Gazing Into the Magic Snowglobe

Gazing Into the Magic Snowglobe:

Weather experts and locals make the call for Xmas Day

(Posted on seven local AOL Patch.com sites 12/17)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

12/14/10

Fairfield County, CT – Come Christmas Day, will Fairfield County residents be dashing through the snow or sunning on the back deck? Patch polled a local meteorologist for his holiday weather prediction, prodded area residents about their preferences and checked the weather archives for historical nuggets.

When asked if we’ll have snow on the ground come Christmas morning, Paul Piorek, a lifelong Fairfield resident and 22-year News 12 weather anchor, cited climatology records kept over a 40-year period. He anticipated, “Shoreline communities like Stamford, Darien, Stratford and Milford have a 30% chance of seeing at least one inch of snow on the ground by Dec. 25. There’s a 10% chance of at least five inches by then, but zero percent chance of having ten inches of snow or more by Christmas morning.”

“Inland,” said Piorek, “the odds are more favorable. People living north of the Merritt or Wilbur Cross Parkways have a 57% chance of at least one inch of snow for Christmas. The odds are 23% for five inches of snow but very slim (3%) for at least ten inches of snow. However, residents in towns like Wilton, Redding and Easton will have a much better opportunity of seeing snow on the ground than their shoreline counterparts.”

A look at Christmas Day weather stats for the Greater New York metro area kept over more than 125 years show some trivia tidbits that you can share with friends and family over your holiday feast. Among these, 1909 takes the Snowiest title with seven inches, 2002 tops the Wettest list with 1.30” (snow’s liquid equivalent) and 1980 takes honors for the Coldest Lows with a bone chilling -1 degree. On the flip side, the years 1889 and 1982 tie for Warmest Highs with a balmy 64 degrees.

A storm that many area residents over the age of 50 remember is the Christmas Eve storm of 1966, when over a half-foot of snow made roads quite slippery and travel very difficult. A more recent snow event occurred Christmas Day 2002. It began with light drifts but became steadier and heavier throughout the day. Snow totals by day’s end were impressive with 9.5” in Redding, 9.2” in New Canaan, 7” in Norwalk and Greenwich, and 6.5” in Westport.

Conversely, 2006’s December holiday was a break-out-the-Bermuda shorts period with temps hovering between 44 and 58 degrees in the Dec. 23-26 span, well above the 38-degree norm. To boot, over a quarter inch of rain was recorded Christmas Day.

Polled about their preferences for snow on Dec. 25, locals were consistently agreed that snow definitely made the holiday.

“I prefer to have a light snowfall on Christmas morning,” said Pam Murphy, 44, of Fairfield, “and there’s no more beautiful town than Fairfield with a light dusting of snow. It’s like a winter wonderland!”

Callie Dixon-Weekes, 24, of Norwalk, said, “I love seeing snow on Christmas. I think it’s part of the tradition and brings out the beauty in the world. It makes it fun for the kids, too. I hope I get to make some snow angels with my daughter, Lily, who’s 3 ½. She’s so excited this year and making her list for Santa.”

Stamford resident Veronica Pasternak, 31, agreed with Dixon-Weekes. “I love to see snow on Christmas. If it’s going to be cold with hot chocolate and presents, you might as well complete the package… and it gives you a reason to go out and play. It just makes the holiday.”

Personal Challenges Lead to Career Calling

Personal Challenges Lead to Career Calling:

Judy Gardner takes NAMI reins after loved one’s mental illness

(Appeared on front page of 

Fairfield Sun 12/16)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

12/9/10

Fairfield, CT – Judy Gardner did not become the president of the Fairfield chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) by chance.

Interviewed recently at First Church Congregational, where the chapter maintains an office, Gardner explained, “Several years ago, a loved one was hospitalized and diagnosed with mental illness. What I immediately needed to know was what the illness was, what was going to happen, how it was going to happen and what I could do to help my loved one as well as myself.”

Gardner said it was a difficult time. “There’s a whole range of emotions involved when dealing with a crisis, including shock, confusion and feelings of isolation. It can feel devastating. It felt like our life was thrown up into the air and into a million different pieces with no idea what was going to happen next,” she said.

