📚 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 clock is ticking - the bins are thinning, the cider’s still flowing, and your chance to grab local picks is slipping away. Here’s where Hartford County still has a little crunch left on the branches.

Belltown Hill Orchards | 483 Matson Hill Rd, South Glastonbury
Big, well-run PYO program with 20+ apple varieties and clear seasonal hours—easy in, easy out.

Dondero Orchards | 529 Woodland St, South Glastonbury
Family staple for PYO apples plus fritters and a busy farm kitchen - open most days in season.

Clark Farms at Bushy Hill Orchard | 29 Bushy Hill Rd, Granby

PYO apples with wagon rides, animals, corn maze, and donuts - organized fall operation.

Easy Pickin’s Orchard | 46 Bailey Rd, Enfield

Quiet, efficient PYO with multiple apple varieties and other crops through fall.

Karabin Farms | 894 Andrews St, Southington

Dwarf, kid-friendly trees; PYO apples late-Aug through late Oct on weekends.

Rogers Orchards | Shuttle Meadow Farm 336 Long Bottom Rd, Southington

Classic CT apple picking - Labor Day to late Oct, Fri–Sun (plus holiday Mondays).

Rogers Orchards | Sunnymount Farm 2876 Meriden-Waterbury Tpke, Southington

Sister site to Shuttle Meadow with the same polished PYO setup and schedules.

Scott’s Orchard & Nursery | 1838 New London Turnpike, Glastonbury

Straightforward PYO apples (posted by variety/price) and a no-nonsense experience.

Joseph Preli Farm & Winery | 235 Hopewell Rd, South Glastonbury

Small, low-key farm with apple picking when available - confirm day-of on their feed.

If I missed your go-to orchard, hit reply and let me know - I’ll gladly “research” it with a cider donut in hand.

Ever wonder where our town names actually came from? Same here - I started poking around one day and ended up deep in a history wormhole. So for the next few weeks, we’re breaking down Hartford County A–Z, tracing how each town got its name. Quick, fun, and way more interesting than your average history class.

Avon: Incorporated in 1830 from Farmington; the name was taken from the Avon River in England (Northington parish had used “Avon” as early as the 1750s).

Berlin: Incorporated in 1785 from parts of Farmington, Middletown, and Wethersfield; named for Berlin (Prussia/Germany), replacing the earlier parish name “Kensington.”

Bloomfield: Incorporated in 1835 from Windsor; formerly Wintonbury, the town was “named from a Hartford family.”

Bristol: In 1785, the parish of New Cambridge was incorporated as Bristol, named for Bristol, England.

Burlington: Set off from Bristol and incorporated in 1806; tradition holds the name honors the 3rd Earl of Burlington (as with Burlington, VT).

Canton: Incorporated in 1806 from Simsbury; the name was suggested by Ephraim Mills and derived from the Swiss “cantons” (divisions), reflecting the town’s being set off.

East Granby: Incorporated in 1858 from Granby and Windsor Locks; organized earlier as the Turkey Hills society and incorporated as the Town of East Granby.

East Hartford: Part of Hartford until 1783, when residents on the east bank incorporated a separate town; the name simply marks its location east of Hartford.

East Windsor: Incorporated in 1768 from Windsor; the name reflects its position east of the parent town.

Stay tuned in for more next week!

If fall threw itself a 50th birthday party, it’d look like Glastonbury’s 50th Apple Harvest & Music Festival. Three crisp days (Oct 17-19) of “50 bands, 4 stages, zero filler” wrapped around a full midway and food-truck gauntlet at Riverfront Park (300 Welles St). Grab a Megapass, ride until the cider tastes like victory, then park it for live sets that run all weekend while you graze through cider, donuts, and guitar solos. It’s the biggest music lineup they’ve ever done, and yes, the town’s official listing has the hour-by-hour: Fri 5-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 11am-5pm.

🌯 Chipotle officially opened at (1073 Farmington Ave, Berlin) complete with a dining room, patio, and a slick new Chipotlane drive-thru for mobile pickups.

Rocky Hill | Paranormal Talk w/ Joe Franke: True Hollywood Horror Tales | 6-7:30PM - Dive into the spooky side of cinema at the Rocky Hill Library (33 Church St). Joe Franke, a real-life paranormal veteran unwraps myths behind The Conjuring, Annabelle, Amityville & more. Registration required

South Windsor | Breaking Bad Trivia Night | 6:30-8:30PM - Chemistry meets trivia at Connecticut Valley Brewing Co. (765 Sullivan Ave). Test your Walter & Jesse lore, sip beers, score prizes.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Hartford - Infinity Music Hall | Johnnyswim | 8PM $
⬢ Hartford - The Webster | MUSHROONHEAD | 6:45PM $

East Granby | Open Mic & Jam ft. Tweed Sugar | 6-9PM - Mics up, riffs out at Almost Famous Brewing Co. (17 Kripes Rd). Sign-ups are free, featured set in the middle, hang for the open jam.

