If you like your thrillers cozy and cute, keep walking. GRABTOWN, the new novel by local Connecticut author Sarah P. Blanchard, doesn’t pull punches. Here’s a brief description:

The past collides with the present as twins Cassie and Ana uncover old crimes, finding a disturbing trail of abuse leading to an abandoned village called Grabtown.  When Cassie's volatile husband demands they stop digging, and a retired detective arrives asking dangerous questions, the twins realize someone believes the old story isn't fiction—it's a confession.  Why does the past refuse to stay buried? And why is a major crimes detective now urging them to flee? Set in rural New England (in a town that looks an awful lot like Putnam, Connecticut), Grabtown is a powerful story of sisterhood, danger, and recovery that exposes the dark underbelly of small-town secrets, where courage and unshakable loyalty become the only weapons against those who prey on the vulnerable.

The Seattle Book Review calls it “beautiful, bold, and utterly unforgettable.” This is the kind of book that keeps you up way past your bedtime, then lingers long after the last page.

Want more than a read? Sarah P. Blanchard (right here in northeastern CT) is available for book talks and events at libraries and book clubs, with discounts for group orders.

Support a hometown author, spark a conversation that matters, and grab your copy now, before someone spoils the ending. Prices: $18.99 softcover, $32.99 hardcover, $2.99 ebook. Available through any bookstore, online at bookshop.org, Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and at sarahpblanchard.com.

Sarah is giving our community a chance to win 2 free signed copies of her novel. One winner will be randomly chosen this week and the following week.

10/10 - Stafford Springs | Witch Walk/Arts on Main
10/10 - Storrs | Disney’s Moana Live-To-Film Concert
10/17 - Andover | Beginner Stained Glass Class
10/18 - Andover | Funky Monkey Artisan Fair
10/18 - Hebron | Harvest Moon Festival
10/18 - Storrs | An Evening With Jacob Collier
10/18 - Union | Walktober
10/19 - Vernon | 11th Annual Harvest Festival & Craft Fair
10/25 - Columbia | Trunk or Treat
10/25 - Stafford Springs | Trick or Treat on Main
10/25 - Vernon | Seniorhood Fair

Stafford Springs | October Witch Walk | 6-8pm - Arts on Main (Main St) is leaning into the Halloween spirit with a witch-themed evening. Wear a witches hat for some goodies at different businesses, meet some new people to start your own coven (I’m making up the coven part, but it will still be nice to meet some new folks!), listen to some live music, and get into the spooky spirit. Stores are also accepting sealed bags of mini-candies that will be handed out for the Trick or Treat on Main on 10/25.

SATURDAY 10/11

Windham | Help Save The Windham Inn | 9am - Alright, I know this isn’t in Tolland County, but how many times do you get the chance to work on a piece of CT history?

Windham Preservation is looking for volunteers to help with clean up, demo, and organizing at the historic Windham Inn (4 Scotland Rd). Everything you’ll need will be provided (including masks, supplies, and lunch/drinks). All you need is to be 18 or older, have some work shoes (leave the Birkenstocks at home), and a desire to help preserve this fantastic building from 1783.

To register/ask any questions you may have, email [email protected] or call (860) 234-8566.

Last week’s word scramble was Tolland Green - aka the long, elm-lined spine at the heart of town where Routes 195 and 74 cross. The Green anchors a National Register historic district (listed 1997) packed with 18th–19th century homes and landmark civic buildings: the Old Tolland County Courthouse (1822) - later the town library - and the Old Tolland County Jail across the way, which operated from 1856 to 1968 and now tells its own colorful stories as a museum.

Stroll a few minutes and you’ll bump into three small museums run by the Tolland Historical Society - the Courthouse Museum, the Jail & Museum, and the Hicks-Stearns Family Museum, all set around the Green, making this one of Connecticut’s most walkable “history-in-a-single-loop” spots. The district’s Federal and Victorian architecture is the real draw, but keep an eye on the town’s updates too: the Green area is also a local historic district, and the town has been advancing plans to improve accessible sidewalks linking the Green with nearby neighborhoods.

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Andover | Meet Ben Franklin | 6pm - Local historian Bev York is taking her Benjamin Franklin persona to Andover Public Library (355 Rt 6) for an evening of education and fun, all about one of the brightest minds of our country’s origins. RSVP by calling (860) 742-7428

Ellington | Rise Into Motherhood | 10am - This is a workshop for expectant parents, covering pelvic floor therapy prep & recovery, mental health tools & boundaries, and music therapy to encourage bonding and connection. Luann’s Bakery (238 Somers Rd) will be providing the setting. Tix

Willington | Tuneful Tots | 10:30-11:15am - This one is for little ones birth-5 years old. Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd) is holding a weekly music class for littles. No registration needed.

Stafford Springs | Watercolor Paint Night | 6-8pm $ - Create a beautiful watercolor barred owl at Three Graces Vintage (52 Main St). Everything you’ll need will be provided. Tix

Tolland | Paint Your Own Pumpkin | 6pm $ - Paint a pumpkin mug or votive at Tolland Red & White (46 Tolland Grn). Tix

Willington | Conversational Spanish | 6:30-7:30pm - Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd) is giving you the chance to start learning Spanish. This is a class directed towards beginners. Call (860) 429-3854 to register.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Jorgensen - Storrs | Cedric Burnside | 7:30pm $

TRIVIA

Rocking Horse - Vernon | 7-9pm

Columbia | Haunted Yard | Dusk-10pm - Get ready for fog, movies, popcorn, and non-touch scare actors at The Haunting on Rt 6 (19 Rt 6). A 100% free (although canned goods for donations are happily welcomed) Halloween/scare experience put on by a family that loves the season. It is absolutely worth stopping by! Also, if you want a tamer experience, go on a weekday, just be aware, they’re only open until 8pm on weekdays.

