Farm Art Festival benefited Clay & Wattles Theater Company

BETHLEHEM » Clay & Wattles Theater Company held a fundraiser at the Abbey in Bethlehem on Sunday, June 11 that was well attended despite the summer heat. Featured were farmstead cheeses from Connecticut and Vermont, artists and designer jewelry, handmade soaps and lotions, jams, ice pops, breads and chocolates.

On hand was Mother Noella Marcellino, known as the “cheese nun,” who joined Sommelier Sally Camm in a talk about wine & cheese pairings, as well as live entertainment by Katie Keough, Thomas Camm and Charles Smith.

The Little Free Library at Stone Hill handed out free books to adults and children, offering the chance to make-your-own-bookmark. Morris residents Rose Buckens and Jo Ann Jaacks also promoted upcoming performances by celebrated children’s author and illustrator Tomie de Paola, who previously lived in Connecticut and has a close connection with the Abbey.

dePaola is scheduled to appear at The Gary The Olivia Theater at the Abbey on Saturday and Sunday, June 24-25 at 2:30 p.m., narrating several of his stories. He’ll be joined on stage by Mother Dolores Hart and children acting out the drama. Admission is $5 for children and reservations can be made at www. thegarytheolivia.com or call 203-278-5669 for details. The theater is located at the Abbey of Regina Laudis, 249 Flanders Road in Bethlehem.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JO ANN JAACKS Above, from left, are Anne Doe of Boston Post Dairy, Sally Camm of Clay & Wattles Theater, Mother Noella Marcellino, and Susan Blouin of Boston Post Dairy, at the Farm Art Festival in Bethlehem.