February 2019 Volume 5 . Issue 3 golocalmagazines.com
Business is bLooming a world of gifts purrfectly pawsome
2 GO LOCAL FEBRUARY 2019
new this month FEBRUARY 2019 . VOLUME 5 . ISSUE 3
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A WORLD OF GIFTS “I’m not big on subtle,” The Blue Marble owner Cathie Walz said. It’s clear that this is the case. Upon walking into Thornes Marketplace in Northampton, one of the first locations that stands out is her shop.
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A NOTE
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GO ON, YOUR SAY
10
PURRFECTLY PAWSOME!
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GO EAT
From The Editor 15 Minutes Of Fame
Rocket Boy Cat Sitting Valentine’s Cookies
GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 3
FEBRUARY 2019 . VOLUME 5 . ISSUE 3
16
snapshot
19
a world of gifts
25
BUSINESS IS BLOOMING
30
GO LOCAL PICKS
33
i am local
35
Go create
36
local einstein
38
FINAL COUNTDOWN
Snowy Night At Dusk
25
The Blue Marble
Broad Brook Gardens
Cool Stuff Just Outside Your Door Gianna Naglieri Snow Day Play Dough Put Your Thinking Caps On
7 Great Date Ideas
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a note
FROM THE EDITOR . STEPHANIE TROMBLEY
Valentine’s Day gets a bad rap. Every year, I witness at least one person walk by a Valentine’s Day display in the store and sneer. Or I will audibly hear “Yuck! I hate Valentines!” Why all of the hard feelings for Cupid’s day? Maybe it’s just me. I’ve always been a sucker for a good love story. When I was younger, I would watch A Wedding Story on TLC with my mother and stare in awe at the sparkling white gowns and lavish decorations. I had a play set of a wedding cake, complete with the tiny bride and groom on top. Even as I got older, I couldn’t resist love stories from novels like Twilight or Vampire Kisses. There was something magical about love. This month, many people have love on their mind, for better or for worse. But love isn’t just for couples. For example, I love writing, Halloween decorations and comfy sweaters. I love coffee, traveling, and candles. Even if you’re single this Valentine’s Day, surely you are feeling the love for something! Mark Chapin from East Longmeadow’s Rocket Boy Cat Sitting loves the animals he cares for every day. The dedicated staff at Broad Brook Gardens in South Windsor love creating one-of-a-kind arrangements and floral pieces for their loyal customers. Cathie Walz of The Blue Marble in Northampton loves bringing fair trade gifts to her shop and leaving customers with a smile. Love is certainly in the air, no matter how you feel about the mushy holiday. Even if the sight of pink and red doilycovered hearts makes your stomach turn and just the thought of boxed chocolates makes your teeth hurt, I challenge Go Local readers to find what they love this month and embrace it. Still not feeling it? Maybe a silly love story will do the trick. My mother often tells me stories about my great-grandparents and their unique outlook on the day. They wouldn’t buy gifts for each other until Feb. 15, when the half-off sales hit the shelves. They didn’t buy cards; they simply showed each other which card they would pick while standing in the store to save some cash. It may be strange to some, but I find their unique perspective endearing. It may be because they came from the era of the Great Depression, but I like to think it’s just because they were a little quirky. That’s why I loved them. If you’re still not feeling the love, at least the Super Bowl is coming up. That’s something to love about this month. Go Pats! I’ll see you in March.
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6 GO LOCAL FEBRUARY 2019
EDITOR
Stephanie Trombley
MANAGING EDITOR G. Michael Dobbs
QUALITY CONTROL Carolyn Napolitan
CREATIVE
Beth Thurber, Manager . Leigh Catchepaugh Elizabeth O’Donoghue . Susan Bartlett
ADVERTISING
Barb Perry, Manager . Amy Allen . Kim Barba Lisa Nolan . Paula Dimauro . Scott Greene Nancy Holloway . Jeanette Grenier . Matt Mahaney Greg Pudlo . Victoria Owen
PHOTOGRAPHY
Leo Pilares . Tiffany Greene
THE GO LOCAL COMMUNITY
CONNECTICUT EAST WINDSOR • ELLINGTON ENFIELD • SOMERS SOUTH WINDSOR • STAFFORD SPRINGS SUFFIELD
MASSACHUSETTS AGAWAM • EASTHAMPTON EAST LONGMEADOW • FLORENCE HAMPDEN • LONGMEADOW NORTHAMPTON • WEST SPRINGFIELD WILBRAHAM
A CREATION OF
CONTACT US! 280 North Main Street • East Longmeadow, MA 01028 Tel: 413.525.6661 • Fax: 413.525.5882
GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM Send local story ideas to our Editor, Stephanie Trombley: stephaniegolocal@gmail.com
STEPHANIE TROMBLEY is the editor of Go Local Magazine and can be found singing silly love songs this month.
