Starting now, we’re shouting out one local Windham County business every day for 30 days on Instagram. That’s 30 straight days of mom-and-pop greatness, hidden gems, and “wait, how have I never heard of this place?” moments.

We began with Charhause Cookie started as a few scrappy macarons in Kate Cofiell’s kitchen—now it’s a full-blown gluten-free paradise in Bolton slinging cinnamon buns and breakfast sandwiches that don’t taste like sad substitutions. Bonus: they pour killer drip coffee from Silk City, one of the top 100 coffee shops on the planet - so yeah, worth the stop.

Got a mechanic who treats your car like a classic? A dog groomer who basically deserves a Nobel Prize? A dance teacher who turned your kid into a confident little tornado? We wanna know.

Coffee shops, tattoo artists, florists, candle makers, vintage shops, piano tuners - if they’re local and crushin’ it, send ‘em our way.

Just reply to this email and tell us who deserves the spotlight. We’ll give 'em the love they deserve.

Multiple Towns | Connecticut Art & Garden Tour

Four towns in the area are opening up their gardens and art studios on 6/7 & 6/8 from 10am-5pm. You can find the map of participating properties and more details here.

Picking up from last week’s newsletter where we featured Minterburn Mill in the word scramble we’d figured it’d be good to shine the spotlight on the mill industry of the area.

Before outlet malls and Dunkins every mile, Vernon-Rockville was the wool capital of Connecticut. In the 1800s, the Hockanum River powered more than a dozen textile operations, and Rockville alone produced millions of yards of worsted wool each year, shipping to cities across the U.S. and Europe.

By 1900, Rockville wasn’t just cranking out fabric - it was one of the top worsted wool producers in the entire country, with its mills rivaling those in Lowell and Lawrence, Massachusetts. The Hockanum Mills alone had over 200 looms running at full tilt and exported cloth as far as South America and Europe. The workforce was a mix of Irish, French-Canadian, and Polish immigrants, many of whom lived in dense, walkable mill neighborhoods that still give downtown Rockville its character today. Local businesses boomed to support the workers - think tailors, cobblers, taverns, and even a trolley line that connected workers from Vernon to Hartford. The town had money, momentum, and a whole lot of lint in the air.

The Minterburn Mill, built in 1906, was part of that boom, employing hundreds of local workers, many of them immigrants living in nearby mill housing. The Hockanum Company even won a medal at the 1876 Centennial Exposition for their top-tier cloth. These mills didn’t just make fabric - they made Vernon a force. Today, their red-brick shells still loom over town like monuments to a time when thread ran the world.

Hebron | Golf Tournament | 10am $ - This is the week of golf tournaments, kicking off with this 4 person scramble at Blackledge Country Club (180 West St). Register

Vernon | Rail-Trail Ride | 6-9pm - It’s time for another mellow bike ride starting out at Pedal Power (520 Hartford Tpke) and cruising down the rail-trail towards Andover. Sign-up

Hebron | Tolland County Chamber Golf Tournament | 10am $ - Here’s your chance to participate in the 33rd annual TCCC golf tournament at Blackledge Country Club (180 West St). Register

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Bidwell Tavern - Coventry | Tino & Malone | 6:30-9:30pm

Bolton | Mini Golf Fundraiser | 4-7pm $ - Help support the Bolton Center School PTA with a round of mini-golf at Mar-Lea (244 Boston Tpke).

Stafford Springs | Pottery Painting | 6-7:30pm $ - Paint some pottery and enjoy a cider or two at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St).

Vernon | Watercolor Basics | 6pm $ - Get started on your mastery of watercolors at Arts Center East (709 Hartford Tpke).

Willington | Poet Tea | 6:30-7:30pm - Enjoy some tea and poetry at Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd).

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | Hypnotix | 5:30pm
⬢ Downtown Storrs - Storrs | LA MANGA | 6:30-8pm
⬢ School Harley Davidson - Ellington | TheLeftovers | 6pm

TRIVIA

Cassidy Hill Vineyard - Coventry | 6:30pm

Coventry | Contra Dance | 7:30-10:30pm $ - This is your last chance to get your Contra dance on at Patriot’s Park Lodge (172 Lake St) for this season.

