One sure-fire way for flyover towns to put themselves on the tourism map is to create the largest ____ in the world. Doesn't matter what it is, as long as it's the largest. Texas is better at this than most states--and Australia has loads of big things--but lowly Connecticut is getting in on the game with the world's largest jack-in-the-box.

The super toy belongs to Bill Ziegler, known to residents of Middletown, Connecticut as the town's most notable eccentric, the owner of Wild Bill's Nostalgia Center.

Wild Bill just happened to have a 600-pound clown head and a 33-foot silo both lying around unused, so really, what else was he going to do with them? Bill explains how his monstrous creation should change the face of Middletown:]]> BS 2008-10-20T09:45:48-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/14/921/91169

"New Haven Can Wait"--take New York in our Gossip Girl Map.

Previously: Serena became the toast of New York after appearing in Blair's mom's fashion show and Jenny decided to drop out of school to work at the atelier.

College trip! The richest kids in town are all off to Yale University to hopefully peek into their futures--of ruling the school (Blair), becoming a great writer (Dan) and sleeping with horny women's studies majors (Chuck).

Serena wasn't even going to hit Yale--she's more of a Brown girl--but she decides to go just to screw Blair out of the spot she thinks she deserves. And it's not going to go as well as the time they were 9 and tackled Chuck Schumer's daughter at the Harvard-Yale game.

This episode forced us to suspend our disbelief more than any other, not least because the Yale sections were clearly filmed at Columbia. And yet... it's comforting to know that when it comes to college, even Manhattan socialites don't have it easy.]]> egw 2008-10-14T09:20:44-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/9/224525/3086

When fall rolls around we start to think about ways to fatten up, er, keep warm, for the impending chilly weather. One of the most ingenious? Creamy, calorie-laden New England clam chowda of course! This Columbus Day weekend, make solid use of your extra day off and head to the Annual Chowderfest at Mystic Seaport.

A three day long affair, this festival offers 'em all (New England, Manhattan, Corn, Rhode Island and Seafood) served up for just $4 each on Mystic's village green area. You can also take part in an awesome raw bar and learn about quirky chowda-related things like 19th century techniques for cooking it on an open flame and shell-fishing in the area.

Live music also takes place each day on the green--perfect for enjoying on an autumn afternoon with a cold one and your remaining oyster crackers. We're getting excited to break out the thick, muffin-top hiding sweaters after all...

Related Stories:
· Mystic Seaport [Official Site]
· Fall Festivals coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: pointnshoot]]]> sedona 2008-09-10T09:00:25-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/18/7353/49791

With only two weeks left until Labor Day, you'd better get those last-hurrah-of-summer travel plans finalized. One idea is the 26th Rolex Vintage Festival held in the northwest corner of Connecticut at Lime Rock Park. Set in picturesque rolling green hills, the 1.53-mile track curves and bends through the landscape while spectators find their perfect spot on the grass--there are no grandstands or formal seating here.

Each day of the festival brings different types of vintage racing to the track. From pre-war cars to stars from the seventies, there is something for everyone to be interested in. Due to local noise ordinances, and a church across the street, there are no races on Sunday. But there will be a vintage car show where you can walk around the track and check out some of your favorites up close.

Best of all, you can sneak in one last camping trip to end your summer season. With a weekend pass, you're welcome to set up camp on Thursday evening after 6 pm and stay until Monday evening. Enjoy the races, car shows, and a swap meet all from the comfort of your air mattress. A weekend pass will cost you just $85.

Related Stories:
· Lime Rock Park [Official Site]
· Car Racing coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: SoxyLady]]]> kjb 2008-08-18T09:45:12-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/8/63921/16698

If slaughtered goats littering your favorite beach isn't a turn off then what about finding needles scattered about? That's exactly what's up at a beach in Milford, Connecticut, about 70 miles outside New York City.

Apparently an eight-year-old boy was walking along Wildemere Beach on Tuesday evening minding his own business when he found a hypodermic needle just hanging out in the sand. Interested in his discovery, he picked up the needle and accidentally stuck himself in the finger.

A police officer looking into the case says that several years ago medical waste washed up that was eventually traced back to Long Island. So classy: Just blame it on Long Island!

Related Stories:
· Milford Boy Stuck by Needle on Beach [Connecticut Post]
· Beaches coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: permanently scatterbrained]]]> kjb 2008-08-08T10:00:06-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/23/6522/99137

Although Eero Saarinen seemed to have a passion for flight, he must have also had a passion for education--he at very least was able to take advantage of schools with deep pockets. As a prime example, Yale University commissioned Saarinen to design a distinctive hockey rink, and the David S. Ingalls Rink, built between 1953 and 1958, is still going strong today as it continues to hold just shy of 3,500 fans for men's and women's hockey.]]> kjb 2008-07-23T10:30:21-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/5/28/84828/4241

Former Beatle and recent divorcé Paul McCartney just got an honorary degree from Yale University. Those robes just make everyone look better!

And there's no rest for the other weary stars working the commencement circuit. Harvard has invited Harry Potter author JK Rowling. After last year's backlash about "Lost" actor and alum Matthew Fox, Columbia University went the straight-and-narrow and picked New York City school superintendent Joel Klein--only to see sister school Barnard College nab Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

President Bush is doing double duty this weekend at the US Air Force Academy and Furman University in Georgia, and tiny Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois continued its tradition of getting high-wattage speakers by snagging Madeline Albright. (Both Bill Clinton and Stephen Colbert have spoken there in recent years.)

If you want to chase down your favorite star, USA Today has a great list. Stay tuned for our report from Planet Oprah in June!

Related Stories:
· Students Are Getting a Say in Commencement Speakers [USA Today]
· Putting the Hard Day's Night Hotel into Context [HC]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Celebitchy]]]> egw 2008-05-28T10:30:01-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/