This week on the Amazing Tales CT podcast: how skydiving began as a commercial operation in the U.S. – told by a stunt skydiver with hundreds of jumps himself, including into incredible locations. The rural grass Litchfield County landing strip where it all began is called the birthplace of skydiving in the U.S. College students, many from Yale, were among the first customers. Click here to hear this week’s story: https://amazingtalesct.podbean.com/e/skydivings-first-jump/
This week on the Amazing Tales CT podcast: The well-kept secret of a special island. Enders Island is, historically, an island estate. Over the past 70 years, a Catholic ministry has achieved a remarkable success rate for 12-step treatment programs, using the island’s breathtakingly gorgeous views to help rekindle the soul. Fresh jelly is made from island fruit trees. The flower gardens are world renowned. And the most unusual religious relic – an 800-year-old mummified arm – is on permanent display. To hear the podcast, go to my website: www.amazingtalesct.com
This week on the Amazing Tales CT podcast: two CT natives (Ethan Allen and Seth Warner) moved in the 1700s to the area that would eventually become Vermont. They became ensnared in the fight over who would control the area – New York or New Hampshire. In response, they formed the Green Mountain Boys, a legendary fighting group. The story is captivating. Click on this link to hear the guest interview on the podcast episode: www.amazingtalesct.com
This week on the Amazing Tales CT podcast: A hidden village in one of CT’s remotest hillsides has an absolutely fascinating backstory – with everything from a Romeo & Juliet type of love story to people living outside society’s norms for 100 years in the wilderness before the village was abandoned a century ago and nearly forgotten for all time. To hear the podcast, go to my website: www.amazingtalesct.com
This week on the Amazing Tales CT podcast: The British Navy caused huge problems for Connecticut during the War of 1812. British ships blockaded Long Island Sound, prevent CT merchants from reaching the Atlantic Ocean and Europe. The British sank 27 ships in an attack on Essex. And, in August of 1814, they set their sights on tiny Stonington, where they held a manpower advantage of 1,300 to 30. Yet, tiny Stonington prevailed in a remarkable story of bravery and determination. Click here to hear the podcast: https://amazingtalesct.podbean.com/e/just-30-ct-defenders-hold-off-1300-british-during-4-day-attack/
This week on the Amazing Tales CT podcast: What was it like in Roxbury when international movie star Marilyn Monroe resided there for five years, married to famous playwright Arthur Miller? Registering to vote, shopping at the only general store, and having her grass cut were just part of life in the town, which is used to having famous residents. The biggest incident occurred the day they were engaged, when paparazzi chased the couple in a speeding car through the town’s narrow back roads, resulting in a fatality. To hear the podcast, go to my website: www.amazingtalesct.com
This week on the Amazing Tales CT podcast: the legendary military commander from CT, Israel Putnam. He’s considered one of the greatest American military leaders of all time. What he lacked in strategic considerations, he more than made up for on the battlefield with his leadership, remarkable tactics, daring engagements, and superb bravery. He was General George Washington’s “go-to fixer” when battles presented exceptional challenges. He was always the first on the battlefield, and the last to leave – always ensuring his men were safe. To hear the podcast, go to my website: www.amazingtalesct.com
This week on the Amazing Tales CT podcast: The story of a Connecticut entrepreneur who started the largest news gathering service in the world, the Associated Press, by routinely beating his competitors with major breaking news by 24 hours. Moses Yale Beach also led the New York Sun newspaper, the first to report crime news and to be affordable to the average citizen. He also risked his life serving as a secret U.S. government envoy during the Mexican American War. To hear the podcast, go to my website: www.amazingtalesct.com
This week on the Amazing Tales CT podcast: It’s considered one of the worst train crashes in Connecticut history. It was also the first time in the U.S. that the new technology of the telephone was used to summon help after a disaster, becoming the first 9-1-1 call in the nation’s history. In January, 1878, more than a dozen people died and scores were injured, some severely, when a train bridge collapsed over the Farmington River, sending most of the train cars into the icy waters below. To hear the podcast, go to my website: www.amazingtalesct.com
This week on the Amazing Tales CT podcast: why have so many of CT’s worst weather disasters occurred in years that end with the number 8? The Blizzard of 1888 was the worst to hit the state as was the Hurricane of 1938. The F4 tornado in 1878 is considered the worst in state history. Some buck the trend – like the floods of 1955 – but the bulk occurred in years ending in 8. To hear the podcast, go to my website: www.amazingtalesct.com
This week on the Amazing Tales CT podcast: Did a 16-year-old Dutchess County girl really make a ride, like Paul Revere, the night the British invaded Danbury? Legend says that Sybil Ludington rode 40 miles in a driving rainstorm to rally NY militia to come to Danbury’s aid. Not all historians agree, citing scant hard evidence. Now, a retired teacher has found what he calls “the smoking gun” that shows she did it. To hear the podcast, go to my website: www.amazingtalesct.com
This week on the Amazing Tales CT podcast: CT has a car racetrack where the NASCAR organization was born. Thompson Speedway featured the first oval racetrack to be asphalt paved and its separate looped racetrack was the first not to use public roads. Mario Andretti, Paul Newman, and other famous drivers stopped there. And it all began because of a hurricane. To hear the podcast, go to my website: www.amazingtalesct.com
