GO LOCAL MAY 2023

SETS

A NOTE

I am attending eight weddings this year.

Yes, you read that right. Eight.

One I was a bridesmaid in last month, one this month, two weddings next month in June, two in August (five days apart, mind you), one in September and one in October.

For some, my current state of buying dresses to wear, gifts to shower couples with and a few hotel stays for out-of-state weddings may be a special brand of torture, along with financial stress.

And while weddings always do have a certain level of financial commitment as a guest that can be daunting, let alone as a member of the bridal party, I really do not mind all that much.

To me, weddings are sacred, special occasions.

Whenever there is a special moment for a friend – whether it be a wedding, engagement, baby, birthday, promotion – I line up first to celebrate. I try offer a bottle of champagne, a card or some small touch to let the person know I am thinking of them, and I celebrate them.

So, when the opportunity to honor a couple I know and care for comes around, paired with a night of delicious food, dancing and a whole lot of love – I’m in! Say no more.

This edition of Go Local not only has our normal content featuring a slew of wonderful businesses and people, but also hosts our wedding section. Considering weddings are on the brain – I was happy to take over content curation this month to bring some unique features to our pages.

For the past few years, I have been absolutely enamored with pop up picnics. They gained popularity at the start of COVID, offering a way to gather with friends outdoors and in a beautiful setting. The CT Picnic Company was born out of the desire to do just that: bring families, friends, loved ones and more together for a special occasion or celebration in a unique setting. Owners – and sisters – Michaela and Olivia Morin plan gorgeous picnic-style events for all types of celebrations in the area, ranging from bridal showers and proposals to small weddings or celebrations of any kind.

East Longmeadow business Willow Barn Designs is on the road, bringing their “little flower truck” to wedding events. Over the years, mobile florist options have grown – becoming a fun activity for those in attendance at bridal showers, weddings or other special events. Guests can build their own bouquet, selecting flowers from a variety of blooms, making each creation one of a kind.

For the grooms or brides who may have recently became engaged and are overwhelmed with all the fine print and details that go with hosting a wedding, perhaps getting started with an event planner may be of assistance. Having planned hundreds of weddings, Something Pretty Events – based in Easthampton – has seen it all. Owner Bethany O’Neil and her team are ready to help brides and grooms plan their perfect day, and within these pages O’Neil shares upcoming wedding trends.

Or – perhaps you know exactly what you are looking for at your wedding: something unique. Old Country Banquets and Weddings in Enfield may have what you are looking for. The banquet hall, which is 100 years old this year, pays tribute to the roaring ‘20s, offering history and traditional, old country food.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the wonderful couples we feature in our real wedding section. Thank you for lending us your photos and giving us the details of your big day. A special shout out to one of my best friends Olivia, whose wedding I was lucky enough to be a bridesmaid in last year. She and her husband are featured – perks of the job – and I am honored to share their day with our readers. If you were married within the past year, or are going to be getting married in the coming months and want us to feature your wedding photos in an upcoming weddings edition, please reach out to me at pnorth@thereminder. com with your interest.

Some readers may be out of the weddings phase of life, and are picking up our magazine for the traditional, beautiful local business features we offer each month. Not to worry –we still have much to offer for our faithful readers, with stories ranging from a feature on Happy Hen Farmstand in Monson; a beautiful little shed-style storefront offering baked goods, eggs, plants and knick-knacks. The Gold & Diamond Exchange shares with readers that though they do plenty of business selling engagement rings, marriage is not the only reason to buy a loved one – or yourself – a timeless gift. CT Vision reminds readers to get their eyes checked during Healthy Vision Month, and, as the weather begins to heat up, locals are welcomed in to Enfield’s newest smoothie shop, aptly named Smoothville. Whatever your interests, I hope our May Go Local satisfies. Thanks for reading, - Payton North, Executive Editor

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Payton North

CREATIVE

Beth Thurber, Manager . Sophia Kelleher

Susan Bartlett . Leigh Catchepaugh

Molly Arnio . Lorie Perry

CONTENT

Payton North

ADVERTISING

Barb Perry, Advertising Manager . Jeanette Lee

Lisa Nolan . Kim Barba . Roxanne Miller-Longtin

Matt Mahaney . Paula Dimauro . Scott Greene

Terry O’ Donnell Victoria Owen

Evan Marcyoniak . Andy Shaw

Carolyn Napolitan, Sales Assistant

Curtis Panlilio, Operations Director

Fran Smith, General Manager

THE GO LOCAL COMMUNITY

The Gold & Diamond Exchange

GIFTS FOR EVERY OCCASION

They say that “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”

R aymond Roy, owner of The Gold & Diamond Exchange in Ellington, Connecticut agrees and says the proof is in the sheer volume of diamond engagement rings, earrings and other pieces purchased every day in his store.

Roy’s foray into selling jewelry began back in 1980 while working for Frederick’s Jewelers in Springfield, later going on the road as a wholesaler selling imported diamonds and gold jewelry to stores.

“One of my stores was The Jewelry Box, which I bought and opened in 1987 as The Gold & Diamond Exchange. It was an opportunity that was handed to me and included the inventory as part of the sale, so I bought it and the business took off from there,” Roy said.

The full-service, family-operated jewelry store specializes in custom jewelry designs, on-site fine jewelry repairs, watch sizing and batteries, watch repairs, engraving, laser repairs, appraisals and buying and trading jewelry, coins, metals and more.

Their cases are stocked with a wide range of jewelry from handmade silver to fine gold, diamond and platinum

pieces — everything from engagement rings, men’s and women’s fashion jewelry to even custom-made pieces and their own branded line of watches. Some of the designer names carried at The Gold & Diamond Exchange include Alwand Vahan, Angelica, Cheri Dori, Citizen Watch Co., Galatea Pearls, Phillip Gavriel, Trollbeads, Cape Cod Jewelry and others. The store also has a constantly changing inventory of used and estate jewelry for sale.

B eing located “off the beaten path” on Route 83 in a stand-alone, brick-front building hasn’t hurt business as one might think.

“

Word-of-mouth over the years has helped us along with the many referrals we receive which result in a large part of our business. That’s not to say that we don’t have people stopping in and telling us they’ve been traveling on Route 83 for years and just noticed us. Still, I sell more diamonds than 10 stores put together,” Roy said.

W hile not having the statistics in hand to back up the claim, Roy bases his information from an outside service he uses to set his diamonds.

“They tell me that even though they do diamond settings for entire chains, my high-volume numbers far surpass them,” he said.

The store prides itself on offering a wide selection of precious stone jewelry at competitive prices and on its website promises customers the “brilliance you deserve.”

