Music Competition, Holiday Markets & Giving Back

Good morning, Quiet Corner, today is Thursday 11/21 which means it’s National Gingerbread Cookie Day. So enjoy eating your gingerbread man, leg-first like the cool kids do, while reading what’s going on this weekend.

Fun Fact: Gingerbread originated in ancient civilizations, with Greeks and Egyptians creating spiced honey cakes as its early precursor. It was Queen Elizabeth I that may have invented the gingerbread man, commissioning her royal baker to craft edible lookalikes of courtiers and guests. Here’s two gingerbread recipes if you want to get your hands dirty: Recipe from 1868 or Classic Recipe on Youtube.

In Today’s Quiet Corner Buzz:

• Young Artist Music Competition 🎵

• Scot-land Yourself Some Deals 🎁

• Walk For Warmth 2024🚶

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

• Plainfield Sewer Jetting: No, it’s not as cool as it sounds. Residents of Dow Rd, Ruth Dr, Beechwood Blvd, Cottonwood Dr, and Butternut Ln are being advised to keep their toilet lids down on 11/25 (Monday) and 11/26 (Tuesday). Why you might ask? The town is working with several companies to jet (pressure wash) the sewer lines and on occasion a little burp of sewer might make its way back up. Ladies, this might be a great way to make sure he puts the dang seat down.

• Hallmark Lover’s Road Trip: Believe it or not, Windham County has been home to a couple (few, if you count Eastbrook Mall as Windham) Hallmark Christmas movies. CTVisit has compiled a list of holiday movies filmed in the Nutmeg State, and if you’re interested, they included lists of where the movies were shot (Number 1, 2 (maybe), and 4 on their list). Watch the movie first, then follow the itinerary to make you’re own Hallmark film. Bonus points if you re-enact the scenes!

• Calling All Actors: Sunday 11/24 is the first day of auditions for the Windham Theater Guild’s rendition of Pride and Prejudice held at the First Congregational Church in Willimantic. A one minute comic monologue of your choosing is required for your audition, though an English accent (‘ello guv’nah) isn’t necessary, you can do one if you’re comfortable with it. The second day of auditions will be on Tuesday 11/26.

• Attention Thompson Artists: We’re down to the wire for the Thompson250 Logo Design Contest. The winning logo will be used in all of Thompson’s celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary. Submissions are due by Monday 11/25. You can find more information and the application form here.

• Turkey Trot For Good: Join the 12th Annual Turkey Can Can on Saturday, Nov. 23, at Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm in Sterling! This 2-mile race benefits the Project Pin Food Pantry and takes you through farm roads and meadows where you’ll be cheered on by sheep, goats, and cows. Registration opens at 8:30 AM, and the race kicks off at 10:00 AM. Register Online.

Young Artist Music Competition

The Windham Regional Arts Committee is holding the 38th annual Young Artist Music Competition on 1/25/25 at 1pm in the Burton Leavitt Theater in Willimantic. Yes, we know it’s a long ways away, but you can never be too prepared, right?

Vocalists and instrumentalists (string, piano, wind instruments) from grades 7-12 are encouraged to sign up (it doesn’t matter which school you go to).

It costs $25 per entry (that includes each member of an ensemble), then an additional $20 for each additional category. But don’t think it’s just a pay to play, every musician is eligible to receive a check for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes. There are also several special awards that are given on competition day, including the Mr. D Scholarship Award (RIP dad).

You can find all the nitty-gritty details on the WRAC website.

Scot-land Yourself Some Deals

We know this part of Windham County doesn’t get a ton of love, minus the Highland Games, which is a must-attend, so why not take a jaunt down to Scotland this weekend? The town is offering up two chances to score some goodies.

They’re hosting their 3rd annual Holiday Market at the Scotland Volunteer Fire Department (47 Brook Rd) from 9am-1pm, featuring vendors from the Scotland Farmer’s Market, along with some new additions. Grab some handmade soaps, pottery, jewelry, and more from local crafters.

After working up an appetite from shopping, which we all know is truly hard work (thanks mom for teaching us that early), stop over at the Scotland Library (21 Brook Rd, practically next door!) to check out their Book and Bake Sale happening at the same time. Grab a baked good to restore your energy and pick up a few books that will keep you busy as colder weather starts making its way in. If you’re serious about your books, you can pay a $5 fee to get in for early bird entry at 8am.

Whatever you decide, it’s worth taking a drive out to Scotland on Saturday and shopping local.

