April Vacation Activities and More

Good morning, Tolland County! Today is Tuesday 4/15, and normally I tell you what national day it is (laundry day, in case you were wondering), but today I wanted to ask for your help. We’re going to be putting in some polls over the next several newsletters, and I would really appreciate it if you could help us out by answering. We’re trying to make this newsletter the best that it can be and we need you to be able to do that! Thank you in advance!

In Today’s Tolland County Buzz:

• Keeping The Kids Busy Over Break

• Adopt A Furry Friend

• Plus 27 Events

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

UPDATES

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🧠 Content Shake-Up: I’m thinking:
• Biweekly bites of local history
• Weekly trivia and word scramble
• Pet of the Week (adoptable and adorable)
• Business reviews & real estate sneak peeks
• Photo of the Week (send yours!)

Got thoughts? Gripes? Or weird local trivia involving haunted bridges or escaped goats? Just reply.

👋 IRL Meetup?: Would you come hang for a casual local hangout? Coffee? Happy hour? Trivia night? I’m testing the waters. If you're into it, shoot me an email and we’ll make it real.

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BRIEF BITES

• Pipeline - An educational forum on the proposed Project Maple pipeline is happening in Mansfield at the Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building. Learn how methane expansions like this one impact climate, health, and safety — and what locals can do about it. The event will also feature eye-opening footage from the Chaplin Compressor Station showing methane leaks in real time. Get details.

• Opening - Cruzn Retro is now open at 500 Talcottville Road in Vernon, packed with all things 80s, 90s, and early 2000s — think action figures, Pokémon, video games, and vintage collectibles. The shop also features an arcade and gaming area, making it a nostalgia-packed hangout for all ages.

THE HIVE’S PICK

Alright, for this week, instead of focusing on a certain business, I thought this space would be better used for people looking for things to do to keep their kids busy over April vacation (I’m sure everyone is just as excited as I am about it - just a hint of sarcasm there).

TUESDAY 4/15

Columbia | Free Play Group | 9:30-11am - Lighthouse Exploration & Learning Center (195 Rte 6) is inviting young ones to come for a fun craft, story, and outside play. Call (860) 228-2891 for more info.

Coventry | Friendship Bracelet Making | 10am-8pm - Stop into Booth & Dimock Memorial Library (1134 Main St) at anytime during the day to make friendship bracelets.

Hebron | Petting Zoo | 4-6pm - Douglas Library (22 Main St) has a variety of 15-20 animals coming to the library. Must register

Mansfield | Pete the Cat Gets Groovy | 10:30-11:30am - Musician Michele Urban will be at Mansfield Public Library (54 Warrenville Rd) with some jazzy songs and stories about Pete the Cat. There will be some audience participation.

Rockville | Music & Movement | 10-10:30am - This dancing and movement activity is designed to be enjoyed by toddlers and pre-schoolers at Rockville Public Library (52 Union St).

Stafford Springs | Family Movie | 1pm - Cut some of the boredom with a showing of the Dog Man movie at Stafford Library (10 Levinthal Run).

Storrs | Fun Frog Art Class | 10:30am-12pm $ - The William Benton Museum of Art (245 Glenbrook Rd) is putting on an art class for children 7-10 years old. Reserve your spot by emailing [email protected].

WEDNESDAY 4/16

Bolton | Storytime | 11:45am-12:15pm - Bentley Memorial Library (206 Bolton Center Rd) is holding a story time and simple craft activity. This events is geared toward younger kids.

Coventry | Escape Room | 1-5pm - Try to figure your way out of an escape room right at Booth & Dimock Memorial Library (1134 Main St). For kids in grades 3-12. Register

Ellington | Drop-in Story Hour | 10:15-11:15am Hall Memorial Library (93 Main St) is holding a story hour targeted towards kids up to 7 years old.

Mansfield | Hike & Pine Cone Bird Feeders | 10:30am-12pm - Explore the woods behind Mansfield Public Library (54 Warrenville Rd) and then create a pine cone bird feeder to bring home.

Rockville | Egg Hunt & Spoon Race | 3-4pm - These activities are for grades 7-12 at Rockville Public Library (52 Union St). No need to register.

Somers | Family Movie | 1-2:45pm - Bring the fam to watch the Dog Man movie at Somers Public Library (2 Vision Blvd). Registration is required.

THURSDAY 4/17

Coventry | Escape Room | 1-5pm - Try to figure your way out of an escape room right at Booth & Dimock Memorial Library (1134 Main St). For kids in grades 3-12. Register

Coventry | Fingerprint Art Glass Magnets | 10am-8pm - You can also stop by Booth & Dimock Memorial Library (1134 Main St) to create some fingerprint art.

Mansfield | Petting Zoo | 5-6pm - Come to Mansfield Public Library (54 Warrenville Rd) for a petting zoo with adorable baby farm animals from Xen’s Critters.

