The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
State seeks disaster money after tornadoes
HARTFORD — The state is seeking $13.2 million in federal disaster funding to repair homes and local services in New Haven, Fairfield and Litchfield counties damaged during the May tornadoes.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said the request to the Federal Emergency Management Administration includes two counties that have met thresholds for assistance — New Haven and Fairfield Counties — as well as affected towns in Litchfield County.
“As some towns continue with the recovery from the destructive weather, we are asking the federal government to provide assistance to those that were devastated by the storms,” Malloy said.
SHARON — Gallery SHS of the Sharon Historical Society & Museum presents “Farm to Table,” a juried exhibition and sale of artworks by local artists. The exhibit runs July 14 through Aug. 24, according to a news release from organizers.
A free opening wine and hors d’oeuvres reception will take place on Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. Artists were invited to submit works in any medium (e.g., oil, acrylic, watercolor, photography, pastel, ink, graphite, drawing, print, mixed media, sculpture, assemblage, fabric, stone, clay, metal) that respond to, and reflect the artist’s interpretation of, the theme “Farm to Table.” Cash prizes will be awarded to three works selected by the judges, Heide Hendricks and Rafe Churchill. Guests who attend the show’s opening night will have the opportunity to select their favorite work of art, which will receive the SHS Crowd Pleaser” award. All purchases support the Sharon Historical Society & Museum’s mission.
As usual, the Gallery SHS exhibit will be complemented by a display of historical materials. The “farm” display will feature objects from the SHS collection, including diaries kept by a local farmer. “Table” will be represented by a selection of vintage cook- ing pamphlets from the collection of Sharon resident Jessie Sheehan, author of the recently published book, “The Vintage Baker.”
Sheehan’s book looks to the historical pamphlets for inspiration and recreates the recipes for modern kitchens and tastes. Sheehan became interested in vintage cookbooks a decade ago, when she found some baking booklets from the early 20th century at a Brooklyn, N.Y., junk shop. Their colorful design and retro vibe intrigued her, and the recipes are a mirror of America’s history.
The rise of baking powder during World War I demonstrates the ingenuity of frugal homemakers seeking a less-expensive alternative to whole eggs as a leavening agent for cakes. Years later, cookbooks from the 1950s reflect a moreprosperous time and signal a new dawning of culinary experimentation and extravagance.