McKinstry Farms (and Ice Cream)

 McKinstry Farms (and Ice Cream)

view of old store: Old McKinstry's

 753 Montgomery St, Chicopee, MA 01013

 (413) 536-2043

https://mckinstryfarms.com/

 

From McKinstry's Market Garden:

 

"McKinstry's Market Garden specializes in locally grown, farm-fresh produce at our seasonal roadside stand in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Known far and wide for our early sweet corn and flowers, our customers line up in long lines so not to miss out. In fact, we ship our sweet corn all over the country."

 

See them lined up:  Lined Up For Corn

 Welcome to the "new kid on the block".  Everyone in the area knows that Mckinstry's Market is very popular for their corn during the season.  In fact there is almost a continuous flow of shoppers stopping by to pick up their daily of corn and produce.  But those days are gone.  Now there is a bigger and better McKinstry's  at the same location.  Gone is the old store, replaced by a brand new store which now includes greenhouses for flowers and garden vegetables.

I must admit that after hearing they were going to build a whole new complex there, I drove by several times to check out their progress.  I was not impressed with it because most times I saw that the old building was gone but I did not see much else different except some earth moving equipment in operation. As Spring neared I wondered why things were proceeding so slowly and where are we going to get our corn this year?  

Not to worry!  On a more recent drive by, I was amazed to see that they have completed a brand new building with green houses, and a flag blowing in the wind proclaiming that they are OPEN!

 

A lot of my recent blog posts have been about ice cream places because this is the time of year when many of us like to get out and enjoy a nice ice cream cone.  And that is why I call them the new kid on the block:

TA DA!  MCKINSTRY'S NOW SELLS ICE CREAM!

click for McKinstry Ice Cream Video

  

I haven't had a chance to try their ice cream yet but I am not too worried.  I have never found an ice cream cone that I didn't like.

If you are in the area, stop to check them out. Their hours are listed in the video above.

Danny's Little Taste of Texas (BBQ) South Windsor, CT

 

 Danny's Little Taste of Texas (updated 6-15-21)

1750 Ellington Road

South Windsor, CT 06074

860-436-1236

https://www.dannyslittletasteoftexas.com/restaurant-menus/

 Intro from his website:

"Owner Danny Bell brings a bit of Texas to Connecticut with Danny’s Little Taste of Texas. Bell lived in Texas for a time and got the full experience of authentic Texas barbecue. Bell then decided he wanted to bring those experiences with him to CT and open Danny’s Little Taste of Texas. For over 14 years Little Taste of Texas has been serving residents of CT and all over New England some of Texas’s Best BBQ. Authentic Texas BBQ means that the meat is Dry rubbed with special spices, wood smoked and slow cooked. The smoker brings out the flavors, and nobody can dispute how good a smoker chugging away smells....."

From time to time over the years I have visited two BBQ places in the general South Windsor/Manchester area.  The other is gone but Danny's Little Taste of Texas is still going strong and looks just the way I remember it.

 

 

As you can see, things are reasonably priced and there are a lot of options.  They also do catering.

 

It is brightly decorated and inviting.

Today my wife and I were in the area and stopped there for a late lunch.   I had a pulled pork sandwich and my wife tried a smoked sausage dog with a side of macaroni and cheese.  I enjoyed mine but as usual her meal tasted better than mine, so I might try that the next time.  What did catch my eye was the Mac Toppers which are a container of macaroni and cheese with a choice of various meats on top. Very reasonably priced and I know the macaroni and cheese is good.

 

 

 June 15, 2021 Update:  Tried that Mac Topper today and it was very good! Macaroni and cheese topped with a good portion of pork BBQ. Other toppings are available but I stuck with the pork.

 

 

 

       (I hope no one will report me to Joe's Kansas City BBQ for eating at another place.)

 

 

I went in the smaller side entrance but had to come out the larger main entrance.  I wonder why?

Anne's Dairy Drive In Orange, MA

 

360 E Main St, Orange, MA 01364

(978) 544-2093

Facebook link  Their FB account is usually updated regarding hours, early closings, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

             This was opening day and we got there about 30 minutes after they opened.

 

  Somebody had been counting down!