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your say
ASHLEY
BECAUSE EVERYONE DESERVES THEIR 15 MINUTES OF FAME
Morgan’s Twin
Ashley’s Twin
MORGAN
JASMINE Cashier
Cheerleader
JADA
MORGANNA Artist
Soon to be mom
Boxed chocolates
Boxed chocolates
Boxed chocolates
Conversation hearts
Boxed chocolates
Boxed chocolates
Stay in
Go out
Go out
Go out
Stay in
Stay in
Love songs or romantic movies?
Love songs
Love songs
Love songs
Love songs
Love songs
Love songs
Who is your valentine?
Myself
My dogs
Grape, my boyfriend
My sister
My partner
Damien, my son
Best way to spend an afternoon?
Being at a concert
Taking pictures
Watching anime
Cheerleading
Outdoors
Watching horror movies
What is something you love?
Music
Photography
Aliens
Jesus
Being a part of nature
Halloween
Roses or a card?
Card
Card
Roses
Roses
Card
Card
Favorite love song?
“The Wedding Song” by David Bowie
“Beautiful With You” by Halestorm
“Alone Together” by Fall Out Boy
“Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
“Sister Cities” by The Wonder Years
“Eternally Yours” by Motionless In White
Conversation hearts or boxed chocolates?
Stay in or go out?
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! STEPHANIE TROMBLEY MARK CHAPIN
Purrfectly Pawsome!
F
or Mark Chapin, pets make the best co-workers. “I just never thought I would be my own boss. It sounds so cliché, but to wake up every morning and know you’re going to do something you love. Not to get that sick to your stomach feeling on a Sunday night that a lot of people get. The fact that I get to be around these amazing, bizarre, lovable creatures every day, I’m just really fortunate. I guess, in a sense, my customers are my boss, but it’s certainly different than working for a large company.” Mark is the owner of Rocket Boy Cat Sitting, a business dedicated to ensuring that the cats of Western Mass are well taken care of while their owners are away on vacation. Depending on the personal needs of the customer, Mark offers daily or overnight visits to ensure that each cat is fed, their litter box is clean, they have their medication if necessary and that they have adequate playtime. It all started after Mark stopped working at MassMutual in April 2009. In the summer of 2009, Mark started Furry Friends Pet Sitting. He shared, “It actually took off rather quickly, more 10 GO LOCAL FEBRUARY 2019
quickly than I was anticipating.” It was a big year for Mark. That same year, Mark met his absolute best friend. “One day, in South Hadley, this little guy showed up in my backyard. He was this little black and white muffin. I went out there and just started talking to him and, long story short, turns out this was the guy I named Mr. Mooch.” Though he adores all animals, Mark had previously begun to realize he had the self-described “crazy cat person gene.” But meeting Mr. Mooch confirmed it. “A switch went off in my head, and because of him, I became a crazy cat person.” Mr. Mooch, also known by his nickname Rocket Boy, quickly became Mark’s partner in crime. He later earned his nickname based on his personality. Mark explained, “He was a little weird, like all cats are. And much like one of my current cats, I used to say he came from another planet. He was like a furry martian.” Mr. Mooch soon came to be known as Rocket Boy. Unfortunately, in August 2018, Mr. Mooch passed away at the age of nineteen. “When he passed away in August, I had a friend of mine do a piece of art, which was him riding a rocket. As soon
as I got it, another switch went off in my brain and I thought to myself ‘there’s no way this is not going to be my new business name.’” The business initially known as Furry Friends Pet Sitting rebranded to focus on cats. “I had no intention of changing the business name. I kind of thought about changing the focus. Catspecific services are a niche. While I still love animals and I still take care of dogs, fish, birds and even chickens, I thought I would dearly love to try to make the business more cat-centric. It’s really the same business. I still have all of my existing customers, but I’m putting a renewed focus on the cat care.” Mark said he doesn’t want anyone to think that he has abandoned his love for all furry creatures. “I’ve been fortunate enough to build up an incredibly loyal customer base as well as a good reputation over the past decade. Of course I still adore all animals, and still happily provide care to existing canine customers and new when availability allows, along with birds, fish, amphibians and chickens.” Mark continued, “However, as I begin my second decade as a professional pet sitter and start to put greater focus on feline care, my goal is to eventually become the go-to name in cat sitting throughout my small part of Western Mass, all while continuing to provide the same level of service and care I have always done for years to come. I think my Mooch would approve.” Having a love for cats is a major component of Mark’s success with Rocket Boy Cat Sitting. Mark shared why he loves cats so much. “They’re so playful. They’re so funny. In a weird way, they remind me of me. They’re total homebodies. They’re affectionate when they want to be.” Cats often carry a reputation of being unaffectionate and antisocial, but Mark explained that this is not the case. “They’re so misunderstood. I think a lot of people see cats as these emotionless, unloving creatures. They’re really not. Once you’re around one cat, you realize how amazing they really are and how affectionate. They’re always making me laugh. You cannot be in a bad mood around a cat.” Mark brings experience from volunteering at Dakin Humane Society’s Cat Intensive Care Unit to his business. Cats are
