Ireland tourism by Meredith Murphy

             While Ireland might not get as much tourism destination marketing publicity or international tourists as other countries in Europe such as France or Italy.  Don't let that fool you, Ireland is an absolutely fascinating destination.  The scenery, the sights, the people are fascinatingly interesting and entertaining. 

             We took a bus tour through the rolling hills of Ireland coming from the airport to our cottages in County Clare.  I'll admit at the start of that tour I was a little skeptical and worried that all we were going to see for two weeks were hills and farmland! The Aran Islands was the first tour trip we made.  It was interesting to see what "old" Ireland looks like, they predominantly only speak Gaelic on the islands. 

            Dingle, Ireland was my favorite place we went to in the country.  The town had a particular culture about it.  The over abundance of Murphy's pubs could have helped too.  The world renowned company Waterford Crystal is based in Dingle.  All the buildings were brightly painted, making them eye catching.  The most extensive tour site we made was the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.  If the castle was not interesting enough, the Folk Park of all different class levels and their living arrangements was quite intriguing.  Whether it was the blacksmith's forge or the weaver's shed, they all gave you insight into how people lived in Ireland over a century ago. 

            My favorite aspect of this trip was that I got to learn about what part of Ireland my family is from.  Also, living like someone who is from Ireland was quite interesting.  Of course native people don't necessarily go see sights and certain attractions, but we lived in cottages and made our own meals which is closer to reality then staying in a hotel.  A family owned and ran the set of a dozen cottages in the area.  I hope to go back and visit Ireland again soon and visit parts of Northern Ireland as well!

Culinary Tourism in major U.S. cities by Daniel Eng

       Culinary Tourism is defined as the pursuit of unique and memorable culinary experiences of all kinds, often while traveling. Culinary Tourism is not just experiences of the highest caliber - that would be defined as gourmet tourism. This is perhaps best told by the notion that Culinary Tourism is about what is unique and memorable, not what is necessarily pretentious and exclusive. Culinary Tourism includes culinary experiences of all kinds. It's more than just dining guides and restaurant reviews. It incorporates such aspects as cooking schools, cookbooks, kitchen gadget stores, culinary tours, caterers, wineries, breweries, distilleries, food growers and manufacturers, culinary attractions and more.

Authenticity is also of vital importance to culinary tourists. Though many culinary tourism experiences involve some investment of both time and money, the deep substance that can be gained from the experience in the long term far outweighs the expense of the short term. Restaurants, in good and challenging economic times will continue to be visitor attractions, food professionals nowadays put themselves in a consumer’s shoes, coming ever closer to discovering and value what appeals to a customer, they will learn from top management and chefs what it takes to keep their customers’ attention and most importantly keeping their businesses up and running.


Culinary tours of major U.S. cities have become increasingly popular over the past years due in part to the structure of self-guided walking tours with details and history about the tours’ stops and other (see Prudence Sloane for just one Connecticut-based example). For chefs and food industry professionals interested in doing further research to expand their knowledge of what is occurring in other markets (and their own), food tours or culinary tourism, can serve as the perfect course in understanding and further appreciating a region or area through its food and its food-related businesses. The tours also provide important insight into how consumers in different parts of the country enjoy food

New York City has significant historic status as a chief entry point for different ethnic groups of the world. It is no surprise that the culinary influences these groups brought into this country continue to form the definition of what American dining truly is. Anywhere from local neighborhood staples and stores to restaurants that define trends for the rest of the country and the world to follow.

Although Los Angeles celebrity chef endorsed restaurants and Hollywood hot spots are known throughout the country, two sisters Lisa and Diane Scalia saw their home city as an up and coming market for culinary tourism. They named their enterprise Melting Pot Tours (www.meltingpottours.com), in honor of L.A.’s cultural diversity. Their first tour revolves around the Farmer’s Market and adjacent neighborhoods, with a variety of stops that covers all aspects of food—from the successful purveyors that L.A.’s top chefs turn to, to popular L.A. street foods to classic bistro style and haute dining establishments. Future tours in the works will focus on such ethnic neighborhoods as Thai Town and others further away from the Farmer’s Market. Because time of season plays such a strong role in food culture, tours are based on what’s in season, although this is less relevant in southern California as it is in colder climates.

San Francisco, considered America’s gateway to the east, is also famous for its many ethnic neighborhoods. The cuisine here is all about fresh ingredients without losing the integrity of the dish by masking its true essence with sauces and garnishes. It’s less about presentation and more about letting one’s senses take the lead and truly tasting all of these these different things grown on nearby farms at the peak of their ripeness. It hits visitors as a culinary revelation that they are experiencing the actual establishments where this ‘California’ style of cooking took shape such as ‘French Laundry’ in Napa Valley, where chefs started working more closely with farmers to keep a firm grasp on what is or what isn’t in season.” Let us not forget to mention Alice Waters and her Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkeley as being one of the original inspirations of this 'movement.'

Hawaii, as one of America’s most exotic travel destinations, has more than its fair share of fine dining establishments. As usual travelers become more conscious of worldwide dining trends, there is a need to think outside the traditional dining room and connect guests to the roots and basics of true island cuisine. In Hawaii, and on the island of Maui specifically, years of history are wrapped up in the local food and various ethnic groups, from native Hawaiians to European settlers to various groups coming from Asia. The main objective is to expose people, including those who have already visited Maui, to true local cuisine and what locals eat on a regular basis.

A different approach to culinary tourism is a popular and ingredient-driven cooking class ushered into Food Tours of Boston (www.foodtoursofboston.com), as many of the enrolled students inner curiosity must inquire where the source of many specialized ingredients come from. Tours are so ingredient and technique bases that no restaurants are actually featured on the tour. Instead, sheets of paper are handed out with restaurant recommendations, and ingredient purchasing instructions on for example 'how to find the right kind of olive oil for a certain given recipe or the differences between artisanal and commercially produced balsamic vinegar.'

Indigenous food tours also tend to fare well with tourists alike. Take for instance Gena Berry’s food tours through Atlanta and the South (www.culinaryworks.net) though her pride in her Southern heritage is said to be unmistakable on her tours, her knowledge of the local land geographically and gastronomically allows her to present guests with an unforgettable viewpoint in which to experience the food. For guests of the food trade, she uses her close links and associates to set up meetings between chefs, restaurateurs, food purveyors and local farmers. You’ve not experienced Southern food unless you have sat in the very establishment(s) where the biscuits and chicken that were practically invented there are fried right in front for you. You can make Southern fried chicken in Portland, but it is a whole different experience, almost nostalgic, to see it made in its place of origin…. and eat it there too.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas by Roberto Rodriguez

I brought up the ship Oasis in class one day and someone asked "is bigger always better?" my answer to that was, YES! After interning for Royal Caribbean this summer I was deep in the center of all the buzz around how awesome and huge Oasis was going to be. Now, after the ships Maiden Voyage, the buzz is still around and I've read great feedback and articles about the ship. During my internship I worked for Juan Trescastro V.P of Port Operations who was really busy with all the new port-side accommodations needed to add this new ship to the fleet.