A Connection to Help

She began reading everything she could about the diagnosis and discovered NAMI contact info in one of the books. Gardner walked into the local support group and found people who knew what she was going through because they had been there.

Gardner found more information and help understanding the mental healthcare system. “There are a lot of holes and gaps and no one hands you a map and says here’s what you do,” she said. And roadblocks abound. Due to certain confidentialities, a loved one may not be able to find out a diagnosis or be included in a treatment plan. “You’re often left powerless,” she added.

In contrast, there’s a complete protocol for care for a stroke victim emerging from a hospital and an abundance of information provided to the caregiver.

“NAMI fills this void,” said Gardner, “sharing the knowledge and skills its constituents have learned.”

After attending the support group, Gardner took the Family-to-Family course, which really changed her life, she said. “It enabled me to have more compassion for my loved one. I came to understand that it’s an actual physical brain disorder and not a personality flaw or chosen behavior. It empowered me to feel like I could handle this successfully. And I connected with people who had a shared experience.”

Gardner got so much from the program that she felt motivated to want to provide the same opportunity for other families to feel the same way and become empowered. In 2007, she was trained as a Family-to-Family instructor and support group facilitator and asked to be on the board. “I felt so strongly about the fellowship of NAMI that I accepted the presidency in 2008,” she said.

A Mission Driven by Need

A stigma has long been associated with mental illness, and sufferers and caregivers like Gardner have struggled to find information and resources to work through associated challenges. For the past three decades, NAMI, a non-profit worldwide organization with many local faces, has been working to change perceptions and provide critical support.

In 1979, a group of parents in Minnesota, whose children had been diagnosed with mental illness, frustratingly searched for information and resources to help them address and work through their issues. Recognizing that there were few answers and little guidance, they joined together to found NAMI with a mission of support, education and advocacy. Since its humble beginnings, the organization has grown to an international scale with over 1,100 affiliate groups worldwide.

The Fairfield chapter was founded in 2000 by town resident Nina Engstrom and First Church Congregational’s pastor David Spolette. Engstrom felt that there was a need for support services for families in the area that had loved ones living with mental illness. The first support group meeting was attended by 14 people, which Gardner said was a large turnout for this type of function. She added, “It confirmed there was a definite need in the community.”

The chapter now serves most surrounding towns including Weston, Easton, Trumbull and Bridgeport, and has 100 members and over 400 registered supporters. The latter receive a monthly e-newsletter, legislative alerts and event notices. The Fairfield group has also just been recognized by NAMI as the Outstanding Affiliate in Connecticut, an award presented to Gardner.

NAMI is funded through various streams including a springtime fundraising walk, membership fees, private donations and sales of custom greeting cards.

All programs NAMI offers are free and those hosted by the Fairfield chapter are held at First Church. Programs include a speaker-led session on the first Wednesday of every month devoted to topics like psychiatry, medication, estate planning, special needs trusts, wellness, coping, communication skills and hospital services. On the third Wednesday of the month, a support group meets to help people living with a mental illness who are in recovery and any associated family or friends.

Once a year, a legislative social, to which all the legislators from surrounding towns are invited, is held. The State Public Policy Committee, which is part of NAMI, identifies topics of concern to members and educates the legislators. Gardner said, “The legislative sessions are critical and often result in improvement in and preservation of existing services.”

Also held annually is Family-to-Family, a NAMI national flagship program. It spans 12 weeks and is open to family members living with people challenged by mental illness. The program is led by trained NAMI family members and provides communication and problem-solving skills, coping and self-care skills and information on the different mental illnesses and medication options.

An aligned program is NAMI Basics, which, over six weeks, gives caregivers similar help as Family-to-Family and information on dealing with schools and service providers.

Finally, the NAMI Book Club, which operates in conjunction with and is held at Fairfield Public Library, offers books focused on the mind and meets every other month.

Changing Perceptions

One of the main goals of NAMI is to eliminate the stigma normally associated with mental illness. “No one chooses to have a mental illness and, really, it’s a medical condition related to brain malfunction,” said Gardner. “The research that’s ongoing is helping to destigmatize mental illness. There’s both chemical and developmental dysfunctions that have been detected in the brain. Researchers are also finding strong genetic links in this area.”

