Around Middletown in 80 Days - Day 80

Around the World in 80 Days Opening Night!
After travelling around Middletown, come see Phileas Fogg travel around the entire world on the Oddfellows Playhouse stage!

Friday, November 13, 7:30pm
Saturday, November 14, 7:30pm
Friday, November 20, 7:30pm
Saturday, November 21, 7:30pm

Tickets:
$15 for Adults
$8 for Students/Seniors

Auction winners from the Around Middletown in 80 Days dinners will be announced at intermission. Winner need not be present.

Thanks to everyone who followed Phileas around Middletown. We hope you enjoyed the experience!

Around Middletown in 80 Days - Day 79

Middletown Police Department

Phileas is trying to clear his name. Detective Fix believes our friend Fogg is a bank robber and has contacted the Middletown Police Department...Phileas' image has been in the roll since September. Even Middletown's finest have had their eyes peeled for Phileas.

Come out to Oddfellows tonight and catch Phileas yourself - by catching the preview performance of "Around the World in 80 Days" at 7pm. It is a pay-what-you-can preview - and make sure you bring a canned good or non-perishable food item for Amazing Grace Food Pantry. Will our intrepid traveler escape Detective Fix? You'll have to see for yourself.

Around the World in 80 Days

The Oddfellows production of Around the World in 80 Days begins with a preview tomorrow, and runs through next weekend.
All shows are at 7:30 PM. Tickets are 15$ adult, students and seniors 8$.


The dates are
Nov 12 (preview)
Nov 13
Nov 14
Nov 20
Nov 21

Around Middletown in 80 Days: Day 78

Veterans Cemetery
Bow Lane

Today Phileas is visiting the Veterans Cemetery on Bow Lane to honor the men and women from the Middletown community who sacrificed so much for our country. It is a beautiful fall day for Phileas to set aside a quiet moment for reflection.

Around Middletown in 80 Days: Day 77

Thai Gardens - 300 Main St.

Do you have a taste for authentic Thai cuisine? If so, Phileas highly recommends Thai Gardens. They have everything from Angle Chicken to Yum Pla Muik (Jumbo Squid).

15% of the proceeds from this menu are being donated to Oddfellows playhouse. Remember, this is the last restaurant night of the Middletown tour!

Around Middletown in 80 Days - Day 76

Middlesex County Community Foundation
Live Local
Give Local

Over the last 75 days, Phileas Fogg has experienced much of what Middletown has to offer. He consulted with citizens of our great city, looking for ways to give back to this community that has welcomed him and shown him such remarkable sights over the last 12 weeks.

The Middlesex County Community Foundation, a local non-profit organization, helps people do just that very thing. Phileas went to check them out and learned about the recently launched "Live Local Give Local" campaign. The Community is where we work, where we play, where we raise our children, where we call home. It is our responsibility as citizens to exercise good stewardship within our communities. Live locally and give locally to preserve the quality of life in our towns through these challenging times. As a tourist to our great town, Phileas was happy to put some of his travel expenses to good use and stimulate the local economy. To learn more, check out the MCCF's website.

Around Middletown in 80 Days: Day 74

Amato's Toy & Hobby
395 Main Street


Amato's Toy & Hobby has been providing family fun since 1940. Amato's boasts Connecticut's finest collection of hobby supplies, scouting supplies and model trains. Phileas has been letting his imagination run wild, watching the model trains journey across the land. It reminds him of his own train trip across this great land called America. Come in, by yourself, with your parents or your children - and exercise your imagination at Amato's. And catch Phileas's train journey at Oddfellows November 12-14, 20&21.

Around Middletown in 80 Days: Day 73

Joe Riff's Music
440 Main Street

Joe Riff's is a full service music center, and they REALLY mean full service! They Offer lessons such as guitar, piano, voice and brass. Phileas is planning to pick up the Trombone! In addition to classes, you can purchase all sorts of music equipment and electronics at Joe Riff's. Not looking to purchase something? Thats fine too! Joe Riff's also specializes in rentals and repairs.

Around Middletown in 80 Days: Day 72

Jerkfish Jamaican Restaurant
276 East Main Street

Looking for something different for lunch or dinner today? Check out the recently opened Jerkfish Jamaican Restaurant. The menu is filled with authentic Jamaican dishes and sides. Spicy and sweet - its a great change of pace from your normal lunch routine.

