EASONS

SPRING 2017: The iConnected Home | Digging for Truth: Archaeology Goes High Tech | Farm-to-Table Favorites
S EASONS
OF WEST HARTFORD
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easons’ Greetings
S
Euripides said, “Where there is no wine there is no love.” In
ancient Greece, communities cultivated it, traded it, and, of course,
drank it. By evaluating grape DNA on old vessels, associate professor
Martha Risser of Trinity College in Hartford can even determine the
type of wine that passed the Greeks’ lips. Such discoveries illuminate our
understanding of our ancestors’ traditions and values and underscore
where modern rituals, such as happy hour, stem from.
In this spring edition of Seasons, contributor Mike Briotta focuses
on some of the exciting discoveries Risser and her archaeologist
colleagues at Connecticut colleges and universities are making around
the globe with the help of modern technology, such as spatial mapping
and virtual reality. Technology is impacting our home lives, too, as you’ll learn from Theresa
Anzaldua’s story about iDevices founder Chris Allen, whose Avon company is bringing the Silicon
Valley to the Farmington Valley.
Our Arts & Culture story by Amy J. Barry focuses on an under-the-radar organization: The
Connecticut Critics Circle is a consortium of theater critics who produce Connecticut’s version of
the Tony Awards each spring (you’re invited; see the story for details). For Seasons’ “Police Chief
Roundtable,” Theresa Sullivan Barger interviewed five chiefs about how they do their jobs at a time
when America is having a national discussion about relations between police and the public.
These pieces epitomize our mission at Seasons—to publish stories that surprise, delight, and
enhance the joy of living in our communities. We strive to present an eclectic mix in every issue.
To that end, we bring you Kathy Goff’s “Notes on Nature,” Alycia Chrosniak’s “Delicious,” and
Matthew Dicks’ “Final Thoughts.” In the spirit of Euripides, we hope you enjoy a favorite beverage
while you peruse Seasons. Our magazine is provided to you free of charge thanks to the generosity of
our advertisers. Our tie-in “Seasons Up Close” TV show on WFSB, free app (Seasons of Connecticut),
and social media channels are other ways to soak up the Seasons experience. We love hearing from
readers and viewers, so drop us a line when you can.
Deb Berry, Editorial Director
Visit us online at
www.seasonsmagazines.com
Follow us on Twitter
@SeasonsMag
Like us on Facebook
Facebook.com/SeasonsMedia
Seasons of West Hartford
is published by Seasons Magazines
James P. Tully, Owner/Publisher
Creative Director
Stacy Wright Murray
Editorial Director
Deborah Geigis Berry
Cover Photograph
J. G. Coleman Photography
For advertising information please
contact James P. Tully at 860-413-2022
Seasons Magazines
6 Sharlin Drive, Simsbury, CT 06092
4
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

SEASONS of West Hartford
Spring
2017
“
“
And the Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast
Rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.
—Percy Bysshe Shelley
page 6.
Community
Chiefs of Police
Round Table
page 12.
At Home
The iConnected Home
page 17.
In the Spirit
Channel 3 Kids Camp
page 20.
Arts & Culture
The Life and Times of
Connecticut Critics
page 24.
Feature
Digging for Truth:
Archaeology Goes
High Tech
page 32.
Delicious
Farm-to-Table Favorites
page 38.
Health & Wellness
Dr. Karyn Hansen
Saint Francis Hospital
page 44.
Notes On Nature
On a Wing and a Prayer
page 47.
Final Thoughts
Ode to April Fools’ Day
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 5

COMMUNITY
A Seasons Roundtable
During tumultuous times for law enforcement and the people
they serve, Seasons talks with five area police chiefs to learn
how departments are building bridges in their communities and
responding to the new realities of the job.
MEET THE PANEL
MARK RINALDO, Avon’s police chief for more than
10 years, joined the department as a lieutenant
after retiring from the East Hartford Police
Department in 1998. He earned his master’s degree
in management from Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute and graduated from the FBI National
Academy and its Law Enforcement Executive
Development Association. He remains active in
and has served as president of the FBI National
Academy Associates Connecticut Chapter.
PAUL B. HAMMICK served as Hartford’s deputy
police chief prior to becoming Bloomfield’s police
chief six years ago. He joined the Hartford Police
Department in 1990, and as a lieutenant, he led the
detective divisions that investigate major crimes,
served as the lead investigator for officer-involved
shootings, and taught colleagues as a certified
instructor in “hate and bias crimes.” He graduated
from the FBI National Academy and received a
bachelor’s degree in history from Trinity College.
THOMAS SWEENEY came out of retirement in
December to serve as Glastonbury’s director
of police services on an interim basis. He was
Glastonbury police chief from 1999 to 2012. Prior,
he served as Bridgeport police chief for nine years.
He earned a master’s degree in criminology from
the University of California, Berkeley and has
worked as a police officer in Portsmouth, Virginia,
and in supervisory positions in Westchester County
and Yonkers, New York.
6
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

Written by Theresa Sullivan Barger
Photography by Todd Fairchild
CHIEF CONCERNS: From left, Glastonbury’s
Thomas Sweeney, Bloomfield’s Paul B.
Hammick, Torrington’s Michael Maniago,
Avon’s Mark Rinaldo, and West Hartford’s
Tracey G. Gove spoke with Seasons
contributor Theresa Sullivan Barger about
policing in challenging times.
MICHAEL MANIAGO is Torrington’s police chief.
During his 38-year tenure at the Torrington Police
Department, he has served as deputy police
chief and led the Vice and Narcotics Unit and the
Detective, Support Services, and Patrol Divisions. He
has two master’s degrees—in public administration
from the University of Hartford and in professional
studies, concentrating in Homeland Security, from
UConn—and is a graduate of the FBI National
Academy and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive
Development Association program.
TRACEY G. GOVE has been West Hartford’s police
chief since late 2011. Five years after joining the
department in 1994, he was named officer of the
year by the Exchange Club. He earned a bachelor’s
degree from Westfield State College and a master’s
degree in public administration from the University
of Hartford. He wrote a scholarly piece about
implicit bias and law enforcement for The Police
Chief magazine, published in October, 2011.
THERESA SULLIVAN BARGER, a Canton-based
freelance writer, covered the Hartford Police
Department for The Hartford Courant early in her
career. She has written extensively about workforce
diversity for international magazines and The
Conference Board, an international business
research organization.
Across the nation, interactions between the public and
the police—including some in which officers’ use of
lethal force was videotaped by bystanders—have led
to heightened tensions between cops and the communities
they serve. While much of the conflict has occurred in cities,
complaints of racial profiling and attacks on officers have
spread to the suburbs. Seasons sat down with police chiefs
from Greater Hartford for a roundtable discussion at Seasons
Restaurant in Avon to discuss policing in this challenging
time.
Avon police chief Mark Rinaldo, Bloomfield chief Paul
Hammick, Torrington chief Michael Maniago, and West
Hartford chief Tracey Gove met with Seasons writer Theresa
Sullivan Barger. Retired Glastonbury police chief Thomas
Sweeney, who is leading the department once again on an
interim basis, couldn’t make the lunch and was interviewed
separately.
The chiefs agreed that the high-profile shootings of individuals
such as Walter Scott in South Carolina; Tamir Rice
in Cleveland, Ohio; and Philando Castile in a St. Paul, Minnesota,
suburb have created a public perception that impacts
the entire profession. In West Hartford, some African-Amer-
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 7

COMMUNITY
ican mothers have expressed concerns about racial profiling
to Gove. Concurrently, an uptick in attacks on police—such
as the July sniper attack in Dallas that left five officers dead—
have led to a surge in the number of area residents and businesses
commending cops.
The following exchange among the chiefs has been edited
for clarity, cohesion, and space.
: What are you doing to hire, train, and supervise
officers to prevent the types of incidents that have
happened elsewhere, such as traffic stops that
ended with motorists fatally shot by police?
SWEENEY: The hiring decision is the most important
decision we make. When we’re satisfied that [someone looks]
like a good candidate, we do a polygraph and psychological
exam. We routinely check social media. If you have certain
comments in your background that indicate prejudice against
minorities or reckless or dangerous behavior, it’s an issue. I
have seen a lot of people who go number one, number two
on the list [based on test scores], and they’re the worst police
officers. And then I’ve got others that I picked 50 on the list,
and they’re fantastic police officers. Just because they didn’t
take a written test very well that doesn’t necessarily translate
into whether or not you can be a good police officer —help
people, use your head, have good common sense, and be able
to give people good direction.
GOVE: They have to go through the [Connecticut Police]
Academy and show they have a thick skin and they’re
emotionally mature. From the day we hire you, there’s an
18-month probationary period that we have an opportunity
to say, ‘It’s just not working out.’
RINALDO: Training is the key, especially with lethal force.
We have our officers qualify four times a year, so they’re at
the [firing] range, and they have to meet standards. If they
don’t meet the qualifications, we pull their guns and we put
them back into training. And it’s not only in weapons use.
You have to send them to diversity training.
GOVE: When I started, it was more about hitting the
bull’s-eye. Now it’s about critical decision-making, about
transitioning from your Taser to your firearm, making sure
you have the muscle memory, putting officers through
scenarios, using simulation [officers practice with real-looking
guns that contain paint pellets], which gives you a more reallife
feel. [Training is] so much more expansive, in-depth, and
stressful, and it’s been really good for us as a region.
: How has your department responded to
the increased suspicion and fear some people
have of police?
GOVE: There was a concern after some of the national
incidents from a group of African-American moms who were
concerned about their sons [being racially profiled]. So I
met with them and then penned a letter to the public about
what we do in West Hartford. [Editor’s note: Gove’s letter
outlines the department’s initiatives in hiring, training, useof-force
policies, and addressing citizen complaints. “We will
treat every individual with respect,” Gove writes. The letter
notes that the department added a line item in its 2016-17
budget for hiring, retaining, and promoting a more diverse
workforce.]
SWEENEY: We review the statistics continuously. If there
were those kinds of complaints [of racial profiling] raised,
we would look at what the history has been. On every traffic
stop, it is indicated what the race was of the party. If you’re
only stopping people who are minorities, [your supervisor
would] examine it.
: Suburban officers’ jobs used to be fairly
predictable, with motor vehicle enforcement,
domestic conflicts, and accidents. Since some
horrific incidents in Connecticut’s small towns,
such as the Sandy Hook school shooting and the
Cheshire home invasion, and with the prevalence of
opioid use, how has suburban cops’ job changed?
RINALDO: I think there’s a level of anxiety that’s being felt
out there because of the incidents that are taking place and
not knowing where it’ll happen next. I think the anxiety level
is growing.
GOVE: My officers, their big concern isn’t usually for their
safety; it’s for the safety of the community. Their worries
are about the active shooter, the mass incident. That’s what
I hear more of: ‘Let’s have training on that. We have to be
prepared for that.’
MANIAGO: If you have proper policies in place, good
training, good peer support, and good EAP [Employee
Assistance Programs] that helps out a whole lot.
HAMMICK: When there’s something that they’re exposed
to with a high level of danger, there are adequate resources
there. Afterwards, the supervisors are very good in debriefing
the incident and then training everyone else in the
department, so everybody keeps very sharp.
SWEENEY: That’s always a concern in a suburban
environment: Officers have to maintain a vigilant posture.
It’s an issue of ensuring that they’re up to date on their
training.
: In the two weeks after President Donald
Trump’s election, the Southern Poverty Law Center
collected more than 400 reports of hate-based
8
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

