Good snowy morning, Quiet Corner Swarm! I hope you all made it through the snow with no issues! Today is Tuesday 1/27 (wait, it is Tuesday this week, right? That was a bit of an oops on my part last week - but we’re back to regular scheduled programming now), and that means it’s National Chocolate Cake Day! If you’re looking for a kind of “different” chocolate cake, you should check out this recipe for Kladdkaka (a Swedish chocolate cake - if you like fudgy brownies, you’ll most likely be a big fan of this).
In Today’s Quiet Corner Buzz:
Community Spotlight
Buzz & Tell
Taste 2 Towns
21 Events
Let’s dive in!
-Tyler DiGiovanni
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Quiet Corner Peer Support (QCPS) is celebrating one year of breaking down the stigma of asking for help in the first responder and military communities, and they just hit a huge milestone. Thanks to funding from Killingly’s opioid settlement fund, they’re officially opening a QCPS Wellness Center at Jolly Commons in Danielson, offering ASAP/EMDR support, peer training, counseling, wellness programs, and trauma-informed yoga. Grand Opening: Saturday, Jan 31 at 10am.
BUZZ & TELL
🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Putch, a 3-year-old Shepherd mix with pure golden-retriever-level joy, aka the kind of goofy, sunbathing, treat-motivated bestie who’ll keep you laughing and feeling ridiculously loved.
🏡House of the week: A 1895 Killingly stunner is serving big “historic charm, but make it livable” energy, with tons of architectural detail and enough space for a full house of humans (plus the chaos that comes with them). Have a look!
🎨Indoor gem of the week: Silver Circle Gallery in downtown Putnam is the perfect little indoor reset, rotating local art and creative energy that’ll make you say, “wait…the Quiet Corner is kinda cultured.” Learn more.
🔭Sky report: Look low in the west right after sunset on Wed (1/28) + Thu (1/29) and you’ll catch Venus + Mercury doing a rare little glow-up together, like the sky accidentally queued up a romantic montage. Then Sun (2/1) the Full Snow Moon shows up and absolutely floods Windham County with “wow it’s BRIGHT out” energy all night.
BUZZ BULLETIN
Got a grand opening, a big event, a hiring push, or a local service you’re trying to get on people’s radar? Throw it in Quiet Corner Buzz and we’ll put it in front of thousands of locals who don’t just scroll, they actually go.
CONN-OPOLY: Take a trip through Connecticut history while you play, win, and actually learn something new. Perfect for cold-weather game nights when you’re not leaving the house. Grab one now.
PRUDENCE CRANDALL MUSEUM: We’re hiring seasonal Museum Guides for four of the state’s historic museums, which means you get paid to lead tours, talk history, and nerd out with visitors all summer. Applications are open now and close Jan 30. Apply.
WORD SCRAMBLE: Answer at the bottom of newsletter.
If you’re a “solo ager” (older adult living alone, widowed, or without nearby family), would you be interested in Connecticut Buzz promoting or co-sponsoring small local get-togethers?
TASTE 2 TOWNS STARTED THIS WEEK
Alright friends, Taste 2 Towns officially kicked off Monday, January 26 (well, kinda, on account of all the snow) and runs through Sunday, February 8 which means Mansfield + Windham are about to be your excuse to “just grab a quick bite” (and somehow end up in a food coma). The special menus are live right now at taste2towns.com, with participating restaurants serving up prix fixe menus and takeout specials that are basically built for trying new spots without overthinking it.
Send us your pics + mini reviews (we want the inside intel 👀)
If you hit any Taste 2 Towns restaurant this week, reply to this email or DM us with:
A pic of your meal
Where you went (restaurant + town)
What you ordered
And a quick mini review (1–2 sentences is perfect, like: “Get the ___, it was unreal.”)
We’ll feature the best ones in the next issue so everyone knows what’s actually worth ordering.
Reminder: The CT Buzz Passport Challenge is LIVE ✅
We launched the Passport in the last write-up, and it’s waiting for you to complete it. Complete 4 out of 6 checklist items and you’ll be entered to win prizes (we’ll announce the prizes in an upcoming newsletter). Four winners total.
✅ Eat at a participating spot in Mansfield
✅ Eat at a participating spot in Windham (Willimantic)
✅ Hit a breakfast/coffee stop
✅ Do a lunch stop
✅ Do a dinner stop
✅ Grab a dessert/sweet treat
To count your checkmarks, just send us the photos with the restaurant + what you ordered.
