Go Local | December 2016

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GO LOCAL MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 2016

December 2016 Volume 3 . Issue 1 golocalmagazines.com

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM

growing tradition holiday cheer at silver bell farm

art of japAnese temari Hanukkah in New England fine tuned boudreau guitars

2 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS DECEMBER 2016 . VOLUME 3 . ISSUE 1

GROWING TRADITION

6

EDITOR’S NOTE

8

GO ON, YOUR SAY Everyone deserves their 15 minutes of fame

Nestled along the gentle bends of the Twelvemile Brook and a meandering stretch of Silver Street, is a wonderful place to get into the old-fashioned Christmas spirit. Acres of beautiful fresh pines fleck the hillside; it’s calm with just a faint tinkling of bells echoing across the knoll. This is the official sound of the season.

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THREADED IN TRADITION The Local Art of Japanese Temari

14

RECIPE ROUNDUP Our very own cookie swap

21

LOCAL TAILS Jamila and Psyche

23

FINE TUNED Boudreau Guitars

Holiday Cheer at Silver Bell Farm

33

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS DECEMBER 2016 . VOLUME 3 . ISSUE 1

THREADED IN TRADITION

26

GO CREATE

DIY Snowy Candle-Lit Jar

28

MERRY CHRISTMAS From Greenleaf Drive

33

GROWING TRADITION Holiday Cheer at Silver Bell Farm

39

HANUKKAH IN NEW ENGLAND With Rabbi James Greene

42

TAKE A HIKE Sunset Hill Trail

45

GO LOCAL GIFTS Your Holiday Gift Guide

4 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

facebook.com/GoLocalMagazines 

50

I AM LOCAL Becky Isaacson

55

IN THE GARAGE 1962 MGA Mark 2

57

RISING FOR 100 YEARS Balboni Bakery

62

LOCAL SNAPSHOT Summer’s Secret

64

LOCAL EINSTEIN Put your thinking caps on

66

FINAL COUNTDOWN 7 Ways to Spread Holiday Cheer

HANUKKAH IN NEW ENGLAND

39

RISING FOR 100 YEARS

57

11

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EDITOR’S NOTE ! AMBER E. WAKLEY

Each year immediately following Thanksgiving my family would venture through the backwoods of my aunt and uncle’s house in Pennsylvania searching for a suitable tree to lug back to our house in Western New York. Inevitably, the “chosen” fir had wide gaps between branches and a trunk with precarious curves. One year I distinctly remember having to tether our tree to a bolted curtain rod above our picture window, ensuring it would stay upright until December 25. We had a collection of milestone bulbs and several vintage mercury glass ornaments from my grandmother, but it seemed rather silly to fully decorate our yuletide Tannenbaum with preciously crafted decorations. Instead, each branch was adorned with homemade creations using resourceful materials like flat slotted clothespins, salt dough, and clear plastic cups that when turned upside down displayed a miniature snow globe diorama. Decorating was accompanied by a Bing Crosby or Elmo & Patsy record and I almost always wore the tree skirt as a fashion statement. It was simple, uncomplicated and wonderful. I now wonder if my parents ever had the emotional stress of trying to “create the magic” that is so often associated with the holiday hoopla these days; either way I was probably too young or oblivious to notice. While I remember the joy of toys - like my Star Stage microphone with base amplifier, speaker and echo pedal - it’s the authentic memories that embody the holidays, not ones manufactured by big-time retailers.

Whether you treat this time of year as a celebration of tradition, family reunion or with spiritual significance, chances are it’s not the objects that signify the season. I kept this in mind while seeking stories for our December edition. We started in Monson where Mike and Laura Moore have created a joyful destination for local families to enjoy a low-key holiday experience through their agricultural endeavor, Silver Bell Farm - the attention to detail here is extraordinary. We took a ride down Greenleaf Drive in Hampden where Claudia and Chet Kapinos come together with their neighbors to create a lighting and decoration display for the community to enjoy. We met Ken Boudreau who is handcrafting custom CO-PUBLISHER Dan Buendo ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Doug Fabian EDITOR Amber Wakley QUALITY CONTROL Carolyn Napolitan MAGAZINE DESIGN Mandy Wieting

6 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

PHOTOGRAPHY Amelia Ingraham Jacqueline Sidor Connor Wier CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Carly Ludbrook Carly Maher Franceen Munson Alexa Napolitan Amy White

ADVERTISING Amy Allen Kim Barba Paula Dimauro Jan Ellis Kristine Hughes Foster Scott Greene Nancy Holloway Jeanette Grenier Matt Mahaney Sandy Neumann Lisa Nolan

 JACQUELINE M. SIDOR, JMS ART & PHOTO

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guitars in Enfield, discovered the art of Temari with Robin French in Stafford and savored recipes dating back over 100 years at Balboni’s Bakery in Agawam. We also met Rabbi James Greene, he shares both enriching seasonal celebrations found at the Jewish Community Center on the Longmeadow/Springfield line and his reverent memories of family tradition.

Along with festive observances Go Local is celebrating a two year milestone this month! It’s been a wonderful experience uncovering upbeat stories, agricultural delights, hidden gems and authentic personalities. Along the way we’ve cultivated talented writers, inspiring photographers, and unwavering support from our readers and advertisers. You all make Go Local thrive and we appreciate your enthusiasm for this positive publication. THANK YOU! While I don’t wish you a laughable pine this season, I do hope your holiday - whatever you celebrate - comes with a simplistic joy that sparks warm memories. Enjoy time with ones you cherish, love what you do and may peace be with you. See you next year!

Amber Wakley is the Editor of Go Local Magazine and currently in a love affair with all things local. Perpetuate the passion and send local stories, “I Am Local” suggestions, “Go Local Picks,” recipes,“In the Garage”recommendations and more to:  AMBER@THEREMINDER.COM CREATIVE Beth Thurber, Manager Ashleigh Ayers Susan Bartlett Leigh Catchepaugh Liz O’Donoghue Andrea Spohr BUSINESS ADDRESS: 280 North Main Street East Longmeadow, MA 01028 Tel: 413.525.6661 Fax: 413.525.5882

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GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 7

GO ON, YOUR SAY!

BECAUSE EVERYONE DESERVES THEIR 15 MINUTES OF FAME

NAOMI

SCOTT High-Rise Iron Worker

JAMIE Graphic Designer

Chickens

To spend the holidays with my daughter!

A warm parka!

I want to go sledding!

“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” with Rat Dog

“Baby, it’s Cold Outside” with Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins

Server & mom

What’s at the top of your wish list?

If you could “I’m dreaming of a record a holiday White Christmas” song with any with Peter, Paul band, which and Mary (for my mom). would it be?

Which celebrity would you want to bump into under the mistletoe?

Which of the “12 Days of Christmas” would you like to receive?

Favorite cold weather drink?

Matt Damon

3 French Hens

Definitely hot apple cider.

Grace Potter

Rami Malek

9 Ladies Dancing, 9 Ladies Dancing hands down

Hot chocolate

Wassail (hot mulled cider)

CHRIS JIM Assistant Managing Editor Lead Sales Consultant

A new coffee maker.

New floor mats for my truck.

“Run Run “Silent Night” with Rudolph” with Chris Robinson All That Remains Brotherhood

You’re delivering gifts, what food and drink do you want left for you?

Wine with cheese and crackers.

8 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

Owning a house!

“Let it Snow” with Red Hot Chili Peppers

Tom Brady

That’s a tough one, but probably Jessica Alba.

Chris Pratt!!!

Whichever ones don’t involve animals or large groups of active people.

That’s an easy one, five golden rings, of course.

The golden rings!

A nice chocolate stout.

Coffee with Bailey’s is pretty awesome.

Coffee

Successfully pull- Wearing a sparkly What will I’ll be seeing ing off the dress and giving you be doing Kissing my son’s Celebrating my some kind of live my boyfriend a at midnight head, trying not to balloon drop at cousin’s wedding. music, but not the Stafford kiss to ring in the on New wake him up. sure what yet.

Palace Theater. new year.

Year’s Eve? Which holiday movie or “How the Grinch show MUST Stole Christmas” you watch each year?

ALLISON Stay at home mom

“A Christmas Story”

“A Charlie Brown Christmas!”

“Die Hard” (It’s totally a Christmas movie)

Pepperoni pizza and a IPA.

The classic tall glass of cold milk and warm chocolate chip cookies.

Buffalo chicken pizza and craft beer.

“A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas.”

Best Christmas movie ever!

Giving my boyfriend a kiss!

“Home Alone”

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of beauty. The crowd is captivated by an art form they have never encountered before. They are encouraged to hold, touch, and admire these densely stitched works of art. Robin French explains not only the process of this ancient Japanese art form, the amount of time it takes, the lovely symbolism and cultural heritage of the patterns and images, but also how she got started in this exotic craft. It is a visual, tactile, highly interesting experience that most people surely will remember for a long time to come!

