Good morning, Quiet Corner Swarm, hope you had a great 4th!
Today is Tuesday July 7th, National Rock n Roll Day, which feels dangerous for someone who owns 40+ guitars and still somehow thinks, “yeah, one more makes sense” (my wife thinks I might have a problem, and I’d agree - not enough!).
Last week we covered the legendary Shaboo Inn (we also want to extend heartfelt condolences on the passing of local music legend and Shaboo co-owner Bruce John), so it only feels right to keep the music thread going. My favorite is Pink Floyd, even if they’re not exactly your textbook rock n roll pick. Hit reply and tell me yours.
In Today’s Quiet Corner Buzz:
Swim Spots
MahJong 102
Time Travel
Frog Race
50+ Local Events
Let’s dive in!
-Tyler DiGiovanni
Congrats to Dana who was the lucky winner of Conn-opoly!
COOL OFF
It has been so hot lately that “go outside” now feels like a threat, so I put together a simple swim spots guide for Windham and Tolland counties. Lakes, ponds, pools, splash pads, the whole “please get me near water before I melt into the driveway” lineup.
MAHJONG 102 Live
Mahjong 102 is happening Monday, July 13 from 6 to 9 PM at Work_Space in Manchester, and only 40 spots are available. Tickets are $75, which includes hands-on instruction, your American Mahjong card, full Mahjong setups, table lights, and a night of actually getting comfortable at the table.
Alright, real question: would you actually buy a ticket to one of these in July?
TIME TRAVELING
America turned 250, so naturally I went full Connecticut time traveler and popped back to 1776 to see what the Nutmeg State was up to. If you missed it on Instagram, go take a look.
FEATURED EVENT
SPONSORED BY WILLIMANTIC FOOD CO-OP
This week, Willimantic Food Co-op is helping cheer on one of the most Willimantic things imaginable: a Frog Race Raffle at the Willimantic Farmers Market’s 50th Anniversary celebration.
Stop by Saturday, July 11 from 12 to 3 PM for local vendors, food trucks, live music, kids activities, and plenty of community-market energy. The race begins at 1 PM, and you can “adopt” a frog for $10 for a shot at prizes while supporting the market that has been feeding and connecting this town for five decades.
Prizes include Visa gift cards for the fastest frogs and bonus “last frog floating” prizes from local favorites.
Grab your raffle tickets ahead of time, then come hang out, shop local, eat something good, and root for your frog like it owes you money. Bring the kids, bring a friend, make an afternoon of it.
BUZZ & TELL
🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Missy, a 1-year-old Catahoula mix with show-off eyes, a gorgeous coat, and the kind of happy, zoomie-friendly energy that could turn a backyard into her personal racetrack.
🏡House of the week: Built in 1814, the Jeremiah Olney House has the kind of old Connecticut character you can’t fake: a grand entryway, original staircase, high ceilings, fireplaces, and nearly an acre of land. The home has been fully renovated, with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2,944 sq ft, a remodeled eat-in kitchen, private deck, finished walk-up attic, and a two-story barn with three bays and a workshop. Check it out!
🔭Sky report: Sky Report: The Last Quarter Moon hits Tuesday afternoon, then keeps shrinking all week, which means darker skies are coming. After sunset, look west for Venus, the last bright planet hanging around the evening sky, especially near Regulus on July 9. The early-morning crowd gets the better prize this week, with Saturn and Mars climbing before sunrise.
BEE LINE EVENTS
Don’t miss the remaining America 250 events with fireworks, parades and more.
TUESDAY (7/7)
Andover | Night with Psychic Medium Tracy Ann | 6 PM | ($) - Connect with the beyond at this intimate evening with psychic medium Tracy Ann at Over AndOver. Seek Answers
Ashford | Hosmer Mountain Boys | 6:30 PM - Catch local tunes from the Hosmer Mountain Boys at 25 Tremko Ln.
Plainfield | Car Cruise with Socks With Sandals | 5-8 PM - Classic cars meet live music from Socks With Sandals at Hank's Dairy Bar (1006 Norwich Rd).
WEDNESDAY (7/8)
Bolton | Beatle Al's "Magical History Tour" | 6:30 PM - Beatles tribute takes over the summer concert series at Bentley Memorial Library (206 Bolton Center Rd). Tune In
Coventry | Declaration of Independence Reading | 6 PM - Celebrate America's founding with a community reading of the Declaration of Independence at Booth & Dimock Library.
Danielson | Magic Show with Mr. Magic | 5:30 PM - Family-friendly magic and wonder with Mr. Magic at Killingly Library (25 Westcott Rd). Watch Now
North Grosvenor Dale | You, Me & Tuscany: Movie on the Big Screen | 12:30 PM - Free afternoon movie screening at Thompson Public Library (934 Riverside Dr).
Plainfield | Siren of the Gods | 6:30 PM - Rock out to Siren of the Gods at Lion's Park summer concert series (8 Community Ave).
Tolland | Mama Train Lawn Concert | 6:30 PM - Folk and Americana vibes on the Tolland Green with Mama Train (42 Tolland Grn).
Willimantic | The Professors of Sweet, Sweet Music | 6 PM - Summer concert series continues with funky jams at Jillson Square.
Willington | Psychedelic Relics | 6:30 PM - Classic rock covers at Willington's summer concert series at River Road Athletic Complex.
THURSDAY (7/9)
Coventry | CLCC Cruise Night | 5 PM - Bring your ride or just browse the chrome at this car show (2645 Boston Tpke).
