WINSTED — Ralph Nader is at home now in Winsted, not at his other residence, in Washington, D.C. — and his mother is on his mind.
Rose Nader died in 2006 at the age of 99, but her memory lives on in the lives and hearts of her four children, especially her son, Ralph, the consumer advocate and one-time presidential candidate.
That memory is especially vibrant right now, with the publication by Ralph of a cookbook called “The Ralph Nader and Family Cookbook,” that is largely an ode — in recipe form — to his mother and the skillful way in which she raised her children to be mindful, just citizens and good, healthy eaters.
Ethnic food in America
Like many children of immigrant parents, Nader recalls that the food cooked lovingly in his home would have seemed alien to the point of being repugnant to his classmates at elementary school in Winsted.
Certainly his family was capable of cooking good old American fare: His father was the chef/owner of a popular Winsted eatery called the Highland Arms for nearly 50 years.
In the cookbook’s introduction, Nader writes that the food at the restaurant was traditional, and, certainly, “The menus at the restaurant affected our eating at home mostly at breakfast — oatmeal, pastries, poached eggs, and jam.”
Nader doesn’t even make a point of saying that the ingredients in those days were (of course!) locally sourced. His father made fresh ice cream with dairy products from the local farms; he brought home bushels of fresh fruit picked at nearby orchards.
A mother’s influence
But the food that really impacted Nader’s life — and his future career as a crusading advocate for fresh, healthy food — was the Lebanese food that his mother cooked at home, and that she insisted that everyone in her family eat, together at the table, while they discussed the issues of the day.
“One of the most important parts of the book is the way my mother got me to eat fresh foods without complaining,” he said in a phone interview last weekend. “That’s worth the whole cost of the book.”
That cost, by the way, is $25. It was released on April 7 and can be purchased at Amazon.com.
“It would make a wonderful Mother’s Day gift,” he said, which of course is a classic ruse for selling books — but in this case, it’s appropriate, as this cookbook really is all about a mother and the loving but firm care she took of her children and her spouse.
“It’s a great Father’s Day gift, too,” Nader said, but really this is a book about Rose Nader, not her husband, Nathra, who died in 1991 at age 98.
The recipes in the book, for dishes that seemed so exotic when Nader and his siblings were growing up, have become familiar in this day in age, thanks in part to the popularity of the British/Israeli cook and writer Yotam Ottolenghi.
The recipe list in the Nader book includes hummus, yogurts (called labne in the Lebanese tradition), dishes made with Mediterranean grains (tabouleh, kibbe). There’s not much beef but there is fish, lamb and lots of vegetables.
Nader’s birthday meal
When asked for a favorite from the list, Nader said without hesitation that it is the eggplant dish called Sheikh al-Mahshi, or “the king of stuffed food.” A small eggplant is filled with ground lamb and other savory ingredients.
“Top it with tomatoes, a sprinkling of parsley, pine nuts,” Nader said. “It’s juicy, it’s easy to prepare and delicious. It’s the best; I’ve always liked it, since I was a child.”
That is the dish, he said, that his mother would prepare for him on his birthday.
Many of the recipes are downright “regular,” including side dishes that feature for example cooked beets or broccoli with olive oil and lemon juice and maybe some garlic.
This Mediterranean-inspired cooking has become the new normal in much of America. The luscious photos in the book take even common foods and makes them, well, cookbook-worthy. The photos were by Torrington food photographer Wendy Pernerewski.
The recipes for the book were, for the most part, prepared by George Noujaim, chef/owner of the popular Noujaim’s Bistro in Winsted, which proudly serves the ethnic cuisine that the Highland Arms didn’t dare fuss with back in the day.
“In those days you didn’t mess around with hummus or yogurt,” Nader commented.
Most of the photos for the book were taken at the bistro, and Noujaim contributed recipes for soup and a smoothie. (The restaurant remains open for takeout during the quarantine; go to www.noujaimsbistro.com.)
Meanwhile, back in D.C.
