🌲Arboretum Fun, New Donut Shop, More CT News

March 31, 2025

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Welcome to a brand-new week, Connecticut! Whether you're in the mood to explore a hidden outdoor gem, help a good cause, or treat yourself to something sweet, we’ve got something for everyone in today’s newsletter. Here’s what’s inside:

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🕯️ Murder by Lamplight (Multiple Days, Westport): Solve a historic mystery in this immersive experience.

đź‘  Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Multiple Days, Torrington): A classic fairytale comes to life on stage.

âť“ Trivia with Dave Lefkin (Monday, Old Saybrook): Test your trivia knowledge while enjoying great drinks and company.

🎤 Tuesday Trivia (Tuesday, Stamford): A lively trivia night with great prizes and craft beer.

🎨 CREATE_SPACE Tuesdays & Thursdays at WORK_SPACE (Tuesday & Thursday, Manchester): Participants can craft cards, canvases, and keepsakes in a casual environment with everything provided.

🎸 Bluegrass Jam at The Shore Line Trolley Museum (Tuesday, East Haven): Experience an evening where history and harmony come together at the Bluegrass Jam at The Shore Line Trolley Museum.

🎲 Board Game Club (Wednesday, Middletown): Meet fellow board game enthusiasts and play your favorites.

🎤 Wednesday Night Trivia (Wednesday, Stamford): A high-energy pub trivia night hosted by MC J Hype.

🎤 Karaoke Night with DJ B-EZ (Wednesday, Hartford): Take the stage and belt out your favorite hits at this weekly karaoke event.

🎵 Mixtape Match Music Bingo (Thursday, Middlefield): A unique twist on bingo where hit songs replace numbers!

🎸 Weekly Blues Jam (Thursday, Hartford): Grab your instrument or just listen in at Black-Eyed Sally’s.

🎲 Heavy Game Night (Friday, Middletown): Dive into strategic board games at this BYOB-friendly event.

đź“š Storytime at Slater at Slater Memorial Museum (Friday, Norwich): On the first Friday of every month, Slater Memorial Museum in Norwich, in partnership with Otis Library, hosts Storytime at Slater, an engaging experience for young children and families.

🎶 Two Troubadours and Lone Gnome at New England Brewing Co. (Friday, Woodbridge): New England Brewing Company will come alive with acoustic sounds and community spirit as Connecticut singer-songwriters Benny Mikula, Lara Herscovitch, and Pierce Campbell perform in support of the upcoming 2025 CT Folk Festival & Green Expo.

👪 River Tales: Who’s Hiding on the River? at Connecticut River Museum (Saturday, Essex): Children can explore the hidden world beneath the river’s surface at this interactive storytime event.

đź“– Wordhouse Poetry at Noah Webster House (Saturday, West Hartford): The program begins with an open mic, followed by featured poets brett a. maddux and Ginny Lowe Connors.

🎸Stephen Pearcy & Warren DeMartini at Mohegan Sun Arena (Saturday, Uncasville): Stephen Pearcy and Warren DeMartini, legendary members of RATT, reunite for a night of classic rock at Mohegan Sun Arena.

🎶 Aaron Lewis and The Stateliners: American As It Gets Tour at Premier Theater (Saturday, Mashantucket): Aaron Lewis and The Stateliners bring their American As It Gets Tour to Foxwoods Resort Casino for an unforgettable night of powerful music.

🍎 Wallingford Winter Farmers Market (Saturday, Wallingford): Shop local produce, baked goods, and artisan products at this indoor winter market.

🥕 Indoor Farmers Market at The Silo (Saturday, New Milford): Support local farmers and vendors while stocking up on fresh ingredients.

🍳 Sunday Breakfast at Dockside Brewery (Sunday, Milford): Enjoy a delicious breakfast with scenic water views at Dockside Brewery.

750 acres of trails, gardens, and native plants you can explore for free

Tucked away in New London, the Connecticut College Arboretum is one of the state’s most overlooked outdoor treasures.

With 750 acres of woodlands, wildflower gardens, native plant collections, and peaceful walking trails, it’s open to the public daily from dawn to dusk—free of charge.

Parking is simple (just off Williams Street), and once you're in, you’ll find a serene landscape that stretches across the Conn College campus and into neighboring Waterford. It’s a great spot for a nature walk, a quiet afternoon with a book, or just some fresh air and sunshine.

URGENT HELP NEEDED: 70 CATS RESCUED IN NEW FAIRFIELD

Shelters overwhelmed and asking for donations, fosters, and shares

After 70 cats and kittens were rescued from a home in New Fairfield, local shelters are calling on the community for help. The cats—originally strays taken in by a struggling family—are now in need of urgent medical care and foster homes.

New Fairfield/Sherman Animal Welfare Society, Wells Valley Cat Rescue, and New Fairfield Animal Control are all working to care for and rehome the animals. Many are sick with respiratory and eye infections, and the shelter is struggling to keep up. They’re asking for donations, foster volunteers (especially in cat-free homes), and help spreading the word.

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DUCK DONUTS SETS OPENING DATE FOR FIRST CT LOCATION

Fresh, hot, made-to-order donuts are landing in Orange next week

Get ready, donut lovers—Duck Donuts is officially opening its first Connecticut location on April 5 in Orange! Located at 350 Boston Post Road, the new shop will serve up the warm, custom-topped donuts the brand is famous for.

Originally launched in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Duck Donuts has become a national sensation with unique flavor combos like "Bacon in the Sun" and "Blueberry Pancake."

This will be their first location in the state, open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.—and if their other shops are any indication, lines may start early.

DID YOU KNOW?

Back on March 26, 2014, Connecticut made history as the first state in the U.S. to pass a law setting its minimum wage above $10 an hour. The landmark move helped pave the way for wage increases in other states across the country.

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KEY STORIES HAPPENING RIGHT NOW

Lino’s Market Closed After Fire

A fire on Saturday night forced the indefinite closure of Lino’s Market in Durham, a longtime local favorite. Community members are hopeful the market can eventually reopen, but officials have not released further details.

Rain in the Forecast Could Help Drought Conditions

Connecticut could see several rounds of rain this week, including possible thunderstorms Monday evening. While the precipitation may dampen plans, it could help ease drought conditions affecting over 2.6 million residents.

$2 Million Lotto! Ticket Sold in Hartford

One lucky Lotto! player in Hartford hit the $2 million jackpot on Friday. The winning ticket was sold at Tejeda Grocery Store, and the winner can choose between annuity payments or a lump sum of approximately $1.37 million.

Thanks!

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