🎣 Hampton’s very own angler, Ed Lovely, just made national headlines after hauling in a colossal 700‑lb, 16‑ft thresher shark off Long Island Sound—a catch that could shatter Connecticut’s all‑time record and is now under NOAA review.

🏓 Hey Hampton’s new pickleball courts are officially open for play, ready to serve up some fast-paced fun and friendly rivalries!

As summer hits the homestretch, I did a lap around Windham County and pulled a tight list of local producers - fresh fruit, veg, pasture-raised meats, raw milk, the good stuff. These are the spots locals actually hit (and I verified they’re open), not just pretty pins on Google. If I missed your favorite, holler - I’ll spin up a full blog page with a bigger, always-updated list.

Lapsley Orchard | 403 Orchard Hill Rd, Pomfret Center, CT 06259 | Pick-your-own paradise with a classic stand that hits all season long.

Fort Hill Farms – The Farmer’s Porch | 157 O’Leary Rd, Thompson, CT 06277 | Lavender, corn maze, and a cozy porch stand that’s easy to love.

Buell’s Orchard | 108 Crystal Pond Rd, Eastford, CT 06242 | Quiet Corner staple since 1889—berries early, apples later, cider & donuts on deck.

Woodstock Orchards | 494 CT-169, Woodstock, CT 06281 | Old-school farm stand + bakery turning orchard fruit into legit pies.

Full Moon Farm | 130 Station Rd, Hampton, CT 06247 | Self-serve daily plus a Saturday stand—fresh veggies, pastured beef & pork, and occasional baked goods.

Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm | 227 Ekonk Hill Rd, Sterling, CT 06354 | Turkey everything + ice cream—come for a cone, leave with dinner.

BOTL Farm | 859 Westford Rd, Ashford, CT 06278 | Pasture-raised meats from a tiny on-farm store—clean labels, small-batch, big flavor.

Baldwin Brook Farm | 176 Depot Rd, Canterbury, CT 06331 | Raw-milk heaven with same-morning milk and farm-fresh eggs in a no-frills stand.

Assawaga Farm | 626 Providence Pike, Putnam, CT 06260 | Small, no-till organic veggies with a Saturday-morning stand—chef-grade greens.

DeFazio Orchard & Greenhouses | 1393 North Rd, Dayville, CT 06241 | Family orchard with PYO and a classic roadside stand—peaches to pumpkins.

This was from last week’s word scramble: the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum in Willimantic. It sits on the original Columbia Junction freight yard off 55 Bridge Street, where volunteers rebuilt a six-stall roundhouse on its historic foundation and dropped in a 60-foot manual “Armstrong” turntable (the original was scrapped during WWII). The Air Line State Park Trail hugs the edge of the site - rail history literally runs past the fence.

Inside, you’ll find relocated 19th-century railroad buildings - Chaplin Station (built 1872), the Groton Freight House, and the Willimantic Section House plus vintage locomotives and rolling stock. And yes, you can pump an 1850s-style handcar along a short stretch of the old New Haven “Air Line” right-of-way; it’s small, gritty, and hands-on in the best way

Danielson | Meet and Greet | 6pm - Parent’s Corner is holding a meet and greet at Girls ‘n’ Tools (106 Westcott Rd). Come find out how they’re trying to make events more inclusive for families.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Riverside Park - Brooklyn | Wild Nights | 5pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Steve Walason | 8-11pm
⬢ River Room - Willimantic | Open Mic | 7-10pm

Putnam | Back To School Giveaway Event | 5:30-7:30pm - Mosey on down to St. Mary’s R C Church (218 Providence St) for a chance to get a free backpack with school supplies. First come, first served.

Thompson | Psychic Medium | 6-8pm $ - Triple Raven Brewing (27 Main St) is hosting psychic medium Patricia Griffin for an evening of connecting with loved ones who have passed. Tix

Windham | Franklin Brothers Concert | 6-8pm - Get your groove on with the Franklin Brothers at the Shaboo Stage (1 Jillson Sq). If you’re into Steely Dan, they’re worth checking out (you can get a preview here).

Woodstock | Cacti Cupcakes | 6-8pm $ - Learn how to make beautiful (and delicious) frosting cacti cupcakes at Taylor Brooke Winery (818 Rt 171). One glass of wine is included, BYO snacks. Register

TRIVIA

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

Central Village | Music Bingo | 6:30-9:30pm - Play a little music bingo and grab a bite to eat at Music Lady Cafe (6 Green Hollow Rd).

