Celebrate 4th of July in Madison CT

  There's nothing more real, more true Americana than a home town 4th of July celebration, and, nobody does it like Madison CT! With the 4th being on a Monday this year your fun in the sun in the "Heart of the CT Shoreline" can extend to a full four days of enjoyment and relaxation.

Friday, July 1 - Arrive in Madison and check in to your home away from home, the Tidewater Inn.  Borrow a picnic basket and a quilt and head for Chamard Vineyards 5:30-8:30 for their singer-songwriter series, with a detour along the way at Madison Cheese etc. or Bradley and Wall deli to fill that basket with delectables for your al-fresco dinner at the vineyard.
   Continue your night out at Donahue's Madison Beach Grille for more entertainment.

Saturday, July 2 - A full and hearty breakfast or something light, your choice, and off you go to enjoy local antique shops, boutiques, and local color in the village centers of Madison and Guilford.  If you're more adventure-minded rent a kayak and explore the Hammonasset River or paddle out to Long-Island Sound.  A stop at Lenny & Joe's for a Lobster Roll or Clam Roll is a sure taste of the shoreline.

Borrow that picnic basket again, and beach chairs too and stake your claim on the Madison Town Green for this evening's concert. Music begins at 5pm with the Shoreline Youth Orchestra, and continues with the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra at 7:00. Visits to the Madison Wine shop and Madison Cheese etc. are where to go to fill the basket for your concert dining.  On your way back "home" to the inn take a quick detour by Ashley's Ice Cream in the courtyard next to the wine shop for a delicious dessert.

Sunday, July 3 - That wonderful breakfast is there to start your day once more. Visit a local church to worship together with locals and visitors alike.  Then it's off to the beach! Bring your bathing suit and flip flops.  We'll provide the chairs, towels, and beach passes.  It's a day to relax and recharge.  Walk the beach, swim, read, enjoy.

Share your days' adventures with other guests at the inn during a pre-dinner wine and cheese reception, then off to an early dinner at a nearby restaurant such as Elizabeth's Cafe or Friends & Company.  Be sure to finish before 9:00.  Then head to the beach to watch the fireworks display.

Monday, July 4 - The Holiday at last!  It's a day to celebrate our freedoms and independence at our home town parade.  Enjoy another wonderful breakfast before walking into the center of Madison to watch and cheer and wave the red white and blue.  You'll never forget the home town feeling of pride that you'll experience there.

CT Shoreline Events - 2011

    Here are a few 2011 events that you might enjoy.  Plan ahead and book your rooms early to be sure to stay at your favorite places.

MARCH
Exchange Club Leprechaun Run, Madison, March 20

APRIL
Robin Hood Springtime Festival - Renaissance Faire, Guilford,Weekends, April 23 & 24, April 30 & May 1

MAY
Madison Cares Habitat Build, May 7
Robin Hood Springtime Festival - Renaissance Faire, Guilford,Weekends, May 7 & 8, May 14 & 15, May 21 & 22
Arts & Crafts Show, Madison Town Green, May 21
Antique Show, Madison Town Green, May 28

JUNE
Strawberry Festival, Madison Town Green, June 4
Children's Fair, Madison Town Green, June 11
Madison Festival, Madison Center, June 12
Flea Market, Madison Town Green, June 18

JULY
Concert, Madison Town Green, July 2
Independence Day Parade, Madison Center, July 4
Antique Show, Madison Town Green, July 9
Sidewalk Sales, Madison Center, July 28, 29, 30 and 31

AUGUST
Antique Show, Madison Town Green, August 13
Pitching for Charity Softball Event, Surf Club Beach, August 13
Beachcomber Event, Madison Center, August 18
Westbrook Muster, Fife and Drum Muster, August 26 and 27, 860-399-6436
Antique Show, Madison Town Green, August 27

SEPTEMBER
Dog Show, Madison Town Green, September 10
Antique Show, Madison Town Green, September 17

OCTOBER
Scarecrow Festival, Madison Center, October 15-31
Madison Historical Society Halloween Event, Madison Town Green, October 15
Vista Tour de Shore Cycle Event, Westbrook, October 16, 2011
Run for the Cove, Hammonasset State Park, Madison,  October 16

NOVEMBER
Turkey Trot, Hammonasset State Park, Madison, November 24

DECEMBER
Ladies' Night Out Shopping, Madison Center, December 1
Holiday Parade, Santa & Mrs. Claus, Tree Lighting, Madison Center, December 4
Bed and Breakfast Christmas Inn Madison Tours, December 4

Clam Chowder ... What's Your Favorite?

     Clam chowder ... mmmmm ... makes me think of seashore, blue skies, sunshine ... or warmth, comfort, dinner by the fireside ... So many pleasures associated with this simple and simply delicious fare.

