The Spice(s) of Life

Good morning, Tolland County Swarm! Today is Tuesday 5/13, and that means it’s National Apple Pie Day! Why it’s not in the fall during apple season is beyond me, but here we are.

Since I missed it last week, I need to give a special shout-out to my mother-in-law Rita for a belated happy nurses appreciation week! We have an update on our hiking meet up,

In Today’s Tolland County Buzz:

• Kassandras Herbs Unlimited

• Concert Ticket Giveaway

• 45 Events

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BEE LINE EVENTS

TUESDAY (5/13)

Bolton | BCS Art Show/Ice Cream Social | 5:30-7:30pm - Celebrate the artistic achievements of students from pre-k all the way up to 8th grade at Bolton Center School (108 Notch Rd).

Columbia | Gentle Yoga | 5-6:15pm $ - Take care of yourself with a light yoga session and sound healing at Beckish Senior Center (188 Rte 66) with Mandee Rose. Cash only day of.

Coventry | Intro To Tarot | 6-7pm - Booth & Dimock Memorial Library (1134 Main St) wants to help anyone that’s interested in the world of Tarot get started. Oh, and it’s free!

Hebron | Therapy Dog Cert Course | 5:30pm - Colebrook Village (55 John E Horton Blvd) is hosting a 5-week Handler and Therapy Dog Training. Contact the New England Human Animal Bond Foundation for more info.

Stafford Springs | Dining For a Cause | 4-8pm $ - The Rotary Club of Stafford is running a fundraiser at Four Seasons By The Lake (51 Old Springfield Rd). Raffle prizes will be available. Help support youth initiatives in the area!

Storrs | Taco Tuesday | 3pm - Hops 44 (625 Middle Tpke) is debuting their taco Tuesday nights (tacos, margarita’s, and discounts for industry workers).

Vernon | Mellow Rail-Trail Ride | 6-9pm - Pedal Power (520 Hartford Tpke) is running their weekly Rail Trail ride. Keep up to date with info here.

WEDNESDAY (5/14)

Somers | William T. Bouchelle Golf Tournament | 10am $ - Help support the Somers Volunteer Fire Department by playing in the 39th Annual William T. Bouchelle Golf Tournament at Cedar Knob Golf Course (446 Billings Rd).

Stafford Springs | Heirloom Tomato Talk/Tour | 11am-12pm - Learn why heirloom tomatoes are so much better than the tasteless red spheres you get at the supermarket at Foster Hill Farm (21 Stafford St). Space is limited, so register quick!

Tolland | Candle Making Workshop | 6pm $ - Tolland Red and White (46 Tolland Grn) and Outbound Candle Co wants to help you make a candle with your signature scent. Tix

THURSDAY (5/15)

Bolton | Bingo and Bites | 6-8pm $ - Bring the family to Bolton Congregational Church (228 Bolton Center Rd) for a night off cash-only fun. Snacks and drinks provided. RSVP

Bolton | Stitch Night | 4:30-6pm $ - Attend a beginner-friendly embroidery workshop at Charhouse Cookie (299 Boston Tpke). Register

Coventry | Sea Glass Turtles | 6:30-8:30pm $ - Get your paint on at Cassidy Hill Vineyard (454 Cassidy Hill Rd) with a cute seascape painting. Tix

Stafford Springs | Paint Your Pet | 6-9pm $ - Flex those artistic muscles and create a beautiful (hopefully) painting of your loved furry friend at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St). More info

Tolland | Business Connections | 8-9am - The Tolland County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a networking event to help business owners connect at the Tolland County Agricultural Center (24 Hyde Ave). Contact Melissa at [email protected] for more info.

FRIDAY (5/16)

Hebron | Paint Your Paint | 5-8pm $ - Immortalize your favorite pet with a paint-by-numbers canvas at The Flour Girl (14 Main St). Register

Hebron | Community Theater | 7:30pm $ - Enjoy some local talent with a production of Mrs. Jeeves Takes Charge at the AHM Performance Room (25 Pendleton Dr). Tix

Somers | Stafford LL Golf Tournament | 9am $ - Support Stafford Little League and get a round of 18 in at the Cedar Knob Golf Course (450 Billings Rd). Tix

Tolland | Women’s Self Defense Class | 7-8:30pm $ - Shakeup Makeup (45 Industrial Park Rd W) is pairing with American Karate Centers for a 16+ self defense class for women. More info

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | Emotion | 6pm
⬢ Cassidy Hill Vineyard - Coventry | Tino & Malone | 6-8pm

SATURDAY (5/17)

Andover | Beach Clean Up Day | 9:30am-12:30pm - Andover Beach (15 W St Ext) is asking for help in cleaning up the beach to get ready for the season. Bring gloves, rakes, tarps, and anything else you might think is helpful.

Bolton | Ride The East 2025 | 7:30am $ - Take a bike ride starting on the scenic Air Line Trail in Willimantic, to the Hop River State Park Trail all the way out to Talcottville in Vernon (40 miles round trip, but there are several other turn around options). Along the way you’ll be able to check out some hidden gems. The ride starts at the Jillson House Museum (1 Jillson Square, Willimantic). Register

Ellington | Farmer’s Market | 9am-12pm - Browse from over 50 vendors, enjoy live music, and meet some people from the community at the Ellington Farmers Market (72 Maple St).

