most went. They were too young and inex-perienced to foresee what the consequencesmight be either way. After all, their govern-ment required them to serve, and hadnt we

Christmas1969by Priscilla Whitley

Y.Z. Jewelry Mfg.


5/23


all been brought up to love our country?Possibly the first of the truths colliding.

Clint, so tall, though no more shaggyhair was falling into his eyes. Shorn andneat, almost unrecognizable, his uniformreplacing his lettermans jacket, there wassomething different in his quiet eyes. Couldit also be his loopy grin didnt quite light uphis face as I remembered?

Got in last night. Totally surprised thefamily, but wanted to get over here rightaway. Whats Christmas without champagneand all of you? He held out the bottle to myfather. Bought this in San Fran yesterday. You know how many guys wanted to gettheir hands on it? Ive been thinking of thisall year.

And there we were, as if nothing had everchanged, though it had. Clint spent so manyChristmas mornings with us for, well, as long

as I could remember. As children, wed shareour toys, then moving on into high school,his Christmas gift of a car became my private

taxi. My family, steeped in holiday traditions carols playing in the background, candles lit gave most holidays a dramatic flare, which

he was always a part of. And here in thishouse, this morning, all remained safe, as ifNorman Rockwell had been the set designer.

As we toasted to a joyful day and a happy,prosperous New Year, Clint settled deep intothe sofa, his shiny black boots another starkcontrast to our colorful slippers and socks.After a few minutes, he got up, disappearinginto the kitchen. My father followed shortly.

By Christmas 1969, in my last years of col-lege, life revolved around academics, footballgames, parties with friends. Though a time

came when, almost every day, small clustersof us would get together to discuss the war sofar away. The boys, about to be men, worriedquietly about the choice theyd soon have tomake. The girls, still not women, learned nofuture plans could be made at this time, forwe were learning that abrupt changes couldhappen in a moment. Truths were becomingmore difficult to recognize.

Clint and my father returned to the glow-ing living room, Fathers arm a tight grip

around Clints shoulder. One served in onewar and now one in another. They knewsomething, different truths, which the restof us didnt.

Our day glowed on in the suburbs ofNew Jersey. Soon Clint would be goingagain. Id be staying. Wed each face chal-

See Christmas 1969 page 17

Est. 1987 Serving

Fairfield County

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2011 Tour Tickets Available for a Limited Time

The Glass House Visitor Center & Store at 199 Elm Street, New Canaan, is open for

holiday shopping from 10 to 9. Additional shopping hours will also be held between10 and 4 on Dec. 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18.

2011 Tour Tickets ($30 to $400)

Holiday shoppers can book advance tour tickets for select dates in 2011 before theyare officially released to the public; available dates include May 1 - 2, July 1 - 4 and Sept.

2 - 5. Purchases must be made in person at the Glass House Visitor Center & Store. Visitors who purchase a private tour or book the Glass House & Four Seasons

package will receive a complimentary book entitled, Mattia Bonetti Drawings, featuring

original sketches by the famed furniture designer.

Modern Views

The Modern Views book ($70) features historic photographs and construction draw-ings of Johnsons Glass House and Mies van der Rohes Farnsworth House, plus the

donated works of 95 contemporary artists, architects and designers.

Limited Edition Paula Scher Print ($350)

Paula Scher, renowned graphic designer and partner at Pentagram, created a work

titled Modernism USA, which uses the footprints of Farnsworth House and the GlassHouse at various scales to construct a map of the United States. The limited editionprints are sold exclusively at the Glass House Store.

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Sheridan Interiors in Wilton offers the following tipsfor holiday decorating.

Hang Christmas balls from chandeliers. Dress mantels and banisters with greenery, fruit,

nuts.

Start a collection of vintage Christmas/Hanukahitems. Put jinglebells on your door knobs. Replace your white lampshades with colored ones, or

add festive trim.

Hang undecorated wreaths inside old frames or infront of mirrors and trim with ribbon.

