Happy Almost Father's Day!

BRIEF BITES

🏫 Windham Center School is saying goodbye - after a heartfelt closing celebration, the beloved school will shut its doors when the calendar flips past the end of the 2024‑25 year.

🍽️ The Hare & The Hound in downtown Putnam just earned a feature on America’s Best Restaurants Roadshow, dazzling appetites with flaky Wellington, Guinness stew, and “Mother Cluckin’ Waffles”!

🍕 The Broken Crust in Putnam just took center stage on America’s Best Restaurants Roadshow, dazzling fans with its quirky “Luau Pizza” and standout sandwiches under one flavorful roof!

HIVE CHARITY

Tucked into the quiet woods of Ashford like a real-life animal utopia, Our Companions Animal Rescue isn’t your average shelter—it’s more like a five-star healing retreat for cats and dogs with baggage. We’re talking 47 acres of TLC, where pups with trust issues and cats with a history get custom care plans, behavioral help, and the kind of patience most people can’t even muster for Comcast. No cages, no ticking clocks—just homey cottages, fenced-in fields, and staff that actually know the animals’ backstories. It’s basically rehab, but for the furry and misunderstood.

Started by a group of folks who said “what if we just…did it better?”, Our Companions is all about long-term solutions, not quick adoptions. They also run a wellness center, host training workshops, and offer pet support services that make you wish you lived closer. So if you’ve ever thought, “man, I wish animals had therapists,” guess what—they do. And they live in Ashford. 🐾

BUZZWORTHY ACTIVITY🐝

SATURDAY 6/14

Willimantic | Making Preserves, Pickles, & More | 10am $ - Groceries aren’t getting any cheaper, so why not learn how to start canning your own food? Windham Historical Society (627 Main St) is giving you just that chance.

More deets

HIVE PROPERTY

Welcome to the Benjamin Bosworth House, but locals just call it The Castle - because yeah, it kinda is. Built in 1796 and dripping in old-school craftsmanship, this Eastford landmark has 4,500+ sq ft of historic weird and wonderful: 4 beds, 2.5 baths, 11 fireplaces (because apparently one per room wasn’t enough), hand-carved everything, and a full-height monitor that used to be a Masonic lodge.

You’ve got a parlor, a tea room that gets perfect afternoon sun, a pantry with an antique basin, and even a copper sink with a wooden drainboard - you can’t make this stuff up. Built by Benjamin Bosworth himself, who helped move the town’s original meeting house, this place is basically a time machine with better vibes. History nerds, antique lovers, and design junkies - this one’s for you.

TUESDAY (6/10)

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Allysen Callery | 8-11pm

WEDNESDAY (6/11)

Thompson | TRG Cruise Night | 4-9pm - Thompson Rod and Gun Club (93 Brandy Hill Rd) is holding the first of their monthly car nights. Food available, but CASH ONLY. Family-friendly event.

Windham | Business After Hours | 5:30-7pm - The Windham Region Chamber of Commerce is holding a night of networking at Vanderman Place (595 Valley St) for chamber members.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Ryans Place - Canterbury | Mike Costa | 7pm

TRIVIA

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

THURSDAY (6/12)

Putnam | Zen Plant Night | 6:30pm $ - Create a mini Zen garden with succulents and other fun accents at Montana Nights Axe Throwing (50 Providence Pike). Call (860) 214-7573 for details.

Windham | Libertea | 5pm $ - Learn about the history of the Willimantic Camp Meeting Association at The America Museum (47 Crescent St).

Woodstock | Peg Loom Workshop | 6-8pm $ - Learn how to create a circular piece at Taylor Brooke Brewery (818 Rt 171). Space is extremely limited. Sign-up

Woodstock | Guest Bartending Benefit | 5-8pm - Have some drinks and help raise money for Paws Cat Shelter at the Woodstock Tavern (35 Rt 171). Every 30 minutes, guest bartenders will rotate.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Straight Up Jazz Series | 5:30-7:30pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Evan Gianfriddo Trio | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

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

FRIDAY (6/13)

Brooklyn | BBQ Dinner Fundraiser | 5-7:30pm $ - Help support Scouts BSA Troop 90 by enjoying some delicious barbecue at Trinity Episcopal Church (7 Providence Rd). Pre-order

Canterbury | History of Knitted Maritime Clothing | 7:30pm - Rebecca Bayreuther Donohue is diving into the history of the knitted garment and how it made it’s way around the seas at the Canterbury Town Hall (1 Municipal Dr).

Danielson | Free Monthly Meal | 5-6pm - Westfield Church (210 Main St) is inviting anyone looking for a free meal, a chance to eat and socialize.

