Not getting our emails? A bunch of people told us we “disappeared,” which usually means our newsletter slid into Promotions or Spam. Take a quick peek there and drag our emails into your primary inbox so you do not miss the good stuff.

Dinner Club update. Our first CT Buzz Dinner Club was a blast and we got great feedback on what to keep and what to tweak so the next one is even better. Round two is set for Jan 15 in Manchester so if you want in, make sure you sign up to secure your spot. If Manchester is too far and we can get enough people in Windham County then I’ll set one up here. Poll below👇

If you’ve been thinking about grabbing Conn-opoly, now’s the time – games are in stock, will arrive before Christmas, and every purchase helps support this newsletter and the weird little CT media experiment behind it. It is the perfect “cold winter night” family game, and you’ll actually learn new things about our state while you’re arguing over who gets which property and who forgot to pay the innkeeper.

🐶 Adopt-a-pal: Meet Snowboard, our Adoptable Pet of the Week, a medium sized sweetheart who is good with kids and other dogs and looks very ready to be your new snow day sidekick.

🏡 House of the week: A stately Victorian in Killingly’s North Main Street Historic District, all sweeping staircase, hardwood floors, and elegant old school details that feel straight out of a period film. With multiple units, a stone walled yard, and a three bay garage, it is the rare place where you can live in history. Have a look!

🏛️ Indoor gem of the week: ECSU’s Art Gallery is like a little creative engine on campus, pulling in everyone from international artists to students and blasting their work onto the walls for free.

🔭 Sky report: Look east after dinner and you will see bright Jupiter hanging like a fake streetlight while the big winter constellations like Orion and Taurus climb higher each hour. Early in the week you might catch a few leftover Geminid shooting stars, then Sunday night into Monday the smaller Ursid meteor shower shows up with a nice dark sky thanks to the new moon.

From Hartford to Dublin, Ireland for 470 bucks* roundtrip, mid March for a week stay. See the deal!

From Boston to Sao Paulo, Brazil for 436 bucks* roundtrip, mid April for a week. See the deal!

*Prices at the time of writing subject to change

SATURDAY 12/21

Danielson | Holiday Centerpiece Workshop | 1-3PM $

Your holiday table deserves better than “I tossed a candle on a paper plate.” Mountain Laurel Floral is hosting a Holiday Centerpiece workshop on Sunday, December 21 from 1 to 3pm at 98 Main St, Danielson, where you’ll build an elegant centerpiece and take it home like a seasonal genius. It’s $75, and you can bring your own snacks and beverages, which is my favorite kind of crafting rule.

Danielson | Dulcimer Performance | 4pm - Killingly Public Library (25 Westcott Rd) is holding a live performance by Dulcimea, featuring holiday carols. Festive refreshments will be served as well.

Danielson | Open Art Studio | 10am-4pm ($) - Mountain Laurel Floral Designs (98 Main St) is giving you the chance to drop in and make a variety of ornaments (felt, paper, more), do a little cookie decorating with Crumby Creations, and get a special engraving done by Modern Sawdust. It’s the perfect spot to make a gift someone will love.

North Grosvenordale | Wooden Ornament Painting | 5:30-7pm - The lovely folks at Thompson Public Library (934 Riverside Dr) are holding a make-and-take event. Paint an adorable ornament or wall hanging for the holidays.

South Windham | Drop-In Snowflake Craft | 3-6pm - Guilford Smith Memorial Library (17 Main St) is hosting a drop-in event for a fun family craft. Three different snowflakes to choose from.

Willimantic | Meet Santa! | 5:30-6:30pm - Willimantic Public Library (905 Main St) will be hosting Santa for a photo-op. Bring your young ones, or just the young at heart, for a visit with the jolly one.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Tyler Fauxbel | 7-10pm

Brooklyn | Holiday Blood Drive | 12-5pm - Give the ultimate gift this year and donate blood at the Quinebaug Valley Senior Center (69 S Main St). As a bonus, if you donate, you’ll receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card in your email. Sign Up

Dayville | Soap Making Workshop | 6pm $ - Black Pond Brews (1001 Hartford Pike) is holding a last-minute gift-making workshop, where you’ll walk away with two custom goat’s milk soap bars that smell like the holidays. Tix

Willimantic | Tango Pop-Up Dance Workshop | 6-8pm $ - The River Room (50 Riverside Dr) is holding their second Argentinian Tango Dance Workshop with master dance instructor Oswaldo Tirano. Ages 16+, no dance partner required, just a willing attitude to learn. Tix

Willimantic | Tavern Night w/Dickens | 5pm $ - Every month the Windham Historical Society (627 Main St) hosts a “famous person,” for an evening of learning about their life and enjoying their favorite food and drink. This month is the one and only Charles Dickens. You’ll have fun, pick up some new info, and maybe meet some new friends. Tix

Woodstock | D&D Adult Drop In | 5-7pm - Bracken Memorial Public Library (57 Academy Rd) is offering those who are curious about the world of Dungeons & Dragons to come check out the hype. Any experience level is welcome, dice and pre-made characters can be provided if needed.

TRIVIA

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

Thompson | Holiday Party | 6-8:30pm - The Ladies of the Crowded Table (a very cool group for any women looking to join a community of women looking to have a positive effect on each other and their communities) are having their annual present swap at Triple Raven Brewing (27 Main St). If this group sounds interesting to you, send them a message.