As the former owner of a gallery and custom framing business in Napa, California in the late nineties, Robin had boxes of beautiful silk scraps leftover from covering mats that she simply couldn’t toss. Looking for a way to recycle and reuse them, she picked up a book on fabriccovered balls. After making a few of these, she went back to the bookstore to discover a book with beautiful, intricately embroidered balls on the cover. She was captivated by the patterns she saw stitched, bought the book, and started on what has become a long adventure with Japanese Temari balls! She later learned that the manual she began with was the fourth (and most difficult) in a series, and went back to the beginning, working her way through the other three levels as well. Completely selftaught from books, Robin soon had friends begging for classes, and who later commandeered her into teaching GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 11

them one afternoon, even though she herself was in the learning process. Customer interest led to teaching regular classes, which became an actual profession of sorts.

Teaching offers Robin the opportunity to make the craft of Temari approachable and accessible to people, demystifying an art form that can seem mind boggling and complicated. To love crafting as well as teaching makes for one who loves to teach their craft! She is currently teaching at Thistle Needleworks in Wethersfield, Connecticut, offering an upcoming Christmas themed workshop – which is sold out. She also recently returned from a trip to California where she taught 2-3 day workshops to a loyal following (her “groupies” as she affectionately refers to them) that she has been working with for several years. Plans for the future include a heartfelt desire to offer instruction in and around the vicinity of her new hometown of Stafford Springs.

So how are these balls made, and what fires the mind of Robin to be so passionately drawn to this art form? The construction process itself is methodical, and has led to analogies to yoga, meditation, and deep states of peace and relaxation. The process nowadays starts with a styrofoam ball, which is wrapped with many layers of string until it is covered.

Straight vertical and horizontal lines of string are then applied to bisect the ball. The design is then built up by stitching over, under, and through more geometric lines, slowly building up to a pattern of traditional Japanese elements found in nature such as flowers, cranes, or waves, etc.

Robin’s fiancé, Pete, states (with a twinkle in his eye), that as a mathematician one of the things that drew him to Robin (among many fine qualities) was the very geometric, logical craft she practices while being impressed with the extreme beauty of the finished product.

For Robin- who sometimes spends months on one piece - part of the appeal does rest in the sense of geometry inherent in the process, but also the left and right brain interplay. She revels in the sheer artistry in experimenting with beautiful harmonious color combinations, while analyzing stitches and layers to arrive at a finished piece. She explains that once a pattern starts to emerge, the work comes to life and working on it becomes meditative, therapeutic and calming. She patiently stitches in and out, over and under, creating basket weave patterns, chrysanthemums, never ending spirals, and any number of intricate Japanese designs.

For Robin, the cares of the world seem to fall away as she becomes immersed in the tactile sense of the fibers, the colors and the rhythmic repetition of stitches. On larger projects, watching the pattern emerge and evolve is fulfilling and gratifying. It is a quiet art, and one that takes patience and time. Depending on the size and complexity of the pattern, a basic Temari ball (such as the ones 12 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN LEARNING THE ART OF TEMARI, CONTACT ROBIN AT: TEMARI530@YAHOO.COM

created in a beginner’s workshop) can be completed in several hours, while larger, involved designs can take weeks, if not months.

Another important part of Robin’s love for this craft is the rich culture of Japan itself. The Japanese philosophy of design and restrained approach to materials is as deeply rooted as its deep reverence for nature. Many of the designs used in Temari are traditional images, such as the crane, the chrysanthemum, the tortoise, or the seasons, etc. The Japanese New Year, with its seasonal and symbolic references is a popular motif. Temari balls have a thousand year history, with humble beginnings as a child’s ball. Robin enjoys them all, but as a self proclaimed flower lover and one who practices Ikebana (traditional Japanese flower arranging), it seems appropriate that Robin’s favorite designs are floral - especially the sixteen point chrysanthemum – which is truly magnificent.

Robin sheds light on some of the traditional, ancient symbolism in elements from nature. For instance, the chrysanthemum has great significance, and with its seemingly endless petals, is a sign of prosperity, abundance, and beauty. It is fittingly the crest, or symbol of the Imperial family of Japan. She explains a phrase typifying the Japanese attitude towards nature, “Sho Chiku Bai,” which means Pine, Bamboo, Plum. Pine symbolizes the evergreen, and longevity. Bamboo, due to its upright strong growth, symbolizes strength and steadfastness. The Plum stands for new beginnings, as the blossom appears before any leaves on bare branches in the spring. She mentions again the Japanese New Year, and its many images thematically related to that great day of national celebration.

Robin has had the honor of visiting the world headquarters of the Japanese Temari Association, located in Tokyo. While there she spent the day with its founder, and was fortunate enough to take a class with her. Robin reverently admits that it was one of the most noteworthy days of her life! It should be noted that the JTA has a level ranking system for stitchers consisting of four levels, some of which take years to achieve. As this is not an art form very well known in the USA there are not many certified practitioners of the art in this country. Robin holds the honored distinction of being one of eleven people worldwide, outside of Japan, to be working on Level Three!

Aside from the incredible, mind-bending beauty of this art, there is a lovely tradition of the hand of the maker - in this case also the spirit of the maker. The Japanese believe that the good thoughts, positive energy and spirit of the maker are encapsulated in the Temari ball they have created. They are always given as a gift on auspicious, joyous occasions, such as a wedding, birth of a baby or new career. And just as the maker is not the same person he or she was months or years after a ball is made and has grown and evolved; the balls reflect that reality, with no Temari ball ever being exactly duplicated. That being said, one could also say that the art of Temari has also gently gifted some of its beautiful spirit to Robin, whose rare, exquisite creations bring so much joy to the beholder.

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 13

From classic cutouts to fancy flavors, Go Local is celebrating the season with holiday sweet treats! Our cookie swap - of sorts - brings you a selection of must-try recipes contributed by chefs and readers within our community. So, in the spirit of the holiday season, go ahead, eat dessert first!

CLASSIC OVERNIGHT GINGERBREAD MEN

Submitted by Peter Gray . Pete’s Sweets Candies & Baked Goods

WHAT YOU’LL NEED 1 cup Sugar 1/2 cup Water 1/2 cup Molasses 1 tbsp. Ground ginger 2 tsp. Ground cinnamon 1 tsp. Ground cloves 1/4 tsp. Ground black pepper 1 cup Unsalted butter Softened 4 cups Flour 1 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda 1/4 tsp. Salt ROYAL ICING 1 tbsp. Meringue powder 2 cups Powdered sugar 4-5 tbsp. Warm Water Food Coloring If Desired Makes approximately 20-30 cookies

14 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

HOW YOU’LL MAKE IT In a medium saucepan, combined the sugar, water, molasses, ginger, pepper, cinnamon, and cloves. Bring the mixture to a boil and stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and add butter. Stir occasionally until the butter is fully incorporated. Let the mixture cool for 15-20 minutes. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Stir the flour mixture into the molasses mixture with a wooden spoon. Mix until combined. Place dough onto plastic film and flatten the dough into one sheet, wrap and refrigerate overnight. (6+hours)

The next day, preheat oven to 375˚, line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Give your work surface a light dusting of flour. Working with small amounts of dough at a time, roll dough to a 1/4 inch thickness, adding flour if need. Dip your cookie cutter(s) in a small amount of flour to prevent sticking, cut dough into desired shapes. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until set and lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before transferring to a cooling rack. Cool completely before icing & decorating. ROYAL ICING Place meringue powder and powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl, mix gently on the lowest speed. Begin to add the water until mixture resembles honey consistency. Beat 4-5 minutes. Add food coloring if desired. The consistency may be adjusted with additional water.

RUM BALLS

Submitted by Chris & Amy White . A Couple in the Kitchen

WHAT YOU’LL NEED 1 cup Semisweet chocolate chips ½ cup Granulated sugar 3 tbsp. Light corn syrup ¾ cup Rum 2½ cups Vanilla wafer crumbs Confectionary sugar or shredded coconut for dusting Makes approximately 6 dozen balls HOW YOU’LL MAKE IT In a heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in sugar and corn syrup. Stir in rum, then add vanilla wafer crumbs and mix well. Cover and cool in refrigerator until mixture is hard enough to roll into balls. Line a baking sheet with wax paper, and using your hands, roll into 1/2-inch balls and place onto wax paper. Dust with confectionary sugar or roll in coconut. Store in an airtight container between sheets of waxed paper for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Teachers by day and would-be chefs by night, CHRIS & AMY WHITE live by the motto "the couple that sautés together, stays together." The two spend a lot of their at-home time creating culinary concoctions in their kitchen, which inspired their blog "A Couple in the Kitchen." You'll find their recipes, versions of other people's recipes, restaurant and other types of reviews, and miscellaneous additional food-related posts on their blog, ACOUPLEINTHEKITCHEN.US Decorating cookies during the holiday season is a must, especially for PETER GRAY, owner of Pete’s Sweets Candies & Baked Goods in East Longmeadow.

