AUGUST GO LOCAL

celestial phases follows

August is a bittersweet month.

The month of August means something different to me than it once did. In the past, it signaled “back to school,” whether it was grade school or college. There was excitement coupled with dread — the thrill of a new season and new activities, but disappointment that the slower, warm months were waning. As I’ve written in the past, I used to crave summers and the vibrancy they bring. For me, August has always been an indicator — a quiet reminder — that good things to come to an end, and that autumn is knocking on our doorsteps. These days, August signals “back to business.”

Vacations fade, and as schools go back into session, school committees, select boards, planning boards and more all begin their normal meeting schedules – which is what we spend a great deal of time covering for articles in our newspapers. People shake off their sandals for dress shoes and swap tans for turtlenecks and get back to work.

In addition — I hate to say it — but November looms. What comes in the fall and leads up to November? Election season.

I have visions of the harried expressions on reporters faces and can smell the strong coffee now.

Here I am — writing the August column, talking about November. Not sure how I managed to completely cut out the last glorious month of summer before hitting the ground running in fall.

I feel as though I have not quite had a summer this year. Between The Reminder moving to a new office, the never-ending number of weddings I am attending and the fact that my boyfriend is selling his home, leading us to packing boxes every weekend in July before the big early August move, I am spent. I have not had a lick of time in the sun, because it seems that every sunny day we have are workdays, and every rainy day falls on the weekend.

C’est la vie.

One of my favorite magazines, Magnolia Journal, picks a word for every quarterly magazine. For their summer magazine, they chose “savor.” I need to take a page from their book – er, magazine – and create an August that savors.

My wish for August is to slow down. I need to keep a few weekends free of chores to spend with my family at their lake house, to go to the beach, to spend time with friends, to read a summer novel, to simply “be” in the serene warm breeze.

Should you wish to do so, I hope you too carve out time to “just be.”

One last note — I am remiss for not mentioning her sooner — I would like to extend a warm welcome to Lauren LeBel, our content curator at Go Local. Lauren has been with The Reminder for a few years now, and has proven herself to be a conscientious, organized and hardworking member of our staff. While she remains a staff writer on our weekly newspapers, she also works for Go Local, assigning content to our talented writers and photographers. If you have a story idea for an upcoming edition, email Lauren at llebel@thereminder.com.

As always, thanks for reading.

-Payton

North, Executive Editor

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Payton North

CREATIVE

Beth Thurber, Manager . Susan Bartlett

Sophia Kelleher . Leigh Catchepaugh

Molly Arnio . Lorie Perry CONTENT

Lauren LeBel ADVERTISING

Barb Perry, Advertising Manager . Jeanette Lee

Lisa Nolan . Kim Barba . Roxanne Longtin Miller

Matt Mahaney . Paula Dimauro . Scott Greene

Terry O’ Donnell . Victoria Owen . Evan Marcyoniak

Carly Goodrich . Andy Shaw . Hannah Bigos . Jake Liquori

Carolyn Napolitan, Sales Assistant

Curtis Panlilio, Operations Director

Fran Smith, General Manager THE

Celestial Phases

Owner Donna Spear of Celestial Phases in Monson has made it her life’s passion in helping others find an alternative way of living presently. For over 25 years, she’s been studying and practicing many different modalities like Reiki, herbal remedies, yoga and crystal healing.

Spear’s vision has always been to help people, and Celestial Phases was established based in that vision. The business has evolved from helping one person at a time to groups of people through classes and offering tools to help them connect to their practices.

Looking to BUY or SELL a home?

— and QiGong as well as sound healings, meditation and breathwork. They also have a crystal boutique with healing minerals all hand selected by Spear, as well as jewelry, clothing, inspirational books for adults and children, herbal teas, ayurvedic remedies to help support the body and many other goodies that are all things spiritual and holistic.

Is your home VACANT?

In need of REPAIRS?

BEHIND on Payments?

Facing FORECLOSURE?

“I listened to my intuition and let myself be guided,” said Spear. “Having this location is a huge blessing, the universe had a bigger plan for me. I really hope people feel my love through what we created at Celestial Phases.”

