Cheshire's Own Kind of Petting Zoo - Did you always love petting zoos when you were a kid or do you love taking your kids or grandkids to petting zoos?  Cheshire has a new kind of petting zoo coming to town--a technology petting zoo! On Monday, November 22, 2010, at 7:00 P.M., the Cheshire Public Library will present a "Technology Petting Zoo," a hands-on demonstration of eBook readers and other devices.  Library Director Ramona Harten will be in charge of the presentation which is for adults ages 18 and up.  Registration is required, so be sure to check out their website!  Here is your opportunity to hold and inspect the new wave of technology so you won't be afraid anymore!  I have been assured that all of the technology presented will be tame and none will bite.  So now is your chanc... 11/03/2010

Are you ready for Toys for Tots in the Cheshire Area?  This year's local drop points in Cheshire, Connecticut, are listed below for your convenience.  For more drop off locations in New Haven County, check out this webpage!  And if you are looking for spots in Hartford or Litchfield Counties, check out this one! You can drop off any new unwrapped toy during business hours. CPM Insurance Service - 90 Hinman Street, Cheshire - Drop Dates November 1 - December 15, 2010. Atlantic Inertial Systems (Goodrich) - 250 Knotter Drive, Cheshire - Drop Dates November 8 - December 10, 2010. Macy's Logistics and Operations - 475 Knotter Drive, Cheshire - Drop Dates November 8 - December 10, 2010. In Touch Massage & Spa - 350 South Main Street, Cheshire - Drop Dates November 1 - December 19, 2010. ACS ... 10/31/2010

All Aboard for the Santa Express!  Looking for a great family event this holiday season?  How about the Santa Express train ride?  This year’s event takes place on Saturdays and Sundays in December (December 4 and 5, 11 and 12, and 18 and 19) departing at 2 P.M. from the Thomaston Train Station. The train runs along the Naugatuck River for one hour 20 minutes while your group visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their trusty elves!  The train you will travel on is a 1920s vintage train with warm and comfortable coaches.  Santa and his wife will visit each child. Tickets are free for age 2 and under (but the child must be seated on an adult lap).  Children 3-12 are $12; Adults are $14, and Seniors are $12.  You can purchase tickets online or at the Thomaston Station on the day of travel.  ... 10/31/2010

Cheshire's Lights of Hope is Saturday, November 6, 2010 - The annual Lights of Hope in Cheshire has been moved up this year.  In the past, the event has had to be postponed due to bitterly cold weather or impending blizzards, so this year the event is being held in November rather than January.  Cheshire's Lights of Hope started in 2005, and over the years has raised more than $260,000 for local charities.  All of the proceeds raised are returned to the community.  This year's charities are Cheshire Youth & Social Services, the Cheshire Community Food Pantry, the Petit Family Foundation, and the Cheshire's Lights of Hope Scholarship Fund.  The mission of Cheshire's Lights of Hope is to unite as a community, to light up our town in hope of a better world, and to raise funds for local cha... 10/30/2010

Farm Stands are Closing Soon - Get To One Near You This Weekend!  Is it really almost November?  Remember those great local Farm Stands will be closing down soon, so don't wait any longer.  Get to one near you!  Ives Farm at 1585 Cheshire Street in Cheshire is not holding its annual Corn Maze this year, but their Farm Stand is still open for business.  They have acres of pumpkins from which to choose, so be sure to stop by this weekend!    10/22/2010

R. W. Hine Hardware - Since 1910!  Can you imagine a hardware store that can hang in there for 100 years!?  R.W. Hine Hardware in Cheshire is that store.  R.W. Hine was founded at its 231 Maple Avenue site in 1910 by Raymond Walter Hine.  We have been going there for household items for more years than I care to admit, so we have watched the transformation.  It is now known as RW Hine Ace Hardware, but the people are still the wonderful folks we have come to know over the years.  They have a great rental department.  I am "looking forward" to renting a leaf blower from them in the next few weeks.  Celebrating 100 Years!   10/21/2010

Here it is . . . The New Photo!!  Oh, did I happen to mention that there would be a change in my brokerage?  Effective today, I am now affiliated with Calcagni Associates Real Estate in Cheshire.  I will continue to service all of central Connecticut.  Calcagni Associates Real Estate is a leading brand in the state of Connecticut with additional focus on New Construction, Land Development, Commercial, and REO properties.  I am pleased to join this organization that leads the industry in innovation and garnering results for our clients.  10/20/2010

