We’ve been trying to get a few local events going, but honestly, the traction has been a little sad trombone so far.

We even spun up a couples dinner after people voted that they wanted it, then nobody really came through, so we need your brutally honest feedback: what kind of events would you actually show up for?

We’re trying to build real community here for the long term, so please take the 20-second, 3-question survey below and help steer the ship.

Summer is here, and the Quiet Corner festival machine is officially waking up from hibernation.

I put together a Quiet Corner Summer Festival Field Guide so you can get the big ones on your calendar now, from Willimantic street fest nights to Brooklyn Fair chaos, fireworks, 4-H fairs, art weekends, and all the fried dough-adjacent decisions future you will absolutely not regret.

Mark a few down now, because somehow July always shows up acting like it gave us plenty of warning.

I created a page where you can test your local knowledge against the trivia questions we’ve asked since we started the newsletters.

So if you missed a few, blacked out during one, or simply want to prove you know more about the area than your group chat, now’s your chance.

Mark your calendars, because the Funky Monkey Artisan Fair is turning 10 and taking over Andover with a full creative campus from Over AndOver to Scott’s Tree Farm. Expect artisan vendors, food trucks, live music, maker market finds, and the Gift Basket Bonanza supporting Shine Your Light CT.

Parking is at 11 Bunker Hill Road. Grab a friend and go get funky.

Connecticut Buzz Dinner Club is coming to Glastonbury on June 25th at 6:30pm.

Basically, we’re taking the most awkward part of adulthood, trying to make new friends without sounding like you’re recruiting for a pyramid scheme, and turning it into dinner.

Here’s how it works:

#1 Take a quick quiz
Tell us a little about your interests, dietary needs, and the kind of people you’d actually want to sit across from for 90 minutes.

#2 Get matched with five strangers
We’ll use your answers to match you with a small dinner crew. You won’t know who they are until you get there, which is half the fun and only mildly terrifying.

#3 Get the restaurant reveal the day before
We’ll send you the Glastonbury restaurant location ahead of time, then you’ll meet your table at 6:30pm for dinner.

#4 Get the secret afterparty spot during dinner
While you’re eating, we’ll text and email everyone the optional afterparty location so the night can keep rolling if the vibes are good.

Seats are $16 to reserve, and you’ll pay your own bill at dinner. You can also now add a plus one, because apparently some people like emotional support humans.

Save your seat before the table fills up.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Nala, a 3-month-old Mountain Cur mix and certified lovebug who’s dog, kid, and people friendly, which is basically puppy résumé gold.

🏡House of the week: This 1718 Nathaniel Loomis House comes with wide-board floors, exposed post-and-beam bones, 3 fireplaces, and a remodeled kitchen with brick flooring. Outside is where it gets wild: 10.9 acres, an 8-stall barn, fenced pastures, 4 garage spaces, and a private pond, aka “historic farmhouse” meets “I accidentally bought a small Connecticut kingdom.” Check it out!

🥾Trail of the week: Utley Hill Preserve starts at the bottom of Utley Hill on Lake Road in Columbia, with the trail entrance on the left opposite Erdoni Road. It’s a quick reset with rocky ledges, old mill-site vibes, and nearly 4 miles of blazed trails if your legs are feeling ambitious.

🔭Sky report: The moon is shrinking this week, sliding toward Last Quarter on June 8, so darker skies are slowly sneaking back into the mix. Look for the Big Dipper high overhead, then follow its handle to bright Arcturus, the orange-ish showoff of the spring sky. Bonus points if you catch Venus and Jupiter low in the west after sunset, warming up for their close little sky meetup on June 9.

Flight Buzz: Hartford to Anguilla from $664 bucks* 1-stop roundtrip mid August for a week trip. Pack your bags. *Price may change from time of writing

New Openings:

Plainfield | Monthly Car Cruise on the Lawn | 5 PM - Show off your ride or admire classic cars at Hank's Dairy Bar (1006 Norwich Rd).