Rethink your Christmas colors; instead of red andgreen, try something like hot pink and kiwi green.

Instead of traditional tree ornaments, have your fam-ily make ornaments with a theme, such as origami.

Top occasional tables with wool plaid throws. Swap summery throws and pillows for cozier winterones of wool, cashmere, or velvet.Sheridan Interiors is at 198 Danbury Road in Wilton;

203-762-2888; 203-762-9878, fax.

SPRUCE UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Box 1019, Ridgefield CT 06877203-438-6544

Copyright 2010, Hersam Acorn Newspapers, LLC

Jackie Perry, editorJessica Perlinski, designer

Thomas B. Nash,publisher

For advertising information

call 203-438-6544DECEMBER 2010 VOL XIV, ISSUE 11

Special Section to:

Greenwich Post, The Darien Times, New Canaan Advertiser,

The Ridgefield Press, The Wilton Bulletin,

The Redding Pilot, and The Weston Forum in Connecticut,

and The Lewisboro Ledger in New York

Photo by Bryan Haeffele. Courtesy of Stewart Flowers.

HOME


8/23


The rule in my house growing up was thatmy brother, sister and I had to wait until allthree of us were awake on Christmas morn-

ing to go downstairs and get our stockings.Once retrieved, we would pile onto ourparents bed and dump out the contents,

mainly candy and the inevitable CVS trial-size toothpaste and shampoo, which Santaalways included to make the stocking stuffed.

As the youngest, the rule led to many sleep-less Christmases as I fretted that my older

brother and sister might get their stockingswithout me. My sister still begrudgingly tellsthe story of the year I came into her roomaround midnight and sat in a chair staring at

her sleeping, too exhilarated about the pros-pect of Christmas stockings to sleep.

When I look back on the Christmases

of my childhood, I still feel a sense of joy.I remember the smell of our kitchen in the

weeks leading up to Christmas when mymother would bake dozens of cookies, fill-ing our freezer with fudge, snowballs, sugar

cookies, toffee bars and so many more. Thecookies were piled high onto a platter forthe Christmas meals, and due to the spirit of

the holidays, I was given permission to eatas many as I wanted. We lived in one of thehistoric homes on Main Street in Ridgefield,

and, as Christmas Day got nearer, I wouldhelp my mother plug in the electric candles

that lit up every window.Since so much of Christmas is about fam-ily traditions, as a new parent I wonder whatChristmas memories well hand down to our

children? The smell of baked goods from mykitchen will have a more burnt aroma thanmy mothers, but I hope to keep that tradition

going. Santa always hid one gift (with hintsprovided) from my husband, when he was a

Christmas traditionsA blending of the old, a beginning of the new

by Amanda Bomann


9/23


child a tradition we plan to continue. And asa new family, we started going to Tods Point

in Greenwich, the morning of Christmas Eve,to let our dog swim, and, weather permitting,we will continue with our children to have a

Christmas outing at the beach.For other young families, Christmas has

also become a combination of the parents

traditions. Glenn and Jane Anderson from

Cos Cob, new parents to Reilly, plan to con-tinue the tradition of having their Christmas

meal with his extended family, most of whomlive locally. But for Jane, being assigned adish to bring did not go smoothly the first

few years.The first year I was assigned sweet pota-

toes but the marshmallows caught on fire.

Now I have creamed onions, but those arentgoing so well either, she said.

From Janes childhood, she plans on keep-

ing her mothers tradition of outfitting theentire family in new pajamas to be openedon Christmas Eve and worn Christmas morn-

ing. One tradition, in particular, they want tohave for Reilly is to be sure she always wakesup in her own house on Christmas morning.

Eric and Molly Campinell from Riverside,new parents to Quinn and Claire, havealso combined family traditions. Every

Christmas, my mother would make ginger-bread houses. My cousins would come over

the Friday night before Christmas and deco-rate the house. It was always a great familynight, and a tradition we plan to continue,

said Molly.Growing up, both families made the trip

to cut down their own trees, a tradition they

will continue, complete with food and a game

of tag for all the combined cousins. And asnew parents, they have decided to begin a

tradition of bringing their daughters to a toystore to choose a gift for a childrens charity.

