(aka your new favorite excuse to eat out)

If you’ve been stuck in that winter food rut (same 3 places, same order, every time)… good news: Taste 2 Towns: Mansfield-Windham Restaurant Week kicks off Monday, January 26 through Sunday, February 8.

Restaurants in Mansfield + Windham will be rolling out special takeout offers and prix fixe menus for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night treats, so you can do this as casually (one takeout night) or as aggressively (full-on food tour) as you want. Full details and participating spots are here.

To make it more fun, we’re running a Taste Passport Challenge during Taste 2 Towns.

To enter: Complete at least 4 of the 6 passport items below and send us pictures of your meals, plus where you got them and what you ordered.

Send your photos + details by Sunday, February 8:

We’ll pick 4 winners, and we’ll announce the prizes in a future newsletter (so yes, the prizes are currently a surprise… like a mystery bag, but hopefully with fewer weird items 😄).

Alright Windham County… stretch pants on standby. 🍕🔥

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Feyre, a 3-month-old fluffy Husky mix who’s sweet with kids and dogs, loaded with personality, and basically ready to turn your life into a daily adventure (with extra fur included).

🏡House of the week: This post-and-beam beauty in Hampton is basically a private retreat on 25+ acres with a pond, brook, and hiking trails, plus a hot tub, sauna, solarium, and an outdoor patio with a fireplace for peak “I live in a cozy nature resort” energy. Have a look!

📚Indoor gem of the week: The Traveler Restaurant in Union is basically a diner-meets-bookstore where you grab a solid meal and walk out with three free books, because Connecticut loves a good plot twist.

🔭Sky report: Jan 20–23 is prime “dark sky” week right after the new moon, so look east for Jupiter blazing all night and catch Saturn low in the west, with the skinny crescent moon sliding past it on Jan 22–23. By Jan 26, the first-quarter moon starts brightening things up and hangs near the Pleiades (Seven Sisters) in Taurus, while Orion and Gemini stay loud and proud overhead like the winter sky’s greatest hits album.

SATURDAY 1/24

Woodstock | Acorn Adventure - Bald Eagle | 10am - Alright, so this one is for the kids, but I think it’s too cool not to share. Emma and Cassidy from The Last Green Valley will be at Roseland Park (205 Roseland Pard Rd), talking all about bald eagles. While there isn’t a guarantee you’ll spot one flying around, there will be a special bald eagle ambassador making an appearance!

Since this is an outdoor event, make sure to dress for the elements. You can call (860) 774-3300 for more info!

If you’ve ever wanted to get into gardening but didn’t feel like buying a bunch of fancy stuff, the milk jug greenhouse is your move. It’s a mini DIY greenhouse made from a regular plastic milk jug, and it lets you start seeds earlier because the jug traps warmth and protects everything from wind and cold. Super simple, kinda genius, and it makes you feel like the type of person who “totally has a garden plan” even if you’re winging it.

How to make a milk jug greenhouse:

You can grow a ton of stuff in a milk jug greenhouse too. Think lettuce, spinach, kale, arugula, Swiss chard, herbs like parsley and cilantro, and even snap peas if you’ve got a little patience. Flowers work great too, especially marigolds, zinnias, black-eyed Susans, and anything that normally survives a little early-season drama.

My tips: label the jug (because “mystery greens” is fun until it isn’t), don’t skip drainage holes or you’ll create a swamp, and put it somewhere it gets good sun but not full all-day blast at first. Also keep the cap off so it doesn’t turn into a steamy seed sauna, and check it after heavy rain so it doesn’t flood. Low effort, high payoff, and you’ll feel like a gardening genius by week two.

Last week’s word scramble was the Dorrance Inn in Sterling, a colonial-era inn built around 1722 that’s basically a real-life Revolutionary War pit stop. It hosted French officers from Rochambeau’s army in 1781 and 1782 on their march to meet up with Washington.

