🏠 One of Mansfield’s most unique homes, personally built in 1941 by Edwin O. Smith, namesake of the local high school, is now for sale at 674 Middle Turnpike.

As summer hits the homestretch, I ran the backroads of Tolland County and pulled a dialed-in list of local producers - fresh fruit and veg, pasture-raised meats, raw milk, the good stuff. These are the spots locals actually hit (and yes, I checked they’re open), not just pretty pins on Google. If I missed your favorite, holler, I’ll spin up a bigger, always-updated blog page.

Johnny Appleseed’s Farm | 185 West Rd, Ellington, CT 06029 | Pick-your-own peaches and apples with a classic corn maze and pumpkin patch in season.

Kollas Orchard | 41 New Rd, Tolland, CT 06084 | Small, research-minded orchard turning out superb heritage and modern apples from a low-key farm market.

East Meadow Farm & Orchard | 558 Dunn Rd, Coventry, CT 06238 | Organic-leaning orchard and garden with a little farm shop and seasonal workshops.

Stearns Farm Stand | 483 Browns Rd, Mansfield, CT | Neighborhood barn stand known for stuffed breads, baked goods, and grab-and-go local produce.

Fish Family Farm Creamery & Dairy | 20 Dimock Ln, Bolton, CT 06043 | Old-school dairy bottling its own milk with on-site ice cream and a busy seasonal scene.

Strong Family Farm | 274 West St, Vernon, CT 06066 | Community-run farm stand stocked with CT-grown produce, eggs, and weekend treats.

Shadow Valley Farms | 111 Stafford Rd, Somers, CT 06071 | 24/7 self-serve dairy stop for glass-bottle milk, eggs, maple, and honey.

Willow Valley Farm | 39 Moose Meadow Rd, Willington, CT 06279 | Weekend self-serve stand with sustainably grown veggies on a scenic Fenton River backroad.

Hidden Acres Stateline Farm | 265 Wales Rd, Stafford Springs, CT 06076 | Honor-system shed bursting with pesticide-free produce, eggs, and house-made jams.

East Willow Farm | 402 Route 66, Columbia, CT 06237 | Year-round farm store for pasture-raised meats plus a rotating lineup of local dairy and pantry goods.

This was from last week’s word scramble: Crystal Lake is Ellington/Stafford’s summer jewel - about 183 acres and ~50 feet at its deepest, fed by Aborn Brook with a dam at the north end. It wasn’t always “Crystal”: locals called it Square Pond and Ruby Lake until 1889; long before that, the Nipmuc knew the place as Wabbaquasset (“where cattails grow”).

Access is easy: the lone public swim spot is Sandy Beach on Route 140, and boaters have a state launch at 100 West Shore Rd. On the water, it’s 6 mph from sunset–9 a.m. (and Sundays noon–3 p.m.) and 45 mph the rest of the time; anglers get Trout Management Lake rules with occasional Atlantic salmon stocking - translation: legit multi-season fishing.

Andover | Chair Massage | 4-6pm - Scoot over to the Andover Senior Center (25 School Rd) for a 10-15 minute chair massage from the wonderful Linda.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | Karaoke | 7-10pm

Bolton | Lemonade Stand | 6:30-8pm - It’s been hot out lately, so why not cool off with a cup of lemonade at the Bolton Town Green. All proceeds will go toward an accessible playground fund. And while you’re there, enjoy music from Nightshift.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ River Road Athletic Complex - Willington | The Natural Disasters | 6:30-8:30pm
⬢ Bidwell Tavern - Coventry | Tino & Malone | 6:30-9:30pm
⬢ Bolton Green - Bolton | Nightshift | 6:30pm

TRIVIA

Bond 124 - Somers | 7-8:30pm

Coventry | Cruise Night | 5-8pm - The Creative Living Community of CT (2645 Boston Tpke) is holding a cruise night on their property. A food truck from Hops 44 and a DJ will be providing the tunes. Even if you don’t go, you should check out the organization, they do some amazing work.

Ellington | Sunflower Pop-Up Shop | 4-7pm - Swing by Oakridge Dairy (Jobs Hill Rd) to wander through their sunflower field (perfect place for an Insta photo shoot) and pop into the store to check out some other goods.

Somers | Summer 5K Series | 5:30-7pm - This is your last chance to take a cross-country run through the scenic Worthington Vineyards (359 Mountain Rd) property. Sign Up

Stafford Springs | Pottery Painting | 6pm $ - Paint some pottery and enjoy a hard cider (first one is included in the price) - or two - at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St). Finished product will be available for pick up at The Firestone in Manchester. Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | The Best of Led Zeppelin | 7pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Sean Murawski | 7-10pm
⬢ Somers Concert Series - Somers | Six Pack of Blues | 6-8pm

TRIVIA

Rocking Horse - Vernon | 7-9pm

Andover | Beginner Stained Glass Class | 5:30-8:30pm $ - Ever look at stained glass windows and wonder how they did that? Well, here’s your chance for a beginner’s crash course in the art. You’ll take home a stained glass butterfly garden stake! Tix

Columbia | Explore Utley Hill Preserve | 10:15-11:30am - Joshua’s Trust wants to bring you on a leisurely and educational walk around the Utley Hill Preserve (60 Hennequin Rd). I grew up walking these trails, so this one holds a special place in my heart. You can find more details here.

