This week we’ll finish up hitting the rest of Tolland County towns. Hopefully, you picked up a few fun facts to drop next time someone asks, “Wait… why is it called that?”

Tolland: Named in May 1715 and incorporated 1722; sources say it was named after Tolland in Somerset, England, though some traditions link it to a former toll station on the Boston–NY road.

Union: Incorporated 1734; the name reflects a “union of lands” (East Stafford and state lands) left over when surrounding town lines were fixed.

Vernon: Set off from Bolton and incorporated 1808; named for George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate.

Willington: First called Wellington (for Wellington, Somersetshire - the Wolcott family’s origin) and incorporated 1727; the spelling shifted to Willington at incorporation.

SATURDAY 11/1 & SUNDAY 11/2 | 10am-6pm

Alright, so this one isn’t technically in Tolland County, BUT, it does support locals from Tolland. FIRST Robotics FRC team 173, RAGE Robotics, is holding their annual Pumpkin Chuckin’ fundraiser. Picture this: a serene farm (Foster Family Farm - 90 Foster St, South Windsor), rolling hills, a trebuchet, and a whole lot of pumpkins.

I gotta tell you, seeing pumpkins launched a mile away (hyperbole) is way more fun than it has any right to be. Stop by and help support a fantastic group - they also accept students from all over, so if you have a teen that might be interested, this would be a great way to introduce them.

If you have any questions, you can email [email protected]

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Nora, a 1-year-old scruffy terrier mix with a heart full of sunshine and a tail that never quits. She’s crate trained, great with other dogs, and ready to charm everyone.

🏡House of the week: This 3-bed, 2-bath colonial is just under 2,700 sq ft and sits on a whopping 8.43-acre lot. You’ve got a granite-topped kitchen island, a fireplace in the living room, and yes space to park 10 cars with 7 attached garage bays. And here’s the kicker: There’s even a barn with paddocks and room for horses or whatever hobby-farm gear you’ve got in mind. Check it out!

🥾Trail of the week: Stoppleworth Conservation Area, Tolland
A quiet ~1.4-mile loop (with a pond and forest crossings) that flies under the radar. It’s tucked off Eaton Road just west of Willie Circle, and its trails are part of the local open-space network in town.

🔭Sky report: We’ve got a slim-to-half Moon (first quarter hits Wed, Oct 29), which means darker evenings early in the week; perfect for comet hunting. Try the north-west after dusk for Comet Lemmon; it’s flirting with naked-eye territory over CT, but binoculars will make it pop. Meanwhile, Orionids are still tossing a few fast streaks, the slow-and-bright Taurids are ramping toward their mid-Nov display, and Saturn is the easy showpiece glowing in the southeast after dinner.

Andover | Death Of A Wealthy Slave | 6pm - CT storyteller Denise Manning Keyes Page will be at Andover Public Library (355 Rt 6) to tell the fascinating story of former slave John Wesley Manning and his journey from enslavement to being a successful inventor.

Tolland | 68th Annual Meeting | 5-7pm $ - This one is (mainly) for Tolland County Chamber members. This meeting will include handing out plaques for the 2025 Business Award Winners, guest speakers, refreshments, and, of course, networking. Tix

Vernon | Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat | 4:30-6:30pm - Vernon is holding a trunk or treat at Henry Park (120 South St), and you don’t even need to get out of your car to participate! You must go through the address above to join in.

Storrs | Psychic Medium | 6:30pm $ - Get yourself in the mood for Halloween, with an evening with local psychic Rebecca Anne LoCicero at Hops 44 (625 Middle Tpke). Tix are limited.

Tolland | Journey Into Tarot | 6-8pm $ - Start (or continue) your Tarot journey at Tolland Red and White (46 Tolland Grn). Message with questions

Vernon | Shredding Fundraiser | 9:30am-12:30pm $ - Vernon Rotary and Ray Page Plumbing (8 Gerber Blvd) are holding shredding fundraiser (proceeds will support the Rotary Club - they do some excellent work, you should check them out). $10/11'“x12”x16” box, cash or check only.