Putnam | Lexi Weege | 7 PM - Lexi Weege brings big vocals and a soulful live set to The Stomping Ground

Willimantic | Books & Brews June Edition | 6 PM - Sip craft beer and chat books with fellow readers at Willimantic Brewing Co (967 Main St).

Coventry | Tino & Malone | 6:30 PM - Live rock music and wing specials - perfect midweek hangout at The Bidwell Tavern (1260 Main St).

Putnam | Viva Las Vegas Theme Night | 6 PM | ($) - Casino games and Vegas vibes at Putnam Lodge of Elks 574 (64 Edmond St).

Woodstock | Sip for Snips Fundraiser | 4-8 PM - Raise a glass for Paws Cat Shelter spay/neuter programs at Taylor Brooke Brewery (818 Rt 171).

Canterbury | Travis Hyll Live | 6 PM - Acoustic tunes and good vibes at D&G Pizza and Pub (200 Westminster Rd).

Coventry | Cards & Cabs Craft Night | 6 PM | ($) - Make greeting cards while sipping local wine at Cassidy Hill Vineyard (454 Cassidy Hill Rd). Fun

Danielson | Needle Felted Potted Sunflower | 6-8 PM | ($) - Make a 3D felted sunflower in a pot at Mountain Laurel Floral (98 Main St.)

Storrs | Summer Concerts on the Square: Bruce John's Genre Jam | 6:30 PM - Free outdoor concert mixing genres at Betsy Paterson Square (2 Dog Lane).

Thompson | 4th Annual Touch A Truck | 5:30 PM - Kids climb aboard fire trucks, tractors, and more at Riverside Park.

Vernon | Botanical Dough Bowl Candles | 6 PM | ($) - Craft your own botanical candle to take home (709 Hartford Tpke). Get Crafty

Bolton | 15th Annual Year-End Celebration & Silent Auction | 6:30 PM - Celebrate and bid on great items at Georgina's Restaurant (275 Boston Tpke).

Canterbury | Playing Dead at Easy Does It Fest | 7:30 PM | ($) - Grateful Dead tribute kicks off the festival weekend. Listen Up

Hebron | Sundae Nights Chocolate Tasting & Story Reading | 6 PM | ($) - Indulge in chocolate and stories at The Flour Girl (14 Main St). Dig In

Hebron | Blue Mountain Haze Live | 8:30 PM - Bluegrass and Americana at Greenleaf Cafe (47 Main St).

Putnam | Mini Wrestling All-Stars | 8 PM | ($) - "The Shortest Fight of Them All!" at Montana Nights Axe Throwing. See the Show

Putnam | Calendar Girls | 7:30 PM | ($) - Heartwarming comedy about friendship at Bradley Playhouse (30 Front St). See the Show

Stafford Springs | June Milonga | 8 PM - Argentine tango dancing at Middle River Gallery (60 Main St).

Stafford Springs | Trivia Night | 6:30 PM - Test your knowledge and win prizes at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St).

Storrs | Celebrate Pride | 4-7 PM - Rainbow festivities and community gathering at Storrs Center.

Vernon | BINGO | 9 PM | ($) - Late-night bingo fun with cash prizes at Racks (500 Talcottville Rd).

Andover | AFoL Book & Bake Sale | 9 AM - 2 PM - Browse books and homemade treats at Andover Town Hall (17 School Rd). Browse Books

Andover | Funky Monkey Artisan Fair | 10 AM - 3 PM - Local artisans showcase handmade goods (415 Route 6).

Columbia | By The Pond Flea Market | 9 AM - Treasure hunt for vintage finds and bargains (187 Route 66 East).

Danielson | Holy Trinity Greek Food Festival | 12-5 PM - Gyros, baklava, and live Greek music at Holy Trinity Church (80 Water St).

Danielson | Yard Sale | 8 AM - 12 PM - Multi-family treasures and deals at United Church of Christ (210 Main St).

Eastford | Rob DeSorbo Live | 1 PM - Afternoon acoustic performance at Frog Rock Summer Shack (212 Pomfret Rd).

