Amazing Tales CT Podcast

08/07/2025

This week on Amazing Tales: the century-old story about a devastating flood of molasses. 21 were killed and 150 injured when a 5-story tank gave way, releasing a 30-foot-high wave of the thick substance, trapping victims who could not escape its thick, sticky hold. It led to this country’s first class-action lawsuit. To hear the podcast, go to: www.amazingtalesct.com

08/02/2025

This week on Amazing Tales: It’s nearly inconceivable, but a local sheriff arrested the French military commander Rochambeau who helped the Patriots defeat the British in the Revolutionary War. It was a particularly bewildering charge, and Washington was livid when he heard. It occurred just around the corner from the former Hunt’s Tavern, now a florist shop. To hear the podcast, go to: www.amazingtalesct.com

07/31/2025

This week on Amazing Tales: The incredible story of how a local sheriff arrested French military General Rochambeau – after he had helped the Patriot cause by fighting the British with George Washington in the Siege of Yorktown, VA to win the Revolutionary War. Rochambeau’s reaction to the arrest helped save his life years later during the revolution in his own country. To hear the podcast, go to:

You can hear past episodes of Amazing Tales on radio stations: (1) WICC, Bridgeport (Sundays at 6:00 p.m.); (2) WWUH, Hartford (Sundays at 4:30 p.m.); and WAPJ, Torrington (Mondays at 10:00 a.m.) On Amazing Tales this week … He was just a teen - the wealthiest teen in France - when he left his cou...

07/26/2025

This week on Amazing Tales: The incredible stories of daredevil JJ Fanning. The CT native used early hot air balloons (with just a strap for a seat) to rise into the sky and then jump. He would sever his parachute cords, alarming crowds, but then open a new chute. At the former Luna Park (pictured here) he strapped fireworks to his body dazzling spectators. An equipment failure ended his life at a fair in upstate NY. To hear the podcast, go to: https://amazingtalesct.podbean.com/e/while-setting-the-highest-pparachute-jump-record-he-severed-his-chute-cords/

07/24/2025

This week on Amazing Tales: Imagine severing the cords holding you to your parachute – as a carnival act – only to open a second parachute. CT native JJ Fanning routinely performed this risky stunt in the early 1900s. He also strapped fireworks to him as he dove, amazing the crowds below. He set the record for high flying at 10,000 feet in a hot air balloon with just a strap for a seat, until a terrible accident ended his life (pictured here). To hear the amazing story, go to:

You can hear past episodes of Amazing Tales on radio stations: (1) WICC, Bridgeport (Sundays at 6:00 p.m.); (2) WWUH, Hartford (Sundays at 4:30 p.m.); and WAPJ, Torrington (Mondays at 10:00 a.m.) On Amazing Tales this week … He was just a teen - the wealthiest teen in France - when he left his cou...

07/21/2025

Dear friends,

Candlewood Lake. It’s the largest lake in Connecticut and among the largest in all of New England. This beautiful recreational facility boasts 65 miles of shoreline with 1,500 houses built around it, including many expensive mansions. Its 46 billion gallons of water provides a vast water playground for recreational watercraft, swimmers, and fishermen alike.

And yet, the primary purpose of the 100-year-old lake is to generate electricity using a unique hydro power technology.

I’ll be explaining how the lake works and showing photos of its construction on Wednesday, July 30 at the New Fairfield Public Library. The presentation, sponsored by the New Fairfield Historical Society, begins at 6:30 p.m. It’s free and open to the public.

Hope to see you there.

Mike Allen

07/19/2025

This week on Amazing Tales: French General Rochambeau commanded the troops that joined George Washington in the final Revolutionary War encounter at Yorktown, securing victory (pictured here). The two generals met each other in Hartford a year before (also pictured here), introduced by the wealthy French teenager who also aided the American victory, Lafayette. Lafayette’s story includes multiple major accomplishments. To hear the podcast, go to: www.amazingtalesct.com

07/17/2025

This week on Amazing Tales: The remarkable French teenager who used his wealth, connections with the king, and military battlefield prowess to help Americans win the Revolutionary War. Lafayette introduced George Washington to Rochambeau in Hartford. He pinned down the British in the final Siege of Yorktown until the full army arrived. To hear the podcast, go to:

You can hear past episodes of Amazing Tales on radio stations: (1) WICC, Bridgeport (Sundays at 6:00 p.m.); (2) WWUH, Hartford (Sundays at 4:30 p.m.); and WAPJ, Torrington (Mondays at 10:00 a.m.) On Amazing Tales this week … He was just a teen - the wealthiest teen in France - when he left his cou...

07/16/2025

Dear friends,

There has been significant interest in the new presentation "The Making of Candlewood Lake". So, I wanted to share some dates when it'll be available in several towns near or on the lake:

* Ridgefield Library: Mon, Jul 21, 6:30 p.m. (registration required through the library website)

* New Fairfield Library (sponsored by the Historical Society): Wed, Jul 30, 6:30 p.m.

* New Milford Library: Thu, Sep 18, 6:30 p.m.

Hope you can make one of these appearances.

Best regards,
Mike Allen

07/14/2025

Dear friends,

It’s Connecticut’s largest water body - 11 miles long, 5,000 acres, and 46 billion gallons of water. And yet, Candlewood Lake was actually created 100 years ago as a massive hydroelectric generating facility. When the lake was formed, several villages were flooded and, today, you can still see the remnants when scuba diving.

I’ll be explaining how the lake works and showing lots of photos of its construction next Monday, July 21, 2025 at the Ridgefield Public Library. The presentation begins at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, and you are encouraged to register in advance.

Hope to see you there.

Mike Allen

07/12/2025

This week on Amazing Tales: The Erector Set (pictured here) was the first mass produced toy, which gave way to the toy aisle in department stores. It was invented in a Connecticut city, as was: the hamburger, lollipop, frisbee, fire sprinkler, stone crusher (allowing roads to be paved), and the intravenous use of chemotherapy. Fascinating back stories for each. To hear the podcast, go to: www.amazingtalesct.com

07/10/2025

This week on Amazing Tales: One Connecticut city invented numerous items, such as the fire sprinkler (pictured here), which changed how insurance companies rated buildings for risk. Wait until you learn how they worked. Also: erector sets, frisbees, lollipops, hamburgers, and the use of chemotherapy intravenously. Each has an intriguing back story. To hear the podcast, go to:

Dear friends,A new logo and a new name. Why? After nearly 4 years and 195 episodes of exclusively covering Connecticut history, we’re expanding our reach to locations outside the state. We’ll still cover Connecticut stories. The format remains the same. Just more territory to contribute amazing ...