“Take, and Eat, for this is the body of Gingerbreadman” Gingerbread Village & Christmas Bazaar St. George’s Episcopal Church, Middlebury I’m not going to suggest you pack up your brood in December and drive across the state to check out this gingerbread village. Even if that’s exactly what we did. But if you are … [Read more...]
Our Lady of Hartford Shrine
Wha-Wha-Waaaawarme? Our Lady of Hartford Shrine May 29, 2010 What is wrong with people? I mean, seriously. The true story of this thing is so absurd it just blows my mind that people buy into this stuff. I have known about Our Lady of Hartford – because the Virgin Mary has an affinity for Colt Meadows – for … [Read more...]
Labyrinth at Wisdom House
The Truly Wise Just Walk to the Middle The Labyrinth at Wisdom House, Litchfield December 4, 2010 I’ve admitted before that I don’t really “get” labyrinths. (Here, where Damian, Damian’s plaid pants and I visit the Holy Family Retreat labyrinth in Farmington.) At least that one was pretty darn cool and had some … [Read more...]
Devil’s Belt, Long Island Sound
Tighten Up Devil’s Belt Is Satan responsible for those awful Long Island accents? Calling LIS the “Devil’s Belt” is archaic and fell out of usage – about 300 years ago – but I don’t care. Once touched by the Devil, always touched by the Devil is what I always say. I can’t recall how I came to find out … [Read more...]
154. Museum of Jewish Civilization
Do Not to Passover This Place (Pt. 1) West Hartford (Google Maps location) March 3, 2010 2019 Update: The museum dropped Sherman's name and is now just the Museum of Jewish Civilization. References to "the Sherman" below are historical. Let’s dispense with it right away: The University of Hartford has a very … [Read more...]
Devil’s Garden Rd, Norwalk
You better watch out. There is also a small area of woods in this very densely populated area called Devil's Garden Open Space. I didn't see any trails or signage for that though, but it's so small you can see the houses through to the other side. Or maybe that's the illusion of safety the Prince of Darkness … [Read more...]
The Oldest Parish in the New World
Not the Oldest? Parish the Thought! First Congregational Church in Windsor 107 Palisado Avenue It's funny, once you start really researching particular towns, you find that there are always quirky little historical anecdotes worthy of this website. I've begun poking around the towns in north central Connecticut … [Read more...]
Lourdes in Litchfield
Lawwwwwwds! Lourdes in Litchfield Shrine, Litchfield October 10, 2009 Having been to five billion sites around the state, you’d think I’d have no problem marching right in to anything on my itinerary. Oddly, that’s not the case at all. I still get cold feet now and then and the Lourdes in Litchfield shrine is a … [Read more...]
Patrick Baker and Sons
Holy Crap! Patrick Baker & Sons, Fairfield June 13, 2009 The Fairfield location that I visited has closed, but one is still open in Southington. I'm sure it's the same. The original proprietor has passed away since this was originally written. Let's dispense with the caveats off the bat: I am not Catholic … [Read more...]
Labyrinth at Holy Family
I'll See Ya Around... And Around... And Around... The Labyrinth at Holy Family Retreat, Farmington April 10, 2009 This is one of the posts for which I wish I used larger format pictures back in 2009. Oh well. I've passed signs for the Holy Family Retreat a billion times, as it is in between Damian's daycare … [Read more...]