We’re trying to build something special here and grants could help us sprint. I’ve started looking at local opportunities but I’m out of my depth. If you’re a grant pro (or know one), please reach out to me below. We’re looking for intros, tips, fiscal-sponsor ideas, we’ll take it all.

🎭 Rockville just got crowned a Connecticut State Cultural District, the first in Tolland County - so expect more arts, history, and weekend buzz downtown.

We’re cooking up limited-edition drops (prints, tees, puzzles, the works) and want to build them with hometown talent.

Bonus: we’re launching Local Artist Spotlights in upcoming issues so your work gets real newsletter love. Painters, illustrators, photographers, printmakers - if your style says “Connecticut, but make it cool,” we want to see it.

Hit reply with “ARTIST” + a link/IG handle (or send your recs). We’ll reach out this week.

Hebron Harvest Fair

Hebron | Thursday 9/4 - Sunday 9/7 | Hours Vary $ - The return of the Hebron Harvest Fair (347 Gilead St) is upon us! This fair holds a special place in my heart - my father and one of his friends used to run a Fried Mozzarella booth when I was growing up (I can still picture them hand making each stick, no pre-packaged stuff involved). Enough of the trip down memory lane, this year promises to continue with the tradition of providing a great time for the whole family. Amusement rides, live bands, truck & tractor pulls, and of course the food (I’m a sucker for a bloomin onion). Maybe I’ll see some of you there on Thursday. If you want even more deets, you can check out their website.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Bozo, a 7-month, 35-lb poodle mix rescued from a “home” with 100 doodles; he’s sweet, smart, a little shell-shocked, and ready to blossom with patient love, training, and structure. Neutered, up-to-date, and eager to learn what real family life feels like.

🏡House of the week: Hebron stunner in Chestnut Hollow: 4-bed, 4,704-sq-ft Colonial on 1.41 acres with 9–12' ceilings, a chef’s kitchen, sunken great room, and multi-tier Trex deck. Check it out!

🥾Trail of the week: Valley Falls Park (Vernon) Waterfall-and-pond stunner with options: stroll the 0.6-mi Pond Loop, tackle the ~2.2-mi Railroad Brook loop, or hop on the Hop River State Park rail-trail that runs right through the park for flat, bikeable miles. Parking tip: 300 Valley Falls Rd, Vernon; seasonal swimming at the small beach, and easy connections to Belding WMA if you want more.

🔭Sky report: The Full Corn Moon hits Sun, Sept 7 at ~2:08 pm ET - bright nights ahead. The total lunar eclipse that day is not visible from Connecticut (it favors Africa/Asia/Australia). Planets: Saturn rides high most of the night; Jupiter and Venus glow low in the pre-dawn east, binoculars = bonus.

Rockville | Drive-Thru Farmers Market | 11am-3pm - Do your shopping from inside your car with a drive-thru farmers market in Rockville (1253 Hartford Tpke). The first 25 seniors there will receive a free bag of fresh produce!

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Square Peg - Vernon | Kt Lay | 6:30-8:30pm

Ellington | Singers Wanted! | 10am - The Ellington Singers (40 Maple St) are looking for singers to serenade nursing homes and local events. Inquire at the Senior Center if you’re interested.

Hebron | Bonsai Bar | 6pm $ - Make some tiny trees at The Flour Girl (14 Main St). Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Bidwell Tavern - Coventry | Tino & Malone | 6:30-9:30pm

Coventry | 18th-Century Doctor Visit | 6:30-8pm $ - Historical researcher and reenactor Daniel Newman, is bringing you into the world of an 18th-century physician. You’ll be able to learn all about the latest (for the 1700s) medical techniques/cures/remedies at the Nathan Hale Homestead (2299 South St). Tix

Willington | Retirement Celebration | 11am-4pm - Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd) is hosting a celebration to recognize Kathy Lisiewski’s 50 years of service to the library (and subsequent retirement from full-time work). Swing by and say thanks for all she’s done for the library, and wish her well! Rumor has it, there might be cake.

Vernon | Painting In Watercolor | 6-8:30pm $ - It’s never too late to channel your inner artiste with a watercolors class at Arts Center East (709 Hartford Tpke). Tix

Andover | Barn Sale | 10am-3pm - She Shed Creations (200 Hebron Rd) is inviting you to check out their vintage, up-cycled, new, used, and pretty any other adjective you could use for “stuff.” The sale is also continuing on 9/6.

