Living in Canton and Loving It!

Happy Monday morning!  Well, welcome to my new blog.  I've always wanted to blog and the Patch seems the perfect place to do it. 

   I have lived in Canton since about 1986, except for a few years in the middle when I was out of state in basic training for the Army, staying with family and then living in New Britain.  The minute I stepped foot in Canton I knew if I ever had a family to raise, it would be in this town, and here we are! 

I'm going to share all the wonderful things that make Canton a great town and it's only fitting to start with:  The LobsterFest!  Once again the family enjoyed a local tradition.  Thanks to the amazing work of the Fire Dept and all it's amazing volunteers, Canton was home to three days of food and music.  First, you park in the firehouse field.  The band is playing, there are those on the bleachers, those at the picnic tables and then all the kids running around on the outskirts.

  As we looked over the crowd, the tapestry of Canton was evident.  Older residents sat eating dessert and drinking coffee.  The younger families had strollers and small children around, the families with older kids were watching the band and looking over at the kids playing on the outskirts of the crowd and the teenagers were hanging out near the hamburger/hotdog stand.  We got in line to get our tickets.  It was a bit quiet for a Friday night.  The forecast had called for early thunderstorms but since Friday was the only night we could go, we decided to chance it. 

Within 15 minutes from stepping into line we had a lobster, an ear of corn, a cup of corn chowder and a beer--all for $18!  Ahhh, Nirvana!  We sat under the tent, listening to everyone chatting as the band played in the background.  A couple from Avon came over and asked if the seats across from us were taken. Nope!  Help yourselves. And so, as with so many other times in my wonderful small Connecticut town, we had dinner as the sun set, chatted with our new friends and then headed over to listen to the band.

  I look forward to the LobsterFest all year for this very reason...on a perfect August night I feel so surrounded by community, friends I know and friends I haven't yet met. I look forward to sharing my view of Canton with you periodically and remember--- the teenager who just cut you off and just sped away without looking back just might be rushing home to be with his mom who only has a few months to live because of cancer. We all need to be a little kinder and a little more tolerant to all those around us.  Again, Happy Monday and enjoy your day!