🍨 Mountain Dairy Creamery is now scooping fresh, farm-made ice cream at Stearns Farm in Storrs (483 Browns Rd). Stop by for sundaes, shakes, and classic flavors made with their own Mountain Dairy cream!

I figured it might be easier to put all the Trunk or Treat (plus extra fun) events in one spot. So, here we go:

10/24 - Bolton High School Parking Lot (72 Brandy St) | 5:30-7:30pm
10/24 - Fortune Fuel (11 S Rd) | 5-7pm | Dance party afterwards
10/25 - Columbia Rec Park (68 Hennequin Rd) | 4:30-7pm | Story walk, crafts
10/25 - Halloween on Main (Main St - Coventry) | 1-3pm
10/25 - Ellington Baptist Church (264 Pinney St) | 3-5pm | No scary costumes!
10/25 - Somers Congregational Church (603 Main St) | 4-5pm | Children’s games
10/25 - Trick or Treat on Main (Main St - Stafford) | 4-6pm | Music, contests
10/25 - Downtown Boo Bash - Downtown Storrs | 3-5pm | Other activities as well
10/26 - First Congregational Church of Vernon (695 Hartford Tpke) | 11:30am

Picking up where we left off last week, we’re diving back into the origin stories behind our local town names.

Ellington: Incorporated in 1786 after separating from East Windsor; earlier called “Great Marsh” (Weexskashuck) by Indigenous inhabitants and early settlers.

Hebron: Settled 1704 and incorporated 1708; its name is taken from the biblical city of Hebron (early CT records note it as one of the colony’s early biblical town names).

Mansfield: Incorporated 1702 from Windham and named for Major Moses Mansfield, a New Haven official and early proprietor.

Somers: Set off as a town in 1734 and named for John Somers, 1st Baron Somers; annexed from Massachusetts to Connecticut in 1749.

Stafford: Incorporated 1719; the town most likely takes its name from Staffordshire, England.

Next week I’ll cover the last four towns in the county.

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Columbia | Cupcake Decorating Class | 6:30pm - Alright, so this one is a little late notice, so that’s on me. Saxton B. Little Library (319 Rt 87) is holding a cupcake decorating class. Bring 18-24 unfrosted cupcakes on a round cookie sheet, and make sure to register by emailing [email protected] (You may want to email first, to make sure space is still available before buying/making the cupcakes).

Hebron | Death and Burial Practices in Early NE | 6:30pm - Local historian Bev York will be discussing what dealing with death and burial was like during the formative years of the country at Douglas Library (22 Main St). It might just give you a little perspective the next time you drive by one of the many old cemeteries we have around the state.

Somers | Vineyard Sunset Tasting & Tour | 6pm $ - Go for a guided tasting and tour of the lovely Worthington Vineyards (359 Mountain Rd). Double click the Thirsty Thursday link to sign up here.

TRIVIA

Rocking Horse - Vernon | 7pm

Bolton | Halloween Costume/Karaoke Party | 8pm-12am - Three J’s Cafe (124 Boston Tpke) is holding a Halloween party, with a cash prize for best costume! I know most of you reading this aren’t exactly the target audience for this, but hey, when there’s a chance at free money, I thought I’d let you know.

Coventry | After Dark at Tom Porter’s | 6:30pm $ - Join the amazingly talented storyteller Carolyn Stearns and other Coventry Historical Society members for stories by lantern light at the Strong Porter House Museum (2382 South St). $5/person, children under 10 are free.

Coventry | Wood Flower Arrangements | 6:30-8pm $ - Design a floral arrangement that will last a lot longer than you’d think, and you don’t need to worry about watering, either! Wood & Word Blooms (21 Bread & Milk St) has you covered. Tix

Ellington | Boo-Dacious Halloween Event | 5-7pm - The Indian Valley Family YMCA (11 Pinney St) is holding a family-friendly event with crafts, pumpkin decorating, snacks, costume contest, and more. Register

Tolland | Harvest To Hearth | 1-4pm $ - Get a crash course in naturopathy with a class on healing seasonal herbs and plants at Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke). Tix

Tolland | Hat Bar | 6-8pm $ - This one is for the ladies. Work on a special custom hat that properly displays your personality at Tolland Red and White (46 Tolland Grn). BYOB, so you can really have some fun - as always, grab a DD. Tix

Tolland | Spooky Pipes Pt. 1 | 7pm ($) - The United Congregational Church of Tolland (45 Tolland Grn) will be entertaining the audience with costumed organists, who will be expecting boos and hisses instead of cheers. The event is free, but donations are graciously accepted.

Tolland | Parade of Witches Pt. 2 | 6:30pm - To accompany the Spooky Pipes, the NE Chapter of the AGO is putting out a call to all witches, warlocks, & witchlings. They will be leading the ruckus during the organ concert. BYO brooms, wands, and noisemakers. See Pt 1 for the address.

Vernon | Ghoul’s Night Out | 6:30-8:30pm $ - It’s ladies night at Spare Time (350 Talcottville Rd). $10 gets you 2 hours of unlimited bowling -including shoe rental, music, lights, and a pretty fun atmosphere. RSVP

Vernon | Halloween Pool | 8pm $ - Racks (500 Talcottville Rd) is getting in on the spooky spirit, with a best costume contest, food, drinks, and of course, a DJ.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Three J’s Cafe - Bolton | Karaoke | 8pm-12am
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | LiveWired | 9pm
⬢ Four Seasons By the Lake - Stafford Springs | Free Range Humans | 7-11pm

Andover | Halloween Funday | 1pm - Get in the Halloween spirit at Andover Community Center (25 School Rd). Bring a pre-carved pumpkin for a chance to win a prize, participate in a table decorating contest, enjoy free snacks & drinks, kids in costumes can get candy from the Fire Dept, or grab a wreath to help support local veterans.