It’s also called the Samuel Dorrance House, sits right on Plainfield Pike (Route 14A), and is one of the few places name-dropped in multiple French officers’ accounts. Even George Washington is recorded as staying here in 1781, and it landed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

Plainfield | Wild Bird Seminar | 6:30-8:30pm - If you enjoy staring out the window at little birdies coming to visit (I'm guilty of doing the same), Plainfield Agway (650 Norwich Rd) is holding a seminar on bird food and feeder types, and what you can expect to see coming to visit. Space is limited, so call (860) 564-2779 to make sure you can attend.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Simon Silvia | 7-10pm

Putnam | The Crowded Table (Women’s Group) | 12-2pm - The Crowded Table will be at Nikki’s Dog House (5 Canal St). If you’re looking to join a group of women that support each other, look for ways to positively impact the community, and foster new relationships, this might be worth checking out.

Putnam | Winter Story Time | 10am-5pm - Meet the author/creator of the Wolpdy Tales and find out what a Wolperdinger is at Wolperdinger Bookends (112 Main St).

Willimantic | Community Food Writing Workshop | 5-7pm $ - This community writing workshop at the Willimantic Food Co-op (109 Valley St) aims to support, motivate, and inspire people adapting restrictive diets. Just because food options may be limited, that doesn’t mean you can’t still eat well! All participants are also entered to win a $50 Co-op gift card. Tix

Willimantic | Latin Dance for Beginners | 6pm $ - You can admit it, you know you wish you could dance to some spicy Spanish beats. Start your 6-week course to becoming a sultan of Salsa, a baron of of Bachata, and more at The River Room (50 Riverside Dr). Sign Up - they also have classes for intermediate and advanced dancers, so check out their website.

TRIVIA

Woodstock Tavern - Woodstock | 6:30-8:30pm
Stomping Ground - Putnam | 7pm
Hank’s - Brooklyn | 6:30pm
Bear Hands Brewing - Putnam | 6pm
Mill Town Grill - North Grosvenordale | 6:30pm

Fabyan | Learn To Pan Sear | 5:30-8:30pm $ - Learn how to pan sear at New Boston Beef (17 Fabyan Woodstock Rd). Tix

Putnam | Blood Drive | 9am-2pm - Save a life, and feel good about yourself by donating blood at the Hale YMCA (9 Technology Park Dr). Sign Up

Willimantic | Women’s Suffrage Movement Talk | 6pm - Local historian Bev York will be at the Willimantic Public Library (905 Main St) to talk about the struggles passing the 19th amendment went through. If you know Bev you know it will be a fascinating talk!

Willimantic | VideoFest | 6pm - Check out what the next generation is doing at VideoFest at Arts at the Capitol Theater (896 Main St). Student-created short films, stop animations, and other fun stuff will be showcased. Free to attend, but donations are gladly accepted.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Montana Nights Axe Throwing - Putnam | Karaoke | 6pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Straight Up Jazz Series | 5:30-7:30pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | The Berger Boys | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

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

Putnam | Comedy Show | 7:30pm $ - The 2026 iteration of the local Celebrity Comedy Show is back at The Bradley Theater (30 Front St). This amazing fundraiser helped raise over $19,000 for local youth wellness initiatives last year, and they’re looking to surpass that this time around. Tix

Thompson | Oak Barrel Tarot | 5pm $ - Caitie Stone is back at Triple Raven Brewing (27 Main St) to do Oracle or Tarot readings. First come, first served! Sessions are $30.

Thompson | Mystery Dinner Theater | 6pm $ - Have dinner and a show with a Mystery Theater at Tourtellotte High School (785 Riverside Dr). These are always fun, just bring your appetite and an open mind. Grab your spot.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ The American Cafe - Plainfield | Partyoke | 9pm-1am
⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Moosup | Partyoke | 9pm-11:55pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Muddy ruckus | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

Music Lady Cafe - Moosup | 7-9pm
Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | 6:30pm

Fabyan | Mediterranean Night Out | 5pm $ - New Boston Beef (17 Fabyan Woodstock Rd) is going to walk you through making a rack of lamb, pesto, tzatziki, baba ganoush, and Israeli salad and tabbouleh. Tix

Plainfield | Broom Making Class (Part 2) | 10am-1pm $ - This is a friendly reminder for those of you that participated in the first broom-making class at Crystal Visions (40 Railroad Ave), part 2 is here, and space is limited. Shoot them a message if you’re interested.

