Simmering and Summering

With all due respect to last week’s heatwave and Sunday night’s Harbor Fireworks, we are now getting into the thick of the summer season around here.

With some luck, the rain forecast for today will hold off but let’s face it, weather does what weather does and all we can do is hope to enjoy ourselves sometimes in spite and at other times because of it.

Norwich will be jammed with things to do starting today into tonight and then every Wednesday and Friday practically all summer long but first I have two riddles. Ready? I doubt it. What has eyes but can't see? A potato. What has ears but can't listen? An ear of corn.

Those jokes (and yes, that’s what they were) are a reminder that the weekly Downtown Norwich Farmers Market at Howard T. Brown Park starts this morning at ten (and lasts until two) with fresh-to-you vegetables and fruits as well as artisan handicrafts and great eats.

And before you start in again about how you’d love to try it but 'there's no place to park in downtown,' NOPE. It's just not true. There's free parking at both the Intermodal Transportation Center or the Main Street Garage and they're each less than a five-minute walk from Brown Park, so if you're not intending to walk into downtown, please park your excuses for not visiting along with your car. The exercise will do you good and the walking will whet your appetite. 

You can buy lunch from one of the vendors or growers at the Farmer's Market (some assembly required) and then sit and enjoy the Harbor or bag your fresh produce to take home and on your way stop at one of the restaurants.

Since you’re already in downtown, head to the Otis Library and check out their summer programs as well as e-books and e-book readers, or if you're so inclined, some real books and magazines for check out too.

The 2018 edition of Rock the Docks kicks off at six with Greye. You can get refreshments, both adult sparkling beverages, and softer drinks as well as hot and cold eats at Brown Park. And across Chelsea, eateries will have full kitchen menus if you decide to make an evening of it.

But wait, there’s more, lots more. On Friday evening at six, at the Norwichtown Green, it’s the launch of Rockin’ the Greens-Friday  Night Acoustics with Rob Brannon. Yep, live, free outdoor music twice a week every week through mid-August.

Maybe it’s just me (though I don’t think so) but the only folks I ever hear complain 'there's nothing to do in Norwich' are the people I never see at all the events we do have in Norwich.

If you attended any of last summer's Rock the Docks shows or nibbled on a carrot from a local farmer, you know we had locals and guests from beyond the city. We all had large fun and the only problem was there wasn't enough time. This year why not leave your watch at home and enjoy yourself.

-bill kenny