A family favorite, Pete enjoys this recipe year after year and just the slightest hint of gingerbread baking stirs up fond memories of Christmas. From classic home-style treats to custom cupcakes and traditional yule logs, Pete’s Sweets is a bakery in the business of making memories with unforgettable cakes and confections. Here, there’s artistry in every bite. Visit PETESSWEETS.COM or his shop at 32 Shaker Road.

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 15

THUMBPRINT COOKIES

Submitted by Jeanie Wild . Blessed Creek

WHAT YOU’LL NEED 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, room temperature 1/4 cup Granulated white sugar 1 Large egg, separated 1/2 tsp. Pure vanilla extract 1 cup All purpose flour 1/8 tsp. Salt 3/4 cup Hazelnuts, almonds, pecans or walnuts, toasted and finely chopped 1/3 - 1/2 cup Raspberry jam or your favorite Makes approximately 20 cookies.

When JEANIE WILD isn’t crafting soaps, balms and salves for her company BLESSED CREEK, you will find her busy in late fall preparing for her annual Cookie Exchange - always held the first Saturday evening in December; 2016 marks the 16th year. Lots are shared including finger foods, laughs, a sometimes rambunctious ornament exchange, and presents donated to the Visiting Nurse Association. About 9 dozens cookies are shared; there are contests, presentation battles and a new queen saunters out with the somewhat tattered crown.

BUCKEYES

Submitted by Jessica Mattson . Kloter Farms

WHAT YOU’LL NEED 1/2 cup Butter, softened 18 oz. Creamy peanut butter 1 tsp. Pure vanilla extract 3 cups+ Powdered sugar Milk chocolate bars for melting (Hershey bars are perfect) JESSICA MATTSON I started making this recipe with my cousin for our Annual Cookie Bake. Our kids were small at the time, and it was a no-fail favorite. We like this recipe because it doesn’t require graham crackers or nuts and therefore has a very smooth and creamy texture. All of the ingredients are simple and easy to find.

It’s like a homemade peanut butter cup, and no matter what age, it seems like people just love them.

16 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

HOW YOU’LL MAKE IT In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract. Beat until combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the flour mixture to the batter and beat just until combined. If the batter is too soft to roll into balls, refrigerate for about 30-60 minutes. Preheat oven to 350˚ and place rack in center of oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, whisk egg white until frothy. Place the finely chopped nuts on a plate. Roll the dough into 1” (2.5 cm) balls. Taking one ball of dough at a time, dip first into the egg white and then lightly roll in the nuts. Place on the prepared baking sheet spacing about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Using your thumb or end of a wooden spoon, make an indentation into the center of each cookie. Bake for about 12 - 15 minutes, or until cookies are set and the nuts have barely browned.

Remove from oven and place on wire rack to cool. Fill each indentation with about ½ teaspoon of jam.

HOW YOU’LL MAKE IT Cream butters and vanilla together, gradually adding powered sugar. Roll into 1” balls and freeze for 10 minutes on wax paper. Melt chocolate in a double boiler over medium heat. Take care to adjust the heat so that the water does not spit out into the chocolate, as it will seize the chocolate. Using a toothpick or wooden skewer, dip the peanut butter ball into the chocolate, leaving a small circle of peanut butter remaining. Place onto wax paper to set. Can be refrigerated or frozen for up to 2 months.

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 17

Guidance for All of Life’s Changes.

GRAPEFRUIT SPARKLERS

Submitted by Chris & Amy White . A Couple in the Kitchen

WHAT YOU’LL NEED 21/2 cups All-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt 2 sticks Unsalted butter, at room temperature 3/4 cup Granulated sugar 3 tbsp. Grated grapefruit zest 1 tsp. Vanilla extract 4 Large egg yolks FOR THE ICING: 1 1/4 cup Confectionery sugar 3 tbsp. Fresh grapefruit juice Sanding sugar (optional) Makes about 4 dozen

Minimally adapted from this recipe at Epicurious

18 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

HOW YOU’LL MAKE IT To make dough: Whisk together flour and salt in a medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in a stand mixer at medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add zest and extract and continue to beat until combined. Scrape down sides with a spatula, then add eggs and beat until just blended. Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add flour mixture. Beat until incorporated. Divide dough in half and roll each half into a 10-inch log about 1-3/4 inches in diameter. Wrap each log in plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least one hour up to two days.

When ready to bake: Preheat oven to 350˚. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap one dough log on a plastic cutting board. Use a sharp knife to slice the dough into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Place rounds on lined cookie sheets, 1 inch apart. Bake for 16-18 minutes, until golden brown on the edges. Transfer to cooling racks and repeat with remaining dough. Allow to cool completely. TO DECORATE: Whisk together confectionary sugar and grapefruit juice. Dip a silicone pastry brush or fork into the icing and drizzle over the cookies. Sprinkle with sanding sugar while still wet (if desired). Allow to set, about 15 minutes. Store in an air-tight container.

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CELEBRATING THE BOND BETWEEN PEOPLE AND THEIR PETS

JAMILA & PSYCHE STAFFORD SPRINGS, CT

Jamila and Psyche’s journey began last year during a typical night volunteering at Our Companions Animal Sanctuary in Ashford, CT. Jamila had recently lost her beloved cat Twilight and was saddened each night going home to an empty house. She volunteered weekly to lift her spirits, and keep her mind off Twilight. “When I walked in to volunteer the first night Psyche was at the Sanctuary, it’s almost as if she was waiting for me.” Jamila said, “She was the most beautiful cat I had ever seen and I instantly fell in love with her.” After a few weeks of getting to know her, Jamila adopted Psyche and brought her home.

Our Companions Animal Sanctuary (a nonprofit organization) provides a low-stress, home-like setting to animals waiting for their forever home. Psyche originally came to their sanctuary with her sisters after her previous owner moved away and left the cats behind to fend for themselves.

A kind neighbor called Our Companions, who took the cats in and found homes for them. Because of Psyche’s history and gorgeous looks, Jamila says “I decided to name her Psyche based on a beautiful Goddess in Greek Mythology who had to overcome many challenges and misfortunes.

It seemed like the perfect name for her.”

Today, they are inseparable. “I can bring her anywhere with me and she’ll just hang out.

We watch TV together, work on the computer together, even sit outside in the catio together.” Jamila even gets an occasional gift. “She brought me a mouse once and dropped it at my feet. But then she started eyeing it up and decided to take it back.

I guess she thought she needed it more than I did.” Jamila never did get another mouse, but instead has received unconditional love and companionship. Good trade.

We want to put your furry or feathered friend in print. Go Local's newest monthly feature will spotlight heartfelt, heroic, or even hilarious habits of ‘the things our pets do.' If you’re a pet parent with a priceless story or unique bond, drop us a message: mandy@thereminder.com.

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155 Hazard Ave., Enfield, CT • 860-763-4653 22 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

LOCATIONS: 420 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT | 860.745.5676 Ingleside Mall, Holyoke, MA | 413.536.2768

! CARLY MAHER  AMELIA INGRAHAM

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 23

– handcrafts every piece of his electric guitars and customizes his designs to meet the needs of his clients. Although he utilizes no official advertisement, guitar enthusiasts across the country contact Ken for custom instruments created right in his humble workshop.

Years ago, Ken was interested in gadgets he had as a kid. “I remember being in second grade and taking apart my close ‘n’ play,” a small record player which plays music when closed and pauses as soon as it is opened. “I pulled it completely apart, put it back together again and the thing worked.” This sparked a fascination with reverse engineering and the idea that anything made could be manipulated or personalized.

Although he didn’t begin playing until age 17, Ken had a few guitars in the years prior.

“I pulled them apart, too. If I didn’t like the way they looked I would disassemble them, sand them down and stain them. But they never seemed to play right again after that.”

Fast-forward to the year 2006, Ken decided to buy an Epiphone brand guitar neck online and attempt to fashion the body out of wood in his own garage. The trial run, he says, wasn’t perfect. Despite its flaws, Ken was proud of his first accomplishment and gifted the result to a close friend who still plays it today. The surprise was not so much in the successful completion of the instrument, but the addictive nature of the building process.

“Before I finished that first guitar, I had two more in the works,” he says as a forewarning to anyone interested in the craft. The compelling thing about guitar-building, for Ken, comes not only from the satisfaction of constructing a functional instrument, but also in the role he plays in the successful manifestation of another person’s dream.

This, he says, is what drives his perfectionism.

“I once built someone a guitar and obsessed over a flaw in the finish on the back. For three weeks I obsessed over it,” Ken says of one memorable instrument. “But, when someone contacts you and says ‘I want you to build my dream guitar,’ his dream guitar does not have a flaw in the finish on the back.” He defends his nitpicking, assuring it’s 24 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

part of the process – and it’s always worth it “because in the end you get a perfect instrument.”

