A New Life for The Old Cider Mill in Glastonbury

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Cut to the chase. Take me to the Momsense.

You may have been driving down Main Street in Glastonbury lately and noticed an odd sight: The Old Cider Mill. Now, The Old Cider Mill has been there for ages, so that’s not news. But you may have noticed something different about it. For one thing, it’s open…right now. Normally The Old Cider Mill festivities are reserved for the fall season–pumpkins and hay rides and apple fitters–oh my! But not anymore. After changing hands a couple times over the past couple years, a new proprietor has settled in–the local Gorman Farms–and they have big plans for one of Glastonbury’s most beloved institutions.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I’ll tell you that I happen to be personally acquainted with the new folks who have recently leased the property from the town of Glastonbury (the mill is actually owned by the town), which is how I know so much so soon. But that’s great news for you, our readers, because it means you’ll get the whole scoop here before anyone else does!

We headed over there a couple Sundays ago to see what was going on. First of all, let me say that the place looks beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it looking so spiffy in the seven years we’ve lived in town.

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Wordless Wednesday: A Week in Old Lyme

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Last week a few friends and I kicked off the summer with a stay at Hawk’s Nest Beach in Old Lyme.  It was an adventurous week to say the least.  Three moms and seven kids (including three sets of two-year-old twins) stayed in one teeny tiny beach house. The husbands came down for the day or dinner when the could, but for the most part we were on our own :)

In theory, this adventure may sound insane and in reality at some points it felt a little wild, but the good times outweighed the challenging moments tenfold.

I got to spend a week with two good friends and we had a chance to explore and enjoy the pretty Connecticut shoreline.

On sunny days we walked with the kids the block or so to the beach and never wanted to leave.  On rainy or overcast days we found new places to explore.  We made a trip to Stay and Play in Old Saybrook, had ice cream at the new A.C. Petersen Drive-in in Old Lyme and found a great fully fenced-in playground nearby.

It was a fun week which I hope will become a tradition.  I may post some more details in the coming weeks, but until then, here are a few fun pictures from our stay.

What is your favorite Connecticut beach?

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The Zoo in Forest Park

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Hi!  See that little Facebook “Like” button above this post?  If you like what you read below, would you mind pressing it?  Thanks!  You’re the best!

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Cut to the chase. Take me to the Momsense.

Today my post takes us over the border for a visit to the Zoo in Forest Park located in Springfield, Massachusetts.

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Ready for Summer Series: Pools, Spray Pads and Other Water Activities

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Let’s face it. There’s no better way to beat the heat than to dive into a pool, dance on a spray pad or dip your toes into the ocean. And fortunately for Connecticut residents, we have plenty of ways to get wet!

Back by popular demand, it’s our Hartford County Community Pools Guide. This year it’s updated and expanded to include pools, spray pads, beaches, and other water activities around the state.

Pools and Spray Pads in Hartford County

Avon
  • Sycamore Hills Outdoor Pool (Opens for the season Saturday, 6/8/13; closes Monday, 9/2/13)
  • 635 West Avon Road
  • Check the schedule for recreational swim times
  • Available to residents ($5/person) and non-residents ($7/person); Non-walking children are FREE
  • The facility includes one main pool and a separate kiddie pool
  • Click here for more information about daily rates, schedules, and season passes or call 860-673-5696

Colchester

  • RecPlex Spray Park (Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day)
  • FREE to residents and non-residents
  • Open 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Check out the nearby playground

Glastonbury

  • Addison Road
  • Monday to Friday recreational swim starts at 12:30; Saturday & Sunday recreational swim starts at 10:30 a.m. Click here for the complete schedule (scroll down to page 27).
  • Available to residents ($2/child (under 2 free); $4/adult) and non-residents (double the resident fees).
  • The L-shaped pool has a zero depth entry that is perfect for little ones; facility also includes a separate, completely fenced-in area with a wading pool and a “spray mushroom”. Click here to see our pictures of Addison Park pool and wading pool.
  • Also visit the nearby Addison Park Boundless Playground (open dawn to dusk).
  • Fisher Hill Road
  • Recreational swim starts daily at 10:30 a.m. Click here for the complete schedule (scroll down to page 27).
  • Available to residents (parking fee is $4/weekday and $6/weekend; walk or bike in is FREE) and non-residents (double the resident fees).
  • Beach-type setting; gradually sloped sandy beach is great for toddlers and small children.
  • Bring your own chairs, blankets to sit on, etc.
  • Read about our visit to Eastbury Pond here.
  • Grange Outdoor Pool (Opens for the season Saturday, 6/15/13)
    • Hopewell Road
    • Monday to Friday recreational swim starts at 12:30 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday recreational swim starts at noon. Click here for the complete schedule (scroll down to page 27).
    • Available to residents ($2/child (under 2 free); $4/adult) and non-residents (double the resident fees).
    • The facility also includes a wading pool.
  • Glastonbury High School Pool
    • Hubbard Street
    • Click here for the complete schedule (scroll down to page 27).
    • Available to residents only

    Click here to access the complete Glastonbury pools schedule or call 860-656-7679 for more information.

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    Ready for Summer Series: Family-Friendly Trails

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    Hey!  You know how your little one is motivated by positive reinforcement?  Well, we are too!  Help motivate us to keep writing.  All you have to do is press that little Facebook “Like” button above this post.  Thanks a bunch!

    For Day 4 of our Ready for Summer Series let us reintroduce you to some of the beautiful walking trails that we have discovered over the course of our travels here at OAAM. Whether you’re looking for a good work-out or just a reason to get out, our state has some beautiful trails that make it easy to enjoy the outdoors with your little one.

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