Alright Windham County, we finally did the thing: we launched our local events calendar so you can see what’s happening without digging through 14 Facebook posts, three flyers, and your aunt’s “maybe” comment thread. It’s live at events.quietcornerbuzz.com, and it’s in beta, which is a fancy way of saying it’s usable right now but you might catch a few weird hiccups while we iron things out. If you spot something off let us know so we can make it better fast or just send me your feedback if you have any!

Downtown Willimantic is basically turning into a walkable chocolate village on Saturday, February 7 starting at 10am and going all day and honestly… yes please. Hit the Chocolate Chip Stroll (think trick-or-treating, but with Valentine vibes and way better snacks), catch live music popping up around Main Street, and vote on the window decorating contest like you’re on a very sweet jury.

There’s also the “Cupid Made Me Do It” 2-mile run/walk benefiting WAIM, a cake baking contest with legit prizes, plus artists, crafters, and all the downtown shops doing their thing.

Bonus: Willimantic Food Co-op is celebrating its 46th birthday during the festival, and at 12:00pm there’s a Plunge for Hunger to support Covenant Soup Kitchen (jump in or just watch like a responsible adult). More details.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Liberty, a big sweet smartie who knows her basics, is super food-motivated, and would happily trade treats for cuddles (especially the “snuggle in bed with my people” kind), and she’s spayed, microchipped, and fully up to date.

🏡House of the week: A year-round lake house with huge panoramic windows, two stone fireplaces, a finished lower level made for hangouts, and a deck path that leads straight down to your own waterfront dock for kayaking, fishing, and “one more sunset” energy. Check it out!

🔭Sky report: If you only look up once this week, make it Jupiter. It is the stupid-bright “star” that pops out soon after sunset, and even a cheap little telescope can show you its big moons lined up like tiny dots. One more easy win: late Saturday night (Feb 7) into Sunday (Feb 8), the Moon hangs near a bright star called Spica, so it looks like a clean little two-pack in the sky.

All that snow we just got had me thinking: if we’re going to be trapped in a winter wonderland, we might as well weaponize it for fun. I pulled together the best sledding spots in Windham County so you can send it at King Street Hill, Riverside Park, Woodstock Academy, and a few other local gems that turn into pure chaos in the best way. If I missed your go-to hill, hit reply and tell me what deserves a spot on the list:

From Hartford to Wilmington N.C for 56 bucks* non-stop roundtrip, early April for a week stay. See the deal!

From Hartford to Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands for 453 bucks* 1-stop roundtrip, end of Feb. for a 10 day stay. See the deal!

From Hartford to Copenhagen, Denmark for 771 bucks* 1-stop roundtrip, end of May for a week stay. See the deal!

*Prices at the time of writing subject to change

Last week’s word scramble was QUASSET ROAD, and it sounds like a cute little made-up backroad name, but it’s actually an old Native place-name that stuck. “Quasset” is the shortened, worn-down version of Wabbaquasset, commonly explained as the “mat-producing place/country” because local reeds and rushes were used to make mats. The area is tied to the region’s “praying village” history from the 1600s connected to missionary John Eliot, and Woodstock tradition points to nearby “Pulpit Rock” as a spot where he preached, though historians note the exact location isn’t confirmed.

Dayville | Paint Night Fundraiser | 6-8pm $ - Paint a picture of an adorable squirrel at sunset, and help raise much needed funds for Vendrick’s Healing Paw Animal Rescue at Golden Greek Restaurant (474 Putnam Pike). Register

Putnam | PBA Speed Networking | 5-7:30pm $ - Know someone in the Putnam Business Association, or looking to make some connections? Head to Bear Hands Brewing (75 Main St) for an evening of networking. RSVP

Thompson | Tech Help Tuesday | 5:30-7pm - If you need a hand with your gadgets (phones, laptops, tablets, etc), the fine folks at Thompson Public Library (934 Riverside Dr) are willing to walk you through getting the most out of your device. First come, first served, make sure to bring the device in question.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Jesse Desorcy | 8-11pm

Canterbury | 2,400 Miles in a 90-year old Car | 7:30pm - Listen to former Canterbury Historical Society President Bob Noiseux talk about the adventure he had on a long-distance race using a 1931 Franklin Airman.