When I last spoke to Mr. Trescastro he was on the ship while it set sail for the first voyage throughout the Caribbean with real customers. When I asked him if "bigger is better?" he said, "for us yes, we are able to create a beautiful ship with something for everyone" and that something for everyone is true. If you want to sit out by the pool and catch some sun that's fine or a day trip to the spa or a little shopping before dinner, all is possible on the Oasis. With the new feature of Central Park, you can take a walk or sit in the park in the middle of the ship to relax or have some coffee. Even couples with children can spend alone time while the kids play in the child area that has games and activities for all ages while being taken care of by professionally trained care takers.

While working for Mr. Trescastro I was able to sit in on several meetings regarding the new accommodations needed for Oasis. The largest one was building a brand new state of the art terminal for Oasis to call home. Terminal 18 in Port Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale will be the largest terminal in the world and it has to be to fit the largest ship in the world (30% larger than the next largest ship). With such a large terminal some could think that it will be disorganized or wasting space, not with Royal Caribbean. Part of working in Port Operations is also making sure that the guests get to the ship as fast as possible. The design of the terminal is designed to be simple and very functional so that the estimated time it takes for a guest to get from their cab or bus is 15 minutes. The idea behind the design was that they wanted to give you a feeling of already being on the ship before you even step onto the ship. Here is a video from the Oasis website talking about the terminal. http://www.oasisoftheseas.com/ (video is titled: A New home for a new ship).

The opportunity to get this internship was a blessing, it helped point me in the right direction regarding my tourism and hospitality major at Central Connecticut State University. Even with the little I did towards the Oasis project I was checking up on the countdown until the ship made it home. I felt a little bit of pride watching the videos on the website but I can't imagine how the actual employees of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line actually feel about their new addition to the fleet of already amazing ships. Next time you want to really travel and see the world why not do it from a floating resort where every morning when you wake up and take a look outside you find yourself in a different country. I suggest you take a trip to the " Nation of Why Not" and see how cruising is a great way to travel around the world.

Sports Tourism

The use of sports for a reason to visit a certain destination is called sports tourism. Sports tourism takes advantage of the sports being held in certain locations. This includes the economic benefits that these tourists bring. However, there are companies and people that are directly affected by sports, regardless where they are located. There are 250 cities and areas around the United States that have major sports events. For these events people are needed to plan and work any of these sports activities. Sports tourism therefore, creates a great many interesting jobs.

To begin it creates economic opportunities for travel agencies. Certain travel agencies specialize in just sporting events. The sports industry in the United States last year created $194 billion dollars in business. Of that $194 billion dollars $12.8 billion was spent on travel. That is a lot of money available for these travel agencies to cash in on. Entry-level positions in travel agencies however, are usually a standard pay of 8 to 10 dollars an hour. However, the job offers incentives for employees who do well, which opens up the door for salary increases.

Other Jobs include sports tour operators. Setting up certain events from clubs to universities. The largest increase of jobs in the sports tourism industry has come with the approach of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in South Africa. The country has already proven it can pull off the big event. It has held the events such as 1995 Rugby World Cup, the 2003 Cricket World Cup, the Women's World Cup of Golf 2005-2008, the inaugural World Twenty 20 Cricket Championships in 2007, and the only street race in the A1GP World Cup of Motor sport, held in Durban in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Overall, sports tourism creates many jobs of potential interest for tourism and hospitality students. As a kid I always wanted to be a professional athlete, however, that dream has become unrealistic or simply just unattainable. Even with this dream coming to an end, my passion for sports has not. I love being around sports as much as I can. Sports tourism would allow me to find a career that will continue to offer me these kinds of opportunities. I would love to have a job that would require me to visit certain popular sporting destinations, and write reviews on them. This would allow me to not only take advantage of seeing all these wonderful events such as the world cup, or the super bowl, but it would also allow me to look at the effect these events have on the economy and every day lives of the surrounding area and people. Sports tourism is a growing part of the industry and ripe with exciting opportunities.
By Danny Jones

A Holiday Tradition By Justin Reich

As the holiday season approaches us, we have looked at how we can make family tradition stronger. Well guess what? We are all in luck and we don’t have to look far to find. It is all in thanks to the Greater Hartford Arts Council and a festival that can bring the joy of being around love ones to a city.
For 46 years Hartford has brought to the region a wonderful experience of holiday merriment with the Festival of lights and Santa Saturdays. Up until 1999 the festival was held at Bushnell Park located just on the outskirts of downtown Hartford. Now it has become a truly special occasion in Hartford’s Constitution Plaza and the surrounding buildings adjacent to the area. The event put on by the Greater Hartford Arts Council, is headed up by Central Connecticut State Graduate Erin Pollard, who is the development manager for the council. Ms. Pollard has brought holiday joyfulness back to families in only her second year running the 46 year event. The event which she says will bring close to 10,000 people to downtown with an estimated 5,000 on the opening day which is the first Santa Saturday. The event goes from Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving) to Three Kings day ending the twelve days of Christmas.

The main focus for the past 10 years had been solely on the lights on Constitution Plaza. But now with the collaboration of the Phoenix Company building, Northeast Utility building, and the new Connecticut Science Center, New England’s rising star will shine as bright as the North Star this holiday season. All of these building every night during the festival will turn on their holiday lights at the same time for all to have the benefit of enjoying a timely tradition. The vision that Ms. Pollard has is to one day have all buildings in the vicinity come together and light the area and have local businesses paint portraits on the front of their entrances and have a city come together for the holidays.

Australearn by Heather DiGirolamo

Study Abroad with Australearn: Chance of a lifetime

Every year thousands of students choose to study abroad. In the Spring of 2010, I will be one of those students. I will be attending The International College of Management in Sydney, Australia (ICMS). The study abroad program which is coordinating my study abroad is called AustraLearn, which also works in association with AsiaLearn and EuroLearn, sending students to numerous colleges and universities in Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Asia and Europe. In addition to offering courses abroad, they also provide opportunities for internship programs as well. So far my experiences with the AustraLearn team have been wonderful. They have a very reliable staff and well established program.

I am currently in the process of making the arrangements to travel abroad with AustraLearn. There is a lot of thought and work that needs to go into the process, but if you are willing to put the effort in the AustraLearn team is always there to help with anything needed. I am enrolling in the Event Management degree program at ICMS. In addition to attending classes, I will also be getting hands on experience while I’m there. As a part of the class, student will help manage and participate in events held at the college. This is going to be a great opportunity to get some real hands on experience.

