The town of Southbury was incorporated in 1787. It was a mere 50 years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock that the original 15 families were drawn to the promise of religious freedom in what was then known as Ancient Woodbury. Descendants of these families and subsequent individuals have called the town their home: community activists fighting the establishment of the German Bund; writers such as Gladys Tabor; celebrities such as Ed Sullivan and Victor Borge; artists, community leaders, educators, businesspeople, and ordinary folks. All have left indelible marks on the rich fabric of this beautiful New England community with the town seal "Unica Unaque," translated as "The One and Only."

Since its inception in 1705, Newtown has been an agricultural community at heart. Small, self-sufficient, subsistence farms grew but not substantially enough to overcome competition from the South and Midwest. Men like Ezra Johnson continued to farm until the beginning of the 20th century; others turned to dairy farming, like Israel Nezvesky, or to wholesale nursery operations, like Charles Newman, or to viniculture, like Morgan McLaughlin. Industry made contributions to Newtown's economic landscape in the 19th century through the efforts of William Cole of the New York Belting and Packing Company and Samuel Curtis of Curtis Packaging. James Brunot, developer of Scrabble, and William Upham, inventor of the tea bag, continued to innovate and form Newtown's unique culture. Community commitment thrives today through people like Laurie McCollum, who continues her grandfather's tradition as manager of Lorenzo's Restaurant, and Diane Wardenburg, who carries on Ginny Lathrop's legacy by guiding the Lathrop School of Dance to serve a new generation of aspiring dancers.

Connecticut—a New England state with a proud history and vibrant culture. But there is more to this place than white church steeples and town greens. In the forests and meadows surrounding these quaint, colonial towns lurk spine-chilling ghosts protecting Captain Kidd’s treasure, the abode of the Devil himself, and shadowy creatures such as the Glawackus, all awaiting the next hiker to stumble down the trail. For years, the stories of these mysterious beings and places existed only in whispers and campfire tales, but now for the first time these legends have been collected and retold in one volume: Spooky Trails and Tall Tales Connecticut. Alongside each of these captivating tales is the necessary route and trailhead information brave readers will need to go beyond their town lines and test their nerve. Proud to support Friends of Connecticut State Parks with a portion of the royalties.

Rediscover the simple pleasures of a day trip with Day Trips New England. This guide is packed with hundreds of exciting things for locals and vacationers to do, see, and discover within a two-hour drive to and from many top New England destinations. With full trip-planning information, Day Trips New England helps makes the most of a brief getaway.

Every place on earth has a name. Never noticed the place-names in your town? Then take a look at these tales; you'll learn some things about where you live. These stories are about a rural Connecticut town settled in the 1700s. Place-names are everywhere on rivers, roads, brooks, hills, buildings, parks, cemeteries, nature preserves, even rocks. The names are from Englishmen, Indians, plants, animals, battles, the Bible, hell, heroes, celebrities, and just plain folks. Place-names are strange creatures, but they all reveal the history, culture, and eccentricities of people who passed through even in your town. Rummage around these tales if you're a librarian, historian, geographer, genealogist, traveler, or resident of this planet. Advance Praise from Roxbury, Conn. Notables lasting treasure for our community insights into nuggets of Roxbury's heritage quick and pleasurable read Barbara Henry, First Selectman extraordinary vade mecum informs and amuses paints a living portrait of Roxbury Steven Schinke, President, Roxbury Land Trust exhaustive research into town records, printed sources, unpublished manuscripts and the memories of older residents clear panorama of where white settlers first arrived in the 18th century Timothy Field Beard, FASG, Town Historian important local history and delightful read Valerie G. Annis, Director, Minor Memorial Library.

Insiders' Guide to Connecticut is the essential source for in-depth travel information for visitors and locals to the Nutmeg State. Written by a local (and true insider), Insiders' Guide to Connecticut offers a personal and practical perspective of the state that makes it a must-have guide for travelers as well as residents looking to rediscover their home state.