First Annual Ridgefield Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off a Tremendous Success

I had the pleasure of being the master of ceremonies at the first annual Ridgefield Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off yesterday at Ballard Park on Main Street. The event, which is sponsored by the Connecticut Giant Squash and Pumpkin Growers' Association, was previously held in Fairfield for several years before the venue was moved to Ridgefield this year.

Growers from across the Northeast, including Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania, participated in the event. Most of the growers lamented this year's weather, which adversely affected the growth of their pumpkins. The dry April, wet June, brutally hot July, and unseasonably cool August resulted in just one pumpkin with a weight over 1,000 pounds. The winning entry came from Fairfield's Nick Huydic, who was pleased after his pumpkin tipped the scales at 1,290.5 pounds.

Second place was awarded to Chris Adams of New London, pictured below, who grew a 981-pound pumpkin. He took part in his first pumpkin weigh-off and was pleased with the result. Third place went to Mark Lombardi of Milford with a weight of 974 pounds, and the fourth-place finisher was Eddie Giarusso of Prudence Island, Rhode Island with a 968.5 pound entry.

The weather and setting of the event were picture-perfect with mostly sunny skies, a light breeze, and temperatures in the upper 60s. Steve Maydan, a regular participant when the event was held in Fairfield, spearheaded the change of venue and did a tremendous job planning and organizing it. The Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce partnered with the club to host the event. Chamber executive director Marion Roth greeted the huge crowd and was thrilled with the turnout.

In addition to the dozen pumpkins which were weighed, Dr. David Garrell of Fairfield, who previously hosted the event at Penfield Pavilion, took home the prize for the longest gourd, and there was a winner for the biggest green squash. I was helped by several Ridgefield children, who assisted me by keeping a huge chart with the results and holding the names of each of the contestants as his pumpkin was being weighed. It was a fabulous event and one which has become an annual tradition for me.

Paul

Today Marks 28th Anniversary of Hurricane Gloria

The tropics are fairly quiet this morning, and we haven't had much to worry about so far this year. However, that wasn't the case 28 years ago today. That's when southwestern Connecticut residents were bracing for Hurricane Gloria, which caused significant damage and destruction to the Northeast the next day.

I was a rookie educator at the time, having just secured my first position as a seventh grade teacher in a self-contained classroom at a private school in New Haven. Weather was my passion, naturally, and I was able to share my excitement at the upcoming storm. Just three weeks into the profession, I received a week's vacation unexpectedly.

I was also a weekend newscaster and disc jockey at WMMM radio in Westport. I received a phone call from program director Gary Zenobia just after I returned home from school on Thursday afternoon requesting that I host an overnight newscast to inform our listeners about the impending storm and emergency measures which may have to be taken. WMMM was a daytime-only station, meaning it was on the air during daylight hours and signed off at sunset, but this time it was granted an exception by the Federal Communications Commission.

As my family was applying tape to picture windows, securing lawn furniture, stocking up on non-perishable food, and checking batteries for flashlights and portable radios, I was packing a bag for my overnight stay at the radio station. We had a few reporters "on location" at various shelters throughout town, and then-First Selectman William Seiden joined me on the air most of the night to reassure listeners that their safety was our primary concern.

The overnight hours were anxious moments for all of us as we awaited the arrival of the storm. Local shelters began to fill up quickly, and I remember answering the telephone every couple of minutes from town residents who were sharing their concerns and fears. Gloria struck fast and furiously. The hurricane hit New York and Connecticut as a moderate hurricane early the next day. At the time of landfall on Long Island, Gloria had sustained winds of 85 miles per hour, while rapidly moving forward at 35 miles per hour.

This combination of sustained winds and rapid forward motion produced major hurricane conditions and gusts to 115 mph across a narrow area of Eastern Long Island, New York. Although Gloria was not a major hurricane when it struck Connecticut, it was still the most damaging hurricane to strike the state since Carol in 1954. The rain began overnight, and before long the winds became a serious matter.

