SummerScapes North/South Edition 2011

8/6/2019 SummerScapes North/South Edition 2011

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Gangs of blackbeards and beauties will be

swashbuckling their way though Sleepy

Hollow, N.Y., this Fourth of July week-

end as Historic Hudson Valley launches

a brand-new family friendly event called

Pirates of the Hudson: The Siege of Sleepy

Hollow.

Produced by the same creative team be-hind the October smash hits of Horsemans

Hollow and the Great Jack OLantern Blaze,

Pirates of the Hudson features a mother

lode of activity, including live pirate music,

courtesy of the Crimson Pirates and the

Brigands, gypsy sword dancers and other

entertaining scalawags who will engage

the crowd, trying to get as many as pos-

sible to go on the account and pledge to

live forever more as a pirate.

Once you go on the account, you get

branded as a pirate and immediately be-

gin training, said Lance Hallowell, the

events creative director. Once branded,

pirate recruits get to practice proper pi-

rate behavior, such as sword fighting andmusket handling, plus learn to master the

all-important subject of piratical linguistics

(Avast, ye maties!).

Pirate-for-life or not, festival attendees can

enjoy games like the Maidens Voyage,

SummerScapesSpecial Section to: Greenwich Post I The Darien Times I New Canaan Advertiser I The Ridgefield Press I The Wilton Bulletin I The Redding Pilot I The Weston Forum I The Lewisboro Ledger

HERSAM ACORN NEWSPAPERS

Members of the Crimson Pirates prepare to storm Philipsburg Manor, July Fourth weekend. Bryan Haeffele photos

Aaargh!Its a pirates life for thee

by Rob Schweitzer

Visitors to the Siege of Sleepy Hollow can go on the account and pledge their life to piracy.Pirates continued on page 9


2/10

2 SummerScapes Hersam Acorn Newspapers June 23, 2011

Manchester, in northern England, is a city

that surprises visitors with its many and var-

ied attractions. You might call it a "sleeper

destination" - a fascinating place for those

who are looking for something different

from what they might find in a well-traveled

location like London. While Manchester is

rich in history and is the birthplace of the

Industrial Revolution, it also has a very hip,

youthful side, as visitors will soon discover.

Manchester is also the perfect getaway to

England's North Country, a region that of-

fers additional off-the-beaten-path destina-

tions such as Chester and Liverpool, and

stunning countryside in the Lake District.

While the climate in northern England is

cool, temperatures in Manchester and the

surrounding area are in the comfortable

60s, 70s and even 80s in the summer

months.

American Airlines offers daily, non-stop ser-

vice to Manchester from JFK International

Airport to Manchester on May 13. The out-

bound fight, #210, is scheduled to depart

from JFK at 7:05 p.m., utilizing a Boeing

757 aircraft with 16 seats in the Business

Class Cabin and 166 seats in coach. The

return flight, #211 from Manchester, is

scheduled to depart at 11:10 a.m.

There's so much to see and enjoy in and

around Manchester that we need to have

a good plan in hand when we step off our

American Airlines Flight 210 at Manchester

Airport.

Manchester is a walking city, and for the cul-

ture-minded there is an array of more than

90 museums and galleries to choose from.

For starters, let's head to Manchester Art

Gallery, Castlefield Gallery or the Whitworth

Art Gallery. Or, try the quirky Northern

Quarter where we'll find the village-like

Manchester Craft and Design Centre. At The

Quays, let's visit The Imperial War Museum

North, a breathtaking building designed by

Daniel Libeskind.

If theatre is your thing, then be sure to

include Manchester's great theatres in you

itinerary. They host big-name shows and

intimate plays, family fun and avant-garde

drama. For opera, ballet and West End mu-

sicals it's The Opera House or The Palace

Theatre. If you're looking for comedy or

drama check out The Royal Exchange. At

the Lowry, you'll not only enjoy paintings

on display, but also two theatres showcas-

ing dance, drama and family shows.