“ We are able to keep our prices low and offer customers a better deal because we don’t have a lot of overhead. We are not located in a mall with very high rent, where you have to work seven days a week and remain open long hours requiring plenty of employees to staff the shop. My granddaughter helps at our store and my staff is minimal,” Roy said.

“I also have many connections from my wholesaler days which allow me to buy direct, an option many retailers

don’t have. So, I can pass those savings onto my customers. I never take full mark-up on anything in the store offering everyone a true discount,” he added.

W hile engagements and weddings comprise the biggest part of his diamond business, especially in the spring months, Roy said he has gifts for all occasions from Valentine’s Day to Mother’s Day to anniversaries, birthdays and more beginning at $20 and up.

“For Mother’s Day in May we sell custom mother’s rings, pendants and some silver and gold jewelry and diamonds, as well as all colors of precious stones, but it’s not a big holiday for us like Christmas when we do about 22% of our business,” Roy said.

The big news in the diamond industry today is that lab-grown diamonds are now a more popular choice for engagement rings and other jewelry purchases — that’s according to the International Gem Society.

“ We sell more lab diamonds than natural diamonds today,” Roy said, noting the reasons for their popularity are many.

L ab diamonds are just as real and sparkly as diamonds that are mined from the earth. And similar to natural diamonds, they have shape, size, color and clarity grades. Perhaps the biggest attraction is the price on your wallet, lab grown diamonds average about 30-40% of the price of a comparable natural diamond.

“L ab-grown diamonds are 100 percent chemically the same as a natural diamond with the same crystal structure. Just as you can grow a plant inside or outside the house, the only difference is where the diamond is grown. No trained gemologist can tell the difference unless examining it under a jeweler’s microscope,” Roy said.

He purchases his lab-made diamonds from India direct from the grower, which allows him to pass on his savings to customers. As for his natural diamonds, Roy purchases them from Israel, China and India through a broker.

Roy noted people often buy natural diamonds as an investment because they believe that they hold their value as opposed to a lab-grown diamond.

“The truth is once a customer leaves the store with that natural diamond, it depreciates anywhere from 20-50% in value. So, their true investment should really be in gifting it to someone special,” he said.

THE GOLD & DIAMOND EXCHANGE LOCATED AT 8 WEST ROAD IN ELLINGTON, IS OPEN

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY FROM 10 A.M. TO 5:30 P.M., THURSDAY FROM 10 A.M. TO 8 P.M., SATURDAY 10 A.M. TO 4 P.M., CLOSED SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 860-875-6044 OR VISIT GOLDANDDIAMONDCT.COM

Happy Hen Farmstand

gathering goodies and the community

When Kim Grinnell opened Happy Hen Farmstand at her Monson home in May 2021, she was looking to make a little extra money to help pay for her daughter’s college costs.

Two years later, Happy Hen has grown beyond her expectations.

“ When I started with my small little stand it was really more of a random idea on how to make a few extra dollars for my daughter’s college by selling my vegetable and herb plants and adding a few breads and donuts just to see what happens,” said Grinnell. “I never dreamed it would be what it is today. I sometimes sit in the farmstand and look around and think ‘I can’t believe this is my place’ or even begin to wrap my head around how I got here – it is surreal.”

Happy Hen Farmstand offers a variety of baked goods, crafts, veggies and herb plants in the spring. Summer offerings include tomatoes, zucchini, squash, fresh cut herbs and peaches from their peach trees.

“I love all of the fresh cut flowers from my cutting garden in the summer as well,” said Grinnell. “Bakery

items are a long list and constantly changing every week. Favorites are Cinnamon raisin bread and rustic white bread … scones, cinnamon knots, apple fritters, peanut butter and original whoopie pies, mini rustic pies, jumbo cookies, homemade peanut butter cups, donuts of all varieties and so many more.”

Grinnell offers pre-order through her Happy Hen Farmstand Facebook page.

“It works fabulous for me because it gives me a gauge on who is interested in which items for the week and takes that weekly guessing of how much to make a little easier,” she said. “I also love that people can order their items ahead of time and know that they don’t have to worry about us selling out of what they want or need for that day.”

Grinnell posts her weekend menu every Wednesday to give people an opportunity to take a few days to send in their orders before the weekend.

“I only take so many pre-orders for the week though because I never want to be just a pre-order business, that takes away from my customers who may not be on social

media or just want to have the option of swinging by to grab a treat,” Grinnell said.

Happy Hen also has fresh eggs, something Grinnell said was in high demand when the egg shortage hit. The Happy Hen was named after Grinnell’s own chickens, which are family pets but also supply the eggs for the farmstand.

“I love my chickens and we pick them based on what they are supposed to have for personalities, and they are the sweetest little things,” she said.

Grinnell does not have a farming or baking background but got her hands dirty with her children and it grew from there.

“I star ted gardening when my kids were little and they had an interest in growing a garden,” she recalled. “I then realized how fulfilling it was to grow things from seeds and watch them bloom into beautiful plants that we could then pick and eat at our dinner table. My mom is where I get my love of crafting and creating from, and she gave that same gift to me and my daughter. It is so rewarding to create things that people love and then get to enjoy for themselves or give as gifts to brighten someone’s day.”

Grinnell said her customers are the best part of her business.

“So many – if not almost all – of my customers that come are now friends and like family. I know what is going

on with their kids and in their weekly lives and we talk and share and laugh and sometimes cry together,” she said. “It truly has become this big Happy Hen family and I think that is a big part of the reason my business is what it is today. It’s not just a place to buy a loaf of bread, it’s a place that you get to connect with other people and know that we genuinely want to know ‘How is your day?’ and it’s not just the standard answer of ‘good,’ it’s the honest answer. I truly love the feeling that people always say they have when they come into the shop and when they say is it is warm and inviting, and I don’t think I could ask for a better compliment than that.”

Grinnell said her vision is constantly evolving.

“Now that I have this beautiful structure that my husband and son built for me I have so many new possibilities. I’d love for us to be the place that people think to come and grab a fresh loaf of bread, some bakery items but also where you go when you need a little gift or some veggies, plants or flowers,” she said, adding that “I will definitely continue after my daughter graduates because I have more kids that will be heading off to college in a few years.”

Grinnell hopes to grow her business into her full-time job.

“I’d love to expand to having the bakery be more often during the week instead of just Friday – Sunday or have people order from me to do baby showers, parties, business meetings etc. Those are the things I would like to try and expand upon in the future,” she said.

Grinnell said she appreciates everyone who has supported her and her family.

“I am so truly grateful for every single person who takes the time out of their day and comes to support my business,” she said. “It’s truly a gift and one I never take for granted. One of the things I was able to do to share the gratitude is that the Happy Hen Farmstand has become a St. Jude Partner in Hope. It’s an organization that I have always been passionate about and with the success of my business I wanted people to know that not only are they supporting my business and with that helping with my daughter’s college education, but they were also contributing to us being a partner in hope. The saying it takes a village is true and I wanted to give back as much as people are giving to me.”