brought in from the local community, including after natural disasters. Mark shared, “While I have many years of experience with our feline friends, I also have a desire to continue learning about these amazing creatures. I don’t think it’s possible to ever stop learning about something you’re passionate about. This is why I wanted to work with the amazing people at Dakin Humane Society. The hard thing is, because a lot of them are contagious, you can’t smooch them.” Mark said he is happy to have transitioned his love for pets into a business that makes others happy. “A customer might think you only want to do that visit every day for the money, which is not the case. It’s not really about the money, it’s about the welfare of your pet.” Mark never charges for consultations. He said, “We’re going to tailor this to work your way. I might make recommendations and suggest things, but we will tailor a program to you. I can’t imagine charging someone to talk about a service they might not even get.” Owning his own cats, Mr. Mooch (Rocket Boy), Roobarb, Roxy and Frosty, Mark is no stranger to caring for cats. “The thing about hiring a professional is the experience level. I have been doing this for years. Pretty much any situation that comes up, I’m going to know how to handle. Whether it’s with the cat, or there’s an emergency in the house. I have dealt with gas leaks, broken water heaters that just suddenly start flooding the basement, a customer’s roof just collapsed one day. You kind of have to know how to deal with these things. I think there is a level of experience and professionalism that comes with hiring a professional sitter.” Although his passion is in caring for cats, it’s not always easy to be a sitter for animals with their own plan. “I’ve been lucky. I’ve worked with some really tough ones before, but 90% of who I’ve worked with are very sweet little babies.” It’s clear that when Western Massachusetts needs to leave their pets in good hands, Mark is the cat’s meow. FOR PRICING OR TO SET UP A CONSULTATION, PLEASE VISIT WWW.ROCKETBOYCATSITTING.COM
GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 11
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go eat
! RECIPE SUBMITTED BY STEPHANIE TROMBLEY
WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIP VALENTINE’S COOKIES Have a school event or party coming up and need a sweet treat? Try these Valentine’s Day white chocolate chip cookies. They’re quick and simple, and sure to make kids and adults alike feel loved this month!
1 box of white cake mix
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2 eggs
Combine cake mix and flour. Add in eggs and cooking oil. Mix well.
2 tbsp. flour
Add white chocolate chips and sprinkles. Place dough in the fridge for 15 minutes.
½ cup cooking oil
Remove from fridge and roll dough into 1” balls. Place on baking sheet.
½ cup white chocolate chips
Bake 8-10 minutes. Enjoy!
½ cup sprinkles GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 13
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A W RLD OF GIFTS ! STEPHANIE TROMBLEY LEO PILARES
“I
’m not big on subtle,” The Blue Marble owner Cathie Walz said. It’s clear that this is the case. Upon walking into Thornes Marketplace in Northampton, one of the first locations that stands out is her shop. The bright purple sign and eye-catching planet Earth logo grabs the attention of shoppers. One step into The Blue Marble, and your eyes will catch the variety of colors, sparkle and designs of the products. Have you ever heard the expression: “They think the Earth revolves around them?” For Cathie Walz, it’s just the opposite. Her business revolves around Earth. “When I decided I wanted to open the store, I couldn’t find a name that exemplified what I was trying to do.” Her sister, Sherry, asked, “What is your vision and what do you want to see in the store? What kinds of things do you want to carry?” Cathie explained, “I described to her that I wanted ethical sourcing and sustainable when possible. She called me the next GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 19
day and explained that the ‘Blue Marble’ is what the astronauts called the Earth when they saw it from space the first time. That resonated with me.” Sherry’s husband John, a graphic designer, quickly came up with the business’s planet logo. Cathie shared, “Thanks to Sherry and John, we had our store name.” Cathie opened the first Blue Marble shop in Amherst in 2007. Since then, the business has expanded to a second location in Northampton. It was about four years ago when Cathie decided to expand The Blue Marble to Northampton. “I had a couple of different people approach me about spaces that were becoming available in Northampton and it seemed like a logical next step to have a second store here. Luckily, there was a space opening at Thornes on the second floor. We started our second store three years ago upstairs.” This past summer, The Blue Marble moved downstairs to the first floor of Thornes Marketplace. Cathie shared, “We are thrilled to have moved to the first floor this summer, where we have tripled our floor space and it’s been wonderful. We’re really happy here.” Cathie explained that retail has always been a passion of hers. “I had worked for a short time at another business in the Valley and 20 GO LOCAL FEBRUARY 2019
realized that I really loved retail and hadn’t worked in retail much in my life. When an opportunity arose for me to rent a space in Amherst in 2007, I did a little soul searching and decided this is what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wanted to be a shopkeeper. My husband was on board and I made the leap to open the Amherst store.” Since then, Cathie has filled The Blue Marble with a number of unique and colorful gifts. From self-described “funky and chunky” jewelry to clothing and everything in between, Cathie prides herself on the variety of items from around the world that occupy the shelves. Cathie always has her first focus on fair trade, handmade and US made. According to the World Fair Trade Organization, “Fair trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers.” Cathie explained, “That’s always our first preference and first choice when buying.” The Blue Marble carries a number of products from around the world, including products from Canada and Italy, scarves from India, hand-mosaicked lights from Turkey and sculptures from
Africa. As Cathie shared, ““I spend an inordinate amount of my time trying to find things that aren’t already represented in the Valley.” While The Blue Marble features several international products, the shops also have a focus on local. The shops carry local items including baby clothing and coats handmade by a Hadley-native seamstress, handbags by a designer from the Berkshires, jewelry by Northampton resident Rebecca Rose and paintings from a local painter. Cathie said, “We never have enough local vendors, I’d always like more.” When asked about her favorite items found at The Blue Marble, Cathie had difficulty narrowing it down to just a couple. Among her favorites are small bronze statues from Burkina Faso called “Celebrating Women.” Cathie explained, “Each one is one-ofa-kind. They’re dancing or celebrating and each one makes me smile. They’re just joyful. They’re made using the lost-wax process, meaning the mold is actually lost in the process of pouring hot metal into it. That’s why each one is one-of-a-kind.” Another of Cathie’s favorites is Zulu basket weavings. “They are traditional Zulu weaving techniques, but they are done with telephone wire, a non-traditional material. The workmanship in them is amazing. They are very bright, colorful and cheerful.”
