CARY, NC — For the third straight week, Picture Connecticut is featuring a hurricane, but this time, it’s about an epic hockey logo, not an epic storm.

Yes, it’s the Hartford Whalers, in the South.

Earlier this week, as the National Hockey League was gearing up for the start of the 2024-25 season, a display of team apparel was being prominently displayed at a Target store, located just a few miles from where the Carolina Hurricanes play their home games.

And Whalers stuff was included.

Though it’s been nearly three decades since the Whalers left Hartford for Raleigh, the team apparel remains popular, even in North Carolina. The Hurricanes even run promotions involving the Whalers.

____

Picture Connecticut is a weekly series that features images of the state, past and present.
Here are past images:
2024

It’s pond and lake stocking time anglers of Connecticut, and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Wildlife Division has just announced the release of thousands of Trout, Atlantic Salmon, and a whole bunch of sweet Arkansas Channel Catfish into our local ponds, lakes, and streams.

The Channel Catfish is the most abundant, and fished catfish species in the United States. The finest come from the midsouth, DEEP purchased around ten thousand of them from Arkansas, and they’re waiting for you to catch them. Here is where CT DEEP stocked: Bunnells Pond – Bridgeport, Beaver Park Lagoon – New Haven, Birge Pond – Bristol, Center Springs Park Road – Manchester, Colony Park Pond – Ansonia, Crescent Lake – Southington, Freshwater Pond – Enfield, Keney Park Pond – Hartford, Lakewood Lake – Waterbury, Lake Wintergreen  Hamden, Mirror Lake – Meriden, Mohegan Park Pond – Norwich, Picketts Pond – Derby, Rogers Park Pond – Danbury, Rowan’s Pond – Middletown, Stanley Quarter Pond – New Britain, and Wharton Brook Pond – Wallingford. Bunnells, Crescent, Lakewood, and Mohegan were stocked with 843 total catfish each, while the rest received 443 total catfish each.

CT DEEP has also announced that the following were stocked with Trout yesterday: Wharton Brook Park Pond – Wallingford, and Mill River through Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden. 203 tagged Atlantic Salmon were stocked yesterday in the Shetucket River, Windham, Sprague, and Baltic, and the CT DEEP would appreciate anglers reporting their tag number, date, and specific location of your catch to (203) 500-2513.

We’re in an absolutely beautiful stretch of weather, here’s some inspiration from YouTube to help you get motivated.

10 of the Best NEW Connecticut Restaurants In 2024

Hundreds of people rolled up their sleeves today to get a free flu shot in Farmington.

For the 7th year, NBC and Telemundo Connecticut teamed up with ProHealth Physicians for a free, drive-thru flu shot clinic. 

The clinic started at 10 this morning, but people started lining up as early as eight in the morning to get their shots.

“I do it for others because I do not want to give anyone else the flu,” said Marguerite Rose of West Hartford as she waited online for her flu shot. “We figured we could zip in and get our flu shot and that’s why we’re here,” she said.

“Very convenient right around the corner from the house, no hassles,” said Debi Koch of New Britian, who also was waiting online bright and early. “It’s an in-and-out shop,” she said.

ProHealth Physicians had 350 flu vaccines and 100 high dose shots to give out to the community for free and with no insurance needed.

“It’s the safest way to keep yourself safe for the winter,” said Dr. Stephen Traub, CEO of ProHealth Physicians.

The CDC says the flu can spread year-round, but its spreading spikes from December through February.

That’s why experts recommend now is the time to get your shot. 

“The flu shot gets updated every year based on predictions of what strains of influenza are going to be,” said Traub.

The shots can cause minor aches and other symptoms, but doctors say that’s just the vaccine building your immunity. They say the flu shot will not give you flu, and any minor side effects from the vaccine are better than the actual virus. 

“It’s about 7 days probably of misery fevers aches and chills and missed work if you don’t have the flu shot,” said Dr. Joy Hong of ProHealth Physicians.

People over the age of 65 or those who have preexisting conditions are especially encouraged to get the shot too.