Cupcake Wars 🧁

Good morning, Quiet Corner! Today is Monday 2/10, and that means it’s National Football Hangover Day! Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that the Super Bowl happened last night, and today, it’s estimated that approximately 14 million people will be taking a “sick” day today. So, if you decided to indulge last night, just know, you aren’t the only one!

So mix up your Bloody Mary, or grab some ibuprofen and let’s check out what’s going on in Windham County this week!

In Today’s Quiet Corner Buzz:

• Chocolate & Wine 🍫🍷

• CT and The Underground Railroad 🛤️

• Romantic Songs in Film 🎵

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

***Friendly Reminder: Everything is 10% off at The Emerald Buddha (150 Main St, Danielson) through Friday!***

BRIEF BITES

• Robotics - Killingly Robotics is on top once again, with the junior team, 78889W, snagging the Excellence Award—the highest honor in VEX Robotics—at the Battle of Barnett in London! They also took second place in Robot Skills and were Tournament Finalists. Meanwhile, the 78889X freshman team made it to the semi-finals, narrowly edged out by their own juniors.

• Grant - The Town of Plainfield got $62,000 in grant money to design and engineer the Open Space on Kate Downing Rd, and needs your input. In 2022, they gathered thoughts through a survey and now they’ve created a ranking system to prioritize amenities. To complete the survey, grab a paper application at Town Hall, or email [email protected] or call 860-230-3003 to have it mailed to you!

• Marketplace - Although not technically in Windham County many of you might shop there so we wanted to tell you that the East Brook Marketplace is coming to the mall! It will showcase a variety of local vendors, offering their products in fun, monthly themed shows.

• Veterans Win - After months of passionate support from veterans and the community, 47 Crescent Street in Willimantic will remain in use! The Town Council’s November decision to end the lease with the Chamber of Commerce sparked strong opposition, but now, victory has been claimed.

Chocolate and Wine 🍫🍷

Who doesn’t love good wine and good chocolate? There is a method to getting the most out of this classic combo, and Taylor Brooke Winery (818 Rt.171, Woodstock) is teaming with Sadie’s Sweet Shop to walk you through pairing wine and chocolate truffles.

Taking place on Saturday 2/15, and starting at 6pm, you’ll be able to try out 5 different wines, paired with 5 different chocolate truffles. You’ll learn about wine tasting notes (if you have the time, watch the movie Somm, it’s fascinating, the scents and tastes people can pick up in wine), and how to curate appropriate chocolates to complement the wine.

Tickets are limited, and you can get yours here.

The Quiet Corner's Loud Fight for Freedom: Windham County's Hidden Role in the Underground Railroad

Being it’s black History month, we wanted to give our area the recognition it deserves. Turns out, Windham County's Quiet Corner wasn’t just a peaceful little patch of Connecticut—it was a hub for some serious underground activity. And no, we’re not talking about secret speakeasies or hidden treasure (although that would’ve been cool).

We’re talking about the Underground Railroad—a covert network of safe houses and secret routes that helped enslaved people escape to freedom in the 19th century. The thick forests and out-of-the-way farmhouses of Windham County made for perfect hiding spots. In Willimantic, folks like John Brown (no, not that John Brown), John A. Conant, and J.A. Lewis were low-key heroes, helping freedom seekers on their way north. You can still find stories of their work tucked into the archives at the Mill Museum.

Now, let’s talk about Prudence Crandall. You’ve probably heard of her (since we’ve featured the museum in an earlier newsletter)—the bold-as-brass educator who opened the first school for African American girls in Canterbury. While she wasn’t directly linked to the Underground Railroad, her impact rippled far beyond her classroom.

One of her star students, Sarah Harris Fayerweather, took that torch and ran with it. After moving to Rhode Island, Sarah and her husband George became conductors on the Underground Railroad, helping dozens of fugitives find freedom. So, while Crandall was stirring up trouble (the good kind) in Connecticut, her students were out there making big moves too.

And here’s the kicker—Windham County’s role might not always grab the headlines, but it’s a key piece of Connecticut’s abolitionist puzzle. The Connecticut Freedom Trail marks sites across the state tied to the fight for freedom, and even though not every Windham County spot is officially stamped, the stories of quiet bravery here are impossible to ignore. The Quiet Corner? More like the Courageous Corner when it came to standing up against injustice.

Valentine Romantic Cabaret 🎵

Since this is the week of romance (fellas, there’s still time to order flowers/pick up a card/buy some chocolates), we thought that an evening experiencing the music of some of the most beloved moments in film (I can almost guarantee there will be that song from Titanic).