COMMUNITY
harassment and intimidation nationwide. Has your
community experienced increased hate crimes or
attacks on a particular religion or race? And what
steps are you taking to help minority groups feel
safe?
RINALDO: In Avon, there has been no increase; in fact, it
is virtually non-existent. We have a wonderful community
relations program, and several of our officers engage with
groups. One in particular is the Farmington Valley American
Muslim Center. [An] officer is assigned as the liaison, and
the program has worked wonders in building relations. In
fact, we have attended several fundraisers and services.
HAMMICK: We have not experienced any significant
criminal incidents motivated by hate or a “hate crime” in
Bloomfield over the past several years. We continue to work
closely with our community to address general public safety
concerns, as well as the specific concerns of various religious,
racial, and ethnic communities.
GOVE: I would not say I’ve noticed an uptick in racially
motivated hate crimes. We did have a swastika incident at
a school, but those are outlier-type crimes that we see every
now and then, usually done by immature youth—not to say
we don’t take them seriously and watch for patterns. We
also had two hoax bomb threats at the JCC [Mandell Jewish
Community Center of Greater Hartford] and one at the
Hebrew High School, which was part of a series of such
calls taking place across the country. We have strong ties
with the ADL [Anti-Defamation League] and are in regular
contact with the JCC, as well as the leadership of the Jewish
Federation. I’ve hosted two Coffee with the Chief events,
where I’ve met with rabbis and other leaders of the Jewish
faith [and other religions] to discuss crime trends, patterns,
and to hear their concerns. Our Community Relations
Division works with religious institutions—and all manner of
schools, businesses, etc.—to conduct safety audits and help
develop emergency plans. We also have our LGBT policy,
which not only instructs officers on how to interact with
transgender people but also reaffirms our commitment to
ensuring they are protected and treated equally. We also
have strong programs for protecting and working with special
needs populations. I have worked closely with other town
officials to identify, communicate, and work with our non-
English-speaking, minority population.
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Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 9

COMMUNITY
: How are officers dealing with the stress?
Historically, the strain of the job has contributed to
some struggling with substance abuse and marital
problems.
: Has the ubiquity of cameras changed the
“brotherhood in blue” culture? Nationally, cops
are losing their jobs when a video emerges that
contradicts an officer’s written report.
RINALDO: We are more aware of those problems now. It’s
no longer a sign of weakness for one of our officers to have
an issue. We have good EAP programs. We have good peer
support programs. Mental health counseling is better today.
Our officers are more readily talking with each other about it;
each of them is trying to direct each other to get help.
MANIAGO: I don’t know if there’s an uptick in it. The
way it’s handled differently now is what’s
causing maybe a greater conversation
about it.
: Does your department have
body cameras, and if so, how have
they been received by officers and
the public?
MANIAGO: We’re going through the
pricing process right now to do body
cameras. I do favor body cameras. I like
the transparency. I like the ability to have
an independent eye as to what’s going on
at the scene, so we can get as much of the
exact story as you can get from a camera,
so we can make a well-grounded decision.
If we’re wrong, we’re wrong, and we’ll
handle that. I think the public likes the
transparency, also.
HAMMICK: In Bloomfield, we just instituted a departmentwide
body camera policy at the beginning of 2017, so every
officer in my department, including myself, has a body
camera on them during their shift. They record every lawenforcement
interaction between them and a citizen.
GOVE: Obviously, this is an important issue to us, but the
big concern I have is how the cameras would affect policecommunity
relations. I know that people say they’ll always
improve relations, but I’m not sure that necessarily is the
case. I’m not sure if my officer’s in line at, let’s say, Dunkin’
Donuts, and somebody says, ‘Officer, I have a question for
you,’ that we want the officer to go, ‘Hold on a second,’
turn on the camera, and start recording the interaction. My
second concern would be dealing with the FOI [Freedom
of Information] concerns. If somebody said to us, ‘We want
every interaction you’ve had with an African-American or
Hispanic person over the past year,’ we have to go through all
that footage. I’m not saying that West Hartford has ruled it
out; I’m just moving very cautiously. I think we’d have to hire
more staff just for the FOI requests alone.
After some of the tragic
incidents, we started
getting people coming
in with gift baskets.
When they brought in
cookies, they weren’t
just bringing them in for
us; they were bringing
them because it made
them feel good about
doing something for
the police.
MANIAGO: Lying is the cardinal sin today. That’ll be one
of the quickest ways to lose your job is to be caught in a lie.
Every police officer today is aware of that, and they know,
‘Listen, if you made a mistake, you made a mistake; we’ll
work with you,’ and you take what comes from the mistake.
You lie, there’s no helping you. You’re going to suffer the
consequences.
HAMMICK: I rolled [a body camera
policy] out in Bloomfield last month,
– Avon Police Chief Mark Rinaldo
and I didn’t get one single person who
protested or pushed back. Everybody
understands and appreciates that they’re
being videotaped in many of these
incidents, and this is an opportunity
for them to bring their own perspective
to an interaction with a member of the
public and have their own recording.
To answer your question, 100 percent,
yeah. Completely. If you find an officer
who has embellished their report, lied
on their report, they’re picked off very
quickly by their supervisors, by their
colleagues. If it’s an honest mistake, that
can be corrected through discipline and
training. If it’s a purposeful act, they’re
terminated.
: After the sniper killing of five Dallas officers
and other attacks on cops, did your departments
hear anything from the community?
RINALDO: After some of the tragic incidents, we started
getting people coming in with gift baskets. When they
brought in cookies, they weren’t just bringing them in for
us; they were bringing them because it made them feel good
about doing something for the police. They wanted their
pictures with the police officers. Granted, Avon doesn’t have
[much] crime, but we still have issues. To see the way the
citizens reacted really boosted the morale of the department.
In times when people were killing police officers, [local
residents] came in and said, ‘We care about you.’
Theresa Sullivan Barger is a frequent Seasons contributor who lives
in Canton with her husband and two of their three children.
Todd Fairchild of West Hartford is a longtime contributor to
Seasons. For more about Todd, go to shutterbugct.com.
10
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

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Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 11

AT HOME
“The evolution of the home is here,” says Chris Allen,
founder and CEO of iDevices in Avon, a company that is
bringing the Silicon Valley to the Farmington Valley.
The iConnecte
Written by Theresa Anzaldua
Photography by Seshu Photography
Automated, high-tech homes—where lights,
television, music, and thermostat controls
operate automatically—seem great, so long as
they come with an in-home tech support person. Unless
you’re a tech geek, programming the digital thermostat
is hard enough: Who wants to program an entire house?
West Hartford native Chris Allen is the founder and
chief executive officer of iDevices, a nationally renowned
tech company located in Avon, which has created a
simple system to easily make your house a smart home
without hiring a techie.
When Allen leaves work every day, he tells Siri
that he’s coming home, and his house heats up; garage,
porch, and hall lights come on; and he pulls into a safe,
cozy home. “The evolution of the home is here,” Allen
says. “True integration is when technology is invisible
and controlled by voice. Speech is a natural form of
control,” he explains. When Allen is out of town, his
residence has a “false presence” and continues to light
up as if he and his family are home. He can have his
high school kids awakened automatically with lights and
music turning on in his daughter’s and son’s rooms,
and a lit-up, warm home awaits when they return from
school. At the end of the day, Allen says, “Hey, Siri,
bedtime,” and the house turns off for the night.
The genius of Allen’s system is that it’s easy to set up
and to use. For instance, a homeowner can purchase an
iDevices Transformation Pack consisting of one indoor
and one outdoor Wi-Fi-enabled smart plug and a smart
thermostat. To activate the system, the homeowner plugs
one indoor and up to two outdoor lights or appliances
into the iDevices switches, then plugs the switches into
the home’s electrical outlets. The homeowner swaps
the iDevices thermostat with the existing one. Then,
all the homeowner has to do is download the iDevices
app and pair the two switches and thermostat with his
or her smart phone. When homeowners want more
automation, they simply buy more switches and other
iDevices. Since the system runs off the home’s Wi-Fi,
there’s no wiring, subscription fee, or contract. The
company has a great customer support team, located
conveniently in Avon, to help with any questions.
Allen and his team designed the system to be easy to
use because he strongly believes that technology should
enhance people’s lives. Allen says, “I don’t like what I
call ‘Christmas morning technology.’ That’s when you
get a device that’s cool to use for a couple of hours, but
you don’t really need it, so you toss it aside and forget
about it.”
12
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

d Home
HIGH ACHIEVER: Following in the footsteps of tech giants Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and
Mark Zuckerberg, Chris Allen of West Hartford left college to start his own company.
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 13