For Patrick and Elizabeth Crotty of

Greenwich, the arrival of Conor, who will beeight months in December, means this is theirfirst Christmas as a family. The recent passing

of Elizabeths father and Patricks mothermakes this first Christmas with Conor thatmuch more important.

While there will be a big hole around theholidays with them gone, this will emphasizethe importance of family and traditions. As

new parents, we can particularly appreciatethe effort our parents put into Christmas tomake it magical for us, Elizabeth said.

See Christmas traditions page 16

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My very favorite holiday story is Charles Dickenss A Christmas Carol... Ive read the book, of course, and have seen virtually every movie

version made for the big and small screens. No matter which actorportrays cranky, curmudgeony Ebenezer, my favorite scenes fromthe story invariably involve food.

During Scrooges ghostly visits with Christmas Past andChristmas Present to the humble home of Bob Cratchit, we see

poor Mrs. Cratchit attempting to stretch a tiny holiday goose tofeed her many children, and prepare a meager Christmas pud-ding. At the happy ending, a transformed Scrooge asks a young

boy on Christmas morning to procure the giant goose Theone as big as me, Sir? from the local butcher and deliverit to the Cratchit house. I am captivated from beginning to

end by the descriptions of the holiday fare. We celebrate both Christmas and Hanukah at our house,

and I try to prepare as much of the food ahead as possible so Ican spend less time in the kitchen when my family is over. Here are

some of our favorite dishes (located on facing page) and the best part?They can all be made ahead and frozen.

My favorite thingsMAKE-AHEAD HOLIDAY FOODS

by G. Lisa Sullivan

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Nanny Idas Beef BrisketOne 4 to 5 lb. first-cut brisket1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix1 small can tomato sauceSalt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, all to tasteThree tablespoons Worcestershire sauceTwo to three cans sliced carrots, unopenedTwo to three cans small whole potatoes, unopenedOne day before serving:

Preheat oven to 400. Sprinkle both sides of brisket with spices.Place brisket, fat side down, in large roasting pan/baking dish. Pour

Worcestershire sauce over meat. Roast for 30 minutes uncovered.Remove pan from oven and reduce temperature to 350. Add very hottap water to roasting pan, until meat is just about covered. Add Liptonsoup mix and tomato sauce. Cover and cook at 350 for three hours.

Remove brisket from oven and cool slightly (keep it covered).Refrigerate overnight. Fat will solidify in pan; remove fat and discard.Take brisket out of pan and with a sharp knife, slice the fat off the meat.Slice into thin pieces. Pour the gravy that remains in the pan through astrainer and into a bowl to remove any extra fat.

Open and drain cans of carrots and potatoes.In a large baking dish, put sliced meat, gravy and canned carrots and

potatoes. Heat covered with tinfoil for about an hour at 350. You cancook the potatoes and carrots in a separate dish with some of the gravy,covered, for one hour at 350 if you prefer. Serves 4 to 6.

To make ahead and freezeEasy tip: You can make and freeze the meat and gravy ahead of time.

I slice the meat and wrap it in plastic wrap and put the gravy in a plasticcontainer. Freeze both for up to one month. Defrost in the refrigeratorfor a day or two before eating. Put meat and gravy in a large baking dishwith the canned carrots and potatoes, and heat covered with tinfoil foran hour at 350, or until piping hot.

Sugar Cookies1-1/2 cups powdered sugar1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened1 teaspoon vanilla1 egg2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon cream of tartar

In small bowl, combine flour, baking sodaand cream of tartar. In a large mixing bowl, withelectric mixer combine powdered sugar, butter,vanilla and egg. Gradually add flour mixtureuntil blended. Cover and refrigerate at least twohours.

