Hitting the Sweet Spots; At Least the Ones With Strong Coffee

Brevity has to be the equivalent of wings for writers with too many words in the air at one time---which is another way of saying that I haven't updated this blog for too long because I can only seem to envision carefully crafted comprehensive posts. Fixating on the ideal, however, isn't helping anyone.

So here come  the shorter, snappier, more frequent blogs:

Like everyone else, I've added another drive-time to the schedule; besides taking children to school and commuting, I'm now also out shopping for the holidays. The thing that makes the experience palatable---in fact, the thing I build the whole experience around---is stopping at the great local bakeries and coffee shops in Greater Litchfield County, Connecticut.

I recently discovered first-hand a new one, La Palette Bakery in the center of Watertown. Gaze at the gorgeous pear and blueberry tarts below, and read our recent story in LCT magazine, and then seek it out.

Another favorite stop is the Bridgewater Village Store in Bridgewater, which has great muffins, scones, breads and other baked goods, in addition to the world-class Bridgewater Chcolates. Read the story on www,countytimes.com and check the photo below.

Just two of many great places; stay tuned for more.

Reaching the Pinnacle



A view of Lake Waramaug, looking toward Warren and Kent from The Pinnacle, reached via trails in the Macricostas Preserve of the Steep Rock Association.


More than one noted nature writer has called September a season unto itself.
Here in Connecticut, especially, it may be the kindest month, the one with the most to offer.
Most of September, technically, falls into summer, but it's that waning-light saturated late summer; a season that's both summer and autumn at the same time.
That's the magic of September; layers of resonance that complicate our winter-is-coming thought processes When evening arrives earlier and earlier, when the late afternoon light is almost pink or purple because of the increasingly oblique angle of the sun, and when the underbrush that clutters landscapes and forests starts to die back, opening up views and allowing the super-saturated light to sink in and make everything glow---that's when going on an adventure is most rewarding.
Northwestern Connecticut is blessed with many wonderful and expansive nature preserves, including White Memorial in Litchfield and Morris and the Steep Rock Association in Washington.
That latter entity is the steward of three landmark preserves, each with its own attributes.
On a clear, warm Sunday in late September, I set out for the one that, unfathomably, I had yet to explore---the Macricostas Preserve, whose parking area is off Christian Street in Washington, Conn., just off Route 202, near its intersection with Route 45.
More times than I can count, I have walked in the Steep Rock Preserve off River Road, whose features include a short, dark and curving former railroad tunnel, and at the Hidden Valley Preserve, where my pas de deux with an angry goshawk has been well chronicled.
But the Macricostas Preserve had remained a mystery until now. Its of a recent vintage in the Steep Rock holdings, just a decade old this year. The preserve resulted, after a long narrative with plenty of twists, from plans to build something like 200-plus condominiums.
Now the property remains untouched swamps, fields and mountainous terrain.
The signature attraction of Macricostas is the trail that leads to what's called The Pinnacle---a feature that Steep Rock actually boasts in all of its preserves.
This pinnacle overlooks another local gem, Lake Waramaug, which is rimmed by Washington (New Preston), Warren and Kent.
The hike, about 2.5 miles round trip along the shortest of a few different possible routes, featured beautiful vistas, some moderately difficult climbing and then the reward of the spectacular Alpine views.
Take a look at the photos, and then take the opportunity this fall to explore Steep Rock and the charming village of New Preston, which is tiny but also full of smart, stylish shops and restaurants.

A view from The Pinnacle looking back over Washington.



From The Pinnacle, the Meeker Trail leads back through the Steep Rock Association's Macricostas Preserve, while June Road, a steep narrow road off Route 45 in New Prestion, is another point of entry.



         Last Friday I did something revolutionary--I spent the morning away from the office. Not only that, I liberated myself from the car, and lingered with idle thoughts while enjoying the view of a small but fast-flowering river and the plunging waterfall it leads to.

The East Aspetuck River running behind shops.

