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Easton: ‘Da Best’ in our Eyes

This past year, when the editors of Smithsonian Magazine called for submissions for their annual roundup of “The 15 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2021,” as secretary of the Executive Committee for the Western Connecticut Tourism District (WCTD) and proud Easton resident, I thought the odds were in our town’s favor to nominate “The Christmas Tree Capital of Connecticut” as a strong contender. Silverman’s Farm–Photo courtesy of Stacy Lytwyn The timing couldn’t have been better. Our town’s legacy is linked with three recent milestones. First, last year marked the 175th anniversary of Easton that today totals a population of roughly 7,500. (Visit the official site of the 175 th Anniversary of Easton at https://www.easton175.com)

Second, also in 2020, Silverman’s Farm turned 100 years old. Third, the Easton Volunteer Fire Company #1 celebrates its 100-year anniversary as an organization this year.

Our town’s staying power is fueled with the same passion, collaboration and loyalty that motivated and guided our earliest residents. For instance, town support and enthusiasm for the annual Fireman’s Carnival, which helps benefit the volunteer organization’s yearly operating costs and other expenses, has fueled the event for 80 seasons, apart from last year in 2020 when it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Comfort derives from tradition, at least this is the case for me when the town center bursts with energy, rolling out games, rides, festival booths, delicious food and delectable small- town appeal.

With so much to boast about, I teamed up with my colleague, also an Easton resident, Connecticut guidebook author Stacy Lytwyn Maxwell, and we began the process by answering the essential question, “Why travel here?”

The pivotal theme of our final submission was: Easton has nothing, but has everything! In other words, we have “nothing” in the sense of competing with big city attractions. On the other hand, Easton’s fundamental role in environmental stewardship, protecting and preserving our natural resources for generations to come creates a small town flavor of “everything” imaginable to entice day-trippers who seek to explore a charming area full of colorful history, open countryside, farms, sporting venues, including the private members-only Connecticut Golf Club, gastronomic and shopping pleasures for all ages, and so much more.

Months after we submitted our nomination, it turns out that our theme fits the “perseverance and preservation” angle of the magazine’s 2021 final roundup. Stacked with stiff competition, however, the magazine selected Litchfield over us to showcase this year. I congratulate the tiny hamlet of approximately 1,300 residents that are part of our 63-town family in the western district.

Although we were not selected for the 15-town roundup, I am happy to report that two of our town’s farms were awarded designations on another impressive list, Yankee Magazine’s 2021 Best of New England Summer Travel Guide. Silverman’s Farm made the “best attractions” category and Sport Hill Farm won a place in the “best dining” list. Silverman’s Farm–Photo courtesy of Michelle Falcone Sport Hill Farm–Photo courtesy of owner Patti Popp Spanning 28.6 square miles, this helps prove that Easton really has nothing, but has everything! In fact, I hope after reading the following excerpt that was part of our nomination for Smithsonian Magazine’s “best small town” list, you will agree that we are winners all-around:

Actor Paul Newman made the town’s particular penchant for rural preservation clear during the widely publicized battle to acquire the 730-acre Trout Brook Valley Preserve maintained by the Aspetuck Land Trust. In 1999, he was one of the key philanthropists who, along with the State of Connecticut, and many others, assisted the Aspetuck Land Trust to save the preserve and nix the development of more luxury homes and a second golf course in Easton. Today, hikers can enjoy 14 miles of trails in the area ranging from easy to difficult. Two of the trails are designated for equestrians. Scenic overlooks, lush apple and blueberry orchards and four-season quintessential charm compel visitors from all over the state and beyond to take a closer look.

The Aspetuck Land Trust maintains eight other preserves in Easton where hikers, nature enthusiasts and historians have an array of four-season attractions to enjoy. Open meadows, stonewalls, miles of groomed trails, one of the last great old farm fields and the area’s few remaining historic long lots are only some of the things to explore at the preserves.

All around town, fishing opportunities also abound. Have you heard of “Trout: An Illustrated History?” The town’s streams inspired Easton native James Prosek to write the book that was published in 1996. From the beginning, reviewers applauded it, describing it as an aquatic Audubon.

Visitors from all corners of the world come to embrace and embody the increased levels of calm that Prosek often speaks about. No streetlights. One full traffic light. One flashing red stop light. One flashing yellow caution light. Spotty cell service.

You’d never suspect that the quaint town goes down in not only the history books, but the science books too. The area was hit with a meteorite in 1807. In fact, the largest known chunk that was recovered is about the size of a basketball and is exhibited on the third floor of the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History in New Haven!

What also has another “impact” on visitors is how many of the residents wave at them. Indeed, in all of the town’s rural “nothingness,” it has everything — family fun, romantic jaunts and accommodating farmers and staff who make day-trippers feel at home. Drop by and browse specialty markets filled with locally made favorites, such as garments, woodwork and toys. And, of course, fresh produce and other goodies, not to mention pick-your-own in-season fruits and vegetables. Silverman’s Farm, Sherwood Farm, Shaggy Coos Farm, Sport Hill Farm are a few of the small signature businesses that brighten any day with homegrown goodness.