Lest one forget that this casual Saturday phone conversation about food and memories and mother was with Ralph Nader, the talk eventually turned to the government, the coronavirus and banking.
Nader and his sister Claire have been in residence in Winsted for the past month. Normally they commute back and forth between here and Washington, but, “There is no going back now,” he said, adding that, “You’re better off in a rural area.”
Senators and congressmen, on the other hand, should be at work in the nation’s capital at a time like this.
“Pelosi is on the job but all the rest of them have gone home,” he said. “What does that mean, that Congress doesn’t consider itself an ‘essential business’?”
Many of the elected representatives are using their time at home to visit beleaguered constituents, but Nader feels that’s not a good use of their time.
“Their job is in Washington,” he said. “They’re laying out trillions of our dollars, there are no public hearings, there’s no oversight.
“This is not a time to go around reassuring people, they can have other people do that. They need to be at the helm and they’re not there.”
Nader warned that American consumers need to be extra vigilant now in watching out for scams.
“That’s what happens when there’s a crisis: The criminal element comes out and the government doesn’t have the capacity to keep track of it. People have to be careful.
“There’s going to be an outbreak of torts,” added the founder of the American Museum of Tort Law, on Main Street in Winsted. “It’s the perfect storm.”
The interest rate scam
One of the biggest scams, in his opinion, is the lowering of interest rates, which hurts people who are “savers” and favors people who are “borrowers.”
He cited President Donald Trump as an example.
“For his whole life he’s been a debtor and in bankruptcy,” Nader said. “He always wants low interest rates.”
Meanwhile, he said, interest rates on loans that Americans need to repay, such as college loans, have sky-high interest.
This is the topic that gets Nader most hot under the collar at this point, and he recommends that Lakeville Journal readers follow this link to the column he wrote about it recently, "The Federal Reserve dictatorship runs amok against savers."
And of course, he recommends that you buy his new book, “The Ralph Nader and Family Cookbook,” online or ordered from a local bookstore for curbside pickup.
Baked eggplant stuffed with lamb and pine nuts
From “The Ralph Nader and
Family Cookbook”
Serves six
Cooking time: 1 1/2 hours
Use the smallest eggplants available (very small ones are cooked whole, while medium ones, preferably on the small side, are cut in half lengthwise). Serve with long-grain brown rice.
Four medium eggplants or 10 small, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 pounds ground lamb meat (boned leg of lamb, fat removed, ground by the butcher or using a coarse blade on a food mill), two large yellow onions, diced, 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, salt and pepper to taste, 2/3 cup pine nuts, four medium tomatoes (cut in small chunks), 8–10 cherry tomatoes (optional for garnish), 2 cups lamb broth, six servings long-grain brown rice.
Wash (and trim the stems from) the medium eggplants; leave small eggplants whole. Partially peel them in alternating 1-inch strips, leaving half the skin on. Cut them in half lengthwise, and steam over medium heat in a covered saucepan for 15 to 20 minutes, until the skin is soft enough that you can indent it with a poke.
Spread a thin layer of olive oil on a 9-by-13-by-2-inch pan. Place the steamed eggplants in the pan. If using small eggplants, cut each cooked eggplant lengthwise.
Let them cool before stuffing.
Thoroughly combine the raw ground lamb and onions (or grind them together in a food mill). This should make about 2 3/4 cups.
Cook the lamb and onions in a saucepan with cinnamon, salt and pepper, over low heat, stirring to avoid sticking. Add pine nuts after 5 minutes. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until the pink is gone from the lamb. Remove from heat.
While the stuffing is cooking, gently boil the fresh tomatoes in an uncovered saucepan with 2 cups of lamb broth for 10 to 15 minutes, until soft and juicy.
Optional: For a decorative effect, cook the cherry tomatoes in the tomato/broth mixture so you can put them on top of the stuffed eggplant. Strain and set aside.
Firmly stuff the lamb filling into the eggplant boats until they’re full. Place a generous portion of tomatoes or cherry tomatoes on top of each eggplant boat.
Spoon the tomato/broth mixture around the eggplant boats, filling the pan but not overflowing the top of the eggplants. Reserve some of the liquid to add while the eggplants bake.
Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 to 50 minutes. Add the reserved broth mixture as needed.
Remove the eggplant boats from the pan and serve on a bed of long-grain rice. Top with pan drippings as desired.
Lakeville Journal
LAKEVILLE — Priscilla Rudd Wolf was born in Norwalk, Connecticut on May 29, 1946, the youngest daughter of Roswell Hopkins (“Hop”) Rudd and Josephine (“Jo”) Bauman. She was six years younger than her closest sibling, Eve, and had two older brothers Ben and Roswell. Priscilla, affectionately known as Prissy, and then only as Pris, when she had any say about it, grew-up as a dorm kid at Salisbury boys’ school, not an easy feat for a girl in the 1950s. By about age 12, her main goals in life were to (1) become a cheerleader, and (2) make her way onto American Bandstand; Jo wisely sent her off to Walnut Hill, an all girls boarding school, at age 14. Over the years, Pris gave mixed reviews of her boarding school days, but she always recounted fondly her summer visits to Block Island with her best friend, Jeannie Smith, and summer days at home in Lakeville. She loved sunbathing on the back porch of Hop and Jo’s lake house which was in clear view of Hop’s summer camp for boys where Peter Wolf was a counselor one summer. The rest is history with interludes along the way.
Priscilla pursued her love of literature at the University of Pennsylvania. She graduated in 1968 and started teaching 2nd Grade in Cornwall, Connecticut. Despite her “small town” upbringing, Pris was constantly surrounded by music, especially Jazz, thanks to Hop’s love of the drums, and her oldest brother Roz, who would go on to become an avant-garde Jazz trombonist. She was deeply influenced by the folk and rock music of the 60s and the social revolution sweeping the country at that time. She ventured to Canada and reconnected with Peter in Montreal. The precise details of how, when and where the romance bloomed remain murky—some say the decision to marry came one night from a Oudji Board—and on Nov. 28, 1970, Pris and Pete married and eventually made their way to New Brunswick, Canada, where they settled in a farm house in the middle of a potato field.
Their first daughter, Jessica, was born in Bath, New Brunswick, on June 1, 1976. Soon after, Jo became sick and Pris returned to Lakeville to be with her mom. Peter stayed behind in Canada with their 3 dogs: Farley, Dizzy and Gracie. Just before Christmas 1976, Pete was awoken by the dogs in the middle of the night to find the house burning down around him. He managed to escape with the dogs and two bags of clothes he grabbed on his way out the door. By the time the fire brigade arrived, the house had burned to the ground.
Peter and the dogs traveled to Lakeville to join Pris and infant Jess, who were living in Hop & Jo’s house on the lake. Sarah was born on Feb. 10, 1978. Back in her hometown and with two young daughters, Priscilla embraced her role as mom and home maker. On May 28, 1984, Zach was born. Pris and Pete fostered a home of unconditional love and acceptance. There was plenty of time for play, creativity and reading. Pris spent countless hours reading to her kids, and while TV was not allowed, the best movies were: anything featuring Ginger Rodgers and Fred Astaire, musicals, and the finest cinema (Priscilla’s favorites): Tootsie, Hopscotch, and Romancing the Stone, to name a few. Priscilla found her professional home and a community of friends at the Indian Mountain School where, following in her mother’s footsteps, she began working as a tutor for students with learning disabilities. She went back to school for a master’s degree in education and became head of the tutoring department and librarian. She would go on to develop what became the “Learning Center.” During her 30-year career at IMS, she shepherded generations of students through learning challenges and trained colleagues to do the same. She had endless patience for her students, many of whom were new English speakers or struggled with learning differences. All of them found acceptance, support, humor, and encouragement in the tutoring room with Priscilla. Her colleagues found a mentor, a skilled skit writer and performer for faculty roasts (stage name Prisca Fontain), a yoga instructor, a walking partner, and a loyal friend.
