Women’s Golf Association Tournament Raises Funds for Terri Brodeur Cancer Foundation

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Charlene Amacher

The participants in the Terri Brodeur Foundation benefit at the Old Lyme Country Club gather for a photo.

The participants in the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation Golf Tournament at the Old Lyme Country Club gather for a photo.

The Women’s Golf Association (WGA) of the Old Lyme Country held its annual Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Golf Tournament July 23, at the Old Lyme Country Club.

Over 37 ladies participated in the tournament and raised $4,240 for the Terri Brodeur Foundation. The event included 9-holes of golf, a silent auction, raffle, and a luncheon. All of the funds pledged go directly to breast cancer research. Administrative costs are either sponsor-supported or volunteer provided. The Terri Brodeur Foundation has an office in New London that was donated to the organization. Since 2006, over 3 million dollars have been raised and awarded to 30 researchers.

The winners of the tournament this year were:

FIRST GROSS: Paula Bingham (Old Lyme), Louise Ferrebee (Old Lyme), Debbie English (Centerbrook), and Suzanne Kitchings (Essex).

FIRST NET: Mardee Moore (Guilford), Carolyn Daddona (Centerbrook), Eleanor Way (Old Lyme), Diane Deutermann (Old Lyme), and Kathy Jose (Old Lyme).

‘Summer Sings’ Start Tonight with Beethoven’s ‘Mass in C’

Posted on August 3, 2015 by admin

The 2015 season of ‘Summer Sing’ opens with Beethoven’s ”Mass in C’ on Monday, Aug 3, 7 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 56 Great Hammock Road, Old Saybrook. This session will be conducted by Jeremy Milton of the Clinton Chorale and Old Saybrook High School.

All singers are welcome to perform in this read-through. Professional soloists often participate. The event is co-sponsored by two shoreline choral groups, Cappella Cantorum and Con Brio.

An $8 fee covers the costs of the event. Scores will be available, and the church is air-conditioned.

The next Summer Sing on Aug. 10, will feature Haydn’s ‘Lord Nelson Mass,’ with Conductor Steve Bruce, Con Brio Choral Society.

For more information, call (860) 388-4110 or (860) 434-9135 or visit www.cappellacantorum.org or www.conbrio.org

Nibbles: Summer Just Isn’t Summer Without Ratatouille (and a Five-Bean Bake!)

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Lee White

Ratatouille is always a welcome addition to any summer meal — or as a meal on its own.

I am so enjoying this summer.

I do love my CSA baskets (Hanukkah or Christmas every Tuesday afternoon), but I still delight in visiting my local farm and farm markets twice a week to get more tomatoes and sweet corn, either at Whittle’s in Mystic or Becky’s in Waterford.

If that were not enough, a neighbor, who is a scientist at Pfizer, asked if I liked tuna. “Fresh tuna?” I asked. Sure enough, her colleague was going tuna fishing the next day and she came home with two simply gorgeous tuna fillet.

The next day I marinated it with extra-virgin olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh tarragon. Aside from the fact that I overcooked the tuna, it was amazing and my plate shared space with two big tomatoes with burrata (from Fromage) and sweet corn. Life can be pretty darn good.

Over the July 4 weekend, I went to a party at John Colton’s house in Lyme. His sister, Beverly Picazio, made two salads—ratatouille with fresh vegetables and another that can be whipped up with pantry staples.

I loved both of them so you might consider making these from your next potluck or party. The ratatouille is not only a great side dish, but, with a crusty loaf of bread and a salad, it is a terrific vegetarian dinner.

Ratatouille

Slightly adapted from recipe of Beverly Picazio of Stonington

Yield:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 to 4 large cloves of garlic, minced

One-half teaspoon crusted pepper flakes

2 medium-sized eggplants, peeled and chopped

3 zucchini, chopped2 green peppers, chopped

2 8-ounce packages of sliced mushrooms

4 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

1 can lima beans

1 yellow squash, chopped

2 28-ounces crushed tomatoes

Fresh ground fresh black pepper and salt, to taste

Chop all vegetables to about the same side.

In a large (or Le Creuset) Dutch oven, saute garlic in oil. Add pepper flakes. Stir in all the vegetables, including the tomatoes. Bring ingredients to a simmer, then cover and bake until fork tender, about 45 minutes. Season to taste.

