Home East July2010

Special Section to: The Valley Gazette I The Stratford Star I The Milford Mirror I The Amity Observer I The Trumbull Times I Fairfi eld Sun I The Huntington Herald I The Monroe Courier I The Easton Courier

JULY 2010 HERSAM ACORN NEWSPAPERSJULY 2010 HERSAM ACORN NEWSPAPERS

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An Artist’s Creative JoySpills Into Other Lives, As Well

A Marriage Most MerryPicnics And Outdoor Theaters

Monroe’s Sunshine NurseryAnd How It’s Grown

Bryan

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• 2 • • HOME • Hersam Acorn Newspapers • • June 10, 2010 •

by Joanne Greco Rochman

Connecticut Yankees know how to take advantage of sum-mer. We do just about everything outdoors, including the-ater and eating. Both go together deliciously well. All one has to do for a star-filled summer night is pack a picnic, a blanket, a citronella candle and a reservation to one of the many outdoor theaters. Of course, there are two varieties of stars — those that shine on stage and those that fill the sky like a summer night’s canopy.

While each theater is unique in regards to locale, scenery and experience, one can’t help but fall in love with the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (HVSF) — the view is spectacular from the east bank of the Hudson River In Garrison, N.Y. Picnicking here is reminiscent of the Victorian era, with experienced picnic aficionados staking umbrellas for sun or rain and toasting the evening with champagne and strawberries. With a weather-proof tent,

HVSF’s outstanding Shakespearean productions go on come rain or shine, said spokesperson Erica Darling.

“Most of our shows sell out, and because tickets are non-refundable, the theater has few cancellations,” she said. “A few years ago, we had a terrible thunder and lightning storm. The entire town was blacked out. Our actors per-formed with flashlights. Since the power was out, the ice cream vendor, knowing his supply would melt, gave the audience free ice cream. People who attended still say it was the best theater production they ever experienced.”

Hudson Valley has three shows scheduled this season: “Bomb-itty of Errors,” “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Troilus and Cressida.” So popular are the theater and picnicking, the theater Web site provides a large picnic menu so you don’t even have to pack one yourself. Visit the site for the complete menu: hvshakespeare.org/con-tent/home.

Another popular outdoor theater is Danbury’s Musicals at Richter. Spread out on the back lawn of the Richter Arts Center, adjacent to the Richter Park golf course, the com-munity theater offers productions at reasonable prices. According to artistic director Joyce Northrop, approximate-ly 150 patrons come per show. “In a rainy season, we can lose two shows per production. Those are tough financial years, but we do budget with losses in mind,” she said. Of course, she got right to the heart of why people love outdoor theater and picnicking. “Sitting under a beauti-ful starry night sky with a favorite picnic dinner and a

A MARRIAGE MOST MERRY

Picnics & outdoor theaters

The view is superb and so is the theater at the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, and you can even order a picnic supper. Lower right, families, with picnics in tow, gather early in the afternoon to enjoy the evening’s performance of Shakespeare on the Sound, Pinkney Park in Rowayton.

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• June 10, 2010 • • HOME • Hersam Acorn Newspapers • • 3 •

bottle of wine creates a unique summer theater experience. It’s perfect for enjoy-ing a full-scale Broadway production,” she said. “Guys and Dolls,” “42nd Street,” and “Carousel” fill this season. For information: musicalsatrichter.org/directions.php.

Shakespeare on the Sound has two water-front sites — Rowayton’s Pinkney Park and Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich. This year “Othello” is featured, and stars include Victor Williams, best known for “The King of Queens” and Jesse J. Perez, Puck in last year’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and an audience favorite. There’s no admission, but a $20 dona-tion is suggested and appreciated. Artistic director Joanna Settle said there’s nothing like their audience. “They even stay during the rain. I had to tell them we’re canceling the show (one recent rainy night) because they wouldn’t leave; the sound equipment had to be protected. They kept applaud-ing. Directing outdoors with birds flying through the stage is like launching a show into the stratosphere,” she said. Check out the details at: shakespeareonthesound.org/shakespeare_layout_1/Home.html.

When it comes to exotic outdoor theater experiences, Connecticut Free Shakespeare in Bridgeport’s Beardsley Park Zoo rates number one. This theater company takes advantage of the unexpected sights and sounds of the zoo creatures and integrates them into productions. The company now tours to Guilford and Old Saybrook, too. In the zoo, picnic tables and benches are plentiful, but bring along a blanket or lawn chair to get close to the stage. “Twelfth Night” plays this season. Check the Web site for details: ctfreeshakespeare.org/index.html.

Shakeseperience, a young, intelligent and vivacious group of Shakespearean actors performs in Waterbury’s Library Park and on the grounds of the Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford. This year it’s “Henry V.” At a recent production, people arrived with portable tables and set out feasts for their picnics, which included everything from appetizers to dessert. The set, a giant chess board, provided an interesting setting for the moves of each actor. For details: shakes-perienceproductions.org/.

