How we doing Hartford County!?
Today is Tuesday, May 19th, aka National May Ray Day, which is basically the calendar’s way of saying, “Go outside, you indoor goblin.”
Perfect timing, because we’ve got a quick little Hartford County trails section below for anyone who wants fresh air, decent scenery, and a reason to pretend their walk is “training.”
In Today’s Hart Co Buzz:
My Local Lowdown: 28 Local Hikes
Buzz & Tell
Hartford Cocktails
250 Jubilee
50+ Local Events
Let’s dive in!
-Todd DiGiovanni
P.S. Big thank you to everyone who signed up for Let’s Learn Mahjong. We’ll send the details soon, so keep an eye on your inbox.
Didn’t make it in? Jump on the waitlist, and if there’s enough interest, we’ll try to set up another one soon.
MY LOCAL LOWDOWN: HIKING EDITION
I pulled together my favorite Hartford County hikes, because apparently “going outside” is still legal and occasionally good for morale. From easy leg-stretchers to views that make you briefly forget about I-84, this list has the local trails actually worth lacing up for.
Bring water, wear decent shoes, and maybe pretend this counts as your gym day.
BUZZ & TELL
🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Frappy, an adult male guinea pig with big “tiny roommate, huge personality” energy, currently waiting for someone to upgrade his snack situation.
🏡House of the week: This property is huge: 7,705 sq. ft. on 2.67 acres, with 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2 fireplaces, 3 garage spaces, and 10 total parking spots. The wild part is the connected indoor pool area, which includes a heated Gunite pool and spa, second kitchen, indoor grill, oversized dining space, media area, two lofts, full bath, and a bridge over the pool. Outside, there’s a 770 sq. ft. screened deck with pond views, plus a brick patio, fenced dog area, and a sloping lawn that leads toward the pond. Check it out!
🔭Sky report: The big show this week is May 19–21, when Venus and Jupiter rule the western sky and the crescent Moon slides past Jupiter before buzzing the Beehive Cluster on Thursday. By May 23, the Moon hits First Quarter and moves through Leo, making it an easy night to spot the Lion instead of pretending you only know the Big Dipper.
How Dinner Club Works
Take a quick personality quiz, grab your ticket to save your seat, and we’ll match you with a small group for dinner. You can bring a plus-one now too, so drag your favorite social sidekick along.
The restaurant is revealed day before, and the secret after-party spot drops during dinner. We already have 40+ people signed up, so if you’ve been “thinking about it,” this is the part where thinking becomes clicking.
HARTFORD POURS
Only 20.4% of you got this one right, so either we have a few cocktail historians in the crowd or some very lucky guessers. The answer was premixed cocktails, which were accidentally born in Hartford after Heublein Restaurant mixed up Martinis and Manhattans for a Governor’s Foot Guard picnic in 1875, only for rain to cancel the whole thing. The drinks sat for a few days, still tasted good, and by the 1890s the Heublein family was selling bottled “ready-made” cocktails like the original Hartford loophole for having a bartender in your cabinet.
Make It: Hartford-Style 1890s Bottled Manhattan
The exact Heublein recipe is not publicly preserved, but early Manhattan recipes from the 1880s were often more vermouth-forward than today’s version, using whiskey, Italian vermouth, bitters, and sometimes gum syrup or curaçao.
In a small bottle or jar, combine:
2 oz rye whiskey
2 oz sweet Italian vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 small bar spoon simple syrup
Optional: a tiny splash of orange curaçao
Chill the bottle, then pour over ice and stir for a few seconds. Garnish with a lemon twist or cherry, then toast Hartford for accidentally inventing the premixed cocktail because the weather ruined a picnic.
FEATURED EVENT
Wethersfield 250 Jubilee
May 23 | 10AM-4PM
The Webb Deane Stevens Museum grounds at 211 Main Street are going full Revolutionary War time machine with the 5th Connecticut Regiment, musket drills, cannon firing, colonial games, open-hearth cooking, trades demos, food, vendors, and enough powdered-wig energy to make your history teacher levitate. Festivities kick off right after the Wethersfield Memorial Day Parade.
BUZZ BULLETIN
Every week, thousands of HartCo Buzz readers open this thing looking for their next meal, weekend plan, hidden gem or a trusted local service they can actually rely on. Get your business in front of a highly engaged audience that’s already paying attention and ready to take action.
🎲 Conn-opoly is our Connecticut history board game, packed with real towns, landmarks, custom metal pieces, and a mini CT history field guide, and Buzz readers can use code Memorial20 for 20% off through Monday, May 25th.
🍦 The Alley Scoop at 226 Broad Street in Windsor is a new alleyway ice cream stop next to The Bean 226, scooping cups, cones, sundaes, floats, milkshakes, vegan flavors, sorbet, and sugar-free options.
🧩 Escape From Reality at 56 West Main Street Rear in Plainville is a new escape room where teams solve puzzles, hunt clues, and try not to emotionally unravel before the clock wins.
