Year: 2016

Talking with Patsy Stroble

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

Talking with Patsy Stroble
by Brian Thomas

 

 

Patsy Stroble grew up in a family of skilled, committed cooks, so it’s hard for her to remember a time when she wasn’t creating in the kitchen. As an adult, she says, “I’ve always cooked for my family, and enjoyed baking.”

That’s an understatement. Until it closed in 2007,  Stroble’s bakery was a fixture on Main Street in Kent for 30 years. Who knows how many tens of thousands of pies, cakes, cookies, scones, rolls, bread loaves, and other dainties passed from her ovens and out the door at 14 North Main Street?

Stroble generously agreed to hold two baking workshops to prepare the period-themed treats for the April 17th Musicale and Spirited Tea Party held by the Kent Historical Society. All the savories were baked by the workshop participants. For many, it was going back to the time when they could satisfy their sweet tooth with a visit to Stroble’s bakery.

“We moved up here,” she remembers, there weren’t many bakeries around. “I took some classes over at the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park, just to see if I was on track. I had great fun doing that. But I was pretty much self-taught.”

So with her two college-age daughters, Kari and Laura, she turned a cottage on their property in Sharon into a bakery. After about a year and half, they moved the irresistible baking vibes down to Kent, to where 109 Cheese now is, at 14 North Main Street.

Empty for years before the bakery warmed into life, the building is historic and fascinating. Her business started in the newer section, which had a modern cement slab, but as she expanded into the rest of the structure, the other sections had no slab at all. She installed stairs to make use of the upper floors. Eventually Stroble used almost every corner of the building.

Remnants of an old grain elevator lurked in the attic, a relic of the era when the building had been a grange. “You pulled on a rope. It was big, kind of like dumbwaiter. When I left, the wooden cogs for the hoist were still in position.”

Before turning to her baking business, Stroble worked at several different kinds of jobs, including laboratory work for Sloan Kettering in Rye, New York.  Her training was in biochemistry, and at that point people were looking at enzymes as a possible solution to cancer.

Was it a leap from the lab to the kitchen? Not really. She finds her biochemistry training useful in baking. “I was always very happy doing what they called bench work, choosing and manipulating ingredients, and the baking worked right into that.” It turns out that preparing wonders in the kitchen is benchwork of a kind, too. In biochemistry and in cooking, workers in the lab discover new, valuable things, sometimes by accident. Patsy Stroble says, “Both are creative processes.”

 

 

 

Pearl Harbor Day

Posted on by Logan Wheeler


Pearl Harbor Day
Not Just Another Day Anymore

By Dianne Lang (an abridgement)

As a baby boomer who missed World War II by a few years, I never thought much about how the war had impacted the older generation who lived through it.   No one spoke much about those times, and I felt disconnected from that period in history.  

Then everything changed.  My mother, Marie Camp, was contacted by Robert Valley, Volunteer Coordinator of the USS Oklahoma families. Information had been uncovered by a researcher that led him to believe that the remains of my mother’s first cousin, Ensign Joseph Parker Hittorff, Jr. could now be identified.  Previously knowing little beyond Joe’s name and that he died on the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor, I had a lot of questions.  My mother was able to give me some basic information as she is the family’s unofficial historian.  She remembered some visits by Joe and his family to her family home on Birch Hill in Kent.

Joe’s sister, Marion, then 98 and in a nursing home (now deceased), had referred everyone to my mother as Marion felt she could not cope with all that might need to be done.  We were informed that there were 27 “unknowns” buried in three grave sites.  While the identities of the individual remains were not known, the researcher found paperwork indicating the names of all who were buried in each of the three graves.  For some unstated reason, the anthropologist at the time refused to sign the necessary paperwork.  What was needed was a DNA test to help in the identification process.  After much red tape, we were able to coordinate with the military to obtain a DNA sample from Marion.