As Ken becomes increasingly skillful in the building of electric guitars, he continually strives to be more authentic. Currently, each guitar is shaped by hand, the fret boards are fashioned from walnut wood and his namesake decal sits proudly at the top of each peg head. For very special guitars, he uses real mother-of-pearl on the marker dots, which pepper the fret board of every guitar. In the future, he plans to also make his own electronic components.

“Eventually, I want to build my own pick-ups. The pick-up creates a magnetic field that the string vibrates in,” he explains, “and then that goes to the amp. Depending on how many windings are in the coil and how strong the magnetic field is, determines how aggressive the pickup sounds.” Alleging that he has heavily researched the subject, he reaffirms that he always does so when attempting something new. For now, he purchases his electronic components online and fits them into his guitars.

Ken attributes much of his success to the online sphere. Luthier forums and YouTube have helped him teach and learn from others. Many builders of string instruments freely share their knowledge online, but some aren’t so forthcoming. “They’re like magicians,” he says, “and they don’t want to show you how they did the trick.”

Ken, however, is dedicated to inclusivity in his craftsmanship. He makes his own videos showing others exactly how he makes his guitars.

“I like to let people know that they can do this. If you want to build your own dream guitar, it’s a very accessible goal.”

With the right materials, anyone can make their own guitar – but keeping an open mind is key. Ken smiles, lifting the raw foundation of a guitar neck. He turns it over to reveal the color variation, the wood grain, the individual pieces fused together. “This wood came from an old futon – all that flamed maple was part of the back.” Ken and his family purchased the old piece of furniture at a yard sale years before. “We were getting rid of it recently and I thought ‘wait, there’s some sick lookin’ maple on that thing.’ It’s fun to show people you can make guitars out of silly stuff.”

Although Boudreau Guitars go for an average of $1,000 a pop, Ken doesn’t necessarily profit from his craft. According to Ken, if he were to pay himself properly for his custom creations, his guitars would be “outrageously expensive.” But, in true music lover’s fashion, he insists that he is not looking to make money right now, he only wants to get his instruments in the hands of those who love to play guitar. “If I can make back what I put into them, I’m happy,” he says.

Despite his specific affinity for electric guitars, there are hints of him dabbling in other instruments – a first for Ken. “I’ve thought about acoustics,” he ponders, “but I want to be the best I can be at making these first.” As for the future, Ken says he may seek to profit from his custom craft after retirement. But for now, he has two teenagers, a fulltime job, and a serious hobby.

You can search Ken Boudreau by name on Facebook or at “Boudreau Custom Guitars”. He can also be found at “Boudreau Guitars” on YouTube. Drop by, watch one of his videos and prepare to laugh!

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 25

GO CREATE - DIY INSPIRATION

Snowy Candle-Lit Jar

Glass jars Black paint pens Snow in a can Small candles Black acrylic paint (optional)

Winter is fast approaching and while snow might not be your favorite part of the up-andcoming holiday season, it still is beautiful to look at. Raid your recycling bin and create a snowy candle-lit jar for yourself or as a holiday gift. This simple DIY will add a gentle glow to your winter nights.

>>

STEP 1: Clean glass jars and remove outer labels. If your labels are being tricky, try soaking in hot and soapy water, scrubbing with steel wool, or cleaning off the glue with rubbing alcohol. STEP 2: Find a silhouette design for your jar. I chose a scenic picture for one jar and a manger for another because our family celebrates Christmas. You can find ideas online or create one yourself. STEP 3: Outline the design on your jar using a paint pen.

You can either free hand draw the design or print one, cut it out, tape it on, and trace it.

STEP 4: Fill in the design with your paint pen or a paint brush and acrylic paint to complete the silhouette. STEP 5: Add snow to your jar for a winter scene. Hold the spray snow at least 12� from the jar and gently spray the outside of the jar until you have the desired amount of snow for your image. (If you don’t like how the snow looks, you can quickly wipe it off with a damp paper towel and try again.) STEP 6: Insert your candle and light up your masterpiece!

As a pediatric occupational therapist and recent stay-at-home mom, Melody is no stranger to coloring, finger paint, and play doh. She also enjoys bringing her abilities to a more mature level with DIY crafts. While she would not call herself artistic, she finds pleasure in creating with a variety of media. Through this monthly DIY, she hopes to encourage others to find their own talents and experience creating something new.

26 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

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Greenleaf Drive combines homes lined with holiday lights, large cutout lawn decorations, and live-costumed characters to bring their street to life from early December through the New Year.

Even before the small-town street earned its fame as “The Christmas Street”, residents held a special place in their hearts for both the holiday season and spending time with their neighbors.

“The Christmas tradition really started way back in the 1970’s with the Hebert family,” says Joan Shea, one of the original residents of Greenleaf. “They’d have a Christmas party for all the little kids on the street where the parents would bring a gift for their own child and after the kids went inside, they’d drop it in a box to be transferred to a big Santa bag so Santa could surprise the kids later on.”

The Hebert family always had the popular animated Santa’s workshop and sleigh display in their front yard while others joined in by adding candles in their home’s windows.

In the mid 70’s, the Pantuosco family moved onto the street and brought with them a new Christmas tradition, which really set Greenleaf apart—large, hand-drawn, hand-painted wooden cutouts of popular Disney characters, the Muppets, Dr. Seuss characters and more.

“Pat [Pantuosco] is so talented and she’s responsible for the cutouts that everybody has,” says Claudia Kapinos, another long-time resident of Greenleaf. “She freehand draws them herself. They’re great. She never wanted to force anything she did on anyone, but started slowly sharing cutouts with the people who wanted them.”

This collaboration between neighbors is one of the things that make Greenleaf Drive so special. In the early days of the display, living on “The Christmas Street” and putting on a show night after night could be quite a commitment, so having a great group, determined to make sure every guest left with a smile, made it easy to do.

30 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

“We all had day jobs—everyone was working, and we’d come home after work and go out together,” recalls Chet Kapinos who was famous for his portrayal of Rocky the Raccoon. His son now wears the costume. “We’d hear a knock on the door and Santa would be there ready to go. We’d dress up and head out until 9-10pm or so.”

In the days before Bright Nights, which opened in Forest Park in Springfield in 1995, traffic to get into the Greenleaf cul-de-sac would sometimes back up over a mile into the neighboring town of East Longmeadow.

“Santa Tom and Chet had a favorite line—they’d say, ‘Let’s back ‘em up’—meaning that they’d be spending a lot of time with each car that came through to make their visit extra special,” says Claudia. “But Bright Nights did change everything. We were still busy, but you could see it slowing down and it actually became a bit more doable.”

No matter how much or little traffic that came through Greenleaf, each year was still memorable because they were doing it together.

Whether you chose multi-colored or white lights, celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, the crew that inhabits “The Christmas Street” always endeavored to have something for everyone to enjoy.

For this reason, even in the summer months, residents are always asked about what it takes to live on the famous street.

“We’re always asked whether you’re required to decorate if you move onto Greenleaf Drive and the answer is, we don’t force anyone to do anything, but it seems that when people move onto the street,

they know what they’re getting into,” Claudia and Joan laugh.

At the end of the day, the tradition of Greenleaf isn’t to get attention or praise—it’s simply to provide local families with a free, low-key holiday experience. They’ve always said, taking a drive down Greenleaf Drive is the one thing at Christmas that won’t cost you a thing—and that holds true to this day.

“We have so many people roll their windows down or come up the driveway and knock on the door and just say, ‘Thank you for doing this’ or ‘Bless you’, and it just makes it worth it,” recalls Claudia.

She’s experienced so many wonderful things over the years that she put together a small book of memories to share with her grandchildren. She hopes that they will grow up appreciating what makes a place like Greenleaf and giving back to the community so meaningful.

“All of us on the street, we’re truly a family,” smiles Claudia. “We refer to ourselves as the Greenleaf family. We’ve known each other for so long and the kids grew up together. One thing our kids always say is ‘I wish we had for our kids what we had on Greenleaf’ so that’s one reason why I wrote the book.”

The stories, Claudia says, are a way of keeping each wonderful memory alive for years to come.

So even when the lights come down at the end of each holiday season, the Greenleaf family will cherish the winter wonderland they’ve created on their quaint cul-de-sac, knowing they’ve touched on something special that Western Massachusetts locals will continue to appreciate right along with them.

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 31

gun sales training

BUY • SELL • REPAIR • TRADE

The Hidden Still is Northeast Connecticut’s premier location for top quality food, craft beer, and hand-crafted cocktails featuring moonshine from all over the country as well as local spirits.

Our seasonally inspired menu features a wide array of flavors to please any palate and we strive to offer an

90 Enfield St, Enfield, CT

(860) 265-7620

contact@acall2arms.net

www.acall2arms.net

“Not Your Grandfather’s Gun Store!”

32 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

upscale experience at hometown prices.

