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December 15, 2005

Cruise through a winter wonderland at Fantasy of Lights

By Stephanie Janucik

Getting in the car and traveling the holiday-hectic streets in December doesn’t exactly sound like the greatest thing to do when you have some time for yourself. But in the winter months, staying in doesn’t have to be the main theme when it comes to having some fun and keeping warm. Around this time, you can do both.

On an icy Sunday evening, I ventured outside (for the first time voluntarily that weekend) for a mini-date with my boyfriend. Snowy weekends make me want to keep my slippers on, cuddle on the couch and bake some cookies, but sometimes it’s just time to get out.
Getting to our destination wasn’t exciting, but once we arrived we weren’t disappointed.

From now until Dec. 31, the Easter Seals Goodwill Industries is showing off its holiday spirit with the 11th annual Fantasy of Lights in New Haven (Lighthouse Point Park on Lighthouse Road). As you travel through the beachfront park, more than 45 light displays and nine Santa Clauses (we counted as we went) entice you to indulge in the holiday spirit.

For $10 per car ($25 for mini-buses, $50 for buses), an approximate 15-minute drive through this winter wonderland raises money to support Easter Seals Goodwill Industries’ employment and training services. The nonprofit’s mission is “to enhance employment opportunities and the quality of life for people with disabilities and other special needs.” So while you get that warm, fuzzy Christmas feeling as you drive through the lighting extravaganza, you can rest easy knowing that you did your good deed of the season, too.

Although it is suggested that you tune to their radio station as you view the spectacular driving show, I suggest you bring a holiday CD of your own. The radio station can be filled with more talk than holiday cheer. A few travel mugs full of hot chocolate wouldn’t hurt either. Why not make it a holiday car party?

It’s often difficult to find time in the crazy holiday season to enjoy what our area has to offer. Try to set some time aside to do what’s enjoyable instead of the traditional rushing, stressing and list-making.

To fit a trip in to your schedule, the Fantasy of Lights’ hours of operation are convenient enough so that you really should find the time to get there. You can visit the display Sunday through Thursday, 5-9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 5-10 p.m. What could be better than leaping deer, elves playing volleyball and a teddy bear snowball toss?

As you exit under an enormous lighted wreath, those of you with children will be given candy canes (we were a little jealous) to go. The rest of you will have that holiday memory to treasure forever. You’ll be glad you stopped to enjoy the season.

For directions and more information, visit www.newhavengoodwill.easterseals.com or call the seasonal recorded infoline at 777-2000, extension 603.

Posted by getout on 8:24 AM

December 1, 2005

Getting hooked on Captain's Catch Seafood

By Marva Hamilton

Now that the weather has turned colder and it’s just the two of us at home, sometimes I just don’t feel like cooking.

While I know my way around the kitchen, and friends compliment me on my spaghetti sauce and jerk foods, sometimes its just nice to go out. And besides, the more I can keep my kitchen neat and clean the better.

So on a recent Saturday I told my husband — who had been sitting around waiting for a nice, hot meal — that we were going out. That’s when I remembered friends telling me about Captain’s Catch Seafood Restaurant on New Haven Avenue in Milford’s Woodmont section. What better time to try it?

What we discovered is that owners Tom and Dawn Ramadon really know how to make you feel at home in their two-year-old restaurant.
Captain’s Catch is a cozy, casual place where you can sit down for a nice lunch or dinner or get the food to go. And whether you eat in or out, you’ll get easy-to-use plastic utensils.

The décor, highlighted by a cheerful two-tone blue with fish ornaments and lobster baskets on the wall, lets you know you’re in a seafood restaurant.

And there’s plenty of seafood: fish and chips, clams, sea and bay scallops, shrimp and tilapia, among others.

And if seafood’s not your thing, don’t worry. The menu is filled with many alternatives: beef or turkey burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, soups and plenty of other reasons to come back. In fact, there are 20 kinds of sandwiches. My friend’s daughter, Melissa, who loves spicy foods, told me the Firehouse cheeseburgers were excellent.

But one of the best reasons to come back is their trademarked Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard. Dawn and Tom think they make the best custard in Connecticut and I’d have to agree.

My husband started his meal with a bowl of delicious chicken and rice soup before enjoying fresh fried sole with French fries, cole slaw and cornbread.

I decided on the tasty New England clam chowder, which is my favorite soup, and moved on to a nice tossed salad before digging into fried codfish with sides of cole slaw, French fries and cornbread. And for dessert I ordered — naturally — the custard, which I got to go and even shared a little later that evening with my husband.

Captain’s Catch Seafood Restaurant is at 1366 New Haven Ave., Milford. Call 876-7707.

Posted by getout on 8:05 AM