Woodstock | Christmas Truck Painting | 6-8pm - Paint a festive picture on canvas with the expert guidance of Tunk City Revival at Taylor Brooke Brewery (818 Rt 171). Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Central Village | Karaoke | 8:30-11:55pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Straight Up Jazz Series | 5:30-7:30pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Patchwork Family | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

Elks Lodge - Danielson | 6:30pm
Trolley Pub - Willimantic | 7:30pm
Midway Restaurant - Ashford | 7pm

Canterbury | Winter Trail of Lights | 5-8pm ($) - Hay Burr Inn Equine Rescue (169 Black Hill Rd) is holding a special Winter Trail of Lights, so you can meet the rescued horses and donkeys in a festive setting. No advanced tickets required, generous donations are accepted at the door. Treat yourself to a magical evening.

Putnam | A Xmas Carol Musical | 7:30pm $ - This is your last weekend to catch The Bradley Playhouse’s (30 Front St) production of Ebenezer. See a festive show in a historic theater! Tix

Putnam | German Xmas Market | 4-7pm - This is your last call to experience an indoor version of a German Christmas Market at Wolperdinger Bookeneds (112 Main St). Special deals and treats await!

Woodstock | Broadway-Style Review | 7:30pm $ - The Loos Center for the Arts (150 Rt 169) is performing a production of Christmas in the Air. Song, dance, and sparkly costumes, perfect for getting you in the holiday spirit. Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ American Cafe - Plainfield | Partyoke | 9-11:55pm
⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Central Village | Partyoke | 9pm
⬢ Black Dog - Putnam | Ed Peabody | 8pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Chris Stovall Brown | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

Music Lady Cafe - Central Village | 7pm
Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | 6:30pm

Ashford | Holiday Ornament Workshop | 10am-12pm - Babcock Library is holding a morning of ornament creation and family bonding at Knowlton Memorial Hall (25 Pompey Hollow Rd).

Chaplin | Brekky w/Santa and Carol Sing | 8:30-10:30am $ - Little Treasures Farm (22 N Bear Hill Rd) is holding an all-you-can-eat breakfast, followed by photos with Santa, and caroling down Chaplin St. Tix

Danielson | Book Signing | 10:15am - Author M. L. Vanasse will be at Pourings and Passages (103 Main St) doing a book signing for their new adult fantasy novel, Cursed Reflections of the Mirror. Fans of Brandon Sanderson, Sarah J. Maas, and Rick Riordan, may want to give this a shot!

Danielson | Holiday Bazaar | 12-3pm - Mariah Lee Photography ad Sway Massage (13 Water St) are holding a last minute shopping experience for those looking for some unique gifts from local vendors. Also, if you’re a vendor, reach out to see if they have some space left.

Danielson | Pictures w/Santa | 10am - Davis Place (11 Westcott Rd) is asking people to come say hi to their residents, and take a picture with Santa, while enjoying hot cocoa and cookies!

Danielson | A Queerly Christmas Market | 1-7pm - There will be a festive, inclusive market at (142 Main St) featuring New England LGBTQ+ creators, allies, artists, and makers. There will be a wreath auction at 7pm, with proceeds going to Quiet Corner Pride.

Dayville | Xmas Party/Ugly Sweater Contest | 6-9pm - Stop by Black Pond Brews (1001 Hartford Pike) with your ugliest/best/tackiest holiday sweater you have for a chance to win their contest (at 8pm). Drink and food specials all evening as well.

Plainfield | Candy Cane Concert | 2pm ($) - The Quiet Corner Senior Chorus is holding their festive holiday concert at Plainfield High School Auditorium (105 Putnam Rd). Kazoos, carols, skits, a dance performance, and more. Admission is by donation, give what you can to help support their Annual Scholarship Fund.

Putnam | Cookie Crawl | 12-4pm $ - 5 cookies, 5 drinks (3 alcoholic, 2 non) during a business crawl in Downtown Putnam. It’s that simple. The Putnam Business Association always does a great job, and this looks to be more of the same. Tix

Sterling | Winter Solstice Moonlight Hike | 5-6:30pm $ - Wild Ride (130 Old Cranston Rd) invites you to take a guided moonlight hike surrounded by their pack of wild mustangs. Hike will be concluded with a fire and smores. Tix

Woodstock | Kids’ D&D Drop In | 11am-1pm - Just like the adult drop in earlier in the week, Bracken Memorial Public Library (57 Academy Rd) wants to help get your creative little adventurers (ages 10+) into the age-appropriate world of Dungeons & Dragons. Everything you need will be provided.

Woodstock | Sip & Shop Holiday Market | 12-5pm - Taylor Brooke (818 Rt 171) is hosting a holiday market, featuring: businesses, craft makers, and artisans. New vendors all the time!

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ The Crossings - Putnam | TripleShot | 7pm
⬢ Woodstock Tavern - Woodstock | Karaoke | 8-11pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Mike Wood Group | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | The Eric Ducoff Band | 8-11pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | Vudu Sister | 2-5pm

Dayville | Santa Run | 9am - Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making their way around Dayville in a firetruck, if you live in the area, make sure to keep an eye out!

Thompson | Santa Meet & Greet | 3:30-5pm - Bring the kids to Triple Raven Brewing (27 Main St) so they can enjoy meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus, while you enjoy an adult beverage or two.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Leslie Alexandria Quartet | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Open Mic | 7-11:30pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | Josh Kerwin | 2-5pm
⬢ 4G’s - Dayville | Bryan Titus | 2-5pm

Windham | Arts Exhibition | 12-4pm - This is a fun one for all you art lovers/believers in redemption. The Art Gallery at ECSU (306 High St) is hosting an exhibition of works made up from incarcerated persons, looking to put energy into something constructive.

LIVE MUSIC

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