AT HOME
COMPANY CULTURE: At iDevices in Avon, employees can dine in a café resembling a 1950s diner. “Life’s too short to be
miserable at work,” Allen says.
14
Allen’s insistence that technology be easy and helpful
may stem from the fact that he is a very unusual tech
innovator. Although he invents tech devices and runs
a highly regarded, national tech company, Allen has no
background in computers, coding, or engineering. He
develops products from the consumer’s point of view,
not from a technologist’s perspective. “I don’t believe
in technology for technology’s sake. Technology should
provide value to the consumer. Not everything should be
technologized or ‘smart,’” he states.
Allen was born in West Hartford, where he grew up with
his brother and sister. His father died when he was 5 years
old, and his mother, a former Catholic nun, raised the kids
with good values and a strong work ethic. “I’ve lived in West
Hartford my entire life, except for the three months I went to
college,” he says. Allen is what’s known in the tech world as a
“stopout” (as opposed to “dropout”). The Thiel Foundation,
which offers $100,000 grants to high achievers who want
to leave school and start their own companies, coined the
term. Some famous stopouts are Apple co-founder Steve
Jobs, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Facebook founder
Mark Zuckerberg, Oracle founder Lawrence Ellison, and Dell
founder Michael Dell.
Allen has always been a high achiever, and neighbors
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017
in West Hartford remember when this successful CEO used
to cut their lawns. “My first job was when I was 9, delivering
papers. Then I mowed lawns. When I was 15, I was a cashier
at a pharmacy and worked at a country club. I used to get up
at 3 a.m. to make bagels when I had a bagel shop,” Allen says.
While still in high school, Allen bought a truck and started
a landscaping business with his buddy, Mike Daigle, who
is now the chief operations officer at iDevices. After giving
college a try, Allen went back to running his landscaping
company for a few years, sold it, and then became a financial
planner and licensed broker-dealer. He opened his own
brokerage after working at Prudential and A.G. Edwards,
sold that, and bought an Allstate insurance agency from one
of his brokerage clients. Then came the economic crash of
2007.
Allen had an idea for a tech device, and with the
financial services sector in free fall, he decided that this was
the perfect time to work on his creation. Allen had invented
one of the first app-enabled devices to hit the market: the
iGrill, a cooking thermometer that communicates through
a smart phone. Allen thought it would be a great tool for
a cook to use when hosting a party. Instead of standing at
the grill, the host can visit with guests and receive a message
when the food is ready to serve. A self-described go-getter,

Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 15

AT HOME
Allen hired an engineer, secured a patent, and started his
company. He emailed Apple, without any previous contact
or connection with the company, explained his product
and his need to work with Apple engineers to make the
iGrill compatible with Apple products, and developed a
collaborative relationship with the tech giant. He launched
the product on Black Friday in 2010, and the iGrill would go
on to become the world’s number one app-enabled cooking
thermometer.
In 2016, in order to focus exclusively on its home
automation products, iDevices sold the iGrill and related
cooking products it had developed to Weber-Stephen
Products LLC, the world’s top grill manufacturer.
iDevices engineers continue to work with Apple
engineers as the Avon innovator develops products. “Apple
thinks very highly of our team and says they’re some of the
best in the world. That’s high kudos coming from Apple,”
Allen says. The company employs about 70 people in Avon
in a beautiful spot in the Riverdale Farms shopping complex
on Simsbury Road. “We’re bringing the Silicon Valley to the
Farmington Valley,” Allen says. The company’s formal spaces
are decorated in pristine white and brushed chrome, while
the workspaces are fun and funky. Hartford Business Journal
has repeatedly named the company one of the best places to
work in Connecticut.
Employees eat at the company’s café, which is designed
like a retro 1950s diner and run by a chef who trained with
the Max Restaurant Group. The workers eating lunch and
hanging out together look like they’re at the graduate student
lounge at a university. Meals cost just a few dollars each, and
employees are encouraged to buy dinners for their families
if they don’t want to cook. “Walking meetings” are held on
the Farmington River trail behind the offices, and employees
spend time at outdoor picnic tables in the warmer months.
Allen wants people to enjoy their workdays. “You might have
a bad day at work, but if you’re having bad weeks or bad
months, you’re not in the right job,” Allen says. “Life’s too
short to be miserable at work. Come, be happy, and enjoy
your day at work.”
And when you leave the office, tell Siri you’re on your
way home.
Theresa Anzaldua of Farmington is an award-winning writer and
author of We Had a Job to Do: A Basic History of World War
II Through the Eyes of Those Who Served. Purchase the book at
harvard.com or amazon.com. Learn more at theresaanzaldua.com.
Photographer Seshu Badrinath of Avon specializes in intimate,
natural portraits of families and children; seshuphotography.com.
Excellence
Where
Opportunity
Meets
“First Look” Admissions Program • May 18, 2017
For families interested in Fall 2018 enrollment
As one of America’s leading independent boarding and day
schools, the mission of Westminster has remained constant: to
provide students with an outstanding education that extends far
beyond the classroom. To register for the “First Look” program,
please call the Office of Admissions at (860) 408-3060.
Co-ed | Boarding & Day | Grades 9-12 | 200-acre campus | Founded 1888
Simsbury, Connecticut | www.westminster-school.org | (860) 408-3060
Westminster School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry and/or disability.
16
Seasons_FirstLook_HalfPage_Spring2017.indd 1
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017
2/20/17 1:17 PM

IN THE SPIRIT
Written by Theresa Anzaldua
Photography Courtesy of Channel 3 Kids Camp
GOING WITH THE FLOW: On 150 acres by the Skungamaug River in Andover, children experience nature by hiking, orienteering,
rock climbing, and fishing.
A Camp for All
With roots dating back more than 100 years, the Channel 3 Kids Camp
has helped make the wonders of nature accessible to all.
Whether playing on the water, hiking through
the woods, or rock climbing, enjoying the
outdoors nourishes our spirits and bodies in
countless ways. Connecticut’s natural beauty provides ample
opportunity to spend time in the open air. Imagine growing
up in our state, however, without ever having the chance
to explore nature. Kids living with physical, developmental,
or economic challenges often don’t get the opportunity.
Families living with such realities often need to use all
of their resources for necessities; spending a leisurely day
outside is an impossible luxury. Thanks to the Channel 3
Kids Camp, located on 150 acres on the border between
Andover and Coventry, children of all abilities and financial
backgrounds can spend time in the open air.
“Most of the kids we serve have never been in the
woods,” says Denise Hornbecker, chief executive officer of
the camp, which welcomes more than 3,000 children a year.
“We can accommodate children with special needs just as
easily as children who are typically developing,” she says.
Located in a beautiful, rustic setting along the Skungamaug
River, Channel 3 Kids Camp is an inclusive environment
with a swimming pool and more than 25 buildings including
fully accessible sleeping cabins, a dining hall, and an arts and
crafts building. Kids who have never been able to go fishing
can cast a line in the river from a wheelchair-friendly pavilion
on the water.
The camp staff works closely with the kids, who are
supervised 24/7. “We have a very regimented schedule,
like a school. We keep the children busy and engaged,
and we bring in performers and speakers to inspire them,”
Hornbecker says. Camp activities include swimming, rope
and rock climbing, arts and crafts, and instruction in
everything from video production to circus arts. The camp
aims to provide endless adventure, while ensuring campers’
health and safety.
Grants and donations from individuals, foundations,
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 17

IN THE SPIRIT
and businesses make it possible for all young people,
regardless of family finances, to attend Channel 3 Kids
Camp. Camp fees are determined on a sliding scale based
on family income and size. Overnight camp includes free
transportation from towns around the state.
“We have documented stories of kids raised by single
moms who have gone on to Ivy League universities,”
Hornbecker says. “Their moms say that they don’t know what
would have happened to them if not for the camp. We have
foster kids who are separated from their siblings; we have
kids with all types of families,” she says.
Channel 3
Kids Camp changes
children’s lives.
One of the camp’s
earliest attendees is
still involved with
the organization. Ed
Havens, 93, grew
up poor in South
Windsor. He attended
the camp more than
80 years ago and says
it saved him from
getting into trouble
on the streets. Havens,
a former mayor of
South Windsor, has
served on the camp’s
board of directors
for many years and
recently was recognized
for his contributions
at a November gala hosted by television personality and
meteorologist Scot Haney. The event celebrated the 40-year
partnership between Channel 3 and the camp.
The camp has been devoted to its philanthropic mission
since its inception more than 100 years ago. In 1910, the
Harrison B. Freeman family began to open their summer
home, the Almada Lodge, so city kids could enjoy nature.
The program grew, and by 1931, it became a nonprofit
corporation. WFSB Channel 3 became the media partner
for the camp in 1976, and it was eventually renamed the
Channel 3 Kids Camp. Channel 3 does not own the camp or
pay its expenses. Rather, Channel 3 helps bring attention to
the nonprofit.
Businesses can take advantage of sponsorship
opportunities at some of the fun events Channel 3 and the
camp host including the Annual Channel 3 Kids Camp Golf
Tournament, held in August at Mohegan Sun Golf Club,
and Holiday Light Fantasia, held in Hartford’s Goodwin
Park. In the spring, businesses can sponsor events such as
the Kids Camp Telethon and the Women Raising Awareness
Philanthropically luncheon. These gatherings are hosted and
attended by Haney and WFSB Channel 3 news anchors such
as Denise D’Ascenzo, Dennis House, and Kara Sundlun.
These fundraisers support the camp’s mission: “to
provide fun, year-round opportunities to children of all
abilities, families, and communities through educational and
recreational programs that promote diversity, acceptance,
and environmental
appreciation.”
The camp also
operates a childcare
center with a slidingscale
fee system
and offers Respite
Weekends for
children and adults
with special needs.
Participants can be
dropped off on a
Friday afternoon for
a fun-filled weekend
of sports, arts and
crafts, cooking,
baking, and teambuilding
exercises.
Participants also
work on vocational
goals customized to
their needs based on
consultations between caregivers and camp staff. Making new
friends is a big part of these weekends. As is true with the
summer camp, Respite Weekends help children and adults
living with special needs and challenges to build leadership
skills, self-confidence, and an appreciation for the outdoors.
Channel 3 Kids Camp ensures that any child in our state
can enjoy Connecticut’s beautiful outdoors, no matter what
obstacles might stand in the way. Hornbecker assures: “We
help kids from all backgrounds. ‘Typical’ families don’t exist
anymore.”
ALL-ACCESS ADVENTURE: Improvements such as paved roads, an accessible
playground, and two dorm-style cabins have allowed Channel 3 Kids Camp to
welcome more children with varying abilities.
Theresa Anzaldua of Farmington is an award-winning writer and
author of We Had a Job to Do: A Basic History of World War
II Through the Eyes of Those Who Served. Purchase the book at
harvard.com or amazon.com. Learn more at theresaanzaldua.com.
18
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

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Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 19

ARTS & CULTURE
BROADWAY BOUND: Christy Altomare accepts the 2016 Outstanding Actress in a Musical award from the Connecticut Critics Circle for
her starring role in Anastasia, which premiered at Hartford Stage in May of 2016 and just opened on Broadway March 23.
20
TEAMING UP: George White, founder of the Eugene
O’Neill Theater in Waterford, presents 2016’s
Outstanding Musical award. He is joined by Nicole
Scimeca, who played the child Anastasia in Anastasia
at Hartford Stage and recently made her Broadway
debut in this role.
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017
OUTSTANDING DEBUT: The award goes to Mohit Gautam for his role in
Disgraced at New Haven’s Long Wharf Theatre.