 

 

They do get busier.  This was on a Sunday close to opening day so a lot of people came out.

 

I discovered Anne's ice cream place in Orange, MA a few years ago when my wife and I were out gallivanting. There were two ice cream places very close to each other and we had chosen to visit the other place a few times.  On a subsequent trip up to the Orange area, we discovered to our dismay that "our" place was closed.  So we decided to try out Anne's (which everyone, including us, calls Annie's) and we have been hooked ever since.  

Our favorite places depends upon how far we want to drive, with Mr. Cone on Granby Road our closest favorite, followed by Cindy's on Route 202 in Granby.  When we are willing to drive about 40 miles and make an event of it, our favorite is "Annie's".  We also like it there because they have a good selection of food, including fried clams and homemade onion rings.

 

           

         A picture is worth 1000 words.  We shared this clam strips meal and had plenty.

 

A few years ago I took two of my grandsons to the Community Boat House for a night kayaking paddle on the Miller River.  A local sporting goods store, Trail Head Outfitters and General Store, had sponsored one of the events including food afterwards and we helped ourselves to homemade chili, hot dogs, chips, etc.  I felt obligated to go by Annie's after the food so I could buy my grandson the largest small ice cream cone that I have ever seen. And of course it would be rude to make him eat alone so I had one too.  It comes close to being the unpardonable sin, I couldn't finish the cone and had.....to throw some of it away.  

That is how big the cones are, so order accordingly. If you have eaten the seafood platter, you might want to skip the ice cream this time!

A fair number of bikers stop by as they often do at such places during warm weather.  Annie's is a very family oriented place.  There is a big grassy area out back and plenty of room for kids to play.  It is also close to the river with a short "tunnel" under the railroad tracks leading to an area where you can pull your canoe or kayak ashore and walk over for ice cream.

For those interested in paddling, be sure to visit Billy Goat Boats  at the Orange Community Boat House where you can rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and paddle boards.

If you want to do some further exploring while you are in the area, continue on to Tully Lake in Royalston.  It is a great lake to paddle (with restrictions against larger motor boats), beautiful picnic sites, some islands to explore, a frisbee golf course, a hiking trail around it, and a waterfall on the backside. Camping is available and if you want to paddle further up the river, you can do that from the backside.

 

 

How Many Cooleyville Roads Are There?

 

 

 

 

I have traveled Route 202 North from Belchertown toward the Route 2, Orange-Athol area many times.  In fact one of my favorite ice cream places is in Orange.  Maybe that is why I have been on that road so many times!

Every time I am headed that way I am always amazed at how many signs there are for Cooleyville Road. You see a sign and road on the right side of 202, then shortly you see a sign and road off the left side of 202.  Then a few miles further, you will see the same thing, then again further up.

 I think there are 8 signs for Cooleyville between Belechertown and the turnoff for Orange.  When I am in that area on a scooter ride, I like to take the backroad Route 2A, through Wendell Depot and Wendell Center.  If you take a left turn right in the middle of Wendell Center, you will be on.......you guessed it, Cooleyville Road which will lead you back to Route 202, near New Salem.

Where, you ask, do all these roads lead?  Several of the first ones are very short loops and just cross 202, run parallel to it then cross back over. They are all gravel except the one in Wendell Center.  We explored one of these Cooleyville Roads and maybe we went onto an unnamed branch off it or maybe just an extension of the same road.  Either way, it went way back into the wilderness where, believe it or not, there are quite a few houses.  After following it for a couple of miles, the road was getting steeper and more rugged so we turned around when we got the chance and made our way out.  

I still want to discover where it goes.  Does it come back out on 202? Does it connect to another country road?  Does it dead end? Is there a pot of gold at the end?  A beanstalk?

So I think there are 8 Cooleyville Road signs on Route 202 and one more off Route 2A in Wendell.  Check them out the next time you are in the area and be glad you are not the mailman for Cooleyville Road!

Country Creemee (Ice Cream) Turners Falls, MA

 

 52 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376

 (413) 863-3529

Current hours 11 AM to 8 PM 

Currently there is no indoor dining. 

