Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Holy Historical Hanami Honor or Horror? Did New Haven move on from being New England's best kept secret?


Wooster Street never been more popular in the 

40 Years I have lived here!




This summer, forty years ago, I packed up my Capri hatchback and drove to Hartford Connecticut for training and first moved to West Haven. Coming from Michigan, I wanted to live near the water. Lot's of good times at Chicks hot dog stand that's now long gone.

New Haven became my adopted home.
As a kid, my dad worked in the auto business
and we move around frequently.

I never really spent any more than four years in a row in anyplace I lived. Now I have lived in Connecticut for over 65% of my life.

Back in the early 80's New Haven was a pretty
typical city. Gritty, old school hangouts,
lots and lots of restaurants.

In 2006, I moved downtown to Wooster Square.
I found that the best way to meet people in the Square was to walk around said square see?

Walking my dog I met my wife and fell in love
in Wooster Square park! Poof! Love at first woof!

Remember, this was in the ancient olden days. Life was "different." I quickly learned that it was good to know how to get the to the local pizza spots, pastry shops, restaurants, Knights museum and all the Yale haunts. As I would walk my dog it was nonstop.

People in their cars would slow down, roll down their window and ask, "hey how do we...." Why? Well this was 2006, no all purpose dutiful devices.

Those days are long gone. Everything goes social and viral. We've had more pizza reviews than slices. All you have to do is drive down Wooster Street and look at where all the cars are from. Everywhere!

Lines start forming at 11am and I'm not kidding.
The pizza fame came with some amusement to us here in World Famous, Historic Wooster Square.

Corner of Chapel Street and Olive.

But then came 2020. That year that wasn't. During that time, more and more apartment buildings were going up. There are dozens. Thousands more people downtown. Who's going to live there we all asked.

The answer is lots and lots and lots of people, bringing new life and vitality to New Haven. Each neighborhood, be it City Point, or Beaver Hills. People care about each other.

People who care about New Haven and all its blemishes. We are here to change things, not sit back and direct, criticize, or denigrate.

N'avener's walk the walk, no need to talk. We roll up our sleeves and get to work. Our neighborhoods are thriving with new development and vitality.

Blossom Blogger Biking & Birding Bliss!

Last Saturday I went for a bike ride all in New Haven.
The amount of people out and about was staggering.
Staggering for one because New Haven was EMPTY during the pandemic. Yale's faculty and students were missing. I could ride my bike all through New Haven & run every stoplight. No people, very few cars.

Now? Thankfully we are not overwhelmed with traffic -yet. And New Haven is making great strides to help with walking and biking safely. But the streets, cafes, parks - you name it was full of people. 

In East Rock, packs of birders could be seen binoculars, cameras and tripods in hands. Other young groups seem to be organized for kids. Now you can rent kayaks right near the Orange Street Bridge.

Riding down Orange Street toward downtown, one could see families, babies, runners, bikers and every table full at the now four café/coffee/food shops.

Atticus, P&M, Nica's, and Blue State coffee. Each one every table taken. New Haven's population is soaring.

Tuesday I biked down to Lighthouse Point. The easiest way is to go over the Tomlinson Bridge and through New Haven Terminal. The Terminal is has ship offloading, loading and tons of storage space outside.

I've never seen this Terminal buzz with so much activity. Yards full of lumber, building supplies and construction steel rebar. Fourteen flatbed tractor trailers were lined up to be loaded.

And as I was heading home? A train came and was delivering more construction rebar. The pandemic turned into a construction boom that downtown has not experienced. The city is reclaiming highways to rejuvenate neighborhoods, connecting the city in ways not seen in my lifetime.

It's exciting and frightening at the same time. In Wooster Square, the neighborhood is a bit apprehensive. I mean, it was already hard to get pizza, or a table on Wooster Street. All these new apartments will no doubt have an impact.

We don't want to be in a Yogi Berra situation... meaning "nobody goes there because it's too crowded." 

However, we are hardy New Englanders. We can roll with the occasional hurricane or blizzard so we probably will figure it all out.

I'm just glad I don't have to give directions to all these New Haven Newbies! 

Take a look at some photos from the last few bike rides, all photos taken within the City Limits!


Great Blue Heron High fives, er three?




Osprey fishing


Ospreys and Great Egrets in the Harbor.


Scrap heading for a ship


Great Egrets, no regrets!




Song sparrow


Milkweed


Queen anns lace


News 8 covering my historic ride,
News at 11:00!


Great Egret shuffle kerfuffle



Double crested cormorant


Herring Gull


Greater Yellowlegs


Juvenile Yellow crowned night heron


No jive, just turkey.


Wooster Square is at the end of the Rainbow(s)


Another satisfied customer.

We're getting down to work here at the Wooster Square Blossom Blog for a huge fall season!

Look for the next post for details!

See you on the Road
or
See You Round the Square!

************
The WSBB is fully sponsored by
Cheryl Szczarba, Realtor
Seabury Hill
Wooster Street, New Haven

Now is a great time to market your home for New Haven's fall home sales.

Call or text Cheryl for a free market analysis of your home and how to maximize its value and help you negotiate the entire home sales process.
203-996-8328












 


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