East Windsor | Halloween Horror Paint Night | 6-8PM $ - Spooky canvas, chill vibes at Giroux Woodworking (35 S Main St). Paint creepy-cool art and take it home; limited seats. Passes

Farmington | Power of the Pause Breathwork | 6-7:30PM $ - Reset your nervous system at Bridge Healing Arts Center (304 Main St). Guided breathwork, deep calm, midweek recharge. More Info & Register

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ East Hartford - Carmine’s | Red Satin Jazz | 8PM
⬢ Hartford - The Brownstone | Liz Reed, Brian Brown & Lee Totten | 9PM

Hartford | RAW Terror Horror Marathon | 5:15, 7 & 9:10PM $ - Triple-threat thrills at Real Art Ways (56 Arbor St). Pick a double feature ($20) or go full send with all three ($24): The Evil Dead, Scream, Midsommar. More Info

Hartford | Upon a Midnight Dreary (Opens Fri 10/17) | 7PM $ - Poe in a Victorian mansion at the Isham-Terry House (211 High St). Immersive dramatic readings wind through the rooms; run is Oct 17-25. More Info

South Windsor | Teen Retro Gaming Hour (Gr. 6-12) | 3-4PM - Wii, PS3, Guitar Hero, the works at South Windsor Public Library (1550 Sullivan Ave). Free after-school nostalgia.

West Hartford | Yoga (All Levels) | 7-8PM $ - Beginner - Advanced level yoga class bringing tranquility, positivity and friendly fun to your life, Hosted at West Hartford Yoga (23 Brook St). Breathe, align, reset. More Info

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Glastonbury - Bar Hollow | KT Lay | 6PM
⬢ Hartford - Infinity Music Hall | Melvin Seals w/JGB | 8PM $
⬢ West Hartford - New Park Brewing | Annie In The Water | 8PM $

Glastonbury | 50th Glastonbury Apple Harvest & Music Festival (19/17-10/19) | Times Vary $ - Midway rides, 50 bands for 50 years, craft beer garden, and a 5K on Sunday at Riverfront Park (300 Welles St). Free shuttles from GHS; no pets. More Info & Passes

Hartford | HSO Masterworks: Beethoven & Sibelius | Fri & Sat 8PM; Sun 3PM $ - Big, bold classics with Drew Petersen on Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 at Belding Theater, The Bushnell (166 Capitol Ave). Symphony sweep + Sunday matinee. Tix

Hartford | Wolf Pack vs. Penguins | 7PM $ - AHL opener energy at PeoplesBank Arena (1 Civic Center Plaza). Freshly renovated barn, rivalry vibes, puck drop at seven. More Info & Tix

Hartford | Rope - A Crime Thriller (World Premiere) | 7:30PM $ - Hitchcock inspired suspense - opening-night weekend at Hartford Stage (50 Church St). New Jeffrey Hatcher adaptation runs Oct 10-Nov 2. More Info & Passes

Manchester | Comic: Mike Vecchione | Fri 7PM & 9:45PM; Sat 6:30PM & 9:15PM $ - Razor-sharp New York comic at The Funny Bone (194 Buckland Hills Dr). Four shows, minimal fluff, maximum laughs. Secure a Spot

Windsor | Flashlight Maze Nights | 6:15-9:15PM $ - Bring a flashlight and your maze legs to Brown’s Harvest (1911 Poquonock Ave). Last ticket 8PM; last entry 8:15PM. Gain Access

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Bristol - Bleachers Bar | Saving Abel | 6PM
⬢ Bristol - The New Cambridge Project | Ali Kat Trio | 4PM
⬢ Broad Brook - Opera House | Shades of Blues ft. Jon Butcher | 8PM $
⬢ Enfield - The Yarde Tavern | The Deadheads MA | 8PM
⬢ Glastonbury - Clubhouse on Main | The Back Nine’s | 8PM
⬢ Granby - Cambridge Brew House | Rich & Tony Duo | 6PM
⬢ Hartford - Arch St Tavern | Friday Night Disco w/ BooYah | 9PM $
⬢ Hartford - The Bushnell | Tito Nieves | 8PM $
⬢ Manchester - Ryan’s Sports Bar | Just Garcia Band | 9:30PM-1AM
⬢ Manchester - Murphy’s Pub | Dee-Lish & The Disciples | 9PM
⬢ Simsbury - Talcott Mountain Collective | Shakedown Citi | 7:30PM
⬢ Vernon - Rocking Horse Bar | Savage Brothers | 8PM

Berlin | BOO-ZY Book Fair | 12-6PM - Horror/mystery/thriller authors + craft brews at Coles Road Brewing (817 Farmington Ave). Signings, vendors, spooky pages with pints. Costumes encouraged!

