Big thanks to Pet Supplies Plus for sponsoring the first-ever Connecticut Buzz Mutt Madness. They’re helping make the whole thing even more fun by putting up a $100 gift card for the winner and a $50 gift card for second place.

If you’ve been to Pet Supplies Plus, you know the deal: friendly staff, all the pet essentials, and plenty of reasons to spoil your dog a little more than you probably should. We’re pumped to have them backing a community contest built for local dog lovers, proud pet parents, and some very photogenic pups.

Huge thanks to everyone who entered the first-ever Connecticut Buzz Mutt Madness. We got more than 40 submissions, which is awesome, but it meant we had to cap the bracket at the first 32 pups entered.

Voting starts now for Round 1 and runs through Monday. Then we’ll drop the next matchup round in next week’s newsletter, so get those votes in and let the dog madness begin.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Quiche, an eight-week-old dobie mix with soulful eyes, a big personality, and the kind of face that could probably get away with just about anything.

🏡House of the week: Built in 1829, it’s got five bedrooms, wide plank floors, five fireplaces, a detached two-car garage, plus an in-ground pool and pool house tucked behind the old-school charm. Check it out!

🔭Sky report: Look up after sunset this week and you’ll spot Jupiter blazing bright in the evening sky, one of those “wow that’s definitely a planet” lights hanging over Windham County. Early risers might also catch a few stray meteors before dawn, especially if you’re somewhere nice and dark along the Quiet Corner back roads.

Blondie’s is taking over the iconic Traveler Restaurant in Union, which means one of Connecticut’s most legendary roadside stops is getting a new chapter. The good news is Blondie’s says it plans to keep the books and carry over the old staff, so this isn’t a total plot twist, more like a diner reboot with familiar bones.

Dinner Club is heading back to West Hartford on March 19 at 6:30 pm, and honestly, it’s a pretty great way to meet new people without the usual weird small talk and bar yelling. You take a quick personality quiz, we match you with five others, then you show up to a surprise restaurant and get the after-hours spot by text later on. Your meal is on you, and it’s $16 to grab your seat. Show up hungry and there’s a decent chance you leave knowing a few more people than when you walked in.

Donna Lange brings the Quiet Corner to life with oil landscapes, mixed media, and collage, all rooted in her Irish heritage and a strong sense of place. With an illustrator’s eye, she sneaks in a figure or animal to pull you into the story hiding in everyday scenes. Her work has been featured in juried shows across New England.

A hundred years ago, the Bradley Theatre was hyping a big three-day run of Mary Pickford starring in Little Annie Rooney, back when silent film royalty could pack a house in Windham County. Evening admission was 25 cents for adults and 10 cents for kids, which feels like the kind of movie night price modern parents can only dream about.

This is the kind of local fundraiser that understands the assignment. Show up at The AVERY House on Saturday, March 14 for wine, food, homemade and store-bought pies, plus a little friendly competition as famed pastry chef Matt Miller judges the entries and hands out prizes for the top three. Bring a homemade pie and you’re in free, bring a store-bought pie and it’s $10, or just come hungry for $20. All proceeds support Windham Preservation Inc. and the Windham Inn.

In last week’s trivia, 23% got the answer right. Back in 1796, Plainfield physician Dr. Elisha Perkins received one of the earliest medical patents in U.S. history for a device called “Metallic Tractors.” Despite the agricultural-sounding name, these weren’t farm tools at all. They were small metal rods that doctors would gently draw across a patient’s skin, supposedly to pull disease and pain out of the body.

Perkins believed the rods worked by extracting harmful electrical energy that caused ailments like inflammation, gout, and rheumatism. Patients across the United States and Europe swore by the treatment for a time, making the Metallic Tractors wildly popular. Eventually, though, the device became one of the earliest famous examples of a medical placebo, after doctors demonstrated that wooden versions worked just as well as the metal ones. Even so, Perkins’ quirky invention still holds a place in history as one of America’s first patented medical devices.

In Connecticut, the "Spring Market" isn't just a season; it’s a high-stakes sport. Inventory is finally blooming, but so is the competition. If you want to win the keys to your dream home this year, you need a playbook that goes beyond a basic pre-approval.

Step 1: The "Local Edge" Pre-Approval
Generic online lenders often miss the nuances of CT property taxes or local closing customs. Get a verified pre-approval that looks like cash to a seller.

Step 2: Offer Strategy
With market volatility, timing is everything. As you attend showings and open houses, we will underwrite your file to mortgage approval. Send along those properties that you love for the best monthly payment options.

Step 3: Fast-Track Closings
In a multiple-offer scenario, a 21-day closing guarantee is often more attractive to a seller than a slightly higher price tag.

The market moves fast, but with the right strategy, you move faster. Let’s get your financing "Spring Ready."

North Grosvenor Dale | Blackout Poetry Night | 5:30-7 PM - Get creative and transform old book pages into art at this free poetry workshop at Thompson Public Library (934 Riverside Dr).

South Windham | Pokémon Night | 6 PM - Calling all trainers! Bring your cards and battle at this family program at Guilford Smith Memorial Library (17 Main St). Registration required. Email Shea at [email protected] to register.

Willimantic | Blues Jam Session & Open Mic | 7 PM - The Kingpins Blues Band hosts an evening of grooves and open mic at The River Room (50 Riverside Dr).

Willimantic | Books & Brews March Edition | 6 PM - Grab a pint and discuss this month's read at Willimantic Brewing Co (967 Main St).

Putnam | Needle Felted Leprechaun Evening Class | 5:30 PM | ($) - Craft an adorable felted leprechaun just in time for St. Patrick's Day at Victoria Station Cafe (154 Main St).