Easton is also home to Gilbertie’s Farm, the largest certified organic greenhouse operation in the Northeast. The decades-old farm sells fresh produce, eggs and other interesting staples at a country farm stand. Some of the farmers employ the honor system. Locals sometimes get into the business of selling eggs, honey and maple syrup outside their residences.

Sal Gilbertie–Photo courtesy of Michelle Falcone Local honey, Italian prune plums and, of course, apples, are only a few of the delicious fares at the Aspetuck Apple Barn. Nearby, there are photo opportunities aplenty at the scenic reservoir.

Then there’s Ganim Tree Farm, Maple Row Farm, Slady’s Tree Farm and more — little wonder Easton is called “The Christmas Tree Capital of Connecticut.”

Not in the mood for trees? What about a breathtaking orchid from J&L Orchids, a nursery that started nearly 50 years ago in Easton.

Everyone is always in the mood for a “famous” breakfast at Olde Blue Bird Inn where on a busy day cooks flip over 300 flapjacks!

Foodies also love Easton Village Store and Greiser’s Coffee & Market. Aside from the delicious meals, you can also shop for local food, merchandise and gifts as well as catch the latest exhibition in Greiser’s art gallery or scout for antiques in the 220- year-old building.

Probably one of the most famous historical residents in Easton, other than Helen Keller, is the White Lady. She is the infamous ghost that has garnered worldwide publicity. People swear they see the woman dressed in a long, white dress, roaming Union Cemetery, dating back to the 1600s.

Speaking of history, it abounds between Easton’s borders. For example, the Adams Schoolhouse, circa 1850, is only one of the historical properties for curiosity seekers to schedule a tour and discover a bygone era. As a matter of fact, no matter what you do in town, one thing certain is that you will be motivated to kick back and feel like you’re living in simpler, easier times.

All in all, Easton really does offer everything for visitors wanting nothing less than a memorable small town experience.

Note: for those who seek overnight accommodations, the award-winning Hi-Ho “Hi- Tech” Hotel in Fairfield is a stone’s throw away!

We hope, after reading the above excerpt that was part of our nomination for Smithsonian Magazine’s “best small town” list, it excites you enough to join the fun at the second annual Easton Town Party on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Come and enjoy community spirit, live music, local food, craft beer and beverages, family activities and more! Presented by Ashlar-Aspetuck Masonic Lodge No. 142, for full event information, including tickets, lineup, directions, parking, FAQ’s and more, visit eastontownparty.com or follow @eastontownparty on social media.

Longed-for Long Weekends: Litchﬁeld County, Cornwall

Western Connecticut Tourism District

Longed-for Long Weekends: Litchfield County, Cornwall, is co-written by Michelle Falcone of Easton, secretary on the Executive Committee for the Western Connecticut Tourism District (WCTD) and Stacy Lytwyn, Easton resident and CT guidebook author. This is the sixth article in a six-part series that examines some of the best weekend jaunts offered in each of the three WCTD regions.

Embedded along Connecticut’s 78-mile stretch of U.S. Route 7 (US 7) in Cornwall, one of the state’s smallest towns and self-proclaimed, “Greenest Town in Connecticut,” families gather under one roof at the Cornwall Inn — and they aren’t necessarily related.

Friends are synonymous with family, and the tagline at the inn is appropriate, “… where friends gather.”

“We have owned the inn for almost 18 years and still love what we do. This comes across in the way our guests are treated … like family. So many people comment on the friendly and family-like vibe,” says Stacey Marcin, who co-owns the inn with her husband, Mark Hampson.

The couple’s passion ignited when, while working in the corporate world, they ended up owning and operating a B & B in Philadelphia. Their dream, however, was to purchase and run a country inn where they would raise their family. For two years, the couple surveyed 36 inns from Maryland to Maine. Against stiff competition, the Litchfield County property, set in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, beat the odds and won their hearts. Photo courtesy of Randy O’Rourke of Randy O’Rourke Photography, Kent, CT. Subsequently, during “homecomings,” denizens of the Cornwall Inn, Stacey says, have enjoyed watching the innkeepers’ toddlers, ages two and four when they first opened the doors for business, grow into young adults, ages 19 and 21.

“Most visitors are from New York City, but the number of Connecticut visitors has increased dramatically since COVID. Connecticut residents from along the coast are always pleasantly surprised when they ‘find us,’” Stacey explains.

The perfect life metaphor: the inn that connects communities across generations lies in a hamlet called Cornwall Bridge, one of the town’s five villages. Needless to say, Cornwall Bridge, the actual bridge, is an integral part of area history. The present six-span open- spandrel bridge over the Housatonic River and Housatonic Railroad on US 7 and CT 4, built in 1930 as a replacement bridge, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the largest one of the six of its kind in the state. The inn’s main house was built in 1821. One can easily imagine the clatter of the horses’ hooves over the boards of the 19th-century covered bridge that previously spanned the river, escorting guests when the inn began to play host to travelers in 1871.

