Home Care In West Simsbury, CT

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, sometimes they cannot live independently without someone by their side to provide care. Unfortunately, some older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live in the comforts or their home rather than in an assisted living community. Home care in West Simsbury, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

Home Care Services

Home Care in West Simsbury, CT
The Always Best Care Difference
Types of In-home Care in West Simsbury, CT
Benefits of Home Care in West Simsbury, CT
Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors
Affordable Care Plans
Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers
Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

Service Areas

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DIFFERENCE

The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they age. We are proud to have helped tens of thousands of seniors to maintain a higher level of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home care services in West Simsbury, CT. Always Best Care is here to help.

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Elderly Care for Debra T.

“Bessie has been an exceptional Health Care Provider. She takes such pride in her work”

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In-home Care for Anita

“We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a”

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Home Care Services for Madison R.

“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of”

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Non-medical Home Care for Gregory C.

“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at”

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Personal Senior Care for Milissa K.

“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for”

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Home Care for Liam C.

“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure.”

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Senior Care Services for Dorothy W.

“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began”

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Personal Care Services for Susan W.

“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal”

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Senior Caregiver for Pope A.

“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary”

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In-home Caregiver for Kevin N.

“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company,”

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In-home Care Services for Dorothy29

“My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office”

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Non-medical Caregiver for Caring5863

“Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of”

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Home Caregiver for elizabeth S.

“I have a very good providers from this Company”

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Debra T.

Anita

Madison R.

Gregory C.

Milissa K.

Liam C.

Dorothy W.

Susan W.

Pope A.

Kevin N.

Dorothy29

Caring5863

elizabeth S.

How does In-home Senior Care in West Simsbury, CT work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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Types of In-home Care in West Simsbury, CT

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes or Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

Eating
Mobility Issues
Incontinence

Bathing
Dressing
Grooming

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

Medication Reminders
Meal Preparation
Pet Care
Prescription Refills

Morning Wake-Up
Walking
Reading

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite activities and hobbies while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

Grocery Shopping
Transportation to Appointments
Nutritional Assistance
Conversation

Planning Outings
Completing Errands
Transportation to Community
Events and Social Outings

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Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy other activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress helps reduce the risks of caregiver burnout.

When it comes to non-medical home care, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible. If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

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Benefits of Home Care in West Simsbury, CT

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care.

Age in Place

According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.

Peace of Mind

If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your senior family member is in expert hands.

Socialization

Unlike many senior care facilities where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.

Personalized Care Plan

No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our care plans are tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for clients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

Comfort

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them? A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in West Simsbury, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Healthy Living

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors. Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

Independence

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like an assisted living community. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

Cost and Convenience

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care in West Simsbury, CT gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in West Simsbury,CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

An assessment of your senior loved one

An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

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CT Bucket List: Flamig Farm in West Simsbury continues traditions of fun

It started as an egg farm and is now a fifth-generation family farm offering so much more.SIMSBURY, Conn. — The FOX61 CT Bucket List tour headed to Flamig Farm in West Simsbury on Monday. It's known as a petting zoo but also has so much to explore!It started as an egg farm and is now a fifth-generation family farm offering so much more."It's been in the family since 1907," said Julie Christensen from Flamig Farm.And they have stayed open, largely, because of the family, and the loyal visitors....

It started as an egg farm and is now a fifth-generation family farm offering so much more.

SIMSBURY, Conn. — The FOX61 CT Bucket List tour headed to Flamig Farm in West Simsbury on Monday. It's known as a petting zoo but also has so much to explore!

It started as an egg farm and is now a fifth-generation family farm offering so much more.

"It's been in the family since 1907," said Julie Christensen from Flamig Farm.

And they have stayed open, largely, because of the family, and the loyal visitors.

"Around, here is so great, everyone is so friendly," said Madeline Tucker from Flamig Farm

Tucker and her little sister, Hadley, said it's not only the people who are friendly but the animals too!

"A lot of people may not get to see all of the animals that are supplied here," Tucker said. "We have horses, we have pigs, we have peacocks, and so much more!"

Flamig Farm also does not just house, and take care of these animals either, they have been known to rescue and rehabilitate animals as well.