I had the chance to talk with Faith Olson, a Central Connecticut State University Tourism and Hospitality Studies program graduate, who also attended ICMS through the AustraLearn program. While Faith was in Australia she took courses specializing in room operations. She learned a lot about hotel management, writing annual reports and the financial aspects of a hotel. The one thing that she seemed to mention numerous times was that she how to work and live with all different types of people. ICMS is an International college, which means that there are students from over 60 different countries there. Because everyone is from all different parts of the world, you need to be able to work with people of different cultures. When I asked Faith how this experience has helped her with her career today she stated that “It has a very positive effect for all the jobs”. When she went to job interviews, they were all impressed when they had seen she studied abroad. What this shows them is that you are independent yet you can work with a variety of people, having experienced different cultures. Faith would highly recommend the AustraLearn Program to anyone and everyone. The staff of the program was helpful throughout the entire process.

I am really looking forward to this experience. From what I have heard from Faith, other students and the AustraLearn staff, I think that it is going to be very educational, not only in the class rooms but culturally. I will learn what it is like to work with all different types of people. Studying abroad makes you more well rounded and also gives you a chance to take classes that aren’t taught at every school.

Holiday Inn Express by Mark White

The Hospitality and Tourism industry is forever changing especially in these present times with the economy moving in an unstable direction. The recent financial setback has forced many businesses to recreate themselves or face drastic measures such as closing. As a front desk associate working at the Holiday Inn Express Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. I have witnessed firsthand the decline in business. I have seen the hotel go from being at a 75% occupancy rate to having as low as 9% occupancy rate with no sign of budging. Around the time the economy was heading in this negative downward spiral, my manger and part owner decided it would be a good idea to invest in the Holiday Inn Express enterprise. HIE (Holiday Inn Express) was still pretty successful. The company had the most loyal guests to their brand.

The hotel's official grand opening was August 6, 2006. When the hotel originally opened it was a Comfort Suites which is part of the Choice Hotel franchise. Mike Patel is the General Manager and part owner. On the board of the hotel is the sales manager Kim Hawkes and Front Desk manager Alice Forbes. The hotel was and still is owned and operated by the Aarons Hotel Group LLC. Aaron Hotel Group, LLC. (AHG)also has properties along the New England shoreline such as the a Holiday Inn Express in Freeport, Maine and Seabrooke, New Hampshire. They also own a Comfort Suites in Biddeford, Maine. On February 16th 2009 the hotel became Holiday Inn Express Bradley Airport & Suites which is part of the IHG franchise. The decision to take on the HIE brand was due to management deciding that it would be in the best interest of the hotel due the decline in sales. HIE still seems be very prosperous in the recession as compared to many other hotels. HIE is known for having the best customer loyalty in the hotel industry, with the Priority Club Reward membership being the biggest reward club in the world. Customer loyalty is very important in the hotel industry, which inevitably lead to the final decision to go forward. I got an opportunity to briefly interview Kim Hawkes the sales manager of HIE. She was able to give a brief insight on the hotel and transition made in the past year.
Q&A
Q: What was the reason for going the HIE direction?
A: HIE is in the process of a re-launch to bring a new fresh appearance, also creating a new standard for hotels. We felt that HIE had a great strategy and it tied in well with the character we were looking to portray in our hotel. HIE for keeping up with their properties, customer service and quality of the brand. It was exactly what this hotel wanted and needed.
Q: Has it been a beneficial change so far for the hotel?
A: Yes, the HIE name has helped but the economy hasn’t fully strengthened. Guest are very loyal to the HIE brand. Priority Rewards Club is the largest membership club in the work. It offers great deals on hotel stays and gifts for all members. Guest gain points every time they stay which can be used to get various incentives along the way.
Q: Have you seen a dramatic impact of the hotel due to the economic downfall?
A: Yes, we have seen a least a 30% decline in the overall occupancy and revenue. A lot of companies have cut back on travel expensive and are sending fewer workers out. Companies are now trying to negotiate lower rates, seeing how many hotels are willing to lower their rates because of the economy the hotel is forced to lower our rates. 70% of our business is through business travel; with that said if businesses are not fluctuating we also feel the impact of that.

The National System of Protected Places
By: Sarah Parker


Peru has 63 natural areas protected by the state (ANPE-areas naturales protegidas por el estado). These 63 individual protected areas form the National System of Natural Areas Protected by the State (SINANPE-sistema nacional areas naturales protegidas por el estado) (Figure 1). These areas have little or no human intervention so that people can enjoy these places for their natural beauty and to protect the habitat for the flora and fauna located in each area. This system considers two forms of protecting an area: areas of direct use and areas of indirect use. The areas of direct use are those that permit the use of natural resources, primarily for local population, under the guidelines of a Management Plan approved and supervised by the competent national authority . The areas of indirect use are those of intangible protection, in which the extraction of natural resources is not permitted and no type of modification to the natural environment is permitted. These areas only permit scientific investigation and tourism, recreation, education, and cultural activities under duly regulated conditions.
Areas of direct use allow for individual use and there are six types: National Reserves, Wildlife Refuges, Landscape Reserves, Commune Reserves, Protected Forests, and Game Preserves.

1. National Reserves are areas dedicated to the conservation of the biological diversity and the sustained use, including commercial, of the wild flora and fauna resources under management plans, with the exception of the activities of commercial forest use with timber. Tambopata, located in the Madre Dios Region, is an example of a National Reserve in Peru, and this is where I did ecological research with fellow colleagues over the summer 2009.
2. Wildlife Refuges are areas that require active intervention to guarantee the maintenance and recovery of habitats and populations of certain species. The commercial use of natural resources that are able to provoke significant alterations of the habitat is excluded. Pantanos de Villa, located in the Lima Region, is an example of a Wildlife Refuge in Peru.
3. Landscape Reserves are areas where environments, whose geographic integrity shows a harmonious relationship between man and nature, are protected. It harbors important natural, cultural, and aesthetic values. If the zoning of the area anticipates it, the traditional use of natural resources, the scientific and touristic uses, and human establishments are permitted. The activities that signify notable changes in the characteristics of the landscape and the values of the area are excluded. Nor Yauyos – Cochas, located in the Lima and Junin Regions, is an example of a Landscape Reserve in Peru.
4. Commune Reserves are areas dedicated to the conservation of the wild flora and fauna benefiting nearby rural communities which, traditionally, have preference in the use of the resources of the area. The use and commercialization of resources is done under management plans, approved and supervised by authorities and led by the same beneficiaries. Amarakaeri, located in the Madre de Dios and Cusco regions, is an example of a Commune Reserve in Peru.
5. Protected Forests are areas that are established to protect the upper watersheds, the riverbanks and other water courses and, in general, to protect against the erosion to the fragile lands that require doing so. In these, the use of resources and the development of activities that don’t affect the vegetation, the fragile lands, or the courses of water, are all permitted. A.B. Canal Nuevo Imperial, located in the Lima region, is an example of a Protected Forest.
6. Game Preserves are areas dedicated to the use of wild fauna through the regulated practice of the sport of hunting. El Angolo, located in the Piura region, is an example of a Game Preserve in Peru .

