A Town of Fire and Ice 🔥🧊

Good morning, Quiet Corner! Today is Thursday 2/6, and that means it’s National Optimist Day! Since this newsletter is all about trying to focus on the good things going on in this part of the state, it’s the perfect day to share the newsletter with someone (shameless plug)! We have a doozy of a weekend coming up, it’s going to be hard to decide what you’re going to want to do!

In Today’s Quiet Corner Buzz:

• A Choco-lot of Fun 🍫

• Love is in the Air Psychic Fair 🔮

• Heart Painting Night ❤️

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

• Flowers - Stop & Shop’s Bloomin' 4 Good Program is helping fight hunger in Willimantic! This February, Access Community Action Agency has been chosen as the benefiting organization at the Willimantic store. Launched in 2021, the program lets shoppers give back while doing their regular shopping!

• Bridge Work - The $4 million England Road Bridge project in Chaplin is officially underway. First Selectman Juan Roman III announced the launch Thursday, bringing the long-anticipated upgrade one step closer to completion.

• New Cafe - The Rose Room Cafe has opened its first Connecticut location inside Logee’s Plants for Home and Garden in Danielson. Offering specialty coffees, sodas, and homemade pastries, the cafe had its soft opening on Jan. 31, with a grand opening set for Feb. 22. Open January through June.

• Heart Health - Go Red for Windham is back, at Windham Hospital on Friday, February 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a fun and informative event featuring free cardiovascular health screenings, red wine tasting, and designer bag drawings!

• Taste2Towns - This is just a friendly reminder that we’re getting towards the end of the Taste2Towns event (the final day is 2/9) held by Mansfield and Windham. Restaurants are offering exclusive menus for great prices. To check out what’s on the menu, you can click here.

A Choco-lot of Fun 🍫

This year marks the 19th Annual Romantic Willimantic Chocolate Festival! Taking place right on Main St from 10am-2pm, you can expect to see merchants, musicians, artists, and local restaurants all taking part in the chocolate festivities (there will even be free samples, which everyone knows are the best kind of samples).

To save some typing, assume that each of the following places will have some chocolatey goodness. Swing by WilliBrew for drinks and free cookies, SwiftWater Artisan Co-op will have a couple drawings for $50 gift certificates, the Willimantic Public Library will have dancing with Waldo (not that one) including a Bachata lesson from 11am-1pm. Grounded will be offering the hit of caffeine you need to power through the fun, and the Windham Theater Guild will be offering tours of their facility.

There’s plenty more going on (Trigo, A Cupcake For Later, Spiral Arts), but we’ll be here all morning if I don’t wrap this up soon. There’s a 2 Mile “Cupid Made Me Do It” race starting at 10am. Alright, I think I’ve given you a taste of what’s going on, but for the full list, check out the Romantic Willimantic Facebook page.

Love is in the Air Psychic Fair 🔮

If you haven’t figured it out yet, we love a great otherworldly event, and this is one of the biggest I’ve seen in the area. Crystal Visions is holding a Love is in the Air Psychic Fair (that name was so good, I didn’t want to make any changes to it) at the Plainfield Town Hall (8 Community Ave, Plainfield) from 10am-4pm on Saturday 2/8.

The fair will feature readings and healings (call (860) 317-1018 to book an appointment ahead of time), as well as a huge number of local vendors. Tickets for services are $25, otherwise admission into the event is free.

There are way too many vendors and services available to list here, so instead, you can check out their Facebook post detailing exactly who’s going to be there, and what they offer. There will be something there for everyone!

Painting is Not That Heart ❤️

Pam’s Paintings and More is offering you the chance to create a festive (and more importantly, great looking) painting on Saturday 2/8 from 2:45-6:15pm. That may sound like a long time, but if you’ve ever taken a guided class like this, you know it flies by. You’ll be painting a soft pastel sunset (heart-shaped) with lovely hues of pink throughout the piece of art.

This is an extra special session, since it’s Pam’s birthday as well (yes, there will be cake)! You’ll leave with a 14”x14” canvas that you can display proudly in your home (or someone else’s home, preferably with their permission). All materials are included with the $34 ticket. The class is being held at the Franco-American Civic and Social Club (116 Club Rd, North Windham), which has a full bar (really great prices too).

