The response to the idea of a Let’s Learn Mahjong event was kind of ridiculous in the best way, which tells me a lot of you are very ready to start slamming tiles and pretending you know what’s going on. I’m now talking with local teachers and trying to get all the moving parts lined up: date, time, location, and what the final price will actually be. My goal is to make this happen in early to mid May, most likely on a Tuesday or Wednesday night... or honestly both, if enough of you want in.

I also heard you loud and clear on pricing. The $50 to $60 range was just me throwing out an early guess, and I think this will likely land closer to $30 to $40 for a two-hour guided session, which feels a lot more reasonable. We’ll most likely start with traditional Chinese-style mahjong, since that gives you the real foundation and makes it easier to branch into American mahjong later. Also, my brother in Shanghai would absolutely roast me if I kicked this whole thing off with American mahjong first, which would put it right up there with the other crimes we’ve committed against Chinese food over here.

Spring is finally starting to rear its head, and right along with it comes outdoor patio season. Here are a few of my favorite spots to post up, soak in a little sun, and pretend 58 degrees is absolutely good enough.

Willibrew | Willimantic

Main Street energy in its purest form… you grab a seat outside and suddenly you’re part of the action whether you planned to be or not. Solid beer, constant foot traffic, and the kind of spot where one drink quietly turns into three.

85 Main | Putnam

This place just feels like Putnam: lively, a little chaotic in a good way, and always something going on. The patio fills up fast for a reason… it’s one of those “stay longer than you meant to” kind of spots.

Anya | Thompson

If you’re trying to elevate things a bit, this is the move… clean, polished, and the outdoor space feels like a mini garden escape. It’s the kind of patio where you slow things down and actually enjoy the setting.

Lakeview | Coventry

You come here for the lake, plain and simple… the views carry the whole experience. Perfect for a relaxed drink where you’re just staring out at the water pretending you don’t have responsibilities.

Dog Lane | Storrs

Top-tier people watching… college town energy without having to fully commit to it. Grab a seat, hang out, and just let the scene entertain you.

Worthington Vineyards | Somers

Bring a blanket, grab a bottle, and settle in… this is peak picnic territory. It’s quiet, scenic, and feels like you accidentally stumbled into a perfect little weekend plan.

Dinner Club has honestly been one of my favorite things we’ve started. Our Wethersfield Dinner Club was a big success, and it was a blast seeing a bunch of strangers show up, loosen up, and leave feeling like they’d known each other way longer than two hours.

Next up, we’re heading to Manchester on May 21st at 6:30 PM, and I’d love to fill this one up, so if you’ve been thinking about coming, this is your sign. You can now add a plus one, and the $16 reservation fee saves your spot at the table.

Now that we’ve combined the newsletters, should we finally try to pull off a Dinner Club out this way? The weather’s getting better, people are emerging from hibernation, and if you’d be down for May 21st at 6:30 pm in the Willimantic/Mansfield area, only hit yes if you’re actually in.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Sulfira, a 5-month-old husky mix with big puppy energy: goofy, sweet, toy-obsessed, great with kids and dogs, and pretty much built to turn your house into a happier, louder place.

🏡House of the week: This circa-1766 Cape on 3.7 acres is basically Quiet Corner catnip: 1,988 square feet, wide-plank floors, hand-hewn beams, three fireplaces, and a renovated historic barn that feels like it’s begging to become a studio, workshop, or the place where you suddenly become the kind of person who says “I’ve been restoring furniture.” It’s got multiple patios, open field views and historic stone walls, which is a pretty absurd amount of charm for one address. Have a look!

🥾Trail of the week: Head to Soapstone Mountain in Somers via Shenipsit State Forest, where a relatively short climb gets you to an observation tower with big views at the top. It’s a solid payoff without needing to pretend you’re training for Everest.

🔭Sky report: The Lyrid meteor shower peaks the night of April 21 into April 22, and NASA says that is your best shot at catching a legit batch of shooting stars, especially looking toward the eastern sky later at night.

CT “Did You Know”: Local Property Tax Nuances in CT

In Connecticut, no two towns are the same when it comes to property taxes. Every town sets their mill rate in the spring with tax bills typically due on July 1 and January 1.

Want to see a side by side comparison for the towns you’re eyeing to understand how taxes impact your monthly payment and overall buying power? Reach out today for a personalized breakdown so you can shop with confidence.

From Hartford to Greensboro, N. Carolina for 78 bucks* non-stop roundtrip, end of August for an extended weekend stay. See the deal!

From Hartford to San Juan, Puerto Rico for 128 bucks* non-stop roundtrip, early May for a week stay. See the deal!

*Prices at the time of writing subject to change

This week’s featured events are basically a full-blown tag sale tour, so if you enjoy hunting for hidden gems, random antiques, or stuff you definitely don’t need but will buy anyway… this is your moment.

