
Alysia Mazzella Self portrait
Alysia Mazzella creates beeswax candles that are not just sources of light but symbols of harmony and remembrance, steeped in regenerative practices and deeply rooted in the ancient wisdom of the sun’s cycles.
“It’s really about the sun,” Mazzella explained. “I look back to Ancient Egypt a lot. They were sun worship people, and they had a great relationship with the honeybee, which is very well documented,” she continues. “They believed that the honeybee was born from the tears of the sun god, which I think is just the most amazing poetry.”
Mazzella infuses the work she creates with this poetry by bringing a reverence for tradition, warmth, a life force, and a sense of mystery to the entire process.
“Electricity is so new,” she said. “As people, we’ve been in a relationship with fire for longer than anything. I think that’s why a deep remembrance happens when people light a candle.” Compared to the disruptive blue light of modern devices, Mazzella explains that beeswax burns on the same spectrum as the sun. She says, “Because of its golden inherent color and vibrancy, it’s actually luminous, unlike a blue light. So, it has a different effect.”
Mazzella’s journey in beekeeping shifted as her consciousness about the history of the practice grew. She started out buying her beeswax online and when she switched to buying locally from beekeepers in New York State, she quickly noticed a homogeneity in who was providing the product. She shared, “As a person of color, I just noticed that everyone was an older, straight, white man. Like every single one, which makes sense because beekeeping arrived in America through colonizers.”
Until recently, it was commonly believed that the honeybee (genus Apis) did not exist on this continent until 1622 when the colonists brought it over on ships from Europe. In 2009, a single fossil was found in west-central Nevada of a female worker of the extinct honeybee Apis nearactica and dates back 14 million years.
“So humans have always been beekeeping on every continent, but it wasn’t called beekeeping,” Mazzella explained. “It was called hunting because they were wild. The mentality of colonizing is that you keep things, you contain things, and then those things are turned into an economy.”
Mazzella decided that to be in a relationship with the honeybees, she needed to learn to be a beekeeper herself and educate other BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). The land she owns in Onadilla, N.Y., called “Backland,” is now entering its third year as an educational apiary whose mission is to establish a new generation of BIPOC beekeepers in New York State. Said Mazzella, “I wanted to be in a relationship with them because I’m taking so much from them. I didn’t feel the relationship was going the other way—what was I offering them? What was I giving them? So I started to study, and I studied for a very long time, which I recommend for anyone who wants to be a beekeeper.” Because of this deepening understanding, Mazzella approaches the bees with healthy reverence. “I was scared at first. It’s intimidating. They’re loud. They’ll headbutt you. But now I can go into the hive totally unprotected, and I feel confident doing it.” Mazzella explained that the bees are more aggressive when they’re missing a queen or if they have more honey to protect, but since the hives she keeps are for educational purposes, she doesn’t harvest the honey. Instead, she mostly leaves it for the bees, a regenerative approach that has kept her production small-scale. “You get about 1 pound of beeswax to 8 pounds of honey,” she explained, “and in one season, if you’re harvesting ethically (which is half for you, half for the bees), you might get 60 pounds of honey.” She estimates that she’d need to keep over 300 hives to harvest the amount of wax she needs for her production. “I am not sure I’ll ever provide my own beeswax,” she continued. “I’d like to scale up and turn [Blackland] into an educational, live/work situation where local people can be employed. I want to grow the education scale.” This conscious consumption and environmental responsibility are at the forefront of her work.
One can tell the care that goes into her creations. Each candle, whether inspired by Japanese tea ceremonies or Mexican prayer rituals, represents a measure of time and can be used for mindfulness. She contrasts her beeswax candles, the longest-burning and cleanest type, with soy candles, critiquing the unsustainable agricultural practices associated with soy cultivation. “Soy is an amazing, beautiful plant, but it’s how it’s grown. The thing is, it’s so nutritious that it sucks everything from the soil. So when you grow it as a mono-crop for like acres and acres, it essentially depletes the soil, which takes away the cover crops, causes soil degradation, and releases CO2. The most major source of CO2 that has happened in the shortest amount of time has been from farming.” In contrast, said Mazzella, beeswax is seasonal and limited, clean burning, and long-lasting. “I think people can really tell the difference.”
“I think it goes back to the sun again,” said Mazzella, “because it’s all about timekeeping, really. Lighting a candle to set a moment.”