Cheshire's Main Street Cafe is exactly what it says it is - a cafe on the main street.  However, its actual address is 209 West Main Street in Cheshire.  Its original location was on the 0.3 mile long Main Street, but the building in which it resided was torn down to make way for the new Rite Aid (opening soon), so they closed down for a little while and then re-opened right around the corner on West Main Street.  My children used to go to the old location about once a week while they were in high school.  It was a very sad day when it closed down as they didn't know at that time if they would be reopening.  Let me tell you, they have come back bigger and better than ever!  I had a cup of coffee at the Main Street Cafe this morning, and there wasn't a parking space to be found.  They ha... 10/13/2010

September 2010 Real Estate Sales Report for Cheshire Ct Currently in Cheshire Ct there are 189 active residential listings for sale, with 34 new listings being added in September. The homes for sale in Cheshire Ct range from a 565 square ft, 2-bedroom bungalow listed at $109,900 to a 5,600 square ft, 4 bedrooms, Colonial listed at $ 1,990,000. The average list price of the homes currently available for sale in Cheshire Ct is $460,753. The average days on market for these homes is 120 days. There are currently 14 homes under contract in Cheshire Ct, with three having gone under contract in September. In September, 13 homes closed in Cheshire Ct. They ranged from a 2,600 square ft, 4-bedroom colonial which sold for $459,900 to a 1,502 square ft, 2-bedroom Cape that sold for $182,000. Aver... 10/13/2010

Cheshire Library book sale coming soon - If you are anything like me, I find out the library book sale is happening just as it is ending!  So mark your calendars now so you can be sure not to miss it this time!  Here are the dates:  Thursday, October 21 from 9:30 A.M. to 8:30 P.M.; Friday, October 22 from 9:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., and Saturday, October 23 from 9:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.  So get ready to fill those bookshelves! 10/10/2010

August 2010 Real Estate Sales Report for Cheshire Ct Currently in Cheshire Ct there are 183 active residential listings for sale, with 30 new listings being added in August. The homes for sale in Cheshire Ct range from a 565 square ft, 2-bedroom bungalow listed at $109,900 to a 6,054 square ft, 5 bedrooms, Colonial listed at $ 1,450,000. The average list price of the homes currently available for sale in Cheshire Ct is $450,700. The average days on market for these homes is 120 days. There are currently 10 homes under contract in Cheshire Ct, with one, which went under contract in August. In August, 13 homes closed in Cheshire Ct. They ranged from a 1,193 square ft, 3-bedroom REO cape, which sold for $80,500 to a 4,292 square ft, 5-bedroom Farm House colonial that sold for $735,000. Ave... 09/14/2010

Every two years in Cheshire, Connecticut, we have an event that is just as anticipated as the annual Fall Festival, the Memorial Day Parade, and the first day of school (well at  least by mothers).  It is the curbside Bulky Waste and Scrap Metal Collection. However, this year, the Public Works Department advises all Cheshire residents that there will be NO Curbside Bulky Waste or Scrap Metal Collection.  I find this quite sad, as it is a wonderful recycling program.  I would estimate that 90% of the items that make it to the curb DO NOT make it to the actual official pickup.  There is a parade through town of people looking for items that can be reused.  A grill will disappear in stages--the first part to go (almost immediately) is the cast metal casing, and then the rest slowly disappe... 09/11/2010

Don't Miss This Year's Cheshire Fall Festival and Marketplace! Saturday, September 11 from 10:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. at Bartlem Park (Route 10 across from Cheshire High School) Admission is FREE Business Vendors, Craft Show, Food Court, Car Show, and FIREWORKS! A Birds of Prey Exhibit sponsored by the Cheshire Land Trust will feature a hawk, falcon, owl and more. Scooples will hold a "Tallest Cone Building Contest" at the Food Court. World Record is only 13 1/2 inches! The Food Court will again have a sample of The Taste of Cheshire. Two entertainment stages are lined up with great musical talent and demonstrations including Eight To The Bar from 5-7 P.M. And of course, the all important FIREWORKS! 09/04/2010

Driving along Route 10 in Cheshire lately, you may have noticed that some signs have gone up that are covered in black plastic.  Of course the curious have begun to tear off the plastic to see what is coming!  Here is the lowdown: Country Club Road Bridge will be closed for repair beginning on Tuesday, September 7, at 7:00 A.M.  The bridge is located on Country Club Road, between Round Hill Road and Wolf Hill Road (you know, the bridge that has been just one lane for the past few months!).  It will be closed to vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians.  The Town of Cheshire anticipates that the bridge will re-open by Friday, December 17. Country Club Road from Wolf Hill Road will be restricted to homeowners residing on Country Club Road, and this portion of the road will not be open to thro... 08/30/2010

