Valentine's Dinner Plans

Good morning, Quiet Corner! Today is Monday 2/3, and that means it’s National Carrot Cake Day! It’s the ultimate healthy dessert (don’t quote me on that), I mean, it has carrots in it, so how could it be bad for you? Whether you take yours with nuts, raisins, cream cheese frosting, or buttercream frosting, enjoy your slice today guilt-free. If you’re adventurous and want to make your own, then we recommend trying one from America’s Test Kitchen. You can find the recipe here.

In Today’s Quiet Corner Buzz:

• Benefit Raffle 🧺

• Revolutionary Protagonist 🇺🇸

• It’s Clay Time 🏺

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

• Funding - Lowe’s Hometowns is back for its fourth year, accepting project nominations through Feb. 18. First responder facilities, nonprofits, and municipalities can apply for funding—just like the Scotland Volunteer Fire Department, which received $30,000 for new bunkrooms and a kitchen renovation. Know a deserving project? Submit a nomination now!

• Forecast - In Eastford, Scramble the Duck has been accurately predicting the arrival of spring since 2015. On February 2, 2025, Scramble emerged without seeing his shadow, signaling an early spring. With a perfect track record, Scramble offers a reliable alternative to traditional groundhog forecasts (we’re not counting the snow on the ground this morning).

• Bird Flu - Officials suspect bird flu is behind the deaths of over a dozen geese found on the ice in Putnam. While the geese haven’t been tested yet, the area has a history of avian flu cases in ducks. DEEP is monitoring the situation but prioritizing testing in other species, like raptors, to track the virus’s spread.

• Resource Officers - Plainfield might bring back its school resource officer (SRO) program after a 15-year hiatus. The proposed officer would primarily be stationed at the high school but oversee all five district schools, aiming to enhance security and build stronger relationships between students and police. With a $92,000 price tag, town leaders are still ironing out the details, but many parents and officials believe it’s long overdue.

Benefit Raffle 🧺

This is the last call to make it down to NewYork PIZZA CO. (8 Furnace St, Danielson) to help out a young mother of two who is battling a rare form of breast cancer. People dropped off baskets to be raffled last month with proceeds going to the aforementioned mother.

You still have a chance to stop in on Wednesday (2/5) or Thursday (2/6) of this week to buy some tickets and put them in your basket of preference. Here’s a look at what you can put in for: Bloody Mary baskets, a family game basket, Valentine gift, NYPIZZA swag, Scratch-Offs, a BBQ master basket, a game day basket, a movie night basket, a wine and chocolate basket, a workout basket, a cozy night-in basket, an Above The Clouds Tea basket, a book basket, a Jim Beam basket, a self-care basket, an Irish coffee basket, a beach day basket, a Burt’s bees basket, and believe it or not, there’s still more than that available!

There will be a ticket pulling party on Thursday 2/6 from 5-8pm (note: you do not need to be in attendance to win), with drink specials and giveaways. Tickets are $1 a piece, or $20 for 25. You have a chance to win some awesome stuff, and even if you don’t, you’ll be contributing to a very worthy cause!

Israel Putnam: The Wolf-Slaying, Cliff-Jumping, War Hero Who Refused to Back Down

Israel Putnam was built different—the kind of guy who didn’t just fight wars but lived like he was in one 24/7. Born in Salem Village, Massachusetts in 1718, Putnam was a farmer first, but if danger came knocking, he was ready to throw hands (or, you know, muskets). Putnam resettled in Mortlake, Connecticut (present day Brooklyn) at the age of 22, so we can claim him as one of ours.

Before he ever set foot on a Revolutionary War battlefield, he earned legendary status by crawling into a wolf’s den and killing the beast with his bare hands—because apparently, using a rifle was too easy. That level of fearlessness stuck with him throughout his life, making him the type of leader soldiers actually wanted to follow.

When the Revolution kicked off, Putnam didn’t hesitate. He rode 100 miles in a single day to join the fight in Boston and quickly became a key commander at the Battle of Bunker Hill. While most people remember the famous order “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes”, fewer realize that Putnam was one of the guys actually leading the charge. He fought hard, kept his troops steady, and showed the British that the scrappy American militias weren’t to be underestimated. His tactical grit and refusal to back down turned Bunker Hill into one of the most hard-fought battles of the war.

