GO LOCAL NOVEMBER

THE COLONIAL FLOWER SHOPPE

The Colonial Flower Shoppe delivers everything one would expect from its name – a quaint, traditional New England shop with an updated twist. Owner Debbie Farnham first opened the shop in 1982 across the street from its current location at 611 Main St. in Somers, CT. She opened shortly after she was married and continued to grow and flourish over the years.

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FROM THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR . PAYTON NORTH

When I was a little girl, summer was my favorite season. The warmth, cheerful flowers, and endless activities one can do during the hotter months made June through August the best time of year in my mind.

As I’ve grown older though, I’ve found myself gravitating to fall and the start of winter – specifically September through December. Once the temperatures drop to the 60’s and subsequently 50’s, I feel renewed. I pull out my cozy, thick-knit sweaters, don my favorite boots, light pumpkin, sugar cookie and evergreen scented candles and bask in the glory of what these months bring: the holiday season.

Though I’m writing this column in the middle of October in advance of our publication deadline, I’ve already been debating the question I ask myself annually: how soon is too soon to start watching holiday movies? While Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year – I’ll get into that in December’s Go Local column. This month, many of us look forward to Thanksgiving – also known as my second favorite holiday.

Over the years, Thanksgiving has changed in my family, as traditions naturally do. We used to celebrate the holiday at my grandmother’s house, however now my parents host the whole family to give gram a well-earned break. A few aspects to the holiday will never change, though. The delicious homemade rolls my gram bakes and now brings over, the pumpkin pie, chocolate cream and apple pies that my mother has perfected over the years, our annual game of LCR (left, right, center – a gambling game using only dice and quarters), right down to the stunning custom floral arrangements on our tables that we always purchase from a local florist.

Last Thanksgiving, my family had arrangements that included eucalyptus, white and peach roses, berries, and vibrant orange ranunculus. The Colonial Flower Shoppe in Somers, CT, featured in this edition of Go Local, discusses how Thanksgiving florals often revolve around deep, rich color and texture, including grasses, berries, mini pumpkins, wheat, pods and more mixed with seasonal flowers like sunflowers, mums, thistle, and rust lilies.

Thinking about starting your holiday shopping early, but looking to buy local? Look no further than Outside The Box Gift Shop at 44 Sewall St. in Ludlow, MA. The storefront opened two weeks prior to the coronavirus pandemic shutdown, but managed to stay afloat, and plans to move in early 2023 to a new location only a quarter of a mile from their current shop. Outside The Box Gift Shop offers local and handmade goods, including clothing, décor and more.

After a long day of holiday shopping, readers may be looking for a casual night out where they don’t have to toil over a stove or spend significant time cleaning up afterward. Formerly known as The Kitchen in Longmeadow, MA, The Thirsty Dog Bar and Grill transforms the classic diner space into a neighborhood pub, offering live music, a luncheon-style menu and even an early Sunday breakfast.

And with chillier temperatures comes white fluffy snow, welcoming avid skiers, and snowboarders to their favorite local mountaintops to pick up the seasonal hobby. But before readers bounce off to the slopes – take stock in your gear. Could your skis use a sharpening? Perhaps those trusty leather gloves of yours are finally showing their age. Or – are you planning on skiing or boarding more than normal this year, but don’t want to invest in the purchase of the equipment? Head on over to New England Ski & Scuba in Vernon, CT, where they believe “service makes all the difference,” and take pride in making sure outdoor aficionados are comfortable with their equipment.

What I enjoy most about this time of year is spending quality time with family and friends in my parents’ cozy living room around the fireplace, with good food and drinks, games and conversation. This is the season that I cherish.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful November, however you celebrate.