The hours for Happy Hen Farmstand – located at 185 Town Farm Road in Monson – change but the bakery and stand are always open Friday - Sunday 10 a.m. to 5p.m. with more hours in the summer months. Grinnell said in summer and fall the shop is open seven days a week, but the bakery is only Friday – Sunday. The menu is posted every Wednesday on her Facebook page The Happy Hen Farmstand and people can order via Facebook messenger, calling or texting. Payment options are cash, Venmo and credit/debit on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?

We ACTUALLY Buy Houses. The Naples team is focused on providing real solutions to motivated sellers who are in need of a fast, AS-IS cash sale of their property. Typical scenarios for motivated sellers include: falling behind on mortgage payments, inheriting an unwanted home that needs repair, probate issues, facing tax & municipal liens, preforeclosures, or dealing with problem tenants. These situations can be extremely stressful to sellers, so we are committed to providing the best possible solutions to these problems, while operating with empathy and integrity.

Something people might be surprised to learn about your business?

Naples Home Buyers is cross branded with Naples Realty Group and Naples Waste Removal. All three companies were started from the ground up by Dom Santaniello and Luke Giusto, of Feeding Hills, MA. In just 3 years, Naples Realty Group has grown to over 50 agents operating in Western, MA & Northern, CT. Naples Waste Removal is a new venture that specializes in dumpster rentals and junk removal in those same markets.

Why should people do business with you?

The catalyst to our success has been treating our agents, customers, and employees like family. Being first generation business owners, we take pride in our brand, reputation, and service across all businesses. Our Mission is to provide amazing customer service and make our community a better place to live, work, and play!

GO LOCAL PICKS

COOL STUFF JUST OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR AND ONLINE!

RUN WESTFIELD - FLAT FAST 5K

MAY 6TH • 1:00 PM

WESTFIELD, MA 01086

Run Westfield for a chance to win a cash prize! All runners and walkers are welcome. Register online as a runner, walker, or junior runner. The race starts at South Lot of Westfield State University and ends on Elm Street in downtown Westfield. There will be a block party in Downtown Westfield near the finish line.

For more information visit: runwestfield.com

BRIMFIELD ANTIQUES SHOW

Shop around at the world-famous Brimfield Antique Flea Market this May. Antique dealers and collectors throughout the United States travel to attend this event that’s been running for over 50 years! The Brimfield Antiques Show is one of the largest outdoor antique shows in the United States and a great place to network and learn about antiques!

For more information visit: brimfieldantiquefleamarket.com

Serenity Yoga is offering the gift of relaxation this Mother’s Day. Treat her to a one-hour rejuvenating meditation experience. This experience is healing to the mind, body, and spirit. Treat your mom or yourself to this inspiring experience with the use of vibrational sound healing techniques.

For more information visit: serenityyogastudio.net

MOTHER'S DAY SOUND BATH MEDITATION SERENITY YOGA

CT VISION SETS THEIR SIGHTS HIGH

Dr. Allise Markowski opened CT Vision in 2020 because she wanted to be part of the community where she grew up.

Three years later, CT Vision, located at 230 B Mountain Rd. in Suffield, Connecticut is truly part of the community.

From joining the Lions Club, to sponsoring youth teams, to raising up fellow women-owned small business, Markowski is giving back to the place that has given so much to her, and continues to give.

“The community supported me so well through COVID,” she noted.

Empowering others is a big part of who Markowski is and in addition to supporting small local businesses whenever possible, Markowski also empowers people by helping them improve their vision.

May is Healthy Vision Month and that is something Markowski takes very seriously. Her advice to anyone who does not know the status of their vision health should get to an optometrist right away.

“Preventative eye care is always best,”

Markowski said. “Yearly eye exams are crucial.”

Markowski also said a good pair of polarized sunglasses can go a long way in maintaining good vision. Using high-quality blue lens glasses, consuming green, leafy vegetables and “eating the rainbow” are Markowski’s tips.

“And for kids, reducing screen times is important,” she said. “Less video games and more outdoor play.”

Markowski acknowledged that most people cannot escape screens.

“One of the things that happened with COVID is an increase in using screens,” Markowski said. “From Zoom to online classes there was a huge increase in visual eye strain the past few years.”

To help combat the effects of screen time, CT Vision has several high-tech options that Markowski said really do work. One is the Neurolens, which are glasses that help reduce headaches, eye strain, dry eye sensation, neck pain, eye fatigue and even motion sickness.

Markowski said she previously suffered from migraines and tried Neurolens and found relief.

“I used to take ibuprofen all the time and now I don’t carry it anymore,” Markowski said.

Another way CT Vision helps patients is with the Optilight.

“This machine uses intense pulses of light that helps reduce eye dryness,” she said, adding that it

can also reduce redness from rosacea and can even reduce wrinkles.

“The eyes are truly connected to your whole head and body,” Markowski said. “They can tell so much — I am often the first doctor who can tell a person they have diabetes. There’s a lot that the eyes tell you.”

Markowski began practicing in 2013 following her graduation from New England College of Optometry. She worked in several offices throughout Connecticut before opening her own practice.

“There were things I wanted to do and I was finally brave enough to open my own office,” she said.

CT Vision includes Dr. Markowski as well as an associate, Dr. Christina Gonzalez, and a full time optician.

“ We have a wonderful staff,” Markowski said. “We also have glasses and contacts, drops, vitamins and more.”

Markowski said she wanted to create a spa-like feeling in the office.

“People come in and it smells good and feels good,” she said. “I want them to feel relaxed.”

CT VISION IS LOCATED AT 230B MOUNTAIN RD., SUFFIELD, CT. OPEN MONDAY – FRIDAY AND CAN BE REACHED AT 860-386-5159.

Kale & Almond Pesto

1 bag of kale

2-3 garlic cloves

1/2 cup olive oil

1/3 cup grated parmesan

1/4 cup almonds

1-2 tbsp balsamic

Lemon zest

Salt + pepper, to taste

Red pepper flake, optional

Start by preparing a large bowl with water and ice. Next, bring a pot of salted water to a gentle boil and add in half of your bag of kale. Your kale should only be in the boiling water for about 15-30 seconds before removing with a slotted spoon and transferring it to your bowl of ice water. Remove kale from the ice water and squeeze out as much water as you can and lay it out onto some paper towels. Not including the parmesan, salt, and pepper, add in the rest of the ingredients to a blender or a food processor. Blend this until everything is fully combined, transfer to a bowl and fold in your parmesan cheese. Give it a taste and then adjust the seasoning to your liking! Enjoy!

