Litchfield Holiday Issue 2025

In the HILLS

Happy Holidays!

AS THE HOLIDAYS ARRIVE we’re reminded once again why Litchfield County is such a wonderful place to live. In this issue, we spotlight ways to help our local nonprofits make an impact, designer Michael Trapp welcomes us into his home for the holidays, and we have a conversation with best-selling author Elizabeth Gilbert about growing up in Litchfield on a Christmas tree farm. At the Merwinsville Hotel Restoration, history and giving go hand-in-hand during their annual Christmas fair, and fashion illustrator Izak Zenou shares his joyful artistry.

Under new ownership, Colonial Floral Design gets festive, and Saturn Press’s timeless holiday cards offer a soft vintage feel. We get a behindthe-scenes look at Nutcracker preparations. The Pinnacle in Washington brings seasonal chic, as does Westerlind, with a new location in Litchfield. We share content creators Jenny and Freddie Cipoletti’s stylish family holiday. A seasonal toast at the Fife ’n Drum in Kent reminds us to gather, celebrate, and cherish the moments that bring us together.

Wishing you a bright and giving season ahead.

Mary Beth Lawlor

LITCHFIELD

Contents / Holiday / 2025

Picture Perfect

Freddie and Jenny Cipoletti (with their daughters Mia, left, and Lucy, right) celebrate the holiday season in style at their Litchfield home, Sunnymead. The elegant 1840 Colonial Revival provides the backdrop for dreamy decorations designed to evoke memories of Christmases past— from the scent of spruce to the tinkle of vintage glass ornaments.

26

IZAK ZENOU

Famous for his ultra-chic drawings of stylish young women-about-town, fashion illustrator Izak Zenou has left city life behind, and now finds peace and inspiration at his home in Litchfield.

By Sarah Belzer

36

ELIZABETH GILBERT

The author of Eat, Pray, Love talks about her new book, the next (surprising) phase of her life—and her memories of growing up on a Christmas tree farm in rural northwest Connecticut.

By Wendy Carlson

48 MICHAEL TRAPP

Globetrotting designer

Michael Trapp brings the world home for the holidays, to his farm in Sharon.

By Troy McMullen

LITCHFIELD

2

EDITOR’S NOTE

Mary Beth Lawlor wishes everyone a happy and healthy holiday season 10 ANSWERS

Did the Puritan settlers find joy in the holiday season?

19 ON OUR RADAR

Saturn Press, Merwinsville Hotel holiday, The Nutcracker, florist Beth Fowler, Pinnacle, Izak Zenou, Westerlind

36 Q&A WITH ELIZABETH GILBERT

The Litchfield native talks about her latest book, All the Way to the River: Love, Loss, and Liberation.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Artisanal and exquisite gift ideas for the season of giving. 48 HOUSE FEATURE

Sprucing up the holiday season with designer Michael Trapp.

GIVING FEATURE

Express the spirit of the season; support our local nonprofits. 70 HOLIDAY HOUSE FEATURE

Christmas, just the way you’d always dreamt it should be. 80 EATS

Enjoy an old-fashioned dinner at Kent’s iconic Fife ’n Drum.

Ephemera and everyday life at Hotchkiss’s Tremaine Gallery.

ROXBURY 3 6

Subtle Sophistication on a Quiet Country Road

Dramatic Living Room w/Floor to Ceiling Glass & Fireplace

4 Bed Main House | Post & Beam Guest House | Gunite Pool Pels Matthews & Rebecca Doh 3.6 . 43

SALISBURY

Modern Lakeside Retreat | Fully Renovated | Expansive Glass

3 Bed Main House | Double Height Fireplace | Sunroom Wraparound Deck & Patios | 1 Bedroom Guest Cottage Claire Maestroni 3. 4.36 4

MERRYALL 3

Uber Chic Modern House with Incredible Sunset Views

Dramatic Great Room with Floor to Ceiling Windows

Media Room | Gunite Lap Pool | Screened Porch Pels Matthews 3.6 . 43

ROXBURY

Set Back on a Quiet Lane on 8.84 +/- Park Like Acres 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full & 2 Half Baths | Chef’s Kitchen Large Screened Porch | Active Solar | Huge Pool Philippa Feigen Malkin & Pels Matthews 3. . 6

Why We Give

In addition to our commitment to local business organizations that help behind the scenes to create this vibrant community, our team supports many local charitable organizations. Here are some of our favorites organizations that are worthy of your consideration for holiday donations.

Judy Black Memorial Park & Gardens

Northwest CT Land Conservancy

Steep Rock and Local Land Trusts

Housatonic Valley Association

Local Fire & Ambulance

Greenwoods Counseling Referrals

After School Arts Program

Local Food Banks & Pantries

Local Libraries & Scholarship Programs

New Milford Animal Society

Northwest CT Arts Council

Local Lions and Rotary Clubs

u Each office is independently owned and operated.

Who WE ARE

Buyers & Brokers of:

Jewelry & Precious Metals

Luxury & Rare Watches

Gold & Silver Coins

Bullion

Silver Flatware & Servings Sets

43 West Street • On the Green Litchfield Center, CT (860) 567-0888 • litchfieldjewelry.com

RANA FAURE / photographer

Rana Faure, a former Getty Images director of photography and Seventeen magazine photo editor, now captures the people and places of Litchfield County. For this issue, she photographed Michael Trapp’s Sharon home, showcasing his imaginative approach to holiday decorating.

RYAN LAVINE / photographer

Ryan Lavine spent the majority of his photography career in Philadelphia and New York, but now lives with his wife and two daughters in Litchfield County. In this issue, he photographs fashion illustrator Izak Zenou and the owners of The Pinnacle boutique in Washington Depot.

CHARLES DUBOW / writer

Novelist Charles Dubow turns his attention in this issue to an iconic restaurant in Kent: The Fife ’n Drum, serving classic New England dishes and featuring live music. Dubow lives in Washington with his wife, Melinda, who often accompanies him on his restaurant adventures.

MICHELLE MADDEN / writer

Michelle is a Webby-award nominated writer. In this issue she writes about the Women’s Wellness Center at New Milford Hospital, the opening of a women’s clothing boutique that brings community together for more than just shopping, and she profiles the timeless Christmas Fair at The Merwinsville Hotel.

CLEMENTINA VERGE / writer

For this issue, Verge spoke with James Anderson and his wife, Deirdre, who breathed new life into an old church—and even older printing presses—transforming it into a luminous letterpress studio and reviving a Maine printmaking legacy with ink, paper, and heart.

LITCHFIELD

Holiday 2025

MARY BETH LAWLOR

Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

DEBORAH HAYN

Creative Director

VANESSA HAMMOND

Operations Manager

ALICIA PASCALE

Production Manager

STEVEN LOMBARDI

Website Manager

CYNTHIA HOCHSWENDER Copy Editor

ZANDRIA OLIVER

Production Assistant

GEORGIA LOPRESTI

Events Director

Contributing Writers

Sarah Belzer, Wendy Carlson, Paula Cornell, Charles Dubow, Brandee Gilmore, Michelle Madden, Alexandra Mazza, Troy McMullen, Clementina Verge

Contributing Photographers

Wendy Carlson, Rana Faure, Jim Henkens, Ryan Lavine, Tony Vengrove

Advertising Sales

Jill Lawlor - 860-931-7787 jill@litchfieldmagazine.com

Distribution Man in Motion - 203-515-2288

We welcome input about this and future issues. Please address letters, queries, and ideas to info@litchfieldmagazine.com.

To advertise email jill@litchfieldmagazine.com or call us at 860-931-7787

Go to www.litchfieldmagazine.com/subscribe for a one-year subscription or send $40 to: Happening in the Hills LLC PO Box 95, South Kent, CT 06785 860-931-7787

Litchfield Magazine is a publication of Happening in the Hills LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publisher. litchfieldmagazine.com

Q&A

By Alexandra Mazza

Puritan Christmas origins?

LONG BEFORE LITCHFIELD’S GREEN was trimmed with twinkling lights, December 25 came and went quietly, shunned by the Puritan founders. These settlers had fled England to break away from what they saw as impure religious practices. Elaborate church celebrations were seen as corrupt and paganistic, so they treated December 25 as a regular day: no presents, no trees, no merriment. What’s more, after the Pilgrims landed, their first “Christmas” was spent building houses in New England’s harsh winter. In 1621, Gov. William Bradford allowed those raised in the Church of England time off to worship at home—but when they were seen cavorting in the streets, he ordered them back to work. In 1659, he imposed a 5-shilling fine for anyone caught celebrating. Some Church of England congregations ignored these regulations and continued Christmas observances even in the early 1700s. By the late 1700s, strict Puritan orders loosened, and Hartford’s Brick Meeting House held its first Christmas service in 1823. Other American colonists were less reserved, and their customs gradually spread. Dutch settlers introduced Saint Nicholas, Germans brought the idea of evergreens into the home. By the 1830s and 1840s, trees, stockings, and gifts adorned more homes.

The hearths of early Litchfield could not foresee the merriment to come. Time softened the edges of the Puritan rigor, allowing in holiday cheer.

Who needs food?

WITH RISING COSTS and increasing economic challenges, many families across Connecticut are feeling the strain of putting food on the table. In Litchfield County, local businesses and residents have stepped up to help their neighbors bridge the gap to ensure no one goes hungry, especially as the holiday season approaches. Community spirit and a willingness to lend a hand is strong across the county. Stella Rose Consignment of New Preston has organized a food drive to gather essentials for local pantries, while The Po Cafe in Washington offers free breakfast five days a week to those in need of food relief because of lost benefits. Other small businesses and residents have joined in, donating food, funds, and time to help their community members feed themselves and their families. Social media has become a hub for sharing resources and promoting donation opportunities through organizations such as United Way of Connecticut, Hands on Hartford, and End Hunger Connecticut. Food banks like Kent Community House, Salisbury’s Corner Food Pantry, Morris Cares, Torrington’s Friendly Hands Food Bank, and the New Milford Food Bank continue to provide vital support to local families. As we move through the holiday season, these acts of generosity remind us that community care is one of the greatest gifts we can give. To find ways to help or access assistance, visit 211ct.org to locate the nearest food pantry.

Weekend of Giving

Join us for our special Weekend of Giving, where the joy of giving meets the gift of self-care For every gift card you buy for a loved one, you’ll receive a gift card to spend on your own wellness experience The more you give, the more you get!

Beginning November 28th through the holiday season, The Spa’s boutique transforms into a festive shopping haven featuring clean beauty, wellness, and luxury lifestyle items that will bring cheer to you and your loved ones this giving season.

Shop online, by phone, or in the boutique Black Friday through Cyber Monday

feedback

“Thank you for putting together such a lovely story!” [“Contrast and Character” November/ December 2025]

COVER

“What a gorgeous cover!” [November/ December 2025]—@dunesandduchess

“GORG cover!! Cannot wait!!! Xx” [November/December 2025] —@jbd218

“Looks gorgeous as always!” [November/December 2025] —@studioshannonblanton

“Love it! And so honored!” [November/December 2025] —@philipgorrivan

CONTRAST AND CHARACTER

“Love this story! RT Facts is amazing!” [“Contrast and Character” November/December 2025] —@megcasey20

“Beautiful!!” [“Contrast and Character” November/December 2025]—@jimhenkens

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

“Such great interiors.” [“The Bold and the Beautiful: Interiors by Philip Gorrivan” November/December 2025]—@dunesandduchess

“Beautiful pictures! Love this story.” [“The Bold and the Beautiful: Interiors by Philip Gorrivan” November/ December 2025]—@zannioliver

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DRESS CODE

BY MICHELLE MADDEN

On Our RADAR

More Than Just Gorgeous Clothing

›It’s early on a Saturday and Pinnacle is getting ready to host a make-up event. Caroline Klein (one half of the founding duo behind the women’s clothing store in Washington Depot) is impeccably dressed in creams and Chanel ballet flats, and has just lit a scented candle. Betsy Goldin (the other half) comes through the door, effortlessly clad in a winter floral blouse and tan jeans, holding bottles of champagne. She offers me a glass. It’s 9 am, but whatever. Welcoming guests comes naturally to Klein and Goldin.