Today, the 13 well-appointed, child-friendly guest room inn is steeped in history, as it is in nature. Conveniently close to hiking and waterfalls, the establishment also boasts its own three scenic acres that include a mountain stream leading to the Housatonic River. In the warmer months, the swimming pool inspires wake-up dips or bathing any time of day. Guests can also enjoy poolside dining options or pause to indulge in a bottle of wine. Furthermore, they can soak all year long in the hot tub.

Photo courtesy of Randy O’Rourke of Randy O’Rourke Photography, Kent, CT. At every turn, outdoors or indoors, guests are encouraged to soak up life and slow down. Schedules, obligations, regiments go wayside, and it all kicks in with a post check-in complimentary glass of red wine. The innkeepers have preserved the authentic antique decor at the main inn. On the first floor, many extended-stay lodgers take advantage of the private restaurant and tavern. Space, as well as dishes, utensils, and other provisions, is also available for guests who dine on local restaurant dinners that they bring back to the inn.

Board games and books, not to mention a fireplace in the winter months, set the mood at the gathering room. Mornings are all good in the breakfast room where the complimentary hearty continental breakfasts, featuring such treats as homemade granola, breads and baked sweet items, are served. A screened patio invites the outdoors in.

On the second floor, visitors find four classic bed and breakfast styled, ensuite guest rooms. Their monikers, such as Lily White and Periwinkle Pastime, are as distinct as their ambiance. Suite Marigold is the two-bedroom suite, complete with a California king bed, queen bed in the adjoining room and extra roll-away cot, ideal for traveling couples and families.

In addition, the innkeepers create a decidedly homemade and comfortable feel at the pet-friendly country lodge that is in a separate building consisting of eight ensuite guest rooms, six on the ground level, all with private entrances. Home away from home, for instance, may portray relaxing on the deck of the Crow’s Corner with a fur baby and “counting the crows.” The spacious room entices downtime with its sitting area and sleepytime with its two cozy queen beds.

To accommodate couples, as well as children 12 and over, who prefer the full “New England Main Street” experience, Stacey and Mark have recently added a new addition to their family of properties, the Kent Guest Suite, five miles north of the inn. Here, in the town of Kent, natural wonders mingle with an array of art galleries, restaurants, boutique shops and top-rated educational academies.

It is obvious that the innkeepers and staff at the inn have successfully pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the process, they have not only implemented appropriate precautions, but met the changing spatial needs that the pandemic incited.

“We converted a few spaces and made them appropriate for extended stays, as folks were looking for longer term (weeks/months),” Stacey explains.

During the changing times, some things remain consistent. “We offer couples that were married here (my husband is a JP), a free, one-night stay on their anniversary.”

The innkeepers and staff recently had the pleasure of meeting “the adorable baby” of a couple that Mark married at the inn three years ago.

Whether traveling as a couple, solo guest or with family members, the location, Stacey says, is “homebase for visiting attractions, such as Kent Falls, state parks, river sports, wineries, breweries, shops and galleries in Litchfield county. “

The inn is a four-minute drive to Kent Falls State Park, five minutes to Housatonic Meadows State Park and 10 minutes to Mohawk Mountain. Plus, there are numerous highly recommended restaurants in the area, including the iconic Fife and Drum in Kent.

The beauty of the town itself is alluring and, undeniably, inspires guests to stay put.

“The mind, eager for caresses, lies down at its own risk in Cornwall,” local Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, Mark Van Doren, aptly once described the town.

The inn, like the town, is difficult to leave. Upon departure though, “family members” go forward, nourished with feel-good memories and a renewed sense of belonging.

Cornwall Inn, 270 Kent Road, Cornwall Bridge, CT 06754; (860) 672-6884; [email protected] Longed-for Long Weekends: Fairﬁeld County, Norwalk and Danbury

The state’s lift on most of the COVID-19-related restrictions means a new appreciation for the rise in temperatures. This reality becomes more clear as traffic swells and many weekend warriors take the plunge from their homes’ safety nests into backyard exploration. You don’t have to travel past the state lines to discover a myriad of worthwhile day-trip forays.

Faced with choice overload, itinerary planning can spike the body’s stress hormones. Lower the tension to zero and reserve a weekend away at Hotel Zero Degrees in Norwalk or its sister property in Danbury, destinations unto themselves. Appropriately tagged, “an alternative to colossal and impersonal,” the boutique hotels have “chill out” as well as “cool” written all over them.

Pumped-up sleek facades, along with high-tech amenities, beguile the friendly old- fashioned service. Environmental responsibility, too, is branded in their name. Both sustainable, eco-friendly hotels strive for little or no, as in “Zero Degrees,” energy use.

No wonder these properties have won the coveted Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice award as well as Hotels.com’s Loved by Guests Award for multiple years in a row.

In addition, Lindsay Oppedisano, director of sales, says that from the start of the pandemic, the continued safety of staff and guests was the number one priority of the owners, the Greenwich Hospitality Group, a local company that owns and operates other upscale boutique-style hotels in the state and throughout the country. “We followed restrictions and guidelines put in place by the CDC, but we also had our own policies and we are still constantly sanitizing throughout the hotel. Whenever guests are ready to travel again, we will be a safe place for them to enjoy a little getaway in Connecticut,” she explains.