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

Smoothville Smoothies

You have to be a smooth talker to do what Stacy Simons does all day—blending an array of fruit, nuts, seeds, peanut butter and so much more into delicious and healthful smoothies.

Like so many successful entrepreneurs, Simons took an unlikely path to prosperity, landing prominently on Hazard Avenue. She was operations manager for a Bloomfield cardiologist but didn’t have the heart to keep working there.

“I didn’t like my job and needed to leave,” she explained.

Simons didn’t have any idea what she wanted to do – she just knew it had to be something else. It was then that she and her family happened upon a vendor selling hamburgers and hot dogs out of a roadside truck.

“It was a real dive, but they also sold smoothies and my son said, ‘That’s what we should do,’” recalls Simons. “I didn’t want to drive around in a truck, but I did like the idea of opening a smoothie shop,” she recalls.

Simons and her boyfriend Chris Magnuson brought six of their children together in her home, and along with a focus group of friends, they started mixing and matching ingredients, taste-testing their way to starting a new business—Smoothville Smoothies.

“We do a lot of research into the health benefits of our ingredients and what works and tastes best. Many of our smoothies have been created by just throwing ingredients into a blender,” she said.

Smoothville opened its doors on March 12, three years ago. It was a memorable moment not just because it was Simons’ first day in business, it was also the last time school would be open for a while.

“It was a little scary because the next day, Enfield schools closed due to COVID-19, and that’s when all the other closings happened. Business was slow and we did a lot of curbside orders. But it gave us a chance to tweak our menu, train our staff and get used to the business,” remembers Simons.

Along with a menu of at least 40 smoothies and a half dozen daily specials, the menu includes Acai bowls, Yoana bowls, Chia pudding, overnight oats and tea—all told more than 100 menu items. It’s all very healthful because Simons wants to offer something unique and beneficial.

“ We wanted to offer healthy items, something people could grab and have for lunch, after dinner or before a workout. But we do have a few treats on our menu,” said Simons.

Simons and Magnuson weren’t sure how well the

business would do at first. They thought they’d need a half dozen employees to make and sell some 40 smoothies a day. But business has exceeded expectations and today they have a staff of nearly two dozen part-time employees and have doubled their projected sales.

“ We’re doing very well. We have a great customer base. Most are repeat customers, and we get new ones all the time. We have customers that come in every day or several times a week,” said Simons.

Smoothville takes orders online and at the counter, in a small shop that seats 10 people. With the business bursting at the seams, Simons is looking to expand the shop by moving to a new location and opening another shop somewhere else.

“ We want a place where kids can hang out with their friends, or ladies can get together for lunch or where someone can pull out their laptop and do some work,” she explained.

Smoothville is every bit a homegrown, hometown business prospering in a place they’ve known forever.

“ We live in town, our kids have grown up here and it was important for us to be here,” says Simons. “It’s so rewarding to have your own place, start from nothing and have it grow. I love it.”

Here’s a sample of Smoothville’s menu

Nearly everyone knows what a smoothie is, but what about Acai or Yonana bowls? The mystery is revealed just by reading Smoothville’s menu of tasty temptations.

Smoothies

Nuts about you

Chocolate almond milk, peanut butter, banana, cinnamon, honey, chocolate, protein powder

Just a little green

Almond milk, banana, kale, spinach, chia seeds

Cupid’s arrow

Oat milk, strawberries, raspberries, white chocolate chips, dark chocolate, almonds; drizzled with raspberry sauce

Saronno kiss

Cold brew oat milk, almonds, peanut butter, Nutella along with Greek vanilla yogurt and almond extract

Chocolate covered apple

Chocolate almond milk, apple, cinnamon, cacao powder, flaxseed, peanut butter

Classic smoothies

Strawberry & banana

Mixed berry, pineapple and your choice of added ingredients

Acai bowls

Organic sorbet featuring the acai from Brazilian palm trees; it is high in antioxidants and dairy free

Berry

Acai sorbet topped with bananas, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, gluten free granola, honey cinnamon

Peanut butter

Acai sorbet topped with bananas, peanut butter, shaved chocolate, chia seeds

Passion

Acai sorbet topped with pineapple, mango, coconut flakes, sliced almonds

Yonana bowls

Mixed berry

Banana, yogurt, mixed berries, oats and honey

Strawberry

Banana, yogurt, strawberries, granola, honey and cinnamon

Apple

Banana, yogurt, granola, peanut butter, chocolate chips, chocolate syrup and choice of granny smith or red apple

Chia pudding

Chia seeds soaked overnight with almond milk to create a pudding consistency. Pudding is paired with a variety of fruit or peanut butter

Overnight oats

Horseshoe falls

Oats, chocolate almond milk, chia with choice of two fruit toppings

Powder Hollow

Oats, vanilla almond milk, agave with choice of two fruit toppings

Scantic Mud

Oats, chocolate almond milk, chia, almonds, coconut, cocoa powder, agave with choice of two fruit toppings

Smoothville respects dietary restrictions and has offerings that are gluten free, vegan, keto friendly, nut free and non-dairy.

SMOOTHVILLE SMOOTHIES IS LOCATED AT 310 HAZARD AVENUE, ENFIELD, CT.

OPEN MONDAY–SATURDAY, 9 A.M. TO 6 P.M. AND SUNDAY, 10 A.M. TO 4 P.M.

FIND SMOOTHVILLE SMOOTHIES ONLINE AT WWW.SMOOTHVILLESMOOTHIES.COM, FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM @SMOOTHSILLVESMOOTHIES.

PHONE: 860-698-6998

area snapshot

Alyssa Kelleher

The Talcott Greenhouse is 6,000 square feet filled with all kinds of plants and used as a teaching resource.

Photo taken at the Talcott Greenhouse at Mount Holyoke College

LOCAL EINSTEIN

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE - NO GOOGLING!

WHAT WAS MEMORIAL DAY FORMERLY KNOWN AS?

[A] Decoration Day

[B] Fallen Heroes Day

[C] Armed Forces Day

[D] Service Members Day

WHAT CITY IS THE CAPITAL OF SPAIN?

[A] Barcelona

[B] Madrid

[C] Seville

[D] Valencia

WHAT IS A GROUP OF SHARKS OF THE SAME SPECIES CALLED?

[A] A Slam

[B] A Shiver

[C] A Skulk

[D] A Smack

WHAT IS SOMEONE WHO SHOES HORSES CALLED?

[A] Blacksmith

[B] Cobbler

[C] Clicker

[D] Farrier

WHAT NEW YORK LANDMARK OPENED ON MAY 1, 1931 AND AT THE TIME WAS THE TALLEST BUILDING IN THE WORLD?

