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MAINstreet
COMPLIMENTARY | AUGUST 2020
M A G A Z I N E
Before Before After
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2 MAIN STREET MAGAZINE
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MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 3
editor’s note & content
AUGUST 2020
MAINstreet
COMPLIMENTARY | AUGUST 2020
AUGUST HAS ARRIVED
We’ve certainly taken more time
We’ve made it – August has arrived. M A G A Z I N E
to enjoy and appreciate all that
Mother Nature has to offer us
I have mixed emotions about it though. this year.
This feels like the summer that never was.
Very few people took their annual summer Cover photo by
vacations to the beach or to other sum- Lazlo Gyorsok
mer haunts. There weren’t any big outdoor
summer concerts. The county fairs were all
cancelled. BBQs and summer parties were
either postponed, cancelled, or held at a re-
duced size. Nothing was really the same. On
the flip side, we took more staycations, did
more outdoorsy things, spent time grow-
ing a garden, and spent loads of time with
family. Those are all great things, but things
were certainly a little bit different this year.
August is usually the month where a lot
of people are doing the “last hoorah” thing;
going on summer vacations and trying to
get the last bit of summer fun into their
schedules before school starts. But we will
just have to wait and see in the coming days CONTENTS
if that remains true this August. And all
of us will anxiously await word from our 6| ELEGANCE…GRACE…& ZACH
school districts to see what will happen for artist profile 37 | SIMPLE PLEASURES
our children: will or won’t they return to
school? And if they do, in what way? There 9| FRIENDLY FACES 41 | A SUMMER RE-IMAGINED
are just so many unknowns and things virtual events keep traditions alive
change daily. Isn’t it stressful? I’m finding all 11 | THE RETURN OF SAPERSTEIN’S
entrepreneur feature 43 | TRAFFIC, TICS &
of this to be extremely stressful and espe-
HENRY DAVID THOREAU
cially so as time goes on. I don’t like it! 15 | ICE CREAM DILLY BARS WITH
Part of the stress that we’re all feeling is PEANUTS & CHOCOLATE 47 | ART REVIVAL
the uncertainty and the fact that we can’t the stissing center’s art center has a
control any of these things – not really. So 17 | WHAT TO EXPECT FROM long history of serving the community
with that being said, perhaps this is the HOME INSPECTIONS
most opportune time to take a close look real estate 49 | SOWING THE SEEDS OF ECONOMIC
at our lives and take control of the things REGROWTH
that we can in order to reduce our stress and 21 | A CULTURE OF CULTURES
anxiety about the state of our world. What 53 | BUSINESS SNAPSHOTS
25 | WHAT A TRIP! old rhinebeck aerodrome
do you think? I suppose the first step is to
silver mountain builders
acknowledge the things that we can control 29 | MAKING SOMETHING OLD native habitat restoration
and the things that we can’t. The things that NEW AGAIN raynard & peirce realty
we can control, do you like them as they are
or are there things that you want to change? 33 | POSITIVE TRANSFORMATION 54 | MONTHLY ADVICE COLUMNS
Then I think it is also important to take a joshua smith designs with heart
deep breath when we’re faced with a new & home in mind
challenge due to this Covid world that we
PUBLISHER, EDITOR, ADVERTISING, WRITING, PHOTOGRAPHY, & OTHER DUTIES
live in. We will figure things out – somehow
Thorunn Kristjansdottir publisher, editor-in-chief, and designer.
we will. Things are perhaps not ideal, but Ashley Kristjansson & Griffin Cooper directors of advertising.
they’ll work out in some fashion. At the end Contributing writers: Betsy Maury | CB Wismar | Christine Bates | Lindsey Clark |
of the day, as long as we remain healthy and Dominique De Vito | Griffin Cooper | Ian Strever | Jessie Sheehan | John Torsiello |
Joseph Montebello | Mary B. O’Neill | Regina Molaro
safe, and we continue to be vigilant and do
Assistant proof-reader: Pom Shillingford. Photographers: Lazlo Gyorsok & Olivia Valentine.
our part to keep our families, friends, and
neighbors healthy and safe, we will all make ADVERTISING
it through this. My pragmatism about this Ashley Kristjansson & Griffin Cooper call 518 592 1135 or email info@mainstreetmag.com
doesn’t mean that I don’t have days where
CONTACT
I get fed up too, or feel overwhelmed – Office 52 Main Street, Millerton, NY 12546 • Mailing address PO Box 165, Ancramdale, NY 12503
because I do! But then I take a step back, Phone 518 592 1135 • Email info@mainstreetmag.com • Website www.mainstreetmag.com
take a breath, and try to find a solution to
PRINT, LEGAL, ACCOUNTING, & INSURANCE
the issue that I’m faced with. Where there’s
Printed by Snyder Printer, Inc. • Legally represented by Davis & Trotta Law Offices
a will, there’s a way. But above all, let’s just Accounting services by Pattison, Koskey, Howe & Bucci CPAS • Insured by Kneller Insurance Agency
stay healthy, and we’ll get through this. Main Street Magazine is a monthly publication, coming out on or around the 1st of the month. It is published by Main Street Magazine, LLC. Main Street Magazine is
– Thorunn Kristjansdottir not responsible for advertising errors whereas all ads receive final approval by the advertiser. Advertisers are legally responsible for the content and claims that are
made in their ads. Main Street Magazine reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. The entire contents of Main Street Magazine are copyrighted and may
not be reproduced without permission. All rights reserved. The views expressed in the articles herein reflect the author(s) opinions and are not necessarily the views
of the publisher/editor.
