Kicking off Fall with Another Fabulous Fundraiser for Mark Twain Library

What do movie stars, award winning gardens, and a giant spoon have in common? Read on...

Last year, Redding's resident comedian/actor/author Michael Ian Black wanted to do something special for Mark Twain Library. He went to the library's greatest cheerleaders, board members Pam Robey and Jen Wastrom, on a mission to raise funds while celebrating the art of comedy. Thus, the Pudd'nhead Prize for Outstanding Humor, named after the novel by the king of wit and library founder Mark Twain, was born.

The inaugural prize went to Roz Chast, celebrated New Yorker cartoonist and Ridgefield resident known for her wry worldview and humorously neurotic characters. Her prize was presented during a special fundraising gala at InSitu, Michael Marocco's absolutely gorgeous 8 acre Redding property that has been featured in Architectural Digest and Metropolitan Home.

In Situ made for a magical backdrop to a special evening. 

This year, Marocco again offered his stunning property as the gala venue. As was the case last year, supporters of the library spent the evening wandering the extensive gardens, enjoying drinks and live music by the swimming pool, and mingling with celebrity guests including funny lady Janeane Garofolo and the evening's honoree, the endlessly talented and hilarious Ben Stiller.

Stiller accepted his trophy, a giant 4 foot long silver spoon (for eating large quantities of pudding, of course), with amusement, and Black led a Q&A session. Among the highlights was Stiller kindly indulging the audience's request for a rendition of his iconic "Blue Steel" look from his movie Zoolander.

Merriment in the tent as Michael Ian Black presented the Pudd'nhead Prize spoon to honoree Ben Stiller. Top left, from left to right, Janeane Garofolo, Ben Stiller, Michael Ian Black, Jen Wastrom, Martha Hagen-Black, and Pam Robey.
Bottom right, me, with my boyfriend Bill (we like to consider ourselves celebrities).  :-)

The evening was a wonderful success, filled with good company, good will, and good humor, and I am so pleased to count myself among the many Redding residents who support the Mark Twain Library. It is an incredible asset to the town (and beyond), hosting events for all ages and offering a beautiful place to read, study, and relax. 

Photos by Chris Burns

In its 5th Year, the Greenwich Wine + Food Festival Wows Again

My favorite food festival of the year is Serendipity Magazine's Greenwich Wine + Food Festival, held on the waterfront in Roger Sherman Baldwin Park. It's a beautiful setting for an impressive celebration of the region's best food drink, and chefs. Proceeds benefit the Hole in The Wall Gang Camp, a charity founded by Paul Newman to provide healing for children and their families coping with cancer, sickle cell anemia and other serious illnesses. 

Photo courtesy of Serendipity Magazine

With events taking place Wednesday through Saturday, the Festival is a feat of planning and coordination, and this was the third year I've had the pleasure of experiencing Saturday's "Culinary Village," a tented smorgasbord of over 150 opportunities to taste the offerings of top restaurants in the area. As was the case the past two years, the tent was packed with an enthusiastic crowd of appreciative eaters, wine glasses in hand (there are plenty of wine, liquor, and beer representatives mixed in with the restaurateurs). 

There were also talks by celebrity chefs, both local and national, including Alex Guarnaschelli, Geoffrey Zakarian, and Adam Richman. As the day wears on, there's a burger battle (Plan B Burger Bar reigned supreme again this year) and BBQ cook-off, followed by live entertainment, this year by Little Big Town.


The atmosphere this year was one of happy appreciation for such a perfect afternoon. Even in an incredibly crowded tent full of people stopping at random moments to take pictures, bumping into each other, and vying for spots at every vendor's table, there was not a single sensation of tension. Who could be unhappy in the presence of fabulous food, wine, beer, spirits, and a gorgeous view? 

Standout dishes this year were Parallel Post's steak and rosemary potatoes, and Harvest Wine Bar's tuna tartare. I also tried the best cocktail in recent memory, a whiskey based concoction from Rye House in Port Chester. After all that food, I started to fade, and Shearwater Coffee Roasters' organic cold brew was just the pick me up I needed. 

I truly cannot recommend attending this event enough. Over 5500 people attended over the course of the four day festival; make sure you're one of them next year!

Check out my coverage of last year's festival, and 2013's festivities.