Longed-for Long Weekends: Litchfield County, Salisbury

Western Connecticut Tourism District

Longed-for Long Weekends: Litchfield County, Salisbury, is co-written by Michelle Falcone of Easton, secretary on the Executive Committee for the Western Connecticut Tourism District (WCTD) and Stacy Lytwyn, Easton resident and CT guidebook author. It is the fifth article in a six-part series that examines some of the best weekend jaunts offered in each of the three WCTD regions.

The United Kingdom spills over with no less than one hundred different business signs all under the same moniker “White Hart,” the fifth most popular name for an inn, hotel or pub. “Hart” is an archaic word for a mature stag, a buck. Richard II kicked off the British alliance to the brand when he selected the white hart as his royal badge.

In the United States, the identification is nowhere near as prevalent, but The White Hart inn at the “heart” of the town green in Salisbury, a town that adopted its name from Salisbury, England, illustrates the value of holding onto one’s roots. The inn’s history traces to a small tavern that opened in 1806, named after one of the taverns in Hampshire, a county in South East England. In 1867, the property opened as an inn. Tucked inside the mantle of Connecticut’s Northwest Hills, crowned by twin lakes Washining and Washinee, modern-day guests have come to expect a degree of elegance worthy of royalty.

Salisbury Town Green. Photo courtesy of Allegra Anderson. In the foothills of the Berkshires, five miles from the Massachusetts border, the region is home to some prestigious academic institutions. Therefore, the inn draws many of its guests from the town’s biggest industry, education.

In fact, one of the former innkeepers, Edsel Ford, the son of Henry Ford, bought the inn in the 1940s for a place to stay while visiting his son, a student at Hotchkiss School. Today it’s a coeducational preparatory school in Lakeville, a village in Salisbury. The family is a major donor to the school, and the Edsel Ford Memorial Library at Hotchkiss School is named in honor of Mr. Ford.

In the 1960s, another owner, John Harney, melded his innkeeping duties with tea leaves and left a legacy still steeped with tradition. The inn’s staff stocks the guestrooms’ mini- fridges with complementary Harney & Sons brand teas that Harney first created in the property’s basement and today constitutes an international, multi-million dollar company.

The present group of owners ranks at a name-dropping level and includes Malcolm Gladwell, author of five New York Times best sellers who, full circle, was born in Hampshire County.

Hotel manager Daniel Winkley says local connections define the owners. Connections are what it’s all about for Winkley, too, who has worked alongside general manager John Ciliberto since the inn opened in 2014. Coincidentally, both men share a 14-year career history together, excluding one year, prior to working at the inn.

Behind the top-notch proprietorship and staff is a sense of family that extends to all the guests that enter. Several paces inside bring visitors to the realization that elegant, sophisticated décor and style can live in a harmonious marriage with a sense of relaxation and comfort. Preserving its original ambiance and decor, the splash of daring modern art by Jasper Johns, Frank Stella, and others, in the common areas, also lets visitors know the inn isn’t timid when it comes to drawing outside the lines, which is tantamount to the style, as well as the character of the inn, and the quality of the stay.

Guests select from 16 distinctively appointed guest rooms showcased in the main building and the Gideon Smith House. Full amenities are included and pet- and child- friendly options are also available. Four-season hibernation in a consummate New England milieu is the recurring theme in the variety of cozy, tranquil double bed rooms and suites, including the over-sized two-bedroom John Harney Suite that once served as the former innkeeper’s office. Guests can also opt for sweeping views of the village green from the John Harney Suite and in a selection of other rooms. Complementary continental breakfast is served.

Guest-room at The White Hart. Photo courtesy of Allegra Anderson. Dining options, whether fine dining in the restaurant or a quick take-out or eat-in meal at Provisions, a contemporary cafe, also extend a serious nod to the inn’s British roots. Additionally, menus emphasize an array of locally sourced seasonal ingredients. Dishes are prepared by an expert culinary team, headed by renowned British chef and co-owner of the inn, Annie Wayte. She works alongside another English native, talented Executive Chef, Paul Pearson, to satisfy the most discerning palate.