Payton North,

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Payton North CREATIVE

Beth Thurber, Manager . Leigh Catchepaugh

Susan Bartlett . Molly Arnio . Sophia Kelleher

DESIGN & CONTENT

Michelle Johnson

ADVERTISING

Barb Perry, Advertising Manager . Jeanette Lee

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Matt Mahaney . Paula Dimauro . Scott Greene

Terry O’ Donnell . Victoria Owen

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Curtis Panlilio, Operations Director

Fran Smith, General Manager

THE GO LOCAL COMMUNITY

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280 North Main Street • East Longmeadow, MA 01028 Tel: 413.525.6661

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The Colonial FLOWER SHOPPE

The Colonial Flower Shoppe delivers everything one would expect from its name – a quaint, traditional New England shop with an updated twist.

Owner Debbie Farnham first opened the shop in 1982 across the street from its current location at 611 Main St. in Somers, CT. She opened shortly after she was married and continued to grow and flourish over the years.

“I am the sole proprietor of Colonial Flower Shoppe although, if it were not for my husband Neal’s support and family, I would not be where I am today,” Farnham said.

After several years of success, Farnham wanted to expand and found the perfect place was just across the street.

“In May 1985, the flower shop relocated to 611 Main St., a 1795 colonial home owned by the Finley family. The property had been for sale for a lengthy time and was a twofamily rental property.  I would walk outside my shop at 612, saying, ‘What if Neal and I were to buy that house and move the flower shop across the street? I could work and be able to raise a family there,’” thought Farnham. “After meeting with Mr. Finley, who lived in town and sharing with him my vision he agreed to work with Neal and I.  A lawyer from Somers was hired and we, along with Mr. Finley approached the Somers Zoning Board and then the Somers Zoning Board of Appeals.”

In order to buy the property and move the flower shop, the stipulation from the Somers Zoning Board of Appeals was that Farnham had to live on the property.

“This process seemed like the easy part considering the renovations that needed to be done to open the flower shop in its new location,” she recalled. “Working all day, then taking every other waking moment that Neal and I didn’t need to sleep to tear down a couple of walls needed to open up the first floor of the building for the flower shop, scrape peeling paint, refinish floors, hire contractors to make upgrades in the building. So many things needed to be done before I was ready to move the contents of 612 Main St. to 611 Main St., all the time wanting to make sure that the integrity of this beautiful historic building was maintained and not destroyed.”

Farnham began renovating their living space after reopening the shop and it has become a well-known home in town.

“Neal and I have been very conscious of ensuring that the center of Somers looks nice for the town, the people who live in town and those who pass through,” she said.

Farnham always had a love of nature and flowers, growing up in a family that spent much of its time outdoors.

“We all found some sort of achievement working with nature,” she said.  “A vegetable garden, flower gardens, picking up hay bales, mowing the lawn. All these things helped to pave a path for an agricultural background. When I was in high school my parents put up a hobby greenhouse that they still have to this day that allowed me to grow my knowledge of the industry. They were so supportive every step of the way.”

Farnham earned a florist certificate from UConn in 1979 and landed her first job with a florist in Enfield

working as a manager where she said she learned some of the business aspects of running a flower shop.

When Farnham first opened, there were few large retailers providing flowers and gifts.

“The small gift shops were I,” she said. “People bought local, supported local and no one ever thought anything of it. It saddened me when retailing changed and the small gift shops that were the backbone of small towns eventually were forced to close. Now it is fashionable to support local once again and this helped exponentially through the COVID[-19] crisis for two years.”

Farnham said the flower shop’s gift shop includes a wide variety of products in a wide variety of price points. Jewelry, outerwear, home décor, items to give for sympathy, weddings and more.

“I try to buy as many products from companies in the USA but there are also some unique lines and great stuff offshore, especially Mexico and the Java Island that the shop carries as well,” she said.

Farnham opened the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in the late 1990s, in another renovated part of the first floor of the building.

“At first it was my intention to keep this special part of the flower shop open all year especially because Christmas is such a magical time any time of year, but I quickly realized that my customers were done with Christmas after the New Year,” said Farnham. “Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe is re-done every year with new mixes of merchandise opening just before Thanksgiving.

As much as I try to offer a broad spectrum of holiday themes, these last few years offerings have been more of a traditional, home spun feel.”