Enjoy our events throughout the week including Open Mic Mondays, Acoustic Tuesdays, Trivia Wednesdays and karaoke and live bands throughout the weekend.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 87 West Road Ellington, CT

(860) 896-3333 thehiddenstill.com Mon. 4pm-1am Tues.-Thurs. 11:30am-1am Fri.-Sat. 11:30am-2am Sun. 11:30am-1am

! AMBER WAKELY  JACQUELINE M. SIDOR, JMS ART & PHOTO

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 33

34 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 35

36 GO LOCAL NOVEMBER 2016

NEIL’S

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We have a great selection of • Craft Beers • Organic Wines Local Wines • Fine Wines • Liquors & More!

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Annalee Byers' Choice Jim Shore • Demdaco Possible Dreams Kringle and Yankee Candles Department 56 Villages Snowbabies • Vera Bradley Spartina 449 • Mantraband Nora Fleming • Lilly Pulitzer Crabtree & Evelyn

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266 North Road Broad Brook, CT

860-623-9068 Sat.-Tues. 9AM-6PM Wed.-Fri. 9AM-8PM

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GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 37

GO LOCAL BIZ A CELEBRATION OF DIVERSE LOCAL BUSINESS IN OUR REGION

JGS LIFECARE INTERVIEW WITH MARTIN W. BAICKER, FACHE PRESIDENT/CEO

What distinguishes you from other Businesses in your category?

JGS Lifecare has strength in numbers. For over 100 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to improving the overall wellbeing of our residents, patients, and families, and responding to the changing needs of our community in innovative ways, like the new Sosin Center for Rehabilitation (pictured).

Currently, our rehabilitation services outperform state and national averages in key comparisons such as improved functioning and discharges home. With the Sosin Center, we expect those numbers to be stronger.

Something people might be surprised to Learn about you or your business.

The Sosin Center is the first Green House® certified residence in western Massachusetts. The Green House model is proven to reduce medication use and re-hospitalizations, while increasing socialization and one-on-one interaction with caregivers. Everything’s designed to prepare people to go home, because it feels like home. It’s revolutionizing elder care across the country.

Why should people do business with you?

For more than a century we’ve been the proud caretakers of the elderly in our local community. Founded on the Jewish principle of respecting age as a blessing, we have committed ourselves to delivering the best in elder care services to people of every faith and every background. Now, we are excited to introduce a new range of services and updates that are designed to provide meaningful life in real homes.

38 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

address 770 Converse Street Longmeadow, MA

Contact Tel: (413) 567-6211 Web: JGSLifecare.org Email: info@JGSLifecare.org

! AMY WHITE  J ACQUELINE M. SIDOR, JMS ART & PHOTO

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 39

40 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 41

!  AMBER WAKLEY

SUNSET HILL TRAIL ELLINGTON, CT I’m always looking for a new outdoor jaunt to stretch my legs.

While there are many well known trails - like Robinson State Park in Agawam or Soapstone Mountain in Somers - there are a trove of other opportunities just waiting to be found. To search for new hiking opportunities, I turn to land trust organizations, most often non-profits that work to preserve natural spaces within the region. Trustees of Reservations, for example, is a Massachusetts based organization working to “preserve properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value.” They care for more than 100 special places – 25,000+ acres – across Massachusetts. Peaked Mountain Reservation in Monson is an example of their work. Similarly, the Northern Connecticut Land Trust works to protect property and preserve natural resources in the towns of Ellington, Enfield, East Windsor, Somers, Stafford, Tolland and Vernon. The Sunset Hill Trail, located at the end of Porter Road in Ellington, is one of these properties.

Although the trailhead is located just a short distance from Route 83, it’s quiet and feels incredibly remote. A small paved apron, of sorts, wide enough for about two vehicles is across from the trailhead, this is where we parked. A well-worn wooden sign marks the beginning of the trail. The ascent up the trail is pretty steep, but certainly manageable and peters out quickly after a hundred yards or so.

That trail is marked yellow - very well - with blazes on both rocks and trees. At the top of the ascent the trail begins to break off into a loop, we went to the right, a counterclockwise direction.

At what the map refers to as the “Hilltop” are a few picnic tables, a sign denotes them as a project of a local Boy Scout troop. In nice weather, the space would serve as a nice lunch stop - the rolling hills in the distance (between the trees) provides a tremendous view. The loop follows the perimeter of the property before reconnecting back to itself. The walk was short and at just 42 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

PORTER ROAD NORTHERNCTLANDTRUST.ORG

a 1/2 mile, we felt like we were just warming up so we repeated the loop once more. Watch your step coming back down the hill - the combination of leaves, rocks and grade creates a slippery slope (not going to lie, it got me).

Back at the parking area - and still wanting to walk - we strolled down a dirt road (one I wouldn’t recommend driving on), that extended from the end of Porter Road. It eventually connected with a white blazed trail on the right and we took it upward into the woods. It gave a nice vantage point, especially with the bare trees, but we eventually wandered upon posted signs. Heeding the warning and fully aware it is hunting season, we turned around back to the car. I need to do more research, but I think this particular path is a spur trail of the Shenipsit State Forest perhaps a future adventure.

While it’s fun to explore new trails, it’s important to pay close attention to both blazed markings and posted signs. It’s both respectful of landowners, but also as a safety precaution during hunting season. This time of year, it’s always important to: • Avoid hiking at dusk and dawn when hunters are most active; respect posted signs.

• Wear bright colored clothing, especially orange, on both humans and animals.

• Learn the regulations and hunting seasons for the areas where you will be hiking before you go.

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From all of us at

To our readers.

You bring our pages to life!

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 43

Tosca rating in Suffield

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Tosca 68 Bridge St., Suffield CT 06078 www.toscasuffield.com

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From upcycled tables and handmade jewelry to custom portraits and artisan goods, it’s easy to shop local this holiday season. You can’t beat local shopping - handcrafted finds are unique, service is unbeatable and local merchants are truly passionate about your business. Keep money in the community and Go Local this holiday season!

THE NUT GUY THENUTGUY.US • (860) 942-7551 THENUTGUY@COX.NET • FACEBOOK.COM/THENUTGUY

The chief nuts (Robin and Gary) have been married for 30+ years and refer to themselves as “two nuts making nuts.” They found a natural outlet for their nuttiness by roasting almonds, pecans and cashews. The nuts come in a variety of flavors such as maple, chocolate raspberry, pumpkin, orange cranberry, and spicylicious!

They also create beautiful sweet and savory packages for special occasions such as holidays and weddings. Cones and Gift Rounds (which hold up to 4 flavors) are available at various farmers markets and fairs including the Ellington Winter Market at the YMCA on Dec. 3rd and 17th and also at St. Edward’s Church Craft Fair in Stafford on Dec. 3rd and 4th. For other locations, visit the calendar section on their website thenutguy.us GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 45

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Dr Robert Howe, director of the Reproductive Medicine Center of Western Massachusetts, has the only practice providing this cutting edge Phototherapy treatment in Western Massachusetts. Interested readers are urged to consult www.roberthowemd.com or to call the RMC at 413 525 5160.

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Remember we also offer:

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413.525.5160

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541 Hazard Ave., Enfield, CT | 860.749.5347 46 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

BEAUTIFUL & FUNCTIONAL CERAMICS JULIET ROSE POTTERY GALLERY & STUDIO • 191 REIMERS RD • MONSON, MA (413) 569-9741 • JULIETROSEPOTTERY.COM

Juliet Rose Gallery is the heartbeat of two women, Juliet Bacchas from Jamaica, and Linda Spelko from Massachusetts.

Their gallery features ceramics, paintings, sculpture, weaving, photography, and jewelry from local artists as well as artists from Jamaica. They also offer custom work, and hold workshops and classes throughout the year. Visit their studio on Dec. 10 & 11 for the Jingle Bell Artist Trail Open Studio Tour from 11am-4pm both days at 191 Reimers Road in Monson, MA. For other hours and locations to purchase their products, call (413) 569-9741 or visit JulietRosePottery.com or Facebook.com/julietrosepottery

JEWELRY FOR KIDS & ADULTS SHE’S ALL GIRL & MODERNROCKS BY SA GIRL • SOMERS, CT SHESALLGIRL.ETSY.COM • MODERNROCKSBYSAGIRL.ETSY.COM

Cathie is a self-described “rock hound” and is incredibly passionate about jewelry and rocks. She first discovered this love while creating a bracelet with her young daughter. They had so much fun designing the jewelry, her business was born! Cathie now has two Etsy shops, She’s All Girl focuses on children’s jewelry including party favors, while Modern Rocks by SA Girl carries unique gemstone earrings, bracelets and necklaces for adults. Her jewelry can be purchased on Etsy at ShesAllGirl.Etsy.com or ModernRocksBySAGirl.Etsy.com - Send gifts to family and friends with free shipping and free local delivery! Use code GoLocal2016 at her Etsy shops for a limited time.