"This is little Hamlet, I rescued him when he was the size of a potato," said Christensen. "He didn't have much of a chance, but guess what, we adopted him, and now, he's having dessert! He's having his morning coffee cake!"

And, as much as we may all love to see and pet these creatures, turns out, they love it too!

"You can come and you can feed these beautiful animals right out of your hand, they'll come right up to you on the fence," said Pete Christensen of Flamig Farm. "We do pony rides on the weekend, that tends to be a hit for the little guys, and come fall, we do some tractor hayrides, which are another favorite there!"

Plus, visitors can make a whole day out of it! There is a country store with local goods, and on weekends, the farm has food trucks set up outside!

"What I love about the farm, is obviously you get to be outside, enjoying nature," said Pete Christensen. "You get to meet animals that are loving, they love your attention, they are kind, and they are sweet."

It's fun for those who are familiar with farm animals, and especially exciting for those who have never seen them!

"It's really magical to see people who haven't seen animals much from inner cities, that sort of stuff, come out here, touch, feel, hear the animals noises," said Pete Christensen. "It's just truly a magical place, to watch that happen, we bring smiles to people's faces, and that's all you can ask for."

"I think they should come visit because there are just so many animals that want to be pet and interacted with, and just want to see your smile, and it's just so amazing to be here at the farm," said Hadley.

If you are interested in visiting Flamig Farm, they are open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on pony rides are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting.

Want to learn more go here: https://flamigfarm.com/

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Raising Cane's To Open Chicken Eatery In Simsbury

SIMSBURY, CT — A national chicken chain looking to lay foundational eggs in Connecticut is coming to Simsbury after that town's unanimous zoning board approval this week.The Simsbury Zoning Commission voted 6-0 Monday to approve a special permit and site plan for a new "Raising Cane's" chicken fast-food restaurant to be built in the Simsbury Commons retail complex.Currently, no "Raising Cane's" exist in Connecticut, but ...

SIMSBURY, CT — A national chicken chain looking to lay foundational eggs in Connecticut is coming to Simsbury after that town's unanimous zoning board approval this week.

The Simsbury Zoning Commission voted 6-0 Monday to approve a special permit and site plan for a new "Raising Cane's" chicken fast-food restaurant to be built in the Simsbury Commons retail complex.

Currently, no "Raising Cane's" exist in Connecticut, but one was approved to be built in Enfield last October.

"Raising Cane's" is a Baton Rouge, La.,-based chicken chain specializing in deep-fried chicken fingers/sandwiches and a wide array of sauces and side dishes.

Though based in Louisiana, the application information lists a Plano, Texas, address for Raising Cane's. That's where it operates a regional office.

Monday, the town's zoning board had no issues with the application and easily approved the permits via a unanimous voice vote.

The applicant for the restaurant, Hartford-based T.J. Donohue, will build a 3,284-square-foot facility that will feature both indoor and outdoor seating at 530 Bushy Hill Road.

It will be located in Simsbury Commons and be built in the parking lot area near a Men's Warehouse and a Santander Bank.

Only one person spoke at a public hearing Monday, a woman saying she was concerned about impacts to the bank, as she is a frequent customer there.

Otherwise, zoning board members had mostly technical questions regarding the development, which will be in an area zone for business.

As part of the hearing, Jeff Bord, a civil engineer with Bohler Engineering out of West Hartford, gave an in-depth presentation about the project.

Representing Donohue, Bord said the restaurant would have 83 total seats both indoors and outdoors, adding that 81 parking spaces from the existing shopping center would be nearby.

For the official Raising Cane's zoning application and plans, click on this link.

For the Town of Simsbury staff report on the Raising Cane's application, click on this link.

For more information on Raising Cane's, click on this link.

From Oct. 26, 2022: 'Raising Cane's To Open 1st CT Location In Enfield: Reports'

A guide to farm ice creameries in Connecticut

It’s officially ice cream season, and as the temperature climbs, frozen treats look better than ever. Connecticut is home to some ice cream destinations, and thanks to its rich dairy history, several of the state’s ice cream spots are still farmstead creameries, many of which reside on farms that have been in local families for several generations. Ferris Acres established its creamery in 2003, but the Newtown farm's operations date back to 1864. Rich Farm in Oxford launched its ice cream shop in 1994, but the dairy farm originated five generations prior. Tulmeadow Farm Store, which has also been scooping ice cream in West Simsbury since 1994, can trace its roots back to 1768.

