Fall Has arrived in Connecticut, which means it is time for me to begin my Progression Of Fall Colors series I started Nine years ago.  This is a series I hoped to continue for many more years to come, and have been able to do so far. The first two years the pictures were of a farm which is only about a minute walk from my house.  Seven years ago I decided to change the location for the 2014 Progression Of Fall Color Series to a lake about 5 minutes from my house on RT17.  I tried that location for two years, but the colors were not as good as I expected them to be.  Five years ago I decided to change locations again to a site on Lyman's Orchards in Middlefield, CT.  But once again that site did not produce the colors I had hoped for, so two year ago I decided to keep it simple and do m... 10/09/2020

Fall Has arrived in Connecticut, which means it is time for me to begin my Progression Of Fall Colors series I started Nine years ago.  This is a series I hoped to continue for many more years to come, and have been able to do so far. The first two years the pictures were of a farm which is only about a minute walk from my house.  Seven years ago I decided to change the location for the 2014 Progression Of Fall Color Series to a lake about 5 minutes from my house on RT17.  I tried that location for two years, but the colors were not as good as I expected them to be.  Five years ago I decided to change locations again to a site on Lyman's Orchards in Middlefield, CT.  But once again that site did not produce the colors I had hoped for, so two year ago I decided to keep it simple and do ... 09/26/2020

 September 11, 2001 We Will Not Forget!  9/11 will Always Be In Our Hearts, and each of us has our own special reason why that day will always be a day we will never forget.  Today is a day of not only remembering the vicious attack on our country nineteen years ago, but also a day to honor those who lost there lives.  It is also a day for us to reflect on the memories, and thoughts which went through our mines as the events of September 11, 2001 unfolded. I have shared what I remember most about 9/11 before, and have made a commitment to share this memory each and every year on September 11, so today I am fullfilling that commitment with this blog.Below is a special memory of that day, it is an event which hit close to home and will forever live in my heart and mind.Many innocent peopl... 09/11/2020

 Happy 4th of July 2020 to all my ActiveRain friends.  Today will be a very different 4th of July than in years past, because of COVID-19.  Middletown, and many of the towns around us have canceled their fireworks display, and many families have also canceled their 4th of July get togethers.  Normally our family would be having a 4th of July cook out at my nephews house in RI, but it has been canceled this year.  However, today is a gorgeous clear day, so my wife and I will grill a couple of steaks on the grill, and spend the day relaxing.Hopefully all of you will have a happy 4th of July, and spend quality time with those who you are able to get together with.  But most of all I hope you stay safe way, and enjoy this day as well.  We want the 4th of July to be a day of celebration, and... 07/04/2020

 This is a first, which proves if there is a will there is a way.  The COVID-19 Virus has caused several events to be canceled, but Middletown, CT has found away to continue one of its most popular events.  The annual Cruse Night on Main will still go on this year but with a twist.  The Middletown, CT Virtual Cruse Night on Main 2020 be a virtual cruse night.  I don't know how this is all going to work, but updates on the Middletown, CT Virtual Cruse Night on Main 2020 will be available at www.CruiseNightOnMain.com This event has my curiosity, so I will be signing in on June 4, 2020 to participate in the first ever Middletown, CT Virtual Cruse Night on Main 2020.   05/14/2020

2020 New Year Dinner At The Souto House.  We had our New Year's Day traditional Dinner today, and once again it was worth the wait.  We started this tradition over 30 years ago, and hope to continue it for many more years.Along with the huge lobster tails and claws we also had stuffing with scallops, twice baked bake potatoes, and a bottle of white wine. This year's lobster was 7 1/2 pounds, and it will be enough for two meals. This is the type of meal you walk away from the table needing to unbuckle your belt.I almost did not post a blog of this year's lobster, but I know how much my friend Endre Barath, Jr. likes to see the pictures of each year's feast, so I decided to post these pictures again this year.The first picture to the right is of the lobster before it was prepared, and the... 01/02/2020

Veteran's Day 2019 Tomorrow is Veteran's Day 2019, A Day To Honor Our Veterans, and our Men and Women who are serving in our Armed Forces. I hope that everyone takes a moment out of there day to say thank you to either a Veteran they know, or one of the Men and Women presently serving.  It only takes a minute to do this, but the impact and meaning it has on the one you say thank you to is greater than you can imagine. Those who have served our country did so willingly and without expectation of anything in return.  They did it for the honor of serving the land of opportunity, and to secure the freedoms we enjoy. Many restaurants throughout the Country will be honoring our Veterans with free meals, and discounts.  So let us join all the organization who are honoring our Veterans tomorro... 11/10/2019