For a “little getaway,” both properties are big on personality and charm, and the attentiveness to detail helps travelers feel like their best selves.

Norwalk

At the edge of the Norwalk River in the heart of the city, Hotel Zero Degrees generated rave reviews when it opened in 2013. The hotel boasts four floors that includes a lobby with a signature two-story glass entry atrium, 2,000 combined square feet of meeting space, two floors of 96 ample-sized guest rooms and a fourth floor rooftop lounge that piques curiosity and a closer look. Local community interest is recognized in the showcase of paintings by artists from the Silvermine Guild of Artists in New Canaan. The interior décor and contemporary furnishings in the common areas and guest rooms are highlighted in multi-tones of gray combined with European-style design touches that lend a sense of sophistication and intimacy. Lean into the signature inlaid fabric guest room headboard and watch how quickly daily stressors can fade.

Before or after a relaxing night’s sleep, now that the mild weather is here, there is no better time to enjoy Skytop 353, the rooftop lounge that further delights the senses with billiards table, ping-pong, cornhole, TVs, lounge chairs and outdoor couches. In the morning, travelers have the opportunity to get in a workout at the state-of-the-art fitness center. Day-trippers needn’t venture far to continue the cool vibe feeling with a visit to the South Norwalk Historic District (SoNo), a waterfront neighborhood that is meant for comfortable walking shoes. Strolling around, you won’t run out of things to see, buy, eat or drink — certainly not with 30 dining and drinking options. Check out one of the newest additions, the upscale SoNo Collection Mall. In addition, the Maritime Aquarium features over 30 fresh and saltwater exhibits that include a touch tank, a sensory delight for all ages.

For additional information and special packages, click here.

Danbury

Following the success of the Norwalk location, Hotel Zero Degrees in Danbury opened in 2016. The four-story building includes three floors of 114 spacious, uniquely designed guest rooms curated with business as well as leisure travelers in mind, more than 3,500 square feet of event space and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Conveniently located off I-84 in the city’s west side, the property’s modern lodge exterior is designed to tap into the natural elements of the surrounding woodland reserve. Indoors, the common areas as well as guest rooms, are a design-lover’s odyssey with artistic touches that achieve the perfect balance of luxury and tranquility. Before or after a night made for sweet dreams, reserve a table at Terra, the restaurant on-premises that is owned and operated by Z Hospitality Group. The group owns and operates six restaurants in lower Fairfield and Westchester Counties. Superb gastronomic surprises await as Executive Chef Albert DeAngelis crafts scrumptious northern Italian cuisine and seasonal specialties that are served in a floor-to-ceiling window backdrop.The wine list at Terra includes more than 100 labels, representative of the premiere regions of Italy and California. The Lawn, an outdoor area, features a fire pit, lawn games, seating area and plenty of fun.

Outside the hotel, the property inspires relaxing strolls — not to mention that the city of Danbury provides over 1,644 acres of open space for outdoor adventures.

On Fridays, from June 19 through October 30, meander around the CityCenter Danbury Farmers’ Market at the Danbury Railway Museum grounds. (At press time, the museum is still closed due to COVID-19).

In the area, the historic downtown walking tours are suspended until further notice. However, there is a Plan B. Head to Main Street, look for the special markers and follow a self-guided, The Museum in the Streets, tour.

Plus, shoppers have plenty of space to explore the Danbury Fair Mall. Downtown Ridgefield also offers a fine day full of shopping, dining and plenty of places to pause for a quick photo. In addition, golfers can tee off at Richter Park, a challenging Edward Ryder design 18-hole public golf course.

For additional information and special packages, click here

Longed-for Long Weekends: Fairfield County, Norwalk and Danbury is co-written by Michelle Falcone of Easton, secretary on the Executive Committee for the Western Connecticut Tourism District (WCTD) and Stacy Lytwyn, Easton resident and CT guidebook author. It is the fourth article in a six-part series that examines some of the best weekend jaunts offered in each of the three WCTD regions.

For more weekend getaway ideas, including lodging, dining, attractions and so much more, check out WCTD’s website at https://www.ctvisit.com/listings/western-regional-tourism-district Longed-for Long Weekends: Fairﬁeld County, Stratford

After months of living through the uncertainties of a global health crisis and a life- changing pandemic, isn’t it time to pause? Sometimes all you need is a long weekend escape to push the reset button.

One “shore” way to restore and unwind is to reserve a room at Stratford’s Surfside Hotel and “sea” firsthand how there’s something soothing about waves lapping over the sand and rocks in an area called Point No Point. The point is, it’s a small southernmost cape that juts into the heart of Long Island Sound, kisses the mouth of the Housatonic River, and seems eons away from the daily grind.