Willimantic | Saint Patrick's Festive Arrangement | 6 PM | ($) - Create a stunning St. Paddy's floral arrangement with Rooted Dreams at Willimantic Brewing Co (967 Main St). Make

Woodstock | "National Dream Day" at Taylor Brooke Brewery | 4-8 PM - Celebrate your aspirations with craft brews at Taylor Brooke Brewery (818 Rt 171).

Woodstock | Trivia Wednesdays | 6:30 PM - Test your knowledge and compete for bragging rights at Woodstock Tavern (35 Route 171).

Brooklyn | Women of the American Revolution | 7:30pm – History gets the spotlight on the Women of the American Revolution at Trinity Episcopal Church Parish House.

Danielson | Spring Paint Workshop | 6 PM | ($) - Brush up on your skills at this seasonal painting class at Tunk City Studio (13 Water St).

Putnam | Karaoke | 6 PM - Belt out your favorite tunes at Montana Nights (50 Providence Pike).

Canterbury | 23rd Annual Irish Night: Lighting the Way Home | 5 PM | ($) - Celebrate Irish heritage with food, music, and merriment at Wright's Mill Farm (65 Creasey Rd). Fun

Canterbury | Mike Giammarco Live | 6 PM - Catch live acoustic tunes at Ryan's Place (Canterbury).

Danielson | Make Your Own Hobbit/Fairy Door Wreath | 6 PM | ($) - Craft an enchanting wreath at Mariah Lee Photography (13 Water St). Make

Moosup | Team Trivia & Partyoke Fridays | 7 PM - Trivia meets karaoke for a fun Friday night at Music Lady Cafe (6 Green Hollow Rd). L

Putnam | Legally Blonde - The Musical | 7:30 PM | ($) - Oh my God, you guys! Elle Woods takes the stage at The Bradley Playhouse (79 Livery St). Runs through the weekend. Experience

Willimantic | The Importance of Being Earnest | 7 PM | ($) - Oscar Wilde's witty masterpiece performed by Windham Theatre Guild (779 Main St).

Willimantic | Social Dance at the River Room | 7:30 PM - Swing, salsa, or waltz the night away at The River Room (50 Riverside Dr).

Woodstock | Youth Game Night | 6-9 PM - Teens gather for board games, video games, and fun at The Woodstock Academy (41 Hill Cemetery Rd).

Brooklyn | Spring Running 2026 | 8:30 AM | ($) - Lace up and run into spring at Prince Hill (Prince Hill Rd). Register

Danielson | Auditions for Dear Evan Hansen | 10 AM - Show off your vocals and audition for this powerful musical at Quinebaug Valley Community College (185 Broad St).

Danielson | Poker Tournament | 2 PM - Ante up and try your luck at this Texas Hold'em tournament (13 Center St).

Danielson | Piece Be with You Dessert Auction | 5 PM - Bid on delicious homemade desserts at Westfield Church (210 Main St).

Hampton | Soup 'N Silents | 5 PM - Warm up with soup while enjoying classic silent films at Hampton Congregational Church (263 Main St).

Mansfield Center | Eastbrook Marketplace - Craft Supply DeStash | 10 AM - Score deals on crafting supplies from local destashers at Eastbrook Mall (95 Storrs Rd).

North Windham | Luck of the Irish Paint Party | 3 PM - Get festive and paint a St. Patrick's Day masterpiece at Franco-American Club (116 Club Rd).

Pomfret Center | Turas at Vanilla Bean Cafe | 7 PM | ($) - Listen to traditional Irish music from Turas at Vanilla Bean Cafe (450 Deerfield Rd).

Putnam | Free Beginner Yoga Workshop | 12 PM | ($) - New to yoga? Start your journey with this intro workshop at Warrior Within 101 (134 Main St). Free but registration required.

Sterling | Sunset Hike with Mustangs | 5 PM | ($) - Hike alongside rescued mustangs at sunset at Wild Ride CT (130 Old Cranston Rd). Awesome

Thompson | Season Opener Lock City Drift | 9 AM - The 2026 season kicks off at Thompson Speedway (205 East Thompson Rd).

Thompson | TRG Meat Raffle | 12 PM - Try your luck at this meat raffle fundraiser at Thompson Rod & Gun Club (93 Brandy Hill Rd).

Thompson | Musician Tyler Fauxbel | 4 PM - Enjoy live music from Tyler Fauxbel in Thompson (27 Main St).

Thompson | QVR Rotaract Around the World Trivia Night | 6 PM | ($) - Compete in globe-trotting trivia at Raceway Golf Club & Restaurant (245 E Thompson Rd). Compete

Willimantic | Nick Biello Quartet + Amanda Roy, Painter | 7:30 PM | ($) - Jazz meets art as the Nick Biello Quartet performs while Amanda Roy paints live. Experience it at The River Room (50 Riverside Dr). Fun

Woodstock | Karaoke Saturdays | 8 PM - Grab the mic and sing your heart out at Woodstock Tavern (35 Somers Tpke).

Danielson | Make Your Own Bag Charm or Charm Bracelets | 12-2 PM | ($) - Design custom charms at Mountain Laurel Floral Designs (98 Main St). Make

Moosup | Benefit Breakfast for the Plainfield Agricultural Society | 8-11AM | ($) - Nothing fancy here, just a good old-fashioned community breakfast for a good cause.

Willimantic | Winter Concert 2026 | 3 PM - Catch the Windham High School musicians perform at their winter concert at Windham High School (355 High St).

Woodstock | Fox and the Dragon @ Taylor Brooke Brewery | 2 PM - Live music from Fox and the Dragon at Taylor Brooke Brewery (818 Route 171).

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