On The Meriden Green, Entrepreneurs, New Market Master – And Walks To Walk
“The entrepreneur is essentially a visualizer and actualizer. He can visualize something, and when he (or she) visualizes it he sees exactly how to make it happen.” – Robert L. Schwartz
Scenes from Meriden Farmers' Market – (left) Trifecta Ecosystems and a customer. Right, face painting.
News from the Meriden Farmers Market – Trifecta Ecosystems, Inc., has been named the 2018 Market Master. By the way, the market is open on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon; Meriden Green, Pratt Street side – free on-street parking just steps from the market – through October. From a news release by South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA) to announce an investment to bring “innovative, sustainable farming and new economic growth to the Greater New Haven region. The RWA will provide an investment to Meriden-based Trifecta Ecosystems, allowing them to establish a regional aquaponics program in the Greater New Haven Region. The RWA’s $500,000 investment will allow for the creation of a series of custom-controlled environment agriculture aquaponics systems, an urban farming technology platform, and workforce training programs aimed at improving food security and sustainable practices in the agriculture and fish-farming sectors. The RWA has the option to invest up to an additional $1.5 million with board approval.” Here's a link to their web site to learn more about this Meriden-based aquaponics company and their goals. An excerpt: Owners Spencer Curry (CEO), Kieran Foran (CMO), and Eric Francis (COO) describe aquaponics as the “combination of growing fish, plants, and beneficial bacteria in an enclosed ecosystem, where fish provide waste for bacteria, which is then converted into nutrients for plants.”
Ryleigh Morgan Designs – yes, her idea, really quite ingenious. Pin to your shirt or jacket and the retractable clip can hold and display your business card or name tag. Ryleigh's section at the Meriden Farmers' Market is part of her family's booth.
Tom and Kyla Satkowski, owners of East Willow Farm of Amston, feature sweet Italian sausage, breakfast sausage, smoked bacon, chops, ham, kielbasa, spare ribs, steaks. Chicken – whole, split or pieces and farm fresh eggs, at $4 a dozen. The basket Kyla is holding at a July market is a “Tumbling Tom” tomato plant – perfect to hang in a convenient spot to pluck a small size ripe tomato for a snack.
Barbecho’s Harvest at Meriden Farmers Market. Jardy and Salvador Cacsales, owners, are from Hartford where they moved from Cuba. Ask about their varieties of peppers and other fresh produce including squash and zucchini, more.
While at the market, walk the silver sky bridge, or stroll around the green – it's beautiful. (And there is usually an independently-owned ice cream truck that stops by towards the end of each market.) For more information visit www.meridenfarmersmarket.org – or find them on Facebook.
Map of the Meriden Green and walking routes.
The Meriden Green has walking paths – with a map that outlines loops and trails (see above, image is linked to source). Also nearby is Hubbard Park with trails from challenging (wear boots, carry water, use tick and sun protection; be prepared to climb) to short nature walks around Mirror Lake.
“Hubbard Park. Some 51 parcels of land, including 150 acres formerly known as the Hubbard Park State Park deeded by the State of Connecticut to the City of Meriden, comprise the park. The tract was laid out originally by Mr. Hubbard in consultation with the Olmsted Brothers, sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, America’s foremost landscape architect.” – City of Meriden
Take the trolley – a vintage view of Hubbard Park, Meriden – as seen on an old postcard displayed in a city eatery.
At 1,002 feet above sea level, the top of Castle Craig in Hubbard Park offers spectacular views. There are hiking trails to the tower as well as a road to the summit. (The geology of this region is spectacular.)
“The Hanging Hills are a 1,000-foot-high broken escarpment of traprock where Metacomet Ridge bends eastward across the Central Valley just north of Meriden, Connecticut. Scour by moving glacial ice has plucked away the basalt from the steep southern end of the crest of the broken ridge, creating the overhanging cliffs. These scenic mountainsides north of Meriden are a nature preserve, watershed area, and parkland (Hubbard Park). Castle Craig is a small stone tower built in 1900 on the mountain top overlook on East Peak. The tower is a popular destination of a two-mile hike to the ridge top. During the summer it is sometimes possible to drive to the top of the ridge when the gate is not locked. Perhaps an even better view is possible from a slightly higher higher overlook at the southern tip of West Peak. (This overlook area is along the trail just east of a radio tower parking area). The views from either of the overlooks are extraordinary. From the top of the ridge on a clear day it is possible to see most of the Central Valley region, Long Island Sound, and the distant higher peaks of the highlands throughout southern New England…” – U.S. Department of the Interior/U.S. Geological Survey
The new Meriden station with service that includes the HartfordLine and Amtrak. Connections to bus plus more. The Meriden Green is right across the street. CB/MDP
And the new transportation center/train station. Love to hear the train.
“Why do I start businesses? The answer is the same today as it was when I launched my first company five decades ago: to make a positive difference in people’s lives. I believe that companies should have a similar desire at their core, no matter what industry they’re in.” – Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin group of companies.