Good morning, Quiet Corner Swarm!

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I am a fanatic when it comes to a good sandwich. So when I realized today is National Sandwich Day, I took it as a personal challenge to find a spot I haven’t tried before that lives up to my expectations, and you get the results.

We don't cover politics here at Quiet Corner Buzz, but here's a quick reminder: Today is also Election Day! Polls across Connecticut are open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

From coffee to sandwiches there’s a lot to cover this week so let’s get to it!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

SUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | PARTNER

Same coffee stop every morning? Time to branch out! I rounded up independent coffee shops, local roasters, and cozy cafés across Windham and Tolland counties. Some you probably know, others might surprise you. Next time you need a caffeine fix, skip the big chains and show a local business some love.

In honor of National Sandwich Day, I stopped by G.M. Thompson & Sons, and let me tell you, I was not disappointed!

Now, a family-owned feed and supply store probably isn't the first place that comes to mind when you're craving a great sandwich. But trust me, you'd be making a mistake overlooking this place.

I ordered the Spicy Italian, made with local bread and meats, and it was absolutely fantastic. The kind of sandwich that makes you wonder why you haven't stopped in sooner.

There's something special about finding great food in unexpected places, especially when it's coming from a family-owned and operated local business.

So next time you're thinking about grabbing a sandwich, skip the usual spots and give G.M. Thompson & Sons a shot. Your stomach will thank you!

Next week we’re building the Quiet Corner Sandwich Map, and you’re writing it. Tell us your go-to: the spot, the town, and exactly what to order. The most-nominated spots make the map. Nominate your sandwich by just hitting reply and let me know the place and your go to!

Congrats to October champ: LMDIWW, who finished October on top with 1189 points. November’s leaderboard resets today, so everyone starts at zero. Play BUZZLE, BUZZWORD, and BUZZEYE!

Even though we didn’t see a ton of interest for Dinner Club here in the Quiet Corner, that doesn't mean we're giving up on getting you folks out of the house and meeting new people!

Our next Dinner Club is Thursday, November 19 at 6:30 PM in Middletown, and we figured some of you might be up for a little road trip, good food, and new faces.

Here's the deal: Fill out a quick questionnaire, and we'll match you with five other locals for dinner at a surprise restaurant. You'll find out where you're eating that morning, show up at 6:30 PM, and pay for your own meal.

We'll even text you the location of a secret afterparty during dinner if you want to keep the night going!

The goal? Try somewhere new, have some good conversations, and maybe leave with a few new friends. Not a bad way to spend a Thursday night!

Three music legends. One unforgettable night! 🎶 Head to the Loos Center for the Arts in Woodstock on Saturday, November 7 at 7:30 PM for Taylor • Simon • King, a live tribute celebrating James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Carole King. Expect timeless hits like “You've Got a Friend” and “I Feel the Earth Move,” performed by three talented vocalists and a six-piece band. Grab Your Seats!

Thinking about buying a home? Here's the reality check: The national 30-year mortgage average climbed from roughly 6.6% in August to 7.24% in late October. Meanwhile, Connecticut home prices rose 4.4% year-over-year in September.

The takeaway? Don't focus on interest rates alone. Compare monthly payments, APR, and closing costs before making a move.

Our mortgage expert Kimberly Joy can help you crunch the numbers and explore your options.

Connect with Kimberly →

Veterans Day is next Wednesday. Next week we want to spotlight a few Quiet Corner veterans: the coach, the shop owner, the neighbor who mows everyone’s lawn. Hit reply with a name, their town and one sentence about why.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Jasper, an adorable Lab-Husky puppy with brains, boundless energy, and absolutely zero respect for personal space when it's cuddle time.

🏡House of the week: Built in 1830, this gorgeous brick Colonial packs four fireplaces, a chef's kitchen, and 3.5 acres of fruit trees, gardens, and stone patios. Oh, and part of the property once hosted puppet shows, because apparently an orchard and four fireplaces weren't enough personality. Check it out!

🔭Sky report: The sun's calling it quits by 4:36 PM Monday, but that means more time for stargazing! Catch Saturn after dark, or look for Mars and Jupiter getting cozy before sunrise. Saturday morning, a thin crescent Moon meets brilliant Venus. Monday's New Moon brings extra-dark skies as the Taurid meteor shower picks up. And here in the Quiet Corner, our darker skies give us front-row seats!

