Debbie Laity is hosting her annual ActiveRain holiday contest titled "It's Time for the 2016 Version of Show Us Your Home for the Holidays."  Debbie's challenge is for us to share our favorite Holiday display.  It can be a display of our home or any other display that really catches our eye.  I have already submitted an entry into Debbie's contest/challenge, and even though I know I will only get credit for one post, I wanted to share the pictures of My Favorite 2016 Holiday Display as well.  In fact this display of lights has been my favorite for several years.The light display is on a street about a half mile from my house here in Middletown, Connecticut, on Sandhill Road.  The residents on this street go all out in decorating their homes with lights every year, and this year is no e... 12/18/2016

 The American Red Cross Is In Need Of Blood Donations, and the Wallingford YMCA Blood Drive On Friday, December 16th., is an excellent opportunity to help alleviate the present shortage.  This is the first time I have seen a local car dealership provide a community service like this.If you are not near Jackson Chevrolet in Middletown, CT on Friday, December 16th., and want to help by donating blood, you can follow this link on the American Red Cross website to find a location near you.According to the American Red Cross O-Positive blood is always the most in demand, because 45% of the people in the United States have either O-Positive or O-Negative blood.  Donors with type "O" blood are universal donors, their blood can be given to people of all blood types.Here are some facts that I di... 12/14/2016

The Finesse Cuts Barber Shop In Middletown, CT Toy Drive.  This is the time of year to give, and the Finesse Cuts Barber Shop In Middletown is giving the community an opportunity to make this a special Christmas for an under privileged child.The Finesse Cuts Barber Shop In Middletown and the Middletown Salvation Army are coordinating a toy drive for area children.  The Middletown Salvation Army services over 200 families in the area, which means there are a lot of children whose Christmas may not be a joyous one without the help of area residents.The cutoff date is December 14th. to drop-off a new toy at the:Finesse Cuts Barber Shop578 Main StreetMiddletown, CT 06457(860) 477-7838 So help to put a smile on the face of a child, and make this a special Christmas for them, by donating a ne... 12/10/2016

The City of Middletown, CT is partnering up with Solarize Connecticut to bring clean and affordable solar power to all the residents and business in Middletown.  Solarize Middletown, CT is a simple and easy way to solar power, and save hundreds of dollars at the same time.There will be a Lunch & Learn at Wesleyan University this week on Wednesday, November 16th from Noon to 1:00 p.m. to learn more about Solarize Middletown, CT and how to take advantage of this limited opportunity.  The Solarize Middletown, CT program is only around until February 3, 2017, so Middletown, CT residents do not have much time to get on board with this program.   Below are a few bullet points about this special limited opportunity.   ****************************************************************************... 12/09/2016

   Debbie Laity is hosting what is now becoming her annual ActiveRain contest this month titled "It's Time for the 2016 Version of Show Us Your Home for the Holidays."  This year my entry is a little different than in the past.  It is about our local annual holiday event Holiday on Main Street in Middletown, CT which is now in its 31st year.  Holiday on Main Street begins the Friday after Thanksgiving and continues every weekend until the Weekend before Christmas.  Every year Holiday on Main Street is kicked off with the Holiday On Main Street Downtown Middletown, CT Tree Lighting, and marks the official start of the Holiday Season in Middletown, CT. Holiday on Main Street is the kind of event that attracts both young and old, and has a variety of events and entertainment every weekend.... 12/08/2016

  The Russell Library In Middletown, CT December 2016 Book Sale is this weekend.  All the Russell Library Book Sale are always very well attended, and the Russell Library December Book Sale should get an even better turnout since this Book Sale is just before Christmas.  This means that it is a great opportunity to do some last minute Christmas shopping. The Russell Library in Middletown, CT.    The Russell Library In Middletown, CT December 2016 Book Sale will have reading material for the whole family.  There are always fiction and non-fiction books for sale, as well as cookbooks, travel, religious, history, home, hobby, biography, and children picture books.  The Russell Library also has DVD's and records for sale.  All these make for great stocking stuffers, that can be enjoyed for... 12/07/2016

  The Buttonwood Tree in Middletown Connecticut has put out their December schedule, and they will continue to have Anything Goes Open Mic In December At The Buttonwood Tree, Middletown, CT.  every Monday evening for the month of December, 2016 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.  Open Mic Night is a great opportunity for all hopeful performers to get on stage and show what they got.  Anything Goes Open Mic At Buttonwood Tree is open to all types of performances, experienced and novice a like.  So every Monday in the month of December will be an opportunity to showcase your talents, and nurture them with this supportive group. Recite a poem, sing a song, dance, read some spoken word, the microphone is yours for the asking. Community spirit prevails. If you are a Poet, Singer, Dancer, or just ... 12/06/2016