Farnham said each season and holiday falling within that season has its own unique “flower flavor.”

“With Thanksgiving coming up, the emphasis is always on deep rich color and texture,” she said. “Grasses, berries, mini pumpkins, wheat and pods will be mixed with the rich colors of sunflowers, mums, hydrangea, thistle and rust lilies, deep burgundy roses and carnations. The Christmas season, especially in New England, has always been about greenery including holly, cedar, pine and noble fir mixed with pinecones, ribbons and the addition of flowers like green mini hydrangea, rich red roses and carnations. Our customers are all about bringing the beauty of the outdoors inside during the holiday seasons.”

The flower shop will be open seven days a week beginning just before Thanksgiving through Christmas for customer convenience.

The Colonial Flower Shoppe has hosted a Holiday Open House the first weekend in December every year since it opened in 1982. Farnham said it started with a small plate of cookies and cider in the beginning “and now my kitchen, located on the

first floor of the building, is open and on my table are plates of assorted homemade treats many made from recipes from family, and hot mulled cider is served up by my mom who has always been involved.”

This year Farnham is planning to have the holiday Open House once again.

The Shoppe has many special offerings, including from Farnham’s own family.

“My dad just celebrated his 90th birthday in September and, up until then, has provided local honey to my customers for over the last 15 years,” she said. “Keeping bees here at 611 Main St. was a great thing and now just within the last month, we are now carrying local honey from a beekeeper in Somers and maple syrup that is made by my husband from the sap collected on the property. My son, Christopher, is a wood worker, making cutting boards, wooden soap dishes and charcuterie boards. The technical side of the business is handled largely by my son, Thomas. All and all, ‘we are family.’” Farnham added.

Farnham said flowers remain significant to many people.

“Even after being in business for 40 years, I am still in awe as to how important flowers are to people, especially as an option in conveying a special message when sending them,” she said. “The flower shop has gone through so many exterior challenges in its 40 years, riding up on the good times in the late 1900s, the great low of the 9/11 tragedy, the banking and realty crisis in 2008, the wars fought offshore but affecting the country and most recently the [coronavirus] pandemic that paralyzed the world. I had no idea that the floral industry, especially the giving of flowers, would be one of the comforting factors for people during this time of isolation.

“My shop was able to shut down as directed and, with the dedication of my drivers and a couple of key staff members, was able to deliver so many smiles and signs of hope. This was truly a humbling time for me and my staff and maybe why I have enjoyed the floral and gift business for so long. It is a career of service to our customers, being there during times of joy and sadness, to share smiles and tears, whatever the occasion for flowers or a small gift and ultimately making sure they feel better, either at the end of their phone call or visit to the shop with what they have decided on.”

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New England Ski & Scuba

The folks at New England Ski and Scuba are just a couple months into their busiest time of the year - snow season.

“It’s when we do 75-80 percent of our business from October through March,” said co-owner David McClure.

New England Ski and Scuba first opened its doors as Win-Sum Sports in Vernon, CT, before eventually changing to its current name.

Recreational skiing has been a passion for McClure since high school – racing never appealed to him – and he turned his experience on the slopes into helping customers throughout high school and college working in a local ski shop. After graduation, he assisted the new owners of New England Ski & Scuba on weekends with their venture, later buying half of the business when one of them passed away. Two years later, Oliver Pelton, purchased the remaining share.

“We think it is important to be a part of the community … to keep the shop going and to promote getting out in the fresh air and enjoying some recreation on your own or as a family,” McClure said.

The shop owner noted two things in particular set

New England Ski & Scuba apart from their competitors: service and longevity.

“We have been around since 1969 and we are not going anywhere,” McClure said.

And their service is second to none.

Staff at New England Ski & Scuba are trained, certified and experienced in all aspects of scuba and skiing and can assist customers with selecting and purchasing the right merchandise for them.