Areas of indirect use are for public use and there are three types: National Parks, National Sanctuaries, and Historic Sanctuaries.

1. National Parks are created in areas that demonstrate the ecological uniqueness of the country. In these, one or more ecological ecosystems, the associations of wild flora and fauna, and evolutionary processes are all protected, in the same way as landscape and cultural characteristics. Manu, in the Cusco and Madre de Dios region, is an example of a National Park in Peru.
2. National Sanctuaries are areas where the habitat of a species or a community of flora and fauna is protected, in the same way as natural formations of scientific, landscape, and national importance. Megantoni, located in the Cusco region, is an example of a National Sanctuary in Peru.
3. Historic Sanctuaries are areas that, in addition to protecting spaces that contain natural, relevant values, constitute the environment that demonstrates the monumental and archaelogical heritage of the country; or these are places where outstanding monuments of the national history are developed. Machu Picchu, located in the Cusco region, is an example of a Historic Sanctuary, and also was a place I was privileged enough to visit during my research in Peru .

Studying Abroad at Kyung Hee in South Korea!

MinJeong Lee


 Have you ever thought studying abroad, especially where the culture is totally different? If you are expecting wonderful experience in a different country, here is a suggetion for you; Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.

 Currently, I am studying abroad at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), and it has been great so far. I would say it is one of the best choices I have made to study abroad. Anybody who wants to become stronger and more mature needs to be away from home for some time!

 Kyung Hee University is located in the eastern part of Seoul, with a second campus (Global Campus) in the suburban city of Suwon. Each year the number of foreign students is increasing and Kyung Hee is being more globalized. The objective of this school is to educate and train able international leaders for the promotion of peace and human welfare. According to the objective, there has been a long-standing partnership program between CCSU and Kyung Hee University.

CCSU students can participate in a summer program for a month of July and get 6 credits from this program. All courses are taught in English, except the Korean Language and Culture courses. So if you are afraid of communicating with people, it is not a big deal at all. Total approximate cost is $2,395.00 and it covers tuition, round-trip international airfare, and dormitory accommodation. Compared to other programs that CCSU has for studying abroad, this is the most reasonable price.

 There is also Center for International Education at Kyung Hee University. If you are interested in learning Korean, you can apply for the buddy program. I used to be a buddy of a student from Mongolia and I enjoyed seeing her improve her language skills. Not only do you can have friendships with a lot of international students, but you will also have Korean friends who are kind and fun to be around! (You will find yourself every night hanging out. Don't be surprised to see so many people on the street even if it's midnight!) For more information, here is the website of Kyung Hee University:Kyung Hee University Website

 Last but not least, you should enjoy yourself not just study hard. Seoul is a fun city that has lots of tourism and hospitality related acitivities in which to participate. Travel wherever you want, experience whatever you want, and enjoy yourselves. If you are looking for information about the city, visit this site: http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/intro.html.

Sweet Dreams For a Sweet Life by Suzana Santos

     Everyone hopes to find fulfillment in life doing something they love to do.  Something that truly does not seem like work, but is an enjoyable way to spend the day while making a living. 

     Matthew Seguro, owner of Vida Doce (sweet life)  pastry shop, feels blessed  to have found his passion in life at such a young age.  Vida Doce is near and dear to my heart since the owner is my cousin.  As far back as I can remember, Matthew has been interested in cooking.  Originally, his dreams were to become a chef, but after taking some baking classes in high school, he realized his calling.  Matthew attended Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island where his natural talent flourished. 

     Matthew has been making cakes out of his mother's kitchen for 6 + years.  Having seen many of his creations whether for a wedding, bridal shower, or birthday parties, it was obvious he would flourish in the field. 

     I can remember visiting Portugal in the summer of 2004 with Matthew and walking through the pastry shops hearing him talk about his dream of having his own bakery one day.  We were in a popular bakery there called Pao Quente (it means hot bread) and looking at all of the details down to the tile in the bathroom.   There are bakeries and coffee shops on just about every corner in Portugal and Matthew was determined to bring that laid back atmosphere to Newington, Connecticut.  He has suceeded.  Walking in to his bakery in Newington, you feel as if you are in Portugal.  Not only does the decor reflect his Portuguese heritage, but at any given moment the only language you will hear being spoken is Portuguese.

     Vida Doce opened its' doors on a Wednesday morning in September 2009.  Everyone was so excited when the first customers came in .  Throughout the day more and more people came through and by the end of the day, the pastries that should have lasted him two days were gone.  The satisfaction of having so many happy customers was short lived and panic set in as he realized that he would have to do it all over again tomorrow.  Most days Matthew is tired, but happy that he is able to offer people a comfortable place to sit down with a cup of coffee, relax  and know that the most difficult decision they will have to make is deciding what tasty treat to have.  Once you enter this wonderful pastry shop, you will quickly realize that it actually may be a challenge to pick only one thing.   

     Matthew Seguro wsa recently interviewed for a local town paper.  He definately had a vision, but as he stated , "I think it came out better than I planned".  At 23 years old, Matthew Seguro knows that through his hard work and intense dedication to his dreams, he truly is having a sweet life.


Below is the website and some of Matthew's creations

http://vidadocepastryshop.com/

Pictured Below:

Matthew Seguro
owner, Vida Doce

Abroad in Brazil

By Julie Tuttle

There are many benefits for a student to study abroad. The benefits of this experience become greater for tourism and hospitality majors. I recently spent six months in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil studying Geography at the Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina. Before leaving for Florianopolis I knew of some of the benefits to studying abroad. I thought of the simple benefits, putting the experience on my resume, learning a new language, and living on my own but I never believed that this would help me so much with my field of study. There are many little experiences and hurdles that a person does not predict that make studying abroad so helpful.

The most important thing that I have learned through this experience is to expect the unexpected. I have heard this so many times in my life though I never fully understood it until I was by myself in a foreign country. This skill comes in handy in all professions, but especially in the hospitality and tourism industry. Working in a resort, hotel, restaurant, wherever you are, something unexpected is bound to happen, and being prepared to handle this is very important. Studying abroad definitely helps a person gain this skill because when you are all by yourself in a foreign country, you have to figure out what to do and how to solve the problem by yourself. There were many instances in the six months studying abroad where I experienced this, but the one that sticks out in my mind is when I was miles away from my apartment in Florianopolis, and the bus system, which was of vital importance to me , went on strike. Here I was in the middle of the city by myself and I had to figure out how to get home without the buses. The main thing I learned in a situation like this is not to panic. There is always a way, no matter how bad the situation may seem.