4 MAIN STREET MAGAZINE
MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 5
artist profile Elegance… Grace… and Zach Artist profile: Zach DeBisschop By CB Wismar info@mainstreetmag.com 2008 changed a lot of lives. The and continues to be a major sailing Zach DeBisschop for six years. “We economy tanked, and people lost their port. For Zach, it was an experience had some incredible restorations,” he jobs. Businesses closed. The prospects unlike any other he had encountered. recalls. “One Riva 27 restoration on a were bleak and those with enterprise boat that sailed Lake Winnipesaukee and ambition had little time to pivot Boat building as a team sport was nine intense months.” The experi- … to find their next move. The experience at IRYS was con- ence was remarkable. After finishing prep school at structed around the notion of teams, Master’s School in West Simsbury, and Zach became immediately im- New York calling CT, Zachary DeBisschop plied his es- mersed in his first year project, work- It is worthwhile to note that Zach timable talents as a three time all-star ing with another student to construct DeBisschop grew up around wood- soccer player to venture into com- a 12’ “Beetle Cat” – a legendary New workers. His father and his grandfa- petitive college soccer at Houghton England design that has been used for ther maintained woodworking studios College on an athletic scholarship. His decades to teach sailing and racing. while they pursued other careers. If love for the game could not overcome “At the end of the term, we’d launch a deep affection for working with the injuries he endured, so realizing our boats and have a regatta in the wood can be “in the blood,” then that physical damage when young Newport Harbor,” Zach recalls with Zach certainly has that running can lead to years of painful results, he justifiable pride. “There was a real through his veins. From working on returned to Connecticut, enrolled in a sense of accomplishment.” the restoration of classic wooden boats local college and became apprenticed After a summer plying his new- to creating elegant pieces of wooden to a cabinetmaker. found skills at legendary Brookline furniture was not a leap, and when And so, Zach found himself firmly Boatyard on the coast of Maine, he Anchor & Canvass on the waterfront settled in the chaos of 2008 … and was back at IRYS for his second year. in Brooklyn, NY, made Zach an offer, made a dramatic, life changing move. Zach became part of a larger team he ventured from the New England Working with a cabinetmaker, im- that tackled a much more complex coastline to the heart of the design mersed in the fine work of cabinetry project. The year’s efforts created a and build world – New York. and the enticing beauty of wood, Watch Hill 15’ sailboat that was cel- “I realized that my passion was Zach used the point of inflection – ebrated with its maiden voyage at the the design and building of custom he was out of work – to register at end of the term. furniture,” Zach allows as he reflects The International Yacht Restoration Then, it was off to make his way on two years at Anchor & Canvas and School of Technology and Trades, in the world. Zach needed a job, and the eventual decision to move out on “IYRS” for short, and found himself, Skip Crocker of Crocker’s Boat Yard his own. Grace Woodworking, named on very short notice, in Newport, RI. in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, wel- after his grandmother, has given direc- A sailing mecca, Newport was, for a comed him. Noted for its restoration tion and purpose to Zach’s talent. “I century, home to the America’s Cup skills, the boat yard became home for love working with clients – interior 6 MAIN STREET MAGAZINE
artist profile
designers or the final customers – to opened (as of August 1, 2020) a gal-
dig deep into what they are dreaming lery/retail environment on Bantam
and to make those dreams real.” Road in Litchfield.
With clients from Boston to New “I’ve been driving down Bantam
York, Montreal to Philadelphia and Road for years, on my way to Gay-
many stops in between, Zach has lordsville (CT) to buy my wood at
carefully nurtured a reputation as a Conway Hardwood. When I saw the
perfectionist – a design and build ‘for rent’ sign at 503 Bantam Road,
specialist who exhibits painstaking it all seemed to make sense.” Art and
patience in creating artworks that are design have come together with the
also furniture. presentation of Zach DeBisschop’s
“I’ve been able to find the special-furniture. Along with his wife, a first
ists needed to make concepts into grade teacher in Winsted, CT, the
gallery has come together with appeal
reality,” he reflects. His specialty is the
elegant designing and fashioning of to a very specific and welcoming audi-
the wood that becomes chairs, rock- ence.
ers, tables, and accent pieces. Fabricat- “I build heirloom furniture pieces,”
ing the metal fittings, the upholster- offers Zach. “We’re fortunate that our
ing, the finishing work in a tightly clients have an artistic mind and the
controlled spraying environment are clarity to know what works … what
all elements included in his pieces. meets their expectations.”
“Fuming wood has become quite at- Creating fine pieces in the tradition
tractive, yielding either a dark brown of his influences – Maloof, Eames,
or grey finish. There’s a specialist in Aalto – Zach has often wrestled with
Massachusetts who has the ammonia the age-old challenge of whether there
gas chamber needed. Finding the right is really an original idea … an original Being able to “see” the entire field,
people with the right skills has been thought. One look at the flowing to anticipate where the play will move
an important part of building the pieces he creates, the answer becomes and to both take command of the
business.” clear to the casual observer. Certainly, game and instinctively know what
a chair is a chair … a table is a table. your teammates are likely to do is all
Welcome to Litchfield But, in the hands of an imaginative part of the complex world of the mid
And, the business has been building. and skilled artist, those pieces take on fielder. Understanding your client’s ex-
Custom design and build requests a uniqueness that reflects very original pectations and vision while being able
keep coming in to Grace Woodwork- thinking. to convert those impulses through the
ing, but there is more. “I’ve had ideas It may be difficult to draw a cogni- lens of your own creativity is what
… designs … in mind for some time. tive line between celebrated skills on being a skilled furniture maker is all
It’s time to build some of those pieces the soccer pitch and creating elegant about.