Written by Amy J. Barry
Photography by Mara Lavitt
The Life and Times
of Connecticut Critics
A long-time theater critic and her fellow members of the Connecticut Critics
Circle share the realities of their profession: scribbling notes in the dark (electronic
devices cast a light), enduring shows that never should have made it to the stage,
and celebrating the industry at Connecticut’s version of the Tony Awards.
You have such a fun job,” people are always enviously
remarking when they learn that I’m a theater critic.
Yes, I agree. It is a fun job. I get to experience a
potpourri of world-class theater right here in Connecticut
and be moved to laughter or tears by comedies and riveting
dramas; rocked by marvelous musicals; awed by magical
sets and costume designs; invigorated by emerging young
playwrights’ progressive, thought-provoking new works; and
excited by reinterpretations of classic masterpieces.
On the other hand, I also have to take notes in the dark,
paying rapt attention to every nuance of what’s happening
on stage and how all the elements interact—from acting to
directing to lighting to choreography.
And, if a production turns out to be a disappointment
and is interminably long to top it off, I can’t sneak out at
intermission but must keep myself from nodding off in my
seat until the bitter end.
Then I have to write my review on deadline, trying to
decipher the notes I took in a pitch-black theater. I spend
hours reflecting, researching, and writing in order to create
a balanced, fair, and insightful review that will resonate with
my readers because I take my responsibility to both potential
audiences and the theaters very seriously.
A bad review could seriously hurt ticket sales, which, in
turn, hurts the theater’s profitability. On the other hand, it’s
important to be honest with readers, as theater tickets are not
inexpensive. Of course, I’m always pleased when I can give a
rave review because everyone benefits: the theater, the actors,
and the audience.
About 14 years ago, I happily discovered that there was
a group of critics who had formed the Connecticut Critics
Circle (CCC) as a way for those of us in this often lonely
pursuit to come together, communicate, share ideas, post our
reviews all in one place online, and celebrate Connecticut
theater at an awards ceremony held every spring.
Founded in 1990, the organization has grown from
a handful of critics to more than two dozen. Our awards
ceremony—originally held in libraries, church basements, and
critics’ homes with between 30 and 70 people in attendance—
has grown into a full-blown theatrical production. Held
most recently at Hartford Stage, the glamorous occasion
featured professional lighting, sound, and projections; live
entertainment; engraved awards (versus paper certificates);
celebrity presenters; and more than 350 attendees.
Our all-volunteer organization recently achieved
nonprofit status, enabling us to raise needed funds to keep
future awards ceremonies equally high-caliber.
CCC members live in all corners of Connecticut and
along the Shoreline. Many review both Connecticut and
New York shows. They come from a wide and impressive
range of backgrounds. We have journalism, English, and
drama professors among us (several have PhDs in theater or
literature), as well as those who have written, performed in,
directed, and produced plays and musicals.
To qualify for dues-paying CCC membership, applicants
must submit proof of annual publication of at least five
reviews—print or electronic—of productions at no less than
four different theaters. To maintain active status, current
members must write three reviews of shows at three different
theaters. The membership chairperson determines if reviews
by CCC applicants meet the organization’s standards of
quality.
Members of the CCC receive invitations from all of the
theaters we review to attend press opening nights, and there
is an implicit understanding that offering us complimentary
tickets in no way influences our reviews.
Though Connecticut’s award-winning theaters are
familiar to Seasons readers, the CCC is a lesser-known
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 21

ARTS & CULTURE
entity. To illuminate life in front of the curtain—that is,
from the seats of our statewide critics who review about 60
productions annually—I asked my colleagues to weigh in on
the realities of our profession. Here’s an excerpt from our
discussions:
22
AB: Why do you feel strongly about the importance of
our organization and being an active participant?
KI: I like the idea of talking to colleagues, sometimes
arguing, or just having energetic discussions about our
different opinions, and I learn from them and hopefully they
learn something from me. We all have a mutual goal: We
love theater; we want people to enjoy theater; we want people
to go to theater.
GD: I initially got involved for the same reasons as
Karen—because it’s good to sit and talk and mingle with
fellow critics. I’ve stayed because of that but also because of
how the organization has expanded, and what truly intrigues
me is what we’ve been able to accomplish and what we might
be able to accomplish in the future. It’s kind of exciting.
FR: What drew me to the organization is what I
could add to it in terms of the annual awards event. It’s
a celebration of theater in Connecticut, and if you want
emotions on stage, you don’t have to go to Indecent or A
Moon for the Misbegotten or Angels in America: You just come to
the annual show, and you see beautiful, heartfelt acceptance
speeches by actors, designers, writers, performers, directors….
They work for very little, are sometimes unappreciated, and
we’re able to say “thank you” and reward them in some way.
AB: What are the upsides and downsides of being a
theater critic today?
KI: One challenge is that too many media outlets are
eliminating reviewers. I think the public appreciates some
guidance. Not that they always agree with us, but they at least
see our perspective, and it may help them decide where to
spend their limited entertainment dollars. The great thing
is you see a lot of really wonderful theater. The downside
is you often see productions that disappoint you in one
way or another, and you just wish they were better. The
amateur critics are focusing in on film—that’s an easy venue.
We’re offering, by and large, well-thought-out reviews of
productions by professionals we respect.
GD: When I first started as a theater critic and had to
write my first negative review, it was agonizing until I realized
that my function is as an advocate for theatergoers. And, if
I don’t tell the truth, then I’m not doing my job. And, by
and large, the public appreciates our expertise as professional
theater reviewers. The second thing, as Karen mentioned,
is because there are so few publications publishing reviews
these days, the theaters really rely on us. The CCC mantra is:
“In support of theater in Connecticut.” And one of the ways
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017
MASTER OF CEREMONIES: Broadway actress and singer Tina
Fabrique, known for her starring role in the musical Ella, served
as M.C. at the 2016 CCC awards ceremony.
you support theater is getting the word out, especially when
you see something wonderful.
AB: I want people to know how seriously we take
reviewing and also how seriously we take the selection of
award winners. Any thoughts?
GD: It’s an arduous project. Everyone voices opinions;
we give reasons for or reasons against. Is it a perfect system?
No, but I think it captures the essence of what we’re
attempting to do, which is to award quality.
FR: The problem with Connecticut is the range of where
our critics [reside] and the geography of the state. Because of
the local publications they may be writing for, they may not
be able to see everything. However, [the awards committee]
is charged with seriously taking the [entire membership’s]
opinions into our conversation in deciding who should get
the awards.
KI: I think the issue with the awards has always been, to
some extent, comparing apples and oranges. Somebody plays
Macbeth and is brilliant. And then there is somebody who is
in a fluffy comedy and is also brilliant. How do you equate
those two and come to a decision as to who was best in his or
her role? There is a lot of diversity of opinion.
AB: That’s for sure. We’ve had meetings to select the
nominees that have gone on longer than three hours. It’s
like being locked in a jury.
KI: Or a bag of kittens. I think sometimes you wonder if
you saw the same production as other people.
GD: That’s the nature of criticism. But although we have
different opinions, there is surprising equanimity among us.
FR: In other groups it can be a snake pit. I have to say,
I’ve only done this for six years, but the conversations over
that table are respectful, detailed, and really fascinating.
AB: Other thoughts on the awards ceremony, as we
gear up for our June event?
KI: It’s really interesting to look back and see some of
the people who are now stars, like Jessie Mueller. She was a