       The truth, of course, is that I was working the entire time, primarily through conducting interviews for a story on the new Upstairs Antiques, located above Dawn Hill Antiques (http://www.dawnhillantiques.com/) for the LCT monthly magazine of The Litchfield County Times (see http://www.countytimes.com/ June 24 for the story.) But strolling, looking, thinking and re-ordering the world is working, too. Almost everything I notice or investigate eventually becomes content for readers of our weekly paper, monthly magazine or glossy quarterly magazine (http://www.passport-mag.com/).

       This morning of interviewing and content fishing was different, though. I was in New Preston, a village of the town of Washington, Conn., that possesses a unique charm and appeal that is exponentially bigger than the hamlet's bijoux-sized status. Located on the lower end of Lake Waramaug, a bastion of fine summer and year-round homes for affluent sophisticates, New Preston literally clings to a strip of land squeezed between higher ground on one side and the rushing East Aspetuck River on the other. Once a self-contained village with a gas station, drug store, restaurant and more, New Preston today is full of the best things in life.

       It' still has blink-and-you'll-miss-it status, but you won't want to miss any of it. While walking last Friday morning from a parking lot at a former boys club at the top of the village down to Upstairs Antiques at the lower end of "town," I realized more than ever how much I love New Preston. Hardly any shops were open yet, but in peeking in the windows of clothing boutiques, an upscale kitchen goods store, an antiques shop and more, I wanted everything. To make a corny analogy, it's like the laundry detergent that's so concentrated, one spoonful will cleanse your entire wardrobe. Within a tiny footprint, New Preston's merchants can change your entire wardrobe and decor, along with your palate and sense of self.

       So hemmed in by its geography is New Preston that parking can be a bit tricky at times. The real challenge is that the village was dealt a blow recently by a state project. It was necessary to shore up a section of the road between the village and Lake Waramaug. In this case, the state route was closed entirely, making it very difficult and circuitous for anyone to get to New Preston from towns such as Kent, Cornwall, Warren and beyond. Business suffered.

       In the interest of a rebound, the merchants have gotten together and created a new Web site for New Preston (http://www.newprestonct.com/) and are having a party with drinks, food and live music on the evening of July 1 to officially celebrate the launch of the site and re-launch of New Preston. There will be an opportunity to win a $1,500 shopping spree in the village, and generally a chance to get acquainted with a place that deserves to be visited and savored. Read a story about the Web site and summer stroll in The Litchfield County Times: http://www.countytimes.com/articles/2011/06/24/business/doc4e035f4586fdd922214197.txt

      In no way playing favorites---these just happened to be the photos I took that turned out OK---here's a sampling of what awaits in New Preston.

The Firehouse, Fashion and Furthermore.

This is The Firehouse, a boutique with fashions for women and children (http://www.shopthefirehouse.com/). My wife picked up an outfit there not long ago for a special dinner at a private home and the whole county has apparently heard how amazing she looked.

The longtime anchor boutique for women in town is J. Seitz & Company (my photo was a lemon). Joanna and Amanda Seitz are trendsetters, and their shop also offers fashions for men and for the home, including pieces from the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams line. (http://www.mgbwhome.com/). See the shop's Web site: (http://www.jseitz.com/)

Pergola.

Another shop whose partnership gets the Seitz touch is called Pergola, and it's focus is on the garden side of homes. (http://www.pergolahome.com/)

After fashion has been covered, interior decorating and exterior accoutrements, too, next comes the kitchen and dining areas. New Preston Kitchen Goods stands ready to offer everyone necessary for the gourmet chef, or just the master-entertainer. To get a taste, see the shop's Web site: http://www.newprestonkitchengoods.com/).

With dining in mind, New Preston has an amazing amount to offer in a very limited space. At The Smithy (http://www.thesmithystore.com/), organic and local produce can be purchased as the ingredients for a fine meal at home, and just up the hill on the same property is The Mindful Kitchen, a gourmet take-out food establishment.



Nine Main.

