Renovations, Kid's Christmas, & Getting Fleeced

Good morning, Tolland County! Today is Monday 11/25 and that means one thing…You have three days to mentally prepare yourself for Thanksgiving. It’s the perfect time to start your strategic seating planning (at the table and the couch afterwards), practice faking enjoying eating that new recipe your aunt decided to try this year, and make sure whoever is cooking the turkey has it thawing out already.

***PSA we’ll be sending out our Thursday email on Wednesday morning because we know there’s never enough time in the day on Thanksgiving.***

In Today’s Tolland County Buzz:

• A Historic Building Revitalized 🏛️

• Cornerstone Christmas Party 🎄

• Feeling Warm and Fuzzy 🦙

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

• School Rankings: US News Researchers ranked the nation’s best public schools based on data from the US Dept. of Education. The Mansfield elementary Goodwin School ranked 11th best elementary school in CT while the Mansfield Middle school landed in the 20th spot.

• Innovative Leader: UConn's Professor Xiuling Lu has been honored with the Connecticut Technology Council's Women of Innovation Award for her groundbreaking work in nanoparticle-based cancer treatments. Her dedication to advancing drug delivery systems is transforming cancer therapy and inspiring future researchers.

• Student Loans: Connecticut is launching a Student Loan Reimbursement Program in 2025 to ease CT university graduates' financial burdens. Eligible residents who meet specific criteria, including income limits and volunteer hours, can receive reimbursement up to $20k for their student loan payments. Email inquires here: [email protected]

• Winningest Coach: UCONN Women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma enters the history books with the most wins ever at 1,217 after the huskies defeated FDU! At this point, some might argue he’s the biggest reason why Storrs became known as “The Basketball Capital of the World”.

• Mini-Donuts: Dad’s Doughs (483 Storrs Rd, Mansfield) has just opened, offering mini-donuts you can watch being freshly made to order. As well as the 3 bite sweets, they also serve Baronet coffee, Mountain Dairy milk, Hosmer Mountain Soda, and Village Spring water; all of which are CT-based.

• Star Collaboration: Yellowstone actor Cole Hauser has partnered with Ellington-based business The Barn Yard for an exciting partnership that blends Hollywood flair with local craftsmanship. Known for his rugged charm on screen, Hauser's involvement brings national attention to the innovative work happening right here in Tolland County!

• Vernon Trash Pick-Up Changes: Due to Vernon Public Works being closed 11/28 & 11/29, trash and recycling normally collected on Thursday will be picked up on Wednesday 11/27 instead. Trash and recycling normally collected on Friday, will be collected on Monday 12/2. If you can’t wait that long, you can bring your extra trash to the transfer station (12 Hockanum Boulevard) Saturday 8am-4pm and Sunday 12-4pm.

A Historic Building Revitalized

The Mansfield General Store has seen many uses over its 136 year history. The building, originally built in 1886, was, as you might’ve guessed, (wow, that’s a lot of commas) a general store. In it’s latest renovation, it’s now home to Lisa’s Chocolate’s & Gifts (delicious! The chocolates, not the gifts), offices for Kiwami Triathlon (athletic and swimwear), and Line Studio (drawing classes for adults).

The building located at 534 Storrs Road in Mansfield Center reopened for business on 11/13 and waiting for you stop by! Lisa’s Chocolate’s is open from 10am-7pm daily and Line Studio is registering for classes starting in January now. Kiwami is an online business and physical products are not kept at the store, so don’t expect to go in and get fitted for a new Speedo.

Cornerstone Christmas Party

The Cornerstone Foundation is holding its annual free Christmas party for kids between the ages of 2-10 on 12/14 at St. Bernard’s Church (25 St. Bernard’s Terrace, Vernon) from 1-3pm. Before you start making plans, it is restricted to 100 kids, and they have to be residents of Vernon/Rockville.

If you are a Vernon/Rockville resident with kids of the appropriate ages, you can look forward to face painting, crafts, a hats and gloves table, stuffed animal table, music and dancing with prizes. Get your singing voices ready because there will also be family carol sing-alongs.