“Service makes all the difference, something you don’t get at ‘big box’ stores or when you order something online. How do you know if that ski boot or snorkel is the perfect fit for you? We can help you to make the right decision in choosing not only the right product for you, but also make sure you are getting the proper fit for a safe experience on the slopes or in the water,” McClure said.

New England Ski & Scuba sells the most up-todate and cutting-edge ski gear including cross-country, snowboard gear and scuba gear, featuring all major brands at competitive pricing. They also offer a variety of ski and snowboard services such as mounting, repair, complete tune-up packages and more, as well as seasonal leasing.

“We do a lot of seasonal leasing, more skis and snowboards, at least 500; 100 of which are for adults. The reason the number for adults is so small is that they prefer to purchase their own. However, kids are still growing, and many parents prefer to lease because if their child outgrows their boots or skis during the lease period, they simply come back to us for another pair as part of the rental agreement,” McClure said.

He noted one of the hotter items on the market today is all-mountain twin tip skis which are wider than normal and curve at the tip and tail.

“Kids like them because they can bring them into parks and do freestyle tricks with them, and they are becoming more popular with adults for all-mountain skiing and are well-suited for flowing more on powder,” McClure said.

As for the scuba season, it has a smaller window from June through September, McClure noted.

In addition to sales and service – staff at New England Ski & Scuba are trained, certified and experienced in all aspects of scuba – it is also a time when they bring additional expertise to the table for their customers –scuba lessons and trips.

“We offer year-round classes all the way from beginner diver to assistant instructor and for someone who wants to work their way up to a career professional there are plenty of routes to choose from such as a rescue diver,” McClure said.

Classes are offered at the pool in Star Hill Family Athletic Center at 100 Gerber Dr. in Tolland, CT. Visit newenglandskiandscuba.com for classes and pricing.

The store also has a dive travel coordinator.

“We have local trips on summer weekends to various

dive sites such as in Newport, RI, and Gloucester which sits on Cape Ann here in Massachusetts. They are free and very informal. We meet at the store parking lot and carpool to our destination and stop for lunch,” McClure said.

“We also offer a larger trip to the islands once a year usually in the spring to places such as the Philippines or Bonaire. We stopped doing them during the [coronavirus] pandemic but expect to begin once again next spring,” he added.

Ahead of scuba season, the store is offering a special “Student Personal Gear Package” including mask, fins, semidry snorkel and boots for the student price of $219.99.

Also, if you want to upgrade, New England Ski & Scuba accepts consignment goods of skiing and snowboarding gear and scuba equipment from Monday through Thursday at the store from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.

“Of course, everything must be in good condition and no older than seven years,” McClure said, who added when an item sells, the customer will receive a store credit for 60 percent of the selling price.

New England Ski and Scuba is located on 60 Windsor Ave. (Rt. 83), in Vernon, CT.

Hours are September through March: Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; April through August: Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

860-872-0113

Westfield Food Pantry is collecting donations for Thanksgiving. Their goal is to have 300 turkeys by November 18th. All these turkeys will be gifted along with fixing or prepared meals for those in need.

If you can help, contact Rebecca: directir@WestfieldFoodPantry.org.

Check out their website to view the Turkey Tracker.: https://www.westfieldfoodpantry.org/

THANKSGIVING SIT DOWN DINNER AT THE DELANEY HOUSE

Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner at the Delaney House starting at 11am. This meal will not be buffet style. Make your reservations now for tables of 2- 16 people. Kids menus will be offered for ages 3-10 years old. Tickets are $49.95 per person and $20.95 for kids. The menu will be an a la carte sit down menu.

For more information visit: delaneyhouse.com

The Woman’s Club of Enfield and the Enfield Food Shelf are joining together for the annual “Tree” Mendous Holiday Celebration taking place from November 25th to December 11th at Enfield Square, the event location sponsor. This year, the event will be both in person at our Enfield Square location as well as online. The Committee is asking businesses or individuals to donate a decorated tree or wreath with all the trimmings. Trees will be displayed at the Enfield Square from November 25th to December 11th. Admission is free and visitors to the event can enjoy the wonderful holiday display. On December 11th at the conclusion of the “Tree” Mendous Holiday Celebration, all trees will be raffled off to lucky winners. Proceeds from the event will benefit Enfield Food Shelf and Woman’s Club of Enfield. Check our Facebook page for updates and details for online viewing.