One of the newest outdoor theaters is the Summer Theatre of New Canaan (STONC), which welcomes picnickers and theater lov-ers to beautiful Waveny Park. An open-air tent and open-field seating allow for huge audiences. There are a limited number of reserved seats and reserved-dining box seats, but field seating for picnics is avail-able. “Henry4” opens the season. Catch the details at: stonc.org/S1D1/.

If you want a city experience, check out Elm City Shakespeare in Edgerton Park, New Haven, where James Andreassi directs. See the Web site for show times: elmshakespeare.org/. If you prefer a coun-tryside experience, check out Bethlehem’s The Gary, the Olivia Theatre at the Abbey of Regina Laudis. This roofed open-air theater has as many stars in the audience as it does on stage. “The Pajama Game” plays this summer. See: abbeyofregina-laudis.com/sitelive/stewnhosp/g-otheater/g-otheater.htm.

All in all, there’s plenty of outdoor theater waiting for you. All you need do is call in a reservation, pack up that crispy fried chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, a bottle of wine and enjoy star-lit entertainment.

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call 203-926-2080JULY 2010 VOL IV, ISSUE 7

Special Section to:

The Valley Gazette • The Stratford Star • The Milford Mirror

The Amity Observer • The Trumbull Times • Fairfield Sun

The Huntington Herald • The Monroe Courier • The Easton Courier

HOME


by Robin E. Glowa

With the golden years, comes golden opportunity. Older individuals, who have retired, leaving the day-to-day grind of the rat race behind, can now focus on fulfilling themselves in new and exciting ways. Some will take their dream trip to Alaska, Europe or other fantasy destination, some will go back to school or take up new hobbies, others will finally have time to plant and tend their herb gardens and some will finally have more time for family and friends.

Vivian Newill is treasuring her golden years by filling her days with what has become a passionate pursuit. Vivian, a painter and naturalist, has combined her love of animals and the rustic, rough beauty of rocks to create a line of handpainted objets d’art known as Rockpettes.

“Did you ever look at the sky and real-ly see all the shapes of the clouds?” Vivian asks. “You can see lambs and bears and all sorts of whimsical things. Well, I look at rocks and see possibil-ity everywhere.

“I found a rock with the shape of an eagle’s head, which I then painted an eagle on. I have found rocks in the shape of a hamburger, hearts and so many different shapes. I like to really be interested in the rock — its shape, its indentations. You have to really keep looking closely to find all the interesting ones.”

When asked where she finds her rocks, Vivian says with a chuckle, “Well, we live in New England, you

know, they are just tumbling out all over the place!”

Indeed, it’s true, a rock painter would surely be in heaven in the rock-rich landscape of Connecticut. Anyone who has ever tilled a garden would agree with Vivian that there is plenty of raw material to be found close at hand.

Vivian and her husband, Les, make an adventure out of their rock col-lecting. “First, I pack a picnic,” says Vivian, “then we set off. We don’t always know where we’re headed, but we always know there will be rocks. We gather them in a canvas bag and bring them home where we scrub the rocks. Les is very picky and insists that they be very clean before I paint them. Some of the rocks are quite dif-ficult to clean,” she adds.

Once the rocks are sparkling clean, Vivian sets forth on her creative jour-ney. She often takes commissions from people who want their pets immortalized. They will supply her with a photo of the family pet, and working in water-based paints, Vivian

An artist’s creative joy SPILLS INTO OTHER LIVES, AS WELL

Spills into other

Vivian Newill’s Rockpettes have developed quite a fan club. At right, favorite Rockpettes are her portraits of family pets. — Lester Newill photo

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then turns a rock into a valued keep-sake. Once the painting is complete, Les will spray it with four coats of waterproofing material. Even with the protective coating, Vivian cau-tions, “These rocks are meant for indoor use, I wouldn’t leave them out in the rain.”

The decorated rocks make wonder-ful house gifts, birthday or anniver-sary gifts or commemorative pres-ents. “I recently did a Jaguar for a man who ordered it as a birthday gift for his brother. I have many requests for cats, but even more for dogs,” Vivian says. “I also did a nativity set once.”

This is a true labor of love for Vivian who does not accept payment for any of her work. Rather, she and her clients agree upon a fee and the check is then made out to the client’s favorite charity.

“I have had people send checks for the Elim Park Benevolent Fund in Cheshire, where we also hap-pen to live,” says Vivian. “I have received many donations for the Ronald McDonald House, as well as for hospice. This really is my pleasure in painting the rocks, and it feels wonderful to be able to give something back.”

Vivian also loves to paint wild ani-mals as well as the domestic vari-eties. She consults magazines and picture books for inspiration. “I’m always on the lookout for pictures,”

she says. Often the shape of the rock will determine what animal she will paint. “I found a rock that was perfect to paint a monkey on,” Vivian says. “The indents were per-fectly positioned for the eyes. I’m quite good at painting eyes, but I will tell you that monkey was a little creepy once I finished it; the eyes would follow you around the room!