Preheat oven to 375. Grease cookie sheetslightly. Divide dough in half. Roll each half 1/4-inch thick on lightly floured surface. Cut intodesired shapes with cookie cutters. Place oncookie sheet. Bake 7 or 8 minutes or until edgesare light brown. Remove from cookie sheet.

Cool on wire rack. Decorate with frosting andsprinkles. Makes 5 dozen.

To make ahead and freeze After dividing dough, wrap in plastic wrap

and freeze for up to one month. Defrost in refrig-erator a day or two before baking. Once cookiesare baked and cooled, you can freeze them in anairtight container for up to one month.

Potato Latkes5 lbs. potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks, or 2

bags shredded hash brown unseasoned potatoes (inyour grocers meat section)

1/2 cup flour2 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon salt4 eggs, slightly beaten

1/2 cup chopped onionVegetable or Canola oil for frying

If using whole fresh potatoes, shred potatoes infood processor or by hand grater, and drain (if usingbagged hash brown potatoes, skip this step).

In large bowl, mix shredded potatoes with flour,baking powder, salt, eggs and onion. Heat 1/2 inchoil in large skillet, and drop potato mixture by heap-ing tablespoonfuls into oil. Flatten latkes slightlywith back of spoon. Cook latkes, turning occasion-ally, until golden brown on both sides. Drain onpaper towels, and repeat cooking batter in batches.

Serve with sour cream and applesauce. Makes 24.To make ahead and freezeMake latkes according to directions above; after

draining and cooling on paper towels, put latkes inair-tight container and freeze for up to one month.To reheat, remove latkes from freezer, but do notdefrost. Heat on cookie sheets in 450 oven, turningonce, until hot and crispy, about 10 to 15 minutes.

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I watch my friend, Meredith, toss aglitzy Christmas card shes opened onto the

kitchen counter with disgust. She wipes theshimmering sparkles that fall off the cardinto her palm before she opens the card.It reads, Happy Holidays, underneathwhich is printed, Ann and Bill.

Why does she bother? Meredith asksas we sip coffee. At least I send a per-sonal message. She shrugs her shouldersbefore adding, But thats only when I dosend cards, which I havent done in a fewyears.

Meredith is fitting into the I-cant-be-bothered-to-send-cards club. Excuses fromthese folks are many, but usually the reasonis time, or lack thereof. Increasing in popu-larity are her opposites, those who enclosethe printed 8x11 details of their last year,often written in the third person. I oftenskip reading these, especially the two-sidedone from Barbara, which is filled with

such scintillating information as the crampUncle Charlie got in his big toe last August.

Ive been tempted to send my own antidoteto the usual braggadocio cards outlin-ing in explicit detail all the maladies thathave occurred in our family. Yes, I wouldinclude our never-ending dental work, listsof medications and suggestions for attain-ing regular bowel movements.

I see trend-happening cards with photosof the senders and their offspring. Oftentheyre professionally taken and, of course,everyone is wearing coordinated outfits.Cute, you bet, even if Ive never met thekids. We receive pictures of our friendsgrandchildren! The photo-card that wonthe prize for most tacky was from myfriend, Jane. She and her husband have asummer condo in Ohio and a winter one inFlorida. On the front of her card were side-by-side pictures of their condos. Inside washer usual Life is Grand letter.

The Christmas card Grinchby Polly Tafrate


14/23


Differences in Christmascards filter down to whatstamp is chosen. Somesettle for the all-purposeFreedom stamp, whileothers carefully coordi-nate Christmas- themedones. Others includeholiday stickers on the

envelopes back flap.Thats overkill to my wayof thinking.

Then there are thefolks who send out clev-er Internet cards. Youknow the kind I mean click on the snow andsomething happens, click onthe star are we sup-posed to think they dreamedthese up themselves? Thismay ease their conscience and theirwallets, but unless theyre original pictures,its no different than receiving those forever-forwarded generic e-mails that clog yourin-box.

