A Look Into The Past

Good morning, Tolland County! Today is Monday 1/20, and besides it being Martin Luther King Jr Day, it also happens to be one of my favorite days, National Cheese Lover’s Day! It’s a gouda day to make a grilled cheese or some nachos. I’m not going to stretch these cheese jokes too long today, wouldn’t want you to get feta up! Onto the brie-lliant events that are going on in Tolland County this week.

In Today’s Tolland County Buzz:

• Flowers and Kombucha 🌼

• Psychic Training 🔮

• Relaxing Resonations 🎶

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

• Sports History - The Ellington Historical Society is gearing up for its 2025 exhibit, "The History of Ellington Sports Through the Years"! They're looking for old photos, trophies, uniforms, and stories to showcase the town’s rich athletic history. Share your memories by emailing [email protected] or visit the Farmers Market on January 25th and February 22nd to contribute!

• Art Contest - Congratulations to Coventry High School students for their achievements in the Connecticut Regional Scholastic Arts Competition! Freshman Ava Kiss earned a Gold Key for her photo "Silent Watcher," while Sophomore Brooke Belsito won a Silver Key for "My Best Friend Star." Their award-winning work, along with other honorable mentions, is on display at the Silpe Gallery through February 1, 2025.

• CT History - Join Dr. Sarah Sportman and the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History for a free lecture on the Office of State Archaeology’s work from the past year and what’s ahead! The talk is on Jan. 25th beginning at 2:30, featuring recent finds and artifacts, followed by a Q&A and informal reception. RSVP at here to attend!

• Award Winning - Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford Springs has earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, recognizing its top-notch patient safety efforts. The grade reflects the hospital’s commitment to preventing errors, injuries, and infections, with its dedicated staff working tirelessly to ensure safe, high-quality care.

• Patriotic Win - Big congrats to Shireen Koul, a sixth-grader from Windermere Elementary in Ellington, took first place in the 2024 Patriot’s Pen District Three essay contest, sponsored by VFW Post 10689. The contest, which encourages students to reflect on America’s history and democracy, awarded Koul and other top winners with certificates and monetary prizes.

• Historic Home - The Hiram Rider House, a 200-year-old home in Willington, is now up for sale at $409,900. Built in 1820 for Hiram Rider, a prominent figure who served as a judge, county sheriff, and state representative.

Flowers and Kombucha 🌼

Looking to tap into your creative side? Tolland Red & White (46 Tolland Grn, Tolland) is holding an evening of floral-filled fun and Wednesday 1/22 from 6-7:30pm. For $47, create piece of art using pressed flowers and your imagination.

To infuse even more floral notes, included in the cost is a bottle of Blossom Bliss or Chamomile Lemon Brightside brew kombucha as you’re crafting (your gut biome will thank you!).

You’ll get all the materials you need to execute your vision (flowers, and 5×7 gold chained octagon frame). Bring a friend or ride solo and make some new friends, spots are limited to just 15, so if you’re interested, email [email protected] sooner than later.

Psychic Training 🔮

Have you ever felt like you had a connection to things you might not be able to explain, but never really wanted to bring it up because you felt like you wouldn’t be supported? An Angel’s Window (26 Battle St, Suite 2B, Somers) is giving you a chance to explore that, without fear of judgement. Starting on Thursday (1/23) at 6:30pm, they are running a weekly Psychic for Beginners class.

The class will fall on Thursday nights (1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27), and will focus on psychic energy, chakra systems, akashic records, manifesting, card reading, and more. The six-week course costs $175 (about $29 per session), and you can reserve your spot by calling (860) 327-2494.

Relaxing Resonations 🎶

The stresses of the new year can start adding up by this point in January. If you’re looking to help reduce some of the chatter going on in your head, or just need a mental reset, Amy from Studio 13 will be at the Mansfield Community Center (10 S Eagleville Rd, Storrs) on Wednesday 1/22 from 5:30-6:30pm to help you melt some stress away.

This meditation session will focus on breathing (breath work is more important than you might think) and a sound bath from gongs and singing bowls. Some people may think it’s new wave snake oil, but until you’ve tried it, don’t pass judgement on it.

The class costs about $33, and you can call (860 429-3015 or click here to register. Fair warning, you will need to create an account with the Mansfield Community Center.

BEE LINE EVENTS

1/20

Ellington | Kloter Farms Warehouse Sale | 9am-6pm - Monday kicks off Kloter Farms’ (216 West Rd) Annual Warehouse Sale.

1/21

Ellington | Chess Ninjas | 4:30-6pm - The Hall Memorial Library (93 Main St) is holding a chess club for kids ages 7-12 on Tuesdays through mid-May. Registration is required.