The historic White Hart Inn has a critically acclaimed Tap Room menu. The White Hart restaurants are led by beloved British Chef Annie Wayte, the chef behind fashion designer Nicole Farhi’s namesake restaurant and 202 cafe in London, both of which she replicated in New York City. Photo courtesy of Allegra Anderson. Winkley says that during the height of the pandemic when the restaurant and inn were closed, Provisions “provided the provisions” in more ways than one. “From day one, the support from the community was overwhelmingly incredible.”

Opened in 2015, Winkley describes the space as “an all take out, fast, casual area in a little room that was unoccupied until we turned it into a cafe and coffee shop.” Frozen and prepared meals like lasagna and pot pies have always been one recipe for success on the premises. “People were showing up three or four times a week, stocking stuff up in the freezer,” he adds.

Provisions take out cafe provides casual fare at The White Hart Inn. Photo courtesy of Allegra Anderson. Prepared foods from Provisions provided freshly cooked and frozen meals for the community during the pandemic. Photo courtesy of Allegra Anderson. After state officials lifted COVID-19 restrictions, complying with COVID-19-related national and state rules and regulations, the inn welcomed guests. Since that time business has ebbed and flowed. Winkely estimates that about 35 to 40% of the guests are Connecticut residents.

“Geographically, where we are, we aren’t really near an airport,” Winkley said. “You’ve always had to have a car to really explore Litchfield County and the Berkshires. Most of our business pre-pandemic, and certainly post-pandemic, usually gets here by car. Hartford (Bradley) is the closest airport, an hour or so drive away.”

The Connecticut countryside affords visitors plenty of antiquing and other unique shopping opportunities. Day-trippers can, too, explore neighboring farms, orchards, challenging fly-fishing locations and natural wonders like Bash Bish Falls, about 30 minutes across the Massachusetts border. The falls hits the guidebooks as the state’s highest-drop waterfall. Lime Rock, right in town, is a major hub for race car enthusiasts.

“We’ve got different entrances to the Appalachian trails; a lot of good hiking, biking, walking,” Winkley says.

In the winter months, some nearby activities include ski jumping at Satre Hill and skiing at Mohawk Mountain.

So, what’s hot this summer? “For us, it’s not necessarily about what’s hot, it’s more about that relaxed kind of feeling,” Winkley said. “You can come here and unplug. Maybe your phone reception isn’t great everywhere you go, but that’s what makes it great. I know everybody, myself included, these days, everything’s go, go, go. It’s nice to be able to just get away.”

To ensure that downtime is the right time all the time when you step outside, adirondack chairs and wicker furniture are sprinkled like stardust outside on the lawn and on the small, large and covered porches.

No matter where you venture in and around these premises, Winkley says that the experience will touch all the senses. It goes without saying, in the great big world, The White Hart inn is a close roadtrip, but feels like worlds away in princely proportions.

The White Hart inn, 15 Under Mountain Road; 860-435-0030; whitehartinn.com

For more weekend getaway ideas, including lodging, dining, attractions and so much more, check out WCTD’s website at https://www.ctvisit.com/listings/western-regional-tourism-district Easton Property Transfers — June 2021

The following property transfers were recorded by the Easton Town Clerk’s office for the month of June:

35 Laskay Drive, Robert A. Lavalle to 35 Laskay Drive LLC, $1,110,000.

60 April Drive, Ignacio Sanz to Richard J. and Beverly Bailey, $1,210,000.

125 Delaware Road, Janine Becker to David H. Mininberg, $625,000.

16 Manor Lane, Helga Feeney and Heidi Mascolo to Alexander and Heidi Palmer, $530,000.

120 Ferndale Drive, Jonathan Burger to Christopher M. Neil and Amanda C. Blake, $565,000.

398 Judd Road, Bruce M. and Anitaa M. Holzberg to Michael and Mary Jane Czesnowski, $187,500. 8 Canterbury Lane, Richard J. Medeiros Jr. and Kelly S. Medeiros to Magda Fuentes, $988,000.

