Mansfield Arts Center (285 Rt 32, Mansfield) should be on your list of places you must visit leading up to the holidays. Open 7 days a week from 10am-7:30pm, you’re not going to find any AliExpress products there, just handcrafted/locally made products from around the world. When I say around the world, I mean it. The owners travel around the world finding artisans, crafters, and makers, who produce some truly exquisite products.

Jewelry from a remote village in Pakistan, incredible alpaca scarves/blankets/throws from South America, ornaments from Germany (their whole Christmas room is fantastic in itself), pieces from Africa - every single item, hand-selected by mother-daughter team Agatha and Caroline - when you stop in, make sure to talk to either of them, they have some stories that will make your head spin.

As you know, we’re all about promoting local businesses, and if you shop with them, not only are you supporting a local family, you’re also supporting families from all around the world - that’s not an understatement either, the business they give those families is enough help support them for the year.

Take the drive, you won’t regret it.

Last week’s word scramble answer? Burley Hill. At ~1,316 feet, this Union peak is the highest point in Tolland County and the tallest spot in all of eastern Connecticut. Tucked along the Quinebaug Highlands, it’s a quiet stunner (much of it near private land), so do your homework before you wander.

We’re opening up 5 spots for Hive Partners: local businesses that want their name buzzing through our newsletter every month. Get in front of thousands of engaged neighbors with a clean, consistent shoutout that actually moves the needle.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet CiCi, a 1-year-old Lab/Mountain Cur mix with a velvet coat, light eyes, and a social-butterfly vibe who’s great with kids and dogs. Ready to fall in love?

🏡House of the week: Old-soul vibes, big sky breathing room. This timber-framed 1819 Somers farmhouse brings ~2,845 sq ft, 5 beds, and 1.38 acres—think wide-plank floors, classic porch, and room for real weekends. A historic gem with thoughtful updates that still feels authentically New England. Check it out!

🗝️Indoor exhibit of the week: Celebrate 100 years of UConn Pharmacy at the Centennial Exhibit (innovations, artifacts, and patient-care milestones) on view at the Gallery on the Plaza, Homer Babbidge Library, through Dec 12, 2025. A tight, fascinating look at how Husky pharmacists shaped CT healthcare and where they’re heading next.

🔭Sky report: The Leonid meteor shower hits its peak late Sunday night into early Monday (Nov 16–17). Look east after midnight - there’s only a tiny moon, so the sky’s nice and dark. Saturn is easy to spot after dinner in the southern sky, Jupiter pops later at night, and with sunset around 4:35 pm you’ve got plenty of darkness.

Coventry | Veterans Day Dinner | 4-8pm $ - Manchester Coon and Fox (617 N River Rd) are holding a Veterans Day dinner with plenty of meal options. $25/adults, $20/veterans, kids 18 and under pay their age. 10% of proceeds will go to Take a Vet Fishing.

Hebron | Veterans Day Ceremony | 11am - The American Legion (18 Main St) will be holding a ceremony honoring out veterans, followed by a flag ceremony.

Mansfield | Free Fiddle Classes | 7-8:30pm - Waldron’s Studio 88 (114 Mansfield Hollow Rd) is continuing their free fiddle class offering. Interested? More info

Stafford Springs | Veterans Day Ceremony | 11am - All are invited to Veterans Memorial Park (1 Olympic Cir) for a Veterans Day Ceremony and Wall of Honor Phase 4 dedication.

Tolland | Veteran Day Ceremony | 9:30am - Tolland High School (1 Eagle Hill Dr) is holding a ceremony honoring veterans. Vets and their families are welcome to attend wearing uniforms or clothing that represents their branch of service.

LIVE MUSIC

Jorgensen - Storrs | Phaeton Piano Trio | 7:30pm $

Andover | Cookbook Club | 5:30-7pm - Andover Public Library (355 Rt 6) is holding a pre-holiday social. Bring your favorite holiday dessert or appetizer, and maybe pick up something new that you can wow your family with.

Hebron | Pottery Paint Night | 6-7:30pm $ - Get creative at The Flour Girl (14 Main St) with a special “Thankful” mug painting night. Tix

Tolland | “The Lucky Husky” Book Reading | 5:30pm - Tolland Public Library (90 Old Post Rd) will be doing a reading of this UConn mascot-inspired book, written by Tolland resident and UConn alum Bethany O’Brien. This program is aimed at kids 3-10, with plenty to do besides just the reading. Register

Willington | Songwriter Showcase | 6:30-9pm - The Packing House (156 River Rd) is showcasing five different songwriters over the course of the evening. Bring friends, food, and your listening shoes (is that something people say? Just go with it).

Somers | Stitch N’ Sip | 6-8pm $ - Wine. Crafts. Worthington Vineyards (359 Mountain Rd) is calling your name. Enjoy an included beverage of your choice while creating a penguin plushie. Tix

Somers | SHS Pops Concert | 7pm $ - Support the arts and get your fill of live music at Somers High School (5 Vision Blvd). Tix

Stafford | Widow/Widower Dinner | 3pm - The Widows & Widowers Activity and Social Group of Mass is having an early dinner at Basil’s (64 West Stafford Rd). If you think you might be ready to get back out there, reach out to them here.

