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Happy New Year From QCB!!!

Happy New Year From QCB!!!

Start the Year Shopping, A Textile Celebration, Finnish Tradition

Tyler DiGiovanni
January 02, 2025

Happy New Year, Quiet Corner! Today is Thursday 1/2, and that means it’s National Cream Puff Day. I mean, that New Year’s Resolution will be fine if you push it back by a couple days. Stop by your favorite bakery, or pick up some frozen cream puffs from Aldi (a not so guilty pleasure for me, I usually don’t even wait until they’re thawed). It would be hard to have a bad day after having a delicious little treat like that! Let’s check out what’s going on this weekend.

In Today’s Quiet Corner Buzz:

New Years Resolution Market 🎁
Saint Distaff’s Day 🧵
From Start to Finnish 🎉

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

Bridge Proposal - The CT Department of Transportation invites the public to a virtual meeting on Jan. 23, 2025, at 7 PM to discuss replacing the Gager Hill Road bridge over Merrick Brook in Scotland. Learn about the $2.7 million project here.
Raccoon Warning - Residents in Thompson and nearby areas are being urged to stay vigilant after an uptick in sick raccoons showing signs of rabies and distemper. Officials warn not to approach wildlife and to report unusual behavior to DEEP or Troop D. Protect your pets by ensuring their rabies vaccinations are current, and keep trash securely sealed to avoid attracting animals.
Energy Bills - Starting January 1, Eversource electric customers on Standard Service will see a 7.2% bill increase, about $15.37 for a typical household using 700 kWh per month.
Opossums - Pet an opossum at the Connecticut Audubon Society in Pomfret on Saturday, January 11, at 2 PM. Learn about these unique creatures, their struggles in winter, and even pick up a copy of From Pouch to Couch while supporting this educational program. Admission is $5 for CAS members, $10 for non-members, and free for kids under 10.

New Year’s Resolution Market

We all know people make New Year’s Resolutions about losing weight, hitting the gym, starting a new hobby, I could go on and on. But what about a resolution to buy locally and support your community members rather than the big conglomerates?

Here’s your chance to put that into practice by visiting the first Farmers Market of the year at Westfield Church (210 Main St, Danielson) on Saturday 1/4 from 9am-12pm. The best part? After you peruse what’s available you can stop at one of the awesome coffee shops (Two Dogs and Chubby Dog) down the street, or grab some BBQ (Wicked Sinister BBQ 14 Central St), or check out some used books (Pourings and Passages).

Saint Distaff’s Day At The Mill Museum 🧵

Image Courtesy of MillMuseum.org

Now, you may be wondering, “Who the heck is Saint Distaff?” (I know I did, and come to find out, there isn’t an actual Saint Distaff), and what the day is all about. I’ll give you the short story, an unofficial holiday celebrated on January 7th (although, the Mill Museum is holding it a little earlier, so it can fall on a weekend), it was originally marked as the day women would return to their household duties after the 12 days of Christmas (don’t worry, that’s not the reason the Mill is celebrating).

It would also mark the return of spinning (not the Peloton kind), and that’s what’s being recognized here. On Saturday 1/4, the Mill Museum is inviting people to their multipurpose room, Dugan Hall (157-B Union St, Willimantic) from 10am-2pm to celebrate all things spun-fibers. Leading the activities will be Peggy Church, who teaches weaving at the museum, along with the museum’s new museum educator, Emma Welty (her background is pretty dang impressive).

If you have any interest in weaving, spinning, or any other fiber projects, this is an afternoon to attend. Music will be provided by Mill Museum VP Michael Mahoney and baked goods and seasonal hot drinks will be served. Regular members of the museum’s weaving classes, spinning bees, and museum members can attend free of charge. Non-members are asked to donate $5.

There is a rain date of 1/5 (same time) and I’d encourage you to check out the Mill Museum website to get an idea of what they’re all about.

