Summer Season at Connecticut Repertory

I am a season ticket holder at the Connecticut Repertory. I saw my last show of the season Saturday, Spamalot  with Richard Kline as King Arthur. (He was Larry on Three's  Company). It was a wonderful show filled with great songs and lots of laughs.

If you are looking for something fun to do this summer, consider The Nutmeg Summer Series with three shows, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Peter and the Starcatcher and West Side Story. 

We have found that every show we have seen has been spectacular. I highly recommend them. 

The shows are presented on the campus at UCONN in Storrs. Check out their website for more information. 

Wethersfield Farmers Market to open

As the days get longer and the air gets warmer thoughts turn to fresh produce and the things that Connecticut is known for. One of our favorite farmer's market is located in Wethersfield. 

It will open to the public again on Thursday May 12, 2016. It is located on the grounds of the Solomon Welles House and is open from 6 to 8 p.m.

The market is CT GROWN certified which means everything must be grown or produced in Connecticut. It is a great way to support our own Connecticut vendors. 

Come and enjoy the more than 40 vendors who come every week and stay to enjoy the food trucks and the great atmosphere. 

Red Fox Restaurant Middletown

Red Fox Restaurant is located on Smith Street in the Westfield section of Middletown. It is in the building formerly housing Fong's Restaurant. Several people have recommended this restaurant to me so I went here with very high expectations. We had lunch this past Sunday and I would have to say my meal was just okay but Al really liked his. 

The lunch menu includes appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees. I was not sure what to expect and given the name, I didn't expect an Italian inspired menu. I ordered the Philly Steak Panini and Al ordered the Fettuccine Pasta. 

We did say yes to bread and it is served with butter and tapenade which was very good. The problem was the steak in my panini. It was not really shaved and some of the pieces were large and chewy. The flavor was good and the onions, peppers and mushrooms were well cooked plus the roll was a real hit with me but the steak, was in my opinion a loser and I would never order this again. I was tempted to take the steak off the roll and probably should have. 

Al enjoyed his fettuccine and would order it again. I tasted the chicken that was served with it and it was full of flavor. 

I did have a delicious cappuccino which to me was the saving grace. I forgot to tell them no cinnamon so that is what can be seen on the side of my saucer. Service was attentive and the restaurant has a great atmosphere. Would I come here again, sure I would but I would order something else. 

Spring Outdoors Happenings in the Green Valley

If you are looking for some great family outdoor activities, here are a few being offered in eastern Connecticut. 

CT Audubon's Beginners Bird Walk Sunday, 5/1/2016, 8-10 am Difficulty: Easy Address: CT Audubon Center at Pomfret, 218 Day Rd., Pomfret Center, CT Expect this! If you are new to bird watching this is a good weekend to start! 

Some of the colorful spring birds are back and the leaves aren't out yet. Expect to see Yellow warblers, Blue-winged warblers, and Black and white warblers. *NOTE: Fees apply - $5 CAS members, $10 non-members. Questions? 860-928-4948 Time/Distance: 2 hours, 2 miles Sponsored by: CT Audubon Center at Pomfret, ctaudubon.org/center-atpomfr

Tobiasson Forest Hike 

Saturday, 5/7/2016, 10-11 am Difficulty: Moderate Keys: Dogs, leashed Address: Noah Lane, Tolland, CT Directions/Parking: Park at end of cul-de-sac at Noah Lane, off Grant Hill Rd., near Tolland/Coventry border. Expect this! A short but interesting ramble through a winding forest trail, crossing seasonal brooks and passing several vernal pools. Great bird and wildlife habitats, and possibility of spotting a resident owl! No rain date, we'll walk in showers, but heavy rain cancels. 

*This property is in the Thames Watershed, along with the 35 towns in The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor. Our conservation efforts and goals are similar throughout the region. Questions? 860-871-7592 Time/Distance: 1 hour, 1.5 miles Sponsored by: Joshua's Trust, joshuastrust.org

To see the full schedule check out their website 

Printable Museum Pass at Portland Conn. Library

Printable Museum Passes Now Available at the Portland Library!