The basket weavings also keep with Cathie’s dedication to fair trade. She shared, “The folks I buy from are very committed to the welfare of the artists that they work with. They take a very personal approach in working with these artists and making sure that they are well compensated, work in healthy environments and get the health care they need. They take fair trade to the next step.” Cathie seeks new items to carry at The Blue Marble from several outlets including trade shows and customer referrals. She shared, “There are many, many, many resources that I tap into when I find items and I am always looking for different things.” A connection with the community and her customers has made owning The Blue Marble a dream come true for Cathie. “Being in retail in the Valley has offered me an opportunity to meet people from all over the world because we have such a diverse population here with all of these schools, students and professors from all over the world. To be able to establish relationships with people is very important to me.” Cathie keeps this mindset when seeking out new products for the shops. “You get to know people and their preferences and their needs. In fact, when I buy, most of the time I pick up an item at a show and I have to see one of my customers with that item to know that it’s something that’s right for us. I’ve established GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 21
wonderful friendships through the stores that I feel blessed to have.” The Blue Marble carries items that put a focus on customers of all kinds. “Here in the Northampton store, we have enough space to accommodate a small area of clothing and a majority of that clothing is also fair trade. I’ve made a commitment to myself that, if we are going to be carrying any clothing lines, that they fit the average size woman, which is not a size six. Half of the women in America are over a size fourteen. So when I buy clothing lines, I buy lines that are available from a size small to hopefully a 2X.” As The Blue Marble continues to get settled into its new location in Thornes Marketplace, Cathie says she hopes to see the business grow. She shared, “I would like to see us continue to grow and establish new relationships with customers. Return on relationship is something that’s very important to me in addition to return on investment. I’d also love to have more US made and more fair trade.” With the growth of the company, it’s already certain that The Blue Marble has brought a little piece of the globe to Northampton and Amherst. For more information on The Blue Marble, please visit thebluemarble.biz. The Blue Marble is located at 150 Main St. in Northampton and 191 North Pleasant St. in Amherst. Hours for the Northampton location are Mon-Wed 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thurs-Sat 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sun. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
22 GO LOCAL FEBRUARY 2019
GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 23
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F
lowers send a message. Loved ones share bunches of them when celebrating a life event, such as a graduation or the birth of a child. You may hand a bouquet to someone you love as a reminder of how much you care. Often times, arrangements are shared to celebrate the life of a loved one who passed away. No matter which of the varying reasons we share flowers, they are an important part of culture and can say a thousand words. Broad Brook Gardens, located in South Windsor, has been counted on by the community for over thirty-two years to bring beauty to the events that mean the most. Go Local sat down with owner Bob Muska, his niece Sarah Muska and Laura Dufresne, who has brought her twenty-five years of design expertise from Floral Expressions, to discuss what has made them the go-to floral shop for over three decades. Originally, Broad Brook Gardens called the town of Broad
Brook its home, hence the name. Twelve years ago, the business moved to South Windsor. Bob began his career while working alongside his uncle, who was a florist in Somers, at the age of sixteen. Bob purchased Broad Brook Gardens from the original owner, who had been operating the business for eighteen years from his backyard, and moved the business to the center of Broad Brook. Now that the owners of Floral Expressions have retired, Broad Brook Gardens is one of the only florist shops in South Windsor. Keeping the business local is essential to the value of the product customers receive. Sarah shared, “Our main thing is that we are a local florist. With the Internet, we are trying to keep the local florist business alive. There are so many order gatherers such as Pro Flowers and things of that nature, but it’s always best to call your local florist directly. We hand make it and directly deliver it.” GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 25