From Start (of the year) To Finnish 🎉

Did you know there’s a bustling Finnish population in Canterbury? Well, if you live in Canterbury, I’m guessing you do. The Finnish American Heritage Society (FAHS) of Canterbury (76 N Canterbury Rd) is holding their first event of the year on Sunday 1/5 at 12pm. Things will kick off with a potluck (hoping someone is bringing Pulla, which are cardamom buns, give it a quick google, they look delicious), followed by a membership meeting, and capped off with a Finnish New Year’s Tradition of tin melting (there’s more to it than just that, think of it as a spin on reading tea leaves/coffee grounds, except a little more molten), run by Kristi Holohan and Avani Visone.

If you’re not Finnish, don’t worry! You can still join the FAHS! Membership dues are $30/year/person, or $50/household. Events are run throughout the year, and you’ll get to meet some new people. Not a bad trade-off for something something that costs less than a meal at a restaurant. If you’re interested in joining, a sauna enthusiast, or just are curious about the FAHS, you can check out their website.

BEE LINE EVENTS

1/3

South Windham | Foodie Friday | 10:30am - Guildford Smith Memorial Library (17 Main St) is starting their Foodie Friday program. The first Friday of each month will celebrate a different theme. This month is Soup and Grilled Cheese. Open to all ages, you must register by today (1/2)! Email [email protected] to register (mention any food allergies in the email).

Windham | Family/Community Potluck | 5:30pm - Temple Bnai Israel (383 Jackson St) is holding a family/community potluck that all are invited to. If you are interested in attending, please make sure your dish is kosher and is free of all pork products!

Woodstock | Drum Circle Journey | 6:30-8:30pm $ish - Roots to Fly Wellness (442 Route 197) is holding a drum circle meant for the community to come together with intention and connection. Bring a drum, rattle, or noise maker if you have any, and bring your own chair. You can register for the event here, or reach out to Jennifer at (774) 289-0014, email [email protected], or send her a message on their Facebook. This is a donation-based event. It can be monetary, some munchies to share, or just a positive energy. If you want to indulge in some tea and hot cider, bringing a reusable mug would be helpful too.

1/4

Danielson | Wizard of Oz Auditions | 12-3pm - The Little Theater on Broad Street (185 Broad St) is casting for their production of the beloved musical. Audition sides are available at the Killingly Parks and Rec (same address). Each auditioner should be prepared to sing a song and perform a monologue. You can find more details here.

Putnam | QV Multisport Cafe Ride | 10-11am - Join the QV Multisport Club (165 Kennedy Dr) for their weekly Saturday 20-30 mile ride with a stop at a cafe at the end (or middle).

1/5

Danielson | Wizard of Oz Auditions | 12-3pm - Day 2 of auditions. For more details, scroll up.

Live Music

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1/3

⬢ American Cafe - Plainfield | DOR | 8:30pm
⬢ The Stomping Ground - Putnam | Sasquatch and the Sickabillys | 8-11pm

1/4

1/5

Trivia

1/2 - Trolley Pub - Willimantic | 7:30pm
1/2 - Chubby Dog Coffee - Danielson | 7pm
1/3 - Taylor Brooke Winery - Woodstock | 6:30-8:30pm

THE HIVE’S PICK

Image Courtesy of Scantonsshops.com

Today’s Hive Pick is the one and only Scranton’s Shops (300 Rte 169, South Woodstock). IF you love searching for treasures, or are a hardcore antiquer (I don’t think that’s actually a word, but I’m using it anyway), then you probably already know about this legendary Quiet Corner gem. This place has won Best Antique Shop of Eastern CT for the past seven years straight.

Originally, the building served as a blacksmith shop, a bus stop, the post office, and an auto repair station. That all changed with a renovation in 1984 by the owner Bob Scranton. So, if you’re doing that math, that means you realize that they just celebrated their 40th year in business.

With over 85 different dealers, you’re sure to find some curios that you might just need to take home. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s worth taking a stroll through this Woodstock institution. Happy antiquing!

P.S. They also sell Dixie Belle paints now (careful you don’t fall into a YouTube rabbit hole about these paints like I did!).

ECSU SPORTS

1/4 - Women’s Basketball @ Massachusetts Dartmouth | 1pm

1/4 - Men’s Basketball @ Massachusetts Dartmouth | 3pm

If you got something out of today’s Quiet Buzz, please do me a favor and help us grow by sharing it with someone who drinks their coffee black.

Tyler

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