'Turnback Tuesday' features puzzle over 19th century beer bottle

Turnback Tuesday is showcasing a bit of a puzzle. This bottle, named "Finn & Knapp Derby, Conn," was a bottle used for beer. 

Now, a Thomas Finn had a restaurant and sample room that started in 1882, located at 102 Main St., Derby. This business ran until 1884. Finn did open another saloon in Shelton in 1891. Meanwhile, Frank L. Knapp had a sample room at 181 & 183 Main St., Derby from 1889 to 1890. Knapp bartended in Ansonia in 1891 then moved to Bantam Lake in 1892.

This is very curious because the bottle has both names on it. It seems they never worked together, therefore the puzzle. 

If you look at this bottle it has a wire-bale bottle closure which was invented in 1875 by Nicolai Fritzner. This made it easier for opening and closing bottles.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Valley Shakespeare Festival to host Brews & the Bard fundraiser

 

This is shared from the nonprofit's Facebook page.

Wine, beer tasting at St. Jude Church in Derby to benefit Troop 3

 

Wesley Heights residents in Shelton learn about food, beverage pairing

From left: Toni Gaites, Chef Richard Scaife, and Rebecca Montreuil designed the event, made the food, and created the pairings./ Contributed photo

SHELTON- Chef Richard Scaife and the dining team at Wesley Heights created what they called a “decadent experience of food and beverage pairing” for residents of the community. 

Residents enjoyed wine and beer samplings coupled with suggested food pairings. 

The culinary team worked together with local liquor store owner Linda Borgia from Linda’s Wine & Liquors on Bridgeport Avenue, a friend and sommelier Christian Carrone, and researched recommended pairings, such as serving a German Pilsner with a cranberry, cinnamon, and goat cheese roll. 

“There is no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with chocolate and wine,” Scaife said. “But in true Wesley Village style, we wanted to bring something extra special to our residents and share an experience to remember.”

Other combinations included a Dill Havarti cheese with a Beaujolais, Smoked Gouda with a Bourbon Barrel Aged Chardonnay, and everyone’s favorite, Rose’ champagne with hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries.

Cook supervisor Rebecca Montreuil and Sous Chef Toni Gaites, worked alongside Chef Scaife to create the food and appropriate sampling displays.

The Thomas Hooker Chocolate Truffle Stout, which is brewed with locally made Munson’s Chocolate, was paired with chocolate covered bacon, a sweet madeira wine was served to complement the chocolate mousse cups, and a Bourbon Aged Cabernet was served with a sharp cheddar cheese.  
The residents were invited to enjoy a bubbling chocolate fountain with fruit, pretzels, and other dippables.

“It was wonderful,” said resident Pat Baker. “They had quite a selection, bacon with chocolate was different but good.”

It seems the chocolate-covered bacon garnered the most attention at the event.  

Fellow resident Nancy Lenoce was impressed by the overall elegance and delicious samplings, but definitely found the chocolate covered bacon “too good to be true!” 

The Wine & Chocolate Extravaganza was held in the dining room at Wesley Heights. 
Wesley Heights is part of the Wesley Village senior living campus at 580 Long Hill Ave. It is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. 

The campus offers assisted and independent living, memory support, skilled nursing, short-term rehab, and outpatient therapy and fitness services. 
To learn more, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org.  


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Derby-Shelton Rotary Club to host 7th annual Hoptoberfest at Riverwalk

SHELTON -The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club is hosting its 7th Annual HOPTOBERFEST from 1-5 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Shelton Riverwalk at 100 Canal St.
Rotarians estimate 1,500 tickets will be sold for the event.

People are encouraged to purchase tickets at www.derby-sheltonrotary.org. Newly elected President Tom Wilson said, “Derby-Shelton Rotary Club is proud to be hosting the 2019 Hoptoberfest September 7 at the Shelton Riverwalk near the Rotary Pavilion. This is the 7th year of the event which has raised over $100,000.
"This funding is directed right back to Valley charities. I would like to encourage everyone to come down to enjoy a variety of food from area restaurants, live music, and games. Rotarians will be grilling sausages, hot dogs, pretzels, and other treats for all attendees."

Hoptoberfest Chair is 2008 Rotary Past President Linda Holmes Hannon. She, Julie Blakeman and Lauren Kazzi are working hard to bring new excitement with participation games and the music of The Pop Rock 80’s music.

Other committee members are Mary Ellen Samultulski, Tom Wilson, Kate Marks, Pat Tarasovic, Kris Bures, and Shaye Roscoe. Special thanks to Jason Carlucci and staff at The Dew drop Inn in Derby for once again being our Gold Pint Sponsor.
Holmes-Hannon said she plans to make this the best Hoptoberfest ever. “Having games and great food and fantastic vendors and bands playing all afternoon will make this a great success!”