Mansfield | The Irish in CT | 7:30pm $ - Learn about the life of the Irish in Connecticut starting in the 1640’s at the Mansfield Library (54 Warrenville Rd).

Storrs | Celebrate Pride | 5-8pm - People of all ages, towns, and orientations, are invited to Betsy Paterson Square (4 S Eagleville Rd) for live music, LGBTQIA+ resources, games, activities, tie-dye, and the UConn Dairy Bar truck.

Tolland | Glow Dance Party | 6:30-8pm $ - Shakeup Makeup (45 Industrial Park Rd W) is inviting you to boogie down in a fun glow-in-the-dark atmosphere (glow sticks, glow paint, glow in the dark tattoos included in the ticket). Register

Union | Fury of The Deeps | 3pm $ - Get your Fantasy/Cosmic Horror LARPing on at Taber Creek (1174 Buckley Hwy). More details

Vernon | Library Tai Chi | 10-11am - Learn the art of this gentle meditative movement at Rockville Public Library (52 Union St).

Vernon | Dueling Pianos | 8pm $ - Treat yourself to a night of singalongs and fun at the Rocking Horse (57 Hartford Tpke). Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Four Seasons By The Lake - Stafford | Lobsterz From Marz | 7pm
⬢ Cassidy Hill Vineyard - Coventry | The Second Chance Band | 6-8pm

Andover | Funky Monkey Artisan Fair | 10am-3pm - This massive maker market is taking place at the quirky and amazing Over AndOver (415 Rte 6). Check out creative vendors and a great atmosphere - be sure to say hi to Angela from Loving Karma!

Bolton | Karaoke Night | 6-8:30pm $ - Bolton Congregational Church (228 Bolton Center Rd) is holding a night of karaoke, drinking, eating, and socializing. Tix

Columbia | Mighty Moose Throwdown | 7am $ - Columbia CrossFit is hosting their 4th annual CrossFit competition at The Main Moose (106 Rte 66 E).

Ellington | Farmer Market | 9am-12pm - Weekly reminder about the Ellington Farmers Market (72 Maple St). This week’s theme is Puppy Love Market. Shop animal-related goods, meet some puppies looking for their furever home, and enjoy free live music.

Ellington | Drive-In Moo-vie on the Farm | 7-10pm $ - Bring the kids to watch the 2006 movie The Barnyard at Oakridge Dairy (76 Jobs Hill Rd). A moo brew is included in the ticket price. Tix

Ellington | Barnyard Babies Day | 9am-12pm - Head to the Nellie McKnight Museum (70 Main St) to meet piglets, lambs, goats, chicks, and a calf. Be sure to check out the house museum as well!

Hebron | Armenian Open 2025 | 1:30pm $ - Golfing, food, prizes, and fun await you at Tallwood Country Club (91 North St).

Mansfield | Tour de Mansfield | 7am-1pm $ - Explore Mansfield by bicycle, on a 20-mile or 40-mile ride, starting at the Community Center (10 S Eagleville Rd). Register

Mansfield | Low Cost Rabies Clinic | 10am-12pm $ - Grab a rabies shot for your pet at Annie Vinton School (306 Stafford Rd). $15 Cash/check, dogs leashed, one cat per carrier.

Rockville | Jigsaw Puzzle Competition | 12-1:30pm - Compete against others to see who can put together a 300-piece jigsaw puzzle in the shortest amount of time at Rockville Public Library (52 Union St). Sign-up by 6/5

Somers | Whitaker Hike | 10am-12pm - Learn about the beautiful 200+ acre Whitaker Woods on a 2.5 mile guided hike. Meet behind the Somers Town Hall (600 Main St) and will carpool to the trail from there. Contact Albert Grant (860) 623-5487 or [email protected] with questions.

Stafford Springs | Book Signing | 2-4pm - Local author J.W. Malcolm will be signing books at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St). His latest book is Marty Rogers and the Warlock of Windham.

