How we doing Hartford County!?

Today is October 27, aka National Black Cat Day 🐈‍⬛. Fitting, because this week’s issue is a little bit spooky. Halloween lands on a Saturday, the clocks fall back on Sunday, and somewhere in a Hartford attic, a butler who died over a century ago is apparently still on the clock.

This week we went looking for every place in the county with a ghost story attached: museums, taverns, cemeteries, a prison built inside a copper mine, and a house in Enfield its own owners call the “Demon House.” We found 15 of them, and most of them you can actually visit this week.

Got a ghost story of your own? A creaky old house, a tavern that’s not quite empty after close? Hit reply. The best ones end up in a future issue.

Plenty to cover this week, so let’s jump in!

-Todd DiGiovanni

Congratulations to Abigail G., the lucky winner of last week's apitherapy giveaway with Hive in the Hut in Ashford! 🐝 Abigail will get to experience this unusual approach to wellness, which involves breathing air from a working beehive. It's also pretty cool that Hive in the Hut is a local nonprofit bringing something so different to CT!

Think you need to head to Salem for a good ghost story? Not so fast. Connecticut was putting people on trial for witchcraft decades before Salem, and Hartford County has plenty of its own legends.

I went digging through local lore, historical records and reported hauntings and came up with 15 of the spookiest places right here in the county,

We’re giving it another shot on Saturday, November 7, and this time you pick the spot. Vote below and I’ll announce the winner next week.

Skip the chains and discover your next favorite coffee spot with our Hartford County Independent Coffee Shops Field Guide, packed with cozy cafés, hidden gems, and locally owned spots worth going out of your way for!

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What if your next home came with someone helping pay the mortgage? That's the idea behind house hacking, and it's worth exploring if you've considered investing in Connecticut real estate.

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Dinner Club is heading to Middletown on Thursday, November 19th at 6:30 PM!

It's a little outside our usual Hartford County territory, but enough of you have recommended Middletown for its great restaurants that we figured it's time to give it a shot! We've also been listening to your feedback and are making improvements to restaurant selection, table organization, and the afterparty experience.

Here's how it works: Fill out a quick questionnaire, and we'll match you with five other locals for dinner at a surprise restaurant. You'll get your restaurant assignment the morning of, show up at 6:30 PM, enjoy some good food and conversation, and pay your own tab.

During dinner, we'll text you the location of our secret afterparty. It's completely optional, but a great chance to keep the conversations going and meet even more people!

The goal? Good food, great conversations, and hopefully a few new friends along the way.

🏆 October's Buzz Games leaderboard is coming down to the wire! LMDIWW from Hartford leads with 899 points, but LILKA from Bristol (864) and LM108 from East Windsor (849) aren't far behind. 🐝 Think you can shake things up before the month ends? Play BUZZLE, BUZZWORD, and BUZZEYE!

Halloween week is here, and there's still plenty of spooky fun happening across Hartford County! From haunted trolley rides and ghost tours to pumpkin displays, trick-or-treating, and the legendary Collinsville Halloween Parade, there's something for everyone. We've rounded up the remaining events, so whether you're looking for a good scare or something fun with the kids, check out our Halloween Field Guide before making your plans. Don't let Halloween sneak up on you!

Last week we asked what those fuzzy black-and-rust woolly bear caterpillars crossing Connecticut roads and trails grow up to become. The answer is the Isabella tiger moth, and only 34.7% of you got it right, so don’t feel bad! That fuzzy little guy turns into a pretty plain orange-tan moth, which is kind of a letdown.

The caterpillar stage is the impressive part. It freezes solid all winter under the leaves, protected by antifreeze its body makes, then thaws out in spring like nothing happened. The ones you’re seeing on the road right now are looking for a spot to hibernate. Folklore says a wider rust band means a milder winter. Science says the band mostly shows the caterpillar’s age, but we’ll take a warm winter either way.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Moana, this adorable Lab mix puppy loves kids, cats, dogs, outdoor adventures, and snuggling on the couch, and she's looking for a forever family to call her own!

