A Low-Key Week

A Taste of Mexico, Library Events, Transfer Station Hour Changes

Tyler DiGiovanni
December 23, 2024

Good morning, Quiet Corner! Today is Monday 12/23, and that means it’s Festivus! While popularized on Seinfeld, Festivus was actually started in the 60’s as a way to air out grievances you’ve had with family members throughout the year (no way that could go badly, right?).

You could also celebrate it with Festivus miracles (which are small, seemingly insignificant occurrences, such as: remembering why you walked into a room, or carrying all the groceries inside in one trip without dropping anything). However you choose to celebrate, we hope you have a low-stress run up to the holidays!

This week, we’re doing things a little differently. With the holidays, events are few and far between, so, don’t expect a whole heckuva lot going on the next seven days. Whatever you celebrate, we hope that you get to spend the next week with the ones you love!

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

Winning Awards - Windham Hospital has been honored with the 2024 Leapfrog Top Hospital Award, recognizing its exceptional achievements in patient safety and quality. This prestigious national accolade highlights the hospital's commitment to delivering outstanding healthcare services.
Road Work - The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has announced that catch basin cleaning will be performed on Route 6 in Coventry, Columbia, and Windham, as well as on I-395 in several towns including Plainfield, Killingly, and Putnam. This maintenance work is scheduled to occur from January 6 to February 14, 2025, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Motorists should anticipate lane closures and are advised to maintain safe speeds through the work zones.
Big Donation - The Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic has been granted received $50,000 in state bonding after their cooler broke down, threatening their ability to serve meals. This unexpected gift ensures the kitchen can continue providing essential services to the community without interruption.

BEE LINE EVENTS

Christmas Lights

Dayville | Amarante’s Winter Wonderland (8 Pratt Rd) | 5-9pm daily until New Year’s - Now Hallmark+ Famous Walkthrough Light Display
Sterling | Molodich Farms Christmas Lights (535 Ekonk Hill Rd) | 5-9pm - 12/23 and 12/24 are your last nights to check out this drive-through farm-themed light display.
Windham | Garden on the Bridge | Sundown - This is a little bit different, since it’s not a traditional light display. Take a stroll along the river and check out the installations put in by the Garden Club of Windham. I can assure you, it’s something unique and will have you glad you stopped by.

Library Events

Killingly Public Library (25 Westcott Rd) | An Epic Book Quest | 9:30am - Be the first teenager to solve the weekly riddle challenge and win a prize. This weekly occurrence happens on Mondays (12/23 in this case).

Killingly Public Library | Monday Mystery Matinee | 1-3pm - Head on down to the library on 12/23 for a surprise movie for adults 18+. The movie won’t be revealed until just before the screening. Roll the dice and you might find a new favorite flick.

Windham Public Library (905 Main St) | Meet Santa & Movie Night | 2-5:30pm - What better way to get prepped for the holidays than meeting with Santa, snagging a photo, then getting cozy for a holiday movie? Stop into Windham Public Library today (12/23) to join in.

Windham Public Library | Winter Treasure Hunt | 12-8pm - Search around the library for clues and riddles to solve. Once you solve all the clues, get the secret password and open up the treasure chest for a prize! This takes place on Thursday 12/26.

Windham Public Library | Clay Creations | 11am - Artist Deb Jaffe will help little ones create penguins with attitude on Saturday 12/28. Spots are limited, and this event is for children ages 6+. You can call (860) 465-3079 to register.

Live Music

12/26

⬢ The Stomping Ground - Putnam | Straight Up Jazz Series | 5:30-7:30pm
⬢ The Stomping Ground - Putnam | Alexander Garzone | 8-11pm

12/27

⬢ The Stomping Ground - Putnam | Eric Ducoff Band | 8-11pm
⬢ Sawdust Coffeehouse - Putnam | Frank Lind | 7-10pm

12/28

12/29

Misc.

Brooklyn | Santa’s Workshop | 9am-12pm $ - Have your K-6th graders make some last minute ornaments for your tree on Tuesday 12/24 with the Brooklyn Rec. Department (69 South Main St). Registration is required and the program will cost you $15/kid.

Plainfield | Walk The Trail | 5-8pm $ - This is a continuation of the Trail of Lights and rescue horse/donkey meeting at Hay Burr Equine Rescue & Sanctuary (169 Black Hill Rd). Tickets aren’t required, but donations are strongly encouraged.

Pomfret | 4-H Camp Open House | 1-3pm - Windham Tolland 4-H Camp (326 Taft Pond Rd) is inviting everyone to stop in, meet staff, take a tour, and register for camp.

Windham | Snowman Painting | 2-5pm $ - Want to paint your own holiday decoration? On Saturday 12/28, Pam’s Paintings is leading a class to create a festive snowman work of art. Tickets

Transfer Station Holiday Hours

Canterbury - Closed 12/26 due to staffing shortage
Hampton/Scotland - Closed 12/25 and 1/1/2025, Open 12/26 and 1/2/2025
Sterling/Voluntown - Closed 12/25, 12/26, and 1/1/2025
Thompson - Closed 12/25 and 1/1/2025
Union - Closed 12/25 and 1/1/2025, Open 12/26 5-8pm

THE HIVE’S PICK

Whenever I’m craving food from south of the border, I almost always head to one spot (no, it’s not Taco Bell). La Mexicana Grocery and Taqueria (385 Valley St, Willimantic) has become the place I’ll take out of town friends to. And yes, you read the name of the restaurant correctly, it doubles as a grocery store and restaurant.

Let’s be clear, no matter what you order, it’s going to be good. The portions are great, the prices are decent, and the flavor is phenomenal (I usually grab a chorizo burrito or quesadilla to go along with my tacos). While you’re waiting for your food, I highly encourage you to browse through the grocery store side of the building (they sell Mexican sodas, ice cream, dried goods, and even flavors of Cheetos you won’t see in Stop and Shop). You can either grab a seat and eat in, or take your eats to go.

If you’re a fan of tacos, and want an authentic taste of Mexico, I highly recommend stopping in for a bite. I’ve never left disappointed, and I don’t think you will either.

ECSU SPORTS

12/29 - Men’s Basketball vs. Anna Maria College | 3pm

Thanks for reading today’s newsletter! If you got something out of it, please share it with someone whose Christmas Day tradition is going to see a movie.

Quiet Corner Buzz would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! We’ll see you next week!

Tyler

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign Up

Want to get your business featured in Quiet Corner Buzz? Let’s Talk

Did I miss something? Let Me Know