Monday, April 27, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

Food bank streamlines footprint: Connecticut Foodshare sold its Bloomfield warehouse for $3.5 million to cut costs and will expand its Wallingford hub with more refrigerated and freezer space, aided by a $2 million grant -- get all the details.

Insights on memory loss: Nearby Middletown's Benchmark at South Farms and the Alzheimer's Association will host Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia on May 6 at 5 pm, with a three-course meal and advance registration -- get all the details.

Veteran beekeeper’s homeowner tips: Seeing a swarm around town? Hamden beekeeper Lauren Doninger removes honey bee swarms for free, protecting homes and pollinators. She expects her first honey of the season in June -- see tips and service details.

The bill everyone over 50 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.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Stress relief, upgraded: Swap doomscrolling for bullseyes this week at Blue Ox Axe Throwing, where an axe master shows you how to stick it and keeps things safe so you can just have fun. Round up friends, book a lane, and discover how oddly satisfying it is to hear wood thwack.

Hidden sip worth finding: Tea by day, speakeasy by night, Bones & Botanicals turns botanicals into story-worthy cocktails and herbal teas that feel a little bit like alchemy. Expect candlelit vibes, apothecary curiosities, and flavors that lean herbal in the best way... perfect for a midweek reset right here in town.

Brunch without the fuss: The Library Wine Bar & Bistro serves a comfy Sunday spread with rotating dishes, a chef-manned omelet station, a carving station, and desserts... essentially permission to linger with your people. Easygoing, tasty, and unhurried, it’s the kind of brunch that turns Sunday into your favorite chapter.

The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

Selling your house doesn't have to take months: If you need to sell quickly — because you're downsizing, relocating, or just ready to close this chapter — Liz helps seniors sell their houses fast. As-is. No repairs, no showings, no drawn-out back-and-forth. You pick the closing date. *See how it works →

Unknown-number calls aren't random: Scammers don't just pick numbers out of a hat. They pay data brokers a few bucks and get everything they need to harass you, trick you, rob you, or steal your identity outright. Incogni removes all of your personal info from these data broker sites and keeps an eye out to make sure it stays gone for good. *Get protected →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

👜 Power of the Purse 2026 @ Middletown Elks Lodge 771 | Thursday (4/30) at 5:30 PM – Whether you’ve been eyeing a new bag or just love a bidding duel, this Power of the Purse fundraiser serves great food, better company, and zero buyer’s remorse. Nab something stylish, support Middlesex United Way’s Women United, and feel smugly charitable the whole ride home.

🧀 Chell's Charcuterie Class @ Paradise Hills Vineyard & Winery | Thursday (4/30) at 6:00 PM – Nothing beats sipping vineyard wine while turning meats and cheeses into edible art. Chell's charcuterie class at Paradise Hills Vineyards is adult arts and crafts, with snacks, where you bring your bestie, mom, or spouse, and finally get to eat your homework.

🍳 Dumpling Class @ Valor Wines (North Haven) | Thursday (4/30) at 6:00 PM – Trade takeout for technique at a dumpling class with Grumpy Dumpling Co, where you’ll fold, steam, and pan-fry. $65 gets instruction, a six-dumpling dinner, banana chocolate and salted Thai coconut dessert dumplings, and a take-home discount. Your takeout menu will miss you, reserve early.

🔨 Words on Wood Workshop @ Words on Wood | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign, literally, this DIY studio workshop lets you design and stencil your own wooden art, then leave with something proudly handmade and minimally splintery. Bring your clever quote, your reading glasses, and your patient friend. Sign up here: https://wordsonwood.com/collections/find-an-event/products/4-9-26-6pm-choose-your-design-words-on-wood-workshop

🧠 Mental Health Fair @ Harbor Park (Middletown) | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Need a brain tune-up that comes with a river view? Head to Harbor Park for Middletown’s second Mental Health Fair, featuring nearly 50 providers, interactive family activities, and food. Skip the doomscroll, grab real resources, and call it quality time.

🚗 EJK Memorial Scholarship Car Show @ Xavier High School (Middletown) | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Shine up the classic you pretend you’re selling next summer, and roll over to Xavier’s annual EJK Memorial Scholarship car show. Trophies by class, food trucks, music, and raffles, plus a chance to back the car club keeping Erik J. Kalber’s memory rolling.

☕ Annual Mother Daughter Tea @ Prayer Mission Church of God in Christ (Middletown) | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Time to dust off the good hat for the Annual Mother Daughter Tea, theme Seeking the Face of God. Think proper tea, tiny sandwiches, and conversation that actually lingers. $45 per person, RSVP by April 27, 2026, text 860-884-6852 for details.

This 4-bed, 2.5-bath charmer sits in coveted Twin Oak Farms on a lot backing to woods. A cathedral-ceiling family room with French doors opens to a patio, and a living-dining area with a wood-burning fireplace and deck overlooking the garden. The kitchen features quartz counters and a double wall oven. Main-level primary suite, laundry, and a two-car garage.