Located on Connecticut’s affluent Gold Coast, discover this tree-lined neighborhood of Lordship, known as “a town within a town.” The name, Lordship, is derived from an original settler, Richard Mills, who arrived around 1639 and, in all likelihood, held the title of “Lord.” The Surfside Hotel – Photo Courtesy of Stacy Lytwyn Conveniently, about 10 minutes from I-95, pass the Sikorsky Memorial Airport and drive through the Great Meadows salt marsh. The “Turtle Crossing” sign signals you are headed in the right direction, leading you to Surfside Hotel that also houses the Little Pub, American restaurant and bar, only steps from the 1,000-foot stone masonry seawall. Seawall at Point No Point in Lordship – Photo courtesy of Stacy Lytwyn “You don’t have to go away to get away,” says Kirsten Comfort, general manager at the year-round boutique hotel offering 27 fully appointed guestrooms and a new exercise room.

The historical underpinnings of the hotel-and-restaurant building at 10 Washington Parkway are traced back as far as 1915 when Lordship Pavilion opened. Scores of visitors from Stratford and Bridgeport arrived by trolley and motorcar. In 1956, Marge and Nick Quattone purchased the site and opened Nick’s Hideaway. The lunch shop grew to a full-scale restaurant and motel and then in 1963, the owners changed the name to Marnick’s, a combination of both their first names.

Three generations of the Quattrone family ran the iconic establishment before putting it on the market in 2018. Doug and Daneen Grabe, co-owners of the Little Pub restaurant chain, purchased the property about a year later, opening a fifth Little Pub amid COVID-19 challenges and delaying the Surfside Hotel debut until August 2020.

“We definitely had bookings here and there during the pandemic. Some of them were local people who said, ‘I just want to get out of my house for a night,’” explains Comfort.

Now, reservations are on a brisk rebound after a chaotic pandemic year. Let’s pretend 2020 never happened is inscribed on the key chains at the Lifeguard Stand, a gift shop on premises, and online, offering nautical-themed paintings and other souvenirs. Indeed, the hotel’s airy and bright guestrooms, stocked minibars, vintage surfboards and fun nautical-themed decor create a life-is-a-beach vibe that’s meant to wash troubles away.

King Guest Room at Surfside Hotel – Photo courtesy of Take Aim Photography Guest-room Deck View Surfside Hotel – Photo courtesy of Take Aim Photography The hotel adheres to strict COVID-19 safety guidelines to protect guests and staff members. In addition, contactless check in/check out via Bluetooth OpenKey is available and guestrooms provide area maps, guides and information like WiFi passwords.

In other words, “You technically don’t ever have to see a hotel member if you didn’t want to,” Comfort says.

An array of customized options, such as a four-course, in-room dinner menu; Arogya holistic in-room healing services, including massage; local brewery tours; paddle boards and complimentary bicycles deliver a total travel experience. Complimentary bicycles at Surfside Hotel – Photo Courtesy of Michelle Falcone “Go downstairs to the restaurant to eat and guests don’t have to go anywhere because everything is here,” Comfort adds.

Dining indoors or outdoors, enjoy the Long Island coastal views at the Little Pub, a casual meeting place accented with conversational decor like chandeliers fabricated from nuts and bolts. Comfort describes the setting as “a nice submarine type of feel.”

The American-style menu duplicates its four other Little Pub siblings’ comfort food fare with an emphasis on seafood. Hot lobster roll keeps one of Marnick’s traditions alive. Although when Marnick’s opened lobster roll cost $1.70. Now, at press time, seasonal pricing ran $24. Not a bad deal considering pandemic-related supply chain seafood shortages. The owners, Comfort says, work hard to keep prices affordable. In addition, she adds, “We want to have something here for everyone.”

From cornhole games on Thursday to morning yoga, it sounds like the establishment is meeting its goal. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, 60 events—and counting—are planned for guests and the general public as well.

Gift Shop at Surfside Hotel – Photo courtesy of Michelle Falcone Guests also have a number of nearby beaches to explore while novel shopping experiences include the Mellow Monkey about two and a half miles away. Aviation enthusiasts can enjoy the all-day grand opening on May 29 of the Connecticut Air & Space Center, 225 B Main Street, in Lordship’s Sikorsky Memorial Airport, which will open a portion of the historic Curtiss Hanger to the public as part of an exhibition in a “mini-museum.”

No matter what’s on the travelers’ itinerary, weekends spent in Lordship can be summed up in three words: Pause. Reset. Repeat.

For additional weekend getaway ideas, including lodging, dining, attractions and so much more, check out WCTD’s website at https://www.ctvisit.com/listings/western-regional-tourism-district.

Longed-for Long Weekends: Fairfield County, Stratford is co-written by Michelle Falcone of Easton, secretary on the Executive Committee for the Western Connecticut Tourism District (WCTD) and Stacy Lytwyn, Easton resident and CT guidebook author. It is the third article in a six-part series that examines some of the best weekend jaunts offered in each of the three regions in the WCTD.

Longed-for Long Weekends: Naugatuck Valley Region

As business restrictions and travel mandates lift and the world recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Connecticut’s backyard treasures beckon day-trippers to discover —and rediscover— the wealth of sightseeing opportunities that at every turn, turn a day into a weekend adventure.