• NO EQUITY?

• Job Transfer?

Need Help with a CLEAN OUT or an ESTATE? WE CAN HELP! WE BUY HOUSES TOO!

“I’ve put a lot of love into this space,” Spear responded. “When someone comes in, I’ll give them a hug if they are okay with that. I want them to feel welcomed and think of this as a home away from home. A lot of people have mentioned to me when they walk through the door, they feel calm and peaceful. We welcome everyone to come to the studio, find a class or healing session that fits their needs.”

Please call today for a FREE Consultation / Market Analysis

Celestial Phases offers different varieties of yoga such as Yin yoga, Kundalini yoga, Fluid Yoga Flow, Yang/ Yin — a combination of pilates, yoga posture and barre

Spear developed Celestial Phases years ago when she was living in Pennsylvania. She explained it “just felt right to her” at the time as there are different phases in life, and idea of celestial comes from our bodies

“Owner is a Licensed Real Estate agent with EXP Realty”

being in alignment with the moon phases, which resonates with the work she offers. When Spear relocated to Massachusetts in 2014, she changed the name to ANANDO Yoga & Meditation and converted her garage into a small studio with the help and handiness of her husband, Gary. At this time, Spear was building her business in Massachusetts and still traveling to Pennsylvania to see her clients.

When COVID came around, Spear started teaching classes online, chose to rebrand back to Celestial Phases and started hosting “crystal boutique” live sales with the help of her daughter, Heather, running their small crystal business with private virtual/in-person shopping appointments. Her growing clientele and crystal inventory outgrew her studio, and she was in need of a space – especially when people starting asking if she would be teaching in person again.

Spear said she found the perfect space in Monson in August of 2021 with the support of her family, friends and “awesome” property owners, she opened Celestial Phases that November.

“I knew people were ready to come back because they were asking to come back,” Spear replied. “I was nervous, but cautiously optimistic. My teachers and I are offering a variety of beautiful classes. I’m grateful for our Celestial community because without their love and support of the work we offer here there would be no Celestial Phases.”

All Spear said she wants is for people to come to find peace and heal. Though she doesn’t know what the future holds, she said she is happy being able to help people while keeping her heart and mind open to endless possibilities.

“We hold space for people to be on their own healing journey,” said Spear. “Celestial Phases for me is my love projecting outward and it’s blossomed into a much bigger version I could have ever dreamed so far.”

CELESTIAL PHASES IS LOCATED AT 130 PALMER ROAD, MONSON, MA SECOND FLOOR, SUITE 3

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.CELESTIALPHASES.COM OR FOLLOW THEM ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TIKTOK. HOURS VARY AND SPEAR RECOMMENDS CHECKING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR DAILY POSTS. FOR QUESTIONS, CALL 267-738-1362.

1ST SOUTHWICK OPEN FARM DAY

1st southwick

open farm

day

AUGUST 20, 2023

august 20, 2023

12pm-4pm

12 pm - 4 pm

VISIT FARMS IN TOWN FOR AN INSIDE LOOK! PICK UP A PASSPORT AT ONE OF THE FARMS BELOW AND COLLECT STAMPS TO ENTER DRAWING!

Visit farms in town for an inside look! pick up a passport at one of the farms below and collect stamps to enter drawing!

Blossoming Acres • Calabrese Farm • Coward Farm

PARTICIPATING FARMS

Dwight Arnold Tobacco Farm and Sheep Pasture Sunflower Stand

Firefly Fields Farm • Kline View Stables

Solek Farm • Bisi Farm

Southwick Historical Society

ORGANIZED BY THE TOWN OF SOUTHWICK’S AGRICUTURAL COMMISSION

ORGANIZED BY THE TOWN OF SOUTHWICK’S AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION

Award-Winning Pierogi, Kielbasa, Kapusta, Golabki. Sauerkraut, Golabki-Stuffed Cabbage, and Cabbage Soup. Polish food is sold hot or packaged to reheat at home. Order online, call or walk in. Limited seating is available at our deli counter.

