Spirit of Christmas Alive and Well in Southport

Spirit of Christmas 
Alive and Well in Southport:

Crowd braves chilly temps to 

mark annual holiday walk

(Appeared on Fairfield.Patch.com 12/9)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

12/9/10

Southport, CT – Temperatures hovered in the mid-20s but that didn’t stop several hundred people – and Santa – from visiting Southport Village’s annual Christmas Walk and enjoying the spirit of the holiday.

The event, hosted by the Southport Merchants Association in conjunction with the Southport Volunteer Fire Dept., was held from 5-7pm on Wed. Dec. 9, with Spic and Span Market at 329 Pequot Ave. at its center point.

About the event’s origin, Gregory Peck, owner of Spic and Span, said, “Merchants way back when wanted to enhance attention to the Village, but also do something for the community and kids. This has snowballed over the years and is something the area really looks forward to.”

In front of the market, Paul Whitmore, minister at Southport Congregational Church, kicked off the singing of holiday songs with a rendition of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. He has enjoyed this role for the past 16 years.

Looking on with her daughter and friends, Fairfielder Katie Graham said, “We do this every year. It’s a tradition for us and Paul is our minister.” Despite the bone chilling temps, Graham opined, “It’s not as cold as it’s been in other years. I’ve been here in rain and sleet, so this is not bad at all.”

Beside her, Graham’s friend Wendy Lien, with her daughter Miranda, 7, and son Max, 2, said, “We’re happy to be here. I’m waiting for this little guy to get up and sing, but he’s so bundled up he can barely move.”

A crowd quickly gathered in the Village center and joined in the caroling, sipped hot chocolate and hopped up and down to stay warm. Among them was Eileen O’Reilly and daughter Esa, 2, who donned a knit cap. “This is Esa’s first Christmas,” said O’Reilly. “She was adopted from Mexico. There’s nothing like seeing this through your children’s eyes. This is a special small town moment.”

Nearby, Gary Jackson, wife Joan, and grandkids Johanna, 8, and Drew, 6, agreed. “Surprisingly, this is the first time we’ve done this… and we’ve lived here 40 years. It’s really wonderful.”

In the distance, a siren wailed, signaling Santa’s arrival atop Southport Squad 14’s special unit truck. The crowd craned their necks for a look as the truck rumbled up Pequot Ave. and pulled to a stop. From a box, Santa scooped up and flipped popcorn balls into eager hands. Emery Wallace, 12, wearing an antler hat, was a lucky recipient, but passed it off to a friend’s little sister. “We always come every year. It’s really exciting to see Santa and everything,” she said.

Looking quite ruddy-faced, Santa set himself up in a chair at The Russell Agency, next to Southport Pizza, to receive children. One visitor was Vivienne Kraus, 10, on hand with her twin sister Margaret and dad Bill. “I asked for something big, warm and fuzzy,” Vivienne chirped.

At a back room table, agency owner Tim Russell and Nick Ruicholdt offered wine, beer and nibblies. Russell said, “We’re delighted to have Santa come visit us. It’s an honor.”

Enjoying the snacks, Jeannie Walker-Wright, a resident of nearby Main Street, said, “I had just finished putting up my lights and switched them on to check them just as Santa turned the corner. He called out ‘Thank you!’ and I said ‘Merry Christmas!’ It was the perfect moment and made my holiday.”

Across the street inside Chase Bank, the all-girl Harbor Blues a capella group from Greens Farms Academy, under the direction of Betsy Bergeron and student Elizabeth Woodson, had begun singing carols. They, and a small band of visitors, were handed candles, the lights were dimmed and a small living tree just outside (dubbed “The Tree of Light”) was illuminated. Each tree light had its own sponsor and all donations benefited underinsured or uninsured who are Hospice At Home patients of Visiting Nurse Services of Connecticut.