LIVE MUSIC

Jorgensen - Storrs | UConn Choirs and Symphony Orchestra | 8pm $

Mansfield | Foodshare | 11:30am-12pm - Mansfield Human Services (303 Maple Rd) is holding a foodshare, remember to bring a bag or box to carry your food.

Somers | Halloween Paint & Sip | 6-8pm $ - Worthington Vineyards (359 Mountain Rd) is holding a Halloween-themed paint night. Go home with either a tote bag or stretched canvas. Tix

Somers | Free Tasting | 5:45-10:45pm - Fortune Fuel (11 S Rd) is inviting everyone and anyone to taste some of their most popular boosted teas and meal replacement shakes. I mean, it’s free. Pretty good deal if you ask me (and it still is even if you didn’t).

Vernon | Costume Party For Littles | 10-11am - Rockville Public Library (52 Union St) is holding a costume party for toddlers and preschoolers. Let them get some Halloween fun in, since they’ll probably be sleeping for the real deal.

TRIVIA

Rocking Horse - Vernon | 7-9pm

Columbia | Halloween Costume Party | 6-8pm - Dress your best (Halloween costume) at Heartstone Winery (468 Rt 87) for a chance to win some prizes.

Coventry | Tools of the Trade: Paranormal Edition | 7-8:30pm $ - Skip the trick-or-treating and check out what it take to hunt ghosts at the Nathan Hale Homestead (2299 South St). Tix

Hebron | Annual Halloween Party | 9pm - Greenleaf Cafe (47 Main St) is holding a Halloween party, with cash prizes for several costume categories. Drink/food specials, along with a complimentary snack spread.

Somers | Cruise Night/Trunk or Treat | 3-7pm - Worthington Vineyards (359 Mountain Rd) is holding a cruise night/trunk or treat combo. Check out some amazing cars, and fill your little one’s buckets with candy (that you’ll probably steal half of anyway).

Somers | Halloween Tarot Readings | 1-7pm $ - The Wycked Cauldron (625 Main St) is offering Tarot readings on the spookiest of all holidays. Call or text (203) 520-6585 for more info.

Stafford Springs | Boos & Brews | 7pm - Four Seasons By The Lake (51 Old Springfield Rd) is holding a Halloween party. Costume competitions, raffles, chances to win prizes, with no entry fee.

Vernon | Halloween Party | 8pm - The Rocking Horse (57 Hartford Tpke) is holding a Halloween party, with cash & prizes for their costume contest, and live music, provided by Feedback.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Basil’s - Stafford | Good Vibes | 7-10pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Feedback | 9pm
⬢ Greenleaf Cafe - Hebron | Violent Reign | 8:30pm-12:30am

Andover | Stories & Bingo | 11am - Andover Public Library (355 Rt 6) is celebrating Día de los Muertos a little early with Spanish/English stories and Bingo! RSVP by calling (860) 742-7428.

Columbia | Arts, Antiques, & Appraisals | 10am-4pm - Trailside Treasure (1 Cards Mill Rd) is inviting you to bring up to three of your antique items for a free verbal appraisal. Along with that, vendors, food, and music too!

Columbia | Holiday Craft Fair | 10am-3pm - Columbia Congregational Church (325 Rt 87) is holding a Holiday Craft Fair with crafts (who would’ve guessed?), a bake sale, take-a-chance baskets, corn chowder (that’s reason enough to go for me), and even some stuffed baked potatoes.

Ellington | Battle of the Wings | 11am-2pm - Think you make the best wings around? Old School Harley-Davidson is giving you a chance to prove it. No cost to enter, and winner will win a $100 gift card to the store (even if you don’t ride, it could make a great gift for someone who does). Email [email protected] with your info and type of wings you’re going to make.