Stafford Springs | Educational Nature Walk | 10am - Learn about the fauna, flora, and fungi of Dennis Pond (5 Icehouse Rd) with Master Naturalist Arlene Avery. Register Rain Date 6/8

Stafford Springs | Tarot Readings | 11am-4pm $ - Book your spot for a tarot card reading at Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St).

Stafford Springs | Designer Bag Bingo | 6:30pm $ - Support Stafford Little League with a night of designer bag Bingo at Sun Valley Resort (51 Old Springfield Rd). Designer bag prizes, door prizes, raffles, 50/50, mystery bag, and more. Tix

Storrs | Celtic Journey (Concert) | 7pm $ - Take a trip overseas with a concert celebrating Celtic traditions at Mehden Recital Hall (834 Coventry Rd) featuring Voices of Concinnity, Consonare Community Choir (and Youth Choirs), and The Jolly Beggars. Tix

Storrs | UConn Arboretum Tour | 9am-12pm - Bask in the splendor of the trees of UConn (126 N Eagleville Rd) with a guided tour. Donations are appreciated. Contact (860) 486-4460 or email [email protected] for more info. Sign-Up

Storrs | Farmers Market | 3-5pm - Here’s your friendly weekly reminder about the Storrs Farmers Market (4 S Eagleville Rd).

Tolland | Shenipsit Lake Hike | 10am - Connecticut Water Company is organizing a hike at the Shenipsit Lake Reservoir (39 Eaton Rd). The hike is approx 3.5 miles.

Tolland | Quarry Campground Tag Sale | 9am-3pm - Check out the Quarry Campground (704 Shenipsit Lake Rd) and browse what their campers are looking to sell.

Vernon | Vernon Chorale Concert | 7:30pm $ - Enjoy the annual June concert from the Vernon Chorale, entitled A Vocal Tapestry at St. John’s of Vernon (523 Hartford Tpke). Tix

Vernon | Early Summer Foraging Class | 10am $ - The CT Foraging Club is leading a foraging class on identifying edible summer plants and mushrooms, followed by a hike practicing what you just learned. Email [email protected] with questions. Remember, forage sustainably!

Vernon | Tolland County Artisan & Craft Fair | 11am - Check out over 50 local vendors at the Rocking Horse (57 Hartford Tpke).

Willington | Bike-Packing and Trail-Side Troubleshooting | 3pm - One Love Outdoors (14 Tolland Tpke) and Women on Wheels are hosting a women’s clinic to keep you prepared for whatever may come on the trail.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ The Hidden Still - Ellington | Jeff Blaney Trio

Mansfield | CT Trails Day | 9am - To celebrate CT Trails Day, Joshua’s Trust is hosting two different hikes, an approx 3 mile hike at Proposal Rock Trailhead (Woodland Rd), led by Deb Field at 9am. And a second hike led by the delightful Michelle Poudrette at the Nipmuck Trail at Gurleyville Grist Mill (Stone Mill Rd). Registration is required for both.

Somers | Wine & Unwind | 10-11:15am $ - Do a little yoga, take a sound bath, then enjoy some wine at Worthington Vineyards (359 Mountain Rd). Register

Stafford Springs | Motorcycle Run/Cancer Benefit | 1-5pm $ - Help support a local community member who is battling Stage 4 cancer. Contact the American Legion Post 26 for more details.*

Stafford Spring | Wicked Big Meet | 9am-5pm $ - America’s largest Subaru enthusiast festival is happening at Stafford Motor Speedway (55 West St). Thousands of Subies, vendors, discounts, and more!

Vernon | Paint & Smoke | 4-6pm - Relax and let your creative juices flow at Rock & Smoke (352 Hartford Tpke). Contact them directly for more details.

Willington | Community Clean-Up Day | 10am - Help beautify Willington. Bring bug spray, long pants, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, and a willingness to help, to Willington Public Works (49 Hancock Rd).

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ American Legion Post 26 - Stafford Spring | Redhead | 1:30-5pm $*
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Rated M | 3-6pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Aquanett | 3pm $