Beverly thinks the dish is better made a day or two earlier. When reheating, water if ratatouille is too thick.

Five-Bean Bake

From Beverly Picazio of Stonington

Yield: serves 12 as a side dish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

8 bacon slices, chopped

1 medium onion, diced

1 28-ounce can Bush baked beans

1 19.75 ounce of black beans, rinsed and drained

1 16-ounce can chick peas, rinsed and drained

1 15-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 15-ounce can lima beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup ketchup

Three-quarter cup firmly packed brown sugar

One-half cup water

One-quarter cup cider vinegar

Cook bacon I a large skillet over medium high heat until crispy. Remove bacon, reserving 3 tablespoons drippings in skillet. Add diced onion and saute until tender. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl.

Add all ingredients into a 9-inch by 13-nch baking dish and cook in the oven covered for 1 hour; uncover and bake another 30 minutes.

‘Theater Along the River’ Performs Titus Andronicus at CT River Museum Tonight

Posted on August 1, 2015 by admin

Flock Theatre presents Shakespeare’s ‘Titus Andronicus’ as part of the Connecticut River Museum’s Theater Along the River, Aug. 1. Photo courtesy of Flock Theatre.

This evening, Saturday, Aug. 1, the Connecticut River Museum’s Theater Along the River returns with the Flock Theatre production of William Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy a summer evening with the Bard.

Murder, revenge, and a touch of madness all feature in ‘Titus Andronicus.’

Made possible by presenting sponsor Essex Wellness Center with additional support from Wells Fargo Advisors, Titus Andronicus is thought to be Shakespeare’s first tragedy. Written between 1588 and 1593, it was highly popular in its day but fell out of favor in the Victorian era due to its graphic violence. The story follows a fictional Roman Empire general named Titus through a cycle of revenge with Tamora, Queen of the Goths and is often viewed as Shakespeare’s attempt to emulate the revenge plays of his contemporaries.

Director of Flock Theatre, Derron Wood said that “Titus Andronicus is not for the faint of heart. It involves war, murder, horror, revenge, and a touch of madness.” Wood invites the public to “come see this rarely produced yet thrilling play performed under the stars along the Connecticut River.”

Connecticut River Museum Executive Director, Christopher Dobbs, said that “Flock Theatre is a master of Shakespeare. In June they stunned us with their original and creative interpretation of Twelfth Night.” Dobbs went on to note that “I can’t wait to see what kind of enchantment and theatrical craftsmanship they pull off this time.”

The museum’s grounds will open at 6 p.m. for picnickers to layout blankets and chairs. Museum staff encourage the audience to make the picnic part of the experience. In fact, there will be a special prize awarded to the “best” picnic arrangement.

Tickets are $15 for the general public and $10 for children (12 and under). No carry-in alcohol is permitted. Tickets may be bought at www.ctrivermuseum.org or at the door starting at 6 p.m. the night of the performance. Curtain opens at 7 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday, Aug. 2.

Flock Theatre is a professional, not-for-profit theatre company founded in 1989. The theater company is dedicated to creating original, collaborative and educational theater. Perhaps best known for their long-standing summer Shakespeare in the Arboretum, Flock Theatre performs year-round in a variety of venues, including their winter “nest” at the First Congregational Church, on the New London Pier, at the historic Shaw Mansion Museum and throughout New England.

The Connecticut River Museum is located at 67 Main Street, Essex and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 860-767-8269 or go to www.ctrivermuseum.org.

It was Another Magnificent Midsummer Festival in Old Lyme …

Posted on August 1, 2015 by admin

Can you believe it’s been a full week since the Midsummer Festival was held in Old Lyme? Here (finally!) is our traditional photo essay of the event for which — yet again — the weather cooperated offering clear skies and warm air right through from Friday evening when concert-goers gathered behind the Florence Griswold Museum to Saturday night when fireworks lit up the sky behind the high school — all in all, it was — yet again — a positively perfect Festival!

Enjoying the Friday night concert on the Florence Griswold's lawn on the banks of the Lieutenant River.

Festival-goers enjoyed the Friday night concert on the Florence Griswold’s lawn on the banks of the Lieutenant River …

... and the stunning sunset looking west.

… and watching the stunning sunset looking west.

Saturday morning Lyme Street was a hive of activity, especially outside Patricia Spratt’s home goods business, which was also hosting clothes from her daughter Lilly’s original fashion line.