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. |
