🚨QUICK UPDATES

Newsletter merge: Last week I asked you if I should combine this newsletter into Quiet Corner Buzz (Windham County), there wasn’t a resounding winner so for now I’ll stick with separate newsletters. If you want to stay up-to-date with Windham County happenings as well make sure to subscribe here!

New Newsletter: My brother launched HartCo Buzz to the portfolio so check us out if you’re looking for more things to do in Hartford County towns. Subscribe here!

Content: I’ve added some new content in this week’s newsletter below under Buzz & Tell section which will cover things I believe you might enjoy. As always, I love to get feedback from you so please feel free to email me anytime.

🍗 Vernon, clear your lunch calendar: Shah’s Halal debuts at Tri-City Plaza this Monday, June 30

🐦 Congrats to Mansfield’s Amanda Zadnik & Simonne Thibeault for snagging National History Day bronze medal with their exhibit “Rewarded by Death: How Operation Columba Exemplifies the Rights and Responsibilities of Civilians in Wartime”.

If you love local, Strong Family Farm is the real deal. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit is Vernon’s last family-run farm—founded in 1878 and still going strong as a place where community, education, and agriculture come together.

Their farm stand is packed with 100% Connecticut-grown goods: fresh eggs, seasonal produce, local honey, maple syrup, baked treats, jams, pickles, and even kettle corn. And it's more than a shopping stop—Strong hosts kids’ camps, chicken-keeping workshops, the famous Chicken Run 5K, and seasonal events like the Harvest Festival that draw families from all over.

Whether you're grabbing veggies for dinner or spending the afternoon soaking up small-town charm, Strong Family Farm is a local gem rooted in purpose, powered by volunteers, and growing something truly special.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Violet is waiting for you, grab this 45-lb, toy-addicted Chow mix, swap her 4×8 kennel for your couch, and watch the goofball magic fire up every hike and Netflix night.

🏡House of the week: Coventry flex alert, score 3+ wooded acres with a stocked pond, rock-wall pool, indoor sauna-hot-tub suite, and a sunken living room that screams “lodge vibes” under cathedral ceilings—53 windows and fresh solar keep the place bright and the summer electric bill at $0. Have a look!

🥾Trail of the week: Hop River’s Bolton-to-Coventry slice is so pancake-flat your Fitbit will swear you’re coasting. Park at Bolton Notch (I-384 Exit 5), then stroll 2.5 leafy miles through a tree tunnel to the old Church Street trestle - podcast optional, good vibes guaranteed.

🔭Sky report: July 4-6, just after sunset, Mercury flares about 9° above Tolland County’s northwest treeline - fresh off its greatest eastern elongation on the 4th, shining firefly-bright under rusty Mars. Grab binoculars for bonus points: the fleet planet is drifting away from the Beehive Cluster it brushed on July 2 but still rides the same starry zipline.

From dusty Mansfield barn to Yale bigwig to four-term governor, all before he hit 70. Wilbur Lucius Cross (b. 1862) spent 36 years inside ivory towers, editing The Yale Review and running the Graduate School, then jumped into politics at 68 and won Connecticut’s corner office in 1930. The literary critic-turned-Democratic dark horse kept the seat for a record eight years, still the only Nutmegger to bag four consecutive gubernatorial wins during the 20th century.

Cross’s New Deal (Connecticut edition) hit hard and fast. He green-lit the Merritt Parkway in 1934, pushed the state’s first minimum-wage (initially covered women & minors) and civil-service merit laws, and marshaled flood relief when the Connecticut River overflowed in ’36. That same year he penned the now-iconic Thanksgiving Proclamation (“for the brotherly word and act; for honor held above price…”), read in classrooms for decades.

Post-governorship, Route 15’s 29-mile Wilbur Cross Parkway opened in 1949, literally cementing his name into the drive home.

Columbia | 4th of July Parade | 10am

Alright, so I might be a little biased because it’s in my hometown, but the Columbia Lions Club is holding one of my favorite events of the year. Route 87 gets shut down from the center of town down to Lake Rd for a parade that’s a little less than a mile.

Expect some candy thrown, possibly some super soakers in action, re-enactors, floats, and more. Finding a seat can be tough if you get there late, so pro-tip, either park at St. Columba Church or down at Columbia Lake Beach and walk up. Bring lawn chairs, water, and a smile, it’s sure to be a great day!

Andover | Crafting Nature Cards | 4pm - Make up to four notecards using stamps and nature-themed accoutrements at Andover Public Library (355 Rt 6). Program is designed for ages K-6th grade.