[A] Sears Tower

[B] Empire State Building

[C] World Trade Center

[D] Statue of Liberty

WHICH HORSE MADE THE FASTEST RECORDED RUN AT THE KENTUCKY DERBY?

[A] Seabiscuit

[B] Man O’ War

[C] Secretariat

[D] Northern Dancer

WHAT IS CHANDLER’S LAST NAME IN THE SITCOM, FRIENDS?

[A] Brown

[B] Bing

[C] Blake

[D] Brock

WHAT YEAR WAS THE FIRST MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATED IN THE UNITED STATES?

[A] 1907

[B] 1927

[C] 1947

[D] 1967

THE FIRST JAMES BOND MOVIE TO STAR DANIEL CRAIG WAS WHAT?

[A] Casino Royale

[B] Quantum of Solace

[C] Skyfall

[D] No Time To Die

CHARITY VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023

Scantic Valley Branch YMCA, Wilbraham

Register & Tournament Information: CHD.ORG/VOLLEY4MAK

$35 per player - Registration Deadline 05.12.2023

ADULT TOURNAMENT - AGES 18+

Weddings

SPRING & SUMMER 2023

PHOTO BY HANNA CAROLINE PHOTOGRAPHY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Spring & Summer 2023

Something Pretty Events

Bringing beauty to the big day

Old Country Banquets

Enfield banquet hall satisfies appetite for old world fare

CT Picnic Co

Bringing glamour to your backyard

Willow Barn Designs

Florist delivers make-your-own arrangements to wedding guests

Local Couples. Real Weddings.

Local Couples Share Details on Their Special Day

EVENTSSomething Pretty

By Hope E. Tremblay special to weddings

Staying ahead of the trends is just one of the ways Bethany O’Neil, owner of Something Pretty Events Company, fills the need for nontraditional event planning in Western Massachusetts.

The Easthampton-based business was launched in 2017 when O’Neil “saw a gap in the market” across New England. “Instead of focusing on singular events, we have based the scope of our business on the needs of clients who generally require full rentals and multiple days of festivities,” she said.

Something Pretty offers its clients a full menu of services, and O’Neil takes the stress and guesswork out of planning events, especially weddings.

In a time when Pinterest and YouTube flood brides and grooms with ideas on how to “Do It Yourself,” O’Neil hopes to steer couples in the right direction and offer them the wedding of their dreams on a

budget and done right.

“I think that most of the time when clients are attempting to do DIY, they are attempting to save money, which is completely understood as weddings can be quite expensive,” O’Neil said, “but, what I always tell my potential and current clients is this, wedding planners know what DIY projects are feasible, and what aren’t.”

O’Neil and her staff know the market areas and can guide clients in the right direction from the beginning — which saves money.

“Having planned hundreds of weddings, we have an understanding of the contracts you’re signing, and can help stop you from making mistakes as you book vendors and spending more than you need to on your vendors, decor, etc.,” she said. “And lastly, when clients choose to do things DIY the people that often pay the price are the clients themselves, and those closest to them on the weekend of the wedding. By having myself and our staff on site, we ensure that even if you spent months curating great decor and design ideas, that

we are there to execute them that weekend, versus gathering all of your bridal party or family members to help you set things up.”

O’Neil was a wedding and event planner in Maine before moving to Western Massachusetts to work at Hampshire College running catering and events on campus and at their on campus wedding venue, The Red Barn.

O’Neil said her favorite part of planning weddings is helping to curate clients designs.

“Often clients have such unique and fun ideas but are searching for the expertise to execute their dreams, and I love being able to bring those dreams to reality with my logistical expertise and all of the arbitrary knowledge I’ve acquired over the years,” she said.

Something Pretty Events helps plan weddings of all types and sizes. O’Neil said weddings have gone up and down throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Weddings decreased in size to

PHOTOS BY HANNA CAROLINE PHOTOGRAPHY

accommodate restrictions starting in 2020, but O’Neil said that phase has passed.

“Clients are now back to the standard 100–200-person guest list, and although we still do our fair share of micro weddings and smaller events, the standard definitely has gone back to normal since COVID ended,” she said.

Many couples want to put their unique spin on their wedding day.

“Generally, our most unique [events] happen on private estates, summer camps, farms or museums versus traditional ballrooms or event spaces,” said O’Neil. “We consider it a gift to be able to work at such unique spaces and bring them to life in a whole new way. My favorite events to plan are the ones where we take a blank canvas and create a magical new world with tenting, flooring, florals and design.

“It’s amazing to show up on a Friday to an open field and by the time the event is happening that weekend there is a beautiful tent and dining setup for 150 guests that looks like it belongs in the landscape. Now, the most fun — that’s when you involve nontraditional wedding vendors like food trucks, late night snacks and silent disco after parties. We love to bring clients personality into their big day, it’s always the most special when your guests are saying, ‘That’s so them!’”

O’Neil said wedding trends vary from year to year. From venues to dress styles and flower choices, Something Pretty Events stays ahead of trends.

“This year we are seeing many more private property

weddings, meaning it’s at a VRBO, a B&B or maybe at a family member’s home,” O’Neil said. “Although clients often have the misconception that weddings are less expensive this way, unfortunately that’s not the case! It’s a substantial undertaking creating a ballroom in a field for a day! But, you have no required vendors which makes it so much more accessible and allows your clients personalities to shine.”

O’Neil said color choices typically correlate to the flowers and this year is all about jewel tones, bright, vibrant colors and palettes that have many more colors than before, sometimes five to seven versus the three to four colors O’Neil typically sees.

“Clients are choosing to make their ceremonies more personal and bringing in friends or family to officiate — often blending cultures and religious beliefs together,” added O’Neil.

And while this wedding season is about to bloom, O’Neil is looking ahead to 2024.

“Next year I’m forecasting bridal style trends to include unique headpieces and veils and more jumpsuit and trouser options as they’ve been slowly coming back the last few years,” she said. “For decor and design, I’m seeing a bounce back to natural fabrics, lots of greenery and a comeback of rustic colors in florals. I’m also forecasting a trend of floral arrangements without vases, sometimes known as ikebana flower arrangements, as they are sustainable and do not require vase rentals.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE SERVICES OFFERED BY SOMETHING PRETTY EVENTS, VISIT SOMTHNGPRTTYEVENTS.COM.

Say “I Do” by The Lake

Four Seasons by the Lake is a rustic, romantic venue nestled in the beautiful town of Stafford, CT. We are a full-service event facility accommodating all budgets. Four Seasons offers a variety of menus with flavorful dishes fashioned to delight all palates. We offer services for both on and off site events. 51 Old Springfield Road • Stafford Springs, CT • 860-851-9445

fourseasonsstafford.com

BANQUETS & WEDDINGS Old Country

By Staasi Heropoulos special to weddings

If the walls could talk, they would tell tales of the roaring ‘20s—a time when Polish immigrants flocked to Enfield and built a banquet hall where they would dance and party the night away, on so many nights.