As the morning wore on, Gloria continued to accelerate northward off the Eastern seaboard, brushing the coastlines of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey with hurricane-force gusts. Later that morning, Gloria finally crossed the coast of the United States mainland near western Long Island about 10-miles East of Kennedy International Airport. Passing over central Long Island, Gloria crossed the Connecticut coast near Bridgeport about 40 minutes later with sustained winds of 80 mph. By that time, I was already home, but there was no way I was going to go to sleep.

I vividly remember the eye of the hurricane passing almost directly overhead by midday. That's when the skies cleared, the winds calmed dramatically, and the damage was plainly visible. Downed trees, power lines, and debris scattered just about everywhere greeted us as we stepped outside. Naturally, the power was out, too, and we remained "in the dark" for almost six days. Needless to say, I didn't have to worry about any lesson plans for quite awhile.

There were very few wind reports near the area of landfall in New York and Connecticut due to the complete evacuation of Coast Guard personnel from stations across the region. The strongest official wind gust recorded on Long Island was 84 mph at Islip. In Connecticut, the National Weather Service at Sikorsky Airport in Stratford recorded sustained winds of 74 mph with a gust to 92 mph.

A barometric pressure of 28.37 inches was measured by aircraft when Gloria crossed Long Island. The National Weather Service at Kennedy International Airport recorded a minimum pressure of 28.57 inches, while Sikorsky Airport in Bridgeport, Connecticut, recorded a low pressure of 28.47 inches. This was the lowest barometric pressure recorded in Connecticut and New York since Donna in 1960, 25 years earlier.

Gloria produced weak Category Two hurricane conditions across southwestern Connecticut. The storm continued to lose intensity as it passed over Long Island. Peak wind gusts in south-central and southeastern Connecticut were close to 95 mph as the tropical cyclone swept over the region. The metropolitan New Haven area was hit with wind gusts of 90 mph and heavy rain. There were only a few reports of minimal structural damage in southwestern Connecticut. Tree damage in Connecticut was heavy within 10 to 20 miles of the coast, and along the coast from around Bridgeport to New London.

By late Friday afternoon, the storm was long gone, but the cleanup was just staring. Since the power was out, my family and I headed to nearby Bridgeport to have dinner at a restaurant which was operating on emergency generators. I still think of Gloria whenever I drive past that restaurant. In fact, I still have my framed certificate from Mr. Seiden thanking me for my service to Westport. It was a storm I'll never forget.

Paul

Fall Foliage III: Scenic Day Trips

This is the last installment of a three-part series on Fall foliage in southwestern Connecticut and the Northeast. Today we explore scenic day trips which will capture the splendor of Autumn’s colors.

Now that we’ve found out what causes the leaves to change their colors and what is the best time to see the Fall foliage in southwestern Connecticut and New England, it’s time to plan a few travel routes to take full advantage of Mother Nature’s annual show. Quite frankly, there are so many scenic areas in Connecticut, I’ll have to narrow the list down to some of my favorites. Here are my four picks, including my favorite drive in southwestern Connecticut and three from other parts of the state.



Locally, the drive up Route 58 from Easton through Redding affords some of the most spectacular scenery found in this part of the state. From just North of the Merritt Parkway to the intersection with Center Road, you’ll be accompanied by a breathtaking view of a wide variety of trees and the Hemlock Reservoir, which runs parallel to your drive. Five miles North of the parkway, have lunch at the Blue Bird Inn (see photo). The Blue Bird Inn is a bed-and-breakfast which has a wonderful restaurant.



Less than a mile up the road, just past the scenic dam, enjoy the man-made waterspout. It’s sure to be a hit with the younger members of the family. The waterspout continually jets water into the air in front of a colorful backdrop. You’ll certainly want to have the camera ready for a perfect photo opportunity.

Not more than a quarter-mile North is the Aspetuck Valley Orchards (see photo). You’ll take home fresh apple cider, pumpkins, pies, gifts, novelties, and everything a New England gift shop has to offer. Just the aroma alone is enough to make anyone want to stay for awhile. It’s always a must-visit for me and my family.