Hebron | Go Topless (Jeep Event) | 11am-4pm $ - Sorry to disappoint, but they’re talking about popping the top off of a jeep. Head to the Hebron Fairgrounds (347 Gilead St) for a good cause. More info

Hebron | Tails on the Trails | 9-10am - Bring your furry friend on a hike at Gay City State Park (435 North St) on a hike guided by Adventure Paws.

Somers | Car Wash | 11am-3pm $ - Come support the future seniors of Somers High School (5 Vision Blvd) with a car wash. Snacks, raffles, and more…just make sure to bring cash.

Somers | Open Barn & Craft | 9am-12pm $ - The Story Barn (952 Main St) invites you to bring the kids and make a trio of personalized pencils (great gift ideas). No registration required.

Stafford Springs | Farmers Market Opening Day | 10am - Today marks the return of the Stafford Farmers Market (51 Old Springfield Rd). Shop local vendors, enjoy some music, and support your community!

Stafford Springs | Lightsaber Training | 11am - Get your Jedi on with lightsaber training at Stafford Library (10 Levinthal Run). Sorry older wannabe Jedis, this is for padawans ages 6-10. Register

Stafford Springs | 4th Child Safety Day | 2-4pm - Head to Stafford High School (145 Orcuttville Rd) for a couple hours or checking out emergency vehicles (including a helicopter if the weather permits!). If you have any questions contact Janice Morton at (860) 684-3181 of [email protected]

Storrs | Panther-Palooza | 6pm $ - Help support the students at E. O. Smith with a fundraiser at Hops 44 (625 Middle Tpke). Music, great food, silent auction, and more! Tix

Tolland | Making Easier Decisions | 10-11:30am $ - Learn how to cut through the noise and be decisive with things in your life at Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke). Tix

Vernon | Fairy House | 3-6pm - Make your own fairy house with Susan’s DIY Studios (227 W Main St). You can text (772) 532-3137 with any questions.

Vernon | Painting With Felt | 12:30-4:30pm $ - Create a beautiful floral masterpiece using locally sourced fiber at the Arts Center East (709 Hartford Tpke).

Vernon | Foraging Walk | 11am-12:30pm $ - Take a guided hike through Valley Falls Park (300 Valley Falls Rd) and learn about sustainable harvesting practices of early spring plants. Send Stephanie a message if you’re interested.

Vernon | Tabletop Gaming Day | 11am - The NE Civil War Museum (14 Park Pl) is holding a tabletop miniature Battle of Irish Bend. Sign up

Vernon | Volunteer Work Day | 9am-12pm - Strong Family Farm (274 West St) is looking for people to help out getting the farm spruced up in time for the 12th Annual Chicken Run. Email [email protected] for more info.

Vernon | Yoga With Pigs | 11am-12pm $ - Anchored Fitness (40 Hockanum Blvd) is offering a yoga session with adorable little piggies roaming around (there’s even a little cuddle session at the end!). More info

TRIVIA

Stafford Cidery - Stafford | 6:30pm

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Four Seasons By The Lake - Stafford Springs | Rowe Country Band | 8-11pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | SHOVELHEAD | 8pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Charmed | 8pm
⬢ The Spot Bar and Grill - Tolland | The Natural Disasters | 6pm
Rockville Elks - Rockville | Cover 2 Cover | 7pm

SUNDAY (5/18)

Bolton | Kids to Parks Day | 2-4pm - Bolton Rec is hosting a day of outdoor play at Indian Notch (4 Llynwood Dr). Scavenger hunts, crafts, and more.

Ellington | Open Court Social | 12-3pm - Swing by Ellington Racquet Club (55 Lower Butcher Rd) for an afternoon of tennis, pickleball, and delicious food from No Coast Taqueria.

Mansfield | Opening Day at Gurleyville Grist Mill | 1-5pm - We’ve featured it before in the newsletter, so now it’s time to check it out in person! Joshua’s Trust invites you to come check out the 15-acre campus (Stone Mill Rd). Guides will be available to give tours of the mill and machinery used in the 19th century.

Stafford Springs | High Tea | 3:30-5pm $ - For less than a coffee from Dunkin, you can sample the organic, holistic/medicinal teas at Café de Flore (72 Main St) and enjoy a selection of tea sandwiches, pastries, and tea cookies.

Stafford Springs | Soapstone Mountain Trail Races | 9am $ - The long-standing races through Soapstone Mountain (93 Handel Rd) have returned. 24k and 6k options. Register

Stafford Springs | Seaglass Succulent Craft | 2pm $ - Enjoy some cider (first drink is included!) and make an adorable collection of succulents out of seaglass at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St). Tix

Tolland | Annual Plant Sale | 9am-1pm - Tolland Garden Paths is holding their annual plant sale at Old Tolland County Jail & Museum (52 Tolland Grn). Buy some native plants that will make the local wildlife very happy!

Vernon | 12th Annual Chicken Run | 7:30am - This 5K, 2K, and kids run event is taking place at Strong Family Farm (274 West St). Proceeds will support this nonprofit community farm. Register

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Mill Pond County Store - Stafford Springs | The Natural Disasters | 2-4pm
⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | Jim Blanch and Boot Hill | 5-8pm

SCRAMBLE ANSWER: SOAPSTONE MOUNTAIN

Well, that’s everything we got for this week! If you got something out of today’s newsletter, please share it with someone who always complains there’s nothing to do around here!

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