The response to last week’s Community Spotlight poll was loud and clear, so I made a short form where you can send in someone worth knowing. That could be a nonprofit, artist, teacher, chef, volunteer, local leader, organization, or just a neighbor doing something that makes the community better.

Know someone great? Send them my way. And self-nominations are fair game too.

Summer’s slipping by quicker than it should, so here’s a gentle nudge to make the most of these long, warm days while they’re still with us. If you’re looking for a few easy ways to linger in the season, take a look at our guides to local summer festivals, Quiet Corner swim spots, local farmers markets and the best local ice cream stops; the small joys worth savoring before autumn quietly arrives.

The brand-new Quiet Corner Summer Crossword is live, packed with local landmarks, summer spots and enough obscure knowledge to expose who actually gets out of the house. Give it a shot, and while you’re there, try the Flora & Fauna puzzle too if you somehow missed it the first time:

Tucked at 91 Valley Street, the Willimantic Food Co-op has been quietly doing something remarkable for over 40 years: it’s owned by the very people who shop there. Since 1980, neighbors have pooled together to keep a full grocery store filled with produce, cheese, bulk grains, spices, local dairy and wellness remedies right here in the Quiet Corner.

You don’t need to be a member to shop, and everyone really is welcome. Wander in and you’ll find Tobacco Road Farm greens, Hosmer Mountain birch beer, a soup counter that changes weekly, and staff who actually know the growers behind the labels. They accept SNAP, debit and credit, and the doors are open 8 AM to 8 PM, every single day.

It’s not a big-box store. It’s your store. Stop in this week and see what member-owned feels like.

We’re taking the Quiet Corner Swarm offline for a Midsummer Meet Up at Quiet Corner Winery (217 N Bigelow Rd, Hampton) on Sunday, August 2nd from 2–6 PM. It’s a free, casual afternoon where you can grab a drink, meet some of the people who read this newsletter every Tuesday and enjoy an exclusive discount just for Swarm members.

Come with a friend or show up solo. We’ll make sure you’re not standing awkwardly in the corner pretending to study the wine list. There’s no agenda and definitely no networking pitch, just good drinks, new faces and a summer afternoon with fellow locals.

RSVP below for your chance to win a Conn-opoly board game, then come meet the Swarm.

Most of you nailed last week’s trivia question, but the story behind Willimantic’s Boom Box Parade is too good not to revisit. In 1986, Windham’s Memorial Day parade had no marching band, so local resident Kathy Clark came up with a wonderfully Willimantic solution: have WILI broadcast marching music while everyone carried radios and boom boxes through the streets. Five weeks later, a one-of-a-kind Fourth of July tradition was born.

The parade became known as the People’s Parade because anyone can join, march and express themselves. Clark’s original “This Land Is Your Land, This Land Is My Land” banner still captures what makes it special: freedom, community and the idea that the celebration belongs to all of us. Here’s a nice mini doc PBS published covering the parade.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Maverick, a 94-pound walking cotton ball who’s gentle, housebroken, great with kids and dogs, and ready for a family that loves big fluff and even bigger personality.

🏡House of the week: This 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2,343-square-foot retreat sits on more than 12 private acres with its own brook running through the property. Add four heated garage bays, and you’ve got enough room for the cars, the toys and probably a hobby you haven’t discovered yet. Check it out!

🥾Trail of the week: Take advantage of summer and pick from some of our favorite hikes across the Quiet Corner for your next outdoor adventure.

🔭Sky report: Friday night’s sky show is a good one: look south after dark for the waxing gibbous Moon hanging right beside Antares, the ruby-red heart of Scorpius. They’ll be less than a degree apart, and as a bonus, the Moon hits first quarter Tuesday morning right around the time this newsletter lands in your inbox.

Andover | Butterflies with Julie Victoria! | 6 PM - Learn about butterflies with naturalist Julie Victoria at Andover Public Library (355 Route 6). Wander

Ashford | Triple Play | 6:30 PM - Live music trio brings the tunes to this Ashford venue (25 Tremko Ln).

Brooklyn | Rockin' at Riverside Summer Concert | 6 PM - Free summer concert series featuring Roc-Kin'-On at Riverside Park (24 Greenway Dr).

Danielson | Animals and Their Ecosystems | 3 PM - All-ages program exploring animals and their habitats at Killingly Library (25 Westcott Rd).

Pomfret | Henna Night | 6 PM - Get beautiful henna designs at this evening event (449 Pomfret St). Get Crafty

Bolton | Still Pickin' Band Summer Concert | 6:30 PM - Bluegrass and folk tunes on the Bolton Green (206 Bolton Center Rd).

Ellington | Free Movie: "Ferrari" | 1 PM - Free screening of the 2023 racing drama at Hall Memorial Library (40 Maple St).

