New Year’s Eve is coming up, a time when even those of us who think we’re pretty sensible are inclined to indulge in some superstition and wishful thinking. We will make resolutions and we will make toasts and we will eat “good luck” foods such as hoppin’ john or noodles shaped like coins —or caviar.
Caviar is a lavishly luxurious food that Russians traditionally ate at New Year’s as a talisman, meant to usher in a year of abundance and good fortune.
And you’ll need a fortune if you want to get some caviar — which is not inexpensive. But caviar, like sushi, is an indulgence where it pays to get the good stuff. If you mostly eat the day-old $5 sushi special from the grocery store, you haven’t really experienced the wonders of Japanese raw fish. If you’ve only ever bought your caviar in little glass jars at the grocery store, it might be a salty but enjoyable treat but it’s not really caviar — certainly not the kind that will signal to the angels that you’re hoping for a New Year of Great Benefits.
There ain’t nothing like the real thing
Shopping for caviar is tricky, if you’re not an expert. The world is full of ersatz olive oil and truffles and even vanilla beans and peppercorns. Needless to say, the world of caviar is full of charlatans as well.
“Caviar is like diamonds or cocaine,” said Michael Kline, who lives in Salisbury, Conn., with his wife, Alexandra Du Cane; together they are the owners of Pointy Snout Caviar.
The love story behind Michael and Alexandra’s meeting and marriage is a really good one; if you ever meet them, you should ask them to share it. But long story short, after notable careers in finance and fashion/photography/publicity, they are now semi-retired here —semi retired, but running a company that sells fine caviar that has been sustainably raised and cared for with the love and tenderness one might lavish on a precious baby.
Not everyone bestows that kind of care on their caviar, Kline notes, referring to the dark side of the luxury industry that he and Du Cane discovered after they started Pointy Snout in 2010.
“Many heads of caviar companies have ended up in jail,” he said. “There is a slight menace to this business.”
For those of us on the consumer side of the equation, that menace translates to, “You can spend a lot of money for caviar that isn’t remotely what the label promises.”
Du Cane and Kline are the opposite of what seems to be the norm in their new professional world: They seem completely transparent and dedicated to their customers’ easy access to and enjoyment of their product.
“We love many of the traditions of caviar, the legacy,” Kline said. “But we wanted to take the intimidation factor out of it. We wanted people to have fun with it, not be afraid of it.”
The trigger that got them into this business in the first place was the realization that the caviar-producing sturgeon were being overfished and were in danger of extinction. So their other mission, in addition to providing delight, was to support farms that were sustainably producing caviar — and not only protecting the wild fish (by not capturing them) but also by releasing sturgeon that had been raised in captivity out into the wild.
Stepping gently into a new world
Kline and Du Cane are the best tour guides you could wish for on a maiden voyage into the world of caviar. Their attitude is not, “If you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it.” It’s more along the lines of, “No, no, don’t get that one, it’s too expensive for what you’re trying to do. Get this one instead.”
Which is not to say that they aren’t willing to sell you a kilo of their finest eggs. That is completely an option.
But for those of us who are just looking to step up a rung from grocery store roe, they strongly encourage a small container of their less expensive Siberian caviar. Without going into exhaustive detail (feel free to ask them to explain), the fish that produce these eggs are raised on a farm in Uruguay that takes exquisite care of the fish; the eggs are sold without borax on them (which is technically illegal but somehow borax-treated eggs still manage to cross the border); and the caviar costs $150 for 50 grams.
“Fifty grams is plenty for two people,”Kline promises.
“Or even three,” Du Cane adds.
They recommend that you eat your caviar right away once you’ve opened the tin. In other words, don’t buy a big container and plan to nibble away at it over the course of a few months.
“It’s not that the eggs will go bad,” Du Cane clarifies. But the quality will degrade. Like high-end wine merchants looking to develop loyalty in their clientele, Kline and Du Cane don’t want you to have a bad experience with their product.
They want you to love it and realize that, if you’re going to splurge for a big occasion, then you should do it with Pointy Snout Caviar (which is named, in case you didn’t figure it out yourself, for the needle-tip proboscis of the caviar-producing sturgeon fish).
A benefit for an area food pantry
This all of course sounds terribly 1%, which is really the exact opposite impression of the one Kline and Du Cane would like to present.
They are now running a special holiday season promotion which is less of a marketing scheme and more of a heartfelt thank you to the community they have come to love and appreciate.
