Celebrating A Beloved Local Author📚

BRIEF BITES

• Alcohol - Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has implemented a temporary alcohol ban at nine state recreation areas, including Quaddick State Park in Thompson, effective from May 21 through August 18, 2025.

HIVE PICK

If you haven’t figured out where I’m talking about from the clues yet, I’m talking about a small museum dedicated to the works of Gertrude Chandler Warner. Still not ringing any bells? Ever hear of The Boxcar Children?

That’s right, there’s a train car dedicated to this widely-loved series right in Putnam! (1 South Main St, to be exact). Run by the Aspinock Historical Society (don’t worry, we’ll have a feature on them in the near future), you’ll find a lovely tribute to the far-reaching series, as well as some very interesting facts about Ms. Warner herself!

Bring the kids, or just your inner-kid, and learn more about this local legend and her oeuvre (fun vocab word for you to look up after you’re done with the newsletter!). You may have to double check hours, but generally they’re open 11am-4pm Saturdays and Sundays.

Wind Co Trivia🤔

Last week’s trivia answer: A total of 90% of you guessed got it right, Woodstock (50%) & Pomfret (40%). It was somewhat of a trick question - in the 1800s, both Pomfret and Woodstock were magnet towns for artists, writers, and intellectuals seeking peace and inspiration in CT’s “Quiet Corner.”

BUZZWORTHY ACTIVITY🐝

5/31 Putnam | Hiking The Ruins of Southern New England | 12:30-2pm - Ever drive or hike by some old ruins and wonder what they were? Well, you have a chance to meet the author/retired state archeologist Nicholas Bellantoni to find out all about the remnants of the past all over the area. Head to Putnam Public Library (200 School St) and learn about the past and find some new places to go hiking and exploring!

TUESDAY (5/27)

Danielson | 50+ Book Club | 12:30pm - Meet at the Killingly Public Library (25 Westcott Rd) for an informal, peer-led book discussion. They meet on the last Tuesday of every month.

Windham | Mini Master Chefs | 6pm - Children 7 & up are encouraged to go to Willimantic Public Library (905 Main St) for a lesson on making delicious pizza toast. Register by calling (860) 465-3079 or emailing [email protected]

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | A Former Friend | 8-11pm

WEDNESDAY (5/28)

Chaplin | Shedding Light on the 29th Colored Regiment Soldiers | 6:30pm - Learn about the African and Nipmuc soldiers that played a part in the Civil War at Chaplin Public Library (130 Chaplin St).

Thompson | TRG Cruise Night | 4pm - Bring your ride to show off at Thompson Rod and Gun Club (93 Brandy Hill Rd). Food for purchase and a DJ will be there as well.

Windham | Tavern Night | 5pm $ - Apparently I got the date wrong on this last week (I’m not perfect, but don’t tell my wife), and this is your chance to meet with “John Denver” and get to know about his life at the Windham Historical Society (627 Main St).

Woodstock | Paws Cat Shelter Benefit | 4-8pm - Head to Taylor Brooke Brewery (818 Rte 171) for a benefit to Paws Cat Shelter. Grab a beer or wine, put some money down on gift basket raffles, or take some pictures in the photo booth.

TRIVIA

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

THURSDAY (5/29)

Ashford | Car Cruise | 5-8pm - Enjoy a free car show at Ashford Volunteer Fire Dept (46 Westford Rd). Food, 50/50 raffle will be available for purchase. Touch-a-truck and a DJ will be there as well. Weather permitting

Putnam | MuralFest Kick-Off | 6pm - The Walldogs are making their way to the Putnam Municipal Complex (200 School St) to get started on privately-commissioned story-telling murals, and fill you in on what will be going in!

LIVE MUSIC 

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

TRIVIA

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

FRIDAY (5/30)

Windham | Mediumship Readings | 6pm $ - Help support Project Graduation for Windham High (255 High St) with an evening of spirit connection. Email [email protected] with questions.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Black Dog - Putnam | Ed Peabody | 8pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Nate Martel Trio | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

Taylor Brooke Brewery - Woodstock | 6:30pm

SATURDAY (5/31)

Ashford | Guided Bird Walk | 2pm ($) - Join local bird experts (and wonderful people) Peg and Michael Curtis on a 1-mile loop around the ground at Westford Hill Distillery (196 Chatey Rd). Reserve your spot by calling (860) 429-0464 or emailing [email protected]. Optional $10 fee will be donated to the Audubon Society

Brooklyn | BGC 1-Year Anniversary Bash | 2pm - Celebrate one year of the Brooklyn Gathering Club (660 Wauregan Rd) with karaoke from 4-8pm, live music after that, special deals on drinks & food, and a champagne toast at midnight. Children are welcome until 9pm.