 

A couple of years ago my wife and I were in Greenfield for the closing of a longtime popular department store.  After shopping and waiting in long lines to get some bargains, we decided to get some ice cream and relax awhile. We found one small place on Main street that had very limited flavors and none that appealed to me at the time.  We kept walking around until we found Snow's Ice Cream only to discover that they manufacture ice cream but do not sell it.  However, they did recommend a place in nearby Turners Falls.  That place with the odd name, Country Creemee, has become one of our favorite places.

During the pandemic we were anxious to get out on Sunday afternoons and this was a good destination.  In addition to ice cream, they serve homemade soups, and delicious sandwiches including one of my favorites, BLT.  

It is located at the corner of a building at Avenue A.  Currently only outside service is available so you go up the stairs to place your order at the window, then step down to await your order and allow others to order.  Prices are reasonable and the ice cream portions are huge.  If you order a small (which I recommend), you will think they mistakenly gave you a medium at least!  There are small tables and chairs along the sidewalk on both sides.  Across the street are picnic tables which are also available.

 It is a popular place and can go from no line to a big line in nothing flat but it goes down pretty fast and people are friendly and polite.

In addition to this ice cream spot, Turners Falls has a lot of old brick buildings and factories along the canal.  A short walk will also bring you to the river where you can sit under the trees and relax. It is an interesting town.  I recommend that you do some walking around and discovering while you are there.

I have posted other information on the area, here: More About Turners Falls

You can just barely see one of the tables along the sidewalk.  Others are around the corner along that sidewalk.

The order window is right on the corner of the building. Step up, order.  Step down while they prepare your order and take the next in line.  Step back up to receive your order when it is ready.

 

 I put this water bottle in the picture so you could get a sense of the size of these small ice cream cups. They are each two pretty large scoops. 

 

Hopefully I can add additional pictures soon.

Cindy's Drive In (Ice Cream) Granby, MA

 Cindy's Drive In

455 E Granby Road

Granby, MA 01033 

They are currently open from 11 AM to 8 PM

413-467- 9866

 

 

Cindy's has been my favorite ice cream place for a long time for several reasons.  First is the setting.  It is located in Granby, MA near the former St. Hyacinth Seminary and has a huge grassy area behind it. There is plenty of room, a nice country feel, lots of parking, lots of picnic tables and a playground for kids.  The oldies music playing in the background certainly gives it a 60's vibe as well as the 67 Chevy with cutouts for you to pose with. In fact they call themselves, the "Original" 1950's Drive In.  I think you will enjoy Cindy's!

They have reasonable prices and if you want more than ice cream, they have several burger and hot dog meals.  They serve both soft and hard ice cream.  It is a great place for kids. In addition to the playground, there is just a lot of room for them to safely run around in the fields behind the store.  They even have bean bag toss games.

Click the link to see their extensive menu:  Cindy's Menu.

Cindy's is a very family oriented place.

They have large areas  roped off to provide safe distancing.

Hard to see the menu from here but there is a link directly to their website.

Cindy's Menu

There is limited inside seating but I am not sure if they have opened them up due to Covid precautions.

Lots of seating options.

Lots of variety.

 

This is a pretty big serving to be a "small"!

 

Several combo meals come with fries and a drink.

Collins Creamery Ice Cream

Collins Creamery is located in a country setting near the Hazardville section of Enfield, Connecticut about 2 miles off Route 190.  It is very peaceful and sits up on a hill where you can see rolling countryside nearby and as one of their signs advertises, "On the quiet side of town."  They specialize in ice cream so be aware that other food items like hamburgers and such, are not available.

They are located very near the Scantic River Hiking Trail so you may want to make an outing of it and visit both places.  It might be more practical to have ice cream first so you can hike off some of those calories!  Their ice cream is very creamy and rich.

Address:  9 Powder Hill Road, Enfield, CT 06082

Phone:  860-749-8663

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Collins-Creamery-262357045256/about/?ref=page_internal

 

  

Lots of picnic tables nearby both in the sun and in the shade. 

 

                     

I believe they make their own ice cream.  It is very rich and creamy!

 

This is a pleasant place with lots of room.  You can see playground equipment for the kids.

 

Lots of open space and great relaxing views.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Collins Creamery is just a nice place to relax!