Just across the street is Nine Main, a bakery with award-winning muffins, scones and more that does a thriving lunch trade with its signature sandwiches.

For fine dining, the place to go is Oliva Cafe, (http://olivacafe.com/). To read the latest writeup about the talents of chef/co-owner Riad Aaamar, follow this link to our story in the summer issue of Passport magazine:
http://passport-mag.com/articles/2011/06/20/highly_palatable/doc4dffa8cbd1914402002002.txt

 

And while in New Preston, make sure not to miss the shops not mentioned by name here---and also don't miss the waterfall!







Washington State of Mind

I can say that Washington, Conn., is the only place I've ever been attacked by a northern goshawk (though that's not what this blog is about, so hang in for a bit before being persuaded of the town's charms).

Goshawks are accipiters, or hawks built for bursts of speed and agility as they navigate dense forests; they're also among the larger hawks in Connecticut, and are described as powerful hunters. It was eight years ago, around this time of year or maybe in early June that I had my encounter. Of course I knew these hawks were nesting in the Hidden Valley Preserve of the Steep Rock Association (http://steeprockassoc.org/). Signs were posted warning those walking in the lush, beautiful woods bisected by the Shepaug River not to use a trail that came close to a nesting area---and that, when nesting, the hawks would attack.

I heeded the warnings, but ended up "outsmarting" them by taking a series of other trails that brought me near the nesting grounds, a fact that didn't sink in as I followed this self-choreographed route more than once without incident. Then, one Friday afternoon, I entered the preserve from a different parking area on the other side of the river, at a point that contained no warning signs. I followed a trail alongside the river, and eventually crossed a footbridge to the other side and started up a series of switchbacks to pick up the outer loop trail I had been tracing.

Only a few hundred feet down the trail at the top of the hill I was startled into crisis mode first by a loud piercing cry and then the site of a very large dark object coming toward me. I turned around, began to run and, out of pure instinct, dove under the fence and rolled down the hill when I came to the hairpin turn of the first switchback; I figured the hawk was close and that slowing down to make the turn would result in talons piercing my scalp.

With no time to look back for the goshawk, I repeated the run, dive and roll maneuver at each switchback all the way down the hill. Finally, back down on the trail just above the footbridge, I turned to look and saw nothing. I thought I may have gotten far enough away from the nest, but immediately heard the cry and saw the hawk coming for me again. This time, I threw myself down the last hill between me and the river, ran along the rocks and hid underneath the footbridge for what seemed like an eternity. Eventually, I climbed up onto the bridge and made haste back the way I had come and out of the preserve.

Despite my run-in, which serves as an unusual nature lover's badge of honor, given that I successfully escaped, the presence of goshawks in the landmark preserves of Steep Rock is a good thing. Though it means taking care in communing with nature during nesting season, it also means that the town is still so unspoiled and wild that one of the least seen and most private hawks lives here.

It's symbolic, really, of Washington's rarefied demographics. The humans who live here are, almost without exception, highly successful, affluent, sophisticated, discerning and, often, tied meaningfully to New York City. Houses are grand, and parties and benefits lavish.

In fact, the very existence of the natural riches preserved by Steep Rock come thanks to the architect Ehrick Rossiter, who designed the signature shingle-style manses of Washington, and whose reverence for the environment that helped gild his career prompted him to establish the preserve that now forms the core of Steep Rock's holdings.

Another accomplishment for Rossiter was designing a cultural gem in town, the Gunn Memorial Library. It's the pinnacle of small-town Connecticut libraries, and every year, as spring blossoms into the summer, the library holds a unique fund-raiser called Library Luminaries.

Here's a piece we published recently in The Litchfield County Times on the upcoming event: The 2011 Library Luminaries event to raise funds for the Gunn Memorial Library and Museum is taking a slightly different approach this year, its 16th. Traditionalists shouldn’t worry, though, as the spirit and structure of the event remains intact.

