A Main Street Come Alive

Good morning, Tolland County! Today is Monday 12/9 and that means it’s National Christmas Card Day. It’s the perfect day to realize you forget to take that dang picture you said you were going to take a month ago, and instead have to rush to put something together on Shutterfly in the hopes they’ll be here in time to send out before Christmas. No, that definitely isn’t exactly what’s happening in my house right this moment (oops).

In Today’s Tolland County Buzz:

• Shopping Local Stafford 🛍️

• Seniors Sing To Seniors 🎤🧓

• Gingerbread(ish) House Building 🏠

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

• Pajama and Paint Party - Don your best holiday PJs and head to the Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd) on Thursday 12/12 from 6-7:30pm for a crafting bonanza. Sip on some cider & hot cocoa (not together, unless that’s your thing) and munch on cookies and popcorn while listening to holiday music. This is the perfect chance to show you-know-who that you really can paint.

• Wood Slice Ornaments - Looking for something to do with your little or not-so-little ones? Tolland Public Library (21 Tolland Grn) is inviting you to come create a festive craft that can be hung in your house or given as a present (or make a holiday coaster, the possibilities are endless…kinda). Signing up is required to participate in this event which will be 12/12 from 3:30-6:30pm. Oh, did I forget to mention there will be an adorable therapy dog there too?

• Lunch Grant - The Connecticut Dept. of Education has awarded Hebron Elementary School $6,428.99 through the National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants. Serving third through sixth graders, this funding will help enhance school meals for students.

• Story Time With Mrs. Claus - Stop into By The Pond (187 Willimantic Rd, Columbia) to have your little ones chat with Mrs. Claus, listen to some stories, and drop off a letter for Santa.

• Henry Park Light Display - Just a friendly reminder that the free light display at Henry Park (120 South St, Vernon) is open daily from 5-10pm.

Stafford Shop Local

It’s that time of the month again. No, not that time. The time that Arts on Main is holding their monthly celebration of all things local business on Main St in Stafford Springs. Mosey down on Friday 12/13 to help support your neighbors. And if you spend $100 at a participating store, you get entered in to win a raffle basket filled with goods from the stores on Main St.

Grab some pizza from Stafford House of Pizza, a coffee from Stafford Coffee Company, some rare plants from Joz’s Jungle, a magic wand from OrchardWorks (yes, for real), a cider from Stafford Cidery, or much more (those are just the ones I’m planning on stopping by first). Really embrace the holiday spirit with an ugly sweater and Santa hat (they’re highly encouraged!). Hope to see you there between 6-8pm.

Seniors Sing To Seniors

Twice a year, the Mansfield Senior Center Chorus hits the road to share the power of music. Stopping at several place in Tolland and Windham Counties, this group of silver-haired songbirds spread cheer at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and Senior Centers. Group members are required to be older than 55 years old, and…that’s it! All musical abilities are welcome, and members don’t need to be residents of Mansfield.

A special shout-out goes to Mr. Bob Guttay who lives in Brooklyn, CT (that’s him on the right in the picture, alongside 83 year old Stuart Sydney). Mr. Guttay is a D-Day veteran and still gets out to perform at the ripe age of 100! If you want catch this very special show, they’ll be at Colebrook Village (55 Horton Blvd, Hebron) today 12/9 at 1pm and at the Mansfield Senior Center (302 Maple Rd, Mansfield) on Tuesday 12/17 at 1pm.

The seniors perform under Dr. Charles Houmard and with accompanist Ms. Nancy DuCharme. If this sounds like something you or someone you know would be interested in joining, shoot me an email and I’ll put you in touch with the right people. Oh, by the way, singing along with the show is allowed and encouraged!

Gingerbread (Kinda) House Building

The Douglas Library (22 Main St, Hebron) is hosting a “gingerbread” house decorating party (they’re actually graham crackers, but we can pretend, right?) on Wednesday 12/11 at 2-4pm. Show off your (kid’s) decorating prowess and work some magic with the provided icing and candies.

What better way to get in the holiday spirit than make a mess at someone else’s place! The library is also a stone’s throw from the Flour Girl Bakery (14 Main St, Hebron), and would be a great place to grab a post-decorating drink (not that kind) or snack.

If you’re interested in the gingerbread construction, make sure to register to reserve your spot!

BEE LINE EVENTS

12/10

Tolland | Rough Cut Cider House @ Lemek’s | 6:30pm $ - Learn how to make a proper Fire Cider at Lemek’s (343 Goose Ln), customizing the ingredients for the benefits you’re looking for. $60 will get you a beverage of your choice and a 64oz jar of your customized Fire Cider to take home. Reservations and prepayment are required, call/text Cayla @ (919) 200-1490.

Willington | Paint Night | 6-8pm $ - Willington Parks & Rec and Angel Pond Creations are teaming up for a paint night at Willington Town Hall (40 Old Farms Rd). You’ll be creating a 2ft tall sign, which you can see on the ticket page, it will run you about $60.

12/14

Columbia | Candy Cane Sprint | 12pm $ - Join in on this 2.5 miler that’s part of the Holiday Challenge series of races in the area (too late for the whole series, but this race is still open). You can still register up until race day, but will save $6 if you get it done by Friday 12/13. The race will begin at Columbia Rec Park (60 Hennequin Rd).

Hebron | Holiday Craft Fair | 9am-3:30pm $ - Head to Hebron Elementary School (92 Church St) on Saturday to marvel at the goods of 85 vendors. There is an admission fee of $2, with the proceeds going to support the Hebron Interfaith Human Services Food Pantry.

Live Music

12/10

⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Bonsai Bar | 7-9pm

12/11

⬢ The Packing House - Willington | Open Mic | 7-10pm

THE HIVE’S PICKS

So our pick is a little different than what you may normally see on here, because this is the first franchise we’re featuring (insert gasp here). Ok, let me explain, do you ever wish you could have dessert, but it still be pretty healthy, and taste good? That same thought occurred to me, and I stumbled into the Fresh Monkee in Mansfield (135c Storrs Rd), and ordered a PB Banana Fluff shake (it was my cheat day, leave me alone). It wasn’t the healthiest thing on the menu, but, dang, it was delicious. Even my wife, who is notorious for poo-pooing anything with protein powder in it took a couple extra sips. All the macronutrient information is available on their website, in case you want to do a little leg work before you get in there.

The staff I dealt with (shout-out to Sydney) was friendly, knowledgeable, and personable. I was able to get the contact info of one of the owners (a lovely woman named Cory who run the stores -spoiler- with her husband Jordan, and also a Tolland County native), and was pleasantly surprised to find out there is another location they own in Vernon (425 Talcottville Rd). So, if you’re in either area, you should make it a point to stop in. The sizes are great for a little afternoon nosh, to a full meal replacement. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Monkee Ballz (ask for a sample when you go in).

Oh, did I almost forget to tell you, if you mention the Tolland County Buzz, you’ll get 10% off of your order until the end of the year (12/31). It’d be foolish to not go in and take a peak.

Thanks for reading today’s newsletter! If you got something out of it, please share it with someone who only drinks iced coffee.

Tyler

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