(Farmers) Market On Your Calendar

Good morning, Tolland County! Today is Thursday 2/13, and that means it’s National Tortellini Day. Fun piece of trivia: the tortellini was said to have been inspired by a pervert innkeeper trying to sneak a peek at the Roman Goddess Venus, but could only see her navel when he looked through the keyhole.

Whether that’s true or not, it’s still one of my favorite forms of stuffed pasta (my other favorites being all of them).

So today, grab some from your favorite restaurant, or if you’re feeling ambitious, make some of your own (they’re not that hard once you figure out how to form them)!

In Today’s Tolland County Buzz:

• Puppy Adoptions 🐶

• Tipples and Temp Tats 🍺

• Line Dancing 👢

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

• Tourism Grant - The Eastern Regional Tourism District just awarded $70,000 in grants to 22 projects aimed at boosting tourism and economic growth. Among the recipients is Mansfield Drive-In ($1,000)—helping keep this local favorite thriving!

• Scholars- Paul J. Westerberg, a Vernon resident and student at Rockville High School, has been selected as a candidate for the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program! Marika C. Solomon Marcy, a Mansfield resident and student at Edwin O. Smith High School, has also been selected! Recognized for their outstanding academic achievements and top SAT/ACT scores, Westerberg and Solomon Marcy stand out among thousands of students nationwide.

• Name Change - After nearly 50 years, Highland Park Market in Coventry has a new chapter! Owner Matthew Miner has sold the store, and it’s now rebranded as Coventry Public Market.

Puppy Adoptions 🐶

I’m a big proponent of adopting rescues (we have two), and this Saturday 2/15 from 10am-4pm Cropley’s Garden Center (1262 Boston Tpke, Bolton) is teaming with PawSafe Animal Rescue for an adoption event.

If you’re thinking about getting a dog, why not give one of these little pooches a fair shot? Head down to check out the assortment of pups. Worst case, you got to look at/pet some adorable little dogs, and best case, you have a new fur-ever friend!

You can check out some of the adorable puppies from the rescue, here.

Tipples and Temporary Tattoos 🍺

First of all, you’re welcome for that fun new vocab word (tipple is an alcoholic beverage). Second, how many of you know someone who has gotten a tattoo after they’ve had one too many adult beverages? Well, now you can join in on the fun, but avoid the costly laser removal afterwards.

Stafford Cidery (68 Main St, Stafford) is hosting HennatizeMe (specifically Henna artist Linda) for an evening of disappearing ink on Friday 2/14 from 6-8pm. These designs usually last around two weeks, gradually getting lighter before vanishing (like a very slow magic trick).

If you’re interested, you can sign up right at the bar, no need to pre-register. Each session takes about 15-20 minutes and pricing starts at $40 (it goes up based on size and intricacy). Cash and Venmo are accepted. If you want more info on the whole process, check out the HennatizeMe webpage.

Valentine’s Line Dancing 👢

What better way to spend a Valentine’s Day than a little boot scootin’? The Rocking Horse Bar & Grill (57 Hartford Tpke, Vernon) is holding a fun evening of grubbing and grooving (or just grooving if you don’t want to do the dinner part) on Friday 2/14.

Come by yourself, or bring a partner, either way, you’re going to have fun. They’re offering three dinner options: Chicken Parm w/penne, Honey Bourbon Salmon w/roasted asparagus and twice-baked potato, and Ribeye Steak w/garlic butter (same sides as the salmon). Dinner takes place from 6-8pm followed by dancing from 8-11pm.

If you want to go the dinner and dancing route, it’s $30 per person. Just dancing is $10 per person. Make sure to call (860) 791-8608 for a reservation.

BEE LINE EVENTS

Coventry | Baked Fish Dinner | 6pm $ - The First Congregational Church (1171 Main St) is holding their famous baked fish dinner. Dinner can be eaten in or taken out.

Ellington | Peloton Intro | 10am - The Ellington Senior Center (40 Maple St) is holding a session on how to navigate the immersive world of Peloton riding.

Mansfield | East Brook Marketplace | 12-7pm - Head to East Brook Mall (95 Storrs Rd) for a special Valentine’s Day market at the mall.

Stafford Springs | Artist Spotlight | 6-8pm - Stafford Cidery (68 Main St) is hosting the macrame art of Twisted Threads.

Vernon | Galentine’s Princess Party | 4pm $ - Asymmetry Salon and Barber (378 Kelly Rd) is holding a princess hair and makeup party. Come dressed as your favorite princess, and leave feeling glamorous. Pre-pay/pre-registration gets a swag bag.

Vernon | Couples Pool Tourney | 7pm $ - Racks (500 Taclottville Rd) is holding a couple’s tournament. 2 apps, a drink, chocolate covered strawberries, and tourney fee included in price. Find more details here.

Coventry | Bottle Collecting Trends | 2pm - The Museum of Connecticut Glass (172 Lake St) is hosting Bill Beckett to talk about the current state of glass collecting.

Hebron | Seed Sowing | 10:30am-12pm $ - Douglas Library (22 Main St) is teaching you how to start native seeds for your pollinator garden. Kits are available for a small donation.

