An Exclusive Winery Discount

Good morning, Tolland County! Today is Thursday 12/19, and that means it’s National Re-Gifting Day! Originally started to coincide with the most common day for an office holiday party, this is the perfect chance to pass along that handmade piece of pottery you received from someone (you know, the one where it looks like they were blindfolded when they made it, and only used their feet to shape it). You can always tell the next victim, I mean recipient, that it’s a one-of-a-kind piece that was crafted by a local artisan.

In Today’s Tolland County Buzz:

• Green Meets Red 🎅📷

• Yoga and Horses 🧘🐎

• Charity Dance Show 💃

Let’s dive in!

-Tyler DiGiovanni

BRIEF BITES

• Agricultural Grant - The CT Department of Agriculture is investing $750,000 in the CT Grown for Kids Grant Program, funding 15 projects to benefit over 18,000 students. Local recipients include Mansfield, Coventry, and Andover, with Coventry and Andover's Farm to School program receiving $75,000. Mansfield Public Schools was awarded $74,740 to launch their Field to Tray program, promoting local food and culinary education.

• Cow Controversy - Connecticut's largest dairy farm, Oakridge Dairy in Ellington, is under fire after a PETA video alleged poor animal welfare practices. The family-owned farm, known for its 130-year legacy and innovative milk delivery service, The Modern Milkman, strongly denies the claims, calling the video heavily edited and taken out of context.

• Demolitions - Two prominent sites on Route 83 in Vernon are being demolished to make way for exciting new developments. The former Lazy Liquor and Poncho Loco properties are being transformed into a 20,000-square-foot plaza featuring a new Lazy Liquor location, a restaurant, an ice cream parlor, and more. Meanwhile, the old Denny's at Tri-City Plaza will be replaced by a 7 Brew coffee shop, offering a drive-thru-only experience in a pre-fabricated building for quicker construction.

• Somers HVAC - Somers voters approved additional funding for HVAC work at Somers Elementary School, with 62% in favor of increasing the budget from $10.5 million to $15 million. Despite the approval, turnout was low, with just 319 residents—4.71% of registered voters—casting their ballots.

• Gift Wrapping - The Mill Museum in Willimantic is bringing holiday cheer back to the East Brook Mall with its beloved gift-wrapping tradition! Volunteers will be stationed near the Kohl’s entrance, ready to wrap your presents with festive flair. Here are the times.

• Kids Camp - Connecticut Channel 3 Kids Camp, a staple of local summer activities, has been sold to new owners for $3.5M. The sale includes both the Andover and Coventry properties where the camp has hosted generations of children.

• Store Closing - The owners of Local Vibe in Stafford, Jodi Harmon and Dan Tomlin, announced they will be closing their shop at 72 Main Street at the end of 2024. While bidding farewell to Local Vibe, they plan to focus on their original business, Stafford Cidery, located next door.

Green Meets Red

Alright, so technically this business event is in Manchester, BUT, it’s right over the Vernon line and they’re teaming up with Vernon-based business, so they get a pass. All Above Collective (49 Tolland Tpke - right behind the Big Sky building) is holding a free photoshoot with Santa and The Grinch on Saturday 12/21 from 11am-2pm.

Get your free digital copy of your photo, or if you want to drop a little money, you can take advantage of the made-to-order print options. There will be holiday music, a little seasonal flair to the boutique, and a holiday activity for the little ones.

If you do prefer print options, visit Vernon Coffee Roasters (520 Hartford Tpke, Vernon) or Craft Pizza (458 Talcottville Rd, Vernon) this week, where they’ll give you a photo pass worth 10% off your picture order when you order something from them (I mean, I wish I got coupons every time I ordered pizza or coffee). Bring the kids, friends, or your partner that gives The Grinch a run for his money. Whatever your reason is, it’s a great way to create a holiday memory and check out a cool little business.

Yoga and Horses

I’m assuming by now you’ve heard of goat yoga. Well, someone thought, “Goats are cool, but I think yoga would be even better with an animal that’s about 10x bigger.” So, here we are with Yoga and Horses. If you’re curious about what a session of Yoga and Horses is like, head over to Magnolia Equestrian Center (34 Cemetery Rd, Willington) tonight 12/19 from 5-6pm (sorry for the late notice on our part!).

If getting on a horse is a little too intimidating for you, there’s a 30 minute mat class for $25. For the more adventurous, the 30 minute horseback class is $60, and if you want to do both, it’ll be $75. Spaces are limited, so email [email protected] ASAP if you want to get in on this. If you end up going, take some pictures and send them into [email protected] and one might show up in a newsletter!

10th Annual Christmas Charity Show

The Mansfield Academy of Dance is holding their annual charity show at Shafer Auditorium (Valley Street, Willimantic - part of ECSU) on Sunday 12/22 at 2pm. Again, I know that ECSU isn’t in Tolland County, but the dance studio is and it’s for charity, so work with me here. The cost for admission is a minimum $5 donation, which will go directly to the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic (which suffered a huge hit right after Thanksgiving when their walk-in died, resulting in thousands of dollars of food going to waste, as well as the cost of a new refrigeration unit).

I should mention that they are also taking donations of mittens, hats, scarves, and new socks (though these aren’t required for entry, if you have some extras laying around at home, it’s a great way to clear out space and help some people at the same time).

Now that you know what it’s benefitting, let’s get into what you’ll see at the event. There are about 100 dancers (yes, really), from as young as 1 all the way up to a spry 89! You’ll see choreography from the Fisher Ballet Productions (they’ve been performing the Nutcracker as of late), as well as what they’ve been working on in dance class. Expect a mix of tap, ballet, hip hop, jazz, and acrobatics (not all at once, although that would be a sight)! The show itself is an Elf on the Shelf “Elf-tacular”, which will take you on a journey to the North Pole to see Jolly Old St. Nick himself.