Ellington | Robert Tedford Memorial 5K | 9:30-11am - This annual 5K is held to honor longtime Rec Director Robert Tedford. All proceeds go toward Rec programs and initiatives. Must register by 10/20.

Mansfield | Energy of Nature Walk | 12-2pm - Connect with nature and recharge at the Mansfield Hollow Dam (114 Mansfield Hollow Rd) with a guided meditation and walk. Register by emailing Lucy at [email protected].

Stafford Springs | Annual Swamp Yankee Soiree | 5-10pm $ - The Chili Brothers are throwing their 4th Annual Swamp Yankee Soiree to celebrate their 30+ years in business at The Italian Benefit Society (12 Club Rd). Proceeds will be donated to local food banks.

Stafford Springs | Holiday Craft Market | 10am-4pm - Middle River Gallery (60 Main St) is giving you a chance to get a jump on holiday shopping with a rotating menagerie of crafters every week.

Storrs | Artist Lecture | 3pm - Celebrated collage artist Maureen McCabe will be giving a lecture on her current exhibition Fate and Magic at the William Benton Museum of Art (UConn). RSVP

Tolland | Fall Cookie Workshop | 2-4pm $ - Learn how to decorate some fun, festive, fall cookies at Toland Red and White (46 Tolland Grn). Tix

Tolland | One Year Anniversary | 6pm - Signature To-Go is celebrating their one-year anniversary at Rough Cut Cider House at Lemek’s (351 Goose Ln), with a Día de los Muertos Celebration. A portion of the sales will go to Tolland Soccer Club and Tolland Little League.

Vernon | Holiday Craft Fair | 9am-2pm - The First Congregational Church of Vernon (695 Hartford Tpke) is holding a holiday craft fair, with tons of great gift ideas, baked goods, and themed baskets.

Vernon | Reiki Level I | 9am-1pm $ - Learn how to incorporate Usui Reiki into your own life, and walk away being a level I practitioner. The class will take place at Infinite Love and Serenity in the Vernon Professional Building (281 Hartford Tpke). Tix

Vernon | TLC Marketplace Craft Fair | 9am-3pm - Trinity Lutheran Church (20 Meadowlark Rd) is holding a craft fair with treasures, crafters, baked goods, and more.

Willington | Blues 101 + Concert | 4pm $ - Ramblin’ Dan Stevens will be at The Packing House (156 River Rd) presenting his version of Blues 101, followed by a concert inspired by the materials. Tix/more info

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Four Seasons By The Lake - Stafford | Children of The Sea | 7:30pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Mass-Conn-Fusion | 6pm
⬢ Hideaway Tavern - Amston | Karaoke | 8pm-1:30am

Coventry | Winter Farmers Market | 10am-12:30pm - This kicks of the 11th season of the Coventry Winter Farmers’ Market at Coventry High School (78 Ripley Hill Rd). More info

Rockville | Purse & Tool Bingo | 2pm $ - Take a shot at winning some tools or a purse with an afternoon of Bingo at the Maple Grove Club (100 Franklin St). If you’re feeling generous, bring an unwrapped toy to donate. A portion of the proceeds go to Toys For Tikes. Tix

Stafford Springs | Paranormal Pours | 6:30-8:30pm $ - Interested in the paranormal? Enjoy the occasional alcoholic beverage? You’re not gonna believe this, but Stafford Cidery (68 Main St) has you covered on both fronts. Get up close with paranormal investigators and indulge in a hard cider (first one is included with the ticket). More info/tix

Stafford Springs | Pumpkin Centerpiece | 10am $ - Create a beautiful pumpkin centerpiece that will be the talk of your table at Café de Flore (72 Main St). Everything you need will be provided. Tix

Tolland | Fall Tea Tasting/Creating Workshop | 2-4pm $ - Thyme for Tea will be at Tolland Red and White (46 Tolland Grn) to give a sample of two autumn teas and chocolates to compliment. Send them a message if you’re interested.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Four Seasons By The Lake - Stafford | Murphy’s Law | 2pm

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