“We want to do what we can to share during this season when so many people can’t afford to buy food, much less caviar,” Du Cane said.
Anyone who purchases caviar from the Pointy Snout website (or by calling or emailing directly) between now and Jan. 2 can enter a special code (the code is 2020). Kline and Du Cane will then donate 25% of the gross sale to the Corner Food Pantry.
For normal shopping, you can purchase Pointy Snout at Guido’s in Great Barrington, Mass., and at Westerlind Pantry in Millerton, N.Y. But don’t do that for your holiday season purchase; buy direct from Pointy Snout to activate the food pantry donation.
To make it even more enticing, Kline and Du Cane will invite you into their packaging facility in Millerton, which is on South Center Street; or they’ll even deliver it to your house, if you live in Salisbury, Sharon or Millerton. You should take them up on that offer, because as long as this article is, it could have gone on for pages more; these two have a lot of stories to tell, about their interesting lives and about their beloved caviar.
To order Pointy Snout Caviar go to www.pointysnout.com; or email alex.ducane@gmail.com. If you order online be sure to enter the special code 2020 to activate the 25% food pantry donation; if you phone in your order (800-910-1760) be sure to mention that you’re an area resident and would like your order to trigger the donation.
This article has been edited. The original print article said the company was started in the mid 1990s; it was started in 2010.
Applauding government responsiveness to citizen concernsThis is a shout-out to our local legislators, Representative Maria Horn and Stephen Harding. The Housatonic Herbicide Working Group has been expressing concerns about the use of certain herbicides that can reach nearby waterways, wetlands, and aquifers to control vegetation along the Housatonic Railroad’s right-of-way for several years now.
The Lakeville Journal has also covered this topic, most recently in an article by Riley Klein.
Representative Horn and Senator Harding arranged a Zoom meeting that included the railroad’s attorney, Parker Rodriguez, and several staff from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, including Harrison Nantz, Emma Cimino (Deputy Commissioner for Environmental Quality), and Jennifer Perry. It was an honor to be able to share our concerns with them and to discuss potential compromises.
In the meantime, the legislators have sponsored an amendment to the current statute governing railroad rights-of-way management. Surely, this is an example of government responsiveness to its citizens at its best!
Bruce Bennett, Heidi Cunick, Kent Fletcher, Ellery Sinclair, Anna Timell
Housatonic Herbicide Working Group
The Bike Path (aka, Rail Trail)
On Feb. 20, 2015, a Special Town Meeting was held in the Salisbury Central School gym, to consider and vote upon the grant of a right of way on the Town’s bike path for an affordable housing development in the abutting woods. The majority vote was to not allow the bike path to be used for this access.
On July 28, 2022, a second Special Town Meeting was held in the Salisbury Congregational Church, to consider and vote upon the grant of a right of way on the Town’s bike path for an affordable housing development in the abutting woods. The majority vote was to allow the bike path to be used for this access.
I would feel better about this access and project if: (1) more people had voted; (2) the majority of those who organized the second vote and/or voted for it (a) lived in the direct vicinity of the project, (b) did not own ten plus acres of their own and/or multiple homes (while claiming they cannot think of other locations for the project) and/or (c) regularly walked that portion of the bike path; (3) the project did not require paving or lighting up any part of the bike path, cutting woods, and disturbing forever the night sky there (there are vernal pools, clearly visible to all, and, I understand, Cooper Hawks who nest in those woods). This does not feel like a process of the people for the people, so to speak.
In early April 2024, a petition was submitted to Town officials, requesting another vote. If there was a second vote, why not a third, seems a valid point. Petitioners were told a third vote will not occur.
Wouldn’t it have been wonderful if every Town voter/landowner/resident could have written in their vote—thus, inclusive of those who could not attend in person, and allowing for issue clarification, including on why there was a second vote. Prior to such in the second meeting, there was a call-to-vote by a project leader. Minimum legal notice was provided for both meetings.
How I wish no portion of the bike path would be forever changed, a treasure—at least to some. I wish there had been better process. It may have been legal, but that does not make it right. I feel this is particularly so because when receiving the bike path for Town residents, Town officials promised to consider the interests of the “abutting property owners.” Moreover, when accepting a financial gift that contributed to the Town’s purchase ability, Town officials expressly acknowledged, even in 1968, “the need for this kind of open space to be owned by the town for all its people.” With “sincere thanks,” the Town accepted the gift for that purpose.
