Tomatoes take the cake at Ansonia event

ANSONIA - It doesn't matter if you say to-mayto or to-mahto, residents John and Ann Marie Checkley will invite you to their annual tomato sandwich open house.

On Saturday they welcomed family and friends to a 30th annual tradition: a party featuring their harvest of tomatoes, lots of them.

Derby resident Mary Ann Camilini helpsget the tomatoes ready for slicing.

The Checkleys were happy to show off this nifty gadget, which makes quick work of tomato slicing.

Ready to be placed between slices of toasted bread for sandwiches.

John Checkley, the Checkleys' older son, likes tomatoes and apparently also likes ketchup. His younger brother Joshua, however, said he doesn't care for tomatoes.

One of the centerpieces on the red-covered tables in the Checkleys' backyard.

The family invited Mayor David S. Cassetti, center, to enjoy the tomato tradition. Here he is with, from left, John Checkley, the elder John Checkley, Ann Marie Checkley, and Joshua Checkley.

The Checkleys asked people to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to a local food bank. 


I had a great time at the party. I'm so glad an Ansonia friend called to tell me about it!


Please check out Register photojournalist Peter Hvizdak's photo slideshow of the event. 

Youth CONNection's 'Les Mis' on Shelton High stage this weekend

Sharing a note from Youth CONNection alum Marc Garofalo:


I want to personally invite you to come and see The Youth CONNection Players' production of Les Miserables this weekend.
A group of highly talented young adults, under the direction of Gary and Francesca Scarpa, have delivered a quality piece of live theater in our own community.

Check it out by clicking on this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI214SHGGTE


Performances are at Shelton High School at 8 p.m. Friday, and at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets are $20 per person for adults - $10 per person for children.

You can order tickets by calling the Center Stage Box Office at 203-225-6079 or by visiting www.centerstageshelton.org.

The people who saw the show this past weekend have been raving about its quality and its emotion.
Let’s support this 30 year old mid-summer tradition here in the Valley.


Hope to see you there!



Sincerely,


Marc Garofalo

Youth CONNection Alumnus

1985-1992


Note: Garofalo is the former mayor of Derby.

'The Drowsy Chaperone' heads to Shelton for 5 performances

The talented members of the Shelton-based Youth CONNection will stage this Tony Award-winning musical comedy for five performances at Shelton High School. 
The shows will be performed at 8 p.m. July 26, 27, Aug. 2 and 3, with a 2 p.m. matinee Aug. 3.

   

Stavros Koumbaros, Tom Ball, and Ali Dunne, from left, perform a scene from the show at the July 3 Shelton fireworks event. / Contributed photo



Earlier this week I spoke to director Gary Scarpa (who founded the Youth CONNection three decades ago with his wife, Fran) about the production.

The musical sounds like it will be hilariously funny, and a perfect addition to my summer staycation. I'm looking forward to seeing it. The Scarpas always produce a great show.


Stay tuned for a story in the New Haven Register.

 

Osborne Homestead always delights

Historic house in Derby decorated for holidays


DERBY - I visited the Osborne Homestead Museum yesterday on the first day of its holiday tour schedule. 
I was the first visitor, without even trying. I always enjoy visiting the house each November to marvel at the creativity of members of area garden clubs who decorate it.

This year's theme is "Holiday in Bloom."
  
Newly named curator Susan Robinson offered lots of information about legends connected to a variety of plants and herbs as she showed me around the house.

A tinsel tree! Remember those? 
 

These lit ceramic trees displayed on the grand piano in the living room caught my eye.
The sign says, "Have you ever made one of these?" 

Coincidentally a woman I met as I was leaving, Cindy Joy of Oxford, told me her husband makes and sells ceramic trees. She said he also sells kits to those who would rather create one themselves.

 

The fireplace and mantel in the living room create a feeling of warmth as well as elegance.   

 

 The Oxford Garden Club decorated the library. This is the fireplace in the library. 
  

 

Ivy was the theme the Pomperaug Valley Garden Club used to adorn the formal dining room. Robinson told me ivy is a tenacious plant, and it "symbolizes youth and exuberance."

 I didn't have my camera with me, but I was able to take a few snapshots off of a video, and I hope I've given you the idea of the classic beauty of this 19th-century home. 

 

Do opposites attract? Santa and the Grinch seem to get along together in a corner of the library.


   
Holiday tours are from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday though Sunday until Dec. 16. Holiday Twilight tours are from 4-6:30 p.m. Friday as well as Dec. 7 and 14.
Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.
For information, call 203-734-2513.