Around Middletown in 80 Days: Day 71

WESU!

Established in 1939, WESU is one of the oldest non-commercial radio stations in the United States. WESU broadcasts at the frequency of 88.1 megahertz from it's 1500-watt transmitter located atop the Wesleyan Science Tower. WESU offers an interesting mix of Public affairs and free-form music programming to discerning listeners at throughout the Connecticut River Valley. Phileas is hoping to get in on the action and drop some beats today, so make sure you tune in! Check out the program listing at www.wesufm.org

Around Middletown in 80 Days - Day 70

Tuscany Grill
120 College Street

Phileas plans to hit up Tuscany Grill on Tuesday for some delicious, Italin cusine. Located in the heart of downtown Middletown, in the historic Middlesex Opera House building, Tuscany Grill has been serving fine Italian creations since 1995. Specialties include chef inspired modern Italian & classic Italian creations. A large selection of delicious pasta dishes, unique entrees, pizza, desserts and an excellent selection of fine wine to complement your meal. Specials are offered daily for Lunch & Dinner - so there is always something new to try! Join Phileas and eat out on November 3rd at Tuscany Grill, and 20% of the proceeds will go to Oddfellows Playhouse! Make sure you tell your server that you're there to support Oddfellows!

Around Middletown in 80 Days - Day 69

10 Days Left!

Some are saying "Thank goodness" while others are lamenting the fact that our community's daily diversion of history, business and tongue-in-cheek writing will be fading away in only 10 days. Phileas finally took a day off to recover - and completely missed his planned trip to the CT Valley Hindu Temple While many of our readers versed in classic adventure literature were sure that Inspector Fix finally caught up to our intrepid traveler wandering around the same city for 69 days, Phileas really just need a down day. He awoke from the All Hallow's Eve festivities and didn't feel up to snuff and was immediately seized with panic that he had contracted the H1N1 virus after attending a dance. After a day of rest, Phileas is back on tour, with no symptoms of which to speak. The real problem? That tricky time change.

So Phileas is gearing up for an excellent final push. He'd like to remind you that the reason he's in town:
Oddfellows Playhouse
Teen Repertory Company's production of
"Around the World in 80 Days"
November 12 - 7pm Pay-What-You-Can Preview & Bring a Canned Good for Amazing Grace Food Pantry
November 13 & 14 - 7:30pm
November 20 & 21 7:30pm

Reservations can be made by calling 860-347-6143.

Around Middletown in 80 Days - Day 68

Vinnies Jump & Jive Halloween Costume Ball
Beckham Hall

After staying up late celebrating All Hallow's Eve with the Phantom of the Opera, Phileas will continue to scare up some fun in his final days in Middletown. Look for Phileas tonight to be in costume at Vinnie's Jump and Jive "Swingen Hallowe'en Ball at Beckam Hall, Wesleyan University. Tickets are available and open to all. Everyone will be dancing to the J-Street Band with Josh Fialkoff. Beginners lesson 7-8 pm. Dancing from 8-11 pm. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes. Phileas is a nod to classic literature will appear at midnight wearing the Mask of the Red Death.

Around Middletown in 80 Days - Day 67

Hearts Pounding/Skins Taught
Memorial Chapel 8 pm $4 General Admissions; $2 Wesleyan Students

Phileas will make yet another trip to explore the arts offerings of Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts. Phileas will spend the evening in Memorial Chapel. First he'll take in an exciting exploration of repertoire for percussion and keyboard instruments, featuring compositions by faculty and student composers and friends. Alvin Lucier "Hands" and "Sizzles", Neely Bruce "Vistas", and other works and premiers by Jay Hoggard, Ron Kuivilla and others, including the rock concerto for organ, "Tryptych" of Giovanni Mikhailov.

And since Phileas is from a classic novel that will be retold with a new twist at Oddfellows Playhouse in only a few more days...he'll stay in his seat and take in a horror classic that is being retold with live organ accompaniment at 10pm.

Halloween Silent Film: Phantom of the Opera
With live organ accompaniment
Friday, October 30, 10pm
Memorial Chapel - Free admission

The annual Halloween silent film featuring Phantom of the Opera with live accompaniment by student organists. Costumes encouraged! Phileas will be dressed as a Wesleyan student.

Around Middletown in 80 Days: Day 66

Mercy High School
1740 Randolph Rd

Phileas Fogg thinks Mercy High School is a cool school...seriously though, it is. Mercy was one of high schools in Connecticut chosen by Channel 3 Eyewitness News to be highlighted in morning news special.

