Filling Up the Toy Chest with Cuties
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Arthur Mullen's blog
Tag Archives: Connecticut
Personally Conducted History Tour of New Haven
A tour guide, with special glasses allowing the wearer to see backwards in time, stands at the now-invisible entrance of the old Hyperion theater, welcoming you.
“It is often cited anecdotally that in response to the epigram, Yale Presidents have said, ‘The dead shall be raised… If Yale needs the property.’ Comprised of a wrought-iron fence and a central Brownstone arch, the gate is designed in the Egyptian Revival style, which was popular at the time of its construction and thought to be inoffensive to the various denominations who used the cemetery to bury their dead. Lotus bud detailing on the columns; papyrus leaf ornamentation; and the inclusion of a relief carving of the ancient solar deity, Feroher, above the famed epigram all give the structure the feel of an entrance to an Egyptian temple.” -Courtesy of Art Sites of New Haven.
Thank you to Kate and Peter for being the guinea pigs on my first attempt at a personally conducted history tour of New Haven, Conn. There were some who compared it to the Gilligan’s Island theme song… “a 3 hour tour, a 3 hour tour…” Love you guys!
Page Hardware, Guilford, Conn.
This summer we had to get rid of a (leaky!) old air conditioner. We trusted Page Hardware for the replacement, because every time we go there they have what we need and good advice. The Page Hardware building is riddled with historic flourishes that I would like to learn more about, as evidenced in the appliances section in front front of the store. The Page Hardware guy emerged from behind double-hinged bank vault doors with our new unit. It has been working great and was affordable to buy. Thank you for another solid purchase and congrats to Page Hardware on 80 (well deserved!) years in business.
Sachem’s Head, Guilford, Conn.
The Sachem’s Head region of Guilford is so-named because when viewed from the air, the coastline resembles the outline of an Indian chief’s head in ceremonial headdress. The yacht club and historic homes anchor the ancient, opulent neighborhood; resilient against the succession of storms that have battered the coast. Sachem’s Head, due to it’s geography, is isolated, and therefore tranquil. It is worth a visit on a lazy Sunday drive but it is also worth remembering that people live here for the peace and quiet, and to be respectful.
La Patrona Taco Truck, Long Wharf, New Haven, Conn.
Coming from Chicago, where Mexican / Latin American cuisine is thankfully abundant and delicious, to Connecticut, yes even the mighty city of New Haven, where the options are fewer and farther between, made me appreciate the amazing flavors of home-style cooking coming from the family-owned food truck La Patrona even more.
For ten dollars or less, a dinner that balances fresh ingredients like avocado, radish, cilantro, and deeply flavorful, slow-cooked meats like barbacoa, finished with crema, cheese, hot sauce (or if you are like Raven, mild sauce,) is hard to top. Thank you La Patrona for satisfying my craving for Mexican, and an affordable and delicious dinner with views of New Haven Harbor.
Branford Point, Branford, Conn.
I have now forgotten the circumstances that brought me to Branford Point this past spring: all that I remember now is that I had to be out of the house an hour or so before I needed to leave for work. The amount of time seemed just right to explore this city of Branford park, on my way in to New Haven, and I am glad I did.
Branford Point park is small but packed with memorable features. From the boat launch, which is surrounded by water on 3 sides, to the beach, backed by a grassy, tree-lined hill, there is much beauty to absorb from this point. Parking was possible, but limited: I imagine in the summer high season that it becomes difficult for anybody that lives outside Branford to visit.
Though it may be small and packed, the challenge in this case would be worth the breeze from Long Island Sound, the sights of nearby Thimble Islands, and the peaceful vibes I found at Branford Point.
Old Duncan Hotel, New Haven, Conn.
This review is for how The Graduate has restored the Hotel Duncan. My path to work has me pass the hotel almost every day, and I have watched the progress. Bravo to the team for meticulously restoring the beauty and grandeur of the old Hotel Duncan, and with a sense of urgency. It’s amazing (to somebody such as myself from Chicago) how the project has progressed, and I am excited to have the full experience in the updated historic hotel soon. Thank you and bravo The Graduate!