Finally, just North in Redding, visit Putnam Park. It’s the home of the Putman Memorial Camp Ground, the “Valley Forge” of Connecticut, where General Israel Putnam and a force of Connecticut and New Hampshire troops were encamped during the hard Winter of 1778-79.

The property, seen below, is now a state reservation of 203 acres. Passing through the gateway, in the form of two blockhouses extended in a palisade, you’ll face the monument, erected by the state in 1889. The rows of stone nearby, running toward the North, mark the chimneys of the former barracks.



Further, on the left, is the stone colonial museum, with its Revolutionary relics. On the grounds, which have been left as far as possible in their native state, are many drives and paths, with a lake on the East side of the highway. To the West is Phillips Cave, associated with an old soldier who returned here after the war and was killed for thieving. I’m sure you and your family can spend the entire day at the park and not want to leave.

Elsewhere in Connecticut, one of my well-traveled paths is along Route 82. It offers some spectacular views of the Connecticut River Valley countryside. Begin at Exit 7 off Route 9 in Chester and wind your way through a portion of the Cockaponset State Forest. The road then crosses the Connecticut River into East Haddam, offering a stunning view of both the Goodspeed Opera House and Gillette Castle (see photo below).



You’ll meander through the village of East Haddam, past the opera house, and then back into the countryside. The road also goes right through Devil’s Hopyard State Park, before continuing east into Salem and Norwich in the eastern part of the state. Just stay away from the casinos!

I have relatives in New London and Norwich, so I travel to Eastern Connecticut quite frequently. For a scenic trip through the shoreline towns of Old Saybrook (see photo), Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, Guilford and Branford, begin in Essex and take Route 154 south into Old Saybrook. It goes right through the center of Old Saybrook and then heads out to Saybrook Point where it turns and follows the coastline.



Great waterviews can be found all along the route, but the scene of the Sound from Saybrook Point with the homes out in Old Lyme in the distance is unforgettable. In Westbrook, 154 will intersect with historic Route 1. Following U.S. 1 West into Branford will take you through traditional New England village centers, past numerous shoreline and marina settings, and even near to the popular Hammonasset State Beach.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t include Northwestern Connecticut, which is another popular destination for leaf peepers. Begin at the New Milford Green, and take CT Route 202 West to Route 7 North. Take Route 7 through the towns of New Milford, Gaylordsville, and Kent (see photo below of Kent Falls Bridge).



Outside of Kent, pick up Route 45 South to Warren. Drive around Lake Waramaug into New Preston. In New Preston, take Route 202 East to Route 47 South. Take a right onto Route 199, and then right on Route 67. Follow Route 67 to the junction of Route 202 in New Milford where the drive began.

The route, about 64 miles and a good half-day excursion, will take travelers past the Housatonic River, Bull’s Bridge (see photo below), one of only two covered bridges in Connecticut, the town of Kent and its many art galleries, historic homes and churches in Kent and Warren, Lake Waramaug, Mount Tom State Park, the historic Mine Hill Preserve, and the Institute for American Indian Studies.



Wherever your travels take you and your family this Autumn, I’m sure you’ll have a great time. The beauty of living in southwestern Connecticut is that we are able to experience each of the four seasons. I can’t wait to “experience” Fall!

Paul

Fall Foliage II: Peak Viewing Times

This is the second of a three-part series on Fall foliage in New England. Today, I take a look at the peak viewing times for Autumn’s colorful splendor. The next installment looks at the best locations and driving routes to see the foliage in Connecticut and southern New England.

A sure sign that Autumn is on the way greets me every morning on my way to work. The constellation Orion the Hunter, which is perhaps the most prominent feature of the Winter night sky in the Northern Hemisphere, can be seen in the Southeast very early in the morning. That means, of course, that the beauty of Autumn in New England is just a few weeks away.

The Fall foliage season in New England runs from the end of September in Northern New England through the end of October in Southern New England. It is impossible to predict the exact time of the peak colors, but in general, the peak across central and southern Vermont, New Hampshire, and northern and western Maine is during the latter part of the first week of October.

