Farmstand Opening Day

🚨UPDATE🚨

Join naturalist, Michelle Poudrette, on May 24th at 10am for a two-mile, FREE guided nature hike through Tinkerville Brook Preserve in Ashford. We'll stop to explore the flora and fauna as well as an old mill site along the beautiful gorge that cuts through the property. The walk is around 2 miles and will take approximately 2 hours.

The terrain is varied with some wet areas and roots and rocks to traverse. Appropriate hiking gear, including water and insect repellent is highly recommended. For directions to Tinkerville Brook Preserve, please visit the Joshua Trust’s website.

Only 15 spots available so grab your spot below!

BRIEF BITES

• Award - Congrats to Heather Herindeen from Lights and Darks for winning 2025 Best Artist of CT readers poll! You can check out her artwork here.

HIVE: CHARITY

As someone that has worked with the developmentally disabled community before, I wanted to throw a spotlight on Creative Living Community of Connecticut (2645 Boston Tpke, Coventry). If you haven’t heard of them before, they’re a non-profit that employs adults with and without developmental disabilities at their farmstand on the property.

I’m oversimplifying, but their ultimate goal is to build a shared community with people living and working on the property (you should check out their website, because the plans they have look amazing, and you can get a better sense of what they stand for).

If you’re looking for a place to grab some local products (they do a lot of sourcing from local growers and producers) and want to help support a truly wonderful cause, stop by the farmstand. They open for the season on Friday 5/23, and it would be fantastic to show them some community support!

Their hours for the 2025 season are: Tues-Sat 11am-5pm and Sun 11am-3pm.

SOAPSTONE SECRETS & SKYLINE VIEWS:
CLIMB CT’S ANCIENT SUMMIT

Soapstone Mountain isn’t just some hill in Somers - it’s basically Connecticut’s version of a time machine. Long before your hiking boots touched trail, Native tribes were pulling soft rock from the ground here to carve bowls, beads, and who-knows-what for trade, ceremony, or just really good vibes. This soapstone stuff was the hot commodity over 3,000 years ago. Think of it as prehistoric Etsy. No joke - some of those artifacts date back to 2000 B.C. You’re walking on history, and the mountain’s not shy about it.

Then there’s the tower. Perched at 1,075 feet, this steel beast offers views so wide you might spot your ex hiking in Vermont. The original fire tower went up in 1929, but the current version got a glow-up in 2018 thanks to local legends and a lot of elbow grease. It’s like Connecticut’s answer to a summit penthouse - minus the HOA fees. Climb it for the panorama, stay for the bragging rights, and don’t forget to whisper a thank-you to the ancient hands that shaped the land beneath your feet.

HIVE PROPERTY

Welcome to your own slice of lakefront magic on Staffordville Lake—where the weekends feel like vacations and the weekdays don’t suck either. Tucked in a peaceful cove on 1.5 acres with 200+ feet of pristine shoreline, this 4-bed, 2.5-bath stunner serves up 2,743 sq. ft. of bright, vaulted-ceiling goodness.

There's a home office (with a fire pole, because why not), a main-floor suite with private entry, and a lower level that doubles as party HQ—complete with a custom bar, fireplace, and billiard room.

Outside? You've got decks, patios, a private dock, boat lift, and even your own launch ramp. Throw in a 3-car garage, fenced dog zone, new roof, fresh appliances, a whole-house generator, and enough HVAC upgrades to make an engineer blush—and yeah, this lakefront gem’s got “forever home” written all over it.

TUESDAY (5/20)

Columbia | Chair Yoga | 1-2pm $ - This 60-minute class is perfect for those looking to gently get into yoga. Call (860) 228-0759 for more information.

Coventry | Middle School Learn To Row | 5-6:30pm $ - Coventry Lake Community Rowing (Coventry Lake Patriots Park) wants to let your 6-8th grader give rowing a shot. More info

Stafford Springs | Psychic Medium | 6-8:30pm $ - Get in touch with the other side with psychic Rebecca Anne LoCicero at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St). Tix

Vernon | Mellow Rail Trail Ride | 6-9pm - Join Pedal Power (520 Hartford Tpke) for easy rides down the Rail Trail. Headlights are required!

LIVE MUSIC

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

WEDNESDAY (5/21)

Ellington | May Book Club | 10:30am - Discuss the book James by Percival Everett at the Ellington Senior Center (40 Maple St).