33 Reilly Road, Frances Vincent to Joanna Troccoli and Paul Eli Mehrer, $879,000.

44 High Meadow Road, Rinaldo and Anna Del Cegno to David S. and Beth B. Blood, $899,900.

265 Lilac Lane, Patricia Arduini to Edward Christopher and Barry William Wilson- Smythe, $919,000.

19 Flat Rock Drive, John and Donna O’Connor to John C. and Colleen Dougherty, $1,175,000.

45 Westwood Drive, Jae D. and Krystyna C. Yoo to Shawn M. and Lauren Marshall, $720,000.

10 Orchard Lane, Leonard M. and Rhonda Riccio to Edison E. Florez and Nathalia A. Londono, $560,000.

315 North Park Avenue, Kevin G. Russell to David R. Russell, $510,000.

77 Staples Road, Patrice M. Barrett to Robert J. Toth III and Jessica Campbell Toth, $485,000.

24 Wimbledon Lane, Kelly Rossomando to Jacqueline Ciambra, $648,000.

7 Ridgeway Road, Camilla and Jay Richetelli to Sarah Elizabeth and Vidal Carlos Maurrasse, $850,000.

212 Sport Hill Road, Brian H. and Steven T. Wolanin-Villanueva to Elizabeth Nicole and Mathew Dale Vanderkamp, $730,000. 203 Staples Road, Nicholaos M. Petrakaks to Joseph Rutigliano and Hannah Kesterlian, $1,047,500.

596 Morehouse Road, Joseph M. Rutigliano and Hannah Kesterlian to Nedzad Lomigora, $955,000.

24 Stones Throw Road, Jill Lorenz-Caruso to Victor Merino and Julia Vassey, $970,000.

145 North Street, Gene L. and Frederick N. Kaechele to Stephan and Janice Yost, $458,000.

235 Admas Road, Darren Tickle and Payal P. Khandhedia to Justin Watras and Kristin Hall, $950,000.

145 Norton Road, Trevor and Sara Christie to Michelle and Nicholas Bishop, $829,000.

12 Fox Run Drive, Carlos and Christine Babini to Anne Marie Haugen Trustee and Emerson Haugen Trust, $1,350,000.

Lyla Steenbergen Named Westport Rotary Club President The Westport Rotary Club formally inaugurated Lyla Steenburgen as president for the 2021-22 year at its annual Pass-the-Gavel Lobster Bake, held June 25 at the Ned Dimes Marina, at Saugatuck Beach in Westport.

Lyla Steenbergen of Easton is replacing outgoing Westport Rotary Club president, Leslie Roberts.

Lyla currently works as Gift Advancement Officer at Bridgeport Hospital Foundation/Yale New Haven Health. Growing up with exposure to different cultures including family home exchanges and a student exchange, Lyla developed a passion for diverse cultures and for giving back. She later worked public relations at Burson- Marsteller and for many years as a marketing executive at The Hertz Corporation in New York City. Her career in development began with capital campaigns at the Westport Country Playhouse and St. Vincent’s Medical Center.

Lyla graduated from Bryn Mawr College, where she conducted independent research of indigenous peoples and lived in the Amazon Basin in Peru. Upon graduation, she was named a Baker Scholar and earned a master’s degree in business administration from New York University Stern School of Business. Lyla and her husband, Dr. Peter Steenbergen, (retired), reside in Easton. Her daughter, son-in-law, and two young grandchildren reside in Woodbridge.

“During the pandemic, a lot has been written about happiness and how to find fulfilment in life,” said Lyla. “Experts all say that it comes from connecting, belonging, being a part of something bigger than yourself, and engaging with and helping others — that’s Rotary. Rotary gives us the opportunity to render some service to the world in return for living in it. We are healthier and better citizens because of it. I think Rotary is just what many people are yearning for.”

The Westport Rotary Club is an organization of men and women representing a cross- section of local business and professional leaders who work as volunteers on a variety of local and international projects to improve the quality of life in their home and world communities.

The Westport Rotary Club meets weekly on Tuesdays (except the last Tuesday of the month) from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Branson Hall, Christ & Holy Trinity Church and on Zoom. Guests are welcome to attend luncheons, and membership inquiries are welcome. Interested individuals may contact Westport Rotary Club Membership Chair Fides Ostbye at [email protected].