The building is 100 years old this year and is a monument to a breakout time after World War I when people built wealth and celebrated peace. Today that building is home to Old Country Banquets and Weddings.

“I think people are looking back at the old times, and we elevate their experience because of all the history in these walls,” said Sasha Skerla, who owns the banquet hall.

Skerla and his wife Beata bought the business in 2009 and have stayed true to traditions embedded in the building. The ceiling in the main banquet hall stands two stories high. It’s made of metal, embossed with both simple and complex designs. Long, heavy drapes adorn tall arched windows, lending elegance to the room. The chandeliers are from the old days.

Pictures of the original revelers hang on the walls, images of immigrants celebrating life a century ago. “Even the music sounds different because the room was built before

microphones and speakers were available, so it’s designed to carry the sound differently,” says Skerla.

Born in Croatia, Skerla is Polish and Croatian. He has cooked in some of the finest restaurants in Italy, Spain and Poland. His recipes are from the old world and while he prepares the standard fare of chicken, beef, fish and pork, there is something reminiscent of the past in the way he prepares the meal.

“I like to rewrite classic American recipes that came here from Europe but changed over time. I bring back original ingredients from the old country,” he says. Skerla is thrilled when brides want something different, when they ask him to be creative and cook something just for them and their guests.

Skerla lets his wife work with brides and their families to plan their special day. He prefers to cook, and he stays in the kitchen. “I’m the chef and I do my thing in the kitchen. I love special requests from people who care about food,” he says.

Old Country Banquets and Weddings features two halls—one that can hold up to 100 people, the other can accommodate parties of 300. It’s not very often that the halls hit capacity these days. Skerla explained weddings are half the size they used to be because they cost twice as much.

His hall is booked with weddings every Saturday for the next year. He also hosts events on Fridays and Sundays.

Polish immigrants who worked all week in the local wool factory and partied here on weekends might still recognize the hall. Not much has changed in the last century. It is still a place to celebrate new beginnings, with a nostalgic nod to the past.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OLD COUNTRY BANQUETS AND WEDDINGS, VISIT THEM AT: WWW.OLDCOUNTRYBANQUETS.COM, CALL 860-745-5390 OR EMAIL OLDCOUNTRYBANQUETS@GMAIL.COM.

CT PICNIC Company

By Keith O’Connor special to weddings

Planning the perfect wedding and all the trials and tribulations that sometimes come along with it often is no picnic for those involved.

But it can be a picnic, a real one, thanks to The CT Picnic Company coming to the rescue.

A unique service providing picnics from the simple to the luxurious, The CT Picnic Company can help create a memorable event for “everything wedding” from a surprise proposal, to engagement announcements, to bridal showers, to bridesmaid’s proposals, to the wedding itself.

“We even did a picnic for an elopement, but not your classic elopement,” said Michaela Morin, who founded the CT Picnic Company

along with her sister Olivia Morin.

“They held it at a vineyard where we created an altar for them to say their vows, decorated the back of their truck for a photo shoot, and a place where they could cut the wedding cake and drink some wine and hang out. Although their families were there to watch them get married, they left after so the couple could enjoy their meal and cake alone,” she added.

The CT Picnic Company, however, isn’t just about weddings, it’s about helping to put a picnic together for anyone for any reason — birthdays, baby showers, anniversaries, girl’s night out, or for those who just want a reason to get together. They have even helped corporations and charities with their picnics.

Their business was born out of the pandemic.

“We began organizing safe, themed,

outdoor events for family and friends during COVID-19 to have something to do, to get together and have some fun and not worry for a while what was going on in the world,” Michaela said, who along with her sister have experience planning events as part of their full-time jobs.

“We did some research and saw how popular luxury and pop-up picnic companies were in California, and combined with the fact that people were looking for safe ways to get together outdoors during the pandemic, we decided to give it a go,” she added.

Their first paid picnics were two relatively simple events, intimate two- and four-person picnics, held on the same day, Mother’s Day, May 9, 2021.

“We hoped this would be a nice hobby, something extra we could do beyond our fulltime jobs. We began with low expectations

thinking that we would probably do about one picnic a month, but it really spiraled and by the end of the year we had created 89 memorable picnics for our customers,” Olivia said.

“We had to build our own website, which was an undertaking in itself, and we used social media to promote what we were doing. It was a lot of word-of-mouth and the only investment in promoting ourselves was on Instagram and Facebook, where we’ve spent about $150 to date to boost our posts,” Michaela said.

Included as part of a picnic is a custom table and tablescape/centerpiece, all utensils and glasses, rug/blankets/pillows/cushions for more comfortable and dry-free seating if on the ground, a foam pad for under a blanket or rug, tripod which is smartphone compatible for memorable pictures, Bluetooth speaker and a necessity kit featuring sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer, masks and a bottle opener.

For additional fees, add-ons include a game basket, teepee, trellis, solar lights, custom sign made to fit the occasion from “Happy Birthday” to “Will You Marry Me?” or other sentiments, backdrops which can be used for balloons or for taking photographs in front of, and flower arrangements.

“The trellis can be used for hanging lights for a nighttime picnic and we even hung monkeys from it once for a one-year-old’s birthday party. We’ve also used the teepees for parties with children or you can use them for storage,” Olivia said.

Picnics range in price from $250 upward depending on size, location, add-ons and other special requests.

You can’t have a picnic without food. But it is B.Y.O.B. - Bring Your Own Basket.

“We don’t have a food license. However, we do work with a woman who owns a business called Boxed Bites, who will provide a variety of charcuterie boards or boxes for your picnic. She will even bring them and set them out at the picnic,” Olivia said, noting some people prefer to prepare their own picnic lunch for

guests, ask everyone to bring something, or even have it catered.

Location is also up to you.

“We’ve gone to backyards, beaches, parks, and vineyards to mention just a few places. Sometimes people will ask us for suggestions, and we have many to recommend, nice hidden places that many may not know about, which don’t have a lot of traffic and offer an intimate experience,” Olivia said.

The newest addition to the CT Picnic Company’s offerings is their Pic & Pour Tap Truck — a 1986 Cushman truck. It features four taps on the driver side and three shelves on the passenger side where a bar can be created for other drinks, whether liquor, soda or more. The back tailgate offers an additional way to customize your event whether for a picnic, birthday party, graduation, community block party, family event or other occasion. The rental is a flat fee of $500 for 24 hours.

“The Tap Truck is for equipment rental only, we do not service it, but we can recommend local liquor stores or breweries where you can purchase beer kegs or even wine kegs. We can also provide decorations if requested, and the front of the truck has enough room to take photographs,” Olivia said.