Danielson | Ramen & Candy Sushi (ages 13-18) | 4pm - Killingly Public Library (25 Westcott Rd) is encouraging teens to come enjoy a bowl of ramen, then flex their foodie creativity with a candy sushi-making competition. Sign Up

Moosup | Soup & Stories Night | 6-8pm - Bring pictures and stories of Main St to MISSION: Moosup (69 Prospect St), and get some free soup from local restaurants (while supplies last). Stick around to hear what they have planned for this year, and offer any suggestions you may have.

Online | CT During the Revolutionary War | 7-8:30pm $ - If you’re curious about what was going on in this great state of ours in the Revolutionary War, Ed Dorgan will be teaching a 6-week on-line course (only meeting once a week) on what us Nutmeggers were up to, during this vital part of our nation’s history. More info

Putnam | Love Tapestry Crochet Classes | 12:30 & 5:30pm $ - Woolworks Ltd Yarn Shop (154 Main St) wants to help you make a special love tapestry, be fair-warned, basic crochet skills are necessary. Give the shop a call to register.

Willimantic | Tavern Night | 5pm $ - Go through the looking glass, and spend the evening with “Lewis Carroll” (played by a local actor), learn about his life, favorite food and beverage, and enjoy an evening in a historic building at the Jillson House Museum (627 Main St). And listen, it’s cheaper than buying most drinks from Starbucks. Tix

TRIVIA

Woodstock Tavern - Woodstock | 6:30pm
Bear Hands Brewing - Putnam | 6pm
Hank’s - Brooklyn | 6:30pm
Stomping Ground - Putnam | 7pm

Danielson | Elk Riders Steak Dinner | 6:30pm $ - The Elks Riders (13 Center St) are holding their monthly steak dinner. $25/ticket gets you steak, salad, veggies, and a special Valentine’s poke cake.. 50/50 and raffle tix also available for purchase. Contact an Elks Rider for tickets.

Moosup | Angel Painting Night | 6-7:30pm $ - Put a little creativity and divine inspiration with an angelic painting at Love & Light Healing Studio (5 Legacy Dr). RSVP

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Straight Jazz Series | 5:30-7:30pm

TRIVIA

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

Woodstock | Piano Men: Generations | 7:30pm $ - Celebrate the music of two musical icons: Billy Joel and Elton John with a performance from a father-son duo (and backing band) in Woodstock. Say goodbye to the yellow brick road, grab your uptown girl and head to the Loos Center for the Arts (150 Rte 169). Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ American Cafe - Plainfield | Partyoke | 9pm-1am
⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Moosup | Partyoke | 9-11:55pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Patchwork Family | 8-11pm
⬢ Black Dog - Putnam | Drunken Uncles | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

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

ALL TOWNS | Take Your Child To The Library Day | Varies - Today is the day to bring your offspring to see what’s going on at your local library. Most libraries will have activities going on throughout the day - stories, scavenger hunts, and other fun stuff. If you happen to stop into the Killingly Public Library (they have a fantastic program running), tell Allison I sent you!

Danielson | Macrame Heart | 11am-1pm $ - Make a homemade heart that’s absolutely adorable, with Mountain Laurel Floral (98 Main St) - unrelated, that’s my favorite line from this entire newsletter. Wires, macrame cord, and a willingness to learn are all you need for this fun craft. Tix

Fabyan | Make Your Own Pasta Class | 5pm $ - Learn how to make pasta (spaghetti or fettucine 🤌) along with several sauces at New Boston Beef (17 Fabyan Woodstock Rd). Tix

Moosup | Steak Dinner Fundraiser | 5-7pm $ - Support the Children’s Burn Camp and Local Victims of Fire with a steak dinner at Music Lady Cafe (6 Green Hollow Rd). $20/person, shoot them a message for more details.

Putnam | Author Event | 1-3pm - Local author Nancy Hopkins will be at Wolperdinger Bookends (112 Main St) to talk about and sign her children’s books featuring Sassy the Green Tree Boa.

Putnam | Chili Cook-Off | 6-8pm - Christ Church Putnam (527 Pomfret St) is holding a chili competition to see who reigns supreme. Four categories: meat & bean, veggie, misc., and Winner’s Circle - where past winners go head-to-head.

Putnam | Exhibit Opening | 6-8pm - Artist Steve Gerling will be displaying his gorgeous works of art at the Silver Circle Gallery (134 Main St) beginning on 2/7 and running through until 3/29. If you’re a fan of landscape/nature art, make stopping by a priority.

