Motta's Bakery Discount

Good morning, Tolland County!

Today is Tuesday 2/18, and that means it’s National Drink Wine Day! For some of us, this just means it’s another Tuesday, but today it’s nationally accepted! Whether you enjoy a red, white, or somewhere in between, enjoy a wonderful glass of adult grape juice this evening (just a friendly reminder that Tolland County is home to several fantastic wineries).

Email Sponsored by Motta’s Bakery

In Today’s Tolland County Buzz:

• Motta’s Bakery 🧁

• Tracker Training 👣

• Sourdough Tasting 🍞

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

• State Grant - Tolland has been awarded a $2 million state grant to renovate Old Post Village, an affordable housing complex built in 1977. The funding will be used to achieve ADA compliance in three units, replace roofs, windows, and doors, and make interior renovations to kitchens and bathrooms. Additionally, site improvements will address drainage issues and enhance parking facilities.

• Clean Up - Connecticut's DEEP has awarded $400,000 across 12 projects to combat aquatic invasive species and support healthy waterways. Coventry Lake is set to receive $75,000 for Hydrilla treatment, tackling the aggressive plant that threatens the lake’s ecosystem. Meanwhile, Eagleville Lake, spanning Mansfield and Coventry, will receive $21,932.55 to fund a long-term strategy and educational campaign targeting Fanwort and Water Chestnut.

• Parental Leave - At a recent press conference, the professors' union made a powerful case for a 16-week paid parental leave policy, emphasizing the need for fair support for all faculty. With growing concerns about work-life balance, the union argues that these benefits are crucial for the well-being of both parents and their students.

THE HIVE’S PICK

Today’s pick has been a mainstay in Columbia for over 36 years! I’m talking about the one and only Motta’s Bakery (244 Rt. 6, Columbia). Family-owned and operated since opening in 1988, Motta’s has been a pillar in the Columbia community that many have made a weekly, if not, daily stop.

Want Italian cookies? They got ‘em (yes even the “rainbow ones”). Cheesecake? Yup. Fresh baked bread? Come on, of course they have fresh bread! They also have one of my favorite treats, Angel Wings. Fried strips of dough, dusted with powdered sugar (unbelievably light and airy, unlike a lot that I’ve had from some well-known Hartford-area bakeries), seriously, get yourself some when you stop in.

Sweets not doing it for you, and want something savory? They have delicious grinders available too (there’s something about their sandwich bread that’s unlike anything you get anywhere else).

For the rest of February, you can get 10% off your order if you mention the Tolland County Buzz! Stop in and see why this business is so well-loved in Columbia and the surrounding towns!

ToCo TRIVIA 🤔

BUZZWORTHY ACTIVITIES 🐝

TRICKY TRACKING 👣

Ever look out in your backyard and think, “What the heck made that track?!” Well, lucky for you, The Last Green Valley wants to help you become a pro (or at least somewhat competent) at identifying animal tracks and patterns.

Tom and Sue Harrington (TLGV Volunteer Rangers/master outdoor educators) will be leading the program with TLGV Rangers Emma and Cassidy at Joshua’s Trust’s Atwood Farm (624 Wormword Hill Rd, Mansfield Center) on Sunday, February 23 at 2pm.

Participants will make tracks in sand, spot differences/patterns in tracks, and then walk the trails to put your newfound skills to use. This is a free event, and kids will take home a tracking card to use at home.

SOURDOUGH TASTING 🍞

Sourdough bread has exploded in popularity since the pandemic (yes, I know it was a thing long before that, but you can admit that it’s hit a resurgence in popularity), with many people looking for something to do with their time at home. I know at least five different people that keep a sourdough starter going (and most of them have names too, Gertrude being my favorite).

If you’ve ever wondered what makes sourdough so great, The Flour Girl herself, Michelle Nicholson, is running a class on this amazing bread. You’ll get to try a selection of house-made sourdoughs, learn about the science of sourdough, and why it can actually be good for your health! Wouldn’t that be nice to be able to use the next time someone says bread is bad for you?

This breadventure will be taking place Friday 2/21 at 6:30pm at The Flour Girl (14 Main St, Hebron). You can grab your tickets here. There aren’t many left, so I’d get it sooner than later if you really want to go!

BEE LINE EVENTS

Rockville | Restoration and Preservation of Photos | 6pm - Fred Bird is heading to Rockville Public Library (52 Union St) to teach you about preservation of photos and how to choose the right person to restore your old, weathered pictures. Registration is required.

Ellington | Acrylic Painting | 9:30am-2pm $ - Ellington Senior Center (40 Maple St) is holding a Winter Sunset acrylic painting class. Must pay by 2/18. Contact the senior center for more details (860) 870-3133.

Tolland | Tapestry of Intention | 5:30-7:30pm $ - Create a tapestry of intention at Tolland Red and White (46 Tolland Grn) using natural materials. Tickets

Vernon | Intuitive Discovery | 6:30-8:30pm $ - Itching to learn about intuitive readings? Healthy Healing Hands (310 Hartford Tpke) is holding an evening to teach you how, and also will give you a reading as well. Tickets

Coventry | Black History Month Program | 7pm - Coventry Historical Society is holding a program about local enslavement in Coventry as well as the influence that post-abolition/pre-antebellum periods had on Coventry. Will take place at the Second Congregational Church Community House (1746 Boston Tpke).

