30 For 30 - A New Business Everyday

QCB 30 Days of 30 Businesses

Starting now, we’re shouting out one local Windham County business every day for 30 days on Instagram. That’s 30 straight days of mom-and-pop greatness, hidden gems, and “wait, how have I never heard of this place?” moments.

We kicked it off with WilliBrew which has been slinging beers and legendary nachos since ‘91, now posted up in a vintage post office where the only thing getting stamped is your taste buds. You’ll probably catch tie-dye king David Wollner making the rounds - because this place runs on hops, heart, and hometown charm.

Got a mechanic who treats your car like a classic? A dog groomer who basically deserves a Nobel Prize? A dance teacher who turned your kid into a confident little tornado? We wanna know.

Coffee shops, tattoo artists, florists, candle makers, vintage shops, piano tuners - if they’re local and crushin’ it, send ‘em our way.

Just reply to this email and tell us who deserves the spotlight. We’ll give 'em the love they deserve.

BUZZWORTHY ACTIVITY🐝

6/7 Putnam | 19th Annual Particle Accelerator | 12-9pm - United Services of CT is holding this fantastic day of music, civic engagement, and support for depression and suicide prevention at Rotary Park (196 Kennedy Dr). Groove out to music and enjoy being in the community!

HIVE HISTORY: HEZEKIAH RAMSDELL FARM

This week We’re revisiting the answer from last week’s word scramble: Hezekiah Ramsdell Farm.

Have you ever hear the one about the woman who told the U.S. government to kick rocks - with a shotgun in hand? That’s Alice Ramsdell, the no-nonsense queen of Thompson, Connecticut. Back in the '60s, the Army Corps of Engineers rolled through trying to gobble up land for a flood control project. Most folks packed up. Alice? She stood her ground, literally on the Hezekiah S. Ramsdell Farm, told Uncle Sam to buzz off, and stayed put until she died in 1995. Legend.

These days, the farm buildings are gone, but the spirit of the place still lingers in the trails around West Thompson Reservoir. You can hike past the old foundation, breathe in that stubborn Yankee air, and picture Alice peeking out the window with a side-eye and a scattergun. It’s not just local lore - it’s small-town defiance, baked into the soil.

The Thompson Historical Society obtained interviews of Alice Ramsdell conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers, worth a watch/listen!

TUESDAY (6/3)

Ashford | Mystery Book Discussion | 1-2pm - If you love thriller and mystery books, join this monthly book club at Babcock Library (25 Pompey Hollow Rd).

Pomfret | Outdoor Yoga | 5:30-6:30pm $ - Get your yoga on and then enjoy some fantastic spirits at Watercure Farm Distillery (94 Hampton Rd). Register

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Jesse Desorcy | 8-11pm

WEDNESDAY (6/4)

Dayville | At Cost Whiskey Event | 2-8pm - Try out a 12-year Yamazaki single malt at cost at Black Pond Brews (1001 Hartford Pike).

TRIVIA

Stomping Ground - Putnam | 7pm
Hank’s - Brooklyn | 6:30pm
Bear Hands Brewing - Putnam | 6pm
Mill Town Grill - North Grosvenordale | 6:30pm

THURSDAY (6/5)

Danielson | Board Game Speed Dating | 7-9pm $ - Singles ages 25-39 are invited for a fun spin on speed dating at Chubby Dog Coffee Co (144 Main St). Sign-Up

South Windham | DIY Book Vase | 6pm - Create a unique book vase using an old book at Guilford Smith Memorial Library (17 Main St). Call (860) 423-5159 or email [email protected] to register.

Thompson | Touch A Truck | 6-8pm - The town of Thompson/public library/TEEG/Rec dept are holding their 3rd annual touch-a-truck event at Riverside Park. Rain date 6/12. If you have a fun vehicle you’d like to share, contact Amanda Jean at (860) 923-9440 or [email protected] 

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Straight Up Jazz Series | 5:30pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Kenny Foster | 8pm

TRIVIA

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

FRIDAY (6/6)

Pomfret | EMT/EMR 20 Hour Refresher | 6-10pm $ - Spend the weekend getting your EMT and EMR cert at Pomfret Fire Dept (67 Hampton Rd). Register

Pomfret | Comedy Night Fundraiser | 6pm $ - The Woodstock Lion’s Club is holding a comedy show at Grill 37 (37 Putnam Rd). For more info email [email protected]. For tickets, click here

Putnam | A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 7:30pm $ - Experience the Shakespeare classic in the historic Bradley Playhouse (30 Front St). Tix/showtimes

Putnam | MicroMania Midget Wrestling | 6pm $ - Charlee Bravos (7 Grove St) is giving you the chance to experience the splendor of big wrestling in small packages. Tix

Windham | Art Show | 6pm - Sun 4pm - The Windham Regional Arts Council is holding their annual Members Art Show & Reception at ESCU’s J. Eugene Smith Library (83 Windham St). Check out some local art!

