This week s edition of The Local Flavor brings us back to Hank s Dairy Bar in Plainfield. With the 2021 season up and running, Colleen and Dane have shared more on their history with Hank s Dairy Bar and what they ve learned from previous owners Scott, Pete and Hank himself. They re excited to bring back car shows and live music, with a schedule coming together that you can find on their Facebook page.
All and all, Colleen and Dane are happy to see a return to a normal season. Their dedication to Hank s is bringing in another successful year, and there s plenty they have to share on what it means to them to run Hank s Dairy bar, a true Plainfield staple.
This week s edition of The Local Flavor features Paul and Dorothy Fidrych, co-owners of Paul s Pasta in Groton, Connecticut. They met one another in college pursuing their culinary degrees before working at a local restaurant. Realizing the hard work they were putting in, they decided on starting up their own business instead.
Inspiration came from a small pasta shop with a pasta-making machine in the window. They both had a desire to do the same, and wound up with a perfect location in the heart of Groton. With more than 30 years of business, Paul s Pasta has become a mainstay of the area.
This week s edition of The Local Flavor features Matthew Langlois of Charlene s, a breakfast diner in Jewett City. Matthew made sure to give most of the credit for Charlene s success to Charlene, herself, and his wife, Suzie.
It was Charlene who purchased a struggling diner on March 5, 1979. From there, she worked tirelessly to build her restaurant. With the help of her daughter, Suzie, Charlene s became a central facet of for Jewett City. Matthew is happy to pitch in how he can and let us know the history of the storied, Griswold diner.
Blaine: Were you born in the area?
Matthew: I’m born and raised in Rhode Island. My wife, Suzie, and my mother-in-law, Charlene - she’s the one who started the restaurant - they’re from the area. I slowly moved my way closer and closer to Connecticut until I was in Coventry. I was a delivery man, eventually, for the diner.
This week s edition of The Local Flavor features Bert Surrell and his restaurant 60 years young: Surrell s Pizza & Pub. Bert and his wife, Kristy, both grew up in families with restaurant experience. Bert s grandfather had opened Surrell s Pizza & Pub, and Bert s father went on to open other restaurants in the area.
It was after his father passed away and Bert developed his restaurant experience that he would come to own the family business. With the help of Kristy, his children, his staff, and most importantly, his community, Bert continues to run Surrell s Pizza & Pub.
Blaine: How was it like growing up in Killingly?
Still searching for a COVID-19 vaccine? Norwich Human Services has you covered. Below are a few upcoming clinics being offered in the town of Norwich.
Thursday April 22 at the Rose City Senior Center, 8 Mahan Drive, Norwich. Moderna vaccines will be given by Uncas Health District from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please register through VAMS or by calling the Uncas Health district nurse at 860-823-1189 x106.
Friday, April 23 at the Rose City Senior Center, 8 Mahan Drive Norwich. Griffin Health will be administering Moderna vaccinations from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted but please call Norwich Human Services at 860-823-3778 to pre register, if you can.