On Sunday we had our little midsummer meetup at a local winery, which got me thinking I needed to put together a resource with all the local breweries, wineries and distilleries in the area. So I went down the rabbit hole and mapped out 16 spots across Windham and Tolland counties, from farm breweries and vineyards to a couple of local distilleries. Save the guide, pick a spot and go support somewhere local this summer.

Sunday’s Midsummer Meet Up at Quiet Corner Winery was a great afternoon for the handful of you who joined us, but clearly we haven’t cracked the code on getting more of you out of the house. So help me out: what would actually make you show up to a Buzz event? A structured activity? Free food? Smaller town meetups? A bring-a-friend deal? Tell me, because I refuse to believe all of you are this committed to your couches. 😂

Broncos Puebla Cuisine reopened at its new Willimantic spot on July 15 at 1242 Main St (860-207-3516) - inside the Sun Mart, and I’m always willing to help welcome a local business back when tacos are involved. They’re serving up juicy birria, al pastor, carnitas and plenty more, all tucked into warm tortillas and loaded with flavor. Honestly, the hardest part might be pretending three tacos will be enough. Stop by hungry and let me know which one was your favorite. 🌮

Think you’ve got a five-letter brain? Take a swing at this week’s Buzzword, our Quiet Corner spin on Wordle, and see how fast you can crack it.

Putnam is going completely quackers this weekend. Head downtown Sunday from 9 AM–2 PM for the Main Street Car Cruise, featuring more than 2,500 classic cars, live music, vendors and a huge free Kids Corner at Rotary Park. Then tune in Monday at noon as thousands of rubber ducks hit the secret pond live on WINY and Facebook, with 100+ prizes, including a $1,000 Visa gift card.

I was honestly surprised that most of you knew Connecticut’s state insect is the European praying mantis. A fourth-grade class from Center Road School in Vernon brought the idea to lawmakers, and it officially became our state insect in 1977. The strange part is that it is not actually native to Connecticut. It originated in northern Africa, southern Europe and parts of Asia before being introduced here.

Connecticut is the only state represented by the European praying mantis, although we are not the only state with a non-native official insect. Its name comes from a Greek word meaning “prophet” or “diviner,” inspired by those folded front legs that make it look like it’s praying.

Think you know the Quiet Corner? You can still put your local knowledge to the test anytime at quietcornerbuzz.com/trivia.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Towne, a one-year-old, dog-friendly shepherd mix with incredible ears, an easygoing personality and a serious weakness for head scratches.

🏡House of the week: This circa-1770 estate is basically its own little village, with 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3,018 square feet, nearly four private acres, an attached apartment, multiple garages, outbuildings and even a private dock. Check it out!

🥾Sighting of the week: Great Golden Digger Wasp | (Sphex ichneumoneus)

🔭Sky report: The Perseids are starting to wake up, so watch for early shooting stars after midnight as the constellation Perseus climbs higher, with the big moonless peak coming August 12–13. The Moon reaches third quarter Wednesday at 10:21 p.m., then delivers two great predawn pairings: beside the Pleiades around 4 a.m. Friday and near orange Mars around 4 a.m. Sunday. Earlier in the night, look overhead for the Summer Triangle, anchored by Vega, Deneb and Altair.

VENDORS WANTED: Local makers, crafters and small businesses, here’s a great chance to share what you do while supporting something meaningful. The 3rd Annual Darlene Murphy Craft Fair is looking for vendors for Saturday, November 7, from 10 AM–2 PM at Mansfield Elementary School. Spaces are $25, with tables available for $5. Email [email protected] to register and help honor Darlene’s legacy.

SINGERS WANTED: Got a strong tenor or bass voice and miss singing with a group? Mansfield-based Take Note! is auditioning experienced choral singers for Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Bass 1 and Bass 2. You’ll need to read music and rehearse Monday evenings. Auditions run through August 15. Email [email protected] to get started.

Ashford | New City Road | 6:30 PM - Live music at 25 Tremko Ln.

Canterbury | Car Cruise | 4:30-7:30 PM - Classic cars gather at St. Augustine Church.

Plainfield | Car Cruise with Ron Bettez | 5-8 PM - Live music and classic cars at Hank’s Dairy.

Tolland | Kelsey Kaplan and Kevin Maki | 6:30 PM - Live acoustic duo at Hicks-Stearns Family Museum.

Bolton | Summer Concert Series: The Rolangs | 6:30 PM - Live music at Indian Notch Park (206 Bolton Center Rd).

Ellington | FREE Movie: "Marty Supreme" | 1 PM - Free film screening at Hall Memorial Library (40 Maple St).

Plainfield | Wooden Horse Live | 6 PM - Live music at Plainfield Lions Park.

Tolland | Amy Gallatin & Stillwaters Lawn Concert | 6:30 PM - Bluegrass on the lawn at Hicks-Stearns Museum (42 Tolland Green).

Willington | Cobble Stone Road | 6:30 PM - Summer concert series at River Road Athletic Complex.

Columbia | Summer Concert Series | 6 PM - Live music at Columbia Recreation Park.

Coventry | Bats with Winghand Bat Rehab | 11 AM -
Meet a bat ambassador through songs, rhymes and fun facts at Booth & Dimock Library. Ages 3+. Details

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

Brooklyn | TSC Acoustic Returns to the Vineyard | 6–8 PM - Live acoustic music and a laid-back summer evening among the vines at The Vineyard at Hillyland.

Coventry | 250 Years of Celebrations: Toasting Independence | 6:30 PM | ($) - Drinking history talk at Nathan Hale Homestead. Raise a Glass

Stafford | Brush, Sip & Serve Paint Night | 6 PM | ($) - Paint and sip at Stafford Cidery. Get Crafty

Ashford | August Open Barn & Craft: Hanging Jar Lantern | 9 AM | ($) - Make a lantern at The Story Barn.

Brooklyn | Creamery Brook Village Car Show | 10:30 AM - 3 PM - Classic car show at Creamery Brook Retirement Village.

Putnam | Vinyl Countdown at Summer Concert Series | 6:30 PM - 80s tribute band debuts at Putnam Rotary Park.

Putnam | Putnam’s Main Street Car Cruise | 2–6 PM - Classic cars take over downtown Putnam for an afternoon cruise.

Vernon | Twice as Hard with Deadheads MA | 8 PM | ($) - Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers tribute at The Rocking Horse (57 Hartford Tpke).

Willington | Lizards at the Library | 1 PM - Bring the kids to meet some scaled friends at Willington Public Library.

Ashford | Untamed: Watercolor Workshop | 9 AM | ($) - Watercolor effects and multimedia workshop for beginners at Over And Over CT. Create Away

Ashford | Acoustic Sundays: Zach Andersen | 2 PM - Live acoustic music at Mill Pond Country Store.

Plainfield | Barstool Diplomats | 1 PM - Live music at Hank's Dairy Bar.

Putnam | Muddy Ruckus at The Stomping Ground | 8 PM | ($) - Blues duo brings swampy sounds to The Stomping Ground.

Willimantic | The TAS CRU Duo: Sunday Matinee | 3:30–5:30 PM | $28.52
Award-winning musicians Tas Cru and Mary Ann Casale deliver an intimate afternoon of blues, Americana, rich harmonies and storytelling at the River Room. Enjoy

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