A Truckin' Good Time 🛻

Good morning, Quiet Corner! Today is Thursday 1/30, and that means it’s National Croissant Day!

Fun fact: Croissants aren’t actually French! They originated in Vienna, Austria as early as the 13th century, and were known as kipferl. There are conflicting stories on how it came to be a French staple, with some saying that Marie Antoinette (who was born in Vienna) longed for a taste of her homeland, and bakers began making them just for her. Others say a Viennese baker opened a shop in Paris and the rest is history.

Whatever you believe, go grab a croissant from a local bakery, and enjoyed some flaky, buttery goodness!

In Today’s Quiet Corner Buzz:

• Glowing Off ✨

• Mocha’s Market 🐈

• Magic At The Library 🪄📚

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

• Top Spot - A recent article from Salon highlighted The Inn at Woodstock Hill as one of the must stops on a roadtrip across the US. You can find the full article here.

• Education Recognition - Two local educators have been recognized for their dedication to Holocaust education. Stephanie White, a grant facilitator at EASTCONN, and former educator Ester Soffer received the 2025 Simon Konover Recognition in Holocaust Education from Voices of Hope.

• Crowned - Willimantic native Daviana Plaza, 18, has been crowned Miss CT Teen USA 2025, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Despite moving to North Franklin a few years ago, she chose to represent Windham in this year’s pageant—after placing as first runner-up last year.

• Killingly Volunteers - The Town of Killingly is looking for passionate volunteers to join the Vision Committee and help shape the town’s future! This is your chance to have a voice in planning and improving the community. You can find more info here.

Glowing Off ✨

Get ready to bust a move in style! On Friday 1/31, starting at 5pm, the Windham Rec Department (1 Jillson Square, Willimantic) is holding a Zumba Glow Party. So, what does that mean exactly? It means it’s time to break out those neon pink leg warmers, fluorescent tops, and anything else you own that will have people asking you to turn down your outfit.

Cap off your outfit with some glowsticks, and you’re ready to party! Join in for a fun (sweaty) time, and stick around afterwards for a social gathering from 6-7pm. People are encouraged to bring snacks and drinks to share (non-alcoholic, this is the community center we’re talking about). It’s free for members, or $5 for non-members.

Mocha’s Market 🐈

Paws Cat Shelter (74 School St, Putnam) is holding an indoor flea market this Saturday 2/1, from 12-3pm. There will be new, gently used, and hand crafted items available for purchase. If you want to take a gander at some of the stuff that’s available, you can check out the Discussion part of their Facebook post.

As an added bonus, you’ll have the kitties at Paws judging your every purchase. All the proceeds made from the event will go toward supporting the cats at the shelter. So, unless you’re allergic to cats, it’s worth taking a trip to see what they have, and contribute to a great cause.

Magic of Libraries 🪄📚

As you may or may not know, Saturday 2/1 is Take Your Child to The Library Day. Windham Public Library (905 Main St, Willimantic) is celebrating by hosting magician Ed Popielarczyk (it’s a magic trick trying to pronounce his last name correctly the first time), for a performance at 11am.

The library is also offering giveaways and crafts throughout the day. There are several other libraries in Windham County offering activities on Saturday, which you can check out on this nifty little site. Just zoom into Connecticut and click your preferred library. They’ll have a small description of what they’ll have going for activities!

BEE LINE EVENTS

1/31

Danielson | Sound Bath | 7-9:30p $ - Ruby Rocks (23 Wauregan Rd) is hosting an evening of guided meditation and sound bath. Everything needed is provided. Pre-registration is required. $25 for the class.

Dayville | Beer Release | 12-10pm - Black Pond Brews (1001 Hartford Pike) is releasing Supay, a Belgian Chili Stout (I’m a sucker for stouts and spicy). The Farmhaus at Black Pond will be serving boneless wings with Peruvian sauces of different spice levels. Supplies are limited.