At Pinnacle, no detail is overlooked, and craftsmanship is prized. Curated vignettes dot the store: A fringed leather jacket hangs art-like on a wall, along with a baseball cap, a handbag, and a framed watercolor; hostess gifts such as whimsical cocktail napkins are interspersed with stylish bracelets; a stack of books serves as a platform for a pair of boots; a one-of-a-kind green floral ceramic lamp adds warmth at the checkout counter.

The style of clothing at Pinnacle is best described as classic with a playful twist: hiking shoes by Voile Blanche with shearling peeking out the sides; a navy cotton blouse by TWP cropped just enough to feel daring; leather pants by SPRWMN that you could go for jog in, thanks to a drawstring waist; denim jeans designed by Agolde or Frame that just fit better; or a shortsleeved knit top by Guest in Residence, with three little buttons and a collar that make it anything but ordinary.

“We hope you’ll find that piece you never knew you needed,” says Goldin with a grin.

Though the new kid on the block, Pinnacle is not shy. They launched Titus Road Design Collective where, on the second Saturday of each month, five local design boutiques engage in an open house. They frequently host trunk shows (a recent one was with Aztech Mountain, a ski-wear brand), hold food drives for local pantries, gather friends for mahjong nights and yoga days, lead hikes up Pinnacle Mountain (their

namesake), and this month are hosting “The Twelve Days of Chrismukkah,” where the town is invited to holiday events and giveaways.

Supporting local is a core principle, and with a clear nod to the Gilmore Girls, they offer a candle called “I Smell Snow” by Literie. Local skincare brands V Reserve and Lines are available, and Jorga’s carry-all bag is, according to Goldin, “Prada quality without the price.”

Goldin’s past is in graphic design and Klein’s in operations. It was a 12-year friendship and a realization of a mutual love for design, clothes, and connecting people that led them to open Pinnacle this past summer. They shared a vision of a gathering place where you could go to not only find brands that you wouldn’t find within 50 miles, but also a space that felt warm and inviting. “We both love entertaining. Pinnacle is just an extension of our lives,” shares Klein.

Their fashion tips for the holiday? Chocolate brown is the new black. Pair complementary textures, and go with the unexpected: a satin skirt with a casual striped sweater. If you don’t want to splurge on an entire outfit, buy one memorable holiday piece, and shop your closet. When party-shoe-removal threatens to ruin an outfit, pack a pair of light-weight Mary Jane flats like those by Vibi Venezia, which come in tweed and velvet; and most important, advises Goldin, “Don’t save your party clothes for a party. If you love it, wear it!!”

“Come back later on!” Goldin and Klein say as I leave the store. “There will be a truck selling floral arrangements out front, and the champagne will be open.”

6 Bee Brook Road, Washington Depot —thepinnaclect.com

CHILDRENS BOOKS

Artful Connection

When journalist Troy McMullen bought a weekend house in Litchfield five years ago, he quickly went about finding ways to use his reporting skills to connect with Litchfield County’s cultural community.

Writing for this magazine and others, he profiled artists and architects from Kent to Cornwall, poets and preservationists in New Preston, and woodworkers and artisans in Litchfield.

“I saw the county through an entirely new creative lens,” says McMullen, a former staff reporter at the Wall Street Journal who’s now an executive editor at ABC News. “It really expanded my cultural orbit.”

That cultural orbit now includes a series of children’s books McMullen created that introduces young readers to the county’s rich history of art and culture. “Hello Litchfield” visits the people and places that make the historic town unique; “Litchfield Modern” reveals its surprising array of Mid-Century architecture; and “I See Art” guides readers through the county’s contemporary art galleries.

All proceeds from the sale of the books go to local charities. “It just seemed like a perfect way to give back to the people and organizations that have welcomed me to this community,” McMullen says. The books are $10 each, and are sold in local book stores and businesses in Litchfield.

INK, PAPER, LEGACY

Renaissance in an 1821 Landmark

BY CLEMENTINA VERGE

›In a restored 1821 church in New Milford, history hums beneath the whir of antique printing machinery. This is the new home of Saturn Press—a letterpress card company rooted on a remote Maine island that is now experiencing a thoughtful renaissance.

When James Anderson and his wife, Deirdre Keogh-Anderson, acquired the business last year, they didn’t just buy a brand; they became stewards of a craft. Letterpress printing, with its rich texture and restrained beauty, dates to the 15th century and speaks to a time when communication was intentional and art was meant to be held.

photographs

by

JIM HENKENS

James Anderson is reviving the art of printing on paper, with Saturn Press.

Founded on Swan’s Island, Maine, in 1986, Saturn Press is known for image-forward greeting cards ranging from vintage-inspired trail signs to ethereal celestial prints—so beautiful that customers often frame them, Anderson reveals.

The story began serendipitously in 2021, when the Andersons’ daughter Julia and her husband, Zach Bucek, visited the original studio on their honeymoon. Captivated, they discovered the business was for sale. Julia informed her father; the idea felt impractical, yet lingered. Two years later, as Anderson considered life beyond his Manhattan career, Saturn Press orbited back—still needing a home. The Andersons had the place: A decommissioned church with “great light and open floor plans.”

They had already restored a 1739 farmhouse in Kent, loving “the idea and process of bringing old buildings back to their former glory, and finding contemporary uses that enable them to survive.”

Within two months, the church had new floors, upgraded wiring,

On Our RADAR

and mini-split HVAC systems to stabilize humidity (crucial when working with fine paper). On an island ferry, then on a truck, the analog presses—dating from 1840 to 1910 and weighing 2,500 to 3,500 pounds—were transferred in.

Today, the family’s hands-on approach runs deep. Son Fitzwilliam manages operations. Bucek, an artist with a background in painting and museum work, is art director, and collaborates with Keogh-Anderson, a former educator who scours archives and ephemera for historical imagery. Many designs originate from forgotten 19th-century illustrations or vintage postage stamps, which are respectfully adapted into letterpress form.

“We strip away detail and specificity, so individuals who send our images can infuse them with their own message,” Bucek explains, emphasizing artistic transformation, not reproduction.

“We honor the legacy of the artists, identifying them on the back of our cards whenever possible,” says Keogh-Anderson, who pens design

notes on her “Artistic Notes” blog. This gives people “something timeless and beautiful to hold onto,” Anderson reflects. “What makes our cards truly meaningful is a blend of artistry and the personal message from a loved one.”

Once designs are complete, printer Rob Rice runs the presses. From inventory to fulfillment, operations stay in-house. Growth hasn’t changed their ethos: to bring elegance, history, and tactile design into the everyday.

Producing more than 120 designs and 250,000 cards annually, Saturn Press ships worldwide from its website, and sells through museum shops and independent bookstores, including House of Books in Kent and Lakeville Books.

Holiday cards—designed, scored, folded, and packed by hand— remain a favorite with customers.

In a world of fleeting digital experience, Saturn Press offers something enduring: A way to send beauty, one letterpress card at a time.

—saturnpress.com.

On Our RADAR

ALL ABOARD!

Christmas Fair at a Former Railroad Hotel

BY MICHELLE MADDEN

›Walking into the Christmas Fair at the Merwinsville Hotel Restoration is like taking a trip in a time capsule. The floors are sloped, the ceilings low, the smell of old wood and the feeling of Christmases past are pervasive. Dominating the space is a Charles Dickens miniature village, with an electric train meandering through. There is a holiday arts-and-crafts show featuring local artisans selling one-of-a

kind gifts; a miniature amusement park has rides that move, from a time when toys were made to last; there’s a crowd of nutcrackers—and not just your standard soldier-style nutcrackers, but rock-star and Frankenstein nutcrackers! Freshly cut trees and handtied wreaths are for sale. And if all of that is not enough: There’s free hot chocolate.

The delights of a holiday village fill every room at the former Merwinsville Hotel.

With the industriousness of Christmas elves, each year a small group of volunteers, led by the indomitable Georganne Bensh, works day and night—well over 1,000 hours—to bring the fair to life. It is an enormous operation with intricate details, sequenced steps, and sheer muscle. Seven tables are precisely lined up to support the village and train, with its

dedicated power and lighting system.

Thirty-six heavy boxes have to be brought up from the basement, containing 130 village houses, landscaping, trains and tracks, wagons, and toy people. It takes 14 days just to unpack and place the village.

“In the end,” says Bensh with a twinkle in her eye, “it’s worth the pain and suffering.”

What makes this holiday fair so authentic is that the hotel was built the same year—though an ocean apart— that Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol.

In 1843, local entrepreneur Sylvanus Merwin—upon learning that the Housatonic Railroad would be routed through the area—bought the land, built the hotel, and then (when the

lawyers arrived to negotiate for rightof-way through his land) was more than happy to oblige, with one caveat: All trains must stop at his hotel for meals. Oh, and the station had to be named after him: Merwinsville. (He also appointed himself station master, just to be sure things went as planned.)

Merwin operated the hotel until 1877, when the Pullman Car—which allowed for eat-on-board meals—no longer traveled this route. After 1915, the trains bypassed the station altogether. It was bought by a family as their residence, then for 30 years after that was left vacant, and began the slow process of death-by-abandonment.

In the 1970s, a local man, George Haase, saw the potential in its with-

ered beauty, bought the hotel for one dollar, established a nonprofit, and with the devotion of many volunteers over nearly 50 years, has lovingly restored it. It is one of the nation’s oldest purpose-built hotels.

So when you come to the fair and your senses awaken to the joys of the season, remember the well-fed travelers who stood on the same floor boards, nearly 200 years ago. As the daughter of George Haase and president of the hotel, Jeremy Ruman, says, “If you don’t get into the Christmas spirit here, there’s no hope for you.”

The fair this year will be held November 28 to 30 and December 5 to 7, from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is free.

—facebook.com/MerwinsvilleHotelRestoration

THE ART OF IMPERFECTION

Globetrotting Artist Izak Zenou Finds Inspiration at Home

BY SARAH BELZER

›There is something ineffably Parisian about Izak Zenou— even after decades in New York. His humor, his grace, and his affection for elegance feel lived in and honestly earned. His art exists at the intersection of French elegance and New York energy—an effortless balance that has made his work instantly recognizable. From Parisian ateliers to New York fash-

ion houses, Izak’s illustrations have graced the pages of  Vogue  and campaigns for the crème de la crème of luxury brands—including Chanel, Guerlain, Lancôme, Lipault, Estée Lauder, Longchamp, Swarovski, Hanro, and Sephora—capturing not only beauty, but life: unpolished, poetic, and alive.

A Parisian in New York Izak’s career began in France, where he quickly made a name for himself working with major fashion and beauty houses. “It was spectacular,” he recalls. His first agent, Virginie Challamel, encouraged him to try America. He hesitated—Italy seemed more his style—but a call from New York agent Michelle Rebalovitch changed everything.

Within months, he traded his Paris apartment for one on Bleecker Street and, like a scene from  A Couch in New York, never looked back.