Pomfret | Sno-Ball | 5-8pm $ - Help raise some funds for the Jim Logee Campership Fund at Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp (326 Taft Pond Rd). This fundraiser features dinner (baked chicken) & dancing, a We-Li-Kit Ice Cream Bar, a DJ, and door prizes. Support a great cause for less than the cost of a large specialty pizza! Tix

Putnam | Thrummer Mittens | 12:30-2:30pm $ - Woolworkd Ltd Yarn Shop (154 Main St) is teaching you how to thrum (whatever that is) and knit fleece-lined mittens. Just a heads up, this is a two-day workshop with the second class on 1/31. Call (860) 963-1228 for more deets and to book a spot.

South Windham | Winter Fairy Tea Party | 11am - Add a little whimsy to your winter, with a container fairy garden demo, fairy craft, and more at Ladd’s Garden Center (671 Windham Rd).

Thompson | Homemade Meatball & Spaghetti Dinner | 5-7pm $ - Stuff your face at the Thompson Rod and Gun Club (93 Brandy Hill Rd) with homemade meatballs, pasta, salad, and garlic bread. Get your $15 tix at the bar.

Willimantic | Bruce John’s B-Day Bash | 7-11pm $ - Local music legend Bruce John are holding a birthday bash to help support Project HOPE of Eastern CT. Pull your best hippie gear out of storage and party like it’s the 60’s again. Tix or you can grab them at the Willi Food Co-op as well.

Willimantic | The Greg Abate Quartet | 7:30-9:30pm $ - Jazz enthusiasts or just fans of virtuoso-level music need to check out this show at The River Room (50 Riverside Dr). I’m not blowing smoke, this is one of the best Jazz saxophonists out there right now, so don’t miss out! Tix

Woodstock | Journey Tribute Band | 7:30-10:30pm $ - You don’t have to stop believing, Frontiers (a Journey tribute band) will be at the Loos Center for the Arts (150 Rte 169). Welcome the band with Open Arms before you go your Separate Ways at the end of the evening (that enough song references for you?). Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Moosup | Merge Right | 8pm
⬢ Killingly Grange - Dayville | Simon Brogie and The XLTs | 7pm
⬢ Woodstock Tavern - Woodstock | Karaoke | 8-11pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Leslie Alexandria Quartet | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Mike Wood Group | 8-11pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | Michael O’Keefe | 2-5pm

Danielson | Lasagna-Style Bulb Pots | 11am-12pm $ - Create a delicious-sounding multi-bloom spring display at Mountain Laurel Floral (98 Main St). If you haven’t looked into these before, they are really cool, and make for a stunning arrangement when they come up. Tix

Lebanon | Nick Malley 8-Ball Pool Tournament Registration | All day - This is the last chance to register for the Nick Malley 8-Ball Pool Tournament. Although this isn’t technically in Windham County, it’s an amazing event for a great cause that helps break down the stigma surrounding suicide and expanding access to mental health support services. You can find more info and register here.

Putnam | Community Book Sale | 10am-2pm - The Bradley Playhouse is hosting a book sale to help fund their upcoming production of Roald Dahls Matilda at The Sloat Rehearsal Hall (6 Livery St). $2 soft cover, $4 hard cover, hard to beat that deal! Cash, check, Venmo, and credit card all accepted.

Willimantic | Ladies Coffee Meetup | 10am - CT Social Babes are holding a meet up at the wonderful Good Times Coffee House (1548 Main St). Meet some new people, enjoy some fantastic coffee and treats (seriously delicious food), and get out of the house!

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | John Ferrara | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Open Mic | 7-11:30pm
⬢ 4G’s Restaurant - Dayville | Mike Silvia | 2-5pm

Danielson | Mystery Matinee | 1-4pm - Here’s an easy way to add a little spontaneity into your life. Show up to the Killingly Public Library (25 Westcott Rd) for a mystery movie. Isn’t that simple?

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Moosup | Brandt Taylor | 5pm