Thompson | Tarot Readings | 5pm $ - Caitie Stone is returning to Triple Raven Brewing (27 Main St) for an evening of Tarot and Oracle card readings. First come, first serve. Sessions are at least 15 minutes (usually longer) and cost $30.

2/1

Ashford | Chili Cook-Off | 12-3pm $ - Warm up your insides with a chili cook-off at St. Philip’s Church (92 Pompey Hollow Rd). For $15 you can enjoy a bunch of different chilis and vote for your favorite. Proceeds go to the only free girls school in Haiti. For more info, email [email protected].

Windham | 14th Annual Plunge | 12pm - The ECSU Rugby is holding their annual fundraiser for the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic. You can participate in the plunge at Lauter Park (627 Jackson St) or make a donation if you want to help out. Visit their site if you want to donate.

Windham | Anita Sebestyen Room Dedication | 2:30-4pm - Windham Historical Society is honoring the late Anita Sebestyen with a room dedication at the Jillson House Museum (627 Main St). RSVP is requested.

2/2

Eastford | Duck Day | 7:30am - Punxsutawney who? Come see Scramble the duck predict if we’re getting an early spring or six more weeks of winter at the Eastford Public Library (179 Eastford Rd).

Putnam | Art Demo & Closing Reception | 2-4pm - Silver Circle Gallery (134 Main St) is holding an art demo with Shirley Bernstein & Lynita Shimizu, who will demonstrate a live printmaking. You can also browse their woodblock prints from their “Block by Block” exhibit.

Live Music

1/30

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Straight Up Jazz Series | 5:30-7:30p
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Nate Martel | 8-11p

1/31

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Miss Fairchild | 8-11p

2/1

⬢ Hank’s - Brooklyn | Tino & Malone | 7-10p
⬢ Black Dog Bar & Grill - Putnam | J-Krak & Cario | 8-11p
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Professor Harp | 8-11p
⬢ Taylor Brooke Brewery - Woodstock* | Fox and the Dragon | 2-5p
⬢ Broken Crust - Putnam | John Rodgers | 5:30-7:30p

2/2

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Alpaca Lunch | 1-4p
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Open Mic | 7-11:30p
⬢ Taylor Brooke Brewery - Woodstock* | Curvet | 2-5p
⬢ 4G’s Restaurant - Dayville | Tim Reardon | 2-5p

*Hungry Lion Food Truck will also be there

Trivia

1/30

Simpson’s Trivia @ Black Pond Brews - Dayville | 7-9p

Trolley Trivia @ Trolley Pub - Willimantic | 7:30p

Chubby Dog Coffee - Danielson | 7p

Midway Restaurant - Ashford | 7p

1/31

New England Trivia @ Taylor Brooke Brewery - Woodstock | 6:30-8:30p

Today’s Hive Pick was brought to my attention by a QCB subscriber (thanks Kelcey!). We’re going to talk about the famous (or in-famous, depending on who you ask) Haul of Fame Trucking Museum (133 Packer Rd, Canterbury). Ok, so famous is a relative term. If you’re really into antique vehicles and heavy equipment, this place might have already been on your radar. If not, let me give you a little rundown.

This “museum” is a collection of antique cars, trucks, decommissioned fire trucks, heavy equipment (cranes and the like), and pretty much everything else with four wheels that could rust. Now, I’m not doing a great job of selling this place, but bear with me. While the vehicles outside have seen better days, the automobiles inside are in pristine shape (including a highly-coveted Mack truck).

This museum is only open on Wednesdays, usually from 9am-3pm but you should give them a ring (860) 546-6733 to make sure the inside is open. This is a perfect day trip for someone who has a little (or big) someone in their life that loves trucks!

ECSU SPORTS

2/1 - Women’s Basketball @ U. of Southern Maine | 1p

2/1 - Men’s Basketball @ U. of Southern Maine | 3p

That’s it for today’s QCB! If you got something out of today’s newsletter, please share it with someone who loves taking day trips.

See you next week,

Tyler

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