Big thanks to Pet Supplies Plus for backing Connecticut Buzz Mutt Madness and hooking up a $100 gift card for the winner and $50 for second place, plus they’re a go-to spot if you need to stock up on anything for your pet. We’re officially down to the Elite Eight, and after two rounds of chaos and some very determined dog parents, just 8 pups are still in the hunt for the crown.

No clutter. No competing ads everywhere. Just clean, high-performing placements that get noticed. If you’ve been thinking about it… now’s the time.

We’re thinking about rolling out high-quality prints and canvas maps of Tolland County towns like Vernon, Ellington, and Mansfield, with clean designs and six colorways and the option to place a home icon on your home address. Something you’d actually hang on your wall or place on your desk, not just scroll past.

Last week’s Dinner Club was a hit, with 50 people showing up and instantly turning strangers into new connections. Good food, great conversations, and exactly the kind of energy we’re building this around. Now we’re planning the next one that will take place on April 16th at 6:30PM…

Myth v Reality

Did you know that you don’t need 20% down payment to buy a home? One size does not fit all - conventional as low as 3% down, FHA 3.5% down, VA and USDA 0% down.  As your PrimeLending expert, I can help you understand your current standing and create a roadmap to get you mortgage-ready.

Last week we had you out exploring Connecticut’s maple sugar houses, now we’re putting that liquid gold to work. This week, we’ve got two simple drink recipes to help you actually use the goods you stocked up on.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Highway, a spunky Aussie mix pup bursting with energy and ready to turn any active home into his personal playground and adventure zone.

🏡House of the week: This nearly 3,000 sq ft home sits on 1.47 acres and brings serious space with 4 bedrooms, a classic layout, and plenty of room to spread out. Quiet, private, and packed with potential, it’s the kind of place you can actually grow into. Check it out!

🔍Sighting of the week: A barred owl calling out with that classic “who cooks for you” echo through the woods, especially around dusk.

🔭Sky report: We’ve got a sneaky good stretch of skies this week, with darker nights making it easier to actually see something besides your neighbor’s porch light. Jupiter is still doing its thing bright after sunset, and Leo is climbing higher each night like spring is officially clocking in. If you’re out just after dusk, you might even catch the zodiacal light, which sounds fake but is very real and kind of feels like a bonus level if you spot it.

March 28–29 | Mansfield | East Brook Mall | 10AM–4PM

Eastern CT Maple Festival takes over with food trucks, sweet treats, and 100+ vendors plus family fun like games, crafts, and bounce houses. Catch maple sugaring demos, learn the history behind CT’s favorite syrup, and come hungry because there’s everything from fudge to fried dough waiting.

Best part, it’s free and easy to get to with plenty of parking.

Last week’s trivia stumped everyone. Not a single person guessed that the “Huskies” name was officially chosen in 1934 when UConn was still known as Connecticut State College. Before that, the school’s teams were commonly referred to as the Aggies, reflecting its agricultural roots. The shift to “Huskies” marked a move toward a stronger, more unified athletic identity, inspired by the university’s growing presence and competitive spirit. Since then, the brand has continued to evolve, with six different Husky logos. As of 2026, the University of Connecticut Athletics fields 21 varsity sports teams competing at the NCAA Division I level.

Vernon | Poet-Tea | 9:30 PM - Poetry and tea evening at The Boho Experience (193 Talcottville Rd).

Ellington | Movie: "Train Dreams" | 1 PM - Film screening at the Senior Center (40 Maple St). Sign up in advance: 860-870-3133.

Stafford Springs | Drink With Opossums | 6 PM - Meet live opossums while enjoying drinks at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St).

Andover | Night with Psychic Medium Tracy Ann | 6 PM | ($) - Connect with the other side at Over AndOver CT (415 Route 6). Connect Beyond

Coventry | Brian Thomas Malone at Bidwell | 6:30 PM - Live acoustic performance at The Bidwell Tavern and Cafe (1260 Main St).