Coventry | Paint and Sip | 6-8pm $ - Celebrate Galentine’s Day at Courtside Nutrition (3466 Main St) by painting tumblers and making a tea kit. Tickets

Mansfield | Foodshare | 11:30am-12pm - The weekly Mansfield Foodshare is taking place at 303 Maple Rd. Don’t forget to bring a box or bag to carry your food.

Stafford Springs | Watercolor Paint Night | 6-8pm $ - Three Graces Vintage (52 Main St) is giving you that chance to paint a watercolor bird. Payment is due at the event (cash or check). Reserve tickets

Storrs | Czech National Symphony Orchestra | 7:30 $ - Jorgensen Auditorium (2132 Hillside Rd) is hosting a performance by the CNSO. Tickets

Vernon | Blood Drive | 12-5pm - St. John’s of Vernon (523 Hartford Tpke) is holding a blood drive for the American Red Cross. Help save someone’s life today! Book an appointment.

Ellington | Galentine’s Wellness | 6-9pm $ - LIFE Fitness (105 West Rd) is holding an evening celebrating friendship and self-care. Tickets and more info here.

Coventry | Paint & Sip | 5pm $ - Tardif Farm is holding a Valentine’s themed paint night. Call (860) 498-0599 for more details and to book your spot.

Ellington | Farmers Market | 9am-12pm - Head to Ellington High School (72 Maple St) for the final Ellington Farmers Market of the winter season.

Mansfield | Book Sale | 9am-4pm - Mansfield Public Library (54 Warrenville Rd) is kicking off their winter book sale. Proceeds go toward the library.

Stafford Springs | 28th Annual Father/Daughter Dance | 6-7:30pm $ - Stafford Lions Club is hosting their annual dance for grades K-5th at Stafford High School (145 Orcuttville Rd). $15/couple, $5 for each additional kid, pay at the door.

Stafford Springs | Tarot Card Lesson | 2-3:30pm $ - Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St) is continuing their Tarot learning series. Tickets

Tolland | Micro World Hike | 10am - Join Michelle Poudrette on a walking/magnification tour at Madeline Regan Preserve (1274 Tolland Stage Rd). You’ll get to use a hand magnifier (jewelers loupe) to check out lichen, moss, and more. Registration is required.

Bolton | Songs of Hope Benefit | 5-7pm $ - Bolton Congregational Church (228 Bolton Center Rd) is holding a benefit concert to celebrate their 300th anniversary. Register here.

Coventry | Farmers Market | 10am-12:30pm - Come visit the Winter Coventry Farmers Market (78 Ripley Hill Rd) to shop from local vendors!

Tolland | Basic Intuitive Development | 9am-6:30pm $ - Develop your 6th sense at Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke) with a full day workshop. Email Deb McElroy at [email protected].

Columbia | Blood Drive | 12:30-5:30pm - Head to the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department (167 Route 66) to donate blood. Earn a $15 e-gift card for your donation. Register here.

LIVE MUSIC

2/20

⬢ Bond 124 - Somers | Baird Souls | 7:30pm
⬢ JRego’s - Ellington | Billy Megofna Jr. | 7-10pm

2/21

⬢ Stillwater Grill - Stafford Springs | The Natural Disasters | 6pm

2/22

⬢ Four Seasons By The Lake - Stafford Springs | RED LIGHT | 8pm
⬢ The Hidden Still - Ellington | Anger Buddy | 8:30-11pm
⬢ JRego’s - Ellington | Tim Reardon | 7-10pm

TRIVIA

2/20 - Hops 44 - Storrs | Hot Fingers Trivia | 7-9pm
2/21 - Cassidy Hill Vineyard - Coventry | Sports Themed | 6:30pm
2/22 - Hops 44 - Storrs | Hops, Hockey, Trivia | 6-9pm Tickets
2/23 - Hops 44 - Storrs | Friends Trivia | 3pm

UCONN SPORTS

2/18 - Men’s Basketball vs. Villanova | 6:30pm

2/19 - Women’s Basketball @ Seton Hall | 7pm

2/20 - Women’s Tennis vs. Sacred Heart | 1pm

2/21 - Softball vs. Delaware @ Virginia | 12pm
2/21 - Softball @ Virginia | 2:30pm
2/21 - Women’s Ice Hockey vs. Boston U | 3pm
2/21 - Baseball @ Florida Atlantic | 6:30pm
2/21 - Men’s Ice Hockey vs. Maine | 7:30pm

2/22 - Women’s Lacrosse vs. Manhattan | 1pm
2/22 - Softball vs. Penn @ Virginia | 1:30pm
2/22 - Baseball @ Florida Atlantic | 4pm
2/22 - Women’s Ice Hockey @ Boston U | 4pm
2/22 - Women’s Basketball @ Butler | 4:30pm
2/22 - Men’s Soccer vs. Louis Riel | 5pm
2/22 - Softball vs. Longwood @ Virginia | 6:30pm

2/23 - Men’s Golf @ Dorado Beach Collegiate
2/23 - Softball @ Virginia | 11am
2/23 - Baseball @ Florida Atlantic | 12pm
2/23 - Men’s Basketball @ St. John’s | 12pm

2/24 - Men’s Golf @ Dorado Beach Collegiate
2/24 - Women’s Swimming and Diving @ BIG EAST Championship

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 Italian pastries!

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