Picnics, pates and parks, or how to best take advantage of summers in the city.

I am crazy about summer picnics. Especially if you are a city dweller, what can be better than escaping to a local park, stretching out on a blanket and noshing on some well selected gourmet, or not so gourmet delights? This past Monday afternoon found me enjoying a beautiful sunset in Elizabeth park with friends for a spontaneous birthday celebration. The spread included pate, a trio of cheeses, bruschetta, summer fruits and other tasty morsels.

This summer, I suggest that you grab some friends, raid your local farmers market and whip up an enjoyable picnic to treat yourself to. If you have forgotten the locations of Hartford's numerous outdoor farmers markets, the link is: http://www.hartfordfarmersmarkets.org/. And as an added incentive, and make a day or evening out of it, why not include go see a vintage baseball game match in Colt's Park, or check out the new series, "Free Movies after Dark" being hosted by Hartford's mayor, Pedro Segarra.

Check out the "Friends of Vintage Baseball" website where you can find information on the teams, game schedules, directions to and history of Colt Park and more. http://www.friendsofvintagebaseball.org/coltmeadows_sked.html