
Good morning, Tolland County Swarm! Today is Tuesday 11/4, and that means it’s National Candy Day! Grab a piece of your favorite sweet treat, and make sure to get out there and vote today!
I wanted to ask a favor of The Swarm: If you attend one of the events you saw in the newsletter, please let the organizer/business owner know you heard about it on here. It goes a long way to helping us grow!
In Today’s Tolland County Buzz:
A Seasonal Beverage
Step Back In Time
31 Events
Let’s dive in!
-Tyler DiGiovanni
P.S. Last week I asked and 87% of you said you’d love an in-person CT Buzz Dinner Club. We’ll shake off the holiday chaos and set the first one for January - date and spot coming soon.

Maple Pumpkin Hot Cider
Apple season has officially clocked out and the jack-o-lanterns have done their job… which means it’s time to put those last bits of fall bounty to delicious use instead of pretending we’re still going to carve “just one more.” This cozy Maple Pumpkin Hot Cider situation is your victory lap for peak Connecticut autumn - porch pumpkins, apple orchard haul, all of it.
Ingredients
4 cups apple cider
3 tbsp pumpkin purée
2–3 tbsp maple syrup (start with 2, sweeten to taste)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cloves (or 2 whole cloves)
Pinch of nutmeg
Whipped cream for topping
Instructions
Add cider, pumpkin purée, maple syrup, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to a small pot.
Warm gently over medium-low, whisking to dissolve pumpkin.
Don’t boil — think gentle fall-hug heat, not witches-brew chaos.
Remove whole cloves (if used) and strain for a smoother sip.
Pour, top with whipped cream + nutmeg, and enjoy like you’re watching the last few leaves hang on for dear life.
Spiked Version (For adults winding down seasonal chaos)
Add 1–2 oz of bourbon, spiced rum, or apple brandy to each mug.
And if you want to level it up, splash in a little something from Westford Hill Distillers in Ashford - because nothing says “fall isn’t over until I say it’s over” like local pumpkin cider spiked with craft Connecticut spirits.

TOCO TRIVIA 🤔


BUZZ BULLETIN
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CONN-OPOLY: Our first custom CT themed board game will be landing just in time for the holidays. Packed with Connecticut lore and our wild, wonderful history, this board is pure Nutmeg State nostalgia. Step back in time and own a slice of CT history.
Step Back Into 1775: This Saturday (11/8) from 9am-3pm the Nellie McKnight Museum (70 Main St, Ellington) is stepping into the past with an immersive look at life during the American Revolution. The 54th Regiment of Foot and Ye Olde Lebanon Militia will be providing a full day of drills, demonstrations, dramatic performances, and even an 18-th century soccer match. More details here.

SUPPORT THE BUZZ
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Appreciate any and all support, friends! 🐝 ~ Tyler

