These Neighboring Towns in Western Connecticut Are Frozen in Time

I noticed over the weekend that there are two, neighboring towns in Western Connecticut that have successfully fought the good fight against commercial development in my lifetime, I applaud the effort, but driving through them in 2024 makes me feel as if they're frozen in time.

Have you ever felt like you're entered a time warp as you've traveled around Connecticut? I feel that way every time I drive by The Charcoal Chef in Woodbury. God bless that place for maintaining their simple menu and providing a safe gathering spot for those of us who enjoy a simple meal. The fine line between progress and gentrification is razor thin, and while most of our bigger cities move dirt every day, the small towns of Woodbury and Bethlehem have raged against the machine.

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Open land, not a Stop & Shop or Staples in sight, and local, family-run restaurants. It's a rarity to have a local pharmacy, instead of a Walgreens or CVS. Post offices that don't have massive fleets of vehicles, and local hardware stores instead of Home Depot. Bethlehem and Woodbury have looked the same to me as long as I can remember - (Back to the 1970's).

The other day I asked a listener from Bethlehem if the Painted Pony Restaurant was still in the center of town. Sure is. Have you ever been to the Bethlehem Fair or the CT Garlic and Harvest Festival? The only things that have changed at those over the years is the size, they've both grown. The only move that has totally shocked me in this area in 40+ years? Who the hell allowed the Dollar General in Morris?