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- 🌳New State Park Proposed, Dinner Escape Room, + More CT Fun
🌳New State Park Proposed, Dinner Escape Room, + More CT Fun
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Happy Tuesday morning, Connecticut! Hope your week is off to a splendid start so far.
We have a lot to cover today, including:
Some interesting Connecticut history you may not have known
If you're frustrated by one-sided reporting, our 5-minute newsletter is the missing piece. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you comprehensive, unbiased news—free from political agendas. Stay informed with factual coverage on the topics that matter.
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Legislation Could Bring a New State Park to Middletown
Middletown may soon boast a new state park in its Maromas section, thanks to legislation proposed by State Rep. Brandon Chafee.
This initiative aims to preserve roughly 2,000 acres of forested open space near the Connecticut River, adjacent to reservoirs, trailheads, and community college property.
The proposed park would not only protect this natural haven of trails, brooks, and granite ledges but also provide a recreational area for hikers, birdwatchers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Chafee, a Middletown native and avid outdoorsman, hopes this project will create a lasting space for residents and visitors to enjoy nature while conserving the area’s unique ecological features.
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Solve the Mystery Before Time Runs Out
Step back in time to 1930s Germany with the Westport Historical Society’s thrilling escape room.
In this immersive experience, participants play the role of reporters infiltrating a dinner party at the home of a German General to uncover top-secret documents. With just 60 minutes before the General’s arrival, it’s a race against time to solve the mystery.
This unique activity is perfect for birthdays, corporate events, or a fun family outing (ages 8+).
Participants under 15 must be accompanied by an adult, and a signed waiver is required for those under 17. Think you have what it takes to beat the clock?
BRIDGEPORT STOP & SHOP PROPERTY FACES FORECLOSURE
Development Stalls Over Back Taxes
The former Bridgeport Stop & Shop at 2600 Madison Avenue is facing foreclosure as its developers, Simcove, owe over $378,000 in back taxes. The property, slated to become a self-storage facility, has liens imposed by the city, with the rights reportedly sold to Tower DB XII Trust.
Simcove’s attorneys contest the foreclosure amount, claiming partial payments have been made. This development adds a new layer of complexity to the project, leaving its future uncertain.
HUGE DISCOUNTS ON CONNECTICUT FUN
Want to get out and have some fun without breaking the bank? Check out these deals on local fun!
5 TUESDAY EVENTS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
Just because it’s only Tuesday doesn’t mean you have to stay in and be bored. Here are some ideas for fun today across the state:
🎨 EverWonder Invention Convention: Young inventors will love this creative program at EverWonder Children’s Museum.
🎨 Large Wood Skis Paint Night: Create a winter-themed masterpiece at 1741 Pub & Grill.
❓ Tuesday Trivia at Third Place by Half Full Brewery: Test your knowledge with friends while enjoying some delicious craft beers.
🎤 Trivia Tuesday at Parkville Market: Join friends for a night of food, drinks, and trivia at this Hartford hotspot.
🕵️♀️ Supernatural Secrets of Southeastern Connecticut: Dive into local legends and mysteries with this unique event.
Want to have your event listed above? Click here to learn how we can promote your event to thousands of interested locals!
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.
Here’s what you’ll enjoy with your membership:
Everyday Discounts on dining, shopping, gas, and more.
Travel Planning perks like exclusive savings on hotels and car rentals.
Healthcare Savings on prescriptions and eyewear at over 66,000 locations.
Fraud Prevention Resources to help you stay safe, including scam alerts and a helpline.
Advocacy Support on critical issues like Social Security and Medicare.
Plus, if you sign up now, you’ll get your choice of a free bonus gift: an insulated trunk organizer or a portable power bank.
This offer won’t last forever, so act now to lock in your savings and start enjoying all the benefits AARP has to offer!
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HAVE YOU BEEN HERE?
FASCINATING CONNECTICUT HISTORY
Mark Twain’s Ingenious Scrapbook Invention: A Connecticut Connection
While Mark Twain is best known for his literary masterpieces such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, his inventive spirit also shone during his years in Connecticut.
Living in Hartford, Twain patented a "self-pasting" scrapbook in 1872 while residing at his iconic home on Farmington Avenue. An avid collector of news clippings, book reviews, and personal memorabilia, Twain’s invention simplified scrapbooking by adding adhesive-coated pages that required only slight moisture to affix scraps, similar to a lickable envelope.
Twain partnered with Daniel Slote & Co. of New York to produce these albums, offering them in various sizes and styles to meet the needs of his era's scrapbook enthusiasts.
One noteworthy example of Twain’s scrapbook is Mrs. Charles D. Hine’s "Pocket Adhesive Scrapbook" from 1880, used to document her husband’s work as an attorney and Board of Education member in Iowa City, Nebraska. Another, belonging to Ralph Emerson, chronicles his European travels in 1883-1884.
These scrapbooks showcase how Twain’s Hartford-inspired innovation brought joy and organization to lives across the country, yet they also revealed challenges. Exposed adhesive often caused pages to stick together in humid conditions, complicating long-term preservation.
Twain’s years in Connecticut were among his most creatively and intellectually fruitful. The Hartford home where he developed this patent was also the birthplace of many of his literary classics, demonstrating how deeply intertwined his inventive and literary pursuits were.
While his scrapbooking system inspired later innovations to address its flaws, Twain’s Hartford-rooted invention left a unique mark on how people documented their lives — one more testament to the creative genius of this Connecticut icon.
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