Portland Library now offers more convenience to its popular museum pass service.  Fifteen of its 20 passes are now printable passes.  When you reserve a pass online, a printable pass may be generated at that point.  You take the printable pass to the participating museum or zoo for entrance or to receive a discount.  The printable pass does not need to be returned to the Portland Library.


The remaining passes will be checked out using the standard procedures.  These nonprintable passes must be returned by midnight of the reservation day (the day of your visit to the museum) since other patrons may be waiting to use the pass the next day.

Printable passes: Children’s Museum/Roaring Brook Nature Center, Connecticut’s Old State House, Connecticut River Museum, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Florence Griswold Museum, Imagine Nation Children’s Museum, Lutz Children’s Museum, Mark Twain House, Mystic Seaport, New Britain Museum of American Art, New England Air Museum, New Haven Museum, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Roger Williams Park Zoo, and Wadsworth Atheneum

Nonprintable passes:  Beardsley Zoo, KidCity Children’s Museum, Maritime Aquarium & Imax, Mystic Aquarium, and No Child Left Inside/State Parks & Forests’ Day Pass

Coupon: Connecticut Science Center
Reserve passes at online or request that staff reserve the pass for you at the Library’s Information Desk.  

Instructions are given on the web page.  

The Friends of the Portland Library supports the museum pass service.

Please contact the Portland Library at 860-342-6770 for additional information.

Portland Townwide Tag Sale

It's time again for the Townwide Tag Sale in Portland 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 7, 2016 rain or shine. The free map will be available on Wednesday, May 4, at the Portland Historical Society Museum on Main Street in a barrel on the front steps, and at www.portlandhistsoc.com. On Tag Sale Day, the map is also available at the Grange Hall on Sage Hollow Road. 

Shown on the map will be the Tag Sale locations and items featured at the 120-plus sites. If you love tag sales, it doesn't get any better than this. 

There will be a bake and tag sale at the Hemlock Grange at 17 Sage Hollow Road with coffee, soda and hotdogs for sale as well. 

Sarah's on Main Portland, Conn.

I think everyone knows by now that I am a Foodie. I love good food. I don't need a heaping plate of food, I need food I want to eat until the last bite. I have found it at Sarah's on Main. 

Until today, I have only eaten breakfast here. Breakfast is really good, they make delicious crispy home fries from two different kinds of potatoes,fluffy scrambled eggs that can be had with a large variety of additions, omelettes cooked perfectly and lots more. 

My hash and bacon scrambler

We arrived after 11 a.m.and I had planned to have breakfast but when I heard the lunch specials, the Cajun fish sandwich with pineapple salsa called my name. It was served with a choice of french fries or coleslaw. I asked if I could have both so I got a smaller portion of each. 

The beautifully cooked cod was served on a brioche bun with lettuce and tomato in addition to the pineapple salsa. The coleslaw is really fresh tasting and the French fries are real, homemade  and fried twice. Even the pickle spear was special. The spice level was high, it cleared my sinuses but this is something that can be adjusted to personal taste. 

Al had a cheese omelette. He chose cheddar but there are several choices. Toast are really good too, he had the rye. 

I was very impressed with the quality of the food at Sarah's on Main. Everything is freshly made and the portion was generous but not overwhelming. I think I may just have found my new favorite local restaurant. 

Christian Expressions Cranston, Rhode Island

I know you are probably wondering why I am writing about a store in Cranston, R.I. on my Connecticut blog. Sometimes a store is just so special that I feel it deserves to be mentioned and after all Cranston is not that far from the Connecticut border. Christian Expressions is the go to place if you are looking for a First Communion dress or christening outfit. 

It is about an hour and a half from Middletown, Conn. to Cranston, R.I. Located on Phenix Rd, the shop is in the rear of a strip mall on the second floor. Don't let the exterior of the building put you off, it is what is inside that counts. 

