Unsung Heroes Of The Community

Good morning, Quiet Corner! Today is Tuesday 4/1, and that mean it’s a certain day full of tomfoolery, hijinks, capers, tricks, buffoonery, skylarking (that was a new term for me), shenanigans, or whatever else you’d like to call it.

It’s also National Sourdough Bread Day, so that means it’s time to call in a favor to that friend you have that treats their starter like a child (most likely they started baking during the pandemic and never stopped). Also, I’m always happy to take donations of sourdough baked goods 😊. Who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll have a QCB sourdough bake off (I’ll make the sacrifice of being a judge. I know, how brave of me, right?). Anyway, here’s what’s going on in Windham County this week.

In Today’s Quiet Corner Buzz:

• Charity Pick

• Rolling With Some Gnomies

• 34 Events

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

• For Sale - A staple in the Willimantic community, The Bench Shop, is up for sale after 55 years of being in business.

• Youth Grants - The Community Table/Mesa Comunitaria Foodshare, sponsored by Commercially Licensed Cooperative Kitchen, Inc., is set to benefit from Connecticut's recent initiative, which awarded approximately $38,787 in grants to support five youth-led service projects across the state.

• Trout - Spring fishing season is officially on in Connecticut! The DEEP has already stocked 145,000 trout across state waters, with a whopping 500,000 planned by May. Grab your gear—those fish won’t catch themselves! Check out the stocking map here.

THE HIVE CHARITY

If you’ve been a reader of the QCB for a while, you know we love supporting local businesses, but a lot of times places doing important work get passed over, so we want to spotlight some of the unsung heroes of the community.

Today’s pick goes to Project IMO Inc. (924 Riverside Dr, Willimantic). If you’re not familiar with the work they do, in a nutshell, they focus on empowering youth and communities through immersive adventure-based education (if you think that sounds too polished to be my writing, you’re absolutely correct, I took it directly from their website🤷).

The amount of programs they offer is way too long to write about in the newsletter, but the work they do with youth in the community warrants a shout out. I highly recommend you check out their website to really see what they’re all about (the Idea Forge is something I wish we had when I was growing up).

Bring Your Priceless Family Memories Back to Life!

If you've got a box of old VHS tapes, movie films, or slides collecting dust in the attic, East Coast Video is the one who can bring those memories back to life.  These guys have been in business since 1993 and this is their bread and butter.

With decades of experience, professional equipment, and a meticulous way of handling fragile media, they'll treat your memories like the priceless artifacts they are.  East Coast Video can bring those tapes, films, slides or cassettes back to life as digital conversions that can be stored and shared easily. The company is local and they do all their own transfer work on site. Trust them to preserve your past - so you can relive your family memories once again!

Wind Co Trivia🤔

Last week’s answer: 26.6% of you guessed correct with John Cates being the first settler in Windham County. Cates settled in the area of present-day Windham around 1689, marking the beginning of permanent European settlement in Windham County.

BUZZWORTHY ACTIVITY🐝

This week’s Buzzworthy Activity is going to take you out to Thompson for a creative, earthen pottery class at Bearfoot Farm (1038 Riverside Dr, Thompson) on Sunday 4/6, from 1-3pm.

Tap into your inner ceramicist and craft a unique creation that you can be proud to show off (or hide, or if you really flub it, give it to someone as a gift knowing they can’t say no). Get a little guidance to make a gnome, magical rune set, or finger labyrinth.

Space is limited, so register sooner than later!

BEE LINE EVENTS

TUESDAY (4/1)

Ashford | Mystery Book Discussion | 1-2pm - Join a book club with other people that love mystery/thriller books. It’s held on the first Tuesday each month at Babcock Library (25 Pompey Hollow Rd).

Plainfield | Skate Night | 5-7pm $ - A portion of every admission will go toward supporting Jewett City Little League. Roll on over to the Skate Inn (992 Norwich Rd) to have some fun.