Today, these working farms are destinations for premium ice cream made on the premises, with flavors ranging from traditional to trendy. Here are a dozen farmstead creameries in Connecticut, to enjoy a farm-crafted sweet treat, visit with cows and other resident animals and appreciate the state’s agricultural beauty.

Bantam, New Haven and West Hartford

Arethusa

828 Bantam Rd, Bantam

Lisa Nichols / For Hearst CT Media

Arethusa Farm Dairy in Bantam, now a premium Connecticut dairy brand, started with the goal of saving open farmland. Manolo Blahnik executives George Malkemus and Anthony Yurgaitis bought the Bantam farm in 1999, and then became interested in establishing their own dairy herd and bought purebred registered Holsteins, Jerseys and Brown Swiss cows.

Two decades later, Arethusa produces coveted "old fashioned" ice cream, milk, butter, fine cheeses, yogurt and holiday eggnog. Its Bantam dairy shop is next door to its full-service restaurant, Arethusa al tavolo, and across the street from its bakery Arethusa a mano. Scoop shops in New Haven and West Hartford offer ice cream in classic and seasonal flavors and Arethusa's full line of dairy products.

Website

Griswold

Buttonwood Farm

473 Shetucket Turnpike, Griswold

The family-owned farm has produced ice cream on the premises since 1998, made in small batches “providing a uniquely rich, smooth, and clean flavor,” according to its website. Limited edition flavors have included lemon raspberry cheesecake, peanut butter Oreo and chocolate with Bordeaux cherries, and everyday flavors are equally creative and decadent, like Jungle George (banana, walnuts and chocolate chips) and forbidden silk chocolate.

Buttonwood is also well-known for its annual “Sunflowers for Wishes” fundraiser, where the farm plants more than 14 acres of brilliant yellow sunflowers and sells the blooms to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut.

Website

Enfield

Collins Creamery

9 Powder Hill Rd, Enfield

The bucolic farm creamery, advertised as on “the quiet side of town,” has been making its own ice cream since 1997, mixing traditional flavors with unique signatures like a best-selling “Collins Compost” (a blend of brownie batter and Oreo cookies). The 2022 flavor board offered summer specials like watermelon chocolate chip and Cowabunga (chocolate ice cream with brownie chunks and peanuts), and this year the creamery is featuring a red velvet sundae, with red velvet ice cream, hot fudge and marshmallow topping. Guests often stick around after they finish their treats to pet the farm’s friendly cows.

Website

Newtown

Ferris Acres Creamery

144 Sugar St, Newtown

Lisa Nichols / For Hearst CT Media

The Newtown favorite has been around since 2003, but the family-owned farm has been in operation since 1864. Generations later, the Ferris family is churning out flavors like Elvis Dream (vanilla with peanut butter, banana, and dark chocolate chunks); Bada Bing (chocolate almond with dark chocolate chunks and Bing cherries) and Campfire (vanilla, fudge swirl, graham crackers and marshmallows.)

Website

Trumbull

Plasko's Farm

670 Daniels Farm Rd, Trumbull

Plasko’s Farm, initially started by Czechoslovakian immigrants Martin and Mary Plasko in 1925, has been a working farm for several generations. In 1997, John Plasko Jr. rebuilt and expanded the farm to include a nursery, country store and bakery, according to its website. More recently, John and his wife Lisa opened a creamery and cafe, offering premium ice cream made fresh daily on the premises.

Unique flavors include banana Butterfinger fudge, Irish cream, Krazy Kat (with Kit Kat pieces and wafer swirl) and turtle cheesecake, with salted caramel, chocolate fudge and roasted and salted pecans. Plasko’s also makes an apple cider donut swirl ice cream with its signature doughnuts.

Website

Oxford, Bristol and Brookfield

Rich Farm

691 Oxford Rd, Oxford

Albie Yuravich / Hearst CT Media

Jailene Cuevas/Hearst CT Media

The creamery has been around since 1994, but its flagship Oxford farm setting dates back five generations. Almost three decades after David and Dawn Rich first started the ice cream business, the team is still making fresh batches daily right on the farm. Everyday flavors include selections like German chocolate brownie, caramel swirl and black raspberry, with rotating specials like bananas Foster, espresso explosion (coffee ice cream with chocolate covered espresso beans) and icebox cake (chocolate and banana cream ice creams swirled together with graham crackers.)