BBQ Smoke House & Polish Delicatessen

FRESHLY SMOKED DAILY! Brisket, Burnt Ends, Pulled Pork, BBQ Chicken, Ribs, Burgers and a variety of side dishes. Huge selection of grinders!

Karenoughcrafts & Boutique

It all began with a simple invite from a friend back in 1997 to a card party, not one where you gather with friends for a good game of canasta or more competitive poker, but one where you actually create your own handmade greeting cards.

Little did Karen Poltronieri realize at the time, but responding “yes” to the invitation would rekindle her creative spark and years after in 2022 result in the opening of a combined gift shop and workshop space called Karenoughcrafts & Boutique in Suffield, Connecticut.

“I was always the artsy type when growing up. My grandmother made quilts and at the age of 9, I taught myself how to do calligraphy, so since a young age I had an interest in handmade art,” Poltronieri said.

At the time of the party, she was a graduate of the University of South Carolina Spartanburg Campus and was living in Greenville where she worked as an assistant product manager with Gerber Childrenswear. Then love struck.

“The stars collided when I met Chris, my future husband, in February 2000. We were both from Connecticut and after going out for a bit, we got a little homesick and moved back in July 2000. We married in 2004 and two years later had twin girls who we named

Charlotte and Caroline as a way to keep a little of the South with us,” Poltronieri said.

It wasn’t until several years after moving back to Connecticut that she started her own card making and launched the business aspect of hosting classes out of her house. Then, in 2017, a friend introduced her to the healing power of essential oils after she experienced an allergy attack while at the woman’s home. Essential oils soon became her new passion, and Poltronieri began using certified pure grade essential oils for all of her needs from the medicine cabinet to under the kitchen sink, including sugar scrubs, bath bombs, soaps, toilet bombs, surface cleaners, perfumes and more. Now stocked with a healthy supply of her own handmade card creations and essential oil products, she established an Etsy store and also hit the road selling at craft fairs.

“While participating in these crafting events, I would meet many people with the same passion as me. I grabbed their business cards and explained to them that I wanted to someday open up my own place where I would host crafting classes and have a small retail section in the front featuring local artists like themselves,” Poltronieri said.

Finally, tired from traveling back and forth for two hours every day for work in Enfield, where she was manager of a hair salon, she decided to quit in October

2021 in order to devote more time with her family and focus on her budding business. She began looking for a brick-and-mortar storefront and as she tells the story, “Fate intervened and on March 8, 2021, which just happened to be International Women’s Day, I found a place that I liked. I came home and told my husband about it and we went to look at it together. When we returned home, he told me it was a great opportunity to test my business and that I would be foolish not to take it.”

Karenoughcrafts & Boutique opened its door on April 9, 2022, and true to Poltronieri’s vision, upon entering the shop visitors will find an array of unique, handcrafted items on consignment from local artists, as well as a space in the back of the 300-square-foot store where her many workshops, including those with guest artists, are held.

Among the many items for sale include jewelry, ponchos, zip code pillows, chalk art signs, rope baskets, scarves, soaps, tea towels, candles, dog items like bow ties and poop bags, and, of course, her handmade cards and essential oil products made from high-quality doTERRA oils, including sugar scrubs, shower steamers, rollerballs and many others.

Also, Poltronieri’s mother, Diane, makes all of the fabric sewn items on display such as beach bags, handbags, headbands and lip balm holders. Her daughter, Caroline, makes the seed bead bracelets and rings found in the boutique, while her other daughter, Charlotte, makes some of the wire-wrapped jewelry and lava stone bracelets.

During the busy Christmas season, shoppers will find additional items such as ornaments, special holiday jewelry, hair accessories, holiday signs for the mantle, handcrafted wood art, gnome items and other surprises.

“We do ask our clients what they are looking for and try to find an artist who makes that item,” Poltronieri said.

While there is plenty for adults to choose from, children aren’t forgotten at the boutique, where there is something for all ages such as baby items like onesies and pacifier holders, crochet items to play with, American Girl clothes, pop-it and Lego-type toys, fun earrings, headbands, hair clips, small bracelets and more.

Additionally for kids, Karenoughcrafts & Boutique also serves as a space for children’s birthday parties.