WAIM Walk For Warmth

Every year, way too many local families face the freezing reality of losing heat, electricity, or gas—the stuff that makes a house feel like a cozy home. For some, it’s not just an inconvenience; it’s a crisis that can lead to homelessness or even the heartbreak of losing custody of their kids. That’s where WAIM comes in, jumping in like a superhero with the WAIM Private Energy Assistance program—because nobody should have to shiver their way through winter.

This is your chance to be a warm hug in action! Join us for the Walk for Warmth on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 1:30 PM after an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at the First Congregational Church in Willimantic. Register online or in person (12:30–2:15 PM), and together, let’s make sure our neighbors have warm homes, hot showers, and zero frostbite.

BEE LINE EVENTS

LIVE MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT

Thursday 11/21

The Stomping Ground - Putnam | Straight Up Jazz Series | 5:30-7:30pm

The Stomping Ground - Putnam | Bob Moon | 8-11pm

Friday 11/22

The Stomping Ground - Putnam | Lee Ross | 8-11pm

Saturday 11/23

The Stomping Ground - Putnam | Alexander Garzone | 1-4pm

The Stomping Ground - Putnam | Pierre and The Extraordinaires | 8-11pm

Battle of the Bands (Corleone’s, Willimantic) | 10:30am-2pm

Bands: THE ROTTING TWENTYS & TWEED SUGAR will play full sets

The Vanilla Bean Cafe - Pomfret | Tommy Twilite | 7-9pm | $15

Taylor Brooke Winery - Woodstock | Jediah | 2-5pm

The Broken Crust - Putnam | T. Ray Taylor | 5:30-7:30pm

4G’s Restaurant - Dayville | Brian Malone | 5-8pm

Sunday 11/24

The Stomping Ground - Putnam | The Attractors | 1-4pm

The Stomping Ground - Putnam | Open Mic! | 7-11:30pm

*Taylor Brooke Winery - Woodstock | Nick Bosse | 2-5pm

4G’s Restaurant - Dayville | John Prout | 2-5pm

Fine Arts Instructional Music Hall - ECSU | Fall Chorale Concert | 2:30pm

*Red Lion Food Truck will also be there from 12-5pm

FOOD/MARKETS

Saturday 11/23

Community Center of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (Danielson) | 9-4pm | Annual bake sale (gyros, Spanakopita, Baklava and more) plus handmade gifts.

Guilford Smith Memorial Library (Windham) | 9-2pm | Semi-annual fall Book & Bake
with a large variety of books and baked goods will be available to purchase. All proceeds benefit the library and help pay for programs.

Central Assembly of God (Danielson) | 9-4pm | Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair showcasing the best local vendors who craft the most beautiful handcrafted items.

First Congregational Church (Woodstock) | 10-1pm | Indoor/Outdoor Holiday Bazaar!
From chicken pot pies to cookies, and pumpkin rolls as well as greens arrangements and balsam wreaths. Tables feature handmade items, jewelry, new and gently used toys, as well as lots of holiday decorations.

THE HIVE’S PICKS

Have you been to Pizza 101 in Pomfret yet? If you haven’t, why the heck not!? And if you have, it’s the perfect time to go back. Right now, Pizza 101 is offering $5 off dine-in meals until 12/31/24 if you show them a screenshot of this newsletter. Don’t freak out my technologically inept friends, you can also print this out and show them too if that’s more your style.

A family-run business for over 25 years (with lineage from Tony’s Pizza in Willimantic, who are basically celebrities in town), Pizza 101 has been serving up delicious pizza to the Quiet Corner as well as some darn good Greek food (get the gyro with fries and thank me later). Heads up to anyone that lives close, they also have a rewards program you can sign up for to receive additional discounts.

Now, if you need me, I’ll be enjoying my leftover Moussaka pizza (gotta order the large, some people say pizza is even better the day after. It’s me, I’m some people).

ECSU SPORTS

11/22- Men's & Women’s Swimming @ Roger Williams U. w/ Babson College | TBA

11/22- Women's Basketball @ Bridgewater State U. | 5:30 p.m.

11/22- Men's Basketball @ Mitchell College | 5:30 p.m.

11/23- Women's Basketball vs TBA | TBA

11/23- Men's Basketball @ U.S. Coast Guard Academy | 4:30 p.m.

Thank you for taking the time to read today’s Quiet Corner Buzz! Help us grow by sharing this newsletter with someone that turns the radio all the way down when they’re looking for an address.

See you next week!

Tyler

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