The Little Theater on Broad Street (185 Broad St, Danielson) is holding a production of “A Hollywood Romance” on Friday 2/14 and Saturday 2/15 from 7-9pm. Spanning several decades and genres of music, this is sure to be a hit with any film buffs that also enjoy a great love story.

While there will be plenty of heartfelt songs, a little levity will be provided with some parodies thrown in as well. Why not celebrate your love while listening to some of the most popular romantic film music in history?

Guys, this is a great way to show your significant other how sensitive and caring you are. Ladies, this is the perfect way for your significant other to make up for that time they forgot that special day (obviously I’m generalizing, but I have a feeling this will hit home for at least a few people). There are table and balcony seats available for purchase here.

BEE LINE EVENTS

Danielson | Mystery Matinee | 1-3pm - Killingly Public Library (25 Westcott Rd) is holding their mystery movie for ages 18+.

North Grosvenordale | Art Show | 6-7:30pm - Local artist Wendy Forbes is showcasing her artwork at Thompson Public Library (934 Riverside Dr).

Pomfret | PELL Meeting | 6:30pm - Pomfret and Eastford Little League is meeting to discuss the upcoming season at Pomfret Community School (20 Pomfret St).

Willimantic | Cupid Creation Night | 5-6:30pm - Windham Recreation (1 Jillson Sq) is inviting you to participate in Valentine’s themed arts & crafts, as well as cupcake decorating.

Danielson | Virtual Author Talk | 7pm - Killingly Public Library (25 Westcott Rd) invites you to a conversation with author Waubgeshig Rice to talk about his newest book. Register here for the virtual link.

Putnam | Valentine’s Trivia | 12:15-1:15pm - Join the Putnam Commission on Aging and Woodstock Home School Group for some festive-themed trivia at 200 School St. Please register in advance.

South Windham | Drop-In Valentine’s Crafts | 9am - Stop by Guilford Smith Memorial Library (17 Main St) during the week to create a heart chain for Valentine’s Day. No registration needed.

Willimantic | Lit Sea Glass Hearts | 6-8pm $ - WilliBrew (967 Main St) is hosting a craft night to create a lit 10” glass heart. Register here.

Ashford | CRICUT Basics (Pt 2) | 6-8pm - Babcock Library (25 Pompey Hollow Rd) is running a class on how to get the most out of your CRICUT, so you can become a crafting master!

Danielson | Chess Club | 5-6:30pm - Chess players of all skill levels are invited to Killingly Public Library (25 Westcott Rd). Please register.

Online | Full Moon Ceremony | 8pm - 12th Dimension is holding an online full moon ceremony. You can register for the event here.

Pomfret | Kids Valentine’s Crafts | 10:30am-5pm - Pomfret Public Library (449 Pomfret St) is holding crafts for all ages (although, it’s more aimed toward 4-9 year olds). Register here.

Willimantic | Author Visit | 6-7pm - CT author Greg Dillon (The Thin Blue Line: An Honest Cop vs. The FBI) is stopping by Windham Public Library (905 Main St) discussing his experiences.

Woodstock | Valentine’s Cookie Decorating | 6pm $ - Taylor Brooke Brewery (818 Rte 171) is partnering with Leona’s Baking Co. for an evening of cookie decorating. Tickets are available here.

Live Music

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Julie William’s Band | 8-11p

Trivia

Bear Hands Brewing - Putnam | 6p
Hank’s - Brooklyn | 6:30-9p
Mill Town Grill - North Grosvenordale | 6:30p

THE HIVE’S PICK

I’m excited about this one. Not only is it taking place somewhere my father worked for a brief time, but it’s featuring one of my favorite desserts! The Congregational Church of Eastford is holding a Cupcake Wars competition at Eastford Elementary School (12 Westford Rd, Eastford) on Saturday 2/15, from 2-4pm.

I would venture a guess that most people reading this have seen the Food Network show of the same name. But this time, you can actually be part of the competition/judging. Everyone is welcome to compete, taste, and cast votes for the People’s Choice Award!

This competition is serious business, store-bought mixes are not allowed! One of the most important things to remember if you want to compete, is making sure to register by Thursday 2/13 (which you can do here)! You can find all the rules and guidelines by clicking that link too!

ECSU SPORTS

2/12 - Women’s Basketball @ Keene State U | 5p

2/12 - Men’s Basketball @ Keene State U | 7:30p

If you got something out of today’s newsletter, please share it with someone that pulls the bottom off of a cupcake and turns it into a cupcake sandwich (which in my opinion, is the only way to eat a cupcake)!

Tyler

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