I began to try to find out as much as I could about Joe.  His picture showed a handsome, serious young man.  My mother had a copy of a hand-written letter from Herbert Rommell, a shipmate of Joseph’s on the Oklahoma.  He provided some details of that fateful day.  “When the alarm sounded, he (Joe) went to the engine room to get the ship underway.  When last seen, he was in the machine shop, which is right above the engine room.  The ship was hit by many torpedoes in rapid succession and keeled over rapidly.  Some of the men down there abandoned ship, but Joe decided to stay and attempt to get the ship underway, and he went back down to the starboard engine room.”  Herbert goes on to tell about what happened to himself and some of the others, but knew nothing further of Joe’s fate.  Rommell in his letter said, “Maybe these additional details will make you sad—and it would have been better if I hadn’t written—but they should also make you proud.  After all, we all must die, and what could be better, but for a fighting man to go in action.  What counts is not when we must go, but how we go, and how we have lived.  Joe was truly an officer and a gentleman.  He was a good fellow—would come with us to the Officer’s Club or to the town’s night spots—but he was always a credit to himself, to his folks, and to the Navy.”  

Further research indicated that Joseph was in the index of a book called Pearl Harbor Survivors by Harry Spiller.  Obtaining a copy, I was shocked to find an account of Joe’s last moments.  Ens. Adolph D. Mortensen authored the chapter on the Oklahoma’s fate.  He talked about the chaos in great detail, telling of the torpedo hits and the general confusion about what was happening to those below decks.  Although they had routinely practiced “man overboard” and other drills, no one had addressed when or how to abandon ship.  “For the first time that day I saw the division officer, Ens. Joe Hittorff and our Warrant Machinist, Bill Goggins.  Joe looked at me and said, ‘Abandon ship.’  I felt some relief.  Finally someone over me had said it.”  According to Mortensen, the ship was listing badly, and all the loose items and furniture were jumbled on the floor, making walking a challenge.  Hatches were difficult or impossible to open because the ship was rolling rapidly onto its side.  The water began rising, and only a few men were able to make their way out.  “We went aft, Joe Hittorff, Bill Goggins, and I past the ladder which led to the first deck.”  There was a small hatch opening, but men were lined up trying to squeeze through. “I turned my attention to making my way aft to Chief’s quarters.  Hittorff and Goggins were just ahead of me.”  They continued over to the port side where there were portholes, arriving there just as the ship quickly began to roll over and take on water.  Apparently the Oklahoma had been moored to the USS Maryland as they lay in port. Fearful that the Maryland would be pulled over by the listing Oklahoma, the decision was made to cut the tethers.  At this point, the Oklahoma went over rapidly until its mast hit the bottom.  “The water continued to rise inside and the ship continued to slowly roll.  I soon found myself treading water and watching the ship as it rolled slowly above my head.  I looked around quickly and could not see Hittorff and Goggins.  I assume that in time I averted my eyes and watched the ship.  They both slipped beneath the surface and drowned.  I was told later that neither could swim.”  A few men who were able to tread water were now trapped with a small bubble of air.  They managed to get a porthole open that was now below water.  Diving down and helping each other, they were able to push individuals down and out of the porthole where they then bobbed to the surface covered with oil.  At that point, they were either rescued in boats or swam to safety.

Many years passed while politicians debated, funding lagged, DNA labs were overtaxed, and officials were staggered by the sheer enormity of the task of identifying all of the Oklahoma remains.  On March 7, 2016 our phone rang. Totally caught off-guard, it was the call we had been waiting for.  Joe had been identified, and we would have a formal visit the first week of April.  I was happy that after 74 years and 3 months to the day, the family had gotten word that Joe was no longer missing in action.  We were nearing closure for Joe.

We have an extra spot in my mother’s family grave site here in Kent.  Joe will be buried next to his aunt and uncle overlooking the Housatonic River.  Just down the river a couple of miles is where Joe came up from his home in New Jersey on occasion and played as a youngster with his cousins.  Some of his father’s Hittorff siblings had houses next to each other on Birch Hill.  I also know our local veterans will see that his grave gets the proper recognition.  Our extended family all seems content that this seems the best solution of all the options.  Joe will be buried with full military honors in the Kent Congregational Cemetery on June 18, 2016 after his funeral at the church at 11:00.

