Huge thanks to everyone who filled out the end-of-year survey - I went through every response and the message was loud and clear: you’re here for events, hidden gems, and local stories, and you want it easier to skim with more photos and a few more deals/perks sprinkled in plus a few Connecticut Buzz co-sponsored events. In 2026 we’re tightening the format with a clearer “top picks” moment up front, adding more community spotlights (including nonprofits), and mixing in more dog-friendly intel when we find it.

If you missed it, I still want to hear from you. Take survey!

Love taking pictures around Tolland County?

Hit reply and drop a link to your Instagram, website, or portfolio - I’m looking to feature local photographers and share your shots in the newsletter.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Zorro, a 1-year-old Basset/Catahoula mix with low-rider legs and big goofy energy - house-trained, good with dogs, treat-obsessed, and ready to be your new best buddy.

🏡House of the week: This Stafford Springs colonial is basically a lake-view flex, perched above the Staffordville Reservoir with beach rights and a primary suite porch that’s begging for morning coffee. Fully renovated inside and out, plus a finished walk-out lower level and a fire pit patio for “we’re staying in tonight” energy. Have a look!

🏛️Indoor gem of the week: Photographers Gone Wild at Rockville Public Library is a mini gallery night hiding in plain sight, featuring four local shutterbugs from the South Shore Camera Club showing how they see the world through the lens. Learn more.

🔭Sky report: Jupiter is the show this week: look east after sunset and you’ll spot a crazy bright “star,” peaking around Jan 9-10. Saturn is the early-evening cameo low in the west, and after the Moon hits third quarter on Jan 10, nights get a little darker so the stars pop more.

Making new friends as an adult shouldn’t feel like a part-time job, so we built the easiest version: CT Buzz Dinner Club is Thursday, Jan 15 at 6pm, with tables in Manchester or Putnam.

You take a quick quiz, we pair you with 5 other locals who match your vibe, and you get the restaurant drop the morning of. All you have to do is show up hungry and reasonably social. It’s $16 to cover the matching, planning, reservations, and reminders, and you’ll just pay your tab at dinner.

From Hartford to San Juan, Puerto Rico for 162 bucks* roundtrip, beginning of March for a week stay. See the deal!

From Boston to Lisbon, Portugal for 500 bucks* roundtrip, beginning of March for a week stay. See the deal!

*Prices at the time of writing subject to change

Stafford Springs | Arts on Main | 6-8pm

Celebrate all things artsy on Main St. Stop into the local businesses to see what they have going on (usually some surprise vendors), great food, fantastic drinks (looking at you Stafford Cidery and Off The Rails Brewing), and some truly hidden gem shops. It really is worth checking out what’s going on in Stafford Springs!

Connecticut Buzz is 100% free to read, independently owned, and run local (yep, it’s me and my brothers behind the scenes).

If you’ve been enjoying it, kicking in a contribution helps keep the lights on and the hive humming so we can bring you more stories, more events, and more community stuff that actually makes CT feel connected.

Seriously appreciate any and all support, friends. - Tyler

Mansfield | Fiddle Slow Jam | 7-10pm - Calling all fiddlers! Slow the tempo down and join in this open jam at Waldron’s Studio 88 (114 Mansfield Hollow Rd). Perfect opportunity to learn some new melodies in a relaxed setting.

Coventry | Design a Wood Flower Arrangement | 6-7:30pm $ - Make a lasting arrangement at Wood & Word Blooms (21 Bread & Milk St). Pick your size/project, and get busy creating! Tix

Hebron | A History of an 1800’s Exchange Program | 6:30pm - The Hebron Historical Society and Douglas Library (22 Main St) are holding a presentation about the Qing Dynasty’s 1870’s educational exchange program, with 6 out of the 120 Chinese boys sent over, ending up in Hebron!