Final Blog Of The 2019 Progression Of Fall Colors In Middletown, CT.  Fall has come to an end in Connecticut, and as of today the official cold Winter weather has arrived, and the end of my Progression Of Fall Colors series I started eight years ago.  This is a series I hoped to continue for many more years to come, and have been able to do so far. The first two years the pictures were of a farm which is only about a minute walk from my house.  six years ago I decided to change the location for the 2014 Progression Of Fall Color Series to a lake about 5 minutes from my house on RT17.  I tried that location for two years, but the colors were not as good as I expected them to be.  Three years ago I decided to change locations again to a site on Lyman's Orchards in Middlefield, CT.  But o... 11/08/2019

Fifth Blog Of The 2019 Progression Of Fall Colors In Middletown, CT.  Fall has arrived in Connecticut, which means it is time for my Progression Of Fall Colors series I started eight years ago.  This is a series I hoped to continue for many more years to come, and have been able to do so far. The first two years the pictures were of a farm which is only about a minute walk from my house.  six years ago I decided to change the location for the 2014 Progression Of Fall Color Series to a lake about 5 minutes from my house on RT17.  I tried that location for two years, but the colors were not as good as I expected them to be.  Three years ago I decided to change locations again to a site on Lyman's Orchards in Middlefield, CT.  But once again that site did not produce the colors I had hope... 11/03/2019

Fourth Blog Of The 2019 Progression Of Fall Colors In Middletown, CT.  Fall has arrived in Connecticut, which means it is time for my Progression Of Fall Colors series I started eight years ago.  This is a series I hoped to continue for many more years to come, and have been able to do so far. The first two years the pictures were of a farm which is only about a minute walk from my house.  six years ago I decided to change the location for the 2014 Progression Of Fall Color Series to a lake about 5 minutes from my house on RT17.  I tried that location for two years, but the colors were not as good as I expected them to be.  Three years ago I decided to change locations again to a site on Lyman's Orchards in Middlefield, CT.  But once again that site did not produce the colors I had hope... 10/27/2019

Third Blog Of The 2019 Progression Of Fall Colors In Middletown, CT.  Fall Has arrived in Connecticut, which means it is time for my Progression Of Fall Colors series I started eight years ago.  This is a series I hoped to continue for many more years to come, and have been able to do so far. The first two years the pictures were of a farm which is only about a minute walk from my house.  six years ago I decided to change the location for the 2014 Progression Of Fall Color Series to a lake about 5 minutes from my house on RT17.  I tried that location for two years, but the colors were not as good as I expected them to be.  Three years ago I decided to change locations again to a site on Lyman's Orchards in Middlefield, CT.  But once again that site did not produce the colors I had hope... 10/18/2019

Second Blog Of The 2018 Progression Of Fall Colors In Middletown, CT.  Fall Has arrived in Connecticut, which means it is time for my Progression Of Fall Colors series I started eight years ago.  This is a series I hoped to continue for many more years to come, and have been able to do so far. The first two years the pictures were of a farm which is only about a minute walk from my house.  six years ago I decided to change the location for the 2014 Progression Of Fall Color Series to a lake about 5 minutes from my house on RT17.  I tried that location for two years, but the colors were not as good as I expected them to be.  Three years ago I decided to change locations again to a site on Lyman's Orchards in Middlefield, CT.  But once again that site did not produce the colors I had hop... 10/11/2019

 2019 Middletown, CT South Fire District Fire Prevention Open House Oct 5, this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The theme this year for Fire Prevention Week is "Plan, Practice, Escape!". A fire not only destroys homes, but is also devastating emotionally for the whole family.  Having an escape plan, and practicing it regularly with the family is highly suggested, and could be the difference between saving lives or not.  In order to have an effective escape plan, homeowners also need to have an early detection system like Smoke Detectors.  Smoke Detectors are also a great way to catch a fire early, and save the lives of those in the home.  Below are some facts about Smoke Alarms you may not be aware of: Three out of five home fire deaths are in homes without working Smoke Alarms..... 10/04/2019