Birth of an Aesthetic

Before illustration, Izak worked as a fledgling fashion designer with Trend Bureau, a forecasting agency predicting future colors and fabrics. “It was the perfect bridge between designing and illustrating,” he says. But it was the art—fluid, expressive, imperfect—that ultimately captured his passion. “For me, it has to be beautiful, and my kind of beautiful is when it’s dreamy.”

His inspirations were many: the genius of Toulouse Lautrec; the elegant brushwork of René Gruau, whose Dior campaigns defined post-war glamour; the photography of Richard Avedon, Dominique Isserman, Lilian Bassman, and Sarah Moon. “Early in my career, my sister was my muse—tall, big eyes, funny smile.”

The Bendel Years

For more than 20 years, his lively “Izak Girls”—graceful, confident, and unmistakably his—became the face of the Henri Bendel brand and a fixture in New York fashion. Bendel’s was his creative home. “We were family,” he says. Not surprisingly, his Girls outlived the brand itself.

House of Chanel

Among Izak’s collaborations, none was more defining than Chanel. “Chanel is part of my DNA,” he says. Through Alain

Lachartre of Vue Sur La Ville, their agency, he was chosen to illustrate a campaign for Allure, Chanel’s new perfume. “I illustrated Art Deco playing cards, and a small book inspired by Gabrielle Chanel’s life,” he recalls. Chanel ultimately purchased 46 of his original works—now preserved in the house’s archives. He smiles. “Maybe when I’m in my 70s, they’ll find Izak, the old master, more interesting.”

The Discipline of Instinct

“Most artists struggle with their own work,” Izak admits. “There are moments of grace when something extraordinary happens… You can’t reproduce it— you just hope for another.” He smiles. Sometimes the balance between muse and perfection is hard to find. “Better can be the enemy of good. If you look at the work of any master, there’s always a flaw,” he says. “What matters is the expression, the energy of the face. The rest should whisper, not shout.”

Finding Home in Litchfield

After decades in Paris and New York, Izak felt the pull of quiet. Now, from his lakeside home, he draws inspiration from the changing colors. “It’s like watching National Geographic  from my living room.”

From the elegance of Paris to the rhythm of New York and the peace of Litchfield, Izak Zenou’s work reminds us that beauty lives in imperfection— and that the most luminous art, like the most luminous life, is rarely ever about precision, but about presence.

HOLIDAY POP-UP

AERIN x Mayflower

This holiday season, the Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection, will be transformed into a winter wonderland through an exclusive collaboration with AERIN, the luxury lifestyle brand founded by Aerin Lauder.

Known for its timeless New England charm, the Mayflower in Washington will take on a new level of seasonal splendor as AERIN’s effortless elegance graces every detail—from an 18-foot Christmas tree trimmed with vintage glass ornaments to whimsical folk-inspired decor, and a children’s tree sparkling with toys and treasures.

Guests can experience the holidays in true AERIN style through curated touches throughout the property, including a limited-edition AERIN x Mayflower ornament available exclusively to guests. The inn’s signature king suite with library becomes the AERIN Suite, complete with Aerin Lauder–selected décor, bespoke amenities, and a signed copy of her book, Living with Flowers, for December stays.

For a more intimate celebration, the Private Fireside Fête offers an elegant five-course dining experience in the AERIN Library, where floral tablescapes and seasonal dishes set the stage for an unforgettable evening.

The partnership culminates with an AERIN Holiday Trunk Show & Pop-Up on December 5 and 6, featuring giftable treasures from AERIN’s world of beauty, fashion, and home. This inspired collaboration invites you to celebrate the season beautifully in the heart of the Connecticut countryside.

—auberge.com/mayflower

On Our RADAR

BESPOKE MEETS FORAGED

Colonial Floral Design Begins a New Era

BY ANDREA VALLUZZO

›Beth Fowler cut her teeth in floral design working on and off for the Spangenburg family, who had owned Litchfield’s Colonial Greenhouse for 90 years. Bobby Spangenburg Siddell said she’d be calling when considering retirement. Last year, Fowler was ready to work in florals full time after spending nearly 30 years as a fashion stylist. She contacted Siddell, who was ready to retire and enjoy time with her grandchildren.

In May she took over the business and renamed it Colonial Floral Design; Fowler was eager to honor its heritage while putting her own stamp on it. The shop is tucked just off the town Green at 32 Meadow Street.

The native Californian, now in New Preston, says she traveled so much for work that she was a bit nervous about being in one spot every day. “But I’ve grown

Beth Fowler’s years as a fashion stylist inform her creative floral designs at Colonial Floral.

to totally love it, and the town is amazing. It’s such a rare opportunity to buy a heritage business and rebrand in a really respectful way.” Fowler, who studied floral design at the New York Botanical Garden, previously ran Loam Foam Design out of her home. She started growing flowers in 2018, but as she was often on location for work, she shuttered the farm. She still has a side

JEANNE ARNOLD

FOWLER

business, Bloom Booth, offering photobooth and floral backdrop rentals for events. “Event work, design, production, and artistry have always been my passion,” she says. She’s often seen driving around town in a wallpapered and tricked-out van, “Flora,” which she launched during COVID for selling flowers.

For the holidays, she’s busy making arrangements, from porch styling to tablescape centerpieces. Asked what’s popular, she says Hanukkah is about whites and sparkle, while Christmas has many different color palettes beyond the traditional red and green. “My whole business is boutique and bespoke. I work with clients to see what is significant for them, their families and traditions,” she says.

“I love a client who gives me an idea of what they would like, and trusts me enough to go and curate it for them. So much of what I do is visual storytelling; it’s hard to give you a recipe, but it’s client based and tailored

in concert with them to bring out what they want.”

She incorporates big textures into arrangements, often adding unexpected touches like mushrooms she forages while on hikes. “I love to forage branches most of all, especially ones with lichen; and anything trailside that is blooming and has interesting texture and foliage,” she says.

With a greenhouse in back, Fowler will soon be growing some of her own flowers, including dahlias, her favorite. She has potted amaryllis and paperwhites, and also sources flowers from Chrisella Farms in Litchfield.

Popular for the holidays, especially for hostesses, are her giftables, such as her Sheldon Tavern box that pairs a floral arrangement with wine sourced from a New Preston wine store. Customers can choose from a list of red or white wines, and later remove the flowers for separate display.—colonialfloraldesign.com

On Our RADAR

BACKSTAGE BALLET

Behind the Curtain at The Nutcracker

BY WENDY CARLSON

›In the days leading up to opening night of The Nutcracker, the music of Tchaikovsky flows out of the third-floor studio at the Nutmeg Ballet Conservancy in Torrington during dress rehearsals. It’s time to make costume adjustments, finesse dancer movements, and remind performers to smile at appropriate times. This is not an easy feat when you have perfected the same adagio,

allegro, arabesque, or any of the many combinations thereof for the umpteenth time. Or, imagine you are one of the little angels who lost her front tooth before opening night, and Nutmeg artistic director and executive director Victoria Mazzarelli is coaxing you to smile.

“Hold your candle up, and smile,” Mazzarelli gently cajoles a

tight-lipped diminutive angel. “Oh, I see you’ve lost your front tooth,” she says, adding, “Maybe the Sugar Plum Fairy will grow you a new one.”

So it goes. To the audience, this much-loved classic holiday performance appears as if by magic on the Warner Theatre stage in Torrington and at the Bushnell in Hartford. The work of fairy dust? Hardly.

“The boys need elastic for their tights, they’re falling down,” Mazzarelli says, turning to an assistant who is taking copious notes. Mazzarelli has been directing The Nutcracker since 2006. She even performed the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in 2003. Production manager and faculty member Tim Melady has been with Nutmeg for 15 years, and in 2003 performed with Mazzarelli as soloists in “Arabian Coffee” in Act 2, which she choreographed. This year marks 16 years that Thomas Evertz, Mazerelli’s husband, has played the role of Herr Drosselmeyer.

Along with the other conservancy instructors, they are the main cylinders of the robust engine that keeps the annual performance running smoothly. Then, there are the “support Moms,” who act as stage hands, work as seamstresses, and make sure the youngest to the oldest ballerinas remain calm and composed backstage.

“It’s like a family here,” says Lauren Werkhoven, who as a young girl performed in The Nutcracker and whose two daughters, Eloise, 7, and Alexis,13, have followed in

her footsteps. Between classes and rehearsals, it’s a huge time commitment for the students––and their parents.

As for the odd onstage glitches, they often go unseen. One year, an eyeball popped out of one of the huge mouse head costumes, and rolled across the stage. (The eyeballs are actually Christmas ornaments.) “I don’t think the audience even noticed,” says Adriana Hoxie. She is one of a half-dozen seamstresses who work feverishly backstage during performances to keep the intricate costumes–some of which are 30 years old–fitted to each dancer.

After the final performance, those costumes are carefully stored away until next fall, when auditions are held and the music of Tchaikovsky once again fills the studio.

“It’s exhausting,” says Mazzarelli, “but I wouldn’t change a thing. Our students, faculty, and families pour their hearts into every rehearsal, costume fitting, and late-night practice. The true spirit of the season shines in the shared effort.”

Find performance information at nutmegconservatory.org/nutcracker

COALITION FOR JEWISH LIFE

Belonging Through Faith

A little more than 30 years ago, Washington residents Susan Haber and Sharon Ruchman set out to fulfill a dream: creating a Jewish community where local families, couples, and singles could connect and grow together. That dream became the Greater Washington Coalition for Jewish Life (CJL), which today serves as both a spiritual home and an extended Jewish family for hundreds of full- and part-time residents across western Connecticut.

Since its founding, the Coalition has nurtured a deep sense of warmth and belonging through a wide range of religious, cultural, educational, and social experiences. Members gather for regular Shabbat services in private homes, High Holiday services, and festive holiday celebrations. A book group, speaker series, and special programs led by a part-time rabbi offer opportunities for learning and reflection, while trips, luncheons, and other lively social events strengthen personal connections.

CJL also embraces meaningful community engagement. Over the years, members have partnered with local religious and nonprofit organizations on food drives, volunteered at Judea Garden, and collaborated closely with area groups to support neighbors in need.

This year, the Coalition joyfully marked its 30th anniversary with a spirited community celebration in Washington—honoring three decades of connection, tradition, and growth.

For details about upcoming programs, holiday observances, or membership, email jewishlifect@gmail.com or visit jewishlifect.org.

—

Rich Pomerantz

SCANDINAVIAN STYLE MEETS CONNECTICUT

Westerlind Arrives in Litchfield

BY PAULA CORNELL

›Westerlind, the chic outdoor fashion and gear boutique, is coming to Connecticut for the first time, in the heart of Litchfield. The new boutique opens this December in the historic Cobble Court––a gorgeous courtyard with brick storefronts dating back to 1889. Alongside other local favorites like Milton Market, the location matches Westerlind’s unique blend of classic style with modern functionality.

Named for its Swedish owner,

Andrea Westerlind, the store has a legacy of entrepreneurial brilliance embedded in the name itself. Her family owned a fashion house from the 1940s, and “Westerlind” means “the linden tree in the west”––a fitting name for a store built around stylish adventure.

Westerlind moved to the U.S. in the early 2000s to launch the Swedish brand Fjallraven––which became the most successful launch of any non-

Andrea Westerlind’s newest shop has opened in Litchfield.

domestic outdoor brand on the North American market.

After that, Westerlind created her own brand. In 2008, at age 25, she opened her first store on Mott Street in New York.