Sometimes slipped under a traveler’s radar, one of the first signs of hospitality in “Naugy,” as residents affectionately refer to the state’s only consolidated borough and town, just south of Waterbury, is actually a “Welcome to Naugatuck” four-sign display at the entry and exit ramps of Route 8. It’s a “happy accident” that the maroon/yellow signage shares the same color scheme of the renowned Tuttle House, the Queen Anne- style home of the Naugatuck Historical Society (NHS), explains the society’s president Chris Ritton-Stokes.

“We have adopted the maroon and gold color scheme for the society because it does work so well with the house,” Ritton-Stokes said.

Tuttle House prominently situated at the head of Church Street. The Tuttle house, boasting 30 rooms and eight fireplaces, was built in 1881 for Bronson B. and Mary Ann Tuttle. It is a salute to the Gilded Age and unfettered excess of exotic furnishings, extravagant detail and worldwide curio collections.

Albeit temporarily closed, visitors are welcome to stroll and view the grounds that include the O’Donnell Memorial Garden commemorating each past president of the Naugatuck Garden Club, not to mention the legacy of trees planted by the Tuttle family.

Tuttle, along with patron John Howard Whittemore, former owners of Eastern Malleable Iron, which still exists today as The Eastern Company, planted something even more significant. Naugatuck’s rich architectural heritage stems from Tuttle’s introduction to the City Beautiful Movement, promoting the idea of the urban beautification and its benefits, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893, one of the first world’s fairs held in Chicago.

Naugatuck Green with Soldier’s Monument in the background, dedicated in 1885 to honor local residents who served in the Civil War – Photo courtesy of Naugatuck Historical Society The Tuttle House is part of Naugatuck’s historic district, which encompasses most of Church and Meadow streets and showcases the largest collection of extant McKim, Mead and White-designed buildings found anywhere in the world outside New York City. A few stops on the architectural masterpiece explorer’s map are the Salem Elementary School, a brick Renaissance Revival structure built in 1893 and Hillside Intermediate School, modeled after Greek Temples and constructed of pink granite and pressed buff brick.

Some other celebrated examples in and around Naugatuck Green include the 1895 Memorial Fountain, Naugatuck Congregational Church, Howard Whittemore Memorial Library and the Thomas Neary Memorial Building, a Neo-Classical Revival structure, one of Ritton-Stokes’ favorites. Also notable is Hop Brook School, designed by Theodate Pope Riddle, one of the first female architects, who also designed her parents home, which is now the Hill-Stead Museum.

The NHS plans to resume downtown walking tours, including a remarkable array of war memorials, for the spring/summer season. It is also organizing its popular Grove cemetery tours in the fall. Naugatuck’s World War Monument is located on Meadow Street, northwest of the Soldier’s Monument in the center of the town green – Photo courtesy of Naugatuck Historical Society The cemetery tours are staffed by actors portraying some of Naugatuck’s famous forebears next to their final resting place. Among the “Who’s Who” list of Naugy’s past residents buried in the cemetery is Peter Paul Halajian, inventor of Almond Joy & Mounds. In an “old factory town,” Naugatuck Garden Club’s president Gerry McCabe says that one of the non-profit community organization’s missions is the civic beautification of Naugatuck and “making things pretty.”

The volunteer-driven club’s green touch that includes 11 gardens is “pretty” obvious. Behind the library, check out the Butterfly Garden, Gerry’s favorite. Beyond the pretty lies the practical. The club works diligently to attract bees and other pollinators and direct them from the Maple Street Bridge flower boxes to the town green vicinity and into Linden Park, one of the best-kept area secrets that features a walking path offering panoramic views of Naugatuck River.

Auspiciously, garden club events are beginning to jump start again. Mark June 12 on your calendar for a summer flower sale at the relatively new town green gazebo that debuted about a year ago. Naugatuck Green: Congregational Church on left | St. Michael’s Episcopal Church on right. Photo courtesy of Naugatuck Historical Society Hungry? Close to downtown, don’t miss fine dining adventures at Station Restaurant. It goes down in the history books as Naugatuck’s old train station and was designed by Henry Bacon in 1908. Bacon also designed the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Other nearby eateries include, to name only a few, Coddington’s On Meadow, Jesse Camille’s Restaurant, Loaded Goat Coffee Shop, 66 Church and the Corner Tavern, a landmark since 1911. Naugatuck’s former train station in proximity to downtown is now The Station House, a fine dining restaurant. The train station was designed by Henry Bacon in 1908. Bacon also designed the Lincoln Memorial In Washington D.C. – Photo courtesy of Naugatuck Historical Society. Fortunately, weekend escapes that give you a little slice of Naugy that’s big on memorable flavor are made easy with the number of chain-branded hotel options in town and around the Waterbury area. For weekend getaway ideas, including lodging, dining, attractions and so much more, check out WCTD’s website at https://www.ctvisit.com/listings/western-regional-tourism-district

Connecticut’s Best Backyard Bucket List

This article, written by Michelle Falcone of Easton, new secretary on the Executive Committee for the Western Connecticut Tourism District (WCTD), is the final article in a three-part spring day trip series. It provides a behind-the-scenes look on how local tourism is not only surviving, but many times thriving, during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of travel all over the world and limited wanderlust in many ways. The good news: Road trips are on the rise. According to The Travel Industry Turned Upside Down, published in September 2020 by Skift Research, “’Drive-to’ will ‘propel recovery.’

