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Localism is a bustling collection of hyper-local communities, and the top neighbors should reflect those members who are most active. When ranking users in a given region, several factors are considered. To get your foot in the proverbial door, you need to have posted at least one "Localism" article or photo for the region.
The very best way to quickly rise to #1 is to post high-quality local content. Keeping a steady strem of incoming posts and photos will massively tilt the scales in your favor.
What doesn't count toward the top neighbor ranking? ActiveRain points and community sponsorships. The top neighbor spots will always go to the most active members in a region. We want to create a level playing field that encourages the growth of communities — talent and dedication are required to win the day.
Driving about 10 minutes southeast of the Branford Town Centerdown Stony Creek Road to Thimble Island Road you will find the affluent and desirable shoreline community of Stony Creek CT.
The Stony Creek Village is full of New England charm and ambiance. Driving through the narrow streets into the village you'll pass the many styles of Stony Creek homes. The neighboring side streets along the way include a mix of storybook Capes, Colonials, Cottages, Ranches, Multi-family and Victorian style homes. Stony Creek homes can range in price from the mid to upper $200's to over $7 million.
Many homes are a short stroll to the beach, park and the village which is at the heart of Stony Creek where you can enjoy swimming, kayaking, jet skiing, boating or sailing.
Residents and vacationers can shop for clothing, antiques and jewelry at the boutique shops, visit the art galleries and stop for a bite to seat at the Stony Creek Market or Creekers. The village is also home to the Stony CreekPost Office, Willoughby Wallace Library and Stony Creek Dock.
One of the more popular attractions off the shores of Stony Creek CT are the Thimble Islands an archipelago of 100-365 islands with 25 currently being inhabited. During the summer months, people will wait in line for a fun-filled voyage on a Thimble Islands cruise of sightseeing and enchantment.
You'll find the village and all that the surrounding Stony Creek CT neighborhood has to offer as a little touch of paradise.
Contact Donna Bigda, CDPE, e-PRO, Realtor®, RE/MAX Alliance Licensed Realtor® in the State of Connecticut at 203-488-1641, ext. 214 to list your Branford home for sale or to purchase a property in Branford, Guilford, Madison, East Haven, New Haven and the rest of shoreline area in New Haven County Connecticut.
The Thimble Islands are a chain of 100-365 small islands that lie off the shore of the affluent community ofStony Creekin Branford Connecticut. They are made up of Stony Creek pink granite rocks, ledges and outcroppings ranging in size from small rocks to 17 acres full of local tradition and a wealth of history.
While they are said to be named for the thimbleberry which is in the family of the black raspberry and once grew wild on them, it is a plant that is rarely seen in the area now and is more notable in the northern New England area.
The Thimble Islands were first discovered by Adrian Block in 1614 who also discovered Block Island and were a favorite spot of the Mattabeseck Indians as a summer camping ground. During the 18th century in 1716 the colonists acquired land grants of the islands. Because Branford was known as a farming community, there was little value found in the islands except as a source of seaweed which was used as a fertilizer and pasture for sheep during the summer on the larger islands.
In 1846 when William Bryan of Branford built a hotel on Pot Island and then renamed it for Captain Kidd the famous pirate, he created the legend that holds to today of possible hidden treasure.
The islands and drew lobstermen and commercial fishermen to the area who found a very profitable harvest in the waters. During the 19th century oyster farming thrived and produced a great source of wealth and by 1870 the area was booming with hotels, boarding houses and the building of summer cottages on the islands and on the shore.
Between 1890 to the start of World War I the Thimble Islands flourished. A public dock was built for the accommodations of the islanders. Yachting grew tremendously and The Thimble Islandsbecame the favorite spot to drop anchor or to enjoy a long cruise.
Many changes have come to the islands since World War I. The hotels are gone and you'll see more water boats and water skiers on the waters now and fewer sailboats and rowing races. Many of the islands have been bought and sold over the years but there are still many families who from generation to generation continue to come back to the islands year after year.
The Thimble Islands especially during the summer months is a favorite location of residents and vacationers for swimming, kayaking and boating. One of the more popular attractions are the Thimble Island Cruisesaboard The Sea Mist, Volsunga IV or The Islander for a tour of the 25 inhabited islands.
Some of the more notable and largest Thimble Islands are:
Bear Island - Originally called "Goat Island" for its community of Swedish immigrant quarry workers for the goat herds they kept for milk. Formerly home to a granite quarry which shipped the high quality pink granite for the construction of the Grant's Tomb, Lincoln Memorial and for the base of the Statue of Liberty.
Davis Island- Was the "Summer White House" of President William Howard Taft.
Governor Island - It has 14 residence with one of the oldest houses that was built in 1880 and still holds the original family name Simpson.
Horse Island - Owned by Yale University and by Yale's Peabody Museum of Natural History which maintains an ecological laboratory. It is also one of the largest of the Thimble Islands at 17 acres.
Money Island - Named after the famous pirate Captain Kidd, legend has it the he buried his treasure on this 12 mile island that has an entire village of 32 houses.
Rogers Island - Sold in 2003 for $22.3 million , this 7.75 acre island has a 27-room Tudor mansion, basketball courts, tennis courts and a caretaker's residence.
West Crib Island - In 1976 it was sold for $131,500 to John Svenningsen, a party goods magnage whose widow Christine has since bought more several other Thimble Islands.
There have are many current and past well-known residents of the islands including General Tom Thumb on Cut in Two Island East, President William Taft on Davis Island, Actor Frank Converse, showman Billy Rose, Garry Trudeau, the Doonesbury cartoonist and Jane Pauley, televison journalist.
The Thimble Islands are included in the Stony Creek-Thimble Islands Hisotric District and listed in 1988 as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.
