Helping a Neighbor Family in Need The birth of a child is a magical time of celebration, sharing and love. There’s nothing in the world that can compare to holding that little bundle of joy for the first time, hearing the gurgles and cries as it greets the world, and the smiles that looking down on an angelic little face can create. But sometimes, Fate steps in and rains all over everyone’s parade, and this is one such occasion. On October 10th, Kim and Jeff Lomoriello became the proud parents of a son, Christian James. Complications during delivery necessitated a Caesarean section, and then Kim developed a potentially life-threatening infection which required emergency surgery and many days on life support. Three weeks and several more procedures later, Kim’s future is still unknown an... 11/01/2011

  Just wanted to post a little bit of the sights of Halloween to get in the “spirit”…         ...and before I go, take a look at this video. it HAS to be the creation of a mad GENIUS! (watch for the car driving by at 2:52!)   10/23/2011

Trail of Terror Returns For 17th Annual ScareFest Are you easily frightened? Does your heart race when you’re in unfamiliar surroundings? Do you watch scary movies with one eye closed through a tiny gap between your fingers? If so, then you may want to avoid one of the area’s most “spook”-tacular attractions this October. Or at least bring a bunch of friends. Beginning October 1st, Wallingford’s “Trail of Terror” returns once again for its 17th year of providing the best in Halloween chills and thrills to the scare-hungry masses. Just as he’s done since 1994, Wayne Barneschi brings his scare factory to life at its 60 North Plains Highway and promises that there will be many new additions to the already legendary line-up of ghosts, ghouls, devils and demons he’s assembled over the years,... 09/28/2011

Wallingford CT Market Update for August 2011 Here's the way the housing market is shaping up in Wallingford as of August 31, 2011: There are currently 229 single family homes for sale in Wallingford: Low list price: $39,000 High list price: $895,000 Average list price: $311,461 Median list price: $289,000 Average Days on Market: 70 Homes sold on average for 94.2% of list price There are 60 homes currently under contract, priced between $40,000 and $724,900. Based on the number of homes sold in August (39), it would take approximately 6 months to sell the current inventory.   As for condominiums, there are currently 72 condos for sale: Low list price: $67,900 High list price: $565,900 Average list price: $229,614 Median list price: $218,450 Average Days on Market: 128 Condos sold on aver... 09/13/2011

I was invited to join the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce a few months ago by Pat and Wayne Harriman and I did, but I have not been able to attend any of their events today.  Last week I received a notice to their upcoming New Member Reception.  At this event they will be going over the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce programs and services, and also an opportunity to network with other members. I am going to do my best to attend this event and finally get to meet some of the members down there.  Because it is early in the morning, they will provide a continental breakfast.  The event will be at the Chamber:   100 South Turnpike Road Wallingford, CT  Date: September 16, 2011Time: 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM   If you are in the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce district you might want to come and see ... 09/06/2011

Ah, Buffalo wings. The King of Finger Foods, Prince of Party Platters, Headmaster of Happy Hours. They're not made from buffalo (but they were made in Buffalo, NY), and they're not just wings any more, but they are the quintessential snack food for bar patrons and sports fans everywhere. An order of these babies with a nice, cold draft beer is as close as it gets to the perfect appetizer, and bars and restaurants from all over often vie for the coveted title of "Best Buffalo Wings". Back in July, we posted about the Meriden "Wing-ing' It" event held at il Monticello Restaurant where several local vendors gave their all to provide the best in the Buffalo wing experience (check out video here!). Now it's Wallingford's turn to turn up the heat with their own Buffalo wing bash. On Wednesday... 09/03/2011

Wallingford Market Update for July 2011 Here's the way the housing market is shaping up in Wallingford as of July 31, 2011: There are currently 234 single family homes for sale in Wallingford: Low list price: $39,000 High list price: $895,000 Average list price: $315,551 Median list price: $289,900 Average Days on Market: 75 Homes sold on average for 94.6% of list price There are 63 homes currently under contract, priced between $89,900 and $724,900. Based on the number of homes sold in July (29), it would take approximately 8 months to sell the current inventory.     As for condominiums, there are currently 68 condos for sale: Low list price: $75,900 High list price: $565,900 Average list price: $231,450 Median list price: $215,950 Average Days on Market: 129 Condos sold on average for... 08/31/2011