In her free time, Pris rarely sat down. She discovered yoga in her 50s and became an instructor. She loved to dance, to garden, to float in the lake atop Mount Riga and to take long walks. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who gave her grandchildren, as she had her children, the gift of constant, unconditional love and acceptance.
In March 2019, Priscilla was diagnosed with ALS, a disease she refused to succumb to and kept at bay by sheer force of will. Peter never left her side, becoming her primary caretaker and providing the constant love and support he had brought to their marriage for 55 years. She died peacefully in her home on May 24, 2026, five days before her 80th birthday. Her family is grateful to the friends and caretakers who stayed by her side throughout her devastating illness and to those who remember her as vivacious, funny, and always full of love.
Priscilla is survived by her brother, Ben Rudd, her husband of 55 years Peter, and their three children, Jessica, Sarah and Zachary, her son-in-law Carlos Fierro, and her grandchildren: Benjamin, Joesphine, and Emilia Fierro-Wolf.
A celebration of Priscilla’s life will be held at the Salisbury Congregational Church on Aug. 29 at 4 p.m.
If you wish to make a donation, please go: alsunitededct.org
Lakeville Journal
FALLS VILLAGE — It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Frank Camille Grusauskas of Falls Village, Connecticut, on July 22, 2026, at the age of 70. Frank was born on Nov. 14, 1955 in Goshen. He was a beloved father and grandfather, uncle, brother, and partner. He was a fine woodworker and craftsman, an insatiable library patron, a musician, and a lover of life and the natural world. He was an extraordinary and talented man.
Frank spent his boyhood exploring the woods behind his childhood home, on Pie Hill Road in Goshen. He was the youngest and only son of Francis and Doris Grusauskas, with four older sisters, who he called his “Other Mothers.” From an early age he embraced Native American culture, and one of his favorite pastimes was walking local cornfields after a rain, in search of arrowheads, points, and stone tools.
Curious by nature, Frank spent his lifetime learning about earth science, history and art. He loved to sit outside on his front patio pondering crossword puzzles. He was a voracious reader and read until the day before he died. The book he reached for most during his final week was To Catch a Fish, by Mark Kurlansky.
From an early age, Frank lived his life enjoying one pleasure as he anticipated the next. He taught himself to play guitar and mandolin, and loved to camp with his family and instruments at bluegrass festivals, jamming with friends and strangers into the night. He loved seafood, the ocean, homegrown cannabis, throwing dinner parties, stoking the woodstove—his house often approaching 90 degrees in the dead of winter—gardening, and creating. From basket weaving to bread-making, and carving wooden birds and spoons, to tying flies and feather earrings, Frank was almost always working on something. He was resourceful and unconventional in his life and in his creativity. Even the sandcastles he built with his kids while vacationing in Cape Cod were works of art—giant sea serpents and elaborate pyramids and ziggurats with precisely sculpted stairways.
Frank’s passion for woodworking began at the age of five, when his father gave him a pearl-handled jackknife, a block of wood, some nails, and a hammer in their tiny basement. Frank learned to appreciate wood, as his father would only give him a piece of wood if he planned to use it wisely. He banged together a crooked birdhouse, then taught himself to whittle—which, he recalled, was how he learned to work with and against the grain. Frank attended Wamogo High School, and one year of college at Eastern Connecticut State University, before choosing his path of self-taught artisanship. To anybody interested in working with wood, he recommends starting with Bruce Hoadley’s book Understanding Wood—or, “traveling way back in time to watch the Viking ship builders,” which he did via books.
At the age of 26, Frank realized his dream of building a modest and beautiful house on a shoestring budget and with his own two hands, and with the help of his father and his close friends Richard Zimany and Mike Minnick. His children still call that house their home. While raising his three children, he worked as a carpenter, sheetrocker, roofer, painter, sculpture builder, cabinet maker, caretaker, and gardener.
Frank’s deep respect for trees and a reverence for the wood that they produce kept him inspired through his prolific retirement years. In his home workshop, which looked out over his beloved Robbins Swamp, he produced fine bowls, hundreds of spoons and cooking utensils, abstract sculptures inspired by the natural world, tables, chairs, and so much more. Following a brief hospitalization in 2016, during which his son brought him a book on lutherie, Frank spent the next three years building guitars and mandolins, many of which his musician son still plays.