Even after the Revolution, Putnam kept up his wild man energy. One of his best moments? Escaping a British ambush on horseback by charging straight down a rocky cliff in what is now Greenwich, CT, because apparently, the normal rules of gravity didn’t apply to him. The British refused to follow, probably assuming no sane person would attempt that maneuver—and they were right. Israel Putnam wasn’t just a war hero; he was Connecticut’s original action movie protagonist, proving that raw courage and a little recklessness can go a long way in shaping history. Oh, and yes, he’s where Putnam got it’s name from.

Here’s a 20 minute video detailing the life of our local hero.

It’s Clay Time 🏺

Now is your chance to recreate that scene from Ghost. Spiral Arts Studio (750 Main St, Willimantic) is offering people ages 12 and up the opportunity to learn wheel throwing (no, not literal wheels. Although, that sounds like something you’d see at the Highland Games in Scotland). Over four weeks, you’ll be learning how to get everything ready, shaping, attaching, and glazing.

These classes are kept relatively small so the certified art teachers can give adequate attention to everyone taking the class. The first class will meet on Tuesday 2/4 at 4:30pm and then meet at the same time on every Tuesday until 2/25. All materials needed are included. The four-week course costs $186 (which may sound like a lot, but usually pottery classes are around $50 and up, and this sits at $46.50 per class). You can buy your spot here.

BEE LINE EVENTS

2/3

Danielson | Monday Mystery Matinee | 1-3pm - Killingly Public Library (25 Westcott Rd) is showing their weekly movie. Must be 18+ to attend.

2/4

Danielson | Virtual Author Chat | 2pm - Tune in virtually to a chat with the Smithsonian’s Sabrina Sholts, as she talks about the human traits and tendencies that make us human, but also make us liabilities when it comes to pandemics. Register here.

Willimantic | Books and Brews | 6pm - Willimantic Brewing Company (967 Main St) is holding their next book club meeting on Tuesday. The book they’ll be discussing is Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid. If you’re interested in next month, the book is The Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts.

2/5

Chaplin | PHACT PTSA Meeting | 6-7pm - Come see what’s going on with the Parish Hill community. The meeting will be held in the school library (304 Parish Hill Rd).

Danielson | Anime & Manga Club | 4-5pm - This one is for parents that have kids 13-18 years old. Killingly Public Library (25 Westcott Rd) is holding a meeting for kids that are interested in anime and manga. Please register here!

North Grosvenordale | Movie Time | 2-4pm - Thompson Public Library (934 Riverside Dr) is hosting their biweekly movie showing.

2/6

South Windham | Drop-In Crafting | 5-6:30pm - Guildford Smith Memorial Library (17 Main St) is offering the chance for adults to drop in and make hand-sewn fabric hearts (can make it scented if you want). No registration required.

Woodstock | Valentines Cookie Decorating | 6pm $ - Head to Taylor Brooke Brewery (818 Rte 171) for an evening of decorating special Valentines cookies. Tickets are $55 for one, or bring a friend and get both for $31.19.

Live Music

2/3

⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Central Village | Brandt Taylor Band | 6:30p

2/4

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Allysen Callery | 8-11p

Trivia

2/5

Stomping Ground - Putnam | Sound Guys Trivia | 7-11p

Bear Hands Brewing - Putnam | 6p

Mill Town Grill - North Grosvenordale | 6:30p

THE HIVE’S PICK

Are you looking to make things a little…spicy on Valentines Day? I’ve got just the thing for you! Emerald Buddha (150 Main St, Danielson) wants to help make your special day a little sweeter, with a choice of a free dessert: NY Style Cheesecake, Tiramisu, and Mango Delight (I’m going with the mango sticky rice) given out after ordering from them on 2/14!

If you haven’t been to Emerald Buddha yet (which is a mistake on your part), they offer hot pot (a ridiculously flavorful broth that you cook your veggies and protein in), Thai dishes (curries anyone?), and some Ghanaian dishes.

The owner Dawanh, is such a sweetheart, that she’s offering 10% OFF of your orders from 2/9-2/14. You should check out their website (I never thought that I would love a loading animation, but here we are), and browse the menu. The food is authentic, and more importantly, delicious. Take advantage of this limited time discount and enjoy some amazing food!

ECSU SPORTS

2/5 - Women’s Basketball @ Western Conn State U | 5p

2/5 - Men’s Basketball @ Western Conn State U | 7p

That’s it for today’s Quiet Corner Buzz! If you got something out of it, help us grow by sharing the newsletter with someone who loves spicy food!

Talk soon,

Tyler

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