Hebron | Pre-loved Clothing Sale Fundraiser | 12-3 PM - Sustainable fashion finds supporting a good cause at The Worship Center (99 Marjorie Circle).

Mansfield | Low Cost Rabies Clinic | 10 AM - 12 PM - Affordable pet vaccinations from Mansfield Animal Shelter at Annie Vinton.

Plainfield | Story Time with Horses | 10 AM - Kids meet horses and hear stories at Hay Burr Inn (169 Black Hill Rd).

Somers | Trails Weekend: Whitaker Woods | 10 AM - Guided hike through scenic woodland trails (Main St trailhead). Explore

Stafford | The Natural Disasters at Stillwater Grill | 6 PM - High-energy rock band returns for a Saturday night show.

Stafford Springs | CT Trails Day: Nipmuck Woods & Jimmy Ledges | 8:30 AM - Explore rugged terrain and rock formations (204 Buckley Hwy). Explore

Storrs | UConn Arboretum Tour | 10 AM | ($) - Guided walk through campus gardens and native plantings. Explore

Storrs | Glass featuring Voices of Concinnity | 4 PM | ($) - Choral concert at von der Mehden Recital Hall (834 Coventry Rd). Listen Up

Thompson | Spring Chicken BBQ | 4-7 PM - Fire company fundraiser with grilled chicken dinners at the fire department (530 E Thompson Rd).

Tolland | Hike Along Shenipsit Lake | 10 AM - Scenic lakeside trail walk (39 Eaton Rd). Explore

Vernon | Junk In Your Trunk Tag Sale & Plant Swap | 10 AM | ($) - Tag sale plus Mon Soleil plant exchange (274 West St). Shop Local

Vernon | BOHO on the Block | 9 AM - 3 PM - Bohemian market with artisan vendors (193 Talcottville Rd).

Vernon | The Vernon Chorale: A Vocal Tapestry | 7:30 PM | ($) - Choral concert celebrating diverse musical traditions at St. John's. Listen Up

Willington | Friends of the Library Book Sale | 9 AM -4 PM - Stock up on children’s books, fiction, nonfiction, and DVDs at the Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd.) (Runs on 6/7 as well)

Willimantic | Veggiestock 2026 | 10 AM - 2 PM - Vegetarian food fest with live music at Phillip Lauter Park (111 Gordon Ave).

Willimantic | Downtown Thread City Art Hike | 12 PM - Self-guided tour of public art and galleries (starts at 28 Bridge St). Explore

Hampton | Goodwin Forest 10K & 30K Trail Run | 9 AM - Challenge yourself on scenic forest trails (23 Potter Rd). Let’s Go

Plainfield | Barstool Diplomats Live | 1 PM - Rock and country tunes at Hank's Dairy Bar (1006 Norwich Rd).

Pomfret Center | Celtic Acoustic Traditions | 4 PM - Irish and Scottish folk music at Grill 37 (37 Putnam Rd).

Stafford Springs | Wicked Big Meet 2026 | 9 AM | ($) - Massive Subaru car show at Stafford Motor Speedway (55 West St). Nice

Stafford Springs | Acoustic Sundays: Robin Deland | 2 PM - Chill afternoon tunes at Mill Pond Country Store (220 East St).

Stafford Springs | Chris Newell Acoustic | 2 PM - Lakeside vibes at Four Seasons by the Lake (51 Old Springfield Rd).

Thompson | Roy's Cards and Collectibles | 9 AM - 3 PM - Sports cards, comics, and memorabilia at American Legion Post #67 (17 Thompson Hill Rd).

Vernon | June Handcrafting Circle | 1:30 PM | ($) - Bring your project and craft with community. Get Stitching

Woodstock | Guided Meditation & Tibetan Sound Bath | 10 AM - Deep relaxation with singing bowls at The Woodstock Academy (57 Academy Rd). Breathe In

Windham | Self-Guided Historic Tour Maps | Anytime - Explore Windham Center’s old homes, cemeteries, landmarks, and Revolutionary War routes with free self-guided tour maps. Grab them here