Website

South Glastonbury

Robbs Farm

91 Wassuc Rd, South Glastonbury

Robb's Farm

The South Glastonbury farm has been family-run since 1905, and started its ice-cream-making operation in 2005. Its unique flavors pay homage to animals and farm life: Dirty Barn Shoes (chocolate ice cream with fudge swirl and crushed cookies), Goat Tracks (vanilla ice cream with peanut butter swirl, mini peanut butter cups and chocolate chips), Gravel Road (coffee ice cream with cookies and Heath bar) and Purple Calf (black raspberry ice cream with cookie dough and chocolate chips.)

Website

Salem

Salem Valley Farms

20 Darling Rd, Salem

Winter Caplanson / CT Food And Farm

Joe Amarante / Hearst CT Media

The little red barn in Salem crafts more than 80 rotating flavors of its own ice cream – and helpfully organizes each on its website by “top 10,” “signature,” “scoop shop favorites” and seasonal and small batch varieties. Among the options are blueberry and strawberry cheesecake flavors, Key “Lyme” Pie, fudge crunch cappuccino and an uber-chocolate “brownie explosion”, along with an adventurous choice: the small-batch basil ice cream, featuring vanilla with basil puree. Feel free to bring your furry best friend, as Salem Valley also offers “pup cups” with three ounces of vanilla soft serve and a dog biscuit.

Website

West Simsbury

Tulmeadow Farms

255 Farms Village Rd, West Simsbury

Lisa Nichols / For Hearst CT Media

Members of the Tuller family have been farming the land in West Simsbury since 1768, according to its website. The ice cream production started in 1994 as a way to expand its retail business, and it’s been a popular Farmington Valley destination ever since, with more than 50 different flavors. Red raspberry chocolate chip has been a long-time best seller, and the store added new flavors like burnt sugar, red raspberry Oreo, graham cookie and salted caramel Heath bar in 2022, along with several vegan options made with oat milk or coconut cream.

Website

Storrs

UConn Dairy Bar

17 Manter Rd #4263, Storrs

Lisa Nichols / For Hearst CT Media

The Dairy Bar, which opened in 1953, is now an iconic stop on campus, selling ice cream and cheeses crafted with milk from the Department of Animal Science's milking cows.

"The ice cream is made like it was back in the '50s; it's pretty much the same equipment. That's part of the process of making such a high-quality product. We're not doing rapid production," Ethan Haggerty, area manager of the campus's UC Cafes and the UConn Dairy Bar said in a 2021 interview. "The creamery does a full 24-hour pasteurization process, which in a big plant takes minutes. So we get all this extra high-quality ice cream, high butterfat content, good caramelized sugar that leaves it with that silky touch to it."

Flavor availability varies, but Husky Tracks (vanilla with fudge swirl and peanut butter cups) is a favorite, and each year the graduating senior class gets to design its own “senior scoop” flavor, with 2023’s “Hurley Almond Swirly” featuring almond ice cream with dark chocolate flakes and caramel swirl.

Website

Pomfret

We-Li-Kit

728 Hampton Rd, Pomfret Center

The idyllic Quiet Corner spot has been a working farm since 1977, and has named several of its farm-crafted flavors for its dairy cow breeds: Guernsey Cookie (coffee with Oreos); Holstein (chocolate ice cream with white chocolate chips and almonds) and Ayrshire Chip (strawberry with chocolate chips.) Purple Cow works white chocolate chips into a black raspberry base, and Jersey Jolt features vanilla ice cream with espresso and cappuccino chips and caramel swirl.

Other unique options include Margarita Madness (lime ice cream with margarita mix and lime crunch), Apes Delight (banana ice cream with chocolate chips and walnuts) and Roadkill, with vanilla ice cream, walnuts, white chocolate chips and a cherry swirl.