and offer them for the public to see.” furniture, but there are some talents The days of running full tilt for
As a result, Grace Woodworking has that transcend the obvious. Being a 90 minutes may be behind Zach
center mid fielder DeBisschop, but the days and nights
in soccer is a very of working flat out as Grace Wood-
demanding posi- working transitions into the competi-
tion. Stamina and tive world of attracting knowledge-
skills have to be able customers while still satisfying
united to yield a demanding clients is very much alive.
player who truly •
makes a differ-
ence. Wrestling Grace Woodworking is located at 503
with the enor- Bantam Road (Route 202) in Litchfield, CT
and at gracewoodworkingllc.com.
mous pieces of
Are you an artist and interested in being
wood that become featured in Main Street Magazine? Send
realized as a large a brief bio, artist’s statement, and a link
table or exerting to your work through the arts form on our
the strength to “arts” page on our website.
bring individual
components
together to form
a stylish chair re-
quire real stamina.
MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 7
We have tables outside for dining
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U.S.A.
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8 MAIN STREET MAGAZINE
friendly faces
friendly faces: meet our neighbors, visitors and friends
As one of the Associate Directors of a summer sleepaway Since June of last year, Falls Village, CT, resident Grace Emily Armstrong is a caseworker for Representative
camp in Copake, NY, one of Alex Almond’s many Cohn has been gaining valuable experience in the world Jahana Hayes, who represents Connecticut’s 5th District
responsibilities includes the recruitment of counselors of interior design by making herself an integral part of in Congress. In her work, Emily connects with constitu-
and staff from all over the world. “I also play a large part Merwin Farm & Home in Millerton, NY. “My favorite ents to assist them in resolving issues they have with
in staff training,” says Alex. “I love to see our counselors part of the job is being able to learn and experience inte- federal agencies. “I feel very comfortable working with
develop their skills and evolve over their years at camp. rior design while working for owner Charlotte Sheridan, people one-on-one, learning about their lives, and in the
Working for a small family business, I also get the op- a person who gives me the opportunity to be creative case of my current position, trying to be a positive part of
portunity to have a diverse daily workload meaning every and explore my personal talents,” says Grace. Outside what might be a challenging experience they are having.”
day is its own wonderful journey.” Alex is originally from of work, Grace says she likes to hike, swim, and do DIY When Emily isn’t busy helping constituents, she enjoys
Cheshire, England, and says he has lived in big cities all home renovations. “If the weather is nice enough, I enjoy cooking, baking, hiking, reading, studying Italian, and
over the world but relishes the small town life. He says, boating on the Twin Lakes in Salisbury, CT,” says Grace. spending time with her children. Having grown up in St.
“There are so many hidden gems, hiking trails, and wa- “I also enjoy working on my family’s ‘Shea Cohn Stones’ Louis, MO, Emily also appreciates living in Connecti-
terfalls and my two border collies love to sail and spend Instagram page to honor my brother Shea.” cut’s scenic Northwest Corner, and she is sure to get in-
time in the lake!” volved in both the local and global community. “There is
a lot going on in the world, and a lot of people who need
help, and a lot of ways to engage – locally and beyond!”
After spending the last decade as the caretaker for Camp Dr. Stephen Yu is a board certified urologist and has After waitressing at The White Hart in Salisbury, CT,
Sloane YMCA in Lakeville, CT, Dave Wright says served patients of the northwest corner for 27 years. He for 13 years, Danielle Bailey began a new phase of her
what he enjoys most is building and maintaining those treats a wide range of conditions affecting the urinary life in a career she undoubtedly has a natural gift for. In
aspects of summer camp that bring children their fond- tract in men and women, including incontinence, kidney 2004, Danielle was hired to work in the dietary depart-
est memories. He says he has a natural inclination for stones, and prostate cancer. He also performs procedures ment at Noble Horizons in Salisbury. She would soon
working with his hands and enjoys both woodworking for vasectomies and bladder cancer, among others. In his move onto Pastoral Care in 2011 and later to Wagner
and metalworking in his spare time. Dave has lived in the spare time, you can find the New Milford, CT, resident Terrace, and a full-time position working directly with
Northwest corner of Connecticut for nearly all his life exercising or checking off his travel bucket list. “I want Noble’s residents. She says, “Noble has always been
and has developed an enduring bond with the landscape to see every continent,” he said. He has a black belt in thought of as the holy grail of nursing facilities in the
of Litchfield County where he enjoys hiking the trails taekwondo and is also an avid Disney fan, traveling to community. Not much has changed, we are still the best
tucked within the southern Taconic Mountain range, the Florida theme park each year. He earned his medical of the best and do everything possible to make residents
particularly Bear Mountain in Salisbury. “I enjoy being degree from Rutgers University New Jersey Medical and families feel comfortable.” Danielle was born, raised
part of such a tight-knit community while still enjoying School in Newark. His general surgery and urology resi- and still lives in Millerton, NY, with her loving husband
the wide variety of events and activities this area offers dencies were completed at New York University Langone Albert of 14 years and their two beautiful children,
everyone who lives here,” says Dave. Medical Center in Manhattan. Albert (10) and Emma (11).
MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 9
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Store hours: Thursday-Sunday 10-6
10 MAIN STREET MAGAZINEbusiness
ANDREA WESTERLIND OF WESTERLIND IN MILLERTON, NY
The return of Saperstein’s
By Christine Bates
info@mainstreetmag.com
Westerlind had been open only a few was a lifestyle and a business decision
days when the eponymous owner and made partly because of Covid. It hap-
designer, Andrea Westerlind, talked to pened quickly and we opened here a
Main Street Magazine in the retail week after we closed on the property.
space that was formerly Saperstein’s Ken McLaughlin, the village building
at the corner of Dutchess Avenue and inspector, was very helpful and even
Main Street in Millerton, NY. It was gave me his cell phone number to call
a rainy, Friday afternoon and masked with any questions.
shoppers dropped in to look at the goods
ranging from lifetime guarantee French Have you met Lou Saperstein?
rubber boots to colorful summer Birken- We were introduced and he told
stock sandals. me all about the ins and outs of the
building. We discussed carrying some
How did you decide to open of the same brands that his store sold
a store in Millerton, especially and we will be adding Carhartt mer-
now that retail is so fragile? chandise. We also intend to put the
We started with a pop-up store in Saperstein name back on the front of
Millerton at the suggestion of a friend the store. He’s a wonderful guy.
two years ago. I met Fred Gold, who
used to sell technical fabrics in New How did you get from Sweden
York, through the industry and he’s to Millerton?
the reason I came up here and discov- I’m the third generation of a Swedish
ered the area. He and his wife, Amy, design family. I grew up in the fashion
have since become great friends and business in Sweden and learned all
advisors to me – kind of like surrogate about fabrics, draping, production,
US parents. The small store was im- distribution, and sourcing. I came to
mediately and surprisingly successful, the United States to study at Parsons
and then we followed with permanent in New York City in 2006. In 2007
store at the end of Main Street and I introduced the Fjallraven Kanken
Route 22. Our conversion rate, that backpack to the US market and
is customers who come into the store made wearing a backpack in the city
and buy something, was higher than fashionable. In 2008, another tough Above: Andrea
Westerlind is Mil-
our New York City location. Just time for retail, I opened my first store lerton’s new queen
today, Friday, we’ve already done more on Mott Street. Nobody was opening of outdoor apparel.
Photo courtesy of
business than on a Saturday in Soho. stores then. I sold that location and Andrea Westerlind.
We knew Millerton was the perfect then opened a store on Spring Street
retail cross roads for our brand. in Soho in 2010 under my own name.
In June, through friends, we were It was a big step, naming a business
put in touch with James Hendrick, after yourself. We had the incredible
who had purchased the store in 2018 good fortune to have Geoff McFe-
from Lou Saperstein. He had already tridge design our distinctive fox bear
changed the façade and put in these logo and be a very supportive mentor/
beautiful, huge windows and retail is investor. Westerlind made it cool to
one of the few permitted uses of this wear outdoor gear and hiking boots in
space. We realized that the downstairs the city. Simultaneously we estab-
level would be large enough to accom- lished a wholesale business with exclu-
modate our wholesale business and we sive distribution agreements with the
would still have 6,000 square feet of
retail at street level. There was even a Continued on next page …
conveyor belt in the basement. Most
importantly we wanted to live in a
rural setting, in the natural world. It
MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 11business
ing for the cutest outdoor gear. When
they see friends wearing it, they ask
where to get it. That’s how we gener-
ate most of our new customers.
Are you contemplating closing
any of your other stores?
We’re not closing any stores. All of
our landlords have been very un-
derstanding and accommodating,
allowing us to continue operations at
a limited capacity until the consumers
are safe and ready to return to physical
Above and below, best international brands in outdoor and hiking boots. We try to have locations.
right: Westerlind
at 41 Main Street in wear like Vuarnet and Armor Lux and something available at many price
Millerton has some- set up relationships with retailers like points. Just for fun, we have these What plans do you have for
thing for everyone the store?
with products from
J. Crew, Nordstrom, and Barneys. small camping items like waterproof
around the world, Next we opened a store in Powder matches and kerosene lamps. And We’re still getting settled in, but we
at every price point. Mountain, Utah, in 2015, Jackson we’re always trying new things. A Ger- have plans to add gallery space, and
Photos courtesy of
Andrea Westerlind. Hole, Wyoming, in 2017, a new store man popup tent is coming next. maybe have a small grocery store with
on Mott Street in New York in 2018, supplies that people need and pre-
and Denver in 2019. Our emphasis Do you feel you’ve hit the pared food, like sandwiches to go. We
has always been on high quality, func- market exactly right with the have the space to add sporting equip-
tional merchandize that is, at the same combination of dress-down all ment, although that is not our focus.
the time, working remotely, and Our full focus for the foreseeable
time, fashionable. And I just started
wanting to be outside? future is to make our Millerton store
designing my own line of clothing
Yes, very much so. Traditionally, into the best outdoor lifestyle center
for our stores like this jumpsuit and
outdoor clothing does well in slow on the East Coast, full of discovery,
a travel suit for women with 4-way
economic times. People prioritize knowledge, and style!
stretch that will take you from plane
differently, and look to spend on life
to office meetings. Vogue magazine has
enhancing products like outdoor gear. And what about the ping-pong
featured the felt hat that I designed.
I think now, we have both uncertainty table in the window?
GQ magazine has dubbed Westerlind
in the economy and the social distanc- I do love to play ping-pong and I’ll
the most stylish outdoor store in
ing/change in lifestyle working in play with any customer who wants to.