“I remember it like it was yesterday,” she says. “I couldn’t sleep or eat for a month before the opening. I never thought it could be the success it turned into.”

On opening day, the first customer was a man from Wall Street who was delighted to find

out he was the first to shop there— and told all his friends to stop by.

“That kind of support and enthusiasm is a big part of the reason why I’ve stayed in the U.S.,” Westerlind says. “The positive spirit of the people in and around New York is undeniable.”

From that first store, Westerlind has grown to five locations across New York and Massachusetts, and this upcoming opening in Litchfield will be the sixth.

Westerlind features over 100 brands from around the world, gathered from Westerlind’s travels.

“My brain is a constant scanner for cool new items and ways to dress for a life on the go. I couldn’t turn that off even if I tried,” she says.

Beyond her travels, a large part of her inspiration comes from her own athleticism and personal love of the outdoors. She’s done a wide variety of activities, but her current favorites are trail running, bicycling, fly-fishing, and cold plunging. As a single mother, she also loves watching her two young children play outside.

When asked why she chose Litchfield for her next store, Westerlind says, “My friends and customers keep telling me I have to do it. So I decided to listen to them!”

Westerlind hopes her store will offer a new kind of value for the area, allowing the community to live and travel seamlessly between the hills and forests of Connecticut, the city streets, and beyond.

“I hope I can continue to spread joy through functional gear that lets people spend less time worrying about being comfortable, and more time enjoying the beautiful environment. It really means everything to me.”

—westerlindoutdoor.com

The Art of Hair

Robin’s Boutique Approach in Bantam

A LIFELONG LOVE of beauty began with a pair of stationery scissors and an impromptu haircut in a family bathroom. Today, Robin Dobos channels that same creative spark into The Hair Factory in Bantam, where she has cultivated a serene, intimate salon experience anchored in artistry and care. Known for her calm touch and impeccable eye, Robin stays attuned to the latest fashion and hair trends—something she insists she’d do even if she weren’t a stylist. Drawing inspiration from both the runway and real life, she blends years of technique and creativity to personalize each client’s look, creating more than just great hair: She creates moments of confidence, self-care, and connection for everyone who walks through her door.

What makes The Hair Factory

unique compared to other salons in the area?

The vibe, hands down. It’s a private, boutique-style experience so there’s no rush, and no chaos. Just calm energy and great conversation. My goal is for every client to leave feeling rejuvenated, relaxed, and the very best version of themselves.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned running your own salon, one that you wish everyone knew?

Confidence and streamlining come with time, and I’ve realized that less really is more—in hair and in life. Once you stop overthinking everything (even your blow-dry), everything flows better.

How would you describe your philosophy on hair today compared to when you started? My approach has completely

evolved from over-styling back in the day to simplifying. I love a lived-in look and believe a great, personalized haircut should do most of the work. With the right cut and one good product, you can look amazing without spending an hour on your hair every day.

What are your top tips for keeping hair healthy during the colder winter months?

Hydration is everything. Use a good shine serum, deep condition regularly, and try to minimize heat styling when you can. Cold weather can be drying, so treat your hair the same way you treat your skin: Keep it nourished and moisturized all season long.

Are there any holiday hairstyles you recommend for parties or family gatherings?

I’m all about the “less-is-more” approach. A soft, undone wave, a sleek pony (one of my favorites), or a tousled updo are my go-tos. Holiday hair should feel beautiful and realistic—something you can do quickly, and still feel polished.

If you could give one “secret” styling tip that most people don’t know, what would it be?

I love second- or even thirdday hair! Believe it or not, we shouldn’t wash it every day. Less heat is always better, too. And plain cornstarch works just as well as dry shampoo, without all the heavy fragrance. Flip your hair upside down, work a little into the scalp, and lightly drag it through the ends. Oh, and get a silk pillowcase—and don’t sleep with a hair tie!

The Hair Factory is in the Bantam Arts Factory, 931 Bantam Rd. Rte. 202 —thehairfactory.co

Elizabeth Gilbert Comes Home

BY WENDY CARLSON

EVER SINCE grammar school, author Elizabeth Gilbert has been writing. By middle school, she was mimeographing poems in the principal’s office and handing them out to classmates. At Litchfield High School (Class of 1987), she was already sending short stories to The New Yorker, hoping for publication. She has now authored nine acclaimed works of fiction and nonfiction—including the bestselling memoir Eat, Pray, Love, which catapulted her to international fame, and became a film starring Julia Roberts. Gilbert returned to the Warner Theatre in Torrington this fall to discuss her latest memoir, All the Way to the River. The riveting story centers on the love of her life: a queer, recovering-addict hairdresser from Queens, and how her death led to Gilbert’s greatest awakening.

Litchfield Magazine spoke with Gilbert about how growing up on a Christmas tree farm in Litchfield County helped shape her lifelong pursuit of happiness and fulfillment.

First, what was it like during the holiday season growing up on Bees, Fleas & Trees, the Christmas tree farm your parents, John and Carole Gilbert, own? I’ve often said that selling Christmas trees is like selling ice cream (and I’ve done both, so I really know what I’m talking about here!) in that people are always cheerful and happy to buy these products. I loved December on the Christmas tree farm—the physical labor of cutting down and bailing trees, the joy of little kids running around the farm, and the endless hot chocolate and doughnuts. My parents really had (and still have) a talent for making people feel warm and welcome, and over the decades my friends from

high school, college, and beyond all loved working on the farm. It’s an exhausting but ultimately really satisfying time of the year.

What was a typical Christmas like for your family—anything that might surprise people?

The joke (not really a joke) that we always tell in my family is that we always had the worst tree for us! People assume that our own Christmas tree must have been the most lush and beautiful one, but nothing could be further from the truth. My dad wasn’t going to waste a perfectly profitable tree on his own family, and anyway we were all pretty tired of Christmas by the time the actual holiday rolled around. So we always got whatever unsellable tree was left on the lot. “The cobbler’s children have no shoes,” is what my Dad always used to say!

How did farm life teach you independence and spark your creativity? What I learned more than anything else is that you are allowed to make your own thing in life. You are allowed to have passions and curiosities that exist outside of the “normal” realm of day-to-day life. My mom was a nurse and my dad was an engineer, but that’s just what they did to make a living; everything on the farm was what they did for love. Gardening, sewing, taking care of bees and chickens and goats, growing trees—these were just some of their sideline artistic projects. So what I grew up seeing were two really important lessons about how to be an artist, even though I don’t think either of my parents would have called themselves “artists.” I saw that you should always have a day job that you can rely upon to be financially independent,

CONVERSATIONS

AND you get to pour all your love and passion into your heart’s true calling, which is your own business, doesn’t need to make sense to anyone else, and will fulfill your spirit. This is fantastic training for the arts. So I followed in my parents’ footsteps—not by becoming a farmer or a master gardener, but by moving to New York, getting a day job, and working on my writing in the evenings and on the weekends. They modeled that dual sense of responsibility and freedom beautifully for me.

Who encouraged and inspired you as a young writer growing up in Litchfield?

I was writing my whole life—as soon as I could spell! (Okay, to be fair, I still can’t really spell.) I remember writing poetry in grammar school, plays in middle school, and short fiction in high school. I had a slew of teachers who were so encouraging—but Bill Bucklin and Sandie Carpenter [Litchfield High School] were the most generous with their praise, guidance, and time.

The librarians at the Oliver Wolcott Library in Litchfield were also like a team of loving literary aunties to me—and they gave me the run of the library, which was so kind. I consider myself so lucky to be the product of a really good public education system and really good public libraries. As the years have gone by, I have only appreciated more the education that Litchfield offered to me, in so many ways.

What places in Litchfield feel most like home to you today?

While much of Litchfield has changed, the most special part of it to me remains the same—or is even improved. The woods at the White Memorial Foundation were always a haven of silence and beauty for me growing up, and I still love to go wandering those trails, which are even nicer now and better kept up than they were 40 years ago. There is something about the Connecticut woods that isn’t like anything else for me, that mix of sun and shade; the smell of pine and ferns and even skunk cabbage; the moss and the outcroppings of granite. Being in those woods brings me right back to the best memories of my childhood, where, even as a restless teenager, I knew that this was a beautiful and special place. So my favorite thing when I come is to put on some hiking boots and go straight to the woods. It clears my spirit the same as it ever did. Of course there are more bears now than there used to be, but that just makes life more exciting!

Join Elizabeth Gilbert on her journey of love, loss, and selfdiscovery through her new memoir, All the Way to the River: Love, Loss, and Liberation. Bees, Fleas & Trees is at 551 S. Plains Road, Litchfield. n

LOPEZ

WOMEN’S HEALTH

Mind the (Gender) Gap

In 1920, women got the vote—but it wasn’t until nearly 75 years later, in 1993, that lawmakers mandated that women be represented in clinical medical trials.

Women’s health care has also been woefully underfunded: Ovarian cancer ranks fifth for lethality, but 12th in terms of funding-to-lethality ratio. The gender gap is real. New Milford Hospital is changing this.

Generous community supporters such as Margery Feldman and Jeremy Levin, Julie and Bob Bailey and Diane von Furstenberg have contributed to the more than $3 million dollars raised.

The aim of the center is to aggregate care at all stages of a woman’s life. “We want to offer one-stop health care, making it easy to access providers specifically trained in women’s health,” says Miriam Levy, vice president of Women & Children’s Health for Nuvance.

The center will be finished in 2027, but the “doors” are open already, with practitioners offering: primary care, gynecology, breast surgery, cardiology, and behavioral health. This is in addition to existing hospital services such as mammograms, bone density testing, pulmonary care, and gastroenterology. Future hires at the center will include: family medicine, urogynecology, nutrition, and osteoporosis care. Menopause support—an often-overlooked area—will be woven into all specialties. To make an appointment, call 860210-5535. —Nuvancehealth.org

— By Michelle Madden

Our mission is to nourish and nurture our community by providing fresh, wholesome, and delicious foods made with ingredients from local farmers, growers, and producers.

Holiday Gift Guide

If your holiday season starts off at a steady, spirited pace, but turns into a dash for the finish, you’re not alone. There’s a LOT to do, not the least of which is finding ideal gifts for everyone on your list. Take heart. Artisans, procurers, and professionals across Litchfield County are ready to lighten your load with their unique, top-quality wares and services…keeping your Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa celebrations magical from now until the new year!

› TO YOUR HEALTH

Cheers to everyone on your list feeling their best this year! At Core Luxe, Pilates is for all people — they believe every BODY can benefit. Perfect for fitness lovers or those new to Pilates, their packages offer tailored reformer classes designed to strengthen the body, improve balance, and enhance the mind-body connection. Choose from group or private sessions in their serene boutique studio for a truly transformative experience. $125 (New Clients: 3 Classes) or $350 (Existing Clients: 12 Classes) through 12/31/25. Call to purchase.

CORE LUXE PILATES, 710B Bantam Road, Suite B, Bantam, 860-477- LUXE (5893), coreluxepilates.com

‹ WHAT A GEM

Add some sparkle for the holidays and all days! These lustrous French, multi-gem earrings are handwrought in 18-karat yellow gold with rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. Dating to 1960, these mid-20th century stunners are something she can carry off at a cocktail party, or with jeans and a black turtleneck. Price upon request. If it’s not quite the pair you had in mind, peruse their extensive collection of one-ofa-kind pieces from every period at their New Preston shop. Holiday hours Wednesday - Sunday, 11 - 5.

