🚃Drive a Trolley, Monster Jam is Coming, + More CT Fun

February 21, 2025

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Happy Friday, Connecticut! The weekend is finally here, and that means it’s time to have some fun.

Inside today’s email:

➤ A proposal for free school meals for kids

➤ And so much more…

DON'T LET A BROKEN HEATER BREAK THE BANK

Home repair costs have surged in recent years due to inflation and supply chain issues, making unexpected breakdowns a financial burden for homeowners.

Fortunately, a home warranty could help cover the repair and replacement of your home appliances and systems for a reasonable monthly fee.

This is an advertisement. Looking to partner with Connecticut Lifestyles? Just reply to this email or click here to learn how we can promote your brand to thousands of interested locals!

Jaw-Dropping Stunts & High-Speed Action at XL Center

Monster Jam is set to roar back into Hartford’s XL Center on March 29–30, bringing its signature brand of adrenaline-pumping action to Connecticut.

This live motorsport event features 12,000-pound, custom-designed trucks competing in races, freestyle tricks, and jaw-dropping stunts. Skilled drivers—both male and female—will showcase their talents, executing backflips, wheelies, and massive jumps.

If you’ve never been to Monster Jam before, this is your chance to experience the thrill in person.

A Hands-On Experience for History & Rail Enthusiasts

This Saturday, February 22, the Shore Line Trolley Museum is offering a Guest Motorman Experience, giving participants the chance to operate a real trolley along scenic tracks by the Farm River.

Guests will control the brakes, ring the bell, and navigate the historic railway in this immersive experience.

One-hour sessions are available at 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm, but space is limited, and reservations are required.

Need a side hustle? Lysted makes ticket reselling easy and profitable. List your tickets on major platforms with one click and get fast payouts. It’s a perfect way to earn extra cash from tickets you can’t use (or never intended to).

This is an advertisement. Looking to partner with Connecticut Lifestyles? Just reply to this email or click here to learn how we can promote your brand to thousands of interested locals!

LAWMAKERS CONSIDER FREE SCHOOL MEALS FOR ALL CONNECTICUT STUDENTS

New Bill Proposes Universal Meal Access

The Connecticut General Assembly’s Children’s Committee is considering a bill that would make school meals free for all students, regardless of income.

Senate Bill 1217 would prevent local school boards from charging students for breakfast, lunch, and other child-feeding programs. The state would fund the initiative through annual grants for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).

Supporters argue this could eliminate food insecurity for thousands of students, while critics raise questions about funding. The bill is still in discussion, but if passed, it could significantly change school meal programs across the state.

FASCINATING CONNECTICUT HISTORY

The Tale of the Spite House

When it comes to getting back at someone, Jan Pol’s approach in 1961 was nothing short of extraordinary. Built as a "monument to injustice," the Gaylordsville Spite House stands as a bold five-tiered structure at the corner of South Kent and Riverview roads in Gaylordsville, Connecticut.

This whimsical, cake-like creation was designed with one thing in mind: revenge.

Pol, a junk dealer, had a personal vendetta after a bureaucratic snafu led to the state taking away the baby girl he and his wife had adopted. In response, Pol set out to annoy his neighbors by constructing a building that was an architectural affront to the charming, traditional homes surrounding it.

Known as a "spite house," this structure was built not for comfort or aesthetics but to be an eyesore to those nearby.

Rumor has it that the house’s walls were made from old bottles, with some local legends even suggesting a body lies buried beneath the foundation. The house, once a bright pink, is now undergoing restoration by its current owner, who is bringing it back to its former unique splendor.

Jan Pol’s autobiography, The Passage of My Life, offers more insight into his personal story and the motivations behind this one-of-a-kind creation that still stands today as a testament to both his grief and his bold sense of revenge.

Don’t miss out on AARP’s membership special going on right now. For a limited time, get your first full year of membership for just $15 plus some really cool free gift options.

This offer won’t last forever, so act now to lock in your savings and start enjoying all the benefits AARP has to offer!

BIG CONCERTS COMING IN MARCH

Love live music? Get ready for some of these big shows happening next month:

  • 🗓️ March 13: Dropkick Murphys, Mohegan Sun Arena, 7 p.m.

  • 🗓️ March 14: Rascal Flatts, Mohegan Sun Arena, 8 p.m.

  • 🗓️ March 21: Blake Shelton, Mohegan Sun Arena, 7 p.m.

  • 🗓️ March 21: Lee Brice, Toyota Oakdale, 8 p.m.

  • 🗓️ March 28: Reba McEntire, Mohegan Sun Arena, 8 p.m.

  • 🗓️ March 28: Grand Funk Railroad, Foxwoods, 8 p.m.

  • 🗓️ March 29: Carly Pearce, Foxwoods, 8 p.m.

Thanks!

Thanks for reading! Have an epic weekend, and please don’t forget to share this newsletter with a friend.

P.S. Looking to partner with Connecticut Lifestyles? Just reply to this email or click here to learn how we can promote your brand to thousands of interested locals!

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