Mechanical Wonder, Made in Connecticut

One of these devices that any tourist has seen and used, holds about 2,000 quarters.

The Tower Optical Company in Norwalk, Connecticut, is in its 76 year of business manufacturing reliable, easy-to-use coin-operated binocular viewers (the device shown above).

A marvel of design and engineering, easy to use even to anyone who cannot read, the whole thing operates on a quarter, which causes the magic to happen for a timed interval.

The machine head rotate 360 degrees.

The company does not sell the viewers.

"Our business is based on manufacturing the best quality viewer on the market and backing it with service, replacement parts and maintenance all at no charge to our clients," according to company, which is family-owned and managed.

The binocular is enclosed inside tamper-resistant glass or Plexiglas. The mechanical mechanisms used to operate the machine are built to endure prolonged exposure to extreme weather conditions (heat, cold, salt air and rain all have an adverse effect on battery life and electrical components).

Vintage Game At Fort Trumbull, Market Downtown

Saturday April 25, is opening day for Vintage Baseball at Fort Trumbull, 90 Walbach St., when the Thames Base Ball Club will battle the Blues of Bristol, Rhode Island, in a two-game match that begins at 11 a.m. Rules of 1861 apply. Free.

The old-timey games are a program of the New London County Historical Society (NLCHS); for more information call (860) 443-1209 or visit: www.newlondonhistory.org. Image of a game at Fort Trumbull (above) courtesy of NLCHS.

It's not time yet for Coventry Regional Farmers' Market, but in New London, visit Fiddleheads Natural Foods Co-op at 13 Broad St. to sample the wares at a Farmer's Market, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, April 24 or Saturday, April 25.

On Sunday, April 26, stop in the Bean & Leaf at 12 Washington St. for some open mic poetry, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., free.

The Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., features Connecticut Lyric Opera La Traviata with the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra. Adrian Sylveen Mackiewicz will conduct on Sunday, April 26, 7 p.m.

La Traviata is directed by Yefim Maizel. Tickets range from $50 to $29. Visit www.gardearts.org for more information.

And it is truly the opening of the season when the Trolley Information Center at Golden St. and Eugene O’Neill Drive opens on Monday, April 27, 10 a.m., in preparation for the 15th summer of welcoming visitors to New London.

Volunteers are invited to assist in clean up that day or to register as seasonal greeters.

For information contact Ralph Merrill (860) 442-9178 or Tita Williams (860) 443-9694.