Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Friends of Long Hill Tea at the Wadsworth Mansion


Friends of Long Hill Tea

Sunday, March 12, 2017. 1:00PM – 4:00PM, $35 reservations required.

Guests at the Wadsworth Mansion will be treated to a three-course tea menu prepared by Kim’s Cottage Confections and estate tea from The Green Room in the East and West ballrooms, where Clarence and Katharine Wadsworth frequently hosted their own lavish parties. Each table will be personally set and decorated by members of the Friends of Long Hill. 

Invited vendors will be selling unique items in the loggia.

Seating is limited; reservations can be made by contacting the Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estate, at 860-347-1064. Checks should be made payable to Friends of Long Hill and sent to 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown, CT 06457.

Monday, February 27, 2017

How Connecticut became a state

On January 9, 1788, Connecticut was the fifth state to join the union. Connecticut has several nicknames, "The Nutmeg State" and also the "Constitution State". While the nickname has nothing to do with the United States Constitution, it does seem very appropriate, since a constitution has paid such a large place in the history of the state.

The Charter of the colony of Connecticut was issued in 1662. This was written up by three cities and called the Fundamental Orders. Connecticut was proud of their Independence and when the British rescinded the Charter, local men took matters into their own hands and stole the original document and hide it in the tree that became known as the Charter Oak. This tree stood for over 200 years until it was felled during a hurricane.

Connecticut was the only one of the original colonies to have a Colonial Governor who was in favor of independence from the Mother Country at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Connecticut luckily was not the site of any major battle during the war. Their contribution was to provide supplies and men.

At the end of the Revolutionary War, the central government had no authority to negotiate treaties or make economic decisions. All the states were pretty much doing their own thing. It became apparent within a few years that this was not working well and that if they didn't do something to make a strong central government the new country was going to end up being attacked. The economy of the entire country was in shambles. In February 1787 Congress approved a Constitutional Convention to help to address these issues.

Looking back from over two hundred years it is hard to imagine what a momentous occasion this was. No one had ever done anything like it before. What they were about to do was to design a form of government. It wasn't an easy thing to design either. We take for granted today the idea of a Senate and a House of Representative being checks and balances of each other. These two houses came out of a compromise in which Connecticut's Roger Sherman had a very large part.

What was going on was a battle between the large states and the small states. The large states naturally thought it was obvious that they should have more representation, the small states were not only suspicious of the motives of their larger brothers they were fearful of losing their autonomy. On June 11, 1787 , Roger Sherman stood up and proposed "That the proportion of suffrage in the 1st. branch should be according to the respective numbers of free inhabitants; and that in the second branch or Senate, each State should have one vote and no more.

It took three more months for all the kinks to be ironed out but on September 17, 1787, the final draft was ready for the delegates to sign. Of the fifty-five delegates, thirty-nine signed, among them Connecticut's Roger Sherman. The second delegate Oliver Ellsworth had already gone home. In January Connecticut ratified the Constitution and became the fifth state to enter the new United States of America.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Still time to get season tickets to Goodspeed

Season Tickets are on sale at both theaters for the upcoming 2017 season. You have several options if you want to see all the shows available at either theater. You can order them on their website or by calling 860-873-8668.

Single seats go on sale to the general public on Sunday, February 19. For best seats get yours now!!!

Goodspeed Main Theatre East Haddam


Thoroughly Modern Millie  April 21-July 2

Oklahoma July 14-September 23

Rags October 6-December10



The Terris Theatre Chester


Deathless June 2-July 2

Darling Grenadine August 18-September 17

A Connecticut Christmas Carol November 17-December 24

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Almost Spring Fair

St. Mary's Church in Portland Ladies Guild invites you to their Almost Spring Fair on Saturday, March 11, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.The crafters have been individually selected because of the quality of their products, their fair pricing, and variety they offer. 

Come and enjoy:

Erin's Prints Cards by Riley

Hand sewn 18" doll clothes by Josie (they fit American Girl dolls)

Quilts and fabric items by Kathy

Oils, Candy and Handmade crafts by Sr. Ruth

Burgess Birches Handpainted glassware and more by Laura

Canned goods, Kahlua, and homemade cookies by Bonnie

Biscotti and Beyond by Simonne

Pure Haven Essentials by Cory Stabach and Jen Komanetsky free of harmful chemicals, household, and personal care items

Carolyn Gorman diaper cakes, onesies, babies clothes and more

Sylvia Pina tea baskets and everything to do with tea

Julie Kobus household decor, fabric items, scherenschnitte

Forman Rustic wooden items, frames, shoe racks, etc

Patches and Patchwork by Jane antique finger sewing machines, fabric quarter panels

Excellent Designs by Olivia ironing board covers garment bags and more

Carol Gilbert Double G Alpaca Farm alpaca products

Bears on a journey handmade teddy bears and rag dolls from the senior center


Plenty of free parking available.

The Ladies Guild Cafe will offer breakfast and lunch specials, snacks and desserts, all with waitress service. 

Hope to see you there.




Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Biscotti and Beyond at St Mary's Church Portland Craft Fair


Biscotti and Beyond will be at the St Mary Craft Fair

Save the Date Saturday,  March 11, 2017 

 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

St Mary Church Portland Freestone Avenue Portland Ct

If you have been missing Simonne and her luscious biscotti, here is your chance. Arrive early for the best selection. 

She will be selling:

A new flavor for spring Tropical 

English toffee dipped in chocolate
peanut butter dipped in chocolate
sweet and salty caramel
almond with anise
coconut
chocolate 
hazelnut

Gluten free
sweet and salty
almond with anise
chocolate