A Bunch To Do This Week!

BUZZWORTHY ACTIVITY🐝

SATURDAY 6/21 & SUNDAY 6/22

Putnam | 3rd Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Festival | 10am-4pm

This marks the 3rd year of this festival celebrating over 70 artists/artisans from around New England. Do a little shopping - paintings, pottery, photography, jewelry, glass, woodworking, fabric, and more - or just browse and marvel at how talented some people are (Pro tip: If you think you could do a better job, keep that to yourself or for the car ride home).

There will be live demonstrations throughout the day. The festival takes place at the Putnam Municipal Complex (200 School St), parking and admission are free!

Quaddick:
From Mill Pond to State Park

Before it was a paddleboard paradise, Quaddick was a power source — literally. Back in the 1800s, this area wasn’t a state park or a summer hangout spot. It was a bustling mill region where water meant work. The original Quaddick Reservoir, often referred to as a mill pond, was created by damming the Five Mile River to generate waterpower for textile and sawmills in Thompson. These mills helped fuel Connecticut’s booming manufacturing economy during the post-colonial and early industrial periods.

The dam you see today is a legacy of that era. A series of private mills, including gristmills and cloth factories, relied on water stored behind the dam to turn giant wooden waterwheels, which powered looms, saws, and grinding stones. The water level was carefully managed - too much overflow in spring, and your mill flooded; too little in summer, and production stalled. It was a high-stakes balancing act, with mill operators upstream and downstream constantly jockeying for flow control.

By the early 20th century, as steam and electricity replaced waterpower, the mills declined - but the reservoir remained. The state eventually acquired the land, and in 1951, Quaddick State Park was officially established. The industrial grind faded, the trees crept back, and the reservoir transformed from a source of labor to a source of leisure.

TUESDAY (6/17)

Danielson | Summer Camp | 10am $ - It’s not too late to get your kids registered for summer camp at the Quiet Corner Academy (750 N Main St). More info

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Tyler Fauxbel | 8-11pm

WEDNESDAY (6/18)

Chaplin | Bubble-ology | 10:30-11:30am - Today is all about bubbles at Chaplin Public Library (130 Chaplin St).

Danielson | A Walk Through The Chakras | 6:30-8pm $ - Learn about the chakras and how to incorporate them into your daily life at the Crystal Clear Intention Center (23 Wauregan Rd). Email [email protected] for more details

Pomfret | Mind Your Mind | 6-7:30pm - Learn how mindfulness can help you destress your life at Pomfret Library (11 Town House Dr). Register

Willimantic | Meteor Night! | 8pm $ - Join the Windham Theater Guild (779 Main St) for this unique “play-in-a-day” experience. Shows are created then performed within 24 hours. More info

Willimantic | Sgraffito Workshop | 6pm $ - Learn this decorative technique used in ceramics and painting at Spiral Arts Studio (750 Main St).

Willimantic | Tavern Night | 5pm $ - This monthly edutainment event features the beloved Queen Elizabeth to regale you with tales of her interesting life, as well as share her favorite food and beverage at the Windham Historical Society (627 Main St). Tix

Windham | Kid’s Speech Help | 5-6:30pm $ - Licensed/certified pediatric speech-language pathologist Brooke Nye is leading a 6-session learning experience in local parks and trails across Windham. Children 3-10 needing help with their speech might be a great fit. Register

Woodstock | Candle-Making Workshop | 6pm $ - Get one more spring-themed craft in at Taylor Brooke Brewery (818 Rt 171). Tix

LIVE MUSIC

Shaboo Stage - Willimantic | The Larry Stevens Band | 6-8pm

TRIVIA

Stomping Ground - Putnam | 7pm
Hank’s - Brooklyn | 6:30pm
Bear Hands Brewing - Putnam | 6pm
Mill Town Grill - North Grosvenordale | 6:30pm

THURSDAY (6/19)

Pomfret | Storytelling Workshop | 6:30-8:30pm - Local author Christine Kalafus will be at Pomfret Library (11 Town House Dr) holding a storytelling workshop.

Putnam | Welcome Summer Party | 4:30pm - The Putnam Commission on Aging is inviting you to enjoy a free meal (catered by Renee’s Bistro) and entertainment from Wayne Sinclair at the Community Room of the Town Complex (200 School St).

Willimantic | 3rd Thursday | 6-9pm - Head to Main St in Willimantic for vendors, food, live music, and possibly most importantly, me! I’ll be at the Windham Region Chamber of Commerce tent for the evening, so please make sure to come say hi!

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Straight Up Jazz Series | 5:30-7:30pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | The Subliminals | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

Trolley Pub - Willimantic | 7pm
Midway Restaurant - Ashford | 7pm

FRIDAY (6/20)

Putnam | Butterfly Pinning | 6pm $ - Learn how to pin a preserved butterfly at Twogoldmoons (112 Main St). Tix

Putnam | Van Morrison Tribute | 7:30pm $ - It’s promising to be a marvelous night for a moondance at The Bradley Theater (30 Front St) with a Van Morrison Tribute band. Tix

Sterling | Bob Dylan & Jerry Garcia Tribute Bands | 7pm $ - Enjoy an evening of music at Gibson Hill Park (174 Gibson Hill Rd) featuring She Sings Dylan and Just Garcia Band. Tix

Windham | Town Hall Clock Restarting | 11:30am-12:30pm - The recently refurbished Windham Town Hall clock will be restarted. Most likely won’t be like Back To The Future, but you never know.