  Middletown Youth Lacrosse 2016 Fall/Winter Registration is going on right now.  We did not have Lacrosse when I was growing up in East Providence, RI, but Boy OH Boy would I have loved to play this sport.  Just imagine being able to run up and down a field with a stick and whacking people.  Now that is something that I really could have gotten into, and excelled at back then. OK all kidding aside, Lacrosse is really a fun sport and becoming more and more popular.  You can registering your child for the Middletown Youth Lacrosse by going on the Middletown Youth Lacrosse Registration website and register your child.  Don't wait, register your child now while there are still openings available.     *****************************************************************************************... 12/04/2016

 This is a time of year when throughout the world many will be focused on a unified message of peace.  This message of peace is will be at the center of  the 3rd Annual Artists For World Peace Open House In Middletown, CT this Saturday, December 3rd when speakers from several different faiths will lead discussions on how peace unifies our communities.At the end of the end of the 3rd Annual Artists For World Peace Open House In Middletown, CT there will be an outdoor lighting of several messages of peace which will be accompanied by music.  All are welcome to come and be a part of this celebration this Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m at the deKoven House Community Room, 27 Washington Street, Middltown, Ct.  *****************************************************************************... 12/01/2016

  School Craft Fairs are a excellent way to show support for local schools, and tomorrow is an opportunity to do just that by stopping by the Woodrow Wilson Middle School 2016 Holiday Craft Fair December 3rd, in Middletown, CT.  School Craft Fairs are also a great way to find Christmas gifts for those hard to buy for people. I still remember when my two sons were in school, my wife and I would spend our day helping to set up, man a booth, and then help take down things at the end of the day.  It was a lot of work, but it never seemed like work, it was fun.  Now we get to just go and enjoy the Craft Fairs we use to assist at. If you are near Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Middletown, CT. on tomorrow stop in, and support the kids by making a small purchase.  You will not only be support... 11/30/2016

  Holy Trinity Church Middletown, CT Holiday Fair December 3, 2016.  This is the time of the year for Christmas Holiday Fairs, and many churches and schools have already had one.  Holiday Fairs are also a great way to find Christmas gifts for those hard to buy for people.  Holy Trinity Church is located in Downtown Middletown, CT, is located right next to the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce, and is an easy Holiday Fair to get to. There will be something for everyone at the Holy Trinity Church Holiday Fair.  There will be: Crafters Christmas Decorations Silent Auction Plants Gift Baskets Baked Goods Cookie Walk Tag Sale   Plan on stopping by the Holy Trinity Church Middletown, CT Holiday Fair on December 3, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m to get some Christmas shopping done, and eat some ... 11/29/2016

  After celebrating Thanksgiving on Thursday, Middletown, CT area residents will have an opportunity to attend a performance of the Best Nutcracker In CT At The Middletown Performing Arts Center.  What a great way to spend a relaxing Saturday afternoon on November 26th while everyone else is fighting the crowds at the stores. This is a special opportunity to watch Albanos Nutcracker performed with a live orchestra locally.  Those who are planning to attend should call the Middletown Performing Arts Center at  (860) 232-8898 or go online and order your tickets. Purchasing tickets to the Best Nutcracker In CT At The Middletown Performing Arts Center would also make an excellent early Christmas gift for someone special in your life.  It is not often an opportunity like this comes along, s... 11/22/2016

  The Russell Library In Middletown, CT November 2016 Book Sale is this weekend.  All the Russell Library Book Sale are always very well attended, and the Russell Library November Book Sale should be as well especially since this is a great time to do some early Christmas shopping. The Russell Library in Middletown, CT has a Book Sale every month, so there will be one more Book Sale before Christmas, but why wait and fight the crowd next month.    The Russell Library In Middletown, CT November 2016 Book Sale will have reading material for the whole family.  There are always fiction and non-fiction books for sale, as well as cookbooks, travel, religious, history, home, hobby, biography, and children picture books.  The Russell Library also has DVD's and records for sale. All of the mone... 11/16/2016

  This weekend there has been several Holiday Fairs in the area, and Middletown High School is getting in on the action.  If you are in need of a new matress then you will want to be at the Middletown High School 2016 Mattress Sale In Middletown, CT. tomorrow Sunday, November 13th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  I have seen some creative school fundraisers during the time both my sons attended Middletown High School, but this one tops them all.  This is not only a great opportunity to purchase a new mattress with up to as much as 50% off, but to also help the students at Middletown High School raise money.  So come out and take advantage of a great prices on new mattress, and help out the students at Middletown High School, in Middletown, CT at the same time!   Middletown High School Matt... 11/12/2016