Minister Whitmore offered a prayer that aptly summed up the festive mood. “Though we do feel the chill in the air around us, there’s a different kind of radiance tonight. We find the true spirit of Christmas alive and well in Southport.”

SHU Students Draw Focus on Hunger at Banquet Event

SHU Students Draw Focus on Hunger at Banquet Event

(Appeared on 

Fairfield.Patch.com 12/7)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

12/7/10

Fairfield, CT – As they arrived at the large banquet hall, students didn’t know if they would be dining in style or squatting on newspaper sharing a community bowl of rice. It was an eye-opener for many and lesson about the challenges of hunger and poverty in the world.

The draw was a Hunger Banquet organized by Gail Gillespie, 20, a junior at Sacred Heart University and the site was the University Commons room on the Park Avenue campus. The event was held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday Dec. 6.

About three dozen students and a few adults participated and each assumed the role of a fictional person in society. Their identity was determined by selecting an index card from a basket set on a table at the entryway. Cards were marked either Low Income, Middle Income or High Income, and included a fictional first name and short bio that would be representative of a member of that particular class.

If a student chose a High Income card, they were ushered to a large round table dressed with linens and silverware and served by a uniformed waiter a feast of pasta, rolls, salad and a choice of water or soda. If a student selected a Middle Class card, they seated themselves at a long table and could access an adjacent buffet of rice and beans with bottled water. A student picking a Low Income card had to sit on newspapers arranged on the floor, help themselves to a cup of rice and eat with their hands.

Fifteen percent of the cards had been designated High Income, representing the share of the world that falls into a category in which basic needs are amply covered and privilege is the norm. Thirty-five percent of the cards were marked Middle Class, equating to the portion of the world’s population in that group. The balance of the cards were tagged Low Income, symbolizing the more than 50% of the world’s population that lives below the poverty level and struggles each day just to survive and get basic food and shelter.

While driving awareness about hunger, the event served as a drive for donations of non-perishable food items. All collected food was to be provided to the St. Charles Food Pantry in Bridgeport. One pack of students rolled in with a shopping cart full of food that they had collected over the course of a couple of hours at the Martin and Seton Hall freshman dormitory.

“I was really satisfied with all we were able to collect, particularly since a lot of people weren’t around,” said Lisa Battista, 18, one of the students pushing the cart.

If arriving students did not have food to donate, they were required to contribute two dollars. One hundred percent of all funds collected will be distributed to needy individuals in El Salvador, when a delegation of 16 students travels there in March. Students spend up to eight days visiting with community members, determining who is most needy and meting out funds accordingly. Last year, $16,000 was raised and distributed.

Stephanie Stiles, 20, a junior from Hasbrook Heights, NJ, was participating for the second consecutive year and enthusiastic about the effort.

“I think it’s a great cause to raise awareness. We should have more events like this on campus. It’s what Sacred Heart is all about – giving back,” said Stiles.

The structure and activities of the evening had been designed by Oxfam America, an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger and injustice. The group provided coordinator Gillespie with presentation materials, publications and stickers. The campus food service, Chartwells, donated the food offered to event participants.

Gillespie and several other students presented facts about world hunger and poverty, interacted with the crowd and solicited participant feedback about what it was like to be placed in their respective socio-economic groups. Statistics were staggering including the fact that a child dies from hunger every 3.4 seconds and 860 million people worldwide suffer from malnutrition and chronic hunger.

Bill Haug, 20, a junior from Kinnelon, NJ, and 10 other students that are part of the El Salvador delegation, fasted for 30 hours, in effect suffering with real world sufferers. He said it was a challenge.

“You pray and remind yourself of the reasons you’re doing it. My experience is nothing compared to what people experience in the world,” said Haug.

Looking out over the room, Gillespie said, “I hope students that participated appreciated the message. I feel blessed to attend this university and go to the cafeteria and swipe my meal card. So many people in the world go without.”  

