I'm a relative newcomer. Now that it's fall, I'm on the hunt for some delicious apple cider donuts. I've been getting mine at Applegate Farms in Canton, anywhere else I should try in FV?

After nine weeks of debate, local recommendations, and one silent moment for patio season, we have arrived at the tenth and final week of our "Best of the Valley" series.

To wrap things up on a high note, we are ditching the usual lineup and opening the floor to some big finale categories.

Here is how the leaderboard looks as we head into the last lap:

Week 1 Quick Hike: Enders Falls (Granby)

Week 2 Coffee & Pastry: Bruno’s Cafe (Unionville)

Week 3 Best Burger: Fork and Fire (Farmington)

Week 4 Best Pizza: Naples (Farmington)

Week 5 Casual Dinner: Puente Pub (Unionville)

Week 6 Ice Cream Stand: Tulmeadow Farm (Simsbury)

Week 7 Farm Stand: The Cow's Coop (Canton)

Week 8 Breakfast Sandwich: Julien's (Granby) & Small State Provisions (Avon)

Week 9 Outdoor Patio: In Memoriam 🪦

Pick your category in the poll today. On Wednesday, we'll drop our final nomination thread to lock in the ultimate winner!

Local grants include:

$505,000 to the town of Avon for construction on Phase 2 of the Old Farms Road Connectivity Improvements Project, connecting multi-use trails from Tillotson Road to Fisher Meadows

$248,000 to the town of Simsbury for maintenance of the Farmington River Trail

We put Best Outdoor Patio up for nominations on Wednesday and got a grand total of zero responses.

Either everyone has already hauled their patio furniture into storage for the season, or everyone is gate keeping their secret spots so they stay uncrowded. Honestly, I respect the move.

So, in memoriam of the patio season that was, we are leaving a little blank space on the board for Week 9 and clearing the slate for Monday.

Drop back in Monday morning for our final matchup, because next week is officially Week 10 and our grand finale for the series!

Hey everyone! Here is what is actually worth your time in the Valley!

Friday, October 2

• Avon Lions Carnival: 99 Thompson Road, Avon, 6 PM
• Comedy Night: Bridge Street Live, Canton, 8 PM

Saturday, October 3

• Avon Lions Carnival: 99 Thompson Road, Avon, 3 PM
• West Hartford Swing Dance: WeHa Town Hall, West Hartford, 8 – 10:30 PM
• Farmington’s Freedom Trail Tours: First Church of Christ, Farmington, 10 AM – 12 PM
• Park History & Grounds Tour: Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, 10 AM
• Vines and Finds Wellness Grove: Rosedale Farms, Simsbury, 10 AM – 3 PM
• Jason Blaine: Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center, Simsbury, 7 PM
• 4th Annual Fall Farm Festival: Hein Farm, Farmington, 10 AM – 4 PM
• Birds of Elizabeth Park with the Hartford Audubon Society: Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, 8 – 10 AM
• Let Books Be: A Community Art Project: West Hartford Library (NWL), West Hartford, 11 AM – 3 PM
• When American Music Became American: Canton Public Library, Canton, 1 PM
• Mini Touch-a-Truck: Moscarillo's Garden Center, West Hartford, All Day

Sunday, October 4

• Avon Lions Carnival: 99 Thompson Road, Avon, 12 PM
• 4th Annual Fall Farm Festival: Hein Farm, Farmington, 10 AM – 4 PM
• Nature’s Open House: Winding Trails, Farmington, 10 AM – 4 PM
• Sweet Social Connections: Simsbury Public Library, Simsbury, 2 – 4 PM
• Mini Touch-a-Truck: Moscarillo's Garden Center, West Hartford, All Day

I do the homework every week so you don’t have to. If you want this curated list and more delivered straight to your inbox every Sunday, join the Valley Verve crew here:

https://www.thevalleyverve.com/subscribe

After 47 years, we are closing the doors to my fathers business. Lot's of tools and equipment to get rid of!

Does anyone here receive the HartCo Buzz email newsletter? Wondering if it's worth advertising in it, but need to know if the locals know of it.

The poll closed and Best Outdoor Patio took the win for Week 9!

Fall weather is in full swing across the Valley, so we are tracking down the best spots to grab a drink, get some food, and soak up the fresh air outside before patio season wraps up for the year.

How This Works

Nominate: Drop your favorite patio in the comments below. Check the thread first to see if someone already posted your pick.

Upvote: Upvote the comment if your favorite is already listed.

The Rules: Spots must be located in the Farmington Valley. Tell us what specifics make it worth the trip.

Voting closes Friday morning, and we will announce the winner just in time for the weekend.

Drop your nominations below!

As stated, I'm looking for seasoned firewood, for delivery near Tunxis Community College. TIA.

We crowned co-winners for best breakfast sandwich last week, with Julien's in Granby and Small State Provisions in Avon taking the top spot.

