Issues → November 2006 → More Yankee →
New England Today
Mark Twain House in Hartford, Connecticut
When Mark Twain was building his 19-room mansion in 1873, the Hartford Daily Times wrote, "The novelty displayed in the architecture of the building, the oddity of its internal arrangement and the fame of its owner will all conspire to make it a house of note for a long time to come." Years after Twain was forced to leave Hartford because of financial problems, he wrote about the house, "We never came home from an absence that its face did not light up & speak out its eloquent welcome -- & we could not enter it unmoved."
The Fairest of Them All
Whether they're called fairs, festivals, art shows, or samplers, these events have one important thing in common: They're a great way to get your holiday shopping done early. So beat the rush at the malls this season and purchase something made with care. These acclaimed annual events have something for everyone -- from candles, holiday decor, and collectible Santas to stoneware, jewelry, and wooden crafts. Don't miss these opportunities to purchase handmade fine arts and crafts by members of distinguished artists'associations from around New England.
Nov. 4-5: 18th United Maine Craftsmen Bangor Arts & Crafts Show, Bangor, ME. 207-621-2818. unitedmainecraftsmen.com
Nov. 4-Dec. 31: Brookfield Craft Center’s 31st Annual Holiday Exhibition & Sale, Brookfield, CT. 203-775-4526. brookfieldcraftcenter.org
Nov. 16-19: 54th Annual Vermont Handcrafters Holiday Craft and Fine Art Show, South Burlington, VT. 800-373-5429. vermonthandcrafters.com
Nov. 17-19: 19th Annual Old Deerfield Christmas Sampler, West Springfield, MA. 413-774-7476. deerfield-craft.org
Nov. 18-19: 5th Annual Holly Berry Arts & Crafts Show, Manchester, NH. 603-528-4014. joycescraftshows.com
Nov. 24-25: 16th Annual Ocean State Artisans Holiday Craft Festival, Warwick, RI. 401-647-7848. oceanstateartisans.com
For more events around the region, see the "Traveler's Calendar" and visit YANKEE's travel Web site, NewEngland.com.
The Quiet Celebration of a Cy Young Winner
"The day they were announcing the Cy Young [last November], I started to think, What do I say if he doesn't win? ... It was our anniversary weekend, so we were leaving that night for the Woodstock Inn in Vermont no matter what. Win, lose, or whatever. I think it was 11:30 in the morning when they called and said he won. It was such an awesome feeling ... There wasn't one single person [at the inn] who even knew who he was. It was just so funny. I kept thinking, There has to be someone who is a sports fan who is going to say congratulations."
- Alyson Carpenter speaking to reporter Allen Lessels. Alyson is the wife of New Hampshire native Chris Carpenter. In 2005, Chris won the National League Cy Young Award for best pitcher. He joins fellow New Englanders Mike Flanagan (1979), Steve Bedrosian (1987), and Tom Glavine (1991 and 1998).
Artists Among Us
Massachusetts painter Kara Taylor gave up her farm stand and flower farm this past summer to concentrate fully on her painting and her new gallery, Kara Taylor Fine Art, on Martha's Vineyard. The 30-year-old artist's quiet landscapes and bold collages fill the large windows, tempting passersby with her work. When she's not chatting with customers, she paints in the back. Her works are serene: soft colors of rolling Vineyard farmland and tumbledown fences. Very romantic scenes. 19 Main St., Vineyard Haven, MA. 508-693-7799. karataylorart.com
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