As we were going to press, we received word that Marie Camp, a long-time and dearly loved friend of the Kent Historical Society, passed away. She will be missed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking Tour offers look at historic buildings

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

Walking Tour offers look at historic buildings

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Each of the buildings in the Village Center of Kent has a history and a Walking Tour was held July 17 to reveal some of the secrets behind some of the oldest structures.

Kent Historical Society Curator Marge Smith led the tour along Maple Street, Main Street and Bridge Street, with assistance from Trustee Melissa Cherniske. It was designed to be coordinated with the current exhibition of historic postcards, “Greetings from Kent,” that is on display in the Swift House.

A large group of 26 people listened and added their own knowledge as periodic stops were made at specific historic buildings. A booklet was provided to each participant and copies are available for a self-guided tour.

Smith explained that Kent’s vibrant Village Center grew up around the arrival of the railroad in 1847. The center of town moved from Flanders, which is further north, to where it is now. This is why most of the buildings along Main Street are from the Victorian era and feature the ornate decorations of that time, she explained.

There were many stories that were shared by Smith and others participating. One of the more humorous tales told was about the home of Eugene Bull Sr., who moved his home off Main Street, where JP Giffords market is currently, to Maple Street but his wife wanted to be back on Main Street. So he moved the house back, with the woman still inside! When his wife died months later, he moved the building back to Maple Street.

“That is the only building that I’ve heard of that was moved back and forth,” she said.

Smith explained that it was quite common for buildings to be moved years ago, perhaps because of the sturdy timber frame construction and the lack of overhead electrical wires to contend with.

A number of people added their own memories and knowledge to the discussion. Resident John Barton shared some of his memories of growing up in town and meeting characters, such as Bart Seger. He also explained that restoration work was done during the 1950s on several of the houses to help preserve them and make them look as they do today. Others were torn down to make way for commercial development and Smith showed images of the houses that were destroyed.

Patsy Stroble, who is a member of the First Congregational Church of Kent and is very involved in the church’s 275th Anniversary Committee this year, shared stories about how the church was first organized in 1741 and how the building expanded after being constructed in 1849.

Searching for the American Dream

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

Sunday Series talk focused on
“Searching for the American Dream: Stories of Immigrants”

Imagine the challenges that face immigrants to America, then and now.  Those who came at the turn of the century left their homes and entered the United States through Ellis Island to blend into the great melting pot of American culture. On Sunday, September 18, 2016, at 7:00 PM at the Kent Town Hall, award-winning storyteller Carol Birch celebrated the tales of men and women who left behind homes and loved ones to put their faith in the untested promises of America in the early 1900’s. For some, dreams were abandoned; for others, the “American Dream” was made manifest.

Birch, a resident of Southbury, has won numerous awards for her storytelling, including the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence Award, bestowed upon her by her storytelling peers. She has shared her talents with television and radio audiences, and at events across the country. She is also the author of a book on storytelling, The Whole Story Handbook: Using Imagery to Complete the Story Experience.

The Kent Historical Society sponsors the Sunday Series every other month September through May. Free admission for members; $5 suggested donation for non-members.

For more information please call 860.927.4587.

 

Sunday Summer Series: July 20th, Aug 17th & Sept 21st

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

Legend of Molly Fisher Rock draws interest

The various legends of Molly Fisher Rock were explored in May through a lecture and hike to the actual location. Those attending a talk in Town Hall May 15 learned that there are various theories of why there are markings on the large rock and what they might mean. A hike in cooperation with the Kent Land Trust drew a crowd over over 40 people May 21 and participants hike up the hill to a ridge, where the rock is located.

