Lyman's Orchard a Great Fall Destination

I have been going to  Lyman's Orchard since I was a child. My father grew up in Middlefield and it  has been a part of the local fiber of the area since 1741. It is not unusual to have generations of families who remember getting their apples from Lyman's.

Now in all honesty, the Lyman's of today is nothing like the Lyman's of my childhood it is much sleeker today and has expanded way beyond just a place to get your apples every fall. 

They now have a wonderful store called the Apple Barrel where you can buy all sorts of fruit, vegetables, apple cider and their very popular pies. You can have breakfast or lunch on the deck and pick up some delicious pastries from their bakery. 

In the fall however, it's time to pick apples or pumpkins and to get lost in their corn maze. I avoid the area like the plague on the weekend because let's be honest, it is no secret. I realize that for many families there is no other time but be prepared for parking issues and large crowds. I come to visit during the week when it is still busy in the fall but very manageable. 

The corn maze is open on the weekends and in the evening during the week.  Check out their website to see all the activities that are being offered.

Welcome to Pumpkintown USA in East Hampton

One of the first harbingers of fall in Central Connecticut is the opening of Pumpkintown at Paul and Sandy's Garden Center in East Hampton. If you are like us, you usually come upon it quite by accident as you are innocently driving along Route 66.  

On the weekends if you are not planning to visit Pumpkintown, it is often wise to avoid the area since there will be crowds and traffic is stopped so that people can cross the street. 

Children and adults all love this. It has been a very popular fall destination for the better part of 25 years. Pumpkintown is open every day but on the weekend there is a hayride that is very popular. 

An entrance fee is charged and an additional fee for the hayride with a part of every entrance going to the Sandy Peszynski Breast Cancer Foundation. This is the perfect time to pick up your seasonal pumpkin as well, either painted or natural. 

If you want to see just how cute this is, take a ride by during the week when carloads of little children can often be seen running in and out of the buildings and bouncing on the tires. It is good family fun and extremely popular. 

A Wonderful Life at Goodspeed Opera House is a Snooze Fest

I wanted to love this musical since I do love the movie but I have to be honest and say that for me, it just didn't work.  I didn't leave remembering even one line of any of the songs, none of them was memorable. At times it moved so slowly that I was at the point of falling asleep or praying for the evening to end.

The cast is talented, the singing and dancing was of a high quality, it is just the material that they were dealing with that killed it. There is no way that even the very talented Duke Lafoon could save the very cumbersome dialogue. He sang his heart out but I don't remember any of the songs.

There were moments that were entertaining. Clarence the rather inept angel second class keeps us smiling but he isn't always on stage. The Charleston contest in the first act was very well done, by far the liveliest moment in the evening. Costumes were beautiful and the opening number of the Second Act 'Wings" was a breath of fresh air. It was not enough however to redeem what was the most boring evening I have ever spent at Goodspeed.

Some movies should not be made into musicals, It's a Wonderful Life is obviously one of them. I am a season ticket holder and have enjoyed that status for years but this show was a disappointment especially since it is such a holiday favorite. I will say, Act Two moved along much better than Act One and the final number was rousing letting us all leave on a high note. I would not be tempted to see this show again.

Pipes in the Valley Celtic Festival Hartford

Pipes in the Valley Celtic Festival

September 26, 2015

Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, Downtown Hartford

 Hours

11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The pipes summon the Highlands to Hartford for the main event!  Guests will experience the spirit of the Highlands, along with top traditional and Celtic rock bands on two stages, Highland athletic games, step dancing, bag pipers, birds of prey, Highland cows, kids’ activities, puppetry and storytelling, sword demonstrations, Celtic food, and plenty of Ten Penny Ale.

Pipes in the Valley is produced by The Olde Burnside Brewing Co., in partnership with Riverfront Recapture. Congratulations to Olde Burnside Brewery and Pipes in the Valley for making the BBC's 10 British Things About Hartford, CT list!

Cedar Hill Cemetery Tour- Exceptional Women

Cedar Hill’s Exceptional Women
 
Saturday, September 19, 10:00 am
 
Admission: $5.00; CHCF & Let’s Go Arts Members: Free
 
Women’s historian Grace Parks Mitchell leads this tour that highlights the extraordinary accomplishments of some of Cedar Hill’s most notable women including Virginia Thrall Smith, Elizabeth Jarvis Colt, Anne Tracy Morgan and Katharine Houghton Hepburn. Hartford’s Victorian era serves as a backdrop to demonstrate the enormity of their contributions to Connecticut and worldwide advancement.

Fairs Have Started In Connecticut

It is that time of year here in Connecticut when we start to have Fall Fairs and Labor Day Weekend is a busy one when it comes to fairs. 

Woodstock Fair-September 4-7  This is the 155th Woodstock Fair so I think it is safe to say that they know how to throw a really fantastic fair. From the horse show to the midway, there is non-stop action and loads of family fun available.

Haddam Neck Fair-September 4-7. If you enjoy pulls, this fair has them in abundance from truck and tractor to oxen and horses. Come for the Rides, Concessions, Petting Zoo, Food, Exhibits, Displays,
Ride Bracelets, Circus, Children’s Contests, Karaoke and loads of live entertainment.

Goshen Fair-September 5-7 . If you are looking for some a little unique how about an adult spelling contest or hay bale tossing contest. Add this to the pie eating contest and the fireworks and you are sure to have an enjoyable time.