What are some of the attributes of Mercy that makes it stand out as exceptionally cool? The attention to service, both in AND out of the community of Middletown is one example. Not only do Mercy students volunteer at local organizations (such as Oddfellows Playhouse and Amazing Grace Food Pantry), but as a school they also donate money, clothes, school books, and hygiene products to girls worldwide- from Haiti to Africa.

Phileas appreciates a young, bright mind with a caring attitude and a smiling face to go with it-- which is why he is spending October 29th at Mercy. Is Mercy somewhere you want to check out too? Stop by the Open House on Sunday, November 8th at 2:00 p.m. for a presentation by administration and a student-led tour of the school. The entrance exam for the Class of 2014 is Saturday, November 14th from 8:00 – 11:15 a.m. Register at www.mercyhigh.com.

Around Middletown in 80 Days - Day 65

Neon Deli
130 Cross Street

Craving a philly cheese steak, a noramel pannini, or maybe you just want a cool drink or a hot coffee? Come to Neon Deli, located on the corner of Cross St. and Vine St. and have some fun. Fran and Cynthia Galle have been slicing up salami for Wesleyan students and Middletown locals for 20 tasty years. They also collect change each month for a different charitable group in Middletown. Stop by and grab a cup of coffee on this rainy Wednesday.

And its worth pointing out...Phileas has only 15 days to go as he finishes up his whirlwind trip around Middletown and before he takes the stage at Oddfellows.

Around Middletown in 80 Days - Day 64

Iguanas Ranas Taqueria
547 Main Street
11am-9pm

Iguanas Ranas is a yummy eatery on Middletown's North End. Known for their tasty tacos and tremendous tortas, Iguanas Ranas is one of the best Mexican places around! There was a great post all about Iguanas Ranas earlier this week on the Eye.

Phileas' personal favorites are the tostapillas (Mexican Style fried dough), and the best part is that 50% of the money that he (and YOU) spend on them will go to Oddfellows Playhouse. Stop in for lunch, dinner or just an order of tostapillas for a mid-afternoon snack!

Around Middletown in 80 Days: Day 63

Middletown’s Piece of the Connecticut Freedom Trail

This trail throughout Connecticut traces the history of African-Americans as they made their long journey from slavery to freedom. In Middletown two points are marked, the Benjamin Douglas House on South Main St. (a private home), which was a stop on the underground railway, and the West Burying Ground at Vine and Washington St, where there are a number of graves of African-Americans who fought in the Civil War.

Also part of this Freedom Trail is a neighborhood of small houses that line Vine and Cross streets, which were once home to Middletown’s working class black families (they now house mostly Wesleyan students). What is now the Cross Street A.M.E. Zion church was founded in 1823 and the first church was erected in this neighborhood in 1829 on Cross Street. Then it was called the Freedom Church for its abolitionist activities.

Around Middletown in 80 Days: Day 62

Kidcity!

Kidcity is a whimsical world of learning and pretend for kids ages 1-8 and their grownups! Each room in the Museum has a separate theme and props to play with. Play in the Clipper Ship and catch fish. Make music in the Musical Planet room. Visit the future on a Space Age Road Trip or visit the market in the Main Street room. This big blue and yellow house at 119 Washington Street is open Sun, Mon, Tues 11 am to 5 pm and Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat 9 am – 5 pm.

Around Middletown in 80 Days: Day 59

ION Market
ION is open at their new location at 575 Main St, Middletown. There is ample parking at the front door. They have expanded many departments, especially wheat and gluten free which is now the largest in the area.

Phileas might like to start out his day with this (from the ION website):
Apple Oatmeal
Authored By: Polly Pitchford, Full Spectrum Health™
Oatmeal can be exciting!

Ingredients:
· 1 1/2 cup water

· 3/4 cup oatmeal

· 1/4 teaspoon salt

· 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

· 1/2 cup vanilla soy milk

· 1/2 cup chopped dates

· 1/2 cup chopped almonds

· 1 apple, grated


Serves: 2
Cooking Time: Under 15 minutes
Instructions:

Bring water to a boil. Add oatmeal, cinnamon, and salt. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until liquid is absorbed (about 10 minutes). Stir in remaining ingredients and serve hot.

It's Only Natural
Oddfellows Playhouse