ARTS & CULTURE
nominee for a CCC award, went on to win a Tony Award
for Beautiful, and is now starring in Waitress [on Broadway].
Also, it’s this great opportunity for Connecticut professional
theater people, who don’t all get together very often, to see
each other in this social setting, to interact with the critics,
interact with the public.
GD: From the point of view of those who receive the
awards, all you have to do is access the photos from last year’s
show and look at the looks on the faces of the recipients, and
you’ll see why we do what we do.
FR: And it’s not just critics giving awards to the insiders.
The public is invited, and our event has always been free,
generously welcoming everyone. It’s really amazing: Outside
New York and Chicago, the Connecticut market is one of
the top five in terms of creating national- and internationalquality
work.
Amy J. Barry is a seasoned freelance writer and expressive arts
educator who lives in Stony Creek. For more about Amy, visit
aimwrite-ct.net.
Visit ctcritics.org for information about the spring 2017
awards ceremony. The event is open and free to the public,
but RSVPs are requested.
THE CRITICS SPEAK
Amy J. Barry is a member of CCC, serves on
its annual awards ceremony committee, and is a
Seasons contributor. She loves writing and theater
and is terrified of performing, so she found the
perfect niche as a theater critic. She published her
first theater review in The Informer, the University
of Hartford student newspaper, which she cofounded
back in 1976.
Karen Isaacs is a founding member of CCC, its
secretary, and a member of the awards selection
committee. She has studied voice off and on since
college and has appeared in Gilbert & Sullivan
musical reviews. She currently participates in
cabaret classes at the Neighborhood Music School
in New Haven.
Geary Danihy has been a CCC member for
10 years and its president for five years. He
experienced one of those unforgettable moments
in 2008 at Hartford Stage when the microphone
Carrie Fisher was wearing suddenly went dead
during her one-woman show Wishful Drinking.
While Fisher was escorted offstage for re-miking,
Debbie Reynolds jumped out of the audience and
onto the stage to stand in for her daughter.
Frank Rizzo, theater writer for The Hartford
Courant for nearly 34 years, joined CCC six years
ago and chairs the annual awards ceremony
committee. August Wilson, Edward Albee, and
Tom Stoppard head the list of famous playwrights
he has interviewed over the years. Rizzo reflects:
“It breaks my heart to remember August saying
that he wanted to take a trip down the Nile with
Ben Mordecai some day. Later that year, they were
both dead. I spoke to Albee in his spacious Tribeca
home surrounded by art and artifacts, and I was on
edge because of his wicked wit. He was a charmer
and gracious. Ditto for Stoppard.”
OFFICIAL PRESENTERS: Governor Dannel P. Malloy and his
wife, Cathy Malloy, perform a little of their own stand-up
comedy, as they present the 2016 award for Outstanding
Ensemble.
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 23

FEATURE
Digging for Truth:
Archaeology Goes High Tech
From drones to virtual reality, new technology is helping Connecticut
archaeologists dig deeply into civilizations past and present. From analyzing
DNA on cigarette butts left behind at crime scenes to using radio waves
to locate the lost city of Atlantis, here’s how local researchers are making
ground-breaking discoveries at home and abroad.
What’s new in archaeology? It may seem like an odd
question. Surely nothing can really be new in a
study that involves sifting through tons of dirt,
dusting off ancient relics, and learning about civilizations that
are hundreds–if not thousands–of years old.
But here in Connecticut, professors are using 3-D
modeling in their archaeology classrooms. Forensic scholars
are attaching infrared cameras to drones. Researchers are
identifying the wines of forgotten bacchanals and using new
methods to explore classical ruins. There’s even one local
academic who, with the help of recent scientific advances,
firmly believes he’s actually found the lost city of Atlantis.
New technology is helping Connecticut archaeologists
dig deeply into civilizations past and present, as they face
challenges across the globe. Here is an overview of some of
their ground-breaking discoveries.
Tomb Grader
Kate Birney, a Wesleyan professor with a PhD from
Harvard, is using virtual reality (VR) in the field and recently
began teaching a new type of archaeology class that combines
classical research with modern design tools.
“We’re using technology that has never been applied
before,” she says, of her on-site excavations in locations like
the Greek island of Crete. With x-ray fluorescence (XRF), for
example, archaeologists can “figure out what kinds of metals
swords are made from.” DNA analysis reveals new insights
about human remains.
“With new virtual reality technology, we can recreate the
experience of being in ancient buildings and approaching
these monuments,” she says. The tool suite the team is using
is called Unreal Engine. Eventually, virtual reality will allow
students anywhere in the world to step inside Cretan tombs
and pick up artifacts. “The more familiar we get with this
technology, the more we can teach students how to use it, as
well,” she says. In the summer, students accompany her to
sites in Israel and Crete to gain fieldwork experience and to
see these archaeological innovations at work.
Meanwhile, back in her Connecticut classroom, there’s
also technical wizardry transforming the study of archaeology.
Birney teaches an experimental course with professor
Christopher Parslow: “Visualizing the Classical.” Students
learn how to use laser scanning and photogrammetry to
create 3-D images of artifacts like Etruscan vases; they build
3-D models of Crete’s Minoan palaces; they’re encouraged to
ponder questions: What might the walls feel like? How does
the light hit this area at different times of day?
This tech makes the archeology field less rarefied, as
students who can’t afford pricey trips around the world can
still participate in the process via modeling.
Birney also maps and records local archaeological sites
on field trips with her students. Ruins in Glastonbury and
24
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

Written by Mike Briotta
REMAINS OF THE DAY: In Ashkelon, Israel, Kate Birney excavates a mysterious Hellenistic burial of a possible murder victim.
Photo by Melissa Aja.
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 25

FEATURE
DOWN UNDER: Christopher O’Brien teaches
students forensic archaeology methods
on a study-abroad trip to Australia. Photo
courtesy of Christopher O’Brien.
ADVENTURES IN ISRAEL: Martha Risser’s
team washes pottery at Akko. Photo
courtesy of Martha Risser.
PEAK EXPERIENCE: Risser and her
students pose by a statue of Napoleon at
Tel Akko. Photo by Akko staff.
THE PROFESSORS:
Excavating and Investigating
Our World
Martha Risser
Trinity College
Christopher O’Brien
University of New Haven
The Connecticut researchers featured in our story
have taught and worked at fascinating sites
here at home and overseas.
Kate Birney
Wesleyan University
Richard Freund
University of Hartford
CONNECTICUT MAP:
1) Wesleyan University, Middletown
2) University of New Haven
3) University of Hartford
4) Trinity College, Hartford
26
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

FEATURE
field walls across the state pique her interest. “There are
fascinating things in our own backyard,” she says.
A Jones for Adventure
Richard Freund is the Maurice Greenberg Professor
of Jewish History and director of the Maurice Greenberg
Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Hartford. His
adventures are so extreme they would make Indiana Jones
jealous, as he leaps from the pages of classical literature to the
undulating waves of the Spanish seas.
Strange as it may sound, his scientific exploits include a
quest to find the lost city of Atlantis.
“I’ve been interviewed by Cleveland talk radio and The
Times of London,” says an excited Freund in the midst of a
whirlwind media tour. “All people want to know is: ‘Did you
really find Atlantis?’”
It’s a logical question, given that National Geographic
invited his University of Hartford research group to
participate in two television documentaries produced by
Titanic director James Cameron that focus on efforts, in
collaboration with Spanish researchers, to locate evidence of
Atlantis in southern Spain.
Freund’s short answer is: “I think we did find Atlantis.”
The tremendous undertaking was a collaboration between
MARTHA RISSER, TRINITY COLLEGE:
5) Akko (Acre), Israel
6) Caesarea Maritima, Israel
7) Isthmia, Greece
KATE BIRNEY, WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY:
8) Hatay Region, Turkey
9) Ashkelon, Israel
10) Meso Mouliana, Crete
11) Glastonbury, CT, United States
CHRISTOPHER O’BRIEN, UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVEN:
12) Jandakot, Western Australia
13) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
14) Edmond, Oklahoma, United States
15) Thimble Islands, CT, United States
RICHARD FREUND, UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD
RESEARCH GROUP:
16) Straight of Gibraltar, Atlantic Ocean, Spain
17) Rhodes, Greece
18) Sobibór Death Camp, Sobibór, Poland
19) Multiple sites in Israel
This graphic, by artist Sean Wang, was created to show the wide range of areas our sources have
explored globally and should be viewed as a creative endeavor. All locations are approximate.
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 27

FEATURE
ON SITE IN LITHUANIA: Richard Freund (forefront) works with an international team to locate a Holocaust escape tunnel in the Ponar
forest. Photo courtesy of Richard Freund.
well-known Spanish archaeologists and historians, who
worked with a team from North America that included
geoscientists, marine archaeologists, a cartographer, and
experts from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
The crew of a specially designed research ship, operators of
a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV), and experts
in archaeology and history in Crete, Malta, Sardinia, and the
Azores were also critical to the endeavor.
Freund’s efforts are based on stories passed down
through oral storytelling tradition. Plato’s texts about Atlantis
were based on stories from well before his time. The site the
team is focused on is located by the Pillars of Hercules, or,
in modern parlance, the Strait of Gibraltar’s entry. “This is
not just mentioned in one tiny reference but two different
dialogues by Plato,” Freund says. “Plato said it was destroyed
by subsidence or earthquake and is impassable today,” he
explains.
Freund’s most recent research seeks to align clues
from Greek classical literature—which most people read
metaphorically—with real-world evidence. To back up his
claims, he relies on modern science including a unique
methodology at the University of Hartford. “This is
subsurface mapping, using radio waves, which most people
think only goes down about 15 feet,” he says. “With electrical
resistivity tomography—like MRI for the ground—you can see
much more.”
It’s very expensive, cutting-edge technology that most
universities, including the University of Hartford, could
never afford to own. The university’s research program has
the equipment on loan thanks to a collaboration with the
gas and oil industry and other universities, museums, and
independent research facilities.
The evidence that supports Freund’s Atlantis theory
includes a color-coded readout of what lies beneath the dirt
up to 150 feet deep. “We can’t excavate through the mud,
but a mixture of materials is down there and goes back 6,000
28
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

