On October 31, Girl Scouts of Connecticut and Girl Scouts across the country will celebrate the birthday of the organization’s founder, Juliette Gordon Low.
In March of 1912, Juliette formed the first Troop of 18 Girl Guides in Savannah, Georgia. Juliette believed that all girls should be given the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually. With the goal of bringing girls out of isolated home environments and into community service and the open air, Juliette’s Girl Scouts hiked, went on camping trips, learned how to tell time by the stars, and studied first aid. Juliette believed in her dream of Girl Scouts for all girls so strongly that she sold her valuable pearl necklace in order to fund the early days of Girl Scouting.
Today, Girl Scouts in CT continue to enjoy the great outdoors, participating in many traditional Girl Scouting activities, while staying true to their commitment to community service.
In honor of Juliette Gordon Low and in the spirit of Girl Scouting, all Girl Scouts, past and present, are asked to wear pearls, real or otherwise, on October 31. As Girl Scouts celebrate Juliette’s 149th birthday, we continue to honor our founder’s ideals as we help to prepare the next generation of leaders.
If you’re in the mood for an excellent wine list and some wonderful food, Wine Spectator Magazine has a great recommendation for you: Kensington’s restaurant at The Spa at Norwich Inn has been selected by the magazine for an Award of Excellence for 2009.
Kensington’s , which is open daily to the public, was recognized by Wine Spectator primarily for the depth of its list, which includes over 475 wines. The restaurant’s wine cellar specializes in boutique, small-production California wines, as well French, Italian, Spanish, and Southern Hemisphere selections. The award reflects “a well-chosen selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style,” according to the magazine.
Kensington’s restaurant manager, Lisa Zibbideo, reports that there is a huge rise in interest among diners for Southern Hemisphere wines, including varieties such as Malbecs from Chile and Argentina, as well as Torrontes, an Argentine white that Food & Wine magazine has praised as Argentina’s “most distinctive white grape.”
Kensington’s features sophisticated cuisine in an elegant atmosphere. While all of the food is healthfully prepared and beautifully presented, the menu offers a wide range of choices to delight people who enjoy everything from a good steak to fresh seafood and and even vegetarian choices. There is a dessert menu as well.
Chef Chong-Jiménez, a native Californian who worked at two famous West Coast spas before coming to Norwich, has been a guest on CT Public Radio’s Food Schmooze program with Faith Middleton and praised by CT Magazine’s restaurant critic, Elise Maclay. What better recommendations in Nutmeg State?
Well, there’s yet other accolade from Connecticut: The Spa at Norwich Inn was named “Best Destination Spa in Connecticut” for 2009 by the Editors of Connecticut Magazine. Perhaps you should plan to visit for some pampering spa services and enjoy a fine dinner and an excellent bottle of wine to cap off your getaway – even if it’s just for a day.
Award winning actor Brian Denney speaks about Eugene O’Neill’s influence on his acting career.
photo & story
by Christopher Annino
The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Waterford, was founded in 1964 in honor of four-time Pulitzer Prize winning playwright and only American to win a Nobel Prize in Literature Eugene O’Neill. The center acts as both a school and museum for up-and-coming performing artists and playwrights. The center was also the childhood home of the award-winning playwright.
This year embarked on the 10th anniversary of the Eugene O’Neill celebration. There were special guest presentations by Thierry Dubost from The University of Caan Basse-Normandie, Robert Dowling from Central Connecticut State University, Sheila Hickey Garvey from Southern Connecticut State University, two time Fullbright recipient Eileen Hermann, Kenneth Kuzmich from Mitchell College, Robert A. Richter from ConnCollege and award winning actor Brian Denney.
During the two day celebration there were tours of the Eugene O’Neill estate, a staged reading of O’Neill’s “A Touch of the Poet” directed by Leah Lowe and performed by Nancy Hoffman, Sarah Rodes and Laura Chrisinger, a conversation with Brian Dennehy and panel discussion in regards to the Irish and the Yankees and how it had a profound effect on Eugene O’Neill’s writing.
The special guest scholars used “A Touch of the Poet” as an example of how Irish immigrants struggled with gaining social acceptance amongst the already established English when they arrived in America.
“The Irish were known for using pipe dreams. In ‘A Touch of the Poet,’ each Irish character suffered tragic stories, and they used their dreams as a crutch to lean on when times were tough,” said Rob Dowling.
Eileen later added, “Throughout his life, Eugene seemed to be an alien in an unfriendly zone. This was mainly because of his feeling of constant guilt from both Catholic and Puritan religions. It was interesting he lived his life as both a sinner and a saint. He was very accepting and compassionate of society’s outcasts. Even with his awards he still even today he is seen as a embarrassment amongst many people of the town that he was raised in.”
Brian added, “Eugene helps you realize that as a stage actor you’re never finished or satisfied with a role. I have been in many of his plays and, in some of them, I feel like I could have done a lot better. You know an actor or writer has done a good job, when the audience feels that are apart of the production. The whole Irish vs Yankee discussion is a good example of what all cultures have to struggle with. I have tremendous respect for my ancestors for making that leap, coming to this country.”
The cast included: (l-r, first row) Tabitha Hayden, Jamie Su, Heather Terranova, Brittany Vanderzyden, (second row) Katherine Moscol, Nigel deVillers, Josh Reed, Sean Kay, Zach Kerns, Joslyn Korytkowski, (last row) Zoe Prescott, Amanda Labvriola, Nick Morton, Julia Panciera, and DJ Brennan.
The Westerly High School Vocal Music Ensembles presented “Cabaret ‘09” (Starting Here, Starting Now) on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24th at the the George Kent Performance Hall, Westerly. Cabaret is a music and dance revue which is comprised of 20 songs from16 Broadway shows.
The Spa at Norwich Inn has garnered a trio of awards in 2009: “Best Destination Spa in Connecticut” from the Editors of Connecticut Magazine, a “Best of the East” award in Meetings East magazine, both in September, and an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine in July.
“I’m proud of how well our staff worked as a team to win these three awards,” said John G. O’Shaughnessy, General Manager. The Spa and Kensington’s Restaurant, are the most visible parts of our property, but staff in guest services, food and beverage, sales, retail, reservations, banquets, housekeeping, and engineering contributed equally to create the total experience that impressed the magazines.”
The Spa was admitted to the “Best of Connecticut Hall of Fame” for winning “Best Day Spa in Connecticut” for 10 years and it was named “Best Resort in Connecticut” last year.