Laura agreed, “It’s more of a personal service.” Sarah explained that most customers don’t realize they are paying a service fee when ordering the arrangements through online services. “There’s a service fee that’s charged, so if they order and call one of the middle men who send it to an actual flower shop, they may pay $100, but the florist will only get about $80. It’s always best to call directly and we can put the value into the product. A lot of those are cookie cutter style arrangements, but if you call us directly, we can tell you what we have that’s fresh and make it more unique and stylized to what you’re looking for.” Bob said, “Using an online service limits your creativity. After awhile, when someone’s been a customer long enough, they know us enough to trust our design abilities and leave it up to us to make something look nice for them.” It’s that established trust in the quality of Broad Brook Gardens’ work that has helped them develop a strong customer base in the community that they have come to know over the years. Sarah shared, “We have customers that have been with us, some of them for over 30 years and they’re like family to you. They send the same arrangements to the same people every year and you get to know them. They are what keeps the business going.” Sarah continued, “When you get a call on the phone and they 26 GO LOCAL FEBRUARY 2019
just love something you made, that just makes your day. You’re catching a lot of people’s emotions too. It could be a happy occasion, a sad occasion, and that could just make everything for them.” Bob agreed, sharing, “We have a whole door full of thank you notes from people. We’ve done their weddings or we’ve done funeral flowers and have gotten thank you notes for the amount of personal touch we’ve put into them.” People often turn to Broad Brook Gardens both during happy occasions and harder times. The staff at the shop takes pride in making any occasion beautiful for their customers. For example, the shop recently created a casket piece utilizing Christmas greenery in honor of their work on a tree farm. Based on the interests of the deceased, the shop also created a casket piece using tobacco leaves. Sarah shared, “It’s not just out of a book and you point at it. We really make it special.” Laura nodded and shared, “They’re very personal.” Bob is proud of the shop and everything that differentiates them from other businesses. “Our shop is diverse. We are really creative and it puts a smile on people’s faces.” While the stunning flowers in rainbows of bright colors bring lots of life and beauty to Broad Brook Gardens, the shop also offers several gift options including snack baskets, sympathy lamps, fruit baskets, slippers and scarves. The shop also
currently has a permit to offer a wine basket. Laura shared, “People think we just do flowers, but we have a lot of nice, unique gifts that people probably aren’t even aware of.” Sarah agreed, “We are one stop shopping. We cover all occasions with so many different options. People think it’s just fresh flowers, but we have such a wide variety of things we can do for all the different occasions.” Broad Brook Gardens are also passionate about keeping their business local. The store offers honey from Bee Haven in Tolland and candles from Kringle Candle in Bernardston. The shop also works closely with Opportunity Works in Vernon and The Farmer’s Plate in North Grosvenordale. The business also incorporates local growers such as Syme Farm in their shop. Sarah shared, “We service a lot of towns in the area. We deliver on a daily basis to Enfield, Manchester, Vernon, Windsor Locks, South Windsor and Broad Brook. We cover a pretty wide area. If someone wants to send out of town or to a different state, we can wire it to another flower shop like ourselves that we know will take good care of the order.” The staff at Broad Brook Gardens is passionate about the hard work they put into creating unique floral gifts. Bob suggests that customers take a look at what they offer online and then call or visit the shop during business hours to make it personal. Stop by Broad Brook Gardens, where each staff member is happy to help curate a one-of-a-kind piece. Their wall of thank you notes proves that business is blooming. Broad Brook Gardens is located at 938 Sullivan Ave., South Windsor. Their hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Visit broadbrookgardens.com for more information.
GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 27
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Thurs Feb 14 5:30pm Early Bird Auction 7:00pm Estate Auction Thurs Feb 21 5:30pm Early Bird Auction 7:00pm Estate Auction Thurs Feb 28 5:30pm Early Bird Auction 7:00pm Estate Auction
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28 GO LOCAL FEBRUARY 2019
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GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 29
go local picks
COOL STUFF JUST OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR
CROCHET HEART COFFEE CUFF BLENDED LOVE • ENFIELD, CT WWW.ETSY.COM/SHOP/BLENDEDLOVE
Show your love for coffee in style this Valentine’s Day with a handmade cup cozy. No more wasteful paper sleeves! This cuff provides protection from both burnt or freezing hands, depending on your drink of choice. The cuff is made to fit a variety of paper and plastic cup sizes. Blended Love hand creates the cuffs with your choice colors: red with a white heart or white with a red heart. It also makes an adorable gift for your valentine! Shop owner Jessica Miner of Enfield also offers items such as scarves, toys and even reusable mop pads!