HAYS WORTHINGTON, 13 East Shore Road, New Preston, 860-619-0714, haysworthington.com

‹ BEAUTY OF THE SEASON

A trip to Byrde + the b is always a treat, but this season it’s all the more special because of their Environ Triawave Facial. This state-of-the-art offering combines three technologies to lift and tone facial muscles, while deeply infusing vital nutrients into the skin, improving fine lines, wrinkles, uneven tone and sagging skin without downtime. For the skincare lover in your life, what could make a more happy holiday than that?

BYRDE + THE B, 43 West Street, Litchfield, 860-619-0422, byrdeandtheb.com

› SPARKLING BRIGHT

Move over gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Lumeniri in New Milford offers cultivated luxury for the modern jewelry gift-giver. The first of three stunners this holiday season is a striking blue east-west set marquise labgrown diamond — perfect for a pinky, cocktail or modern engagement ring ($2,195). The second is a soulful, symbolic evil eye medallion featuring a blue lab-grown diamond ($2,695). Finally, the graduated Riviera diamond necklace is a refined and fluid, non-tennis take on timeless luxury ($3,195). All three are set in 14K gold, and custom designs are always welcome.

LUMENIRI, 7 Kent Road, New Milford, 312-320-3797, lumeniri.com

‹ MINDFUL MERRYMAKING

What’s worth more than good health? This holiday season, you can give the gift of wellness with a gift card to LPIH, a boutique studio featuring Pilates, yoga, health coaching, and more. Help your loved ones start the new year feeling stronger and more centered … it’s the perfect way to show you care. Gift card purchases over $150 include a free pair of grip socks (hello, stocking stuffer!); gift card purchases over $500 receive $50 bonus through 12/31/25.

LITCHFIELD PILATES & INTEGRATIVE HEALTH, 2 Green Hill Road, Washington Depot, 860-318-6283, litchfieldpilatesandintegrativehealth.com

‹ THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Year after year, Litchfield Distillery makes it so easy to give the spirit lover in your life something to look forward to. For 2025, their Founders’ Reserve release showcases an exquisite 8-year bourbon whiskey crafted from 100% Connecticutgrown grains and bottled at 100 proof. Aged to perfection, this rich, full-bodied bourbon reveals layers of caramel, butterscotch, and a hint of cinnamon on the finish — could those flavors be more apropos? It’s even ready for gifting in a striking, foil-stamped holiday gift box. $74.95

LITCHFIELD DISTILLERY, 569 Bantam Road, Litchfield, 860-361-6503 LitchfieldDistillery.com

› GIFTS OF WELLNESS

This season, share the joy of health and balance with those you love - or treat yourself. Charym, Litchfield’s top yoga and movement studio, offers a wide variety of yoga styles, Pilates, dance, meditation, sound baths, and more. Gift certificates, class packages, and memberships make perfect presents, or you can shop their curated selection of yoga mats, natural skincare, and essential oils. Another option — hosting a private wellness retreat for family and friends! Celebrate the season with the most meaningful gift — well-being.

CHARYM YOGA & MOVEMENT STUDIO, 174 West St., Litchfield, 860-245-8586, charym.com

‹ THE GIFT OF SANCTUARY

A Spaliday in the Hills is the perfect gift to pamper your loved one this giving season. This limitededition holiday spa package features a 50-Minute CauseMedic Botanical Pain Relief Massage, OSEA Organic Spa Facial, Spa Pedicure, and Spa Manicure. They’ll unwind in the serene atmosphere of The Spa at Litchfield Hills — you’ll be the reason they emerge renewed and glowing. Gift cards can be purchased online, by phone, or in the boutique. In-store pickup or shipping available. $435

THE SPA AT LITCHFIELD HILLS, 407A Bantam Rd., Litchfield, 860-567-8575, litchfield-spa.com

‹ MOVED BY THE THOUGHT

This holiday, surprise your loved ones with the magic of MOMIX at the Warner Theatre in Torrington. The dance-illusionist company’s live performances create unforgettable moments, spark conversation, and bring everyone closer together. Their newest show ‘Botanica, Season 2’ plunges audiences into a visual kaleidoscope, celebrating human form and the imagery and magic of the four seasons. For 45 years, Washington-based MOMIX has brought beauty and wonder to stages worldwide…creating memories that last long after the curtain falls! $45-75, February 21 & 22.

MOMIX, P.O. Box 1035 / 35 Bell Hill Rd., Washington, 860-868-7454, momix.com

WHIMSICAL AND SOPHISTICATED GLASS AND GOLD HOUSEWARES ARE THE PERFECT GIFT FOR YOUR HOSTESS—OR YOURSELF

The New Preston shop of the interior design team Eleish van Breems overflows with elegant items for the home—but the delights don’t stop there. From large to small, from silly to sublime, from advent calendars to ornaments to a menagerie of tiny felted animals, everything you need for the holidays is here. 1 and 9) Wild Collection Murano glass tumblers in coffee and cream ($175) 2) large green carafe ($225) 3) Natur Porcelain dinnerware from Sweden, including dinner ($65) and dessert plates ($50), a bread plate ($60), and a round one-handle bowl ($75) 4) Ebba large vase in amber ($575) 5 and 6) Elegante candlesticks in forest green with white rims ($975 for the tall candlestick, $825 for the low version) 7 and 12) set of three Kin brass candleholders ($80) 8) Lina blue dinner plate ($95) 10) Augarten x Eleish van Breems porcelain and gold champagne cup in light blue ($235) 11) Ebba large vase in green ($575) 13) Bubbles tealights in green and gray ($40 each).

ELEISH VAN BREEMS HOME, 11 Main St., New Preston, 860-868-0066. —evbantiques.com 8 11 12 3 6 9

BEAUTY IN UNUSUAL PLACES

BY

Michael Trapp, on opening page and at right (with husband M. Michael Meller) , does holiday decorations in his trademark style of voluptuous exoticism.

THE RENOVATED DUTCH BARN in Sharon—where Michael Trapp stores the antiques and architectural fragments he sells—is filled with the items that have helped establish his reputation for originality.

The labyrinth of spaces inside the barn is a treasure trove of metalwork, pottery, and colonial furniture amassed from years of traveling to exotic locales to discover distinctive interior items.

While the variety of pieces underscores how Trapp harnesses an eclectic style for his work as an antiques dealer and interior and landscape designer, the juxtaposing of old and new to create timeless environments also informs how he lives at home in Sharon.

Inside the 18th-century farmhouse that he shares with his husband, equestrian M. Michael Meller, Trapp has created interiors imbued with baroque qualities that radiate a unique warmth. The barn and the farmhouse where he lives sit on a 22-acre property in Sharon.

A towering evergreen adds holiday color to the living room, anchored by red sofas and chairs. The upper reaches of the double-height room are adorned with swooping animal skeletons, including whale bones found in the Spice Islands. Trapp’s decorations highlight seasonal bits of nature found close to home: apples, dried flower blossoms, pine cones, extravagantly tall birch branches painted bright red.

“Eclectic is a gentle way of describing my aesthetic,” says Trapp, who spent his early life living in Europe with a father who was a professor of logistics in the Air Force. The family eventually settled in Ohio, where he studied landscape architecture before selling architectural items at antiques shows nationwide.

“Most people just call my style unusual, but the truth is I’m curious about so many things, and I simply collect things I find beautiful.”

Uncovering eclectic beauty is evident inside a home he spent years renovating. Though the exterior of the eyebrow colonial has hardly changed, the interiors underwent a renovation that included removing walls, doors, and staircases. The demolition transformed a once-dilapidated house into a 3,000-square-foot residence that Trapp says reflects his taste.

“It looks innocent on the outside, but the interiors went through a real demolition,” he adds. “It was the kind of place with wonderful possibilities, if you’re willing to put in the work.”

Trapp’s penchant for creating unusual yet beautiful interiors is on display in the home’s living and

dining rooms, where sofas covered in 19th-century deep-red wool carpets from Anatolia share space with a whale’s skeleton suspended above the dining room table. (The hulking piece was procured from a museum in the Spice Islands in Indonesia, and assembled by Trapp and two assistants.)

Walls in the room are covered in blue-and-white porcelain Ming Swatow plates salvaged from a 16th-century shipwreck off the coast of Sumatra. Two 19th-century Spanish chandeliers hover above 17th-century bluestone flooring in a living room dotted with pillars and other historical relics gathered from his years of global traveling.

“Nothing is ever truly finished,” Trapp explains. “But you take enormous comfort in knowing that you’ve created something that fits your life.”

Trapp says he’s rarely at home for the holidays, but that he and his husband enjoy occasionally infusing the interiors with seasonal cheer. Unlike the eclectic tastes that typically influence the home’s interiors, he leans toward more restrained Christmas decorations, as a contrast to his surroundings. A tastefully decorated evergreen tree is the centerpiece in a living room with tables outfitted with baby’s breath flowers, foliage, and coral-colored Tibetan beads. A 19th-century Italian terracotta urn is filled with birch branches painted fire engine red.

“It’s a season of feeling grateful to be in such a lovely, unspoiled part of Connecticut,” says Trapp, who spends months each year traveling the world in search of architectural items for his clients, and to sell in his West Cornwall store. “We’re just really lucky to live here.” —michaeltrapp.com

ELIZABETH MACDONALD

Tastings Brings Michelin Talent Home

Chef Cédric Durand Elevates Litchfield County Dining

...

BY CLEMENTINA VERGE

TASTINGS, the renowned New York-based culinary and event agency, is officially expanding its presence to Litchfield County, marking an exciting new chapter for the company and the region. The move brings chef Cédric Durand, a celebrated figure on the international gastronomic scene, to the area, further enhancing Tastings’ reputation for exceptional culinary experiences. Hailing from Toulouse, France, Durand built an extraordinary career rooted in Michelin-starred training, mastering classical techniques while developing his own creative vision. In 2007, he joined the Payard team in New York City under Alexandra Morris, who at

the time oversaw the company’s catering operations. Recognizing his exceptional talent, Morris immediately placed her trust in him, securing his first U.S. visa and launching his American culinary journey, a defining moment in his career.

After Payard closed in 2009, Morris and Durand reunited in 2011 at Tastings. He initially served as sous-chef before rising to the position of chef from 2013 to 2022, a period marked by numerous milestones. Together, they orchestrated prestigious events, including catering for each of the French presidents visiting New York, achievements that hold special significance for

ties with Tastings, demonstrating his continued commitment to the company and its growth.

Today, he returns to collaborate once more with Morris on Tastings’ Litchfield County expansion. His vision, expertise, and deep knowledge of local producers are key to this venture, ensuring a unique blend of international culinary excellence with local authenticity. “Alexandra trusted me from the very beginning, when I was very young. She has always had the ability to inspire confidence and reliability. “Today, I’m thrilled to develop this symbolic project in Litchfield County,” Durand says.

This partnership signals a new era for Tastings, solidifying its position as a leading force in luxury culinary experiences and event management. With Durand’s return, Tastings is poised to create unforgettable gastronomic moments for the Litchfield County community, combining refined technique, artistic presentation, and thoughtful sourcing. The collaboration emphasizes dedication to exceptional cuisine, respect for tradition, and a drive for innovation, ensuring that each event becomes a memorable experience.

Durand. His leadership in the kitchen, combined with Morris’s visionary approach, allowed Tastings to establish a reputation for excellence, creativity, and flawless service.