Posting on socials? Help spread the love
If you share your meal on Instagram or Facebook:
Tag @downtownstorrs or @willimanticct when you’re eating around for each respective town you’re eating in
If you really want to go the extra mile, tag the restaurant you’re eating in to show some love
And extra extra credit (that’s just my unwavering appreciation) tag @Connecticut_Buzz, @QuietCornerBuzz, or @TollandCountyBuzz
Now go do your civic duty and support local restaurants… one bite at a time.
3RD CONNECTICUT BUZZ DINNER CLUB
🎉 Connecticut Buzz Dinner Club is back for installment #3 on Thursday, Feb 19 at 6pm in Glastonbury and if your calendar’s been looking a little too “couch + doomscroll,” consider this your sign.
We’ll match you with five other locals who actually fit your vibe (interests, food prefs, personality, all of it), then text you the mystery restaurant that morning so it still feels like a mini adventure. Just show up hungry.
Halfway through, we drop the mystery after-spot where all the tables link up and the night turns into one big “wait…this is hilarious” hang.
$16 bucks locks your seat and covers the matching, booking, planning, and all the behind-the-scenes work so you can skip the annoying group text dance and just go have a night.
👉 Take the quiz, grab your spot, and let’s make a random Thursday feel like a win. 👇
Quick update: Our last Windham County Dinner Club didn’t pull the turnout we need, so we’re hitting pause for now until we’ve got enough locals to make it actually work the way it’s supposed to. We’re aiming for 30+ people each time so the matches are good, the energy’s right, and everyone walks out thinking, “okay yeah… that was worth it.”
BEE LINE EVENTS
TUESDAY (1/27)
Danielson | Winter Suncatchers | 5pm - If you’re looking for something creative your 7-12 year old can do, register for this Winter Suncatcher Making activity at Killingly Public Library (25 Westcott Rd).
Thompson | Musical Bingo | 5:30-7pm - Thompson Public Library (934 Riverside Dr) is holding an evening of musical bingo. Bring a friend, listen to some tunes, and have a great time!
LIVE MUSIC
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Thomas Hinds | 8-11pm
WEDNESDAY (1/28)
Ashford | Team Puzzle Comp | 5pm - Vie for puzzle completing domination at Babcock Library (25 Pompey Hollow Rd). Teams of up to 4 people are allowed, register in advance by calling (860) 487-4420.
Danielson | Indoor Community Drum Circle | 6-8pm - Come together with others in the community and make some joyful noise with an indoor drum circle at the Killingly Community Center Theatre (185 Broad St).
Willimantic | Vision Board Workshop | 6-8:30pm $ - It’s time to visualize what you want to accomplish, and making a vision board with Angela from Loving Karma (34 North St) is just the place to do it! Be surrounded by like-minded people, and get your year started strong. Tix
TRIVIA
Black Dog - Putnam | 7pm
Woodstock Tavern - Woodstock | 6:30pm
Stomping Ground - Putnam | 7pm
Hank’s - Brooklyn | 6:30pm
Bear Hands Brewing - Putnam | 6pm
THURSDAY (1/29)
Danielson | KPRD Indoor Community Drumming Circle | 6:30pm - No experience needed, just show up and bang on things with other humans. Guaranteed stress relief at the Killingly Community Center (185 Broad St).
Thompson | The Flood of 1955 | 6pm - Putnam writer Ron Coderre will be at the Thompson Public Library (934 Riverside Dr) talking about the devastating flood that took place 70 years ago.
Windham Center | WPI Community Feedback | 7pm - Come check out the plans/progress for the rehabilitation and restoration of the historic Windham Inn with the Windham Preservation Inc. at Windham Center Church (4 Windham Center Rd). Rain date is 2/1 - same location and time.
LIVE MUSIC
⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Moosup | Karaoke | 8pm-12am
⬢ Montana Nights - Putnam | Karaoke | 6-9pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | 5:30-7:30pm
TRIVIA
Trolley Pub - Willimantic | 7:30pm
Midway Restaurant - Ashford | 7pm
FRIDAY (1/30)
Canterbury | Winter Sound Ceremony | 6pm $ - Lavieenrose (40 Kerr Rd) is holding a winter sound ceremony, to help support rest, release, and relaxation. Shoot her a message for details.
