🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Panda, a 1-year-old Mini Poodle/Papillon mix (with maybe a dash of Jack Russell) who’s all energy, all snuggles, and ready to be your adventure buddy. He’s small (≈ 11 lbs), gets along with other dogs, and could be a great fit for a home with kids 8+.

🏡House of the week: A 7,700+ sq ft Gilded Age mansion with seven fireplaces, stained glass windows, gingerbread trim, slate roof, and serious architectural swagger. It’s a dramatic blend of Victorian & Romanesque that demands a second look. Check it out!

🥾Trail of the week: Mary Conklin Sanctuary in Canton
A peaceful 1.5-mile loop lined with stone walls, mountain laurel, and hidden poetry boxes. Park at 144 Indian Hill Rd, and you’re steps from the trailhead. Quick, quiet, and full of New England charm - perfect for a midday reset or golden-hour stroll.

🔭Sky report: The Orionid meteors peak just as the new moon gives you dark skies, so those shooting stars will really pop. Keep an eye near Orion for meteors radiating out, and around Oct 24-25 the thin moon will drift close to Antares just after sunset.

Picking up where we left off last week, time to crack open more local name lore.

Enfield: Settled in 1683, originally part of Massachusetts before joining Connecticut in 1749. Named after Enfield, Middlesex, England, because apparently “Springfield East” didn’t have the same ring.

Farmington: Founded in 1645 and named for its fertile farmland. Simple, practical - the colonists were too busy planting to get poetic.

Glastonbury: Incorporated in 1693 and named for Glastonbury, England, the one with the abbey and all the King Arthur legends. Connecticut’s version trades knights for cider.

Granby: Carved from Simsbury in 1786 and named for the Marquis of Granby, a British war hero. Irony alert: we named it mid-Revolution fervor.

Hartford: Settled in 1636, named by founder Reverend Thomas Hooker after Hertford, England. He dropped the “e,” but kept the Puritan ambition.

Manchester: Originally called Orford Parish, renamed in 1823 for Manchester, England, nodding to its booming mills and textiles. Our mini Manchester had the looms, minus the smog.

Marlborough: Incorporated in 1803 from parts of Glastonbury, Hebron, and Colchester; named for Marlborough, England (and maybe a wink at the Duke of Marlborough).

Newington: Broke off from Wethersfield in 1871; the name simply means “new meadow town” in old English. Bonus points for truth in advertising.

Plainville: Set off from Farmington in 1869, and you guessed it - named for its flat, fertile plain. Not flashy, just accurate.

Rocky Hill: Part of Wethersfield until 1843, named for the ridge that rises above the Connecticut River. Early marketers clearly leaned into the obvious.

Next week I’ll cover the remaining eight towns!

This Saturday, October 25, Hartford gets the legendary queen of rock Stevie Nicks live at the newly transformed PeoplesBank Arena (1 Civic Center Plaza). Expect goose-bump moments, floor-length scarves, and those iconic hits like “Everywhere” “Landslide,” “Edge of Seventeen,” and “Rhiannon” echoing through the arena. With PeoplesBank major $145M facelift complete expect better sound, premium seats, fresh concession choices - this isn’t just a show, it’s a statement. If you’ve got tickets: arrive early, soak in the moment. If you don’t: get on that ticketing page before she disappears into the rock-history books again. Doors open 5:30PM - Show at 7PM

🧁 Moneta Moments Bakery just opened in Founders Square, Windsor. A nut-free sweet spot serving cupcakes, cookies, and cake pops that taste like pure joy.

🍽 Tulsi has officially arrived on Broad Street, Windsor - bringing bold Indian flavors, aromatic spices, and plenty of vegan and vegetarian favorites to your plate.

Hey friends, CT Buzz runs on local love and caffeine. We’re a free, community-driven newsletter that keeps the good stuff buzzing: local stories, events, and all the small-town gems that make Connecticut special.

Every contribution helps keep the hive thriving, thank you for fueling the buzz!
– Todd

Broad Brook | Finding & Cooking Edible Wild Mushrooms | 6:30PM $ - Join herbalist & foraging instructor Amelia South at East Windsor Garden Club Community Room (59 Park Hill) for a dive into wild mushrooms: identifying, harvesting, and cooking them.