Gardner added, “Mental illnesses are spectrum illnesses, so there are people on one end that can function with the illness and others who are debilitated. One out of four families in the U.S. is living with a loved one with mental illness.”

NAMI focuses on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, anxiety disorder, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and panic disorder. For those afflicted, NAMI provides support groups, an In Your Own Voice program led by trained speakers that share their personal testimonies for living with and overcoming mental illness and a 12-week Peer-to-Peer program offering education and living skills.

Treatment is multi-faceted including talk therapy, medication, lifestyle adjustment, nutrition, exercise and guidance on self-care and balance.

“We want to take mental illness out of the closet, and the more light we shed on it and emphasize that it’s nothing to be ashamed of, the faster we can help remove the stigmas surrounding it,” Gardner hoped.

For more information about NAMI, contact Judy Gardner at 203-650-3463 or visit www.NAMIFairfield.org

SIDEBAR

Holiday Stress-Reducing Tips

Knowing how to handle stress is particularly important, especially at the holidays. This period is a time of high expectations around everything from company parties, present buying and family get-togethers to decorating, meal preparation and entertaining. The holiday adds a lot on top of everything else for which we are responsible.

Judy Gardner, President of the Fairfield chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said about the holiday time, “People find themselves out of time, out of money and out of patience. There’s an ideal for how things are supposed to be. It’s important to know yourself and take of yourself.”

Gardner suggested some guidelines for reducing stress during the holidays: (1) know your limits emotionally and financially (2) manage your time (3) learn how to say “no” (4) know what causes you stress (5) eat properly (6) get ample sleep (7) take some time for yourself to pursue a diversion like yoga, meditation, running, walking or listening to music.

“It’s so important to take time to do something that feeds you and takes care of you,” said Gardner. “If you can take 10 minutes to shuttle children to an activity, you can take 10 minutes to de-stress. You find that it feels good and can lead to longer periods of relaxation and self-care. Everybody around you benefits from you being in a better place.”

Gardner suggested similar strategies for surviving the cold, gray days of winter. “It’s important to get into the sunlight, go for a walk, make efforts to be with other people and do what you like to do.” 

New Boiler Brings Warm Tidings for Fairfield Couple

New Boiler Brings Warm Tidings 
for Fairfield Couple:

Gault Energy “Oldest Boiler” Contest winners revealed

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 12/16)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

12/16/10

Fairfield, CT – While a cold snap has seized the area over the past week, there’s a warming trend ahead – at least for a Fairfield couple that has won Gault Energy’s “Oldest Boiler” Contest and today received the gift of a new high-efficiency boiler.

Pepe and Anita Soto-Ortiz of 446 Meadowbrook Road have been down on their luck and never imagined that the 113-year-old monster boiler that had occupied their home since it was built in 1914 would be a saving grace. Pepe, 64, has been unemployed for nearly two years and things have become increasingly challenging for the couple.

Pepe was born in San Sebastian, Spain, the son of a diplomat. He came to the U.S. in 1965, originally working for the United Nations in the U.N. Development Program. In 1973, he became a U.S. citizen and from that time on until Jan. 31, 2009, he worked for a string of major U.S. companies as an executive doing auditing and financial compliance. His employers included Phillip Morris, GTE, Nestle and Xerox.

While Anita holds a job as a registered nurse at Willows Pediatric in Westport, Pepe said life has been tough. “In these last two years, it’s been extremely difficult to meet bills and survive,” he said. “You begin to cut everything that’s not necessary and, with little money coming in, things change dramatically. I was never a home person… it’s hard. I read the newspapers back to front but that only keeps me busy for half the morning. I continue to look for a job and hopefully things will get better.”

The flurry of activity and spokespeople and contractors that were gathered at his home this morning certainly gave him some hope. Gault Energy installer Kevin McCarthy was one of the techs onsite and would be overseeing the work of removing the old boiler -- including draining out the water and cutting the piping – and installing the new.

The old boiler was built by the Thatcher Company in 1898 and was originally a charcoal/wood burner that was converted to an oil burner. Pepe remarked that the technician who normally services the boiler said he hadn’t seen another like this one since 1975 in Stonington. The serviceman became attached to the old beast and outfitted it with a glass level to monitor water capacity. Before, Pepe would have to open a valve every week to add water to the system.

