Lyman's Orchard Sunflower Maze

Lyman Orchards Dinosaur Sunflower Maze - Middlefield, CT

Aug 1, 2015 - Aug 23, 2015 Lyman Orchards, 52 South Street Middlefield, CT 

The Sunflower Maze is located where the pick your own peaches and blueberries are. This year the design is a dinosaur, ala Jurrasic Park. You really can't see that from the ground but that in no way decreases the enjoyment of the field of 350,000 sunflowers. 

Time: daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission: $10; $5 for ages 4-12; free for ages 3 & younger  

Telephone: 860-349-6010

Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival Hartford

Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival 2015 - Hartford, CT

Aug 1, 2015 Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, 300 Columbus Boulevard Hartford, CT

Taste of the Caribbean brings authentic cuisine, spectacular costumes and dance, and island rhythms to Mortensen Riverfront Plaza. Riverfront and CAYASCO team up to offer a full day of music, dance, Caribbean games, and children’s activities.  

If you are looking for the taste, sound and feel of the Caribbean, Riverfront Plaza is the place to be. 

Time: 1-11 p.m.

Admission: Free

Sadler's Restaurant and Bakery Marlborough

Everyone has a go-to restaurant. One where you can always count on good food and good service. For us that is Sadler. We have been going here for years and I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal. Have I had things I didn't like, yes but that was a choice I made. When I want to have a meal I love, I know I can choose my old favorites.

On Thursday evening July 23, 2015 we went to Sadler's for an early dinner. I called ahead to see if we needed reservations and yes had we wanted to arrive later we would have but at 5:00 p.m. it wasn't necessary.

I decided to try a special soup the cold rhubarb and watermelon gazpacho. It was on the tart side and I tasted no watermelon but on a hot day it was refreshing. It was served with a dollop of either sour cream or creme fresh.

For my entree I had leg of lamb. I love lamb and they always have mint jelly here. It came with a nice selection of veggies (cauliflower, green beans, carrots zucchini and butternut squash) and mashed potatoes. The bread basket has the usual sunflower seed bread and raisin bread. 

Al had one of the specials, a pork cutlet with arugula and shaved Parmesan cheese on top, the veggies and mashed potatoes. Al asked for applesauce with his pork and received a small bowl.

Both portions were generous and as always perfectly cooked.

For dessert we shared a tapioca pudding. It is served cold with whipped cream. I had a cappuccino to finish up and went home feeling very satisfied. Service as always was flawless.

The only thing I haven't tried in a while is their Sunday brunch and I plan to do that really soon. For delicious, creative homemade style cooking, I highly recommend Sadler's .

Mi Argentina Middletown

When you are in the mood for something different for lunch or dinner, you don't have to look any farther than Main Street in Middletown. Mi Argentina opened in February and brought something totally unique to the Main Street dining scene, Argentinian cuisine.

Owner Graciela Russo does her own cooking and baking and brings a great deal of enthusiasm to the experience. We have never had Argentinian food before but I was intrigued. We stopped in Friday July 24, 2015 at about 12:45 to have lunch. Graciela explained the different types of empanadas to us. I have eaten Mexican empanadas before and was anxious to see if they were similar.

I order 4 beef and two mozzarella, tomato and basil. Al had a coke and I tried a traditional Yerba Matte green tea. The empanadas are baked fresh so there is a short wait but it gives you plenty of time to look at all the delicious sweets they sell as well as traditional foods from Argentina.

The empanadas arrive piping hot and it was love at first bite. The beef is ground and I could see small pieces of boiled egg in the filling. They are not spicy but far from bland. It is quite delicious and the crust is so cute it has Mi Argentina impressed in it.

The mozzarella, tomato and basil tastes like a mini marguerita pizza. They do have more American flavors such as pulled pork.

For dessert we had two sweet facturas, one with pastry cream and quince and the other with dulce de leche. They had very crispy flaky pastry. It is very sweet, maybe a little sweet for our taste but I think with some black coffee it would have been even better.

It was a very tasty lunch and one that we will do again. I have been looking for someplace different to dine and Mi Argentina is unique and delicious.