Manchester is also renowned for its exu-

berant nightlife and entertainment. It has

been the birthplace of countless world-class

bands and classic music videos, and the live

music scene is thriving. Manchester's larg-est music venue is the Manchester Evening

News Arena, with big names also to be

seen at Manchester Apollo and Manchester

Academy.

Oh, yes -Manchester United, team of the

famed David Beckham, as well as the

Manchester City Football Club. (Don't you

dare called it soccer- it's football!) We can

soak up that aspect of the local color by vis-

iting Manchester United's Stadium, one of

the selected venues for the 2012 Olympic

Football Stadia. In addition, Old Trafford's

iconic 76, 000-seat 'Theatre of Dreams' is

easy to reach from Manchester city centre.

Both clubs offer regular behind-the-scenes

tours.

But lets not forget the stunning country-

side surrounding Manchester Just south of

Manchester let's visit Tatton Park, featur-

ing an 18th century mansion and Tudor

Old Hall, offering a fascinating peek into

400 years of the Egerton family. For a sce-

nic treat, we'll head for the Lake District,Lancashire and the Peak District. The magi-

cal Lake District National Park, sometimes

known as Manchester's Water Playground,

is a must on our agenda. Much of it remains

virtually untouched wilderness.

Now let's visit two other fascinating cities

that are within striking distance: Liverpool

and Chester. Of course, Liverpool is known

as home of the Beatles, but it offers so

much more. The architecture is world-class,

with more listed buildings than any city

outside London. But we do want to take in

some of the Beatles ambiance, so we'll visit

The Beatles Story, which will transport us

on an enlightening and atmospheric jour-

ney into the life, times and music of this

historic quartet.

When we enter Chester, we'll truly take a

trip back in time. Chester's origins can be

traced back to the founding of the Roman

fortress of Dewa in 70AD. After the Romans

left, Chester developed into a busy port

with trade from Dublin. Today Chester isa major tourist attraction and shopping

destination.

What a trip - we really pack in a lot! Now

it's time to head for Manchester Airport and

board our American Airlines flight 211 to

JFK. Our return home will be all the more

enjoyable if we've booked in the 757's

sumptuous Business Class cabin!

For further information about Manchester,

please log onto www.visitmanchester.com.

Historic but hipOFF THE BEATEN PATH IN MANCHESTER

Exchange Square is at the heart of Manchester's

shopping district. The pubs are Sinclair's Oyster Barand The Old Wellington, and each has a tale to tell.

Courtesy of Marketing Manchester

The Lake District, less than t wo hours from Manchester, offers stu nning scenery, rich culture and mouth-water-ing local produce. Courtesy of Marketing Manchester

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June 23, 2011 SummerScapes Hersam Acorn Newspapers 3

Vineyards flourish in the eastern half of

Connecticut, and fine weather is the time

for visiting them.

One morning we saw sun, called good

friends and were driven to Pomfret and

visited Sharpe Hill Vineyards, Connecticuts

largest winery, whose products are sold

in 20 states. Sharpe Hill Vineyard, most

beautiful, sits in splendid isolation on roll-

ing hills in a historic New England setting.

During summer months, its restaurant,

which has received top marks from Zagat

and Connecticut Magazine, serves a gour-

met lunch every Friday, Saturday and

Sunday. Dress code is casual, but reserva-tions are required (860-974-3549).

After touring the winery, its vines and

acreage, you will wish to sample some of

its produce. The tasting room, charmingly

decorated in eclectic dazzle style eye-

catching papier-mch monkeys, an an-

cient spinning wheel and much more is

enhanced by the mystique of fine wine

fermenting close by. You will be offered 10

wines in an intelligently planned sequence

at a cost of $10, and a glass to take away as

a souvenir. Kate Wetzel was our sommelier,

a lovely knowledgeable lady.

We were supplied with dump bucketsto empty glasses into after a sip of each

sample. When tasting a series of wines, it

is best to judge more with nose than pal-

ate. Recollect that tongue and mouth sense

only salt, sweet and bitter; the nose has

the ability to sense thousands of flavors.