“The boiler is cast iron and probably weighs a ton,” said Rob Capri, a Gault salesman who helps set up jobs and was also on hand. Capri said that Purcell Moving Co. of Westport will do the physical removal of the old beast and help bring in the new. He added that the chimney had to be inspected and will be cleaned today by another company, August West out of Weston.

The new boiler is a state-of-the-art Peerless Oil-fired steam boiler being supplied by New England Heating Supply. The cost of the prize and all the related service work is being covered by Gault, a package with an approximate value of $7,500.

Megan Smith, director of marketing for the 148-year-old Westport-based Gault Energy, said, “This is the fourth oldest boiler contest we’ve held. These are conducted every other year. Our mission is to educate Fairfield County homeowners on ways they can save money and reduce their carbon footprint. The contest is one way we’re able to execute our mission.”

Smith added, “We’re so happy to be able to give this early Christmas present to two of the most deserving individuals. We’re also hoping that this will be the start of Pepe’s luck turning around.”

After a trying night without any boiler heat at all, due to the removal process, the couple was glad for the gift. “We had a space heater near the bedroom and down comforter, and kept the stove on all night at 250 degrees. Our electric bill will be a little higher, but that’s ok,” said Anita, sniffling and occasionally coughing as she fought a lingering cold.

“We’ll have nice warm heat by the end of the day, which will be great as I haven’t had a chance to do the tree, what with my cold and working late,” added Anita.

“Anita is not a fan of the cold,” said Pepe, standing in the basement watching the removal work unfold. Beside him, Anita, sipping a hot coffee, said to the workers, “In the Spanish tradition, you say ‘my house is your house.’ In this case, my boiler is your boiler.”  

 

Storytime Chugs Into Children’s Imaginations

Storytime Chugs Into Children’s Imaginations:

Pre-K read at Fairfield Museum aligns with holiday train show

(Posted to 

Fairfield.Patch.com 12/15)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

12/15/10

Fairfield, CT – With all the puffing and chugging sounds emanating from the high-ceilinged meeting space, one would think there were multiple trains close by whizzing around tracks. But it was the excited chatter of a small band of youngsters being entertained with train stories.

The site was the Fairfield Museum and History Center at 370 Beach Road and the event was a Pre-K morning storytime session being led by docent Barbara Lucia. The animated and engaging storyteller regaled about a dozen children and their parents and caretakers with train tales that were not of the commercial, modern norm and followed a more classic path.

“There seems to be a natural connection between children and trains,” said Walter Mathis, a museum coordinator. “They’re fascinated by the colors, numbers, the tracks, the movement. With the storytimes, we try to help them learn other train stories beyond the popular Thomas stories to help them connect.”

Besides being a docent and storyteller, Lucia is a former teacher and grandmother. She had selected a stack of books to work through but recognized that the group’s attention span might be limited. However, the youngsters were not only rapt, but very participatory.

Appropriately, the storytelling area had been set up directly adjacent to the museum’s Holiday Express Train Show displays. Sitting beneath a large wreath, Lucia began showing pictures of different trains from a book titled “Trains”.

Fairfielder Liz Holcomb and son Mason, 2, were among the visitors. “Mason loves trains,” said Holcomb. “He’s obsessed I’d say. He likes Thomas and Polar Express, so we thought we’d come out today.”

Lucia showed a picture of a locomotive and asked about the cowcatcher apparatus at the front and its purpose. “It’s to clear things off the tracks!” said Ethan Landsman, 4, brightly. Mom Eileen, who had Ethan’s little brother Cole in tow, said, “Ethan loves trains. He has the Thomas trains and was Thomas for Halloween last year. He rode his first real train last weekend with his dad, down to Rye. He was very excited.”

Lucia led the children in a chorus of “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain”, flailing her arms and acting out song elements, then launched into the book “The Little Engine That Could”, the classic written by Watty Piper and first published in 1930. The children all recited, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can”, which Lucia said was a good attitude to have.

Other tales included “Trouble on the Tracks”, about a little boy’s cat that wanders onto his toy train tracks, and “Two Little Trains”, penned by Margaret Wise Brown, who also wrote “Goodnight Moon.”

