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Good morning, Tolland County! Today is Thursday 1/9, and that means it’s National Static Electricity Day! How shocking (couldn’t resist-or (there I go again))! Shuffle along the carpet in fuzzy socks, or rub a balloon on you hair and bask in the gloriousness that is static electricity. It’s also National Apricot Day, so you could feast on one of those instead. You’re a grown-up, I’ll leave the choice up to you.

Birthday Shoutout: We’re wishing Katie Riordan Napolitian a very Happy Birthday on Jan.10th!

Do you want a birthday shoutout? All you have to do is share the Tolland County Buzz with three friends. Use your referral link at the end of this email to ensure you get credit.

In Today’s Tolland County Buzz:

• Gluten-Free Swap 🧑‍🍳

• Wood Flower Bar Fun 💐

• Just Horsin’ Around 🐎

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

• Pet Pantry - In just two months, the Vernon Pet Pantry has collected nearly 4,000 pounds of dog and cat food, ensuring hundreds of pets stay fed and with their families. Donations, including pre-packaged bags from ShopRite in Vernon, are distributed almost as quickly as they come in, highlighting the growing need. Contributions can be brought to HVCC at 29 Naek Road or businesses like Dog Essentials on Route 83 and The Proper Pet in Tolland.

• Renovations - On January 6, the Town of Mansfield broke ground on the renovation of the historic 1842 Old Town Hall and 1935 Town Office Building at 954 Storrs Road. Thanks to $834,000 in state bond funds and $1.004 million from the Mansfield Town Council, the project will address critical drainage issues, structural repairs, and accessibility improvements.

• New Restaurant - Andover sees the opening of a new eatery Pho House on Route 6. If you’re into Vietnamese food like I am it might be worth a stop!

• Financial Rewards - Vernon, CT, has earned the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 33rd consecutive year from the Government Finance Officers Association. The award recognizes the town's commitment to transparency and full disclosure in its financial reports for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.

• Big Winners - A lucky $100,000 CA$HWORD ticket was sold at Cumberland Farms in Willimantic, bringing a big win to Mansfield Center, CT! Meanwhile, a $50,000 FAST PLAY – BIG BANKROLL ticket was claimed in Columbia, purchased at the Andover Xtra Mart. Two big wins, one lucky region!

• Rate Increases - Cox Communications has announced upcoming rate increases for video services, effective January 7, 2025, with notifications included in subscriber bills. You can learn more here.

Gluten-Free Swap 🧑‍🍳

Somers Public Library (2 Vision Blvd) is holding a class to help you adapt to a gluten-free way of cooking. Whether you have Celiac disease, or are just gluten-intolerant (can’t stand that gluten!), on Saturday 1/11, from 1-2pm, Jennifer Marcks is going to help you learn some delicious, healthy recipes that will have you wondering why people complain that gluten-free means sub-par food.

Jennifer is a certified Gluten-Free Health Coach (who knew that existed?) and is the founder of Gluten-Free Marcks The Spot (gotta love a good play on words). You’ll learn how to make 3 different recipes: Winter Quinoa Salad, Simple Overnight Oats, and Chocolate Bites. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to taste each recipe, and will get copies of the recipes so you can replicate them at home.

If you’re interested you can register for this event here.

Wood Flower Bar Fun 💐

The Wood & Word Blooms studio (21 Bread & Milk St, Coventry) is holding a workshop on Jan. 11th from 2-3:30pm where you can make an arrangement that is uniquely you. You’ll pick your flowers, greenery, and fillers, to make a piece of art that you’ll be able to proudly display where ever you’d like.

You can choose from a mini, small, medium, or large wood flower arrangement, OR, you can choose a 10” or 14” grapevine wreath. If you’re not sure what you want, you can always pay for the smallest one, then upgrade when you get to the event. They take cash, Venmo, or personal check.

You can bring some snacks to munch on as well as your beverage of choice (it’s scientific fact that you design better after a glass of wine. Actually, it’s not, but it should be). You can register for the class here.

If you do decide to attend, look for the red CFM Cycles building across from Cumberland Farms. They’re on the right side of the building, and their door is under the second set of stairs. Make sure to park in the business parking lot and not the driveway of the house next door, despite what your GPS says.

Just Horsin’ Around 🐎

I had to throw this one in because I’ve never seen something like this around here. Magnolia Equestrian Center (34 Cemetery Rd, Willington) is holding their first ever “Bareback Olympics” on Saturday (1/11), starting at 5pm. There will be: Sit-a-Buck, Egg in Spoon, Ribbon Ride, 12” Jump, Cloverleaf, Trot Race, Water in Cup, and Back Through “L”.

