Fall into Connecticut Campaign

Exciting news for Connecticut residents like me who look forward to exploring the state during fall foliage. Yesterday, Governor Rell announced the extension of her "Staycation" program through November. Hundreds of businesses and attractions are taking part by offering discounts for lodging and restaurants and reduced admission fees to attractions throughout the state.

I am happy to join this campaign by offering a 25% discount on web orders for my book, Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket. This book will guide you to attractions that are also taking part in the "Fall into Connecticut" Campaign, such as Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, Mystic Aquarium and Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, both in Mystic, Old New-Gate Prison in East Granby, Stamford Museum & Nature Center in Stamford, and Hopkins Vineyard in New Preston.

In addition to the above destinations, Cruising Connecticut has thirty-three other exciting day trips, all with picnicking facilities and a suggested menu, plus one or two recipes suitable for each destination. Even if you're not a cool-weather picnicker, you will find many of the recipes comforting when served at home during a blistering wind or snowstorm, such as White Bean Chicken Chili, Jambalaya, Carousel Chili, Sandwiched Meat Loaf, and Wild Mushroom and Oyster Chowder. And, all the bread and dessert recipes!

Check out the "Fall into Connecticut" participants at http://www.ctvisit.com/. Cruising Connecticut is listed under the Town of Glastonbury, the location of my publishing company, or simply go straight to my website for my offer, http://www.cruisingconnecticut.com/.

The most important thing is to get outside and enjoy the beauty of autumn in Connecticut. I love the quote chosen by the sponsors of the Campaign: I cannot endure to waste anything precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house." Who could have said it better than Nathaniel Hawthorne?

Check Out These Upcoming Special Events

Many of the destinations in Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket offer special events during the year that should not be missed. I recently learned about the following:

June 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. & June 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Haight-Brown Vineyard sponsors "Taste of Litchfield Hills" including "fine cuisine, upscale shopping, live entertainment, plus winery tours & tastings." I will be signing books on Sunday. Find out more at http://www.haightvineyards.com/ or call 860-567-4045.

July 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. the Mark Twain House & Museum presents "Twain at Twilight" on the lower lawn. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy their picnic supper while listening to New Orleans Jazz. I will be listening as well, and signing books. Find out more about this free concert and another on June 22 at http://www.marktwainhouse.org/. or call 860-247-0998.

July 26 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Florence Griswold Museum takes part in the Old Lyme Midsummer Festival with the "En Plein Air" market on the grounds of the museum. Over 20 Connecticut vendors will offer fresh flowers, breads, cheeses, and specialty foods, or enjoy a prepared lunch under market umbrellas along the Lieutenant River. Find out more at http://www.flogris.org/ (Click Upcoming Events on left; click July on right) or call 860-434-5542.

The last Sunday in June, July, August, and September, and October 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine opens its Viets Tavern for tours and skittles. In my book, I write that prison guards frequented Viets Tavern during their free time to "eat, drink, and play skittles, a game first introduced in England in the fourteenth century." At the time my book went to print, the tavern was open to visitors "occasionally." So, I was happy to learn of these specific dates. Find out more at http://www.eastgranby.com/ or call 860-653-3563.

Be sure to check the above websites for costs and full description of these events. And, check the websites of the other destinations in Cruising Connecticut to learn about additional offerings throughout the year.

Have fun!