If you’re going to stay up late one night this week, make it Wednesday. The Perseid meteor shower peaks August 12 into the early morning of August 13, and with a new moon keeping the sky extra dark, this could be the best viewing year in a decade.

We’ve got a built-in advantage out here, too. Head somewhere away from town lights around Union, Eastford, Woodstock, Pomfret or Hampton, or use a rural backyard where you’ve got permission. And if you want the easy button, Pinney Fields in Ellington is hosting a free Perseid watch Wednesday from 7:30 PM to midnight.

All this meteor talk sent me down a rabbit hole, and somehow I never realized we have two legit planetariums right here in the Quiet Corner.

Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic has the Robert K. Wickware Planetarium, a 60-seat space with a 30-foot dome capable of recreating 2,300 stars. It offers free public shows during the school year.

Then up in Storrs, UConn has the Cynthia Wyeth Peterson Memorial Planetarium, which reopened after a major restoration in 2024, plus a nearby observatory with a 16-inch telescope for checking out planets, stars and deep-sky objects.

Pretty cool reminder that you don’t have to go very far around here to explore what’s above us.

That ceiling stain might look like the obvious place to start, but roof leaks are sneaky. Water can travel along rafters, insulation, and roof decking before finally showing up inside your home, sometimes several feet from where it actually entered.

Common culprits include worn chimney flashing, aging skylights, roof valleys, cracked vent pipe seals, old storm damage, and even poor attic ventilation that creates moisture and condensation. The tricky part is that many of these problems are hard to spot from the ground, and a quick patch in the wrong place may only hide the issue temporarily.

Active leaks rarely fix themselves, and waiting can turn a small repair into damaged drywall, insulation, framing, or mold.

Got a mystery drip? Schedule a complimentary roof estimate with McClintock Roofing and have their team track down the real source.

There’s something pretty great about a tiny town throwing a day just to celebrate being itself. Union’s Old Home Day returns Saturday, August 15 on the Town Green, bringing neighbors together in one of Connecticut’s smallest communities for a good old-fashioned hometown tradition. If you’ve never spent much time in Union, this is a pretty good excuse to change that.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Summer, a sweet, adventurous Great Pyrenees mix who’s dog-friendly, loves exploring with her people and is basically 100 pounds of future best friend energy waiting at PawSafe in Eastford.

🏡House of the week: This one is seriously cool: the beloved “Ash House” was originally built around 1732, then carefully dismantled and rebuilt as a modern home while keeping its wide-plank floors, antique doors and even four working fireplaces. You’re getting 3 beds, 4 baths, 2,560 sq. ft. on 2.5 acres, including a traditional beehive bake oven that might be the most New England thing I’ve seen all week. Check it out!

🥾Trail of the week: Risley Reservoir starts off nice and peaceful, then Box Mountain decides your legs need a reality check. This 2.4-mile Vernon loop packs rocky climbs, reservoir views and a legit workout into a couple hours. Check out my favorite hikes around the Quiet Corner.

Did you know USDA loans aren’t just for farms? In eligible parts of Connecticut, qualified buyers can purchase a primary home with no down payment. Eligibility depends on the property address and total household income. Closing costs and purchase-related repairs may sometimes be financed, subject to appraisal and lender approval, while sellers can contribute up to 6% of the sale price toward eligible costs.

Contact Kimberly Joy to check your eligibility and navigate the process.

Andover | Reptiles & Amphibians with Riverside Reptiles | 6 PM - Meet live reptiles and amphibians at the library at Andover Public Library. Call to register 860-742-7428.

Ashford | Triple Play | 6:30 PM - Come out to listen to live music (25 Tremko Ln).

Plan your farmers markets visits

Bolton | Summer Concert Series- 384 East | 6:30 PM - Free outdoor concert in the park (206 Bolton Center Rd).

Ellington | FREE Movie: " Plus One at an Amish Wedding" | 1 PM - Free movie screening at the library (40 Maple Street).

Hebron | Revolutionary Connecticut! | 6:30 PM - The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History brings artifacts and firsthand documents to Douglas Library for a fascinating look at how Patriots and Loyalists navigated war, politics and daily life.