THE GREYS, THE BAD SIGNS & THE BIG SWAY BISHOP’S LOUNGE 41 STRONG AVENUE, 3RD FLOOR • NORTHAMPTON, MA
Check out The Greys on February 16, performing at Bishop’s Lounge in Northampton. The Greys are an indie rock quartet with jazz roots made up of Cait Simpson (writer/ vocalist,) Chris Merritt (writer/bassist,) Mara Penatzer (keys,) and Josh Daniel (drummer.) The band is currently working on their first full-length album, “Abeyance” and will be performing their original songs at Bishop’s Lounge. 10:00 p.m.: The Bad Signs, 11:00 p.m.: The Greys, 12:15 a.m.: The Big Sway
30 GO LOCAL FEBRUARY 2019
DETOX BATH SALTS HEAL ME ORGANICS • EAST WINDSOR, CT WWW.ETSY.COM/SHOP/HEALMEORGANICS
February is the month for roses. Why not try a product made with rose petals? Have a relaxing soak with this bath salt blend of dried rose petals, Epsom salt, pink Himalayan salt and unrefined cold pressed carrot seed oil. The ingredients included in the bath salts are known to help reduce skin irritation, relax muscle aches, relieve stress and hydrate skin. Try a dash of these bath salts with a good book for a calming bath time! All products made by shop owner Rebecca are natural and organic. They do not have any fillers, chemicals, additives or artificial ingredients.
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CALL OR REQUEST APPOINTMENTS ONLINE • PATIENT PORTAL Hours: Mon., Wed. & Fri. 8-5 • Tues. & Thurs. 8-7 • Sat. by Appt • EVENING APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 31
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On October 24, 1992 we opened our doors for business on Hazard Ave. in Enfield. 25 years later and we are still servicing the cars in the community. Cars have changed a lot and so have our tools. We have all the tools to service most foreign and domestic vehicles. Our mechanics are well trained and certified to work on your vehicle. Since 1998 we have been recognized as a Napa Autocare Center to ensure the quality of our work.
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860-749-2277 hazardvillemotors.com Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30AM - 6:00PM | Sat-Sun Closed
Proudly Serving Enfield since 1992 32 GO LOCAL FEBRUARY 2019
GIANNA NAGLIERI
FROM EAST LONGMEADOW, MA 6TH GRADER AT BIRCHLAND PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL AND GOALIE FOR THE HOLY NAME STARS AND WESTERN MASS BLIZZARDS
What’s your favorite part about playing hockey? I like the creativity of it. It’s not always one thing you do. You can be doing a lot of things and come up with different moves and different strategies on how to improve your game.
Do you have a favorite memory from a game? It was my first game in goal and there were seven seconds left. There was a breakaway and this kid was coming in. He shot the puck and I stopped it. We tied the game 3-3 and preserved the tie.
Aside from hockey, what are some other activities you enjoy? I like playing clarinet in and out of school, reading and drawing.
Who inspires you? My friend Ryan. He got me into hockey. He was always talking about how hockey was so fun, so I decided ‘Why don’t I give it a try?’ So I tried it and I loved it. My uncle, too. He was part of getting me into hockey. He took me to a game with a women’s team. My first reaction was ‘How can these girls be so pretty and good at hockey?’ So I wanted to give it a try.
Do you have a favorite team or player? The Edmonton Oilers is my favorite NHL team and my favorite player is Connor McDavid, #97.
Do you hope to continue to play hockey? Yes. One of my wishes is to be the first woman in the NHL and to get into the Olympics as I get older.
GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 33
Feels Like Home
NOW OPEN!
The Ivy at Ellington is the newest assisted living residential community from The Arbors Assisted Living Residential Communities. Ellington has its roots as an agricultural community as well as a resort community with Crystal Lake within its boundaries. Conveniently located at 123 West Road in Ellington, CT, our community offers 79 one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as Reflections, our specialized memory support environment. In our elegant home-like environment, residents can enjoy many amenities, including dining on local culinary favorites, participating in engaging and enriching social opportunities, and quality personal care services daily. The Ivy Ellington offers many levels of care. Please contact us for more information.
The Ivy at Ellington 123 West Road, Ellington, CT | 860-926-0222 theivyassistedliving.com
Himalayan Salt Ro om
NOW OPE N
A Wondering Spirit A Spiritually Guided Service & Retail Store A WONDERING SPIRIT MISSION A Wondering Spirit is a spiritually guided service & retail store which offers a range of products and services to support each individual’s unique spiritual path and nurture the natural curiosity of something out of the ordinary and beyond ourselves. It’s your journey; we meet you where you are. TAROT READINGS • REIKI • MASSAGE • SALT ROOM Candles • Incense • Gemstones • Jewelry Crystals • Books • Tarot Cards • Essential Oils Smoothie/Tea Bar • Nutritional Supplements & more
Classes | Workshops | Events Yoga/Hot Yoga • Barre/Hot Barre • Holistic Nutrition/Health Coaching Reiki • Psychic Development & Defense • Tarot Card Reading Workshops Sound Healing Workshops • Shamanic Training and much more!
VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR CURRENT OFFERINGS
169 Shaker Rd. East Longmeadow, MA • 413-224-1008 34 GO LOCAL FEBRUARY 2019
Go Local Got a great story idea?