SCARVES & HEADBANDS LITTLE LILAC SHOP • WILBRAHAM, MA LITTLELILACSHOP.ETSY.COM

Donna Mae’s passion for creating and sewing started as a child while sitting next to her mom at the sewing machine. She fell in love with her mother’s beautiful creations, and turned her passion into a successful business - Little Lilac Shop. Her brightly colored headbands have been one of her best sellers. After receiving many requests from women asking her to make them extra wide, she soon realized they were being used by women with temporary or permanent hair loss. Visit Little Lilac Shop at LittleLilacShop.Etsy.com GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 47

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ALL NATURAL DOG, CAT & HORSE TREATS WALK BY FAITH DOGGIE BAKERY• 860-834-0261 WALKBYFAITH4GOD@YAHOO.COM • FACEBOOK.COM/WALKBYFAITHDOGGIEBAKERY

Kimberly Roy, owner and operator of Walk By Faith Doggie Bakery, uses only natural ingredients in her baked treats; no chemicals, preservatives or dyes. Every treat is handmade, taste tested and devoured by even the pickiest pets, as demonstrated in the photo by my dog Maggie. The treats are baked daily and hand-packaged to ensure freshness. Pets rave about the flavors including Cheese & Parsley, Calming Lavender Berry (great for thunderstorms or car rides), Cranberry Apple Coconut (for our equestrian friends), Bacon & Cheese, Peanut Butter, Tuna & Chicken (for our finicky felines)...and those are just a few! Treats can be purchased by phone, email, Facebook page (see above), or in person at Ellington Agway and BellaNess in Stafford. For additional locations, visit Facebook.com/walkbyfaithdoggiebakery

CUSTOM TABLES FARMHOUSE FURNITURE • SOMERS, CT • FARMHOUSEFURNITUREUSA@GMAIL.COM (860) 559-6610 • FACEBOOK.COM/FARMHOUSEFURNITUREUSA

Farmhouse Furniture started as a backyard hobby and has grown into a small, but successful local business. They make made-to-order solid wood kitchen and accent tables out of restored wooden pallets. You provide dimensions and choose the paint/stain color of the base and top, and they put your idea together to create your one-of-a-kind table. Order your custom table today by email: FarmhouseFurnitureUSA@gmail.com or on Facebook.com/FarmhouseFurnitureUSA. Mention “Go Local” and save $10 for a limited time.

EGG NOG SHADOW VALLEY FARMS • 111 STAFFORD ROAD • SOMERS, CT (860) 749-4795 • SHADOWVALLEYFARMS.SITE.EVERYTHINGFARM.COM

Shadow Valley Farms is owned and operated by the Jonelis family and is located in Somers, CT and Hampden, MA. Cows have been milked here twice a day everyday since Christmas Eve, 1979. Their farm store at 111 Stafford Road in Somers is open 7am-8pm daily and offers fresh egg nog, as well as farm fresh milk (rBST-free), eggs, ice cream, Cabot cheeses, local honey, and maple syrup. Their products can also be purchased at Geissler’s in Somers, Big Y in Ellington, Stafford, Wilbraham and East Longmeadow and at Village Food Mart in Hampden.

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 49

BECKY ISAACSON FROM LONGMEADOW, MA DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRY AT TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH



AMELIA INGRAHAM

How did music first enter your life?

When I was 8 years old I began piano lessons and enjoyed it from the start. I practiced all the time (especially after dinner to get out of doing the dishes!) and performed frequently for different organizations and churches in Western New York. However, it wasn’t until I was a senior in high school that I began to play the organ which soon became my primary focus and my major in college.

What is the Boar’s Head Festival?

The Boar’s Head Festival is an Epiphany celebration that originated in the Roman Empire when the boar was the first dish served at great feasts.

In Norman, England, the boar was the sovereign of the forests, a menace to all people and a symbol of evil. By the 12th century the serving of the boar’s head became symbolic of the triumph of Christ over Satan. Trinity’s Festival is a continuous procession including King Wenceslas, Father Christmas, the woodsmen and Yule Log, and culminating with arrival of the three kings.

All are accompanied by glorious Christmas music.

How long have you been involved with the Festival?

I began as the Musical Director for the Festival 33 years ago.

What do you enjoy most about this holiday season?

As you can imagine, the Christmas season is very busy for me, but I have always loved Christmas music which makes the busyness enjoyable. I enjoy decorating my home and I love to entertain because I love to cook.

What do you enjoy most about musical instruction, particularly for children?

The children/youth at Trinity Church absolutely love participating in the Boar’s Head Festival.

In fact, many consider it the best thing to happen at Christmas time. Musically they rise to any challenge I give them including singing in Latin and all by memory.

What are you responsible for as Director of Music at Trinity?

My official title at Trinity is the Director of Music Ministry. I oversee the entire music program - 4 vocal choirs of all ages and 2 handbell choirs -involving 80-100 children, youth, and adults. I also serve as the organist, musical director for the Boar’s Head Festival, and I organize a summer concert series.

What brings you the most joy this holiday season?

My first response would be “to live through it!” But Christmas is just a beautiful time of the year and I love the message of hope, peace, joy, and love that we celebrate through the birth of the Christ Child.

What was the first song you were able to learn?

Oh my goodness…that was a long, long time ago!!! Like most kids I would probably have to say “Chopsticks.”

50 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

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GO LOCAL BIZ A CELEBRATION OF DIVERSE LOCAL BUSINESS IN OUR REGION

SWEAT POWER YOGA INTERVIEW WITH KRYSTAL SAY AND SHANNON ROLSTON, FOUNDERS



AMELIA INGRAHAM

What distinguishes you from other Businesses in your category?

SWEAT was created to bring one specific style of yoga to the community, Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga. Regardless of who is teaching, the day of the week, or time of day, our classes are consistent, purposeful, and meant to grow with the student. The studio was built with purpose. We have a wide open heated yoga room and a large lobby, big enough to host events and allow us to host healthy self-care products and grab-n-go food options. Additionally, we are currently the only yoga studio in the country that offers TRX Yoga.

Krystal wrote the program for TRX and we love infusing the Baptiste Methodology into a suspension training yoga program.

Something people might be surprised to Learn about you or your business.

SWEAT is an acronym… Surrender, Wonder, Equanimity, Authenticity, Truth. Each of these words represents ‘the practice’ and what we invite our students to discover and cultivate within themselves.

It might also be surprising to know that we met just over a year ago.

It was a serendipitous meeting, and we would never have guessed that our passion for this yoga practice would forge a partnership and friendship.

Why should people do business with you? address 219 Shaker Road East Longmeadow, MA

Contact Tel: (413) 224-2626 Web: sweatpoweryoga.com

52 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

We created SWEAT to serve the community. Sure it is a business but more importantly, it is a calling. Our intention is to cultivate community that supports each other in pursuit of our authentic selves and encourages each other to reach our highest potential.

To support that vision, we created Sunday Service, a free donationbase class offered on Sunday mornings at 8:30am. Each month we partner with a local charity and gift 100% of the month’s proceeds to raise awareness and help further their cause. Community and service are our ‘why’.

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IN THE GARAGE

ROLLING UP THE DOORS ON LOCAL GARAGES

DAVE ERVIN

1962 MGA MARK 2 ! CARLY LUDBROOK

I

f only I had been around in 1966 when my dad’s MGA Red Convertible was new to him…what a sight it would have been!

In my dad’s garage is one of his most prized possessions, his ‘MG’, you might not know to look at it today, but the memories and stories that come with it would indicate otherwise.

Dave Ervin’s story of his 1962 MGA Mark 2 begins in 1966 when he purchased it for the price of $600 at the age of 16; he used money saved from various part time jobs at the Village Store in Wilbraham and mowing lawns for neighbors (earning $1.25 an hour). He had his eyes on the little red convertible as a worthwhile purpose for his hard earned money, and at the age of 16, what else does a teenage boy have to spend his money on? He drove it until 1974, when it needed a new head gasket and he couldn’t afford to pay for the repair. So he cleared a spot in his garage, giving it a cozy home where it would take on many life forms between then and now. Some winters the MG was a warm snug bed for a chipmunk or mouse, other times it became a souped-up convertible for our make believe cruise with Barbie dolls. Occasionally it was a shelf for snow tubes and beach gear, but always on dad’s mind.

Every summer there was always a Sunday that my dad got the engine running and would go for a little jaunt in the driveway. I remember hearing the engine start to run from inside the house.

“Dad has the MG running,” I shouted! The sound of the engine is very distinct. The smell of the worn leather seats, the creak of the rounded doors and that low cozy feeling you have sitting in the passenger seat (regardless of whether you are moving or not) will always belong to my dad’s MG. As family life got busier, we started to understand how cool a little red convertible would be to really drive. We started to ask when he would have it roadworthy. A target was identified: my younger sister’s prom, May 2002. We held dad to it, but it fell behind other priorities like field hockey sticks, bathing suits, family vacations, trips to Florida to visit grandparents, yearbook purchases and senior pictures. The night of the prom dad was reminded of his promise, but there it sat in the garage.