BEE LINE EVENTS
TUESDAY (11/4) - Election Day
Andover | 4-Week Collage Class | 6-8pm $ - Create a fun and textured piece of art through the technique of collage. This isn’t cutting out pictures from a magazine and gluing them willy-nilly, there really is an art to creating a collage. For questions or to register contact [email protected].
Mansfield | Free Fiddle Classes | 7-8:30pm - Waldron’s Studio 88 (114 Mansfield Hollow Rd) is offering up free fiddle lessons! Rent one, or bring your own, and learn how to make those strings sing! Register
WEDNESDAY (11/5)
Columbia | As American As Apple Pie | 7pm - Professor Thomas Balcerski will be at Saxton B. Little Library (319 Rt 87) to talk about the history of the American protest. Going from the Boston Tea Party, all the way up to modern times. Pre-registration is required by calling (860) 228-0350 or emailing [email protected]
Coventry | Science & Art of Cold Pressed Soap | 6:30pm $ - Lavender Ridge Farm (44 Stage Rd) is walking you through the process of making cold pressed soap. Learn what mistakes to avoid, what certain ingredients will do to the end product, and check out some of their lavender products while you’re there. Tix
LIVE MUSIC
⬢ Bidwell Tavern - Coventry | Tino & Malone | 6:30-9:30pm
TRIVIA
Bond 124 - Somers | 7-8:30pm
THURSDAY (11/6)
Coventry | Women’s Leadership Council Lunch & Learn | 12pm - The Windham Region Chamber of Commerce is holding a women’s leadership council luncheon at Lakeview Restaurant (50 Lake St). If you have questions, contact Missy Willard at (860) 303-5569
Stafford Springs | Watercolor Paint Night | 6-8pm $ - Show off your artistic talent and enjoy a delicious beverage, or two, at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St). All supplies needed are included in the price, along with your first drink! Tix
LIVE MUSIC
⬢ JRego’s - Ellington | Good Vibes | 6:30-9:30pm
TRIVIA
Rocking Horse - Vernon | 7-9pm
FRIDAY (11/7)
Columbia | Book Sale | 4-7pm $ - Friends of the Saxton B. Little Library are having a book sale at the Chapel on the Green (319 Rt 87). 11/7 is free to members, or $5 for general public. The sale continues on 11/8 from 9am-3pm and 11/9 from 11am-3pm. 11/8 & 11/9 are free to attend.
Coventry | Quiet Corner Contra Dance | 7:30-10:30pm $ - If you love being told how to dance, this is a can’t miss event. This called dance event will be at Mill Brook Place (1267 Main St). Wear your dancing shoes, and get ready to have a blast. Tix
Ellington | Farmhouse Fair | 5-8pm - Ellington Congregational Church (72 Main St) is holding their Farmhouse Fair on 11/7 as well as 11/8 from 9am-2pm. Check out a bunch of local vendors, including some homemade brooms!
Mansfield | Hands Across The Earth | 7:30pm $ - Join Talia Rose at Waldron’s Studio 88 (114 Mansfield Hollow Rd) for an evening of positivity and music. Sliding pay scale of $10-20, children under 12 are free.
Somers | Check, Please | 7pm $ - Support young and upcoming thespians at a performance of Check, Please by the Somers High School (5 Vision Blvd) Drama Club. Tickets are available at the door. There will be a second performance on 11/8 at 7pm.
Stafford Springs | Alice in Wonderland | 7pm $ - Stafford High School (145 Orcuttville Rd) is inviting you to check out their production of Alice in Wonderland. There is also a show on 11/8. Friday Tix - Saturday Tix
Union | Fury of the Deeps | 4pm $ - LARPers won’t want to miss this event at Taber Creek (1174 Buckley Hwy). A Fantasy/Cosmic Horror LARP, this one isn’t for the faint of heart.
Vernon | Christmas Bazaar | 9am-2pm - The St. Bernard (25 St Bernard Terrace) Women’s Guild is holding a Christmas Bazaar, filled with jewelry, antiques, homemade crafts, toys, and a lot more.
LIVE MUSIC
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Trailer Trash | 9pm
TRIVIA
Stafford Cidery - Stafford Springs | 6:30pm
SATURDAY (11/8)
Bolton | A Night of Miracles | 6:30-10:30pm $ - A Villa Louisa (60 Villa Louisa Rd) is holding a night celebrating those members of our community with disabilities, Cash bar, silent auction, and a night of great food and better company. Tix
Columbia | Designer Purse Bingo | 5-8pm $ - Help raise money for the H.W. Porter PTO and try your hand at winning a designer purse in the process. Raffle baskets (including a Foxwoods deluxe stay), Bingo, and fun at the Beckish Senior Center (188 Rt 66). Tix
Coventry | Chilifest | 12-2pm - See if you have what it takes to claim the crown of the best chili in the area at Coventry High School (78 Ripley Hill Rd). It doesn’t cost a dime to register, and just think of the bragging rights!
Coventry | Holiday Fair | 9am-2pm - The Gleaners annual Holiday Fair at Second Congregational Church (1746 Boston Tpke) is back! Craft vendors, baked goods, frozen pies to take home, raffles, and much more.
Coventry | Veterans Day Race | 10am $ - This marks the tenth year of the Coventry Veterans Day Race at Patriot’s Park (124 Lake St). Honor the brave men and women that have served this country, and get a little workout in at the same time! Sign Up
Ellington | Fall Fest | 11am-3pm - Old School Harley-Davidson (398 Somers Rd) is holding a fall fest, full of family activities, food trucks, crafters/vendors, and live music. Bring a canned good/food donation to be able to spin a prize wheel!
Ellington | Wire Wrap Teardrop Pendant | 10am-1pm $ - Voices of Enlightenment (19 Pinney St) wants to teach you how to wire wrap your gemstones and cabochons to create beautiful jewelry. Call/text Kathi to register at (413) 885-0038.
Hebron | Help With Historic Research | 11:30am-1:30pm - President of Marlborough Preservation Society, Romano Ghirlanda, will be at Douglas Library (22 Main St) to help you navigate historic and genealogical research. Register
Stafford Springs | Holiday Craft Market | 10am-4pm - Middle River Gallery (60 Main St) is continuing their weekly holiday market with rotating vendors. Every week brings something new!
Storrs | A Cornucopia Cabaret! | 2pm $ - Check out a cabaret-style puppet show, featuring crankies, hand puppets, and a show in a suitcase at the Ballard Institute (1 Royce Cir). Tix
Storrs | Walktober | 2-3:30pm - Join Professor Robert Thorson for a walk through UConn, examining the building layouts, origins of Swan Lake, and the Stone Pavilion. Must register by 11/5.
Tolland | Journey Into Tarot | 10am-12pm $ - Bring your Tarot deck, a notebook, and a willingness to learn about the Major Arcana at Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke). Tix
Vernon | Disc Golf For Veterans | 8am $ - Attention all disc golf players. Make your way to Ecker Hill Disc Golf Course (248 West St) to participate in a doubles event that supports K9s for Warriors - an organization that pairs rescues pups with our nation’s veterans. More info
Willington | Caricatures | 12:30-2:30pm $ - The day has come to get your caricature drawn at Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd). Walk-ins are welcome as time permits, but signing up ahead of time is the smart idea. Email [email protected] for more details.
LIVE MUSIC
⬢ Joannas - Somers | Aquanett | 8pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Raise Your Hands | 8:30-11:30pm
⬢ Jorgensen - Storrs | Zoso | 8pm $
SUNDAY (11/9)
Stafford Springs | Wood Flower Turkey Day Centerpiece | 2pm $ - Two of my favorite local businesses are coming together for some crafting (and drinking). Stafford Cidery (68 Main St) is pairing with Wood & Word Blooms for an afternoon of crafting a unique table centerpiece that will be the talk of the table on Thanksgiving. Tix
Tolland | Window Restoration Workshop | 2pm - Learn all about the historic preservation of windows at the Daniel Benton Homestead (52 Tolland Grn). Chris Albrecht will be focusing on repair, restoration, and preservation. Registration is required by emailing [email protected]
LIVE MUSIC
⬢ Four Seasons By the Lake - Stafford Springs | Chris Newell | 2pm
MONDAY (11/10)
Ellington | Veteran’s Day Luncheon | 11:30am - Ellington Human Services is inviting all veterans to a free honorary lunch at the Ellington Senior Center (40 Maple St). They do ask that you sign up by 11/5. Call (860) 870-3128 or (860) 870-3133 to register.
SCRAMBLE ANSWER: BURLEY HILL
That’s it for this week’s Tolland County Buzz. If you got something out of it, please share it with someone who already has their Christmas decorations out!
See ya next week,
Tyler