Fourteen separate dinner parties will each feature at least one "luminary," or a distinguished person of note, and each party will be hosted by an area resident. That much is unchanged.
But during the event’s past decade and a half, a flat donation allowed guests to choose which dinner to attend, in addition to alternatives in case of a sell-out, with an adjunct pre-dinner cocktail party at library. The package fee this year begins at $150. But the 2011 Library Luminaries Committee will also open up the cocktail party to those who may not attend, and do so for a contribution of $50.
"In prior years, people had to [sign up for] the dinner," said co-chair Bill Fore. "But this year you do not need to go the dinner, you can just go to the cocktail party."
The annual event is one of the primary fund-raisers for the town’s library and historical museum, which largely depends upon private contributions rather than taxpayer dollars. According to a release, recent Connecticut statistics reveal that the Gunn Memorial Library boasts double the number of visits per capita of libaries in towns of its size, and performs at the top of every measure of libraries statewide.
Just a few of the guest luminaries this year include: designer Robert Couturier and historical architect Jeffrey Morgan, hosted by Philippa Feigen Malkin and Jonathan Malkin; chef Wayne Nish, hosted by Susan and Lawrence Kessler; "Sex and the City" author Candace Bushnell, hosted by realtor Carolyn Klemm; author and radio host Ann Leary, hosted by Christina and Peter Klemm; and author and memoirist Dani Shapiro, hosted by Linda and Arthur Carter, the founder of The Litchfield County Times who is now a sculptor.
And in another departure from previous years, singer-songwriter Christine Ohlman and Rebel Montez will perform a concert, hosted by Susan Bishop-Wrabel and Gene Wrabel, Cynthia Oneglia and Dan Whalen, Susan and Craig Schoon, Chris and Marlene Smith, along with Mr. Fore and Joe Loose. Ms. Ohlman, best known from the Saturday Night Live Band, will conduct her show at the Washington Club Hall adjacent to the library.
"We’ve never had a luminary dinner that was also a concert," said Mr. Fore. "If your heart is beating, your hips will be shaking."
The event is scheduled for Saturday, June 4. For information on how to partake, visit the library’s Web site at www.gunnlibrary.org or call 860-868-7586.


If a library's fund-raiser, however lofty, doesn't hold appeal, seeking out and discovering Washington certainly is in order. In addition to connecting with Steep Rock's preserves, zero in on Washington Depot to get acclimated. Clustered within a small area are plenty of shops worth discovering, including the landmark Hickory Stick Bookshop (http://www.hickorystickbookshop.com/).

The Hickory Stick Bookshop.

There's also good places to eat, including the G.W. Tavern (http://www.hickorystickbookshop.com/) and the upscale Mayflower Inn & Spa (http://www.mayflowerinn.com/)

One of the central spots in town, only established in recent years, is Marty's Cafe, a stylish coffee shop with yummy baked goods and rotating art exhibits. (http://www.seeyouatmartys.com/)

Marty's Cafe

Marty's is on one end of a small plaza that has another (locally) legendary food establishment on the far end, across the parking lot. The Pantry is a popular lunch-spot, and even more popular for its take-out delicacies, sandwiches, baked goods and more. (860-868-0258)

Once fueled up, visitors can't miss the Washington Art Association at the rear of the plaza that's home to town hall. See the Web site at http://www.washingtonart.org/.

To learn more about Washington Depot, see the Web site of the Washington Business Association (http://www.washingtonbusinessassociation.org/), which, in fact, is holding a community day for the villages of Washington on Saturday, May 28.

Beyond Washington Depot is New Preston village, a rich little stop for visitors, Marbledale and more. Find this town and fall in love---just watch out for the goshawks.

Faith in the Local Culinary Economy

Note: The following is an essay I wrote for a magazine called Epicurean Delights, which is being published May 27 by The Litchfield County Times (www.countytimes.com). It's meant to highlight the culinary gems in Greater Litchfield County, Conn., and all the experiences described below are worth seeking out. If proof is needed, just take a look at this sea bass entree at one of the hottest restaurants in the region, Chef Joel Viehland's Community table in Washington, Conn.