Danielson | KPRD Summer Concert Series: Mind Set | 6 PM - High energy dance music at this free outdoor concert at Davis Park—bring chairs and blankets (250 Main St).
Danielson | Killingly River Trail 5k | 6:30 PM | ($) - Lace up for the summer 5k series starting at Killingly Dog Park (78 Quinebaug Dr). Lace Up
Pomfret | Kala Farnham Summer Concert | 6:30 PM - Singer-songwriter Kala Farnham performs on the Pomfret Library (449 Pomfret St).
Willington | Headstones of Willington’s Revolutionaries | 7 PM
Explore a photographic exhibit of local war-era headstones and the hidden meanings behind their carvings at Willington Public Library.
FRIDAY (7/10)
Danielson | Red, White & BINGO | 6:30 PM - Patriotic-themed bingo night at South Killingly Fire Department (803 Providence Pike). Play Time
Dayville | Next Stop Comedy | 8 PM | ($) - Stand-up comedy night at Black Pond Brews—laughs and craft beer collide (1001 Hartford Pike). Laugh Out Loud
Hebron | Ladies Night at The Flour Girl | 5 PM | ($) - Sip, snack, and socialize at this ladies' evening at The Flour Girl bakery (14 Main St). Join the Fun
Pomfret Center | Paint Night at the Rec Park | 5 PM - Get creative with an outdoor painting session at Pomfret Recreation Park. Get Crafty
Putnam | Music on Main | 5 PM - Live music kicks off the weekend on Main Street in downtown Putnam (88 Main St). Tune In
Stafford Springs | Henna Night | 6 PM - Get beautiful henna designs while sipping cider at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St). Get Creative
Tolland | Rough Cut Cider | 6 PM - Live music and hard cider at Rough Cut Cider House at Lemek's (351 Goose Ln). Taste It
Windham | Windham Concert Band | 6 PM - The Windham Concert Band performs their summer series on Windham Green (7 Windham Green Rd). Hear It Live
Woodstock | Twilight Lawn Concert | 6:30 PM - Evening music on the lawn at Historic New England's Roseland Cottage (556 Route 169). Listen Up
SATURDAY (7/11)
Ashford | Lickity Split's at Midway | 7 PM - Live music from Lickity Split's at Midway Restaurant in Ashford. Catch the Show
Canterbury | July Pop Up | 1 PM - Shop local vendors at The Riley Farm Rescue's pop-up market. Shop Local
Danielson | Bob Ross Seascape Painting | 12 PM | ($) - Channel your inner Bob Ross and paint happy little waves at Mountain Laurel Floral (98 Main St). Get Crafty
Ellington | Kloter Farms Tent Sale | 8 AM - Annual tent sale with deals on outdoor furniture and structures at Kloter Farms (216 West Rd). Score Deals
Oneco | 80's Rock Night at River Bend | 7 PM - LiveWired 80's Tribute brings the big hair and bigger hits to River Bend Campground (41 Pond St). Rock Out
Putnam | Red Light + Fireworks | 7 PM - Red Light performs before Putnam's fireworks spectacular at Rotary Park (196 Kennedy Dr). Celebrate
Putnam | Hot Dog Eating Contest | 5 PM - QVR Rotaract hosts a hot dog eating showdown at Rotary Park—compete or spectate. Dig In
Putnam | The Island Farm Ceilie Band | 1 PM - Irish traditional music fills The Stomping Ground with jigs and reels (130 Main St). Hear It Live
Thompson | Clam Cakes & Chowder | 4 PM - New England seafood classics at their finest (530 E Thompson Rd). Dig In
Thompson | Jesse Desorcy Live | 4 PM - Acoustic tunes from musician Jesse Desorcy in Thompson (27 Main St). Listen Up
Willimantic | Multicultural Latin Festival | 1 PM - Music, food, and culture collide at Jilson Square Park's Latin Festival (46 Valley St). Celebrate
Windham | Flying Free Tack & Tag Sale | 10 AM - Horse tack and tag sale fundraiser for Flying Free rescue at Eagle Spirits (1146 Windham Rd). Shop Local
SUNDAY (6/12)
Coventry | Judged Trail Ride | 10 AM - Saddle up for a judged trail ride in Coventry (220 Talcott Hill Rd). Saddle Up
Dayville | Kt Lay Live | 2 PM - Live acoustic vibes from Kt Lay at 4G's Restaurant & Pizza.
Stafford Springs | Chris Newell Acoustic | 2 PM - Acoustic music lakeside at Four Seasons by the Lake.
Stafford Springs | The Natural Disasters | 2 PM - Acoustic Sunday's on the Pond continues at Mill Pond Country Store.
Thompson | Blackstone Valley Bluegrass Band | 1-3 PM - Bluegrass pickin' at Fort Hill Farms—bring a blanket.
Vernon | Tea Party with Bunnies | 10 AM - 2 PM - Adorable farm tea party with real bunnies for the little ones at Strong Family Farm.
Vernon | Aquanett with Back in Black | 2 PM - 80s glam meets AC/DC tribute at Rocking Horse Bar & Grill.
Woodstock | Turas | 2 PM - Celtic and folk music from Turas at Taylor Brooke.
MONDAY (6/13)
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
That’s it for this week’s Quiet Corner Buzz. If you got something out of it, please share it with someone who love frogs!
See ya next week,
Tyler