Woodstock | Twilight Lawn Concert | 6:30pm - Enjoy a free concert at Roseland Cottage (556 Rt 169) featuring Dynamite Rhythm. Bring chairs and some snacks.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ The River Room - Willimantic | Open Mic | 6:30-10pm $-suggested 
⬢ Rotary Park - Moosup | MINDSET | 6-8pm
⬢ Black Dog - Putnam | BIG LUX | 7:30pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | The Carlos Odria Trio | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | 6:30pm

SATURDAY (6/21)

Danielson | Meet The Author | 10:30am - Meet author Keven McNeill, who shares his journey of living through the challenges of dealing with PTSD in his book Pushing It Down: A Memoir at Pourings and Passages (103 Main St).

Danielson | Strawberry Supper | 4:30-6:30pm $ - Take advantage of strawberry season at Westfield Church (210 Main St) with a strawberry supper. Tix

Dayville | Polish Wianki Fest | 12-10pm - Get your Polish on at Black Pond Brews (1001 Hartford Pike). Celebrate Poland’s festival of wreaths, enjoy a special beer release, Polish food, and of course, some polka music from 2-4pm.

Dayville | Medicinal Herb Walk/Herbalism Workshop | 10am-1pm $ - Take a guided stroll around Black Sun Farm (228 Yosemite Valley Rd) to pick wild medicinal herbs and create your own herbal remedies to bring home. Tix

North Grosvenordale | Book Release/Signing | 10am-2pm $ - New Boston Beef (17 Fabyan Woodstock Rd) is hosting author Scarlett Webb and the release of her book, Farmer Todd Lost His Way Home. Cash Only

Pomfret | Summer Solstice/50th Anniversary Celebration | 7-9pm - Celebrate the summer solstice and Wyndham Land Trust’s 50th anniversary at Duck Marsh Preserve (36 Holmes Rd). Bring a chair!

Putnam | Ballroom Dance Party | 7-9pm $ - Movement Magic (112 Main St) is holding a night of dancing, from the cha cha to the waltz, get ready to move. Text (860) 792-6201 for more details.

Thompson | Free Swimming Lesson | 9-10am - New customers are invited to bring their little ones for a free trial swim lesson at Koinonia School of Sports (240 County Home Rd).

Thompson | Wicked Big Car Show | 10am-3pm $ - If you like cars - fast, slow, new, old - the Wicked Big Car Show is taking place at the Thompson Speedway (205 E. Thompson Rd). Vintage racing, vendors, raffles, giveaways, and more.

Willimantic | Jester Jim | 11am - Bring the young ones to Willimantic Public Library (905 Main St) for a fun kickoff to summer reading with an appearance by the beatboxing Jester Jim.

Woodstock | Wine & Dessert | 12pm - The Trifle Truck Co. will be at Taylor Brooke Winery (818 Rt 171) serving up decadent trifles that pair with Taylor Brooke’s tasting menu.

Woodstock | Seasons of Us | 6pm $ - The Loos Center for the Arts (150 Rt 169) is celebrating 20 years of arts education and performance. More info

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Leslie Alexandria Quartet | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | The Eric Ducoff Band | 8-11pm
⬢ The River Room - Willimantic | Patty Tuite Band | 8pm $ 
⬢ Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | The Cartographers | 2-5pm
⬢ Broken Crust - Putnam | JC Hill | 5:30-7:30pm

SUNDAY (6/22)

Ashford | Body Awareness and Horses | 9:30am-12:30pm $ - Narnia Stables (210 Wormwood Hill Rd) is teaming up with Deb Murphy for a horseless workshop on spinal health, mobility, and body awareness for a better riding experience with horses. Sign-up

Danielson | Beach Ride | 7am - Take a 100 mile ride (round trip) starting at 31 Furnace St, down to Watch Hill in RI and back up with the QVMultisport Club of Windham County.

Danielson | Coffee Cupping Class | 2-4pm $ - Attend Two Dogs Coffee’s (157 Main St) first ever coffee cupping class. Then report back to me, because I have no idea what that means. Sign-up

Danielson | Youth Field Trial & Fun Training Day | 10am-4pm - Have your little ones learn about bird dogs and the outdoors. Way too much stuff to put in here, so if you’re interested, check out their flyer and write-up.

Dayville | Pet Adoption Event | 10am-1pm - Play with some puppies and find your next best friend at Petco (1086 Killingly Commons Dr). If you want to take home a dog the same day, you’ll need to get pre-approved.

Pomfret | Yoga in The Gardens | 11am-12pm $ - Enjoy a yoga class in the beautiful gardens of Gwyn Careg Inn (68 Wolf Den Rd). Tix

Putnam | Flower Arrangement Workshop | 12-2pm $ - Learn how to arrange flowers so it doesn’t look like you just threw them into a vase blindfolded at Bear Hands Brewing (75 Main St). A beer/wine is included in the price Sign-up

Willimantic | Open House/Free Dance Class | 11am-3pm - The Mansfield Academy of Dance (1703 West Main St) is celebrating the opening of their brand-new space. Help welcome this great business into town. You can find a schedule of the class demos here.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | The Attractor | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Open Mic! | 7-11:30pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | Big Dawg Isaac | 2-5pm
⬢ 4G’s Restaurant - Dayville | Christopher Newell | 2-5pm

 MONDAY (6/23)

Thompson | Kids Day Camp | 9am-12pm 6/23-6/27 - High Pointe Church (1208 Thompson Rd) is offering a free kids day camp for kindergarteners all the way up to 6th grade. This camp does have a religious aspect (in case that wasn’t apparent). Sign-up

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Central Village | Brandt Taylor | 5:30pm