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Friday, September 7, 2012

The North Haven Fair

Cotton Candy, Kissing Llamas, and Blue Ribbon Pies - OH MY!

We're at the North Haven Fair!

This time of year in New England our calendars are packed with fun-filled fairs and festivals, and North Haven touts this year's fair as "The Fairest of the Fests!" This year marks the 70th anniversary of the North Haven Fair, running September 6th - 9th, 2012 on the North Haven Fairgrounds.

You can feel the celebratory nature in the air this year! Everyone is having fun! This annual agriculture mini extravanganza is complete with amusements, a midway, pony rides, pie-eating contests, petting zoos, AND A KISSING LLAMA! Live music, tractor pulls, a women's skillet tossing contest (???) (the cowboy better learn to duck) and did I mention THE KISSING LLAMA!!

With amusement ride specials and the midway sponsored by Rockwell Amusements (operated by my good friend Ellie) this is an annual affair not to be missed! There are all sorts of ride specials - check the North Haven Fair website for amusement ride specials and discounts.

Here's some of what we saw, ate, and enjoyed in our quick trip to the fair this evening...
Plenty of free parking and admission is $10.00 per person, children under 12 that are accompanied by an adult are FREE!

We started going through the vendor's buildings with representatives from EVERYWHERE!

The cowboy rushes me through these places quickly - he's afraid I'll want him to carry out a new vacuum cleaner...or that I'll re-side the house. Apologies to the many vendors for lack of pictures of your amazing wares!
Next we moved on to the petting zoo and livestock exhibits. There's the cutest little piglet taking his early evening nap.

and a little billy goat gruff - always makes me think of the old 50s Heidi on the Alps movies!

and my friend, the black sheep. It's like looking in a mirror, I tell ya'!

Look at this little fellow! Aren't farm animals just the cutest?

and here he is!!! My man! The kissing LLAMA!

It's been a long, long, time since I've been kissed by anyone but the cowboy!

But who could resist this lump of love llama?!

And I guess he couldn't resist me either because right after I snapped this picture

he planted a big old wet kiss on me!

(I think the cowboy was ~~laughing himself silly~~ jealous!!!)

Enough of the adult fun...let's move on to some kiddie stuff!

Like Pony Rides!

kiddie bungie jumping

the midway games of chance

and rides galore!

Everything from the Polar Express, the Locomotive, and the Wonderful Ferris Wheel.

And LOTS, LOTS, MORE

We then moseyed into one of the exhibition halls

where we saw what the best local farmers had to offer

(and I had to keep the cowboy from reaching over

and helping himself to these gorgeous tomatoes)

"No, dear. You have not been asked to be a tomato tasting judge."

Eggplants, squash, gourds, and pumpkins

Art exhibits

...and award winning pies!

"No, dear. You have not been asked to be a pie tasting judge."

And there is so much more to see! Breads and cakes - knitting and crafts...and more!

Needless to say...the pies made both of us hungry...so it's time to visit the delicious food offerings

I started with a Blooming Onion

and the cowboy had his usual hot dog...

but he had a sad face because there was no yellow mustard!

Food vendors! - We like the French's Mustard!!

he finished it off with a side of fried dough pizza!

(oops - minus a bite or two in the photograph!)

While I grabbed myself a bag of the sugary confection I love best

COTTON CANDY!

(almost as good as my LLAMA KISS!)

While we ate we listened to some music by Sons of Liberty Band

What a great band! Featuring some oldies, soft rock, and a little crossover country.

There's music galore - check the North Haven Fair website for entertainment and times!

There's still plenty of time left to visit the North Haven Fair this weekend!

The North Haven Fair

Washington Avenue

Route 5

North Haven, CT 06483

www.northhaven-fair.com

September 6th - 9th, 2012

And beware of kissing llamas!

MUAH!

The Petting Zoo and the kissing llama are from West Ledge Farm in Killingworth, CT

More Pictures Available on Facebook: Home Place visits the North Haven Fair 2012

Are you saving some calendar dates for upcoming fairs or festivals?

Did you visit the North Haven Fair this year?

Have you ever kissed a llama?

I'd love to hear about it in the comment area below!

Sharing is caring!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Rwanda Path to Peace Project

At a recent college lecture series I attended regarding global issues, one of the main themes was that in order to make a REAL change in third world countries, the best way to do it is through the women of that nation.

Countless organizations who work in poverty stricken countries report that women have proved to be a more efficient avenue than men for effecting change. Women who learn a way to better themselves, whether through education or economics, then use that resource to benefit their family. In turn, investing in a woman, then benefits the family, which ultimately leads to benefiting a whole village.

I vowed to help make a difference! But where to start?

You can imagine my surprise when just a few weeks later I was offered the opportunity to work with Macy*s Department Store in their Rwanda Path to Peace project.

What is the Rwanda Path to Peace project?

After the 1994 Rwanda genocide, roughly one million citizens, mostly men, were brutally murdered, leaving this tiny nation with a population made up of nearly 70% women. The women, devastated by their loss, turned to what they knew best, communal efforts to keep their families together. One such effort involved working together in ways to preserve their heritage using the ancient art form of basket weaving.