Life Line Screening Coming to Cheshire As we advance in age, our bodies become more susceptible to the ravages of injury and disease. Some ailments make themselves known immediately: broken bones, sprains, head and muscle aches, etc. But there are other, more insidious, health issues that are not so readily apparent and that may not show outward symptoms for extended periods of time, sometimes until it’s too late. That’s when some simple tests can be your best defense against catastrophic illness. Life Line Screening Could Save Your Life Life Line Screening is the leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings in the country, and they will once again be offering their services in Cheshire on Friday, September 10, 2010. This potentially life-saving clinic will be held a... 08/26/2010

There were a total of three sold properties for the week of 8/1/-2010-8/8/2010.  The three properties that sold were; 125 Corliss Lane, Cheshire Ct 06410. 275 Barytes Drive, Cheshire, Ct 06410. 60 Orleton, Cheshire Ct 06410.   The Stats: 125 Corliss Lane, Cheshire Ct 06410 was a 1.548 square foot farm house that had 9 rooms, 4 bedrooms and 1 bath.  It had a detached 2 car garage and vinyl siding.  It was also situated on 3.6 acres. 125 Corliss Lane, Cheshire Ct 06410originally listed at $299,000 on 5/21/2010. It was reduced to $288,000 on 6/25/2010.  It ended up selling on August 4th, 2010 for $270,000.  It was on the market for a total of 62 days.      275 Barytes Drive Cheshire CT 06410 was a 4292 square foot colonial. It featured 13 rooms, 5 bedrooms 3 full baths and 2 half baths.  I... 08/09/2010

2010 Mid Year Real Estate Sales Analysis for Cheshire Ct For the first 6 months of 2010 there were 118 residential properties sold in Cheshire Ct. The median price of these homes was $330,000 with an average days on market of 108. The absorption or rate of sales for this period was almost 20 closings per month. By comparison, for all of 2009, there were a total of 205 residential properties sold in Cheshire Ct with a median price of $360,000 and an average days on market of 86. This represented a sales rate of 17 homes per month Currently in Cheshire Ct there are 178 active residential listings for sale. The average list price of the homes currently available for sale in Cheshire Ct is $442,600. The average days on market for these homes is 110 days. If the absorption rate remains the s... 07/29/2010

Today here in Connecticut, (and most of New England) we are expected to have record high temperatures. The air already feels like Pea Soup with the Humidity and with temperatures hitting 100 degrees, I thought I would post a list of things to do, or places to go, to cool off. 1.Head to the local library. If you have kids the local library could be a quick and easy (and inexpensive) retreat. The Prospect library for one has a great children's play area, Free Internet access, all the newest books and even DVD's. Plus the A/C is REALLY cold in there.   2.If you want to head out into your yard, find a nice shady spot, bring a big jug of a frosty beverage, and set up a sprinkler. It will do the grass and you a lot of good! Be sure to save your yard work for another day. 3.If you are in the P... 07/06/2010

 Cheshire CT Homes for sale, OPEN HOUSE Spring ST, Cheshire CT OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY MAY 2 from 12 - 2.   Completely re-built in 2010,  This gorgeous cape has it all.  Gleaming hardwood floors, Stone counters Stainless steel counters in kitchen, Dining room boasts cathedral ceiling with windows galore. New roof, Windows, Furnace, Baths, Kitchen, Driveway. There are 3 bedrooms and 2 Full Baths. Move in & do nothing. A/C ready.  This one will not last long.  Call KATE COLLINS 203-376-6036 with any questions!              04/27/2010

Cheshire CT Real Estate and Homes for Sale, February 2010 Market Report Home Sales for Cheshire- February 2010 sales were 17, up 30.8% from 13 in February of 2009 and -19.0% lower than the 21 sales last month.  February 2010 sales were at their highest level compared to February 2009 and 2008. February YTD sales as of 38 are running 58.3% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 24. Median Price - The Median sales price in February was $229,800 down -42.6 % from $400,000 in February of 2009 and down -0.1% from last month.   Average Price - The Average Sales Price in February was $266,771, down 22.5% from $334,231 in February of 2009 and up 4.6% from last month. Inventory - The total inventory of homes available for sale as of February 2010 was 179, down  -3.2% from 185 last month and ... 04/14/2010