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Meet RJ Julia Booksellers, a local bookstore housed in a 105-year-old Connecticut building

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Meet RJ Julia Booksellers, a local bookstore housed in a 105-year-old Connecticut building


Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way, and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities.

Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert book recommendations.

This week we have RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison, Connecticut!

RJ Julia Booksellers opened 30 years ago as an independent bookstore with a mission to be a place where words matter, where writer meets reader and where the ambiance and book selection creates an opportunity for discovery.

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The store hosts more that 300 events each year and has won several major awards, including Publishers Weekly Bookseller of the Year, Lucile Pannell award for bookselling excellence, Connecticut Magazine Best Bookstore, Connecticut Retailers Award for Community Commitment, the Advocate’s Best Bookstore and the New Haven Business Small Business Award.

The building was built in 1919, and has been home to several businesses. When RJ Julia founder Roxanne J. Coady bought the building in 1989, it was carefully restored. Today, the beautiful historic building is filled with restored or replicated features, like the tin tile ceiling, as well as tributes to the businesses that lived there before RJ Julia.

Marketing Manager Elizabeth Bartek revealed her favorite section. “The entire second floor is dedicated to young readers,” she said. “Including ‘A Room of One’s Own,’ featuring a wide variety of young adult novels!”

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Bartek says indie bookstores are a vital part of creating and sustaining community and connection. 

“At our indie bookstore, we have built an enduring community. We’ve watched children become parents, celebrated as long-time customers became grandparents, and watched families grow and change, experiencing both joy and sadness. Together, by shopping locally and supporting independently-owned businesses, we can preserve that sense of place and connection. 

“The continued enthusiasm and loyalty from our customers allows us to be proud passionate members of our community — to continue employing local townspeople, paying taxes in our community, and donating to local nonprofits.”

RJ Julia has an event scheduled nearly every day of the week! Fans of Erik Larson can find him in store on May 23, where he’ll be discussing his latest title “The Demon of Unrest.” If a story time is more your style, Amy Guglielmo will read her new Lucille Ball biography, “Lucy!”, and lead a craft session on June 1. 

You can find the details for these events and more on RJ Julia’s events calendar!

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Check out these books recommended by the RJ Julia staff:

“The Mysteries” by Bill Watterson

“The Museum of Ordinary People” by Mike Gayle



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Connecticut

Connecticut mom searching for lost necklace that contains son’s ashes

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Connecticut mom searching for lost necklace that contains son’s ashes


A mother in Connecticut is launching a desperate search for a necklace containing her son’s ashes which she lost while on a beach walk Wednesday.

Leslie Soyland realized that her most prized possession was no longer around her neck after returning home from a stroll at her local Calf Pasture Beach, in Norwalk.

Soyland had worn the necklace for ten years — receiving it at the wake of her son, Johnny, who died at age 27 in a car crash on Oct. 3, 2014, according to Connecticut News 12.

“It’s monetarily not worth much, but sentimentally, it’s everything,” Soyland told News 12. 

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Leslie Soyland is searching for a necklace that contains her son’s ashes. News 12
The necklace was lost while Soyland was walking on the beach Wednesday. Leslie Soyland

The jewelry features a small teardrop charm with a heart inside on a 30-inch chain and contains some of her departed son’s cremated remains.

“I just feel like I lost part of – sounds funny but — part of me, you know? And I’m sure there are a lot of people out there that don’t understand it, and probably think it’s strange, but it’s what I had all the time, and it just made me feel close to him, because we were very close,” Soyland told Eyewitness News.

Soyland’s son, Johnny, was a 27-year-old father who died in a car crash on Oct. 3 2014. Leslie Soyland

She believes it slipped off her neck when she took a sweatshirt off during her walk on the beach.

The bereft mother says that she traced the steps of her usual 3-mile walk along the coast multiple times in search of the missing piece of personal memorabilia to no avail.

With no luck, she took to Facebook to ask for assistance from locals and was warmed by an overwhelming amount of support.