In 2018, Durand opened Gaudir, the restaurant at Tastings’ TownHouse in New York City, further cementing his position in the culinary world. He later joined Le Gratin, Daniel Boulud’s esteemed restaurant, contributing to its celebrated offerings and gaining invaluable experience in high-level gastronomy. Eventually, he moved to Litchfield County to assist with the launch of the acclaimed Pink House, all while maintaining close

As Tastings expands, the synergy between Alexandra Morris and Cédric Durand highlights a commitment to excellence, a passion for storytelling through food, and a vision embracing both global influences and local charm. Tastings continues its exciting growth, taking a new turn with the arrival of Anissa Arichi, who joins the team alongside Alexandra Morris and is in charge of marketing and strategic brand development. This next chapter promises to elevate Litchfield County’s culinary scene, offering residents and visitors alike the signature Tastings experience — renowned for creativity, sophistication, and remarkable attention to detail. —bytastings.com

Helping HANDS

In Litchfield County, it truly takes a village—and now more than ever, our neighbors and local organizations need support. Across our towns, nonprofits do incredible work helping people and animals alike, but they can’t do it alone. From food pantries and pet shelters to schools, libraries, arts organizations, and land trusts, there are countless ways to lend a hand. Reach out to your favorite local nonprofits and see how you can make a difference in our community today.

Housatonic Youth Service Bureau

Strengthening the emotional health of youth and families through free behavioral health services and empowerment programs in the Northwest Corner.—hysb.org

The Little Guild

For more than 60 years, The Little Guild has been dedicated to rescuing, healing, and individually nurturing homeless dogs and cats. —littleguild.org

Habitat for Humanity of NWCT

Building stronger communities, helping families achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Donate or volunteer. —habitatnwct.org

Sharon Audubon Center

A nature education center with four nature sanctuaries and more than 2,100 primarily wooded acres, a Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic, trails, exhibits, summer programs for children and more. Donate or volunteer. —sharon.audubon.org

Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Litchfield County

Health and hospice care services to Litchfield County, including home nursing, and clinics for blood pressure, vaccinations, and more. —vnhlc.org

ASAP!

A nonprofit fostering creative learning through the arts for diverse families across 100 towns since 1999.—asapct.org

Steep Rock Association

Protects more than 5,500 acres of land, promoting healthy ecosystems, preserving natural resources, and providing recreational opportunities.

—steeprockassoc.org

Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust

Protects open space and natural resources in Woodbury, actively identifying future land preservation opportunities. —flandersnaturecenter.org

Animal Welfare Society

Since 1965 has rescued hundreds of homeless cats and dogs, providing care and finding them loving homes.

—aws-shelter.org

Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition

Promotes science and education to ensure high-quality water in the Pomperaug Watershed through collaboration and community engagement.—pomperaug.org

FISH: Friends in Service to Humanity of NWCT

Supports the homeless with a 35-bed shelter, and meets food needs for 643 families at the FISH Food Pantry year-round in Torrington. —fishnwct.com

Helping Hands for Wildlife

Dedicate themselves to rehabilitating injured or orphaned native wildlife, releasing them back into their natural habitats.

—helpinghandsforwildlife.org

Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals

Offers affordable mental health services in Litchfield County, matching individuals with resources for emotional and psychological support.—greenwoodsreferrals.org

JP Farm Animal Sanctuary

A safe haven for rescued farm animals, the sanctuary promotes compassion, shares inspiring stories, and fosters deep connections with visitors.—jpfarmsanctuary.org

Project SAGE

Works to create a community free of domestic violence, providing a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, and education.—project-sage.org

Food Rescue US/NWCT

Mission is to fill plates, not landfills. Involves 39 donors, 130 volunteers, and 28 food pantries serving 20,000 foodinsecure residents in Litchfield County.—foodrescue.us

Loaves and Fishes Hospitality House

For more than three decades, New Milford’s Loaves and Fishes has provided daily meals, inspired by the motto “Feed the hungry, empower the weak.” — loavesfishesnewmilford.org

Susan B. Anthony Project

Offers 24/7 crisis and support services for domestic violence and sexual assault victims. Support their efforts this holiday season. Sponsor a family.—sbaproject.org

New

Milford Hospital

Join New Milford Hospital’s team of volunteers to make a difference. Opportunities include animal assistance, music therapy, hospitality, and more. Email volunteer@ nuvancehealth.org or call 203-739-7277.

In Litchfield County, many local nonprofits support people, animals, and the environment, from food pantries, land trusts, to pet shelters. These organizations rely on community support, so consider reaching out to your favorites to find out how you can help.

From left to right, clockwise: FISH NWCT, JP Farm Animal Sanctuary, Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition, ASAP!, Little Guild, Susan B. Anthony, and Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Litchfield County

Camella’s Cupboard

Provides year-round hunger relief to children, seniors, and vulnerable populations in Greater New Milford, without bias.—camellascupboard.com

Chore Service

Since 1992, Chore Service has provided essential nonmedical support for seniors and disabled residents in northwest Connecticut, fostering a healthy community. —choreservice.org

Literacy Volunteers on the Green

Offers free English literacy instruction to adults in Litchfield and northern Fairfield Counties, promoting independence through reading, writing, and speaking skills.—lvg-ct.org

The Donkey’s Cross Rescue and Sanctuary

Rescues and rehabilitates unwanted donkeys. Their mission now extends to helping special needs children through their

“Read to a Donkey” program.—thedonkeyscross.org

Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy

Protects more than 12,000 acres of natural and working lands, including 23 public preserves and 30-plus farms.—ctland.org

Housatonic Valley Association

A Tri-state nonprofit dedicated to conserving the Housatonic watershed’s natural character and health, through land and water protection, water quality monitoring, and trail development.—hvatoday.org

CJR Impact

Providing the necessary therapeutic treatment, education, and support for young people and their families to promote positive change and transform lives. —cjrimpact.org

Lime Rock Drivers Club

A Life in the Fast Lane

BY CLEMENTINA VERGE

JEWELRY DESIGNER. Former pastry chef. Licensed race car driver. Jill Brody embodies reinvention—a woman living with precision and bold creativity. From Barefoot Contessa kitchens to the curves of Lime Rock Park’s worldclass track in Salisbury, Brody’s life is a master class in passion pursued without hesitation.

Her journey began with gemstones. A teenage trip to New York’s Fashion District sparked a lifelong love for jewelry, inspiring her to launch Jill Lynn & Co. at 19. She opened her first boutique in Sag Harbor in 2005, later relocating to Southampton.

Brody’s artistic instincts extended into the culinary world; during her time as a baker for The Barefoot Contessa, she created artwork for the menu boards featured in cookbooks and shops. Then, in a bold pivot, she shut it all down and moved to Con-

necticut with her family to build something deeper. As life slowed, driving got faster, she laughs.

In summer 2020, she bought her dream car: a Porsche Cayman. A car control clinic introduced her to Lime Rock Drivers Club, and that changed everything.

“I’ve always loved cars. My dad used to take us on the highway in his ‘third car’ just to feel the speed,” she reminisces.

“Once my kids were older, I had more time, and I rediscovered that part of myself.”

Today, Brody is a licensed Sports Car Club of America driver, piloting a Porsche GT4 and BMW M2 Competition, both meticulously tuned for the track. Joining Lime Rock made it all possible, she asserts with certainty.

“It’s more than a track—it’s a community,” she says. “The coaches, led by club director Simon Kirkby, are world-class.

One day you’re driving alongside professional racers, the next with passionate beginners. Everyone respects the drive.”

Few women occupy this space, but she’s always felt respected.

“No one treats you like you don’t belong,” she says. “The Drivers Club is welcoming; it’s about passion and mindset.”

Camaraderie is a hallmark of the Lime Rock Drivers Club, where membership grants access to private track days, one-onone coaching, advanced clinics, and five-star hospitality. Perks extend beyond Salisbury, with reciprocal privileges at 13 other race tracks in the United States.

The club’s historic 1.5-mile track—steeped in 65 years of motorsport legacy—is easy to learn, but incredibly difficult to master.

“No day at Lime Rock is ever the same,” says Brody. “It forces you to be present: alert, calm,

connected. It’s almost meditative—but with adrenaline and horsepower. It’s not recklessness. It’s precision.”

Off the track, Brody balances high-octane days with the slow joys of rural life: coffee, laughter, and Sunday drives down the Merritt Parkway with friends. In her Wilton studio, she crafts elegant, heirloom-quality jewelry pieces— until it’s time to get back on track.

“People ask if it’s dangerous. I say, so is crossing the street,” she declares. “What’s life if you don’t chase the thing that lights you up?”

For Brody—and her fellow Lime Rock Drivers Club members—that pursuit happens full-throttle, one thrilling turn at a time.

For membership details, contact Simon or Jeanette at limerockclub.com. Jill Brody’s jewelry can be found online at jilllynnandco.com.

A CIPOLETTI CHRISTMAS

From City Streets to Country Hearths

BY BRANDEE COLEMAN GILMORE / PHOTOGRAPHS BY ASHLEY NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

(Previous page)

Content creators Jenny and Freddie Cipoletti with daughters Lucy, 5, and Mia, 2, on the porch of their 1840 Colonial Revival, Sunnymead, in Litchfield. Velvet ribbons, fragrant spruces, and sumptuous knits mingle with period-appropriate detailing and vintage furniture to paint a tableau of classic Christmas.

“W

HEN I THINK OF CHRISTMAS, I THINK OF TRADITION, of the kind of warmth that’s passed down through generations. It’s the smell of butter and pine, the glow of candlelight on brass, the comfort of rituals repeated year after year.”

If Jenny Cipoletti’s gift is to paint a “romantic life well-lived” with words, it’s her husband Freddie’s gift to cook it up (literally), or to conjure it in images—with Jenny comfortably poised as muse.

“From the very beginning, our partnership has been rooted in shared creativity and mutual respect for each other’s talents,” says Jenny.

If you don’t know the Cipolettis, that could be because they’re relatively new in these parts. They bought their Litchfield home, Sunnymead, in July 2024. But the Cipolettis aren’t new on the scene; they’re household names to the couple’s combined half-million Instagram followers. The pair built a brand on their dolce vita-inspired lifestyle, and as their following has grown for a decade-plus, so has their purview. In the past five years, they’ve launched Jenny Cipoletti Jewelry; Italian provisions company Cucina Cipoletti (find their pastas on shelves at Petraroia Deli, Warren General, 100 Main, and Milton Market); and brought two daughters, Lucy and Mia, into the world.

“Our work is an extension of our life, the places we’ve traveled, the meals we’ve shared, the family we’ve built.”

Freddie was born and raised in New York City, Jenny in Palo Alto, Calif. They’ve lived in an art deco apartment in Los Angeles and a brownstone in New York, but a pandemic-era trip to Washington’s Mayflower Inn got them thinking about greener pastures.

“There was something about that golden pocket of Connecticut, the beauty of the landscape, the quiet rhythm of life, that planted a seed in our hearts,” Jenny says.

Fast-forward five years, and their combined creative powers have given them an 1840 Colonial Revival to call home. Sunnymead was the only house they looked at.

“The moment we walked through the doors, we could see our life unfolding here. It felt warm, lived-in, and full of stories waiting to be continued,” Jenny recalls.

And perhaps no family tale is as exciting to write as the holidays in a new home.

By “layering nostalgia with beauty” Jenny aims to create “an atmosphere where memories feel tangible, where you can almost hear the echo of laughter and the clinking of glasses through time—decorating in a way that feels storied rather than staged.”

“The architecture itself seems made for it: the wide hallways, the big windows that let in winter light, the scent of pancakes on a slow morning. It’s in those moments, surrounded by family and the quiet beauty of the season, that I’m reminded how deeply place and memory are intertwined, and how I am creating those same core memories for our girls,” she says.

