"Senior Moments" Articles
*as featured in The New Haven Register, Living Section

So much to see and do right here

By Jean Cherni, H. Pearce Company's Senior Living Services Program

Articles

2008

Summertime and the livin' is easy. ... Fish are jumpin' and the gas prices are high.
But the good news is there is no need to drive long distances to have fun. There is an amazing number of different things to do and see, right here in your home state. Coming up the weekend of July 26-27 is the Stonington Blessing of the Fleet, which starts at 5 p.m. Saturday on the town dock with a lobster fest and then continues with dancing from 7-11 p.m. Sunday at 11 a.m., there is a parade, five bands and general merriment, culminating in watching the decorated fishing boats and a blessing for the fleet at 3 p.m. For more information, go to www.stoningtonblessing.com.

If you missed our delightful Guilford Art Center's Expo 2008 this weekend, you can catch another Aug. 9 and 10 in Mystic, and while you're in the area, treat the grandkids to the Mystic Aquarium. Mystic Seaport abounds in activities and if you plan in advance, you can schedule a sunset cruise or even a lobster dinner cruise, (860) 536-4218 for details.

Take a nearby overnight escape on your own private beach overlooking Long Island Sound by making a reservation at the Madison Beach Hotel, (203) 245-0005. Enjoy low-cost tickets to excellent productions at the Ivoryton Playhouse ("Moon Over Buffalo" until Aug. 3 and "Evita, Aug. 13-31) or the Downtown Cabaret Theatre in Bridgeport. It is handicap accessible and you can bring your own picnic supper, (203) 576-1636. Also in Bridgeport are the Barnum Museum and the Beardsley Zoo.

On July 25 and Aug. 15, take in the exhibit at the Hartford Atheneum, then treat yourself to an early dinner at one of Hartford's many excellent restaurants and return to the museum at 7:30 for live music and a free movie under the stars in Gengras Court. On Aug. 15, the movie is one of my favorites, "The Buena Vista Social Club," about an extraordinary group of aging Cuban musicians and their last performance. This movie, preceded by Cuban music, will be held in the Billings Forge Courtyard on Broad Street. You can also reserve a delicious Sunday brunch and enjoy jazz at the Atheneum's cafe, The Russell, owned and managed by a charming gentleman of the same name.

The beautiful Griswold Museum in Old Lyme currently has a special exhibit of Impressionist paintings. Combine it with a visit to their fresh food fair on July 26, but be aware the exhibit ends the next day, (860) 434-5542. A not-to-be-missed exhibit at the Yale University Art Gallery are the two on-loan masterpieces by Vincent Van Gogh, "Cypresses" and "Starry Night." Another delightful museum is the Hillstead Museum in Farmington. It is actually a lovely home and garden, but the collection is outstanding.

The Milford Oyster Festival and the Antique Car Show and Flea Market in Haddam Neck are only two more of the events we can enjoy in August, and I've barely scratched the surface of things to do.

For seniors who no longer drive, the local senior centers, libraries and women's organizations also offer many excellent bus excursions and day trips. Start planning now ... you might just have the adventure of a lifetime right here in Connecticut.

Jean Cherni is founder of Senior Living Solutions, a retirement advisory service.  Contact her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds, Branford 06405.

H. Pearce Company REALTORS® is a full-service real estate company with more than 100 agents and branch offices in greater New Haven and the Shoreline. Corporate and & Commercial offices are located in North Haven, where the company was founded in 1958. All listings can be found in color on the web at: www.hpearce.com.




Senior Services  •  3 Old Tavern Road, Orange, CT 06477 • 203.795.2600
Toll Free 888.473.2723  • Fax 203.795.2601 •   Email Us:
seniorsvs@hpearce.com


©2006-2008 H. Pearce Company, All rights reserved