Make sure to grab a picture with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and one of the free gifts that will be given to each kid. Make sure to register at the link above to reserve your spot(s).

Feeling Warm and Fuzzy

Round Hill Alpacas (56 Round Hill Rd, Coventry) is holding an open farm day on Saturday 11/30 from 11am-3pm. Head on over to meet a herd of Huacaya alpacas and while you’re onsite, you can take a look at some of the products made from the fleece of the the aforementioned alpacas.

A pretty cool fact about Round Hill alpacas, is that they are partnering with the Creative Living Community of CT to create an inclusive living experience for people with and without intellectual disabilities. Click on the link above if you want to learn more about the fantastic work they’re doing.

Once you’ve had enough farm life, you can drive about 10 minutes north and grab a bottle of wine from Cassidy Hill Vineyard (454 Cassidy Hill Rd, Coventry) on the way home. Alpacas and wine, the combination you didn’t know you needed until now.

BEE LINE EVENTS

11/25

Stafford Library | Stafford: Hurry up to register for Stafford Library’s showing of Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow for kids ages 6-11. The movie will take place today from 2-3:30pm and is a perfect way to kick off Thanksgiving festivities.

11/26

Courtside Nutrition | Coventry: Register online to create a gorgeous charcuterie board with a 7x11 bamboo tray, all ingredients provided. Learn fun tricks like crafting a salami rose and leave with a masterpiece perfect for Thanksgiving—or snack on it right away! 🧀🌹

11/27

Stafford Cidery | Stafford Springs: Kick off Thanksgiving Eve from 4-9pm with the return of the fan-favorite cider, PIE! This once-a-year cinnamon, vanilla, apple-pie-flavored cider is available on draft for pints or growler fills at Stafford Cidery—when it’s gone, it’s gone!

The Flour Girl | Hebron: Get crafty this holiday season! Join at Flour Girl Bakery on Nov. 27th at 6 PM for a one-of-a-kind sea glass tree ornament workshop hosted by StillWatersUSA. 🎄✨ For $50, you’ll enjoy a creative evening with light appetizers, refreshments, and all the supplies you need. Spots are limited, so register online now.

LIVE MUSIC

Wednesday 11/27

⬢ Bidwell Tavern - Coventry | Tino and Malone | 7-10pm
⬢ Rocking Horse Smokehouse - Vernon | Change-Up | 8pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Trailer Trash | 7-10pm | $10 entry fee
⬢ Bond 124 - Somers | Soapstone | 7-10pm

THE HIVE’S PICKS

Our pick for this week is Noah’s Closet located at the Second Congregational Church Community House (1746 Boston Turnpike, Coventry). If you’ve never heard of them, they’re a children’s resale shop for clothing sizes 0-10, books, toys, puzzles, bedding, baby equipment, child-friendly media, as well as other goods.

All the goods are donations from the community, and the proceeds go directly to community outreach programs through the church. Noah’s Closet is 100% staffed by volunteers, and is open Tuesdays 9-11am and Saturdays 9am-1pm.

Whether you want to donate your old/outgrown children’s toys or clothes, or want to take a look at what they have, stop in and say hi. If you’re going to purchase, make sure to bring cash or check, because cards are not accepted. If you have any questions, you can call (860) 742-1616 on Saturdays.

UCONN SPORTS

11/25 - Men’s Basketball vs. Memphis @ Hawaii* | 2:30pm

11/25 - Women’s Basketball vs. Oregon St @ Bahamas** | 7:30pm

11/26 - Men’s Basketball vs. Colorado/Michigan St @ Hawaii | TBD

11/27 - Men’s Basketball vs. TBD @ Hawaii | TBD

11/27 - Women’s Basketball vs. TBA @ Bahamas | TBA

11/27 - Women’s Volleyball vs. Big East @ Omaha | 3:30pm / 6:30pm

*Maui Invitational
**Baha Mar Women’s Championship

If you got something out of today’s newsletter, please share it with someone that prefers their cranberry sauce in the shape of a can.

Tyler

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign Up

Want to get your business featured in Tolland County Buzz? Let’s Talk

Did I miss something? Let Me Know