Trade Secrets

Photo credit: Anne Day Photography

As the sun rose at Lime Rock Park on Sunday, May 19th, guests approached a sea of white tents to explore the treasures that lay beneath. The 24th Annual Trade Secrets Rare Plants & Garden Antiques event attracted more than 2,000 visitors, raising approximately 30% of the funds needed to support the vital work of Project SAGE.

The day before, garden enthusiasts from across the region and beyond traveled to take in the sights of the six gardens open this year. Honorary Chair Bunny Williams and John Rosselli, Christopher Spitzmiller and Anthony Bellomo, Page Dickey, Heather Croner, and Peter and Leni May generously opened their garden gates to the delight of visitors. Wethersfield Estate & Garden was also open, and guests enjoyed a feast of the eyes as they explored the many garden rooms.

On Friday, author, businesswoman, socialite, and former fashion designer Carolyne Roehm hosted the cocktail reception at her gracious home, Weatherstone, to round out the exceptional offerings of the weekend.

Our deepest appreciation goes to the nearly 200 volunteers who support the event from every angle and to the Stratford Eagles Squadron of Civil Air Patrol, the Falls Village Fire Department, and the staff of Lime Rock Park who help bring Trade Secrets to life. We could not do this without you!

Spotlight on Project SAGE

Welcome Our New Family and Child Advocate

Project SAGE is delighted to welcome Eliza Fraser to our small but mighty team! Eliza is a native of Virginia and a recent graduate of the University of Connecticut with a master's degree in social work. As our Family and Child Advocate, Eliza specializes in working with clients under age 21. The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) explains that Family and Child Advocates provide both the child and the child’s survivor parent with comprehensive, holistic services that address their unique needs and strengthen their bond. Want to know more? You can read about the role of the Family and Child Advocate here.

Please join us in welcoming Eliza to Project SAGE and our Northwest Corner community!

Events

Join Project SAGE at the Scoville Library for a book-club-style discussion of Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver.

May 30 (Thursday), 5:30pm-7:00pm

Regisgter Here

Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, Demon Copperhead is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. Relaying his story in his own unsparing voice, Demon braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses. Through all of it, he reckons with his own invisibility in a popular culture where even the superheroes have abandoned rural people in favor of cities.

Please read the book in advance and mark one passage that you found especially meaningful, moving, resonant, or otherwise significant to share and reflect upon with the group.

Resource Roundup

WEBINAR

Survivors of domestic violence often suffer a range of long-term impacts. This webinar explores the intersection of domestic violence and PTSD. Watch here: Post-Traumatic Stress in Domestic Violence Survivors - What Survivors Want You to Know



PODCAST

The dictionary definition of rape culture is an environment whose prevailing social attitudes have the effect of trivializing sexual assault and abuse. This can happen through jokes, movies, the way news stories are reported, victim blaming, and anything else that normalizes a sex crime. This desensitizes our society to unacceptable sexual encounters, and we don’t take them as seriously when they’re on the news or happening in real life. Learn what you can do about it in this month's Voice2Change podcast: The Fight Against Rape Culture

ARTICLE

Hairstylists often find themselves in the unique positions of learning their clients’ secrets. Sometimes, this includes a disclosure of intimate partner abuse as a client settles into the chair. What can you do if that stylist is you? Read to find out: Hairstylists May Hear About Domestic Violence First

ARTICLE

As technology advances, so does the potential for people to be scammed when looking for love. The rise of inexpensive, easily accessible artificial intelligence (AI) has massive implications for the world of online romance. AI catfishing is on the rise, and the AI-generated photos and videos that scammers use to exploit their victims can be indistinguishable from the real thing. Read more about this troubling trend and what to do about it here: Am I Falling for ChatGPT?

WEBINAR - JUNE 11, 1 PM

Anyone can be a victim of financial fraud, and perpetrators can range from faraway strangers to partners and other family members. With financial fraud increasing, it’s important for those supporting older adults to understand the dynamics of financial fraud, identify strategies, and provide resources to help. Learn more here: Taking Action - Assisting Older Victims of Financial Fraud

Discover All the Ways You Can Support Project SAGE!

Click the link below to make a one-time gift or join our Monthly Leadership Circle.

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