“Among Americans polled in Skift Research’s July travel tracker, 67% said their first trip since the beginning of the pandemic would be by car, a figure that has been consistent since April.”

Personally, I am part of the statistic. I couldn’t wait to get back en route to my favorite day trip destinations. My bucket list for 2021 is a continuation of last year’s—enjoying the hospitality, creativity and generosity of Connecticut’s finest innkeepers, chefs, farmers, artists, historians, and the natural beauty that surrounds them all in Western Connecticut.

Coastlines, cities or countrysides — even in light of so many changes — it’s impossible to deny the appeal of the picture-perfect scenes in the state. Awe is contagious. Over many years, I have visited numerous artist studios and have seen how the four-season faces of the Nutmeg State inspire an array of seascapes, landscape and floral vistas. I wish I possessed a sprawling museum space to enable me to bring every single painting and artwork home!

Of course, our state’s charm has inspired generations of artists. For example, the Cos Cob Art Colony formed about 1890 and lasted until 1920. Members were leading American Impressionist artists who gathered in the summer months in and around the Cos Cob section of Greenwich. They painted, discussed art, taught and, in essence, played a major role in the development of American art.

Their legacy that influenced the country lives at places like Bush-Holley House, which is on the top of my bucket list this year. The distinct saltbox, known as the Holley House, is where many of the colony artists were temporary boarders.

While in the neighborhood, I plan to tick off another bucket list item: the Greenwich Art Society. An off-shoot of the Cos Cob Art Colony, the organization’s mission is “To enhance our legacy of personalized visual arts education, outstanding art exhibitions, and children’s community outreach.”

Art-related jaunts are not the only ones on my 2021 bucket list. I have a slew of antiques shops and wineries, many of which are open all year round, to visit. Inns are also a big bucket list item. My favorite inns are the ones steeped in history with creaky floorboards, wood burning fireplaces in guest rooms and gathering spaces, cozy nooks stocked with old-fashioned board games and innkeepers who welcome you as guests into their homes.

I look forward to the pleasure of overnight stays on my own, to rest and be pampered, and to the many possible reunions with family and friends to reconnect in a relaxed setting.

Even before I arrive at my destination, my body warms as I imagine myself in front of a crackling fireplace, enjoying the day’s homemade treats. Just thinking of a hearty, farm- to-table dinner menu fills my stomach and nourishes my soul after a day filled with just enough activity — a brisk hike, a cooking or pastry-making lesson or possibly a mixology class. Whatever the day entails, I will look forward to the hospitality waiting for me when I return.

To help you plan the perfect spring day trip, discover dining, lodging, attraction and event updates, and so much more, on Western Connecticut’s regional tourism website, https://www.ctvisit.com/listings/western-regional-tourism-district.

Connecticut Staycations Are Fun- cations This article, written by Michelle Falcone of Easton, new secretary on the Executive Committee for the Western Connecticut Tourism District (WCTD), is the second article in a three-part spring day trip series. The articles provide a behind-the-scenes look on how local tourism is not only surviving, but many times thriving, during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

During last year’s unprecedented reality, the Covid-19 pandemic redefined the travel industry and certainly put the kibosh on far-flung vacation destinations. Fortunately, Connecticut’s advantage is that the state is short on miles, 110 miles long and 70 miles wide, but it’s big on personality. In essence, two hours, or less, is all it takes to drive across the entire state. In other words, even before the state, in response to the pandemic, eased travel restrictions on dining and other businesses, whether scheduled or impromptu, a “backyard therapy” session cost a tank of gas.

Of course, Connecticut’s coastline and natural surroundings, inspiring centuries of writers poets and artists, can be one of the best “natural” four-season stress reducers. Discover a rich geographic location that stretches from the borders of New York, including the Long Sound, all the way to the Berkshires in Massachusetts. Spring, in fact, is one of the best times to experience the town greens, characteristic in most of the state’s towns.

Mother Nature’s artistic hand substitutes the dull, barren terrain with classic green and begins to paint an array of floral sensations in sunny yellow and soft pink and lavender hues. In any season, the most distinct features are the unmistakable churches and steeples, gazebos and crisscrossed pathways that invitesvisitors to stroll and obtain a close-up view.

Now, as our world in the Nutmeg State slowly opens up and officials lift travel bans, there is no better time — whether you prefer simple comfort or luxury — to also enjoy the hospitality, creativity and generosity of Connecticut’s finest innkeepers, chefs, farmers and small business owners. No matter what you do, where you go, near or far, each passing mile, a smile.

You can read part one of the three-part series: Connecticut Staycations: A Bird’s Eye Business View.