Clear your trunk… you’re going to need the space.

Last week’s Quiet Corner trivia question was about Mary Kies, and she’s one of those historical figures who deserves way more attention than she gets. In 1809, she became the first woman in the United States to receive a patent, for a method of weaving straw with silk or thread that helped improve hat-making and gave a boost to American industry at a time when imported goods were harder to come by.

Last week’s Tolland County Buzz trivia was about the Andover Creamery Corporation, and it’s a cool little piece of local history: founded in 1886 by 76 local shareholders, it worked like a farmer co-op, helping small dairy producers combine resources and make butter more efficiently. They were apparently pretty damn good at it too, winning a bronze medal for butter at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Going forward, we’re switching things up a bit, so each week you’ll get a trivia hit from either Windham County or Tolland County… keeps things fresh and gives both sides their moment.

🦗🦗🦗

Ellington | Acrylics on Canvas: Butterfly | 9AM | ($) - Paint a beautiful butterfly with instructor Sandy Poirier at Ellington Senior Center (40 Maple St). Create!

Killingly | Earth Day Clean Up | 10AM-2PM - Join master gardeners removing brush and hiking trails for Earth Day at Cat Hollow Park (Dayville).

Killingly | Spring Blooms Candle-Making Workshop | 6PM | ($) - Craft spring-scented candles with dried botanicals at Black Pond Brews. Wicked

Lebanon | Earth Day Hike: Two Revolutions | 2PM-4PM - A cool little Windham/Tolland-adjacent outing that starts at Lebanon’s Revolutionary War Office with a nod to the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, then heads to Pigeon Swamp Preserve for a guided hike with Professor Robert Thorson out to the overlook at Big Pond. Register

Mansfield | Windham Area Sons of Liberty - A history stop at the Mansfield Public Library on Warrenville Road, where the Mansfield Historical Society will dig into the Windham Area Sons of Liberty.

Mansfield | UConn Earth Day Spring Fling | 11AM-2PM - Annual eco-fest with organic foods, artisan vendors and environmental groups at UConn Campus (Fairfield Way).

Thompson | Psychic Medium Patty Griffin | 6PM | ($) - Group reading with renowned medium, first drink included at Triple Raven Brewing (27 Main St). Connect!

Villa Louisa | Bobby Darin & Frank Sinatra Show | 11:30AM-3:30PM | ($) - Swing into the season with lunch and matinee tribute show at A Villa Louisa.

Windham | Tavern Night with Jack Dawson | 5PM | ($) - Actor portrays Titanic's Jack sharing his story and favorite fare at Jillson House Museum (627 Main St). Experience!

Willimantic | Earth Day Fair + Meet Rachel Carson | 3:30PM-6:30PM - At the Willimantic Food Co-op, with an Earth Day fair, a chance to “meet” Rachel Carson, and a bunch of other activities mixed in.

Woodstock | Lighted Sea Glass Hearts | 6PM-8PM | ($) - Create a glowing 10" heart from recycled sea glass at Taylor Brooke Brewery. Craft!

Woodstock | Trivia Wednesdays | 6:30PM - Family-friendly team trivia night with DJ Chill at Woodstock Tavern.

Coventry | Acoustic Anomaly | 6PM - Live acoustic music returns at The Bidwell Tavern and Cafe (Coventry).

Stafford | Less Mess Tie Dye | 6:30PM | ($) - Adult-only tie dye night with drink included at Stafford Cidery (21+). Create!

Windham | Mandala Dot Night | 6PM-8PM | ($) - Therapeutic pottery painting with symmetrical dot designs at The Lily Pad (794 Main St). Nice

Andover | ALPOA Dinner Dance | 6PM - Fundraiser with live music by Ned the Band at Andover Pizza & Bar. Dance!

Andover | Spring Barn Sale | 10AM-3PM - 5th annual vintage-themed barn sale with unique finds at She Shed Creations (200 Hebron Rd). (open 4/25 as well)

Chaplin | Open Mic Poetry Night | 6PM - Celebrate Poetry Month with readings by Poet Laureate Victoria Northrop at Chaplin Library (130 Chaplin St).

Killingly | Exploring Freedom: PBS Viewing | 1PM - Watch Ken Burns' "The American Revolution" documentary at Killingly Public Library (25 Westcott Rd).

Killingly | Divine Dabbers Bingo Night | 6:30PM - Evening of bingo fun at South Killingly Fire Department.

Plainfield | Thursday Night Karaoke | 8PM - Sing your heart out with DJ Sarah at Music Lady Cafe (Central Village).

Thompson | Spring Session Drifting | 3PM | ($) - Non-stop drifting action with beginners clinic at Raceway (205 East Thompson Rd). Drive!