Putnam | Fire & Ice Festival | 12-8pm - If you live in Putnam, you already know, but for those in the surrounding areas that don’t, the annual Fire & Ice Festival on Main St in Putnam is a can’t-miss event. Ice sculptures, a 30-ft inflatable igloo, fire dancing, magic show, business & restaurant specials, and a whole lot more. Be aware, parking can be tricky!

Putnam | Rumors | 7:30pm $ - Stop in and see this fast-paced comedy at the historic Bradley Playhouse (30 Front St). Tix

South Windham | Gilbert the Pig Party | 9:30-10:30am - Alright, so this is part of the Take Your Child to the Library Day celebration, but this one features adorable pigs, so I had to give it a little extra attention. Guilford Smith Memorial Library (17 Main St) is hosting Gilbert the pig (and several other piggy friends). Space is limited, email [email protected] to sign up.

Sterling | Healing with Herbs | 10am-12pm $ - Learn all about herbal medicinal remedies, including preparation with Amelia at Rolf Bodyworks (321 Valley View Rd). Sign Up

Willimantic | The Choco Show | 7:30-9:30pm ($) - Working in concert (you’ll get it in a second) with the Willimantic Annual Chocolate Festival, The River Room (50 Riverside Dr) is capping off the delicious day, with some sweet music (and history). Treats, performances, giveaways, and some surprises! Willimantic Cupid’s attend for free, otherwise, grab your tix here.

Willimantic | 15th Annual Plunge for Hunger | 12pm - The 15th Annual Plunge for Hunger supporting the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic will be taking place at Lauter Park (557 Jackson St). More deets

Willimantic | Food Co-ops 46th Birthday Bash | 10am-4pm - Celebrate one of the gems of Windham County, by stopping by the Willimantic Food Co-op (91 Valley St) and helping them celebrate 46 years in the game. Free coffee, cake for days (no seriously, a ton of cake), live music, karaoke, free samples & door prizes. Active, up-to-date members receive 10% off one purchase between 2/7-2/14. I know, I know, but it’s not as expensive as you think it is. Just stop by, they have a ton of amazing products to choose from!

Woodstock | Comedy All-Stars Benefit | 7:30pm $ - Help raise funds for important pancreatic cancer research, and have a great time while doing it, with a comedy show at The Woodstock Academy (41 Hill Cemetery Rd). Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Moosup | Red Light | 9:30pm
⬢ Bread Box Theater - Willimantic | Crys Matthews | 4pm $
⬢ Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | Back Rhodes | 2-5pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Tyler Fauxbel | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Still Young | 8-11pm

Brooklyn | Tailgater Road Race | 12pm $ - What better way to justify the ridiculous amount of food you’ll be taking in during the Super Bowl, than by participating in a road race? Even better, it helps support the Brooklyn PTO! Register

Danielson | Valentine’s Open Studio | 10am-3pm $ - Get creative, and show your significant other you really care, with a homemade craft at Mountain Laurel Floral (98 Main St). Crafts for all ages, check them out.

Dayville | Pet Adoption Event | 9am-12pm - Petco (1086 Killingly Cmns) is once again teaming up with Paws Rescue League for an adorable adoption event. Don’t have a Valentine? Here’s your chance to bring home a furry one. (Get pre-approved to bring one home the day of)

Putnam | Matcha and Arts Gathering | 1-3pm $ - Bring your favorite art supplies and a journal to BLOCK 134 (134 Main St) for an afternoon of creativity and journaling in a welcoming environment. Sign Up

Woodstock | Puppy Pals LIVE! | 3pm $ - There’s only one thing better than adorable dogs, and that’s adorable dogs doing stunts and other amazing feats. Check out the puppy power they’ll have going at the Loos Center for the Arts (150 Rte 169). Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ 4G’s Restaurant - Dayville | T Ray Taylor | 2-5pm
⬢ Broken Crust - Putnam | Paul Caraher | 5:30-7:30pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Danny Fleet | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Open Mic | 7-11:30pm

Brooklyn | Galentine’s | 5pm $ - Hank’s Restaurant (416 Rte 6) is holding a special “Galentine’s” dinner, celebrating the ladies. Mini charcuterie boards, wine pairings, and special menu items. RSVPs are suggested.

Brooklyn | Making Valentines | 5-6:30pm $ - Sadie’s Sweet Shop (162 S Main St) wants you to bring your kids by for a 90-minute project for the whopping total of $5/kid. They’ll make a Valentine’s card, enjoy some pizza, and watch a movie. Hard to beat this deal.

LIVE MUSIC

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