FEATURE
years,” Freund says, adding: “Carbon 14 dating was done on
multiple organic samples that showed definitively that the
materials were from 6,000 years ago.”
What did this ancient city look like? “We’re seeing the
unique architecture of Atlantis on a big sand bar,” Freund
says. “Subsurface mapping has revealed there are hundreds of
columns off the coast of Spain in the middle of the Atlantic.
They didn’t get there by accident,” he insists.
Vintage Vessels
Martha Risser, associate professor
at Trinity College, combines her passion
for the classical world with new scientific
techniques. Since 2010, she and her
students have worked on a dig in Israel
dubbed the Akko Archaeology, Heritage,
and History Project. Caesarea Maritima,
a Roman- through Crusader-era city in
Israel, is among other sites she’s explored.
She’s currently finishing a book that she’s
sending to the printers this spring.
Modern-day wine drinkers will be
interested in the pieces of pottery she
studies in Greece. No longer content
with merely piecing back together
the broken remnants of old vessels,
archaeologists can now extract tiny amounts of grape DNA
stuck within them. With the help of laboratory tests, they can
figure out if an ancient Hellenic culture had a penchant for
pinot grigio or a taste for cabernet sauvignon.
“You used to need a giant clean lab for work that is now
done in the field,” she says. “We’re finding kraters [vessels],
which were used for mixing wine and water at dinner
parties. [The Greeks] were importing a lot of wine. As it is
today, it may have been seen as a status symbol. We see a
lot of evidence of alcohol consumption,” Risser adds lightheartedly.
Wine vessels are especially important because the pottery
was often stamped with the season the grapes were harvested,
the year, and the name of the reigning political official at the
time.
“How was this pottery deposited? How were people
living?” asks Risser, who travels to Isthmia, Greece, for
answers. She says studying pottery sherds [the more accurate
term for what many call “shards”] in ancient cultures is akin
to analyzing garbage to assess modern culture. “We study
what’s left behind and learn from people’s refuse,” she says.
Whether chasing
the legend of the
lost city of Atlantis
or mapping historic
stone walls right
here in Connecticut,
archeologists have
never been more
equipped to make
discoveries.
Her work may at first seem like traditional rooting
around in dusty remains, but Risser’s approach is extremely
contemporary.
“Archaeology has changed as a discipline,” she says.
Global Information Systems (GIS) and Light Detection and
Ranging (LIDAR) are her everyday tools of the trade. While
digging in an area that was once a blacksmith shop, Risser’s
team taps other technologies to determine what kinds of
metals were used; this adds to knowledge
of ancient trade routes.
“We’re finding materials in the soil,
collecting slag, sifting the soil, and passing
magnets over it so the iron fragments pop
up,” she says. Chemical testing allows for
detailed data from the iron fragments,
which was not possible before. “Now we
can get all the different byproducts of
metal working, seeing where their ore was
coming from. Five years ago, we couldn’t
do that,” she explains.
Scientific CSI
You might call taphonomy a
“cousin” of archaeology: It’s the study
of how living things decompose after
death, becoming part of the fossil record
archaeologists might unearth. For forensic taphonomist
Christopher O’Brien of the University of New Haven, it’s
all about modern, and sometimes urban, applications of
new investigative methods. His findings are applicable in a
surprising array of court cases.
“A forensic archaeologist is a really narrow job
description,” O’Brien says of this related field. “If we can’t
take somebody to court, we don’t care. If you can’t apply
[findings] directly, you’re not doing forensics,” he explains.
Just as a forensic archaeologist might study bones to show
whether or not indigenous people have ancestral claims to
certain lands, a forensic taphonomist is interested in what lies
hidden.
“We’re using spatial mapping technology, which means
you can scan, map, and [digitize]… everything from buried
remains to surface scatter,” he says. “Of course, you can
still use a string and tape measure if you choose, but total
station (a modern surveying instrument) is now your point of
reference. Spatial analysis was around 20 years ago, but now
it’s highly automated,” he says.
Another new advancement is called digital touch DNA.
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 29

FEATURE
If a suspect in a criminal investigation secretes
enough DNA through fingerprints, he or she
can be identified even without a full print.
“A fair amount of work has been done on
cigarette butts and DNA,” as well, O’Brien
says. “For us, we’ll test a cigarette butt if it
was found at a crime scene, and we’ll run
it through the criminal database [to catch a
suspect],” he explains.
O’Brien’s efforts with Forward Looking
Infrared Radar (FLIR) have proven valuable to
police. “Heat from decomposing remains can
be visible in the first 12 to 24 hours before a
body gets cold,” he says. “We’re also working
on attaching FLIR to drones.” According
to O’Brien, this aerial radar technology will
hopefully be available soon to local police if
they request assistance.
When O’Brien assisted Canadian police
investigating a group of Hells Angels, he
learned the limits of all this technology. It
didn’t work out the way he planned.
“We were using ground-penetrating radar
at these Hells Angels’ houses, but all we kept
finding were hundreds of rocks,” he recalls.
“While they were waiting for us, the cops got
bored and decided to start digging. Of course,
as soon as they put a shovel in the ground, the
police found a quarter-million dollars in cash.
Then they found a cache of drugs and guns.”
O’Brien recalls: “One of the officers just
turned around to us and said, ‘I guess you guys
can go home.’”
What’s new in archaeology? Well, plenty.
Whether chasing the legend of the lost
city of Atlantis or mapping historic stone
walls right here in Connecticut, archeologists
have never been more equipped to make
discoveries.
RESEARCHING ANCIENT GREECE: Risser sorts through pottery at Isthmia.
Photo by E. R. Gebhard.
Mike Briotta is a freelance writer living in
Springfield, Massachusetts. He would love to find
buried treasure someday, but his archaeological
experience is limited to locating old toys buried in
his backyard and bringing a metal detector to the
beach every summer.
30
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

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DELICIOUS
SUNNY SIDE UP: Treat your brunch guests to a tart
topped with (or without) eggs, plus prosciutto,
arugula, asparagus, and goat cheese.
32
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

Written and Photographed by Alycia Chrosniak
DIP IN: Purée peas
or beets in a food
processor for vibranttoned
veggie hummus.
Farm-to-Table Favorites
Turn your latest haul from the farm into a savory tart,
homemade hummus, and a seasonal salad.
You could pretty much consider me a bear
in the wintertime. I don’t hibernate,
but I eat like I need to build up a thick
layer of fat to survive the cold, harsh months in
Connecticut’s tundra. I stuff my body with one
warm, hearty meal after the next and don’t even
think about excessive calories because aren’t those
what oversized sweaters and puffy down coats are
meant to hide?
Alas, there comes a point every winter when
I wake up to reality. My body has had enough. I
crave brightness. I crave acidity. I crave all things
green that grow from the ground. Conveniently,
this is around the same time that local farms start
promoting their CSAs (many Seasons readers hold
shares in Community Supported Agriculture
programs, entitling them to a weekly allotment of
crops). This is wonderful timing: I can sign up to
buy a bunch of light, bright, healthy foods weeks
before they actually start growing. Consequently,
before I’ve nibbled a carrot, I feel I’m doing
something to combat the layer of insulation I’ve
accrued in my warm apartment.
By June, I’m already three weeks into my
CSA, and I’m inundated with veggies. My counter
is covered in asparagus. I have enough arugula to
feed a football team. If I eat one more carrot, I will
likely turn orange.
There’s always that point in the CSA season
when it’s hard to know what to do with the
latest haul. That’s when I turn to three trusty
recipes. The tart is good for times when you want
something substantial, while the hummus makes
a quick and easy snack, and the salad is perfect on
days when you can’t even think about steaming
another vegetable.
Farms are currently accepting sign-ups for
their CSAs. Find a complete list of CSAs in the
state at cteatsout.com/blog/csa-in-connecticut.
Alycia Chrosniak is the founder of CTEatsOut.com,
your guide to the best eats in the state. In addition to
being a Seasons contributor, she also writes about food
and travel for publications such as Travel + Leisure
and Food52.
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 33

RECIPES
ASPARAGUS BREAKFAST TART
I call this a breakfast tart because it is the perfect
brunch dish, but you can serve it any time of day.
For a lighter side dish, skip the eggs and bake for
5 to 7 minutes until everything is warm and toasty,
then top with arugula, prosciutto, goat cheese, and
pesto.
Serves 4 to 6
Ingredients:
1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 bunch of asparagus, cut into thirds
6 eggs at room temperature
2 cups arugula
Juice from ½ lemon
4 slices prosciutto di Parma, cut in half
2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
4 tablespoons basil pesto
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet
with parchment paper. Set aside.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry
into a 12x14-inch rectangle (or thereabouts). Using
a knife, score a ½-inch border around the edges.
Prick the inside of the pastry rectangle with a fork
several times all over. Place on the parchment paper
and bake for 10 minutes until light golden brown.
Remove from the oven.
Heat a large skillet to medium-high and add 2
tablespoons of oil. Add asparagus and garlic and
cook 2 to 3 minutes. Remove veggies from skillet
and arrange in the center of the puff pastry,
keeping mixture within the edges.
Crack one egg at a time in a small bowl, then
transfer onto the tart, spacing them evenly. Sprinkle
with salt and pepper. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes
until the whites are set and the yolks are still a little
runny.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss the arugula with
the 2 remaining tablespoons of olive oil and the
lemon juice. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Remove the tart from the oven and top with
arugula, crumbled goat cheese, and prosciutto
slices. Drizzle with pesto and serve.
PEA (OR BEET) HUMMUS
When it comes to hummus, there are tons of
vegetables that you can exchange for traditional
chickpeas. Two of my favorites are peas (fresh or
frozen work great) and beets.
Makes about 3 cups
Ingredients:
2 cups frozen sweet or fresh peas, shucked if
fresh
½ cup extra virgin olive oil, extra for
garnishing
¼ cup tahini
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
¼ teaspoon cumin
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
Pita bread and assorted vegetables for
serving
Directions:
If using fresh peas, bring a small pot of water to
a boil. Add peas and cook for 4 to 6 minutes until
tender. If using frozen peas, let them thaw.
In a food processor, combine the peas with the
olive oil, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and cumin and
process until a smooth purée forms. Transfer to a
bowl and top with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
and the toasted sesame seeds. Serve with assorted
vegetables and toasted pita bread.
BEET VARIATION
Substitute 2 pounds of cooked red beets for the
peas.
Remove stems from beets. Scrub beets and rinse
under water until clean. Preheat oven to 375
degrees F. Wrap beets in aluminum foil and drizzle
with olive oil. Roast in the oven for 1 hour or until
tender (knife should be able to be inserted and
pulled out without resistance). Remove from oven,
cut in half, and refrigerate. Once cooled, peel the
beets and quarter them. Combine beets in a food
processor with olive oil, tahini, garlic, lemon juice,
and cumin, as directed in pea hummus recipe, and
follow final steps for serving.
34
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