Willimantic | Intro To Wheel Throwing | 6pm $ - Aspiring pottery enthusiasts can head to Spiral Arts Studio (750 Main St) for a lesson in how to get started in pottery. Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Nate Cozzolino | 8-11pm

WEDNESDAY (4/2)

Dayville | Make Easter Candles | 6-8pm $ - Black Pond Brews (1001 Hartford Pike) invites you to enjoy some beers and make some Easter-themed candles. More info

Putnam | Horror Writing Workshop | 5:30-7pm - Wolperdinger Bookends (112 Main St) are calling all aspiring horror writers to come collaborate, critique, and learn.

Putnam | Rain Gardening | 5:30-7pm - Learn how to design and build rain gardens using perennial plants that are beneficial for the local wildlife and flood reduction at Putnam Public Library (200 School St).

TRIVIA

Stomping Grounds- Putnam | 7pm
Mill Town Grill - Thompson | 6:30pm
Hanks’s - Brooklyn | 6:30pm

THURSDAY (4/3)

Eastford | Griefshare | 6:30-8pm - Congregational Church of Eastford (4 County Rd) is holding a Griefshare program to help those who are struggling through a difficult time.

Windham | BNI Networking | 7am - Windham BNI is inviting all business owners to a networking meet-and-greet at the American Legion Post 19 (339 Bricktop Rd). Open networking will start at 6:45am. Bring business cards!

Windham | Women’s Leadership Council | 12-1pm - The Windham Region Chamber of Commerce (which is why I’m putting this in QCB) is inviting female business owners, employers, entrepreneurs, managers, and leaders to learn about growing your business and a lot more at Lakeview Restaurant (50 Lake St, Coventry). You can bring your own lunch or purchase one ahead of time that will be provided. Register

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Straight Up Jazz Series | 5:30-7:30pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | King Sickabilly | 8-11pm
⬢ Corleone’s - Willimantic | Karaoke | 8:30pm-12:30am

TRIVIA

Trolley Pub - Willimantic | 7:30pm
Midway Restaurant - Ashford | 7pm

FRIDAY (4/4)

Brooklyn | Fish Fry | 5-7pm $ - BSA Troop 44 and Trinity Episcopal Church (7 Providence Rd) are at it again with another Lenten fish fry. Fries and coleslaw included.

Danielson | The Wizard of Oz | 7-9pm $ - The Little Theater on Broad Street (185 Broad St) is kicking off a run of their production of everyone’s favorite story about red shoes and a yellow road. Tix and showtimes

Killingly | Fish Fry | 4:30-6:30pm $ - The Killingly Grange (801 Hartford Tpke) is having another one of their popular fish fries. Call/text (860) 884-1813 to reserve a spot.

Plainfield | Fish Fry | 4-7pm $ - Another fantastic option for a Lenten fish fry comes to you from St John’s Church (17 Railroad Ave). Take out only, call (860) 564-8085 or (860) 710-0263 to place your order.

Thompson | Motor Speedway Training | 9am $ - Knock the rust loose and get some preseason training done with the Northeast GT league at Thompson Motor Speedway (205 E Thompson Rd). More info

Windham Center | American Cookery | 7-8:30pm - Head to Windham Center Congregational Church (4 Windham Center Rd) to learn all about Amelia Simmons (author of the claimed first American cookbook) and a claim that she might have been from Windham! Email John Kelly at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Windham | DanceFest | 7-8:30pm $ - If you love dance and stories told through dance, then you will not want to miss this showcase at EASTCONN’s Arts at the Capital Theater (896 Main St). For more info, call (860) 465-5636.

Windham | Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night | 7:30-10pm $ - Come enjoy a rendition of one of The Bard’s works at the Windham Theater Guild (779 Main St). Tix and showtimes

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Hank’s - Brooklyn | Rob Brannon | 6:30pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Seventh Sun | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

Taylor Brooke Brewery - Woodstock | 6:30pm

SATURDAY (4/5)

Canterbury | Volunteer Meet & Greet | 1-3pm - If you’re looking for a place to volunteer, Blue Sky Farm and Sanctuary (208 Brooklyn Rd) is inviting you to meet the horses and check out the property. Signup

Danielson | Growing Gardeners Symposium | 9am-3:30pm $ - If you love gardening and want to learn as much as possible, this event is for you! Held at Quinebaug Valley (742 Upper Maple Rd), this is a full day of all things plants. Register

Danielson | Mattress Sale Fundraiser | 10am-5pm - Ellis Tech (613 Upper Maple St) is holding a one-day mattress sale to benefit Ellis Tech Skills USA.

