Shhhhh The Quiet, 2005 You’ve likely never seen The Quiet, nor have you likely even heard of it. It did have a national theater release and it wasn’t universally panned, but The Quiet was just a quiet little movie. It’s also very disturbing on a few different levels and most importantly for us, the whole thing … [Read more...]
Concept of Freedom Trail: Meriden (2)
George S. Jeffrey House 66 Hillside Avenue This is one of those stops along the Freedom Trail that has given me more to ponder than I would have ever thought. For one, it’s for sale which recalled (for me, and surely only me) another stop along the Freedom Trail up in Vernon – the Charles Ethan Porter House which … [Read more...]
Castle Craig
Castle Craig Meriden Stone Tower (~32 feet) on East Peak (976 feet) For more about our hike up to Castle Craig, Go here Perhaps the goofiest name of all the towers in the state, Castle Craig is also the most accessible. It’s really the only one visitors can drive right up to the base (almost) of, I think. All … [Read more...]
Steamed Cheeseburger at Ted’s
Seriously? 1046 Broad Street, Meriden Cost: $4.25 for a burger I asked in the title, “seriously”? Apparently so. Ted’s is iconic in much the same way Louis Lunch in New Haven is (CTMQ’s visit here.) That is, it’s unique and it’s old and therefore it has cache and apparently people like to pretend it’s … [Read more...]
Mattabesett Trail: Section 3
Section 3: I Besecks Thee! Routes 66/147 - Routes 68/157, 5.7 Miles July 18, 2008 Note: This was written in 2008, so please forgive the tiny picture formatting. If you want to start at the beginning of the trail, go the Mattabesett Intro here. Aye! I made up a word! To "besecks!" That is, "when one's … [Read more...]
Mattabesett Trail: Section 1
Section 1: I Have But One Lament... Berlin Turnpike - Country Club Road, ~ 9 miles Berlin, Meriden, Middletown May 23, 2008 ...And that lament is this: Indeed. Lots and lots of it. On the ground, on trees, in shrub form, on my shins, behind my knees, fingers, arms nose, eyelid, ear, stomach, neck, some … [Read more...]
Defunct 3: The Rosa Ponselle Museum
The Fat Lady Has Sung... Meriden RIP, Mid-00's ... And this museum is over. Yes, the third of the Lester Desquine triumverate of wildly random museums - the Rosa Ponselle Museum - is closed along with the National Shaving and Barbershop Museum and the Frank Chiarenza Museum of Glass. Rosa Ponselle? For … [Read more...]
Defunct 5: The Frank Chiarenza Museum of Glass
Shattered Dreams Meriden RIP, mid-00's Astute readers and Nutmegger museum-goers know that the Frank Chiarenza Museum of Glass closed along with it's sister Lester Dequaine Foundation museums, The Rosa Ponselle Museum and of course the National Shaving and Barbershop Museum a few years ago. But I don't care how … [Read more...]
Defunct 4: National Shaving and Barbershop Museum
One More Museum Gets Trimmed Meriden RIP, mid-00's I am very disappointed I never got to check out this museum. Is there anything more random than a museum dedicated to shaving and barbershops? I think not. The story of this place is ridiculous and sublime; and the guy responsible for it appears to be quite an … [Read more...]
Metacomet Trail: Section 4
Section 4: How's it Hanging, Hills? Chamberlain Highway (Route 71) to Edgewood Road, 6.5 miles May 28, 2007 Note: This page was written in 2007, so please forgive me. If you want to start at the beginning of the trail, go the Metacomet Intro here. Ah Memorial Day; hot dogs and barbeque, corn on the cob and … [Read more...]