Wallingford CT 2011-2012 Public School Calendar Parents everywhere are looking at their calendars in shock, mumbling to themselves, “Where did the Summer go?”, but the bright spot in the passage of Summer is the start of yet another school year! Wallingford schools are already gearing up for their first day of school, so let’s get right to the meat of it, shall we? Here is a listing of important dates in the Wallingford Public schools for the 2011-12 school year: August 31: First day of school (due to Hurricane Irene) September 5: School closed for Labor Day October 10: School closed for Columbus Day November 7 & 8: In service days for teachers, school closed November 11: School closed for Veteran's Day November 23:  Shortened day November 24 & 25: School closed for Thanksgiving holiday... 08/12/2011

Wallingford Market Update for June 2011 Here's the way the housing market is shaping up in Wallingford as of June 30, 2011: There are currently 234 single family homes for sale in Wallingford: Low list price: $39,000 High list price: $895,000 Average list price: $321,730 Median list price: $298,500 Average Days on Market: 75 Homes sold on average for 96.0% of list price There are 75 homes currently under contract, priced between $99,900 and $535,000. Based on the number of homes sold in June (22), it would take approximately 11 months to sell the current inventory. As for condominiums, there are currently 75 condos for sale: Low list price: $75,900 High list price: $530,000 Average list price: $231,705 Median list price: $214,900 Average Days on Market: 111 Condos sold on average for 93... 08/01/2011

Wallingford Hosts Hyperflite Skyhoundz Disc Dog Competition When I was a kid, we had a dog who loved to chase frisbees. Notice I said "chase", not "catch". If you threw the frisbee, Shep would run underneath it and watch it until it hit the ground, then he'd wait until it was finished bouncing, rolling, skidding or otherwise came to a full stop before he'd pick it up and bring it back to you, covered in doggy drool, and drop it at your feet, waiting for you to launch it into space again. Those were the days... Well, if you can relate to my Heinz 57 mutt and maybe have one yourself that actually catches the frisbee BEFORE it hits the ground, then this event just might be for you. On Wednesday, July 27th from 6 - 8:30 PM, the Wallingford Department of Parks & Recreation will once again ho... 07/23/2011

Wallingford Market Update for May 2011 Here's the way the housing market is shaping up in Wallingford as of May 31, 2011: There are currently 223 single family homes for sale in Wallingford: Low list price: $55,000 High list price: $895,000 Average list price: $327,804 Median list price: $299,900 Average Days on Market: 90 Homes sold on average for 96.0% of list price There are 71 homes currently under contract, priced between $99,900 and $535,000. Based on the number of homes sold in May (28), it would take approximately 8 months to sell the current inventory. As for condominiums, there are currently 81 condos for sale: Low list price: $76,000 High list price: $530,000 Average list price: $235,772 Median list price: $214,900 Average Days on Market: 53 Condos sold on average for 96.4% o... 07/09/2011

Wallingford Market Update for April 2011 Here's the way the housing market is shaping up in Wallingford as of April 30, 2011: There are currently 216 single family homes for sale in Wallingford: Low list price: $55,900 High list price: $895,000 Average list price: $329,333 Median list price: $299,900 Average Days on Market: 102 Homes sold on average for 95.1% of list price There are 54 homes currently under contract, priced between $99,900 and $549,900. Based on the number of homes sold in April (21), it would take approximately 10 months to sell the current inventory. As for condominiums, there are currently 87 condos for sale: Low list price: $74,000 High list price: $574,900 Average list price: $233,114 Median list price: $212,900 Average Days on Market: 162 Condos sold on average fo... 05/30/2011

Connecticut Wine Trail 2011: Paradise Hills Vineyards   Sometimes it surprises people to discover that a small state like Connecticut can have such a vibrant wine industry, but after sampling some of our state’s fine product they are soon believers. With 30 wineries spread throughout the state, everyone is practically within a stone’s throw of many of them, and we resolved last year to try to visit as many of them as we could. It was during one such visit that we heard that Wallingford would be opening a new winery, and we waited excitedly for it to open. When no announcement came, we were disappointed, but determined to wait for the good news. That word came a few days ago when a friend on Facebook said that Paradise Hill Vineyards was  now open, so we took the first chance we had to h... 05/19/2011