Town Menorah Lighting Warms Hearts, Unites Community

Town Menorah Lighting Warms Hearts, Unites Community

(Appeared on Fairfield.Patch.com 12/5)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

12/5/10

Fairfield, CT – Though the temperatures with the wind chill hovered around 25 degrees, dozens of Fairfielders braved the elements to join each other in celebrating a Hannukah tradition.

Hosted by Temple Chabad of Fairfield, the Town Menorah Lighting was held late Sunday afternoon Dec. 5 on Sherman Green, centered around the gazebo.

The menorah itself was a nine-foot tall structure topped with nine glass globed oil lamps and, while its lighting was the main reason for the event, there were many more activities to be enjoyed.

Providing rides on the half hour was John Allegra and Mark Dumond of Allegra Farms of East Haddam, which supplied a team of horses pulling a covered wagon. The wagon had been decorated with reflective dreidels and a large sign with a holiday wish.

Among its first passengers were Fairfielders Sara Victor and son Max, 8. They felt it especially key to be on hand this year. “In light of what happened last year, we thought it was important to come out and support Chabad, while getting a ride and having some fun.”

Victor referred to an incident at last year’s Menorah Lighting in which three suspected white supremacists donned offensive garb and openly and loudly protested the event. As a precautionary measure, this year Fairfield police officers in patrol cars were positioned around the perimeter of the Green.

Happily, it appeared there were only joyful expressions and a positive spirit this day, which, in event coordinator Rabbi Shlame Landa’s opinion, only proved “that light will prevail over darkness, and good over evil.”

“Happy Hannukkah” proclaimed a banner, positioned beneath a Christmas wreath, hanging at the top of the front face of the gazebo. At the bottom of the steps, a table displayed copies of Chanukah Magazine, mini menorahs and jarmulkas. Within the gazebo itself, food stations had been set up, offering latkes, potato pancakes, apple sauce, doughnuts and “gelt” (chocolate coins). Igor and Rayhan Pasternak, a local keyboardist and violinist respectively, were also on hand to perform traditional Jewish songs.

Landa explained that the latkes and doughnuts had been fried in oil and commemorated the miracle of the oil that fueled the Menorah during the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem following the triumph of the Maccabees in ancient times. According to lore, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame of the Menorah for one day. Miraculously, the flame continued to burn for the eight days needed to press, prepare and consecrate a supply of new oil.

As “Hava Nagila” played, Alan Gorenstein and son Zachary, 10, danced the Hora. They were happy to brave the cold to mark the occasion.

Nearby, Olivia Petshaft, 13, milling about with brothers Gabriel, 7, and Alex, 12, said, “I wanted to see the lighting and have fun. We’re going to jump around and dance to stay warm!”

Howard Meyers and son Will, 5, stood by bopping to the music. Meyers commented, “This is really all about religious freedom and tolerance. I hope that everyone comes out to join us.”

Another group, with both young and old members, danced around in a circle to “Dreidel Dreidel”.

Joseph Macy, co-owner of the Fairfield Inn and a Chabad Congregationalist, as well as an event underwriter, took his role here more somberly. “I’m a Holocaust survivor. It’s very important that we show solidarity with the Jewish state of Israel and that America supports all religions,” he said.

Macy accompanied Landa in the lighting of the candles, an occasion that Landa said had really been in the planning since last year. About the symbolism of the lighting, Landa said, “Each night a candle is lit is meant to convey the message that individuals must constantly grow in goodness and never be satisfied with past accomplishments.”

Landa added that the center candle, which stands higher than the others, represents the selfless leader that cares for the community. For him, Joe Macy was such an individual, explaining his place of honor at the lighting.

At the conclusion of Landa’s remarks, the rabbi said, “And now what you’ve all been waiting for… latkes and doughnuts!” It set the crowd below in motion, moving en masse up the steps to the food stations to have at the fried treats.

