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We asked a few locals and a few shopkeepers why they moved here, what they think of town, and to share some of their favorite things about Madison.

We asked a few locals and a few shopkeepers why they moved here, what they think of town, and to share some of their favorite things about Madison.

Karen Donlon. Recent full-time resident. Did you grow up in Madison, or when did you move here? I did not grow up in Madison. I grew up in Western Pennsylvania. I moved to Madison June 2018. Why did you decide to stay here or move here? My family moved here in 1997 and I loved Madison and the surrounding area. At the time, the commute to Stamford for work was too far, so we settled in Southern Connecticut. Now 20 years later and downsizing, here I am. Favorite place in town: My most favorite place in town in R.J. Julia’s Bookstore! I can spend hours in there and it has a fabulous cafe! Favorite restaurant in town: My favorite restaurant is Moxie, so far! Favorite shop in town: That’s a tough one! They are all spectacular. One of my favorites is Walker Loden. Do you take advantage of the recreational options in town (beaches, hiking, biking, etc)? If so, what are your favorites? Yes! I love the town beaches, the hiking trails, biking, I LOVE the downtown and walking there. I also love the beautiful convenient cinema. And you are right here at the BEAUTIFUL HAMMONASSET BEACH! What do you think makes Madison special? It has a quaintness and calmness like no other in my opinion, along with having all the conveniences either in town or conveniently nearby. You have a friend considering moving to town. How would you convince them they should? Madison is one of the most beautiful and charming small towns in Connecticut. I love its ocean-side setting and it is filled with culture! You’ll never be without something to do, and the Madison people are very welcoming and friendly.

We asked a few locals and a few shopkeepers why they moved here, what they think of town, and to share some of their favorite things about Madison.

As August heats up and reminds us that we better enjoy these final weeks of summer, Madison has a lot to offer to residents and visitors. Events and gatherings are all over town, and here are a couple that you should try to attend.  Wine and beer tastings, shopping, and music? Does it get much better? We’re gearing up for the Madison Beachcomber event. Mark your calendars now for Thursday, August 17 from 5pm-8pm! This year, a portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the all-volunteer Fire Departments of Madison. This great event includes a stroll through the center of town for wine & beer tastings, food samplings, live music, and specials, events, or offerings in stores as you go. Plus, there’s a drawing for prizes. Who doesn’t love a prize? The cost is $10 per person. For more info, click here . You can purchase wrist bands at any of the tasting tables or in the courtyard by Key Bank, or purchase them ahead here . Summer Fun on the Grassy Strip is free and still going, so head to the Madison Beach Hotel on Wednesdays at 7pm or on Tuesdays at sundown for kid-friendly movies. (Make parking easy and grab a shuttle from the Scranton Gazebo or the Madison Surf Club between 6pm and 10pm.) Check the Madison Beach Hotel’s website for updated info to make your plans. Also still going are the Madison Beach & Recreation’s Summer Concerts . These free events are Sundays at 6pm on the Town Green and on selected Fridays or Saturdays at 7pm at the Surf Club. At the end of the month, make your way to the town Green for the Madison Historical Society’s Madison Antiques Fair to be held on Saturday, August 26 from 9am-4pm. If your schedule doesn’t allow you to make it to these, you may need to take in some nature to decompress . Consider some time spent at the Surf Club or Hammonasset Beach to sunbathe or swim, the Shoreline Greenway Trail for a walk or run, Rockland Preserve for some mountain biking (there’s a trail map on the site link), or Mercy by the Sea for a meditative labyrinth walk or their other zen activities. Heads up for September: The Rotary Club of Madison will hold its annual Carnival at Academy Field, 25 Academy Street, Madison from September 1 through September 3, 2017. We hope you enjoy everything Madison, CT has to offer!

