Still River after Irene

Riverton, CT - Here are some photos of the Still River after Hurricane Irene. We were extremely lucky, we did not lose power like hundreds of thousands did in Connecticut.

The Still River is very narrow and not a whole lot of water flows in it,the mean amount is 32 cfs(cubic feet per second), when writing this, about 9:30pm the flow is down to 5630 cfs. The high today was about 10,000 cfs.

Riverton Fishing Derby - 2011

Riverton, CT - Every year in Riverton there is a fishing derby held the on the first day of fishing season. You can see all the people lined up for some, "Combat Fishing"


Starting at 4am you can have breakfast at the firehouse.


Looking down off the bridge, here is a fisherman with a trout on the stringer.


A group of spectators looking down at the fisherman.


As I understand it, the Trophy Trout Club is one of the major sponsors of the derby. It used to be sponsored by The Hitchcock Chair Company but since they went out of business the Club has taken it over. I also believe local merchants have given some prizes. The Trophy Trout Club stocks a lot big fish the week before the contest.


Here is a fisherman heading down to the firehouse to get his fished weighed for the derby.


Here are a couple of the big fish caught that morning. I think these were some of the largest, there were two that weighed 6lbs. 8oz.


This is the weigh-in station at the firehouse in a moment without many people looking or taking photos...guilty as charged.


These are the prize list, first prize is the Hitchcock Rocking Chair with a trout painted on it.

Riverton CT Luminaries

Riverton, CT - I took these last night in Riverton. I believe there was a wine walk or something, but since I don't drink, I did not pay much attention. The Sweet Pea Restaurant is in the background.


Riverton General Store.


The Firehouse all lit up for the holidays.


Luminaries around the corner.


This fence looks very festive.


Close-up of a luminary. A luminary is a paper bag with a candle in it, often weighted with sand.


Luminaries line the road.


Colorful Christmas tree outside the General Store.

Fishing on the Farmington

Riverton, CT - I took a few photos of this gentleman spending a nice afternoon fishing on the Farmington River in Riverton.


This photo caught the light just right to illuminate the river.


Waiting for the strike.

Riverton Christmas Ice Carver

Riverton, CT - This Ice Carver was working at the Christmas In Riverton event. Unfortunately, I did not see his name on the program.

Greenwood Glass

Riverton, CT - Today my wife and I went to the Christmas in Riverton festivities. One of the places we stopped at was the Greenwood Glass Studio and Gallery. This is a photos I took in February 2007 but it probably looks the same after today's snow. This was the former Hitchcock Chair Museum but now houses this glass blowing studio.


This woman and the one below are making their own Christmas ornaments. I believe on the weekends you can help make a few items yourself, ornaments,paperweights, and a few more small items. But, to be sure I would call ahead, here their website. They also have glassblowing classes so you can learn this art yourself.



The gallery is on the second floor, here you can see some of the wonderful object Peter Greenwood makes here.

Another section of the gallery, you can see the stained glass window in the background; this was originally a church.

Former Hitchcock Chair Company Building

Riverton, CT - This is the former Hitchcock Chair Company building, it is now Riverton Self Storage. I thought they could think of a better use of this building. The building overlooks the Farmington River which is designated a Wild and Scenic river. Every time I visited Hitchcock, I would look out the window and would think that I would love to live here. Well, at least your stuff will have a nice view.

RIVERTON CT POST OFFICE - HITCHCOCKS-VILLE SIGN

Riverton, CT - This is Riverton's Post office.


If you look close, on the left of the post office is this sign explaining about the name of the town.

NO FAIR TILL NEXT YEAR

Riverton, CT - The snow covered entrance to the Riverton Fair.

RIVERTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

Riveton, CT - The firehouse is decked out in garland and at the same time it has a "Lest we Forget" sign with a black banner. I assume that this is for a fireman that has died recently, not for POW/MIA, but I am not sure.

RIVERTON GENERAL STORE - PART II

Riverton, CT - Here are a few more photos of the Riverton General Store.


Some of the memorabilia left over from the store before it was modernized.



Wheaties Box collection.

RIVERTON GENERAL STORE - PART I

Riverton, CT - I went to Riverton last week to see what was going on. Many things have changed since Hitchcock Chair Company closed. The general store is quite different than when I went there last.



At least the front of the store looks the same with the chain of signs.


The inside has been completely changed; before it was filled with memorabilia. Now, it has been modernized with a new deli case. I think I better get around to the old general stores before they all get modernized. Unfortunately, to stay in business they need to do that.

More photos of the Riverton Store tomorrow.

OLD RIVERTON INN

Riverton, CT - Here is the Riverton Inn all decked out for Christmas. The outside looks like it was recently renovated defying it's 212 year old age. It is situated across the Farmington River from the former Hitchcock Chair Factory.

FORMER HITCHCOCK CHAIR COMPANY

Riverton, CT - The former Hitchcock Chair Company lies vacant since Hitchcock went out of business a few years ago. I've also noticed that the closing has had an effect on the rest of the village. People don't come around like they did when the store was open. The Sweet Shop is now Rose's Kitchen, the General Store has changed hands, and the Hitchcock Museum is now a Glass Blowing Studio.

GREENWOOD GLASS

Riverton,CT - I took a short road trip and ended up in Riverton Connecticut. This building was the Hitchcock Chair Museum which has closed. The new tenent is Greenwood Glass Glassblowing Studio and Gallery. It was not open when I stopped by but judging from his website, it looks very interesting.