An accessible, rural ‘green space’ will turn suburban, with pavement and manufactured imaging. Those who say merely minimal footage is changing ignore its public value, prior promises, and the exponential impact of cars.
Eugenie L. Warner
Lakeville
A tale of two leashes
This story is ‘a tale of two leashes’. And yes, like in the times of Dickens — it is the best of times and the worst of times. The good old U.S.of A. is a country founded on, built on and flourishing on — immigration. It is also a place where you will find daily, all over the media, such unchained xenophobic language being used against it — by some.
Where do the two leashes come in? What do they have to do with immigration? I’ll tell you.
This morning I was walking our dog, Jasper, in the local state park. He was on his normal 25 foot rope leash [I gather the leash up and let it out depending on if any other people, with or without dogs, are around].
We were walking along the only road to the park interior. Nobody was around. The leash was all the way out. All of a sudden a big pick-up truck came up over the rise from behind. As quickly as I could, I started gathering the leash up to gain full protective control of Jasper. The truck slowed up a bit but was still coming ahead too fast. I walked to the side of the pavement as I worked on gathering the last half length of the leash and Jasper up. The driver of the truck, a young caucasian man, with his windows rolled up, just continued on through. I was appalled that, by not slowing further or stopping, he simply ‘expected’ me to get out of his way.
A bit later on our walk in the park, as we traversed in the woods, we came upon a young man, unknown to me, walking his dog on a long leash. The two dogs immediately ‘checked each other out’ with the sniff and scoot dance dogs do. This, of course caused the leashes to become tangled up but good. Both of us dog owners laughed and instead of trying to untangle them we looked each other straight in the eye and each extended to shake hands and introduce ourselves. From his name, his darker olive skin and obvious accent, I could tell he was from Latin America. We chatted a bit as we then focused our attention to disentangling the dogs. His english was broken but earnest. Both he and his dog were warm, friendly and helpful.
Given a choice — I’ll take the tangle any day.
Michael Moschen
Cornwall Bridge
100 years ago — April 1924
Chet Thurston has sold his Durant Six to Torrington parties. He says he just naturally has to get some kind of a car but he hasn’t made up his mind whether he will purchase a Buick, Jewett, Hudson, Chevrolet, Dodge, Olds, Oakland, Nash, Dort, Studebaker, Cadillac or Rolls Royce.
Daniel Lorigan and his force of men have been busy cleaning up along the cement and macadam state roads.
John Matheson of New York has been visiting his parents here.
Stanley Mather says that when he attends the circus, pillows are going to be cheaper because he can get down off the elephant.
(Adv.) Wanted – Second hand Ice Chest that will hold 2 or 3 cakes of Ice. Telephone 49-2 The Jigger Shop
The roads are now rapidly improving and will soon be as good as they ordinarily are.
50 years ago — April 1974
State Police of Troop B in Canaan seized 1,000 pounds of marijuana, probably the biggest haul ever in Connecticut, Monday night in Falls Village. They arrested a 35-year-old Texan who they said rolled south into Canaan from Massachusetts hauling the half ton of “pot” in a rented trailer. Police estimated the street value of the contraband at $300,000. Canaan troopers made the arrest at the intersection of routes 7 and 63 in Falls Village.
Salisbury Boy Scouts are seeking help in rebuilding their paper-collecting shed at the town dump which was destroyed by fire last Thursday night. Although there were rumors around town that the fire had been deliberately set, there appeared to be no evidence to substantiate the story.
The Animal Medical Center of New York City pressed on this weekend with its search for a suitable site in Connecticut for its Equine Infectious Anemia research project. The AMC was barred last Thursday by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture from establishing the center at the former Segalla Stables in Canaan.
Maureen Passini, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Passini of Falls Village, became the bride of James Cavaciuti at St. Joseph’s Church in Canaan on April 20. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Cavaciuti of Torrington.
The Falls Village Recreation Commission hired Scott Hylton of East Canaan as the new recreation director Monday night, according to Geryl Jasmine, secretary of the commission.
Charles R. Davis of North Kent will run the new IGA market due to open soon at the Kent Green. Confirmation came this week that he had purchased the business. Mr. Davis has been in the retail food business for 25 years and since 1959 has managed a national food chain store in New Milford.
