It’s down-to-earth farming in Center Groton at the Red Fence Farm, not far from Wally World, Route 184. Art and Cherrie Hiles invite you to meet their furry creatures, including special Highland Cattle and especially, Diogennes, the donkey. While you’re there, don’t forget to take home some farm fresh eggs from all organically grown chickens. You can tell the difference just by cracking them not to mention the taste! Farm fresh on page 5.
Meet Farmer John “Whit” Davis on page 10. If you know Whit, you know he’s still farming at 84 years young, right down the Greenhaven Road, Pawcatuck, just a hop, skip and a jump from The Resident Newspaper main office. Whit’s dad taught him how to plant a vegetable garden at age 11 and that’s what he still enjoys doing. “I’m keeping track of what I plant, when I plant, when I pick. So, somewhere down the line, a younger person benefits. All they’ll have to do is pick up that journal. They won’t have to wait to be 80 years old before they know what works best for this area.” Now, that’s the way Nature intended…sharing good ol’ Yankee ingenuity. Thanks Whit! We’ll be visiting your farm for your home grown veggies.
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Under sunny blue skies at the Mystic YMCA on Sunday May 25th, 213 men and women bike riders pedal across the finish line for the Fifth Annual Angel Ride. Most of the riders started in Norfolk the day before and pedaled the 80 miles to the Hole In The Wall Gang Camp, founded by Paul Newman, in Ashford. They spent the night at the camp before continuing another 50 miles to Mystic, on Sunday.
I stand among hundreds of well-wishers as the riders cross the finish line, elated by that fact, and that they are doing this for a very good cause. Angel Ride is a fundraiser to benefit children suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses.
Behind us, YMCA tents are set up across the broad green lawn which stretches to the Mystic River. In the main tent a buffet table laden with food awaits the tired, hungry riders. Nearby the G&M DJ Music band members entertain with “Oldies to the Top 40.” Children wander from tent to tent where they enjoy free magic acts, face painting and craft projects. Allen Geer of Griswold strolls about with a mike in his hand announcing the names of the bike riders as they finish the course. He tells us that the Angel Ride has raised over $300,000 for the cause.
“I do this ride today in honor of my friend, Amy Rice, who had cancer,” declares Cathy Cardini of East Hartford.
“This is the first time I am doing this ride, and I have brought in $1,005.00 donated by my family and friends,” Cathy continues. “All the money raised this day goes to the Hole In The Wall Gang Camp Outreach Program. It will be used to bring the camp to children who are in the Childrens Medical Center of Hartford. These are children who are too sick to attend the camp themselves. Camp counselors come to the hospital and teach the children how to make camp crafts.”
During a burst of cheers, I see a father and son team finish on a tandem bicycle. Eric Kamisher and his son Alex of Rowayton have been training for about six weeks for this event. “When I heard about this fundraising ride for ill children, I thought right away of my friend’s little girl, Ellie,” said Eric. “I did it for her and the other seriously ill children.”
“I loved the Hole In The Wall Gang Camp where we stayed last night,” Alex tells me. “It is beautiful there. We had great food and entertainment and I slept on the top bunk.”
The Angel Ride fundraiser started when Angel Uihlein of Westbrook developed Leukemia about 7 years ago. Friends and neighbors started small local fundraisers to help pay for her medical expenses and it snowballed from there. Angel stands before me today at age 17, smiling and happy. She is a cancer survivor. I am blessed to witness the joy and happiness which comes form helping someone in need.
Every town has hidden treasures, and Center Groton has one of the best – Red Fence Farm – with 5.5-plus acres on Daboll Road, not far from Wal-Mart on Route 184. Owned by Art and Cherrie Hiles for 20 years, it is the home for some very special cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, pheasants, and a few rabbits. One lone donkey named Diogenes gets immediate attention with his greeting – a strong, loud bray that commands attention.
“He doesn’t get along with any of the other animals, so he gets to stay here by himself. He’s actually my favorite,” said Cherrie as she stroked the donkey’s head. His greeting makes him a favorite for school children and other guests who visit the farm from time to time by appointment.
The farm use is “grandfathered,” going back to a man named Daboll. But lineage is not what makes the site so special. It is the dedication of Art and Cherrie that deserves applause. All the animals they have sought out are antique breeds being raised to preserve those lines. Both Art and Cherrie are employed in other jobs; he is employeed at Wal-mart and she works at Noank Baptist Group Homes.
The Hiles are also committed to preserving the family farm lifestyle – providing quality and chemical-free food. Everything raised at Red Fence Farm is naturally grown, grass fed and pastured. What the owners do not use for their own food is sold, but supplies are limited. Turkeys are reserved months before the holidays begin. Butchering and packaging of beef, pork and poultry is completed in spotless quarters.
The biggest animals are the Highland cattle, an ancient Scottish breed. Their horns are long. And although the wavy coat colors can vary, those at Red Fence Farm are a light red. Art emphasizes that the meat tends to be leaner than most meat.
The pigs also have reddish coats. They are Tamworths – “threatened in the US.” More pigs will be bred at Red Fence Farm. Some will be sold. The breed originated in England.
Bourbon Red Turkeys are almost as noisy as Diogenes when visitors approach. Named for Bourbon County in the bluegrass region of Kentucky, they are handsome and fan their chestnut red plumage with exuberance.