Farmington | Farmington Valley Music Festival | 11AM-6PM $ - Two stages, 8 performers, food trucks, and a beer tent at Winding Trails (50 Winding Trails Dr). Della Mae, Buffalo Rose, Cold Chocolate & more. More Info & Tix

Hartford | Spirited Social Halloween Bash | 6-9PM $ - 18+ costume night at the Wadsworth Atheneum (600 Main St). DJ, contests, creepy crafts, and an 8:30pm screening. Tickets include drinks. Get Passes

Hartford | CT Lit Fest 2025 | 11AM-6PM - Free, all-day readings, talks, book fair at Real Art Ways (56 Arbor St). Writers, presses, and panels take over the galleries.

Manchester | Downtown Halloween Happenings | 11AM-1PM - Trick-or-treat on Main, bag-decorating, pumpkin giveaway around Downtown Manchester (903 Main St). Family-friendly, easy stroll.

Rocky Hill | Fall Fest 2025 | 3-7:30PM $ - Town party with live music, vendors, and more at Elm Ridge Park Amphitheater (376 Elm St). Evening fall vibes, local eats.

Simsbury | Vines & Finds Market & Wellness Grove | 10AM-3PM - 70+ makers plus a holistic “Wellness Grove” at Rosedale Farms & Vineyards (25 E Weatogue St). Free; donations benefit Simsbury Social Services.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Broad Brook - Opera House | Mullett (80’s Rock Night) | 8PM $
⬢ East Granby - Almost Famous Brewing | Fairfield Street Band | 7-10PM
⬢ Glastonbury - Hops on the Hill | Kevin Giarnella | 2PM
⬢ Granby - The Bear’s Den | Wolf Moon | 6-9PM
⬢ Hartford - Arch St Tavern | Big I.C, Cycle & Carmyfresh | 9PM-12AM $
⬢ Hartford - Infinity Music Hall | A Band Of Brothers (Allman Bro’s Tribute) | 8PM $
⬢ Hartford - Black Eyed Sally’s | Bobby T & The Name Droppers | 8PM
⬢ Hartford - The Webster Underground | The Haunt | 7PM $
⬢ Manchester - Ryan’s Sports Bar | Mixtape Misfits | 9:30PM
⬢ Manchester - The Main Pub | Tribulations | 8:30PM
⬢ Manchester - Elicit Brewing Co | Bad Habit | 9PM
⬢ New Britain - Trinity-On-Main | Soul Sound Revue | 7:30-10PM $
⬢ Simsbury - Talcott Mountain Collective | Shout (90’s Dance Party) | 8-11PM $
⬢ Vernon - Rocking Horse Bar | The Brat Pack | 9PM

Bristol | Family Fall Festival | 11AM-4PM $ - Hayrides, pumpkins, farm animals, and demos at Indian Rock Nature Preserve (501 Wolcott Rd). $10 kids / $5 adults; all-ages fall fun.

Glastonbury | Halloween Hike with Pigs | 11AM $ - Gentle trail time + costumed pig photo ops at J.B. Williams Park (705 Neipsic Rd). One hour, family-friendly, pure serotonin.

New Britain | Norman Rockwell: From Camera to Canvas (Walk-In Tour) | 1PM $ - Docent-led deep dive through the special exhibition at NBMAA (56 Lexington St). Members free. Walk-in only.

Wethersfield | Intro to Astrology | 10AM-2:30PM $ - Chart basics and cosmic 101 at The Blackbird House (147 Main St). Small-group workshop. Register

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Simsbury - Talcott Mountain Collective | Saintshouse & Free Range Humans | 1-6PM
⬢ West Hartford - New Park Brewing | Faux Jazz | 6PM $

South Windsor | Open Cruise Night | 3-9PM - Chrome + craft beer at Connecticut Valley Brewing Co. (765 Sullivan Ave). All cars welcome; patios, firepits, Birdhouse bites = easy Monday hang.

Southington | Boot, Scootin’ Brew - Line Dancing for Beginners | 6PM - Two-step 101 at Kinsmen Brewing Co. (409 Canal St). Lesson-first, then keep dancing - perfect starter night. More Info & Passes