Bring your own snacks, but outside beverages are not allowed. Grab your seat sooner than later, because tickets are starting to run low! If you like to live by the seat of your pants, walk-ins are welcome, but I’d suggest calling Pam at (860) 710-5902 before making the trip.

BEE LINE EVENTS

Brooklyn | Lifting Masters Training Camp | 6pm-The Rest of The Weekend $ - Aisling.Fit (208 Providence Rd) is offering you the chance to step your powerlifting game up to the next level. Train with Olympian and 2x Olympic Head Coach Michael Cohen. For more information click here. Tickets are $300 for the weekend and can be purchased here.

Danielson | Some Breath Journey | 6-7pm $ - Crystal Clear Intention Center (23 Wauregan Rd) is inviting all experience levels for a guided deep relaxation session. Pre-registration is required. Tickets are $15.

Putnam | Baseball & Softball Clinic | 5:30-8:30pm - Head on over to Putnam Elementary (33 Wicket St) for a free winter clinic. 5:30-6:30pm T-ball & coach pitch age, 6:30-7:30pm Softball, 7:30-8:30pm Minors & Majors baseball.

Putnam | Somatic Healing Class | 6-7pm $ - Whitemoonholistichealing is holding a Valentine’s themed class to focus on self-love and self-compassion at Smoke & Mirrors (171 Providence St). Tickets are $15 and spots are limited.

Putnam | Learn To Pin a Butterfly | 6-8pm $ - Twogoldmoons (112 Main St) is holding a second date of their popular class on how to display butterflies. Tickets are $82 and more information can be found here.

South Windham | Foodie Friday | 10:30am - Guilford Smith Memorial Library (17 Main St) is hosting their monthly foodie get together. This month, you’ll be making Pop Hearts. Registration is required by today (Thursday 2/6). Email Sarah at [email protected] to register (mention any food allergies).

Willimantic | Pride & Prejudice | 7:30pm $ - The Windham Theater Guild (779 Main St) is starting their run of the classic Jane Austen romcom tonight, and will run throughout several dates in February. You can buy tickets here, and see all the available dates. Price is $22 at the highest with discounts for certain groups.

Woodstock | Drum Circle | 6:30-8:30pm $ - Roots To Fly Wellness (442 Rte 197) is bringing back their winter drum circle. Stop in to make some noise in rhythm with others. This is a donation-based event, whether it be money, food, or drinks. Please register, and don’t forget to bring a chair!

Ashford | The Nuance of Bend | 9:30am-12:30pm $ - Meg from Narnia Stables (210 Wormwood Hill Rd) will be getting into the nitty-gritty of bending and more. Tickets are $50, click here to buy and for more info.

Danielson | Chocolate Festival | 10am-1pm - Westfield Church (210 Main St) is holding their annual chocolate festival. Stop in to buy some goodies and even maybe win a raffle!

Hampton | 80’s Karaoke | 7-10pm $ - Throw on your leg warmers and spandex, and head to the Hampton Community Center (178 Main St) for a throwback of songs from the 80’s. There will be a pro DJ taking care of the music, and babysitting is included in the cost of the ticket ($10). Tonight is the night to show everyone you can still hit that high note from “Take on Me.”

Scotland | Bees Wax Wrap | 10am-1pm $ - Join Pins and Needles (6 Huntington Rd) to make two 10”x10” wraps for $10 (cash or check). Drop-in event, no registration necessary.

South Windham | Gentle Yoga | 8-9am - Guilford Smith Memorial Library (17 Main St) is holding a gentle yoga and mediation session to end your week.

Sterling | Walk With Mustangs | 6-7pm $ - Take a hike with the wild mustangs at Wild Ride (130 Old Cranston Rd), ending with some cocoa by the fire. For more details and tickets ($30), click here.

Brooklyn | Fun Run | 12-3pm $ - Help support the Brooklyn PTO and take either a 1 or 2 mile run. You can register for the race here.

Central Village | Super Bowl Party | 3pm - Music Lady Cafe (6 Green Hollow Rd) is holding a Super Bowl party with drink specials, free buffet, live music, and more.

Putnam | Diary of Anne Frank Auditions | 12-2pm - The Bradley Playhouse (30 Front St) is holding the first day of auditions for the moving Diary of Anne Frank. More information about roles and scheduling can be found here.