Rockville | Kids Cooking Class | 4-5pm - Kids in grades 3-5 are encouraged to join this kid-friendly cooking class at Rockville Public Library (52 Union St). Call (860) 875-5892 Ext. 2 to register.

Somers | Lego Club | 2:30-3:30pm - Head to Somers Public Library (2 Vision Blvd) for kids grades 1-5 to get their Lego on. Creations will be displayed until the next Lego club meeting.

Stafford Springs | Watercolor Painting | 12-1pm - Local watercolor artist Helen Dewey will be going over the basics of watercolor painting at Stafford Library (10 Levinthal Run). Register

Storrs | Baby Bird Art Class | 10:30am-12pm $ - William Benton Museum of Art (245 Glenbrook Rd) is holding an art class aimed at 4-6 year olds. Reserve your spot by emailing [email protected]

FRIDAY 4/18

Mansfield | Easter Bunny Pictures | 11am-4pm $ - Get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny at East Brook Mall (95 Storrs Rd). Proceeds go to the Windham Cares Program.

SATURDAY 4/19

Bolton | Egg Hunt | 12pm - Head to Herrick Park (29 Hebron Rd) for an egg hunt broken up into ages 4 and under, 5-7, and 8+. Will move inside in case of bad weather.

Coventry | 16th Annual Easter Egg Hunt | 10am-12pm - There will be indoor/outdoor games, crafts, treats, Touch-a-Truck, and of course an Easter egg hunt (for kids under 10) at the confusingly named Storrs Community Church (90 Tolland Tpke). Easter egg hunt will begin at 11am.

Vernon | Easter Egg Hunt & Brekky | 10am - The American Legion (114 West St) is holding a free Easter egg hunt, breakfast, and photoshoot with the Easter Bunny. Register by calling (860) 875-1091.

ToCo Trivia🤔

Stay tuned for next week’s trivia and brief historical nugget!

Last week’s trivia: 38.89% got it right with Tolland County being established in 1785. I was trying to see if you were reading through the whole newsletter as I gave the answer within the email.🤷

ADOPT

Hi, I’m Teddy, a 70-pound shepherd mix with movie-star looks and goofball energy — the kind of guy who’ll guard your house, then flop over for belly rubs like a giant puppy. I’m smart, food-motivated, and absolutely here for the treats (and the kisses). Meet me! 🐶🐾

Hi, I’m Bodine, a funny, sweet, treat-lovin’ beagle who knows how to work a room — and a snack bag. I’m two years old, 28 lbs of pure nose-powered adventure, and yes, I will absolutely follow that scent trail right into your heart (or the fridge). Meet me! 🐶🐾

BEE LINE EVENTS

TUESDAY (4/15)

Columbia | Trivia Night | 7-9pm - Head to Heartstone Farm & Winery (468 Rte 87) for their first trivia night with Hayden Stearns.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Square Peg Pizza - Vernon | KT Lay | 6:30-8:30pm

WEDNESDAY (4/16)

Andover | Plant/Bake Sale | 10am-6pm - The Andover Volunteer Fire Department (11 School Rd) is holding their annual Easter Plant & Bake Sale. Come grab some plants and delicious eats and help support a great local cause. The sale runs through the weekend!

Ellington | Intro to Reiki | 1-2pm - If you’re curious about Reiki, our friend Hilary from Resonance Healing Arts is holding a chat at Ellington Senior Center (40 Maple St) to give the ins and outs of this practice. Sign up in advance by calling (860) 870-3133, stopping by in person, or on MyActiveCenter.

Tolland | Easter Cookie Decorating Workshop | 6-7:30pm $ - Practice your piping and flooding techniques with these Easter-themed cookies at Tolland Red & White (46 Tolland Grn). Tix

Vernon | 60+ Speed Dating | 7-9pm $ - Just because you’re a little older, doesn’t mean you can’t still make a connection with someone new. Square Peg Pizza (226 Talcottville Rd) is hosting a speed dating event for folks over 60. More details

THURSDAY (4/17)

Bolton | Native American History | 6:30pm - Steve Penny will be leading an exploration of Native American tribes between the Pequot War and King Philip’s War at Bentley Memorial Library (206 Bolton Center Rd). Register

Columbia | Paint & Sip | 6:30-8:30pm $ - Heartstone Farm & Winery (468 Rte 87) is hosting their first ever paint & sip. Grab some wine and paint a masterpiece (one glass is included in the price!). Call Seema at (860) 710-0054 to get your tickets.