One of the best series on National Public Radio in recent years was the revival of “This I Believe,” based on the 1950s radio program hosted by the legendary Edward R. Murrow that featured ordinary Americans sharing the core values and personal philosophies that guide their daily lives.

With a bit of imagination, the approach can be applied to the dining scene in the region, interpreting the things one believes in through the prism of experiences that have been treasured, and desires awaiting to be fulfilled or satisfied again.

So, without further introduction, here’s a culinary laundry list of things I believe in, with the caveat that there are too many to mention and the lack of inclusion here does not signify any implicit judgment.

• Sitting at the sidewalk café of the West Street Grill in Litchfield on a warm summer evening with my beautiful wife, enjoying the lighter fare of chef Jimmy Cosgriff and a fine white Burgundy (http://www.weststreetgrill.com/; 860-567-3885).

• Trying all the new menu items at chef Carole Peck’s Good News Café in Woodbury—and knowing I will be wowed even by items I don’t usually order—while sitting not in the main dining room but in a snug booth in the bar area (http://www.good-news-café.com/; 203-266-4663).

• Ordering the amazing antipasto and an entrée with a Moroccan influence by chef Riad Aaamar at the gorgeous, graceful Oliva Café in New Preston (http://olivacafe.com/; 860-868-1787).

• Taking the kids for wood-fire pizza and enjoying the warm hospitality of Julio and Maria Duque at Julio’s in Southbury (http://www.julioswoodfiredpizzagrill.com/; 203-264-7878).

• Finding the time and means to become a regular at Winvian in Morris, in order to enjoy the amazing seed-to-table cuisine of chef Chris Eddy (http://www.winvian.com/; 860-567-9600).

• Hoping for cold weather, and then snagging a fireside table in the Tap Room at the Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington—and then ordering chef Justin Ermini’s signature burger (http://www.mayflowerinn.com/; 860-868-9466).

• Finally trying an Italian restaurant with a legendary reputation, Roma in Watertown (860-274-2558).

• While in Watertown, picking up homemade ravioli with lobster, and sauce and Arthur Avenue bread, from the Pasta Gallery and treating myself at home (860-945-0223).

• Finding a reason to stop at Belgique Patisserie & Chocolatier in Kent every day it’s open, for everything from croissants and Madeleines to pair with coffee and chocolates and desserts to give as gifts (860-927-3681).

• Grabbing a sandwich at Panini Café in Kent and enjoying in the courtyard of the gorgeous Kent Village Barns shopping haven (860-927-5083).

• Having dinner more often at the ultra-welcoming Doc’s Trattoria in Kent (http://www.docstrattoria.com/; 860-927-1711).

• Enjoying once again the Old World-feeling charms of the Fife n’ Drum restaurant in Kent, with the hope of catching founder Dolph Traymon at the piano (http://www.fifendrum.com/; 860-927-3509).

• Frequenting the fresh, contemporary Bank Street Tavern in New Milford and enjoying a glass of wine in one of the upstairs club chairs before settling in for a filling dinner (860-799-7991).

• Finally having dinner (as opposed to brunch and appetizers at events) at The Woodward House in Bethlehem (http://www.thewoodwardhouse.com/; 203-266-6902).

• Discovering a favorite among area chefs interviewed for a story in this magazine, the Yokohama Japanese Restaurant in New Milford (860-355-0556).

• Trying a Greyledge Farm hot dog, and the Roxbury establishment’s fine cuts of beef. For a highly successful bunch, the Fitzgeralds couldn’t be nicer—or more dedicated to the farm, which apparently comes through in the quality of the products (http://www.greyledgefarm.com/; 860-350-3203).

• Seeking out the Landing Zone Grill in Harwinton and sampling some of its cult-following fare (860-485-2733).

