Page 24 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 55 Summer 2025

I Could Actually
I Co
Live uld Actually by Bobbie Borne

in Wallingford
in Wallingford

Every fall our town celebrates all things
Wallingford and promotes the joy of living
in this historic, friendly, diverse, and active
community. The Wallingford Magazine
reflects the spirit of Wallingford in its ads
and articles, and provides the context for
the following true story.
Our son and his family packed up the
car with duffels, bikes, backpacks, Gato-
rade, and iPads—another fun visit with
the Wallingford grandparents coming
to a close. Pulling out of the driveway the privileges of living in this fast-paced, “Escape New Haven” experience. (Look
and waving goodbye, Lila shouts out, “I cultural mecca: dance classes, voice it up!) Sometimes a smaller city is just
could actually live in Wallingford!” and keyboard lessons, theater and visu- the ticket! Next day, back in Walling-
al arts experiences, first-rate shopping ford, Caseus Provisions (Crispy Melty)
“What?” As they headed down the options, world class museums, proximi- prepared a delicious grilled cheese for
street toward I-91, I tried to wrap my ty to winter getaways via Logan Airport, their lunch.
mind around it. This statement was and an abundance of Starbucks coffee
shocking to me (and maybe to her shops. And how about those Red Sox?? A favorite activity for Lila is walking from
too!). You have to know Lila to under- Lila is a city girl through and through. our house to Lyman Hall High School
stand my reaction. Lila is 12 years old What could she relate to in Walling- with her dad. They take the shortcut
going on 21 and has lived all her life in ford? favored by the neighborhood kids back
suburban Boston. She enjoys many of in the 80s. He shares memories of his
Later, after the family departed, re- time there, reminisces about teachers,
flecting on Lila’s positive attitude about and points out his classrooms. Lila eats
Wallingford, I thought “that girl knows it all up!
her towns!” During this and other vis-
its over the last decade, Lila has expe-
At True rienced Wallingford at its best! She has
Cyclery spent time in our exceptional library:
serving up meals from the kiddie kitch-
Bike en, riding on the wooden train, and
Shop in reading books in cozy corners. She and
New Haven her brother have gone on donut runs to
Neil’s Donuts with their uncle—Neil’s
was recently named Connecticut’s best
donut shop. “Maple glazed, please!”
This year Lila, her dad, and I attended a
fabulous Cirque de Soleil performance
at Wallingford’s own world-class Toyo-
ta Oakdale Theater, minutes from our
house. Walking to town
During several visits, Lila and her dad Last Christmas, taking a night walk
On the way spent time in conveniently located New around the corner from our house, Lila
to Lyman Haven. It may not be Boston, but they was enchanted by the twinkling lights
Hall thought the Apple Store and Hull’s Art on South Main Street, with one house
Supplies were awesome and did some in particular lighting up the dark ac-
boutique shopping on Chapel and companied by holiday music piped into
Broadway streets, stopping for a cof- the neighborhood. (You know who you
fee drink at Willoughby’s, and strolling are!) Some year we’ll invite her for the
through the Yale campus. On one trip Halloween Spectacle on North Main—
the whole family participated in the AND South Main which outdid itself last
24 WALLINGFORD MAGAZINE - SUMMER 2025