Periodically, a child would split from the group, too curious about the train set-ups to sit still. Jack Short, 3, was one who wanted to see the displays, with dad John. “Jack likes Thomas and all his buddies. I took the day off so we could see the train show and listen to the stories.”

Another book called “That’s Not My Train” had textured pages and Lucia let the kids touch and feel them. They excitedly gathered in a tight circle around her. She then led them in singing “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”, which elicited claps and squeals as the children participated.

“Many children are interested in how the particular trains on display work,” said Mathis. “One of the trains has a sound card in it that makes it sound like a real train.”

Mathis had no sooner said that then it came time to actually set all the trains, which had been idle in their respective displays, in motion. “What does the conductor say at the beginning of the train ride?” he asked. “All aboard!” came the reply as the train with the sound card lurched into action. It was followed by a Percy train and two others, including the popular Thomas train.

The trains circled in opposite directions, navigating the tracks, tunnels and bridges, delighting all in attendance.

Westport Bred Author Spotlights ‘Jeweler to the Stars’

Westport Bred Author Spotlights 
‘Jeweler to the Stars’:

Elizabeth Irvine Bray gives 

library talk on Paul Flato

(Appeared on Westport News 

website 12/15)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All rights reserved.

12/14/10

Westport, CT – It was a cataloguing job at Christie’s that first put the jeweler on her radar. Now she has unveiled a book about his life’s work and given him an official place in history.

The jeweler of note is Paul Flato and author Elizabeth Irvine Bray gave a comprehensive presentation about the colorful individual and his craft Tuesday morning Dec. 14 in the McManus Room at Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road.

Bray, 33, is a native daughter, born and raised in Westport and a 1994 graduate of Staples High School. After earning a dual degree in English and Studio Art from Carnegie Mellon University in 1998, Bray worked for a wholesale diamond dealer in New York’s diamond district. The experience sparked further interest in jewelry and she subsequently earned a graduate gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America.

In 1999, Bray landed a cataloguer job at Christie’s auction house and, over her nine years of employment there, she would often see Flato pieces spotlighted. What nagged at her was that there was so little information about Flato’s background as with other jewelers. Out of curiosity, she began researching him and uncovered a treasure trove of information – enough to compile a book she has just released titled, “Paul Flato: Jeweler to the Stars.”

Wearing a circa 1935 Flato brooch with a value of $35,000 on loan from a Chicago collector, Bray exposed the jeweler to an attentive library crowd of over two dozen people.

Flato was born in Texas in 1900 and ventured to New York in the 20s to attend Columbia University. He briefly apprenticed for a Swiss watchmaker then, at age 27, opened his own boutique on 57^th Street catering to socialites, Wall Streeters and the fashion conscious. He was flamboyant and loud and enlisted debutantes to model his work.

He collaborated with Harry Winston, who supplied him with gems, and worked with a team of designers to create pieces with complete originality. Flato was often inspired by nature, particularly leaves, and liked to add a touch of whimsy to his creations. He was also influenced by the Surrealist Art movement in Europe, as well as earlier eras like the Victorian age. Often, he would collaborate on a design with his customers, like Standard Oil heiress Millicent Rogers Balcom.

Flato’s most famous designer was Fulco, Duke of Verdura, with whom he shared a preference for a shocking use of color. They offered a line called “Verdura by Flato” before Verdura went on his own.

In the late 30s, Flato became hard of hearing and developed a line of brooches called “Deaf and Dumb” with hand symbols inspired by sign language.

His work was being featured regularly in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, which brought interest from the West Coast. Hollywood director George Cukor asked him to design jewelry for Katherine Hepburn for the film “Holiday.”

Ultimately, Flato opened a boutique on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood and became the go-to of celebrities and film producers for custom jewelry creations. His clients included leading actresses Rita Hayworth, Greta Garbo, Paulette Goddard, Vivian Leigh, Marlene Dietrich, Joan Crawford and Ginger Rogers.

Several events in the early 1940s altered Flato’s course. A robbery netted $50,000 from his boutique, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor pulling America into WWII and forcing Americans to reprioritize spending, and a $60,000 diamond on loan to him vanished from his shop. With regard to the latter, an investigation found that he had been pawning consignment pieces and he was charged with grand larceny. He traded a designer suit for prison grays at Sing Sing for a term of 18 months.