Another important thing that I have learned through this experience is to be aware of the variety of careers that the hospitality and tourism field has to offer. Although I knew that this field has many different career paths, and that there could be an opportunity to travel, until I really stepped out into another country by myself, I didn’t fully appreciate that fact. When I left for Brazil I was all by myself for the first time in my life. I was dropped off at the hotel and had to make my way to a completely foreign place in 24 hours. It was the first time I had to deal with almost every aspect of the hospitality and tourism industry. From traveling by bus, by plane, and by taxi I realized that there is so much more to the transportation section of the industry than meets the eye and because I had to deal with them by myself while in a Brazil, I really came to appreciate the variety of tourism transportation types. The same goes for every other part of the hospitality and tourism industry. The awareness is now helping me when picking out my career for the future. When I look into a certain section of the industry, I really research it, because now I know that there is much more that meets the eye, and this is due to what I learned from studying abroad.

Although these are just two main ideas that I have learned through my experience studying abroad, there are also hundreds of little lessons that I have learned that will help me in my career in the future. Studying abroad is not something that just happens and then is forgotten; it is an experience that will be taken with you for the rest of your life. So for students who are studying hospitality and tourism look into studying abroad, you will gain so much knowledge not just about the industry and yourself, but also about the little things that will help you out for the rest of your life.

Storybook is What They Aim For, By Michael Mauro

Just when someone thinks that the neighborhood of ABC’s Desperate Housewives, although beautiful, is just a set, there is a place in the world where you may come across just that. Driving down Interstate 4 in central Florida, one can easily come across Magic Kingdom (a sector of Disney), as well as the town of Celebration.

The town, developed in 1994, is a product of one of the most recognizable company names in the world- The Walt Disney Corporation. Although since its construction Disney has given up many control rights to the town, when one drives through the region you get a sense of the storybook perfection Disney has always aimed for. Being a planned community, the streets are broken up into villages, and almost seem to transform before your eyes as you pass, giving you a sense that you are driving through different parts of America. The styles of housing range from Southern to Traditional to Mediterranean to Classical.

Being just a stones throw away from our hotel in Disney, my friend (a Connecticut real estate agent) was curious to see just how a company who deals so well with “imagination” and “characters” could do in the real world. We left Disney around 4pm, and had arranged to meet an Orlando based real estate agent to give us a limited tour. Downtown Celebration reminds me very much of Main Street USA, located at the heart of Disney. The agent told us that it is very common for tourists to stroll through, or even vacation in Celebration. Two LARGE events, the “Falling of the Leaves” & the “Now Snowing” event bring in many tourists each year. The Falling of the Leaves event occurs through September and October and is meant to resemble a typical New England fall. The town fixes a box to the top of the lampposts, and literally sprays confetti leaves all over the townspeople (just like a true New England town, I know). The Now Snowing event features the same whimsical boxes lovingly attached to the same handy lampposts. These boxes, rather than confetti leaves, emit a foam-soap concoction that resembles a winter snowfall. The locals, as well as tourists, immerse themselves in the sudsy swoon of soap, creating snow angels and foam-men with two eyes made of coal. Disclaimer: I was not present for either of these ‘lifelike’ events, although with enough searching, one could view both on Youtube.

Visiting Celebration made me feel that Disney was just aiming to create another tourist attraction, and another aspect of their park to wow the world. Nothing like it has ever been created. The town is outfitted completely with WiFi, they have community wide yard sales, and the sense of community is through the roof. The garages of homes are put out of sight to emphasize the main living spaces of the home.

And aside the fact that it is built by vacation conglomerate Walt Disney, what is it that defines Celebration as a tourism draw? It’s the same thing that draws people to Charleston, SC; Savannah GA; Mystic, CT; and Cape Cod, MA. The town is a super planned, ultra perfected version of what many imagine suburbia to be, thus it gives people something to see and something to inspire, similar to many of the previous listed places. Is Celebration too planned? Probably. But it definitely is something to see!

< A Photo of the "SNOWFALL" event >

America's Past Time

Hi my name is Kyle and in my life I have been given a lot of opportunities to travel but I have not taken advantage of these opportunities. I chose not to go for some reason or another but as I got older I realized I was missing out on many chances to travel and see different styles of living. Most recently this summer was a chance for me to get away from my home town for a whole summer, which I am grateful I did. I was purposed with a chance to live in the Hamptons during the summer and travel Long Island while playing baseball at the same time. To me this couldn’t have been any better; I got a possibility to live in one of the richest parts of the United States and play baseball which I enjoy and have so much passion for. How could I have said no?

When the day came for me to leave and meet my host family I had butterflies in my stomach. I didn’t know what to expect from the family that was about to let me live with them for 2 months nor did I know what to expect from the town and the living style. Well let me tell you I had the time of my life. My family was so kind and showed me the whole section of the island on which they lived, the beaches, the shops, the restaurants, and of course the baseball fields.  I expected the Hamptons to be flashy with stores everywhere and just the whole scene to be different than home but it wasn’t like that at all. I felt like I was right at home. Of course you had your areas of the rich and famous but for the most part it was woodland areas and homes with farmland. It made me feel more comfortable and I was able to settle right in. The scenery in the town was unbelievable, I was near the ocean so I was able to see the docks with all the yachts and was able to see the sunset every night which I can’t explain in words I can only show you in a picture.

During my time on Long Island this summer I traveled the island going to many different places seeing much. I was able to go to beaches, farms, and walk around town centers and window shop in stores I had never seen before. I must admit however, that what I enjoyed the most was fishing in Montauk and playing baseball. The fishing is considered one of the best places to fish in New England and I got to experience it and yes I caught a lot of big fish. The baseball fields were awesome also. They had just built a new field and renovated another one so it was a good experience and I enjoyed being one of the first to play on the fields.

All I am saying is that I have been cooped up and kind of sheltered in my home town in Connecticut my whole life and I didn’t know what to expect outside of it. After my experiences this summer I know what to expect when traveling and I have to admit I can not wait for the next opportunity I get. I wont be giving up another chance to travel and I hope that you wont either.

