Go Nuts For Donuts 🍩

Good morning, Tolland County! Today is Monday 1/27, and that means it’s National Chocolate Cake Day! Grab a slice of Black Forest cake or make yourself a Kladdkaka (it tastes much better than it sounds), and let’s see what’s going on in Tolland County at the start of this week!

In Today’s Tolland County Buzz:

• Canine Class 🐶

• Bolton Heritage Farm

• Q&A w/a Psychic 🔮

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

*We hear you loud and clear with 96.9% saying “yes” to cover some unique history of Tolland County. Every Monday we’ll include a brief piece about local folklore and/or history, we’re looking forward to your feedback. Please let us know how we’re doing!

BRIEF BITES

• Restaurant Week - Savor the flavors of Mansfield and Windham during Taste 2 Towns: Restaurant Week, happening January 27–February 9! Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night treats with special take-out offers and prix fixe menus from local favorites. Find participating restaurants here.

• Presidential Honors - Three UConn faculty members received prestigious presidential honors during President Joe Biden’s final days in office. Professors Arash E. Zaghi and Jill Wegrzyn were awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) for groundbreaking research in neurodiverse learning and biodiversity genomics, respectively. Additionally, Dr. Linda Barry received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring for her decades-long dedication to mentoring over 700 students.

• Coffee - The former Denny's at Vernon's Tri-City Plaza will soon be demolished to make room for a new 7 Brew coffee shop, the chain's second location in New England. With demolition plans in motion, local officials are ensuring all regulations are met before construction begins.

• Top High Schools - Two high schools in Tolland County are ranked in the top 30 public high schools of Connecticut! Both Tolland High School and Ellington High School are amongst the best of the state. Big congrats!

Canine Class 🐶

Have you ever seen a therapy dog and wondered how they became so well trained? Now you have the chance to learn how to do the training. Being held at Colebrook Village (55 John E Horton Blvd, Hebron) on Tuesdays at 5pm (the first session is this Tuesday 1/28) by the New England Human Animal Bond Foundation.

This is a 5-week Intensive Handler and Therapy Dog Training with AKC Certified Therapy Dog Trainers. At the conclusion of the course, you’ll have a chance to become a certified trainer by passing a test.

If you’re interested, you should contact NEHAB at (860) 324-6928 or email [email protected] to set up a free evaluation.

The Bolton Heritage Farm

Bolton wasn’t just a sleepy town during the Revolutionary War—it was a bustling hub of activity strategically located between Connecticut’s largest towns. The Rose Farm, now a centerpiece of Bolton’s history, was at the heart of it all. Major travel routes like the Middle Post Road (the fastest route between New York and Boston) and the road to Providence ran right through Bolton, making it a prime spot for troops and travelers. When the inns filled up, soldiers and visitors camped on the town green or the Rose Farm, sharing the same sweeping views of the “Hope River” valley that Rochambeau and Washington saw in 1781.

The Rose Farm has stories etched into its stone walls, literally built with the blood, sweat, and hopes of Bolton’s first families. The farm served as communal land, with every able-bodied resident required to work six days on the property, which belonged to the pastor. During the Revolution, it became a temporary home for troops, including the Continental and French armies. Connecticut State Archaeologist Nicholas Bellantoni has called it "the best-preserved Revolutionary War site on the Rochambeau route in Connecticut," with artifacts ranging from uniform buttons to evidence of prehistoric Native American visits.

Despite its rich history, Bolton faced hard times after the Revolution. With major roads rerouted to Bolton Notch in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the town lost its prominence and much of its population. But in a twist of fate, poverty preserved its historic charm. The Rose Farm, with its colonial road and circular stone corral, remains a tangible link to the past. Today, preserving this vista isn’t just about saving a piece of land—it’s about protecting a chapter of history that tells the story of Bolton’s pivotal role in shaping the nation.

Q&A with a Psychic 🔮

Are you curious about the unexplained? Psychic Rebecca Anne LoCicero is holding an intimate event on Wednesday 1/29 from 6-9pm at 54 Hartford Tpke, Vernon, to answer questions about the metaphysical, psychic, spiritual, and more. To be clear, this won’t be a reading! This is a chance to ask someone that’s in touch with the in-between questions you may have about healing, love, angels, increasing joy in your life, and forgiveness.

If you’re interested, email [email protected] to reserve your spot (only 30 available in total). The cost is $30/person, and the event will be filmed.

BEE LINE EVENTS

1/28

Andover | Cookbook Club | 5:30p - Andover Public Library (355 Route 6) is holding the first of their bi-monthly cookbook club. The theme is soup, stew, or chili. Prepare and bring your recipe of choice, and get ready to taste everyone else’s as well. If you want to participate email [email protected] or call (860) 742-7428.