25 years ago — April 1999
Top angler Phoebe Trotta, 10, of Salisbury, caught the largest brown trout (12.5 inches) at the Salisbury fishing derby at Factory Pond April 17, and had the best combined weight, 2.7 pounds.
Work is scheduled to begin soon to pare down a ledge on Route 44, just east of the Blackberry River, in an effort to improve a bad curve at the site. The Department of Transportation will open bids on April 28, with work tentatively set to begin in late June or early July. A total of 96 calendar days are allowed for the project’s completion. It will include cutting back the ledge to improve the line of sight, reconstructing the road shoulder and improving drainage.
CANAAN – The Railroad Street building that still sports the Fuller Hardware sign, years after the store closed, was sold this week to Ronald Scholz, who owns the Mahaiwe Jewelers and its building next door. Plans call for refurbishing his new purchase, which will house two stores and five apartments. The building has remained vacant for about a decade. For a while before that, it housed a toy store and a deli.
Items were taken from The Lakeville Journal archives at Salisbury’s Scoville Memorial Library, keeping the original wording intact as possible.
DOVER PLAINS — John Fisher Polhemus, 86, of Coventry, beloved husband of the late Gayle (Cronin) Polhemus, passed away Sunday, April 7, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 30, 1937, in Sharon, the son of the late John A. and Gertrude (Fisher) Polhemus.
He grew up in Dover Plains, where he excelled in sports and academics. His mother, Gertrude, was his 3rd grade teacher and he couldn’t get away with anything. He loved to hike with his dad and brother Dick to the Stone Church and through the hills around Dover Plains. He graduated Dover High School and went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating with a degree in Aerospace Engineering.
He moved his young family to Vernon, Connecticut, where he worked for Pratt and Whitney for 30 years, traveling to Austria, Switzerland, South Korea, Taiwan and China. He loved gardening and gathering wildflowers for his yard, Lady Slippers, especially. He enjoyed coaching his kids and others in youth track and field. He was passionate about genealogy and his family tree. After retiring, he and Gayle moved to Calabash, North Carolina.He enjoyed golfing, gardening and traveling with Gayle to visit family. He loved researching history and wrote two books with his brother, Dick.
After Gayle’s death in 2005, John moved back to Connecticut to be with family. He lived his last 9 years with his son and family in Coventry. He cherished all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a fan of golf, baseball, and football. He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, “ggpa” and friend. He will be missed.
John is survived by his brother, Richard Polhemus and Maria of New York, first wife and friend, Claudette Polhemus of Connecticut. Children; John Polhemus and Mercy of Maine, Jeff Polhemus and Kathleen of Connecticut, Michelle Johnson and Peter of Vermont, Martha Hagerty of New Jersey, Amy Nearine of New Jersey, Luke Nearine of Connecticut and Sheryl Nearine of the District of Columbia; fifteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his memory may be made to Town of Dover Historical Society, PO Box 767, Dover Plains, NY and/or Kent Historical Society, PO Box 651, Kent, CT 06757. For online condolences, please visit: www.pietrasfuneralhome.com
CORNWALL — Nicholas Warner McClelland, 78, died peacefully in hospice care on Feb. 25, 2024, surrounded by his family. Nick was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, on April 29, 1945, to the late Mary (Sharpless) McClelland and David C. McClelland. Nick was a graduate of the Cambridge School of Weston and Boston University.
After spending his formative years in Middletown Connecticut, Nick moved to Cambridge Massachusetts with his family. He spent many summers in Cornwall, later living in the greater Boston area and ultimately moving to Marblehead, Massachusetts, where he resided until his death.
A visionary in his field, Nick established AV Design Associates, a company specializing in designing innovative multimedia installations and exhibits. His creative endeavors extended as far as Venezuela, where many of his creations found their place.
He also worked at various audio-visual companies in the Boston area which involved AV installations at Harvard, Boston University and other large institutions.
Beyond his professional achievements, Nick found joy in traveling with his family, cherishing his adventures and nurturing a passion for competing in the annual “Opera House Cup” sailboat race in Nantucket, Massachusetts.
Nick is survived by his wife of 37 years, Christine Zerbo McClelland, his son Brandon and wife Bo, his siblings; Duncan, and wife Alexandra, Sarah and husband Mike McMullen, Jabez and wife Cathy, sisters Katie, Mira and husband Alex, Usha and husband Nick. Also, he is survived by his step-mother, Marian, and her husband Tom, as well as many nieces and nephews.