Stafford Springs | Mediumship Fundraiser | 6pm $ - The Italian Benefit Society (12 Club Rd) is holding a fundraiser featuring local medium Rebecca Anne LoCicero. Tickets are $30 cash at the door.

Storrs | Live-To-Film Concert | 7pm $ - Experience Disney’s Moana set to a live group of musicians, including Polynesian rhythm masters and vocalists. Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Beni’s Bar - Vernon | Samantha & Fitz | 6:30-9pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Aquanett | 8:30pm $10
⬢ Four Seasons By The Lake - Stafford Springs | The Brat Pack | 8pm

TRIVIA

Andover | Haunted Trail + 3D House | 7-10pm - Fitch Family Farm (11 Bunker Hill Rd) is open for some haunted happenings. A unique 3D house to walk through, and two different trails - one for the novices, and another for those who want to possibly soil their pants. A $10 donation is asked, with proceeds going to homeless charities.

Columbia | Adoption Event | 11am-1pm - Wile Hyundai (21 Rt 66 E) is hosting an adoption event with PAWS New England. Come meet a pup or donate unused pet food - if you’re feeling generous.

Ellington | Farmers Market | 9am-12pm - Go Green Day is the theme at this week’s Ellington Farmers Market (72 Maple St). Green fruits and veg, eco-friendly tips, and a bunch of ways that you can start going green!

Ellington | RC Swap Meet | 9am - It’s a niche one, but if you’re an RC plane fan, this meetup at NCRCC Flying Field (170 Green Rd), is perfect to pick up some new goodies.

Hebron | Hebron Farmers and Flea | 9am-2pm - Fireside Supply (33B East St) is the new location of the farmers/crafts market formerly known as the Hebron Farmers and Artisans.

Rockville | Free Fall Festival | 1pm - Rockville Baptist Church (825 Hartford Tpke) is holding a free family fun day. Snacks, games, inflatables, live music, and more.

Rockville | Quilt Show | 9am-2pm $ - The Rockville Daytime Quilters are showcasing their craft to help benefit Rockville UMC. Swing by 142 Grove St, check out some gorgeous handiwork, and enter the quilt raffle, for a chance at winning a beautiful piece.

Somers | October Open Barn & Craft | 9am-12pm $ - The Story Barn (952 Main St) has a glass jar jack-o-lantern craft, story time, outdoor scavenger hunt, and free snacks.

Storrs | Farmers Market | 3-5pm - Get your weekly supplies at the Storrs Farmers Market (4 S Eagleville Rd).

Storrs | Glow in the Park | 5-9pm $ - The Adventure Park at Storrs (2007 Storrs Rd) is joining in on the festive mood, with nighttime adventures under glowing lights. Costumes are encouraged! Tix

Tolland | 5th Annual Scarecrow Contest & Harvest Festival | 12-4pm - The town of Tolland is inviting allcomers to a harvest festival and scarecrow contest on the Tolland Green. Henna, face painting, bounce house, food trucks, sweets, and more.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Racks - Vernon | Rock Is Dead | 8pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Shot of Poison | 8:30pm

Columbia | $5 Bag Sale | 10am-6pm - Fill a brown paper grocery bag with whatever you can stuff in it from the tables set up outside at By The Pond (187 Rt 66 E) for only $5.

Coventry | Farmers Market | 10am-2pm - This week at the Coventry Farmers Market (2299 South St), the theme is National Farmers Day! Come celebrate the hard-working people that put that delicious food on your table.

Mansfield | Grist Mill Tour | 1-5pm - This might be your last chance to get a guided tour of the Gurleyville Grist Mill (Stone Rd). Take advantage of this great service put on by Joshua’s Trust.

Stafford Springs | Venetian Mask Class | 11am $ - Make your own Venetian mask at Three Graces Vintage (2 River Rd). Build, paint, and make something uniquely you. Call/text Lisa Rae at (860) 372-0797 to register.

Tolland | Paint Party | 5pm $ - Paint a trio of adorable pumpkins at The Spot (200 Merrow Rd), and get your first drink included! Tix

Vernon | Opening Reception | 1-4pm - Arts Center East (709 Hartford Tpke) will be hosting the Academic Artists Association for their 75th Annual National Exhibition of Traditional Realism. The exhibit will be in through 11/2 - gallery hours Thurs-Sat 1-5pm.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Rockville USA - Rockville | The Screaming Eagle Band | 3-6pm $10
⬢ Four Seasons By The Lake - Stafford Springs | Aquanett | 3pm

Ellington | Fall Festival Fun | 10am-12pm - The Moms Club of Ellington/Vernon is holding a late morning of crafts, bracelet making, pumpkin decorating, and more at Robert Tedford Park (CT 140). Baked goods for sale (proceeds go to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry). Entry is a canned good that will go to the pantry as well.