Working out of West Hartford, CT, the sisters have brought their picnic expertise to benefit clients throughout Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. Picnics are initially booked for 90 minutes, with additional hours added by request. Their biggest picnic so far has been for 35 people — they are hoping to do even bigger events which allow them to be more creative in their design and set up. Most of their picnics, some 80%, have taken place on the weekends during the morning, afternoon or evening. They have done some picnics on weekdays, however, they are limited because of their full-time work schedules.

The CT Picnic Company website provides no phone number, but there is a form to request a booking that asks for name, email, date, location of event, number of guests, event budget and more. They ask for 72 hours for a response.

To book the Pic & Pour Tap Truck, email thepicandpour@gmail.com or Instagram @thepicandpour.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THECTPICNICCO.COM.

Willow Barn DESIGNS

By Staasi Heropoulos special to weddings

Florist Michele Martinelli is on the road again, using her “little flower truck” to bring blossoms and blooms to brides and grooms on their special day.

Martinelli owns Willow Barn Designs in East Longmeadow, a shop focusing on home décor, gifts and flowers. She’s worked with many brides over the years, decorating churches, synagogues, temples and reception halls with floral arrangements and displays.

For the last year, though, she’s also been stocking her small van with flowers, greens, colored paper and vases — and parking outside wedding showers and receptions.

“Guests come to the van and use their imagination to make floral arrangements. People love to be creative and if you love fresh flowers, this gives you the opportunity to design and create your own bouquet,” says Martinelli.

Martinelli says she’s transported the idea from overseas after seeing how popular mobile flower trucks are in Europe. Now after raising five children, she says it’s time to pursue her passion.

“This is something I want to do, I love it. It’s a good way to get my business out there especially with so many people wanting to create their own bouquets and arrangements. I love to make people happy by bringing flowers to them. Whether you’re happy or sad, flowers make you smile,” she says.

Whether she’s parking her van outside a shower, wedding or reception, Martinelli finds out how many guests there will be and makes sure she has enough stock on hand for everyone.

She also ensures the colors of the flowers complement the color scheme of the wedding, including invitations and gowns the bridesmaids are wearing. “I’m really selective about the flowers I bring and want to make

sure they flow seamlessly with the colors and pattern of the event,” she says.

Martinelli offers both familiar and exotic flowers from Holland, Ecuador, South America and other nations around the world.

Very often guests leave other weddings with favors such as candy and trinkets. It’s not often they go home with such fragrant memories.

“I want to help people make funky and unique designs and give them an interactive experience. It’s fun to see the different styles they create. It adds a unique element to the event and people get to take something home that will help them remember the great time they had,” she says.

If it’s not feasible to park her van outside an event, Martinelli brings everything inside and sets up a flower bar. She says her flowers are a cut above what might be found in grocery or big box stores.

“These are flowers many people may never have seen before and they’ll be surprised by their beauty,” she said.

Fragrance has a powerful effect on people, helping them recall fun places and favorite times. That is exactly what Martinelli is hoping to do with her van.

“People can see, touch and smell the flowers,” she says. “My business is unique because I can help make people happy, and in the world we live in, we all need more happiness.”

From our intimate ceremony space to our elegant ballrooms, Tekoa Country Club is the premiere location to have the wedding of your dreams!

We o er in house catering with a variety of di erent menu styles, a handful of amenities including private bridal suites, a foursome golf outing, and the opportunity to take intimate wedding photos on the golf course. At Tekoa Country Club, we are professional, detail oriented, and driven to make your wedding an occasion to remember. Destiny

Parking in Back

Center Square • East Longmeadow, MA

Photo Courtesy of Trish Kemp Photography

AND CARRIAGE HOUSE

Creating flowers that are just perfect for your special day in every way.

Think of us for your special celebrations!

Weddings on the beautiful grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in a quaint setting

Wedding Packages Available. Call Nicole Manzi at 413-732-4188

Booking for 2023 & 2024

Ceremonies in Meeting House Pictures in the Gazebo Functions in the Carriage House

Call for available dates

1305 Memorial Avenue • West Springfield (IN THE BIG E – USE GATE 2) 413-732-4188 • storrowton.com

&

Jillian David

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

MAY 22, 2022

ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE JILLIAN & DAVID WEDDING BY LINDSEY TOPHAM PHOTOGRAPHY

Names: David and Jillian Pratt

Ages: 25

Occupations: Accountant and Lash Tech

Ceremony & Reception: The Barn at Wight Farm

Invitations: Zazzle

Bride’s Dress: Penny Jane Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses: Penny Jane Bridal

Cake: Francescos Italian Bakery

Music: Bass DJ Entertainment

Rings: The Jewelry Exchange Sudbury

Hair: Denise Knorring

First Dance Song:“Heaven” by Jason Aldean

Theme: Rustic Barn

Memorable Moment: First dance

Best wedding advice: Making sure the bride and groom are on the same page in the planning process.

Honeymoon: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Katey Ryan &

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

JUNE 11, 2022

Names: Katey & Ryan Scott

Ages: 32 & 33

Occupations: Attorneys

Ceremony & Reception: Amongst the Oaks

Invitations: Zazzle

Flowers: Sola Wood Flowers

Bride’s Dress: Pearl Bridal

Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade

Bridesmaid Dresses: Birdy Grey

Caterer: Wicked Awesome Eats

Cake: Cakes by Reba

Music: DJ Sha-boo, Majesstic Entertainment

Wedding Planner: Amongst the Oaks

Rings: James Allen

Hair: Textür Beauty Bar

Makeup: Courtney Liddle, Liddle Beauty

First Dance Song: "Joy of My Life" by Chris Stapleton

Theme: Rustic Backyard BBQ

Memorable Moment: Our first look was absolutely magical and the perfect private moment for us to spend alone time before the ceremony.

Best wedding advice: Accept that not everything will go exactly as planned and trust that it will still be perfect!

Honeymoon: Ogunquit, Maine

ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE KATEY & RYAN WEDDING BY JENNA LYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

Emilie Matthew &

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

SEPTEMBER 18, 2021

ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE EMILIE AND MATTHEW WEDDING BY SIMONE PLUS PHOTOGRAPHY

Names: Emilie & Matthew Ford

Ages: 29 & 31

Occupations: Pharmacist & Environmental/Safety Coordinator

Ceremony: Saint Thecla’s Parish

Reception: Jones River Trading

Invitations: Etsy & Harding Print

Flowers: Diersch Flowers (Dahlia tubers from Five Forks Farm, the Dahlia Shed & Little State Flower Company)

Bride’s Dress: Fatima’s Bridal

Bride’s Shoes: Franco Sarto

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal

Caterer: Plymouth Bay Catering

Cake: Piece of Cake

Music: Maggs Entertainment

Rings: Nasr Jewelers

Hair: Kevin Pires

Makeup: Glamour Me Bridal & Beauty

First Dance Song: "Home" by Jack Johnson

Theme: Rustic

Memorable Moment: Our First Dance

Best wedding advice: Try not to overthink the little things. Your day will come together beautifully and your guests won’t know if everything doesn’t go exactly as planned.