America and “impossibly cool.”
our favor. Selling products that make Also, if you manage to beat me, I’ll
Personally we have moved our lives
people more comfortable and have give you 10% off your purchase. •
from Brooklyn to here. You don’t have
more fun outside, on top of looking
to be in New York to have a business
great, is a good feeling. To learn more, you can visit them at 41
and here I can ski, hike, and golf. Main Street in Millerton or online at
We will be building a studio at the How important are Pinterest www.westerlindoutdoor.com.
back of the store so we can do virtual and Instagram
appearances at trade shows. We have to your busi-
shut down our Queens warehouse and ness?
relocated everything here including It’s hard to say
key staff, but we will be actively look-exactly how
ing for more employees. important all the
different social
What are your best sellers? media platforms
Right now we’re selling lots of Birken- are, but they do
stock sandals, climbing technical help us spread
pants, jumpsuits, and sunglasses. We the message
carry over a 100 brands that I’ve dis- and reach new
covered in my travels. Every country people. I think,
has something really cool and unique in our case, all
that you don’t find in stores here. the little streams
We have Swedish linen tablecloths, lead to a big river.
Japanese recycled denim rugs, and Word-of-mouth
that foldable camping chair you’re sit- is one of our best
ting in, wool sweaters from Norway, marketing tools.
lifetime rubber boots from France, Everyone is look-
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MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 13Lightning Protection!
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14 MAIN STREET MAGAZINEbaking
ICE CREAM
dilly
bars WITH PEANUTS
& CHOCOLATE
By Jessie Sheehan
info@mainstreetmag.com
So, a “Dilly Bar,” for those not in the to eat a Dilly Dessert? And second, for a final stint. And that is it. Done dry measuring cup) press the wafer
know, is a frosty ice cream treat sold when I learned that a Dilly Dessert and done, as they say. In short, a crumbs down into the bottom of the
at Dairy Queen. It is almost like an is essentially a tray of homemade ice “Dilly” Dessert makes for an excellent pan, creating a solid, flat block of
ice cream popsicle – stick and all – cream bars that come together in no summer dessert – for both kids and crumbs. Place in the freezer.
made of vanilla soft-serve ice cream time (except the time the bars need to adults alike, I might add. And, yes: I While, the crust firms up in the
coated in chocolate. Truth be told, I firm up in the freezer), I knew I was speak from experience. freezer, soften the ice cream on the
am not sure that I have ever had the on board to make a batch. The recipe counter until spreadable, about a half
pleasure of trying a Dilly Bar, though Kathy shared called for an Oreo crust, Ingredients: an hour. Once softened, spread the
I am a huge fan of Dairy Queen, and but I decided to use chocolate wafer 12 ozs. Nabisco Famous Chocolate ice cream over the crust, sprinkle with
my favorite item (in case you were cookies instead. Wafers, or any crispy chocolate the peanuts, pressing them gently into
wondering) is a large soft-serve twist wafer cookie the ice cream and return to the freezer
(half chocolate/half vanilla) served in Here’s what you do: 3 tablespoons light brown sugar while you make the topping.
a wafer cone and dipped in chocolate I combined the wafers with some light 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, In a large microwave-safe bowl,
– and, yes, the similarities between brown sugar and melted butter in my melted and warm or in a heat-proof bowl over a pot
my fave and a “Dilly” have not gone food processer and pressed the crumbs 4 pints vanilla ice cream, or your of simmering water, combine the
unnoticed. But I had never even heard into my pan and then placed it in favorite flavor chocolate, heavy cream and corn
of a Dilly Bar, until quite recently, and the freezer to firm up – oh, and did I 1 1/2 cups roasted and salted peanuts, syrup and warm until melted. If using
thus had no idea what I was miss- mention that a Dilly Dessert is of the roughly chopped a microwave, heat the mixture in 30
ing. That is until my friend Kathy, no-bake variety? Another plus in my 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips second bursts, stirring after each. Cool
a grandmother among other things, book. 6 tablespoons heavy cream to room temperature and spread over
who has been baking for forever, You then spread softened ice cream 3 tablespoons light corn syrup the peanut layer. Sprinkled with flaky
shared a recipe with me called a “Dilly over the chocolate cookie crust (I like Flaky sea salt for sprinkling, optional sea salt, if using.
Dessert.” to use vanilla, in true “Dilly” fashion, Return to the freezer and freeze
but any flavor you like will work. Can Follow these steps: until firm, several hours, if not over-
Sharing is caring I just say mint chocolate chip would Grease a 13x9x2-inch pan with non- night. Cut with a sharp knife into 16
Kathy generously shares her recipe be amazing? As would strawberry… stick spray or softened butter. or 24 squares. Store leftover bars for
collection with me on the regular, but I digress). Sprinkle the ice cream Process the wafers in a food proces- up to one month in a plastic zippered
photographing those from her col- with salted and roasted peanuts (but sor until finely ground. Add the sugar bag in the freezer. •
lection that she thinks I’ll enjoy (she you could leave them out if you opt and butter and process again, scraping
and I both share a love of old-school, for a flavor other than vanilla, or just down the bowl of the processor as Jessie is a baker and cookbook author; you
aren’t a peanut lover). needed. can learn more about her through her website
“Americana” sweets, and when she
jessiesheehanbakes.com.
sent me the “Dilly Dessert” recipe, I You then place the bars back in Transfer the finely ground wafers
was instantly smitten. First, I loved the freezer while you make an easy to the prepared pan and using your
the name – I mean who doesn’t want chocolate “ganache” topping, made of hands (or the back of a one cup
chocolate and cream. After spreading
the chocolate over the peanut-topped
ice cream, you sprinkle with flaky sea
salt and return the bars to the freezer
MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 15Welcome back to Millerton
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518-789-2020 Center Practice Terri Lundquist
irvingfarm.com 518-789-6004 518-789-3440 845-366-9946
Oakhurst Diner millertonantiquescenter.com millertonvet.com terrilundquist.com
518-592-1313 Oblong Books & Music Moore & More Printing The Hair Lounge
518-789-3797 518-789-4508 518-592-1167
Entertainment oblongbooks.com mooreandmore@fairpoint. Thorunn Designs
The Moviehouse Terni’s Store net 518-592-1135
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us, and are the fabric of the com- 518-592-1135
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welcome you!