Greatest Golf Resorts

Sean Lally 11/22/09
As we take a minute and think about travel in the world, immediately, amazing cuisine, scenic views and leisure tours come to mind. What many people don't actually consider is the option of sports at your finger tips no matter where in the world you travel. Golf is a sport of the world, and like the language of love, is quite universal. Whether you're new to the sport or on your way to the tour, chances are you've dreamt of teeing it up at a luxurious resort and spa with a scenic view of the ocean or foothills of California's Napa Valley. Rest assured that anywhere from the coast of Mexico's Riviera Maya to the Rugged Australian Outback, there's an open tee time with your name on it. Having Traveled around the world and seeing some of the most amazing PGA rated courses is not only a great pass time, but a dream for most people. Jamaica's White Witch, Mexico's El Chameleon, San Francisco's Ocean Course, New York's Westchester Country Club, Barbados Sandy Lane, Arizona's TPC Scottsdale, Miami's Doral Resort and Spa and many more are just a few that I have had the privilege of seeing.

People consider Hawaii as one of the greatest golf destinations in the world because of it's lush landscape and many difficult courses. Turtle Bay, Kauai Beach Resort and many others are some of the courses that are included in the infamous list of Hawaii's golf resorts. Before you tee off, check into Priceville Resort, hanging over a near sheer cliff on Hanalei Bay.  The rooms are beyond posh with floor to ceiling windows allowing you to shower and watch the Hawaii waves crash on the cliffside.  The balconies overlooking the Bay are decadent with a 180 degree view of the Bay.  This design allows the visitor to feel alone and wake up to nothing but the sound of ocean waves. 

"Across the pond" as many British say, is the heart of where golf was created. Carnoustie golf club, St. Andrews, Royal Troon and many more are just a glimpse of Europe's heritage filled golf resorts. As we travel further East, highly rated courses in Germany, France, Italy, and Greece should be on tourist's itinerary's. The heart of oil drilling and the richest city in the world, Dubai of the world Emirates, has not only turned into one of the greatest golf destinations on the world, but a place for anyone to see. The PGA Tour now holds over a half dozen tournaments there yearly and provides one of the greatest purses for the winners. These courses provide for not only eco-tourism lovers but for any golf buff around the world that wants to play a lush environment in the middle of the desert.

Whether is be a championship style golf resorts or the local 18 hole mini-golf course attraction near the hotel, golf is truly the center of world sports. It is provided at almost all highly rated resorts and vacation destinations. So what are you waiting for? The greatest golf courses in the world are at a plane flights distance away.

Where are you going?

I never imagined that I would ever be blogging, let alone doing it for the first time in my Tourism and Hospitality class at CCSU. It seemed as though everyone in the class had an idea about what to write—except for me. Maybe it’s because I’m not exactly sure what I want to pursue in my career. In talking with some other students, I was comforted to learn that I wasn’t the only one who is in this boat. One thing I do know is that travel and tourism interests me because of my love for travel and hospitality experience working in restaurants. So what better way to start learning about the types of careers in Tourism and Hospitality (or THS) than by exploring and writing about the myriad of opportunities that are out there?
I started with a simple Google search for “hospitality and tourism careers,” and found that THS is truly all encompassing. Careers can range from: hotel or cruise management, travel agents, language translators and photography, to convention/event planning, casino management and historical tourism.
One position I came across was a spa manager at a new resort in the Maldives (Jobs Maldives). This really stuck out in my mind because it overlaps my previous experience working as an esthetician in a hair salon and my interest in travel. Overall the spa manager is responsible for maintaining client relationships while creating a soothing ambience for guests. The position also involves monitoring product inventory, balancing employee schedules, dealing with insurance and legal issues, and having knowledge of the field and products. For me, the job also would entail: 1) having to move half way across the world, and 2) being able to endure that kind of change.
Cruise line staff may be another area of interest for me. Carnival has posted jobs for a variety of positions, including: destination shopping specialist, shipboard A/V media, casino, entertainment, gift shop, golf, information systems, medical, spa/fitness/beauty. How interesting that a degree in THS can cover such an assortment of jobs!
As a woman, I was more curious about Carnival’s “destination shopping specialist”, so I dug a little deeper. The job entails “creating a huge shopping frenzy for the ports of call...public speaking and sales experience.” This might be a good fit, as I have experience in sales, and enjoy promoting something that I believe in. On another extreme, cruise line “entertainment” positions include singers, dancers, and bands. This may not be for me—plus, I’m not sure my singing skills would win an award! For sports enthusiasts, the Shipboard Golf position is deal for someone who is a quality teaching golf professional. A guy in my class wants to do something with golf. Maybe he never thought about this opportunity!
My purpose for this blog post is to explore THS jobs that might interest me. I currently work in a restaurant and know what it encompasses…and I’m not sure that I would be interested in restaurant positions in a hotel or resort unless it was in the so-called “back of the house” portion of the restaurant. A girl in my class works in human resources at a Marriott hotel. This could be more up my alley because it combines business and THS. I’m not exactly sure about the work involved for HR managers, so I did a quick Google search and I found that HR managers in general maintain compensation, handle recruitment, develop personnel policies, and maintain regulatory compliance. Next time I see my classmate, I’ll ask her about what her job entails and maybe write about it in my next blog post.
Ultimately this exercise started me down the path of really thinking about what it is I want to do with my career. I have more research to do, and possibly an internship to try. What are your thoughts on the information I’ve shared today?
- Laureen Harper

Aqua Turf Club, Plantsville, Connecticut By Bryn Kelly

Being from Connecticut, you most likely have attended an event at the Aqua Turf Club, in Plantsville. Whether it was a prom, a wedding, or a business meeting, almost everyone from CT, and even people from New York and Massachusetts, have been to some type of function at this banquet facility.

Now, there is a reason for the popularity of the ATC. The landscaping, service and cuisine are top-notch and everyone who has been there will agree with this statement. Even the buffet food is out-of-this-world, and you really get your moneys worth. The chef’s at the Aqua Turf Club really know what they are doing and are very helpful when it comes to food allergies and special meals. No matter what the allergy is, the Chef’s seem to always be able to accommodate the guest and make sure they get the most out of the meal as they can.

There are four separate rooms at the Aqua Turf Club. The original and smallest room is the Glass room.  This banquet room is enclosed by full-length windows, with a lounge area, bar, dance floor, and bridal suite. Included in the lounge area is a working fireplace that is kept by the amazing bartenders that will make any drink you can ask for with all of your favorite and top-shelf mixers.

The next largest room is the Wagon Room. This is a rustic-looking room with dark woods and intricate carved into the wood surrounding the room. This room also has a lounge area with working fireplace and fully-stocked bar, a bridal suite, dance floor, and private smoking area. This room is different because the bar area is set in the back of the room, making it into two different atmospheres when the bar is open. The Wagon Room, in my opinion is the most romantic setting out of the four available rooms. The dark colors and low lighting make a great atmosphere for a wedding, anniversary party, or really any other event.