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An outpouring of neighbors have helped Soyland search for the necklace with her son’s ashes. Leslie Soyland

“There’s been just such an outpouring. I am overwhelmed. I feel so blessed,” Soyland told News 12 while tearing up.

Some neighbors have already made trips to Calf Pasture Beach seeking the lost amulet, according to the outlet — which ran into one such stranger with a metal detector by chance.

“Out of everything bad, something good happens. And the something good is so many people have reached out and so many people have shared things on Facebook and said, ‘Keep your eye out for this. It needs to get back to her.’ That’s touching. That’s an amazing thing,” Soyland told the news station.

Johnny left behind a son when he passed away.

“He was the best father bar none. He was amazing,” his mom said.

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The necklace with his ashes has yet to be found.



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Western Mass officials request funds to bolster Connecticut River Watershed in face of climate change

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Western Mass officials request funds to bolster Connecticut River Watershed in face of climate change


Several Western Massachusetts officials are asking the state to fund $100 million to create the Connecticut River Watershed Fund as a part of the Environmental Bond Bill, which has been in the works for months in the Legislature.

The letter to Energy and Environment Secretary Rebecca Tepper was signed and supported by officials from seven cities and nine towns, 13 state legislators and two regional planning agencies as an effort to meet the watershed’s new needs brought on by human-caused climate change.

The Connecticut River runs from Quebec to the Long Island Sound, with 67.7 miles of the river and its tributaries running through Western Massachusetts.



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Science Center Debuts Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut Exhibit » CBIA

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Science Center Debuts Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut Exhibit » CBIA


A new Connecticut Science Center exhibit celebrates the success of the CBIA Foundation’s Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut challenge. 

The inaugural competition celebrated the state’s rich manufacturing legacy and its world-class workforce.

Featuring 16 Connecticut-made products, the single-elimination, bracket-style competition allowed residents to vote on their favorite product. 

After more than 115,000 votes were cast from August to October, General Dynamics Electric Boat’s Virginia-Class Submarine was announced as the first-ever Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut at the 2024 Manufacturing Summit.

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Inspiring Innovations

All 16 finalists are featured in the new display in the center’s Invention Dimension gallery.

“The Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut competition was a way to showcase the incredible quality and variety of manufacturing in Connecticut,” said CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima.

“It’s great to have that positive energy around such an important industry for the state and this exhibit is the perfect way to keep that momentum going.

“We hope these 16 products on display can help inspire a new generation to create the future of Connecticut’s economy.”

“We hope to inspire our visitors with these remarkable innovations,” says Connecticut Science Center’s Matt Fleury.

“The Connecticut Science Center is thrilled to present an exhibit showcasing the exceptional products featured in the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut competition,” said Connecticut Science Center president and CEO Matt Fleury.

“This special exhibit celebrates Connecticut’s rich manufacturing legacy and highlights the ingenuity, creativity, and excellence that drive our state’s industries. 

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“We hope to inspire our visitors with these remarkable innovations, crafted right here in Connecticut, and spark the imaginations of the next generation of makers and innovators.”

‘Collaborative Spirit’

The Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut was made possible through the generous support of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, CONNSTEP, and the Connecticut Office of Manufacturing. 

“Thank you to the Connecticut Science Center for highlighting the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut,” said Connecticut chief manufacturing officer Paul Lavoie

“We are proud of our long history of making the coolest and most sophisticated products known to humans in Connecticut.

“It is great to see that thousands of visitors will know that Connecticut is really cool!” 

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“The collaborative spirit of Connecticut’s manufacturing community is evident in these remarkable products,” said CONNSTEP president and CEO Beatriz Gutierrez

“It’s an honor to see them celebrated at the Science Center, where they will spark curiosity and encourage future innovation.”

The Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut exhibit will be on display at the Connecticut Science Center through March 31, 2025.

Nominations are now open for next year’s Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut challenge. 



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