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Return of Hebron Maple Festival🍁

Return of Hebron Maple Festival🍁

Toco Trivia, A Bit of Waterway History, Plus 31 Events!

Tyler DiGiovanni
March 11, 2025

Good morning, Tolland County! Today is Tuesday 3/11, and that means it’s National Worship of Tools Day! (I didn’t make that up, I just work with what I’ve got). It’s the perfect day to reorganize the tool shed, buy a new tool, or put some tools to work on a new project (that’s not limited to garden/woodworking tools, CRICUT stuff counts too!). Not the strongest intro, but hey, with an upcoming week of awesome events, that’s what really counts anyway.

In Today’s Tolland County Buzz:

Maple Festival 🍁
The Hockanum River’s Comeback
Plus 31 Events

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

Fishing - Shenipsit Lake Reservoir’s 2025 fishing season kicks off at sunrise on April 12, offering anglers and outdoor lovers another year of shoreline fishing, boat access, and scenic hiking. 🎣🌿 With only 48 boat storage slots available, hopeful boaters will need to enter the online lottery between March 13-20 for a chance to secure their spot
B-Ball - Storrs has earned a top spot among the nation's best cities for college basketball fans in third place after Philadelphia and Los Angeles. The rankings were based on number of teams, winning percentage, social media engagement and more.
Principal - Bryan Kerachsky, principal of Skinner Road School in Vernon, has been honored as the 2025 Connecticut Elementary School Principal of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Schools. With eight years at the helm, Kerachsky attributes this recognition to the collective efforts of his staff, students, and the community.
Road Work - The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has announced a comprehensive reconstruction project for Route 140 in Ellington and Tolland, set to begin on March 17, 2025, with completion anticipated by November 30, 2027. This $8.3 million initiative aims to enhance road safety by adjusting horizontal curves near Pinnacle and Hopkins Roads, realigning intersections, upgrading drainage systems, and repairing culverts. Motorists should prepare for shoulder closures and alternating one-way traffic on weekdays between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. during the construction period.
New Development - The Town of Mansfield has unveiled plans for new mixed-use developments adjacent to the University of Connecticut campus, aiming to enhance the community's vibrancy and provide additional housing and retail options for residents and students. You can view the 100 page plan here.

THE HIVE’S PICK

This one is for all of you maple lovers out there. It’s that time of year again, the return of the legendary Hebron Maple Festival! And because this event is such a staple in the community, it’s pulling double-duty as our Buzzworthy Activity too!

Taking place on Saturday 3/15, and Sunday 3/16 from 10am-4pm each day, This beloved festival has activities through out the day to keep the whole family entertained. Whether it’s the inflatable curling rink (probably everyone’s guilty-pleasure-watch during the Winter Olympics), Axe throwing trailer (free, as are all of the activities!), roaming magician (make sure to see him at the Douglas Library), or one of the other many (and I mean many) activities The Town Center Project has lined up (I’ll be at their booth for a little while, so make sure to come say hi!), this is promising to be one of the best Maple Fests ever!

ToCo TRIVIA 🤔

What invasive species has been a growing concern in several Tolland County rivers, including the Scantic and Willimantic Rivers?

Last week’s answer: 42.86% got the answer correct! Stonewall Jackson’s favorite horse Little Sorrel was born in Somers on a farm owned by Noah C. Collins on Pink Street (now Springfield Road).

From ‘Hard-Working Sewer’ to Wildlife Haven: The Epic Comeback of the Hockanum River

The Hockanum River has been through it all—centuries of Native American use, a booming textile industry, total industrial abuse, and one of the biggest glow-ups in Connecticut history. Its name, Hocquaunnum, comes from the Algonquian word for “hook-shaped” or “crooked”, which makes sense because this river twists and turns like it’s trying to dodge traffic on I-84. The Podunk people fished and traveled along the river long before European settlers showed up and did what they do best—build a bunch of mills. By the mid-1700s, sawmills and gristmills popped up along the river, grinding out lumber and grain to help grow Tolland County’s early settlements.

Then came the 1800s, and Rockville went full industrial mode. The river powered massive textile mills that cranked out wool and silk, turning Vernon into a factory town. Mill owners got clever, building sluices and raceways to control the water flow and keep those machines humming. Fun fact: Rockville’s mills were early adopters of automated wool-finishing techniques, making them some of the most advanced in New England. But there was a catch, and less of a fun fact—every bit of dye, chemical, and factory waste went straight into the river. By the mid-1900s, the Hockanum was so nasty it earned the nickname "The Hard-Working Sewer" (accurate, but brutal). It got so bad that Manchester even considered burying sections of the river in concrete. Thankfully, someone had the good sense to say, “Let’s maybe not do that.”