Let the proboscis be your guide for judg-

ing and accurate identification. We were

joined by the winemaker, Howard Bursen,

who answered our questions and also ex-

plained his philosophy: Blending several

grapes can often create a superior product

that could not be attained with solely onetype of grape.

You will be given a sheet listing the wines

and their characteristics. Be fearless when

jotting down your observations; it will help

when you decide to purchase wines on

leaving. You will, as did we, want to buy.

The first wine we had was Ballet of

Angels. We fell for the label! It has a

charming portrait of Master Francis O.

Watts at age three, holding a bird, painted

by John Brewster Jr. of New York. Ballet ofAngels is a secret blend of nine different

grapes with the most obvious being fruity

Chenin Blanc, supported generously with

Vignoles. Vignoles is an interesting hybrid

created by J. F. Ravat, a French hybridizer

of the late 19th Century. High in acid-

ity, it gives structure to Ballet of Angels.

Vignoles is subject to Botrytis Cinerea, or

noble rot, making it an ideal candidate

for the production of sweet wines top-

ranked Sauternes such as Chateau d

Yquem.

Included in the group of 10 wines we tast-ed was a Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay,

a blend of Chardonnay and Melon de

Bourgogne, an alternate name for Muscadet,

which is a perfect match for seafood, shell-

fish in particular. Combine them and you

find yourself in a gustatory reverie.

Lovers of dry Bordeaux wines will exult

in the Cabernet Franc, a gutsy and el-

egant red, seemingly designed expressly

Sharpe Hill Vineyards, set amidst rolling hills, is the largest vineyard in the state. Don Pike photo

Follow your noseTO SHARPE HILL VINEYARDS IN POMFRET

by Col. Jack E. Daniels

Sharpe Hill continued on page 7

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RIGHT HERE IN CONNECTICUT

by Robin E. Glowa

Naka, a Siberian tiger, joined the Beardsley Zoo family in 2009.

Amazing

adventures

What could be cooler than checking out a

brilliant blue Poison Dart Frog, a majestic

Siberian Tiger, suiting up for a simulated

space mission or gazing up at distant plan-

ets and thousands of sparkling stars?

Kids of every age have the opportunity to

enjoy a myriad of exciting and educational

adventures at two of Connecticuts most di-

verse attractions the Beardsley Zoo and

the Discovery Museum and Planetarium.

Connecticuts Beardsley Zoo houses a fan-

tastic array of more than 300 live animals,

including rare, exotic and endangered vari-eties. Beasts and birds, insects and reptiles

both mighty and minute reside at

this zoo, primarily from North and South

America.

Take a peek at two-toed sloths, prickly

porcupines, stunning Canadian lynx, black-

tailed prairie dogs, hypnotic gray wolves

and pale-faced Saki monkeys. Pudgy pigs,

inquisitive goats and curly-haired sheep can

be found in the New England Farmyard.

Walk along the Hoofstock Trail and discover

massive, mighty bison, graceful pronghorn

antelope and delicate deer.

Curious kids will also be able to learn more

about efforts to conserve endangered and

threatened animals, such as the gigantic

Andean Condor, regal red wolf and the

Andean Spectacled Bear.

A flock of assorted birds are here to be

contemplated, including colorful Gold and

Blue Macaws, Scarlet Ibis and mysterious

Eastern screech owls. Fans of insects, frogs

and snakes will be thrilled to see a Waxy

Monkey Frog, Emerald Tree Boa, Red-Footed Tortoise and Giant Water Bugs.

Zoo director Gregg Dancho said, The zoo

is closer than you think. Over the years, we

have worked hard to become a truly fam-

ily-oriented, educational experience thats

lots of fun for everyone. In this wonderful

backyard location right here in Bridgeport,

the Beardsley Zoo is readily accessible to all

families.

Our programs are planned around fami-

lies, he added. We want the entire fam-

ily to experience enjoying and learning

all about the animal world, while viewing

animals like tigers, ocelots and bears, or

special exhibits like the vampire bats. There

is always something new and exciting hap-

pening here at the zoo.

