Alexis Ann, editor & publisher, the Resident, and Governor Candidate Dan Malloy (D), enjoyed the opportunity to judge the CT Moose Riders 6th Annual Pig Roast Cook-off at the Bozrah Moose Lodge on August 21.
by Alexis Ann
Harvesting history is our passion at the Resident and we are proud to share our passion with you! Of course, the wonderful people of our two-state region are making history happen. I was reminded of this, earlier in the week, when viewing some past issues of the Resident.
Each edition is a capsule of the good news… people doing good things in our communities. Some of these people are gone, including “Old Blue Eyes” himself and some dear friends like Chief Ralph and Ida Sturges, Sir Ron Aliano, and most recently, Bill Stanley, Sr.… but their memories live on in historic Resident photographs published on newsprint for you to enjoy the moment again and again in years to come. You can pass these capsules down to your grandchildren.
For some Mohegan Tribal history, take a look here, our tribute to newly appointed Lifetime Chief Lynn Malerba. Last week’s Wigwam Festival is here.
Let’s put our hands together for Jon Panciera, Mystic, and Don Kostoss, Moodus. These distinguished fishermen made history when they reeled in the BIG ONES off Block Island recently. Wow!! What fine catches deserving of Resident front cover exposure. Check ‘em out here, too.
Thanks for reading the Resident, the Good News that Rocks! Please remember to patronize our advertisers as they’re helping to make the “good news” happen.
They arrived by car, van, truck and any other means available to setup their wares and goods to offer for sale. Dancers dressed in regalia adorned themselves in preparation for the opening ceremony as visitors arrived to participate in the Mohegan Tribe’s 2010 Wigwam Festival. The two-day event, held August 21st and 22nd at Fort Shantok, Uncasville, began at 10 a.m. and ran until 7 p.m. and drew thousands from all over New England, as bus after bus arrived courtesy of Mohegan Sun Casino.
As the crowds browsed the vendors displaying handmade jewelry, clothing and toys, just to name a few, others setup tables to serve a variety of foods and beverages to accommodate anyone’s taste buds.
This year, the Festival is a celebration, not only of Native American culture rich in history in itself, but also in celebration of the Mohegan Tribe’s new Lifetime Chief, Lynn Malerba. Nominated the 17th Chief in the Mohegan Tribe’s long documented line of leaders, Lynn is the first female Chief in nearly 300 years.
Chief Lynn Malerba is not a stranger to leadership when it comes to the Tribe. Lynn is the first woman to serve as Chair of the Tribe and is the great-granddaughter of Chief Matahga /Burrill Fielding, Mohegan Chief 1937-1952. Also, Lynn’s mother, Tribal Elder Loretta Fielding Roberge, is a Tribal Nonner, an experienced woman of respect and admiration. It’s clear that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Chief Lynn, known by the Mohegan name “Mutawi Mutahash” which translates as “Many Hearts,” has plans for the future. As leader, Lynn hopes to help maintain the Tribe’s growth and prosperity well into the next century. As the Tribe’s second female Chief, the first being Chief Anne Uncas in 1723, Lynn expects to maintain the connection between the Tribal Council and the Tribal Council of Elders, which together are the governing bodies of the Mohegan Tribe.
Married to Paul and with daughters Elizabeth and Angela at her side, Chief Lynn is proud not only to be Chief, but also as a caring wife and mother. When asked if she hopes her children will follow in her footsteps, Lynn said, “They have already started… the girls would care for the old burying ground when the Tribe was first applying for [Federal] Recognition.”
Chief Lynn hopes to fill the shoes of her predecessors, Chief G’tinemong /Ralph Sturges, who passed on in 2007, and Chief Harold Tantaquidgeon prior to that, by living up to their legacy and continuing to pursue the future of the Tribe through everyday matters.
Aside from her college education, work experience, and other leadership roles, Lynn has others to thank for propelling her forward into the role model she has become. Her mother Loretta, father Albert and six siblings, as well as, a strong family heritage, all contributed to her being the person she is – smart, strong, admirable – all the makings of a 21st century icon.
Saturday began with storytelling. Visitors gathered for a glimpse of flute playing, drums and dance. During the opening ceremony, dance participants followed Chief Lynn, Council members and Tribal Elders under the main tent where the Mohegan Veterans held a brief ceremony in remembrance of the Fallen. Later in the day, over 30 dance competitions were held while Chief Lynn, Councilors and Elders mingled with visitors.
On a scale of one to 10, it was a perfect day – the weather was beautiful. History was made as another annual Wigwam Festival came to a close, this time with Chief Lynn Malerba at the forefront.
