LIFE

Call it a Christmas miracle, even if the idea was conceived at Christmastime, but not completed. Two friends have a casual conversation about crisscrossing the world and wind up raising thousands upon thousands of dollars to beat pediatric cancer. They also set a Guinness World Record while they were at it.

The spirit of independence runs deep at the 1851 Kitchen and Cocktail Bar. Named after the year the town of Cromwell was separated from Middletown and became its own official municipality, the restaurant serves “new American cuisine” reflecting global influences.

“The citizens of Cromwell manifested their delight on Wednesday evening upon attaining the dignity of a free and independent township, by the firing of guns, burning of tar-barrels and sundry other demonstrations usual upon such occasion.” –Hartford Courant, June 23, 1851

Barbara Ambler has a unique take on local history. She has seen a lot of it during her long life. Cromwell is celebrating its 175th anniversary as an officially recognized town this year and she has been around for more than half of that time. She still lives in the same house her late husband Homer built on West Street Heights many years ago.

Cultural districts can promote local history and art, attract visitors from other cities and towns, and benefit the local economy. These are among the reasons why town government created a Cromwell Cultural District Commission.

Eid al-Fitr is a major holiday in the Islamic faith. It marks an end to the 30-day observance of Ramadan that requires followers to refrain from eating or drinking anything from sunrise until sunset.

“The serpent shook its head and its tail in an extraordinary manner and advanced toward the ship with open jaws. I had caused the cannon to be reloaded, but he had come so near that all the crew were seized with terror and we thought only of getting out of his way.

People might think that police work in a town the size of Cromwell is boring. That would be a faulty conclusion. The men and women of the Cromwell Police Department keep busy every day and night answering emergency calls, patrolling the streets and otherwise doing everything they can to keep things safe and quiet.