Not getting our emails? A bunch of people told us we “disappeared,” which usually means our newsletter slid into Promotions or Spam. Take a quick peek there and drag our emails into your primary inbox so you do not miss the good stuff.

Dinner Club update. Our first CT Buzz Dinner Club was a blast and we got great feedback on what to keep and what to tweak so the next one is even better. Round two is set for Jan 15 in Manchester so if you want in, make sure you sign up to secure your spot. If Manchester is too far and we can get enough people in Windham County then I’ll set one up here. Poll below👇

If you’ve been thinking about grabbing Conn-opoly, now’s the time – games are in stock, will arrive before Christmas, and every purchase helps support this newsletter and the weird little CT media experiment behind it. It is the perfect “cold winter night” family game, and you’ll actually learn new things about our state while you’re arguing over who gets which property and who forgot to pay the innkeeper.

🐶 Adopt-a-pal: Meet Sunny, a roughly 1½ year old schnauzer mix in the 30 pound range who is looking for her forever humans. If you want a medium sized sidekick who is down for walks, road trips, and couch time, this is your girl.

🏡 House of the week: A roomy 1830 Colonial in Mansfield with nearly 2,700 square feet, a cozy fireplace, and a finished lower level that can flex as a game room, office, or guest space. Add in over an acre of land and a detached garage, and you have serious “country quiet but still close to everything” energy. Have a look!

🏛️ Indoor gem of the week: Arts Center East | Vernon
Community arts hub with gallery shows, classes, and events, perfect “wander indoors and look at cool local art for an hour” energy.

🔭 Sky report: Look east after dinner and you will see bright Jupiter hanging like a fake streetlight while the big winter constellations like Orion and Taurus climb higher every hour. Early in the week you might catch a few leftover Geminid shooting stars, then Sunday night into Monday the smaller Ursid meteor shower rolls through under a nice dark sky thanks to the new moon.

From Hartford to Dublin, Ireland for 470 bucks* roundtrip, mid March for a week stay. See the deal!

From Boston to Sao Paulo, Brazil for 436 bucks* roundtrip, mid April for a week. See the deal!

*Prices current at the time of writing, subject to change.

COVENTRY 12/17

Andover | Wrapping Help | 5-7pm ($) - If wrapping gifts is the bane of your holiday existence, then take the drive to Andover Public Library (355 Rt 6) for some help in that department. They’ll supply everything needed to wrap your gifts, and they’ll even wrap them for you! It’s not required, but a small donation to help cover the cost of materials is much appreciated (and suggested by me, I mean, do the right thing here).

Vernon | Mediumship Gallery Event | 6:30-8:30pm $ - Spend an evening with psychic medium Rebecca Anne LoCicero at 54 Hartford Tpke. Email [email protected] to reserve your spot.

Willington | A Christmas Carol | 6pm - Professor Kenneth Noll will be performing a one-man, truncated version of A Christmas Carol at Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd). There’s a reason he’s been booked by several places for his performance…he’s excellent!

Ellington | Life in 1862 | 6:30pm - Learn all about what life was like for an Ellington school boy over 120 years ago with a reading from R. I. Young’s diary at Hall Memorial Library (93 Main St). Sign Up

TRIVIA

Bond 124 - Somers | 7-8:30pm

Somers | Paint & Sip | 6-8pm $ - Worthington Vineyards (359 Mountain Rd) is giving you a few options to be creative. Choose between 2 glass ornaments, 2 wine glasses (stemmed or unstemmed), or a wine bottle (string lights/topper included). Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Bond 124- Somers | Vickey Turgeon | 7:30-10:30pm

TRIVIA

Rocking Horse - Vernon | 7pm

Andover | Holiday Concert | 7pm - Christmas in New England will be performing at First Congregational Church of Andover (369 Rt 6). Holiday favorites with a touch of bluegrass, old time, and country flairs. There is no cover, but donations are accepted.

Coventry | Holiday Sing-Along | 10am - The Coventry Senior Center (172 Lake St) will be holding a holiday sing-along with Song-a-Day. Give them a buzz to let them know you’re coming.

Ellington | Holiday Marketplace | 4-7pm - Swing by the Nellie McKnight Museum (70 Main St) to check out the 1812 house, and do a little holiday shopping in their gift shop, all while supporting the Ellington Historical Society.

Ellington | An Evening with Humbug | 6:30pm - Local author Sarah Whelan will be reading Humbug: Scrooge Before The Ghosts at the Nellie McKnight Museum (70 Main St). You’ll get a chance to meet the author, ask some questions, and purchase signed copies of the book.

