Guilford Connecticut Real Estate Agent, Sandra Cummings

BRANFORD - "In 1638 the New Haven Colony traded "eleven coats of trucking cloth and one coat of English cloth made in the English fashion" to the Mattabesec Indians for land known as Totokett (Tidal River). The first permanent settlement was established in 1644 when people from Wethersfield came to Totokett, later rename Branford after the town of Brentford in Middlesex County, England. The Sound provided many of the settlers with a livelihood of shipbuilding and coastwise trade. Industry began in 1655 when the first iron furnace in Connecticut was set up and operated at Lake Saltonstall. Yale College was founded in 1701 when ten ministers met and made a contribution of books. In 1852 upon completion of the railroad, industrialization flourished. Two leading manufacturing firms were founded during this era: the Malleable Iron Fittings Company in 1854, and the Branford Lock Works in 1862. The twentieth century has brought some changes to Branford, but much of its historical heritage remains in the form of old buildings and well-preserved villages."

When it comes to The Connecticut Shoreline there are seven towns in New Haven County with frontage on the Sound but only three are classified as "The Shoreline" - Branford, Guilford & Madison. Branford being the closest to the City of New Haven is also the most populated and diverse of the three towns. Housing stock consists of everything from Trailer Parks to Condos to Waterfront Mansions.

Several small sections of town offer their own unique character. In the Pine Orchard sections you find the exclusive Yacht & Country Club where there is usually a waiting list to join and membership is by invitation only.

Stony Creek has nice views and guided tours of the Thimble Islands that normally run from May - October. You can hop aboard with Captain Bob or Captain Mike and enjoy a 45 minute narrated tour for about the cost of a movie.

June is time for the Branford Festival that monopolizes the downtown area with activities.

If you are thinking about putting your home on the market, now is the time! Contact The Cummings Team! Let me show you what we can do to market your home. We cover New Haven Counties and the Shoreline Communites, including North Haven, Madison, Guilford, Branford, North Branford,Hamden, Northford and Wallingford. Give us a call today.

Sandra L Cummings
Realtor®

William Raveis Real Estate - Real Estate for Real People
21 Whitfield Street
Guilford, CT 06437
phone - 203-672-2456
cell - 203-676-5948
Sandra@CummingsTeam.com
Branford Haven Real Estate

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GUILFORD - "This town, the seventh oldest, was founded in 1639 by an oppressed but optimistic band of English Puritans. Henry Whitfield, a minister in Ockley, near London, was the moving spirit behind their emigrations. About forty of his friends and sympathizers formed a joint stock company to sail across the Atlantic. They were mostly young and energetic men, farmers, well-educated, and all of them persons of high standing in their community. In a deed of sale dated September 29, 1639, the Whitfield Company purchased the lands between Stony Creek and East River from the Squaw Shaumpishuh, Sachem of the local Menunkatuck Indian tribe. Whitfield's stone house at first served as a fortress and meeting place. Guilford Green was inspired by the typical 17^thcentury English common. In the fall of 1641 the settlers purchased from the Indians land beyond East River that included most of what became East Guilford."

"East Guilford, now Madison, was set off as a distinct church society in 1703, North Guilford in 1720, and North Bristol (North Madison) in 1753. Two good harbors and two tidal rivers assured success to Guilford in Connecticut ~ New York coastwise shipping and the West India trade during the 18^thcentury. In the American Revolution, British troops landed several times and burned two houses. The famous Sachem's Head Hotel ( 1797-1897 ) made this town the center of society for many years. John Beattie's granite quarries at Leete's Island employed as many as three hundred workmen and supplied stone for the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. Famous sons of Guilford include William Leete, an early Governor of Connecticut; Fitz-Greene Halleck, one of the noted Knickerbocker Poets; and Abraham Baldwin, a signer of the United States Constitution and Senator from Georgia."

Now that you have read what the historians say I will try to explain the town more my way. It's a beautiful blend of the old and the new with The Whitfield House still standing today. Constructed of stone in 1639 it has been through restoration and looking just fine. The home is oldest in Connecticut & the oldest stone house if all of New England, surviving time it has been a museum since 1899.

Henry Whitfield himself led quite a life, went back to England after 11 years also ditching his wife.

Just beyond the Whitfield house heading down to the shore amongst historic homes you see a strange sight. The Spaceship that "landed" back in the '80s one night.

Continuing south and looking out at sea sits Faulkner's Island with the second oldest Lighthouse built in 1802.