Pomfret | Mediumship Demo | 7pm $ - Grill 37 (37 Putnam Rd) is hosting Beth Coletti and Brenda Tedeschi for a mediumship demonstration gallery reading. Call (860) 315-5640 for details and reservations.

Willimantic | Flamingo Concert Rescheduled | 6-7:30pm - Catch the rescheduled concert at the Shaboo Stage (1 Jillson Sq). Don’t forget to bring something to sit on.

Windham | Meet An Owl | 6pm - This is your chance to meet a live owl up close and personal at Willimantic Public Library (905 Main St). Learn a little bit, make an owl craft, and take some pictures.

LIVE MUSIC

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

TRIVIA

Midway Restaurant - Ashford | 7pm
Trolley Pub - Willimantic | 7:30pm

Danielson | Summer Reading Ice Cream Party | 1pm - If your little one was a summer reader at Killingly Public Library (25 Westcott Rd), bring them by the library for an ice cream party.

Moosup | Outdoor Kids Movie | 8:15-10:45pm - Mission and Plainfield Rec are holding a free viewing of the new live-action How To Train Your Dragon at Moosup Elementary School (35 Church St). Bring a chair and enjoy some complimentary popcorn!

South Windham | Summer Reading Finale | 11am - There’s still time to have your little ones sign up for the Guilford Smith Memorial Library (17 Main St) summer reading program. After they’ve been signed up, you can participate in the finale with pizza, ice cream sundaes, a toy swap, and drawings for raffles. Call (860) 423-5159 or email [email protected] to sign up.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Roseland Cottage - Woodstock | Wooden Horse | 6:30pm
⬢ Triple Raven Brewing - Thompson | Matt Andrews | 7-9pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Seventh Sun | 8-11pm
⬢ Hillyland - Scotland | Mark Reichard | 6-8pm

TRIVIA

Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | 6:30pm

Dayville | Agricultural Fair | 10am-2pm - Come check out the fruits (and veggies) of local farmers, gardeners, bakers, and crafters labor at the Killingly Grange Agricultural Fair (801 Hartford Tpke).

North Windham | Mermaids and Fairies | 5:45pm $ - Paint a whimsical picture, or decorate a 32oz mason jar with Pam from Paint With Pammy at the Franco-American Civic & Social Club (116 Club Rd). You can book your spot and get more info here.

Windham | Farmers Market | 8am-12pm - Make your way to 28 Bridge St to shop local produce, products, and all sorts of goodies.

Windham | Volunteer Expo | 1-4pm - If you’re looking to do something constructive with your extra time, take a trip to the Windham Center Fire Dept (18 Windham Center Road) to meet with some amazing groups (first responders, community volunteers, etc.).

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ The Music Lady - Central Village | Merge Right | 8pm
⬢ The Crossings - Putnam | Hold My Beer | 6pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Chris Stovall Brown | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Jesse Desorcy and Co | 8-11pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | Red Hot Rascals 2.0 | 2-5pm
⬢ Broken Crust - Putnam | John Fuzek | 5:30-7:30pm
⬢ Hillyland - Scotland | BeBobaLouBob | 1-4pm

Brooklyn | Backpack Giveaway | 1pm - Sadie’s Sweet Shop (162 S. Main St) is holding their 2nd annual backpack giveaway. Free backpacks/school supplies, food, activities, and a gift card raffle for teachers. First come, first served.

North Grosvenordale | Sushi Making Class | 3-6pm $ - Learn how to slice, roll, and prepare your own sushi rolls. Contact New Boston Beef (17 Fabyan Woodstock Rd) for more details.

Pomfret | Yoga in the Garden | 11am-12pm $ - This is one of your last chances to have a yoga class in the gardens of the Gwyn Careg Inn (68 Wolf Den Rd). Tix

Thompson | Cruise, BBQ, & Brew | 10am-3pm $ - Thompson Speedway (205 East Thompson Rd) is kicking off this day of riding/driving/eating at 10am, with memorial laps, a cruise around NE CT, and a BBQ (along with live music). This event is organized by, and will benefit, Cruisin’ For Cancer Care.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Leslie Alexandria Quartet | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Open Mic | 7-11:30pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | Rich Polseno & Chris Quiray | 2-5pm

Dayville | KPS Community Night | 4:30pm - Bring the family for some good old fashioned fun with food trucks, games, touch-a-truck, giveaways, music, bounce houses, and more, at Killingly High School (226 Putnam Pike).

Willimantic | Cruise Night | 5-7:30pm - Check out some classic cars and camaraderie at the Elks Lodge #1311 (198 Pleasant St). Free to attend, food and drink available for purchase.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Central Village | Brandt Taylor | 5:30-7:30pm