16 MAIN STREET MAGAZINEreal estate
What to expect from home inspections
By Christine Bates
info@mainstreetmag.com
Recently I reviewed an inspection report but a cash buyer might move forward
for a client that included a check “yes” on the basis of an initial inspection
by washer and dryer where none existed. and what has been done to correct
It made me wonder how carefully the any problems. If you can correct and
client had looked at this document. identify the results of an inspection
Inspection reports are usually a neces- up front, contentious negotiations can
sary part of the selling and purchasing be avoided. Keep in mind that such a
process, but what do they really tell report could be a double-edged sword
you? How can you get your money’s if it reveals material problems, which,
worth? You’re paying for this. A pre-sale once you have knowledge of them,
inspection paid for by the seller will must be revealed to any buyers.
identify issues that should be addressed
before putting a house on the market. Buyer be smart
A prepurchase inspection paid for by the Interview several home inspectors be-
buyer will not only alert new owners to fore you select one you feel most com-
potential problems but can also guide fortable with. Usually your broker will
renovation and maintenance going have several to select from or check on
forward. the internet. Ask about their experi-
ence, cost, and availability. Home in-
spectors usually have a background in
Seller beware construction and can educate clients age, siding, the roof, and then move Above: Here’s an
example of an old
Increasingly serious sellers and real about current and potential problems inside. After completing the assess- sliding door that
estate brokers who list properties want with a property. Check their website. ment the inspector will normally walk doesn’t slide that
was not noted by
to know what a home inspection Be sure to ask for references, insurance through the property and explain the inspector. Below,
might reveal before a house is put on coverage, and perhaps a sample report. his initial findings. All of this will left: Now this is a
Expect to sign a state-approved take several hours. Expect to receive rotten windowsill
the market. This provides the seller which will require
with the opportunity to repair minor home inspection agreement which a written report with photographs a replacement of the
issues that might discourage buyers details the scope and limits of the few days later. Any major concerns entire window. All
photos by Christine
before listing, or explain conditions inspection – engineering, architecture, and potential safety hazards should be Bates.
that buyers might accept. This type plumbing are typically not included. highlighted.
of pre-inspection gives the sellers’ Radon reading and water quality Read the report completely and
broker confidence in representing the testing are usually add-ons. Prior thoroughly and if something needs
property and can speed up the time to to inspection day buyers should do to be clarified contact the inspector
close. If the purchase requires bank fi- their own inspection walkthrough to immediately and ask. Start with the
nancing the buyer will still have to ar- identify issues that should be pointed summary at the front, look for the
range and pay for another inspection, out to the inspector. When the day of redlined conditions throughout, look
the inspection comes, the buyer and carefully at photos, and read the de-
the buyer’s broker should be there – tail. Often an element can be reported
the seller should not be, but available as satisfactory BUT comments and
by phone for any questions. Often photos indicate damaged areas.
the seller’s listing broker is there as There can also be language about
well – both to address questions, help what was not checked.
out, and provide security. Check the For example, a simple sentence like
owner’s disclosure report for addi- this one: “Some wall, floor, and other
tional questions you might have. surfaces were obscured by furniture
Typically a house inspection will and/or stored items, preventing a full
start from the outside observing con- evaluation of some areas.” You might
ditions around the house, land, drain- want to ask the owner to move these
Continued on next page …
MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 17real estate
items for a closer look. Or similarly: • Attic pull down stairs improperly
“The inspector was unable to evaluate installed
the attic, and it is excluded from this • Exterior door locks with improperly
inspection. The possibility of exten- installed deadbolts – and they will
sive costs associated with undiscovered always tell you to change the locks
problems exists.” • Not enough insulation in the attic
Talk to the realtor represent- • Inadequate smoke and CO2 alarms
ing you about how to address any • Electrical issues, which can be
concerns you have given the report. serious or easily repaired
Be reasonable and keep in mind that • Deck/porch structure, hand rails
no inspection report or house gets a and guardrails
100%. If there are major flaws that • Gutters and down spouts
the inspection reveals you may want improperly installed
to back out of the deal or ask for seller • Overhanging trees and vegetation,
concessions. It’s also a sensible idea to too many plants too close to the
do a pre-closing walk through yourself house
with the inspection report in hand to • Grading around the house
make sure you understand the inspec-
tor’s findings. What don’t they check for?
