Connecticut
Picture Connecticut: A Sculptor Who Certainly Left His Mark
WEST HARTFORD, CT — This week’s Hidden Gem kind of makes you go “whoa,” not only because of a prominent statue, but who carved it and his lasting impact nationwide.
OK … let’s set the stage. You’re shopping in the Blue Back Square commercial district in West Hartford. You’re at roughly 20 Main St. and gaze toward a set of red brick, traditional New England buildings.
Poof … there’s Noah Webster.
Most of us know the contributions of Mr. Webster. After all, he essentially taught us how to understand words before we use them. Aside from the statue, his West Hartford home also serves as a testament to his legacy.
Back to the statue …
To Webster’s left is a monument to Korczak Ziolkowsky, a professional artist who lived from 1908 to 1982.
Ziolkowsky was Born is Boston and was self-taught. He moved to West Hartford and began selling his works throughout New England and, in 1932, gifted the 13-and-a-half-foot Webster statue to the town, a two-year-project.
Then, in 1939, he was living large in South Dakota and assisted Gutzon Borglum with caving Mount Rushmore.
He then returned to South Dakota and initiated the carving of the Crazy Horse Monument that measures 563-feet high and 641-feet long.
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Picture Connecticut is a weekly series that features images of the state, past and present.
Here are past images:
2024
- The Cirque, Hartford
- The Amerbelle Spillway, Rockville
- The ECSU Gallery, Willimantic
- Great Captain Island, Greenwich
- Bobblehead Madness, Storrs
- Bobby Sands/Hunger Strike Memorial, Hartford
- Mr. Jonathan Goes To Hartford, Hartford
- The Latest Discount Airline, New Haven
- State Groundhog Gets Arrested, Manchester
- Historic Wartime Sutures, Willington
- Big Business Week In CT, statewide
- The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center Guilford
- Main Street at night, Middletown
- The Hide-and-Seek Bear, Tolland
- The MLK Mural, Manchester
- The Mount Southington Summit, Southington
2023
- All Faiths Gather At Town Park, Vernon
- Riverside Igloos, Milford
- The TPC Pro Shop, Cromwell
- The Santa House, North Pole, er, Northern Connecticut
- Mile 4 Funnel, Manchester Road Race, Manchester
- UConn Lacrosse Giving Back, Connecticut River Valley
- The Capitol Grounds Tour, Part 3, Hartford
- The Capitol Grounds Tour, Part 2, Hartford
- The Capitol Grounds Tour, Part 1, Hartford
- The Doughboy, East Hartford
- The Walt Whitman Stone, West Hartford
- The indoor bush plane, Hartford County
- The Big Pink Chair, Ellington
- The Notch, Granby
- The CT 9/11 Monument, Westport
- Vintage Gas Pump, Somers
- Tobacco Harvest, East Windsor
- Late Afternoon, Lakeside, Coventry
- Fogarea, New Haven County
- Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens, Washington Depot
- Connecticut River Police Boat, Rocky Hill
- The first dentist, Windsor
- The Frog Bridge, Willimantic
- The World War Bridge Rapids, Putnam
- The Peeking Cow, Tolland County
- The Ivy Lacrosse Tournament, New Canaan
- The Bradley International Airport runway, Windsor Locks
- The Underground Railroad, Unionville
- The cow carousel, Ellington
- Charles Island, Milford
- State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown
- Glastonbury-Rocky Hill Ferry, Glastonbury/Rocky Hill
- The Old County Jailhouse, Tolland
- Agent Orange Monument, Andover
- The Sunken Garden, Farmington
- Lafayette Tour Monument, Vernon
- The Pinchot Sycamore, Simsbury
- Bob’s Discount Furniture Studios, Manchester
Connecticut
At least four injured after multi-vehicle accident involving bus in Bridgeport, per police
At least three people were taken to local hospitals after a multi-vehicle accident involving a public transit bus in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Tuesday, according to the Bridgeport Police Department.
The collision took place at around 7:40 p.m. on the 500 block of Water Street, where officials located a Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority (GBTA) bus that struck at least six other vehicles and a wall of the Bridgeport train station.