Stafford Springs | Talking Tarot | 5-7pm - Meet up with other Tarot and Oracle deck enthusiasts at Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St). Although it’s free, please bring something that can be donated to the local food pantry.

Tolland | Intro To Sourdough | 6pm $ - Tolland Red and White (46 Tolland Grn) is going to teach you the basics of becoming a sourdough guru. These sell out quick! Tix

Tolland | Project Grad Fundraiser | 5pm - The Spot Bar and Grill (200 Merrow Rd) will be donating a portion of all their proceeds to help fund the all-night grad party.

Tolland | Ladies Handicap League | 5pm $ - Ladies! If you love playing disc golf, join in the 10-week Spring Handicap Flex League at Cross Farms Disc Golf (Rhodes Rd). More info

Tolland | Reiki/Sound Healing | 6:30-7:30pm $ - Get your spiritual healing on at Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke). Tix

Vernon | Vernon Lacrosse Fundraiser | 4-10pm - 25% of your purchase at BIRDCODE (35 Talcottville Rd) will go toward supporting Vernon Lacrosse.

THURSDAY (5/22)

Bolton | Magic By Derek | 6:30pm - The Bolton community is invited to enjoy a free magic show thrown by the Bolton PTA at Bolton Center School (108 Notch Rd). RSVP by emailing [email protected] 

Rockville | Journey to Wellness Through Writing | 6-8pm - Rockville Public Library (52 Union St) wants to help you uncover some hidden emotions through the power of writing. More info and registration

Somers | Sushi Making Class | 6pm $ - Learn how to make a California and vegetable roll at Worthington Vineyards (349 Mountain Rd). Tix

Vernon | Decoration Day | 6:30pm - The New England Civil War Museum is placing flags on all the Civil War veterans at Grove Hill Cemetery, followed by a rededication ceremony in honor of Thomas F. Burpee.

Vernon | Bike Night | 6-9pm - Thursdays are Bike Nights at the Rocking Horse (57 Hartford Tpke). To be clear, I’m talking about the kind with motors.

FRIDAY (5/23)

Coventry | Open Studio Wood Bar | 6-7:30pm $ - Create a beautiful wood flower arrangement at Wood & Word Blooms (21 Bread & Milk St). Sign Up

Hebron | Morning Walk | 8-9am - Start your Friday off right with a jaunt around town, with the Hebron Run/Walk Club. Meet at The Flour Girl (14 Main St).

Hebron | Sourdough Tasting | 6:30-8pm $ - Enjoy some delicious sourdough, and learn all about this popularbread type with Michelle Nicholson at The Flour Girl (14 Main St). Tix

Stafford Springs | Setback Night | 6-8:30pm $ - Crush some opponents or just learn how to play the game at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St). Also, buy a cider or two while you’re there, they’re delicious!

Tolland | Coin Drop | 7-11am - Help support the Special Olympics by dropping off your spare change in front of the Dunkin (65 Merrow Rd). It will be collected by Troop C/Major Crimes.

Vernon | 9 Ball Singles | 7pm $ - Head to Racks (500 Talcottville Rd) for some competitive 9-ball play.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Cassidy Hill - Coventry | Soular Eclipse Band | 6-8pm

SATURDAY (5/24)

Ellington | Farmers Market | 9am-12pm - This is your weekly reminder about the amazing Ellington Farmers Market (72 Maple St). Shop local!

Mansfield | Car Show | 12-5pm - Come check out some amazing cars, have some fun, and maybe buy some stuff you didn’t know you needed at the Mansfield Drive-In (228 Rte 32).

Storrs | Farmer’s Market | 3-5pm - Shop local at this farmers market, which is held outside of Town Hall (4 S Eagleville Rd).

Willington | Willington Day | 11am-3pm - Celebrate the Willington community with vendors, music, games/activities, food, live entertainment, and more at Center Elementary (12 Old Farms Rd). Fishing derby at Hughes Pond at 4pm.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ The Hidden Still - Ellington | Eastview Drive | 8:30-11pm
⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | The Score | 6:30pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Funbags | 8pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Cobblestone Road | 8:30-11:30pm

SUNDAY (5/25)

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Mill Pond Country Store - Stafford Springs | Eddie DeRocher | 2-4pm

MONDAY (5/26)

Rockville | Memorial Day Mass | 10am - Blessed Sacrament Parish is holding a special Memorial Day Mass at St. Bernard Cemetery (22 School St). Please bring chairs.