Wallingford Market Update for March 2011 Here's the way the housing market is shaping up in Wallingford as of March 31, 2011: There are currently 178 single family homes for sale in Wallingford: Low list price: $55,900 High list price: $895,000 Average list price: $321,868 Median list price: $289,900 Average Days on Market: 92 Homes sold on average for 95.0% of list price There are 53 homes currently under contract, priced between $135,000 and $895,000. Based on the number of homes sold in March (7), it would take approximately 22 months to sell the current inventory. As for condominiums, there are currently 84 condos for sale: Low list price: $82,500 High list price: $574,900 Average list price: $235,909 Median list price: $214,900 Average Days on Market: 177 Condos sold on average for... 05/15/2011

Wallingford Market Update for January 2011 Here's the way the housing market is shaping up in Wallingford as of January 31, 2011: There are currently 144 single family homes for sale in Wallingford: Low list price: $55,900 High list price: $895,000 Average list price: $324,177 Median list price: $286,450 Average Days on Market: 101 Homes sold on average for 95.7% of list price There are 39 homes currently under contract, priced between $109,900 and $999,900. Based on the number of homes sold in January (12), it would take approximately 12 months to sell the current inventory. As for condominiums, there are currently 77 condos for sale: Low list price: $82,500 High list price: $574,900 Average list price: $228,434 Median list price: $214,900 Average Days on Market: 192 Condos sold on ave... 03/23/2011

Harriman Real Estate Turns ONE! Today is March 1st, 2011. Not a terribly auspicious date in the grand scheme of things, but some interesting and notable events have taken place on this date: in 1781, the Articles of Confederation were finally ratified after nearly 4 years of debate; in 1932, the Lindbergh baby was kidnapped, with Bruno Hauptmann being convicted of the crime in one of the most celebrated trials of the century; in 1961, a charismatic young President named John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps; in 1969, Mickey Mantle (with whom I share a birthday!) retired from baseball (to the relief of opposing pitchers and Red Sox fans everywhere, I’m sure!) and in 2010, Harriman Real Estate, LLC is officially open for business. OK, so that last one isn’t exactly an historic momen... 03/01/2011

We Dig Dig Dig Dig Dig Dig in Connecticut the Whole Day Through . . . While heading to an appointment today I ran across a sight that made me think of the Seven Dwarfs Digging in their Mine the Whole Day Through.  With the weight of all the snow on rooftops, it is imperative to get it off, especially if there is little or no slope to the roof.  These five workers were using shovels, wheelbarrows, and snow blowers to get as much as they could off of this shopping center in Wallingford.  I wanted to set my video to the Disney Dig Dig Dig song, but I didn't want any copyright issues.  So, just hum the tune as you watch the short video, and you will enjoy it more!     01/29/2011

Wallingford Market Update for December 2010 Here's the way the housing market is shaping up in Wallingford as of December 31, 2010: There are currently 161 single family homes for sale in Wallingford (down 9% from last month): Low list price: $109,900 High list price: $895,000 Average list price: $334,555 Median list price: $289,900 Average Days on Market: 63 (down 12% from last month) Homes sold on average for 96.7% of list price (up 3% from last month) There are 34 homes currently under contract, priced between $89,900 and $999,900. Based on the number of homes sold in December (17), it would take approximately 9 months to sell the current inventory, down 10% from November. As for condominiums, there are currently 76 condos for sale (down 17% from last month): Low list price: $64,900 ... 01/26/2011

Wordless Wednesday: Balmy New England Day OK, so all you people who live in warm, sunny climates and don't know what you're missing by having four seasons, I present to you the most compelling reason why you should STAY WHERE YOU ARE!!                           Yes, there are actually THREE cars under that snow, not one.                        That's about 18 inches of new snow on top of the hot tub that fell overnight. It was clear at 11:30 PM when we went to bed. It's gonna be a LONG day clearing all this mess. SO, who wants to come to New England???   01/12/2011

Fratelli's Pizza Rustica Restaurant, Wallingford CT I do the cooking at my house. I kind of inherited the position after my wife's mother passed away in 2007, not because of my skill with a skillet, but because I had the most time to do it. As time passed, I learned my way around the kitchen and now feel much more at home on the range. But sometimes even the best of cooks don't feel like lighting a burner or chopping veggies. Last night was such a night. My cooking switch was stubbornly set to "OFF" and could not be budged to "ON", regardless of how many times I looked in the fridge for inspiration. My meal muse had abandoned me. So, I asked Pat where she was taking me for dinner. After some deep discussion (Pat: "Where do YOU want to go?" Me: "I dunno, where do YOU want to go??" Pat: "... 01/06/2011