Getting Clink-y

Good morning, Tolland County! Today is Monday 12/30, and that means it’s Nation Bacon Day. I mean, not that you actually needed a reason to enjoy a few strips, but today is the day to treat yourself to some smoky, salty goodness. And for those of you that don’t do bacon for whatever reason, also acceptable is watching your favorite Kevin Bacon movie (I don’t make this stuff up). So, make yourself a BLT or throw on Footloose, and let’s get into what’s going on this week.

In Today’s Tolland County Buzz:

• NYE Family Party 🎳

• A Real New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 🎸

• Feeling Crafty 🔨

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

• Tree Planting - Vernon has secured a $131,415 grant to plant over 50 native trees in Rockville, thanks to the Live Here - Love Trees program. This initiative, part of a federal and state effort to improve tree equity, will enhance green spaces in economically and environmentally disadvantaged areas of town.

• Ice Skating - The temporary ice rink at Crandall Park is set to open this Monday and will remain open as weather permits. The rink will be illuminated from 4 p.m. to midnight, with ice conditions monitored by the Department of Public Works. For safety, the area will be off-limits when closed, with security cameras in place, and several rules are in place, including no food, pets, or alcohol on the ice.

• Hebron Disbanding - The Friends of the Douglas Library, which disbanded in October after a dispute with the town and library director, has decided to allocate its remaining $70,000. The bulk of the funds, $40,000, will go to Hebron Interfaith Human Services, with additional grants for local organizations, including the Hebron Historical Society and Hebron Paths and Trails Foundation.

• Puppet Showcase - In celebration of the 60th anniversary of UConn’s Puppet Arts Program, the Jim Henson Foundation and the Ballard Institute will present American Puppet Theater Today: The Photography of Richard Termine, opening on January 31, 2025. The exhibition will feature over 130 images and puppets from renowned artists like Paul Zaloom, Basil Twist, and Bread and Puppet Theater, highlighting Termine’s three-decade career capturing the world of American puppetry. Located at 1 Royce Circle in Storrs you can learn more here.

NYE Family Party 🎳

Looking for something fun to do with your family on New Year’s Eve, that doesn’t require drinking (in this case, it’s completely optional)? Spare Time (350 Talcottville Rd, Vernon) is offering some ten pin fun to help you roll into the new year (I couldn’t help myself).

For $149, you’ll get bowling and shoe rental for up to six people, a 16” pizza and pitcher of soda, and $10 Game Play Zone Card for each member of your party (the kids will be excited about this). Fair warning, this event is almost sold out, and the only remaining slot of time left is 10:30pm-1am.

If this sounds like something you and your family might be interested in, you can book your lane here.

A Real New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 🎸

This one is for everyone that thinks that rock music peaked in the 70s and 80s (I actually don’t disagree). Four Seasons By The Lake (65 Old Springfield Rd, Stafford Springs) is holding a (cover/tribute band, I never know which one to write) rock show on New Year’s Eve that will blow your socks off.

Featuring Beyond Purple (a Deep Purple/Whitesnake/Rainbow/Dio cover band), Back In Black (AC/DC cover band), and Physical Graffiti (Led Zeppelin cover band), if you’re a rock fan, this is a no-brainer. Tickets can be purchased in advance here for $25 or $35 at the door (if there’s still room). Doors open at 6pm on 12/31 and the music starts around 7pm and goes all the way until 1/1 12:30am. If you’re on the fence about it, watch some of the band’s videos on YouTube, you won’t be disappointed.

Feeling Crafty 🔨

Alright, so this event isn’t happening for a couple weeks, but registration needs to be done by 1/5, so I’m trying to give you at least a little time to think about it. The Crafter’s Corner is holding their first workshop of 2025 at Hops 44 (625 Middle Tpke, Storrs) on 1/15 from 6:30-8pm.

You’ll receive a 12” round sign, lettering that says Feeling Frosty, mittens, and snowflakes, and instruction on how to paint them (you can see an example on the ticket page). There are only 15 spots available, so I’d book sooner than later if you’re interested. Food and drink are not included in the price of the ticket, but you should take advantage of what Hops 44 has to offer (their wings are supposed to be phenomenal).

You can get your ticket here.

BEE LINE EVENTS

New Year’s Eve Events

Mansfield | Waldron’s Studio 88 NYE Party | 7pm - Join Waldron’s Studio 88 (114 Mansfield Hollow Rd) for an evening of music, White Elephant, and all around fun. Bring your instrument of choice for a jam session, a quirky/fun gift (worth no more than $20) for the White Elephant swap.

Somers | NYE Party Joanna’s | 6pm-12am $ - Joanna’s (145 Main St) is holding a NYE party with an evening of good food, drinks, and entertainment. Reservations are required (call (860) 749-5060) and there’s a charge of $60/person. Cover 2 Cover will be performing from 9pm-12am.

Tolland | Lemek’s NYE Party | 4-8pm - Lemek’s (351 Goose Lane) is holding their 2nd annual New Year’s party. Grab some hard cider (made on site), a lobster roll from Cousins Maine Lobster food truck, and listen to some music from Tolland County’s own Jeremy Haddad.

Vernon | Rocking Horse NYE Party | 9pm - The Rocking Horse (57 Hartford Tpke) is kicking off the new year with The Leftovers. There will be a champagne toast at midnight and drink and food specials throughout the evening.

Misc.

Ellington | Ellington Senior Center Meeting | 10am - The Ellington Senior Center (40 Maple St) is a holding an event for new members, or people looking to become members on 1/2/2025. Get a tour of the facility, find out about activities offered, fitness programs, and volunteer opportunities. Call (860) 870-3133 to register.

Mansfield | Nutcracker Mini Camp | 9am-3pm $ - The Mansfield Academy of Dance (1768 Storrs Rd) is holding a mini-camp for young dancers 3-10 years old today 12/30 (hey, I’m sorry I didn’t get this out sooner, but you can always give them a ring this morning to see if spots are still available). No experience is needed, just a good attitude and some festive cheer. There are two sessions available, 9am-12pm, and 9am-3pm. You can reserve your spots here.

Tolland | New Year’s Day Cacao Ceremony | 10am-12pm $ - Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke) is offering you a chance to reflect on the upcoming year while sipping on heart-opening cacao on Wednesday 1/1. There will be a chance to share goals and intentions, community time with a special winter ritual and oracle cards, time for movement, and to cap it all off a period of meditation. You can buy tickets to the event here.

THE HIVE’S PICK

We like digging into the roots of the area, and sometimes that includes the underside of society. Our Hive Pick today is the Old Tolland County Jail and Museum (52 Tolland Green, Tolland). Originally built in 1785, this site had many iterations all the way up until it stopped being a functional jail in 1968 (that’s 183 years!).

Attached to the jail is the jailer’s house (talk about a short commute to work), which was built in 1893 after the hotel that was originally there burnt down (wild history, right?). While you’re in the house, you can check out artifacts from thousands of items used in Tolland homes, farms, and businesses from the 19th and 20th centuries.

If you want to check out this really neat piece of history, you’ll have to contact Museum Director, Kathy Bach at [email protected] or call her at (860) 872-7716, since right now is out of regular museum season. If you do end up making the trip, take a few pictures and submit them to [email protected], one might just make its way into an upcoming newsletter!

UCONN SPORTS

1/1 - Men’s Basketball at DePaul | 2pm

1/1 - Women’s Basketball at Marquette | 2pm

Thanks for taking the time to read today’s Tolland County Buzz! If you got something out of today’s newsletter, please share it with someone who owns more than one dog. We’ll see you in the new year!

Tyler

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