Follow the Tracks!

There is something about looking back in time that hits the soul. You know, being immersed in nostalgia and feeling all warm inside. That is how I feel when I walk into the Shoreline Trolley Museum in East Haven. The 1940's music lightly hits your ears as you approach Trolley station entrance. Once inside you feel the general sense of a small town trolley station complete with slatted ticket counters and painted long benches. Above, a small track circles the ceiling with a miniature blue trolley. I am sure children love watching the trolley make its journey around the room; however, as an adult, do you remember the red Trolley from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood? When I saw the little blue trolley, I briefly thought of how Trolley would come out from behind Mr. Roger's bench and travel to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe...so magical. Anyway, this nostalgic and fun venue is where Michelle and I gave back through volunteering tonight. It was Lady's night! How fun! There was food, wine and beverages, dessert, a raffle, a tarot card reader, and of course a trolley ride!

Honestly, our tasks at the beginning of the event were limited because we were LATE! How embarrassing! We offered to help and then show up late! In our defense, anyone who lives on the shoreline can vouch that traffic on RTE 95 in the summer is unpredictable! We immediately pitched in where we could to set up the event. Michelle worked on setting up the raffle items and I helped put together a cheese and cracker tray along with a fruit and vegetable tray. Preparing the food was no easy task with limited resources and space, yet it happened! A spread of finger foods came together nicely. Once the event was set up, we were able to enjoy the evening. We met some new friends, including a couple of women that showed great interest in becoming giveback girls! More to come on that exciting news.

Michelle and I had our tarot cards read by a lovely woman, Katie. I was a little hesitant at first, but my curiosity won my internal debate! Katie was super easy to talk with and I fell right into conversation as she picked three cards and set them before me. I had no Idea what I was looking at but I was thrilled that none of the cards featured the grim reaper. Katie took her time explaining the meaning of each card and how it may relate to happenings within my life. Much of what she shared I could validate and I even felt a bit empowered by my reading! Apparently something big was going to transpire within my life from something that already happened! Kind of like the big outcome is yet to come! The anticipation is exciting! Honestly, it was interesting and I was so happy to meet this new friend!

The trolley ride was the highlight of the evening of course. The ladies (& one man) climbed aboard, some with a glass of wine, and some with cameras. The trolley headed down the tracks past the trolley yard where we enjoyed the peaceful beauty of the woods and marsh. Osprey were tending their nests and ducks graced the waterways. It was a night ensconced in nature and I loved every minute of it.

After we covered the limited rail that culminated at Short Beach, we headed back to the rail station where we finished the evening with raffles and door prizes. Michelle won a very nice basket of goodies and shared with others. I won a door prize but put it back in the hat for someone else to win since I was the help!

Here is your opportunity to meet Johanna, our newest Give Back Girl! Johanna is a bundle of life and will be a great addition to our venture! Welcome Johanna!

As the event ended, Michelle and I went back to work helping to disassemble the fun by packing up food, folding tables, and cleaning up the area. The Shoreline Trolley Museum had packed a good deal of fun in a small space; we look forward to visiting again! How about June 24th....