The second largest room is Kay’s Pier South.  This room shares a wall with Kay’s Pier North, which can be taken down and allow for parties up to 2,500 guests. Kay’s Pier South is an elegant room with a large dance floor in the center, a deck for smoking, a bar, and a bridal suite which is upstairs outside of the room. This allows for private time before, during, and after event. The grand entrance way into Kay’s Pier has a large staircase that is great for pictures and really adds to the high-class of the facility. This room is on the pond, which is why it’s called Kay’s Pier, with working fountains that add to the elegance of any event.

The largest room is Kay’s Pier North.  This room, like the others, has a private bar area, a large deck for smoking, a dance floor, and a bridal suite. This room has the most full length windows looking out onto two beautiful fountains and the original owner’s house. This house adds to the hominess of the facility and makes you feel comfortable on the grounds.

On the grounds of the Aqua Turf Club is a private chapel that can be rented out for weddings.  There is also a gazebo available for weddings or meetings. The maintenance crew takes care of all of the landscaping and I must say the do a phenomenal job. The decorations and flowers are beautiful and it makes for beautiful pictures.

Besides the actual facility, the service at the Aqua Turf Club is something you will never get somewhere else. The hospitality of the wait staff and management is absolutely amazing and they will do everything in their power, including running down the street to pick up any last minute things you will need for any event just because they want to make your event the best it can possibly be. While the wait staff goes through a training period, following “senior-staff” and learning the ways of the staff, they learn how to be as accommodating as possible and can use these skills for as long as they live.

I encourage you when planning your next event, look to the Aqua Turf Club as a choice of banquet facility. I give you my word to say that you will not be disappointed.

Event Planning at Foxwoods Resort and Casino

By: Christina Mott

I chose to interview an events planner at Foxwoods because my major at Central Connecticut State University is Hospitality and Tourism with a concentration in Event Management. Naturally, I had many questions relating to the field. The following is a summary of my interview with Latavia Fahnbulleh, Special Events Coordinator.

Latavia described the daily duties and activities of an event planner as filling out paperwork and permits, drawing up floor plans for the venue, contacting vendors, sending invitations, finding bands, and writing contracts among other things. She also described the design elements involved in event planning in which I was particularly interested. Choosing themes, colors, menus, and concepts for events are all part of an event planner’s preparation process. Events planners also work with florists, caterers, and engineers to make their vision for an event become a reality. I was particularly interested in this aspect because I have always been interested in interior decorating and designing everything from architecture to costumes. From my interview with Latavia I feel event planning will allow me to use my creativity to decorate and design beautiful settings for parties and gatherings.
When I asked her about the job requirements and qualifications she mentioned an event planner must be really outgoing, good with people, gracious at greeting guests, creative, organized, be attentive to details, have good time management skills, and most importantly have a genuine love for parties and gatherings. She also mentioned one job requirement of event planning I did not expect to hear. She told me about how it is necessary for an event planner to be price savvy when buying items needed for the event. It is the event planners job to find the items at the lowest cost. Therefore, it is imperative the planner is knowledgeable about the materials they are buying. An event planner must also be persuasive when negotiating prices and must be assertive toward stubborn or pushy vendors. Finally, an event planner must have a “hands on” attitude toward planning their event, especially when setting up the venue for the event. The planner must do whatever is necessary for the success of the event, whether that is setting up tables or carrying food trays.
The job perks and compensation for event planners is anywhere from $30,000 to $80,000 a year. The salary is really a factor of what type of event planning is being performed. Based on my research for my career paper I found corporate event planning is on the higher end of this scale when working for large corporations. On the other hand, tourism related event planning is usually on the lower end of the salary spectrum according to Latavia in her interview. Then there is private event planning such as wedding and party planning that could be anywhere in between depending on the scale of the event. Job perks unique to working as a Foxwoods Event Planner would be tickets to games and shows, discount shopping, and lunch and gifts from potential vendors.
I was originally concerned about the amount of nights, weekends, and holidays I would be working. However, in her interview Latavia mentioned that the weeks prior to an event are 9-5 days doing mostly office work. She finds that the only times she works nights or weekends is on the day of the event. Because the Foxwoods event planning department is so large, there are many planners who each do about 3 or 4 events a month. In the years she has been working there, she has not had to work Christmas or Thanksgiving yet, but she says New Years Eve is the busiest time. New Years Eve is a large event that usually works out to be a 12 hour long day.
Latavia’s advice to anyone starting in the field of event management is to be very patient when getting people to collaborate and organizing their activities. She recommends an event planner be firm when dealing with difficult vendors or employees. She also says, “Have fun with the process and enjoy watching you plans come alive.” Finally, she stressed being positive and enjoying yourself as an important way to combat the stress of planning large scale events. For education she approved of the Tourism and Hospitality track, but mentioned that experience in the field is really the key to success. She also believes that the skills needed to make a successful event planner are more personal traits rather than skills that can be learned through school or training.