“Everyone makes a craft chosen in advance before attending the party and I bake cupcakes from scratch that they can decorate before eating. I teach the kids how to hold a pastry bag and what each cake tip is used for in decorating. Some parents bring pizza, too, for the kids to enjoy,” Poltronieri said.

Parties start at $17 per child and increase in price if someone wants to create an additional craft from

a selection that includes ceramic painted items, bath bombs, rollerballs, bracelets, card making or sugar scrubs which are the most popular, she noted.

Today, Poltronieri helps others to embrace their creative sides by making their own expressive cards with classes on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m., 3 and 6:30 p.m. The creativity continues on Thursdays when she hosts other types of classes such as chalk signs, paint a pot succulent, cookie decorating, charcuterie board, candle and soap making, bracelet and rollerball essential oils, ceramic painting and more.

Upcoming events in August at Karenoughcrafts & Boutique include candle making, essential oil workshop and a special baby card class, as well as a book signing for an up-and-coming children’s author. Check their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for dates and times.

The name Karenoughcrafts & Boutique is a play on her name to create “care enough” which is her motto: “When you care enough (Karenough), you make it yourself.”

“I get so upset when someone underappreciates a handmade gift. Do you know how long it took that person to make that item for you? A lot of love is added to those handcrafts and it’s not something that can be replicated 100% the same each time. Everything is unique,” Poltronieri said.

She also has her favorite shop to visit, but you will have to travel to North Carolina.

“We have been going to the Outer Banks since I

was a junior in high school. They have gift shops galore, including the Scarborough Faire Shopping Village where there are specialty boutiques, galleries and restaurants. It is one of my favorite places to go shopping with my mom, and it actually served as the inspiration for my shop,” Poltronieri said.

As for her own local store, she noted people enjoy shopping there because “they know not only are they supporting a woman entrepreneur, but local artists.”

“My customers won’t find these items I sell on Amazon or have to wait in line at other big box stores. They can come in, find a unique gift and also purchase a handmade card, and then they are on their way. I love what I do, so I always have a good day and they get a smile from me and a thank you every time they leave,” the shop owner said.

KARENOUGHCRAFTS & BOUTIQUE IS LOCATED ON 11 HIGH ST., SUITE 104, IN SUFFIELD. TO HELP FIND THE SHOP, THEIR WEBSITE ADVISES, “JUST HEAD TO THE BACK PARKING LOT OFF OF MOUNTAIN ROAD AFTER COLDWELL BANKER AND LOOK FOR OUR ‘OPEN’ SIGN.”

HOURS ARE TUESDAY AND THURSDAY FROM 11 A.M. TO 5 P.M., FRIDAY FROM NOON TO 5 P.M., AND SATURDAY FROM 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. CLOSED MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY. THE SHOP EXTENDS ITS HOURS ON WORKSHOP NIGHTS WHICH ARE LISTED ON THEIR FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM PAGES. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT KARENOUGHCRAFTS.COM OR CALL 860-836-1326.

GO LOCAL PICKS

COOL STUFF JUST OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR

OWN

Pick your own at Easy Pickin’s Orchard! Easy Pickin’s has 2 acres and 10 varieties of Blueberries available to pick until September. Raspberries are available to pick from August to October. Come to the orchard with friends and family for the perfect summer activity.

For more information and events visit: easypickinsorchard.com

Sonny’s Place’s Annual Lobster Bake is back and better than ever! Choice of the Lobster Menu or the Ribs Menu, great music provided by Nightshift, and a delicious Strawberry Shortcake dessert. Reserve your tickets now! Arrive anytime between 2pm and 6pm to be served!

For more information visit: www.sonnysplace.com/events/lobster-bake

The city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Experience the interactive exhibits and test your skills on the Jerry Colangelo “Court of Dreams.”