In the 50s, Winston and Verdura replaced him as the glitterati’s jeweler of choice and he subsequently left the U.S. for Mexico where, in 1970, he opened a tiny boutique. It wasn’t until 1990 that he returned to the U.S., where his work and designs had gained high ticket collector value. He passed at age 99 in July 1999.

“He defied the odds of rising from the grassroots of Texas to the limelight of Hollywood,” said Bray, “and from the shame of being imprisoned to the pleasure of being accepted again in high society. This uniquely talented legend of the twentieth century has finally found his place in history.” 

“Kid Kulture” Photo Exhibit a Study of Innocence

“Kid Kulture” Photo Exhibit 
a Study of Innocence:

Show will run Dec. 10 – Feb. 20 

at Westport Arts Center

(Appeared on Westport.Patch.com 12/13)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

12/10/10

Westport, CT – It was an exploration of innocence and an environment in which the work of the master and the work of the student blended together in perfect harmony.

The occasion was the opening night of a new photo exhibit titled “Kid Kulture” at the Westport Arts Center at 51 Riverside Ave. Featured were the works of accomplished professional photographers of the 20^th century but also select photos by local children ages 5 to 18, hanging right alongside them. The subject matter was children going about their daily activities and the exhibit was curated by Helen Klisser During, the Director of Visual Arts for the Center.

“Photos are grouped in clusters of four or five, organized by themes including playfulness, water, haircuts, etc.,” explained Alyssa Crouse, the Center’s Marketing and Communications Director. “Typically, you’ll get four shots from a professional and then one from an amateur child mixed in.”

A call for entries invited local children to submit one photo that represents their life. Submissions were juried by Karen Marks of the Howard Greenberg Gallery. In all, 41 out of 118 submissions made the cut, though all submissions have been included on a video loop and are available to be viewed. Said Crouse, “Every child’s contribution is valuable to the show.”

One amateur “artist” was Carly Curran, 5, whose photo of her 2-year-old brother Charlie sleeping – a photo she titled “Shhhh” --  was featured. She proudly stood beside it with sister Shea, 7, and mom Stacie. Stacie thought it was amusing that Carly did not have a camera of her own and had to borrow her sister’s, and ultimately the shot made the show.

Klisser During was very enthused about how the exhibit had evolved. “This is exactly what one would hope for. The heartbeat of every exhibit is to inspire. This mix and match to bring major artwork to Westport but then to have juried kids’ work side by side is amazing. The children’s photos hold and having their perspective on their own world is very important.”

In addition to the children-focused photos, four pedal cars on loan from the Stamford Museum were on display. A series of photographs of Star Wars figurines, comparing in each case one from 1977 to one from 1997, were also shown, courtesy of husband/wife team Max Becher and Andrea Robbins.

The show was co-sponsored by Pepperidge Farm and Center board member Gary Cosgrove. Their funding allowed for framing, operating costs and the jurying process. Pepperidge Farm President Pat Callahan was glad to be supporting. “We know Helen and how passionate she is about art. We love the connection with kids given our Goldfish snack product. This is a great opportunity to give back.”

Another young artist was Elizabeth Bennewitz, 13, of Coleytown Middle School. She said, “Our school has a photo club and our teacher told us about the competition and to take a photo of a kid. I hoped my photo would make it and was really excited when it did. My twin sister Mary also got one in, so I was glad.”

As patrons, numbering over 200, studied photos and helped themselves to a generous spread of nibblies from a festively decorated table, the Center’s Executive Director Nancy Heller thanked everyone for coming. “’Kid Kulture’ celebrates the spirit of childhood, as well as the wealth of talent in the community,” she said.

Klisser During joined Heller to add that the exhibit is about continuing to explore and complimented the young artists on their work. “Their images are simple and powerful and align with the professionals.”

An adjunct to the exhibit was “Facebook Faces”, consisting of 80 photos and sketches contributed by Carson Einarsen, 16. Starting this past July 18, Einarsen had photographed a friend a day, and then sketched the friend from the photo. He framed the two images side by side in each case and planned to continue for a year’s time.

