Friday Flags  At least A reason to Smile in Prospect, CTEveryone loves a trip to the dentist office, right? Yes, for sure. At the very least, while getting ready for a visit, the sight on the way in was a quick reason to smile.It wasn't too bad of a trip, and of course the flag was appreciative of the exposure as well.Friday Flags  At least A reason to Smile in Prospect, CT 02/14/2025

Prospect CT Revaluation Numbers Have Residents ConcernedIn the State of Connecticut, towns must do an adjustment for property values very 5 years, and one of those requires a physical review of the property. For 2024, the values were adjusted based on sales, and a period was offered for residents to appeal or at least get an explanation of the increase.Over the past 5 years, the average real estate value for sales of houses in the Town of Prospect has increased by 31%, which has made sellers very happy for the increase in their homes' value.With the new assessments sent out to homeowners, some have been concerned for the potential increase in their taxes.Let's assume a home with an appraised value of $400,000, it's taxes would have been based on its assessed value, which is typically 30... 02/11/2025

Friday Flags:  Hotchkiss Field Prospect CTThe largest park in Prospect CT is located right off the main artery. Hotchkiss Field.It gets a lot of attention for the athletic fields basketball courts, hockey area and the skate are.People can be seen walking all over the track with cutoffs should they need to take a  break.With the cold and snow, activity is down, but the flag is still flying high.  On a breezy day, I walked as far as I could as I didn't have boots, and took a shot.It wasn't the best, and as it was still within the 30-day respect period for President Carter, I held off on sing it.We got some warm days, and with  a steady wind I decided to stop again when it could try to get a better shot. As I could walk down towards the baseball field, I was also able to get another shot.T... 02/07/2025

Groundhog Day 2025 What's it Going to be?In the Groundhog Day tradition, the groundhog wakes up early on the annual Feb. 2 holiday and looks around for its shadow. If it sees its shadow, winter will persist for another six weeks. If the groundhog doesn’t see its shadow, then spring will come early.In Gobbler's Nob PA, Punxsutawney Phil, probably annoyed at being rousted from bed so early, and after almost biting one of the assembled dignitaries, predicted another 6 weeks of winter.Chuckles XI, his cousin in Connecticut made his annual appearance at the Lutz Children’s Museum in Manchester with a prediction of an early spring.So, who is one to believe?Common sense would suggest that always trust the ones closest to you which would mean we will not have that dreaded 6 extra weeks of winte... 02/02/2025

Friday Flags A Final Half Mast Flag in Prospect CTJust off the center of the town is a manmade lake, called McGrath Pond. and earlier in the day I went by to see someone fishing well off the bank.  The flag on the pole adjacent to the pond monument was still at half-mast also and while the wind was blowing it was not that strong and this pond is sheltered, but I still managed to get a decent shot.It surely looks like winter and not the most hospitable area but the flag still managed to bring a pause for me to stop and a smile on my face.Friday Flags A Final Half Mast Flag in Prospect CT 01/31/2025

Friday Flags A Friendly Breeze in Naugatuck CTThe strong winds have been a story across the country and in some areas for the damage they are causing.They afforded me an opportunity to capture a flag, which I appreciated.The building was vacant, but the yard was loaded with delivery trucks. The building was once the retail outlet for Freihofer's food products.On this day it was just an appreciation of a flying flag.Friday Flags A Friendly Breeze in Naugatuck CT 01/24/2025

Friday Flags: A Patriotic Prospect CT Pizza RestaurantAs I make my runs through the area, I am always looking for a possibility of a flag for this Friday Flags series.This week was also special for the National Pizza Week recognition.So, it seemed so appropriate to combine the two, when I spotted the flag in front of Hometown Pizza in Prospect, CT.It was midafternoon so it wasn't as crowded as it normally is, but they were still active with slices to go.In a small town like Prospect, CT many of the businesses along the main roads do have their flag out front, and it makes fora big smile from me.Friday Flags: A Patriotic Prospect CT Pizza Restaurant 01/17/2025