Tea Tasting Tickles Tastebuds

Tea Tasting Tickles Tastebuds

(Appeared on 

Fairfield.Patch.com 12/5)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

12/4/10

Fairfield, CT – Health challenges were her inspiration to develop a line of tasty teas and now she’s sharing her knowledge and a cup of tea-based punch with thirsty holiday revelers.

While miniature trains clattered along tracks early Saturday afternoon in the lobby area of the Fairfield Museum and History Center on Beach Road, Certified Tea Analyst and Tea Master Jane London stood by peddling and sampling her unique Tea Beyond teas to facility visitors.

London’s main offering this day was Blooming Tea Punch, a festive expression of her tea line, which she ladled into small paper cups from a large crystal bowl. The base ingredient was green tea to which a combination of apple juice, strawberry slivers, ginger ale, grapefruit, lemon, and small splashes of tequila and vodka had been added. It was a refreshing and surprising concoction that seemed apt for the holidays or any celebratory occasion.

“Wow! That’s really good!” said visitor Nick Heasman of Fairfield, enjoying a sample. “It would even be good in the summer time.”

Heasman added, “I love tea. I’m a tea drinker and enjoy a lot of black teas.”

London explained that the recipe was inspired by sailors of olden times who, when at sea, often had nothing to do but drink mixed drinks with spices. They called these beverages “punch”, which derived from an East Indian word meaning “five”. The number is significant, said London, in that it represents the five kinds of tastes the drink is meant to communicate – bitter (the tea), sour, sweet, weak (water) and arrack (the alcohol). The original punch was more alcohol based – London’s version is primarily fruit and tea based.

Celeste and Bill Vanderlip of Fairfield nodded in approval and purchased some green tea after sampling. Celeste commented, “My son is demo’ing a train in the train show, so we came to visit and taste some teas as well.”

London emigrated from northeast China to the U.S. in 2008. She was unable to find good quality teas here and so began drinking strong coffee. After only a few months, she was diagnosed with heart palpitations and advised to eliminate coffee. The diagnosis was not surprising as she had endured a lifetime of health woes and frailty that often resulted in hospitalization. She felt it was time to find a lasting solution for her health challenges, and that returning to tea would help.

“Tea is part of Chinese tradition and I grew up with tea,” said London. “My grandfather would drink giant mugs of it every day. It has such history.”

On trips back home to visit her parents, London would buy pounds of tea leaves and bring them back to the states for herself and friends. She joked that her purchases were like a “holiday” for the Chinese merchants due to the quantity she would order.

“Everyone loved the tea,” said London. “I decided to learn more about it. My parents were in the medical field and I asked them lots of questions and did a lot of research.”

London then made connections with suppliers in China, obtained her certifications and formed Tea Beyond. Now London works with a few tea farmers who process and ship the tea leaves to the U.S. to be packaged. Her talents extend to her package designs, which reflect the vibrancy of the product combined with a dash of fashion.

A typical package includes two to four bundles of teas that each consist of whole tea leaves, to which a dried flower has been hand sewn. A tea enjoyer takes this bud and drops it into boiling water – ideally in a glass teapot – causing the flower to “bloom” upon contact. In the process, the flavors and aromas from both the tea leaves and flower are released into the water for a perfect blended result.

London offers two collections – Tea Fame and Grade A. Each offers a choice of four teas with names like Intimatea and Royal Red and different flowers like jasmine and amaranth. London favors the Tea Fame line as the leaves are hand picked in pristine mountain areas, while the Grade A is a stronger, more mature tea. Each tea has a different health benefit, from detoxification to soothing the soul.

Black Rock resident Lee Walther, an independent buyer that introduced London’s teas to Fairfield Museum, is a big fan. “This a really unusual item with exquisite package designs that also provides an amazing visual experience.”

Best of all, the teas achieve positive health changes. “I’m much more energized than before and haven’t needed medical attention in years,” said London.

