MIDDLETOWN--THE MILE at Middletown stretches between two church spires on the city's Main Street, from Church Street to Hartford Avenue. It is surely one of the most uniquely diversified main thoroughfares in the United States! The street's diversity ranges from a half-dozen banks, a score of restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world, a police station housed in a recreated Victorian building, a first-rate hotel, shops ranging from ethnic grocery stores to custom tailoring--and it is all peppered with 44 pieces of contemporary sculpture. Based on the same principle that brought such astounding successes to the Madison MILE, the Middletown MILE features extraordinary works ranging from contemporary commentary in the form of Will Harrington's "Saddam's Sedan" to Denise Drever's "Octopus," which summons Middletown's Colonial and seafaring history. The random placement of sculptures has been enthusiastically received and, happily, poses no cost to taxpayers.

TOURS--Free, docent-led tours of THE SCULPTURE MILE at Madison are available every Saturday at 11 a.m. from April to November, leaving from the pavilion near the Stop & Shop parking area. Group tours can be arranged by telephoning (203).421.0264. The Middletown organization Downtown Business District sponsors daily tours of THE SCULPTURE MILE at Middletown seasonally. Visitors may get details from the Tourist Department at the Chamber of Commerce at 393 Main Street, next to the Holy Trinity Church (860).347.6924.