Photo at top: Outgoing Westport Rotary Club president Leslie Roberts (left) passes the gavel to incoming president Lyla Steenbergen on June 25 at the club’s annual passing the gavel lobster bake at the clubhouse at the Ned Dimes Marina at Compo Beach. Steenbergen will lead the club for the 2021-2022 one-year term. — Dave Matlow Photo

Greiser’s Summer Concerts Start July 1 The Greiser’s Coffee & Market parking lot is the place to be on Thursday nights all summer. Weekly events from July 1 thru Sep 2 serve up local food and music played by Easton bands and Greiser’s talented customers. Gather with old friends and meet new neighbors!

BYOB. No reservations, no fee, no outside food, no early birds please.

Park at the Congregational Church across the intersection. An Easton police officer will monitor traffic for your safety.

Follow Greiser’s on Instagram or Facebook for weekly menus and details. Music lineup below:

LIVE MUSIC LINEUP

July 1 – Max 2.0 acoustic trio featuring Greiser’s regular Joe P. playing classic ’70s rock and more

July 8 – The Greiser’s Jazz Combo

July 15 – Nick Sproviero, rock and roll classics

July 22 – Shannon McMahon, contemporary folk singer songwriter

July 29 – Hitch and the Giddyup with Dan Carlucci August 5 – Amber Anchor with Dan Tressler

August 12 – Leslie Costa Duo

August 19 – Gold Dust with Art Laske

August 26 – Samantha Preis, singer songwriter

September 2 – Emma’s Plight with Greiser’s main man Ryan Murawski on drums

Greiser’s Coffee & Market is at 299 Center Road, Easton Conn.

Meadow Ridge University Celebrates a Decade of Lifelong Learning

Meadow Ridge, a Benchmark continuing care retirement community (CCRC), announced the 10th anniversary of its signature lifelong learning program, Meadow Ridge University, which features semester-long college-level courses in history, art history, philosophy and psychology. To celebrate its success over the last decade, the program will feature an expanded set of virtual and in-person classes starting this fall. “Our residents come from diverse backgrounds, and many have made important contributions to their fields or communities,” said Chris Barstein, executive director of Meadow Ridge. “We believe that continuing to nurture our residents’ thirst for knowledge and having the opportunity to share their rich experiences with others is incredibly important. This program is just one of the many ways we help our residents stay connected to their interests and goals.”

To accommodate Covid-19 restrictions, in the fall, a virtual, four-week course to commemorate the anniversary of white suffrage in the U.S. was successfully piloted for the first time. In the spring, an additional course over Zoom was added.

“Taking classes online was new to many of us, but it went amazingly well. Enrollment increased, and we had very few issues with the technology,” said Dr. Judy Hamer, a Meadow Ridge resident who facilitates the program. Hamer is a retired college professor who taught at New York University, Columbia University and the City University of New York. Hamer’s late husband, Bill Buckley, also taught at Fairfield University and was a documentary filmmaker.

The courses offered in the fall included Armies of the Uprooted and Disinherited. The class covered the uprising of men in times of historical turmoil, starting with the German models of Freikorps and Hitler’s SA to current extremist groups. In Art of Yesteryear and Day, artists from earlier centuries and different areas were compared to illustrate how they often react to similar human themes. All classes are taught by a local university or college professor.

Drawing on the success of the 2020-21 school year, Hamer looks forward to offering three virtual and in-person classes starting in September. “Some people prefer in-person learning while others prefer to learn virtually in the comfort of their apartments. We’d like to accommodate both learning preferences,” said Hamer.

The program was founded in 2011 by late Meadow Ridge resident Lea Mintz. Since it began, approximately 30 different courses have been taken by 750 residents.

Meadow Ridge University is just one of approximately 70 different on-site educational and wellness programs offered each week on the 136-acre campus. Lectures, entertainment, social hours, gardening, games, golf and more are offered each day.

Weinstein Elected Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys Treasurer

Judy K. Weinstein, Easton resident and principal with the law firm of Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C., has been elected treasurer of The Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys (“ACFA”) board of directors. Weinstein, a long-time ACFA member and a board member, previously served as secretary of ACFA.