Honeymoon: Montana, Yellowstone National Park & Grand Teton National Park

Jordan Charlie &

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

SEPTEMBER 3, 2022

Names: Jordan and Charlie McKeeman

Ages: 27, 27

Occupations: Jordan is in school at Yale New Haven Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia, studying to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Charlie is a CPA at KPMG.

Ceremony: St. Barnabas

Reception: Fort Adams State Park

Invitations: Minted

Flowers: Pranzi Catering

Bride’s Dress: Allure Bridals

Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie - color: taupe

Caterer & Cake: Pranzi Catering

Music: The Hub - Wilson Stevens Band

Wedding Planner: Jordan McKeeman

Rings: Custom (Jordan’s), Brilliant Earth (Charlie)

Hair: Cassandra Broccoli

Makeup: Beauty Marked Studio

First Dance Song: “Then” by Brad Paisley

Theme: Classic and traditional

Memorable Moment: The best part about the entire day was the ceremony. There was so much emotion shared between us and the love we felt from our family and friends was bounding. It was a feeling neither of us will ever forget.

Best wedding advice: Book a “day of” coordinator if you do the planning on your own.

Honeymoon: Hawaii

ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE JORDAN & CHARLIE WEDDING BY FRAME + ANCHOR

Olivia Seth &

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

AUGUST 20, 2022

Names: Olivia and Seth Metcalf

Ages: 27 and 29

Occupations: Olivia is an office manager and Seth is co-owner of S&K Lawncare.

Ceremony & Reception: Warren Conference Center & Inn

Invitations: Gilberts

Flowers: Flowers by Leo

Bride’s Dress: Going to the Chapel

Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie

Music: Harmon Gray Entertainment

Rings: Hannoush Jewelers

Hair & Makeup: The Beauty Studio

Signs: Signs by Lex

First Dance Song: “In a Week” by Hozier

Memorable Moment: While we were waiting to be introduced at the reception, we were on the balcony looking down at all our guests and all the decorations. Finally able to see everything come together was absolutely my favorite!

Best wedding advice: Doing a private first look before the ceremony was the best thing we could have done. It took all the stress out of walking down the aisle and our timeline was never rushed. We were able to have an intimate moment with no one around aside from our amazing photographers to capture it. This timeline allowed us to be a part of cocktail hour, which allowed us to enjoy our reception.

Honeymoon: St. Thomas – US Virgin Islands

ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE OLIVIA & SETH WEDDING BY CASSANOLA PHOTOGRAPHY

Sarah Shawn &Shawn

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

JULY 1, 2022

Names: Sarah and Shawn Lee

Ages: 30

Occupations: Teacher and Machinist

Ceremony: Stonehurst at Hampton Valley

Reception: Stonehurst at Hampton Valley

Invitations: The Knot

Flowers: Stylish Blooms

Bride’s Dress: Julie Allen Bridals

Groom’s Suit: JT Ghamo

Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie

Caterer: Black Dog Bar and Grille

Cake: Dee’s One Smart Cookie Bakery

Music: Spin Doctor Entertainment

Officiant: Ever After Memories

Rings: Hannoush Jewelers

Hair/Makeup: Becca Forte, LLC

First Dance Song: “Faithfully” by Journey

Memorable Moment: We had an amazing live wedding painter, Beth Browne. Seeing our finished painting at the end of the night was a wonderful moment.

Best wedding advice: Skip any trend or tradition that doesn’t reflect you and your partner. Your day should celebrate your love, so make choices that feel authentic to you as a couple.

Honeymoon: Hawaii (Oahu and Maui)

ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE SARAH & SHAWN WEDDING BY LINDSEY TOPHAM PHOTOGRAPHY

The Final Countdown

7 local wineries to vist this spring

GLENDALE RIDGE

VINEYARD

155 GLENDALE RD

SOUTHAMPTON, MA 01073

GLENDALERIDGEVINEYARD.COM

(413) 527-0164

Glendale Ridge Vineyard grows and produces their wine locally in Southampton Massachusetts. They also produce wines from grapes sourced from Long Island and the Finger Lakes region. Check out their website for more information on tasting events and more!

OUTLOOK FARM

BARN & EATERY

136 MAIN RD

WESTHAMPTON, MA 01027

OUTLOOKFARM.COM

(413) 529-9388

Outlook Farm offers a variety of fruit and dessert wines crafted from the fruit of their own farm. Visit their website for event schedules including live music, festivals, wine tastings, food pairings, and more.

MINERAL HILLS WINERY

592 SYLVESTER RD, FLORENCE, MA 01062

MINERALHILLSWINERY.COM

(413) 586-2575

Mineral Hills makes fruit wine, created from the fruit of their very own farm and other local sources. Enjoy a glass of wine at the winery, or purchase a bottle in one of many stores in the Springfield/Northampton area.

WORTHINGTON

VINEYARD & WINERY

359 MOUNTAIN RD, SOMERS, CT 06071

WORTHINGTONWINERY.COM

(860) 614-5774

Worthington Winery offers a unique and relaxing experience. There’s so much to enjoy with your glass of wine from the natural beauty of the pond to the patios and walking paths.

ECHO HILL ORCHARDS

101 WILBRAHAM RD, MONSON, MA 01057

ECHOHILLORCHARDS.COM

(413) 267-3303

Echo Hill Orchards is a family owned and operated winery and distillery. They make wine, moonshine, spirits, and liquors from their own fruits grown right on the farm. Stop by this spring for a $12 wine tasting! Visit their website for more information on specialty drinks and tastings.

LOST ACRES VINEYARD

80 LOST ACRES RD

NORTH GRANBY, CT 06060

LOSTACRESVINEYARD.COM

(860) 324-9481

Lost Acres Vineyard is the perfect place to relax and a enjoy a glass of wine. Inside the barn is a gallery featuring local artists, a cozy fireplace, a bar for wine tasting, and love music.

BRIGNOLE VINEYARDS

103 HARTFORD AVE, EAST GRANBY, CT 06026

BRIGNOLEVINEYARDS.COM

(860) 653-9463

Brignole Vineyards is a family-owned business spanning 15 acres with over 20 varieties of wine. From red to rosé, they have something for everyone! Check out their website for a full schedule of events and food trucks.