Coventry | Contra Dance | 7:30-10:30pm $ - Get your group dancing on at Patriot’s Park Lodge (162 Lake St). You can learn more here.

Ellington | Night Jumping | 7:15pm $ - This one is for you adrenaline junkies with a B license in skydiving. Connecticut Parachutists (360 Somers Rd) is holding some night jumps, in case jumping out of a plane when you can see where you’re going isn’t terrifying enough. Sign-up

Somers | Sushi Making Class | 6:30pm $ - Learn how to roll one up at Worthington Vineyards (359 Mountain Rd). I’m talking about sushi, or course. Tix

Stafford | Tango Milonga | 8:30-11:55pm ($) - See what a little clarinet can do for Tango music at Terrified Tango (58 Main St). Live music, a DJ, homemade beverages, raffles, and more. Suggested donation of $20.

Vernon | Metal Crutch/Wheel Chair Donations | 1pm - Rockville Baptist Church (825 Hartford Tpke) is teaming with Wheels for the World! to take in old metal crutches or wheel chairs/walkers and connect them with people in need that might not be able to afford them.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Cassidy Hill Vineyard - Coventry | Kelsey Kaplan Duo | 6-8pm

Coventry | Caprilands Luncheon | 1-4pm $ - Enjoy an amazing afternoon celebrating all things Caprilands (give it a Google), and enjoying a menu inspired from the grounds at the Coventry Historical Society (2382 South St). Sign-up

Coventry | East Windsor Lion’s Charity Golf Scramble | 7:30am-3pm $ - You don’t need to live in East Windsor to get a round of golf in at Twin Hills Country Club (277 Twin Hills Dr). Keg, prizes, lunch, and a goodie bag included. Contact the East Windsor Lions, if you’re interested.

Coventry | Shred It Day | 9am-12pm - Coventry Public Works (100 Olsen Farm Rd) is holding a free shredding service to all Coventry residents who need it. Limit 2 bags/boxes per household.

Ellington | Salsa Saturday | 9am-12pm - The theme of this week’s Ellington Farmers Market (72 Maple St) is salsa! Grab some dip from local vendors, or grab some other goodies!

Stafford Springs | Farmers Market | 10am-12pm - Swing by the Stafford Farmers Market (51 Old Springfield Rd) for farm-fresh goodies, live music, and more.

Stafford Springs | Farm Day | 10am- The Witt Farm (2 Stafford St) is holding a couple of days (9/7 as well) of farm fun. Food trucks, live music, farmers, artisans, exhibits, carriage rides, and tons of kids activities. More info

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ The Hidden Still - Ellington | The Deadheads | 8:30-11pm
⬢ The Spot Bar and Grill - Tolland | The Natural Disasters | 6pm
⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | Redhead | 6:30-9:30pm

Coventry | Dog Days Market | 10am-1pm - The theme of this week’s Coventry Farmers Market (2299 South St) is “Dog Days.” Bring your well-behaved four-legged friend and find some treats this week, just for them!

Coventry | Yoga w/Alpacas | 12-1pm $ - What better way to spend a session of yoga, than with some adorable alpacas at Red Door Alpaca Farm (857 South St). Tix

Mansfield | Grist Mill Tours | 1-5pm - I feel like I might be repeating myself at this point, but it’s for good reason. Joshua’s Trust is offering you free guided tours of the historic Gurleyville Grist Mill (Stone Mill Rd). Take the drive.

Storrs | Join A Choir! | Several Times - Consonare Choral Community is looking for members for all of their choir ensembles (one for adults, and two for young adults down to children). There’s no audition required, only the desire to become a better singer! Sign Up

Vernon | Artists Day | 1-3pm - Stroll through the beautiful Valley Falls Farm (345 Valley Falls Rd), and watch artists painting, listen to some music, possibly purchase a work of art, and take a tour of the historic onsite buildings. It’s a gorgeous location, and if you’re abled-bodied enough, you should definitely check it out. More info

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Four Seasons By the Lake - Stafford | Acoustic Rick and 3rd Generation | 2-5pm
⬢ Mill Pond County Store - Stafford | Wavelength | 2-4pm

Hebron | Dick Haslam Memorial Golf Tournament | 11am $ - Help raise money for the community, have a drink or two, and play a round of 18 at Blackledge Country Club (180 West St). Register