Tea Beyond is sold at the Fairfield Museum and History Center gift shop and through London’s website www.teabeyond.com

Burr Homestead Gets Magical Makeover

Burr Homestead Gets 
Magical Makeover:

Annual Christmas Tree Fest 

offers decorative delights

(Appeared on 

Fairfield.Patch.com 12/4)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

12/4/10

Fairfield, CT – ‘Twas three weeks before Christmas and all through the homestead, not a wall was left bare nor even a bedstead.

The scene was the historic Burr Homestead on Old Post Road and the event was the Fairfield Christmas Tree Festival, a three-day affair coordinated by the non-profit group of the same name which, for 29 years, has been hosting this special sale of spectacular, one-of-a-kind handmade holiday décor.

Passing through the heated, space tunnel-like tenting at the front of the mansion, visitors emerge into a wonderland of treats, not only for the eyes, but for all the senses. Holiday greens appear to have occupied every nook, the smell of warm apple cider drifts in the air and, on the morning of Dec. 4, the melodic tones of the Coastal Chordsmen enhanced the setting.

The Festival kicked off Dec. 2 with a preview party, featured a children’s event Friday, Dec. 3, and today offered a lady’s tea, evening wine tasting and Diane Smith signing her book “A Connecticut Christmas.”

Each year, according to former Fest board chair Patricia Gardner, a different organization is chosen as a beneficiary and receives all the proceeds from the event. Groups apply for the honor and its members help with set up. This year, the Burroughs Community Center on Fairfield Ave. in Bridgeport was selected.

Burroughs Board Member Karen Maloney, who is also co-chair of this year’s event and was responsible for seeking underwriting support, explained that the group serves the immediate community, with a focus on 5^th through 12^th grade students. It offers after-school programs, tutoring, summer travel opportunities and English language learning. Notably, the Center is collaborating with Fairfield’s Wakeman Boys and Girls Club to open in spring 2011 a gym, the Smilow Burroughs Boys and Girls Club, onsite.

Maloney noted that 17 different rooms and areas throughout the home had been filled from floor to ceiling with custom décor fashioned by a small band of talented ladies that had volunteered their skills for the cause. Items included full-sized Christmas trees, tabletop trees, garlands, boutique items, Nutcrackers and ornaments. “Any decorative accessory you can imagine for the holidays,” she summarized, “and in a wide range of styles from very dramatic to less formal, some child-focused.”

Jennifer Bartlett, the decorating chair, website chair and a Fest board member, mentioned that every year has its own theme and this year it is “Community.” Bartlett coordinates all the design work, taking supply orders from the designers and purchasing from wholesalers all the raw materials – every sprig, every ornament. “Then I watch them transform everything into their incredible creations,” she added.

All completed décor is then price tagged and displayed throughout the house in the many different settings – a living room, den, children’s bedroom, parlor, etc. All the items stay intact until the conclusion of the Fest at 4p.m. on Dec. 5, when visitors can then come to pick up their purchases.

Maloney mentioned that the children’s bedroom took nine full days to decorate and includes in the center of the room an antique carousel on loan from the Beardsley Zoo.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa, and he was on hand, too, to receive the junior set in the second floor hallway. One Santa visitor was 11-week-old Freddy, whose parents had recently bought a home in Fairfield. Mom Jamie said, “We came to get Freddy’s first picture with Santa, but also to support the Burroughs Center and get in the Christmas spirit.”

Browsing downstairs, Cathi Curioli of Norwalk said, “It’s my first time here. There are so many beautiful things to look at. Amazing. Beautiful. I just finished redoing my house so am looking for fun stuff to put in it.”

Staff, like volunteer and Southport resident Teale Stevens, one of 40 or 50 volunteers onsite at any given time, were just glad to be playing a key part. “I like to help out and give back to the community.”

Others like Kallen, 22, and mom Katherine Knetzger were just bubbling over with holiday spirit.

“It’s so happy here. I don’t want to leave,” gushed Kallen.

“We’ve come here since she was a baby. The tradition continues!” chirped Katherine.