Coventry | Painting Party | 6:30-8:30pm $ - Cassidy Hill Vineyard (454 Cassidy Hill Rd) is holding a customizable lantern painting party. Price includes a glass of wine. Tix

Stafford Springs | Paint Your Pet | 6pm $ - Stafford Cidery (68 Main St) wants to help you create a lasting piece of art that features your little friend (pups, cats, or anything else). Ticket includes a free drink. More deets

Stafford Springs | Victorian Lady of the Gilded Age | 7-8pm - Come laugh and learn about the ladies of the Victorian era (in period correct clothing) at Stafford Library (10 Levinthal Run). Register

Storrs | Biodiversity Bonanza | 2-6:30pm - Come celebrate UConn’s biodiversity research collections and natural history collections at UConn (126 N Eagleville Rd). More info and RSVP

Storrs | Foodshare | 11:30am-12pm - Those in need are encouraged to visit Mansfield Human Services (303 Maple Rd) to pick up some free food. Remember to bring a box or bag for your eats.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ JRego’s - Ellington | Jim Bailey | 7-10pm

TRIVIA

Hops 44 - Storrs | 7:30pm

FRIDAY (4/18)

Hebron | Walking Club | 9:15am - Meet at The Flour Girl (14 Main St) for Hebron’s Run/Walking Club.

Stafford Springs | Setback Night | 6-8:30pm $ - It’s that time again. Stafford Cidery (68 Main St) is hosting their monthly Setback night. Win some money and enjoy some great drinks.

Storrs | Aromatherapy Certification | 9am $ - Learn how to choose and apply over 80 medicinal grade essential oils and how they can help enhance your wellbeing at Friends Meeting House (57 Hunting Lodge Rd). Details

Tolland | Daffodil Festival Trip | 6am-9:30pm $ - This is your last day to register for a trip to the Nantucket Daffodil Festival on 4/26, set up by the Willington Rec Dept. Email or call Rachel Signor at [email protected] / (860) 487-3108 for more details, including pricing. Trip will depart from the Tolland Commuter Lot.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Dimitri’s Restaurant - Coventry | Karaoke | 7-10:30pm
⬢ Joannas - Somers | Wendy & The Lost Boys | 6:30pm
⬢ Four Seasons By The Lake - Stafford | Aquanett | 8pm Tix
⬢ JRego’s - Ellington | Jeremy Haddad | 7-10pm

SATURDAY (4/19)

Ellington | Customer Appreciation | 11am-3pm - Kloter Farms (216 West Rd) is continuing their customer appreciation days with train rides, snacks, and other fun goodies.

Stafford Springs | Sound Bath | 6:15-7:15pm $ - Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St) is holding an Earth Day inspired sound bath. Release stress and invite some inner peace into your life. Tix

Stafford Springs | Quilibet’s Jewelry Making Class | 1-3pm $ - Create your own pair of earrings (or necklace pendant) at Artisans at Middle River (60 Main St). More info

Storrs | UConn Greenhouse Tour | 12:30-2:30pm - Calling all plant lovers out there. Come check out the greenhouses at UConn (75 N. Eagleville Rd) to see all the amazing plants they have going in the Plant Biodiversity Conservatory and Research Core.

Tolland | Reiki I Training | 9:30am-4:30pm $ - Step your game up from student to master with this Reiki I training course at Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke). Tix

Vernon | Earth Day Clean Up | 9am - The Strong Family Farm (274 West St) is looking for some volunteers to help get the grounds up and running for the farm season. Any help is appreciated! Please wear appropriate footwear and bring work gloves.

Vernon | Valley Falls Farm Clean Up | 10am-1pm - Valley Falls Farm (345 Valley Falls Rd) is looking for help getting the heritage center buildings, windows, and grounds around the building spruced up and ready for the season! (Rain date is 4/22).

Willington | Intro To Gravel Series | 10am-12pm - The Bike Shop (14 Tolland Tpke) is continuing their series on how to make the transition to gravel and mixed terrain riding. Register

Willington | Native Plant Gardening | 11am - Join Jennifer Sterling Folker of Ashford Pollinator Pathway for a talk at Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd) on the dos and don’ts of developing a native plant garden in CT. Anyone looking to help the pollinators should definitely attend!

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ French Social Circle of Hartford - Vernon | Eddie DeRocher | 6:30-9:30pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | BADFOOT | 9pm-12am

SUNDAY (4/20) - Happy Easter!

Ellington | Virtual Psychic Event | 6pm - Register for a chance to have a mini psychic reading done from the comfort of your own home.

MONDAY (4/21)

Somers | The Hartford Circus Fire | 6:30-8pm - Somers Public Library (2 Vision Blvd) is holding a presentation on this disaster that struck in 1944. Artifacts from the Connecticut Museum’s collection will be on hand. Register

Vernon | Medicinal Uses of Herbs | 7-8pm - Vernon Garden Club member Ronald Abrahams will be giving a talk on the medicinal uses of herbs (which you can grow in your own garden!) at First Congregational Church of Vernon (695 Hartford Tpke).

Well, that’s everything we got for this week! If you got something out of today’s newsletter, please share it with someone who is looking for stuff to do with their kids on April break!