Getting Out In Nature 🛶

Good morning, Tolland County! Today is Tuesday 4/22, and that means it’s National Earth Day! It’s a great day to get out in nature (forecast says it should be a beautiful day, but it is New England, so who knows?). If allergies this time of year are the bane of your existence, you can celebrate National Jellybean Day instead (I’m partial to Belly Flops or the Brach’s jellybeans)! Anyway, there’s a poll down below, and I’d really appreciate if you’d take a second to answer!

In Today’s Tolland County Buzz:

• Kayak/Canoe Club

• Town-Wide Tag Sales

• 36 Events

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

THE HIVE’S PICK

With the taste of nice weather we got last week (finally), I thought this would be the perfect pick for today. Have you ever heard of the Columbia Canoe & Kayak Club (Mansfield Hollow State Park)? Tiny backstory: started at Columbia Lake, then moved to Mansfield Hollow, but they kept the name (caught up? Good.).

For a relatively low cost (well under $100, and the more of your family you sign-up, the better the price gets per person), you get access to over 60 different kayaks/canoes, which you can take out on Mansfield Hollow pretty much until dusk.

This is the 64th year the club has been going, and it’s a great way to get some exercise, detach from online, enjoy nature, and meet some new folks! You can check out more information on their website. I hope to see you at the Hollow this summer!

ToCo TRIVIA 🤔

BUZZWORTHY ACTIVITY 🐝

I don’t know about you, but I love finding a great deal. And one of the best places to do that is in someone else’s driveway. If you have some time to burn this weekend, there are a couple of town-wide tag sales going on. Find some stuff you never knew you needed!

Mansfield | Town Wide Tag Sale | 8am-1pm - Spend the beginning of your day finding treasures that other people are looking to get rid of. You can find maps of participating addresses at the Mansfield Community Center (10 S Eagleville Rd).

Vernon | Town Wide Tag Sale | 8am-4pm - The town of Vernon is holding their Town Wide Tag Sale today as well. I wasn’t able to find a map of the locations, but a lot of people have been posting where they’re setting up, here.

BEE LINE EVENTS

WEDNESDAY (4/23)

Andover | Tunes & Tales | 6:30-7:30pm - This one is for all you history and music lovers out there. Andover Public Library (355 Rte 6) is hosting Kent Besocke for a history lesson of CT set to music. Let the library know if you plan on attending by calling (860) 742-7428.

Ellington | Movie Screening | 1pm - If you haven’t seen Wicked yet, here’s your chance by stopping into the Ellington Senior Center (40 Maple St). Sign up in advance in person, or by calling (860) 870-3133.

Hebron | Birds and Butterflies | 6pm - Join Hebron Pollinator Pathway at Douglas Library (22 Main St) for an informative talk about birds and butterflies, and how you can help with which plants you put in your yard.

Somers | Coin Drop | 7:30am - Somers Resident Troopers, Troop C, and Major Crimes are holding a coin drop at Dunkin (12 South Rd), with the proceeds going to benefitting the Special Olympics.

Stafford | What’s The Buzz? | 5-6:30pm - Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St) is hosting Devorah Hurrle (owner of The Happy Honey Bee Apothecary) for what’s sure to be an enlightening conversation.

Storrs | Performance of Erben | 7pm - The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry (1 Royce Cir) is holding a special performance by Jan Bažant. Tix/more info

THURSDAY (4/24)

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | Karaoke | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

Hops 44 - Storrs | 7-9pm

FRIDAY (4/25)

Hebron | Walk Club | 8am - Meet at The Flour Girl (14 Main St) to take a stroll with the Hebron Run/Walk Club.

Stafford Springs | Sound Healing Journey | 6:15pm $ - Join the good folks at Middle River Yoga (2 River Rd) for an evening of relaxing soundscapes. Venmo @yogashelly $30 to reserve a spot.

Vernon | Bingo Night | 7pm $ - Tolland County Agricultural Center (24 Hyde Ave) is holding a bingo night, with proceeds going toward their Exposition Barn Project. Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Greenleaf Cafe - Hebron | Ali Kat and the Revelators | 9pm-12am
⬢ Stillwater Grill - Stafford Springs | The Natural Disasters | 6pm

TRIVIA

Cassidy Hill Vineyard - Coventry | 6:30pm
Stafford Cidery - Stafford Springs | 6:30pm

SATURDAY (4/26)

Andover | Clothing Swap | 12-4pm - Over AndOver (415 Rte 6) is inviting people to bring their gently used clothing and swap them out with clothes they have at the store.

Bolton | Karaoke Night | 6-8pm $ - Bolton Congregational Church (228 Bolton Center Rd) is holding a karaoke night with appetizers, games, beer, and wine! Tickets can be purchased at the door, or here.

Columbia | Lions Club Variety Show | 7pm $ - The Columbia Lions Club is hosting a variety show at Yeoman’s Hall (323 Rte 87) featuring live music, raffle baskets, and more. All proceeds go to local charities.

Ellington | Earth Day Celebration | 10am-2pm - Celebrate sustainability at Ellington’s annual Earth Day celebration at the Ellington Town Green (100-114 Maple St).