Manchester | Music Bingo at Elicit Brewing | 6:30-8PM - Sing-along snippets + fast cards in the Beer Hall at Elicit Brewing (165 Adams St). Free to play, bragging rights optional.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ East Hartford - Carmine’s | Paisleys Jazz: Medusa ft. Corey Hutchins | 7:30PM

Berlin | Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai: Finding My Way | 7-8PM - Online author talk via Berlin-Peck Memorial Library (234 Kensington Rd). One hour, Q&A vibes, big brain + big heart. More Info

East Granby | Open Mic & Open Jam ft. Fullkrew | 6-9PM - Plug in and play at Almost Famous Brewing Company (17 Kripes Rd). Full backline, easy sign-ups, cold pints, hot riffs. More Info

Hartford | Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Springfield Thunderbirds | 7PM $ - Midweek hockey at PeoplesBank Arena (1 Civic Center Plaza). New name, same barn. Tix

Manchester | Comic: Yohay Sponder | 7PM $ - Internationally touring comic hits The Funny Bone (194 Buckland Hills Dr). Passes

Southington | Spooky Charcuterie Workshop | 6-8PM $ - Build a haunted snack board at Witchdoctor Brewing Company (168 Center St). Fundraiser night; come hungry, leave artsy. More Info

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Hartford - Arch St Tavern | BooYah Plays the 80’s | 9PM $
⬢ Hartford - Xfinity Theatre | Pierce The Veil: I Can’t Hear You Tour | 6:30PM $
⬢ Milldale - Kinsman Brewing Co | Stanley St. Big Band Jazz Night | 7-9PM

Bristol | Couples & Partners Paint Pour | 7-9PM $ - Date night + fluid art at Creative Jam Art Co. (350 Riverside Ave). Two 14x14 canvases, the “kiss pour” technique, and zero pressure to color inside the lines. Book Now

Broad Brook | Haunted Highway 2025 | 5-7PM $ - Walk-through trick-or-treat at East Windsor Park (27 Reservoir Ave). Costumes, candy, and spooky stations without the jump-scare chaos. $5 per family.

New Britain | Trunk or Treat | 5-7PM - Free family fun at Klingberg Family Centers (370 Linwood St). Candy lanes, activities, and tote bags for early birds. More Info

Simsbury | The Art of Sourdough: Hands-On Workshop | 6-8PM $ - Learn starter-to-loaf with Helen of Honey Bear Breads at The Lucky Gut Collective (10 Wilcox St). Go home with a starter + a bake-at-home loaf. Info & Tix

Suffield | Herbal Oxymels Class | 1-3PM $ - Dive into sweet-sour herbal alchemy at Blessed Creek (908 Overhill Dr). Learn to craft oxymels - honey-and-vinegar herbal tonics with ancient medicinal roots for immune support, winter prep, and seasonal self-care. Bring curiosity, leave with jars of botanical goodness. More Info & Tix

Windsor | Night of 1,001 Pumpkins | 6-7:30PM - LP Wilson Community Center (599 Matianuck Ave) turns into a fall playground: pumpkin patch, bounce houses, cider, and donuts. Free.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Hartford - Arch St Tavern | Sicard Hollow | 7PM-12AM $
⬢ Newington - The Flying Monkey | Mike Childs Soul Jazz | 6PM

Berlin | Halloween Party & Spooky Vendor Fair | 4-8PM - Head to Coles Road Brewing (817 Farmington Ave) for DJ JT, themed vendors, a costume contest, and food truck grub.

Hartford | Hallowed History Lantern Tour | 6-9PM $ - Join the Foundation at 453 Fairfield Ave for lantern-lit tours, period-character stories, and historic chills. Reservations required

New Britain | Museum After Dark (21+ only) | 8-11PM $ - Party at New Britain Museum of American Art (56 Lexington St), enjoy dancing, a costume contest, candy bar, vendors, and cocktails in a spooky-gallery takeover. More Info & Passes

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Bloomfield - Back East Brewing | BooYah | 7-10PM
⬢ Bristol - The New Cambridge Project | Sister Funk Band | 4PM
⬢ Enfield - The Yarde Tavern | The Cover Daddys | 7PM
⬢ Hartford - Arch St Tavern | Salsa & Bachata Vampire Night | 9PM $
⬢ Hartford - Infinity Music Hall | Yacht Lobsters | 8PM $
⬢ Manchester - Cheney Hall | Big Yellow Taxi: The Music of Joni Mitchell | 7PM $
⬢ Milldale - Kinsman Brewing Co | 2nd Nature | 7-11PM
⬢ Simsbury - Talcott Mountain Collective | Phloyd is Dead | 8-11PM

Bristol | Nexgen Trunk or Treat Car Show | 1-6PM - Trunk-or-treat meets burnout trophies at Bristol Arts & Innovation Magnet School (70 Memorial Blvd). Spectators free.

