Hello Meriden! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Factory rebirth into housing, secret message watercolors, and painting and playing with pigs party + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Industrial landmark renewed: Meriden’s historic Aeolian Company piano factory reopened as an 82-unit housing community after a $56 million redevelopment, remediating a Brownfield and anchoring $2.5 million in North End Field upgrades -- see the factory rebirth.
Night work ahead: Overnight tree removal along I-84 in Southington, Cheshire, and Plainville is underway and will snarl traffic nightly through August 14, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., with no scheduled holidays -- check the overnight route.
New gym on the horizon: Crunch Fitness will open soon in Southington, Hartford County’s first, with 20,000 square feet and recovery zone. A Founding Membership Sale on Saturday, June 27 will offer founding rates -- see what the club offers.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Fresh, local upgrade: For a quick Meriden-friendly stock-up, Geremia Farms has crisp veggies and herbs alongside greenhouse stunners like orchids and flowering annuals. Swing by this week, grab what looks best, and let dinner practically cook itself... or at least look prettier on the counter.
Quick local reset: Meriden Green is that easy win when you need fresh air without a drive. Loop the paths, sit by the water, or bring lunch and decompress. It’s your built-in pause button downtown, perfect for between errands or when the house is just too loud.
Pinball therapy, anyone: If your week needs a little flipper-fueled reset, The Sanctum packs a wall of classics and new-school gems like Godzilla, Medieval Madness, and Weird Al, plus weekly leagues and tournaments and their legendary 24 Hour Final Battle. Bring your competitive side or just chase multiballs.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Makeup for skin that's changed, now up to 65% off: Laura Geller has built its following on formulas made for mature skin, led by the baked foundations women over 40 keep coming back to. Right now, new email subscribers get up to 65% off plus an extra 22%. Enter your email on the page and the discount activates. *See the VIP pricing →
Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
Wish you had someone to talk to right now? The quiet hours are the hardest, especially when you just want someone to talk to. That's exactly what this is built for: real conversations, real matches, real people. Not endless swiping, but actual chats with singles who want to connect as much as you do. Someone to talk to could be a message away. *Join now and start chatting → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🐄 Farm Open Play Day @ Guided By Goats (Cheshire) | Wednesday (6/24) at 9:00 AM – Pack the wipes and a spare outfit, the farm is turning kids loose on water tables, mud kitchen, paint, and sensory bins, plus gentle animal cameos. Parents stay on-site, rain or shine. $15 first kid, $5 siblings, under-1 free, bundle passes available, all abilities welcome.
🎨 Secret Message Watercolors @ Meriden Public Library | Wednesday (6/24) at 6:00 PM – Channel your inner spy and your favorite kindergarten art teacher at a watercolor session where you write a secret message, then watch it bloom in color. Great with kids, grandkids, or your inner child, and finally a sanctioned way to pass notes again.
🖍 Outdoor Chalk Painting @ Meriden Public Library | Thursday (6/25) at 10:30 AM – Give your inner sidewalk Michelangelo some fresh air with a chalk painting session in the courtyard, registration required. Arrive within 15 minutes of the start to keep your spot, and hope the weather behaves. Low pressure, high charm, adult-approved doodling.
🔎 Red White and You City Wide Scavenger Hunt @ Meriden Historical Society Museum & History Center | Friday (6/26) at 4:00 PM – Meriden turns into one big scavenger hunt, a 24-hour dash that’s more brains and teamwork than cardio. Round up the usual suspects, crack clues, and snap whole-crew photos at every stop, then beat the buzzer or your bragging rights vanish into someone’s inbox.
🍖 Legion Family BBQ and Games @ American Legion Post 75 (Middletown) | Saturday (6/27) at 2:00 PM – Fire up your appetite and swing by American Legion Post 75 for a family BBQ, open house, and lawn games. Meet fellow veterans, swap stories that age like bourbon, and let the kids burn energy while you claim cornhole glory. Easy, welcoming, very Middletown.
🎆 Middletown Fireworks Concert @ Dekoven Drive | Saturday (6/27) at 8:00 PM – Whether you can name every Sousa march, or just like things that go boom, Middletown’s Symphonic Band sets the scene with patriotic picks, Broadway, and movie themes, then the fireworks take over to toast America’s 250th. Pack lawn chairs, blankets, and your favorite porch pals.
🐷 Painting & Playing with Pigs Party @ Eventful Splat & Craft Studio | Sunday (6/28) at 1:00 PM – Take a break from the grind and get artsy with actual pigs at Eventful Splat & Craft Studio in Meriden. Pick your poison, canvas, ceramic bank, or a stuff-a-pig plush, then meet Blaze and Dot for snuggles, photos, and wholesome chaos.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Meriden report Weather forecastToday — High: 84°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 84. Northwest wind around 8 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Northwest wind 1 to 7 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 82°F — Low: 65°F — Precip: 3%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 1 to 8 mph. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. This house is wildThis charming 3-bed, 1-bath home pairs thoughtful updates with everyday comfort. New tile flooring opens into a remodeled main level with durable laminate and a warm, inviting flow. Upstairs, two bedrooms feature classic hardwoods. A large basement adds flexible space, while the private backyard and newer roof round out the appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
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