“They really do come to life for me; they are like my children,” Vivian says of her rock-painting pursuits. “The projects are very time con-suming, like knitting can be. But I take my time; it gives me so much pleasure. I enjoy doing them, and I find it to be very relaxing. What’s really interesting is that I will paint a rock for an exhibit or charity event and have no idea who has taken it home. But months later, I will hear a wonderful story from someone about a painted rock they saw on a table or a desk, and it turns out to be one of my projects!”

Vivian finds beauty in her rocks and beauty in giving back to the com-munity. And she is so happy for the beauty of spending this golden time with her husband, Les. “Our morn-ings are spent together now,” she says warmly. “All the time he was working, we never had time togeth-er. Now he reads to me and I play with my paints. It’s very special.”

To order a Rockpette from Vivian Newill, please call 203-271-8863.

by Karen Dydzuhn

Petunias in hues of purple and pink adorn the exterior of Sunshine Nursery and Garden Center in Monroe. The colorful display of annuals — under a tent on the Route 111 prop-erty — is a welcome sight to drivers passing by. Inside, bouquets of fresh roses and other cut-flowers fill the garden center’s gift shop with a sweet fragrance.

Owner Donna Fernandez of Stratford spent five years in the corporate world before leav-ing to open a business in a field that she loves. Since 2005, Donna, along with her partner and sister, Mary Beth, has not only been responsible for Sunshine Nursery’s daily oper-ations, she is the head landscape designer, as well. (Mary Beth is director of inventory con-trol for Richemont North America and works only part-time at the nursery.)

Explaining that the “bulk of the business” is in landscape design and installations, Donna is pleased that “word of mouth” has helped the nursery to steadily grow. “I’m also glad that I put up the sign out front,” she said with a smile.

Obviously, it was the nursery’s prime loca-tion on one of Monroe’s busiest roadways that attracted Donna to the site, which was formerly occupied by another garden center.

“I used to come here to buy plants and flow-ers,” she said.

At that time, she was still working as the manager of advertising research for Shelton’s Nielson Media Research. During the last four years of her tenure, Donna also operated a small landscaping business with a friend and co-worker, Karen Laubcher. Their goal, she said, was to slowly build a business doing the kind of outdoor work that they enjoyed.

MONROE’S SUNSHINE NURSERY

And how it’s grown

At Sunshine Nursery, you’ll find a gift shop with cut flowers, annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, a Farmers Market and a landscaping service, too.

Nursery continued on page 6

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When asked if she is pleased with her deci-sion to leave corporate life, Donna laughs before replying affirmatively. “A garden center is not an easy business, though,” she admitted. “You are so dependent upon the weather, and the weather can affect the retail end for the whole season.” She pointed out that it rained for 21 days last June.

Also, she said, “There is practically a gar-den center on every block in Monroe.”

Despite the competition, Sunshine Nursery has managed to thrive for the past five years. “People come here for our quality, customer service and knowledge,” she said.

The 2.5-acre property is filled with a retail area, shrub and tree displays, gardens and flower beds. In the summertime, Sunshine Florist also hosts a Farmers Market, selling produce from a Naugatuck Valley farm at a table in their front driveway. “This has been a big draw,” said Donna. “People love

[the farm’s] corn. We also have tomatoes and fruit.”

Donna began to work part-time in the landscaping business in the mid 1980s, while she was attending college. “Back then, there weren’t as many women doing this kind of work,” she said.

It was at this time that she met Karen at a flower show. They both applied for posi-tions — and got hired — at Nielson Media. However, the two women never lost their passion for gardening and working out-doors.

When Donna learned the property that once was Monroe Nursery was for sale, she decided to open her own business. “It happened very fast. I called the telephone number for the hell of it, and two weeks later we were signing papers,” she said.

For three years, the lawn-maintenance part of the business was put on hold. Now, how-ever, Sunshine Nursery does commercial and residential lawns and landscaping in Monroe, Trumbull, Shelton and Stratford.

“We’ve been very busy this year,” Donna said. Mary Beth has worked part-time every weekend and holidays, and their parents, Sally and Angelo, are responsible for the company’s bookkeeping.

While Karen oversees the landscape and planting division, employee Kim Ross is responsible for managing the gift shop and maintaining all of the center’s beauti-ful annuals and perennials. “We spend a lot of time keeping them looking healthy,” Donna said.

This year, Sunshine Nursery participated in a Mother’s Day fund raiser with Monroe Elementary School, which is nearby on Route 111. Children were able to purchase gift coupons that they could redeem for a plant at the nursery.

Sunshine Nursery and Garden Center is at 288 Monroe Turnpike in Monroe. For more information, call 203-268-1199 or go to [email protected].

Nursery continued from page 5

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■ HOME I OF THE I MONTH ■

LOCATION: Noteworthy is the spacious design of this home in Milford.

PROPERTY: On more than an acre, the house is surrounded by sweeping lawns.

HOUSE: Built in 2008, the house features 10-foot ceilings, handsome wood floors and custom millwork. On the first floor is a great room with fireplace, dining room, kitchen with fireplace and several eating areas, family room with book-shelves and a master bedroom suite. There are three bedrooms on the second floor and a total of three full baths and one half-bath. A home warranty is included.

GARAGE: Three-car attached.

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Elegant Colonial

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