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A Place You Should Know About
Arts On Main, Trivia, 31 Events, and More
Tyler DiGiovanni
May 06, 2025
Good morning, Tolland County Swarm! We’re officially over 2,000 subscribers! This is a huge milestone, and I’d like to thank every single one of you for helping us get here!
Today is Tuesday 5/6, and that means it’s National Teacher Appreciation and Nurse Day! Take a moment to thank someone that has devoted their lives to helping others (thanks Mom!). Let’s see what’s going on in Tolland County this week!
In Today’s Tolland County Buzz:
Nonprofit Pick
Arts on Main
31 Events
Let’s dive in!
-Tyler DiGiovanni
BRIEF BITES
🌮Opening - Brick Cantina (54 Main St.) is now open in Hebron - serving up tacos, fajitas, and handcrafted cocktails where Pete’s Pub used to be!
THE HIVE’S PICK
My pick for this week is Tara Farm Rescue (670 Babcock Hill Rd, Coventry). A 503c nonprofit animal sanctuary started out just housing unwanted horses, but has grown to also include cows, pigs, rabbits, chickens, goats, & dogs and cats (which are rehabilitated and adopted when possible!). There’s usually around 140 animals at any given time (yeah, wow).
I’ve been to the farm several times, and if you’re an animal and have some extra time or are looking for volunteering opportunities, this place is worth considering. BonnieJeanne Gorden does an amazing job with this place, and I wanted to make sure more people knew about it.
Check out their website or give them a call at (860) 729-4317 if you’re interested in helping out, physically or financially.
LAST WEEK’S SCRAMBLE: GURLEYVILLE GRISTMILL
If you’ve ever wanted to step inside a time capsule powered by water and grit (literally), the Gurleyville Gristmill is your spot. Perched beside the Fenton River in Mansfield, this stone beauty has been quietly flexing its 1800s muscles for nearly two centuries. What makes it wild? It’s not restored - it’s preserved. That means all the gears, grinding stones, flour sifters, and wooden contraptions are the actual ones that cranked out cornmeal back when your great-great-grandpa was in short pants.
And get this: the site has mill roots going back to 1723, and the current gristmill, built in the 1830s, ran full tilt until 1941 without ever getting “upgraded.” It’s built from local rock - gneiss, granite, pegmatite - so it’s basically Connecticut’s version of a medieval fortress, except instead of guarding treasure, it made biscuits possible. There’s even a working miniature model so kids (and let’s be honest, adults too) can turn a crank and see the whole thing in action.
The whole thing is now under the wing of Joshua’s Trust, which also owns the miller’s house across the street (where Gov. Wilbur Cross was born!) and a ton of preserved land along the Nipmuck Trail. It's part history lesson, part nature hike, and part “Whoa, this is cooler than I expected.” Go once, and you’ll start spotting old millrace ruins like a total local nerd - which is the highest compliment around here.
ToCo TRIVIA 🤔
How many acres does Shenipsit State Forest cover? |
BUZZWORTHY ACTIVITY 🐝
The return of Arts on Main in Stafford have returned! Head to Main St in Stafford Springs on Friday 5/9 starting at 6pm to enjoy this amazing happening. Pop into local businesses, check out amazing artwork, and discover a vibrant downtown Stafford Springs. If you want to know more about what usually goes on, you can check out their website here.
HIVE: PROPERTY
This storybook 3–4 bed Tudor Colonial sits on over 2 acres of peace and privacy - and it’s got the vibes to match. Step inside and you’re greeted by timeless charm: formal living and dining rooms built for memory-making, plus a cherrywood dream kitchen with all the bells, whistles, and a Jen-Air cooktop.
The sunken family room? Total cozy zone with a vaulted ceiling and stone fireplace that screams “movie night.” Slide into the sunroom or out to the patio for full indoor-outdoor flow. Upstairs, the primary suite brings spa energy (hello, Jacuzzi tub), with plenty of space to spread out across the other bedrooms and rec room.
It’s the kind of place you don’t just live in - you love. Don’t sleep on it
BEE LINE EVENTS
TUESDAY (5/6)
Stafford | Composting Made Easy | 6-7:30pm - Buying compost from a store is expensive. So why not learn how to make your own at Stafford Library (10 Levinthal Run)? Register
Vernon | Free Party For Moms | 6:30-8:30pm - Spare Time (350 Talcottville Rd) is inviting mother to the bowling alley for unlimited bowling, shoe rental, music, and more for free. (Drinks/food are available for purchase)
LIVE MUSIC
⬢ Square Peg - Vernon | Kt Lay | 6:30-8:30pm
WEDNESDAY (5/7)
Ellington | Reiki I Cert | 6-8pm $ - Learn how to get in touch with your inner energy for some holistic healing. Register by calling/texting Kathi at (413) 885-0038.
Hebron | Pottery Painting | 6-7:30pm $ - Paint some pottery at The Flour Girl (14 Main St). More info
Tolland | Beaded Potted Plants | 5:30pm $ - Create a fun beaded potted plant at Tolland Red and White (46 Tolland Grn). Message for more info
LIVE MUSIC
⬢ Bidwell Tavern - Coventry | Tino & Malone | 6:30-9:30pm
THURSDAY (5/8)
Rockville | Women & Weapons | 5:30pm $ - This Ladies Pistol Night is being held at Rockville Fish and Game (90 Fish and Game Rd). Contact Wilma at [email protected] with any questions.