     White, Clear, Red ... New England, Rhode Island, Manhattan ... three choices, all delicious, right? But wait a minute.  It's not so very simple.  I've discovered at least 4 choices here on the CT shoreline, and looking to our neighbors to the East or West, a couple more! OK, I admit I'm a bit particular when it comes to what I consider to be iconic foods, and living in CT and enjoying all of New England, I consider Clam Chowder to be such an item. So, of course, this discovery bears talking about.

     To begin with, I believe there are two kinds of New England Clam Chowder: the traditional, old-fashioned kind, call quohog chowder on Cape Cod menus, starts out clear brothed and a touch of either milk or cream is added just before serving, for sweetness: like the kind you get locally at Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale and many other CT seashore restaurants.  Then there's what I personally call contemporary or nouvelle New England Clam Chowder.  That's the thick and creamy kind I've heard referred to as "Chowda" by my Boston friends.  This is offered at many other fine restaurants along the CT shoreline. 

     Now, imagine my surprise a couple of summers ago when I read "North Carolina Clam Chowder" on the menu at Boom in Westbrook.  When I asked, my server explained that it was like New England Clam Chowder, in that it was thick and creamy, but it was made with Sweet Potatoes.  I just had to try it, so intrigued was I, and I can tell you it's absolutely delicious.  I discerned a bit of fresh red pepper bits too. Delightful.  I came home and looked it up online, and sure enough, it's a type of clam chowder, in an of itself, and though it has as many variations as there are chefs (just like all the other chowders), the common themes are: think and creamy, sweet potatoes, fresh red pepper bits. Now why would I be surprised at finding out about a North Carolina Clam Chowder?! With Hatteras and the Outer Banks, and more ...

     OK. That was then, and now is now, and I just can't find the exact online writeup about North Carolina Clam Chowder that I read back then anywhere, no matter what I search for.  The recipes for clam chowders with sweet potatoes are easy to find, though, so if you can't wait until you come to the CT shoreline to enjoy it at Boom, you can try your hand at making it at home.

     Getting back to our foray into the varieties of clam chowder, let's not forget Rhode Island Clam chowder.  Clear brothed and flavorful, and frequently offered on CT shoreline menus as a second clam chowder choice.  My personal favorite is at the Sandpiper restaurant in East Haven. Right across from the beach, it's the perfect setting for chowder, clear or milky.
  
     So, imagine my surprise again, when I discovered that Rhode Island has two clam chowders too!  The second kind is tomato based, with the traditional potatoes, onion and clams, but no chunks of tomato or other veggies.  This version of RI clam chowder came from the Portugese community, is sometimes called clam stew, and can be a bit spicy from the addition of sausage and seasonings.  I have yet to find this version on a CT shoreline menu, but I'll keep looking.  Perhaps if I try someplace closer to the RI border? From here that's not very far at all.

     Speaking of red clam chowders, Manhattan Clam Chowder is what immediately comes to mind.  I've seen it described as tomato vegetable soup with clams.  Traditionally not spicy, and yes there are other veggies and chunks of tomato, it's also been called Coney Island Clam Chowder and Fulton Market Clam chowder.  This too I have yet to see on a menu in our CenterShore part of the CT shoreline (East of New Haven, up to the CT River), but I'll keep searching on your behalf. So many great restaurants, so little time ...

   Searching online you'll find Wikipedia talks about a few other types of clam chowders as well.  As far as I know from dining around the CT shoreline, the Delaware, Hatteras (white potatoes) and Minorcan are not available here, so we'll leave those out of this discussion for now.  Great recipes for all types are available online.  Happy hunting. Oh, and be sure to let me know of any CT Shoreline restaurants whose clam chowders you think I should try for you.

   Whatever your favorite clam chowder, may you always find enjoyment and pleasure with it.  One thing's for sure: if you love clams, you'll find countless ways to enjoy them here on the CT shoreline, and chowder is just one of the wonderful ways to sample their pleasures.

Bird Houses for Habitat for Humanity

    Come to Madison to Vote for your favorite "Best of the Nest" Bird House!  Voting is by Silent Auction, so you might even be able to take your favorite Bird House home.

    As part of the "Raise the Roof - Habitat for Humanity Day" in Madison CT on May 7th, the Best of the Nest Silent Art Auction will benefit the current Madion Cares Sponsored Habitat for Humanity Build in New Haven CT.

    Local artists have uniquely decorated and donated wood bird houses for the silent auction.  The bird houses are on display in various locations throughout Madison, including here at our Tidewater Inn, and silent auction bid boards are attached to each bird house.  Bids are welcome all the way up to May 7th, the day of the festivities on the Madison Town Green, when all the bird houses will be brought together at the green for final bids and awarding to the silent auction winners.