TRIVIA

Bond 124 - Somers | 7-8:30pm

Coventry | Women’s Leadership Council | 12pm - The Windham Region Chamber of Commerce is holding their monthly ladies get together at Lakeview Restaurant (50 Lake St). You do not need to be a member of the chamber to attend, it’s a great networking opportunity! Sign Up

Ellington | Restoration & Preservation of Photos and Docs | 1-2:15pm - Photographer Fred Bird is going to be at Ellington Senior Center (40 Maple St) talking about how to preserve and fix up your old photos, and how to keep old negatives safe. Call (860) 870-3133 to register.

Vernon | Mediumship | 6:30-8:30pm $ - Local Medium Rebecca Anne LoCicero will be doing readings from their location at 54 Hartford Tpke. $30/person, email [email protected] to book a seat.

Vernon | Wire Wrap Sea Glass | 4pm $ - Arts Center East (709 Hartford Tpke) is holding a beginner-friendly wire-wrapped sea glass class (what a fun rhyme!). Learn how to make wonderful treasures out of items found on the beach. There is also a second class time at 6:15pm. Tix

Somers | Music Bingo | 6-8pm - Bring your dauber, grab a bottle, and have a blat playing music Bingo at Worthington Vineyards (359 Mountain Rd). Prizes for each round!

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Aquanett | 8:30pm
⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | Smokehouse | 6:30-9:30pm

TRIVIA

Worthington Vineyard - Somers | 6-8pm

Columbia | Family Bingo | 5pm $ - The Horace W. Porter PTO is hosting a family edition of Bingo at the Beckish Senior Center (188 Rt 66). Cocoa, prizes, raffle baskets, and more! Bingo tix are $3 each, raffle tickets $1 each.

Columbia | Movie Night | 5pm $ - The Columbia Congregational Church (325 Rt 87) is hosting a showing of Wall-E. A $3 ticket gets you a slice of pizza, popcorn, and a drink ($15 maximum per family). Tix

Ellington | Winter Farmers Market | 9am-12pm - Here’s your reminder about the Ellington Winter Farmers Market (37 Maple St). This week’s theme is “To Your Health.”

Rockville | Author Visit | 10:30-11:30am - Author of the book The Lucky Husky, Bethany O’Brien will be at Rockville Public Library (52 Union St) will be holding a story time, interactive Q&A, and pictures with Jonathan the Husky!

Stafford Springs | Comedy Show | 8pm $ - Stillwater Grill (328 East St) is hosting an evening of laughs as part of the Pub & Grub Comedy Tour. Tix are $20, and can be purchased in person or by calling and paying over the phone.

Tolland | Reiki I Training | 9:30am-4:30pm $ - If you’ve ever wanted to become a Reiki practitioner, Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke) is giving you the chance to do just that. Get your Reiki I certification in a day. Sign Up

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Trailer Trash | 9pm
⬢ The Packing House - Willington | The Mighty Soul Drivers | 2-5:30pm Tix

Andover | Minimalist Watercolor Workshop | 11:30am $ - Learn how to create an effective minimalist watercolor painting at Over AndOver (415 Rt 87). This is a class for true beginners. Tix

Coventry | Winter Farmers Market | 10am-12:30pm - Here’s your reminder about the Coventry Winter Farmers Market (78 Ripley Hill Rd). Over 30 vendors witht ons of products!

Stafford Springs | Tarot Readings | 1-5pm $ - Get a Tarot reading done at Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St). 15 or 30-minute readings available. Book now

Vernon | Fund-a-Dance Benefit | 12pm $ - Figments Youth Dance Ensemble is looking for help to raise money for their dedicated young dancers. This brunch buffet is being held at Modern Style Events (400 Talcottville Rd), and includes choreographic insights, a presentation of dances, raffles, and more. Help support the next generation of dancers! Tix

Andover | Intro To Sourdough | 6pm $ - Get a crash course in sourdough with Marissa from Long Meadow Farm at Over AndOver (415 Rt 87). You’ll even get a sourdough starter to take home! These sell out quick, make sure to get your tix if you’re interested.