By the middle of October peak viewing has moved to western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut. Actually, in the Northwest corner of Connecticut, near Canaan, Kent Falls, and Sharon, the colors can be seen by the start of the second week of October. Even though some areas may not be at peak as you pass through, there will still be plenty of color to see by then.

However, the best time to see Autumn’s colors in extreme northwestern Connecticut in the Litchfield hills runs from about October 12 through the 16th. Central Connecticut and extreme Northern Fairfield and New Haven counties — including the towns of Redding, New Canaan, Wilton, and Woodbridge — can see the radiant colors between October 17th and the 20th.

As for southwestern Connecticut, the best time for viewing the Fall foliage in Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, and Milford is generally from October 21through October 25. By the weekend of October 28, though, all but extreme southeastern New England will be past peak. The colors — and many of the leaves themselves — are all but gone by then.

One of the best sources for information on New England’s Fall foliage is the Yankee Foliage Web site. It features an animated map with a calendar showing the optimum viewing dates throughout the Northeast. The site has a calendar of events, suggestions for scenic drives, a foliage forecast, a foliage blog, and foliage forums. Just click on the link, and you’ll have all the information you need.

 

Once the colors become radiant in our corner of Connecticut, I’d appreciate your Fall foliage digital photos. I’m hoping to put together a slide show featuring some of the best pictures of Autumn’s colors courtesy of our viewers. I’d like to get some great photos from every community across southwestern Connecticut. Obviously, I’ll have my camera ready, too!

Paul

Full Harvest Moon Happens This Thursday Morning

You've probably been noticing the waxing Gibbous Moon growing a little larger each night. This morning, the Moon was nearly 95% of full under clear skies and cool temperatures. In fact, morning low temperatures dropped to 39 degrees in Easton and 46 degrees at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford. That's 12 degrees below the normal low of 58 and five degrees above the record low of 41. Skies will remain clear for much of this week, so we'll be able to see the Full Harvest Moon, which happens Thursday morning, September 19, at 7:13 EDT.

The Full Harvest Moon comes closest to the Autumnal Equinox, which happens this coming Sunday, September 22, at 4:44 p.m. EDT. Generally, the Harvest Moon falls in September two out of every three years, and this year is one of them. As you may have guessed, the origin of the name comes from the fact that at the peak of harvest, farmers can work late into the night by the light of this Moon.

Full Moon names date back to Native Americans, of what is now the northern and eastern United States. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring Full Moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. There was some variation in the Moon names, but in general, the same ones were current throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior.

The Harvest Moon was the only Full Moon given the same name by both the English name and by the Native Americans. This Full Moon falls during the crop harvest before the Winter winds arrive. As days continue to grow shorter, farmers could work on into the evening with the light of the bright Full Moon rising in the East. Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice the chief India staples, are now ready for gathering.

Usually the Full Moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around the Harvest Moon, the Moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night, just 25 to 30 minutes later across the United States, and only 10 to 20 minutes later for much of Canada and Europe. The Moon rises tomorrow evening at 6:21 p.m., and it sets Thursday morning at 6:49 a.m., just 24 minutes before it is completely full.

Paul

Autumn Officially Arrives Next Sunday

The Autumnal Equinox officially arrives this coming Saturday, September 22, at 4:44 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. That's when the direct rays of the Sun are above the Equator, technically marking "equal day and equal night" across the face of the globe. As the direct rays of the Sun continue to move South of the Equator, the Southern Hemisphere will be enjoying the start of Spring next week.

However, here in the Northern Hemisphere, the amount of daylight continues to dwindle, and the Sun now sets before 7 o'clock in the evening. Recall that in late June, during the time of the Summer Solstice, the Sun set at 8:30. We've lost more than an hour-and-a-half of daylight just in the evening alone over the last three months.