Canterbury | Shoe Drive | 10am-1pm - Get rid of gently-worn/newish shoes you don’t wear anymore at the Green School (300 S Canterbury Rd). They’ll help raise funds for projects/programs of the Canterbury Historical Society.

Danielson | Kirtan for a Cause | 7pm ($) - The Crystal Clear Intention Center (23 Wauregan Rd) is hosting an evening of call & response chanting/singing. Donation-based event, with the proceeds going to charity.

Dayville | Comedy Show | 8-9:3pm $ - Next Stop Comedy is back at Black Pond Brews (1001 Hartford Pike). Enjoy a pint and some laughs. Tix

Hampton | Kids Free Running Club | 8:30-9:30am - Take advantage of this free running group for kids in K-6 at Hampton Town Hall Pavilion (178 Main St). Email [email protected] to register.

North Grosvenordale | A Day At The Park | 12-3pm - Get your craft on and make motivational collages, followed by a game of kickball/dodgeball at Riverside Park (35 Marshall St). Perfect for the young one. Feel free to bring glue, magazines, poster board, if you’re looking to share.

Putnam | Fundraising For Cystic Fibrosis | 9am $ - Help support the mission to cure cystic fibrosis with a fun-filled day at Putnam Rotary Park (196 Kennedy Dr). Donate or sign up

Putnam | May Ballroom Dance Party | 7-9pm $ - Enjoy a night of dancing at Movement Magic (112 Main St - entrance on the corner of US-44 and Canal St). RSVP by calling/texting (860) 792-6201

Thompson | Oak Barrel Tarot Card Reading | 5pm $ - Grab a pint and get a reading at Triple Raven Brewing (27 Main St). First come, first serve

Thompson | Vintage Grand Prix | 8am $ - Check out some thrilling vintage racing at the Thompson Speedway (25 E Thompson Rd). Kids under 12 are free. Call the Speedway for more info at (860) 923-2280.

Willimantic | Farmer’s Market | 8am-12pm - Browse local goods at the Willi Farmer’s Market (28 Bridge St).

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ The River Room - Willimantic | Bisantz & Nakhimovsky | 8pm Tix
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Straight Up Jazz | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Nate Staub Trio | 8-11pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke Brewery - Woodstock | Katie Perkins | 2-5pm
⬢ Broken Crust - Putnam | Becky Prior | 5:30-7:30pm

SUNDAY (6/1)

Chaplin | Joshua’s Trust Hike | 8:30-10:30am - Check out Two Sisters Tract (Parking along Rt 6, east of the intersection with Mansure Rd). Approx 1.5 miles long and a substantial hill to climb - you’ve been warned. Register

Danielson | Build a Flower Arrangement | 2-4pm $ - Enjoy a Sunday Funday of floral design at NewYork PIZZA CO. (8 Furnace St). Contact Serendipity Flower Farm for more details.

North Grosvenordale | Kid’s Fishing Derby | 8am-12pm - Valley Springs Sportsmans Club (65 Valley Rd) is holding a free event for kids 2-15. Bring poles and bait. Other activities are scheduled throughout the day as well.

North Grosvenordale | Sushi Making Class | 3-6pm $ - Learn how to make sushi, from the rice to properly slicing the fish/veggies at New Boston Beef (17 Fabyan Woodstock Rd). More info

Putnam | Comic Benefit | 10am - Satiate your comic cravings and help raise money for pancreatic cancer at the same time at Wonderland Comics (160 Main St). Save 50% on back issue comics and magazines less than $20!

Sterling | Anatomy Lab | 9:30am $ - Need a refresher in anatomy? Rolf Bodyworks (321 Valley View Rd) has got you covered. Register

Sterling | Rewild & Rewire | 9am-5pm $ - Reconnect with nature and practice somatic self-regulation skills at Wild Ride (130 Old Cranston Rd) amongst their wild mustangs. Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Alpaca Lunch | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Open Mic | 7-11:30pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke Brewery - Woodstock | Sister Funk | 2-5pm

 MONDAY (6/2)

LIVE MUSIC

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