April 2016 Vol. 2 Issue 5 golocalmagazines.com
for love & food fishing for life project: recreation
climbing together and other fun adventures
AGAWAM • EASTHAMPTON • EAST LONGMEADOW EAST WINDSOR • ELLINGTON • ENFIELD • FLORENCE HAMPDEN • LONGMEADOW • NORTHAMPTON • SOMERS SOUTH WINDSOR • STAFFORD SPRINGS • SUFFIELD WEST SPRINGFIELD • WILBRAHAM
go CREATE DIY INSPIRATION
SNOW DAY PLAY DOUGH
1 bottle white, unscented hair conditioner (scent does not affect the final product, but your play dough will smell like it).
Every kid is excited to see the notification on the news that says “cancelled.” A snow day may seem like the perfect day off, but what if the weather doesn’t allow for outdoor activities? How can you keep the kids entertained? Try out this Snow Day play dough recipe! It’ll keep kids young and old smiling for hours.
1 package of blue glitter 1 box of cornstarch
STEP 1: In a bowl, combine ½ cup of hair conditioner, 1 cup of cornstarch and as much glitter as you would like STEP 2: Using a large spoon (or your hands for extra fun!) mix the hair conditioner, cornstarch and glitter until the mixture is the consistency of play dough. STEP 3: You may need to add more cornstarch as you mix. Continue to add one tablespoon at a time until the mixture is firm. STEP 4: Have fun with your very own play dough!. TIP: To make the play dough even more unique, add a couple of drops of essential oil to give the dough a scent. We used coconut-scented conditioner, and it smelled amazing!
GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 35
local einstein
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE - NO GOOGLING!
WHAT YEAR WAS THE CHEVROLET CORVETTE FIRST INTRODUCED?
WHO CREATED THE FIRST VALENTINE’S DAY HEART-SHAPED BOX OF CHOCOLATES? [A] Louis IV [B] Richard Cadbury [C] Russell Stover [D] Milton Hershey
WHICH MUSICAL TERM MEANS TO PLAY A PIECE “LIVELY AND FAST?”
WHICH COUNTRY HAS THE MOST COASTLINE? [A] China [B] United States [C] Russia [D] Canada
5
[A] Castrato [B] Allegro [C] Adagio [D] Cadenza WHO PLAYED THE LEAD ROLE IN THE HOLLYWOOD CLASSIC “MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON?”
WHAT AMERICAN GENERAL FAMOUSLY PROMISED, “I CAME THROUGH AND I SHALL RETURN?” [A] George Patton [B] Douglas MacArthur [C] Dwight Eisenhower [D] John Pershing
7
WHAT IS THE CULINARY TERM FOR CUTTING FOOD INTO LONG, THIN STRIPS?
[A] Spencer Tracy [B] Clark Gable [C] Cary Grant [D] Jimmy Stewart
8
WHAT SORT OF BUSINESS DID GEORGE JEFFERSON OWN ON “THE JEFFERSONS?” [A] Butcher Shop [B] Dry Cleaner [C] Gas Station [D] Construction Company
[A] Julienne [B] Brine [C] Dice [D] Chiffonade WHAT ITALIAN CITY IS THE SETTING OF SHAKESPEARE’S “ROMEO AND JULIET?” [A] Verona [B] Naples [C] Florence [D] Venice
36 GO LOCAL FEBRUARY 2019
# CORRECT
IQ
RANK
7-9 5-7 2-4 0-1
160 110 50 3
Prodigy Egghead Meh Simpleton
ANSWERS:
1)B 2)A 3)D 4)B 5)B 6)D 7)A 8)B 9)A
3
[A] 1953 [B] 1962 [C] 1965 [D] 1973
PLACE YOUR VALENTINE’S ORDERS TODAY
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WWW.THEOLDCOUNTRYDELI.COM
MONDAY-FRIDAY 10AM-6PM • SATURDAY 10AM-2PM
FEBRUARY PET TIP OF THE MONTH We urge you to practice pet dental care every month, not just February. February is Pet Dental Health Month. Schedule an oral exam for your pet today!
Andrew R. Hersman, DVM Lynn Dgetluck, DVM William D. Anderson, DVM Denise A. Chiminiello, DVM Hannah Belcher-Timme, DVM Leah Guidry, DVM
A Progressive Animal Hospital & Wellness Facility
Wilbraham Animal Hospital
2424 Boston Rd. Wilbraham, MA
413.596.8395
wilbrahamanimalhospital.com
Do it now... before the rush!
Call us to hear about our Open Evenings & Weekends for your convenience. Family owned for over 30 years!
East Springfield Veterinary Hospital
525 Page Blvd. Springfield, MA (Less than 1 mile from Route 291)
413.739.6389 esvhospital.com
Super Winter Discounts! We specialize in stump grinding and in all types of tree work with special equipment – cranes to 134 ft. 40+ years in business. Free estimates. Free advice. Fully insured.
