Windham Preservation Inc. is the kind of neighbor every historic town wishes it had; hands-on, practical, and completely in love with Windham Center. Their mission is simple and strong: preserve the town’s historic built places and planned spaces, with the Windham Inn as the crown-jewel restoration that brings community life back to the green. Recent momentum helps, too: they secured a Connecticut Community Investment Fund planning grant to get the Inn “shovel-ready” for housing and community use - real fuel for the next phase.

If you like your history with a side of exploring, grab their free self-guided tour maps (Lower Green, Upper Green, North Street, Plains & Scotland Roads, and more) and wander while the village dresses up for the holidays.

Last but not least, circle December 6: Áine Minogue (an award-winning Celtic harpist) is back with a luminous holiday program at historic St. Paul’s in Windham Center, with an optional meet-and-greet next door at the gracious home of Andrew & Hilary Celentano. Proceeds support the Windham Inn restoration, and maps are available at the Inn or online; perfect pre-show stroll material.

I wanted to test something out this week and started digging for cheap flight deals - because let’s be honest, it’s getting cold and half of us are one frost advisory away from fleeing South.

Found a killer flight deal to Charleston, SC - basically the price of a tank of gas and way warmer than whatever Connecticut is doing right now. If you've been craving cobblestone streets, shrimp & grits, and not scraping ice off your windshield, this one’s calling your name.

From Bradley to Charleston, SC for 88 bucks* roundtrip, in mid January for an extended weekend. See the deal!

From Providence to Charleston, SC for 78 bucks* roundtrip, in mid January for an extended weekend. See the deal!

***Price shown above is accurate as of the time this newsletter was sent.

SATURDAY 11/22

Scotland | Annual Book & Bake Sale | 9am-1pm - Scotland Public Library (21 Brook Rd) is holding their annual book and bake sale. Browse through their collection of books, DVDs, and more. Make sure to grab a couple baked goods too. Reading is always better with a little something to snack on. And if you absolutely must be first, you can get in for early-bird access from 8-9am with a $5 fee. Questions? Call the library at (860) 423-1492 - how’s that for a memorable end of a phone number?

Putnam | Free Adult Swing Class | 5-6pm - They say it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing, and now you can see for yourself. Movement Magic (112 Main St) is offering a free swing dancing class! Spots are limited - register

Thompson | Music Bingo | 5:30pm - Prove you have the best musical knowledge at Thompson Public Library (934 Riverside Dr). It’s like bingo, but instead of numbers, it’s songs. A music trivia and Bingo mash-up? Sounds like a good time to me!

Willimantic | Paint Your Own Pottery | 6pm $ - WilliBrew (967 Main St) is hosting a seasonal pottery paint night - ornaments, mug, or a snowman. Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Tyler Fauxbel | 7-10pm

Danielson | Let’s Get Crafting | 4:30pm - Killingly Public Library (25 Westcott Rd) is inviting kids ages 13-18 for an evening of crafting alcohol ink ornaments. Register

Willimantic | Fall Coffeehouse | 6pm $ - See what the kids are up to these days with readings of student works at Arts at the Capitol Theater (896 Main St). Tix

Willimantic | Tavern Night | 5pm $ - One of the most entertaining evenings of the month is back at the Windham Historical Society (627 Main St). This month, you’ll hear from “Walt Disney,” and enjoy some of his favorite food and beverage. Tix

Woodstock | Bonsai Workshop | 6:30-9:30pm $ - Learn the art of tiny tree trimming at Taylor Brooke Brewery (818 Rt 171). You’ll leave with a little tree of your own, and instructions on how to not kill it, unlike the last several house plants you’ve brought home. Tix

TRIVIA

Woodstock Tavern - Woodstock | 6:30-8:30pm
Hank’s - Brooklyn | 6:30-9pm
Bear Hands Brewing - Putnam | 6pm
Stomping Ground - Putnam | 7-11pm

Dayville | Thanksgiving Pie Sale | 9am $ - Starting 11/20, Killingly Grange (801 Hartford Tpke) is taking orders for homemade pies to be picked up on 11/26. You can order your pumpkin or apple (or both) pies here.

Woodstock | Wind & Wood Flower Design | 6pm $ - Make a beautiful Winter centerpiece from wooden flower at Taylor Brooke Brewery (818 Rt 171) with the help of the wonderful Wood & Word Blooms. First glass of Taylor Brooke wine is included! Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Central Village | Karaoke | 8:30-11:55pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Straight Up Jazz Series | 5:30-7:30pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Patchwork Family | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

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

Pomfret | Free Orchestra Concert | 7pm - Listen to the Baroque period’s greatest hits, performed by the Northeast Connecticut Community Orchestra at Clark Chapel, Pomfret School (Rt 44). Although admission is free, you can help support the arts with a donation of your choosing! There will also be a second show in 11/23 at 2pm.

Putnam | Two Socks, One Tube | 12-2:30pm $ - Woolworks Ltd Yarn Shop (154 Main St) is running a workshop on how to knit a pair of Fair Isle socks from one continuous tube. I have no idea what that means, but it sounds like a good time. Shoot them a message for more details.

Sterling | Holiday Bazaar | 5-8pm - Head to the Sterling Community School (251 Sterling Rd) for a festive night of shopping, pictures with the Grinch, a build-your-own potato bar, raffle baskets, and of course, local vendors.