For more information, to donate a tree or to sponsor the event, please contact Sharon DAmbrosio of the Woman’s Club of Enfield at 860-763-5660 and / or Kathleen Souvigney of the Enfield Food Shelf at 860-741-7321.

DAY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH,

outside the box

GIFT SHOP

Outside the Box Gift Shop is more than a shop, it’s a community, event, workshop and fundraising space.

Owner Michelle LaRocque had a vision that started eight years ago when she began making her own bath and body products.

“I did it as a side hobby until reality struck hard. My brother passed away suddenly at 58-yearsold and I decided it was time to change my life. I left the corporate world after 25 years. Just left, walked away and knew that I would start this business soon after that,” she said.

LaRocque started out in a small space in downtown Springfield through a grant program.

“This was the test and I really loved it and wanted to take it to the next level,” said LaRocque. “I found a small spot in Ludlow that seemed [like] a perfect next step on a pretty busy street.  I was open for two weeks and COVID[-19] struck and I was shut down. I cried and cried a little more. I pulled up my big girl

pants and started heavy social media marketing.”

LaRocque said she was flooded with customers.

“People just started buying and buying and I delivered and did curbside pick-up while I was closed,” she said. “I was able to pay all my expenses on my own and then we moved to the current location which is much bigger but no street visibility at all. We will be moving – hopefully one last time –just a quarter of a mile from where we are now. We are currently at 44 Sewall St. in Ludlow and will be moving to 314 Sewall St.”

“The move will get happening late January or early February next year,” said LaRocque. “We have been two years in the current space which is quite hidden from street exposure. We were so very lucky to find this new space which is on the same street.”

The next location will have full street front exposure and an outdoor green space where LaRocque plans to host more outdoor events, including small craft fairs and yoga.

Outside the Box Gift Shop offers clothing, décor and much more.

“Our first go-to is local and handmade when we can find it,” said LaRocque. “Handmade anywhere would be next and we also do wholesale, women’s apparel, previously loved, refinished, recycled and refurbished. From home to decor, to food items to

jewelry and more!”

LaRocque and her vendors focus on all things local and handmade and enjoy what they do.

“We laugh a lot, make mistakes, fix things, create things, dumpster dive, get silly and we do ‘a little loud’ really well,” she said. “Most items are not what you can find in other shops or even online.”

Outside the Box also hosts events.

“We do DIY workshops, from paint and sip nights, to fundraisers for all types of organizations,” said LaRocque. “We often get items to please the foodie people, sometimes a food truck too. We hold all types of fun events as well. Music bingo, cupcake tasting … just to name a few. We are the kind of place that treats our customers like friends. Bring a coffee and just come have a chat!”

LaRocque said she is excited to join other small businesses this holiday season.

“We are thrilled to be part of the small business community,” said LaRocque. “We love what we do, and we hope you will come and check us out and support multiple small businesses with hard working, creative people under one roof. Help put money back into your small community and shop and eat local.”

Currently open Tuesday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesday from 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Hours will be increasing in November for the holidays with some later evenings and Sundays. Check their Facebook and Instagram pages for updates.

OUTSIDE THE BOX GIFT SHOP IS CURRENTLY AT 44 SEWALL ST. IN LUDLOW AND WILL BE MOVING TO 314 SEWALL ST.

THE KITCHEN and The Thirsty Dog

Fans of The Kitchen in Longmeadow are getting ready for a change. And those looking for a new restaurant to try will now have one to add to their list.

The Kitchen, if it hasn’t already, will be transitioning in November to The Thirsty Dog Bar and Grill under the sole ownership of David Blais.