Stafford | Sea Glass Windows | 6-8pm $ - Make a beautiful (hopefully) piece of art to hang in your home at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St). More deets
Vernon | Multi Chamber Business Expo | 4:30-7pm - Come meet members of four different Chamber of Commerce’s at Spare Time (350 Talcottville Rd). All are welcome, and don’t forget to bring business cards!
Willington | Nutrition and Riding | 5:30pm - One Love Outdoors & Women on Wheels are holding a clinic at The Bike Shop (14 Tolland Tpke) about proper nutrition.
FRIDAY (5/9)
Coventry | Sound Mediation Concert | 7-8:30pm $ - The Conduit will be performing a sound mediation at The Lodge (172 Lake St) overlooking Coventry Lake. Tix
Ellington | Ladies Night | 4-6pm - Ellington Agway (74 West Rd) is inviting women to come down and get 20% off Garden and Gifts (lesser discounts on other supplies). Plenty of door prizes too!
Stafford Springs | Henna Night | 6-8pm $ - Get a pretty sweet temporary tattoo at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St) from Hennatize Me.
Stafford Springs | Weekly Racing | 7pm $ - Just a friendly reminder that racing season is back at Stafford Motor Speedway (55 West St). Tix
Tolland | Eclectica | 7pm $ - The Arts Center of Tolland (22 Tolland Grn) presents Eclectica, a CT-based band that will take you on a musical and visual journey from the 14th to the 21st centuries using some unique and eclectic (see what they did there?) instruments. Admission is $20.
Vernon | Teacher Appreciation | 4-7pm - Spare Time (350 Talcottville Rd) is at it again, this time for teachers. Enjoy free bowling, shoe rental, and laser tag! Secure your spot by RSVP-ing to [email protected].
LIVE MUSIC
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | DIAL UP | 8pm
SATURDAY (5/10)
Columbia | Yoga at the Vineyard | 4-5pm $ - Enjoy a yoga session at Heartstone Farm & Winery (468 Rte 87) and then a glass of wine after (or before, I don’t judge). Bring a yoga mat or towel. Text (860) 710-0054 about tickets.
Columbia | Yoga (No Wine) | 9-10:15am $ - Mandee Rose is leading a yoga class at the Beckish Senior Center (188 Rte 66). Bring your own mat. Message Mandee for details.
Coventry | Club Brew Kick Off | 8:30am - Learn to make a Czech Dark Lager with the Knights of the Mashing Fork! You’ll need to send them a message for the address if you’re interested.
Ellington | Mother’s Day Market | 9am-12pm - The Ellington Farmer’s Market (72 Maple St) is hosting a special Mother’s Day Farmer’s Market. It’s the perfect place to pick up that last minute gift for your mom.
Hebron | RHAM Alumni Fundraiser Dance | 6-11pm $ - Grab some tickets to the RHAM alumni fundraiser and boogie down with music from Nightshift. Tickets must be purchased in advance! Call John (860) 295-8484 for more info.
Mansfield | Contemplative Walk | 10-11:30am - Reconnect with yourself and nature, with a guided walk along Joshua’s Trust Knowlton Hill Preserve (81 Knowlton Hill Rd). More info
Rockville | Ukulele Workshop | 11am - People ages 8 and up are encouraged to sign up for this class to learn how to play this 4-stringed instrument at Rockville Public Library (52 Union St). Call (860) 875-5892 ext. 2 to register.
Somers | Hot Dog Fundraiser | 10am-2pm - Support Pack 83 by buying a hot dog (or several) outside of Geisslers Super Market (95 South Rd).
Stafford Springs | Floral Workshop | 10am-12pm $ - Cafe de Flore and Primrose Salon & Antiques (5 Lyons Rd) are teaming up for a Mother’s Day Floral Workshop. More deets
Stafford Springs | Sip & Knot | 2pm $ - Get your micro-macrame on at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St) by creating some unique Boho-chic earrings. Tix
Stafford Springs | Singles Hike | 11am-1pm $ - Windy Crow Farm (211 Crowhill Rd) is inviting singles to come on a guided llama & alpaca hike. Meet people that enjoy outdoor activities and similar interests. Send them a message for more info.
Tolland | Mental Health/Wellness Fair & Fundraiser | 10am-2pm $ - Budr Cannabis & Be Love Yoga is holding a day filled with activities on promoting mental health at Be Love Yoga (12 Goose Ln). Proceeds will be donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention CT. Tix
Tolland | Mother’s Day Pop-Up | 1pm - Do a little Mother’s Day shopping at Tolland Red and White (46 Tolland Grn).
Tolland | Mother’s Day Retreat | 10am-4:30pm $ - Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke) is facilitating a day of nurturing for mothers of all stages. More info
Vernon | Civil War Kids Camp | 9:30am-2:30pm $ - This one-day camp is perfect for teaching kids 8-13 about life in the early 1860s. Sign Up
LIVE MUSIC
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | The Brat Pack | 8pm
⬢ Four Seasons By The Lake - Stafford | The Boneyard | 8pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | TheLeftovers | 9pm
SUNDAY (5/11)
Stafford | Farmers and Crafters Market | 9am-1pm - Tractor Supply (54 W Stafford Rd) is hosting a crafters and farmers market. Grab some locally-made delights.
LIVE MUSIC
⬢ Mill Pond County Store | Dave Brunette | 2-4pm
Well, that’s everything we got for this week! Help us grow by sharing the newsletter with anyone and everyone!
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