The leaves are dropping, the temperatures are falling, and winter isn't far behind. If you haven't gotten outside to enjoy the scenery, now's your chance! We rounded up 26 spots across the Quiet Corner, from scenic drives to easy walks and hikes with incredible views. Get out there before the cold wins!

🍂 EXPLORE OUR FALL FOLIAGE GUIDE

COMING SOON & NEW OPENINGS

🧁 Plainfield | Cora’s Cakes (Opening Nov. 7) | Cupcakes, custom cakes, cookies, and sandwiches! This local favorite is finally getting its first storefront at 1383 Norwich Road.

🧱 Danielson | Brickyard (Coming in December) | LEGO lovers, this one's for you! A new downtown shop and creative play studio with LEGO sets, hands-on workshops, and building fun for all ages.

🌮 Tolland | Brick Cantina (Opening in November) | Tacos, burritos, fajitas, and more! The popular Hebron Mexican restaurant is bringing its second location to 200 Merrow Road, with a focus on takeout.

FLIGHT BUZZ:

✈️ From Hartford to Moab, Utah for 379 bucks* 1-stop roundtrip, in Dec. for a week stay. Pack your bags *Prices at the time of writing subject to change

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

Storrs | Pottery Painting: Animals in Fall | 6 PM $ - Paint a woodland-critter dish over a pint at Hops 44. Create!

Ellington | V for Vendetta on Guy Fawkes Night | 5:30 PM - Remember, remember the fifth of November with a free screening at Hall Memorial Library. Watch!

Hampton | Taste of Northeast CT | 5–9 PM $ - Sample delicious bites from local restaurants, breweries, bakeries, and farms while browsing regional artwork at StoneHurst at Hampton Valley. Yum

Putnam | Stained Glass Mountain Range Workshop | 6-8 PM $ - Cut, foil and solder your own mountain skyline at Bear Hands Brewing. Create!

Stafford Springs | Pottery Painting: Mushroom Mug | 6 PM $ - Paint a toadstool mug at Stafford Cidery, cider in the other hand. Create!

Willimantic | “The Sovereign Observer” Book Launch | 6-8 PM - Local writer Marc Scrivener celebrates his second book with a talk and signing at the Willimantic Book Joint. Read!

Brooklyn | Copilot Live in the Barn | 6-10 PM - Boston Americana-rock band with big harmonies plays the barn at Little Dipper Farm. Rock!

Ellington | 64th Annual Farmhouse Fair | 5-7 PM - Friday supper kicks off Ellington Congregational’s fair: a Christmas Shoppe, cookie bakery and a Colonial Broom Squire making brooms by hand. Saturday 9 AM-2 PM. Shop! (Runs through Nov 7.)

Ellington | Annual Christmas Bazaar | 5 PM - Handmade gifts, free photos with Santa and a kids-only shopping room with gift wrapping at the Parish Center. Shop! (Runs through Nov 7.)

Ellington | Holiday Boutique & Nellie’s Mercantile | 5 PM - Early holiday shopping inside the Nellie McKnight Museum. Saturday from 9 AM. Shop! (Runs through Nov 7.)

Stafford Springs | Kinusaiga Fabric Art Workshop | 6 PM $ - Tuck fabric into a 6x6 panel, Japanese-style, no sewing, at Stafford Cidery. Create!

Storrs | Larry Reed: Cinematic Shadows Opening | 5-8 PM - The Ballard Institute’s first major show on the late shadow-theater pioneer, with Balinese puppets, a curator tour at 5:30 and a forum at 6:30. Free. Explore!

Thompson | Flea Market & Swap Meet | 11 AM-3:30 PM - Three days of tables and treasures, rain or shine, at Thompson Speedway. Gates 7 AM Sat and Sun. Shop! (Runs through Nov 8.)

Vernon | Cold Train at the Rocking Horse | 9 PM - Southern rockers who’ve opened for .38 Special, Marshall Tucker and Foghat. Rock!

Central Village | Salute the Troops 5K & Color Run | 9:15 AM $ - A color fun run, a soldier stroll and a 5K at Plainfield High, all for the local VFW, Legion and Veteran’s Coffeehouse. Run!

Coventry | CT Veterans Day Race | 10 AM $ - A 4-mile run, 3-mile walk or ruck past the CT Vietnam Memorial and the Nathan Hale monument. Ruckers carry food for veteran pantries. Run!