The Cipolettis are working with Litchfield-based architect/interior designer Julia Metcalf, and Litchfield millworker/designer Jessica Fabri to renovate the home’s kitchen and master suite—while a captivated fan base follows Jenny sifting through fabric swatches, and tackling the DIY to-do list. Behind the scenes, life as usual is anything but for the former city dwellers.

“Living just five minutes walk from downtown Litchfield gives us the best of both worlds, the quiet charm of a historic neighborhood with the ease of modern convenience… I can’t wait to fill these rooms and our new kitchen with the people I love most, to have my family gathered under one roof, laughter echoing through the halls, and traditions both old and new woven together. It’s in those moments that Christmas becomes more than a season. It becomes a living memory, growing richer and more meaningful with each passing year.” n

E ATS

KENT CLASSIC

52 Years of the Fife ’n Drum

BY CHARLES DUBOW

› Watching Elissa Potts prepare her famous roast half duck flambé tableside is to see a master at work. The confident way she swirls the pan and ignites the duck with a blue flame is pure restaurant theater—and the result is absolutely delicious. Of course, as the owner of celebrated local favorite Fife ’n Drum in Kent she’s had a lot of practice. “How many times have I done this?” she laughs. “Try at least once a

day six days a week for 52 years.”

Potts’s father, Dolph Traymon, opened the Fife back in 1973, well before the Litchfield Hills became the popular weekend destination it is today. “There weren’t many other fine dining establishments up here back then,” she says. “And none are still owned by the same family.”

And Potts is a hands-on owner. When not making the duck—or the

filet au poivre or Caesar salad tableside, while wearing the same blue striped shirt and necktie as the rest of her veteran staff—she’s waiting tables and chatting with her legion of regular customers. Her presence is part of the Fife’s charm, along with the dark wood paneling and beams, roaring fireplace, and the always-busy long bar that give the place its authentic old-school ambience.

What also makes dining at the Fife

photographs by JIM HENKENS

so special is its consistency. For more than a half-century—such longevity is remarkable in the restaurant world— it has continued to serve reliably delicious classic American cuisine. There is nothing innovative on the menu. Nothing is cooked sous vide or with liquid nitrogen. In addition to its tableside favorites, highlights from the menu include the pan-seared pork chop in a cherry port wine sauce, the blackened salmon with a fresh herb chimichurri sauce, chicken parm over linguini, and steak frites. A special treat served only on Fridays is the roast prime rib au jus, cooked to pink perfection. For a more casual meal,

you can’t go wrong with their French dip, corned beef Reuben or Cowboy Burger, made with cheddar, bacon, BBQ sauce, and onion rings.

Because Dolph Traymon was a Juilliard-educated pianist who accompanied such greats as Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee before opening the Fife, it soon became known not just for its food but also for live music. For years, Traymon himself on the Fife’s Steinway piano was the main entertainment. After his death in 2016, such local musicians as David Grausman (winner of Litchfield Magazine’s 2025 Reader’s Choice award for Best Musician) and Potts’s husband,

George, a talented guitarist, have become regular attractions.

Traymon’s other significant legacy is the Fife’s 7,000 bottle wine cellar, which is known for both its selection of many of the world’s greatest wines—for example, a nearly complete range of Opus One dating back to 1984 and a plethora of regal Bordeaux and Burgundies—and the reasonableness of its prices. Unsurprisingly, this cellar, which rivals any found in New York City, has been awarded Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence every year since 1992.

Fife ’n Drum Restaurant, 5 Main St., Kent —fifendrum.com

Bantam

ARETHUSA A MANO

Baked goods, sandwiches (some made with Arethusa cheeses), espresso drinks. 833 Bantam Rd. 860-567-5722 arethusafarm.com I

ARETHUSA AL TAVOLO

Exquisite cuisine and superior service. 828 Bantam Rd. 860-567-0043 arethusaaltavolo.com E

JACKIE’S

Casual Bantam staple serving breakfast and lunch. 920 Bantam Rd. 860-567-0770 I

LA CATRINA OF BANTAM

Ttraditional Mexican recipes, modern cooking techniques. 810 Bantam Rd. 860-361-6401 lacatrinabantam.com M

WOOD’S PIT BBQ

BBQ dishes, sandwiches, and traditional Mexican fare. 123 Bantam Lake Rd. 860-567-9869 I

ZINI’S

Presenting a modern twist on traditional favorites. 938 Bantam Rd. 860-567-1613 zinisrestaurant.com M

Bethlehem

OLIVA ON MAIN

Serving delicious Mediterranean specialties and wine. 15 Main St. S / 203-266-5558 olivacafe.com M-E

Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER BISTRO

Seasonal local, sustainable, food in a charming space. 27 Main St. S / 860-354-2863 bridgewatervillagestoreandbistro.com M

North Canaan

BLACKBERRY RIVER BISTRO

Serving delicious made-from-

scratch food. 99 Main St. 860-453-4067 M

INDUSTRY KITCHEN & BAR

Tacos, wings, steaks, and more. Happy hour from 3-5 pm Wednesday to Friday. 14 Railroad St. / 860-453-4317 Industrykitchenbar.com I

PICANTE’S CANAAN

Mexican food prepared fresh every day. Outdoor dining.

499 Ashley Falls Rd. 860-453-4271

picantescanaan.com I

TRACKSIDE TACOS

Mexican favorites served in a historical railroad car.

37 Main St. 959-227-9024

@tracksidetacos on FB I

West Cornwall

THE PINK HOUSE

Upscale cuisine in a lovely setting near the Covered Bridge.

34 Lower River Rd. 860-248-3207 thepinkhousect.com M

Falls Village

THE FALLS VILLAGE INN

Comfort fare served in a historical landmark.

33 Railroad St. / 860-824-0033 thefallsvillageinn.com M

MOUNTAINSIDE CAFE

Farm-to-table versions of classic American fare, served at breakfast and lunch.

251 Rte. 7 S 860-824-7876 mountainside.com/cafe I

OFF THE TRAIL CAFE

A popular stop for hikers, cyclists, and locals for breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

107 Main St. 860-206-7098 offthetrailcafe.com I Kent

45 ON MAIN

Espresso drinks, candy galore, and more. Sweet tooth mecca.

45 N. Main St. 860-592-0171 I

COZZY’S PIZZERIA

Serving up a fast-casual dining experience. Pizza and salads. 24 N Main St. 860-927-1551 I

FIFE ’N DRUM

Enjoy live music and great food at this Kent staple. 53 Main St. 860-927-3509 fifendrum.com M-E

THE KENT KITCHEN

Fresh sushi, burgers, sandwiches, ramen, and more. 12 N Main St. 860-592-0015

KENT PIZZA GARDEN

Delicious pizza plus full menu, fun atmosphere, full bar. 17 Railroad St. 860-927-3733 kentpizzagarden.com M

KINGSLEY TAVERN

Wide variety of fresh and local food in a friendly, casual setting. 14 N Main St. / 860-592-0261 kingsleytavern.com M

NO. 109 CHEESE MARKET

Gorgeous sandwiches on baguette, made with artisan cheeses and charcuterie. 6 Kent Green Blvd. 860-592-0366 109cheeseandwine.com M

ORE HILL

Fine dining. Intimate farmfocused tasting menu. 3 Maple St. 860-592-0404 orehillandswyft.com E

SWYFT

Small plates, wood-fired pizzas in a Scandinavian setting. 3 Maple St. 860-592-0404 orehillandswyft.com M

THE VILLAGER RESTAURANT

Breakfast and lunch at this popular spot. Outdoor patio. 28 N Main St. 860-927-1555 villagerkent.com I

WILSON’S BY HIGH WATCH

Popular breakfast and lunch spot, espresso drinks.

8 N Main St. / 959-300-0080 wilsonsbyhighwatch.com I

Lakeville

BLACK RABBIT

Gastropub cuisine, lobster rolls, Sunday brunch. Popular bar with sports on TV. 2 Ethan Allen St. 860-596-4227 blackrabbitbarandgrille.com M

FERN

Chic spot with artisanal woodfired pizzas, salads, pasta. 9 Sharon Rd. 860-596-1930 fernlakeville.com M

ON THE RUN

Popular coffee spot serving breakfast and lunch. 4 Ethan Allen St. 860-435-2007 I

THE BOATHOUSE AT LAKEVILLE

Known for burgers, sushi, friendly service. Popular spot for dining at the bar. 349 Main St. 860-435-2111 theboathouseatlakeville.com M

THE WOODLAND

Large selection of favorites and specials at iconic local eatery. Famous for fresh sushi. 192 Sharon Rd. 860-435-0578 thewoodlandrestaurant.com M

Litchfield

@ THE CORNER

Comfort food and fine dining. 3 West St. / 860-567-8882 athecorner.com M

BELDEN HOUSE

Seasonal products, often starring seafood. Beautiful space. 31 North St. / 860-337-2099 beldenhouse.com E

BOHEMIAN PIZZA & TACOS

Pizza, tacos, and drinks. 342 Bantam Rd. 860-567-3980

bohemianpizzaandtacos.com M

THE COURTHOUSE AT THE ABNER HOTEL

Elegant ambience with a

diverse menu, great service. 15 West St. / 860-898-8000 theabnerhotel.com M

DA CAPO

Italian food, casual atmosphere. 625 Torrington Rd. 860-482-6246 dacapolitchfield.com M

LOST FOX TAVERN & RESTAURANT

1740s tavern transformed into a chic space. Seasonal menus with updated classics. 571 Torrington Rd. 860-222-0855 lostfoxinn.com M

MAGGIE’S TAVERN

Casual farm-to-table dining at the bar in this Relais & Chateaux inn. 155 Alain White Rd. 860-567-9600 winvian.com M

MARKET PLACE TAVERN

Burgers, pasta, seafood. 7 North St. / 860-361-9930 mptavern.com M

MATERIA RISTORANTE

Fine Italian dining; excellent food, cocktails, and service. 637 Bantam Rd. 860-567-3326 materiaristo.com M

MERAKI

Delicious take-out; high-quality sandwiches and salads. Catering. 239 West St. / 860-361-9777 merakifood.com M

PATTY’S RESTAURANT

Casual eatery whipping up classic diner specialties. 499 Bantam Rd. 860-567-3335 pattyslitchfield.com I

PETRAROIA DELI

Sandwiches, salads, prepared foods in this beautiful deli. 33 West St. / 860-361-6006 petraroiadeli.com I

SAGE AND SALT

New all-American menu at the former Saltwater Grille.

26 Commons Dr. 860-567-4900 sageandsaltct.com M

THE VERDICT

Local beers, cocktails, and a friendly rooftop setting. 15 West St. 860-567-4137 theabnerhotel.com M

TOAST & CO.