Call Robb Wallace
413-782-8733
wallacetree@gmail.com GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 37
The Final Countdown
7 Great Date Ideas
Looking for the perfect idea for a unique and fun date this Valentine’s Day? Look no further than these seven great local
spots. From movies to karaoke and comedy, there’s sure to be an idea on this list to fit every personality.
THE BOTANIC GARDEN
THE HIDDEN STILL • ELLINGTON, CT THEHIDDENSTILL.COM What’s more fun than singing your favorite song in front of a crowd and enjoying their interpretation of hit songs? Karaoke Thursdays at The Hidden Still are the perfect icebreakers. Enjoy a drink or a meal while you’re there!
PUZZLE THEORY
PAINTING WITH A TWIST
46 KENNEDY RD. #1 • SOUTH WINDSOR, CT PUZZLETHEORY.CO Try something a little different this Valentine’s Day and take your date to Puzzle Theory, where you will be challenged to solve puzzles and escape one of their various themed rooms. Each room offers different challenges.
AGAWAM CINEMAS
866 SUFFIELD STREET • AGAWAM, MA AGAWAMCINEMAS.ORG Dinner and a movie is a classic date for any couple. Agawam Cinemas shows two new movies at a time, but often offer discount tickets on showings of classic films. Check out their website for updated movie showings.
38 GO LOCAL FEBRUARY 2019
KARAOKE THURSDAYS
SMITH COLLEGE • NORTHAMPTON, MA GARDEN.SMITH.EDU Stroll through The Botanic Garden of Smith College and enjoy the aroma of fresh flowers. Gaze at the bursts of colors and variations of plants. Flowers are often associated with romance, and a walk through the garden is the perfect way to spend the holiday of love.
BASIL'S RESTAURANT
64 WEST STAFFORD ROAD • STAFFORD SPRINGS, CT BASILSOFSTAFFORD.COM Enjoy a delicious meal at Basil’s. Basil’s offers several tasty dishes such as burgers, nachos, stuffed mushrooms, chicken picatta and baked manicotti. The full bar is stocked with red and white wines, imported and domestic draft and bottled beer. There’s sure to be something for you and your date to enjoy.
448 N. MAIN ST. • EAST LONGMEADOW, MA PAINTINGWITHATWIST.COM Painting is a relaxing and fun art. Paired with a glass of wine (BYO drinks & food), it’s the perfect icebreaker for first dates or even longtime couples. On Feb. 14, Painting With A Twist will offer instruction on completing a “Lover’s Tree” painting. Register online.
LOVE (THE WAY YOU LAUGH) COMEDY BUFFET
13TH FLOOR MUSIC LOUNGE • 99 MAIN ST. • FLORENCE, MA FACEBOOK.COM/13THFLOORMA/ Enjoy a night of good food and laughs on Valentine’s Day when comedians Tim Lovett, Sarah Martin, Andre Kim Jr. and Dale Cover take over the 13th Floor Music Lounge. With music by Mtali Shaka Banda. Tickets online at ComedyWeapon.com
Whether you are celebrating Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day you'll LOVE our new February service specials! Only available February 14th - February 28th. Spaces are limited so book now.
ALL PACKAGES INCLUDE: CHOICE OF HUGS & KISSES MARTINI, PINK CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL OR OTHER BEVERAGE; CHOCOLATES; AND A HOT CHOCOLATE FOOT BATH! CUPID'S ESCAPE PEDICURE
$60 or bring a 3iend and get 2 for $99 Neck War er • Chocolate Cher%/ Scr*b Hot Cocoa & Honey Hydrating Heel Glaze Massage • Polish if desired
LOVE WARMS THE HEART & TOES
$70 or bring a 3iend and get 2 for $130
Same as CUPID’S ESCAPE but with an upg%ade of GEL POLISH so you can put your shoes on right away and stay war
GIVE MY SKIN SOME LOVE
$90 or bring a 3iend and get 2 for $159
BED OF ROSES MASSAGE
This facial revives dull winter skin with skin brightening $75 Lactic Acid, antioxidants derived 3om nat*ral cocoa ex(%acts One Hour Rose Indulgence plus potent stem cells & peptides to nourish, Back Massage and Foot st%eng(hen & fight wrinkles Reflexolog/
7 Magauren Dr, Ste 4, Stafford Springs, CT (Professional buildings behind Johnson Memorial Hospital)
Instant Gift Certificates are available online at www.HRWellnessSpa.com Choose the look, message and amount of your gift then download to bring or email the certificate to that special someone. Questions? Call the spa at (860) 684-1158
LET US REPAIR & PAINT YOUR BODY
15% OFF
any mechanical service with this ad!
45 YEARS & STILL KICKIN’! Thank you for the years of friendship & patronage!
10% Veterans and Senior Citizens Discount
Must present ad at time of service
Car Sales & Service Bob Mercier, Owner & Licensed Used Car Dealer Mercier’s Kustom Auto Body, Inc. Visit us at our new location 231 Field Road, Unit 1, Somers, CT
860-749-0055 GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 39
40 GO LOCAL FEBRUARY 2019