Columbia | CVFD Recruitment Event | 11am - If you’re thinking about volunteering, you can learn how to get involved at Columbia Volunteer Fire Dept (167 Rt 66). Explore the station, live demos, meet other volunteers. Bring the whole family.

Coventry | Spooky Story Time | 12pm - Bring the kids to Booth & Dimock Memorial Library (1134 Main St) for a spooky picture book that will be sure to get the little ones ready to go trick or treating down Main St right after.

Ellington | Halloween Pet Costume Party | 11am-1pm - Bring your furry friend of choice to Ellington Agway (74 West Rd) to participate in their pet costume contest. Winner will receive a $50 Ellington Agway Gift Card.

Ellington | Stuff a Pumpkin | 9am-4pm - In addition to the Halloween Pet Costume Party, Ellington Agway (74 West Rd) is running a discount of 20% off most (some exceptions apply) products that fit into a store-provided pumpkin bucket, with a $3 donation to Strong Family Farm.

Ellington | Last Outdoor Farmers Market | 9am-12pm - This marks the last outdoor Ellington Farmers Market (72 Maple St) for the season. Make sure to stop by for the adorable Halloween Pet Parade and costume contest.

Mansfield | Harvest Festival | 10am-4pm - The Farmer’s Cow Calfé (86 Storrs Rd) is holding a festival of fun, with local vendors, raffles, pumpkin painting, music, fantastic food, and more. Come check out their recently renovated space!

Somers | Try Out Disc Golf | 1pm - This Flight event is perfect for those curious about playing disc golf. Every new player will receive a donated putter (that’s pretty awesome), and some instruction on how to play. The event is being run by Flights Disc Golf (97 Field Rd).

Stafford Springs | Halloween Party | 8pm-12am - Stillwater Grill (328 East St) is holding their annual Halloween party. Prizes for 1st and 2nd places int he costume competition.

Stafford Springs | Halloween Party | 6-9pm - The incredible Stafford Cidery (68 Main St) will be holding their Halloween party tonight as well. Prizes for staff’s favorite costumes, Halloween trivia, and a spooky drink menu.

Stafford Springs | Holiday Craft Market | 10am-4pm - Middle River gallery (60 Main St) will be running a weekly holiday market through the fall and into winter. New crafters every week.

Stafford Springs | Monster Dash - Kids Fun Run | 11am-3pm - The Stafford school system is holding a fundraiser at Stafford High School Track (145 Orcuttville Rd) to help reach a $15,000 goal to support enrichment, classroom supplies, and family events like this one. Music/dance party, yard games, raffle prizes, food, shaved ice, and of course, the Monster Dash Fun Run (PreK-5th grade). Register

Storrs | Farmers Market | 3-5pm - The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are dropping, so take advantage of the Storrs Farmers Market (4 s Eagleville Rd) while you still can.

Tolland | Trick or Treating | 3-6pm - The Quarry Campground (704 Shenipsit Lake Rd) is opening it’s grounds to all for some good old-fashioned trick-or-treating. Let them know who has the best decorations!

Vernon | Halloween Bash | 5pm $ - If you like loud music and dressing up for Halloween, here is your event. Four bands, raffles, and a costume contest await you at Maple Grove Club (100 Franklin St). Cover is $10/person

Vernon | Seniorhood Fair | 9:30am-2pm - This is the 5th Seniorhood Fair, which features resources for seniors, caregivers, and families, at Vernon Center Middle School (777 Hartford Tpke).

Willington | Bubble, Comedy, and Music Show | 10:30am - Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd) is hosting a famous children’s music YouTuber (Mr. Matt) for a fun and (not-so) spooky show. It is a sensory/autism-friendly show!

Willington | Open House | 8:30am - Help welcome Mansfield Academy of Dance - North (11 Phelps Crossing) to their brand new second location in Willington. They’re doing a special offer for kids to try out a dance class, for free! RSVP

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Yellow 9 | 8:30-11:30pm
⬢ Arts Center East - Vernon | RIDE: A Country & Folk Music Concert | 7pm $
⬢ The Packing House - Willington | The DonJuans | 7:30pm $
⬢ The Arts Center of Tolland - Tolland | Mars on Saturday | 7pm $20
⬢ Hidden Still - Ellington | Chris & Spigs’ Circus | 8pm
⬢ Four Seasons By the Lake - Stafford Springs | Cold Train | 8-11pm

Hebron | The Legend of Sleepy Hollow | 2 & 4pm $ - The historic Burrows Hill School (125 School House Rd) will be the setting for this telling of Sleepy Hollow. The 2pm program is suitable for kids 10 and under, and the 4pm reading will be lit by candlelight (oooooh, spooooky). You must register/pay at Douglas Library

Somers | Doggy Costume Party & Parade | 2-5pm $ - Show off how cute your pup is with a Halloween costume party for the dogs at Worthington Winery (359 Mountain Rd). Please only bring dogs that are socialized and good around other pets. Tix

Stafford Springs | Halloween Themed Cookie Class | 2pm - Decorate some festive Halloween cookies (the designs are really cute) at Stafford Cidery (68 Main St). Everything you’ll need is provided, and you get a drink included with your ticket! You must sign up by 10/22! Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Four Seasons By the Lake - Stafford Springs | Arizona Maid Band | 2-6pm

Andover | Dominoes + Tea/Coffee | 11am-12:30pm - Start off your week with a warm cuppa something, and the game of the week at the Andover Community/Senior Center (25 School Rd). This week is dominoes, next week might be setback, cribbage, or rummy.