Perfect Pairings
When it comes to selecting wine to complement
lighter spring fare, follow these tips from Scott Clark
of Liquor Depot.
RECIPES
: Are there any general guidelines for pairing wines
with vegetable dishes?
SC: Lighter, vibrant vegetables, such as peas, celery, fresh
greens, or green beans, pair well with sparkling wines or
crisp, unoaked white wines. Savory, earthy vegetables,
such as mushrooms (technically fungi), sweet potatoes,
Swiss chard, or lentils, pair well with richer white wines,
rosés, or even light reds.
: Could you recommend a wine for each of the
recipes featured in Seasons’ “Delicious” story?
SC: The ingredients in each dish determine the ideal
wine type:
Asparagus Breakfast Tart
Stay away from tannic reds or oaky whites and go for
something citrusy, herbal, and unoaked. Try sauvignon
blanc from Sancerre or Pouilly Fumé in France’s Loire
Valley or even an unoaked chardonnay from California
or Oregon.
Pea (or Beet) Hummus
A good domestic rosé would pair nicely with the
hummus. For something a little more savory, try an
Oregonian or Chilean pinot noir.
Raw Zucchini and Basil Salad
A juicy fruit bomb of a wine isn’t going to cut it—
you need something with zing to counter the acidic
onslaught of a ripe tomato. A New Zealand sauvignon
blanc or rosé from France fits the bill.
: Any suggestions for a spring celebration
or special occasion, such as Mother’s Day or
Father’s Day?
SC: A signature cocktail can make your event memorable.
Try adding a dash of aromatic liqueur (Pavan or St.
Germain) to a glass of prosecco and garnish with an
edible flower petal.
: Do you have a suggestion for making
fruit-flavored vodka at home?
SC: Soak your favorite fruit in a jar of quality vodka for
a month, then filter the fruit particles out and pour the
vodka back into its original bottle. Serve over ice with a
splash of soda water or tonic, and voilà—an ideal spring
drink.
For your beverage needs, visit Liquor Depot in New
Britain and West Simsbury, liquordepotinc.com.
Liquor Depot is your ultimate destination
for convenient shopping, superior selection
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Ask us about the perfect wine to pair
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Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 35

RECIPES
RIBBONS OF FLAVOR: Swathed in
a pesto-infused olive oil dressing,
cherry tomatoes and long slices of
zucchini are the foundation for a
sophisticated spring salad.
36
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

RECIPES
Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Outdoor Dining • Sunday Brunch
Sunset Dining • Happy Hour
RAW ZUCCHINI AND BASIL SALAD
You can switch out the zucchini for yellow squash,
or use them both. For a larger, more diverse salad,
mix in a couple of cups of arugula and/or spinach
and double the dressing.
Serves 6
Ingredients:
FOR THE SALAD
6 zucchini
1 pint of cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
4 tablespoons basil, chiffonade
¼ cup pine nuts, toasted
Salt and pepper to taste
FOR THE DRESSING
2 tablespoons pesto
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Zest from one lemon
½ lemon, juiced
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
Seasons Restaurant at Avon Old Farms Hotel
279 Avon Mountain Road • Avon
Reservations Recommended: 860.269.0240
SeasonsRestaurantAvon.com • Facebook.com/AOFHRestaurant
Directions:
Cut the ends off each zucchini. With your
vegetable peeler or mandoline, carefully slice each
raw zucchini length-wise into thin ribbons. Place
on a paper towel and lightly salt to remove some
of the excess water. Set aside.
Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small
bowl. Set aside.
After about 10 minutes, pat the zucchini dry with a
paper towel and place in a large bowl. Add cherry
tomatoes and drizzle with the dressing. Toss gently
to coat. Top with crumbled goat cheese, basil, and
pine nuts. Add salt and pepper to taste.
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Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 37

HEALTH & WELLNESS
Dr. Karyn Hansen
Dr. Karyn Hansen greets a Seasons reporter in the
conference room near her office at the Karl J. Krapek, Sr.
Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis
Hospital and Medical Center, a state-of-the-art building
connected to the main hospital by a walkway and bridge
stretching across Collins Street. The gynecologic oncologist
has changed out of her scrubs for the meeting and instead
dons a classic navy cardigan over a cream-colored blouse and
grey wool pants. Twenty minutes into the interview, however,
she is called to the OR and is back in her scrubs, ready
to consult on a complicated, robotic-assisted laparoscopic
hysterectomy.
Back in medical school, it was the excitement of surgery
that lured Dr. Hansen; in fact, she initially thought she
wanted to work in trauma. But once she got to her first
clinical rotation—obstetrics/gynecology—during her third
year of medical school, she knew she had found her calling.
“Ob/Gyn suited me. It had the surgery, but it also had
the continuity of care,” she says. Dr. Hansen was drawn to
gynecologic oncology in part because of its added emotional
component. “I’m a frank and realistic person, and I try to
be really honest with patients about their prognosis and
what we can and can’t do to help them,” she says. “I like to
give my patients some autonomy even in a bad situation,
to allow them to make decisions that are right for them as
individuals.”
Longstanding relationships
Dr. Hansen says she appreciates the longstanding
relationships that oncologists have with their patients.
“Sometimes that’s because they have the type of cancer that
is curable, and they follow up with us for surveillance. Other
patients have the kind of cancer that is treatable, but not
curable, and therefore get treated on and off for many years,”
she explains. She says the most difficult part of her job is
telling people they have advanced-stage cancer, particularly
when they are not emotionally prepared for it. “The most
rewarding part,” she says, “is even in those hard situations,
feeling like your patients and their families really trust your
opinion and advice.”
Dr. Hansen, who grew up in New Hampshire and went
to college in South Carolina, says she took a non-traditional
route to medicine, working first as a pharmaceutical sales rep
and then attending graduate school to study microbiology
before heading to the University of South Carolina School
of Medicine. She met her husband, Jonathan Shepherd, a
urogynecologist also at Saint Francis, while she was a thirdyear
medical student and he was in South Carolina finishing
his residency. She continued on to Magee-Womens Hospital
at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for both her
residency and her gynecologic oncology fellowship, while
her husband was completing his urogynecology fellowship
and then faculty appointment there. After completing her
training, she and her husband decided to pursue positions on
the East Coast to be nearer to family. Saint Francis proved a
good fit for both of them.
Ovarian cancer
Though ovarian cancer is not a particularly common
cancer—there are only about 22,000 cases diagnosed in the
United States per year (compared to more than 250,000
cases of breast cancer)—women with ovarian cancer compose
a large proportion of Dr. Hansen’s patients. “Although it
is often not curable, ovarian cancer is highly treatable,” she
says. “Women get treated and then may not have evidence of
disease for a while, then they recur, and we treat them again.
People can live quite a long time, even with advanced ovarian
cancer,” she says.
Still, ovarian cancer is the most deadly gynecologic
cancer because it is usually diagnosed at a late stage, as
women rarely show early symptoms, and there is no good
screening tool. This is why it is so important for women to
know their family history, according to Dr. Hansen. Women
with a first-degree relative who has had ovarian cancer (and
38
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

Written by Lori Miller Kase
Photography by Seshu Photography
CONTINUITY OF CARE: Dr. Karyn
Hansen, a gynecologic oncologist
at Saint Francis, says the most
difficult part of her job is telling
people they have advanced-stage
cancer. “The most rewarding part
is even in those hard situations,
feeling like your patients and their
families really trust your opinion
and advice.”
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 39

HEALTH & WELLNESS
related cancers such as fallopian or peritoneal), as well
as those with a strong family history of breast cancer, are
typically referred to a genetic counselor who can determine
whether they would benefit from testing for genes like
BRCA1 and BRCA2 that put them at a higher risk for the
disease.
The majority of women with ovarian cancer don’t
actually carry those mutations, but having such mutations
increases ovarian cancer risk significantly. According to
the National Cancer Institute, 11 to 17 percent of women
who inherit the BRCA2 mutation and up to 39 percent
of women with the BRCA1 mutation will develop ovarian
cancer by age 70, compared to 1.3 percent of women in the
general population. Carriers are usually advised to undergo
risk-reducing surgery, which typically involves removal
of the ovaries and fallopian tubes after they are finished
with childbearing. On the medical side, researchers are
increasingly trying to target treatment to specific genetic
mutations for a more individualized approach. Recent
research has also led to the understanding that most of what
we call “ovarian cancer” actually originates in the fallopian
tubes.
Cervical and endometrial cancers
Cervical cancer is even less common than ovarian,
though recent research suggests that rates are on the rise.
“We have better screening techniques for cervical cancer—like
the Pap smear—and it’s also potentially preventable, thanks
to the HPV vaccine,” says Dr. Hansen. The majority of the
approximately 13,000 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed
nationally each year are caused by the human papilloma virus
(HPV), she says, and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention now recommends that all females—and males—
receive the vaccine when they are 11 to 12 years old. (HPV
is transmitted sexually and can also lead to vulvar, vaginal,
penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers). Unfortunately,
says Dr. Hansen, approximately 50 percent of people who
are eligible haven’t had the vaccine. Regular Pap smears
and annual pelvic exams are critical for the early detection
and prevention of cervical cancer. When a Pap smear
reveals abnormal cells (also known as cervical dysplasia),
the gynecologist removes those cells and thus eliminates
the chance of them ever developing into cancer. “And
most cervical cancers, if diagnosed early, can be cured,” Dr.
Hansen says.
Endometrial cancer is the most common of the
gynecologic cancers with about 60,000 new cases diagnosed
annually. There are two types of endometrial cancer, says
Dr. Hansen. One is high-grade and, like ovarian cancer,
tends to be aggressive. But the vast majority of endometrial
cancer cases, she says, are low-grade and the result of
hyperstimulation of the endometrial lining.
“Endometrial is the fastest growing type of gynecologic
cancer,” says Dr. Hansen. “As society gets more obese, we
are seeing more endometrial cancer occur and in younger
women than we had seen before.” She explains that adipose
(or fatty) tissue results in the production of extra estrogen,
which stimulates the endometrial lining. Obesity, in fact,
is a well-established risk factor for endometrial cancer.
According to Dr. Hansen, for women whose endometrial
cancer is diagnosed early, surgery is often the only treatment
they’ll need. Treatment typically involves a minimally invasive
hysterectomy including removal of the tubes and ovaries.
The most common sign of endometrial cancer is
postmenopausal bleeding. “Any change in bleeding is
something to talk to your gynecologist about,” she says,
noting that abnormal bleeding could also be a sign of cervical
or ovarian cancer. Benign causes, such as polyps, can lead to
abnormal bleeding, too, so this symptom is not always cause
for alarm, she adds, but you should still consult your doctor.
Dr. Hansen stresses the importance of regular gynecologic
check-ups.
Educating future physicians
Teaching was an integral part of Dr. Hansen’s fellowship
training, and one of the reasons she was attracted to Saint
Francis was because it provided her with the opportunity to
continue teaching residents and medical students. “I help
teach the residents who are part of the Ob/Gyn residency at
Saint Francis Hospital, as well as medical students from some
of the local medical schools like Quinnipiac and UConn, and
I really like that part of my job,” the doctor says. Residents
and medical students accompany her on her rounds and join
her in the operating room. “I hope that as I’m here longer, I
will move into a more defined role in resident and medical
student education,” she says.
Lori Miller Kase is a freelance writer living in Simsbury.
Photographer Seshu Badrinath of Avon specializes in
intimate, natural portraits of families and children;
seshuphotography.com
40
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

