OUR TOWNS Slow Days & Sweet Stops in 'The Swanzeys'

Autumn in Swanzey is all about little rituals. Paddling down the Ashuelot River, stopping by a farm stand for fresh-baked bread and cruising through covered bridges while dusk drifts in — Swanzey is big on all the things that make a place feel like home. &emsp;"We always love seeing everyone and how they share our enthusiasm for the start of the season," says Deb Johnson. She and her husband Dave own The She Shed, a farmhouse-style decorating store at 331 Flat Roof Mill Road in Swanzey. As longtime residents and business owners, they opened their store as sort of a backyard experiment, literally sharing their love for garden goodies, rustic and farmhouse decor and unique treasures in a few small sheds. What happened next was magic. &emsp;Their She Shed community grew and grew until Deb and Dave decided it was time to give it a proper home. So they crafted a beautiful new building, still on the same property and still surrounded by smaller outbuildings bedecked in interesting finds. &emsp;Now every year from May through December, friends and visitors arrive to see what's new each weekend, taste-test yummy dips and treats and take home something special for their own home or yard. Fall is an especially fun time to visit, as the shop's bursting with bright colors and all things spooky. &emsp;"Swanzey is in such a relaxed, rural setting; it offers friendliness and customers become friends," Deb says. It's not uncommon to find clusters of locals chatting on the front porch or ducking into the solar shed "where adults turn into kids, oohing and awwwing with the light show," Deb describes. &emsp;It's a special stop on the day-trip list, and Deb encourages people not to wrap up there. &emsp;"Swanzey has such nice scenery on winding roads, and there are several eateries, other shops, and ice cream to end a fun day," Deb says. She always loves hearing where people are off for their next adventure. &emsp;Just down the road, at 580 Sawyers Crossing Road, Frogg Brewing is a popular choice. Folks enjoy sipping on the outdoor patio and playing a round of cornhole. The brewery is also known for its Cruise Nights, drawing auto lovers from across the region, as well as its weekly Thursday farmers' market with live music. &emsp;"It's a great place to be with family, friends, or coworkers; you can just chill and always find a place to sit. We also love seeing folks bring their pups," describes owner Stephanie Guitard. &emsp;Though moving from Frogg's original home in Marlborough was bittersweet, she says, "The Swanzey community has been very welcoming to us. We love that we have a spot for all ages and can help support local small businesses and various charities in the Monadnock Region." &emsp;Frogg recently hosted its Annual Labor Day Car Show, dubbing this year's event, Hops for Horses, as they raised funds for Freedom Reins Therapeutic Riding Center. Beyond their incredible brews, giving back is one thing Frogg is known for locally. &emsp;Stay tuned for ongoing events and join in for a regular schedule of country line dancing, craft nights, music bingo, and more. And don't let the fun stop there! &emsp;No autumn outing would be complete without a trip to Twinkletown, located at 3 Arrowcrest Drive, celebrating its 65th anniversary this year. Owner Paul Thomas says the secret is that "we keep our prices reasonable, and we're here all the time ourselves." &emsp;This place has been a local staple for generations. "We go through the kids, and the parents disappear for a few years, and then they're back with their grandkids," Thomas says with a laugh. And who wouldn't, with snack bar favorites like egg rolls and fall ice cream flavors like pumpkin Oreo and apple crisp. "We make about 40-something flavors ourselves," Thomas notes. &emsp;Grab a cone and pair it with a round of mini golf or try your swing at the batting cages. Nothing quite tops off a day of leaf peeping like an afternoon spent at this timeless sweet spot. But be sure to stop by before mid-October, when Twinkletown usually wraps up for the season. &emsp;The beautiful days and their colorful backdrop of leaves are still great for the final weekends of grilling. And across town on Rt. 10, you can get whatever hearty meal you've been craving at West Swanzey Meats, located at 919 W Swanzey Road —homemade sausage, T-bone and Porterhouse steaks, kabobs, and BBQ chicken — oh my! Don't have time to make all the fixins'? This team is on top of it, with cases full of fresh pasta and potato salads, cupcakes to go and other add-ons for the perfect evening on the deck. &emsp;For a different kind of classic, just down the road is Jimmy's Hometown Pizzeria, located on 920 West Swanzey Road. It opened earlier this year and is run by well-known local Jimmy Tempesta and his crew. They're slinging pies and cooking up community all day long. People have been raving about their food as the newly minted business gains momentum. Stop by, say hi, and find a new favorite. &emsp;The best thing about a laid-back day in Swanzey is that you don't have to plan it down to the minute. Instead, follow the road a little further and stop when something catches your eye. Just don't blame Swanzey when a quick errand turns into shopping, dinner, dessert, and "should we do this again tomorrow?"