Mahjong: Our first Let’s Learn Mahjong night was a hit, with 40 people showing up to learn, laugh, and slowly realize the tiles were not, in fact, decorative candy. We’re looking at running Part Two in the next couple weeks, and a quick heads up: the next one would likely be in the $50 to $60 range so we can properly cover the space, instruction, supplies, and keep these community events rolling.

Event Feedback: We asked what kinds of events you actually want us to put together, and the message was pretty clear: you want fun, easy, low-pressure stuff where you can show up solo without feeling like the new kid in the cafeteria. Wine, cheese, chocolate, cooking classes, coffee walks, and casual community hangouts were the big winners, which honestly feels very on-brand for this crew. So yes, we’re listening. Keep an eye out, because we’re going to start testing more local events soon. Take the survey if you missed it.

Strawberry season is short, sweet, and absolutely not waiting around for your weekend plans. Here are a few local spots to check out before the berries vanish into pies, pancakes, and “I was just going to eat a few” lies.

Know another Windham or Tolland County strawberry spot? Hit reply and send it over, because I’d love to make this list bigger without accidentally sending people on a berry-themed treasure hunt.

Sick of saying “we should meet people” and then immediately rewatching the same show on the couch? Join this month’s Connecticut Buzz Dinner Club in Glastonbury on June 25 at 6:30pm for dinner with a few mystery locals, a restaurant reveal the day before, and a secret afterparty spot sent during dinner.

After a classic Connecticut storm, your yard usually looks like a squirrel hosted a bachelor party. Branches everywhere, patio cushions in a different zip code, and at least one trash can questioning its life choices.

Your roof can take a beating too, but not every little thing means panic. A few leaves, small twigs, or normal granule shedding in the gutters can happen. What you do want to watch for are missing or lifted shingles, loose flashing, new ceiling stains, sagging spots, clogged gutters, water near the foundation, or debris that looks like it hit the roof with some enthusiasm.

The tricky part? Storm damage is not always obvious from the ground.

If something looks off after heavy wind and rain, McClintock Roofing can take a look and give you a second opinion before a small issue turns into an expensive surprise.

Schedule a complimentary roof estimate

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Murphy, a 1-year-old gentle, social, big-hearted bearded-collie/poodle mix who loves kids, dogs, and people, and waiting for a family that actually means it when they say “forever.”

🏡House of the week: This one sits right by Kennerson Reservoir, with peaceful lake views that instantly make the whole place feel like a weekend escape. Add in 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2,690 square feet, 1.25 acres, a fireplace, and an attached garage, and you’ve got the rare Quiet Corner combo of space, scenery, and “I could drink coffee here forever” energy. Check it out!

🥾Sighting of the week: Hummingbird Clearwing Moth | (Hemaris thysbe)

🔭Sky report: Venus and Jupiter glow low in the west after sunset, with tiny Mercury trying to sneak into the lineup later in the week. Meteors are pretty quiet, but the moon fades toward a dark-sky weekend, making it a solid time to look for the Summer Triangle rising, the Big Dipper overhead, and maybe even the fuzzy little treasure chest known as the Hercules Cluster if you’ve got binoculars and a darker patch of Connecticut sky.

Saturday is Connecticut Open House Day, aka the annual excuse to poke around local museums, historic homes, gardens, mills, farms, and places you’ve probably driven past 400 times while saying, “We should check that out sometime.” This year, both Tolland County and Windham County have a solid lineup, from gristmills and heritage sites to art gardens, museums, and free local history stops.

Tolland County Open House Day
Windham County Open House Day

Last week’s trivia asked: had 30% of people guess correctly with John Adams, visiting Stafford Springs Long before spa weekends came with cucumber water and plush robes, Stafford Springs was known as the “Nation’s 1st Resort,” thanks to its iron- and sulfur-rich mineral waters that colonial visitors believed could help with everything from skin issues to digestive troubles. Even before that, the Nipmuck people are said to have shared the spring’s location with early Puritans, passing along its reputation as a place of healing. Adams, exhausted and anxious from his Boston law practice, rode there by horse, drank the water, bathed in the springs, and later admitted he felt better, though he joked the cure may have had less to do with the water and more to do with getting away from his family for a few days. Relatable, Mr. President.