As summer kicks off in Madison, there is a place where people enjoy each other’s company, try local food, enjoy beautiful scenery, shop, and listen to live music. Where is this magical place? Downtown Madison and the Madison Town Green. The Farmers Market is currently ongoing every Friday during the summer from 3pm-6pm, and visitors can talk with local vendors about the goods at their tables. The locally sourced offerings include meats, seafood, cheeses, vegetables, baked goods, plants and flowers, snacks and more. Enjoy live music while you decide what to buy first. This is a family-friendly affair. Free concerts on the Green, presented by Madison Beach & Recreation, take place every Sunday through August from 6-8pm. Here’s the line-up .  Fore more information about events in Madison, please check out our website calendar here .

By Jen Matteis Think Madison slows down in the winter? Think again. As the temperature drops, downtown Madison heats up with exclusive shopping nights, eclectic craft fairs, and fun holiday events like the Turkey Trot and Tree Lighting. Spend the day taking in the festive holiday ambiance downtown, then retire to one of the town’s spectacular bed and breakfasts. From shopping to family fun, fairs and festivities, and B&Bs with unsurpassed luxury—it’s all right here in Madison.  Bargains Await “We thought it would be a good early kick-off for holiday shopping,” says Madison Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Eileen Banisch of the upcoming Girls’ Night Out event. Held on Thursday, Nov. 10, Girls’ Night Out is sponsored in part by the Chamber and organized by Erica Tannen of Erica’s e-list—a self-described “excruciatingly opinionated guide to the Connecticut Shoreline.” “She’s known for organizing these fun shopping events,” Banisch said of Tannen. “We’ve done two previous ones. It’s a good way to get out with your friends and get a head start on holiday shopping.” The free event begins at 5 p.m. with half-priced wine at Cafe Allegre. Participants get a map of participating merchants and set off for some serious shopping—with 20 percent off their total purchase or an item at every store. Ladies’ Shopping Night, or “Sip, Shop, and Save”—this year held on Thursday, Dec. 1—shares a similar format, kicking off with half-price wine and maps at Cafe Allegre. The stores don’t necessarily give 20 percent off, but there are bargains to be had. Both events create a festive atmosphere in the downtown. “Almost all the stores will have refreshments: wine, tea, coffee, cookies, crackers and cheese,” Banisch said. “It’s kind of like a party in all the stores.” Finally, don’t forget to get out and support your small local businesses and find even more bargains on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26. Held each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Chamber-supported event was started by American Express as a way to ensure support for small businesses, which can be overshadowed by Black Friday deals at the chain stores. As Banisch explained, “It’s a way for the small businesses to say, ‘Look, we know everybody’s going to go to Walmart and Macy’s on Black Friday, but we want to bring everyone back and support the small businesses that are here year-round.” Whether you’re a serious shopper or just looking to browse, don’t miss these three chances to explore downtown Madison decked out in its holiday décor. Holiday Spirit For 37 years, the Madison Jaycees has hosted the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. This year, construction at Hammonasset State Park means a change in venue: it will begin and end on the Madison Green, starting at 10 a.m. This fundraiser for local charities includes a five-mile road race and a two-mile family fitness walk. Runners will also want to note that the Madison Rotary Club’s annual half-marathon, this year held on Sunday, Nov. 13, is moving to the Guilford Fairgrounds due to the state park construction. On Friday, Dec. 2, the holidays kick into high gear with the town’s Tree Lighting on the Green. Then, on Sunday, Dec. 4, Santa visits with local children on the porch of Cafe Allegre starting at 2 p.m. Holiday events will continue throughout the downtown: a performance by Daniel Hand High School’s group Encore, hot cocoa, story telling, and more. “The day ends with the ABC annual concert at the Congregational Church,” Banisch added. Children can also interact with the jolly man in the red suit through letters to Santa offered through the Women’s Club of Madison and the Madison Jaycees’ phone calls from Santa. Finally, craft fairs abound throughout the entire holiday season at local churches including St. Margaret’s, St. Andrew’s, the Lutheran Church, the Congregational Church, and more. While stopping by one of the many craft fairs or browsing a display at the downtown merchants, consider picking up one additional item for a child in need. “There’s always a toy drive conducted by the police department,” noted Banisch. After all, it’s the season of giving—and some need a little bit more than most. Places to Stay The Grandfield 203-779-5497 14 Stanton Court Set on 3.5-acres across from Hammonasset, the Grandfield is a birdwatcher’s paradise and the newest B&B in town Madison Beach Hotel 203-245-1404 94 West Wharf Road This luxurious resort overlooking Long Island Sound features a full-service spa, popular restaurant The Wharf, and more Scranton Seahorse Inn 203-245-0550 818 Boston Post Road Experience traditional New England ambiance and luxurious accommodations in this charming inn set in an 1833 Greek revival home Tidewater Inn 203-245-8457 949 Boston Post Road An elegant bed and breakfast surrounded by an English garden, located three miles from Hammonasset Beach Cristy’s Madison 203-245-7377 73 West Wharf Road Cafe Allegre 203-245-7773 725 Boston Post Road

