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 Husk owner Jordan Stein. Photo: dotCANTON Jordan Stein, owner of Husk: New American Tacos in Collinsville, is smiling a lot these days.
On Sunday, Feb. 20, Stein got married, and on Sunday, Feb. 27, Husk was the subject of The New York Times’ “Quick Bite” feature by Christopher Brooks.
Brooks wrote that Husk “lives up to its New American label by putting a fresh spin” on its tacos.
“To be recognized by The New York Times on Oscar night is like winning an Oscar,” Stein said.
“I got married and recognized in The New York Times. That’s the best week of my life.”
Stein, who opened Husk at 105 Main Street late last August, is kicking around an idea for outdoor seating as he approaches his first full summer at the location.
There’s work to be done before it can become a reality, but Stein would like to put “five or six” picnic-style tables in front of Husk and along the west side of the building, between Husk and the back of the old Collins Co. office building located at the corner of Front and Main streets.
“I’d like to create an outdoor space not only for me, but where anyone could sit down and eat,” Stein said, “whether it’s something they brought or something they bought from me or somebody else.”
– dotCANTON
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 Jackie Kunkel, above, entertaining plans for a 40-mile ATV ride ... plans she decided to abandon.  By Jackie Kunkel We all know that it has been a very difficult winter in Connecticut, and I must admit I don’t enjoy this weather very much at all.
Thank goodness I have a place to escape to this time of year. My parents live in Arizona during these harsh winter months (a very smart thing), so I couldn’t wait to hop on that plane for a weeklong visit.
After arriving early last week, we were treated to sun-filled days and temperatures in the mid-60s. Absolutely glorious! We did something wonderful every day, and I’d like to share those things with you.
 Jackie and "Mesquite," right, out riding with her son in Arizona. One day we were able to go horseback riding at Saguaro Lake Ranch in Mesa, a beautiful respite not far from where my parents live. We did a 90-minute tour with the horses, and to be honest, I don’t think I could have sat on the horse any longer than that.
My horse was quite large, and his name was Mesquite. The horses were incredibly easy to guide around the rough terrain that we wandered through. We saw some beautiful vistas along the way, and off in the distance were mountains with snow-capped peaks. I was so happy we weren’t very close to the snow.
The ranch was interesting itself. I loved some of the decor: a beautiful, four-sided stone fireplace, a very old (dead) saguaro cactus that was built into the center of the room, and a “cow”-covered chair. Fun!
 Four-sided stone fireplace at Saguaro Lake Ranch in Mesa, Ariz. Another day, we went on an ATV tour. Well, I say we, but I use that term loosely. I went with good intentions of going on the 40-mile ride, and then graciously copped out after getting very nervous. But my son did go and had a great time. He took some beautiful photos, too.
We also did a little hiking, and a lot of visiting with friends and relatives — in addition to enjoying the warmth of the sun! You realize just how much you miss that warmth when you’ve had such a long and grueling winter.
I hope this post has brought a little of that warmth and sun back to you.
Jackie
For a closer look at a few more photos from Jackie Kunkel’s trip to Arizona, click on any of the images below and use the arrow left or arrow right button at the bottom of the larger image that pops up. To return to this page, click on the full image you are viewing.
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Jackie Kunkel is the owner of Canton Village Quilt Works. Her posts will appear occasionally at dotCANTON.com.
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 Pileated woodpecker spotted by Alex in the Sterling Drive area on Sunday, Feb. 27. dotCANTON Classifieds Page Open For Business
 "Betsy" Betsy is available for adoption this week. She and her three very newborn kittens came to Animal Friends of Connecticut about eight weeks ago.
Betsy was the loved pet of a woman who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She kept Betsy as long as she could, but ultimately had to give her up when she was transfered from her home to a hospital.
The three kittens and Betsy were placed in a foster home until last week, when the kittens were old enough to be adopted. One of the kittens was adopted immediately; two remain.
Betsy and the two kittens are excellent pets. They are all very friendly and love being petted and held. Betsy has been spayed, has had all her shots and is ready to go to her new home
For an interview, call Animal Friends of Connecticut at 860-827-0381.