We made an appointment like you would at a bridal salon and actually arrived a little early. Walking into the room filled with dresses was even more overwhelming than we expected. It was like First Communion on steroids in a really wonderful way. 

The owner and staff are so helpful. They know what will suit the body style of the girl who the dress is for and they listen. My granddaughter tried on six dresses and loved every one and the sixth was so perfect that she didn't want to try on any more. 

Then it is time for accessories and they stock them all, tiaras, veils, gloves, shoes and even tights. By the time we left, Syd was prepared for what will be her special day and she thought she looked like a princess. We thought that she did too. 

If you can't get to Cranston, Christian Expressions does a very brisk online business. 

Springtime Festivals in Connecticut 2017

Spring is a great time in Connecticut to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Here are a few festivals that will help you to do just that. 

What is more indicative of spring than daffodils. Meriden's Hubbard Park is the site of the 
Meriden Daffodil Festival where 650,000 daffodils will be in bloom April 29 and 30. The whole family will enjoy the arts and crafts, live music, fireworks, carnival rides, a parade and much more. Be sire to stop by the food tent to keep up your strength for all the activities. Souvenirs will be offered at the Daffodil Festival boutique.  Parking will be available at the following locations.

• Westfield Shopping Mall – Boscovs/Sears Deck

• Platt High School – Coe Avenue

• Lincoln Middle School – Centennial Avenue

• Meriden Enterprise Center – 290 Pratt Street

• HC WILCOX TECH

Shuttle Bus Schedule Saturday 8 a.m.-9 p.m.  Sunday 8 a.m. -5 p.m.


New Haven's Wooster Square will be the site of the  Cherry Blossom Festival on April 23. If you can't make it to Washington DC to see the cherry blossoms, you can enjoy the more than 70 that were planted in New Haven in 1973.  For your entertainment there will be live jazz, salsa, steel band and big band music. The whole family will be entertained with activities and a great selection of food. There will even be pet friendly areas. Come and enjoy the festival from noon until 5pm. 

If dogwoods are your passion, Fairfield is the place to be from May 12-14. The festivities include a 2 mile run as well as a mini dash for the little ones. It starts with a luncheon on Friday and includes a Saturday evening barbecue and dance. A walking tour, juried craft show, art show, plant and garden boutique and concerts round out the offerings. This year marks 80 years that the Dogwood Festival has been sponsored by the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church with the proceeds going to charitable causes.

 #Daffodil Festival #Dogwood Festival #Cherry Blossom Festival

"Anything Goes" is Smooth Sailing at Goodspeed Opera House

What a treat it was to see this Cole Porter show last night. I have never seen it before and it did make me ask myself why not!! The music is wonderful and I left the theatre humming and singing "Anything Goes" to myself. In my opinion, that is the sign of an enjoyable and memorable show. 

Even though I have never seen the show before some of the songs were familiar including of course "Anything Goes", “I Get a Kick Out of You,” and  “It's De-Lovely”.

Rashidra Scott has a powerful voice and carries off the role of Reno Sweeney with panache but in truth, it is Stephen DeRosa as Moonface Martin who steals the show. I can't remember having laughed as much at a show in a long time. 

The dancing in this show is memorable. Really phenomenal tap dancing done by the ensemble. Another plus is being able to see the orchestra who are located on a gallery of what is the ship and we get to see and hear them better than I can ever remember doing. 

"Anything Goes" plays at Goodspeed Opera in East Haddam through June 16. If you don't have tickets, what are you waiting for? This show will leave tapping your toes and singing the songs. 

Daffodil Day at the Wadsworth Mansion

Daffodil Day

Sunday, April 24, 2016, 1:00PM – 4:00PM, Free

A plethora of daffodils might be in bloom to greet visitors as they follow the entrance drive leading to the Beaux Art style mansion for this annual celebration of spring. Guests are encouraged to enjoy the meadows planted by volunteers over the last decade. 

Throughout the afternoon, there will be numerous activities for visitors wishing to celebrate spring. 