Blais worked in the corporate world for many years before deciding six years ago to leave it all behind to pursue what had always been his passion – cooking.

“I didn’t have any experience and wanted to buy a food truck. So, I went to see Bobby Barkett, who opened The Kitchen back in 2014, and told him what I was thinking of doing. He invited me to work with him for a while to see if it was something I would really enjoy doing. Eventually I did buy that food truck and went on to run little kitchens inside Two Weeks

Notice Brewing Company and The Daily Pint in Wilbraham,” Blais said.

But Blais wanted more.

“I was running back and forth between the two kitchens, and it was getting to be too much for me. I wanted something I could call my own. That’s when I approached Bobby about a co-partnership in The Kitchen, which led to a discussion about my sole ownership of his restaurant,” he said.

Blais explained that he will be taking the restaurant from the classic diner that The Kitchen has been for the past eight years to a classic neighborhood pub concept of The Thirsty Dog.

“I love the idea of having a neighborhood pub that serves to bring the community together. It’s somewhere you can go with friends and neighbors to hang out and support and watch on our big screen television your local teams like the Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics as well as to come for other entertainment,” he said.

There will be live acoustic music on Thursday and Saturday from 7-10 p.m. and the opportunity to warble a tune or two on Wednesdays during karaoke with Amanda Rowe and Matt Gibbs. Also coming soon will be an opportunity to test your knowledge on a special trivia night. A newly added jukebox will keep the music playing for those who want to hear their favorite tunes.

Featuring a luncheon-style pub menu, The Thirsty Dog serves up a heaping helping of nachos, wings, fries, onion rings, tater tots, mac and cheese, burgers and hot dogs. There are also deli sandwiches ranging from corned beef to pastrami and turkey to ham, as well as the ever popular and tasty BLT and grilled cheese, alongside an array of salads and more to choose from. And now that the cooler weather is here, there are soups such as cheeseburger chowder, chicken noodle, squash bisque, clam chowder and others.

Early Sunday breakfast includes a full menu of egg sandwiches, pancakes, waffles, French toast, omelets with all the fixing’s one could choose, and the typical breakfast plates of eggs, toast and coffee with add-ons such as fresh ham, corned beef hash, sausage or bacon, home fried potatoes, bagel muffin, and more.

“There will be several new additions coming to our menu such as fish and chips, Guinness beef stew, and a variety of gourmet grilled cheese such as one with Havarti cheese and blueberry, another with cheddar mac and cheese, and one with fig jam and goat cheese. We will also be evolving our Sunday breakfast into a hip brunch atmosphere with music and mimosa flights and

other cool changes. And while we don’t have any desserts on the menu, we will be partnering with someone to bring some sweet treats in for those who want them,” Blais said.

As for the “bar” in Thirsty Dog Bar and Grill, Blais noted he will be promoting local brewers and spirit makers to his thirsty customers.

The Thirsty Dog owner also plans to expand an already busy catering operation.

“It is an important revenue stream for restaurants trying to bounce back from the effects of the [coronavirus] pandemic on their business and a summer season which is traditionally a slow time for them,” he said.

The Thirsty Dog owner noted their catering business covers a broad spectrum from menus to services to sites.

“We offer a variety of menus to choose from beyond our pub menu, full entrees including steak and lobster, for example, or a more relaxed barbecue, whatever the customer desires. We will go to the customers house or business and set up and serve for them or simply set it up, or they can come pick everything up from us. And, if someone has rented a site for their event, we can work out of there for them,” Blais said.

“Right now, we are closed on Monday and Tuesday and welcome anyone who wants to rent our facility for a function,” he added.

Current hours, which over time will change, are Wednesday through Friday from noon to 11 p.m., Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“I invite everyone to come out and visit us at The Thirsty Dog where a causal, comfortable, welcoming atmosphere awaits them with super nice people behind the bar and table servers just waiting to make your visit a pleasurable experience,” Blais said.