Holiday Train Show Fun for All Ages

Holiday Train Show Fun for All Ages

(Appeared on 

Fairfield.Patch.com 12/4)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

12/3/10

Fairfield, CT – Giant wreaths, garland snaking around ceiling joists, twinkling lights and, of course, miniature trains chugging along loops of track through detailed town settings. It was a feast for the eyes and a delight for young and old, signaling the start to the holiday season.

The site was the Jacky Durrell Meeting Hall at Fairfield Museum and History Center on Beach Road and the occasion was the Dec. 3 opening night of the Holiday Express Train Show. This was the fourth consecutive year of the event and the two teams of model train hobbyists that had participated in the past – the Connecticut G-Scalers Model Train Club and the Housatonic Model Railroad Club – were on hand once again.

The two groups had spent the past week building their respective set-ups from the ground up, starting with platforms and tabletops upon which they placed industrial carpet, track, trains, cottony snow and all the intricate town elements to complete the scene.

The more expansive of the two sets occupying the room belonged to the G-Scalers. In all, there were four working trains, including one pulled by Thomas the Tank Engine and a second by Percival. The trains skirted 17 individual buildings, some as tall as two feet. Two dozen mini pine trees dotted the landscape. Over 50 mini human figures interacted in and around the structures. A dozen mini-scale autos were parked on town streets. Mini figures of bear, dogs, cats, cows, sheep and pigs appeared here and there. Standing at the head of it all, there was a fully decorated Christmas tree with presents beneath it and a Menorah with blue glowing lights.

Anchoring the opposite site of the room, the Housatonic group’s set-up included two working HO trains circling a double loop through two fully populated town settings with a similar collection of elements to that of the G-Scalers’.

A third set – a Lionel O-Scale train – traveled a simple loop on a high platform in the center of the museum’s lobby.

“This brings back memories of Christmas morning, 1958,” said Fairfielder Charlie Lambert, visiting with his wife Cathy. “I had an American Flyer Frontiersman… an S-gauge train on a two-rail track. I collect trains now, much to my wife’s dismay sometimes. It’s a wonderful hobby.”

As Lambert looked on, a G-scale train whizzed past. It was operated by Bill Dressler, President of the G-Scalers, who operated controls hidden beneath a Christmas box. The Wizard of Oz of mini railroads looked as delighted as those marveling at the trains, like Fairfielders Doug Hoffman and daughter Whitney.

“We’re inspired to go home and set up our trains and build some trestles. We used to set up the trains around the Christmas tree, which we’ll have to do again now,” said Hoffman, who mentioned having a G-scale set at home.

Matt DiGiovanna was another adult reliving Christmases past. The Monroe resident was on hand with grandsons Kolby, 15 months, and Kaden, 4. The grandfather owns an O-gauge HO train set, which had been his father’s.

“This is fabulous!” DiGiovanna said, swinging Kolby around for a better look at an approaching train.

“There goes Percy! And Thomas! There he goes in the tunnel!” squealed Kaden, teetering on a step stool.

Redding resident Tara Williams, with husband Patrick and son Connor, 6, was another enthusiast. “We’re big train buffs. This is the quintessential Christmas thing to do. These sets have the right spirit and size for children. We look forward to this each year. Merry Christmas!”

Streaming in from the tree lighting on the Town Green, ruddy-cheeked Riley Guarino, 7, and Della Jackson, 5, peered over a low glass partition at the HO set-up. Said Della’s mom Kathleen of the girls, “It’s amazing for them to see the trains and for me to see the excitement in their eyes, to start off the season.”

Carolers and brothers Kevin and Sean Zentner, 11 and 9 respectively, filed in behind them. “Cool! Really big!” they whooped, spotting the G-Scale trains.

Looking over the crowd of people who were clearly in merry spirits, museum program coordinator Walter Matis summed up, “This is what the season is all about.”