Fast forward to the 1980s, and a group of locals decided the river deserved a second chance. They got to work cleaning it up, and today, the Hockanum River Linear Trail follows its old mill roads, weaving past stone bridges, abandoned mill foundations, and even an old trolley line that once hauled workers to Rockville’s factories. The river itself is looking better than ever, home to beavers, otters, herons, and even bald eagles—not bad for a former industrial dumping ground. So next time you’re hiking the trail or paddling the Hockanum, just remember: this river went from “toxic wasteland” to “natural treasure,” and that’s one comeback story worth talking about.

BEE LINE EVENTS

Andover | Reiki II Certification | 5-9pm $ - Over AndOver (415 Rt 6) is running a class to expand certified level one Reiki practitioners to level two. Register

Hebron | All Levels Yoga | 9:15-10:15am $ - Join this weekly beginner-friendly yoga class at Gilead Church (672 Gilead St). Call or text Jen for more details or to register (860) 531-2217.

Stafford Springs | Drum Circle | 5-6:30pm - Head to Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St) for their monthly free drum circle. Bring your preferred noise maker.

Storrs | Puppets/Masks and Star Wars | 7pm - Professor Colette Searls will be discussing the role of puppets and masks in the Star Wars galaxy. More info

Vernon | Blue Jay Mosaic | 6:30-8:30pm $ - Create a beautiful mosaic depicting a blue jay at Arts Center East (709 Hartford Tpke). Tickets

Stafford Springs | Tarot Learning Series | 5:30-7pm $ - Continue your Tarot education at Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St). This week focuses on The Minor Arcana and Court Cards. Tickets

Stafford Springs | Tin Can Mug Paint Night | 6-7:30pm $ - Stafford Cidery (68 Main St) is holding a paint night with Firestone Art Studio. One ticket also gets you a free drink from the bar. Tickets and more info

LIVE MUSIC

⬢Hops 44 - Storrs | Hot Fingers Trivia | 7-9pm

Mansfield | Pi(e) Day Listening Party | 6pm - Waldron’s Studio 88 (114 Mansfield Hollow Rd) is holding a relaxing listening/eating pie party to celebrate the release of Derek Waldron’s Original Improv Piano album. Bring a pie to share, or just your appetite.

Somers | Bingo | 6pm $ - Time for a Bingo night at Sonny’s Place (349 Main St). Seating is first come, first serve. Daubers are available for purchase. Bring cash for admission.

Stafford Springs | Henna Body Art | 6-8pm $ - HennatizeMe is returning to Stafford Cidery (68 Main St) for another evening of Henna (temporary tattoos). For more info on Henna, check out their website.

Stafford Springs | Weekend Sale | 11am-6pm Sunday - Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St) is holding a 20% off your in-store purchase sale throughout the weekend! Some exclusions apply, so check with the register for more details. Use code WORMMOON25 at checkout for the discount.

Tolland | Hadestown Teen Edition | 7pm $ - Tolland High School Drama (1 Eagle Hill) is putting on a rendition of the Broadway musical. Tickets

Tolland | Reiki Share | 6-8:30pm $ - Everyone can use a little positive energy in their life. Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke) is letting Reiki practitioners come together for an evening of meditation and a Reiki share. Tickets

Vernon | St. Pat’s Dinner/Dance | 6-11pm $ - Rocking Horse (57 Hartford Tpke) is holding an evening of eating and (line) dancing. Call (860) 791-8608 for reservations and more info.

Vernon | 38th Annual Moonlight Run | 6:30pm - The Shenipsit Striders are holding their 38th evening run, starting at the Walker Reservoir (Reservoir Rd) at promptly 6:30pm (so try to arrive by 6:15pm). The run is approximately 5 miles.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Basil’s American Italian Grill - Stafford | Livio Gravini Acoustic | 7:30pm

Andover | Rock Painting | 10am-12pm - Want to get into the fun practice of painting rocks? Head to Andover Public Library (355 Rt 6) to learn how to get started. Space is limited, register by calling (860) 742-7428.

Bolton | Corned Beef Dinner | 5-7pm $ - Bolton Congregational Church (Bolton Center Rd) is holding their annual corned beef dinner. Dine-in or take out available. Register

Bolton | O’Polar Plunge | 11am - Celebrate the approach of Spring by jumping into some freezing cold water at Bolton Lake (Indian Notch Park, 60 Tolland Rd)! Come a little early to sign a waiver to participate, hot cocoa will be provided afterwards. Donations are welcome.