THE NEWLY NAMED THIRSTY DOG BAR AND GRILL IS LOCATED ON 791 WILLIAMS ST. IN LONGMEADOW.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TAKE-OUT SERVICE, CALL (413) 754-3770 OR VISIT MYLONGMEADOWKITCHEN.COM WHICH WILL SOON UNDERGO A REVAMP.

MICKEY MOUSE MADE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE IN WHAT SHORT FILM IN NOVEMBER OF 1928?

A. Steamboat Willie B. The Barn Dance

C. Plane Crazy

D. The Gallopin’ Gaucho

HOW MANY YEARS DID IT TAKE FOR BILL BELICHICK TO WIN A SUPER BOWL WITH THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS?

A. One B. Two C. Three D. Four

WHICH ANIMAL HAS THE LARGEST BRAIN (APPROXIMATELY 18 LBS)?

A. Elephant B. Sperm Whale C. Hippopotamus D. Colossal Squid

WHAT IS THE LARGEST BONE IN THE HUMAN BODY?

A. Tibia B. Femur C. Radius D. Ulna

ANSWERS:

The Final Countdown

7 places for specialty drinks that warm hearts and tempt taste buds!

The Old Fashioned

CIRCUIT COFFEE

22 ELM STREET

WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 01085

Check out The Old Fashioned at Circuit Coffee, featuring a house-made bourbon, brown sugar and orange syrup. Circuit has a full espresso bar and a variety of teas and other unique drinks. Try one of their house made pastries baked fresh every morning!

For more information visit: circuitcoffee.co

Caramel Apple Chai

LUANNE'S BAKERY & CAFE

238 SOMERS ROAD

ELLINGTON, CT 06029 (860) 872-8073

Luanne’s bakery is the perfect place to grab a coffee and a sweet treat! Try a specialty drink like their Caramel Apple Chai! Luanne’s also offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. They even have a drive through to make your mornings a little easier.

For more information visit: luannsbakery.com

Perfect Pumpkin Pair

BIRDHOUSE COFFEE

765 SULLIVAN AVE

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT 06074 (860) 474-3737

Connecticut Valley Brewing Co. and Birdhouse Coffee are serving up all things pumpkin for the fall. Come try a Pumpkin Patch Ale or a Pumpkin Pie Latte at their taproom and coffee bar.

For more information visit: birdhousecoffee.com

Honey-Sage Cardamom latte

CATALPA COFFEE

269 PLEASANT STREET

NORTHAMPTON, MA 01060 (413) 727-3291

Catalpa Coffee is roasted daily in both locations, Northampton and Greenfield. Their Honey-Sage Cardamom latte is made with their signature Dawn Espresso, house made honey sage syrup, and topped with fresh sage and cardamom.

For more information visit: catalpacoffee.com

Egg Nog Latte

JAVA STOP

1226 SPRINGFIELD STREET

FEEDING HILLS, MA 01030 (413) 786-0000

Agawam's Java Stop has a variety of unique coffee flavors. Try their Egg Nog Latte made with the finest Hood can offer. Fogbuster mixed with eggnog is sure to get you into the holiday spirit!

Check out their online menu which includes sugar free options: agawamjavastop.com

Cinnamon Maple Latte

STAFFORD COFFEE COMPANY

42 MAIN STREET

STAFFORD, CT 06076 (860) 851-8900

Stafford Coffee Company makes this specialty latte with pure maple syrup from Hydeville Sugar Shack. It is available both cold and hot. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, and the option to order online. Stop by and check out their fall specialty drinks.

For more information visit: staffordcoffeeco.com

Apple Chai

THIRSTY MIND COFFEE & WINE BAR

23 COLLEGE ST SUITE 6

SOUTH HADLEY, MA 01075 (413) 538-9309

Thirsty Mind Coffee and Wine Bar is supplied by local vendors and farm, offering gourmet coffee, pastries, wine, books, and music. Try their Apple Chai made up of half chai, half cider.

For more information visit: thirstymindcoffeeshop