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Letters, Etc.
“Precious Memories Captured in Hair” (Fall 2021) inspired me to reconnect with my aunt. Years ago, my dad asked me if I wanted her to make me a flower using my hair and intertwining it with my mom’s and sister’s. It was to be a keepsake. Frankly, the idea repulsed me a bit, but I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings so, I agreed. Fast forward about two decades: I find myself in my local library reading about the use of hair to make everlasting memories of loved ones. Discovering the meaning behind these pieces made me curious about my aunt’s history with this art form. My great-great-grandma, who immigrated from Germany, taught her this craft when she was about 12 years old. My mother is now in her mid-70s and is still creating these timeless reminders.
Kendra Nemeth
New Britain
Search for New Publisher
In January the board of Connecticut Explored engaged the National Executive Service Corps to conduct a search for its first new publisher since the organization’s founding in 2002. Founding publisher Elizabeth Normen plans to retire when a new publisher is appointed. For more information, visit HERE.
20th Anniversary Planning Underway
CTExplored thanks its 20th anniversary advisory team for its assistance in identifying 20 innovators in Connecticut history to highlight during our anniversary year, Fall 2022 – Summer 2023. We particularly thank UConn Associate Professor of History and Africana Studies Dr. Fiona Vernal for her outstanding leadership of the six-member team of innovative and influential scholars, historians, and community members. Team members included artist and producer Jasmin Agosto, also of Hartford Public Library’s Hartford History Center, Christopher Newell, co-founder of Akomawt Educational Initiative, Margaret Anne Tockarshewsky, executive director of New Haven Museum, and Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History 2021 National History Teacher of the Year Nataliya Braginsky of Metropolitan High School in New Haven. CTExplored board member Dr. Clarissa Ceglio, Assistant Professor of Digital Humanities in the Digital Media & Design Department at UConn, rounded out the team as board liaison.
Working with the advisory team last fall and winter, CTExplored identified 20 “game changers” from more than 120 nominations from the public. These game changers will be featured in a variety of ways from fall 2022 to summer 2023 with the goal of engaging audiences and exploring new ways to tell the Connecticut story. CTExplored will be seeking grants and gifts this spring to support the upcoming anniversary year. Find out more at ctexplored.org/20th-anniversary-help-us-celebrate/.
Friends Campaign Needs You!
We are so thankful to our steady, loyal Friends, who support us through thick and thin. Friends of Connecticut Exploredmake a tax-deductible contribution above and beyond their member-subscription, many at the $100 level or above, to ensure we can keep publishing and to help us reach out in important ways. Our Friends campaign is lagging a bit behind last year’s, and we hope those who haven’t made a gift yet will do so this spring; our fiscal year ends August 31.
We’re asking you to make a $190 gift in honor of our 19th year!
Connecticut Explored would not be where it is today without the contributions of our Friends. Please make a gift of $100, $190, or more (add your subscription renewal to receive full tax-deduction for the gift portion) to the Friends of Connecticut Explored. Gifts of $100 or more received before August 31 will be acknowledged in the Spring 2023 issue. See our donor listing to date on page 59.
Give online at ctexplored.org/donate-now/ or send a check to Connecticut Explored, P.O. Box 271561, West Hartford, CT 06127-1561. THANK YOU!
100,000 Downloads!
Grating the Nutmeg, the podcast of Connecticut history produced by CTExplored in collaboration with the State Historian, marked its sixth anniversary in November and, in early December, surpassed another major milestone—100,000 downloads of its 131 episodes!
Grating the Nutmeg comes out twice a month. Find a full listing of episodes at ctexplored.org/listen or GratingtheNutmeg.libsyn.com. It’s also available on Spotify and Apple Music.
How to Get E-CTExplored
Subscribers: Provide us with your e-mail address when you subscribe or renew to receive online access to the current issue of Connecticut Explored to read on your computer or tablet. We’ll also add you to our e-mail list so you’ll receive the new bi-weekly e-mail newsletter, CTExplored/Inbox (or let us know if you prefer not to). Send your e-mail address to marydonohue@comcast.net.
Need a Replacement?
If your issue of Connecticut Explored arrives damaged or the USPS fails to deliver it, please contact us for a replacement—on us. Extra copies may be ordered for $8 each, including shipping and sales tax. Back issues are available under the Issues tab on ctexplored.org.
Contact us:
Subscriptions and advertising: Mary at 860-523-5158; admin@ctexplored.org
Editorial or other questions: Elizabeth at 860-233-5421; publisher@ctexplored.org
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