KENT, Conn.—Kent loves a good party, and February has had enough revelry to boost anyone out of the winter doldrums with two very different parties.
It all started Friday, Feb. 13, with the third annual Burns Night Supper and Ceilidh at the Community House. Organized by the Chamber of Commerce and 45 on Main, the evening featured Scottish food and drink, colorful tartans of every description and lively dancing to the music of U.S. Scottish Champion Fiddler Sean Heely and renowned piper Jesse Ofgang.
Ofgang is now a member of the Red Hot Chili Pipers, a Celtic rock band from Scotland that leapt to international fame two decades ago, and it was his schedule that pushed the date of the Ceilidh back from Burns’ birthday on Jan. 25 into February.
The intense cold of this winter could not penetrate the warmth generated in the large room as neighbors danced to the direction of caller Gary Kidd, co-owner of 45 on Main. There was the usual “bumper car” beginning to the country dances as couples collided, some dancing forward, one, two three, and then missing the cue to dance backward, one, two three. But soon the circle of dancers found their feet and flowed in a circular pattern around the large room without further ado.
A haggis—a sheep’s stomach stuffed with a savory pudding—was once more marched ceremoniously into the hall, where Heely gave an impassioned rendition of Burns’ famous poem, “Address to a Haggis,” before plunging a large knife into it. Before the dancing began, all paused to raise a toast to the late Robbie Kennedy of Kent, who passed away unexpectedly Monday, Feb. 9.
“You can be sure he would have been here tonight,” said Kidd.
Winter Snow Ball
Fast forward two weeks and the Community House was again the site of a ball, this one more stately and restrained but no less engaging.
Townspeople who gathered for the Kent Community Nursery School’s Winter Snow Ball entered a room that twinkled with tiny lights while the large crowd filled the air with the buzz of conversation. Small bites were provided by chef Dave Frasher and desserts were from Rosie’s Kitchen.
The ball included a silent auction with many items from local business and donors, ranging from artwork to a gift card from Zaza’s on Main. Music was provided by DJ Benji.
The annual ball benefits the KCNS, a nonprofit that provides a child care in a safe learning environment for children ages 32 months to 5 years of age.
The Winter Snow Ball was also in its third year. “Our goal is to have a festive community party while doing something that helps the day care center,” said Veronique Mertl, president of the KCNS board of directors.
She said attendance at KCNS has grown 24 percent this year due to its “excellent staff.” Currently, it has 52 children enrolled in its summer and school-year programs.
The program relies heavily on outdoor experiences for the children, with monthly Nature Day excursions to the Sloane-Stanley Museum. “Our kids spend a lot of time outdoors,” said Mertl. “Being outdoors has such a positive effect on the brain. And there are lots of books, even when we are outdoors. Even when we are not reading to them, there are books for them to look at. Our program is very thoughtfully planned and we stress literacy.”
The nursery school is supported in part by the tuition families pay and by grants, but funds raised through the ball also allow the nursery school to provide scholarships for children who qualify.
Another goal is to raise the pay for the staff. “Our teachers are excellent and they are not paid enough,” said Mertl. “One of our goals is to pay them a living wage.”
KCNS is located on the ground floor of St. Andrew’s Parish Hall but is not affiliated with any religion. It is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with enrollment for both full and half days