• Do the dinner-and-a-movie classic by pairing the authentic offerings of Wood’s Pit BBQ (http://www.woodspitbbq.com/; 860-567-9869) with a show at the adjacent Bantam Cinema in the Bantam section of Litchfield (http://www.bantamcinema.com/; 860-567-0006).

• Digging deeper into the Italian fare at Matteo’s in Watertown or New Milford (http://www.matteorestaurantandbakery.com/; 860-274-9800 or 860-799-7371).

• Enjoying dinner and a nice bottle of wine once again at the charming John’s Café in Woodbury (http://www.johnscafe.com/; 203-263-0188).

• Pairing dinner and a show—at the Warner Theatre in Torrington (http://www.warnertheatre.com/; 860-489-7180) and the adjacent Backstage restaurant (http://www.backstageeatdrinklive.com/; 860-489-8900).

• Working my way through the pub fare menu at The White Horse country pub in the Marbledale section of Washington, while experimenting what will pair better with a fine ale or a fine wine (http://www.whitehorsecountrypub.com/; 860-868-1496).

• Raiding the bakery case at The Pantry in Washington Depot, while also ordering sandwiches for lunch and take-home entrees (860-868-0258).

• Sitting outside on the spacious patio at Hopkins Inn in New Preston on a summer evening and ordering the newest and freshest items the chefs have been adding to the menu and the landmark establishment (http://www.thehopkinsinn.com// 860-868-7295).

• Stopping daily at Bantam Bread for “semolina with seeds” and everything else Niles Golovin bakes (860-567-2737).

• Trying the wonderful-sounding, and very affordable, special offers at The Rooster Tail restaurant and inn in Warren (http://www.roostertailinn.com/; 860-868-3100).

• Getting a chance to bring the family for pizza at Da Capo in Litchfield (www.dacaporestaurant.com; 860-567-482-6246).

• After enjoying the coffee and pastries at its bakery appendage, finally trying chef Keith “Red” Lanphear’s dinner cuisine at @ the Corner in Litchfield (http://www.atthecorner.com/; 860-567-8882).

• Getting in the French spirit once again at Pastorale Bistro & Bar in Salisbury (http://www.pastoralebistro.com/; 860-435-1011).

• Having dinner and then attending a concert at Infinity Music Hall & Bistro in Norfolk (http://www.infinityhall.com/; 860-542-5531).

• Tweaking driving routes to stop more often for coffee and a muffin at Marty’s Café in Washington (http://www.seeyouatmartys.com/; 860-868-1700).

• Stopping frequently at the Flour Garden Bakery in Woodbury for almost anything in the display case (203-263-7355).

• Trying more of the specialty sandwiches—can’t seem to stop ordering bacon, egg and cheese on a roll—at The Ripe Tomato Deli in Morris (or Litchfield). No nicer people than Warren and Hilary. (860-567-1199).

All of these things I’ve either done or plan to do as soon as I can.

The Freedom to Collect Images

I admit to being remiss in updating this blog; the promise of new entries each week, mostly on Fridays, has suffered because of a confluence of factors. One of those---not always having easy or quick access to images from the places I wish to highlight---has just been remedied.

The camera on an HTC Droid phone I just got will liberate me forever forward from the bottleneck of wanting to type odes to all the special places in northwestern Connecticut, the region that's become encoded in my DNA, but being stalled when it comes to visuals.

So this is not as much a standard entry as a promise to become more frequent and robust in posts---and an announcement of a new Droid-driven feature on our Web site, http://www.countytimes.com/. We've just launched a Twitter Photo of the Day feature, in hopes of creating a sort of visual dialogue with kindred spirits who live in the Northwest Hills, along with those who have visited or just dreamed about spending time in our verdant, culturally-rich towns.

Here's our first photo:

Follow this link to see the full post and interact with us: http://bit.ly/fK2kOs. Connect with us, comment, submit photos and, mostly, enjoy the images we'll be offering.