Bolton | STEM Magic Show and Freeze Pops - Family Night at BCS! | 6:30 PM - Science magic show with freeze pops for kids at Bolton Center School.

North Grosvenordale | Art Show Reception for Christopher Strout | 6 PM - Join the local Pigment of Imagination art event at Thompson Public Library

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

Plan your weekend Farmers Market visits

Coventry | Trivia Night | 6:30 PM | ($) - Join the fun at this Cassidy Hill Vineyard.

Coventry | CLCC's Cruise Nights and Car Shows 2026 - All Cars Welcome! | 5 PM - Weekly car show—all makes and models welcome at CLCC Farmstand (2645 Boston Tpke).

Stafford Springs | Pottery Painting | 6 PM | ($) - Paint your own pottery while enjoying craft cider at Stafford Cidery. Get Crafty

Storrs | Summer Concerts on the Square: ROB FLAX'S BOOM CHICK TRIO | 6:30 PM - Free outdoor concert featuring swing and Americana at Betsy Ross Square.

Woodstock | Lit Sea Glass Trees & Wreaths | 6 PM | ($) - Create illuminated sea glass trees or wreaths at the brewery at Taylor Brooke Brewery. Make It

Bolton | Houseplant Bingo | 5:30 PM | ($) - Win beautiful houseplants in this unique bingo night at Cropley’s Garden Center.

Danielson | Greasers n Dolls Sockhop | 7 PM - 50s-themed dance party with vintage vibes and rock n roll at Chubby Dog Cafe.

Danielson | Divine Dabbers Bingo Night! | 6:30 PM - Fun bingo night at the fire department at South Killingly Fire Department.

Ellington | FREE Movie: "The Luzhin Defence" | 6 PM - Free screening of the chess drama film (40 Maple St).

Hebron | Wine Glass Painting with Pam Munkelt | 6 PM | ($) - Paint decorative wine glasses with artist Pam Munkelt at The Flour Girl. Create Away

Somers | A Night on Broadway | 7:30 PM - Musical theater showcase featuring Broadway favorites at Knights of Columbus.

Stafford Springs | Stafford Self-Guided Historical Tour Debuting Ceremony | 5:30 PM | ($) - Launch of the new self-guided historical walking tour (51 E Main St, Stafford Springs, CT). Join In

Stafford Springs | Artist Showcase with Tess Massa | 6 PM - Local artist showcase and exhibition at Stafford Cidery.

Stafford Springs | Main Street Music Series | 6 PM - Free outdoor concert series on Main Street.

Vernon Rockville | Spirit Shaker with Diamondback! | 6:30 PM - Rock bands Spirit Shaker and Diamondback perform at Rocking Horse Bar & Grill.

Woodstock | Nicholas Collins | 6 PM - Indie rock singer-songwriter performs at Woodstock Tavern.

Bolton | New England Lobster and Shrimp boil | 5 - 7  PM - Classic New England seafood feast with all the fixings at Bolton Congregational Church.

Chaplin | Plant and Seed Swap | 10 AM - 12 PM - Trade plants, seeds, and gardening tips with fellow green thumbs at Chaplin Library.

Dayville | Polish Wianki Fest 2026! | 3 PM | ($) - Polish midsummer celebration with wreaths, music, and traditions at Black Pond Brews.

Eastford | Ron Bettez | 1 PM - Live music performance at Frog Rock Summer Shack.

Hebron | Defining a Sense of Place in an Age of Cyberspace | 10 AM - 4 PM - The Hebron Historical Society is opening a new exhibit at Old Town Hall celebrating 10,000 years of Hebron history in honor of America’s 250th.

Mansfield Center | 1-Day Summer Book Sale! | 9 AM - 4 PM - One-day book sale with great deals on all genres at 54 Warrenville Rd.