Now covered with quite a bit of moss and lichen, the markings are getting harder and harder to see, but Chris Harrington and KHS Trustee Roger Gonzales were able to spot them and point them out to everyone. Gonzales explained that the rock has been certified as Celtic site and he told the story of folk singer, U. Utah Phillips, who visited the area and pointed out the eye of Horus on another rock. It is a natural formation of quartz that creates a human eye.

“We were climbing up and he said, ‘you never told me anything about the circle,’ “ Gonzales said. “He said, ‘You’re standing right in the middle of it.’ “

There were a number of stones is a big clearing, he explained. Gonzales also pointed out how the Molly Fisher Rock aligns with another rock during the Summer Soltice.

During the Sunday Series lecture, Alicia North of Cornwall and Chris Harrington of Kent shared stories about growing up on the property and being taken to the rock by their grandfather. The legend is published by the Bulls Bridge Inn on their web site.
South Kent School teacher Pat Bonis finished up the talk by sharing how he likes to take his students to the rock and share the mysteries about it, because they are fascinated by the stories. The area was formed by glaciers but he said it is quite unusual to have such large rocks at the top of a ridge.

George Laurence Nelson Art Scholarship 2016 Awarded

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

George Laurence Nelson Art Scholarship Awarded to Chris Moore

In honor of noted American artist George Laurence Nelson, one of the founders of the Kent Art Association, the Kent Historical Society offers a scholarship of $1,000 to any graduating high school senior or college student from Kent intending to further their education in studio art or art history. 

The 2016 scholarship has been awarded to Christopher Moore, who is a student at Emmanuel College, where he is studying art history and art criticism. As a graduate of Kent Center School and summer intern working with the Society’s Nelson art collection, Moore’s longstanding interest in George Laurence Nelson’s artwork and its reception made him a natural choice for the scholarship. A letter of recommendation from Dr. Anna Knaap, one of his professors at Emmanuel, praised his writing ability and his ability to see deeper into subtle aspects of various works of art. “In his paper on the Crucifixion by the late Gothic painter Duccio, he picked up on more subtle elements, such as the gray toned coloring of Christ’s body that would have appealed to the viewer’s emotions and the varied responses of the figures witnessing the scene.  In these papers, Christopher demonstrated both his writing skills and ability to observe sophisticated and seemingly inconspicuous details in works of art.  In short, he digs deeper than his peers. In sum, Christopher has demonstrated very strong academic, communication, and leadership skills in his first year at Emmanuel College.  He is a fine art historian, a talented writer, and a valuable teacher to his peers.  I therefore strongly recommend him for the George Laurence Nelson Art Scholarship.”

The Kent Historical Society is located at Seven Hearths, which was the home of George Laurence Nelson and has a permanent display of his original art works.  This home, at 4 Studio Hill Road, is a reminder that Kent has a rich and diversified historical past.  In supporting young artistic talent we hope to keep this tradition ongoing.

Seven Hearths Curators’ Tours Offered

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

Reading an Old House: Tours of Seven Hearths Offered

The challenge – a person acquires an ancient house and wants to really get to know it underneath its modern layers. A title search in the land records will reveal who owned the house when, but that’s about it. What else can a curious homeowner do?

This summer, the Kent Historical Society will illustrate how a careful historical examination of a house can be done. They will be showcasing the long journey they’ve been on since the 1978 inheritance of “Seven Hearths,” a large pre-Revolutionary house in the Flanders Historic District of Kent. Seven Hearths was bequeathed to the Society by its long-time owner, noted New York artist, George Laurence Nelson. He had bought the house in 1919, and invested a great deal of time in “fixing it up.” Fortunately for posterity, Nelson respected the ancient bones of the house and documented his process in an essay entitled New Life for Old Timber. He noted where he had removed walls, converted rooms, and even where he had covered up the names of fur pelts chalked on some beams upstairs.