Frank was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on June 10, and the disease progressed rapidly. He was kept mostly pain-free and remained curious and present throughout the end. He is predeceased by his parents, and sisters Joan Crown, Patricia Rickard, and Denise Garrett. As was his wish, Frank died at his home on Robbins Swamp, where he loved to watch the beavers and murmurations of starlings. He was surrounded by his family.
Frank is survived by his longtime partner of 28 years, Trudy Schaelchli, his sister Barbara Costello and her husband Tom, his first wife Norma DeMay, his children Caitlin, Maria Rose, and Jonathan, and his three grandchildren, Arthur, Eloise, and Phoebe. He is greatly missed, and will never be forgotten. “Love you to tears.”
Calling hours for Frank Grusauskas will be held from 1-3 pm on Saturday, August 8 at the Conklin Funeral Home in Millerton, NY. Please save the date for a celebration of Frank’s life at the Salisbury Town Grove on Saturday, November 14, time TBD. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Litchfield County, at vnhlc.org/giving/donate.
Lakeville Journal
SALISBURY — Stacie A. Weiner passed away on July 7, 2026. Born on March 2, 1945, Stacie lived her last 51 years with her partner and spouse, Danella Schiffer, as well as with many adopted stray cats. Important people in her life include her beloved cousin Ellie Voss, Jenn Scott, a dear friend and colleague from RBC Wealth Management where she worked, Kevin Prell, also from RBC, Peter Menikoff of Salisbury and Rob Breakell, her trainer at the Canaan YMCA. Stacie was indebted to Dr. Sharynn Hall, MD, a brilliant, compassionate and supportive medical oncologist from Yale New Haven Health. Diagnosed with advanced cancer in Dec. of 2024, Stacie spent her last 1-1/2 years with determination and resilience; never complaining about her situation. She stayed active until her last month.
Stacie grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York, and obtained a BA degree from Goddard College in Vermont in 1966 with a major in drama. She then earned an MA degree from New York University in 1974 also in drama and studied toward a Ph.D. in Japanese theater. While pursuing studies at NYU, she worked as an elementary school teacher.
Realizing that experts in Kabuki and Noh theater had limited career paths, Stacie joined Citibank in its training department. With an interest in finance, she transferred to the bank’s finance division where she became a commercial lender in 1979. This launched her 47 year career in the financial services industry. In 1985, Stacie was recruited to Chemical Bank to head a lending team that focused on law and accounting firms. Six years later, she joined U.S. Trust as a private banker responsible for the company’s high net-worth individuals. Wanting to provide full brokerage services to individuals and small businesses, Stacie joined Merrill Lynch in 1995.
Having bought land in Salisbury with Danella, they built a passive solar home in 1980. Eager to live there full time, Stacie relocated in 1998 and joined A. G. Edwards and Sons as a financial consultant in its Farmington, Connecticut office. There, she provided a full range of investment advisory services to individuals, business owners and not-for-profits. With the eventual acquisition of A.G. Edwards by Wells Fargo, she left in 2010 to join the highly respected asset management firm of RBC Wealth Management in Farmington. Eventually, she transferred to its Great Barrington, Massachusetts office. With her financial acumen, Stacie was past president of the Connecticut Estate and Tax Planning Council. She held annuity and insurance product licenses in addition to those required for financial planning and investment.
Throughout her life, Stacie was an avid reader with a breadth of knowledge. She relished all learning opportunities. So for example, when people rang the door bell to proselytize their religion, Stacie would invite them in to learn what she could; and perhaps convert them to Judaism. Her magazine subscriptions weighed on average five pounds weekly and she amassed shelves of murder mysteries. Twice weekly, she took Spanish lessons online with the goal of speaking and reading the language. Stacie’s serious side was complemented by her wry sense of humor as exemplified by a Mae West quote that hung in her office...”Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.”