Mansfield | Connecticut Open House Day | 1-4 PM - Joshua’s Trust is opening up two local gems, the Atwood Farm Museum and Gurleyville Gristmill, for an afternoon of tours, demos, and self-guided exploring

Moosup | Waterside Retreat Class and/or full day of crafting! | 8:30 AM | ($) - Full-day crafting retreat with multiple project options at American Legion Post 91. Get Crafty

North Grosvenordale | 3rd Annual Family Fun Day FUNdraiser | 10 AM - 3 PM - Games, activities, and fun for all ages supporting local causes (65 Valley Rd).

Putnam | Brews & Tattoos | 1 -9 PM - Tattoo artists and craft beer combine for a unique event at Bear Hands Brewing.

Putnam | Fourth Annual Putnam Fine Arts & Crafts Event | 10 AM - 4 PM - Juried arts and crafts show featuring local artisans (200 School St).

Putnam | Two Gold Moons Insect Pinning Workshop | 9 AM | ($) - Learn the art of insect specimen mounting and display at Two Gold Moons. Get Crafty

Putnam | Shannon Labonte Memorial Artisans & Craft Fair | 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM - Memorial craft fair honoring Shannon Labonte at the Congregational Church.

Somers | June Open Barn & Craft: Hand-Woven Vase | 9 AM - 12 PM - Create a hand-woven vase at the Story Barn (The Story Barn) (952 Main St). Craft On

Stafford Springs | Stained Glass MOON Phase | 1 PM | ($) - Create a stunning stained glass moon phase display at Let's Get Wired. Get Crafty

Stafford Springs | Bode Solo show | 7 PM - Solo acoustic performance at the craft brewery at Off The Rails Brewing Co.

Stafford Springs | Restless Soul | 6 PM - Live music at the grill at Stillwater Grill.

Thompson | Musician, Tony Garcia | 4 PM - Live acoustic music performance at Triple Raven Brewing.

Tolland | Summertime Herbs: Discovering the Medicine of Summer | 1 PM | ($) - Learn about medicinal summer herbs and their uses at Resonance Healing Arts. Join In

Vernon Rockville | 3rd Annual Tolland County Artisan & Craft Fair | 11 AM - 4 PM - - Annual artisan and craft fair with local makers at CT Golfland (95 Hartford Tpke)

Willimantic | A Queen Candlelight Experience | 7 PM | ($) - Intimate tribute to Queen by candlelight—stunning vocals and ambiance at First Congregational Church. Check It Out

Willimantic | JAMES MONTGOMERY Blues Band! | 8 PM | ($) - Legendary blues band brings the heat to the stage at the River Room. Catch the Show

Willimantic | CT Museum Open House Day at the Jillson House | 10 AM - 1 PM - Stop by the historic Jillson House for a free tour, a little tea, and a good old-fashioned local history chat.

Coventry | Ice Cream Social 2026 | 2-3:30 PM - Old-fashioned ice cream social at the park at Creaser Park. Be There

Mansfield | 2026 Nipmuck South Trail Race | 9 AM - Challenging trail race through scenic Nipmuck forest. Join In

Plainfield | TM shenanigans McFaddens collectibles collector expo | 10 AM - 5 PM - Collectibles and vendor event (runs June 14-15) at America cafe at 724 Norwich Rd. Join In

Plainfield | LIVE MUSIC: CAT LINES | 1 PM - Live music performance at Hank’s Dairy Bar

Stafford Springs | SHOVELHEAD ft. Steve O | 2 PM - Hard rock band with special guest Steve O at Four Seasons by the Lakes.

Vernon Rockville | Aquanett LIVE | 3 PM | ($) - 80s rock tribute band plays outdoor show at Rocking Horse Bar & Grill.

Danielson | Foraging Walk (Ages 18+) | 10 AM - Learn to identify edible plants on a guided nature walk (25 Westcott Rd., Danielson, CT). Be There