🍹 Gothic Cocktails, Raft Raves & Vintage Vibes

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Hey there! We’re wrapping up July with a bang — and trust us, this weekend is stacked. Whether you’re in the mood for spine-tingling storytelling, a wild raft-up party, or the most elegant tea ride through the Connecticut River Valley, we’ve got something to float your boat (or stir your teacup). Here's what’s coming up:

Inside this issue:

🕯️ A chilling, cocktail-filled night at the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy
🦆 Tie up and turn up at the Duck Island Raft Party
🍰 Sip and savor a refined Summer Afternoon Tea aboard a 1920s train
📗 This Month in CT History: Connecticut’s Oldest Trolley Line Still Rolling After 124 Years
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

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🕯️ EDGAR ALLAN POE SPEAKEASY RETURNS TO CONNECTICUT

A dark, boozy night of storytelling for grown-up gothic fans

Over a century after his passing, Edgar Allan Poe is still stirring up chills — but this time, with cocktails. The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy is an immersive 90-minute experience blending live theater, mixology, and eerie vibes. Four of Poe’s most iconic tales are brought to life by in-character "historians" while a lead mixologist transforms each story into a hauntingly crafted drink.

The venue? A hidden speakeasy inside the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre in Torrington, set for one night only this Friday. With limited reservations and a strict 21+ entry, this is a vibe-heavy night not to miss.

Click here for all the details.

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🦆 6TH ANNUAL DUCK ISLAND RAFT PARTY MAKES WAVES

Live music, good vibes, and a floating crowd this Saturday

Boaters, mark your calendars! The Duck Island Raft Party is back for its sixth year — and it’s shaping up to be the ultimate party on the water. Grab your crew, dock your boat near Duck Island in Westbrook, and enjoy a shoreline jam with live music from Salt Water Suns. Expect seaside rock, tropical beats, and plenty of fun floating between the boats.

The event is completely free, with a rain date on Sunday if skies turn. Just bring your floaties, sunscreen, and party spirit.

📍 Duck Island, Westbrook | ⏰ Saturday, Aug 2, 12–4 PM

Click here to learn more.

🍓 A SUMMER AFTERNOON TEA ON A VINTAGE TRAIN

Elegant escape from the heat with scones, Prosecco & scenery

Want to feel like royalty for a day? Hop aboard the Essex Steam Train’s restored 1920s Pullman dining cars for a 1.5-hour scenic ride through the Connecticut River Valley — complete with afternoon tea service. The Summer Afternoon Tea includes strawberry Prosecco, Harney & Sons’ iced and hot teas, finger sandwiches, scones, and mini desserts. Basically, a whole vibe.

The train departs on select Saturdays, and tickets are already selling fast. Dress up, slow down, and enjoy a delicious escape from the summer rush.

🎟️ $100 per person (Ages 12+)
📍 Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

🏛 AARP IS MAKING CHANGE HAPPEN IN CONNECTICUT

When prescription costs soar, energy bills climb, or scammers target our most vulnerable neighbors, AARP steps up—not just with words, but with real action at the State Capitol.

In the 2025 legislative session, AARP Connecticut helped push through laws that protect and empower older adults and their families, including:

✅ Capping prescription drug price hikes and expanding access to affordable medications
✅ Saving utility customers an estimated $325M–$350M annually through energy reform
✅ Combating predatory lending and digital scams, including protections for virtual currency
✅ Fighting discrimination in long-term care facilities
✅ Expanding affordable internet access and retirement savings options
✅ Supporting family caregivers and veterans through new protections and studies

These victories didn’t happen by accident—they were fueled by thousands of AARP volunteers and members who took action: emailing legislators, sharing stories, and standing up for what’s right.

👥 You can be part of this change.

As an AARP member, your voice joins a powerful network advocating for fairer prices, safer communities, and financial peace of mind. Plus, you’ll enjoy benefits like:

• Discounts on dining, travel, and insurance
• Tools for fraud protection and safe driving
• A subscription to AARP The Magazine
• A bonus gift when you join

📣 Join today for just $15 for your first year with automatic renewal — and help shape the future for Connecticut families.

🔗 Click here to join AARP and make your voice count

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🛒 GET A COSTCO MEMBERSHIP + BONUS SHOP CARD—STARTING AT JUST $65?!

Stack up the savings with this unbeatable deal—plus a $20 or $40 digital shop card when you sign up!