We installed an eagle exhibit last year that

has become one of our most popular exhib-

its, he said. We are currently updating the

otter and alligator exhibits. Were building

a Woodland Discovery Area that will be a

great place for kids to play and investigate.

New animals and baby animals will becoming and we have a terrific schedule of

summer programs!

Open every day of the year except for

Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years

Day, the Beardsley Zoo is a rich resource for

family interaction. The zoo is also ideal for

kids to enjoy during school vacation or for

birthday parties.

After exploring the animal kingdom, the

spectacular world of science awaits at the

Discovery Museum and Planetarium. Alan

Winick, director of education at the mu-

seum, said enthusiastically, One of the

nice things about the Bridgeport/Fairfield

County area is the wide variety of experi-

ences and cultural advantages available for

kids and families.

We like to mine the natural curiosity of

our younger visitors, as well as rekindling

the same curiosity for our other guests,

he added. Some of our older visitors

feel that science was not particularly well

taught when they were in school. The

museum combines interactive activitiesthat helps kids and adults discover sci-

ence from the aspect of being part of the

natural world. We want visitors to leave

with a different perspective on the world.

As we like to say here at the museum, If

youre not careful, you might just learn

something!

With more than 70 programs for schoolchil-

dren and extra programs during the sum-

mer, the Discovery Museum is a significant

source for scientific exploration.

(Your feet will lead you to where your heart is.)

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Summer camp at the Discovery Museum is filled with adventure.

School groups are able to participate in

a simulated mission to the moon at the

Challenger Learning Center. They become

scientists, engineers and astronauts as

they experience the elements of both

preparation and completion of the mis-

sion. The amazing hands-on interaction

with state of the art technology gives

youngsters the chance to stretch their

minds and imaginations while developing

problem-solving, teamwork and decision-

making skills.

When they come back down to earth,

would-be space explorers can further in-

vestigate the galaxy in the Henry B. duPont

III Planetarium. The planetarium features

a domed ceiling and surround-sound for

a completely absorbing and unique astro-

nomical experience.

When the room is darkened, an extraor-

dinary projector transforms the dome and

you are transported into an astonishing

world of stars and planets. The projector

can actually reproduce the night sky as

seen from Earth from any time period,

whether it be thousands of years in the past

or in the future. Now how cool is that?

You can also touch a 50,000-year-old me-

teorite, build a Lego race car powered by

solar energy, play a drum kit by remote

control with optical sensors, learn about

electricity, shoot hoops at a moving back-

board, or check out special exhibits such

as Guitar The instrument that Rocked

the World, which was featured during the

month of May... its all science!

Mr. Winick said, The Discovery Museum is

one of the finest science museums in the

country, possibly because our workers still

have access to their own childhood won-

der. Were here to engage and excite our

visitors, and share our passion for science,

space and the world.

Connecticuts Beardsley Zoo is at 1875

Noble Avenue, Bridgeport; beardsleyzoo.

org; 203-394-6565. The Discovery Museum

and Planetarium is at 4450 Park Avenue,

Bridgeport; discoverymuseum.org; 203-372-

352.

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Kids and cooking make a dynamic combi-

nation. The kitchen is a perfect place for

children its the heart of the home. Weve

always encouraged our children to explore

in the kitchen, said Sarah Bouissou of

Bernards restaurant in Ridgefield. I grew

up in a large family, and one day a week

was make-your-own-dinner night. It was

one of our favorite nights. Some meals

were good, some not so good, but it made

us comfortable in the kitchen, she said.

Under a parents tutelage, children can

learn how to cook. They can do almost

anything if youre there to show them

how, said Sarah. Her two college-age

daughters have been cooking since age

five. Maybe seeing my husband and I so

comfortable in the kitchen made it easier

for them. If cooking is a chore for you, itll

probably be a chore for them.

Tracy Inall of Ridgefield started her three

children with tasks such as stirring and

pouring. Now they can read the recipes,

get out ingredients, measure, crack eggs

and grease pans, said Tracy, mother of

Caitlin, 9, Phoebe, 7, and Angus, 6. They

make all kinds of dishes and help pre-

pare Saturday morning pancakes; Caitlin

makes her school lunches. They make

foods they love so they can sample along

the way and eat the results. The kitchens

a great place for kids to be kids. They love

rolling out dough and using cookie cutters.