   I've seen a few so far, and choosing my favorite is not going to be easy.  They are all so unique, with a wide range of styles to satisfy every home design plan.  As different as each artist is from another, I find it fascinating to see how different all of the designs and interpretations are. From traditional, to quirky to contemporary, you'll find one to fall in love with for sure, and the birds in your neighborhood will be delighted to find new real estate to move into.

Raise the Roof for Habitat for Humanity

    Come to an old-fashioned Barn Raising on the Madison Green on May 7, 2011!

     Madison Cares is a local not-for-profit organization that brings together shoreline area residents to sponsor Habitat for Humanity projects in the city of New Haven CT.

     May 7th is "Raise the Roof - Habitat for Humanity Day" in Madison. Madison Cares and Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven will stage a live ‘build’ in downtown Madison.  The day-long event will include multiple sites throughout the center of Madison, beginning with the Town Green, where volunteers can assist in pre-building parts of a Habitat for Humanity home. These sections will then be transported to one of Habitat’s home sites in New Haven once completed. 

     Details about this day-long event are on the Madison Cares home page.

    The event will also feature on the Green entertainment by local musicians, live demonstrations about home maintenance, and a silent auction of bird houses, "Best of the Nest," creatively decorated and donated by local fine artists. Volunteers will also be able to donate to Madison Cares/Habitat for Humanity by purchasing a ‘virtual’ piece of the next home.

April 29th Wine Dinner ... A Royal Date Indeed

    Feel like you are honored guests at the Royal wedding reception at this Friday's Wine Dinner.  Treat your special someone like Royalty here at the inn at this special getaway.

   Expand your knowledge of grapes, regions and wines.  Read a wine list with a connoiseur's recognition of offerings beyond chardonnay and cabernet.  This ability comes with experience, and events such as our Wine Dinner Getaway are specially planned to surprise and inform and educate your palate and your knowledge of the wines of the world.

   It's not just a tasting.  You are honored guests at the table of the wine presenter, as if you are at their home.  The presentation is limited to six specially selected wines which are then paired with seven courses of fine dining planned purposefully to highlight each wine.  You'll end the evening retiring to your comfortably appointed room to dream and rest, with your palate suprised, your wine experience broadened, your gastronomic curiosity satisfied.

    When we set the date, April 29th, for this Spring's Wine Dinner Getaway we had no idea that it was the Royal wedding date for Prince William and Kate. Alas, it is, and as we treat our guests like Royalty, if you're one of the few who've booked your room and reservation for our April Wine Dinner getaway, watch the ceremony on the news and then come check in for the Wine Dinner and you'll feel like you're guests at their wedding reception.

   The dining room is "dressed to the nines" with our finest crystal, silver and china.  The service is impecable and discrete. The wines and food pairings exquisite.

   A few rooms and seats are still available. RSVP Yes today for this special overnight getaway date.

What's New Around Town?

New space for Madison Cheese, etc.

   Madison Cheese, etc., incidently our favorite cheese shop, has steadily grown in popularity since it began in 2008. Responding to this wonderful increase in demand for the cheeses and other gourmet goodies that she offers, owner Fawn Heblinger has expanded the size of the shop bit by bit, to the point where the cheese shop had finally outgrown the available real estate in its courtyard location behind the Madison Wine Shop.

   But have no fear, the shop did not move far away ... just around the corner, in a stand-alone building by itself, at 119 Samson Rock Drive (the "road" that we all think is really just a pass through the Stop & Shop parking lot), is the new and improved Madison Cheese, etc. ... Clearly marked with posters in the windows. (A new sign is on order to replace the "Shoreline Aesthetics" sign that's there from the previous occupants of the building.)

   To find the new location, walk through the courtyard from Rte 1, the Boston Post Rd, and then to the right a few doors down, or drive through the Stop & Shop parking lot and find a spot for your car.  Drop in and see Fawn and her son and all the wonderful cheeses that you've come to expect, and more.
   Oh, and if you love grilled cheese sandwiches, this is the place for made-to-order gourmet choices ... elevating this childhood favorite to new heights of flavor pleasures.

Flavor for Madison
   Remember the Madison Beanery? It is now a whole new place: Flavor for Madison. It's charming and comfy and the Fresh Fusion menu caters to vegetarians and vegans, with a few selections to satisfy us carnivors too.  Oh, and yes, there's coffee & tea too. A great spot to meet with friends for a quick bite for lunch, or a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack.
   [I'd say go for breakfast too, but if you are staying with us, why, when ours are so yummy here at the inn :-).]

   Madison Cheese, etc. and Flavor for Madison ... two of many great choices for lunch while you're exploring Madison center.