Bolton | St Patrick’s Party | 2-10pm - Three J’s (124 Boston Tpke) will have plenty of Irish themed foods to enjoy after the Hartford Parade. Corned beef, Irish nachos, Reubens, and more.

Ellington | Spa Day | 10am-6pm $ - Voices of Enlightenment (19 Pinney St) is providing Reiki, Readings (Tarot, mediumship, past life), and an Ionic foot detox. To register, call/text Kathi at (413) 885-0038

Hebron | Pancake Breakfast | 8-9:15am $ - Come help support the Hebron Lions Charities with a delicious pancake breakfast at the Hebron Lions Club (347 Gilead St). Tickets

Hebron | Sap Run 5k | 9am $ - This annual event kicks off the aforementioned Maple Festival. Starting and finishing at Burnt Hill Park (148 East St), this 5K is a great way to burn off some calories before indulging in some maple treats later on. Register

Stafford Springs | Setback Night | 6-8:30pm $ - Stafford Cidery (68 Main St) is holding another one of their popular setback nights. This is a great opportunity to learn how to play, or to possibly win some money! Half of the cost goes to the winners, the other half to a non-profit organization.

Stafford Springs | Silks Yoga | 7pm $ - Middle River Yoga (2 River Rd) is holding a yoga class utilizing silks to suspend you in air. Drop in and hang out. First come, first serve.

Storrs | Spring Equinox | 11am-2pm - Charter Oak ADF is holding a celebration of the Norse Goddess Idunna at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (46 Spring Hill Rd). People are asked to bring a personal item that can be safely burned and a potluck dish.

Tolland | Reiki & Sound Healing Journey | 2pm $ - Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke) will be offering a unique Reiki and Sound Healing session to help you achieve a state of absolute bliss. Tickets

Willington | Annual Pasta Dinner Fundraiser | 5-8pm $ - The Willington Scholarship Foundation is holding a fundraiser at the Willington Hill Fire Department (24 Old Farms Rd). Proceeds will go towards providing scholarships to youth in the community. Email [email protected] for more details.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Change-Up/Whiskey Boulevard | 7-11pm
⬢ JRego’s - Ellington | Alex & Alex | 7-10pm

Coventry | Matinee at the Movies | 2pm - Booth & Dimock Memorial Library (1134 Main St) is holding their monthly movie showing. They’ll be playing the 2017 film Lady Bird.

Stafford Springs | St Pat’s Dinner | 5-6pm $ - Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (104 W Main St) is holding a curbside pick-up St Pat’s dinner (corned beef & cabbage, carrots, potatoes, peppermint patty chocolate cake). Call or text (860) 458-9397 to pre-order. Orders must be in by 3/14.

Storrs | Take Note! Concert | 3pm - Acapella ensemble Take Note! are holding a concert to benefit the Storrs Congregational Church Food Pantry at the Storrs Congregational Church (2 North Eagleville Rd). Donations to the food pantry as graciously accepted! As someone that’s seen them a few times, I highly recommend checking them out.

LIVE MUSIC

Ellington | Irish Step Dancing | 11:30am-12pm - Students from SRL Irish Dance Academy will be putting on a free performance at the Ellington Senior Center (40 Maple St). Sign up by calling (860) 870-3133, stopping in, or on MyActiveCenter.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Lakeview - Coventry | Gerry Feeney | 4pm

UCONN SPORTS

3/11 - Baseball vs. LIU | 3:05pm
3/11 - Men’s Golf @ The Surf Club Invitational

3/12 - Women’s Lacrosse vs. Yale | 1pm

3/14 - Men’s and Women’s Track & Field @ Virginia Beach
3/14 - Baseball @ Campbell | 6pm
3/14 - Softball @ Tennessee | 6pm

3/15 - Men’s and Women’s Track & Field @ Virginia Beach
3/15 - Softball @ Tennessee | 2pm
3/15 - Women’s Tennis vs. Marquette | 3pm
3/15 - Baseball @ Campbell | 3pm

3/16 - Softball @ Tennessee | 12pm
3/16 - Baseball @ Campbell | 1pm

3/17 - Men’s Golf @ ECU Intercollegiate

Well, that’s everything we got for this week! If you got something out of today’s newsletter, please share it with someone who loves maple syrup!

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Return of Hebron Maple Festival🍁

Toco Trivia, A Bit of Waterway History, Plus 31 Events!

BRIEF BITES

THE HIVE’S PICK

ToCo TRIVIA 🤔

What invasive species has been a growing concern in several Tolland County rivers, including the Scantic and Willimantic Rivers?

From ‘Hard-Working Sewer’ to Wildlife Haven: The Epic Comeback of the Hockanum River

BEE LINE EVENTS

UCONN SPORTS

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