Highland Park makes the best desserts. I think Big Y is good for a basic sheet cake, as well.

Sheas might have it on both inside and outside if it's a big enough crowd. Elicit Brewing is also likely to have it on their giant screen.

Landscaping companies will be ramping up soon. If you see trucks out and about, call the number on the truck and ask if they need help.

Insurance. There are a lot of insurance companies here that offer well-paying, steady work.

Mystic or Stonington Borough are really your options with that criteria. Cars are primary and public trans doesn't exist in small, wealthy communities like the ones around the shoreline. I would stay at a hotel that has a shuttle to the casinos for night life, and then Uber to beaches during the day. Some of the larger resorts might be able to help coordinate transportation for you.

It does. We have multiple world class art museums, gorgeous shoreline communities, live theater and concert venues, two resort casinos, historical sites....the list goes on.

I do LAZ valet. When you get back, your car will have the snow cleaned off and will be warmed up and ready to drive off. After a long flight, I just want to get in my car and go.

All of the towns around Storrs are very safe, nice places to live. However, they are very rural and you absolutely need a car. Vernon/Rockville is not too far and has decently priced rentals. There are also a lot of amenities in town (shopping, restaurants, doctors, etc.) so you wouldn't be as isolated as you might feel in Ashford or Willington.

Pre-pandemic, the line stretched onto the sidewalk at lunchtime. They just kept bringing out trays of chicken cutlets from the back. I hope they are still doing well. That's a quality, no frills, delicious chicken cutlet sandwich.

Oh my goodness. This isn't my part of the state but I may need to make a pilgrimage.

El Pollo Guapo. They have a few locations.

The coffee shop inside RJ Julia in Middletown. Buy a book then get a nice coffee and read it in the coffee shop.

Nail Spa. They're a great place. It's just very small so that's why it's tough to get an appointment.

Where do you live? The nail salons I've been to wouldn't bat an eye over a trans person. My personal favorite salon is in Ellington but they are typically booked unless you are willing to go at an off time.

For sure. The restaurants aren't happy about it. Wings were a good way to bring in people who will spend money on beer after some spicy wings, but they'd be better off discounting the beer at this point.

However, I do hope you have a nice birthday and get some tasty wings!!

Because of a few factors (avian flu, feed prices), chicken wings are extremely expensive right now. They used to be so cheap they were a loss leader, but the bars can't do that anymore. Maybe once chicken prices stabilize they can go back to those promotions. But I second Bidwell and also recommend Shea's in Manchester.

Bring your own snacks and an empty water bottle. There's a small coffee shop in the airport but the flights have no food or beverage service.

CT has multiple art museums that are absolutely worth a few hours of your time. The ones at Yale are free to the public.

RJ Julia bookstore in Middletown, and then browse a few of the other shops on Main Street.

Ikea is fun to walk around and the cafeteria food is very cheap.

Big Y. Aldi. They're called different things sometimes (like mini cucumbers) but they are Persian cucumbers.

Charleston and Savannah can be reached by Breeze and are great places for a weekend getaway. I'm happy to provide recommendations on where to go and what to do. I'm a bar and food person, so a lot of what I know is places to eat and drink, but there's plenty of other stuff to do.

If all you're looking for is an indoor pool and relaxation, you could really go almost anywhere. I've been to quite a few cities that are direct flight from CT or a shortish drive, so I could provide a decent list. I actually love Pittsburgh. Fun food scene and plenty of large hotels with indoor pools. There's a direct flight out of Bradley.

Edit: Don't go to Savannah around St. Patrick's Day. It will be crowded and expensive. Otherwise, a great place to visit.

Carbonara is egg. That's it. Restaurants in Boston's North End have received that message but few places in CT have followed suit.

Fill your freezer with gallon ziploc bags of water and let them freeze in advance of a storm. Move some to your fridge. They will keep your food cold for a while if the power goes out. Don't open the fridge and let out the cold air.

Buy staple foods like canned tuna, peanut butter crackers, cereal. Get an adaptor for your car so you can charge devices with your engine if you need to. Be sure to have full tank if a storm is predicted. During winter or hurricane season, try not to let your tank get below half full.

Yes!! This place flies under the radar but is excellent.

You walk in and think... really? This is the place people rave about? And then you shove that carby goodness in your face and you get it.

Go slightly off that route to RJ Julia in Middletown. Great bookstore and coffee shop. It's not far from 91 so you can jump back on and keep going.

There are some other little shops and restaurants in Middletown. If you like cheese, Spread Cheese Company is a great little shop.