For more information visit: www.hoophall.com

Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Chickpea Salad

SHRIMP:

1-2 Tbsp za’atar

1 Tbsp olive oil

Lemon FOR THE SALAD:

1 can chickpeas

1/2 red onion

2 mini cucumbers

Fresh Parsley

2 Tbsp Greek yogurt

1 Tbsp tahini

1 garlic clove

Lemon

Salt and pepper

Start by soaking your wooden skewers in water for at least eight hours. In a bowl, mix together your shrimp, za’atar, and olive oil. Grill your shrimp for about 2-3 minutes per side and set aside. Dice your cucumber and red onion and mix them with your chickpeas and parsley. Mix together your Greek yogurt, tahini, lemon, minced garlic and salt pepper. Dress your salad and serve.

NATHAN BLAIS I’m a photographer from Springfield. I combined my love for cooking and photography and turned it into a career. Check out my instagram @nateblais!

COOKIES hot oven

The art of baking might be a hobby or passion for some, but for Hot Oven Cookies Founder Sheila Coon, it is everything and more.

As a family owned and operated business, the most important aspect of it is the customers it serves. “The level of support, loyalty and dedication people have [for us] is overwhelming,” Coon said, and has recently shown through as Hot Oven Cookies has experienced some changes.

In late June, Hot Oven Cookies moved its Springfield location from Allen Street to its new home, 1209 Parker St. As the space has been vacant for some time, renovations are needed before opening to the public. However, to still serve the community, Coon and her team are vending from the “cookie cart” outside.

“[We] can work out of the parking lot with the cookie truck so there is no gap in the service,” she shared.

When customers visit the truck, they will still find their favorite signature flavors including boozy cake batter sugar, dark chocolate sea salt chip, coquito snickerdoodle and guava cheesecake, along with other flavors that rotate weekly. On Saturday’s, there are gluten free and vegan options as well.

In addition to cookies, customers can also enjoy ice cream, freshly squeezed lemonade, hot chocolate and other beverages.

Coon shared that she is hoping for the Parker Street

location to be open by Sept. 1. She will be posting weekly menus and will notify customers ahead of time if the truck will not be parked in the lot. The updates will be posted to Hot Oven Cookies’ Facebook and Instagram pages.

Since Hot Oven Cookies first opened on Main Street in Springfield in 2018, the business has grown in many ways. For instance, Coon opened a second location in Westfield at 40 Elm St.

Around the same time that Coon moved to a new Springfield location, she announced that Hot Oven Cookies will be opening a third location in Chicopee Center in September.

She shared that customers in Holyoke, Chicopee and Downtown Springfield have been wanting a more convenient location. After looking at several options, Coon made “quiet moves” and settled on a location that is 11 minutes from the MassMutual Center and nine minutes from Holyoke High School.

Coon noted that each location is in a “tight knit,” “selfcontained” community that is unique to the customers it serves.

She went on to say that the people are “the fuel” that keeps her going.

“I can’t even quantify [all the] thank yous,” she said. “I am super-duper blessed [and] humbled to be where we are, and it wouldn’t be like that if it weren’t for our

customers.”

When a “for lease” sign went up in front of the Allen Street location, Coon said, “People went bananas. The customers were worried [and] that touched our hearts.”

According to the customers, Coon said they view her business as more than just cookies and she is “ecstatic” to continue bringing them the products they enjoy.

As a mother to seven, her employees consist of four of her children — with two daughters set to manage the shops. She noted that the new locations will require additional employees, with about nine positions that need to be filled.

Coon said her vision is to offer attainability and sustainability with both self and regular employment.

Looking ahead, Coon has even bigger plans to expand into Connecticut, Boston and beyond.

“Affordability will allow us to scale with ease,” Coon said.

Regardless of expansion, she noted that they are a microbusiness and will be staying in the area, all while evolving.

HOT OVEN COOKIES’ CURRENT HOURS ARE TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY FROM 11 A.M. TO 6 P.M. OR UNTIL SOLD OUT. 1209 PARKER STREET IN SPRINGFIELD, MA

CUSTOMERS CAN PRE-ORDER BY VISITING HOTOVENCOOKIES.COM.

•

Explore the great outdoors!