Putnam | Princess Party | 1-3pm $ - Who doesn’t want to be treated like a princess? Well, if you’re under 14, you’re in luck. Flawless Finish Beauty Bar (7 Providence Pike) is holding an afternoon of the royal treatment. You can find tickets ($55) and more information here.

Putnam | Yin Yoga & Gong Bath | 5-6:30pm $ - BLOCK 134 (130 Main St) is holding an evening of movement and relaxing sound. Tickets ($25) can be purchased here.

North Grosvenordale | Slightly Off-Beat Poets | 1-4pm $ - Come hear featured poets Victor Infante & Paul Szlosek at Steve Veilleux’s house (112 Fabyan-Woodstock Rd), yes this a legit thing. There will be book sales, snacks, a raffle, and open mic. To sign up for the open-mic email [email protected]. Cost of entry is $5.

Willimantic | Super Bowl Party | 11:30am - Head to the Trolley Pub (1245 Main St) for a Super Bowl blowout. Drink specials, and giveaways all day. Come have a drink or two in an authentic repurposed trolley car!

THURSDAY (2/6)

Stomping Ground - Putnam | Straight Up Jazz Series | 5:30-7:30p
Stomping Ground - Putnam | Beth Baron and Friends | 8-11p
Corleone’s - Willimantic | Open Mic | 8:30p-12:30a

FRIDAY (2/7)

⬢ American Cafe - Plainfield | Roc-Kin’-On | 8-11:30p
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Chris Stovall Brown | 8-11p

SATURDAY (2/8)

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | The Island Farm Ceilie Band | 1-4p
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Troy Mercy | 8-11p
⬢ Taylor Brooke Brewery - Woodstock* | Vudu Sister | 2-5p
⬢ Broken Crust - Putnam | Paul Caraher | 5:30-7:30p

SUNDAY (2/9)

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Danny Fleet | 1-4p
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Open Mic | 7-11:30p
⬢ 4G’s Restaurant - Dayville | Bryan Titus | 2-5p

*Hungry Lion Food Truck will also be there

THURSDAY (2/6)

⬢ Trolley Pub - Willimantic | 7:30p
⬢ Chubby Dog Coffee - Danielson | 7p
⬢ Midway Restaurant - Ashford | 7p

FRIDAY (2/7)

⬢ Taylor Brooke Brewery - Woodstock | 6:30-8:30p

THE HIVE’S PICK

Now, normally we feature a business here, but with what’s going on this weekend, we thought this would be a better use of the spotlight. This Saturday 2/8 from 12-8pm is the 14th annual Fire & Ice Festival in Downtown Putnam.

For the “ice” portion, the largest single ice block competition in New England will be taking place, with more than five dozen ice carvings (that’s 60 in case you didn’t feel like math-ing). You’ll get to watch sculptors create amazing works of art with chainsaws (oooh fun!) and other tools (less exciting, but also less noise) from 300lb ice blocks. If you want to grab a drink, why not swing by the 12ft ice bar in front of the Courthouse Bar and Grill? Or, you could grab a drink from one of the ice luges from several other establishments in the area.

There will be a giant heart-shaped bonfire to warm you up, as well as food trucks, food and drink specials from restaurants in the area. The 30ft inflatable igloo is making it’s return, with a chance to meet UConn mascot Jonathan the Husky, and a takeover from The Crossings following that. Face-painters, fire-breathers, and photo-ops galore await you throughout the day.

As day turns to evening, torches will be lit, and the ice sculptures will be illuminated (it looks amazing), which is worth making the trip to see. The best part? Parking is free! They’ve also added a shuttle service this year as well. Park in municipal lots and along Kennedy Drive. For a longer look at what you can expect this year, you can click here.

ECSU SPORTS

2/7 - Men’s and Women’s Track & Field @ US Coast Guard Invitational | 4p

2/8 - Men’s and Women’s Track & Field @ URI Coaches Invitational | 10a

2/8 - Men’s Basketball vs. Dean College | 1p

We’ve officially hit over 2,000 subscribers to the Quiet Corner Buzz. I want to thank all of you for getting us to this momentous number! Please continue to share the newsletter so we can keep growing, and bring you even more exclusive discounts! Please share today’s newsletter with someone that likes fire and ice!

Tyler

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