Stacie welcomed pastime activities that were challenging and helped her to be physically fit. She obtained a student pilot’s license and enjoyed exploring the Berkshires from above. She also taught Tai Chi and took boxing lessons at the local YMCA.
Very importantly, Stacie was committed to supporting her community. At the time of her passing, she was Chair of Salisbury’s Zoning Board of Appeals as well as one of two Salisbury representatives to the Housatonic River Commission. Some years back, she was Salisbury’s representative to the Region 1 High School Board of Education. Stacie also served on the investment advisory committee of the Northwest Community Foundation of Connecticut. With a deep concern about protecting the environment, child and animal welfare, world peace and social justice, Stacie generously supported dozens of charities.
In cleaning out Stacie’s home office, buried in her filing cabinets, were scores of letters thanking her for her friendship and support when in need. Stacie led a rich and giving life that touched many of us.
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Lakeville Journal
SHARON — Gary R. Cunningham, 76, of Hilltop Road, passed away peacefully at his home on July 1, 2026, following a long illness. He was the devoted husband of the late Kimie (O’Hanlon) Cunningham.
Born on May 14, 1950, in Sharon, Gary was the son of the late Robert and June (Parsons) Cunningham.
He worked as a painter throughout his career, but his true passions extended far beyond his trade. A talented guitarist, Gary enjoyed playing with several local bands during his younger years, and music remained an important part of his life.
Gary also had a lifelong love of auto racing. Whether attending local flat-track races, following NASCAR, or traveling throughout New York, New England, and Delaware for racing events, he was happiest at the track. Lebanon Valley Speedway was among his favorite destinations, and Tony Stewart was one of his all-time favorite drivers. Gary and Kimie even celebrated their marriage at the Racing Hall of Fame in upstate New York—a fitting tribute to a passion they shared together.
Gary is survived by several cousins.
In keeping with his wishes, all services will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sharon Volunteer Ambulance, P.O. Box 357, Sharon, CT 06069.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
Lakeville Journal
CANAAN — Colaine Alicia (Davide) Duntz, 80, of 112 Canaan Valley Road, passed away peacefully at her home on July 28, 2026. She was the beloved wife of the late Howard Duntz Sr.
Born on Jan. 24, 1946, in the Bronx, New York, Colaine was the daughter of the late Colaine Gardner.
Colaine was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose love and kindness touched everyone who knew her. She dedicated many years of service to the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, where she was valued for her hard work and caring nature. She found great joy in caring for others and took immense pride in creating a warm and welcoming home.
In her free time, Colaine enjoyed gardening, reading, and spending time with her animals. Above all else, she treasured time with her family. Some of her happiest moments were those spent with her beloved husband, with whom she shared many wonderful years.
She is survived by her three children: Colaine Korie Duntz (Danny), Howard Clarence Duntz Jr. (Connie), and Fawn Korene Duntz Marshall (Wayne), all of Canaan; her grandchildren, Elizabeth, Mary, Abbiegail, and Sarah; her great-grandchildren, Thomas, Susan, Greyson, Charlie, and Jase; and one great-grandchild expected to arrive soon.
Colaine will be remembered for her caring spirit, unwavering devotion to her family, and the love she shared so generously throughout her life. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
There are no services planned. Arrangements are under the care of the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home 118 Main St Canaan CT 06018.
Lakeville Journal
WEST CORNWALL — (Edie) May Haskell Gorat passed away July 7, 2026, after a short illness. She had attended Sharon Center School and Housatonic Valley Regional High School. She enjoyed flower gardening and baking.
She is survived by her daughter, Edith May (Chicky) Gorat of Idaho and a son Peter Gorat Jr. of West Cornwall, three grandchildren, Nicole, Danielle and Peter Gorat, a sister, Olive Haskell Goddard of Cape Cod, and a brother John Haskell of Kent and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on August 15, 2026 at 2:00 at the United Church of Christ 8 Bolton Hill Rd Cornwall CT. Donations may be made to the Cornwall Fire Department or The Guild of West Cornwall CT.
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