Just when you thought local New England ice cream stands were on the verge of closing for the season, the Ice Cream Machine in Cumberland, R.I., saves the day by staying open year-round!

Many of us love ice cream, ice cream stands and associate the boarding up of these seasonal delights with imminent nasty winter weather.  Truth be told, we still have a few month’s of good weather and that there is a demand amongst many of us ice cream lovers for ice cream stands to remain open after, say, Columbus Day Weekend.

Lucky for us southern New Englanders, the Ice Cream Machine not only stays open year-round (day-time only, starting Nov. 1), but also serves up some of the best homemade ice cream we’ve tasted in New England. There’s definitely a high butterfat content here; good for those that love a full bodied ice

cream taste. Our favorite flavors: key lime pie, blueberry, apple, brownie batter, cinnamon, white chocolate chip, Cherry chocolate chip, Smores and raspberry truffle.

As the seasons change, you might not be able to sit at one of the many picnic benches or under the pleasant canopy at this classic New England ice cream stand, but you’ll still have the chance to visit an ice cream stand when others aren’t open, while enjoying some fantastic flavors!

Before visiting the Ice Cream Machine, we recommend calling them for hours at (401) 333-5053. The Ice Cream Machine is located at 4288 Diamond Hill Rd. (close to Wrentham, Mass., not the Central Falls side of Cumberland).