First Blog Of The 2019 Progression Of Fall Colors In Middletown, CT.  Fall Has arrived in Connecticut, which means it is time for me to begin my Progression Of Fall Colors series I started eight years ago.  This is a series I hoped to continue for many more years to come, and have been able to do so far. The first two years the pictures were of a farm which is only about a minute walk from my house.  Six years ago I decided to change the location for the 2014 Progression Of Fall Color Series to a lake about 5 minutes from my house on RT17.  I tried that location for two years, but the colors were not as good as I expected them to be.  Four years ago I decided to change locations again to a site on Lyman's Orchards in Middlefield, CT.  But once again that site did not produce the colors ... 10/01/2019

  September 11, 2001 We Will Not Forget!  9/11 will Always Be In Our Hearts, and each of us has our own special reason why that day will always be a day we will never forget.  Today is a day of not only remembering the vicious attack on our country eightteen years ago, but also a day to honor those who lost there lives.  It is also a day for us to reflect on the memories, and thoughts which went through our mines as the events of September 11, 2001 unfolded. I have shared what I remember most about 9/11 before, and have made a commitment to share this memory each and every year on September 11, so today I am fullfilling that commitment with this blog. Below is a special memory of that day, it is an event which hit close to home and will forever live in my heart and mind. Many innocent ... 09/11/2019

Today is Father's Day 2019 and it has been a good Father's Day weekend.  Yesterday I got to spend time with my youngest son and his wife, and today I will FaceTime with my oldest son, and gorgeous granddaughter. I hope the rest of the fathers reading this blog got to spend their Father's Day 2019 in their own special way.  Enjoy it, and appreciate the blessings you are so fortunate to have. 06/16/2019

 The Coleman Brother's 2019 Carnival Is In Middletown, CT April 5 - 13. Coleman Brothers is a small Carnival that comes to Middletown, Connecticut every year, and all the kids in town look forward to it.  As you can see from the banner above, and the pictures below, the Coleman Brother's Carnival is mainly geared to the younger kids, but there will lots of teenagers around all week partaking in the fun.The Coleman Brother's Carnival is easy to get to, it is located at Palmer Field right off of Washington Street, RT66 in Middletown, CT.  I took the pictures early in the day before they opened up, that is why there is no one in the pictures, but trust me these rides will be packed with kids later in the day and evening.Coleman Brother's 2019 Carnival Is In Middletown, CT April 5 - 13, so ... 04/05/2019

Veteran's Day 2018 Today is Veteran's Day 2018, A Day To Honor Our Veterans, and our Men and Women who are serving in our Armed Forces.I hope that everyone takes a moment out of there day to say thank you to either a Veteran they know, or one of the Men and Women presently serving.  It only takes a minute to do this, but the impact and meaning it has on the one you say thank you to is greater than you can imagine. Those who have served our country did so willingly and without expectation of anything in return.  They did it for the honor of serving the land of opportunity, and to secure the freedoms we enjoy.Many restaurants throughout the Country will be honoring our Veterans with free meals, and discounts.  Here in Connecticut the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) has also c... 11/11/2018

Final Blog Of The 2018 Progression Of Fall Colors In Middletown, CT.  The Connecticut Fall foliage is now almost just a memory, at least for my back yard.  So this blog will be the Final Blog Of The 2018 Progression Of Fall Colors In Middletown, CT I started my Progression Of Fall Colors series I started seven years ago, and it is a series I hope to continue for many more years to come.  The first two years the pictures were of a farm which is only about a minute walk from my house.  five years ago I decided to change the location for the 2014 Progression Of Fall Color Series to a lake about 5 minutes from my house on RT17.  I tried that location for two years, but the colors were not as good as I expected them to be.  Three years ago I decided to change locations again to a site on Ly... 11/08/2018

Fourth Blog Of The 2018 Progression Of Fall Colors In Middletown, CT.  Fall Has arrived in Connecticut, which means it is time for my Progression Of Fall Colors series I started seven years ago.  This is a series I hoped to continue for many more years to come, and have been able to do so far. The first two years the pictures were of a farm which is only about a minute walk from my house.  five years ago I decided to change the location for the 2014 Progression Of Fall Color Series to a lake about 5 minutes from my house on RT17.  I tried that location for two years, but the colors were not as good as I expected them to be.  Three years ago I decided to change locations again to a site on Lyman's Orchards in Middlefield, CT.  But once again that site did not produce the colors I had ho... 11/03/2018