There are many issues that home
Inspectors always find inspectors simply do not cover and Above: Inspectors will catch water stains that indicate water seepage. Below, left: Check
for any signs of damage in all cabinets. Here there has been chimney leakage.
something will not be in the final report. They
There is no perfect inspection, or a spot check windows and electrical
passed inspection. Inspectors identify outlets – not every one. They do not
potential safety and maintenance check for pests. So if you see signs of of the roof may be done from the they check? How many electrical out-
issues, which the seller may or may cockroaches, termites, squirrels, bats, ground, and depending on weather lets were actually tested? What does
not be willing to address. No one is etc. you should hire a certified pest conditions, roof problems may not be a random sampling mean? Does the
required to remedy issues found in inspector to take a closer look. visible. If it’s not a newish roof you sliding door actually slide?
an inspection and don’t expect an They are not licensed plumbers may want to have a roofer inspect it
inspector to give you estimates of how and will only identify visible issues and give you an estimate for repairs How do they inspect? How
much anything would cost to repair that you may have noticed yourself or replacement. They will usually do much does it cost?
or replace. Based on their finding you like a leak under the sink, outdated a site visit and an estimate for free. Every inspector works from a standard
might want to return with a window plumbing or a loose toilet seal. Septic Remember that inspectors only look template checklist of items. Also in-
company or a contractor to get a sense inspections and pumping septic tanks at what is in plain view. They do not cluded in the report are all the things
of how much what you would like to are handled separately. Some inspec- move furniture; look in the back of the inspector did NOT check. Known
do would cost. Further, inspectors do tors are licensed mold inspectors, closets or into crawl spaces. as “Limitations of Inspection,” this is
not comment on aesthetics or make but a mold inspection comes with an As you read the report watch out the caveat that “inspection should not
style judgments. But there are certain additional cost. for the “not inspected.” For example be considered a guarantee or warranty
findings that appear in almost every Here’s a caveat from a recent exterior hose bibs because it’s winter, of any kind.”
inspection report: report: “Concerning mold in a home/ or gas range not tested because there’s Standard home inspections before
building. While we will report any no propane in the tank. Also remem- add-ons like radon, water quality,
substance that appears to be mold, the ber that the inspector is looking for mold, and pests will generally run
only true way to determine if mold is serviceability not the quality of the around $500 to $750 dollars and
present is to have a mold company/ finishes. For example a kitchen coun- up depending on size and location
specialist inspect and test for mold. ter top may have a check, but there of house. They are a valuable tool in
Any mention of mold in this report may not be an indication of whether assessing what might be the largest
should be considered a recommenda- it’s butcher block, Formica, or marble. investment of your life. You should
tion to bring in a mold specialist.” There probably won’t be an indication read them carefully, understand their
If your house has an in-ground of whether kitchen cabinets are cus- limitations, and seek more informa-
swimming pool, a pool expert should tom made of solid wood or whether tion if necessary. •
check it, including pool permits and interior doors are solid wood, hollow
maintenance records. core, or plastic. If there is carpeting Christine Bates has written monthly real
estate articles for Main Street Magazine since
Appliance performance is not part often you don’t know what material it
its first issue. She is a registered real estate
of the inspection. You may want to do is or what’s underneath. agent in both New York and Connecticut
a load of laundry or test the dishwash- Note that many conditions are not with William Pitt Sotheby’s International.
er to see if they work. The inspection specified. How many windows did
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MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 19FRAME A MOMENT TO
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20 MAIN STREET MAGAZINEslow food
A culture
of cultures
By Ian Strever
info@mainstreetmag.com
What does an animal make of work. We were not built to be
a pandemic? On various early plugged into computers, so bike
morning bike rides this spring, sales have exploded, and our trail-
I’ve startled foxes and bears as they heads are overflowing with legions
saunter along our unusually quiet of born-again hikers renewing their
country roads, no doubt pleased connection to the outdoors.
that our iron horses have yielded
such amiable byways to them. My Fertile ground
stealthy approach catches them The isolation of a quarantine
unaware, and they immediately provides fertile ground for sowing
scurry for the nearest culvert, but the seeds of meditative practices,
their nonchalance on the blacktop is perhaps none more productive than
refreshing. that of cooking. Assailed by the the opposite of the cyborgian realitybreads, and his philosophy has
I return home to transform into dings, whistles, and chirps of count- that seemed to inch closer with each literally and figuratively given rise to
a whirling dervish for the next eight less alerts, the opportunity to pare byte: this creature, born of bacteriaexquisite loaves of bread in kitchens
hours, toiling like Sysyphus after an life back to the simple, essential and able to nourish or sicken. across the country.
end to emails that will never come, act of providing nutritious meals So what if we stretched the pro- It works like this, in brief: mix
with data flashing like lightning is one of the few luxuries we could cess down even further – something together flour and water and let
from server to server. And yet, all afford these past few months. A more on a seasonal pace? Smoked it sit for about a week. With daily
during the lull of a lunch break, I mantra arises from our chopping ribs and braised short ribs benefit stirring and eventually some feeding
watch with fascination as a couple and stirring. from overnight marinades and with fresh flour, the mixture will
of ducks shuttle back and forth Those of us who like to cook hours of low-temperature roast- absorb naturally-occurring bacteria
between the river and a hole in a have had the time to experiment ing, but what would happen over a from the surroundings and begin
nearby sycamore tree, as ducks have with new recipes and more elabo- month’s time, or several months? to ferment, or sour. Unlike yeast-
for millions of years. rate concoctions. In April, I made a That is just what is happening leavened bread, sourdoughs break
The great paradox of 2020 is that run at homemade bagels with mod- in an unexpectedly large number of down some of the peptides that are
while everything seems to be mov- erate success, but it took the better kitchens around our area. Local fer- linked to gluten intolerance and can
ing faster and faster in the digital part of two days to see the recipe menters, bakers, and cheesemakers facilitate the absorption of some of
world, in the natural world, nothing to fruition, even using commercial are employing ancient techniques to the sugars found in white flour that
ever changes. Our jobs demand yeast to accelerate the process. produce “slow food” that is not only produce spikes in insulin.