Mother Nature blessed thousands of people from near and far, who traveled to Mystic on Saturday and Sunday, August 14-15th for the 53rd Annual Mystic Outdoor Art Festival. Boasting 275 exhibitors from all over the nation, the streets of Historic Downtown Mystic were mobbed with people of all ages, taking in the creative energy! There was art in many forms, oils, acrylics, sculpture, watercolors and crafts. Several non-profit groups set-up camp and spread the Good News to the passers-by!
The presence of nautical and beachy scenes is tradition, and people come to anticipate these delightful constants. I happened upon Larry Reitz, Salem, of Larry Reitz Fine Art Photography, as my eyes were entranced by his piece, “Watch Hill Nights.” This piece is a dreamy shot of downtown Watch Hill, taken from the water. He prints the shots on canvas, and applies varnish, which makes the colors come alive! This is a far cry from his many years as a chemist at Pfizer!
Another show-stopper was Taryn Alessandro, a Mystic Native, who dubs herself as a mixed media painter. Her work is refreshing, modern with an ‘old-school’ vibe, young, and most of all, it’s sexy! Among her alluring work were several nudes, intimate paintings, and a vibrant new portrait, on which the paint was still wet, “She has everything but…” One lucky art enthusiast snapped it up, and will be able to enjoy it for years to come!
As you look closely at any one of Taryn’s masterpieces, you can detect a difference in texture. This is because she uses various forms of mixed media, resin, leather, paper, acrylic, oil and foam. I noticed this on a painting of a bathing beauty, the rocks were carefully formed out of foam, and has a glossy finish. Breathtaking!
“My primary focus is on people, real people in their everyday environments.” The harsh materials “create a comparison between what is human and what is not.” Well-done Taryn!
Overall, the show was a great success, and the traffic was a wonderful boost for local businesses. There was ‘something for everyone.’
The CT MooseRiders held their 6th Annual Pig Roast Cook-off at The Bozrah Moose Lodge on August 21. The event raised more than $4,000 and the money is used throughout the year to help various local charities and those in the community who are in need. I enjoyed the opportunity to judge the winning pig and what a wonderful tradition to help the Bozrah community!
Herb Burt, District 1 president, The Connecticut Moose Association, said, “Mark Pierce, the president of Bozrah’s Moose Lodge, began this tradition seven years ago. Mark took one year to plan the fundraiser, before the very first Pig Roast was held. He put in a lot of time and effort to raise money and help families.”
This year, the Pig Roast featured five teams, with each team cooking their own pig. The five teams were the Contemporary Computer Consultants, the Moose Lodge team, defending champions, the Hartford Moose Club, Team Salem Prime Cuts and the Midnight Beef team. Each team worked incredibly hard to cook their best and most delicious pig to present to the judges.
The pigs were tasted by a large panel of judges, a few, included myself, State Representative Kevin Ryan, State Senator Edith Prauge, Montville Mayor Joe Jaskiewicz, Governor Candidate Dan Malloy (D) and Bozrah First Selectman Bill Ballinger.
All six teams cooked a great pig but the team to clinch first place was the all-female team Contemporary Computer Consultants.
Team member Heidi Burt said, “Our pig weighed 200 lbs. and we started cooking the day before at 10 pm. We finished the next afternoon at three. We took several steps in preparing our pig and without divulging our secrets, let’s just say the pig was marinated and seasoned with an abundance of spices and then wrapped in banana leaves prior to us steaming the pig. We ordered the banana leaves online and they worked out amazingly. We won by taking 14 votes out of 21. We are all very proud and plan on doing this again next year on August 20th, 2011.”
Brent Towle, the Hartford Moose Club, said, “Our pig weighed approximately 220 lbs. and we started cooking it at midnight, the night before the competition. As for the special sauce, I cannot say because Gerry Grate, our head chef, keeps it a family secret.” Each team has their own special methods for cooking their pig and their top secret mixtures bring out the best flavor.
Bruce Canova, Salem Prime Cuts, cooking the largest pig of them all, exclaimed, “Our pig was 240 lbs, from Salem Prime Cuts! We started cooking at 2:30am and injected the pig with our own juice mix, rubbed different spices on the inside and stuffed the chest cavity with sliced apples.” Yum!
The pig roast competition was such a success; this year’s fundraiser brought more than 400 people. Each person paid $10, enjoying some mouth-watering pork, and every year the Pig Roast continues to grow and gain popularity. This annual tradition is a tremendous event for the community and leaves everyone waiting in anticipation for next year!