Vernon | Bowling League | 8:45pm $ - Spare Time (350 Talcotville Rd) is starting their 10-week bowling league. Teams must be 3-4 people. Can pay $12/person/week for two games of bowling a week plus a custom jersey selection. Or $8/person/week for just the two games a week. Shoe rental is not included in those prices.

1/22

Coventry | Spice Life | N/A - The Booth and Dimock Memorial Library (1134 Main St) is giving you a way to learn about some new spices you may not be familiar with. Each monthly kit comes with a sample pack of the spice, recipe, and some history. You must pre-register by emailing [email protected] or [email protected].

Hebron | Bad Movie Matinee | 1-3pm - If you want to turn your brain off for a little while, and marvel at a truly terrible movie, Douglas Library (22 Main St) is holding a showing of Killer Sofa.

Hebron | Private Movie Showing | 5-7pm - Colebrook Village (55 John E Horton Boulevard) is holding a small showing of the documentary Taking Care, which follows Seth Rogen and his wife Lauren Miller Rogen and their experience of caretaking Lauren’s mother who has early-onset Alzheimer’s. A light dinner will be served. Call Laura at (860) 801-1114 ext. 113 to reserve a spot.

Tolland | Beer and Snack Pairing | 6:30-7:50pm - This is a friendly reminder that the Tolland Public Library (21 Tolland Grn) is holding an event to help you take your Superbowl party to the next level with beer pairings for your snacks. Register here.

Vernon | Bingo | 7pm - This is the weekly reminder of the Rocking Horse’s (57 Hartford Tpke) weekly Bingo/Trivia/Name That Tune evening. This week’s theme is Harry Potter.

1/23

Andover | RHAM Youth Football Meeting | 7pm - This is the Annual Open Meeting were elections for the 2025 Board of Directors and League Managers will be voted on. Updates will be given and planning for the new season will start. The meeting is being held at Andover Town Hall (17 School Rd), and you can submit nominations for positions here.

Ellington | Managing Stress | 6-7pm - Dr. Wendy Hurwitz is bringing 10 tips to manage stress to Hall Memorial Library (93 Main St). Learn some skills to help bring your stress levels under control in almost any situation.

Mansfield | Winter Wonderland Workshop | 4-6pm - Bring your elementary school-aged kids into the Mansfield Public Library (54 Warrenville Rd) for snow science activities, snowflake crafts, snowman LEGO challenges, and a Winter Wonderland-themed play area.

Stafford Springs | Watercolor Paint Night | 6-8pm $ - Three Grace Vintage (52 Main St) is holding a watercolor paint night led by Jackie Sidor. The paintings are a western theme, but can be tweaked. Everyone will leave with three 4×6 watercolors. The cost is $30 and can be paid by cash or check at the event. Register here.

Tolland | Virtual Chat with an Author | 2-3pm - The Tolland Public Library is holding an online session with author Amanda Montell as she discusses her newest book The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality. You can register for the event here, and include any questions you may have for her.

Willington | Sound Healing Session | 6:30-7:30pm $ - Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd) is holding a guided meditation session through crystal singing bowls and voice, led by instructor Edie Jemiola. You can register for the class by calling the library (860) 429-3854, or just walking-in. There is a $10 suggested donation.

THE HIVE’S PICK

The Nellie McKnight Museum located at 70 Main St. is a true slice of Ellington history, and honestly, if you’ve never been, it’s about time to change that. Nestled right on Main Street, this charming spot was once the home of Nellie McKnight, who gifted the house to the Ellington Historical Society in 1981. Built in 1812 by the Sexton family in the Federalist style, it’s got the kind of history you can feel in the air, especially when you stroll through rooms featuring artifacts from both the McKnight family and other locals.

Nellie McKnight herself was quite the character. Born and raised right here in Ellington, she dedicated much of her life to the community—first as a teacher and later as the beloved librarian of Hall Memorial Library. If you grew up around here, you probably remember those sweet weekly trips to the library to hear her read stories. She really was a local treasure, and her museum feels like an extension of her legacy, with each room telling a little more of her story.

The house is packed with surprises, too, from its original 1830s kitchen wall stenciling to its impressive renovations in the 1920s. It’s an absolute gem for anyone interested in local history, and if you’ve got a group of friends or family looking for something fun and educational to do, private tours are available. Don’t forget to check out their upcoming events—it’s definitely worth a visit to soak in the history and charm of Ellington’s past. You can find more info on their site here.

UCONN SPORTS

1/21 - Men’s Basketball vs. Butler | 7pm

1/22 - Women’s Basketball vs. Villanova | 7pm

That’s it for today’s Tolland County Buzz! If you got something out of it, please share it with someone who thinks cheese makes almost everything better.

Talk soon,

Tyler

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