ACFA furthers the practice of law applicable to commercial finance, including but not limited to asset-based lending, factoring, loan restructuring and insolvency. ACFA members are in-house attorneys and attorneys in private practice who are national and international experts in middle-market commercial credit transactions and commercial bankruptcy matters.

Weinstein’s areas of practice include commercial and real estate finance, business and health law, and commercial workouts and restructures. Her clients include local and national lending institutions, various businesses, and providers and other participants in the health care sector. Attorney Weinstein’s real estate practice includes real estate acquisitions and sales, and commercial leasing.

About Neubert, Pepe & Monteith

Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. is a general practice law firm with offices in New Haven, Hartford and Fairfield, Connecticut and White Plains, New York (www.npmlaw.com). Our team of attorneys possesses the type of exceptional legal and professional skills sought by clients to meet their objectives. The team’s depth, talent, and dedication to client success allows Neubert, Pepe & Monteith to better serve clients both within and outside of Connecticut.

Easton Property Transfers — May 2021 The following property transfers were recorded by the Easton Town Clerk’s office for the month of May:

66 Sunny Ridge Road, Marjorie K. Seibold to Gerard Muro, $1,050,000.

240 Everett Road, Phyllis D. Biros to Loraine Esposito, $175,000.

37 Ferndale Drive, Rose Garfield to Chelsie W. and Travis L. Counsell, $505,000.

25 Tuckahoe Road, Jeffrey and Stephanie Dumas to Warren Sussman, $1,130,000.

100 Old Stonewall Road, Barbara A. George to Xiao Cheng and Eileen H. Zhou, $1,050,000.

11 Cold Spring Road, Raymond K. Panda to David A. Daignault, $431,430.

125 Far Horizons Drive, Robert Kalamaras to Rhegan Fisher and Brandon Murphy, $705,000.

4075 Redding Road, Jose Suarez to Gerald Braun, $23,540 (Fairfield portion of the lot).

50 Todds Way, Domingo and Kathy Thomas to Ronald and Nancy Vanderkamp, $749,000. 6 Flat Rock Road, Edward M. Richardson and Maria E. Morris to Dana and Dean Bentley, $710,000.

144 Sport Hill Road, Douglas C. and Timothy D. Conner to Reginald Rene and Joanne Jean-Bapstiste, $510,000.

56 Deepwood Road, Julie A. Billings and 949-953 Fairfield Beach Road LLC to John E. Hufcut and Sara E. Riley, $1,142,500.

39 Marsh Road, Evelyn Harris to Kevin Jarboe and Rebecca Pawson, $425,000.

15 Reilly Road, Christel and Michael Ruppert to Cheryl and David Epstein, $955,000.

25 Abbey Road, David H. and Ann Marie Purcell to Durga Vallabhaneni, $1,195,000.

Longed-for Long Weekends: Fairfield County, Norwalk and Danbury

The state’s lift on most of the COVID-19-related restrictions means a new appreciation for the rise in temperatures. This reality becomes more clear as traffic swells and many weekend warriors take the plunge from their homes’ safety nests into backyard exploration. You don’t have to travel past the state lines to discover a myriad of worthwhile day-trip forays.

Faced with choice overload, itinerary planning can spike the body’s stress hormones. Lower the tension to zero and reserve a weekend away at Hotel Zero Degrees in Norwalk or its sister property in Danbury, destinations unto themselves. Appropriately tagged, “an alternative to colossal and impersonal,” the boutique hotels have “chill out” as well as “cool” written all over them.

Pumped-up sleek facades, along with high-tech amenities, beguile the friendly old- fashioned service. Environmental responsibility, too, is branded in their name. Both sustainable, eco-friendly hotels strive for little or no, as in “Zero Degrees,” energy use.

No wonder these properties have won the coveted Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice award as well as Hotels.com’s Loved by Guests Award for multiple years in a row.

In addition, Lindsay Oppedisano, director of sales, says that from the start of the pandemic, the continued safety of staff and guests was the number one priority of the owners, the Greenwich Hospitality Group, a local company that owns and operates other upscale boutique-style hotels in the state and throughout the country.

