📚 Launch Week for Grabtown - the haunting new small-town thriller by local author Sarah P. Blanchard - kicks off with a full lineup of events across CT and beyond!

🎙️ Wed, Oct 15 – 9:00 AM – Sarah joins John Mahon on WINY Radio to talk all things Grabtown.
📖 Wed, Oct 15 – 6:00 PM – Official Book Launch at Booklovers’ Gourmet, Webster MA – signing, sales & author Q&A.
📚 Fri, Oct 17 – 3:30–5:30 PM – Wolpertinger Bookends, Putnam CT – signing & Q&A.
🎪 Sat–Sun, Oct 18–19 (all day) – Woodstock Congregational Church Fall Festival – chat with Sarah & pick up a signed copy.
💬 Tues, Oct 21 – 5:30 PM – Willimantic Public Library – author talk: “From Fuzzy Idea to Finished Story: Crafting a Mystery.”
☕ Sat, Oct 25 – 10:30 AM–12:30 PM – Pourings & Passages, Danielson CT – signing, sales & Q&A.

Sarah P. Blanchard is also available for future book talks, readings, and author events at libraries, bookstores, and book clubs — visit sarahpblanchard.com to connect or book an appearance.

Apple season’s on its last legs - branches are looking bare, cider’s flowing steady, and the countdown’s officially on. Grab your flannel and hit these Tolland County orchards before the last crisp pick drops to the ground.

Kollas Orchard | 41 New Road, Tolland

Small but mighty — U-pick “Lizzie” and other apples, open Fri/Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4.

Irish Bend Orchard | 90 Pioneer Heights Road, Somers

Fourth-gen farm in Somers doing PYO apples, hayrides & pumpkins on weekends -last call for Cortland, Macoun & Cameo.

Johnny Appleseed’s Farm | 13 Schoolhouse Road, Ellington

Classic U-pick spot in Ellington (Tolland County) with roadside stand and fall apple varieties.

If I missed your favorite orchard, don’t keep it to yourself - shoot me a reply and I’ll “investigate” with a fresh cider in hand.

The Funky Monkey Artisan Fair hits Andover Sat, Oct 18 (10am-3pm) at 415 Route 6 at Over AndOver Barntique and MORE parking at 11 Bunker Hill Road, home of Scott's Tree Farm. Shop local makers, grab bites from food trucks, brave the haunted house, belt it out at karaoke or just hang to the live sounds of Steve McCarthy. Benefits Shine Your Light CT.
Details at overandoverct.com/funkymonkeyartisanfair for a list of all crafters and map of the event. Fall fun done!

Ever wonder where our town names actually came from? Same here, I had one of those random shower thoughts and fell down a history rabbit hole. So, over the next few weeks, we’ll dig into each Tolland County town (A to Z) and uncover how they got their names. You might just learn something new to flex at trivia night.

Andover: Incorporated in 1848 from parts of Hebron and Coventry, the town’s name is a transfer from Andover, Hampshire, England.

Bolton: Incorporated in 1720; the name likely honors Bolton (Lancashire), England or the Duke of Bolton (contemporary sources note both possibilities).

Columbia: Set off from Lebanon’s “North Society/‘Lebanon Crank’” in 1804 and named for the national symbol “Columbia,” reflecting early U.S. patriotism.

Coventry: Named in October 1711 for Coventry, England (West Midlands) and incorporated in 1712; it’s noted as the first colonial town to bear the name.

Stay tuned in for more bite sized history next week!

Hebron | Broomstick Workshop | 6-7:30pm $ - This popular broomstick making workshop is back at The Flour Girl (14 Main St). Tickets are limited, so make sure not to wait to buy! Tix

Mansfield | Free Fiddle Classes | 7-8:30pm - Waldron’s Studio 88 (114 Mansfield Hollow Rd) is offering free fiddle lessons, for those interested in learning how to play! If you have questions about rentals, or anything else, shoot them a message. Register

Stafford Springs | History of the Mineral Springs | 7pm - The Stafford Historical Society is holding a presentation all about how Stafford became the nation’s first health spa, along with map, engravings, and photos of tourist boom. It will be held at Staffordville School (21 Lyons Rd).

Stafford Springs | Fall Mushroom Foraging Class | 6pm $ - Learn how to identify, sustainable harvest, and utilize specific mushroom species in CT at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St). A complimentary cider is included in the ticket price. Tix

Storrs | Fall Color Walk | 4:30pm - Take a stroll around the Horsebarn Hill area, admiring the fall colors with Herbarium Collection Manager Dr. Sarah Taylor. Rain date on 10/16. RSVP

Ellington | Paint & Sip For a Cause | 6-7:30pm $ - Old School Harley-Davidson (398 Somers Rd) is hosting a paint and sip to help benefit Breast Cancer Awareness. Paint a fall-themed canvas and enjoy a wine tasting. Fees will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Register

Stafford Springs | Pressed Flower Bat Workshop | 6:30pm $ - Create a bat out of pressed flowers at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St). A drink is included in the cost of the ticket (the ciders are unbelievable). Tix

Tolland | Knit & Sip Handknit Blanket | 6-9pm $ - Learn how to make your own handknit blanket at Tolland Red & White (46 Tolland Grn). And, of course, bringing a little something to sip on is ok. Tix

Willington | Craft Night | 6:30-8:30pm $ - Get crafty at Creed Nutrition (11 Phelps Way) with a class held by Angel Pond Creations. Choose between a 15” serving tray or 2’ wooden porch sign. Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ JRego’s - Ellington | Good Vibes | 6:30-9:30pm

TRIVIA

Rocking Horse - Vernon | 7pm

Andover | Beginner Stained Glass Fall Leaf Class | 6pm $ - Learn how to get started in making stained glass art at the Andover Community/Senior Center (25 School Rd). Tix