Hebron | Forest Bathing | 11am-12:30pm - Join Forest Path Qigong for a guided walk through the forest at Gay City State Park (435 North St) to help with mindfulness and sensory awareness. RSVP

Stafford Springs | NAPA Auto Parts Opening Day | 12pm $ - Car lovers rejoice! Stafford Motor Speedway (55 West St) is kicking off a day of full throttle racing. Tix

Stafford Springs | Sushi Making Class | 5-7pm $ - Learn how to roll up some sushi like a pro with this class at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St). You’ll learn how to make two rolls (with the option to purchase extras) and a glass of cider/beer is included in the ticket price. Deets

Stafford Springs | Bloom & Blossom Artisan Bazaar | 12-5pm - Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St) is hosting an artisan bazaar featuring local artisans. Come shop local!

Storrs | Peter Rabbit Puppets | 2pm - Enjoy the tail (get it?) of Peter Rabbit at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry (1 Royce Cir) performed by Pumpernickel Puppets. Free tix

Tolland | New Moon Circle | 5-7:30pm $ - Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke) is holding an evening of meditation, movement, crafting, intention setting, and a chance to share. Book your spot

Vernon | Dueling Pianos | 8-11pm $ - If you’ve never been to a Dueling Pianos show before, you are missing out! Rocking Horse (57 Hartford Tpke) is giving you a chance to rectify that problem with Shake, Rattle, & Roll Pianos. Tix

Vernon | Go Green | 10am-2pm - This town event focuses on community, environment, and sustainability, with a day full of activities focused on nature. Clean Up Campaign, a tree tour, live music and much, much more are happening all day. More info

Vernon | Park Day | 10am-1pm - Join the volunteers at New England Civil War Museum & Research Center (14 Park Pl) to help get the museum in shape for 2025.

Vernon | Plant/Tag Sale | 9am-3pm - CT growers/collectors/artisans that propagate their own plants will be at 214 Merline Rd. There will also be tag sale items available.

Vernon | Pop-Up Shop | 11am-2pm - Exstilla Sandpiper Lane (992 Hartford Tpke) is holding a one-day only pop-up shop with skincare & fashion items inspired by the sea. Food from DiFiore Ravioli Shop and drinks from Lachaim Wine & Liquor will be available.

Vernon | Tree Walk | 9:45am - This is the make up date for a tree walk at Valley Falls (300 Valley Falls Rd). Please register if you plan on attending.

Willington | An Evening with Alicia Witt | 7:30-10pm $ - The Packing House (156 River Rd) is hosting musician and actress Alicia Witt, for a piano-driven night of music. Tix/more info

Willington | Earth Day Show | 11am - Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd) has invited author, storyteller, and musician, Michael Caduto to perform Earth Tales from Around the World. Audience participation is encouraged!

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ French Social Circle of Hartford - Vernon | Jimmy O | 8pm

SUNDAY (4/27)

Columbia | Food Pantry & Adoption Event | 10am-2pm - Find the puppy of your dreams or get a little help with feeding your pets at the Bark Barn (65 Rte 6).

Columbia | Adult Prom | 7-10pm $ - The Columbia PTO is offering the perfect chance to get dressed up for something fancy, with a 21+ prom at Heartstone Winery (474 Rte 87). Email [email protected] for more information.

Coventry | Schooling Horse Show | 9am $ - Babcock Hill “Horses Naturally” (577 Babcock Hill Rd) is pairing with Tara Farm Rescue for a horse show with half of the proceeds going to the Heels Down 4H group.

Coventry | Take Note! Benefit Concert | 3-5pm - Take Note! is holding a benefit concert for WAIM at the Second Congregational Church (1746 Boston Tpke). The concert is free, but those attending are asked to make a donation to this great cause.

Ellington | New Moon Ceremony Event | 6-8pm $ - Voices of Enlightenment (19 Pinney St) is holding a new moon ceremony. Participants are asked to pre-register with JoAnna (914) 419-4536 so she can get your birth chart info.

Stafford Springs | NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler | 12pm $ - Stafford Motor Speedway (55 West St) is celebrating the 53rd running of this spring race. Tix

Stafford Springs | Pressed Flower Butterfly | 2-4pm $ - Learn how to make a beautiful butterfly out of pressed flowers at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St).

Tolland | Trail Hike | 12:45-4pm - Connecticut Hiking and Outdoor Adventures is leading a healthy hike at Crandall Park (120 Cider Mill Rd). This isn’t a hike for beginners! You can check out the map here and call Adam at (860) 485-7678.

Tolland | Mother’s Day Pop-Up Shop | 9:30am-12:30pm - Shakeup Makeup (45 Industrial Park Road West) is holding a pop-up with local vendors to help you find the perfect gift for Mother’s Day.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Heartstone Winery - Columbia | 3:30-6:30pm
⬢ Four Seasons By The Lake - Stafford Springs | SHOVELHEAD | 2pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | General Gist | 3-6pm

Well, that’s everything we got for this week! If you got something out of today’s newsletter, please share it with someone who loves paddling!

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign Up

Want to get your business featured in Tolland County Buzz? Let’s Talk

Did I miss something? Let Me Know