Tolland | Mack Truck Mary Lawn Concert | 6:30 PM - Rock band brings the energy to the Tolland Green (42 Tolland Green).

Willimantic | Franklin Brothers at Shaboo Stage | 6 PM - Blues and rock duo takes the outdoor stage at Shaboo Stage (58 Valley St).

Willimantic | Tavern Night with Betty Ford | 5 PM | ($) - Historic tavern experience with First Lady reenactor at Jillson House Museum (627 Main St). Step Back

Willington | Val Rogers & Red Satin Band | 6:30 PM - Summer concert series continues at River Road Athletic Complex (511 River Rd).

Canterbury | Mushroom Identification for Beginners | 6 PM - Free presentation on foraging and identifying local mushrooms at Canterbury Public Library (1 Municipal Dr). Discover

Columbia | Summer Concert Series | 6 PM - Free outdoor concert at Rec Park on Hennequin Road (60 Hennequin Rd).

Coventry | Acoustic Anomaly at Bidwell Tavern | 6 PM - Live acoustic duo at The Bidwell Tavern and Cafe (1260 Main St).

Danielson | KPRD Free Summer Concert Series | 6 PM - Red Light performs classic rock at Davis Park (250 Main St).

Danielson | Patriotic Paint Night | 6 PM | ($) - Create patriotic-themed art at Tunk City Studio (141 North St). Get Crafty

North Grosvenor Dale | Native Plants Talk | 6 PM - Learn about incorporating native plants into your garden (934 Riverside Dr). Learn More

Pomfret Center | Evening of Sound & Nature | 6 PM | ($) - Crystal bowl and flute sound bath on a scenic farm (617 Hampton Rd). Find Your Center

Stafford Springs | Windham Concert Band | 6 PM - Free summer concert at the gazebo (10 Levinthal Run).

Stonington | Highland Road at D&G's Restaurant | 5 PM - Live music on the patio at D&G's (1 High St).

Vernon | Summer Days Carnival | 6 PM - Annual carnival with rides, games, and food (70 Loveland Hill Rd).

Bolton | Vivaldi & Mozart Candlelight Experience | 7 PM | ($) - Classical music by candlelight in an intimate setting. Take a Seat

Danielson | Houseplant 101 | 1 PM | ($) - Learn care tips for your indoor plants at Mountain Laurel Floral (98 Main St). Learn More

Putnam | Music on Main | 5 PM - Live music and food trucks on downtown Main Street (88 Main St).

Putnam | Disney's Frozen: The Broadway Musical | 7 PM | ($) - Bradley Playhouse presents the magical stage adaptation (30 Front St). See the Show

Putnam | Westfield's Comedy Night | 7:30 PM | ($) - Stand-up comedy fundraiser at Putnam Lodge of Elks (64 Edmond St). Laugh Out Loud

Stafford Springs | Setback Night at the Cidery | 6 PM - Card game night at Stafford Cidery - home of Crazy Cock Cider (68 Main St).

Sterling | Recreation Department Summer Concert | 6:30 PM - Free outdoor concert at Sterling Town Hall (1183 Plainfield Pike).

Vernon | Gracie Curran & The High Falutin’ Band | 6:30 PM — Powerhouse blues, big vocals and a wildly fun live show at Rockville Elks

Eastford | Rob DeSorbo | 1 PM - Live acoustic music at this Eastford venue (212 Pomfret Rd).

Hebron | Driving Route 9 at Blackledge CC | 6:30 PM - Live music on the patio at Blackledge Country Club (180 West St).

Plainfield | Summer Spirit and Makers Market | 11 AM - 5 PM - Vendors, crafts, and good vibes at Hank's Dairy Bar (1006 Norwich Rd).

Plainfield | Christmas in July Light Walk | 7:30–9:30 PM | Donation entry — Explore a glowing woodland trail supporting rescued horses and donkeys. Have fun!

Vernon | Mystic Marketplace - Boho on the Block | 9 AM | ($) - Bohemian-style vendor market with crystals, crafts, and more (193 Talcottville Rd). Find Treasures

Willimantic | LITVAR Album Release Show | 7:30 PM | ($) - Local band celebrates new album release (50 Riverside Dr). Rock Out

Willington | Vegetable Gardening | 10 AM - Learn succession planting, fall crops, composting, seed-starting and kitchen gardening at Willington Library.

Chaplin | Quiet Corner Bike Tour | 8 AM - Scenic cycling through the Quiet Corner countryside (495 Phoenixville Rd). Lace Up

Stafford Springs | Shawn Layne - Live Acoustic Rock | 2 PM - Acoustic rock at Four Seasons By The Lake (65 Old Springfield Rd).

Stafford Springs | Acoustic Sundays with Eddie Derocher | 2 PM - Live music by the pond at Mill Pond Country Store (220 East St).

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