Avocado toast, sandwiches, egg dishes, specialty drinks. 18 Commons Dr. 860-567-0301 toastandco.com I

THE VILLAGE RESTAURANT

Neighborhood haunt serving large portions of bar food. 25 West St. 860-567-8307 village-litchfield.com M

WEST STREET GRILL

This cozy, often star-studded mecca is home to great dining. 43 West St. 860-567-3885 weststreetgrill.com E

WINVIAN

Fine dining, with fresh and seasonal foods. 155 Alain White Rd. 860-567-9600 winvian.com E

Morris

La Güera Cantina

Traditional Mexican favorites, open for lunch and dinner. 5 Watertown Rd. 860-361-6438 I

PENNY FARTHING TEA ROOM

British-inspired meals, delicious teas. 1 Watertown Rd. 860-361-6109 britsbrand.com I

New Milford

AL DENTE RISTORANTE

Pizza, seafood, chicken, and house-made desserts. 7 Main St. 860-799-0059 aldentenewmilford.com M

A TASTE OF RIO

Brazilian barbecue, fresh grilled meats, and buffet. 12 Danbury Rd. 860-799-0599 M

COLOSSEO

Sharing the family’s Italian heritage, serving traditional dishes. Brick oven pizza. 38 Park Lane Rd. 860-350-9596 colosseoristorante.com M

COWBOY BUTTER

Live fire cookery and “boujee barbecue” bistro. 59 Bank St. 860-717-4416 cowboybutterbbq.com M

GRASSROOTS ICE CREAM

Classics, plus flavors like blood orange chocolate chip, goat cheese blackberry, dark coffee. 12 Bank St. 860-799-0057 grassrootsicecream.com I

GRECA MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN +

BAR

Fresh grilled fish, grilled meats, and small plates in a Mediterranean style. 1 Kent Rd. 860-799-6586 grecamed.com M

THE IRON RAIL

Casual and modern steakhouse with classic menu.

10 Railroad St. / 860-799-5606 theironrailct.com M

LA PICCOLINA

Northern Italian cuisine on the town Green. Locally grown ingredients prepared in modern combinations.

27 Main St. 860-210-9669 lapiccolinact.com M

LUCIA RISTORANTE

This charming spot offers Northern Italian fare. Prosciutto di Parma rollatini, bucatini carbonara, and

quattro stagioni pizza. 51 Bank St. 860-355-5100 luciaofnewmilford.com M

MOMMA’S TACOS

Casual eatery serving fresh Mexican cuisine. 17 Church St. 860-717-4577 mommas-tacos.com I

RIVER & RAIL CAFE

Café menu served in a modern, pretty space. 21 Bank St. 860-799-7272 riverandrailcafe.com I

SPARROW BAR + RESTAURANT

Tacos, duck fried rice, grilled pork loin banh mi. 31 Bank St. / 860-799-7111 sparrowbyjb.com M

TANDOORI FLAMES

Authentic Indian cuisine with a friendly atmosphere. Chicken

tikka masala, tandoori mixed grill, vegan korma, and amazing cocktails from full bar. 471 Danbury Rd. 860-210-0020 M

THAI CHARM RESTAURANT

Thai food including chicken satay and pad thai. 218 Kent Rd. 860-799-5271 thaicharmct.com I-M

VEGA’S MEXICAN KITCHEN & BAR

Street tacos and classic Mexican fare. Full bar. 24 Railroad St. 860-799-0873 vegasmexican.com I

YOKOHAMA

Classic and modern sushi, plus other Japanese cuisine. 131 Danbury Rd. 860-355-0556 smorefood.com M

New Preston

THE HAYLOFT WINE BAR

Gourmet morsels and local wine served in a space overlooking Lake Waramaug. 25 Hopkins Rd. 860-868-7954 M

THE OWL WINE & FOOD BAR

Kale salads, brick oven pizzas, amazing short rib sliders, bar in relaxed setting. 18 E Shore Rd. 860-619-0585 owlnewpreston.com M

THE SMITHY CAFE @ 9 MAIN

A neighborhood hot spot serving breakfast and lunch. 9 Main St. 860-619-0699 cafeat9main.com I-M

THE SMITHY MARKET

Specialty groceries from local farms and vendors. 10 Main St. / 860-868-9003 thesmithymarket.com M

WHITE HORSE COUNTRY PUB

English pub food in authentic pub atmosphere with large bar and patio. 258 New Milford Tpke. 860-868-1496

whitehorsecountrypub.com M

Salisbury

NEO RESTAURANT & BAR

Woodfired pizza spot offering paninis, burgers, pasta, and more. 19 Main St. 860-689-1476 neorestarantbar.com M

SWEET WILLIAM’S COFFEE SHOP & BAKERY

Featuring scones, croissants, layer cakes, and coffee drinks. 17 Main St. 860-435-3005 sweet-williams.com I

WHITE HART INN

English-influenced menu and beautiful decor. Lunch and

breakfast at Provisions, dinner on weekends. 15 Under Mountain Rd. 860-435-0030 whitehartinn.com I-M

Sharon

LE GAMIN

Delicious French cuisine from restaurateur Robert Arbor. 10 Gay St. 860-397-5382 legamin.com/sharon M

WHEN PIGS FLY SOUTH

A favorite Southern barbecue joint. Try the pulled pork. 29 W Main St. 860-492-0000 whenpigsflysouth.com I-M

Torrington

BRINX KITCHEN AND BAR

A tapas menu featuring fresh cuisine in a stylish interior. 53 Main St. 860-201-4179 M

CASA VALIJO

Sophisticated Mexican menu, rooftop seating, brunch. 131 Water St. 860-618-2706 casavalijo.com M

GEPPETTO OSTERIA E BISTECCHERIA

Quaglia ripiena, tagliatelle al ragú di vitello, pine nut-crusted rack of lamb. 24 E. Main St. 860-618-0721 geppettoct.com M

PIZZERIA MARZANO

Delicious brick oven pizzas in welcoming atmosphere. 1315 E Main St. 860-618-0875 pizzeriamarzano.com M

SASSO’S COAL FIRED PIZZA

Pizza, seafood, beer, and wine served in a modern cafe. 52 Main St. 860-618-7162 sassoscoalfired.com M

TASTE OF THAILAND

G.W. TAVERN

Enjoy their wok stir fry, curry, noodles, fried rice, seafood. 19 McDermott Ave. 860-201-4684 tasteofthailandct.com M

THE VENETIAN

In business for more than 100 years, serving classic Italian fare in an elegant, white tablecloth setting. 52 Main St. 860-489-8592 venetianrestaurantct.com M

VIENTIANE THAI CUISINE

Excellent traditional Thai food. Friendly service. 231 High St. 860-489-0758 torringtonthaicuisine.com M

YIAYIA’S GREEK KITCHEN

Greek favorites served by a husband-and-wife team. 1057 E Main St. 860-618-3076 yiayias.net M

ZACH & LOU’S

Pulled pork, St. Louis ribs, brisket, and pork belly. 2936 Winsted Rd. 860-482-6573 zachandlous.com M

Warren

HOPKINS INN

Enjoy views of Lake Waramaug while dining on Austrian cuisine. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner. 22 Hopkins Rd. 860-868-7295 thehopkinsinn.com E

WARREN GENERAL STORE

Sandwiches, coffee, breakfast foods, sandwiches. 10 Cornwall Rd. 860-868-3354 warrengeneral.com I

Washington

COMMUNITY TABLE

Farm-to-table cuisine in an elegant setting. 223 Rte. 202 860-868-9354 communitytablect.com E

Serving traditional and contemporary cuisine. 20 Bee Brook Rd. 860-868-6633 gwtavern.com M

MARTY’S

Breakfast and lunch treats. Popular outdoor cafe. 4 Green Hill Rd. 860-868-1700 seeyouatmartys.com I-M

MAYFLOWER INN & SPA

Elegant setting in the main dining room, or more casual seating in the tap room. 118 Woodbury Rd. 860-868-9466

aubergeresorts.com E

THE PANTRY

Popular breakfast and lunch spot. Outdoor seating. 5 Titus Rd. 860-868-0258 thepantryct.com M

THE PO CAFE

Homemade sandwiches and salads, baked goods. 5 Kirby Rd. 860-868-1879

meetyouatthepo.com I Watertown

ECHO CRAFT KITCHEN

Fresh, high-quality dishes with excellent cocktails. 150 Echo Lake Rd. 860-274-8829 echocraftkitchen.com M

ROMA RISTORANTE

Authentic Italian dishes with generous portions. 179 Davis St. 860-274-2558 romaristorantect.com M

UNCOMMON GRILL

Serving comfort food with a twist; fresh ingredients.

777 Echo Lake Rd. 860-417-3104 uncommongrillct.com M

Woodbury

EL CAMION

Award-winning tacos and Mexican food.

308 Sherman Hill Rd. 203-405-3008 el-camion.com I

GOOD NEWS

Farm-fresh ingredients. New owners, renovated interior. 694 Main St. S 203-266-4663 goodnewswoodbury.com M

JOHN’S CAFE

Pork Milanese, crispy rice arancini, steak and fries served in this cozy popular restaurant.

693 Main St. S 203-263-0188 johnscafe.com M-E

MARKET PLACE

KITCHEN & BAR

Large, bustling, rusticmodern restaurant with a wide range of menu items.

641 Main St. S 203-586-1215 marketplacekitchenbar.com M

MISCHIEF ON MAIN

Casual dining at the Woodbury Brewing Company, featuring tacos, fried specialties, sandwiches. Live music. .

738 Main St. S 203-405-3811 woodburybrewing.com M

MIX PRIME

Steakhouse also serving sushi and fresh fish.

757 Main St. S 203-586-1788 mixprimesteakhouse.com M

NEW MORNING MARKET

Organic produce with catering and juice bar. 129 Main St. N 203-263-4868 newmorningmarket.com M

RACHEL’S KITCHEN

Beloved for breakfast, lunch, and brunch favorites like challah French toast, lobster Benedict, and more.

230 Main St. S 203-263-2235 M

WEST EGG CAFE

Cute spot for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, with its own bakery. 20 Sherman Hill Rd. 203-586-1456 westeggcafect.com I

1754 HOUSE

Small plates and traditional fare in an historical space. 506 Main St. S 203-405-3735 1754house.com M

West Hartford

ARTISAN WEST HARTFORD

Cozy countryside tavern serving American cuisine. 1 Memorial Rd. 860-937-2525 artisanwesthartford.com M

BARCELONA WINE BAR

Ever-changing fresh Mediterranean and Spanish specials. 971 Farmington Ave. 860-218-2100 barcelonawinebar.com E

BARTACO

Casual dining with a beach-y vibe. 971 Farmington Ave. 860-586-8226 bartaco.com I

BLUE ELEPHANT TRAIL

Blue Elephant offers delicious Thai cuisine with gluten-free versions. 7 S Main St. / 860-233-4405 blueelephanttrail.com I

THE HUNGRY CRAB

Cajun seafood with a variety of seafood boils, fried baskets, po’ boys, and sliders. 1144 New Britain Ave. 860-937-5738 thehungrycrab.com M

RESTAURANT BRICCO

Italian-American classics like handmade pasta, woodfired pizzas, fresh seafood, seasonal risottos, served in a rustic, lively setting. 78 LaSalle Rd. 860-233-0220 billygrant.com M n

ART news

WISH YOU WERE HERE

› THE TREMAINE ART GALLERY at The Hotchkiss School presents Wish You Were Here, a collaborative exhibition featuring artists Fern Apfel and Colleen McGuire, curated by Joan Baldwin. On view from November 4 through January 25, the exhibition invites visitors to consider themes of memory, home, and the passage of time through two distinct yet complementary artistic voices.

Fern Apfel’s meticulously detailed still-life paintings depict letters, diaries, journals, and lists, blending language, painting, and memory into works that feel both intimate and universal. Her pieces encourage reflection on personal histories and the ways memory shapes our sense of place.

Colleen McGuire captures the ephemeral qualities of everyday life, such as light falling on a fogged mirror, rain streaking a window, or fractured sunlight on a porch. Working in oil on board, McGuire translates these fleeting moments into quiet meditations on the spaces and experiences that define daily living.

The gallery is located on The Hotchkiss School campus at 11 Interlaken Road in Lakeville. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from noon to 4 pm. The gallery will be closed during school breaks (November 22 to December 1 and December 16 to January 5).