Willimantic | The Wide World of Lavender | 5pm $ - Learn all about different lavender varieties and their uses, and leave with a kit to make lavender syrup at Kerri Art Studio (861 Main St). Tix

Woodstock | Blank Space: Unofficial T Swift Tribute | 7:30pm $ - If you want to see a song-by-song, out-by-outfit recreation of the Eras Tour (unofficially), then you’ll have to make your way to the Loos Center for the Arts (150 Rt 169). Singing along is welcome! Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ American Cafe - Plainfield | Partyoke | 9-11:55pm
⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Central Village | Partyoke | 9-11:45pm
⬢ Black Dog - Putnam | Wild Nights | 8pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | The Berger Boys | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

Music Lady Cafe - Central Village | 7pm
Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | 6:30-8:30pm

Danielson | Annual Bake Sale | 9am - The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (80 Water St) is holding their annual bake sale. Grab some delicious treats and maybe even a gyro.

Dayville | 4th Annual Christmas Market | 11am-3pm $ - Check out Evergreen Farms (204 Hartford Pike) 4th Annual Xmas Market with over 40 different vendors. Event also runs on 11/23. $5 admission.

Moosup | Holiday Market | 10am-3pm - Hope Lodge Venue (1 Lake St) is hosting a Christmas Wishes Holiday Market. Dozens of vendors spread over two floors, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a second day of shopping on 11/23.

North Windham | Arm Wrestling Competition | 1pm $ - Think you’ve got what it takes to take down the competition? Prove it at the Ukrainian National Home (93 Boston Post Rd). Amateur and Pro divisions, cash prizes for 1st and 2nd places.

Plainfield | Holiday Craft Fair | 9am-3pm - Get a little holiday shopping done at Plainfield Town Hall (8 Community Ave). Raffles, food booths, and of course, local vendors!

Plainfield | Toy/Food Drive | 10am-2pm - Motorsports Nation (982 Norwich Rd) is holding a food/toy drive. Bring unwrapped toys or nonperishable goods, and help make a difference in someone’s life!

Plainfield | Volunteer For a Day | 9am-12pm - Fill those community service hours, or fulfill your inner desire to help out at Hay Burr Inn Equine Rescue (169 Black Hill Rd). If you’re interested, check out the link here.

Pomfret | Poetry Night | 7-9pm $ - The Vanilla Bean Cafe (450 Deerfield Rd) is holding a poetry night featuring Gloria Monaghan and Heather Treseler, followed by an open mic. $15 admission will also get you included in the raffle. Email [email protected] with questions.

Scotland | 4th Annual Holiday Market | 9am-1pm - Check out the wares from 20 unique vendors at Scotland’s 4th Annual Holiday Market being held at Scotland Volunteer Memorial Hall (47 Brook Rd). It’s the perfect excuse to visit Scotland, without needing a passport!

South Windham | Fall Book & Bake Sale | 9am-2pm - Guilford Smith Memorial Library (17 Main St) is holding a book sale - books, DVDs, audiobooks, and baked goods available for purchase as well.

Thompson | Tinsel & Trivia | 6pm $ - Put your Christmas-related knowledge to the test with this fundraiser at the American Legion (17 Thompson Hill Rd). All proceeds go toward supporting The Little Theater on Broad Street. Food and drink available for purchase. Tix

Willimantic | Holiday Vendor Fair | 9am-1pm - Kingdom Destiny Outreach International (120 Union St) is holding a holiday vendor fair. Vendors, rummage tables, crafters, food, and more. Free raffle tickets for the first 20 guests.

Willimantic| The Kingpins Blues Band: Dance Social | 7:30-10pm $ - The Kingpins Blues Band will be rocking The River Room (50 Riverside Dr) with a mix of blues and swing. Lace up your dancing shoes, and get ready to bust a move! Tix

Woodstock | Xmas on the Hill Holiday Bazaar | 10am-2pm $ - There’s still time to get bids in on some great items at the First Congregational Church (543 Rt 169), and make sure to stop by to see a whole bunch of other holiday goodies. Place your bids

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Montana Nights - Putnam | Mindset | 8pm
⬢ Woodstock Tavern - Woodstock | Karaoke | 8-11pm
⬢ Triple Raven Brewing - Thompson | Karaoke | 6-10pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Simon Silvia | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Chris Stovall Brown | 8-11pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | Alex Rohan | 2-5pm
⬢ Broken Crust - Putnam | Acoustic Al | 5:30pm

Hampton | Jingle and Mingle | 3-5pm - Sorry fellas, this one is just for the ladies. Hampton General Store (258 Main St) is having a free mixer for members of the fairer sex. Shopping, wine, cider, and food. What else do you really need?

Moosup | All-You-Can-Eat Brekky Benefit | 8-11am $ - Moosup Lodge (69 Prospect St) is holding an all-you-can-eat breakfast that will benefit Paws Cat Shelter. Homemade biscuits and gravy, eggs, home fries, sausage, bacon, and more. $15/adults, $10/kids 6-12, Under 5 eats free.

Pomfret | Free Orchestra Concert | 2pm - For all the details, look at the write-up in the Friday section above.

Pomfret | Holiday Craft Fair | 9am-2pm - Grill 37 (37 Putnam Rd) is hosting a holiday craft fair, with proceeds going to the Doggoholic Rescue Foundation.

Putnam | Holiday Cookie Decorating Class | 12-2pm $ - Leona’s Baking Co is teaming up with Bear Hands Brewing (75 Main St) for a fall-themed cookie decorating afternoon. Tix

Willimantic | Walk For Warmth | 12:30pm $ - Get some exercise in and help keep those in the community housed and warm this winter. Meet at St. Joseph Church (99 Jackson St), an interfaith Thanksgiving service, then walk. Register

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Bread Box Theater - Willimantic | Sarah McQuaid | 4pm $
⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Central Village | Open Mic | 4-7pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | The Kenn Morr Band | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Open Mic | 7-11:30pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | Higby Mountain Bluegrass Band | 2-5pm

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Central Village | Brandt Taylor | 5:30-7:30pm