Kent Historical Society board member Jeffrey Morgan is an expert whose passion and profession is restoring ancient houses. He is currently juggling several aspects of discovery in Seven Hearths. He is carefully removing layers of paint in each room, documenting the age of the paint and the stories that each layer can tell him. With help of fellow board member Roger Gonzales and another old house expert Mark Peterson, Morgan has uncovered the original kitchen floor, found the location of the original attic stair, determined the configuration of the original windows and door on the west wall, and more. Mysterious marks on the old walls upstairs, initials carved in the ancient wood, a curious board by the fireplace in the studio – there are clues throughout the house that can answer questions about previous inhabitants, and even clues that leave us scratching our collective educated heads.

In the meantime, he and Curator Marge Smith have been researching the house’s occupants. Going through census and probate records, reading old diaries, tracking down descendants and talking to town old timers, they are uncovering a trove of information about the lives lived in Seven Hearths Museum. The quest to tell the whole story continues, and you will be a part of it when you take the tour.  Perhaps YOU will have an answer to one of the mysteries!

Tours of Seven Hearths, led by Morgan and Smith, will illustrate this process in depth. The tours will be held at 10AM on July 16 (TOUR FULL), August 20, September 17 (TOUR FULL), and October 15, or by appointment. Please register using the form BELOW.

There is a limit of 10 people per tour.

‘Greetings from Kent’ Showcased Historic Postcards

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

‘Greetings from Kent’ showcased historic postcards

We thank everyone who visited the Society’s 2016 summer exhibit, “Greetings from Kent: An exhibition of historic postcards” at the town-owned Swift House. The final days of the exhibit coincided with the Kent Sidewalk Festival in early August and the inaugural Kent Arts Night, Aug. 20. There were many people who took advantage of the opportunities to see the show.

Reaction to the exhibit, “Greetings from Kent: An exhibition of historic postcards,” was extremely positive.

Some of the comments shared in the guest book included: “Love the show, history’s the best, interesting photos; Awesome history tour! Thank you for this trip back in time. Grew up in Kent. Great trip down memory lane! What a great exhibit. Super! This was great. Thank You! Great fun and memories. Love it! Nice job!”

Visitors to the special location, the town-owned historic building, the Swift House, discovered enlarged postcards that fill the walls of the building. Those who’ve lived in town for years delighted in seeing the older buildings and remembering who lived and worked in the areas depicted in the postcards. Newcomers to Kent saw the similarities and the differences in the scenes shown that range from Main Street to farming in the outer reaches of town.

The Kent Historical Society celebrated postcards with the exhibit that showcased the local landscape as seen through the lens of postcard photographers.

There is much to be celebrated in what postcards can provide – a look back at the town of Kent over more than 100 years. Many of these images were from postcard kits that were popular for individuals to create their own cards. The Historical Society put this exhibition together through loans from local residents and collectors, as well as its own collection. Trustee Melissa Cherniske was the guest curator.

We are thankful to those who assisted by sharing their personal collection: Susie Rundall, Michael Ward, Susi Williams and Gail Tobin.

We are indebted to our volunteer docents at the summer historic postcard exhibit, “Greetings from Kent” and particularly to Kathi Lee, who served as our volunteer coordinator this summer. We had a small but dedicated group of people who made sure the exhibit was open on Sunday afternoons in June and July and several gave additional time in August for the special exhibit hours. Our special thanks to: Catherine Bachrach, Susan Begnal, Darlene Brady, Jann Carmody Tanner, Melissa Cherniske, Claire Lee, Kathi Lee, Charlotte Lindsey, Linda Palmer, Lynn Mellis Worthington, Rick Levy and Sue Lopardo. The Society could not have offered this exhibit without their volunteer assistance!

Postcard production began in the 1800s, with the first patent being approved in 1861, according to the Smithsonian Institution Archives. Postcards were a popular form of correspondence because they were quick and an easy way to communicate. The Golden Age of Postcards was from 1907 to 1915, according to the Smithsonian.

This special exhibit featured large enlarged images of postcards. There were also a number of reproduction postcards available for purchase.

The show was open weekly on Sundays June through July,  as well as some additional hours in August.

