I knew Mike Jungden casually—we were friends of friends—when we were both nineteen in 1968. It wasn’t until 2013, when CTOldHouse.com started that I really got to know Mike and started appreciating the power of his personality. Mike died of cancer on October 27th. All these weeks later, I am still in denial that Mike’s mental energy is no longer part of the world.
    Mike started managing the Mansfield Drive-in Theatre in 1974, and eventually he bought the place in 1991. He started the Mansfield Flea Market in 1975, which is now the largest flea market in Connecticut east of the Connecticut River.  It was one of the first advertisers in CTOldHouse.com.This gave me the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time with Mike. Starting in the Winter issue of 2013 we started “Pickin’ and Grinnin’ at the Mansfield Drive-in” which developed into a long-running series “In the Spirit of Monty Hall,” where we took turns focusing on one aspect of the Flea Market.  We did separate articles on the furniture, pottery, ceramics, art and books, jewelry, electronic s, CDs and games. Since there was an average of three hundred venders per show, there was always plenty to write about. Many of the venders had stories about Mike. At the time I was writing these articles, I had a standing invitation to stay with Mike and his wife Janat their house, not far from the Drive-in.  When I stayed with them, I relaxed with old friends and once went on a few outings to hear Jan with her trio at nightclubs. I especially remember hearing her trio on the porch of a winery one night.
    Mike was totally dedicated heart and soul to making the Drive-in a real family place. He replaced the single screen with three state-of-the-art screens showing three separate features. The property showed Mike’s energy and creativity. The Drive-in is at the junction of Routes 31 and 32 south of Mansfield. You have the parking lot of the Drive-in, which also serves on the weekends for the flea market. Then you have a path through some trees to the left that leads to more room for the flea market, backed up by a four hundred foot long inside arcade that started from a rebuilt chicken coop. This area is surrounded by landscaping that was not only planned out by Mike but was also built by his hands-on direction. Mike had good people working for him, but he believed that if you wanted things done right you needed—and wanted—to get your hands dirty.
    One of Mike’s favorite things to do during the Flea Market was to hook an old wagon filled with straw to a small tractor and give rides to kids around the back part of the property. The rides were free and often there was somebody in the back playing a guitar and leading songs. The last time I saw Mike he was driving the tractor pulling this wagon and this is how I will always remember him.

                                                                                                                Max H. Peters
                                                                                                                Publisher and Editor