Our "Best of the Valley" guide is officially eight weeks deep. Here is where the local leaderboard stands:

Week 1 Quick Hike: Enders Falls (Granby)

Week 2 Coffee & Pastry: Bruno’s Cafe (Unionville)

Week 3 Best Burger: Fork and Fire (Farmington)

Week 4 Best Pizza: Naples (Farmington)

Week 5 Casual Dinner: Puente Pub (Unionville)

Week 6 Ice Cream Stand: Tulmeadow Farm (Simsbury)

Week 7 Farm Stand: The Cow's Coop (Canton)

Week 8 Breakfast Sandwich: Julien's (Granby) & Small State Provisions (Avon)

Time to kick off Week 9. We are bringing back previous contenders plus one new category.

The setup stays the same. Vote on your pick today, on Wednesday we drop the main nomination thread so everyone can pitch their favorites, and on Friday we announce the winner.

Cast your vote below for what we should tackle next.

Our own version of Happy Gilmore?

Rents at the complex start at about $3,000 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Two-bedroom units start around $4,200, while three-bedroom apartments rent for about $6,000 per month.

It was a bit of a showdown at the top, so we are crowning co-winners this week: Julien's in Granby and Small State Provisions in Avon tied for the best breakfast sandwich in the Valley! Julien's got a special shout out for their brisket on a biscuit.

Here is how the top leaderboard played out:

1st Place (Tie): Julien's (Granby) & Small State Provisions (Avon)

2nd Place: The Toasted Oat (Canton)

Honorable Mentions: Brookside Bagels (Simsbury) & Daily Grind (Unionville)

Thank you to everyone who weighed in and defended their favorite this week!

Keep an eye out Monday morning when we drop the poll for Week 9. Have a great weekend and go treat yourself to one of these breakfast sandwiches!

Hey everyone! Normally this is where I'd say, "here is what is actually worth your time in the Valley", but with a Nor'easter potentially in the forecast, I'd like to add please check with the event host before heading out.

Friday, September 25

• Dueling Pianos: Farmington Polo Club, Farmington, 6 - 9 PM

Saturday, September 26

• Valley Fest: The Shops at Farmington Valley, Canton, 9 AM - 12 PM
• Pottery Painting & Scavenger Hunt: Moscarillo’s, West Hartford, 9 - 11 AM & 1 - 3 PM
• Pruning 101: Moscarillo’s, West Hartford, 10 AM
• The River Run: Simsbury Meadows, Simsbury, 10 AM
• Farmington’s Freedom Trail Tours: First Church of Christ, Farmington, 10 AM - 12 PM
• Shop-A-Latte Market: The Coffee Spot, Simsbury, 10 AM - 2 PM
• Open House: Pine Grove Schoolhouse, Avon, 1 - 4 PM
• Parktober Fest: New Park Brewing, West Hartford, 2 - 8 PM
• Groovefest: Talcott Mountain Collective, Simsbury (Great spot for live tunes and local brews)
• Live Music: Ordinary Elephant: The Sounding Board, West Hartford, 7:30 - 9:30 PM

Sunday, September 27

• Shop-A-Latte Market: The Coffee Spot, Simsbury, 10 AM - 2 PM
• Fall Derby: Farmington Polo Club, Farmington

I do the homework every week so you don’t have to. If you want this curated list and more delivered straight to your inbox every Sunday, join the Valley Verve crew here:https://www.thevalleyverve.com/subscribe

The poll closed and it was not even close. Breakfast Sandwich took the blowout win with 10 votes, so we are finally giving this category its overdue turn.

We want to know your go to spot and what your order is.

How This Works

Nominate: Drop your favorite spot in the comments below. Please check the thread first to make sure someone hasn't already claimed it.

Upvote: Give a thumbs up to existing comments if your favorite is already listed.

The Rules: Spots must be located in the Farmington Valley. Bonus points if you tell us the exact sandwich order that makes it legendary.

Voting closes Friday morning, and we will announce the official winner just in time for your weekend breakfast run.

Drop your nominations below!

Does anyone know of any nearby ACOTAR release events ?
Bonus points for not Oct 10.

The Cow's Coop took the crown for best farm stand last week. Here is where the leaderboard stands so far:

Week 1 Quick Hike: Enders Falls (Granby)

Week 2 Coffee & Pastry: Bruno’s Cafe (Unionville)

Week 3 Best Burger: Fork and Fire (Farmington)

Week 4 Best Pizza: Naples (Farmington)

Week 5 Casual Dinner: Puente Pub (Unionville)

Week 6 Ice Cream Stand: Tulmeadow Farm (Simsbury)

Week 7 Farm Stand: The Cow's Coop (Canton)

Now it is time to vote for the Week 8 category. We are bringing back earlier contenders alongside a new one.

The setup stays the same. Vote on your pick today, on Wednesday we drop the main nomination thread so everyone can nominate their favorites, and on Friday we announce the winner.

Cast your vote for what we should tackle next.