PEAKED MOUNTAIN TRAIL

138 BUTLER ROAD · MONSON, MA

Moderately challenging 2.0 mile looop. Popular area for birding, hiking, and horseback riding, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Open year-round. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

MOUNT TOM VIA NEW ENGLAND TRAIL

MOUNT TOM STATE RESERVATION

QUARRY TRAIL · HOLYOKE, MA

Moderately challenging 3.9 mile out-and-back trail near Easthampton, MA. It takes an average of 2 hr 9 min to complete. Very popular area for hiking. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

SCANTIC RIVER TRAIL

SCANTIC RIVER STATE PARK · POWDER HOLLOW BLOCK

2010 S DUST HOUSE ROAD · ENFIELD, CT

Explore this 1.9-mile out-and-back trail. An easy route, it takes an average of 36 min to complete. Popular trail for birding, fishing, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of the day. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

WINDSOR LOCKS CANAL TRAIL

WINDSOR LOCKS CANAL STATE PARK · SUFIELD, CT

Discover this 8.6 mile out-and-back trail near Suffield, CT. Considered an easy route, it takes an average of 2 hr 33 min to complete. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

BEAR HOLE RESERVOIR

WATERSHED LAND PARK

274-324 GREAT PLAINS ROAD WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA

Explore this moderately challenging 2.6 mile loop trail near West Springfield, MA. It takes an average of 56 min to complete. Popular for birding, hiking and running. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas.

MA NET: SECTION 1

5 RISING CORNER ROAD · SOUTHWICK, MA

Check out this 2.1-mile point-to-point trail near Southwick, MA. Considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 51 min to complete. Popular with birding, hiking and walking. The trail is open yearround and is beautiful to visit anytime.

TAKE A HIKE

NORTHAMPTON Bicycle

For more than five decades, Northampton Bicycle has met the cycling needs of the Pioneer Valley.

Gerard Paquin opened the shop in 1971 and is still the sole owner today. For the past dozen years, Leila Everett has managed the shop and touts the “amazing staff” for making work a pleasure and keeping the shop thriving for 52 years.

“We’re the oldest shop in the Pioneer Valley and love what we do,” said Everett.

Northampton Bicycle is a full-service shop that offers a variety of brands including Cannondale, Trek, Salsa, BMC and custom Seven Cycles.

“We carry a wide variety of bikes including but not limited to sport hybrids, comfort hybrids, bike path bikes, road bikes, gravel bikes, adventure bikes, electric bikes, hardtail mountain bikes, full suspension bikes, cruiser bikes and kids’ bikes,” Everett said. “We are a full-service bike shop complete with an excellent service department, bike fitting, apparel, accessories for you, accessories for your bike and even your car, electronics, rentals of hybrids, road and electric bikes

and more.”

Everett is originally from the Boston area and moved to the Valley after college. An avid cyclist, Everett loves riding in the hilltowns. “The views are amazing, the squirrels judgmental and adventures numerous.”

Everett knows a lot about the bicycle community and brings that expertise to Northampton Bicycle.

“I’ve been on the board of the local cycling club for over a decade, am currently co-president and led the entry level road group ride for over 12 years,” said Everett. “I enjoyed teaching people how to ride safely, consistently and predictably empowering them to ride safely with others and conduct themselves in a safe manner while riding amongst other vehicles.”

Everett said the Pioneer Valley is home to one of the largest cycling clubs in New England, with almost 650 members.

“The members are very active in the cyclocross and road racing scenes, an extensive youth program and weekly group rides give a little bit of something for everyone to participate in,” said Everett.

In addition to great customer service and products, Northampton Bicycle offers something unique to the cycling community: a full liquor license.

“After our expansion and renovation into the other half of the building about six years ago, we now have a beautiful bar space that we use for private special events such as birthday, retirement, engagement, showers or office parties,” said Everett. “We call it The Barb and Olive, named after hydraulic hose fittings.”

VISIT NOHOBIKE.COM AND THEBARBANDOLIVE.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION. NORTHAMPTON BICYCLE, 319 PLEASANT ST., NORTHAMPTON, IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK: MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 9:30 – 6 P.M., SATURDAY 9:30-5 P.M. AND SUNDAY NOON – 5 P.M.

CAIRNS BIRDWING BUTTERFLY MAGIC WINGS BUTTERFLY CONSERVATORY & GARDENS

BETH

THURBER

M.