“We followed restrictions and guidelines put in place by the CDC, but we also had our own policies and we are still constantly sanitizing throughout the hotel. Whenever guests are ready to travel again, we will be a safe place for them to enjoy a little getaway in Connecticut,” she explains.

For a “little getaway,” both properties are big on personality and charm, and the attentiveness to detail helps travelers feel like their best selves.

Norwalk

At the edge of the Norwalk River in the heart of the city, Hotel Zero Degrees generated rave reviews when it opened in 2013. The hotel boasts four floors that includes a lobby with a signature two-story glass entry atrium, 2,000 combined square feet of meeting space, two floors of 96 ample-sized guest rooms and a fourth floor rooftop lounge that piques curiosity and a closer look. Local community interest is recognized in the showcase of paintings by artists from the Silvermine Guild of Artists in New Canaan. The interior décor and contemporary furnishings in the common areas and guest rooms are highlighted in multi-tones of gray combined with European-style design touches that lend a sense of sophistication and intimacy. Lean into the signature inlaid fabric guest room headboard and watch how quickly daily stressors can fade. Before or after a relaxing night’s sleep, now that the mild weather is here, there is no better time to enjoy Skytop 353, the rooftop lounge that further delights the senses with billiards table, ping-pong, cornhole, TVs, lounge chairs and outdoor couches. In the morning, travelers have the opportunity to get in a workout at the state-of-the-art fitness center. Day-trippers needn’t venture far to continue the cool vibe feeling with a visit to the South Norwalk Historic District (SoNo), a waterfront neighborhood that is meant for comfortable walking shoes. Strolling around, you won’t run out of things to see, buy, eat or drink — certainly not with 30 dining and drinking options. Check out one of the newest additions, the upscale SoNo Collection Mall. In addition, the Maritime Aquarium features over 30 fresh and saltwater exhibits that include a touch tank, a sensory delight for all ages.

For additional information and special packages, click here.

Danbury

Following the success of the Norwalk location, Hotel Zero Degrees in Danbury opened in 2016. The four-story building includes three floors of 114 spacious, uniquely designed guest rooms curated with business as well as leisure travelers in mind, more than 3,500 square feet of event space and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Conveniently located off I-84 in the city’s west side, the property’s modern lodge exterior is designed to tap into the natural elements of the surrounding woodland reserve. Indoors, the common areas as well as guest rooms, are a design-lover’s odyssey with artistic touches that achieve the perfect balance of luxury and tranquility. Before or after a night made for sweet dreams, reserve a table at Terra, the restaurant on-premises that is owned and operated by Z Hospitality Group. The group owns and operates six restaurants in lower Fairfield and Westchester Counties. Superb gastronomic surprises await as Executive Chef Albert DeAngelis crafts scrumptious northern Italian cuisine and seasonal specialties that are served in a floor-to-ceiling window backdrop.The wine list at Terra includes more than 100 labels, representative of the premiere regions of Italy and California. The Lawn, an outdoor area, features a fire pit, lawn games, seating area and plenty of fun.

Outside the hotel, the property inspires relaxing strolls — not to mention that the city of Danbury provides over 1,644 acres of open space for outdoor adventures.

On Fridays, from June 19 through October 30, meander around the CityCenter Danbury Farmers’ Market at the Danbury Railway Museum grounds. (At press time, the museum is still closed due to COVID-19).

In the area, the historic downtown walking tours are suspended until further notice. However, there is a Plan B. Head to Main Street, look for the special markers and follow a self-guided, The Museum in the Streets, tour.

Plus, shoppers have plenty of space to explore the Danbury Fair Mall. Downtown Ridgefield also offers a fine day full of shopping, dining and plenty of places to pause for a quick photo. In addition, golfers can tee off at Richter Park, a challenging Edward Ryder design 18-hole public golf course.