The Holiday Express Train Show will be on display through January 2. For more information, call 203-259-1598 or visit www.fairfieldhs.org

Sweet Rexie’s a Lifetime in the Making

Sweet Rexie’s a Lifetime 
in the Making

(Appeared on front page of

Fairfield Sun 12/2)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2010. All Rights Reserved.

11/22/10

Fairfield, CT – It’s been a year since Sweet Rexie’s dropped anchor in downtown Fairfield but a lifetime in the making for owner Nanci Lewis.

A small town girl with a good head for numbers but also a creative flair, Lewis’ many life experiences gradually pointed her to the sweets emporium that has become a favorite of area shoppers. While busy preparing gift baskets and store displays in advance of the holidays, she took a moment to share what inspired her, how the business has evolved and all the wonderful and diverse items that she carries.

Early Inspiration

“It’s ironic, but I wasn’t a real candy junkie when I was a kid,” said Lewis. “For me, it was about good chocolate. I was really into chocolate.”

Born Nanci Vicedomini in Springfield, MA, Lewis was the youngest of three children. Her father owned a custom electronics company. Later on, he opened a catering business and Lewis’ mom was a chef there and cooked all the food. “They were good role models as entrepreneurs,” said Lewis. “I helped out with the catering, from age 10 to 19, when they sold the business. After school, whatever I could do, I did, from food prep to serving. We did a lot of wedding business and private events.”

Lewis’ Italian heritage was also influential, given the family orientation and love of holiday traditions. “My mother is a fabulous cook, it’s her whole world,” said Lewis. “I was always around that. Everything was made from scratch. Pizza, pies, bread. We had amazing holidays… Christmas was very magical. My mother had a certain style of decorating, color coordinating wrapping paper with tree décor. If the tree was red and silver, the paper was red and silver. It was very elegant, but also fun. I took a lot from that.”

Her grandfather was another key factor. “He owned a candy and ice cream store in Waterbury, CT, where they actually made their own ice cream,” Lewis recalled. “People came from all over. My mother told me how she cut strawberries and helped make the ice cream. I was young, but I do remember the store – all the jars, the penny candy.”

A Detour into Finance

In 1980, Lewis went off to Boston College, and majored in economics. “I have to give my parents a lot of credit,” said Lewis. “Back then, a lot of girls didn’t go to college. My dad said, ‘It’s not if you will go, but where you will go.’ I was really resistant, but it was the best thing I did.”

After BC, she did an M.B.A. at the Crummer Graduate School of Rollins College in Winter Park, FL. “The program at Crummer was great, with only 50 of us, and quality professors who gave us individual attention. I felt like I got a lot of out of it and the business background was later helpful in knowing how to do simulations, forecasts and projections. I’ve drawn on all of that.”

Fresh out of grad school, Lewis pursued finance. “I was good with numbers and strong in math, and people guided me that way. But I was also creative. Interior design may have been more appropriate for me.”

Her first job was with United Technologies in the Sikorsky Division, doing financial analysis on helicopter programs. Then she worked for Sprague Technologies, a Fortune 500 company that made semi-conductors, in corporate planning.

In 1990, she married John Lewis, originally from South Africa, who was at Yale doing a PhD. He was accepted as a fellow at Memorial Sloane-Kettering specializing in surgical oncology. They relocated together to New York in 1992.

“I was new to New York and did some temp work, ending up with Ames Management Association, which manages corporate training programs,” Lewis explained. “I worked closely with the marketing manager, handling the financial responsibilities for marketing programs. I coordinated all the course leaders and training in 18 different cities, and helped develop courses. It was probably my favorite job, as it let me branch out.”

Unfortunately, Ames went through a restructuring, her unit was dismantled and her job ultimately phased out while she was on maternity leave, pregnant with first daughter Rachel. While she was offered a spot to come back, she made the decision to be a full-time mom and she and her husband bought a home in Fairfield, in 1999.