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Shelton

Wells Hollow Creamery

5 Beard Sawmill Rd, Shelton

First established in 1850, this Shelton staple added the creamery in 2007, now offering an extensive list of flavors like banana pudding, campfire s'mores, key lime, peanut butter cold brew chip and a kid-friendly “play dough,” with a bright yellow vanilla base and red and blue cookie dough chunks. Wells Hollow’s seasonal corn maze is also popular, open weekends during the month of October.

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Courageous Simsbury Science Teacher Battling Cancer Earns Major Honor

The West Hartford resident Monday was named one of 10 national honorees of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's 'Lighthouse Awards.'Patch StaffPosted |Updated Mon, May 8, 2023 at 4:30 pm ETWEST HARTFORD/SIMSBURY, CT — A courageous Simsbury middle school teacher from West Hartford battling cancer Monday earned a prestigious honor, courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.West Hartford resident Elaine Kotler, a seventh- and eighth-grade science teacher at Henry James Memorial School in Simsbury, was one of 10 nationally...

The West Hartford resident Monday was named one of 10 national honorees of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's 'Lighthouse Awards.'

Patch Staff

Posted |Updated Mon, May 8, 2023 at 4:30 pm ET

WEST HARTFORD/SIMSBURY, CT — A courageous Simsbury middle school teacher from West Hartford battling cancer Monday earned a prestigious honor, courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

West Hartford resident Elaine Kotler, a seventh- and eighth-grade science teacher at Henry James Memorial School in Simsbury, was one of 10 nationally to receive one of HMH's inaugural "Lighthouse Awards."

The Boston-based learning technology company announced the awards for Teacher Appreciation Week Monday.

HMH said the awards are in partnership with speaker and author of "The Lighthouse Effect" Steve Pemberton and Carmen Ortiz-McGhee, chief operating officer at the National Association of Investment Companies and a “human lighthouse” featured in Pemberton’s book.

The book is an inspirational work about how "ordinary people can have an extraordinary impacts in the world."

Find out what's happening in Simsburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For this award, more than 500 teachers across the country were nominated.

"This year’s winners have shown a commitment to going above and beyond for their students," wrote HMH in a statement Monday.

"These teachers are committed to the success of students in every part of their lives and serve as a guiding force to those around them, inspiring them to be lighthouses to others."

Simply put, Pemberton said he was impressed with all educators nominated.

“As I read through the nominations, I felt as if I was brought into the classrooms of each teacher, and was in awe of their daily commitments,” said Pemberton in a statement released Monday. “I am thrilled that Carmen and I were able to work with HMH to recognize the impact that these teachers are having on students, schools and communities.”

Students, families, colleagues and school and district administrators nominated the 10 winners.

They were all selected based on their embodiment of the key characteristics of a "teacher lighthouse," someone who is humble, steady, and seeks no recognition for the work they do, according to HMH.

Regarding Kotler, HMH said, with her, "you should never judge a book by its cover."

They said she "is an energetic and enthusiastic teacher, who connects with her students through compassion and humor, but each day she is in chronic pain as she suffers from major health issues, including cancer."

She has had 12 operations over a three-year span, all of which she scheduled around school vacations to "ensure she was able to continue providing her students with the best educational experience," wrote HMH.

There are, generally, 10 characteristic categories for the award, with Kotler earning hers for exemplifying a "spirit of resiliency."

“Elaine is enthusiastic, energetic, encouraging, empathetic, exciting and engaging. She suffers from tremendous health issues, including cancer. Yet, her students are not aware of her chronic pain and daily struggles," according to the nomination letter to HMH.

"Her students, present and past, constantly express their love for her, describing her compassion and humor. Students long since graduated keep in contact and visit to reminisce of wonderful memories that occurred in her classroom, a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. She is driven to provide the best educational experiences even in the face of adversity."

In the fall, she will teach the ninth-grade science course, "Integrated and Physical Science," at Simsbury High School.

In addition to teaching science in Simsbury schools, Kotler is as an adjunct professor at Manchester Community College, teaching oceanography, earth science, natural disasters and environmental sciences since 2001.

Kotler said she is also is an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Hayes-Velhage Unit 96 of West Hartford.

In 2022 she was named the ‘Unit Member of the Year’ by the Department of Connecticut American Legion Auxiliary.

For more information on "The Lighthouse Effect" book, click on this link.

For more information on Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's inaugural "Lighthouse Awards," click on this link.

