Free Stuff, FFA Shopping, Rhyming Dickens-tionary

Good morning, Quiet Corner! Today is Monday 12/2, and that means it’s Cyber Monday, the perfect day to tell your significant other it would be fiscally irresponsible not to do some shopping today!

Fun Fact: Coined in 2005, “Cyber Monday”, the shopping holiday has become a behemoth with estimated sales in 2023 at $12.3 BILLION! Surprisingly, the busiest time of the day falls between 10-11PM EST.

In Today’s Quiet Corner Buzz:

• Custom-Made Librarities 📚

• FFA-nnual Holiday Shopping Night 🎁

• Seuss and Scrooge 🐱🎩🪿

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

• Fyre Award (Crappiest Festival): Capulet Fest 2024 in Thompson, Connecticut promised a "rock and metalcore mayhem" experience but delivered a Shakespearean tragedy instead. The festival's abrupt venue change from a 13,000-capacity at Thompson Speedway to a 1,200-seat theater in Hartford left fans and bands in disarray. The event was ultimately shut down mid-performance due to unpaid bills, prompting an investigation by the Connecticut Attorney General.

• Fridge Malfunction: The Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic is urgently seeking donations after a malfunction in their walk-in cooler spoiled thousands of pounds of perishable food, including Thanksgiving leftovers and upcoming meal supplies. This loss significantly impacts their ability to serve the community, and they are requesting contributions (food items or money) to assist with repairs and replenish their food stocks.

• Woodstock Holiday Lights Deadline: Time is fast approaching to get your house or business registered with Woodstock Recreation for this year’s holiday light decorating competition. All participants must be registered by Thursday 12/5. Holiday light maps will be available on Tuesday 12/10 and judging will take place between 12/14-12/22. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite!

• Bank Merger: Eastern Connecticut Savings Bank and Guilford Savings Bank are merging to create a $1.4 billion financial institution with 25,000 clients across Connecticut. Both banks, with over a century of service each, aim to enhance community-focused banking, expand access, and offer innovative solutions while maintaining their commitment to charitable giving and personalized service. The merger, expected to close in mid-2025, promises no branch closures and a united mission to support their communities and clients' financial goals.

• Shop Small: Willimantic brewing Company is offering 10% OFF your bill when you come in with a receipt from a Willimantic business. This initiative to support local businesses runs from Nov. 30th - Dec. 15th. Support local business and drink great beer, what could be better than that.

Custom-Made Librarities

We’re big believers in taking advantage of the programs offered at local libraries, and this occasion is no different. The Guilford Smith Memorial Library (17 Main St, South Windham) has some excellent (free) programs going on this week.

On Tuesday 12/3 (yeah, we know, short notice) they are running a winter herbal workshop at 6:30pm. Learn about some tips to stay healthy this winter season, as well as create your own herbal tea, honey, and soup mix (those are separate things, to be clear) to take home. If this sounds like a good time to you, email [email protected] or call (860)423-5159 to register. Space is limited, so shoot your shot.

On Thursday 12/5 from 5-6:30pm, they’re offering you the chance to make your own custom-blended essential oil roller to take home with you. For this one, you don’t need to make a reservation, just pop in, make something that smells wonderful, say thank you, and leave. The one caveat is that it’s one roller per person (which is pretty fair, if you ask me).

Both of these things seem like they would make great stocking stuffers (a custom-made something or other for a loved one that doesn’t cost you any money, I mean, you owe me for that great idea).

FFA-nnual Holiday Shopping Night

This is the 13th year of the Annual Holiday Shopping Night put together by the Killingly FFA, and held at Killingly High School (226 Putnam Pike, Dayville). That in itself is impressive enough, but even more impressive is the fact that all the vendor spaces for the event have been sold out. That translates to there being a metric buttload (definitely a real unit of measurement, no, really, it is) of goods for you to peruse.

Wearables, edibles (not those kind, it is at a high school), smellables, washables, usables, and more will all be available for purchase. Just remember to bring cash, because not all vendors will accept cards, and there’s no ATM on-site. Plus, having cash means you’ll get to participate in the Jar Raffle (oooooh, mysterious).

Admission is free, and proceeds from the vendor fees, refreshments, and jar raffle go toward student scholarships, leadership activities, and student support. Stop in from 5-8pm and help support a great cause.

Seuss and Scrooge

Are you a fan of Dicken’s classic A Christmas Carol, but wish it had a little more whimsy to it? Ever feel like the story might be improved if there was a smidgen more rhyming involved? Well, you are in luck!

The Little Theater on Broad Street (185 Broad St, Danielson) is putting on a Seussified Christmas Carol starting on Saturday 12/7. This is the crossover you didn’t know you needed in your life. From zoot fruited juices to binka bird geese, there are nods to each literary legend throughout the play.

You can find tickets here for all the performances (12/7, 12/8, 12/13, 12/14, 12/15 - check each date for time), which will cost around $20 for general public, but first responders, children, and seniors get a few bucks off.

So, what do you say? Take a day, see a play? I think I may, since it’s not too much to pay. Maybe I’ll take a sleigh. Now it’s time for me to go away.

BEE LINE EVENTS

12/6

Frosty’s Big Night Out | Danielson - Frosty and Rudolph make their triumphant return to Davis Park (350 Main St) at 5:45pm. But make sure to get there early, because the Killingly High School Chorus will be caroling at 5:15pm. Hot chocolate and cookies are being served by the Killingly Rotary Club. There’s a rumor Santa might show up as well, so children are encouraged to bring letters for the man in red (just make sure there is an address on them).

Sip and Shop | Woodstock - Taylor Brooke Winery (818 Rt 117) is kicking off their holiday market starting on 12/6 from 3-8pm and will continue on 12/7 from 2-7pm. The holiday market will also be running the following week on 12/13 and 12/14, keeping the same schedule. Stop by to stop and buy while sipping on a glass of wine or beer.

Tarot Card Reading | Thompson - Looking to fill your supernatural fix? Triple Raven Brewing (27 Main St) is hosting Caitie Stone from Oak Barrel Tarot. Readings will start at 5pm and are on a first come, first serve basis. You’ll get a 15 minute-ish tarot and oracle reading for $30. Grab a pint and some insight.

Live Music

12/3

The Stomping Ground - Putnam | Nate Cozzolino and the Lost Arts | 8-11pm

THE HIVE’S PICK

Step into a world where myths collide with modern imagination as the Communications, Film, and Theater Department & Drama Society at Eastern Connecticut State University present Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl. There are 5 showtimes this week from Dec 5th-Dec. 8th at the Proscenium Thrust Theater .

Directed by the talented Tim Golebiewski, this contemporary twist on the Orpheus myth flips the script to focus on his young bride, Eurydice. From the realm of the living to the land of the dead, prepare for an otherworldly adventure featuring talking stones, letter-delivering worms, and a soul-washing elevator. Yes, you read that right—this isn’t your average Greek tragedy.

Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice is a feast for the senses, weaving heartbreak, humor, and dreamlike wonder into a theatrical tapestry you won’t forget. As the lines between past and present blur, you’ll find yourself pondering life’s biggest questions: What memories do we cling to, and when is it time to let go? Book your tickets here.

ECSU SPORTS

12/4

Women’s Basketball vs U of Southern Maine | 5pm

Men’s Basketball vs U of Southern Maine | 7pm

If you got something out of this newsletter, please share it with someone that thinks Thanksgiving leftovers are better the next day.

Talk soon,

~Tyler

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