  St Francis Church Middletown, CT Holiday Fair November 12, 2016.  This is the time of the year for Christmas Holiday Fairs, and many churches and schools have already had one.  Holiday Fairs are also a great way to find Christmas gifts for those hard to buy for people.  St Francis Church is located at the corner of Elm Street and Silver Street near the post office in Middletown, CT, and is an easy Holiday Fair to get to. At the St Francis Church Middletown, CT Holiday Fair November 12, 2016  tomorrow there will be something for everyone: Arts & Crafts Religious Table Farmer's Market Grandma's Attic Angel's Cafe' and much more   Plan on stopping by the St Francis Church Middletown, CT Holiday Fair Novenber 12, 2016  tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m to get some Christmas shopping do... 11/11/2016

      With all of the Church and School Craft & Holiday Fairs, the Middlesex YMCA has decided to get in on the fun and have their own Middlesex YMCA 2016 Craft & Bake Sale.  The Middlesex YMCA in Middletown, CT always does everything top notch, so their Craft & Bake Sales will be one local residents will not want to miss. The proceeds from the Middlesex YMCA 2016 Craft & Bake Sale will go to their the Annual Campaign, and the funds are used to help subsidize Summer Camp and other YMCA activities for needy families. The Middlesex YMCA 2016 Craft & Bake Sale will have something for the whole family. Holiday Gifts Photos With Santa Crafts Baked Goods Dlicious Treats And Lots More   So come to the Middlesex YMCA 2014 Craft & Bake Sale this Saturday and get in some early Christmas shopping,... 11/10/2016

Winter time is a challenging time for many families with the added cost of heating their homes.  The Old Saybrook recognizes this and is hosting the Old Saybrook Chamber Spaghetti Dinner To Benefit Emergency Heat Assistance Program for Old Saybrook Residents on November 10th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.Tickets for this event are being sold at the door or at the local Old Saybrook Stop & Shop Costumer Service counter, and 100% of the funds raised will go to the H.E.A.T Assistance Program. Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce Spaghetti Dinner To BenefitTo Benefit H.E.A.T. Asistance Program PointFireman's Field, Elm StreetSaybrook, CT Thursday, Novenber 10, 2016 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.    *****************************************************************************************************  Info ... 11/07/2016

 Middletown, Connecticut Emergency Management Volunteers Needed.  If you are not aware of what the Middletown, CT Emergency Management Department does, a quick visit to there website will provide you with all you need to know:"The mission of the City of Middletown Office of Emergency Management is to serve the citizens of Middletown through effective planning for natural and man-made disasters. This is accomplished through coordination, planning, training and exercising, for "all hazards" through all four phases of emergency management - preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. Our goal is to save lives and to protect property through coordination of an integrated emergency management system with all emergency response organizations, support services and volunteers. We promote g... 11/05/2016

     Halloween is a time for trick or treating and haunted houses.  So the Wadsworth Glen Health Care & Rehab Center in Middletown, CT is getting in on the fun both for their residents and the surrounding community.  This weekend and Halloween Wadsworth Glen Health Care & Rehab Center by holding their own Haunted House At The Wadsworth Glen Health Care & Rehab Center.So if you are in Middletown, CT over the weekend and Monday, stop in by your self or the family between the hours of 1:00 pm and 4:00 p.m and be treated to a scary experience.  This is also a good time to Cheer up some of the residents at Wadsworth Glen Health Care & Rehab Center who may be helping with the haunted house. Wadsworth Glen Health Care & Rehab Center30 Boston Road, Middletown, CT 06457860.346.9299  ************... 10/28/2016

     The Middlesex YMCA Health Care Council is sponsoring Walking Wednesdays, every Wednesday from from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.  Walking is an excellent way to stay in shape and control your weight.  I know because I walk a minimum of 5 miles per day and most days 6-7 miles.I enjoy my long walks, so I am considering joining in on the Walking Wednesdays.  Besides getting in my walking this will also be a great way to network with other people in the my community.  I might even invite some friends to join in with me.  ******************************************************************************  Info about the author: George Souto NMLS# 65149 is a Loan Originator who can assist you with all your #FHA, #CHFA, and #Conventional #mortgage needs in Connecticut. George resides in Middlesex Cou... 10/26/2016