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Triple Raven Brewing - Thompson | Tequila Jim | 6-9pm
⬢ Garden on the Bridge - Willimantic | Stahr | 6-7pm
Black Dog - Putnam | Crossover | 8pm
Stomping Ground - Putnam | Don Minott & The High Voltage | 8pm

TRIVIA

Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | 6:30pm

SATURDAY (6/7)

Ashford | Connecticut Art & Garden Tour | 10am-5pm - Four towns in the area are opening up their gardens and art studios. You can find the of participating properties and more details here.

Chaplin | Gymkhana Season Kickoff | 11am $ - Little Treasures Farm (22 North Bear Hill Rd) is kicking off the start of their horse trickery (I’m clueless when it comes this stuff to be honest). More info

Danielson | Cat Cafe | 10am-12pm - Meet some cats from Paws Cat Shelter at Killingly Library (25 Westcott Rd). Donations of cat food are greatly appreciated.

Danielson | Greek Festival | 11am-8pm - Grab some souvlaki and a gyro at the Greek Festival held by the Greek Orthodox Community of the Holy Trinity (80 Water St).

Pomfret | 25th Annual Kid’s Fishing Derby | 8:30-11:30am $ - The Pomfret Rod & Gun Club (River Rd) is giving anglers ages 5-15 a chance to bring home glory (money, awards, and memories too). Register

Putnam | Farmers Market | 10am-1pm - The return of the Putnam Saturday Farmers Market (18 Kennedy Dr) is upon us!

Scotland | Paper Piecing | 10am-4pm $ - Learn all about paper piecing at Pins to Needles (6 Huntington Rd).

Windham | Paint Night | 1:45-5:15pm $ - Paint a beautiful mountain-themed painting at the Franco-American Civic & Social Club of Windham (116 Club Rd). Tix

Windham | Duke Robillard Quarter | 8-10:30pm $ - Legendary guitar player Duke Robillard will be at The River Room (50 Riverside Dr). Enjoy some amazing music in an intimate location. Tix

Woodstock | Botanicals and Brew | 12-5pm - Enjoy the exotic plants and crafts at the New England Plant Expo at Taylor Brooke Winery (818 Rt 171). This is a free event, so make sure to grab a drink at the winery to support local!

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ The Crossings - Putnam | Hold My Beer | 6pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Patchwork Family | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Julie Rhodes and The Electric Co. | 8-11pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | Jediah | 2-5pm
⬢ Broken Crust - Putnam | John Rodgers | 5:30pm

SUNDAY (6/8)

Ashford | Connecticut Art & Garden Tour Day 2 | 10am-5pm - Four towns in the area are opening up their gardens and art studios. You can find the of participating properties and more details here.

Hampton | 11th Goodwin Forest Trail Run | 9am $ - This marks the 11th trail run at Goodwin Forest (23 Potter Rd). 10K and 30K options for lengths. Must pre-register!

Putnam | Comics Sale Benefit | 10am - This is your friendly reminder that Wonderland Comics (160 Main St) is donating 10% of their magazine/comic sales toward pancreatic cancer research.

Putnam | Wings of Fire Event | 12pm - Wolperdinger Bookends (112 Main St) is holding an event celebrating the hit high-fantasy kid’s book series Wings of Fire. Crafts, coloring, word searches, and conversation.

Windham | Spring Recital | 11am - Mansfield Academy of Dance is holding their food-themed spring recital at ECSU (83 Windham St).

Windham | Sunday Supper Beer Dinner | 2pm $ - Enjoy a five-course beer-paired dinner at WilliBrew (967 Main St). Make reservations soo, space is limited! (860) 423-6777.

Woodstock | Croquet at Roseland | 1pm $ - Put on that Bridgerton outfit you bought and play a little croquet, take a tour of Roseland Cottage (556 Rte 169) and enjoy an afternoon tea. Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Anthony Loffredio | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Open Mic! | 7-11:30pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | Turas | 2-5pm
⬢ 4G’s - Dayville | Brian Malone | 2-5pm

 MONDAY (6/9)

LIVE MUSIC

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