By Mike Tebay
On July 3 Bob Meaney introduced the speaker at the Retired Men’s Association, Anastasia Mills Healy. Anastasia has researched unusual and fascinating sites in our state. She’s the author of a new book, “100 Things to Do in Connecticut Before You Die.” Anastasia is a former editor at Conde Nast magazines, and has covered Connecticut for Timeout, Lonely Planet and Business Insider. She has knowledge about the whole state, and is ready to help us residents of the extreme southwest corner of the state open our minds about what is out there in the great beyond, interesting sites and activities across Connecticut.
Healey introduced her presentation by noting that, as a travel writer, she researched the state extensively during the pandemic, speaking with museum curators, librarians, and others to uncover fascinating stories and places. Her first book, “Secret Connecticut, a Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure,” tells 84 stories that most people don’t know about the state.
Her new book covers five categories: food and drink, music and entertainment, sports and recreation, culture and history, and shopping and fashion. Healy aimed to include places representative of different areas, with longevity and high quality. She highlighted some tourism promotions like Connecticut Open House Day in early June, when about 200 places offer free admission or special programming. The Connecticut Art Trail Passport allows access to 24 arts institutions for $35/year. She also noted that many libraries, including Greenwich, offer museum passes.
Starting in Fairfield County, Healy mentioned Greenwich Avenue as the best retail street in the state. She highlighted Aquila’s Nest Vineyards in Newtown, noting there are 22 wineries on Connecticut’s wine trail. The Sheffield Island clam bake combines quintessential New England experiences – being on the water, visiting a lighthouse, and enjoying a clam bake. In Westport, Healy shared a surprising connection to “The Great Gatsby.” F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald honeymooned there, and the Longshore Club building inspired Gatsby’s mansion. Healy noted that the famous fashion designer, Christian Siriano, has an atelier in Westport. Near New Haven, she recommended the Thimble Islands sightseeing tour, Yale’s free world-class museums, and of course, the pizza.
Moving to Middlesex County, Healy discussed Gillette Castle, now a state park, built by eccentric actor William Gillette who played Sherlock Holmes. She suggested Essex as an ideal day trip, highlighting the historic Griswold Inn (opened 1776), where you can stay and also enjoy terrific food, and the Connecticut River Museum, featuring the history of Adrian Block, who sailed up the Connecticut River six years before the Mayflower landed.
In New London County, Healy mentioned pick-your-own farms for lavender and tulips in New Preston, and sunflowers in Griswold. She also highlighted Dinosaur Place, with 50 life-size dinosaur statues, as fun for adults too. For Windham County, Healy shared the little-known fact that Samuel Huntington of Scotland, Connecticut, was technically president of the United States under the Articles of Confederation eight years before the Constitution replaced the Articles and George Washington became president. She also recommended the massive antiques marketplace in Putnam.
In Tolland County, Healy suggested visiting the Nathan Hale Homestead. For car racing enthusiasts, she noted several options to drive or watch races, including Lime Rock Park. Hartford County offerings included the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum, free tours of the State Capitol, the Museum of Connecticut History and the fascinating Old Newgate Prison. This abandoned copper mine was used as a makeshift prison in pre-Revolutionary times, with prisoners initially simply thrown down the shaft and left. For garden enthusiasts, Healy highly recommended visiting Elizabeth Park’s rose garden in Hartford, featuring 800 varieties and 15,000 roses. In Greenwich, she noted Sleepy Cat Farm as a beautiful private garden, which is occasionally open to the public through the Garden Conservancy.
An intriguing attraction is Hogpen Hill Farms in Woodbury, where data visualization expert Edward Tufte has created 100 sculptures on his 234-acre property, including a Stonehenge-inspired installation. Healy highlighted two world-class chamber music festivals: the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival (Yale Summer School of Music), and Music Mountain in Falls Village.
Throughout her talk, Healy emphasized lesser-known attractions and encouraged exploration beyond well-trodden tourist spots. She noted how many sites support local businesses and nonprofits, adding another layer of value to visiting.
In the Q&A, an audience member asked about the Stonington/Mystic area. Healy praised Stonington Borough as one of her favorite places and mentioned Mystic Seaport, the Aquarium, and Enders Island as worthy attractions. Another audience member shared information about the Connecticut Sea Music Festival, a four-day event in Essex featuring historical lectures, concerts, and performances in early June.
When asked about Stamford, Healy enthusiastically recommended the “Fish Church” (First Presbyterian Church) as her favorite attraction there. Designed by architect Robert Harrison and inspired by Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, the church features stunning stained-glass work and unique acoustics due to its fish-shaped design.
The talk emphasized the value of exploring one’s own state or region, as even long-time residents can discover new and exciting places close to home. Healy’s books and presentations serve not only as travel guides but also as invitations to develop a deeper appreciation for Connecticut’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty.
The talk can be viewed by going to the RMA website at https://greenwichrma.org, and clicking on “Speakers.”
The RMA’s upcoming panel discussion, “Successful Aging at Home and in Our Community,” moderated by Steven Katz, is scheduled for 11 AM on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Steven Katz, president of Sterling Home Health Care and chair of the Commission on Aging for the Town of Greenwich, will lead a panel discussion of local experts on different theories of successful aging and practical steps that may help us age well. Discussions will focus on quality of life, behavioral adaptations, helpful resources, common stressors, and cognitive and physical wellbeing. Katz will be joined by three health care professionals.
Roni Lang, LCSW, is a clinical social worker with over 40 years’ experience in the field of clinical social work with specialty in aging and family caregiving. She is currently with the Department of Psychiatry at Greenwich Hospital providing psychotherapy to older adults and their families.
Dr. James Pallett is board certified in Internal Medicine and is the medical director of the Hospitalist Program at Greenwich Hospital. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh Medical School in 2003 and worked with Doctors Without Borders in the Central African Republic and Haiti. He currently leads a group of 32 physicians and advanced provider practitioners who provide inpatient care 24/7/365 within the Yale New Haven Health System.
Linda Ziac, founder and president of the Caregiver Resource Center, is a CT licensed and nationally certified professional, with over 49 years of experience in the health and mental health field. In 1990, Ziac had a vision of creating a place where seniors, people with special needs, and their loved ones could turn for support, find answers to their questions, and engage trained professionals to help them navigate the often confusing and overwhelming healthcare maze.
To stream the panel discussion moderated by Steven Katz at 11 AM on Wednesday, July 17, click on https://bit.ly/30IBj21. This presentation will also be available on local public access TV channels, Verizon FIOS channel 24 and Optimum (Cablevision) channel 79.
Note: The views expressed in these presentations are those of the speakers. They are not intended to represent the views of the RMA or its members.
RMA speaker presentations are presented as a community service at no cost to in-person or Zoom attendees, regardless of gender. Any member of the public who would like to receive a weekly email announcement of future speakers should send a request to members@greenwichrma.org. The RMA urges all eligible individuals to consider becoming a member of our great organization, and thereby enjoy all the available fellowship, volunteer, and community service opportunities which the RMA offers to its members. For further information, go to https://greenwichrma.org/, or contact members@greenwichrma.org.