Once at the scene, emergency medical officials transported several individuals to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment. Two people were taken to Bridgeport Hospital, and two others to St. Vincent’s Medical Center; the extent of their injuries was unknown, per authorities.
An MTA Facility Manager has responded to the scene to assess the structural damage, according to police.
Train service was not impacted on the Metro-North lines as a result of the nearby collision. However, traffic was impacted by the closure of the northbound lane of Water Street between State Street and John Street.
The Bridgeport Police Department Accident Reconstruction Team reported to the site of the crash to examine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Bridgeport Police Department Traffic Division, Sergeant Darryl Wilson, at 203-576-7640.
Connecticut
Owls, Storytimes, Lights, And Countdown Fun: Here’s What’s Happening Across Connecticut This Weekend
CONNECTICUT — The quiet stretch between Christmas and New Year’s is anything but dull in Connecticut. With schools on break and families looking for ways to get out of the house, towns across the state are rolling out kid-friendly programs, glowing light displays, museum activities, and creative ways to ring in the new year early — or right at midnight. From owls in Mystic to trolley rides in East Windsor and countdown celebrations from Torrington to Hartford, this weekend (Dec. 26–28, with New Year’s Eve events close behind) offers plenty of reasons to bundle up and explore.
In Mystic, nature lovers can spend Friday, Dec. 26, learning about one of the region’s most fascinating nocturnal creatures during Vacation Day: All About Owls at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. Designed for kids on school break, the program introduces participants to local owl species through hands-on activities, live animal presentations, and outdoor exploration. It’s a great option for families looking to balance holiday downtime with educational fun.
Over in Greenwich, the Bruce Museum is hosting Once Upon a Museum: Winter Storytime from Friday through Sunday, Dec. 26–28. Held each morning, the program combines seasonal storytelling with museum exploration, offering young children a calm, creative start to the day. Parents can expect winter-themed books, light activities, and a welcoming introduction to museum spaces that keeps little listeners engaged without overwhelming them.
For families seeking something festive after dark, East Windsor is glowing thanks to Winterfest & the Winter Tunnel of Lights at the Connecticut Trolley Museum. Running on select dates including Dec. 26–28, the event features illuminated displays, holiday décor, and nighttime trolley rides through a sparkling tunnel of lights. The experience blends transportation history with holiday spectacle, making it a unique winter outing for all ages.
Meanwhile, Meriden continues its long-running seasonal tradition with the Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park, which remains on display through Jan. 2. The expansive park is transformed by thousands of white lights wrapped around trees, lining walkways, and reflecting off the park’s lake. Visitors can drive through or park and stroll, making it one of the state’s most accessible and popular holiday light displays.
As the weekend gives way to New Year’s Eve, Connecticut towns are preparing celebrations that range from family-friendly to full-scale citywide events. In Hartford, First Night Hartford 2026 takes over downtown on Tuesday, Dec. 31. This alcohol-free celebration features live music, dance, comedy, ice skating, fireworks, and activities spread across multiple indoor and outdoor venues. It’s one of the state’s largest New Year’s Eve events and a longtime tradition for families and night owls alike.
For those with younger children who won’t make it to midnight, Torrington offers KidsPlay Countdown on Dec. 31. Hosted by the KidsPlay Children’s Museum, the event allows kids to celebrate the new year with games, activities, and a countdown timed just for them. It’s festive without being overwhelming and lets families enjoy the excitement of New Year’s Eve without late-night fatigue.
Another early celebration takes place in East Lyme, where Countdown to Noon gives families a chance to ring in the new year before lunchtime. With music, activities, and a midday countdown, the event is tailored to younger children who want the thrill of a New Year’s celebration without staying up past bedtime.
Altogether, this post-holiday weekend highlights the best of Connecticut’s winter programming: educational nature programs, calm museum mornings, glowing light displays, and creative countdowns that meet families where they are. Whether you’re exploring owls in Mystic, riding a trolley through lights in East Windsor, listening to stories in Greenwich, or planning ahead for a New Year’s countdown in Hartford, Torrington, or East Lyme, there’s no shortage of ways to close out 2025 and step into 2026 with a sense of wonder.
Connecticut
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