– Animal Friends of Connecticut Inc.
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 Jacqueline Gaztambide at home with "Camaraderie II" from her Impressions series. Photo: dotCANTON Jacqueline Gaztambide had a serious interest in art as a young girl growing up in San Juan. Predominantly self-taught, she studied briefly in Switzerland at the age of 15 and later in Puerto Rico with local artists.
But when she got married and began to raise a family, Gaztambide put that passion on hold — for about 36 years. Only in the last four years has she allowed herself to fully reconnect with something she clearly loves to do.
 "Nebula I" (Space Series II) / Jacqueline Gaztambide “Some people go through life and don’t find where their passion is,” Gaztambide said Friday, Feb. 25, in her West Hartford home. “Mine was dormant for a while. Finally I said, ‘I want to do this.’ ”
About two dozen of Gaztambide’s paintings will be hanging in the first- and second-floor hallways at Canton Town Hall through the months of March and April. She describes her style as “abstract impressionism.” It’s a style, she says, that’s anchored in nature, the universe and life experiences.
Visitors will notice that the look of Gaztambide’s work changes significantly from series to series. But they’ll also make note of a common thread. As she puts it, “I’m all about color and texture.”
Gaztambide, who lived in Glastonbury for about 18 years before moving to West Hartford on 2005, is a member of the West Hartford Art League and the Canton Artists’ Guild. In addition to the town hall show, her work is also on display at the Noah Webster House in West Hartford. It’s her second solo show there, and it runs through the end of March.
“Camaraderie II” and “Nebula I,” above, and the images in the gallery below are expected to be part of Jacqueline Gaztambide’s two-month show at Canton Town Hall. To check out larger versions of the images below, click on any of the nine and use the arrow left or arrow right button at the bottom of the larger image that pops up. To return to this page, click on the full image you are viewing.
Click here for Jacqueline Gaztambide’s website.
– dotCANTON
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Long in the works, a Goodwill attended donation center will open at 217 Albany Turnpike on March 4. dotCANTON.com first reported Goodwill’s plans on Dec. 5
According to Goodwill, an attendant will accept donations of saleable clothing and household items Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tax-deduction receipts will be available, Goodwill says, and donors can get help unloading large or small items from a Goodwill attendant.
Goodwill will occupy the storefront between Ecobody and Sawyer’s Martial Arts in the row of businesses across Route 44 from the entrance to Canton Village.
Goodwill previously operated a donation center at 356A Albany Turnpike. That location closed in the fall of 2007 when a new owner purchased to property, according to Goodwill.
Goodwill Industries of Western Connecticut is a nonprofit organization that provides employment and support services to the community.
– dotCANTON
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 Canton resident Shirley Snow Sutton has contributed Civil War tinware to the library's upcoming, two-month exhibit -- the cup, flask and bowl above, and the coffee container and lunch pail below. Photos: dotCANTON  The Canton Public Library is continuing to gather items for an April-May exhibit titled “Canton in the Civil War.”
The presentation, marking the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, will portray life in town during the conflict.
The library is asking Canton residents who have letters, photos and other memorabilia related to the war and the decade of the 1860s in Canton to contact Jane Hoben at 860-693-5800 or at jhoben@cantonpubliclibrary.org.
Several items have been contributed already, including an American flag from the Civil War era, a Union officer’s cape, stirrups used by a cavalryman, a copy of the July 10, 1861, Collinsville Star newspaper, and the tinware seen in the photos accompanying this post.
 Many of the relics, including battlefield items, will be posed in the library’s display case, Hoben said. Copies will be made of other original items and placed around the library.
The library has two, 1865 photo albums of Collinsville townspeople, Hoben said, and records, including membership applications, for the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans organization created after the war.
Hoben said the 2002 book, “Civil War: Volunteer Sons of Connecticut” by Blaikie Hines, says 244 men from Canton, or 10 percent of the population, volunteered to fight in the conflict. According to the book, 12 were killed, 25 were captured and 26 were wounded. The book says 28 deserted.
Several programs about the war are planned for April, including a talk and media presentation by historian Dr. Larry Carlton.
– dotCANTON
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