Stafford Springs | Pottery Painting: Specialty Wine Glass | 6 PM | ($) - Paint your own wine glass at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St). Get Crafty

Tolland | Sea Glass Succulents | 6 PM | ($) - Create sea glass succulent art at Tolland Red and White (46 Tolland Grn). Create

Andover | Welcome Spring Beginner Stained Glass Tulip Class | 6 PM | ($) - Make a stained glass tulip garden stake at Andover Community & Senior Center (25 School Rd). Make

Hebron | InDeep | 8:30 PM - Live music at Greenleaf Cafe (47 Main St).

Somers | The Score Springs | 6:30 PM - Live band performance at Joanna's Cafe (452 South Rd).

Stafford Springs | BACK IN BLACK with TWICE AS HARD | 8 PM - AC/DC and Black Crowes tribute bands at Four Seasons by the Lake (51 Old Springfield Rd). Rock out

Stafford Springs | Trivia Night | 6:30 PM - Test your knowledge at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St).

Somers | Nativity Collection Sale | All Weekend - Browse a massive collection of 450+ nativity sets at Somers Congregational Church UCC (599 Main St). Details

Vernon | Samantha & Fitz | 6:30 PM - Live music duo at Beni's Bar & Grill (1280 Hartford Turnpike).

Vernon Rockville | RETURN of Nightshift | 9 PM | ($) - Live band at Rocking Horse Bar & Grill (57 Hartford Tpke). Call (860) 791-8608 for reservations

Ashford | Northern Nipmuck Trail Race (16M) | 9 AM - 16-mile trail race through Nipmuck State Forest (Perry Hill Rd). Waitlist

Columbia | Easter Egg Hunt at REC Park | 10 AM - Family egg hunt at Columbia REC Park.

Coventry | Bingo | 5 PM - Community bingo night at First Congregational Church of Coventry (1171 Main St).

Ellington | Easter Festival | 3 PM - Family Easter celebration (264 Pinney St).

Mansfield | Exploring Nature Through the Senses Drawing Workshop | 10 AM - Slow things down and sketch the natural world at Atwood Farm (624 Wormwood Hill Rd) with guidance from an EO Smith art teacher, perfect for ages 10+ and anyone looking to get creative outdoors. Register

Rockville | Steel-N-Eazy at Rockville Elks | 6:30 PM | ($) - Live music at Rockville Elks Carriage House (9 N Park St).

Stafford Springs | Plant Swap | 2 PM - Bring plants to trade at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St).

Stafford Springs | Home Gardening | 6 AM - At the Stafford library the Conservation commission will host Master Gardener Bob McNamara. Who will provide “best practices” for home gardeners.

Tolland | Penguin Plunge for Special Olympics | 11 AM - Polar plunge fundraiser at Crandall Park (120 Cider Mill Rd). Register

Vernon | Henna | 10 AM - Henna art session at The Boho Experience (193 Talcottville Rd).

Vernon | Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and Egg Hunt | 10 AM - Family breakfast and egg hunt at American Legion (114 West St).

Vernon Rockville | Atlantic Red Crab Claw Sale | 10 AM | ($) - Bulk crab claws at American Legion (114 West St).

Vernon Rockville | Kid Rock and ZZTop Tributes | 9 PM - Tribute bands at Rocking Horse Bar & Grill (57 Hartford Tpke).

Bolton | Lenten Mission Pancake Breakfast | 9 AM - All-you-can-eat pancakes at Bolton church (228 Bolton Center Rd).

Coventry | Al Raebuck | 6:30 PM - Solo acoustic performance at The Bidwell Tavern (1260 Main St).

Ellington | CT Social Babes | 11 AM - Women's social gathering at The Hidden Still (87 West Rd). Register

Stafford Springs | ARIZONA MAID BAND | 2 PM - Live country band at Four Seasons by the Lake (51 Old Springfield Rd).

Stafford Springs | Easter Cookie Decorating | 2 PM | ($) - Decorate Easter cookies at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St). Get Crafty

Ellington | Glow In The Dark Egg Hunt | 7:45 PM - Nighttime egg hunt with glow eggs (45 Sadds Mill Rd).