Who to send cards to is another decision.I question sending cards to those I see on aregular basis, like neighbors Ill see at holi-

day parties and anyone Im giving a presentto. But I am a softie. Ill never remove thoseolder folk who may be too frail to sendcards. Im positive theyll enjoy ours, well,that is if they can remember who we are.

Sending Christmas cards has got-ten expensive. As a kid, I remember my

fathers horror when theprice of a stamp wentfrom four cents to a nick-el. And cards arent cheap unless you use thosefree ones you get in themail that dont close even-ly. Theyre sent by organi-zations asking for a con-

tribution in exchange forsending you these cheap-ocards.

Whats one to do withthe cards is another ques-tion. When we were kids,

wed tape them to the doorframes between rooms. Mymother always made certainthat the card of anyone whowould be visiting was placedin a prominent spot. Me, I just

toss the ones we receive in bas-kets, shuffling the especially beautiful onesto the top.

Cards trickle in in the weeks followingChristmas. Thats one reason why I knowI should, but cant make myself, buy half-price cards then. No, Ill savor the seasonand meet it with gusto next December.

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She plans on keeping her parents solutionto containing the Christmas present chaos.

On Christmas morning, all the children andnow grandchildren meet at the top of thestairs. We are not allowed to descend until

everyone is awake. We open stockings first,

and then we open presents one at a time,which is nice because it makes the children

just as excited to give as to receive, saidElizabeth.

Christmas breakfast will come from

Patricks family tradition of a big Irish break-

fast of eggs, black pudding, white pudding,Irish bacon, Irish sausage, baked beans,

grilled tomatoes, black bread and coffeecake.

A new tradition for the Crottys is attend-

ing midnight mass at the church where they

were married.Remembering Christmas as a child evokes

many emotions. Elizabeth summed it upwhen she said, I feel like I could go on aboutmy childhood Christmases forever, as they

are filled with so many fond memories.

Christmas traditions continued from page 9

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lenges the coming year, testing our beliefsas the truths in our lives would changeagain.

Champagne now gone, we walked togeth-er down the hill to his home. As we saidgood-bye and I trudged back, hands deep

in my pockets, the wind whipping aroundthe bare trees, Id come to see Id left part ofmy childlike Christmas wonder, somewherealong the road. Sitting down to a full dinner,we each held hands, a little more tightly, asmother said grace.

That day began as usual. Hot coffee, thesmell of cinnamon, logs shooting out theirred embers as Sinatra and Crosby sang ofmany a Merry Christmas. But with one ringof the door bell, a young boy now stoodstraight as a soldier, and a young girl saw

that moving into adulthood would challengemany of the truths shed been led to believe.

But still, this Christmas the fire willbe lit, the champagne chilled, and truthsstill change as we hold hands tightly onChristmas morning.

Christmas 1969 continued from page 5

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My diet is coming along well. As I getcloser to human proportions, my oldfat clothes are getting looser and looser.The handful of old skinny clothes thatI stowed away last diet are starting to fit.But, while the years and pounds piled on,I had to take most of the smaller clothingoff to Goodwill. So now, I am giddy toreport, I need to buy all new clothes.

Fact is, I have been buying new clothes

while at the same time my tailor, RoccoThimbale, has found a profit center intaking in my fat clothes.

I can always make smaller, Roccotells me, looking over the half-glasses onthe tip of his nose; its make bigger thatsharder.

Which is a reminder to me that losingweight is fairly easy, once you make thecommitment and find a plan to whichyou can stick. The real trick is keeping itoff once you get to your target weight. I

will cross that bridge and, alas, probablyeat it when the time comes, but mean-while, the UPS boxes are bouncing onthe front porch like acorns, full of cloth-ing the next size down. Roccos sewingmachine whirs in the distance.

One recent Saturday, in an attemptto find things to do (combined with myclothes-buying frenzy), I suggested thatwe take a field trip to Chester Dibbles, along-established, upscale clothing store

in a long-established, upscale town a fewexits up the turnpike. In spite of our longtenures in the area, we had, neither of us,been to Chester Dibbles, so we fired upthe old Volvo.

