🌱 Patch AM: How Ellington, Somers Schools Fared In New CT Ranking

Good morning to you Ellington! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Ellington schools earn A-minus and crack Connecticut's top 50
• How far can you see from Ellington's Soapstone Mountain tower?

Also on today's calendar: South Windsor Apple Fest 2026 and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Ellington Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile - America's Best Mobile Network, according to Ookla Speedtest. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Ellington Patch AM possible.
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Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly cloudy and warm, with a high of 76 and low of 61 degrees.
• Friday: An afternoon shower possible, temps: high: 82, low: 52.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny and cooler, with a high of 68 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• How Ellington, Somers Schools Fared In New CT Ranking (patch.com) — Ellington residents can take pride as their public school district ranks 37th in Connecticut and earns an A-minus grade in Niche's new 2027 Best School Districts list. The report also compares neighboring Somers' performance and explains how updated state-based data shaped this year's rankings.
   

• Your CT fall bucket list: 19 things to do, from leaf peeping to apple picking to state park hikes (ctpublic.org) — Ellington residents are highlighted in this statewide fall guide thanks to Shenipsit State Forest and the Soapstone Mountain hike, which offers sweeping views across four states. The piece rounds up 19 leaf-peeping, apple-picking, hiking, and family-friendly ideas across Connecticut, encouraging you to explore back roads, local farms, ferries, trains, and even ghost tours all season long.
   

📸 Around Ellington

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Ellington

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday October 3
• South Windsor Apple Fest 2026 →
  75 Brookfield St, South Windsor
  9:00 am
Friday October 9
• St Joseph Church $4000 Cash Prize Bingo →
  St. Joseph Catholic Church, 33 West St, Vernon
  6:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday October 1
• Somers Women's Club Meeting →
  Somers Congregational Church Foundation Room, 599 Main St, Somers
  1:00 pm
• Senior Choir Practice →
  72 Main Street, Ellington
  7:00 pm
• LIVE WEBINAR: Building Your Child's Independence: Executive Function Coaching at Home and at School →
  7:00 pm
Saturday October 3
• Ellington Farmers Market Apple Festival →
  Ellington Farmers Market, 72 Maple St, Ellington
  9:00 am
• Ye Olde Blacksmith Shoppe →
  Maple Street & Pinney Road, Somers
  9:30 am
• Our Town Our Story →
  Nellie McKnight Museum, 70 Main Street, Ellington
  1:00 pm
Saturday October 10
• Go Green at the Ellington Farmers Market →
  Ellington Farmers Market, 72 Maple St, Ellington
  9:00 am
Friday October 16
• Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale →
  Hall Memorial Library, 93 Main St, Ellington
  10:00 am
Saturday October 17
• Friends of the Somers Library Fall Used Book Sale →
  Somers Public Library, 2 Vision Blvd, Somers
  9:00 am
• Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale →
  Hall Memorial Library, 93 Main St, Ellington
  10:00 am

📣 Ellington Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Ellington PatchAM possible:

• Vernon Nails — (860) 858-6157
• Superior Screening LLC — 8603720280
• Talaga Construction — (860) 836-5343

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Ellington Veterans Evening Coffeehouse —Ellington Human Services Read on Patch
• Ellington Veterans 2026 Luncheon —Ellington Human Services Read on Patch

• TIBCO Software, Inc. posted a job opening for Cashier/Sales Associate in Ellington. Apply here.
• Big Y Foods, Inc. posted a job opening for Frozen Food/Dairy Clerk in Tolland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ellington here.

🗞 Nearby News

Tolland

• Hundreds of warnings were issued in Vernon for drivers illegally passing stopped school buses (fox61.com)
• Finalists revealed for CT's best restaurants and hotels. See them here; time to vote for your favorites. (courant.com)
• Summit Racing Series E.T. Finals divisional results set stage for championship battle (nhra.com)

Vernon

• Somers Principal Resigns After Controversy (patch.com)

Somers

• RCR's Youtube Sensation Snags Late Mentor Greg Biffle's Vintage Cup Ride for Noble Cause (yardbarker.com)

Ok Ellington! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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