Mansfield | Lunar Fest | 11am - Celebrate the traditions of Lunar New Year at Mansfield Public Library (54 Warrenville Rd). There will be Chinese calligraphy, cultural performances (Lion Dance, Dragon Dance, Kung-Fu), cultural games, and more.

Rockville | Youth Firearms Safety Program | 10am $ - Rockville Fish & Game is offering youths ages 10-17 the chance to learn about firearm safety. Email [email protected] or call (860) 997-0542 to reserve a spot.

Rockville | Read To a Therapy Dog | 10:30am - What better way to get excited about reading, than reading to a captivated (and cute) audience? Rockville Public Library (52 Union St) is giving you just that chance. Sign-up at the library.

Stafford Springs | Lover’s Snow Moon Market | 12-5pm - Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St) is holding yet again, another amazing market featuring local artisans. It will also include a DIY Intention Bottle Making Table.

Tolland | Intro To Body Design | 10-11:30am $ - Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke) has invited Laura Hipp to teach you how to implement strategies to get your internal energy working smoothly. Tickets

Willington | Meet The Author | 11am-12pm - Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd) is hosting author Cynthia Herbert-Bruschi Adams to talk about her book First He Killed The Minuteman, a true-crime novel about the heinous crime that rocked the Willington community.

Bolton | Daytona 500 Party | 1-6pm - Three J’s Cafe (124 Boston Tpke) will be having a party celebrating the famous NASCAR race. Free buffet will start at 2pm.

Coventry | Matinee at the Movies | 2-4pm - Head to Booth and Dimock Memorial Library (1134 Main St) for their movie screening of Black Narcissus (1947).

Mansfield | Sound Bath | 9am - The Mansfield Community Center (10 S Eagleville Rd) is offering the chance to let some pleasant noise wash over you. Call (860) 429-3051 to register.

Stafford Springs | Dinner To Go | 5-6pm $ - Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (104 W Main St) is offering a dinner of roast pork loin w/cherry balsamic glaze, rosemary red potatoes, green beans, and Valentines cookies for dessert. Pricing varies by amount. You can find details here.

Vernon | Holistic Business 101 | 11am-2pm $ - This one is for all of you aspiring holistic healers looking to start your own business. Healthy Healing Hands (310 Hartford Tpke) is offering a crash course in how to get started, or even revamp a current business. Tickets

Live Music

2/14

⬢ Joannas - Somers | Cover 2 Cover | 6:30-9:30pm
⬢ Four Seasons By The Lake - Stafford Springs | Physical Graffiti | 8pm

2/15

⬢ Four Seasons By The Lake - Stafford Springs | General Gist | 8-11pm
⬢ Bidwell Tavern - Coventry | Gene Donaldson and the Stingrays | 8:30-11:30pm

2/16

⬢ Joannas - Somers | Jim Blanch and Boot Hill | 5-8pm

Trivia

2/13

Hops 44 - Storrs | 7-9pm

THE HIVE’S PICK

Most people are familiar with the Coventry Farmers Market that takes place on the Nathan Hale Homestead during the summer. But did you realize that they keep the market going even in the winter? Don’t worry, it’s not outside!

Taking place inside Coventry High School (78 Ripley Hill Road, Coventry) from 10am-12:30pm on Sundays (this Sunday, 2/16, included), the Farmers Market takes over the cafeteria as well as a couple different spots in the school!

Now, you might think since it’s winter, there would be slim pickin’s, but just last week there were over 30 different vendors set up there! From Dragon’s Blood Elixir hot sauces (they are fantastic, I got a 12-pack as a Christmas gift), to jewelry, homemade soaps, fresh meat, and a whole lot more. This Farmers Market is an outstanding way to support Connecticut businesses and you’ll be close enough to stop at Bidwell Tavern and grab some wings afterward!

Word to the wise, don’t forget to bring some bags with you to carry whatever you decide to buy (there are so many great options, it’ll be a struggle not to walk away with something!). If you want more information on vendors and about the market, you can check out their website.

UCONN SPORTS

2/14 - Men’s and Women’s Track & Field @ Boston U
2/14 - Softball vs. Middle Tennessee @ Jacksonville, FL | 9am
2/14 - Baseball vs. Stetson @ Puerto Rico | 10am
2/14 - Softball vs. North Florida @ Jacksonville, FL | 4:30pm
2/14 - Women’s Ice Hockey vs. Providence | 6pm

2/15 - Softball vs. Middle Tennessee @ Jacksonville, FL | 9am
2/15 - Softball @ Jacksonville | 11:30am
2/15 - Women’s Lacrosse vs James Madison U @ Sparks, MD | 12pm
2/15 - Men’s Basketball @ Seton Hall | 2:30pm
2/15 - Women’s Ice Hockey @ Providence | 3pm
2/15 - Baseball vs. Missouri @ Puerto Rico | 4pm

2/16 - Softball vs. Cleveland State @ Jacksonville, FL | 10am
2/16 - Women’s Tennis vs. Georgetown | 10am
2/16 - Women’s Basketball @ South Carolina | 1pm
2/16 - Baseball vs. Penn State @ Puerto Rico | 7pm

That’s all for today’s Tolland County Buzz! Please continue to help us grow by sharing the newsletter with someone who loves to shop local.

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