For more information on Houghon Mifflin Harcourt, click on this link.

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Baking reminds a CT woman of ‘family.’ Delivering her goods to customers is free and downright ‘rewarding’

Baking makes Helena Houlis feel connected with her roots on two continents, but just as “rewarding” are the smiles on people’s faces when she delivers the goodies.Houlis, 25, a baker and more at her mom’s Ana’s Kitchen Cafe in Simsbury has started a side business, Scones & Co....

Baking makes Helena Houlis feel connected with her roots on two continents, but just as “rewarding” are the smiles on people’s faces when she delivers the goodies.

Houlis, 25, a baker and more at her mom’s Ana’s Kitchen Cafe in Simsbury has started a side business, Scones & Co.

Simsbury’s Peaberry’s Cafe to Become Ana’s Kitchen Cafe

The sign, nestled between Han’s Nails and Bill Selig Jewelers in the Drake Hill Mall shopping plaza, and vinyl window decals still say “Peaberry’s Café,” but subtle changes are noticeable inside the Simsbury coffee shop. The slate blue paint, cushy sofas and fireplace flanked by bookshelves remain, but the expansive chalkboard wall detailing the day’s … Continue reading Simsbury’s Peaberry’s Cafe to Become Ana’s Kitchen Cafe

She puts her own spin on the traditional scone recipe — hers are moister than most — and delivers them for free with a holiday greeting or other message from the sender. Some people even have a box of her scones delivered to themselves.

Scones & Co. owner Helena Houlis holds a variety of scones as she stands next to her car in West Simsbury on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant)

“Delivery is something I look forward to,” she said. “I drive up and people are excited. People are excited to try something you’ve made them. It’s very rewarding.”

Houlis said scones are “are something really sentimental,” to her.

“It makes me think of my family,” Houlis said.

She was born in Brazil, then lived n England from age 11 to 18, when the family left to come to the United States because of her stepfather’s job.

She has warm memories in England of her and her mom and little brother sharing a small plate of scones in addition to their breakfasts when they went out to eat.

When baking she also feels connected with her dad in Brazil, who was always cooking and baking with her mom. Her parents once ran a bakery together in Brazil.

“Since he’s in Brazil it’s something we can share even though we’re not physically together,” Houlis said, referring to dad.

Baking makes Houlis feel, “really peaceful ” she said. In the restaurant business you’re always rushing and baking doesn’t work “unless you’re in the present, in the moment,” she said.

“It help me stay grounded,” Houlis said. “It’s therapeutic for me.”

Right now for free delivery she is offering a box of 20 scones for $35, half of them maple walnut and half of them cinnamon, both flavors bestsellers.

The scones are delivered in a box with tissue paper and buyers can send a personal message.

There’s a no more than 24-hour turn around at present and her delivery area goes as far as Hartford, although the delivery radius has not been set in stone.

Houlis said scones are round, not triangular and are moister than traditional scones.

Customer Lola Allen, a nursing technician at Hartford Hospital, said she’s “not a scone person,” because they’re general too dry.

“But I can’t get enough of hers,” Allen said.

She said delivery is a great idea too.

“I think in today’s world it’s perfect,” Allen said. “Everyone has something delivered.”

Ana’s customer Fran Sethre said Houlis’ scones are “delicious.”

“They are a wonderful, hardworking group of people. Very entrepreneurial,” Sethre said of the family.

As much as baking is a labor of love, Houlis has a goal in mind: She’s trying to earn extra money to become a Pilates instructor.

“This year I decided I’m going for it. But it’s expensive,” she said of training to be an instructor. “I had to do something different that people couldn’t normally get in any other store.”

Houlis takes three Pilates classes a week and is a fan of the workout method, she said, because it’s an efficient workout with controlled movements that “works out a lot of different muscles at the same time.”

“It’s good from the inside out,” she said. “It helps you control your body and your mind,” she said.

What of the irony that she’s selling baked goods to fund an exercise career?

“I think the message is to be kind to your body. Watch what you eat, but treat yourself and be kind to yourself,” she said. “I wouldn’t recommend eating my scones every day.”

Houlis lives in Barkhamsted with her husband, whom she said is the “No. 1 fan” of her business.

Houlis said her delivered scones can be ordered through her Facebook or Instagram accounts.

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