Stafford Springs | Moon Light Paddle | 6-9pm - Stafford Lions Club is holding an evening paddle at Staffordville Lake (98 Lyons Rd). Free entry and food - raffle tickets for a kayak package available for purchase.

Stafford Springs | Spirit Gallery Readings | 6:30-8:30pm $ - Get your spirit readings on at Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St). There’s even a prepay special when you bring a friend. Tix

Vernon | Heroes Appreciation Night | 7pm - Spare Time (350 Talcottville Rd) is showing their love for our first responders, healthcare workers, fire, police, EMTs, military, dispatchers, and everyone else that works hard to keep us safe and healthy with a night of free bowling (including shoe rental), Laser Tag, and more. RSVP

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Four Seasons By the Lake - Stafford Springs | The Stevie Experience | 8-11pm
⬢ Bond 124 - Somers | John Cantalini | 7:30-10:30pm
⬢ Hartford County 4H Fair - Somers | Face Down | 6-9pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Change Up | 8-11pm
⬢ Bidwell Tavern - Coventry | Gene Donaldson and the Stingrays | 8:30-11:30pm
⬢ Cassidy Hill - Coventry | Jeff Mainville Duo | 6-8pm

Columbia | Cornhole Tournament | 10am $ - Think you got what it takes to bring home first place? The Main Moose (94 Rt 66 E) is giving you the chance to battle it out with other beanbag tossers. 1st place gets a cash prize plus a fancy trophy for bragging rights. 2nd and 3rd also will receive a cash prize. Questions? Contact Kaleigh at (959) 929-2271.

Coventry | Kid’s Tag Sale | 9am - As a parent of three little ones, I know how dang expensive it can be buying stuff for them, that’s why I’m putting in a multi-family tag sale focused on kid’s/baby clothes, toys, games, books, and other tiny human-focused items at 150 Riley Mountain Rd.

Ellington | Day of Play | 10am-1pm - Ellington Agway (2 Lower Butcher Rd) is holding a free event for the whole family. Pedal tractor/tricycle course, kid’s crafts, corn play pits, free popcorn, temp tatts, and more!

Ellington | Farmers Market | 9am-12pm - This week is Youth Market Day at the Ellington Farmers Market (72 Maple St). See what the next generation has going on, right next to your favorite vendors.

Somers | Kid’s Open Barn & Craft | 9am-12pm $ - The Story Barn (952 Main St) is holding a crafting session ($10 - Sweet Tweet Bird) as well as free story times, an outdoor scavenger hunt, and snacks.

Stafford Springs | Farmers Market | 10am-12pm - Swing by the Sun Valley Beach Club (51 Old Springfield Rd) for the Stafford Farmers Market this weekend.

Storrs | Farmers Market | 3-5pm - Get your local produce on, at the Storrs Farmers Market (4 S Eagleville Rd).

Union | Tales From…Taber Creek | 10am $ - This is a full-day LARP (Live-Action Role Playing) & community expo at Taber Creek (1174 Buckley Hwy). Demos, activities, vendors, costume contest, silent auction, and more! Tix

Vernon | 14th Annual KIDSAFE Car Show | 9am-2pm - This year’s show is dedicated in memory of Jerry Bundy. Help honor his memory by checking out amazing cars, live music, family fun, and more, at the Tolland County Agricultural Center (24 Hartford Tpke).

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ French Social Circle - Vernon | Jimmy O | 8pm
⬢ Four Seasons By the Lake - Stafford Springs | Backlash | 7-11pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Alex Rohan | 1-4pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Backstage Pass | 8-11pm
⬢ Fitch Family Farm - Andover | Jeff Mandeville & Erik Haeger | 7-10pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Jeff Pitchell | 5-8pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Feedback | 9-11:45pm

Coventry | Annual Corn Roast | 10am-1pm - I got an earful for you. This week’s Coventry Farmers Market (2299 South St) is celebrating corn. Which is fitting, since this is Husk-y Nation (ok, I’m done with the puns, that last one was corny - HA!).

Mansfield | Khuyay Alpaca Farm Party Benefit | 12pm ($) - Spend the day at the Khuyay Alpaca Farm (441 Warrenville Rd) with a party to benefit the CT Regional No-Freeze Shelter. Music starts at 1pm, bring a chair and your preferred adult beverage. A $20 is suggested, but not mandatory.

Somers | Slow Flow Yoga/Sound Bath | 10-11:30am $ - Get your yoga on, followed up with a relaxing sound bath at Worthington Vineyards (359 Mountain Rd). You’ll also get a drink token you can use for after class - talk about being fully mellowed out. Tix

Stafford Springs | Reunion | 12-5pm - You would think that a family reunion would be an extremely niche event, but this particular one is for the descendants of Cornelius Davis II, who has 38,653 known descendants as of this year. If you’re one of the many, meet at the West Stafford Fire Dept (144 W Stafford Rd).

Vernon | Summer Fun-Day | 10am-2pm - Strong Family Farm (274 West St) is holding a family fun day on the farm (that’s a lot of F’s). Activities, story time, scavenger hunt, feathered friends and more.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Mill Pond Country Store - Stafford Springs | Don Rovero | 2-4pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | General Gist | 3-6pm

Willington | Car Show | 4-8pm - Head to Hilltop Restaurant (39 Adamec Rd) for a family-friendly free car show. 50/50 & bucket raffle, and food/drinks available for purchase.