National Pizza Week: Jan 12 to Jan 18, 2025It's National Pizza Week across the country, maybe the world and I feel so cheated.Imagine the shock to reading the headline above and look at the date and feel as though something was taken from you?I recognize that there are all manner of issues around the globe, but to find out mid-week, that pizza eating opportunities may have been lost?I do remember the first time we tried it, and where it came from as well.Back in the day, almost all sections of town had its services, and pizza was one of them.One of our friends' parents owned the local pizza place, and boy did we ever think we would get free slices.  Not a chance.Remember those words of caution?Be careful because the cheese will burn your mouth.Didn't happen and it was also forgotten the... 01/15/2025

Flags At Half Mast For Respect in Prospect CT 1.09.25As our nation paid its last respects to a President that was always caring and may have been in office at the wrong time, which cost him a re-election, many wish for leaders that had half his heart, or did so much.It ws a windy day in the Northeast and as I passed the Prospect town center, a flurry was noticed..The burdens are huge, the noise is loud, but a peanut farmer from Georgia, left a large legacy. Flags At Half Mast For Respect in Prospect CT 1.09.25  01/10/2025

Hoping 2025 Brings Health, Prosperity and HappinessThe first day of each new year brings much hope and many a resolution. By the second week of the new year the majority of the resolutions have been forgotten.One can only hope that the hope remains and as all proceed into the year the sprit thrives, and success is achieved.It has been an interesting year in our house, but we will look to go into the New Year in a positive and see what happens.So, my wish for you is continued prosperity into the New Year and health and happiness for you and your families.Hoping 2025 Brings Health, Prosperity and Happiness  01/01/2025

Friday Flags: A Naugatuck CT Flutter to Make one SmileComing from an appointment in Naugatuck CT this past week, I was happy to see a flutter along a park that made me stop.It is a hectic time of year, and so many are rushing, and it does matter when we get to appreciate the simple things.It was enough of a breeze to get the flag to move, and I felt that with a little patience, it might just get full wave.I was rewarded and although it may not have been a full blow, it was enough to set the end of year post properly.It is always a beautiful sight and maybe a promise of a good year to come. Friday Flags: A Naugatuck CT Flutter to Make one Smile 12/27/2024

 Thankful for The Ones That are Always There Today is a day to give thanks for the blessings that we have been fortunate to have worked for.We all enjoy the company of our family and the extended ones as well.I am very appreciative of the support my family has given me in my trying times.And there are those people that have touched us and we know that whenever we really needed assistance, they were there, no questions asked.I have been fortunate to have had that type of person in my life. I would also like to believe that when called, I was also that type of person.Life is easier when we know we have helped and also appreciated the help.Enjoy the day.    Thankful for The Ones That are Always There 11/28/2024

Thankful That I was WatchingReal estate is a business that requires knowledge, caring and the ability to respond quickly. It is not about just opening a door, waiting for a buyer to look through a house and then wondering if this is the one they want to buy. Or at least that is my belief.When the market favors buyers, it becomes necessary to try and make sure that what they are seeing has the potential of offering the shelter and comforts they seek and not become a money pit, unless of course they are seeking a fixer upper. As a youngster, we were often with our father when he was doing a side job to help someone he knew and also make a few extra dollars. He had only 2 years of high school in Portugal and as this was in the early 1930's, it was necessary for all to work the land to surv... 11/25/2024

Friday Flags: Official Opening of The Mountain Grill Waterbury CTSaturday morning was a big day at the East Mountain Golf course as it was the official opening of the remodeled club house and the formal introduction to the general public of the Mountain Grill. As we were walking down the 17th fairway, we could hear bagpipes playing songs nearby.Then, as we were approaching the green on the 18th fairway there was a crowd assembled behind the green. For the way we had played that morning, we knew it wasn't for us.After 2 years and a cost of over $2.5 million the grand unveiling. Just prior to the speeches, the bagpipes started, and the Waterbury CT Police Pipes and Drums band marched around the 18th green.  Full credits were offered to all the people that worked so hard to allow the resto... 11/22/2024