We walked though Chester Dibbleshuge glass doors and onto the sales floor. As usual, the mens section was RhodeIsland to the womens sections Texas. Iheaded off in one direction, Melissa in

the other.The first thing I noticed was how

nice the merchandise was. And hownice, I thought, to actually see it andfeel it before buying it a luxury I hadnot found through Google. Then, as Iadmired a sweater, I casually flippedthe price tag, tucked discretely underthe collar. Twelve hundred dollars? Fora sweater? I began to flip other nearbyprice tags and soon discovered that Iwas way out of my league. The sales staff

had evidently already come to the sameconclusion, for, while there were just ahandful of customers in the store, I wasnot approached even once by a clerk tosee if there was something with which Icould be helped.

We continued to wander through theaisles, being ignored, flipping tags andfeeling alien. The clothing on these tablesand shelves and tucked about the waistsof headless mannequins was mostly

Paper or plasticby Ben Guerrero

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geared for weekend wear the suits werein a separate area. It brought about awhole flood of thoughts.

I guess, in another universe, the usualcustomers who actually get waited on atChester Dibbles have crossed a line of

which I am unaware. Theirs is a lifestylethat involves weekends. The alarm clockblows on Saturday morning or maybeit doesnt and there is an entire set of

BenGuerre

ro

See Home Moanerpage 22

The Best Is Yet To Come

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Ah, Saturday morning. Perhaps a bination of words that is not on the to-doHome Moaner ti d f 19


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clothing that is worn for weekend activ-ity. I gather, from the quality and priceof these garments, that this weekendlifestyle is devoid of labor of any kind,unless carrying a shaker of martinis fromthe Land Rover to the yacht is considered

laborious. I envision paneled dens from

my real-estate days, logs crackling in thefireplaces, fine cashmere draped over theshoulder, tasseled $800 loafers proppedon the leather ottoman and, as the portfo-lio scrolls on the flat-screen, 50-year-oldsingle-malt scotch glints in the Waterford

tumbler.

Ah, Saturday morning. Perhaps asojourn to Chester Dibbles? I could use apair of $200 socks.

My life is a bit different. Saturdaymeans a day to do all the things I couldntget to during the week when I was ina coma. Melissa has an agenda: yoga,errands for her mother, preparing lessonplans for her class. I always have a list. It

often includes a trip to the dump, a com-

bination of words that is not on the to dolist of the pink cashmere-sweater crowd.

My best clothes, even the ones I havebeen buying via Google, are not what Iwear when I am driving my truck intolandfills. I tend to wear a hodgepodge ofill-fitting britches and tunics, collectedthrough the years and now, with mydiminishing proportions, often falling

off.

Home Moanercontinued from page 19

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Melissa waltzes through the acres of I realize that many patrons are led on togs at Chester Dibbles. As in the chain No one even tried to thank us for com-


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gwomens clothing, pausing briefly to peekat the jewelry cases. Suddenly, the quietdin of discreet cash-register drawers isbroken by the unmistakable sound ofpedigreed dogs tussling by the alpaca andangora tea cozies. I guess a tradition ofChester Dibbles is the freedom to bringthe dog along. So quaint!

y pleashes, as the two scrapping caninesrear up on their freshly-manicured backpaws and growl and nip at each other.So gauche!

I look over and realize that this is notmy kind of place. Even if I were the typeto light my $25 cigars with $100 bills,Id likely not buy my Saturday leisure

gstores I am more known to haunt, racksof identical clothing, regardless of price,have never attracted me. I prefer wear-ing things that I most likely will not seeon other members of the country club.Fashion, to me, is not dictated by theconsensus of a tax bracket, rather bywhat is comfortable, looks good and fits.

ing or suggest we return very soon as wepushed the heavy glass doors open andescaped to our 1987 Volvo and headedback down the highway to reality.

And there was a box on the porchwhen we got home.

The sweaters were very nice. [email protected]

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HOME for The Holidays North South Edition

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