Connecticut Staycations: A Bird’s Eye Business View This article is written by Michelle Falcone of Easton, new secretary on the Executive Committee for the Western Connecticut Tourism District. It is the first article in a three- part spring day- trip series. The series provides a behind-the-scenes look on how local tourism is not only surviving, but many times thriving, during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It’s time for travel-related business owners to mark their spot on the staycation, fun- cation travel map. In fact, pre-pandemic days in 2019, the Connecticut State Department of Tourism recognized tourism as essential to Connecticut’s economic wellness.

The tourism department restored marketing funds to Connecticut’s tourism districts (Eastern, Central and Western). The Western Connecticut Tourism District (WCTD) helps to increase leisure and business travel to the 63 towns within its region that includes Fairfield County, Litchfield Hills, and the Naugatuck Valley Region.

With a growing number of new residents, eager day-trippers, and travelers preferring to stay close to home, there is no better time to boost Connecticut’s tourist businesses and attract more visitors. Tourism-related businesses, such as farms, restaurants, inns and art galleries are invited to take advantage of the state’s marketing initiatives. It’s an easy two-step process:

Register on the region’s database, partner with Visit CT, and share events, information and photos to be used for possible website content, future billboards and/or TV ads: https://partner.ctvisit.com/partner-with-us.

To view how the state and district are managing submitted content, visit the state’s tourism website: https://www.ctvisit.com/listings/western-regional-tourism-district and the district’s social media platforms: https://www.facebook.com/VisitConnecticut, https://www.facebook.com/visitwesternCT and on Instagram @visit_westernct.

In addition, small business owners, as well as community members, are invited to join the Board of Directors of WCTD and attend meetings. The group meets four times each year on the third Wednesday of a given month at 10 a.m. Meetings typically adjourn before noon. Board members, appointed by the local town councils within each district, always seek motivated partners willing to be hands-on in helping to advertise local tourism.

The next district board meeting is Wednesday, April 21 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. To attend, please email the district’s administrator, Terry Macary at [email protected].

Western Connecticut Tourism District Invites Local Businesses to Register With visitors arriving from bordering states and locals eager to take advantage of all that Connecticut has to offer, the state is seizing the moment to invest in tourism. The funding restored to the three regional districts — Eastern, Central and Western — will be spent marketing tourism-related businesses and guiding travelers to destinations within the areas.

The Western Connecticut Tourism District, which includes Easton, and 62 other towns and cities in the region, is asking local businesses to register with the district in order to be included in the district’s marketing strategy. Any tourism-related business or attraction should complete the “Tell us about your venue or attraction” Google form and send to the region administrator, Terry Macary at [email protected].

Easton’s tourism representative is Michelle Falcone, founder of Celebrate Connecticut, offering custom excursion celebrations. Falcone may be reached at [email protected].

The next board meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 15 at 10 a.m. Anyone is welcome to attend meetings. To become a board member, with voting rights, a person must be appointed by local council.

The board encourages constituents to reach out to local representatives for help with promoting a tourism business or to share expertise and ideas. Local businesses are encouraged to update the State Department of Tourism with a new business or events happening to receive visibility on the state of Connecticut’s tourism website, CTvisit.

The tourism industry in Connecticut generates 170,000 jobs and $1.7 billion in state and local revenue. Recognizing this significant economic impact, the state has re-committed support for the three districts established under Section 10-397 of the Connecticut General Statutes, granting money to each district to spend on promoting tourism.

The statute, which divides the state into the Eastern, Central and Western regions, determines which towns are assigned to each. Each town appoints a representative to ensure that the towns and cities are promoted fairly. In addition, the board appoints up to 21 industry leaders to share in this effort. Full representation on the board is the only way to address community and economic development needs impartially.

While most of the 63 towns in the region have representation, the board continues to seek motivated partners, willing to be hands-on in helping to promote and market tourism in the region. The Board of Directors meets four times each year on the third Wednesday of a given month at 10:00 a.m. and usually adjourns before 12 noon.

The 63 towns represented by the Western Connecticut Tourism District (WCTD) consist of the following municipalities: Ansonia, Barkhamsted, Beacon Falls, Bethel, Bethlehem, Bridgeport, Bridgewater, Bristol, Brookfield, Burlington, Canaan, Colebrook, Cornwall, Danbury, Darien, Derby, Easton, Fairfield, Goshen, Greenwich, Hartland, Harwinton, Kent, Litchfield, Middlebury, Monroe, Morris, Naugatuck, New Canaan, Norwalk, New Fairfield, New Hartford, New Milford, Newtown, Norfolk, North Canaan, Oxford, Plymouth, Prospect, Redding, Ridgefield, Roxbury, Salisbury, Seymour, Shelton, Sharon, Sherman, Southbury, Stamford, Stratford, Thomaston, Torrington, Trumbull, Warren, Washington, Waterbury, Watertown, Weston, Westport, Wilton, Winchester, Wolcott and Woodbury. For more information on tourism related activities in the Western Region of Connecticut, check out the region’s new facebook page: www.facebook.com/visitwesternct or ctvisit.com.