What’s My Wolcott CT Home’s Value October 2024Wolcott CT is a town bordered by Bristol and Southington in Hartford county, and Waterbury in New Haven county. It is primarily a suburban town located 80 miles from New York City with a commute of 20 miles to Hartford and 30 miles to New Haven. Only slightly greater than 50% of the towns land is developed as residential housing and commercial, light industrial businesses.Currently in Wolcott CT there are 29 active residential listings for sale. The homes for sale in Wolcott CT range from a 738 square ft, 1-bedroom ranch style house listed at $160,000to a 2,546 square ft, 4-bedroom cape listed at $550,000. Search for Homes in Wolcott CT The average list price of the homes currently available for sale in Wolcott CT is $464,131. The average da... 11/20/2024

What’s My Waterbury CT Home’s Value October 2024Waterbury CT is the second largest town in New Haven County with a population of app115,000. It is 33 miles southwest of Hartford, 25 miles north of New Haven and 77 miles northwest of New York City. The larger factories that once dominated the Connecticut manufacturing economy are no longer in Waterbury, essentially changing form the brass mills they used for raw materials and converting to cheaper and lighter aluminum or plastic. Currently in Waterbury CT there are 105 active residential listings for sale. The homes for sale in Waterbury CT range from an 684 square ft, 2-bedroom cape listed at $127,000 to a 1,134 square ft, 3-bedroom cape on large acreage listed at $750,000. These listings are within the town zip codes of 06702, 06704, 0... 11/16/2024

Friday Flags: A Rehab Facility Proudly Displaying the Flag in Naugatuck CTWe have been visiting a family member that was at a rehab facility in Naugatuck. For as often as we were going there it was always a pleasant site to see the American Flag waving just outside the entrance.Glendale Center is part of the National Genesis Health Care system.  The staff are always attentive, friendly, courteous and quick to answer any questions. As I was leaving one afternoon the wind started do its thing so naturally, I did my thing.I appreciate the facilities that honor our country and display the flag and wish more would do the sameFriday Flags: A Rehab Facility Proudly Displaying the Flag in Naugatuck CT  11/15/2024

What Happened in The Prospect CT Real Estate Market Prospect October 2024?   Prospect CT is a town of App 11,000 residents located in New Haven County. It is bordered by Waterbury, Cheshire, Naugatuck and Bethany.  Once noted by Money Magazine as one of the top 300 towns in the Nation, it has since adopted the title of Best Small town in CT.It serves as a predominately residential community whose residents commute to the nearby towns.  It has a well recognized Regional school system shared with Beacon Falls CT.  It is also recognized as a well managed town with taxes under control.  Search for homes in Prospect CTCurrently in Prospect CT there are 12 active residential listings for sale. The homes for sale in Prospect CT range from a 732 square ft, 2-bedroom mobile home listed at $ 85,0... 11/13/2024

Veteran's Day  Nov 11, 2024  Thank a Veteran for Their Service Today, in the United States, is Veteran’s Day. It’s a day to remember all Veteran’s that have served their country in a time of war. Originally it was known as Armistice Day, which was the day the articles ending World War I were signed, at the 11th hour of the 11 Day of the 11 month.On June 1, 1954, Congress changed the day and replaced Armistice with Veteran's Day in order to include the veteran's from WW11 and the Korean conflict. As today is a federal holiday, all government offices will be closed, as will be all schools.  Many restaurants will offer special meals for Veterans with proof of service.  If you should pass a person today and recognize them as having served, thank them for their service.This year especially a... 11/11/2024

A November Sunset that Looked like Fire in the SkyConnecticut bordering on drought conditions and as the state is so dry fires are a large worry. Lat October saw a large 200-acre fire in the center of the state that had firefighters battling around the clock.It ws startling to me as I was driving up a hill to glance west and see the sky lit up fire red.I waited a few minutes trying to determine where it might be It could have been the forest bordering the Naugatuck/Middlebury lines with Interstate 84 running right through its center.The pause made it very clear that it wasn't a fire, just a brilliant sunset..Remembering the weather saying of evening red, morning gray helps the traveler on his way, it was going to be another sunny day following. A November Sunset that Looked like Fire in... 11/10/2024