Rainy Day Torrington

In an example of that mental alchemy in which coinciding but unconnected input yields an unexpected result, the combination of a rainy late winter afternoon in western Connecticut and a story we published this week in the March issue of our LCT magazine (http://www.countytimes.com/) about a new restaurant has me remembering time spent in downtown Torrington.

It may seem to some like an unlikely setting for a Proustian voyage of the mind, but the post-industrial city has a downtown of many facets, some troubling---like crime and other unpleasantness---some challenging---like a long, slow march toward an orchestrated revitalization---and some uplifting---like a true sense of character, cultural landmarks, signature shops and an indomitable will among local guiding lights that good will eventually prevail.

Fittingly, the "madeleine" that sparked my memories comes in the form of a new restaurant called Backstage that has opened under the umbrella of the landmark Art Deco Warner Theatre (http://www.warnertheatre.org/). The gloriously restored Warner is home to a broad range of programming, ranging from locally-produced plays to concerts by nationally-known performers and dance premieres by troupes as renowned as the Washington, Conn.-based MOMIX (http://www.momix.com/calendar.html).

Photos by Laurie Gaboardi

Here's a look at seating in Backstage, with the somewhat gritty but still charming downtown streetscape seen through the window, and a photo of a burger at the restaurant.


















I used to live in Torrington, in an unusual old farmhouse in a residential neighborhood not far from the downtown. In the beginning of that time, around 1990, the neighborhood of mostly two-story houses was filled with friendly people, mostly elderly, who carefully maintained their properties and sat out on the front porch in the evening.

My front and back yards had beautiful mature birch trees, I fostered modest but pretty flower gardens, and built out of twigs a grape-vine covered arbor in the back. A brook bordered my yard on one side, across the street was a "pocket park," created mostly because of the course of the brook, and along a parallel street, up on a soft hill, sat a Roman Catholic church evocatively painted a shade of salmon that, in certain light, seemed pink.

It was strangely a magical place in which to live. On weekends or in the evenings I liked to walk through the downtown and the many other residential neighborhoods that crowd up against it. Shops and amenities come and go in Torrington center, and, aside from the stalwart anchors and landmarks, there's always something interesting to discover. In a phenomenon common for city dwellers, a bijoux of warmth and fascination always takes on added appeal and meaning amid circumstances with enhanced drama---during a snowstorm, for example, or simply when it's raining.

Downtown Torrington seems poised, once again, at a proverbial crossroads. Many signature buildings have been under bank ownership and facing uncertain futures. Now, as the city fitfully tries to push forward with the revitalization, a group called Torrington Downtown Partners (http://www.torringtondowntownpartners.com/) has emerged to lend private capital and the vision of entrepreneurial leaders to the effort.

That movement has created a positive vibe among existing entities that are wonderful enough to deserve a more vibrant and welcoming cityscape as a backdrop. Among them are the Warner Theatre and the nearby Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts (http://www.nutmegconservatory.org/), along with the nonprofit egalitarian art gallery called Artwell (http://www.artwellgallery.org/), several good restaurants and other shops. The new high-end home and bath showroom Bender (http://www.artwellgallery.org/) is helping to set the tone, and other longtime fixtures such as Remember When (http://www.remwhen.com/) and Toy Jam (http://www.toyjam.net/) among among the shops creating the type of charm and hometown spirit that the downtown needs and deserves.

While far more compact than the big cities of literary inspiration, downtown Torrington has the history, tradition, streetscape and potential to fulfill its destiny of become the type of amenity rich, semi-urban destination that will tempt many, many residents and visitors to come and indulge in the type of purposefully slow, immersion rich Joycean rambles that are stamped in my memory with the dark, indelible impression of an etcher's ink.

Go to Torrington and discover, and when you're there make sure to connect with the newest and arguably most exciting phenomenon of all---our sister publication, the Register Citizen newspaper, recently relocated to 59 Field Street and has launched the world's first interactive newsroom and Newsroom Cafe. Not only can you get the latest news, you can help shape it, and in the process, help shape the future of downtown Torrington. To learn more, go to http://www.registercitizen.com/.