My kids love to taste different ingredients

and add flavors to food, she said. Its

important for kids to be exposed to more

foods than McDonalds and chicken nug-

gets so they understand its easy to make

healthy meals, and home-cooked food

tastes better than quick, store-bought con-

veniences.

The kitchen is also a kid-friendly educa-

tional zone. When kids can see, feel,

and smell ingredients that make up their

favorite dishes and then proceed to cre-

ate them, they become involved in the

process, said Silvia Bianco, chef/director

of special events at Bank Street Tavern in

New Milford. Cooking is all about creating

something from various ingredients. Kids

learn quickly how combining certain ingre-

dients in specific ways creates a particu-

Kids whip up fun in the kitchenAND ENJOY QUALITY TIME WITH FAMILY

by Pamela Brown

Angus (left), age six, presides over a pot of Sang Chow Bow, a mixture of minced pork and lettuce leaves. Phoe-be (right), age seven, prepares the limes. Tracy Inall photos

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4 tablespoons cream cheese

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3 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Fresh strawberries or other seasonal berries

1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped, or whipped topping

Fresh mint for garnish (optional)

Maple syrup

To make batter: Beat eggs, add milk and vanilla, then beat together. Spread

cream cheese between two slices of bread. Dip in batter on both sides, then letit sit in the batter for a few seconds.

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Note: For a lower-fat version, use low-fat cream cheese, low-fat milk and skip

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Makes two or more servings.

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Online with Blue Star BazaarMEGANS DISCOVERIES BECOME YOUR ORIGINAL GIFTS

by Lois Alcosser

Some little girls still want to be ballerinas,

but Megan LeBant Abrahamsens story

of her life as an entrepreneur is much

more 21st Century. She is the CEO, CFO,

president and buyer of her fast-growing

online retail business, Blue Star Bazaar,

which sells unusual accessories, toys, jew-

elry, home furnishings and fashion items.

What I look for has to be attractive, origi-

nal and beautifully made, the kind of gifts

you dont find anywhere else.

Megan grew up in a creative atmosphere.

Her father, an IBM marketing executive,

built his childrens clubhouse and made

stained glass lamps. Her mother sewedtheir Halloween costumes, and loved to

cook. Her brother is the chef/owner of

Schoolhouse Restaurant in Wilton.

With an MBA from the Tuck School of

Business at Dartmouth, Megan realized

that starting ones own business requires

multi-layered knowledge and professional

help.

There are companies whose business is

developing other businesses. I put in my

own images and descriptions and they

manage the online aspects: credit cards,

delivery times all the functions of on-

line selling making the whole processof online shopping efficient and simple. I

learned how to connect with social media

like Facebook and see how online adver-

tising works. The idea is to have lots of

online traffic, Megan says.

What happened to me is something

thats happening to many women. I had

some wonderful jobs, including very rel-

evant business experience, but marriage

and two young sons put my career on

hold. But I knew I needed a creative out-

let, a chance to use my education and

work experience to do something that

would be mine, in addition to being a wife

and mom.

Megan has thought a lot about this. Mens

careers are linear. They usually work their

way up to a desired position, but womens

lives are different. Women have to carve

out their own occupational path. We often

have to take a bold step, suddenly, and

then focus on succeeding while still fulfill-

ing family responsibilities. So a business

that operates from home is ideal.

Before Blue Star Bazaar, Megan had a trial

run selling hand-painted childrens furni-

ture. But that was just one product. She

wanted a much more exciting inventory.

I love searching for items made by small

producers, talented people who produce

exceptional products. I have childrens

T-shirts, appliqud by hand, babys bibs

that are actually elegant as well as prac-

tical. Ive just added wonderful-looking

beach bags and towels. I write an online

newsletter to let people know whats hap-

pening.

