New Year: Horses, Horseshoes & Finding Visionaries: Day, Stowe, Teddy’s
Believe while others are doubting.
Plan while others are playing.
Study while others are sleeping.
Decide while others are delaying.
Prepare while others are daydreaming.
Begin while others are procrastinating.
Work while others are wishing.
Save while others are wasting.
Listen while others are talking.
Smile while others are frowning.
Commend while others are criticizing.
Persist while others are quitting.
William Arthur Ward
From Meriden, Teddy’s Stores (named after a beloved canine companion, of course). “Together with our community, we’re creating positive change through local partnerships, charitable initiatives, and events that bring people together. Every purchase at Teddy’s helps power our commitment to making a difference.”
The transition from Danby’s to Teddy’s: “What started as a single service station in 1948 has grown through the dedication of countless local families and employees working together. For over 75 years, this team built several businesses on strong values and genuine community connection. In 2019, under Kevin and Patti Curry’s leadership, Teddy’s Stores was born—-carrying forward that collaborative legacy with a bold new mission to give back.” To see the width and breadth of community–a link.
"Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Stowe Center, Hartford, CT.Also see: stowecenter.org/nook-farm-wa… #walk
— Moo Dog Press (@moodogpress.com) December 31, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Up to Hartford to visit the home of Samuel Clemens and family; Harriet Beecher Stowe. And learn about the vision and works of Katharine Seymour Day. Surprise! Walking around the property (with leashed dog) reading signage (new to us).
Pawpaw (grafts) trees grown from the fallen large one. A New Year’s resolution to source and grow pawpaws. Yes, here in Connecticut.
Source: www.treepeony.com/blogs/fruits…
(The champion tree is gone now. But. Three new young #trees from it are there, growing well.)
www.treepeony.com/blogs/fruits…
— Moo Dog Press (@moodogpress.com) January 1, 2026 at 9:42 AM
“In 2022 the champion tree fell in a storm, but fortunately Cricket Hill Garden, Thomaston, CT had previously propagated new trees from that Pawpaw, three of which you see here.” 2/2
— Moo Dog Press (@moodogpress.com) January 1, 2026 at 9:15 AM
“We believe Harriet Beecher Stowe Center founder Katharine S. Day planted the former national champion Pawpaw tree on this spot before 1950.” 1/2
— Moo Dog Press (@moodogpress.com) January 1, 2026 at 9:14 AM
The greenhouse, history. Stood between Mark Twain home and Harriet Beecher Stowe home, Katharine Day House.
— Moo Dog Press (@moodogpress.com) January 1, 2026 at 10:50 AM
“In 1924, the Harriet Beecher Stowe house went on the market, and Katharine Day decided to come home to Hartford. She purchased the house, planted colonial-revival style gardens, turned the garage into an artist’s studio and continued to paint, travel and study, receiving a graduate degree in history from Trinity College in 1936, when she was 66. The Hartford years also gave Day an opportunity to focus on important social activism….Supporting the beliefs that parks and gardens should be maintained for the health and benefit of the public, and that art education should be available to everyone, Katharine Day worked to restore the Corning Fountain in Bushnell Park, and helped create The Children’s Museum in West Hartford where all children could learn about art and history. Repeatedly, she spearheaded local preservation efforts, from relocating the Wadsworth Stable from Hartford to Lebanon to save it from destruction, to organizing the Friends of Hartford to prevent the Mark Twain House from being razed for development. And of course, she created and generously endowed the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, saving not only the home and many possessions of Harriet Beecher Stowe, but the building now known as the Day House as well as the papers of the extended Beecher, Stowe, Hooker and Day families.” Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame
After witnessing the skills of CT Renegades (thanks to tips from Peter La Tronica of Lock Stock & Barrel Feed and Farm Store) at the 2025 Bethany Harvest Festival, found their FB feed to be inspiring and informative.
“Footing to be removed and screened, base to be leveled and compacted and screened footing being put back at a consistent depth. Will be nice for 2026.”
Another view.
Over to Old Wethersfield. The joy and economic value of draft horses and their driver, giving rides to people–some of who may never have seen a horse up close and personal.
Horse-drawn carriage/wagon rides (free) extended. The Town of Wethersfield partners with Double M Ranch Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides. On Saturday, route is Main Street to River Road and back. On Sunday, Broad Street Green.
— Moo Dog Press (@moodogpress.com) January 2, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Horse-drawn carriage/wagon rides clip clop in Wethersfield (free) for (weather-permitting) Saturday, Jan. 3 and Sunday, Jan. 4. Jan 10 and Jan. 11, plus Feb. 14 and Feb. 15, noon to 3 p.m. Warm up with hot cocoa or coffees, a bite to eat at the many local businesses, before or after your ride.
On Saturday, the route is Main Street to River Road and back (pick up at First Church). On Sunday, circle portions of the Broad Street Green.
In case of inclement weather (snow, ice), the event could be temporarily cancelled and rescheduled. Keep an eye on the Town of Wethersfield official website, official Facebook page and official Instagram for announcements. You can visit the Town’s website at www.wethersfieldct.gov you may visit the Town’s Facebook Page by searching @Town of Wethersfield CT on FB and you may visit the Town’s Instagram @townofwethersfieldct.
“The Town would like to extend appreciation to the Wethersfield State Delegation for securing funding for this program.”
And this, seen at the Twain-Stowe-Day property walk.
Patrick McAleer
(1846-1906)“…born in Northern Ireland and immigrated to the United States at age 16. Patrick became the Clemens family's coachman on the day of Samuel and Oliva's wedding in Elmira, New York, February 2, 1870.
(Note the horseshoe globe behind this signage.) #Hartford
— Moo Dog Press (@moodogpress.com) December 31, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Horseshoes as a globe, tribute.
— Moo Dog Press (@moodogpress.com) December 31, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Not forgotten. All the people who made things run, kept all fed, care for.