http://www.foxwoods.com/

Marriott Hartford Downtown Human Resources Internship

Jamie Tobin

Hi my name is Jamie and I recently had an internship working at the Marriott Hartford Downtown in the Human Resources office working with the HR director, Karin, and the HR manager, Margarita. Originally, I went into my interview wanting an event planning or sales internship. However, Karin informed me that she needed her own intern during the summer. I happily accepted her offer not even knowing what Human Resources involved. I then chose to work in the office 8 hours a day 3 days a week until I had all of my hours completed.
I was then given an outline for my summer internship and was told that I was to support the HR manager and director with any special projects they needed. My first task was to sort through the huge pile of applications and pick out the ones we wanted to hold for possible positions for the future. I was amazed at the number of applications a corporation like the Marriott receives every day. When I was done sorting out the current applications and logging them into the application flow log, another 15 applications would already be in the box! While scanning applications I looked for things such as longevity in past jobs, reasons for leaving, gaps in employment history, and qualifications that would benefit a certain department in the hotel. Another job that goes hand in hand with the applications is updating the job postings in the hotel and on the job hotline. Each week the job listing may change or alter so it was my job to make sure the applicant knew what jobs were open. I had to check the job hotline daily and call back applicants to let them know the status of their application.
Another important part of my internship was to be in charge of the guest satisfaction incentives. We have an Above and Beyond the Call of duty board (ABC) and also a WOW board. Any associate is able to nominate another associate for the ABC board when they see the person do something that is above and beyond their normal job description. I then typed out a label and placed the name of the associate and the action they did near the time clocks. The WOW board is places in the associate cafeteria where positive guest comments are placed. The guests could have pin pointed a certain associate or a department in general and it is important for those people to see the positive impacts they have on the guests.
At the end of each quarter, we have a Town Hall meeting that all associates may attend. In this meeting we discuss things such as hotel awards, welcome new associates, ways to improve customer satisfaction, and announce the associate of the month as well as the manager of the quarter to the rest of the staff. I was in charge of setting up and decorating each Town Hall meeting as well as putting together a PowerPoint that the GM of the hotel could read off of while he was talking to the staff. The things I have described so far are some of the more important projects I helped out with when I was an intern, but I was also in charge of daily functions such as filing, setting up new files, giving out and logging bus passes, giving out locker assignments, creating and designing the cafeteria menu, as well as mailing out and posting monthly hotel anniversary and birthday cards.
Before starting my internship I had just switched over to a Geography/Tourism student and had no idea where I was going with my degree. Luckily, with perseverance and assistance from the Tourism and Hospitality Studies program's internship advisor, I got an interview at the Marriott Hartford Downtown. Amazingly, this internship turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me because I fell in love with Human Resources. I found out that I love helping people with their problems and meeting new people daily.
During my internship I realized that listening was going to be a huge part in learning what Human Resources was about. I kept my ears open to how my mangers handled situations and how they spoke towards other people. It was also important to be independent in my role as an intern. I did not come in every day and wait to be told what to do. Once I got comfortable and knew the daily responsibilities that had to be done in the morning, I took charge and did them. Being independent was essential, but it was also vital to know when to ask questions. I did not know everything there is to do in an HR office, nor do I now, so when I had significant questions I asked one of my mangers to make sure I carried out the responsibility correctly. By watching and listening to both Karin and Margarita I understood the importance of being attentive to people and greeting them with a smile.
By realizing all of these central ideas and actions, I got offered a part time position in the Human Resources office during the final year of my school with the Marriott Hartford Downtown. I am still currently listening and watching my mangers so that I can learn all I have to before setting off to start my own career in the Human Resources field.

Picture of Hotel

Location of marriott on a map of Hartford

Let's Go Out and Learn!

by Agata Gozdziewska

Being the THS student does not mean being a regular desk-and-computer kind of student. The classes that are offered by the department are much interconnected, and what we learn in one class is often helpful in another. The theory “learn-pass-forget” does not apply in Tourism and Hospitality Studies. In addition to the textbook theories, the faculty makes sure that we are aware of the current issues, especially on a local scale. The class trips, assignments, and projects often give us hands-on experiences.

During ongoing semester, I was engaged in one class assignment and one class project, both involving the New Britain Museum of American Art (CCSU is also located in New Britain). This museum is a 106-year-old establishment (founded by private citizens in 1903), but it is definitely not stuck in the past. Dedication to strictly American art makes it the only museum like that in the United States. The 12 exhibitions include over 5000 works dated from mid-1700 to present.

Living in New Britain, I really think that the museum is a great asset for the area. It is just not visible enough to remind about its existence to not typical art lovers. As the member of the local community, I should pay more attention to the local events and take more trips to museum, but somehow, I never remember to check what is going on at the museum whenever I am looking for the entertainment.

The perfect solution for the museum would be to be a part of the area where people can walk from one place to the other, relax and enjoy the art, without the need to use the car or other form of transportation. The museum is trying to reach to other artistic communities. There is a big potential in the artist cooperative project in downtown New Britain. The idea of this arrangement is to have one building, where some of the local artists can live, work and show their art. The city sees opportunities of bringing more visitors and therefore attracting more businesses that would add to the artsy feel and reshape the image of the area.

There are definitely opportunities in New Britain, and thankfully more and more people are starting to see them. The good thing is that there is a plan, direction, which is the idea of the city becoming a little art mecca, and there are already steps being taken to realize this initiative.

As for now, the museum recognizes the visibility problem and is trying to increase its importance in the eyes of the local community. To become more appealing and interesting, especially to the younger generation, the Museum came up with the event called Museum After Dark (M.A.D.). This night event involving art, music, snacks, and open bar, is a great approach to reaching out to this generation.

The last M.A.D. was a Halloween-themed party on October 30th. A couple of my classmates and I were involved in the class project that was also in attendance. We were surveying and interviewing on camera some of the event’s attendees. The purpose of our research was to back up the idea of the night parties at the museum as the great way to attract a younger crowd. The party was a lot of fun for everybody, including the museum staff. My friends and I are all hoping that the MAD events will become more regular in the NBMAA’s calendar.

Check the following websites:

New Britain Museum of American Art

NBMAA Facebook

Museum After Dark Facebook

CT Wine Trail By: Danielle Clavette

     Recently, I have come to join my Mother in one of her favorite hobbies, wine tasting. She has always been a big fan of the experience since her trip to Napa Valley. Almost every weekend she takes a day trip to a different winery. I never really found this to be a very appealing pastime, but now that I am twenty-one and can actually taste the wine, I have begun to join her. There are many wineries throughout Connecticut. It is easy to find the site map on the CT Wine Trail’s Website. The trail is divided into two sections, the East and West. So far I have only joined her for four of the trips, including Chamber Vineyards in Clinton, Gouviea Vineyards in Wallingford, Jonathan Edwards Winery in North Stonington, and Stonington Vineyards in Stonington. Each was beautiful and unique in its own way and offered a different experience.


     My favorite part of the experience is being able to see how the wine is made and being greeted with kindness and hospitality by the winery staff. They will take you through each and every aspect of the wine making process and answer any questions you may have. Sometimes you can even have the chance to meet the owner who is usually also the creator of the wines. I find it interesting to talk to them about how they became the owner of the vineyard and to hear about their passion for wine making and tasting. Each bottle is particularly different in its own way with different tastes and aromas.

     Most people would not think of Connecticut as the best spot for wine tasting, but it actually has one of New England’s best climates for grape growing. Connecticut also has great views and landscapes for an outdoor wine tasting. Different wines are very complementary to different foods. If you do decide to have lunch at one of the vineyards, it can be pricey but definitely worth it. The wine staff will assist you in finding the perfect bottle to complement your meal. If you end up enjoying the bottle, you can purchase another to take home. Some of the vineyards offer a free bottle with your tour.

     I really enjoyed the Jonathan Edwards Winery in North Stonington. It was a beautiful 4-acre vineyard with views of Long Island Sound. The tour was very informative and we were able to have a picnic afterward. The vineyard offered a variety of wines from California and Connecticut. The tour allows you to taste each and compare how they differ. In the main building of the winery there was art painted by a local artist of Westerly, Rhode Island. It made for great atmosphere and was like being in a small gallery.

     I have enjoyed each and every experience of the tours I have done so far. It is very interesting to me to be able to see the process of wine making. Now I really enjoy having a glass of wine because I have a better understanding of what went into it. My new hobby has also given me a chance to spend time with my Mom and gives us something we both can relate to. Maybe someday I’ll be able go to Napa Valley myself.