Heading north towards the center is a favorite place, steps from my office its like an escape, the Guilford Green. If you read the article about the picturesque Green it mentions a gadfly old guy always lurking around like some kind of a spy. Keeping odd hours myself I was acutely aware that Richard Greene was always out there. Sad to say its no longer that way, Mr. Greene passed away. Reflecting back over hundreds of years it is easy to miss one man modern day fears. Richard Greene was quite passionate when he felt he was right, always sharing his thoughts and putting up a good fight.

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If you are thinking about putting your home on the market, now is the time! Contact The Cummings Team! Let me show you what we can do to market your home. We cover New Haven Counties and the Shoreline Communites, including North Haven, Madison, Guilford, Branford, North Branford,Hamden, Northford and Wallingford. Give us a call today.

Sandra L Cummings
Realtor®

William Raveis Real Estate - Real Estate for Real People
21 Whitfield Street
Guilford, CT 06437
phone - 203-672-2456
cell - 203-676-5948
Sandra@CummingsTeam.com
Guilford Haven Real Estate

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There has been a complete make over of the North Haven Basketball team this year. Peter Civitello has come to North Haven from coaching Basketball in Guilford. Peter Civitello is a former North Haven Indian Alumnus. Due to large graduation losses for the Indians, the North Haven team will be facing many challenges this year. New coach leading a very inexperienced team, however if Coach Civitello's level of enthusiasm is any indication, North Haven will have a great basketball team this year. Come on out and see a game! All games start at 7 pm.

December 12 North Haven at Branford

December 14 North Haven at Fairfield Prep

December 18 FORAN at North Haven

December 20 North Haven at Career

December 29 Branford at North Haven

January 2  North Haven at Notre Dame - WH

January 4 North Haven at Derby

January 8 Wilbur Cross at North Haven

January 11 North Haven at East Haven

January 15 North Haven at Jonathan Law

January 18 Lyman Hall at North Haven

January 22 Career at North Haven

January 25 Notre Dame-WH at North Haven

January 29 Derby at North Haven

February 1 Fairfield Prep at North Haven

February 5 North Haven at Foran

February 8 North Haven at Wilbur Cross

February 12 East Haven at North Haven

February 15 North Haven at Lyman Hall

February 18 Jonathan Law at North Haven

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For more information about North Haven, Connecticut visit The Shoreline Blogger or if you are thinking of buying or selling a home, visit my web site North Haven Real Estate

Sandra L Cummings
Realtor®

William Raveis Real Estate - Real Estate for Real People
21 Whitfield Street
Guilford, CT 06437
phone - 203-672-2456
cell - 203-676-5948
Sandra@CummingsTeam.com
North Haven Connecticut Real Estate

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There is also a Santa's workshop which will take place on Monday December 3 and again on Wednesday December 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. This is a wonderful way to start off the holiday season. Bring the whole family and come enjoy the many events on the Town Green.

For more information about North Haven, Connecticut visit The Shoreline Blogger or my web site North Haven Real Estate

Best regards,

Sandra L Cummings
Realtor®

William Raveis Real Estate

21 Whitfield Street
Guilford, CT 06437
phone - 203-672-2456
cell - 203-676-5948

Sandra@CummingsTeam.com
North Haven Real Estate

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Halloween is just around the corner and I would like to reminder all of the parents out there to go over the following safety tips with all your little ghosts and goblins before they go off on a night of Trick and Treating Fun

• Stay in Well Lighted Areas, and Use the Sidewalks
• Always cross at the street corners and look both ways before crossing the street
• Carry a flashlight with you and wear light colored clothing
• Always go in groups or with your parents
• Only go to homes with lights on and Never go into a stranger's home
• Have your parents look over all your candy before you eat any
• Never eat any candy that is unwrapped
• Make sure you can see clearing when wearing your costume and it does not drag on the ground

Better yet check out your local community and see if they are sponsoring Halloween Events. And Parents, one more thing, if you happen to be out driving on Halloween, please, please be extra careful.

Best regards,

Sandra L Cummings
Realtor®

William Raveis Real Estate - Real Estate for Real People
21 Whitfield Street
Guilford, CT 06437
phone - 203-672-2456
cell - 203-676-5948
Sandra@CummingsTeam.com
Branford Connecticut Real Estate

The weather in Connecticut has been unseasonable warm this October, so it would be a wonderful time to take advantage of the great temperatures and take an afternoon to explore Peter's Rock. It is about a mile's hike to the top and you get a wonderful view of Sleeping Giant. You can also see The City of New Haven and many spectacular views of North Haven. Enjoy the foliage of the way up. In my opinion, fall is the best time to go. The leaves are changing color, the air is crisp and the insects are not a problem. Bring along a picnic lunch, there picnic tables available at the start of the trails for you to enjoy a family lunch. There is also a new pavilion at the entrance and plenty of parking. The park entrance is located at 133 Middletown Avenue next to the First Fuel Gas Station, in the Montowese Section of North Haven.