“I contacted the Center to see if I could do a small event at the end of the year’s period, but Helen thought my work should be part of Kid Kulture. This is the 145^th day of my project,” said Einarsen.

Summing up the event, Visual Arts Coordinator Catherine Sippin said, “This has been really special and the children’s work is often as sophisticated as the more accomplished work. And it’s really special for the kids to see their work displayed.”

Making the Scene with Hobbyist Jeff Zeleny

Making the Scene with 
Hobbyist Jeff Zeleny:

Model train enthusiast gives 

tips on landscape creation

(Appeared on 

Fairfield.Patch.com 12/12)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

12/12/10

Fairfield, CT – Hills. Rocks. Grass. Trees. Most of us take them for granted. But when it comes to integrating them in model railroad set-ups, they’re anything but trivial for hobbyist Jeff Zeleny. They are key to making a model railroad come to life.

A model railway scenery workshop that Zeleny was scheduled to conduct at Fairfield Museum and History Center on Beach Road Sunday afternoon Dec. 12 was cancelled, but he connected with Patch by phone to share some tips and techniques.

Zeleny has been model railroading for the past 30 years, starting and sticking with HO scale trains. He is a member of the Fairfield-based Housatonic Model Railway Club and maintains a 45 ft. x 30 ft. layout in the basement of his Fairfield home. On the side, he also helps individuals plan, repair and build all different scales of model railroad set-ups.

“I’m knowledgeable in the art of model railroading, including scenery, and the owner of Hobbytown asked me to do a clinic at the museum aligned with the museum’s December train month,” said Zeleny. The Housatonic Model Railway Club, in fact, created a set-up for the museum’s Holiday Express Train Show, which is currently on exhibit.

“Scenery is the difference between looking at a piece of wood with track on it to a scene where your mind envisions a real train running through the countryside,” said Zeleny. “When it comes to scenery, you are only limited by your imagination.”

Zeleny noted that the concepts for doing scenery really haven’t changed much over the years. “The nice thing that we have today is the multitude of resources available through the internet including how-to videos, instruction books and CDs, to guide and teach the average person how to fulfill their image of what they want their railroad to look like.”

The hobbyist said that some people create scenes of mountains, hills and trees, while some create scenes of buildings, roads, and industrial areas. “The basic scenery – hills, trees, grass – is very easy to do and comprises using newspaper, cardboard, plaster, paint and commercially available trees,” he said.

Zeleny suggested that a good way to start is to decide on the topography you want to create. For a hill, you can use cardboard strips glued or stapled in a crosshatch pattern to your set-up’s wood base in the shape you want your hill to be. Then you mix up plaster, dip strips of paper in it and cover the mound. You let this dry and then use acrylic paint in an earth tone to color it. “You should try to be realistic and match real earth tones,” suggested Zeleny.

At that point, Zeleny guided, you can leave it a hill or add plaster castings of rocks. The castings are made by pouring plaster in rock-shaped molds. When dry, these are removed and placed on the hill wherever appropriate. As poured, these are white, so you will want to colorize them with paint. To effect New England scenes, Zeleny says paint shades burnt umber, yellow ochner and black are popular.

Zeleny said you actually “wash” the rock with a small amount of diluted paint and a brush, and create a speckled pattern. Then a mixture of India ink with a drop of dishwashing soap and some water is sprayed on the rock creation to blend the colors and bring out the rock’s highlights.

Ground cover is the next important element and deciding on the type is key. For grass, there are 20-30 different types and colors of artificial substances available through hobby stores or online. To select areas of your hill, you brush on a mixture of matte medium glue, water and dish soap then affix your grass.

Trees are the final basic elements. “You can buy an already-made commercial tree or assemble them from kits. Or you can pick weeds from the roadside in fall, dry them and shape them in the form of a tree,” said Zeleny. For the trunks, Zeleny sprays on brown paint. Then he dips them into a glue/water/soap mixture and next into a canister of ground cover. These are hung upside down to dry, then affixed to the hill in punched holes with white glue that dries clear.

There are many variations to scene creation, said Zeleny, and buildings are a whole other level of dimension. “It’s about fooling the eye, similar to when you go to a play or Broadway show where they create scenes that make you think you’re somewhere you’re not.”