BEE LINE EVENTS

Breakfasts

Somers | Complimentary Breakfast For Veterans | 8:30-11am - Veterans of all ages are encouraged to head down to the Somers Congregational Church (599 Main St) on Saturday 12/21 for a free breakfast. Email your RSVP to [email protected].

Stafford | Breakfast with Santa | 9am-12pm $ - Being held at Four Seasons By The Lake (51 Old Springfield Rd), families are encouraged to come down for an all you can eat breakfast with the Man in Red. You’ll get to choose from eggs, bacon, sausage, eggs benedict, biscuits & gravy, French toast, country fried chicken, cheesy hashbrowns, and fruit. This will set you back $22.99/adult and $13.99/child.

Live Music

12/19

⬢ The Bidwell Tavern - Coventry | Acoustic Anomaly | 6:30-9:30pm

12/20

⬢ Lakeview Restaurant - Coventry | Gerry Feeney | 7-10pm
⬢ Hilltop Restaurant - Willington | Peter B. Patrone | 6-9pm
⬢ Rocking Horse Smokehouse - Vernon | 7 Below (Phish Tribute) | 9pm-12am $10

Markets

Coventry | Winter Farmers Market | 10am-12:30pm - The Coventry Winter Farmers Market has over 30 vendors in attendance. From handmade cutting boards to fresh produce, there’s something for all. It’s held at Coventry High School on 12/22 (78 Ripley Hill Rd).

Ellington | Holiday Marketplace | Various Times - This is the last weekend of the holiday marketplace at the Nellie McKnight Museum (70 Main St). It will be open from 2-6pm on 12/19 and 12/20, 9am-2pm on 12/21, and 10am-2pm on 12/22.

Ellington | Farmers Market | 9am-12pm - Come down to the last Farmers market of the year on Saturday 12/21 at Ellington High School (37 Maple St). It’s a great place to pick up last minute holiday gifts, baked goods, and fresh ingredients.

Somers | Holiday Market | 12-4pm - This is the last hurray for the holiday markets at Sonny’s Place (349 Main St) on 12/22. Shop local vendors, grab a craft cocktail and a snack while you browse.

Stafford | Shop Small Holiday Bazaar | 12-6pm - Listen, normally I’d give a little explanation about what to expect, but there is a lot happening in this event. Check out the description on this Facebook page for a more detailed look at what can be found. This one looks like it could be a can’t miss event for those who like things that skew to the supernatural (there’s a lot of other stuff too!).

Storrs | Winter Farmers Market | 3-5pm - Head inside the Mansfield Library (54 Warrenville Rd) on 12/21 and check out what local farmers have to offer in this late-season market.

Misc.

Coventry | Design At The Wood Flower Bar | 2-3:30pm $ - Create a uniquely you holiday centerpiece, wreath, or gift at Wood & Wood Blooms Studio (21 Bread & Milk St) on Saturday 12/21. You can choose from several size options when buying your ticket. And if you decide you didn’t go big enough when you get there, you can upgrade for an additional fee.

Stafford | Trivia | 6:30pm - Stafford Cidery (68 Main St) is holding an old-school trivia night on Saturday 12/21. Keep those phones in your pockets, they’re going pencil and paper. Bring a team up to six people, win bragging rights, and maybe some drink coupons.

Storrs | Winter Solstice Celebration | 5:30-8:30pm - Kick it truly old-school with a Norse Yule rite the Charter Oak ADF is holding on the Winter Solstice (12/21). Take a peek into the life of a modern druid, with offerings to Sunna, a remembrance for the Ancestor Box, and a potluck dish. If you’re interested, you can contact [email protected] for more information.

Tolland | Winter Solstice Gathering | 1-3pm - Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke) is holding a different type of Winter Solstice celebration on 12/21. This one includes an Ayurvedic yoga class with a solstice-theme. Participants are asked to bring a gift for the altar that can be shared (food, seeds, flowers) and dress in warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows). Tickets

THE HIVE’S PICKS

Wondering what to do Saturday evening? Not anymore. Somers own Worthington Vineyards & Winery (359 Mountain Rd) is hosting Champ’s Annual Ugly Sweater Party (Champ is the bestest boy. in case you were wondering) from 3-7pm. Besides the previously mentioned ugly sweaters, you can also expect specialty drinks (the mulled wine is a personal favorite), live music (wine is always better with music), Dishmade’s Food Truck (from 12-5pm), and free entry into a raffle if you’re donning an ugly sweater.

Sitting on approximately 80 acres, the Worthington property is absolutely stunning. I mean, you should definitely go to the Ugly Sweater Party on Saturday, but do yourself a favor and plan to also come back when the flowers are in bloom (they have 20 beautifully maintained gardens to scope out).

And since we love our Tolland County Buzz subscribers, we got you all a special something, that might sweeten the pot to feel festive on Saturday. Worthington Vineyards is offering $2 off a glass or bottle of wine (limit one per customer, and for Saturday 12/21 only!). My suggestion would be to enjoy a glass at full price and use the coupon on a bottle to take home (if you want to make your own mulled wine for the holiday season, grab the Zinful Pleasure, and follow their recipe). Make sure to mention us when you want to use your discount, and drive responsibly!

UCONN SPORTS

12/21 - Men’s Basketball @ Butler | 12pm

12/21 - Women’s Basketball vs. USC | 8pm

That’s it for this week! If you enjoyed today’s Tolland County Buzz, please share it with someone who always orders the same thing at a Chinese restaurant. Since next week is Christmas, and I may or may not still need to finish my shopping, we’re only going to be putting out the Monday edition.

Tyler

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