🏡House of the week: this one is the only log cabin Briarwood Homes ever built, featuring 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and 3,273 sq. ft. of rustic charm! With soaring cathedral ceilings, a huge covered porch, a three-car garage, and protected land out back, this place feels like a mountain getaway without leaving Connecticut. Take a look inside!

🔭Sky report: Look to the eastern sky tonight (Oct. 27) as the just-past-full Hunter's Moon passes near the Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, a beautiful cluster of stars best viewed with binoculars. The Taurid meteor showers are also active this week, bringing the occasional bright fireball streaking across the night sky. And don't forget, clocks fall back one hour Sunday, Nov. 1, meaning earlier sunsets and longer evenings for stargazing!

COMING SOON & NEW OPENINGS:

🧘 West Hartford: Sweatfluence opened its first franchise location in Blue Back Square on October 24, bringing infrared hot yoga, strength workouts, and a whole lot of sweating to the neighborhood!

👕 Bristol: cinder + salt announced its October 22 grand opening for a new custom printing showroom at 409 Broad Street, featuring eco-friendly apparel, screen printing, and embroidery.

🥤 West Hartford: Fresh Route celebrated its renovated Bishop's Corner market on October 24, featuring Fresh Monkee protein shakes, Grumpy Dad Coffee, and fresh food!

🍕 Newington: Sally's Apizza is opening October 28 at 5 PM in Meadow Commons! The legendary New Haven pizzeria is bringing its famous coal-fired pies to town, with giveaways for opening-night customers.

Glastonbury | A Court of Thorns and Roses Book 6 Release Party | 6PM - Fantasy fans celebrate the Book 6 release at River Bend Bookshop. Magical!

Hartford | Little Bear Ridge Road | 7:30PM (daily 10/27-10/31) - A family reunion comes with plenty of baggage in the Theaterworks Hartford production Little Bear Ridge Road. Dramatic!

Manchester | Dinner and a Movie Under The Stars | 7PM | ($) - Dinner meets a big-screen movie under the stars at Murphy’s Pub. Cozy!

West Hartford | Author Talk: Allison Keeton and “Blaze Orange” | 6PM - Author Allison Keeton shares her novel Blaze Orange at Noah Webster Library. Bookish!

Hartford | Grateful Shred | 8PM - Grateful Dead songs get a fresh spin from Grateful Shred at Infinity Music Hall. Groovy!

Hartford | Ofrenda Installation | (daily 10/28-11/1) - A community ofrenda celebrating Día de los Muertos through art and remembrance at the Connecticut Science Center. Moving!

Hartford | With A Vengeance | 7PM | ($) - With A Vengeance plays The Webster. Raw!

Simsbury | Acoustic Open Mic | 6PM - Take the mic at Maple Tree Cafe’s acoustic open mic. Welcoming!

South Windsor | UConn Tip-Off Live Podcast Taping | 6PM - Catch the UConn Tip-Off live podcast taping at The Shops at Evergreen Walk. Chatty!

Southington | Perfect Duet Night | 7PM | ($) - Grab a partner for Perfect Duet Night at SoLA Karaoke. Tuneful!

Bristol | The Radium Girls: Their Fatal Brush with Death | 7PM | ($) - The American Clock & Watch Museum tells the story of the young women who painted watch dials. Gripping!

Glastonbury | Live Music by Jeff Przech | 4:30-7:30PM - Craft beer and live music from Jeff Przech make a Thursday happy hour at Hops on the Hill. Mellow!

Granby | Granby Land Trust Art Show | Opening 5-8PM - The Granby Land Trust Art Show opens with a reception at Lost Acres Vineyard. Colorful!

Hartford | The Disco Biscuits | 8PM - The Disco Biscuits take over Infinity Music Hall for a night of jam music. Trippy!

Manchester | Jeff Allen | 7PM | ($) - Stand-up comic Jeff Allen brings the laughs to Funny Bone Comedy Club. Funny!

Newington | Mike McKeyz Childs | 6PM - Live music with Mike McKeyz Childs at The Flying Monkey Grill & Bar. Easygoing!