By Robyn Wolcott It is only February, and I already need a break as the New Year is just getting started. Maybe it is the segue from the holiday chaos into too much on my plate at work, but I find myself zoning out in front of the TV at night, barely making it to the gym despite my usual routine. If you’re feeling the same way, there’s no better reason than to celebrate this month that focuses on love to remind you to care for yourself. I already have a couple of trips planned but I need something now, so it’s time for a little staycation. Have you ever explored your hometown like a tourist would? I’m sure you’ve thought about it when you had friends visiting from out of town, but it’s a fun concept if you tackle it like a true tourist would. And so I did. I turned to my favorite vacation-planning website, TripAdvisor, to see what the heck to do in Madison, CT. Maybe if I approached this staycation like any other vacation, I could truly make the best of it. The top 15 things to do, at quick glimpse, reassured me that this was a great idea – this would be just the relaxing break I needed. Here are TripAdvisor’s top 5, and my plan: 1. Hammonasset Beach State park – With studies focusing on how just walking through nature can put us in a relaxed state, this walk along the water is a win whether you take 10 minutes or several hours. I think I’ll start with about 30 minutes. (My friends are telling me to watch for the seals at this time of year, too!) 2. RJ Julia Booksellers – One review notes that it’s “A gem of a bookstore!” Having been here hundreds of times, I can’t wait to peruse the shelves for something that will let my mind go somewhere new. Not to mention, I can check out the gifts they have, restock my “just in case” greeting card stash, and have lunch or a nice cup of coffee at the same time. Of course, with a plethora of dining options across Madison, there’s nothing lacking regardless of your mood. 3. Meigs Point Nature Center – Only closed on Mondays, this will be a great time to learn about the nature around us and act like a tourist. (I would just bump this up, schedule-wise, above #2 since it’s within Hammonasset Park!) 4. Madison Art Cinema – Yup. A nice little break to catch an indie film in a vintage-feeling theater sounds good. (Plus I’m a sucker for movie theater popcorn.) 5. The Shoreline Greenway Trail – You have to stretch your legs after a flick! I think I’ll grab the trail just past the center and stroll by the marsh before figuring out where I’ll settle in tonight to read my new book. As I review the rest of the list, it certainly does lend itself to more relaxation ideas – massage, yoga, a local farm, church, and the library, plus some great local downtown shops. I’ll have to put those on my list for the other days of this staycation, make some spa appointments, some dinner reservations, and maintain full relaxation as long as possible. Feel like splurging and really “getting away?” Maybe even a nice overnight date with someone special? Search for lodging and look at some of the great options at local hotels, b&b’s, and more! Robyn Wolcott is a local newspaper, magazine, and website Publisher as well as a freelance writer. She seeks to explore all that the shoreline has to offer by land or by sea and to offer opportunities to others seeking the same.