Danielson | Grand Opening | 5pm - The Craft Collective and The Barber’s Loft (142 Main St) are celebrating their grand opening. Help welcome them to the community!

Putnam | A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 7:30pm $ - Take in this Shakespeare classic at The Bradley Playhouse (30 Front St). Tix - more shows throughout the weekend.

Sterling | Tibetan Sound Healing & Fire Ceremony | 7-9pm $ - Wild Ride (130 Old Cranston Rd) is hosting exactly what the title says. More deets

Willimantic | Leaf/Flower Pressing In Clay | 6pm $ - Create some nature inspired pieces of pottery at Spiral Arts Studio (750 Main St). More info

Willimantic | Zaccai Curtis Afro-Latin Quintet | 8-10:30pm $ - Grammy Award-winner Zaccai Curtis is making his debut at The River Room (50 Riverside Dr). There is also a 2nd performance 6/14. Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Black Dog - Putnam | Harmonie Road | 8pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | The Cannibal Ramblers | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

Taylor Brooke Brewery - Woodstock | 6:30pm

SATURDAY (6/14)

Canterbury | Public Mural Painting | 12-2:30pm $ - Help create a lasting piece of art on the Sauna at the Finnish American Heritage Society (76 North Canterbury Rd). Sign-up

Dayville | Drum Circle | 7-9pm - Killingly Parks & Rec has organized a free drum circle at Owen Bell Park (580 Hartford Pike). Make sure to ask before borrowing someone’s percussion instrument.

Hampton | Round Penning Rohania Style | 10am-2pm $ - Learn how to use a round pen to step up your horse game at Rohania Farm (91 Lewis Rd). Message them to sign up.

Putnam | Artisan & Craft Fair | 8:30am-2:30pm - Congregational Church of Putnam (175 Main St) is holding the Shannon Labonte Memorial Artisans & Craft Fair. Baskets & items to be raffled.

Thompson | Brews & BBQ | 2pm $ - Black Pond Brews is teaming up with New Boston Beef (17 Fabyan Woodstock Rd) for a pairing of smoked meats and locally brewed beers. Tix

Willimantic | Chakra Bracelet & Sound Bath | 1-4pm $ - The Mad Crafterz are running a chakra bracelet-making and sound bath meditation class at the Eastern CT Veterans Community Center (47 Crescent St). Sign-up

Willimantic | Try It Night | 6pm $ - Channel your inner artisan by trying your hand at spinning mud (pottery) at Spiral Arts Studio (759 Main St). You may or may not get kicked out for channeling your inner Ghost. Tix

Willimantic | YONO Health & Wellness Fair | 10am-3pm - Learn about the latest natural and holistic health practices. Speak with practitioners, browse vendors, and learn something new at YONO Yoga (59 Church St).

Willimantic | Farmers Market | 8am-12pm - Here’s your weekly reminder about the Willimantic Farmers Market (28 Bridge St).

Windham | Golf Tournament | 12pm $ - Help support the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Dept at Windham Golf Course (184 Club Rd). Ticket includes 18 holes, lunch, and buffet dinner. Sign-up

Woodstock | Summer Reading Book Fair | 12-5pm - Pick up a new book to read from recommendations from A Great Notion at Taylor Brooke Winery (818 Rt 171).

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Triple Raven Brewing - North Grosvenordale | Matt Andrews | 6-8pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | The Island Farm Ceilie Band | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Dr. G and the Believers | 8-11pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke Winery - Woodstock | Nick Casey | 2-5pm
⬢ Broken Crust - Putnam | Drew Carey | 5:30pm
⬢ 4G’s Restaurant - Dayville | KT Lay | 5-8pm

SUNDAY (6/15) - Happy Father’s Day!

Brooklyn | Artlab & Lunch | 11am-2pm $ - Little Dipper Farm (499 Wolf Den Rd) is hosting another one of their extremely popular artlab sessions. Sign-up quick, these tend to sell-out!

Putnam | Comic Benefit Sale | 10am - Wonderland Comics (160 Main St) is continuing their fundraising for pancreatic cancer research. 10% of new and back issues of comics will be donated.

Putnam | Weaving Workshop | 10am $ - Space is still available for a workshop in weaving different designs at Woolworks Ltd (154 Main St). Call (860) 963-1228 for details.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Briezy Jane and The Hurricane | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Open Mic | 7-11:30pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke Winery - Woodstock | Tony Garcia | 2-5pm

 MONDAY (6/16)

Willimantic | Wally Lamb Book Release | 7-9pm $ - Meet nationally acclaimed local writer Wally Lamb (that was one heckuva lead up) at The River Room (50 Riverside Dr). All attendees will receive a signed copy of his book with their ticket.

LIVE MUSIC

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