Coventry | Old World Holidays at the Nathan Hale Homestead | 1-3 PM $ - Pope Night, Halloween’s roots and old New England thanksgivings around an outdoor fire. Bring a mug for wassail. Explore!

Danielson | Sports Cards & Collectibles Show | 9 AM-2 PM $ - Vintage cards, Pokémon, Magic, comics and toys at the Elks Lodge. $5, kids under 10 free. Shop!

Ellington | The British Are Coming! | 9 AM-3 PM - Redcoat camps, a field hospital, a kids’ mock battle and a 2 PM deserters’ trial take over the Ellington Historical Society grounds. Explore!

Hebron | Air Line Trail Ghost Run | 9 AM $ - A point-to-point half marathon (or 3-leg relay) down the old rail line to East Hampton. Registration closes Friday at 1 PM. Run!

Mansfield Center | Local Author Book Fair | 2-4 PM - More than 20 local authors sign and sell their books at Mansfield Public Library’s first one. Read!

Mansfield Center | Darlene Murphy Craft Fair | 10 AM-2 PM - Handmade gifts, holiday décor, jewelry and baked goods, held in Darlene Murphy’s memory. Free. Shop!

North Grosvenordale | Jediah at Triple Raven | 6-9 PM - The big-voiced one-name guitarist returns to the nanobrewery. Listen!

Pomfret | Craft & Vendor Fair | 9:30 AM-2:30 PM - Forty-plus vendors at Pomfret Community School, raising money for the 8th grade. Shop!

Somers | Chuckles for Charity | 6-10 PM $ - Comics Michael Petit, Howie Mason and Steve Scarfo plus a taco bar at Sonny’s Place, benefiting brain-injury families. $60. Laugh!

Somers | Nightshift at Joanna’s | 6 PM - A ’60s-’80s dance band in the main hall. Dance!

Storrs | Punch Brothers | 8 PM $ - Chris Thile’s genre-bending bluegrass supergroup plays the Jorgensen. Listen!

Vernon | TLC Marketplace | 9 AM-3 PM - Crafts, an “Attic Treasures” room, vintage finds and a bake sale at Trinity Lutheran, with lunch 11-2. Shop!

Willimantic | AshBaby at the Jillson House | 4-6 PM $ - “Un-twerkable” jammy jazz fusion outdoors. Bring chairs and a picnic. $15. Listen!

Willington | Multi-Town Veterans Day Ceremony | 11 AM - Ashford, Eastford, Mansfield, Union and Willington honor their veterans together. Honor!

Woodstock | EWCC Holly Fair | 10 AM-2 PM - East Woodstock Congregational’s annual holiday fair. Shop!

Woodstock | Taylor Simon King | 7:30 PM $ - James Taylor, Carly Simon and Carole King songs with a six-piece band at the Loos Center. $41-61. Listen!

Putnam | John Ferrara Solo | 1-4 PM - A Sunday afternoon set at The Stomping Ground, moved from Monday. Listen!

Somers | Dick Drake & Friends at Joanna’s | 5-8 PM - Country music back in Joanna’s main hall. Listen!

Storrs | Husky Run & Ruck | 8 AM $ - A 10K, 5K, walk or ruck through campus, raising scholarships for military and veteran students. Run!

Storrs | UConn Women’s Basketball vs. Iowa | 2 PM $ - The season’s first game at Gampel opens a two-year series with the Hawkeyes. Watch!

Thompson | Thompson Turkey Trot | 10 AM $ - A 5K trail run, 3K wobble and kids’ run at West Thompson Dam. Turkey costumes encouraged, leashed dogs welcome. Run!

Vernon | Rockville High School Craft Show | 10 AM-4 PM $ - A holiday craft show filling the high school. $3, under 12 free. Shop!

Willimantic | Shop-N-Stein Holiday Market | 11 AM-2 PM - Local vendors and a stein of house beer at Willimantic Brewing Company. Shop!

Woodstock | Turas at Taylor Brooke Brewery | 2-5 PM - A Rhode Island céilí band plays Irish trad down the hill. Free. Listen!

Storrs | UConn Men’s Basketball vs. Wagner | 7 PM $ - The men’s first game at Gampel this season. Watch!

That’s it for this week’s Quiet Corner Buzz. If you got something out of it, please share it with someone who loves coffee!

See ya next week,

Tyler