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The New, The New Old, The The Coming!
From tasty treats to summer heats
The Farmington Valley
April 22, 2026
There’s something about this time of year where everything starts to feel a little more alive.
Windows open, longer days, and suddenly… new places to go, old favorites coming back, and more ways to get out and enjoy it all.
This week’s lineup feels like a perfect snapshot of that.
A brand-new treat shop stepping onto the scene, full of sugar, creativity, and that “you have to try this place” energy. A local favorite reopening its doors, refreshed and ready for its next chapter. And something for the kids, a summer camp built around a sport that’s quietly turning into a big part of the next generation’s routine.
It’s all happening right here, in the places we pass every day.
And that’s the part worth paying attention to.
Because these aren’t just openings or updates, they’re the small things that shape a community, the spots we gather, the routines we build, the memories we don’t realize we’re creating yet.
So whether you’re grabbing something sweet, revisiting a place you’ve missed, or signing the kids up for something new… lean into it.
This is the good stuff.
Table of Contents
The Frosted Sheep -
🐑 A Sweet New Arrival in Canton: The Frosted Sheep Bake Shop Opens Its Doors
There’s something special about a new bakery opening in town. The smell of fresh cookies in the air, the promise of a new go-to spot, the kind of place you “just stop by” and somehow leave with a full box.
Canton is about to get exactly that.
The Frosted Sheep Bake Shop is officially opening at 220 Albany Turnpike, right in Canton Village, and the countdown is on.
Opening Timeline You’ll Want to Mark Down
The team is kicking things off with a soft opening before the big celebration:
Soft Opening: April 29 – May 1
Expect special-edition cookies and daily drawings for free cupcakesGrand Opening: May 2
First 100 customers receive free tote bags, plus giveaways for even more baked goodies
If you like being “in the know” before everyone else, the soft opening is your move. If you like a full-on celebration, circle May 2.
Built to Be Your New Favorite Spot
This isn’t just another bakery popping up.
The Frosted Sheep is focused on scratch-made baked goods using premium ingredients, with recipes designed to hit that perfect balance of comfort and crave-worthy flavor.
Think classic favorites done right, with just enough creativity to keep things interesting.
Chocolate Chip
Triple Chocolate
Lemon Drops
Ginger Molasses
Snickerdoodles
Oatmeal Raisin
Plus rotating seasonal flavors
Cupcake Flavors Include:
Chocolate
Vanilla
Strawberry
Lemon (with a vegan option available)
Red Velvet
Maple
Plus seasonal creations
This is the kind of menu where you walk in for one thing and immediately start planning your next visit.
Meet the Owner Behind the Magic
The bakery is owned and operated by Ann Schaefer-Reid, an award-winning baker who competed on Silos Baking Competition on the Magnolia Network.
That competitive edge shows up where it matters most, in the details, the flavors, and the experience you get when you walk through the door.
Hours & Location
📍 220 Albany Turnpike, Canton, CT (Canton Village)
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Sunday: 11 AM – 4 PM
The Bottom Line
Every town needs that one bakery. The one you bring guests to. The one you grab a treat from after a long day. The one that quietly becomes part of your routine.
The Frosted Sheep Bake Shop looks ready to be that place for Canton.
And if you show up early… you might just walk away with free cupcakes and a tote bag too.
Take the deep dive on their site: https://frostedsheep.com
LaSalle Is Back - New From The Old
📣 A Local Favorite Returns: LaSalle Market & Deli Reopens in Collinsville
There are certain places in town that feel less like businesses and more like part of the community.
In Collinsville, LaSalle Market & Deli has always been one of those places. And now, after a period of renovations and refresh, it’s officially coming back.
🎉 Reopening Date Set
LaSalle Market & Deli will reopen its doors on April 29th, welcoming back familiar faces and introducing a fresh new experience.
If you’ve been missing your go-to sandwiches, coffee stops, or casual meetups, the wait is almost over.
What’s New Inside
This isn’t just a simple reopening, it’s a full refresh.
The updates include:
A redesigned and updated interior
Expanded catering options
Pizza delivery now available
New menu items and offerings
And more surprises still to come
The goal is clear, keep what people love while elevating the overall experience.
A Sweet Evolution
There’s also something new happening on the sweeter side of things.
LaSalle’s “Only Sweeter” is getting a new name, one that will reflect the rich history of Collinsville. While the name hasn’t been revealed yet, the direction is already exciting.
Expect:
Expanded coffee offerings
More baked goods
A growing ice cream menu
Small-batch, house-made ice cream
That alone is enough to make this spot a regular stop again, especially heading into warmer months.
A Welcome Return to Collinsville
Reopenings like this matter. They bring energy back to Main Street, reconnect people to places they love, and give everyone a reason to gather again.
LaSalle Market & Deli isn’t just reopening, it’s stepping into its next chapter.
And Collinsville is better for it, now if only egg and cheese sandwiches were still $2.00 HAHAHA (don’t worry, we know we can’t go back in time)
The Best Summer Camp Option Awaits!
Summer, Energy, and a Paddle: Why Camp Pickleball Is Catching On with Kids
Every summer, parents look for that one thing that checks all the boxes.
Something active.
Something social.
Something their kids actually want to go back to the next day.
This year, more families are finding that answer on a pickleball court.
A Fresh Take on Summer Camp
At Camp Pickleball, the goal isn’t just to keep kids busy, it’s to get them moving, laughing, and building confidence through a sport that’s exploding in popularity.
The format is simple and effective:
Skill-building sessions tailored to age and experience
Games that keep things fun and competitive (in a healthy way)
Plenty of court time so kids aren’t just waiting around
A social environment that makes it easy to connect
It’s structured enough to teach, but relaxed enough to feel like summer.
Why Pickleball Is Booming with Younger Players
Pickleball used to have a reputation, slower pace, older crowd, more “leisure” than sport.
That’s changed. Fast.
Across the country, and right here in Connecticut, younger players are picking it up at a rapid pace. Schools are introducing it in gym classes. Parks are building courts. And kids are realizing something important:
It’s actually really fun.
Here’s why it’s sticking:
Easy to Learn, Hard to Put Down
The basics come quickly. Kids can rally within minutes, which builds confidence early.
It’s usually played in doubles, which means constant interaction, teamwork, and communication.
Sneaky Skill Building
Hand-eye coordination, quick decision-making, and reaction time all improve without it feeling like “training.”
Competitive Without the Pressure
Kids can compete, improve, and challenge each other without the intensity that sometimes comes with traditional youth sports.
More Than Just a Game
What stands out about pickleball camps like Camp Pickleball is what happens off the scoreboard.
Kids learn:
How to handle wins and losses
How to support teammates
How to stay active in a way that feels natural, not forced
And maybe most importantly, they build a relationship with movement that doesn’t feel like a chore.
A Sport That Grows With Them
One of the biggest advantages of pickleball is longevity.
It’s a sport kids can start young and keep playing for decades. It adapts as they grow, whether they lean into it competitively or just keep it as a lifelong activity.
That’s rare.
The Takeaway
Summer camps come and go. Some stick, some don’t.
But the ones that combine movement, connection, and just enough challenge to keep things interesting, those are the ones kids remember.
Camp Pickleball is tapping into something bigger than just a trend.
It’s giving kids a new way to move, compete, and connect.
And judging by how fast the sport is growing… this is only the beginning.
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