CuriousCT, and here's to Generation Z

Karen Florin, The Day, New London, Conn.
·3 min read

Aug. 18—Ever heard of Fort Nonsense in New London?

We hadn't, until reader Robert Mish submitted what turned out to be the winning question for our next CuriousCT reader engagement feature.

"During the September 6, 1781 raid on Groton and New London, General Benedict Arnold and the British Army first attacked and took control of Fort Nonsense in New London, from where Arnold is said to have directed the attacks on Fort Trumbull in New London and Fort Griswold in Groton. Fort Trumbull and Fort Griswold still exist, but exactly where in New London was Fort Nonsense located?"

Now we're curious, and we hope you are, too, because we have one of the best researchers and writers we could hope for working on it.

The Day's Copy Desk Chief John Ruddy, who always finds the perfect people, photos and sources to tell a captivating story, said he'd been hoping the Fort Nonsense question would win.

Stay tuned for Ruddy's story on Fort Nonsense, with a map, in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, check out his most recent articles, on the anniversary of the Nautilus trip to the North Pole and the history of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge.

For those of you who aren't familiar with CuriousCT, here's how the Fort Nonsense story was selected: Over the past couple of months, readers submitted topics they would like to see us report on. We asked the newsroom to pick three of the reader-submitted topics, then put the top three out to readers for a vote.

Of the 232 votes cast between Aug. 8 and 15, the Fort Nonsense question received 113 votes, or 49%. Sixty-four of you, or 28%, voted for a question about drawbridges. A question about Mystic Inn & Suites garnered 55 votes, which was 24% of the total.

In our most recent CuriousCT story, published July 28, Staff Writer Claire Bessette answered a reader question about why so many trees were being cut along the highway.

Gen Z in the house

We hope you get a chance to meet Daniel Drainville, our newest staff writer. He's covering Montville and Waterford, and has spent his first few weeks introducing himself to town officials and residents in person and on social media and cranking out news stories.

Drainville, of Preston, is a 2021 graduate of the University of Connecticut's journalism program. He interned for the Willimantic Chronicle and produced and edited a podcast called 95 South Sports.

We think you'll enjoy reading his upcoming feature on Flo Turner, who manages the Montville transfer station. Reach out to him at d.drainville@theday.com or (860) 701-4236.

Speaking of Generation Z talent (born 1997 to 2013, per the U.S. Census) we had plenty in the newsroom this summer. Intern Peyton McKenzie, a member of Quinnipiac University's Class of 2024, took on photo assignments, and nailed them, and reworked our Instagram account. The Instagram account, which you'll find @thedayct, has received great reviews.

Intern Julia Walker returned for a second summer to work on our Housing Solutions Lab investigation. Watch for her upcoming stories on development in local towns and safety issues in public housing. We're grateful for her hard work and wish her a wonderful senior year at Syracuse University.

This is the opinion of Karen Florin, managing editor. Reach her at k.florin@theday.com or (860) 701-4217.

Editor's note: This version corrects the name of the person who submitted the winning story to CuriousCT.