Good morning, Quiet Corner Swarm!
Today is Sept 1st, National Burnt Ends Day, and if there’s one food holiday I can get behind, it’s this one. I love me some smoked meats, especially when they’ve spent a ridiculous amount of time over low heat getting smoky, tender, and a little crispy around the edges.
So naturally, I rounded up some of the best BBQ options around the Quiet Corner. If you’re craving brisket, ribs, pulled pork, or hopefully some burnt ends, check out our BBQ Guide below and start planning your next meat-fueled road trip.
In Today’s Quiet Corner Buzz:
Introducing Buzz Games
BBQ Guide
Leatherman
Woodstock Fair
New Plants
Local Events
Let’s dive in!
-Tyler DiGiovanni
P.S. Events are a little slim this week due to school starting and Labor Day Weekend so spend some time playing Buzz Games below!
Buzz Games Starts Today
Okay, we’ve been working on this one for a while, and Buzz Games is officially live today.
It’s our new collection of free games made for Connecticut, with points, leaderboards, and plenty of opportunities to prove you know more than your neighbors.
🟨 BUZZLE: Our Wordle-style word game, with a new puzzle every Monday through Friday.
🧩 BUZZWORD: A new crossword drops every Tuesday at 7 AM, mixing general trivia with a little Connecticut knowledge.
👀 BUZZEYE: Also new every Tuesday at 7 AM. Reveal pieces of a photo and see how quickly you can identify the Connecticut location.
No account needed. Just pick your Buzz name, represent your town, rack up points, and climb the leaderboard.
Buzz Games starts today. Jump in, play all three, and see where you rank.
LOCAL BBQ
If all this talk about burnt ends has you suddenly craving something smoked, sauced, and worth ruining a white shirt over, I’ve got you covered. I rounded up the BBQ spots around the Quiet Corner serving up brisket, ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken, and plenty more.
📣 Want to Reach 6,000+ Local Readers?
We’re looking for a few great local businesses to partner with. If you want to put your business in front of 6,000+ engaged locals who actually want to know what’s happening in their community, we’d love to talk. Get in touch and let’s find a way to get your business noticed.
👉 Interested in partnering with us? Reach out here.
🥾 In Case You Missed It...
We recently shared a pretty fascinating piece about the Leatherman, one of Connecticut’s strangest bits of local lore, but it didn’t get nearly the attention we thought it deserved. So we’re giving it another shot here, because if you missed this story the first time around, it’s definitely worth a few minutes.
BUZZWORTHY ACTIVITY: WOODSTOCK FAIR
If you’ve lived around here for any amount of time, you know Labor Day Weekend = Woodstock Fair. The 165th fair runs Sept. 3–7 at 281 Route 169 in South Woodstock, with livestock, agricultural shows, midway rides, fair food and the Flying Wallendas. This year’s Main Stage includes Kool & The Gang, Trace Adkins and Al Jardine of the Beach Boys. Gates open 4 PM Thursday, noon Friday and 9 AM Saturday–Monday.
NEW PLANTS
Last week we asked: During a 2020 botanical survey, how many plant species were added to Windham County’s herbarium record for the first time? The answer was 49. Researchers spent just four days surveying fields, farms, wetlands, forests and parks, collecting 319 species in all. New county records included smooth brome, lamb’s quarters, alsike clover, Himalayan balsam and the rare native dwarf bulrush. Even more interesting, 35 of the 49 additions were non-native, and the survey turned up two plants of conservation concern. Not bad for a county botanists have been studying for more than a century.
BUZZ & TELL
🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Nautica, an 11-month-old Husky mix with a big personality, a happy-go-lucky attitude, and plenty of that playful Husky energy.
🏡House of the week: Built in 1762, this 3-bed, 2-bath, 1,800-square-foot Colonial is packed with original character, including wide-board hardwood floors, built-ins, detailed woodwork, a butler’s pantry, and an original kitchen fireplace. A vaulted family room, first-floor primary suite, oversized two-car garage, and partially finished loft add modern flexibility without losing the home’s early-American charm. Check it out!
🥾Trail of the week: Belding Wildlife Management Area Loop in Vernon. Find directions or other hike options here
🔭Sky report: We’ve got a couple good reasons to look up this week. Wednesday evening, super-bright Venus will be hanging close to the star Spica just after sunset, then early Thursday morning the Moon slides right past the Pleiades, that tight little cluster of stars known as the Seven Sisters. If you’re up before sunrise Sunday, look east for one more cool pairing as the crescent Moon hangs right near Mars.
BEE LINE EVENTS
TUESDAY (9/1)
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
WEDNESDAY (9/2)
🦗🦗🦗
THURSDAY (9/3)
Putnam | Straight Up Jazz | 5:30 PM-7:30 PM - Smooth jazz vibes kick off your evening at The Stomping Ground (132 Main St).
Vernon | Trivia Night | 7 PM-10:30 PM - Gather your squad and test your knowledge at Spare Time Vernon (350 Talcottville Rd).
FRIDAY (9/4)
Canterbury | FAHS Annual Yard Sale | 8 AM-3 PM - Treasures await at the French American Heritage Society sale (76 N Canterbury Rd). Find Treasures
Somers | Steve Smith & The Nakeds | 6:30–9:30 PM - Rhythm & blues, soul and rock live inside Joanna's Restaurant & Banquet Hall.
Stafford Springs | Kenny and Friends | 8 PM - Live music lakeside at Four Seasons By The Lake (51 Old Springfield Rd).
Windham | Way 2 Acoustic | 6–8 PM - Friday-night live music at The Vineyard at Hillyland, one night before its big Homegrown Festival. Details (runs 9/5 as well)
SATURDAY (9/5)
Plainfield | Chicken BBQ | 4:30 PM | ($) - Lions Club and VFW team up for a classic cookout (7 Winsor Ave). Dig In
Willimantic | Penknife Workshop | 11 AM-3 PM | ($) - Carve colonial-style wooden utensils using a shaving horse at Jillson House Museum (627 Main St). Get Crafty
Woodstock | Katie Perkins Duo | 2 PM - Catch live tunes while sipping local brews at Taylor Brooke Brewery (818 Rt 171).
Pomfret | Doctoring the Soldiery | 3 PM - Revolutionary War reenactor Dan Newman brings 18th-century battlefield medicine to life at the historic Old Town House. Step back in time
Vernon | Emo Night: It's Not A Phase Mom | 9–11:30 PM | $ - Live 2000s emo and pop-punk night at Rocking Horse Bar & Grill.
SUNDAY (9/6)
Coventry | Farmer's Market "Dog Days" | 10 AM-1 PM - Bring your pup for vendors, treats, and tail-wagging fun (2299 South St).
Putnam | Alpaca Lunch | 1 PM-4 PM - Live music Americana & bluegrass at The Stomping Ground (132 Main St).
Somers | Bald Mountain Preserve Hike | 10 AM - Explore scenic trails and soak in early fall views. Hit the Trail
Stafford Springs | Acoustic Sunday's on the Pond | 2 PM-4 PM - Second Helping plays mellow acoustic sets pondside at Mill Pond Country Store (220 East St).
That’s it for this week’s Quiet Corner Buzz. If you got something out of it, please share it with someone who loves BBQ!
See ya next week,
Tyler