Hale at the Homestead

Revolutionary War military encampment, tactical demonstrations, craft demonstrations, children’s activities & more. Hosted by the Nathan Hale Ancient Fife & Drum Corps. Suggested donation of $5. 

 

Date: 

Sat, Jul 25th, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

 

 

Musical Muster: Fife & Drum Muster

Over a dozen Fife & Drum Corps from Southern New England will attend this muster & present a parade featuring an assortment of fifes & wooden rope tension snare & bass drums.  Hosted by the Nathan Hale Ancient Fife & Drum Corps. Free, donations welcome.

 

Date: 

Sun, Jul 26th, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm

 

House Category: 

Nathan Hale Homestead

 

House: 

Nathan Hale Homestead

Connecticut Wine Festival

Annual CT Wine Festival at Goshen Fairgrounds

July 25th & 26th, 2015

Taste the best of Connecticut’s wineries. Sample locally produced specialty foods. Enjoy live music. Browse for handicrafts. And more. It’s all happening at the Connecticut Wine Festival!

Hours: Saturday, July 25th from 12pm-7pm and Sunday, July 26th from 12pm-6pm.

Location: The Goshen Fairgrounds are located approximately 1/2 mile south of Goshen center on Route 63. For directions visit: www.goshenfair.org/directions.

Tickets: To buy tickets to the festival, click here.
  
Designated Driver and under 21 tickets are $10 and Children 6 and under are free.  After July 19th and at the Festival tickets are $32.

Tickets can also be purchased at:
Jones Winery
Sunset Meadow Vineyards
Hopkins Vineyard
Taylor Brooke Winery
Miranda Vineyard
Adams/Better Valu Hometown Markets
Admission includes a commemorative festival wine glass (tasting ticket only) and tote bag, specialty food samples, entertainment and the opportunity to purchase bottles/cases of wine, food and artisan crafts.  Designated Driver and under 21 tickets include a complimentary tote bag and 1 free water.

Participating Wineries at the festival

Bishop’s Orchards Winery
DiGraziaVineyards
Hopkins Vineyard
Jonathan Edwards Winery
Jones Winery
Miranda Vineyard
Paradise Hills Vineyard
Priam Vineyards
Sharpe Hill Vineyard
Sunset Meadow Vineyards
Taylor Brooke Winery
White Silo Winery

The Cast of Beatlemania will be performing Saturday July 25th from 6pm to 8pm. Free with any Saturday admission ticket to the festival. Check out their website www.moptops.com

On Sunday July 26th we will be holding our second annual Grape Stomp from 2:00-3:00 under the Green/White Tent.  Spaces are limited so sign up early.

 

Live Music on the Main Stage

Saturday, July 25th
12:00-1:30 – Vince Thompson
2:00-3:30 – The Goods
6:00-8:00 – The Cast of Beatlemania
Sunday, July 26th
12:00-1:30 – Hummingbirds
2:00-3:30 – Thomas Angelo
4:00-6:00 – The Groove

Wine Seminars under the Green and White Tent
July 26th from 3:00-4:00 with Renee Allen
July 27th from 3:30-4:30 with Laureen Gueirriero

Festival FAQ:
• CT Wine Festival has a page in the 2015 Passport to Connecticut Farm Wineries. Please bring your Passport so you can get it stamped!
• Wineries will NOT be stamping their individual pages at the festival.
• No pets are allowed at the fairgrounds.
• No outside food or beverages are allowed.
• Be sure to BRING YOUR ID!

Cedar Hill Cemetery Tour- Mark Twain's Companions and Cohorts

Mark Twain’s Companions & Cohorts  

Saturday, July 25, 10:00 am  

Admission: $5.00; CHCF Members, Mark Twain 

Museum & Let’s Go Arts Members: Free
 
While Samuel Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain, is laid to rest in Elmira, New York, many of his Hartford companions and cohorts are interred at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Learn about Twain’s life and his many Nook Farm friends, neighbors and colleagues during this tour led by popular guide Steve Courtney. Featured residents will include Reverend Joseph Hopkins Twichell, Charles Dudley Warner and Isabella Beecher Hooker.