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Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

UPCOMING SHOWS
YOUR SUMMER OF POETRY BEGINS HERE
OPENING NIGHT / Wednesday, June 21
BILLY COLLINS
Mar. 29 – Apr. 9, 2017 Apr. 26 – May 14, 2017
Conceived, directed and
choreographed by Darlene Zoller
By Arlene Hutton
Sunday, July 9
Jamaal May & Tarfia Faizullah
Wednesday, July 19
Cornelius Eady
Sunday, August 6
Mark Doty & Eileen Myles
Wednesday, August 16
CT YOUNG POETS DAY
Ocean Vuong &
Fresh Voices Student Competition Winners
June 3 – 11, 2017
Play originally produced by the
National Theatre of Great Britain
June 28 – July 30, 2017
By Adam Long, Daniel Singer,
and Jess Winfield
Presented by Hill-Stead Museum
35 Mountain Road, Farmington CT
Tickets at hillstead.org
Tickets 860-523-5900 Ext. 10
or visit playhouseonpark.org
244 PARK ROAD WEST HARTFORD, CT 06119
Type: FLAMA
pms 2602 purple
pms 144 orange
HEX
purple 77278b
orange f8981d
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OR LONG TERM CARE
Beginning with a compassionate welcome, we work with residents, families, area
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652 West Avon Road, Avon, CT 06001
860-673-2521 avonhealthcenter.com
130 Loomis Drive, West Hartford, CT 06017
860-521-8700 westhartfordhealth.com
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 43

NOTES ON NATURE
On a Wing and a Prayer
Spring mornings, I wake early with
anticipation, eager to discover what
wonderful new things might be revealed. I
take tea, binoculars, and my journal to the
outdoor sitting room and join the other early birds.
Last year’s April 23 journal entry says: “Eastern
towhee flashes into view and scratches among the
violets around the bird feeder. He eclipses the newly
arrived phoebe, fox sparrow, and yellow-rumped
warblers I’m watching.”
I remember now how I put down my mug and
raised my binoculars to study his deep red eyes.
His rufous sides are the perfect complement to the
verdant ground cover.
The towhee raises his black velvet-like crown
at an interfering chipmunk who is not impressed.
But I am smitten. I’m able to do a couple of quick
sketches before he flies out of sight toward the edge
of the woods.
The eastern towhee spends winters in the
southeastern states as far south as Florida. He may
find a mate there or fly as far north as the Canadian
44
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

Written and Illustrated by Kathy Goff
border to nest and raise his family, retreating south again in
the fall. I’m wishing him well when, from the edge of
the woods, he sings his lilting song–“drink-your-tea.”
I laugh and reach for the mug, but the tea is cold.
Time to get to the studio.
The April 29 entry records that I heard
the sweet caroling of a male rose-breasted
grosbeak. I noted that he was earlier than
usual. The grosbeaks are favorite visitors
who stay to nest in the oak woods around
my house. Their journey brings them all
the way from northern South America.
Rose-breasted grosbeaks, like
other New England-bound neotropical
songbirds, must brave the hazards of a
600-mile flight over the Gulf of Mexico.
This ocean crossing can take 18 to
24 hours in good conditions, but if birds
are confronted by winds out of the north,
their journey becomes a grueling marathon
that can last up to 40 hours.
Every year many thousands of birds
simply run out of energy and fall into Gulf
waters. Millions more are lost to collisions
with hazards such as cell towers and skyscrapers.
Those who survive find their way north to grace
our woodlands, fields, and gardens with vibrant color
and song. These birds are small miracles for what they have
endured.
I think of their journey whenever I raise binoculars to watch
a yellow warbler gleaning caterpillars from fresh new leaves or
hear the “mew” of a catbird, the flute-like song of a wood thrush,
or the whistled notes of Baltimore orioles looking for the oranges
and yarn I always offer them. They need a safe and bountiful
landing place to nurture their return.
With that goal, I plant more native plants, fill birdbaths,
and offer nesting boxes. It is also vital not to use pesticides or
weed killers and to keep cats indoors.
In spite of all my preparations for the new arrivals, one
of them always takes my breath away. The first ruby-throated
hummingbird makes my heart skip a beat. He seeks me
out, hovering at the window or meeting me at the door.
For two summers, he has come almost daily for a
shower in the mist of my garden hose. He soaks himself
thoroughly, all the while chirping gaily, then flies to a
small branch to preen from beak to tail. He has made the
trip to my garden at least twice, all the way from Central
America and back again on tiny wings. It’s the ultimate
testament to the stamina and determination of one of the
smallest of all birds. He is truly a miniature miracle in
glittering feathers.
Kathy Goff is a wildlife painter and sculptor with a studio in
the Farmington Valley Arts Center in Avon.
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 45

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46
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

FINAL THOUGHTS
Written by Matthew Dicks
Illustrated by Sean Wang
Ode to April Fools’ Day
Sunrise. I step outside my apartment
and head for the parking lot. As I
turn the corner, I laugh. The first
car in a long row of cars is no longer
visible. Every inch of the vehicle is
covered in toilet paper. There is so much
toilet paper covering this car that its
actual shape is no longer discernible. It’s
only the suggestion of an automobile.
I shake my head. “Sucker,” I whisper
aloud, as I proceed down the row of cars
to my own. It’s only when I reach the
end of the row that my heart sinks.
That’s my car. My car is buried in
toilet paper.
Then it occurs to me what day it is:
April 1. April Fools’ Day.
Half an hour later, I have removed
–I later learned–exactly 100 rolls of
toilet paper. And pinned beneath
my windshield wipers, I find a small,
rectangular block of wood inscribed with
a flourish: Daughters of Triton.
I know exactly who is responsible:
Sherry and Jen. Friends and coconspirators.
Despite the frustration and difficulty
of removing pounds of toilet tissue, I am
thrilled with the success of my friends’
prank. It was executed perfectly. I am
rightfully impressed.
I’m a fan of April Fools’ Day. I
look forward to it every year. I don’t
think April Fools’ Day gets the respect it
deserves. Unlike the religious holidays,
which divide us by our beliefs, or
Thanksgiving, which requires us to visit
with relatives who we’d never choose
as friends, or even Groundhog Day,
which celebrates the prognosticating
powers of an ambivalent rodent, April
Fools’ Day is a tradition that invites
all comers (even those who had no
intention of participating). It’s a holiday
that demands creativity, originality,
sneakiness, and patience. It rewards skill
and strategy.
Best of all, every April Fools’ Day is
different from the last. If done well, an
April Fools’ Day caper is unforgettable.
The best April Fools’ Day trick ever
played on me occurred the year after
the great toilet papering prank of 1991.
On April 1, 1992, my friend, Kate,
informed me she was pregnant. She was
waiting to tell people, she explained, but
she had decided to trust me with this
momentous news.
I felt honored. Revered. I couldn’t
believe the faith Kate had placed in me.
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017 47

FINAL THOUGHTS
Four months later, Kate still had
not announced her pregnancy, and as
far as I could tell, she wasn’t showing. I
was 20 years old at the time, and I had
no understanding of how and when a
pregnant woman might begin showing,
so I simply assumed Kate was still silently
pregnant. Then we found ourselves at
a keg party on a hot August day. Kate
began drinking. Thinking she didn’t
understand the adverse effects of alcohol
on an unborn fetus, I took her aside and
whispered, “You can’t drink.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Because you’re pregnant!”
It took her a second to realize what I
was saying. Then she burst into laughter.
“What?” I demanded, finding none
of this funny.
“I told you that I was pregnant on
April Fools’ Day. Got you!”
This is what April Fools’ Day is all
about. It’s the quest to make someone
feel as foolish as possible, and yet special,
too, for being chosen as the target of the
prank. It’s a fine line that the prankster
walks, but even if the joke backfires and
perhaps upsets or offends the target,
that’s okay.
It’s April Fools’ Day. Anything goes.
Of course, April Fools’ Day can
occasionally go awry. When I began
dating my wife, Elysha, 13 years ago, she
and I worked together as teachers in the
same school. I arrived at work early that
day and ran into my principal in the
hallway.
“Hey, boss,” I said. “Just a heads-up.
I’m dating Elysha Green now.”
He laughed.
“What?” I asked.
“Like Elysha Green would ever date
you. I know it’s April Fools’ Day.”
“I’m serious!” I shouted, as he
moved on down the hall. “I’m serious!
I’m dating Elysha Green. I think I love
her!”
“Yeah, yeah,” he said. “You should
be so lucky. Nice try.”
It took me a week to convince him
we were dating. Two years later, he
officiated our wedding ceremony.
April Fools’ Day can be tricky in
more ways than one.
Matthew Dicks is a West Hartford
elementary schoolteacher and author of
the new novel, The Perfect Comeback
of Caroline Jacobs, as well as Memoirs
of an Imaginary Friend, Something
Missing, and Unexpectedly, Milo, which
have been translated into 25 languages
worldwide. Learn more at matthewdicks.com.
Sean Wang, an MIT architecture graduate,
is author of the sci-fi graphic novel series,
Runners. Learn more at seanwang.com
with grand marshals
Wayne Carini
and his daughter
Lindsay
48
Seasons of West Hartford • SPRING 2017

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