For more information about North Haven, Connecticut visit The Shoreline Blogger or my web site at http://www.sandracummings.com/

Best regards,

Sandra L Cummings
Realtor®

William Raveis Real Estate - Real Estate for Real People
21 Whitfield Street
Guilford, CT 06437
phone - 203-672-2456
cell - 203-6765948
Sandra@CummingsTeam.com

North Haven Connecticut Real Estate

Out of 109 top educators from around the State of Connecticut, North Haven's Teacher of The Year, Pamela Kendrick has made it to the final 5.

For those of you who might not know Pam, she is an 8^th grade language arts teacher at the North Haven Middle School. Pam is an extraordinary woman, whose lists of accomplishments are impressive. Theses are just a few of the many extra things she is involved in. She volunteers with the Middle School Peer Mediation Program and The Student Awareness Day. Pam has also founded a chapter of the Kid's Care Club and serves as a BEST mentor.

But most important of all is how Pam brings out the best in each and every one of her students. She has that special ability to find the spark deep inside even the most unmotivated student. Her philosophy of taking class room lessons and relating them to real life situations is what teaching should be about.

In Pam's speech to the staff on the opening day of school, she states: "Our most fundamental responsibility, the first thing we need to care about, is to teach our students how to think for themselves, how to apply their imagination, how to problem solve and how to use their own passion, their own resolve, to find success in the world." Pam lights sparks, she sets the fires of learning in our children. The State of Connecticut would be lucky to have our Pam Kendrick as Teacher of The Year.

Best regards,

Sandra L Cummings
Realtor®

William Raveis Real Estate

21 Whitfield Street
Guilford, CT 06437
phone - 203-672-2456

cell - 203-676-5948
Sandra@CummingsTeam.com
North Haven Connecticut Real Estate

It's time to hit the grid iron again, and North Haven is up for the challenge. This season's expectations run high after last year's unbelievable tournament run. North Haven went from one of the worst teams in the division to first in the SCC Division II East. We are expecting great things from our team and Coach Sagnella again this year. So come on out and support North Haven. All home games start at 7:00 pm, except the Thanksgiving Day game which starts at 10:00 am. All home games are played at the Mike Vanacore Field. See you at the game.

For more information about North Haven, Connecticut visit The Shoreline Blogger or my web site at http://www.sandracummings.com/

Copyrighted 2007 The CummingsTeam All Rights Reserved

John Caffery & The Beaver Brown Band preformed again this year at the North Haven Fair. It was a beautiful night, much different than last year's pouring rain and the band played all their old hits which had the crowd on their feet and dancing. And when they performed their hit "On the dark side", it brought down the house.

            The audience went crazy when John Caffery and Michael "Tune"  Antunes jumped down from the stage and mingled with the crowd. Michael's saxophone playing was hot as the band played their hit "Tender Years", which is also from the movie "Eddie and the Cruisers". For those of you who don't know Antunes, he also appeared in the movie.

It was an exceptional night at the North Haven Fair and a fantasic performance by John Caffery & The Beaver Brown Band. Don't miss out on the chance to see some great bands at the North Haven Fair. You still have time to see Chris Cagle, who will be performing Saturday and the Gin Blossoms on Sunday.

For more information about North Haven, Connecticut visit The Shoreline Blogger or my web site at http://www.sandracummings.com/

Copyrighted 2007   The CummingsTeam   All Rights Reserved

Governor Jodi Rell came to North Haven Connecticut to honor the town in making Money Magazine "100 Best Places to Live". The magazine listed North Haven at number 86, which is quite an achievement. The magazine noted North Haven, Connecticut as having wonderful local cultural events, and strong economic development among other facts in selecting North Haven, Connecticut as one of their "100 Best Places to Live".

Governor Rell arrived at the North Haven Fair around 7 and was greeted by First Selectman Kevin Kopetz, State Senator Len Fasano and members of the North Haven Fair Committee. The Governor praised North Haven, Connecticut for its quality of life and excellent leadership. Afterward, Governor Rell then spent time touring the North Haven fair grounds, and greeting the fair goers. The large crowd was quite excited to have the Governor visit our town and she was surrounded by well wishes and supporters.

For more information about North Haven, Connecticut visit The Shoreline Blogger or my web site at http://www.sandracummings.com/

Copyrighted 2007 The CummingsTeam All Rights Reserved