So why does the Equinox happen? The seasons of the year are caused by the 23.5º tilt of the Earth's axis. Because the Earth is rotating like a top, it points in a fixed direction continuously toward a point in space near the North Star. That's why the North Star appears to be the only star which doesn't move in our night sky. However, the Earth is also revolving around the Sun. During half of the year, the Southern Hemisphere is more exposed to the Sun than the Northern Hemisphere. During the rest of the year, the reverse is true.

At noontime in the Northern Hemisphere the Sun appears high in the sky during the Summer and low in the sky during Winter. It is highest at the Summer Solstice in late June and lowest at the Winter Solstice by the end of December. The half-way points in the year are called the Equinoxes. It is the time of the year when the Sun rises exactly in the East, travels through the sky for 12 hours, and sets exactly in the West. The photo below shows visitors at Stonehenge on the Salisbury Plain in England.

However, on the Autumnal Equinox in southwestern Connecticut, the Sun rises at 6:40 a.m. and sets at 6:50 p.m., giving us 12 hours and ten minutes of daylight. That has to do with the angle at which the Sun rises and sets. Actually, "equal day and equal night" occurs for us on September 25th and 26th when we receive just about 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness.

A cold front arrives today, bringing clouds, some showers, and temperatures in the upper 60s to close to 70 degrees. Tonight will become mostly clear, breezy, and much cooler with lows dropping into the lower 40s inland and upper 40s along the immediate shoreline. The rest of the week looks fairly quite and cool, however, as we enjoy the final week of Summer.

Paul

Remembering Hurricane Donna

Today marks the 53rd anniversary of the arrival of Hurricane Donna to New England. Donna impacted most of the Caribbean Islands and every single state on the Eastern seaboard. The hurricane recorded 160 mile-an-hour winds with gusts up to 200 miles-an-hour. Hurricane Donna holds the record for retaining ‘major hurricane’ status of Category 3 or better in the Atlantic basin for the longest period of time. In fact, it was so strong that the name "Donna" has been retired.

This storm is the only one on record to produce hurricane-force winds in Florida, the mid-Atlantic States, and New England. Donna hit New England in southeastern Connecticut with sustained winds of 100 miles-an-hour, gusting to 125 to 130 miles-an-hour. It eventually moved diagonally through New England into Maine. The hurricane produced pockets of four-to-eight inches of rain as well as five to ten-foot storm surges. The storm ultimately killed 364 people and caused over $500 million in damage.

Here is a video showing the effects of the Hurricane on the Rockaways on Long Island.



Donna crossed the Florida Peninsula on September 11. Despite its path over land, the storm remained intense and reorganized when it moved back into the Atlantic Ocean. It struck eastern North Carolina and parts of South Carolina as a Category 3 storm. After reaching the ocean a third time, Hurricane Donna accelerated, crossing Long Island and then the New England region on late September 12 and early September 13 as a Category 3 hurricane on Long Island. Take a look at the front page of the Naugatuck Daily News from the previous day, September 12, 1960.

Storm surge values reached 11 feet in New York Harbor, which destroyed many piers. A resort area in Cliffwood Beach, New Jersey, saw its boardwalk and tourist attractions destroyed by the hurricane, and the area never recovered. Blue Hill Observatory in Massachusetts reported gusts to over 145 mph. The strong southwest winds associated with Donna at Chatham led to a significant deposit of salt spray, which whitewashed southwest-facing windows. Many trees and shrubs saw their leaves brown due to the salt.

From the time it became a tropical depression to when it dissipated after becoming an extratropical storm, Donna roamed the Atlantic from August 29 to September 14, a total of 17 days. Donna briefly achieved Category 5 strength while crossing the Atlantic. The highest sustained winds measured for Hurricane Donna were 160 miles-an-hour, and the lowest measured pressure was 930mb. At the time Donna struck North Carolina, its eye was unusually large, ranging from 50 to 80 miles in diameter.

Paul

Roller Coaster Ride Continues Through the Weekend

What a week! The mercurial roller coaster ride continues with the hottest weather in nearly eight weeks. Today's high temperatures will reach the lower 90s inland and upper 80s along the immediate shoreline after a warm front pushed through the region yesterday. I'm sure you certainly felt the difference last night with the muggy and mild air in place. The low temperature at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford was a balmy 72 degrees.