🍺 The Plourd Brewery at 1277 Main Street in East Hartford is a new neighborhood brewery pouring lagers and unfiltered hoppy beers, with pretzels, snacks, and food trucks rolling into the mix.
✨ Xtrait Perfumery at 968A Farmington Avenue in West Hartford is Connecticut’s first niche fragrance boutique, stocked with independent and specialty scents for people ready to smell like they have excellent taste.
🍨 Frisbie’s Dairy Barn at 38 Isham Road in West Hartford is now open in Blue Back Square with nearly two dozen ice cream flavors, flights, samplers, cones, sundaes, and enough options to make “just one scoop” a hilarious lie.
❤️ We’re an independent media company trying to keep the Buzz growing, and every contribution helps us cover more local stories, support more community projects, and bring more awesome Connecticut stuff to life. Support the Buzz here.
EXPERT CORNER
Advice from a local CT Attorney
Thinking about buying or selling? Before you sign anything, here’s a pro-tip from a local CT real estate attorney: don’t wait until the contract is drafted to involve your legal team. Having an attorney review your initial offer can prevent costly title issues and zoning surprises down the road.
Want to ensure your next move is legally seamless? Kimberly Joy connects you with the state’s top real estate legal experts.
Own a local business? We’re currently looking to partner with a small group of trusted names in the area, including real estate, insurance, financial services, and other community-minded businesses. Reach out
BEE LINE EVENTS
TUESDAY (5/19)
Hartford | Hartford Athletic Home Opener vs Vermont Green FC | 7 PM | ($) - USL League One home opener at Trinity Health Stadium (215 Hillside Ave). Gooal
Hartford | Spigot Cafe Tuesday Night Trivia | 7:30 - 9:30 PM - Test your knowledge at weekly trivia night (468 Prospect Ave).
Manchester | 05/19-05/20 Print & Press: Linocut + Clay Workshop (Two Day) | 6 PM - Learn printmaking techniques in this two-day creative workshop (1115 Main St). Get Crafty
South Windsor | John Scully Book Signing and Discussion | 3:30 - 5 PM - Meet the author and get your copy signed (432 Buckland Road).
West Hartford | Adult Charcuterie Workshop | 6 PM - Learn to build beautiful boards with local cheeses and meats at Blue Black Square (80 Memorial Rd). Yum
Windsor Locks | Open Line Dance Night | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM - Learn new moves and dance the night away at the Polish American Club.
WEDNESDAY (5/20)
Hartford | Pup Street: Spring Fling | 5 -8 PM - Pratt Street goes full dog mode with treats, shopping, fresh-air hangs, and a glorious amount of downtown tail-wagging.
Hartford | Matt Pearl | 7 PM - Live jazz at Black-Eyed Sally's (350 Asylum St).
New Britain | "Puerto Rico Through Artists' Lenses" with Francis Estrada | 1 PM - Curator-led gallery talk at the New Britain Museum of American Art (56 Lexington St). Learn
Newington | Acoustic Wednesdays at The Flying Monkey | 7 PM - Weekly acoustic music night (2095 Berlin Tpke).
Simsbury | Paint Night | 6 PM | ($) - Sip and paint at Talcott Mountain Collective. Get Crafty
Southington | Cadillac Ranch Bike Night Kick Off | 6 PM - Season opener for motorcycle enthusiasts at Cadillac Ranch (45 Jude Ln).
West Hartford | NOAH: A Future Hope Opening Reception | 5:30 PM - New art exhibition at Chase Family Gallery (335 Bloomfield Ave).
THURSDAY (5/21)
Bloomfield | Candle Making Workshop for Dog Star Rescue | 6 PM | ($) - Make candles while supporting local dog rescue. Create
Hartford | Jazz Night: The Alvin Carter Project | 9 PM - Live jazz at Arch Street Tavern (85 Arch St).
Southington | Belly Dancing Dinner Night – Aladdin Inspired | 5 PM | ($) - Middle Eastern feast with live belly dancing at Cava (1615 West St).
West Hartford | BEST TRIVIA EVER | 7 PM - Competitive trivia night at WeHa Brewing (141 Shield St).
Windsor | Bar Rated Trivia | 6 PM - Weekly pub trivia at Bar 55 (55 Palisado Ave).
FRIDAY (5/22)
Berlin | JOHNNY SIXGUN | 8 PM - Country rock at The Truck Bar (151 Webster Square Rd).
Bloomfield | Farm to Table Dining Experience | 6 PM | ($) - Curated meal with local ingredients at Auerfarm. Dig In
Glastonbury | 13th Annual Protectors of Animals Kitten Shower | 4 PM - Meet adoptable kittens and support the shelter at Hops on the Hill.