Rockville | Bingo | 5-10pm $ - I mean, who doesn’t enjoy a game or seven of Bingo? St. Joseph Church (33 West) is hosting a big night of prizes and competition. Register

Storrs | KPop Dance Party/Parents Night Out | 5:30-8:30pm $ - Drop off the kids (ages 4+) for an evening of dancing, pizza, and fun, while you get to have an evening to yourself. Mansfield Academy of Dance (12 Merrow Rd) is also pairing with local restaurants for some deals.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Greenleaf Cafe - Hebron | Blue Mountain Haze | 8:30pm
⬢ Bidwell Tavern - Coventry | Gene Donaldson and the Stingrays | 8:30-11:30pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Savage Brothers | 8pm

Ashford | Nature Walk | 9-11am - Master Naturalist Deb Field will be leading an exploration of Tinkerville Brook (135 Armitage Rd). I did this walk earlier this year, and it was fantastic! I highly recommend anyone outdoorsy to take advantage! Register

Bolton | Pumpkin Carving & Painting Weekend | 11am - Buy and decorate your pumpkins in one shot at Cropley’s Garden Center (1262 Boston Tpke). Round Hill Alpaca will be visiting as well.

Bolton | Stories at Indian Notch | 4:30-6pm - Join the Bolton Rec Dept and Bentley Memorial Library at Indian Notch Park (60 Tolland Rd) for an evening of storytelling and s’mores. Register

Ellington | Farmers Market | 9am-12pm - Celebrate all things pumpkin and winter squash at this week’s Ellington Farmers Market (72 Maple St). Guest vendors, live music, and amazing products.

Hebron | Harvest Moon Festival | 1:30-6:30pm - The Town Center Project is celebrating all things Halloween on Main St. Pumpkin carving competition, costumed dog parade, an illusionist, Tarot Card readings, performances by RHAM drama, a psychic medium, trick or treating, and more! There will be a shuttle running from the RHAM High School parking lot from 1:15-7pm. Rain date is 10/19.

Somers | Beards, Brats, and Brews | 12-3pm $ - White Apron Bakery is holding a benefit for Enfield Safe Harbor for the Homeless at the Knights of Columbus Pavilion (236 Main St). Food, games, vendors, and more. Prizes handed out for beards - self-grown or hand made.

Somers | Haunted Halloween | 7:30pm $ - Iron Fox (585 Main St) is holding a 21+ Halloween party, DJ/Karaoke, a costume contest, Magic Mirror photobooth, and more. Email [email protected] for more details.

Tolland | Breast Cancer Awareness Walk | 12-2pm $ - Take a walk and help raise awareness (and funds) for breast cancer at Lemek’s Farm (343 Goose Ln). Donuts, cider, food truck, and helping make a difference. Sounds pretty good to me. More info

Union | Walktober: Ruins of Eastern CT | 10am-12pm - State Archaeologist Nick Bellantoni is leading a hike through the Lyon Homestead & Sawmill in Natchaug State Forest. If interested, make sure to register by 10/15.

Vernon | Art Grab | 7pm $ - Arts Center East (709 Hartford Tpke) is putting a unique spin on choosing artwork. Explaining it on here would be a little too long, so you can read all about it on the ticket page. Think high society meets the movie Rat Race. More info/tix

Vernon | Trunk or Treat | 5-9pm - Reputation Athletics (8 Gerber Blvd) is hosting a festive trunk or treat (free), as well as some other activities (open gym carnival and dance party - $10, and indoor movie after dark - $5). All funds benefit the athletes at Reputation Athletics.

Vernon | World Skate Fundraiser | 9:30-11:45am $ - Help send local skater Raava Martinez around the world (he’s made the world figure skating team!) at Ron-a-Roll (85 S Frontage Rd). Brunch, raffle baskets, and of course skating.

West Stafford | Craft Fair | 9am-2pm - Head out to the West Stafford Fire Dept (144 W Stafford Rd) to check out the local artists/vendors they’ll have selling their wares.

Willington | Horse Yoga | 3pm $ - Magnolia Equestrian Center (34 Cemetery Rd) is holding a horse yoga class. You can bring your own horse or inquire about availability of theirs. Message for details.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Jorgensen - Storrs | Jacob Collier | 8pm $
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | The Brat Pack | 9pm
⬢ Four Seasons By the Lake - Stafford Springs | The Score | 8pm

TRIVIA

Stafford Cidery - Stafford | 6:30pm

Coventry | Autumn & All That Jazz | 3pm - The Second Congregational Church (1746 Boston Tpke) is holding a free (but donations are very much accepted and appreciated) concert featuring Jason Castonguay. Blind since birth, Castonguay has become a renowned pianist, covering jazz, classical, and American classics. If you’re a fan of music, you should add this one to the list.

Coventry | Farmers Market | 10am-1pm - This penultimate Coventry Farmers Market (2299 South St) has the theme of “Holiday Market.” Sounds like a great opportunity to get a jump on your December shopping.

Stafford Springs | CT Swap Meet | 6am-8pm - Stafford Motor Speedway (55 West St) is holding a Ty-Rods swap meet. If you don’t know what that is (like me), then this probably isn’t the event for you!

Vernon | Harvest Festival & Craft Fair | 10am-3pm - Strong Family Farm (274 West St) is throwing a big ole bash. Live music, food trucks, end of season specials in the farm store, demonstrations, a petting zoo, family activities, artisans/crafters (over 40 of them!), and, of course, the amazing Chicken Parade. Curious? Guess you’ll have to go see what it’s all about.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Four Seasons By The Lake - Stafford Springs | Shovelhead | 2-6pm

🦗🦗🦗