STAFFORDAREA & Farmers Crafters

LOCAL EINSTEIN

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE - NO GOOGLING!

WHICH IS THE FASTEST SHARK (UP TO 60 MPH)?

[A] Great White

[B] Mako

[C] Hammerhead

[D] Thresher

WHO NAMED THE PACIFIC OCEAN?

[A] James Cook

[B] Vasco Nunez de Balboa

[C] Ferdinand Magellan

[D] Sir Francis Drake

WHAT IS THE HOTTEST PLANET IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM?

[A] Mercury

[B] Venus

[C] Mars

[D] Jupiter

WHAT PROFESSIONAL SPORT DOES JON RAHM PLAY?

[A] Baseball

[B] Tennis

[C] Golf

[D] Hockey

MOVIE CHARACTER FORREST GUMP IS FROM WHAT STATE?

[A] Alabama

[B] Mississippi

[C] Arkansas

[D] Louisiana

COMING IN OUR october ISSUE

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE BIGGEST TECH COMPANY IN SOUTH KOREA?

[A] Samsung

[B] Acer

[C] LG

[D] Toshiba

WHICH ANIMAL IS ON THE PORSCHE LOGO?

[A] Horse

[B] Cheetah

[C] Gazelle

[D] Lion

IF YOU WERE BORN ON AUGUST 24, WHAT IS YOUR ASTROLOGICAL SIGN?

[A] Leo

Taurus

Cancer [D] Virgo

AT WHAT SPEED DOES A TROPICAL STORM BECOME A HURRICANE?

[A] 49 MPH

[B] 74 MPH

[C] 99 MPH

[D] 149 MPH

Reach engaged couples and their planners who are ready to make important purchasing decisions for the big day.

TO ADVERTISE...

Call Jeanette @ 860.729.1606 or email jgrenier@thereminder.com

7 Local Shops to Check Out!

Antiques, gifts, clothing, and so much more.

SONNET & SPARROW

84 1/2 COTTAGE ST., EASTHAMPTON, MA (413) 203-1966

SONNETANDSPARROW.COM

Sonnet and Sparrow is a curated thrift store full of fashionable pieces and one of a kind items. Shop clothing, accessories, and unique treasures!

KEYSTONE VINTAGE MARKET

122 PLEASANT ST., EASTHAMPTON, MA (413) 270-1074

THEVINTAGECELLAREAST.COM

Keystone Vintage Market specializes in vintage and up-cycled furniture, home décor, art, and other collectables. Stop in for a unique shopping experience with one of a kind items.

BE BELLA BOUTIQUE

34 SCHOOL ST., WESTFIELD, MA (413) 729-0408

BEBELLA.BOUTIQUE

Be Bella Boutique started out as a mobile boutique truck and is now a brick and mortar! Shop clothing, accessories, shoes, and gifts.

THE VINTAGE CELLAR

11E BRIDGE ST., NORTHAMPTON, MA (413) 206-7143

VINTAGECELLAR.SHOP

The Vintage Cellar is full of unique items from home décor to vintage cassettes and records. Stop by and browse the variety of retro and refurbished goods!

BOHDII BOUTIQUE

34 CENTER SQUARE, EAST LONGMEADOW, MA (413) 224-1672

BOHDIIBOUTIQUE.COM

Bohdii Boutique is a women’s clothing store filled with trendy and affordable clothing. Shop in store or online whether you need everyday clothing, or an outfit for a night out.

WILLOW BARN DESIGNS

81 MAPLE ST., EAST LONGMEADOW, MA (413) 301-2929

FACEBOOK.COM/ WILLOWBARNDESIGNS

Willow Barn Designs has everything for your home décor needs! They have furniture, fresh flowers, house plants, gifts, and more!

OLD MILL POND VILLAGE

383 SALMON BROOK ST., GRANBY, CT (860) 653-3433

OLDMILLPONDVILLAGE.COM

The Old Mill Pond Village has something for everyone. The Red Barn Gift Shop is full of trendy jewelry, kitchen gadgets and pottery, women’s accessories, and other gifts. They also have a Christmas Shop, outdoor décor, and a variety of unique furniture.