Plainfield | Indoor Winter Thaw Market | 9am-2pm - Enjoy a celebration of the end of winter with a flea market at Town Hall (8 Community Ave).

Pomfret | Wine & Delight | 5pm $ - The lovely Gwyn Careg Inn (68 Wolf Den Rd) is holding a wine pairing with a five-course meal. Call (860) 942-0883 or email [email protected] for more deets.

Putnam | Bitsy’s Boutique | 12-3pm - Come help support Paws Cat Shelter (74 School St) by shopping at their monthly boutique. Roll the dice and purchase a mystery box for a little fun (give them a heads up you’re getting one though, gotta prepare something special!).

South Windham | Hoo’s Fooling Who? 2-Miler | 10am $ - Help support Oak Grove Montessori School with a 2-mile run through Horizons (127 Babcock Hill Rd). More info

Thompson | Asian Noodle Class | 5-8pm $ - New Boston Beef (17 Fabyan Woodstock Rd) is holding one of their very popular cooking classes. This one focuses on making some delectable Asian noodles dishes. Register

Windham | Nature Photography Class | 10am-12pm - Join photographer Michelle Poudrette in a crash course on how to take beautiful cellphone pictures of nature at Allanach-Wolf Woodlands (164 Back Rd). This is a free event, but Joshua’s Trust openly welcomes donations! Email [email protected] with any questions.

Woodstock | Music of Barry Manilow | 7pm $ - If your name happens to be Lola (possibly a showgirl), then you won’t want to miss the music of Barry Manilow at the Loos (150 Rte-169). Tix

Woodstock | Thrifting Party Bus | 9am-4pm $ - For all you thrift shop lovers, Thrift Happens (253 Rte-169) has organized a party bus that will be making stops at several thrift stores around the area. Spots are limited, email [email protected] for more info.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Plainfield | Whiskey Boulevard w/Grinding Wheel Band | 7-11pm
⬢ Triple Raven Brewing - Thompson | Karaoke | 6-10pm*
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Mike Wood | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | The Hempsteadys | 8-11pm
⬢ Taylor Brook Brewery - Woodstock | Big Dawg Isaac | 2-5pm**
⬢ Broken Crust - Putnam | Becky Prior | 5:30-7:30pm

*Red Lion Food Truck will also be there
**Jayy’s Food Truck will also be there

SUNDAY (4/6)

Canterbury | Membership Meeting/Food | 1pm - The Finnish American Heritage Society (76 N Canterbury Rd) is holding their monthly membership meeting, followed by some Finnish culinary delights.

Dayville | Spring Fling Adoption Event | 10am-1pm - Paws Rescue League is holding an adoption event at Petco (1086 Killingly Commons). Pre-register to be able to take home a puppy the same day.

Pomfret | HKRS Spring Series | 3-4pm - Healthy Kids Running Series is a five-week program to encourage kids from pre-K all the way up to 8th grade to get out and get moving. It’s being held at Pomfret Recreation Park (576 Hampton Rd). Register

Putnam | Exhibit Opening | 2-4pm - Silver Circle Gallery (134 Main St) is pleased to announce their exhibit of William Hays, a master printmaker.

Thompson | Adaptive/General Ski Safety | 5pm - Webster Water Ski Collective is holding a safety training clinic for members and volunteers at Koinonia School of Sports (240 County Home Rd).

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Plainfield | Open Mic | 4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Alpaca Lunch | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Open Mic | 7-11:30pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke Brewery - Woodstock | Andrew DiMarzo | 2-5pm*

*Red Lion Food Truck will also be there

MONDAY (4/7)

Putnam | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction | 6-8:30pm $ - Learn how to bring calm into your life using specific techniques that can be done by anyone. Register/more info

Thompson | 2nd Annual Community Art Show | 6pm - Head to Thompson Public Library (934 Riverside Dr) to check out artwork done by members of the community! Light refreshments will be served.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Plainfield | Brandt Taylor | 5:30pm

That’s it for this week’s Quiet Corner Buzz. If you got something out of it, please share it with someone who enjoys all things whimsical!

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