The Big Idea

As a homemaker and mom, Lewis would get involved in all the fun embellishments like tea parties and birthday celebrations and what she terms “Martha Stewart” type things. “Other moms noticed,” Lewis remembered, “and would say, ‘You’re good at this.’ I realized it was a gift. Rachel was 5 when I got the idea to start Sweet Rexie’s.”

The business name was a merger of two names – Rachel (now 11) and her daughter Lexie, 7. Lewis has a third daughter, Mia, who’s 3.

“It seemed like it would be fun,” said Lewis with regard to her thoughts at the time, “though I had no retail experience other than a Gap job in college. I had a bit of a learning curve, and had my challenges, made my mistakes.”

Lewis opened her first shop on December 8, 2004 at 136 Washington Street in South Norwalk. The shop had ample space – at 2,000 square feet – and was, overall, a great experience. “I had very loyal customers, and drew from a wide geographic area. But parking was always a challenge and we didn’t get the visitors we hoped for from the Maritime Center. And, at the end of 2008, the economy was falling out and our traffic count started to go lower.”

Lewis said it was a very challenging period. “I had to really drive our traffic all the time. The saving grace was birthday parties, which made up 30% of our business. My lease was ending and I wanted to be more accessible to my children while maintaining the business, so I decided to relocate to Fairfield.”

The entrepreneur settled on a retail space at 1552 Post Road and, after renovations, opened November 21, 2009. “This space is great for us… right in town and walking distance to the train. We’ve been so busy getting everything ready for the holidays, our 1-year anniversary just slipped by.”

She explained that, in early December, people place all their custom orders. Closer to the holiday, they get rushed and want pre-made packages.

Pausing for a moment to reflect on how she arrived at this point in her life, Lewis said, “I guess it wasn’t until I opened this shop that I realized how full circle things had come and how I subconsciously drew on the imagery of my grandfather’s shop. This has more of a contemporary flair, but we also have the old-time candies like the Mary Janes, Bit ‘o Honey, Fireballs, Twizzlers and Tootsie Rolls that were around when I was a kid. It’s funny, the paths people end up choosing.”

SIDEBAR

Sweet Rexie’s: So Much More than a Candy Store

Nanci Lewis, the owner of Sweet Rexie’s in downtown Fairfield, is often challenged by the perception some people have of her business. At first glance, it gets summed up as a candy store, but as it states on www.sweetrexies.com, Sweet Rexie’s is “so much more than a candy store.”

“People don’t realize we do gift baskets,” said Lewis, “and we’ve been doing them for six years. We also have apparel, games, baby gifts, ice cream, etc. Once people come in, they remain loyal and keep coming. It’s all about selection, quality and packaging.” 

As to the product line-up, it is truly broad, spanning the following categories:

-       Games, puzzles, plush toys, arts and crafts, dolls, miniature cars and novelty stocking stuffers

-       American Girl crafts line and mini dolls

-       Plush toys for babies

-       Pre-made and custom holiday gift baskets in a wide price range

-       Teacher and hostess gifts

-       Exotic and imported chocolates including brands Chocolate Moderne and Anna Shea

-       An ice cream counter with 16 flavors from which to choose including everything from Birthday Batter to Raspberry Sorbet

-       150 selections of bulk candy, from dark chocolate to gumballs

-       Classic candies like Dubble Bubble and Bit ‘o Honey

Lewis also serves businesses with the ability to customize packaging with corporate logos. “We have worked with a host of companies including Marriott Corporation, Mercedes Benz USA, banks, realtors and more,” noted Lewis.

As important, Sweet Rexie’s will deliver locally, including all area hospitals, and ship nationwide.

With the feel of an old-fashioned candy store, but the wide inventory of a modern retailer, Sweet Rexie’s has something for everyone -- at the holidays and throughout the year.

Sweet Rexie’s is located at 1552 Post Road in downtown Fairfield. For more information, call 203-254-3254 or visit www.sweetrexies.com