East Windsor | Comedian, Magician & Ventriloquist: Andy Gross | 7PM | ($) - Comedy, magic and ventriloquism collide with Andy Gross at Broad Brook Opera House. Astonishing!

Enfield | Cover 2 Cover | 8PM | ($) - Cover 2 Cover plays the hits at Thompson Hall. Danceable!

Hartford | The Alpaca Gnomes | 8PM - The Alpaca Gnomes bring their jam sound to Infinity Music Hall. Whimsical!

Manchester | Hayley Jane Band | 5PM - Hayley Jane Band plays The Main Pub. Upbeat!

Newington | Mass-Conn Fusion | 5:30PM - Mass-Conn Fusion brings live music to The Flying Monkey Grill & Bar. Funky!

East Windsor | DIO RULES: Tribute to Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Dio | 8PM | ($) - DIO RULES pays tribute to Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio at Broad Brook Opera House. Metal!

Glastonbury | Live Music by Acoustic Valhalla | 2-5PM - Acoustic Valhalla plays an afternoon set at Hops on the Hill. Breezy!

Hartford | Hi! People Fall Fest | 1PM | ($) - The Hi! People Fall Fest hits Hartford. Joyful!

Hartford | Jenks Productions Fall CT Home Show - The Fall CT Home Show fills the Connecticut Convention Center. Inspiring!

Hartford | Stand Up at the Spigot | 7PM | ($) - Local comics take the mic at Spigot Cafe. Laugh-out-loud!

West Hartford | Stand-up Comedy at the Elbow Room | 8PM | ($) - Stand-up comedy takes over The Elbow Room. Intimate!

Wethersfield | Wethersfield Trolley Rides | 11AM - Ride the trolley through historic Wethersfield, starting at River: A Waterfront Restaurant and Bar. Charming!

Enfield | The Enfield Record Riot | 9:30AM | ($) - A giant vinyl sale takes over the American Legion in Enfield. Vintage!

Glastonbury | Live Music by Wavelength | 2-5PM - Wavelength plays an afternoon set at Hops on the Hill. Chill!

Granby | Music by Sassy Brass | 1PM - Sassy Brass plays brassy tunes at Lost Acres Vineyard. Brassy!

Hartford | Darrell Nulisch Band | ($) - The Darrell Nulisch Band plays Black Eyed Sally’s. Bluesy!

Hartford | R&B Kickback | 7PM - R&B Kickback grooves into Infinity Music Hall. Silky!

New Britain | Red, White, and Jazz: The Great American Songbook | 3PM | ($) - Red, White, and Jazz celebrates the Great American Songbook at Welte Hall, Central Connecticut State. Smooth!

Southington | Walter Jacobson | 2-5PM - Walter Jacobson plays live at Witch Doctor Brewing. Relaxed!

Hartford | UConn Men’s Basketball vs. Gardner-Webb | 9PM | ($) - UConn Men’s Basketball hosts Gardner-Webb at PeoplesBank Arena. Thrilling!

Manchester | Hartford Jazz Orchestra | 7:30-9:30PM | WEEKLY - The Hartford Jazz Orchestra plays its weekly set at Elicit Brewing. Swinging!

Canton | Spook-tacular Animals! | Sat 10/31, 10AM-4PM | ($) - Vultures, spiders and bats get their moment at Roaring Brook Nature Center, free with admission. Wild!

Farmington | Halloween & Horses | Sat 10/31, 12-4PM - Halloween meets horses at Farmington Polo Club. Festive!

Southington | Goats N’ Goblins Parade | Sat 10/31, 1:30PM & 2:30PM - Goats and goblins take over Bradley Mountain Farm for a parade. Silly!

Windsor Locks | Trick or Treat in the Hangars | Sat 10/31, 10AM-2PM | ($) - Trick-or-treat among the aircraft at the New England Air Museum, with $5 off youth admission. Sweet!

That’s a wrap for this week’s Hart Co Buzz. If you enjoyed Hart Co Buzz then please share with friends and family who will also benefit from staying in the loop with local happenings. See you next week!

Talk soon,

Todd