The last time the temperature reached 90 degrees at the airport in Lordship was July 20, which marked the end of the historic seven-day heat wave. In fact, the mercury did not climb to at least 90 degrees during the entire month of August. Consider the normal high temperature for this time of the year is 76 degrees. The record high for today is 90 degrees, which was set in 1983.

You may recall the chilly start we had early Monday morning. Temperatures dropped into the 40s across much of the region, and the dew point fell into the mid 40s, allowing for a touch of Autumn. However, the warm front brought a few showers yesterday, and now we are baking in the heat and humidity. It should be short-lived, however, as a cold front approaches from the West later tomorrow. Here's a look at the airport's hourly observations beginning early Tuesday morning.

The last time the temperature reached 90 degrees in September at Sikorsky Airport was September 8, 2010. There are only two later dates on the annual calendar with record highs of 90 degrees or more. They are September 23, 1970 (91 degrees) and September 25, 1957 (91 degrees). Tomorrow's high temperatures will reach the lower 80s under increasing cloudiness as the cold front arrives tomorrow night. That front will bring showers and thunderstorms, some of which may deliver heavy rain and gusty winds.

We'll feel a change of seasons by the start of the weekend as Canadian high pressure builds into the region. Friday features clearing skies, but it will be windy and cooler with a high in the low 70s, just below the normal high for the date. Saturday and Sunday will be mostly sunny, breezy, and much cooler with daytime highs in the 60s to close to 70 degrees and nighttime lows in the upper 40s to lower 50s. Here is the Saturday morning forecast map.

Paul

September Preview

Where did the Summer go? It's hard to believe that Labor Day weekend --- the unofficial end of Summer --- is over, and most of us are back to our regular routines of work and school. Now that we've unofficially dropped the curtain on Summer and turned the calendar page, what can we expect during the month of September?

Obviously, the changing of the seasons is the main story this month, but the loss of daylight continues to be a prominent feature through the end of the month. We'll enjoy about 13 hours of sunlight today with sunrise at 6:21 this morning and sunset at 7:22 this evening. However, by the last day of the month, over a week after the Autumnal Equinox, the sunrise happens at 6:48 and the sunset is at 6:36. There will be less than 12 hours of daylight by September 30.

As far as temperatures are concerned, the numbers will continue to decline through the end of the month. The average high and low temperatures for today are 78 and 62 degrees, respectively. By the middle of the month, the averages drop to 74 and 58, and by the end of September, the average high and low are 69 and 52 degrees, respectively.

The hottest temperature ever recorded in September in southwestern Connecticut was 99 degrees on September 2, 1953. The coolest reading ever recorded was 36 degrees, which happened three times --- September 21, 1956, September 24, 1963, and September 28, 1957. The warmest September on record happened in 1961 when the average temperature was 70.4 degrees. The coldest September occurred in 1963 with an average of 61.5 degrees.

September can be a fairly wet month. The average rainfall based on 40 years of climatology is 3.58 inches. The wettest September ever happened in 1960 when over a half-foot (7.42") of rain fell, while the driest September took place one year earlier in 1959 with only 0.43 inches recorded. There has never been any snow recorded in September. You may recall last September 28 when nearly five inches (4.80") of rain fell at Sikorsky Airport.

The Autumnal Equinox takes place Sunday, September 22, at 4:44 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, technically bringing "equal day and equal night" over the face of the Earth. The Autumnal Equinox officially signals the end of Summer and the beginning of Autumn. The Equinox is the point where nights reach the same length as days. As Autumn wears on, the Sun will continue to sink lower and lower in the sky until the Winter Solstice in about three months' time.

The Full Harvest Moon takes place on Monday, September 19, at 7:13 a.m. This is the Full Moon closest to the Autumnal Equinox. Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice-- the chief Indian staples--are now ready for gathering.

Enjoy the month of September.

Paul