For additional information and special packages, click here

Longed-for Long Weekends: Fairfield County, Norwalk and Danbury is co-written by Michelle Falcone of Easton, secretary on the Executive Committee for the Western Connecticut Tourism District (WCTD) and Stacy Lytwyn, Easton resident and CT guidebook author. It is the fourth article in a six-part series that examines some of the best weekend jaunts offered in each of the three WCTD regions.

For more weekend getaway ideas, including lodging, dining, attractions and so much more, check out WCTD’s website at https://www.ctvisit.com/listings/western-regional-tourism-district Longed-for Long Weekends: Fairfield County, Stratford

After months of living through the uncertainties of a global health crisis and a life- changing pandemic, isn’t it time to pause? Sometimes all you need is a long weekend escape to push the reset button.

One “shore” way to restore and unwind is to reserve a room at Stratford’s Surfside Hotel and “sea” firsthand how there’s something soothing about waves lapping over the sand and rocks in an area called Point No Point. The point is, it’s a small southernmost cape that juts into the heart of Long Island Sound, kisses the mouth of the Housatonic River, and seems eons away from the daily grind.

Located on Connecticut’s affluent Gold Coast, discover this tree-lined neighborhood of Lordship, known as “a town within a town.” The name, Lordship, is derived from an original settler, Richard Mills, who arrived around 1639 and, in all likelihood, held the title of “Lord.” The Surfside Hotel – Photo Courtesy of Stacy Lytwyn Conveniently, about 10 minutes from I-95, pass the Sikorsky Memorial Airport and drive through the Great Meadows salt marsh. The “Turtle Crossing” sign signals you are headed in the right direction, leading you to Surfside Hotel that also houses the Little Pub, American restaurant and bar, only steps from the 1,000-foot stone masonry seawall. Seawall at Point No Point in Lordship – Photo courtesy of Stacy Lytwyn “You don’t have to go away to get away,” says Kirsten Comfort, general manager at the year-round boutique hotel offering 27 fully appointed guestrooms and a new exercise room.

The historical underpinnings of the hotel-and-restaurant building at 10 Washington Parkway are traced back as far as 1915 when Lordship Pavilion opened. Scores of visitors from Stratford and Bridgeport arrived by trolley and motorcar. In 1956, Marge and Nick Quattone purchased the site and opened Nick’s Hideaway. The lunch shop grew to a full-scale restaurant and motel and then in 1963, the owners changed the name to Marnick’s, a combination of both their first names.

Three generations of the Quattrone family ran the iconic establishment before putting it on the market in 2018. Doug and Daneen Grabe, co-owners of the Little Pub restaurant chain, purchased the property about a year later, opening a fifth Little Pub amid COVID-19 challenges and delaying the Surfside Hotel debut until August 2020.

“We definitely had bookings here and there during the pandemic. Some of them were local people who said, ‘I just want to get out of my house for a night,’” explains Comfort.

Now, reservations are on a brisk rebound after a chaotic pandemic year. Let’s pretend 2020 never happened is inscribed on the key chains at the Lifeguard Stand, a gift shop on premises, and online, offering nautical-themed paintings and other souvenirs. Indeed, the hotel’s airy and bright guestrooms, stocked minibars, vintage surfboards and fun nautical-themed decor create a life-is-a-beach vibe that’s meant to wash troubles away.

King Guest Room at Surfside Hotel – Photo courtesy of Take Aim Photography Guest-room Deck View Surfside Hotel – Photo courtesy of Take Aim Photography The hotel adheres to strict COVID-19 safety guidelines to protect guests and staff members. In addition, contactless check in/check out via Bluetooth OpenKey is available and guestrooms provide area maps, guides and information like WiFi passwords.

In other words, “You technically don’t ever have to see a hotel member if you didn’t want to,” Comfort says.

An array of customized options, such as a four-course, in-room dinner menu; Arogya holistic in-room healing services, including massage; local brewery tours; paddle boards and complimentary bicycles deliver a total travel experience. Complimentary bicycles at Surfside Hotel – Photo Courtesy of Michelle Falcone “Go downstairs to the restaurant to eat and guests don’t have to go anywhere because everything is here,” Comfort adds.

Dining indoors or outdoors, enjoy the Long Island coastal views at the Little Pub, a casual meeting place accented with conversational decor like chandeliers fabricated from nuts and bolts. Comfort describes the setting as “a nice submarine type of feel.”