In 2007 he started paying it a bit more attention again. Now that dad is retired and has a bit more time to tinker in the garage, he has it running. The inspection sticker is renewed every year and he contemplates a day when he might get it back to its old glory day condition. However, the verdict is still out. Many car enthusiasts say its used, vintage condition is just how it should stay – with rust spots on the body, torn seats and cracked leather dashboard. Often dad trolls over MGA magazines and sees the shiny red restored versions and thinks that is where he wants it to end up. Only time will tell the final chapter of this car’s story!

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 55

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! AMBER WAKELY  AMBER WAKELY

There are just certain smells in the “holy grail” of happiness – roasting coffee, warm vanilla, pine, and the showstopper, baking bread. It’s comfort, hominess and certainly the promise of something delicious. To many, the mouth-watering aroma isn’t just a fragrance – it’s a memory. It’s these pleasant smells that make us happy and provide a link of unexplainable nostalgia. But for generations of the Balboni family in Agawam, it’s an over 100-year tradition.

Nestled away in a quiet residential neighborhood on King Street sits Balboni’s Bakery. The modest storefront is almost an ambiguous façade to the magic that lies just beyond the half glass wooden door. A cozy storefront welcomes patrons; tiers of angled racks tower over the shops original antique brass cash register to display the day’s warm offerings. From the back, a steady hum echoes from a large Petersen bread oven, but its purr still doesn’t drown out the sound of family conversation. The current patriarch, Kenny Balboni, peers through the chamber of the rotating oven as his eyes meet each piece of plump dough. His wife, Mae, cranks the handle of a manual pasta maker as long strands of spinach linguine gently glide out from the other side. Their son, Marc, presses pencil-like strips of dough onto parchment paper – they GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 57

will soon be Italian breadsticks. They all work in perfect harmony, like a well-tuned machine. It’s no surprise, as this family has been at it for more than 100 years.

Marc takes a break, pulling a slip of paper from his back pocket. Written on the folded sheet is his family’s history – or at least the highlights – and how Balboni’s Bakery came to be. It was founded in 1912 by Kenny’s grandfather, Celeste Balboni.

After arriving in America in 1897 aboard the Kaiser Wilhelm II, Celeste immediately made his way from Ellis Island to West Springfield. His brother Raffaele, who had arrived four years earlier, had already opened a bakery in the Merrick section of town. As his business grew Celeste decided to open a bakery in Agawam – where Balboni’s remains today. It was situated behind his house, spanning half the lot. The operation included a production room, storefront, oven room and small barn that housed horses for deliveries.

This is where the family continues to work, the wide rustic boards are ageless and much of their tools are reminiscent of an earlier time. Mae says Kenny started working here when he was “knee high to a grasshopper.” He remembers really working here at twelve years old, making deliveries – by truck – to neighborhoods in Agawam and West Springfield. His father knew operating the bakery was hard work and encouraged Kenny to get an education, which he did, working as a Social Worker for 30 years.

While Mae also loved her job as a schoolteacher, the two adored the bakery and didn’t want to stop working.

58 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

“To honor him, we said, ‘Okay, we’ll do our jobs,’ but on the weekends would come here,” says Mae. “Kenny’s father would come help, get everything organized and clean up after us - it gave him something do to in his retired years.” When he [Celeste] passed away in 1967, the other brothers slowly wanted to get out of the business. Kenny said, “Well, my brothers are getting out; I guess I’ll get out too.” I said “Oh Kenny, how could you let family tradition like this go? I want to see it get to 100.” He said, “Alright, if you want, we’ll continue.”

That they did, working full time jobs throughout the week and waking up before the sun to roll out dough on the weekends.

Mae says she feels like a magician when she bakes; taking different ingredients, shuffling them together and coming out with a wonderful product. To her, it’s amazing.

Shoulder to shoulder, the three systematically – and quickly – roll dough for their flagship product, star bread. They are joined

by Chris Myers, who works at the family business and [Mae’s] Aunt Carla – the 91 year old stopped by on this particular day just to help out. Together, they reminisce. Mae remembers sending this very bread to the “kids” in Vietnam; their parents would ship the loaves as a reminder of home. Others stories included longtime customers and once-locals coming home to visit for the holidays, their first stop was always at the bakery. Marc talks about growing up here, working side by side with his cousins.

Mae said kneading bread with her children – Monica, Andrea and Marc – gave the opportunity for open and honest communica-

tion, the dough acted as a channel for authentic conversation.

“Working together has been a great opportunity to become closer with my family; not a lot of people have that chance,” says Marc. “I really appreciate that in my life, it’s great.”

It’s hard not to be happy about such a wonderful product. Their baked goods and Italian kitchen staples are free of preservatives, additives and chemicals. Their star bread, a braided loaf with smooth crust and a fluffy interior, is what they’re known for and an original menu item – L TO R: MAE, CARLA VERONESI, 104 years ago. Other selections include KENNY, MARC, CHRIS MYERS breadsticks, homemade pasta, breadcrumbs, dinner rolls, Vienna twist, sub rolls, pizza dough, Italian cookies, angel wings, and brasadella, a traditional dessert. Each recipe is special and a testament to family heritage. “It’s our family tradition, I would like to see it keep going, we’re at 104 years,” says Mae. Mae and Kenny always had in the back of their minds that this is what they would do in their retirement and like Celeste, they didn’t want to just sit around. Lucky for them, Marc just didn’t see himself in the corporate world, which he worked full-time until he quit in the early 2000s. He hated it and truly saw himself carrying on the family legacy.

“When I first started, everything was basically in store,” says Marc as he explains their most recent ventures. “I went door to door to mom and pop shops, introducing who I was and what I wanted to do. We’ve nourished a lot of great relationships with local business owners, some we’ve been working with for over fifteen years. It’s great; they’re all really good people and great families.”

Today you can also find Balboni baked goods at Ye Old Butcher Shop in West Springfield, Armata’s Market in Longmeadow, Bilton’s Orchard in Hampden and Rice’s Fruit Farm in Wilbraham.

While the recent expansion is exciting and offers new opportunities, it’s the original bakery that holds their warm memories. The love for family – and their work – is evident. Timeless photos mark their walls, from old black and whites depicting deliveries by horse drawn carriages to graduation photos and little hands helping in the kitchen. Each a special reminder of how far they’ve come.

“It’s nice, I visit with so many of my old friends and relatives that stop by to reminisce, it’s a social thing as well as giving me something to do. People also appreciate the product, that’s nice,” says Kenny.

“The tradition of the bread, the people you meet – they’re so warm, cordial and appreciative – they always encourage us to keep going,” Mae says with a beaming smile. Those kinds of things are nice to hear. That’s why we’re still here and happy to help Marc as long as we can. Kenny’s 78 and I’m 75. People ask when we’re going to stop and I say, ‘probably when you see me on the floor behind the register.’ I love to do this so much, I really do.”

BALBONI’S BAKERY • 25 KING STREET • AGAWAM, MA • (413) 786-4514 FACEBOOK: BALBONI BAKERY GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 59

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Wreaths • Poinsettias • Christmas Balls

$

5 OFF

any purchase of $30 or more

$

10 OFF

any purchase of $50 or more Excludes fresh flowers. Expires 12/25/16

Established 1998

FREE WiFi

Napoletana Great Holiday Gatherings Begin Here!

Sunday & Tuesday Night Wine & Dine Includes Salad, Choice of 3 Entreés and 2 Glasses of Wine

The Greenhouse – Our New Banquet Facility is Open – 40-100 Guests Plan your next function here Lori@lacucinagreenhouse@gmail.com

2595

Holiday Gift Certificates Available

$

Per Person

MONDAY NIGHTS

Half Price Pizza in the Lounge Dine in only 4-10

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

LIVE MUSIC FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS Visit Our Website for Details

Prime Rib (While it lasts!)

1 Allen Street, Hampden, MA

Happy Holidays!

Pizza Palace

SIMPLE ITALIAN FARE PIZZA, CALZONES, GRINDERS PASTA, APPETIZERS VARIETY OF BEERS EVERYDAY BREAKFAST SPECIALS

Dine in, Pickup or Delivery!

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! 524 Enfield Street • Enfield CT 860.745.0715

COME GIVE US A TRY!

NO HOLIDAYS

(413) 566-8324 lacucinahampden.com

Monday + Tuesday

FREE Dinner Entrée

Purchase any dinner entrée and bar beverage and receive another dinner entrée Free.

Higher price prevails. Valid with coupon. One per customer / table.

Not to be combined with other offers. Expires 12/31/16

Free $25

Gift Certificate with purchase of $100 worth of gift certificates One coupon per table. Not to be combined with other offers. Expires 12/31/16

664 N. Main St. • East Longmeadow, MA • (413) 732-9300

Complete Menu www.villanapoletana.com Open 7 Days For Dinner Live Entertainment on Weekends GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 61

 J ACQUELINE M. SIDOR, JMS ART & PHOTO

SUMMER’S SECRET Of winter’s lifeless world each tree Now seems a perfect part; Yet each one holds summer’s secret Deep down within its heart. ~ Charles G. Stater

62 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

All your home comfort solutions under one roof!

