Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) was pleased to see the New York Times recently named East Haddam one of its “Places to Love in 2021.” The town is one of just 52 locations around the world given this distinction by the newspaper, which chose its favorite reader submissions from more than 2,000 entries.
“Anyone who’s spent time in East Haddam knows how special it is, and I’m happy to see the New York Times agrees,” said Sen. Needleman. “Thanks to Caley Millen-Pigliucci, who calls East Haddam her hometown and submitted a delightful passage to the Times, readers the world over will know what we already do: the beauty of our Swing Bridge, the lovely performances of our Goodspeed Opera House and the scenic waterfall at Devil’s Hopyard State Park, among many other things. Not only is this a lovely distinction for our town, but it could also lead to a jump in tourism after the COVID-19 vaccine’s widespread distribution, assisting the local economy.”
In “52 Places To Love in 2021,” sandwiched between the natural landscapes of Romania and Yarra Ranges National Park in Australia, East Haddam’s rolling hillsides and access to the Connecticut River’s riverfront are among the reasons why it received this distinction.
“I found myself marveling at the quaint farm stands and picturesque New England churches,” wrote Millen-Pigliucci. “It may be small, but it’s home.”