Mansfield | Meditation Seminar | 6-7:30p - Start the new year off learning how to practice techniques to lower stress, increase joy, and promote peace, positivity, and relaxation into daily life. This is a virtual event, and you can register for it here.

Tolland | Literary Agent Virtual Chat | 1-2pm - Tolland Public Library is holding a virtual event to talk with literary agent Seth Fishman. Find out the steps needed to bring a book from word document to published piece. You can register here.

1/29

Andover | Story Time | 4:15-5:15pm - Friend of Andover Public Library (355 Route 6) Ellen Repay will be leading a Chinese New Year-themed story time. There will be a related craft to go along with the story. Calling ahead to say you’re coming isn’t necessary, but is appreciated. (860) 742-7428

Bolton | Fashion of Downton Abbey | 12pm - Did you absolutely love the clothing worn in Downton Abbey? Bentley Memorial Library (206 Bolton Center Rd) is hosting a presentation on the styles of 1912 through the 1920s.

Ellington | Movie Matinee | 1pm - Ellington Senior Center (40 Maple St) is holding a screening of the 2024 film Lonely Planet. You can sign up in advance in person, on MyActiveCenter, or calling (860) 870-3133.

Storrs | Historical Talk | 3:30-4:45pm - Professor Peter Zarrow will be speaking on how historical sites in four countries (France, China, England, Japan) have influenced their past. The lecture will be taking place at Homer D. Babbidge Library (369 Fairfield Way), as well as online.

Tolland | Jewelry Making | 6pm $ - It’s Ladies Night jewelry making with Tolland Red + White (46 Tolland Green). Make some truly unique pieces using recycled paint. The cost is $45/per or $80/you and a friend. You can buy tickets here.

Vernon | Bingo | 7-9pm - The Rocking Horse (57 Hartford Tpke) is holding their weekly Bingo/Trivia/Name That Tune. Prizes are available, along with the Bingo grand prize. The trivia theme this week is “New Girl.”

1/30

Andover | Rock Painting | 6-8pm - Bring some neat shaped rocks to Andover Public Library (355 Route 6) for a crash course on painting rocks. Paint markers will be provided. Attendees should be 14+, spots are limited, so call (860) 742-7428 to register.

Bolton | Vision Board Workshop | 6pm $ - Charhause Cookie (299 Boston Tpke) is holding an evening of vision board making. Materials will be provided. Don’t forget, if you mention Tolland County Buzz, you’ll get a free drip coffee! You can buy tickets here.

Coventry | Baby-Wearing 101 | 10-11am - Believe it or not, strapping a baby to you is an art form. Booth and Dimock Memorial Library (1100 Main St) will help teach the basics and what to look for when picking a new carrier.

Storrs | Exhibition Opening | 4:30-6:30pm - The William Benton Museum of Art (245 Glenbrook Rd) is holding the opening reception for the 2025 Digital Media & Design Faculty Exhibition and Minnie Negoro: From Heart Mountain to UConn. Free admission (but suggested donation of $5).

Vernon | Learning To Photograph | 6pm - Photographer Fred Bird is offering you a chance to learn to embrace creative thinking and see beauty in everyday objects. Learn how to take beautiful photographs. This seminar is being held at Rockville Public Library (52 Union St). Registration is required.

Live Music

1/30

⬢ Bidwell Tavern - Coventry | Acoustic Anomoly | 6:30-9:30p

Trivia

1/30 - Hop’s 44 - Storrs | 7-9pm

THE HIVE’S PICK

If you follow our social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram, then you might be able to guess what our Hive Pick today is going to be. None other than Gerry’s Donuts (180 Windsorville Rd, Ellington). This place is unbelievable! It’s like taking a step into the past (in a good way).

The staff are super friendly (Heather is amazing, and I saw her remember at least two people’s orders without them having to ask for anything), the eponymous owner Gerry is a class-act (and still wears an old-fashioned paper cap), and the prices will leave you wondering why you haven’t made this a weekly stop ($7.25 for a dozen fresh-made donuts!).

Fair-warning, this is a cash-only business, so come prepared. Bring a $20 and you can feast like royalty! This tidbit is for first-timers: Get there early! There will be donuts if you roll in at 9am, but a lot of flavors go very quick in the morning. They’re open six days a week from 6am-12pm and closed on Mondays.

If you decide to stop at the Ellington institution, let them know we sent you!

UCONN SPORTS

1/29 - Women’s Tennis @ Fairfield University | 1pm

1/29 - Women’s Basketball @ DePaul | 7pm

1/29 - Men’s Basketball vs DePaul | 8pm

Well, that’s all for the first half of the week. If you got something out of the newsletter, please share it with someone who loves Boston Cream Donuts!

Talk soon,

Tyler

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