CECIL – IT’S HIS BIRTHDAY TODAY
AQUARIUMS, MAYBE PLAYGROUNDS
FIGS
BOOKS
I asked Cecil for three things that he likes so I could include them in this puzzle. One response was “AQUARIUMS” and while I have seen first-hand that he has enjoyed visits to Mystic Aquarium, I’m pretty sure his favorite things there are the indoor playscape and the outdoor playground. Although he answered “aquariums,” I think PLAYGROUNDS are truly one of his most favorite things. He is kind of a playground connoisseur.
He didn’t offer up “FIGS” as a response but I included them because I was surprised to learn recently how much he loves them.
BOOKS continue to be an indisputable favorite. Current obsession: The Mysterious Benedict Society.
Below are a few recent photos of Cecil. The first two are from an aquarium visit. On the top left, not the actual playspace or playground but rather an interactive floor game at Mystic Aquarium. On the top right, taking some time to peruse book options in the gift shop while simultaneously eyeing other options.
The two bottom images are from November 2024 in Sterling, CT when Karen was nice enough to fit in a 15-minute playground stop after an excursion that day.
Happy Birthday, Cecil!
LOCATIONS FAMILY MEMBERS VIEWED 2024 ECLIPSE FROM
ST. JOHNSBURY
BATH
MONTREAL
FRANCONIA
As seen in the photo below, Amber, Molly, Cecil, Nancy, Michaela, and Sarah all viewed the eclipse from the picturesque town of ST. JOHNSBURY, VT. Brian and Beata were nearby in BATH, VT. Bill and Mary went north of the border to MONTREAL for their viewing. Jan and John remained at the motel in FRANCONIA, NH and viewed from there (and avoided A LOT OF TRAFFIC in doing so).
Not in the puzzle groupings but the Massachusetts Nickelsons viewed in Littleton, and Megan M. and a friend viewed from the driveway of 49 Potowomut. Catherine and Sam viewed from Burlington, VT (no picture to share). Where were you? How was your viewing? Interested in going to Iceland in August of 2026?
PLACES CATHERINE HAS LIVED
WORCESTER
GREENFIELD
SEATTLE
BURLINGTON
WORCESTER Polytechnic Institute is, of course, located in Worcester, MA. Catherine graduated from WPI in 2014, so yeah, she lived in Worcester. She lived in GREENFIELD, MA for a while after finishing up at WPI. A few years after this, she moved to SEATTLE to attend the University of Washington in pursuit of an master’s degree in Public Health. So yeah, she lived in Seattle. After finishing at U-Dub, she took a job with the state of Vermont and has been located in BURLINGTON since that time.
The image above is from “move in day” at WPI in 2010. The picture to the right from the time period that Catherine was living in Greenfield. I can’t say with 100% confidence that it was taken in Greenfield but I know it’s not my kitchen.
The picture above is from one of the first days Catherine was in Seattle. The picture to the left is from August of 2021 when Catherine, Sam and I rode a portion of the Island Line Trail (it’s 14 miles total, along Lake Champlain – gorgeous!)
HONEYMOON LOCATIONS
NYC AND WHITE MOUNTAINS
ANTARCTICA
NEW HAMPSHIRE
PEI/NS/NB
As seen in the Standard-Times article featured in the May 17, 2025 family puzzle discussion, Gil and Claire honeymooned in New York City (NYC) and the WHITE MOUNTAINS. Mike and Eva got married in June 2007 and later took a honeymoon trip to ANTARCTICA. Norma and Chris honeymooned in NEW HAMPSHIRE. Karen and Lou had an extended honeymoon and traveled to Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick (PEI/NS/NB).
Karen and Lou were recently away and granted me permission to go through old family photos to scan. I happened across some photographs from their honeymoon. Here’s a few.
I didn’t know they had double-decker buses like this in PEI/NS/NB (I don’t know where the picture is from, Karen or Lou will have to tell us).
Side note: I recently learned that the red double-decker buses in London are called “routemasters” – did anyone else know this? Just me?
3 responses to “June 7, 2025 – Puzzle Discussion”
First HaPpY BiRtHdAy Cecil!!! He looks so grown up!
I got it in 4 guesses today! Yay!
Karen looks like Catherine in this picture!
Happy Birthday Cecil! That was the only one I got!
I was on track with the eclipse one but couldn’t get the right combo – kept including Burlington!
Man, I want to go to Iceland but I want to go during Northern Lights season – someday!
I also honeymooned in the White Mountains!
Great pics with this one!
I thought Burlington might trip someone up.