If you don’t know what any of those are, you’re not alone, neither do I. But, seeing someone do any of it with no saddle, on horseback, sounds dang impressive to me. If you do know what these events are, and want to show off your skills, there’s a $25 entry fee for four events, or a $45 fee for all eight events.

There will be an adult division and a junior division, with prizes given to the winner of each event. If you don’t have a horse you can bring, there is the option for a $40 school horse fee.

Contact them by emailing[email protected] for more details.

BEE LINE EVENTS

1/10

Columbia | Bingo Night | 6-8pm $ - The Horace Porter PTO is holding a Bingo night at Horace Porter School (3 Schoolhouse Rd). Cards are $3 each and beverages and snacks will also be available for purchase.

Somers | BINGO Night | 6pm $ - Sonny’s Place (349 Main St) and the Somers Fire Department are teaming up for an evening of Bingo at the rear pavilion. Boards are $20 (20 game sheets), Daubers can be purchased for $1. A waiver must be filled out before entry. You can find FAQs and more information here. CASH ONLY

Stafford | Henna Night | 6-8pm $ - HennatizeMe is holding an evening of unique henna art held at the Stafford Cidery (68 Main St). Designs start at $40 and take about 15-20 minutes to complete. Henna will fade and disappear after about two weeks. Cash and Venmo are accepted.

1/11

Ellington | Pancake Breakfast | 10am-12pm $ - Old School Harley Davidson (398 Somers Rd) is holding a pancake breakfast. Connect with other Harley enthusiasts, or just come by for a hearty meal.

Ellington | Winter Market | 9am-12pm - Ellington’s Winter Farmer’s Market is back in full swing at Ellington High School (72 Maple St). Check out local vendors selling artisanal foods and crafts.

Somers | Adult Laser Tag | 9pm-1am $ - You won’t have to worry about running over a small child as your ducking out of the way of some lasers. Sonny’s Place (349 Main St) is holding an adults only session of laser tag. You can find more information and tickets here.

Tolland | Reiki I Training | 9:30am-4:30pm $$$ - Ever wanted to explore what it would be like to be Reiki practitioner? This class will teach you anatomy, history, theory, and application of Reiki techniques. After this class, you’ll be a Reiki I practitioner. Tickets

1/12

Stafford Springs | Wolf Full Moon Mandala | 11am-6pm - Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St) is offering a free intention-setting mandala making experience. Choose from items provided, or bring your own in. Donations are not a requirement, but all all donations will go to Safenet Ministries (local food pantry).

Live Music

1/11

Joanna’s - Somers | UnionJack | 6:30-9:30pm
Four Seasons By the Lake - Stafford | The Boneyard | 8pm
Rocking Horse - Vernon | Savage Brothers | 8-10pm

1/12

Rocking Horse - Vernon | Line Dancing | 6-9pm
Piedmonet Hall - Somers | justjeannie | 1-3pm

Trivia

1/9 - Hot Chocolate Trivia - Bolton Senior Center | Bolton | 1pm
1/9 - Hot Finger Trivia - Hops 44 | Storrs | 7-9pm

THE HIVE’S PICK

So, technically this isn’t happening until next Thursday (1/16 from 6-7pm), but I wanted to make sure that people knew about it and had time to register. Douglas Library (22 Main St, Hebron) is hosting New York Times best-selling author Amanda Foody for an evening of chatting.

Foody is known for the book All of US Villains with C.L Herman (this one was selected as Amazon’s Best Young Adult Book of 2021), the middle-grade Wilderlore series, Shadow Game series, and more. If you have or know any kids from 8 years old up to 18, they might be familiar with her writing.

This is a great chance to pick her brain, meet other people who are fans of her writing, and maybe even get a copy of one of her books signed! Show Douglas Library some support and register for a spot here. This also could be a great way to get your kids’ eyes off of a screen and back onto some paper!

UCONN SPORTS

1/10 - Men’s Ice Hockey @ New Hampshire | 7pm

1/11 - Men’s Track and Field vs. Suffolk Ice Breaker Invitational

1/11 - Women’s Track and Field vs. Suffolk Invite

1/11 - Men’s Basketball @ Georgetown | 2pm

1/11 - Men’s Ice Hockey @ New Hampshire | 3:30pm

1/11 - Women’s Basketball @ Georgetown | 4pm

Thanks for reading today’s Tolland County Buzz! We’d really appreciate it if you passed us on to someone that you know that always says, “I would’ve gone if I had known about it.” Either they’ll start going, or you called their bluff (both of which are equally satisfying). See you next week!

Tyler

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