It's a Jolly Lobster Trap Christmas (Tree)

 

The Lobster Trap Christmas Tree in Stonington, CT

One of my goals for this holiday season was to visit places I hadn't been before during this time of year. I will return to old favorites -- Rockefeller Center, the Metropolitan Museum and window shopping on Madison Avenue -- but I was/am eager for some new sights. I started my "New Sights Tour" with my visit to the Bronx Zoo last month and adding a place that I love in the summer, but haven't visited in the winter, Stonington, CT.

I love the small towns of New England, and especially those in Connecticut, where I grew up. I'm not able to choose a favorite town -- there are so many lovely ones -- but Stonington, in the corner of the state on the Rhode Island border, is definitely near the top. My cousins live a quick car ride away and during a visit last weekend, they suggested we visit the Lobster Trap Christmas Tree. Despite the cold, I was an immediate yes. 

Inside the tree, a pyramid of lobster traps and lights. 

That's me in boots, hat, hood, scarf  and down coat.

I knew nothing about  the existence of lobster trap Christmas trees, but after a little research found that the first one began in Gloucester, MA in 2001 and now there are lobster trap trees all along the New  England coast. 

The tree is a display for 460 buoys, all hand painted

Here are a few facts on our tree. In addition to the 460 buoys (an anchored float used as a navigation mark) the tree is made of 460 lobster traps. Forty of the buoys were created by the children of Stonington and twenty-two are devoted to the commercial fishermen of the area. The tree is a popular site for wedding proposals. There were three in 2021, the first year the tree was built and fourteen last year. My bet is that there will be twenty proposals this year. What's your thought?

I loved looking at the buoys and was fascinated by the different styles and themes. A major goal of the tree -- besides a wonderful community focus -- is to encourage the artists of the area. Cheers to the town of Stonington for creating this beautiful new holiday tradition. 

A salute to the 250th anniversary of the Navy

Thanks, Stonington!

I'm back in New York after my Connecticut weekend. For a quick forty eight hour visit, we managed to include a lot of fun. Lunch with cousins, a visit to our favorite doughnut store, a walk with the pups, seeing the lights at Olde Mistick Village -- hope to do a post of this in the next few days -- and a tour of a senior community. The last activity is just "fact  finding." 

As  ever, thanks for visiting and keep cozy!