While visiting the country in the aftermath of the genocide, members of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), observed these women weaving these beautiful baskets and working with UNIFEM supporter and American businesswoman Willa Shalit, eventually the Rwanda Path to Peace project was organized.

Macy*s Department Store quickly came on board and offered the very first line of these baskets in 2005. Offered exclusively online and in Macy*s Herald Square store, the baskets now enable these woman to earn a real, sustainable income for the first time in their lives.

Focused on trade, not aid, the Rwanda Path to Peace project puts the power of opportunity into the hands of the women of Rwanda. They now employ over 2,500 weavers and impact tens of thousands of lives. Each basket is 100% handmade using the centuries old technique that is part of their heritage and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

Macy*s is helping to change the world through women! Take a moment to look at some of the baskets that are available by clicking on "Rwanda Path to Peace Baskets" below. It's that easy to make a difference!

Read about: the Rwanda Basket Weavers

Shop the Baskets: Rwanda Path to Peace Baskets

Note: As part of my partnership with Macy*s Rwanda Path to Peace project I received this beautiful basket at no cost.

"If only you had known this day the things that make for peace"...Luke 19:42

Purchase your unique basket here and help make a difference!

Sunday, September 2, 2012

The Owenego Beach and Tennis Club

The Owenego Beach and Tennis Club, otherwise known as the Owenego Inn, or simply "The O" to local residents is a popular Branford, CT beach club and event venue. In operation as a boarding house in the late 1800s the Inn now operates as a private club with a public banquet facility and is currently owned and managed by Jane Rosenthal.

The Inn still offers several rooms and suites for overnight accommodations and its reception hall and banquet facility is most popular for those wishing a shoreline wedding or affair.

Where did it get the unusual name? The Owenego Inn is named after the son of an Indian Chief of the Montowese Tribe that once inhabited the Branford area and Connecticut shoreline. And how do you pronounce it? "Oh-WAH-nee-go"

We recently attended the St. Therese Parish Picnic on the grounds of the Owenego Inn and because I was an early arriver I was able to take lots of pictures without disturbing or infringing on the privacy of the club members.

Folks can you believe the view? It is utterly fantastic!

And please don't think this is a stereotypical private beach and tennis club.

This is not a club for the pompous folk...more like a gathering area for the locals - or at least one that has a membership fee attached. (chuckle)

Speaking of membership fees...they're affordable with individual seasonal membership starting at around $500.00. There are varying scales based on families and shared cabanas.

See the fees here: Owenego Membership Fees and Contract Information *
*Note these are 2012 season fees and subject to change for the 2013 year.

Also, there are plenty of areas for quiet reflection and alone time. Simply find a rocking chair in a hidden corner...

or some open greenspace to enjoy some solitude and breathe in the salty sea air.

Please view the Britely flipshow I've prepared from my visit. Click on the arrows to flip from picture to picture.

Read "The Owenego Inn" by Bonnie Dingus at Britely!

Unfortunately the day I was visiting there were no receptions or inside events, so the inside banquet tables are not "dressed" for the occasion. If you peruse the Owenego website you'll find information on event planning at "The O" and see how beautiful the tables are when prepared with white linens and such for weddings and special events.

Thanks for coming along with me on my visit to the Owenego Beach and Tennis Club.

Visit "The O" and tell them Home Place sent you!

Owenego Beach and Tennis Club

40 Linden Avenue

Branford, CT 06405

203.488.3805

For additional pictures visit: Home Place Owenego Pictures

Also, view the Owenego's Storm Pictures: Tropical Storm Irene August 28, 2011

Have you ever visited the Owenego Beach and Tennis Club?

Did you like the Britely Flip Share Photo Album?

I'd love to hear your comments below!

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Odyssey Greek Festival

OPA! OPA! OPA!

The online urban dictionary describes the exclamation OPA as many things:

It is a word or pronouncement of celebration; the celebration of life itself.
It is another way of expressing joy and gratitude to God, Life, and others; that all that really matters is health, family, and friends. It is an affirmation that you’re where you’re supposed to be; and that you need to stop and celebrate.

Urban Dictionary, 2012 "OPA" Retrieved 9-1-12 from http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=opa

Well, the cowboy and I were certainly where we needed to be when we stopped by St. Barbara's Greek Orthodox Church to help them celebrate their 32nd Annual Odyssey - A Greek Festival, this Labor Day Weekend! St. Barbara's in located on Racebrook Road in Orange, CT.

We were greeted on our arrival by the wonderful Sharon in the Information Booth who was so helpful with explaining where everything we wanted to visit was located and at what times and places we could find the entertainment and made sure we had an info pamphlet. Everyone in the booth was knowledgeable about EVERYTHING and wanted to ensure that every attendee had a great time! Also...no entrance fee or parking fee! This is a festival that every family can afford!

We got there just in time to see Marie Basel and Olympia Hadjmichael preparing a cooking demonstration of a variation of baklava, the traditional Greek dessert made with phyllo dough, honey, nuts, and various spices.

Marie and Olympia did a great job and had a captive audience with standing room only!

Watching all that dessert being prepared and the aroma of all the warm honey made us move over to one of the many food tents. There were many menu options, from full course dinners...