Columbia | Celebration of Animation | 6:30pm - Take a trip through cartoon history with Marty Gitlin at Saxton B. Little Library (319 Rt 87). Register by calling (860) 228-0350

Somers | Classic’s Cruise Night | 4:30-7:30pm - Check out some cool cars, listen to some music, and have a good time socializing at Joanna’s (145 Main St).

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Little Mark’s BBQ - Vernon | Kt Lay | 6:30-8:30pm
⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | Karaoke | 7-10pm

Bolton | Summer XC Series | 6-7:30pm - Who doesn’t love group runs? Come to Bolton Heritage Farm (258 Bolton Center Rd) for a 100m dash for preschoolers, a 1 mile run for 13 and under, and 2 mile run for everyone! More deets

Ellington | Simple Strumming | 10am - This one is for my musically gifted (optional) seniors. Head to the Ellington Senior Center (40 Maple St) to play some 3-4 chord songs with other people. Bring your instrument of choice - and sign up at the front desk.

Somers | Cornhole League | 5-8pm $ - Show off your bag tossing skills with this weekly cornhole league at Sonny’s Place (349 Main St). No commitment necessary, register on arrival.

LIVE MUSIC

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

Ellington | Patriotic Bike Night | 5-9pm - Old School Harley-Davidson (398 Somers Rd) is holding their 2nd bike night of the season. Live music, food, vendors, raffles, and more.

Rockville | Petting Zoo | 2pm - Come check out some friendly farm animals from Carly’s Critters at the Rockville Public Library (52 Union St).

Somers | WCB Concert | 6pm - Windham Concert Band is holding an evening of music at the Somers High School Auditorium (1 Vision Blvd).

Storrs | Community Bluegrass Jam | 6:30-8pm - Summer Concerts on the Square (Downtown Storrs) is getting interactive with a bluegrass jam with the Mansfield Pickers and Waldron’s Studio 88. You’re invited to bring your acoustic instrument and play along, you can find a setlist here.

Union | Fury of the Deeps Secret Fifth Event | 12pm - Ever wonder what goes on at the LARP-ing mecca of Taber Creek (1174 Buckley Hwy)? It’s your chance to come down and meet new people, grab a little food, bring some games, and have fun.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Night Moves | 6-9pm

TRIVIA

Rocking Horse - Vernon | 7-9pm

Hebron | Celebrate America | 9am - Celebrate the country’s 249th birthday with songs that celebrate America, listen to special guest speakers, and enjoy artwork by the Hebron community.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Unleashed | 8-11pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | DJ DPHR | 9-11:45pm

Columbia | Red, White & Blueberry Fest | 2-6pm - Enjoy music, shopping, food, crafters, and most importantly wine (special strawberry rhubarb and blueberry wines will be available) at Heartstone Winery (468 Rt 87).

Ellington | Patriotic Parade Farmers Market | 9am-12pm - Celebrate Independence Day with a kid’s crafts focused Ellington Farmers Market (72 Maple St).

Stafford | Farmers Market | 10am-12pm - Come shop and meet your neighbors at the Stafford Farmers Market (51 Old Springfield Rd).

Storrs | Farmers Market | 3-5pm - Weekly reminder of the Storrs Farmers Market (4 S Eagleville Rd).

Vernon | Summer Sidewalk Clearance Sale | 8am-6pm - Rocky’s Ace Hardware (73 Windsor Ave) is having a sidewalk clearance sale over the weekend. Might be a great time to grab that tool you’ve been thinking about snagging.

Willington | Gravel Ride | 8:30am-12pm - Get a gravel ride in with The Bike Shop (14 Tolland Tpke). Bring your bike, a helmet, water bottle, and flat kit.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Dumb Love | 8-11pm
⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | Six Pack | 6:30-9:30pm

Coventry | Flag Field for Heroes | 12-5pm $ - The Nathan Hale Homestead (2299 South St) is honoring those who have served our country with flag placements on the grounds. Free to attend, but if you want to honor someone, sign-up here.

Coventry | Alpaca Yoga | 12-1pm $ - Add a whole lot of cute to your yoga class with some baby alpacas at Red Door Alpaca Farm (857 South St). Register

Vernon | Tea Party w/Bunnies | 10am - Bring along your stuffed bunnies and meet some real ones at Strong Family Farm (274 West St). You’ll also learn about different types of tea and what it takes a make a great cuppa. Crafts, Bingo, and more!

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Avalon Red/Back in Black | 3pm
⬢ Mill Pond Country Store - Stafford Springs | Second Helping | 2-4pm

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