Lebanon | Raffle Basket Making Party | 6pm - Yes, I know, Lebanon is not in Windham County, but if you remember, this is for a worthy cause. If you want to lend a hand making raffle baskets for the Annual Nick Malley 8-Ball Pool Tournament (which helps get people access to mental health support services and more - I’m keeping it brief, but you should really check out the Malley Matters Foundation), head to The Tap Room (385 Beaumont Hwy).
Putnam | Absolute Men Live | 8:15pm $ - Oh ladies (and certain fellas), Absolute Men is back at Charlee Bravos (9 Grove St) for their “Magic Mike” show. Yup. It’s that kind of event. Tix
Putnam | Rumors Performance | 7:30pm $ - No, this isn’t a live performance of the Fleetwood Mac album (although, I would love to see that too - plus different spelling), this is a production of Rumors by author Neil Simon at The Bradley Playhouse (30 Front St).
LIVE MUSIC
⬢ American Cafe - Plainfield | Partyoke | 9pm-1am
⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Moosup | Partyoke | 9-11:55pm
⬢ Grill 37 - Pomfret | Rob Brannon | 5:30pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | The Cannibal Ramblers | 8-11pm
TRIVIA
Music Lady Cafe - Moosup | 7pm
Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | 6:30pm
SATURDAY (1/31)
Ashford | Chili Cookoff | 12pm - Friends of Ecole Agape (64 Pompey Hollow Rd) is holding their annual chili cookoff. Raffles, silent auction, and music by Bruce John. Sign Up
Danielson | 2nd Annual Apokries | 5-8pm $ - Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (80 Water St) is holding their 2nd annual Apokries. Food, children’s costume parade, raffle, and more. Tix
Putnam | BBQ Pop-Up | 1pm - Family Tradition BBQ will be slinging brisket (and a lot more) at Bear Hands Brewing (75 Main St). Beer and BBQ is a hard combo to beat!
Sterling | Moonlight Hike | 5:30pm $ - Those willing to brave the cold can take an evening hike with wild mustangs at Wild Ride (130 Old Cranston Rd). Deets/tix
Willimantic | Evening of Acoustic Blues | 7:30-9:30pm $ - Due to popularity and demand, The River Room (50 Riverside Dr) has added a second show of Dan Stevens and Brandt Taylor (feat. Mickey Seretny)! The first show sold-out quick, and this one promises to do the same. IF you’re a fan of blues music, this is a can’t-miss! Tix
Windham | Sound Bath Facilitation Training | 12:30-5:30pm $ - Want to learn how to make some healing noise? The Mantra Room (661 Windham Rd) is hosting a one-day course in using sound for peace. More info/deets
Woodstock | Comedy Night Fundraiser | 7pm $ - Killingly Wrestling is holding a fundraiser at The Mansion at Bald Hill (29 Plaine Hill Rd). Eat some delicious food, have some laughs, and support local athletics in a beautiful location. Tix
LIVE MUSIC
⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Moosup | Partyoke | 8-11:55pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Chris Stovall Brown | 8-11pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | Kylie Harris | 2-5pm
⬢ Triple Raven Brewing - Thompson | Fox and the Dragon | 3-6pm
SUNDAY (2/1)
Danielson | Valentine’s Watercolor Card | 1-2:30pm $ - Create something special, for that special someone at Mountain Laurel Floral (98 Main St). Guys, you’ll get a ton of brownie points if you decide to take advantage of this workshop. Tix
Putnam | Matilda Auditions | 6-9pm - Ever wanted to be in a performance about a girl with psychic abilities that doesn’t involve a bucket of pig blood (that was a Carrie reference for those wondering)? The Bradley Playhouse (30 Front St) is holding auditions for the Roald Dahl classic. Info
LIVE MUSIC
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Alpaca Lunch | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Open Mic | 7-11:30pm
MONDAY (2/2)
LIVE MUSIC
⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Moosup | Brandt Taylor | 5:30pm
SCRAMBLE ANSWER: QUASSET ROAD
That’s it for this week’s Quiet Corner Buzz. If you got something out of it, please share it with someone who made some comment about being due for a big snowfall!
See ya next week,
Tyler
