Happenings Down The Hill: Cupid Pierces Winter Darkness In Romantic Willimantic's Weekend Activities

Piercing the winter darkness with a burst of pink and chocolate, Willimantic offers a full array of activities for the weekend of February 8 – 10.  Many communities endure their period of quiet, and Willimantic, Connecticut, is no different.  While January offers a flurry of activity following December’s holiday season, it is February that Romantic Willimantic begins to flourish.

Celebrating Willimantic’s Victorian and textile heritage, The Windham Textile Museum on 411 Main Street is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a “Valentine Shop” offering items for sale by local crafters.  The museum also offers a Drop-In Team Room from noon to 4:00 p.m. (admission, $7.50), as well as a Kids Club activity.

On Saturday, February 9, at 7:00 p.m., the 9th annual Willimantic Chocolate Festival culminates with a Chocolate Lovers’ Soirée and Cabaret  at the Capitol Theatre (896 Main Street) with music and of course chocolate.  Reservations are strongly encouraged, and the event charges $15 per person or $25 per couple.  For more information, call 860-428-7573.

Earlier on Saturday, local businesses will participate in the Downtown Chocolate Chip Stroll, and for those who prefer a little quicker pace or some calorie burning prior to the stroll, Windham High School presents the 1st annual Cupid Shuffle 2 Mile Road Race.

On Friday, February 8, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., The Hunger Bowls event will be held at the Elks Club on Pleasant Street.  Sponsored by First Baptist Church of Willimantic as a fundraiser for the church’s Community Meals Program, the event charges $15 (children $5) for a warm bowl of soup and entertainment.

For more information on these activities, visit either of these websites:  www.RomanticWillimantic.org or www.willimanticdowntown.org.  Information can also be found at www.Facebook.com/RomanticWillimantic.

In answer to some questions that may be asked by students or staff of the University of Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut State University, and / or Quinebaug Valley Community College, Willimantic is not just the frog bridge town.  It is one of the four communities that comprise the town of Windham.  The four are the villages of Windham Center, North Windham, and South Windham and the city of Willimantic.  Although the history of the phrase “Romantic Willimantic” is murky through the passage of years, Willimantic community members, activists, and leaders have embraced the euphonious and poetic sound of the phase and turned it into a celebration of the community.

This article is written by Peter Leeds, an agent with CG Real Estate in North Windham.  Peter also serves as athletic director and soccer coach at Parish Hill Middle / High School in Chaplin.  That said, he insists that he is Peter Leeds Not Just The Sports Guy.  He is in fact Peter Leeds CT Real Estate.  He can be reached at 860-377-4433 or peter@cgrealestate.net.  Still a relative newcomer to the town, Peter Leeds has lived in Willimantic for more than three decades and is a fan and cheerleader of his little city of Willimantic and the town of Windham as well.

http://www.facebook.com/peter.cgrealestate.net#!/PeterLeedsRealtyNotJustTheSportsGuy

The real estate company that Peter Leeds works for, CG Real Estate, is a fast-growing independent real estate company, with offices in North Windham, Salem, and Berlin.  CG Real Estate is one of Connecticut’s most successful short sale experts.  CG Real Estate also is expert in assisting students or staff of the University of Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut State University, and / or Quinebaug Valley Community College with their home sale or purchase or finding just the right rental to suit their needs.