Vernon | Annual Holiday Artisan Craft Fair | 1-5pm - This kicks off the weekend-long craft fair. Over 60 artisans are bringing their wares for you to check out. You’re almost guaranteed to find the perfect gift. Same hours on 11/14, 9am-4pm on 11/15, and 9am-2pm on 11/16.

Willington | Paint & Sip | 6-8pm $ - Creed Nutrition (11 Phelps Way) is holding a (healthy) paint & sip, creating an adorable snowman on wood. Register by scanning the QR code here.

Willington | Pictures With Santa Fundraiser | 6-8pm $ - Get your holiday pictures in early at Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd), for only $5 you can get a picture with the jolly man himself. Walk-ins welcome, but calling ahead is probably the best bet.

Willington | Thanksgiving Holiday Craft | 6-8 $ - Paint a wooden turkey at Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd), maybe double up and get a picture with Santa too (see above). Make sure to register

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Bond 124 - Somers | Floyd Patterson | 7:30pm

Stafford Springs | Arts on Main | 6-8pm - Take a meander down Main St and check out what this monthly event is all about. No, seriously. If you haven’t been to Stafford Springs in a while, it’s 100% worth making the trip.

Storrs | Art Encounters: Mementos | 12:30pm - This interactive two-part workshop explores history and memory in collage and assemblage at the William Benton Museum of Art (UConn). This is followed by creating your own assemblage! Register

Vernon | One-Day Workshop | 7-9pm $ - Studio 467 (435 Hartford Tpke) wants to help you make your own porcelain Christmas ornament. You’ll learn/do everything it takes to get your creation ready for firing and glazing. Ornaments will be ready for pick-up approx. 3 weeks later. Contact Studio 467 for more info.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Greenleaf Cafe - Hebron | The Syndicate | 8:45pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Cold Train | 8-11pm
⬢ Bond 124 - Somers | Bren D’Amours | 7:30pm
⬢ Hops 44 - Storrs | Good Vibes | 6:30-9:30pm

Ellington | Local Makers Market | 1:30-5:30pm - Ellington Depot Cafe (1 Crystal Lake Rd) is having a pop-up makers market. Handmade goods, gifts, and goodies. Come shop local!

Ellington | Pet Photos w/Santa | 10am-3pm $ - Ellington Agway (74 West Rd) will have Santa around for pictures with furry friends. He’ll also be there on 11/16. Register

Ellington | Walk N Roll | 9-11am - Ellington Wesleyan Church is inviting everyone to Arbor Park (30 Arbor Way) to help celebrate inclusivity and discover ways to create environment that are accessible for everyone, including those with mobility limitations. Donate whatever you can, complete 7 laps and earn a raffle ticket, buy some, and get some exercise in and meet others in the community. Register

Somers | Jedi Training | 10:30am - Bring your young padawan to Somers Public Library (2 Vision Blvd) to learn from the Kessel Temple Saber Guild. More info

Stafford Springs | Holiday Craft Market | 10am-4pm - Middle River Gallery (60 Main St) is continuing their holiday craft market, stop in and see who the new vendors are this week!

Storrs | Concert - Penned: When Words Inspire | 4pm ($) - The Consonare Choral Community is holding a concert that showcases how the written word and literacy efforts have inspired and changed history. There is a suggested donation of $10, and since it’s being held at Storrs Congregational Church (2 N Eagleville Rd), they are asking people to bring a non-perishable good to donate.

Storrs | Somos Uno Puppet Show | 6:30pm - The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry (1 Royce Cir) is celebrating the opening of Somos Uno: Mexican and Mexican-American Puppetry. Sol Ramirez will be performing, performances are approximately 40 minutes, and are free! They do ask for people to register, though.

Vernon | Sip & Create | 2pm $ - Journey for Nutrition (352 Hartford Tpke) is holding a DIY Holiday ornament class. Pick the colors, design, filling, and make something special! Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | ONE / Jagged Little Pam | 8:30pm $10
⬢ Four Seasons by the Lake - Stafford Springs | Josh Scussell and the Electric Storm | 7pm

Coventry | Turkey Shoot | 10am-1pm $ - Bring your shotgun, Manchester Coon and Fox (617 N River Rd) will supply the ammo for $2/piece. Closest shot to the center each round wins a turkey or $10.

Somers | 1st Annual CT Antique Bottle Show/Sale | 8am - 40 dealers with antique bottles, flasks, and all sorts of breakables will be at Joanna’s Restaurant (145 Main St). If you like old glass, you know where to bring your a…

Tolland | Foraging Walk and Tea Blending | 1:30-3:30pm $ - The final walk of the season with Amelia will be at Whispering Brook Farm (114 Cedar Swamp Rd). You’ll pick plants and make a special tea at the end of the class. Tix

Tolland | Harvest To Hearth | 1-4pm $ - Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke) wants to teach you about seasonal herbs, their healing properties, and the connection between us and nature. More info

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Four Seasons by the Lake - Stafford Springs | Acoustic Rick | 2pm
⬢ Joannas - Somers | Jim Blanch and Boot Hill | 5pm

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