Where does the name Blue Star Bazaar

come from? I wanted a name that was

visual. Ive always loved star shapes and

bazaar not only rhymes but sounds

like a place with lots of different, exciting

products. I am the employer and the only

employee right now. I do free gift wrap-ping, and I ship everything from home

except large items that get shipped from

the manufacturer. Theres a flat rate of $7

for orders under $50 and no charge over

$50. Ill even drop off an item at some-

ones home or have it here to be picked

up by the customer.

When shipments arrive, Im as delighted

as if they were all for me. Right now, I have

mens needlepoint belts with themes like

golfing, flour-sack towels with funny say-

ings, little girls sunhats with a vintage

look, baby blankets of recycled material

and designer fabrics, outdoor explorer

kits and box kite kits, one-of-a-kind neck-laces, and soon Ill have little girls back-

to-school dresses.

Does she supply her brother, Tim, with

products for his Schoolhouse Restaurant?

We maintain the integrity of our own

customers; we do share ideas. But on Val-

entines Day, I supplied his staff with gifts

because they were all too busy to shop!

For a colorful view of Megans handpicked

items, see thebluestarbazaar.com.

Megan LeBant searches for items that are original, eye-catching and beautifully made.

Learn what its like to

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where superior fish-tossing skills might

send a lass to the bottom of the sea (err,

water tank). Visitors can take their own

watery voyage courtesy of Davy Jones

Locker, a multi-sensory ride, and explore

Dr. Grymms museum of oddities, featur-

ing sea mysteries, including a real-life

captured mermaid.

Kids can take part in the Pieces of Eight

treasure hunt, wiggle their way through a

huge pirate shipwreck and learn to speak,

act and mix it up like a pirate. They can

also get a temporary tattoo from a profes-

sional artist.

A blacksmith will handcraft tools of the

pirate trade, such as grappling hooks and

boarding axes, while a cooper applies his

woodworking skills to producing custom-

made peg legs.

In all, more than 40 pirates and buccaneers

will be on site. Pirates of the Hudson show-

cases the merchant history of PhilipsburgManor originally the seat of a 52,000-

acre commercial empire through the

lens of a hearty pirate festival.

As merchants heavily involved in the

trans-Atlantic trade, the Philipse family

had extensive dealings with pirates and

privateers, said Thom Thacker, site direc-

tor of Philipsburg Manor. This event is a

fun way to celebrate that history and make

those connections for visitors in a festival

atmosphere.

Draft brews from event sponsor Captain

Lawrence Brewing Company of Pleasantville

will be available, as well as a multitude

of pirate-themed culinary creations from

Tastefully Yours of Briarcliff Manor.

The Thieves Market gives visitors the op-

portunity to bag exclusive Pirates of the

Hudson booty, including T-shirts, mugs,

placemats, postcards and magnets, as well

as classic pirate accessories, such as eye

patches, hooks, masks and bandannas.

Kraken Alley will feature artists working in

various media to illustrate the mythological

sea beast which gives the alley its name.

Event admission is by advance-timed

ticket, and all experiences are continu-

ous throughout the afternoon. Tickets are

available on the hour beginning at 3 p.m.,

July 2 to 4. The last admission is at 6 p.m.

Ticket prices are $16 for adults and $12

for children under 18. Members of Historic

Hudson Valley receive a $5 discount per

ticket. Pirates of the Hudson is held rain

or shine. Proceeds benefit Historic Hudson

Valley, the Tarrytown-based non-profit edu-

cational organization that owns and oper-

ates Philipsburg Manor.

Philipsburg Manor is at 381 North Broadway

(Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. For informa-

tion and tickets: 914-631-8200, hudsonval-

ley.org.

Piratescontinued from page 1

Kids can take part in the Pieces of Eight treasure hunt. Bryan Haeffele photo

Moon Bounces

Only

Carnival Package!

Beat The Heat!Tents Tables Chairs

DunkTanks!

Pool Decks Patios and Walkways

Stone Walls and Masonry Work

Landscape Image Design

203-313-3791

www.designinconcrete.com


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SummerScapes North/South Edition 2011

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