Residents of Branford who are commuters and finding themselves fighing the traffic jams, contruction and bumper to bumper traffic along 1-95 take heart.
The new station loccated at 39 Maple Street opened in August 2005 and was built to replace the older nearby station that had low-level platforms. The Branford Station has free parking for approximately 200 cars, is handicap accessible, bicycle racks and has ADA-compliant high level platforms.
Shore Line East makes stops in New London, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, Guilford, Branford and New Haven at Union Stationand theState Street Station with limited express service to/from Bridgeport and Stamford and runs 7 days a week including holidays.
Passengers on Shore Line East can transfer trains at Union Station in New Haven for travel between New Haven and New York City.
For more information about train schedules, fares and FAQ please visit the Shore Line East Branford Station website, email contactus@rideworks.com or call in New Haven/Waterbury 203-77-7433 or toll free for anywhere in Connecticut at 1-800-255-7433.
Contact Donna Bigda, ABR, SRES, e-PRO, Realtor®, RE/MAX Alliance Licensed Realtor® in the State of Connecticut at 203-488-1641, ext. 214 to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Branford, Guilford, Madison, East Haven, New Haven and the rest of shoreline area in New Haven County Connecticut.
If you're thinking about buying a home in Branford CT there are plenty of great buys in today's market and now is one of the best times to buy while interest rates remain low. For more information on Branford CT real estate homes or condos, see Branford CT real estateor sign up today to get access the hottest new listings here Branford CT homes and condos.
Disclaimer: All information provided by this author is strictly an opinion, is not guaranteed, may be based on information collected from several sources, which may or may not be deemed reliable at the time of researching this article and may be time sensitive.
I had the pleasure of being invited out to lunch today by a friend of mine Samatha Liacos who is a home mortgage consultant with Wells Fargo and a fellow Active Rain member who I would love to see become a more active blogger.
I have been to Mango's numerous times for their Happy Hour from 5-7 pm Wednesday through Friday with other agents from my office but this was the first time I had the opportunity to visit there for lunch.
We were seated immediately in a nice booth in the dining room and were greeted by our wonderful waitress Lorraine who took our drink orders and let us know what lunch specials were available for the day.
The cuisine at Mango's is a mix of traditional American with influences from the islands known as "Branforribean" cuisine. Every dish is made to order and today was no exception with Chef Michael Deponte Jr. in the kitchen preparing our selections from the luncheon menu.
Mango's brings a piece of the Caribbean to you with it's sumptious selection of appetizers, salads, wraps, seafood, meat, pork, chicken, pasta, pizza and sides.
My choice was Mango Madness a salad of citrus fruit, fresh mangos with macadamia nuts, feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, tossed with field greens and topped with a key lime vinaigerette.
Samantha chose Fish Taco a wrap of fresh fish, tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh greens and key lime remoulade.
With a side of onion rings, a diet coke with lemon for me and an iced tea for Samantha in our cool blue Liquid Aloha glasses, our meal was complete.
Co-owners Nick Colavolpe, Michael Deponte, and Lenny Carbonera had worked together at Sam's Dockside Restaurant and when it was sold decied to open up the restaurant that they had dreamed of with a Caribbean flair in the heart of Branford. The wonderful atmosphere and impeccable service has made Mango's one of the best hot spots to visit along the shoreline area.
Mango's recently celebrated its three year anniversary and has been so successful its owners have opened a new restaurant in Branford down at Indian Neck with a New England flair speciaizing in seafood called The Blue Cottage.
As someone who is a seafood lover, I promised Michael that I would put it on the top of my list and check out The Blue Cottage. You can be sure I'll be writing a post after my visit there in the very near future.
Thimble Islands Cruise - Stony Creek CT - Branford
Looking for a great way to spend a summer day? Then take a drive to the town dock in Stony Creek in Branford CT for a fun filled Thimble Islands Cruiseand tour the 25 enchanted Thimble Islands.
Tour the islands with Captain Bob on the Volsunga IV, Captain Dave on The Islander or Captain Mike on The Sea Mist.
Sit back and relax on the 72 foot Volsunga IV with Captain Bob Milne. The Volsunga IV has the capacity to hold 48 passengers.
Tours for the Thimble Islands depart at the top of each hour. Please check here for the sightseeing schedule for 2009.
Walk-ons are welcome and reservations are accepted for 10 or more people.
Rates are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $5 for children 12 and under. Ony cash & checks are accepted.
Aboard The Sea Mist, a 44 foot Carmen boat your guide is Captain Mike Infantino. The Sea Mist is black and white with a pirate flag, upper deck and The Mermaid Bar.
The Sea Mist can carry 49 passengers for a Thimble Island sightseeing cruise and 34 for a private charter.
Tours depart the quarter past each hour. Check here for this year's schedule. Rates are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $5 for children 5 and under.
The tours for The Sea Mist are closed on Tuesdays.
Your host aboard The Islander is Captain Dave Kupsterer. His boat is 26 feet in length and can carry up to 25 passengers.
Captain Dave prefers a smaller boat as it can reach areas of the Thimble Islands that cannot be accessed by larger boats.
Rates for walk on fares are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $6 for children 12 and under.
Crusies run on weekends only from Memorial Day through mid-June.
From mid-June through Labor Day cruises run at 20 minutes before the hour every hour from 10:40 am to 3:40 pm.
For more information, Captian Dave can be reached at 352-978-1502 or on his info line at 203-397-3921.
Thimble Islands cruises are available for private charters, school and camp field trips and bus tours. Please the check the website for each boat to book your tours.
In the event of inclement weather, please call ahead to make sure the tours have not been cancelled.
Take a Thimble Islands Cruide today that will fill you with memories to last a lifetime.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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