 

 

Musicale delights with Spirited Tea

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

Musicale benefit delights with Spirited Tea

The Society owes many thanks to the supporters and attendees of the Musicale & Spirited Tea Party that was held Sunday, April 17. We are also indebted to everyone who volunteered their time to ensure its success. Proceeds from the event will go toward matching a grant from the Connecticut Trust for HIstoric Preservation for exterior restoration of the Kent Historical Society’s Seven Hearths Museum.

The Kent Community House was dazzling with the elegant decorations, beautiful flowers and scrumptious treats that were created from authentic recipes hailing back to the 1800s.  

The event would not have happened without the dedication of Patsy Stroble, who took on the task of creating an inventive menu, led two baking workshops, and presented a magnificent and plentiful buffet of tea treats, including a three-tier cake iced to perfection by her daughter, Kari Morales.

Frank Delaney was absolutely wonderful, sharing his wit in his clever introduction to our “Spirited Tea Party.” He took us back to look at the history of hosting teas and delighted those attending with several readings, including one from Alice in Wonderland.

Co-chairs Zanne Charity and Bruce Whipple organized and coordinated a spectacular afternoon, taking us back to the 19th Century with entertainment, food, and beverages, of the period, including a “spirited punch”

The Benefit Steering Committee put many creative hours into planning and mounting the event. Those members are: Liddy Baker, Melissa Cherniske, Beth Dooley, Jackie Markham, Wendy Murphy, Julia Samartini, Patsy Stroble, Kate Vick, and Lynn Mellis Worthington.

  • Special thanks to:
    Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kissinger, for helping to underwrite the event
    Davis IGA
    First Congregational Church of Kent
    Harney Tea
    Kent Greenhouse                       
    Kent Wine & Spirit 
    Town of Kent

There were many others who contributed to the success of event.

Those who attended the Baking Workshops helped by creating the splendid array of sweet and savory treats that were served, and others assisted with last minute preparation of edibles on Sunday morning: Lynn Ainsworth, Judy Flynn, Carol Franken, Ellen Horovitz, Adele Johnson, Jody Lampe, Adriana Martinez, Anne Penner, Judy Pinkerton, Allan Priaulx, and Judy Warrick.

We also thank four Marvelwood School students, Maggie Everett, Victoria Sanchez, Isabelle Cameron and Lauren Greiner, who volunteered an entire day to take care of so many little details – everything from setting place settings to delivering tea to the tables.

There were just shy of 100 people in attendance. They enjoyed the punches created with Harney teas, the wide variety of food that was beautifully arranged on the center buffet table, and the opportunity to listen to authentic and historically accurate music from the 19th century performed by the Rosewood Chamber Ensemble.

There were over 50 people who donated to this event, in addition to those who purchased tickets and attended. We’d like to extend our thanks to everyone who contributed.

There were a number of people who pitched in to help in advance, or wherever needed on the day of the event: Darlene Brady, Lawrence Charity, Darrell Cherniske, Mike Everett, Kent Freeman, Adriana Martinez, Toni Presti, Michael Ward, John Worthington, and Jane Zatlin. Also thanks to Lazlo Gyorsok, who took photographs throughout the event.

 

Summer Art Enrichment Scholarship

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

Summer Art Enrichment Scholarship

The Kent Historical Society is offering a need-based scholarship to students at the Summer Art Enrichment program, thanks to a grant from KentPresents.

Download Scholarship Form (pdf version). Email or mail the form to KHS Summer Art Scholarship, PO Box 651, Kent, CT 06757.

KHS is pleased to be among the 26 non-profit organizations serving Litchfield County receiving funds from KentPresents, the annual ideas festival that was first held in Kent during August 2015.

All groups receiving awards provide social and emergency services, housing, educational and economic opportunities and enhance the cultural and artistic lives of low and moderate income individuals and families in Kent and nearby communities. In selecting the recipients, special emphasis was placed on basic needs, emergency services and education programs, such as the art education program that the Kent Historical Society provides.