Alysia Mazzella’s commitment to sustainability, education, and inclusivity is creating a path for future generations to follow in an ancient, yet ever-relevant craft. She adds this about her relationship with the honeybee:
“I get stung pretty bad in the Spring because at the beginning of the season, I am sloppy and I forget and make mistakes. But when that happens, I think about it as medicine. I just feel like if you put yourself in the ecosystem, you’re going to get the medicine.”
Cornwall Consolidated School seventh graders Skylar Brown, Izabella Coppola, Halley Villa, Willow Berry, Claire Barbosa, Willa Lesch, Vivianne DiRocco and Franco Aburto presented a group research project on the life of Naomi Freeman Wednesday, April 23. In attendance were U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., John Mills, president of Alex Breanne Corporation, Cornwall First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Cornwall Selectman Jennifer Markow and CCS social studies teacher Will Vincent.
CORNWALL — “In Cornwall you have made the decision that everyone here matters and everyone’s story is important,” said U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Waterbury, to the seventh grade class at Cornwall Consolidated School April 23.
Hayes was in attendance to celebrate history on Wednesday as the CCS students presented their group research project on the life of Naomi Cain Freeman, the first Black female landowner in Cornwall.
To memorialize Freeman, the seventh graders petitioned the town selectmen to rename Great Hollow Road where the Freemans once lived. New street signs for Naomi Freeman Historic Road were created with some help from the town highway department.
“No one in this community, or the state for that matter, will ever forget that this happened here,” said Hayes.
Cornwall Highway Department helped the students create new signs to install on Great Hollow Road.Photo by Riley Klein
Per Cornwall Historical Society records, Freeman’s story began in 1794 when she was born in Vermont. John Sedgwick and his wife Abigail, of Cornwall, adopted her in 1801: an act that protected her from slavery, which was still legal in Connecticut at the time.
Sedgwick included Naomi in his will and she received a dowry after his death in 1820.
Naomi later married Obadiah “Obed” Freeman, a man who had been enslaved in Cornwall. She purchased an acre in Cornwall, becoming the town’s first African American woman to own land, and the two settled on Great Hollow Road in 1828.
Nearly 200 years later, the street itself bears her name.
“We are really proud of the work we’ve done and that Naomi Freeman will continue to be an impactful presence in our town,” said CCS student Vivianne DiRocco.
DiRocco and her classmates Skylar Brown, Izabella Coppola, Halley Villa, Willa Lesch, Willow Berry, and Claire Barbosa discovered Freeman’s story earlier this year while conducting research into important women in Cornwall’s history. The full project will be presented at Troutbeck Symposium May 1.
“One of the archaeologists who excavated the Freemans’ home told us about a gap in Connecticut’s history concerning the everyday life for free African Americans. We hope that we filled that gap a little bit,” said Lesch.
There are no known photographs or portraits of Freeman. The students utilized artificial intelligence to create images of what she might have looked like during her life in Cornwall.
The students created artwork to show what Naomi Freeman, her husband Obed and daughter Sarah might have looked like living in Cornwall.Photo by Riley Klein
“What an incredible example of what happens when young people are given the tools, the encouragement and the space to lead,” said CCS Principal Leanne Maguire. “Thank you for showing us what is possible when curiosity meets courage.”
John Mills, president of the Alex Breanne Corporation in West Hartford, was consulted by the students to help unearth census data and track down living descendants of Freeman. His company researches formerly enslaved people and brings their stories to light.
Mills said he was surprised to see the extensive research that was conducted by the students by the time he was contacted. His company sometimes helps render images for individuals lost to history, but the students had even taken that on themselves.
“I’m incredibly impressed with what you’ve done here,” said Mills to the students. “Now you’re a part of the celebration and civic engagement.”
Town of Salisbury
Board of Finance
Notice of Public Hearing Hybrid Meeting
Wednesday,
April 30th, 2025
7:30pm
A public hearing called by the Board of Finance will be held in-person and via Zoom at 7:30pm on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025 at Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068 with the following agenda:
1. To receive public comment on the proposed Board of Education budget as presented.
2. To receive public comment on the proposed Board of Selectmen, town government budget as presented.
Note: Copies of the proposed budgets are available at Town Hall.
Board of Finance Meeting Immediately following the Public Hearing
1. Final Budget Review; Discussion and possible vote to present the Board of Education and Board of Selectmen, Town Government Budget to the Annual Town Budget meeting, which will take place on Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 at 7:30pm
Please Note: The Annual Town Budget Meeting date has been changed to Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 at 7:30pm.