Hartford | The Deep End | 7 PM | ($) - Sea Tea Comedy Theater’s Friday night improv show is built completely from audience suggestions. Laugh
Hartford | Fourth Friday Salsa | 7-11PM | ($) - Hartford Ballroom is hosting a beginner-friendly salsa night with lessons, workshops, and plenty of open dancing. Fun
Hartford | ARRIVAL from Sweden: ABBA Tribute | 8 PM | ($) - Swedish tribute band performs all the hits at Infinity Hall. Listen Up
Manchester | SECONDS OUT: Genesis Tribute | 7 PM | ($) - Full Genesis experience at Cheney Hall (177 Hartford Rd). Nice
Simsbury | The Art of Sourdough Workshop | 5:30 PM | ($) - Hands-on bread making with Honey Bear Breads (750 Hopmeadow St). Bake
SATURDAY (5/23)
Berlin | 12th Annual Autorama | 10 AM - 2 PM - Classic car show with vintage vehicles at Sage Park
Berlin | Bike Swap & Sale | 9 AM - 5 PM - Buy, sell, and trade bikes and gear at Suburban Ski And Bike (25 Webster Square Rd). Runs 5/23-5/25
Bristol | Lake Compounce Crocodile Cove Water Park Opening | 11 AM - 6 PM | ($) - Memorial Day weekend opening of CT's largest water park (185 Enterprise Dr). Runs daily 5/23-5/25. Splash
East Windsor | Connecticut Trolley Museum Memorial Day Weekend | 9:30 AM - 4 PM | ($) - Vintage trolley rides through 17 acres (58 North Rd). Runs daily 5/23-5/25. Explore
Enfield | Memorial Day Weekend Craftapalooza | 9 AM - 2 PM - Handmade crafts from local artisans (1295 Enfield St).
Granby | Sorcerer's Night of Magic | 7:30 PM | ($) - Magic show at Lost Acres Vineyard (80 Lost Acres Rd). Be Amazed
Hartford | Honoring Those Who Serve | May 23-24 | Free for military service members - Connecticut Science Center is honoring active and retired service members, plus hands-on exhibits, Sharks, and a solid family. Deets
Hartford | Hartford Glow Run | 7 PM | ($) - Light up the night on this fun 5K run. Run
Manchester | Mediumship Gallery with Rebecca Anne LoCicero | 10 AM | ($) - Outdoor spirit connections at Murphy’s Pub (103 Tolland Tpke). Connect Beyond
Rocky Hill | Yellow 9 Anniversary Show | 8 PM - Local rock favorites return to The Arch 2.
Wethersfield | Coldplay Candlelight Concert | 7 PM | ($) - String quartet plays Coldplay by candlelight at First Church (250 Main St). Listen Up
Wethersfield | Heirloom Spring Festival | 10 AM - 4 PM - Plants, crafts, and local goods at Comstock Ferre (263 Main St).
SUNDAY (5/24)
Berlin | Memorial Day Weekend Soiree | 4-7 PM - Holiday celebration at The Truck Bar (151 Webster Square Rd).
Hartford | Journey Final Frontier Tour | 7:30 PM | ($) - Rock legends at XL Center (1 Trumbull St). Listen Up
Manchester | Lord of the Rings Drag Brunch | 2 PM | ($) - Middle-earth meets fierce queens at the Funny Bone. Laugh Out Loud
Plainville | BIG VINYL Record Riot | 9:30 AM - Dig through crates of vinyl at Plainville VFW (7 Northwest Dr). Shop Local
Suffield | Sunday Funday w/ The Leftovers | 2 PM - Live music and good vibes at Shamrock Cafe (1117 East St S).
West Hartford | Bob Dylan Birthday Bash | 4 PM - She Sings Dylan tribute at New Park Brewing (485 New Park Ave). Listen Up
Windsor Locks | Joe Sacchitella Live | 3 PM - Acoustic music on the patio at Luppoleto Brewing.
MONDAY (5/25)
🇺🇸🪖🎖️
KID FRIENDLY
5/20
West Hartford | Tree Tour with Arborist John Kehoe | 10 AM - Guided walk through Elizabeth Park with an expert (Green Cottage).
Canton | 57th Annual Collinsville Jamboree | 6 PM - Annual festival with food, music, games and fireworks on Friday at Powder Mill Road. Join the Fun (Runs 5/20-5/23)
5/21
Glastonbury | Lunar Legacy: Apollo to Artemis | 6 PM - Space exploration journey at Glastonbury Planetarium (95 Oak St). Explore
5/22
Enfield | Movie Night on the Field | 7:30 PM - Outdoor screening at Enfield High School (170 Elm St). Watch
5/23
Burlington | America 250 Memorial Day Parade | 9 AM - Patriotic parade down George Washington Turnpike at the Town Green.
Newington | Karma's Memorial Day Parade Party | 9 AM - 2 PM - Pre-parade festivities at Karma (27 Garfield St).
Windsor Locks | Aerospace Career Day | 9 AM - Explore aviation careers at New England Air Museum (34 Perimeter Rd). Explore
Wethersfield | Revolutionary War Encampment & Trades Fair | 10 AM - 4 PM - Reenactors and craftsmen at Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum (211 Main St).
5/25
East Hartford | Memorial Day Events | 10 AM - Parade and ceremony honoring veterans in Follett Park. Honor
West Hartford | Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony | 10 AM - Annual parade down Farmington Ave ending at Town Hall, ceremony at Veterans Memorial at 11:15 AM. Honor
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