Stafford | Holiday Arrangement Workshop | 4pm $ - Café de Flore (72 Main St) wants to help you create a showstopping centerpiece that will be the envy of all of your relatives. Don’t miss out

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Four Seasons by the Lake - Stafford Springs | Red Light | 7pm
⬢ Greenleaf Cafe - Hebron | Blue Mountain Haze | 8pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Diamondback | 8:30pm

TRIVIA

Worthington Vineyards - Somers | 6-8pm
Stafford Cidery - Stafford | 6:30pm

Ellington | Santa Photos & Toy Drive | 11am-3pm - Old School Harley-Davidson (398 Somers Rd) is playing backdrop to Santa and Mrs. Claus for free photos. You can also help make someone else’s Christmas with a new, unwrapped toy donation (you’ll be entered to win some cool prizes, too!).

Ellington | Winter Farmers Market | 9am-12pm - Just because there’s snow on the ground, doesn’t mean you can’t still get your local fix of food, goods, and more at the Ellington Winter Farmers Market (37 Maple St).

Hebron | Santa Meet & Greet | 9-11am - Santa Claus will be making an appearance at Fireside Supply (33 B East St). Swing in for a picture and a smile.

Rockville | Holiday Cookie Sale | 10am-1pm $ - Like cookies? Like libraries? Well, order a 2lb tray of homemade holiday cookies ($20) to help support Rockville Public Library (52 Union St). Call the library (860) 875-5892 to make sure you get your tray!

Somers | Holiday Market | 12-6pm - This is your last chance to hit up the holiday market in the North Pavilion at Sonny’s Place (349 Main St).

Somers | Santa Meet and Greet | 12-5pm - This is your last call to meet Santa at Worthington Vineyards (359 Mountain Rd). Hot cocoa, mulled wine, hot coffee, and live caroling music throughout the afternoon.

Stafford | D&D Night | 6pm $ - The Escape (7 Main St) is holding a Dungeons & Dragons night in their Tavern Room. Some knowledge is preferred, $10/person, which includes a snack.

Stafford | Shop Small Holiday Bazaar | 12-5pm - Our friends at Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St) are holding a bazaar featuring local artists/artisans. This is the perfect opportunity to shop local! They will also be open on 12/21.

Vernon | Paint Pouring | 4-6pm $ - Learn all about this fluid way of making art, and walk away with your own 8×10 creation at The Boho Experience (193 Talcottville Rd). Send Michelle a message to see availability.

Willington | The Muppets Xmas Carol | 12:30pm - Bring the little ones to Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd) to see The Muppets take on the Dickens classic. If you haven’t seen it, I think you’ll be surprised at how good the movie is!

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ The Hidden Still - Ellington | The Deadheads | 8:30-11pm
⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | Hypnotix | 6:30-9:30pm
⬢ Four Seasons by the Lake - Stafford Springs | Backlash | 7pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Beyond Purple| 8pm
⬢ Bidwell Tavern - Coventry | Gene Donaldson and the Stingrays | 8:30-11:30pm

Bolton | Holiday Puppy Adoptions | 11am-2pm - PawSafe Animal Rescue will be at Cropley’s Garden Center (1262 Boston Tpke) with some adorable pups looking for their new favorite humans. Make sure to visit their site to get pre-approved to adopt.

Columbia | Bell Choir Xmas Concert | 2pm - Columbia Congregational Church (325 Rt 87) is holding their annual bell choir concert. Crafts, cocoa, and candy canes, following the concert.

Mansfield | Annual Caroling Party | 6pm - Waldron’s Studio 88 (114 Mansfield Hollow Rd) is inviting you to come sing some holiday favorites, meet some new people, and get in the holiday spirit. As the saying in Elf goes, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.”

Somers | Customer Appreciation Celebration | 11am-3pm - In addition to being fun to say, the appreciation celebration at Bond 124 (124 Main St) is all about giving back to the community that has supported them. Complimentary appetizers, drink specials, and live music.

Stafford | Brekky with Santa | 10am - Four Seasons by the Lake (51 Old Springfield Rd) is holding a holiday buffet with pictures with Santa included. French toast, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, a ham carving station, and a whole lot more. Must make reservations

Vernon | A Blue Christmas Service | 5pm - While mostly filled with joy, the holidays can be a tough time for a lot of people. St. John’s Episcopal Church (523 Hartford Tpke) is holding a service open to all faiths (or no faiths) to give a little support for people who need it during what can be a difficult time of year.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | Jim Blanch and Boot Hill | 5-8pm
⬢ Four Seasons by the Lake - Stafford | Shovelhead | 2-6pm

Andover | Holiday Charcuterie-Making Class | 6-7:30pm $ - Learn how to make a mouth-watering display of assorted meats, cheeses, fruits, and other culinary treats at Over AndOver (415 Rt 6) with expert guidance of Long Meadow Farm. Spots are limited! Tix