many of us to be data processors of But slowing down my cooking delicious, but as studies suggest, is If you’re pressed for time, you can
one form or another, but our nature satisfied an instinct in me to combat more healthful than mass-market experience the results of this process
resists such reductive, streamlined the fury of remote work. Just feet alternatives. in Berkshire Mountain’s mouth-
away from where watering “Bread and Chocolate,”
I typed, a living, Berkshire Mountain Bakery: available at the Berkshire Co-op and
breathing organ- Sourdough bread at the bakery itself in Housatonic.
ism grew. My Although my bagels took two days Something between a breakfast
dough respirated to make, die-hard bakers swear by bread and dessert, a smear of butter
pensively on the sourdough starters and tend to them on a toasted slice highlights the
counter, and if like plants, grooming and feeding slight sourness of the dough and the
left unchecked, them to preserve the active cultures dark chocolate that rides that fine
it would con- that produce natural leavening and line between bitter and sweet.
tinue to feed off singular flavor. Richard Bourbon,
of the sugars in owner and head baker at Berkshire Continued on next page …
the flour until Mountain Bakery in Housatonic,
it exhausted the MA, is the Johnny Appleseed of
supply. It was naturally-fermented sourdough
MAIN STREET MAGAZINE 21slow food
a sanitized, stainless steel vat and
injected both of them with E. Coli.
Pollan writes, “what happened
next was, at least to a Pasteurian,
utterly baffling: The cheese that had
been started in the sterile vat had
high levels of E. coli, and the cheese
made in the wooden barrel had next
to none… the good bugs, and the
acids they produced, had driven out
the bad.”
No pasteurization, no steriliza-
tion, and yet, an edible, even more
desirable product.
Sister Noëlla’s cheese is available
This page, above: Hawthorne Valley Co-op: Available in their Chatham Co-op through the Abbey itself, but call
Berkshire Mountain
Bakery’s “Bread
Sauerkraut and kimchi and elsewhere, their process relies ahead to ensure availability. Like
and Chocolate” If you’re willing to wait another on few ingredients (just cabbage, sauerkraut, beer, and whiskey, hard
benefits from the week (or more) for your food,
slight sourness
caraway seeds, cumin, and salt cheeses require time to ferment, and
of bread and the sauerkraut is a natural progression in their Caraway Sauerkraut) to two months is about the minimum
bittersweetness for slowing down your food process. preserve the crunchiness of their for the process. Claudia Lucero’s
of dark chocolate.
Photo cour- As with bread, sauerkraut relies on locally-sourced cabbage. 2014 book, One-Hour Cheese, is a
tesy of Berkshire naturally-occurring bacteria to fuel Looking to try it at home? Carve guide to accelerating the process for
Mountain Bakery.
Below, right: Aged
the “cooking” of cabbage in water, out a month or more to manage the the impatient, featuring a variety of
Bethlehem cheese in the process preserving and even fermentation process, and make a recipes for relatively softer cheeses.
from the Abbey creating a variety of nutrients and
of Regina Laudis
stop at New Preston Kitchen Goods None of these requires raw milk,
in Bethlehem, CT. healthful bacteria. in Connecticut to pick up a clay but if you are seeking that old-
Photo courtesy Recent scholarship into the sauerkraut urn with purpose-made world approach, many farms in the
of The Abbey of
Regina Laudis. benefits of probiotic foods sug- weights instead of scouring your area can supply that, too.
gests that a diet rich in fermented house for a jerry-rigged setup. Slow food is having a moment,
Previous page,
top to bottom:
foods promotes “gut health,” or the and it is about much more than
Hawthorne Valley’s maintenance of the delicate ecosys- The Abbey of Regina Laudis: science. The nuanced flavor of these
colorful krauts are tem in our stomachs that relies on Raw milk cheese products invites slow tasting as
the result of slow
fermentation that beneficial bacteria for digestion and Perhaps the most convincing case well – a more attentive and mind-
is at odds with processing of the nutrients found in for the safety of probiotic foods ful approach to eating that would
much of our mod-
ern culture. Photo all foods. In the last twenty years, is the experiment of Sister Noëlla naturally appeal to nuns. In an
courtesy of Haw- scientists have discovered that the Marcellino of the Abbey of Regine economy where many of us toil at
thorne Valley Farm Laudis in Bethlehem, CT. Docu-
Store. Commercial
vast majority of the DNA in our work that is ephemeral, the rewards
yeast will acceler- bodies is not our own, but belongs mented in Michael Pollan’s excellent of producing something that is tan-
ate the process of to the microbes that reside in and 2013 book, Cooked, Sister Noëlla gible and edible are both material
making homemade
bagels and breads on our bodies. prepared two batches of raw-milk and spiritual. It is an opportunity to
but a sourdough This fact calls into question the cheese from the same batch of milk, connect with thousands of years of
starter yields a
tastier product, if hysteria around handwashing and one using a traditional wooden human experience in perfecting and
you’re willing to sanitary practices that prevail at this barrel and paddle, and the other in celebrating our most basic need. •
spend the time.
moment. One body of traditional
research focuses on the dangers of
unseen bacterial invaders, while
another emerging body of research
advocates for developing our micro-
biomes in ways that strengthen our
immunity by promoting symbiotic
bacteria.
It is admittedly hard to know
which research to trust, but if you
want to hedge your bets, you could
do worse than Hawthorne Valley’s
fermented sauerkrauts and kimchis.
22 MAIN STREET MAGAZINEYou can also read
