Hidden Gems Of Hartford And Tolland Counties

Manchester CT

02 April, 2021

8:30 AM

Description

MANCHESTER, CT — The latest journey to a Hidden Gem in Tolland and Hartford counties takes us to the side of a recreation complex in Manchester and a work of art that honors a civil rights leader. Manchester's new Martin Luther King mural takes up an entire wall of the Mahoney Recreation Center. The town partnered on the project with CT Murals, a project started by the non-profit The RiseUP Group in 2015 to create public art that is "inclusive and accessible for all." The artist is Ben Keller, a young professional painter/mural artist who launched his own business in 2018. He started painting at the age of 12. Keller's vision for "Birthing of a Legacy" depicts MLK "as a man bringing light to darkness and represents a symbol for more equal and positive times ahead. While the work will always continue, this mural is a reminder that the light is shining on 2021." ____ The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to [email protected]. Other columns in this series: The Hilltop Restaurant and BarFrancesco's RistoranteThe Modern MilkmanCotton Hollow KitchenFearless Cards, Toys and CollectiblesFork & FireLena's Italian KitchenSouthwood Antiques & MarketplaceSwank PearceVernon Depot Historic ParkFarr's Sporting GoodsRobs Drivin DinerPowder Mill BarnAt the DamLena's RestaurantThe Genius of ConnecticutThe NotchLuAnn's BakeryEcker Hill Disc Golf CourseThe Kona Ice TruckOlympia DinerMountain DairyAnthony Jacks Wood-Fired GrillPabs African RestaurantHenry's PizzeriaSouth Windsor Wildlife SanctuaryThe Country ButcherAby's BakeryLiberty Street Market & DeliWilderness Lake Campground and ResortTime Machine toy and hobby storePaul Gregory's Bistro CafeThe ScoopCheney Brothers National Historic Landmark DistrictFaddy's Donuts and Ice CreamRiverfront Miniature Golf & Ice CreamThe Historic Babcock TavernHigh Grade FinishingCraig's KitchenSikorsky S-16 Bi-Plane FighterNavy ZNP-K Airship Control CarRosedale Farms & VineyardsNathan Hale HomesteadBurke Ridge FarmsNecker's ToylandCivil War Monument at Mt. Hope CemeteryGene Pitney Memorial BenchesJoe McCluskey/Manchester Road Race StatueSamuel Field Knight Historic MarkerCarol's LunchboxCountry CasualsDakota RestaurantCountry CobblerBeau's Burger ShackDaniel Glazier TavernMount Southington Ski SchoolAwards & MoreMarquis de Lafayette MonumentThe Little Red StoreRiver Bend BookshopGerry's DonutsTraveler RestaurantFirst Decorated Christmas TreeThe Stanley-Whitman HouseVernon's Santa HouseVintage Radio and Communications Museum of ConnecticutOld Country Banquet HallBrazilian Gula GrillThomas' Smokey Pit StopCongregational Church of Burlington labyrinthNoah Webster HouseThe Bushnell's Green Room WallBelding Wildlife Management AreaThe Aborn CastleHeublein TowerBirthplace of Jonathan EdwardsGrave of Revolutionary War Soldier Heman BakerJessica's Garden, Lobster and Ice Cream ShackShade Swamp SanctuaryKen's Corner Breakfast & LunchTolland Red and WhiteThe Packing HouseCold Harbor SeafoodNye Holman State Forest/Heron Cove ParkHosmer Mountain Soda ShackConnecticut Trolley MuseumMatterhorn Mini GolfWood Memorial Library & MuseumHastings FarmLiquid NirvanaIwo Jima Survivors Memorial ParkAcademy HallSouthington Drive-InLittle Theatre of Manchester at Cheney HallSomersvillage Gifts & Gourmet BasketsNew England Civil War MuseumThe Pinchot SycamoreStafford Palace TheaterMansfield Hollow State ParkOld Tolland County Jail and MuseumHill-Stead MuseumMark's Restaurant To register for free, local breaking news alerts from more than 100 Connecticut communities, click here.