Glastonbury | Creatures of the Hill: Dog Costume Contest | Doors 1PM; Judging 2:30PM - Spooky pups, prizes (top 37!), vendors & live music at Hops on the Hill (275 Dug Rd). No registration required. More Info

Manchester | Comic: Doug Stanhope | 12PM $ - Unfiltered legend (IYKYK) at The Funny Bone (194 Buckland Hills Dr). Doors 11AM. Tix

Marlborough | Hot Rod Hootenanny | 10AM-4PM $ - Pre-’65 rods only, live music, vendors at The Farm at Carter Hill (86 East Hampton Rd). Rain date Oct 26. Details

Southington | 3rd Annual Halloween Bash | 6PM-12AM $ - Witchdoctor Brewing (168 Center St) turns into a costume party with Shakedown (Grateful Dead Tribute & Special Guests THE MARKLEYS) on stage. Sick grooves, vendor vibes, and spooky pints.

Windsor Locks | Halloween in the Hangars Brew Fest | 7-10PM $ - Craft brews under vintage aircraft at New England Air Museum (36 Perimeter Rd, ). Live bands, food trucks, full exhibit access. More Info & Passes

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Bristol - The New Cambridge Project | Cajun Ray & The Steamers | 2PM
⬢ Canton - Bridge St Live | 7 Bridges Road | 8PM $
⬢ Hartford - The Bushnell | Jeremy Jordan | 8PM $
⬢ Hartford - Infinity Music Hall | Jeff Pitchell Band | 8PM $
⬢ Hartford - PeoplesBank Arena | Stevie Nicks | 7PM $
⬢ Hartford - The Webster | I Love R&B Party | 9PM $
⬢ Manchester - The Main Pub | Fall Blues: 706 Union Ave | 8-11PM
⬢ South Windsor - CT Valley Brewing Co | Nightshift | 6PM

East Hartford | USWNT vs. Portugal - Doubleheader w/ US Men’s Deaf National Team | 1PM $ - Soccer Sunday at Rentschler Field (615 Silver Ln). The Deaf National Team kicks off first, followed by the USWNT taking on Portugal in a feel-good doubleheader with elite energy and global vibes. Tix

Hartford | Annual Colt Park Trunk or Treat | 3-5PM - Candy lanes and decked-out trunks at Colt Park (168 Wethersfield Ave). Family-friendly, sugar-heavy, and zero jump scares.

Hartford | Free Kids Trick or Treat at the Ballpark | 12-3PM - Dunkin’ Park (1214 Main St) opens the gates for costumed chaos. Candy stations, mascot meetups, and the only time you’ll see ghosts in the outfield.

New Britain | Halloween at the Symphony | 3-5PM $ - New Britain Symphony Orchestra at CCSU Welte Hall (15 High St). Costumes welcome, Tchaikovsky never sounded so spooky. Tix

Plantsville | Halloween in the Village | 5-8PM - Southington Rec Dept. & Plantsville Community Events (26 West Main St) transforms into a mini Main Street Halloween movie. Candy from shops, costumes everywhere, and local bands in the square.

Wethersfield | Astrological Society: New Age Fair | 10AM-4PM - Psychics, crystals, and tarot tables inside Pitkin Community Center (30 Greenfield St). Your aura called and it wants a reading.

Wethersfield | Haunt & Gather | 11AM-5PM - Mill Street Marketplace (36 Mill St) transforms into a spooky-cute bazaar with 80+ vintage and oddities vendors, 20+ guest makers, and serious fall vibes.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Broad Brook - Opera House | The Edwards Twins: Ultimate Variety Show | 2PM $
⬢ East Granby - Almost Famous Brewing | The Whiskey Rebels | 2:30PM
⬢ North Granby - Lost Acres Vineyards | Ali Kat Acoustic | 1-4PM
⬢ Newington - The Flying Monkey | Stoltz & Co Blues | 5:30PM
⬢ South Windsor - Luppoleto Brewing | Walter Jacobson | 3-5PM

South Windsor | Open Cruise Night | 4-9PM - Sleek rides, classic cars & casual hang-out vibes at Connecticut Valley Brewing Company (765 Sullivan Ave). All cars welcome, fire-pit patios, good brews and horsepower.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Hartford - Parkville Market | Nat Reeves Jazz | 6:30PM