Thompson | Mystery Dinner Theater | 6PM | ($) - Interactive whodunit with dinner at Thompson High School Cafeteria. Solve!

Windham | Ecstatic Dance Social | 7:30PM | ($) - Dance freely to uplifting music, no choreography needed at The River Room (50 Riverside Dr). Dance!

Brooklyn | Northeast Truck Fest | 12PM - Badass truck show hosted by Broken Budget Diesels at Brooklyn Fairgrounds.

Coventry | Fair on Main | 10AM-3PM - Monthly handmade goods and local treats market at 1047 Main St (2nd Floor).

Ellington | Earth Day Celebration | 10AM-2PM - 70+ vendors, live entertainment, games and recycling drives at Town Green.

Killingly | Bluegrass Show | 6PM | ($) - Nick Anderson & Shady Creek perform the season finale at Killingly Grange (801 Hartford Tpke).

Mansfield | Tag Sale Trail | 8AM-1PM - Town-wide tag sale event with dozens of locations at Mansfield Community Center (10 S Eagleville Rd). Trail Maps

Plainfield | Fairy Tale Scavenger Hunt | 1PM-4PM - Meet rescue horses and walk the magical woodland trail at Hay Burr Inn (169 Black Hill Rd).

Plainfield | Bake Haus Opening | 10AM - Roadside honor-system bakery opens for the season at 392 Squaw Rock Rd (Moosup).

Pomfret | Roadside Cleanup | 8AM - Earth Day community cleanup with supplies provided at Pomfret Community School. Volunteer!

Putnam | Beautification Day | 8:30AM - Town cleanup with volunteer lunch and trophies at Rotary Park. Help!

Putnam | Roald Dahl's Matilda | 7PM | ($) - Tony Award-winning musical at Bradley Playhouse (30 Front St). Watch - Runs through May 10th

Putnam | The Euphoralites Live | 8PM-11PM - A solid night out of live music at The Stomping Ground on Main Street.

Scotland | Festival Ceilidh | 6PM-9PM - Traditional Scottish dance and entertainment at Scotland Volunteer Fire Dept.

Stafford | The Rock Show 30 Year Reunion | 8PM - Classic rock reunion tour at Four Seasons by the Lake.

Thompson | Car Cruise Charity Show | 10AM | ($) - Student-organized car show benefiting fire department at 785 Riverside Dr. Cruise!

Thompson | Earth Day Trail Cleanup | 9AM - Trail work and trash pickup with lunch provided at West Thompson Lake. Volunteer!

Thompson | Paws Cat Shelter Comedy | 6PM | ($) - Stand-up comedy fundraiser with cash bar at Valley Springs Sportsmans Club.

Vernon | Holistic Healthfest | 10AM | - 13th annual fest with practitioners and vendors at 777 Hartford Tpke.

Vernon | Greenhouse Gathering | 9AM-3PM - Plant sale with rare finds, pottery, jewelry and more at 214 Merline Rd.

Windham | Evan Wood Trio | 7:30PM | ($) - Live jazz celebrating The River Room's 1-year anniversary at 50 Riverside Dr. Groove!

Coventry | Open Horse Show | 10AM - UConn open horse show team event at Babcock Hill "Horses Naturally" LLC.

Ellington | Peet Trio Live | 8PM - Live music with great food and drinks at The Hidden Still.

Hebron | Open Mic at TFG | 10AM | ($) - Kids & family open mic hosted by Wilder Moon Collective at The Dooryard (14 Main St). Perform!

Mansfield | Introduction to Sourdough | 2PM | ($) - Learn starter care and baking with take-home kit at Rooted Dreams (Mansfield Center). Bake!

Pomfret | The Crowded Table | 2PM-4PM - Female-led networking community meets at Vanilla Bean Cafe.

Putnam | Trivia Night | 6PM - Monthly team trivia with prizes at Montana Nights (50 Providence Pike).

Rocking Horse | 384 East Live | 9PM - Epic return of 384 East at Rocking Horse.

Stafford | Steel N Eazy + Arizona Maid | 2PM | - Double bill of live music, no cover at Four Seasons by the Lake (51 Old Springfield Rd).

Tolland | Mother's Day Pop Up Shop | 9AM-12:30PM - 3rd annual shop with local vendors at 45 Industrial Park Rd West.

Vernon | Knit & Sip Blanket Workshop | 10AM | ($) - Handknit your own blanket with snacks included at A Better Self Fitness (Vernon). Create!

Vernon | Spring Wildflower Walk | 10AM - Guided walk spotting early spring flowers at Valley Falls Park (345 Valley Falls Rd).

Windham | Colonial Currency Talk | 4PM - Learn about pre-Revolution money at Mill Museum (645 Main St).

Andover | Introduction to Sourdough | 6PM | ($) - Beginner sourdough class with take-home supplies at Over AndOver. Bake!