Ever thought about finally getting that Costco membership? Now’s the time to do it. Through this limited-time Groupon deal, new members can sign up for a 1-Year Costco Membership and get a $20 or $40 Digital Costco Shop Card back—basically free Costco cash. 🤑

Choose between the Gold Star Membership ($65) or Executive Membership ($130)—both come with 2 membership cards, valid at every U.S. Costco location and online. Yes, that means groceries, electronics, gas, even travel deals—at exclusive member-only prices. 😮‍💨

🔐 How it works? Buy the Groupon, check your email for your membership number, then head to your local Costco with a valid photo ID to pick up your card. Your free Digital Shop Card will arrive via email within 2 weeks. Easy.

🕒 Heads up: Only valid for new members or those whose memberships expired 18+ months ago. Don’t sleep on this—it’s a sweet stack of savings wrapped in one tidy deal.

👉 Grab your membership and bonus shop card here—offer expires August 31, 2025.

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

• Art Happy Hour | Chris Arnone Quartet at New Britain Museum of American Art (New Britain) - Enjoy art and live music while sipping on drinks at this summer event.

• Thursdays on the Dock: Cherry Pie at Connecticut River Museum (Essex) - Enjoy a free waterfront concert with dancing and fun at the river.

• A SPECIAL EVENING OF COMEDY FOR SINGLE PARENTS at Stress Factory (Bridgeport) - An evening of laughter tailored for single parents featuring top comedians.

Want to have your event listed above? Click here to learn how we can promote your event to thousands of interested locals!

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

How a Quiet Shoreline Town Became Home to America’s Oldest Trolley Line

In the summer of 1900, something electric was happening along the Connecticut shoreline—literally. That year, one of the first electric trolley lines in the country began rolling between East Haven and Branford, replacing the slower, messier horse-drawn streetcars of the day. The Branford Electric Railway wasn't just a win for cleaner, more efficient travel—it helped shape the growth of Connecticut's suburban sprawl.

With the ease of electric transport, families found it more appealing to settle outside bustling cities while still having access to their jobs downtown. The trolley line fueled a wave of new neighborhoods and redefined how people lived, worked, and moved across the state.

The trolley's original service officially ended in 1947, but not entirely. Just two years earlier, a preservation group stepped in with a wild idea—to keep the line alive. Today, thanks to the Shore Line Trolley Museum, the Branford Electric Railway still operates (on a smaller scale), making it the oldest continuously running trolley line in the U.S. Visitors can hop aboard these vintage cars and experience a ride through history—complete with the squeaks, jolts, and charm of early 20th-century transit.

✨ GET YOUR HOME SPARKLING — UP TO 59% OFF WITH SURE CLEAN SERVICE!

Ready for a spotless home without the hassle? Sure Clean Service is offering a limited-time deal on professional residential cleaning—choose from 2, 3, or 4 man-hours of deep cleaning starting as low as $52 with today’s promo code.

This top-rated team (4.8 stars!) tackles everything from greasy kitchens to gleaming floors and perfectly made beds—with customized plans to suit your home’s exact needs. Whether you're refreshing your space or preparing for a move, these cleaning pros deliver fast, meticulous results you’ll love.

🧼 Act fast — this deal ends soon and spots are filling up!

Book Now on Groupon and come home to clean.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

🚜 Farm Equipment Scam Hits Dozens of States, Tied to Fake CT Business
Scammers posing as a legitimate Connecticut tractor dealer are stealing thousands from buyers across the country. The fraud, pushed through fake websites and Facebook ads, has left victims out tens of thousands—and the real business scrambling to stop it. The Secret Service is now investigating.

🎬 Happy Gilmore 2 Features Some Local CT Love
Connecticut viewers may notice familiar sights in Netflix’s Happy Gilmore 2. From WFSB’s mic flag to CT license plates, the sequel quietly nods to the Nutmeg State—even if it was mostly filmed in New Jersey.

🦎 Big Lizard, Bigger Mystery: Water Monitor Loose in CT
An escaped water monitor from Massachusetts has been spotted slithering around Connecticut. It’s big, it’s fast, and yes—it’s very much real. Authorities are urging residents to keep their eyes peeled (and doors closed).

🏘️ 157 Homes Proposed for Historic Glastonbury Farm
A developer is looking to turn Glastonbury’s Gutt Farm into a 157-unit residential complex, with 20% of homes reserved as affordable housing. Locals are split: some say it’s a win for housing access, others worry about traffic and the fate of a beloved red barn.

🚦Speed Cameras Make Their Debut in Connecticut Town
Connecticut’s first town to roll out speed cameras is already seeing results. Local police say the devices are slowing drivers down in problem areas—and yes, those fines are real.

Thanks!

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