Topic: Public Hearing on Budgets immediately followed by Board of Finance
Time: Apr 30, 2025 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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04-24-25
Legal Notice
The Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Special Permit Application #2025-0280 by owner Richard Cantele for Structures Located less than Fifty (50) feet from a Waterbody or Watercourse at 204 Between the Lakes Road, Salisbury, Map 58, Lot 03 per Section 404 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations. The hearing will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 6:45 PM. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to & speak on the matter. The application, agenda and meeting instructions will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/agendas/. Written comments may be submitted to the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, P.O. Box 548, Salisbury, CT or via email to landuse@salisburyct.us. Paper copies may be reviewed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
Salisbury Planning & Zoning Commission
Martin Whalen, Secretary
04-24-25
05-01-25
Notice of Decision
Town of Salisbury
Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission
Notice is hereby given that the following action was taken by the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission of the Town of Salisbury, Connecticut on April 14, 2025:
Approved - Application 2025-IW-050 by Engineer Pat Hackett to install a new septic system. The property is shown on Salisbury Assessor’s map 59 as lot 09 and is known as 36 South Shore Road, Salisbury. The owner of the property is Noelle G Becker, Trustee.
Any aggrieved person may appeal this decision to the Connecticut Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes §22a-43(a) & §8-8.
04-24-25
TAX COLLECTOR TOWN OF
SALISBURY CT
LEGAL NOTICE
Pursuant to Sec. 12-145 of the Connecticut State Statutes, the taxpayers of the Town of Salisbury are hereby notified that the fourth installment on the Grand List of October 1, 2023 is due and payable on April l, 2025. Payments must be received or postmarked by May 1, 2025. If said Real Estate and Personal Property taxes are not paid on or before May 1, 2025, interest at the rate of one and one half percent (18% per year) will be added for each month or a fraction thereof which elapses from the time when such tax becomes due and payable until the same is paid. Minimum interest charge is $2.00.
Pursuant to Section 12-173 of the Connecticut State Statutes, unpaid Real Estate tax on the Grand List of October 1, 2023 will be LIENED on JUNE 6, 2025. Payment must be received by 12:00 p.m. on June 6, 2025 to avoid a Lien. Tax Office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am- 4pm. Closed 12:30pm- 1 :30 pm.
Taxes can be paid by mail addressed to: Tax Collector, P.O. Box 338, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068, There is a drop box in the vestibule of the Town Hall which is available 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday as well as a 24-hour drop slot at the rear of the building adjacent to the parking area. The Town is urging taxpayers to mail checks or use the option of paying by credit card or E-Check. Please see the Town website salisburyct.us for additional information. Dated at Town of Salisbury, CT this 15TH day of March 2025.
Jean F. Bell, CCMC
Tax Collector
Salisbury CT 06068
03-20-25
04-03-25
04-24-25
Experienced horse equestrian: to train three-year-old white Persian Mare for trail riding. 860-67-0499.
Help wanted: Small Angus Farm seeks reliable help for cattle and horses. Duties include feeding, fence repair, machine repair. Will train the right person. 860-671-0499.
The Town of Cornwall has several job openings for the Town Beach: Beach Director, Water Safety Instructor, and Certified Lifeguards. For more details and to apply, contact First Selectman’s office 860-672-4959.
Hector Pacay Service: House Remodeling, Landscaping, Lawn mowing, Garden mulch, Painting, Gutters, Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping, Tree work, Brush removal, Fence, Patio, Carpenter/decks, Masonry. Spring and Fall Cleanup. Commercial & Residential. Fully insured. 845-636-3212.
Hay For Sale: Round Bales. First Cutting covered hay, round bales. First cut hay covered with plastic. $25 for bale loaded. 860-671-0499.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
3b/3b home in Sharon:fully furnished, lake access, 3.84 acres. $5000 per month. 860-309-4482.
MT RIGA Two Bedroom LAKEFRONT: Log cabin. Private beach, canoes and kayaks. $1350/Week. 585-355-5245.
Seasonal rental: Very private and comfortable 4B/3B home set back from the road. 6/15-9/15. sun rm/dr, upper and lower decks, ping pong and knock hockey, den, FP, W/D, fully equipped. 15K seas. 917-887-8885.
Sharon Rentals: 1b/1b home on a private lake. Avail 4/1/25. Yearly. $2750/Furnished, weekly house--keeping, garbage, water, ground maint. included. utilities addtl. 860-309-4482.