Willimantic | 2026 Summer Concert Series Finale: Shaded Soul Band at Shaboo Stage | 6:30 PM - Blues and soul with the Shaboo All-Stars at (1 Jillson Square).

Willington | Deep Cover @ Willington Summer Concert Series | 6:30 PM - Rock covers at the summer concert series at River Road Athletic Complex (511 River Rd).

Coventry | CLCC's Cruise Night & Car Shows 2026 | 5 PM - Classic cars and hot rods gather for the weekly show (2645 Boston Tpke).

Somers | The 60's Experience Plays Somers Summer Concert Series | 6 PM - 60s hits and nostalgia at the summer concert (19 Battle St).

Storrs | Summer Concerts on the Square: SIMILAR KIND | 6:30 PM - Live music at Betsy Paterson Square.

Vernon Rockville | Vernon Summer Concert Series with Nightshift! | 6:30 PM - Classic rock covers at the park concert series at Henry Park (60 Henry Pkwy).

Willington | Allman Brothers Band Concert Film | 5:45–8 PM -
Settle in at the Willington Public Library for a rare European television recording of a full Allman Brothers Band concert.

Canterbury | Highland Road at Ryan’s Place | 6 PM - Live country and rock covers at the local favorite at Ryans Place Canterbury Lunch & Dinner (180 Westminster Road).

Putnam | Giuliano | 8 PM - Live music at The Stomping Ground (132 Main St).

Putnam | Music on Main: Michael O’Keefe | 5 PM - Join the fun at this community event at 88 Main Street (88 Main St). Catch the Show

Woodstock | BONFIRE NIGHT🔥🍔 | 5 PM - Burgers, brews, and a bonfire at the farm at Elm Farm LLC (324 Woodstock Rd). Check It Out

Brooklyn | Shellfish & Champagne Farm Dinner | 5:30 PM - Elegant farm dinner featuring fresh shellfish and bubbly at Little Dipper Farm (499 Wolf Den Road). Explore

Columbia | Boho Bazaar @ Trailside Treasure | 11 AM - 5 PM - Bohemian-style vendors and handmade goods at Trailside Treasure (1 Cards Mill Rd).

Coventry | Live Music: Bill Frank | 1:30 PM - Live music and wine at the vineyard (454 Cassidy Hill Rd).

Coventry | Museum of Connecticut Glass Open House | 1–4 PM -Explore local glassworks, the historic Turner House and a new Connecticut dairy-bottle exhibit.

Danielson | Card & Collectibles Show | 9 AM - 2 PM | ($) - Sports cards, comics, and collectibles for buyers and sellers at Elks Lodge (13 Center St).

Dayville | Killingly Grange Agricultural Fair | 10 AM–7 PM -Classic country fair fun with agricultural exhibits, competitions and plenty of community spirit.

Hebron | Little Entrepreneurs Market | 10 AM | ($) - Kids sell their handmade goods and creations (14 Main Street). Shop Local

Putnam | Kt Lay live at Saw Dust Coffee House II | 6 PM - Live acoustic tunes at the cozy coffee house at Sawdust Coffee House & Dessert Bar II (91 Main St).

Somers | Somers America 250 | 12 -9  PM - Live music, food vendors, history and drone show at Field Road Park.

Thompson | Live Music: Joe Macey | 5 PM - Live acoustic performance (27 Main St). Hear It Liv

Vernon Rockville | 15th Annual KIDSAFE CT Jerry Bundy Car Show | 9 AM - 2 PM - Car show fundraiser supporting child safety programs (24 Hyde Ave). Check It Out

Willington | Dino at the Library with Judy Pancoast | 10:30 AM - Grammy-nominated Judy Pancoast brings dinosaurs, music, books and dancing to storytime at Willington Public Library.

Stafford Springs | Live Music: Second Helping | 2 PM - Laid-back acoustic duo performs by the pond at Mill Pond Country Store (220 East St).

Vernon | Sister Funk debut at The Rocking Horse | 3 PM - Funk and soul band debuts at the outdoor stage at Rocking Horse Bar & Grill (57 Hartford Tpke). Saddle Up

Woodstock | Live Music: Fox and the Dragon| 2 PM - Live folk-rock duo at the craft brewery at Taylor Brooke Brewery.

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