Plumbing

Heating

Cooling

Energy

Water

“What I like most about Homestead is their integrity.”

Joe Koch Ellington, CT

860.870.8700 Ellington, CT

Serving Connecticut

Lic.# S1-385604 • P1-278482 • SM1-006512 HOD-0000103 • W5-55

HomesteadComfort.com

413•566•8015 PIZZERIA & LOUNGE

Gift Cards Available

Unwind, Relax & Celebrate After Your Holiday Shopping!

FREE Delivery to Hampden, Wilbraham, East Longmeadow, Sixteen Acres, East Forest Park and parts of Longmeadow, Enfield & Somers, CT!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Enjoy Life’s Simple Pleasures This Holiday Season!

Grinders • Giant Calzones Seafood • Salads Wings & More 9 Allen St. • Hampden Mini Mall • Hampden, MA (413) 566-8015

Open 7 Days | www.giospizzeria.com GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 63

[A] 2,500 miles [B] 1,000 miles

[C] 3,500 miles

[D] They don’t migrate

[A] Teddy Seuss [B] Horton Lorton

[C] Max Black

[D] Theodor Geisel

THE NAME KWANZAA IS DERIVED FROM THE SWAHILI PHRASE, “MATUNDA YA KWANZA” WHICH MEANS

DURING HANUKKAH, FAMILIES OFTEN EAT LATKES AND SUFGANIYOT, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS

[A] Waffles & chocolate [B] Potato pancakes & jelly donuts

[C] Falafel & sweet potatoes

[D] Bread & apple cake

IF SOMEONE SUFFERS FROM CHIONOPHOBIA, THEY HAVE A PERSISTENT FEAR OF WHAT?

7

First fruits of the year New beginnings African celebration Faith & love

[A] [B] [C] [D]

IN THE MOVIE THE POLAR EXPRESS, WHAT IS THE FIRST GIFT OF CHRISTMAS?

[A] A train whistle [B] A bell from Santa’s sleigh

[C] A nutcracker [D] A doll from Santa’s workshop

Tornadoes Avalanches Snow Ice

THE ROCKEFELLER CENTER CHRISTMAS TREE HAS ILLUMINATED MIDTOWN MANHATTAN SINCE WHAT YEAR?

8

[A] 1925 [B] 1979 [C] 1902 [D] 1933

WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE SELLING NON-CHOCOLATE CANDY IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER? [A] Ribbon Candy [B] Gumdrops

[C] Candy Canes

[D] Peanut Brittle

EGGNOG WAS FIRST CONSUMED IN WHAT U.S. CITY IN 1607?

[A] Jamestown, Virginia [B] Boston, Massachusetts

[C] New York, New York

[D] Hartford, Connecticut

# CORRECT

IQ

RANK

7-9 5-7 2-4 0-1

160 110 50 3

Prodigy Egghead Meh Simpleton

ANSWERS:

1)A 2)D 3)A

[A] [B] [C] [D]

4)B 5)C 6)B

5

WHAT WAS DR. SEUSS’S REAL NAME?

7)D 8)C 9)A

3

HOW FAR DOES THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY MIGRATE EACH WINTER TO REACH A MILDER CLIMATE?

All-American Automotive Solution Center

Lube, Oil & Filter

Car Rentals from

26

$

per day

29

$

95

NEW & USED

95

Up to 5 Qts. Non-Synthetic

860-684-8888 | 121A West Stafford Road, Stafford Springs, CT | BollesDodge.com 64 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

YOU DON’T HAVE TO REPLACE YOUR HEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE YOUR ENERGY BILLS. RECEIVE UP TO

1000

$

REBATE

ON QUALIFIED SYSTEMS Financing available for qualified customers

We Service & Install All Types of Heating & Cooling Systems

HEATING & COOLING CONTRACTORS

860·684·9485 www.staffordmechanical.com

Find us now on

Where caring is the only thing that surrounds you.

CT LIC# 303633 SM102

“My claustrophobia wasn’t a problem during my MRI. They even let me listen to music.’’

OPEN MRI at Enfield 860.745.2288

OPEN MRI at Buckland Hills 860.648.4674 OPEN MRI of Glastonbury 860.657.2242 OPEN MRI of Middletown 860.346.7400

ACCREDITED BY AMERICAN COLL EG OF RADIOLOGY E .

m t.co c i r penm www.o

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 65

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

7 Ways to Spread Holiday Cheer Looking to do something meaningful this holiday season?

The holidays are all about love, forgiveness, compassion, kindness, and of course, giving. We tracked down 7 local

fundraisers and charities to help kids, families, seniors and pets make it through what can be a tough time. So take a moment and be someone’s angel this year when they need it the most.

STUFF-A-CRUISER

A.W. BROWN’S • (413) 525-2115 AWBROWN.COM • 144 SHAKER RD EAST LONGMEADOW, MA Bring your pet to A.W. Brown’s and have a beautiful holiday photo taken with Santa! On Sat. Dec. 3rd from 10am-2pm, proceeds benefit F.A.C.E.S. Dog Rescue & Adoption. On Sat. Dec. 10th from 9am-2pm, proceeds help PAWS4RESCUE.

STOCKINGS FOR SENIORS

FOOD PANTRY

ORCHARD VALLEY • (413) 596-0006 2387 BOSTON RD • WILBRAHAM, MA Orchard Valley is collecting filled stockings or individual items for local homebound seniors. Suggested items: gift cards, puzzle books, flashlight, batteries, night light, nail clippers, toothbrush and toothpaste, hand lotion, stamps, holiday items. Donations will be collected through Dec. 17.

PET FOOD DRIVE

ROCKY’S ACE HARDWARE • ROCKYS.COM Rocky’s Ace Hardware, a family owned business, is hosting its 6th Annual Pet Food Drive to help feed homeless and abandoned cats and dogs in the area. Last year they collected more than seven tons of pet food! Donations can be dropped of at your local Rocky’s anytime from now until Dec. 23. Visit Rockys.com to find the hours for your local store.

66 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016

PET PICTURES

ENFIELD SQUARE MALL • 90 ELM ST. The Enfield Police Dept. is hosting their annual Toys For Joy on Dec. 10-11 & 16-18 in front of Target at Enfield Square Mall.

Toys for all ages accepted, but most needed are toys for ages 6-8 years old. Hours: 9am-9pm Dec. 10 & 17, 9am-7pm Sun. Dec. 11 & 18, 5:30-9:30pm Fri. Dec. 16

ADOPT A FAMILY HOLIDAY PROGRAM

31 ARBOR WAY • ELLINGTON, CT (860) 870-3128 Accepting donations of toys for children ages 0-12 and gift certificates for adolescents ages 13-17 from sponsors to Ellington families who are in need at Christmas. Contact Human Services Dept. for information on sponsoring a family in need.

COUNCIL ON AGING 328 NORTH MAIN STREET EAST LONGMEADOW, MA (413) 525-5436 The East Longmeadow Food Pantry is in critical need of non perishable items that are not expired. Donations are accepted anytime between 8am and 4pm Monday through Friday.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES/FOOD

HUMAN SERVICES 25 SCHOOL STREET • EAST WINDSOR, CT (860) 623-2430 Help a child have a successful year in school by donating a backpack and school supplies to the Human Services Dept. for East Windsor residents in need. They are also collecting donations for holiday food baskets and toys to assist families during this time.

Claws and Paws Pet Salon Where your pet is Family

860.265.2390 Call for appointment

546 Enfield Street • Enfield, CT

clawsandpawspetsalon@yahoo.com

Upscale Apparel, Jewelry, Handbags & More 122 Mountain Road • Suffield, CT 860.254.5045 • www.moxyboutique.com

Salon Rausch

KITCHENS BATHS

Established in 1981

Sandra Rauschenbach Owner/Stylist

Gift Certificates Available 112 Main Street • Unit A Brood Brook, CT

860-758-7140

Quality Products at Affordable Prices

salonrausch.com

300 Main St., Agawam, MA www.budgetcabinetsales.com

Happy Holidays

OPEN: Tues., Wed., Sat. 9am-5pm Thurs., Fri. 9am-8pm; CLOSED SUN. & MON.

413-789-2074

Home & Garden Something Special ❦ Something Different ❦ Something Better Handcrafted Ceramic & Stoneware Garden Accessories | Home Décor Vintage Jewelry | Specialty Foods Baby Clothes | Candles Greeting Cards | Inspirational Items Emphasis on Made in New England & USA Products

1-800-466-2503 WWW.FAMILYFORDINC.COM Rte. 190 • Enfield, CT • 860-741-2151

85 Post Office Park • Suite 8520 Boston Road • Wilbraham, MA (413) 279-1515 • www.insideouthg.com GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 67

68 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2016