The American-style menu duplicates its four other Little Pub siblings’ comfort food fare with an emphasis on seafood. Hot lobster roll keeps one of Marnick’s traditions alive. Although when Marnick’s opened lobster roll cost $1.70. Now, at press time, seasonal pricing ran $24. Not a bad deal considering pandemic-related supply chain seafood shortages. The owners, Comfort says, work hard to keep prices affordable. In addition, she adds, “We want to have something here for everyone.”

From cornhole games on Thursday to morning yoga, it sounds like the establishment is meeting its goal. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, 60 events—and counting—are planned for guests and the general public as well.

Gift Shop at Surfside Hotel – Photo courtesy of Michelle Falcone Guests also have a number of nearby beaches to explore while novel shopping experiences include the Mellow Monkey about two and a half miles away. Aviation enthusiasts can enjoy the all-day grand opening on May 29 of the Connecticut Air & Space Center, 225 B Main Street, in Lordship’s Sikorsky Memorial Airport, which will open a portion of the historic Curtiss Hanger to the public as part of an exhibition in a “mini-museum.”

No matter what’s on the travelers’ itinerary, weekends spent in Lordship can be summed up in three words: Pause. Reset. Repeat.

For additional weekend getaway ideas, including lodging, dining, attractions and so much more, check out WCTD’s website at https://www.ctvisit.com/listings/western-regional-tourism-district.

Longed-for Long Weekends: Fairfield County, Stratford is co-written by Michelle Falcone of Easton, secretary on the Executive Committee for the Western Connecticut Tourism District (WCTD) and Stacy Lytwyn, Easton resident and CT guidebook author. It is the third article in a six-part series that examines some of the best weekend jaunts offered in each of the three regions in the WCTD.

How is SHEISART Media Helping Black Women?

Candice Peterkin, CEO/Founder of SHEISART Media, has dedicated her time and service to Black women since 2019. Support for the multimedia business Peterkin founded has been growing through social media, gaining more and more followers. “SHEISART to me is a place where Black women can connect and have the ability to share the voices that have been discouraged or silenced,” said Peterkin. “We want people to recognize us as a community made for and run by Black women. We want people to come to us for information regarding Black women.”

Candice Peterkin founded SHEISART Media to create a place and a space for Black women from ages 19 to 26 to share their stories. — Courtesy of SHEISART Media.

The digital company has more than 3,000 followers on Instagram and strives to gain more in the future. The company has built its foundation not only with the goal of giving Black women a much-needed voice but also making more Black women feel heard and included.

“Black women have been silenced in the media for far too long,” said Peterkin. “Seventy six percent of everyday Black women feel voiceless in the media.”

Followers are allowed to engage and leave comments in regard to news or controversial topics like the murders of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and the historic election of Vice President Kamala Harris. Despite the upsetting realities of these conversations, SHEISART Media strives to bring together a positive community.

When asked about the company, Peterkin made sure to include basic information about how things are running. “SHEISART Media is a remote digital company,” she said. “We currently have six team members, including myself, who all share a passion for journalism and media arts.”

With the pandemic still being an issue, Peterkin said a recent project focused on how Covid-19 impacts Black women. “We focus on sharing the stories of everyday Black women,” she said. “We have recently partnered with a nonprofit to create visual content for their online platforms.”

The latest hire, Jada Jean from Florida, said she has plans to make SHEISART Media more “inclusive” to more women. “For March, we hosted a Zoom call for all women to join and speak to three entrepreneurs and ask them questions on how they started their own business,” she said. “It was a huge success.”

In honor of Mother’s Day. Peterkin said they had a conversation about how motherhood impacts womanhood with both mothers and daughter.

She said the company has been on a mission for two years. “The mission behind SHEISART is to create a place and a space for Black women from ages 19 to 26 to share their stories. We are here to provide information and stories about Black women.

“The influence I am providing to the younger audience is the ability to see themselves in another woman who is willing to speak her truth even if society says no,” Peterkin said. You can find out more at the SHEISART Media website.