A Local Business Worth Supporting 🍺

Good morning, Tolland County! Today is Monday 12/16, and that means it’s National Chocolate Covered Anything Day (although, that’s pretty much every day for me, if I’m being honest). Grab your favorite snack; strawberries, raisins, peanuts, pretzels, jalapeños, bacon, whatever it is, and enjoy it guilt-free! I’ve even heard a rumor that the calories won’t count today (don’t quote me on that).

In Today’s Tolland County Buzz:

• Special Olympics Coin Drop🪙

• Hot Chocolate Night☕

• Creating a Centerpiece💐

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

• Bears Smokehouse Opening - Big news for fans of barbeque! Bears Smokehouse is opening a location on the UCONN campus in the Student Union. The restaurant is expected to be open early spring 2025.

• UCONN Programs Cut - UCONN’s Board of Trustees approved the suspension of 12 programs and the closure of three others, all at the graduate level, as part of a review targeting low-enrollment courses. Additionally, the board approved a flat tuition rate for the upcoming academic year, accompanied by fee increases. See the full list here.

• Town of Willington Meeting - An upcoming meeting discussing the appropriations of funds for several projects will be discussed on 12/17 at the Old Town Hall (11 Common Rd) at 7pm. You can find an agenda here.

Special Olympics Coin Drop

On Friday 12/20, from 7:30-11:30am, Troop C and Major Crimes will be collecting donations for the Special Olympics at Dunkin (65 Merrow Rd, Tolland). Troopers will be at the intersection taking cash/coin donations that will go directly toward supporting the Special Olympics’ year-round programs.

I know this is the season of lots of people looking for donations, but as someone who has volunteered at Special Olympics events before, this really is a cause worth supporting! If you’re stopping by Dunkin to get you daily caffeine fix, why not give a couple bucks as your good deed of the day?

Hot Chocolate Night

The Flour Girl (14 Main St, Hebron) is looking to add some magic to your holiday season, with a family outing that’s as cozy as it is festive! Picture this: a leisurely stroll through a beautifully decorated pathway, a hot chocolate bar brimming with sweet toppings, and warm cookies fresh from the oven.

The kids can drop off their letters to Santa, and you can all find a spot in the dooryard with a board game to wrap up the day. It’s a perfect way to unwind, connect, and bask in holiday cheer. Stop by between on Dec 20-21st from 4-7pm to participate in the festivities, and yes you will need to purchase the hot chocolate and cookies.

Create a Custom Centerpiece

Cropley’s Garden Center (1262 Boston Tpke) is teaming up with Rooted Dreams Floral and Design Company to bring you a chance to create a one-of-a-kind centerpiece for your holiday table on Sunday 12/22 at 2pm. Featuring seasonal foliage, as well as two ten-inch candles, this table decor can help give a warm, inviting ambience to your space.

While creating your masterpiece, you’ll also learn about the art of floral design, significance of flowers, greens, and more. Space is limited, so, if this sounds like something that’s up your alley, I’d book sooner than later. There is also a class at Rooted Dreams Floral (344 Stearns Rd, Mansfield) on Saturday 12/21 at 2pm, if you’d prefer that date instead. Tickets are available for purchase here (just make sure you select your preferred location and date).

BEE LINE EVENTS

12/17

Rockville | RHS Concert | 6-9pm - Come support the Rockville High School (70 Loveland Hill Rd) music program! There will be performances by the Marching Band, Chorus, concert Band 1 & 2, and combined chorus/band finale.

Vernon | Wizard of Oz Trivia | 6pm - Follow the yellow brick road to the 99 Restaurants Bar (295 Hartford Tpke) for an evening on Wizard of Oz trivia (psst…if you dress like a character, you’ll get two extra points!).

12/18

Coventry | Paint and Sip (Pottery) | 6:30-8:30pm $ - Cassidy Hill Vineyard (454 Cassidy Hill Rd) is hosting an evening of enjoying their wines and painting a light-up Frosty The Snowman (it should be noted, it does take 2-3 weeks for it to be fired in their kiln, so don’t expect to have it displayed this holiday season). Tickets can be purchased here.

Somers | Dog Treat Decorating | 5:30-6pm $ - Love to pamper your four-legged friends? Well, DIY Treats For Dogs (8B South Rd) is holding a decorating workshop for some festive treats for Fido. You can purchase tickets here.

THE HIVE’S PICK

Our pick today is going to Stafford Cidery (68 Main St). I’m a sucker for a good hard cider, and they deliver that in spades. While the name of their flagship drink may sound a little risqué (Crazy Cock Cider), if you head into their establishment, it’s a safe bet you’ll find a drink that you’ll love.

Opened in 2017 by husband and wife team Dan (a veteran, thank you for your service!) and Jodi (Stafford resident), the Stafford Cidery has become a fixture of downtown Stafford, and for good reason! Beloved by those in the community, they offer plenty of events in their space (several of which have already been posted on here). They currently offer 11 of their own ciders on tap, as well as a rotating beer selection from other Connecticut brewers.

If that wasn’t enough, they also serve wine from Staehly Farm Winery (East Haddam) and Worthington Winery (Somers). Non-alcoholic beer is also available from Athletic Brewing Company (Milford), Hosmer Mountain Soda (Windham), and snacks from Deep River.

Part of the reason why we love this place so much is that they help support and promote other Connecticut-based businesses. They’re open Thursday-Sunday, make sure to check the times, which can be found on their website, and follow them on social media to keep track of any upcoming events (we can’t catch them all!). Stop in and grab a pint, or some cans to go. Whatever you choose, you’d be supporting a great place!

UCONN SPORTS

12/17 - Women’s Basketball vs. Iowa State | 8:30pm

12/18 - Men’s Basketball vs. Xavier | 7:00pm

Thanks for reading today’s Tolland County Buzz! If you got something out of it, share it with someone who only eats ketchup on their hotdogs.

Tyler

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