Turkey and pheasant chicks get their start in a heated and protected shelter. There are also free range chickens – especially needed as layers for eager consumers who enjoy fresh eggs. An entire flock was killed recently. “Foxes, raccoons, Fisher cats, hawks – any of ‘em can do it. We lost all the laying hens in one night,” said Art. The risk, he acknowledges, is part of life on any farm.
Both he and Cherrie, express their satisfaction with a lifestyle that cherishes nature and all its wonders. Shrubs around the front of their home are bright pink – a color that attracts hummingbirds. The home is cozy with natural woodwork throughout – a pantry, cabinets, and other pieces built by Art. A bedroom bay window brings nature indoors with space for numerous plants that create a cascade of greenery.
The Groton farm is open for tours for school children and groups by appointment. For reservations or to purchase produce call 860.446.8929.
Dreams really do come true and today’s ribbon cutting ceremony at the new offices of Hospice Southeastern CT (HSECT) proves it. On May 22, HSECT officially opened its new administrative office and Community Bereavement Center at 227 Dunham Street, Norwich.
“Although we moved into our new headquarters in February, we waited until now for the official opening when the weather would be warm,” Patricia Morgan, Director of Commmunity Develoment, HSECT, jokes in her opening remarks. Much laughter follows as today is cold and rainy.
Nathan Beit, Chairman Building Committee, HSECT, sums up all the thoughts when he states, “Hospice is all about providing the best end of life care in our area.”
HSECT provides hospice, palliative care and bereavement services to over 6,000 patients and their families in New London County. Most patients are cared for in their own homes. Many times care is also provided in skilled nursing facilities.
The new Community Bereavement Center offers many services including bereavement and caregiver support groups, a special program for widows and widowers, expressive arts for chidren, teenagers and adults, and educational materials and videos on coping with grief and loss.
The 8,400 square foot new administrative office and bereavement center houses over 72 HSECT employees. Staff members train patient care volunteers to support the caregiver, offer respite, companionship, assistance with household chores, complementary therapies for the patient, and help in many other ways.
Bereavement volunteers offer support to grieving family members before the patient’s death and up to 13 months after death.
Betty Beaudette, Gloria Sinopoli and Zita Smith have been volunteers for HSECT for many years. “Working with patients for Hospice makes you feel good,”
Gloria shares. “There are so many ways you can help a patient, “ Betty agrees.
“When my parents were very ill and at home, there was no hospice at that time,” Zita tells me. “ I had a health aide come in and then I went out to get things done or just relax. Because of that experience, I now volunteer for hospice and give respite care so the caregiver can have a break.”
Another Hospice volunteer, Glenn Arthur, remarks, “When my mother was very ill, hospice came and helped with her care at home. Now I am a respite volunteer for caregivers in the hospice program.”
Volunteers can be trained to help in so many ways. For more information call 860.848.5699.
It was a unique sight for Fort Trumbull State Park, and for New London. On Thursday, May 22nd, three time Tour de France winner, Greg LeMond, cycled around the fort, followed by a closely packed group of cyclists. Greg, who won the Tour in 1986, 1989 and 1990, was in New London with his old coach Bill Humphreys, Bike Guy LLC, and a large group of junior cyclists from the Mystic Velo Club to promote bicycling in the area and The Whaling City Cyclone Bicycle Race scheduled for June 22nd. Also at the fort were representatives from Dime Bank, a major sponsor of the race, and Dr. Chris Connaughty of Connaughty Chiropractics Center, sponsor of the Mystic Velo Junior Team.
Bill is sure that New London can become a cycling friendly community. He says that this race will have a “trickle-down effect” that will kick off an interest in cycling and it’s benefits. He says that before long, one could see rental bikes and paths ready for people coming off the ferry at the pier. Bill sees this not only because of the race and the cycling prestige it will bring to New London, but also because the area of Southeastern CT has “some of the most beautiful places to bike in the US.”
“Cycling is a sport for life,” Greg stated, saying that once one gets into it, it’s the kind of thing one sticks with. He mentioned how healthy cycling is, as it works against obesity and type-two diabetes. It is also a very mainstream sport and, as Greg put it, the “main form of fundraising.” This is because of its universal appeal since nearly anyone can partake. “Even someone not necessarily in shape can still ride and participate.” Greg explained this by saying that biking supports one’s weight and thus makes it easier to get into shape, adding that biking has to be “more than just for racing.”
When asked about the Fort Trumbull site, Greg said that it was “a nice spot for a race” – an “American style” race, to be specific. According to Greg, the most popular form of bike racing in the US is Criterium Racing as opposed to Exhibition Racing which is more popular in Europe. Exhibition Racing is normally held on long circuits and can last for several days or weeks at a time. Criterium Racing involves short circuits, usually less than five kilometers, and is more likely to be seen in city streets, which suits the roads around Fort Trumbull nicely. He said that this style of racing was best for developing racers and people who are just getting used to the sport.
The race itself will be held on June 22nd and will have several categories for racers of different ages and abilities. The race lengths will be from 15, 24, 35, and 50 miles long, 15 miles being 24 laps and 50 miles being 80 laps. For a nominal fee, bikers can enter for a chance to win cash prizes between $300 to $2,000. “People will be all over Fort Trumbull,” Bill said, saying that he expects approximately 500 racers to enter.
Before taking off on his final round through Trumbull, Greg said, “cycling is really the sport of the future,” even though the technology of the sport has not drastically changed, the “future is to have more bikes for transportation.” Bill added that he was “one phone call away from getting European, Dutch, and Haitian teams” out to the Trumbull track. With these kind of prospects, it looks like New London will soon have another attraction to add to its growing global stature.