The main objective of Rotary is service in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotarians develop community service projects that address many of today’s most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, literacy, and violence. 

Rotarians also support programs for youth, educational opportunities and international exchanges for students, teachers, and other professionals, and vocational and career development. The Rotary motto is Service Above Self.
If you are interested in learning more about the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club, contact Tom Wilson, or attend a meeting at Brownson Country Club at 12:10 p.m. Thursdays.

Learn more at www.derbysheltonrotary.org.

Smoke in the Valley beer festival on tap Saturday in Seymour

SEYMOUR -Smoke in the Valley beer and music festival will be held from 1-4:30 p.m. Saturday at Matthies Field, 161 Silvermine Road. 

Connecticut's largest Beerfest, the festival will feature a homebrew competition, beer from more than 30 local, regional, and national breweries and a VIP Ticket Tent with early access at noon.

This year's lineup includes new additions such as Counterweight Brewing, Hoax, Down the Road, Alvarium, Asylum Spirits, and more. 

The event is for 21 and over and there are unlimited samples. In addition there will be food trucks, artisan vendors, and music.


*Information shared from the event's Facebook page.

Derby-Shelton Rotary Club planning 5th annual Hoptoberfest

Sharing info from a Facebook event page:

The Hoptoberfest festival is sponsored by the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club through The Derby-Shelton Rotary Foundation (a 501c(3) non-profit). All proceeds raised will go back to the Derby and Shelton communities based on the needs of the club's charitable partners. 

Over the past four years, the club has raised close to $60,000, allowing it to help fund valuable programs in the Valley.
They include a Sponsor A Kid Program at the Boys and Girls Club in Shelton, the Valley United Way food bank, the Parent Child Research Center in Derby, literacy programs in Derby and Shelton public schools, and other worthwhile projects.
Your help and participation in this event is critical to its success.

What: Participants can expect wings from different restaurants (including the Dew Drop Inn), over 80 craft beers with unlimited samples, and live music. 
Entry also will include a commemorative tasting cup.

Where: Hoptoberfest is held at the Rotary Pavilion at 101 Canal St., Shelton.

When: Sept. 9 from 1-5 p.m.

Online ticket price: $30/ticket (online ticketing closes at midnight Sept. 8.)

At the door ticket price (if available): $40/ticket (CASH ONLY at the door)

Special notes: Must be 21 or older to enter. Maximum ticket sales will be capped at 1,500 to ensure enough wings and beer for all. 

Smoke in the Valley slated Oct. 1 in Seymour

Fall's best craft beer festival returns Oct. 1 to downtown Seymour. The annual event is rain or shine.

Tickets are on sale now at www.smokeinthevalley.com.

*Sharing information from the Smoke in the Valley Facebook page.

Assumption School in Ansonia to host annual wine, beer fest

*Shared from the Ansonia Community Updates Facebook page.

Holy Rosary Church in Ansonia to host beer, wine tasting event

Craft beer, chili fest slated in Seymour

Read all about the fifth annual event here in a story by my friend and New Haven Register correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich.

Freedom Fest in Ansonia Saturday to benefit Wounded Warrior Project

ANSONIA - Make plans to attend the first Freedom Craft Beer Festival from 1-4:30 p.m. Saturday at Warsaw Park, 119 Pulaski Highway.

This year’s Freedom Fest is planned for 3,000 beer lovers and guests to enjoy great beers from 70+ breweries (250+ different beers), food trucks, root beer tasting for kids and adults, specialty vendors and live music all on site to make for a fantastic day!

We will have an All Veteran and Active Duty Military appreciation hour from noon-1p.m. , before the general public, one hour before the general public to enjoy some great Connecticut brews. 
Discounted tickets may be purchased online up until the day before the event. Please visit www.freedombeerfest.com to purchase your tickets.

At the admission tent you will receive an ID wristband and Freedom Fest souvenir tasting mug for unlimited samples of all the great beers available! Visit our Facebook page Freedom Beer Fest and like us to receive all Freedom Fest news and updates!

Freedom Fest is proud to benefit a very noble cause in the Wounded Warrior Project. 

Founded in 2003, the Wounded Warrior Project looks to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members; to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other; and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.

Freedom Fest is hosted by Valiant in the Valley, Inc., a non-profit organization. Our goal is to produce another first-rate festival in Connecticut and help raise funds for a worthy organization whose efforts benefit the overall community.

Admission: $35 - $45.

Sponsored by: Valiant in the Valley, WPLR, Bricks and Barley Pub, Molto Bene Italian American Kitchen, Mountain Road Liquors, Associated Refuse Haulers.

This information is shared from an online community calendar sponsored by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the New Haven Independent.