Afternoon activities include kite flying and a dog parade (bring your family pooch!).Participate in our first ever “Daffodil Dash – A Field Day for the Whole Family”.  Docents will lead guided tours of the Mansion providing a narrative that details the history of the Estate. 

Furniture donated by the Wadsworth Family will be on display in the History Room. Follow and feast on the food truck craze in the oval. 

Wadsworth Estate 

421 Wadsworth St.

Middletown, Ct.

The Connecticut Art Pass

For lovers of art, the Connecticut Art Pass is a passport to 19 fabulous museum across the state all for one price. For about 1/3 of the cost of normal admission you can see some of the most outstanding art that Connecticut has to offer.

Cost for the pass is $25 and can be purchased online. 

You then print out the pass and present it at the included museums.

Museums included on the pass are:

 Center forContemporary Printmaking — Norwalk, CT

 Greenwich HistoricalSociety/Bush-Holley Historic Site — Cos Cob, CT

 Silvermine ArtsCenter — New Canaan, CT

 The AldrichContemporary Art Museum — Ridgefield, CT

The Bellarmine Museum of Art / Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery — Fairfield, CT

 The Housatonic Museumof Art — Bridgeport, CT

Weir Farm National Historic Site — Wilton, CT

Yale Center for British Art — New Haven, CT

Yale University Art Gallery — New Haven, CT

Mattatuck Museum — Waterbury, CT

 

Florence Griswold Museum — Old Lyme, CT

Lyman Allyn Museum of Art — New London, CT

Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich Free Academy Campus — Norwich, CT

The William Benton Museum of Art, University of CT — Storrs, CT

Art Gallery at the University of St. Joseph — West Hartford, CT

Hill-Stead Museum — Farmington, CT

New Britain Museum of American Art — New Britain, CT

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art — Hartford, CT

Gothic to Goth: Romantic Era Fashion and Its Legacy at the Wadsworth Atheneum

Gothic to Goth: Romantic Era Fashion & Its Legacy
March 5, 2016–July 10, 2016

Gothic to Goth: Romantic Era Fashion & Its Legacy is the first exhibition to fully explore the Romantic era as a formative period in costume history. Presenting historic garments alongside literary works, paintings, prints, and decorative arts, the exhibition examines how European fashions from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque eras influenced and inspired new styles created between 1810 and 1860.

Gothic to Goth illustrates how early nineteenth century costume—just like fine and decorative art, architecture, interior design, literature, and music—moved away from the order and rationality of the previous half-century to embrace imagination and emotion, originality and vision, and individuality and subjectivity as guiding principles. The exhibition culminates with a look at recent Goth and Steampunk fashions, revealing their roots in the rich imagination and aesthetic of Romanticism.

Lynne Z. Bassett, Costume and Textile Historian and museum consultant, is organizing the exhibition.

PublicationA 128-page, full-color illustrated catalogue, including an extended essay by Bassett, will accompany the exhibition.

Gothic to Goth Tours

Join a docent for a tour of Gothic to Goth: Romantic Era Fashion & Its Legacy Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 pm from March 5, 2016–July 10, 2016. Tours are free with museum admission and meet by the Museum Shop.

Portland Conn. Library Tea Fundraiser

Portland Library’s Board of Directors Invites You to Afternoon Tea 
Sunday, the First of May, 2016 at Two o’clock  at the Waverly Center ~ 7 Waverly Avenue, Portland, CT 

THE ULTIMATE TEA COUPLE PRESENTS THE ROMANCE OF HATS 

Donna and Ron Lasko present the History of Hats from Jane Austen’s Time to Today, utilizing their extensive collection from 1800 to 2015. Willing audience members are encouraged to model the hats or to wear their own.   Serving Courtship Tea, a unique blend of black teas and flavorings, and desserts. 

Admission price per person:  $25.00  Proceeds to go to the Portland Library Endowment Fund to support special projects.  Donations appreciated. Tickets are available at Portland Library.