MAY 2024

LOLA'S

From the well-respected owners of The Federal, a new-American restaurant in Agawam, and Posto, a traditional Italian restaurant just down the road in Longmeadow, the new Mexican restaurant Lola’s is a step outside the expected both for the owners and the diners. “Lola’s is a coastal Mexican restaurant featuring a modern interpretation of authentic Mexican cuisine,” explained Co-owner Ralph Santaniello, “With fresh ingredients using classic and innovative techniques.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR . PAYTON NORTH

It’s officially my favorite Go Local edition of the year — the spring weddings magazine.

If you have read my column in past weddings editions, you know I love love, and I enjoy a good wedding. Last year I attended seven weddings, and while my schedule was overflowing with wedding-related obligations (bachelorettes, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners and the weddings themselves,) boy oh boy was it a fun year packed with so much celebration.

This year promises to be a smidge quieter — I have my cousins wedding in August in Sturbridge … and that’s it. It feels a bit strange to have my weekends back, but I am looking forward to having a much quieter summer.

Weddings are still on the brain, though. As I write this, I spent this past weekend in Boston celebrating one of my best friends’ engagements. Her lovely fiancé reached out to her closest friends and planned a proposal we could all be a part of. It was so special witnessing the proposal, and afterword getting to celebrate with drinks and dinner at a delicious North End Italian restaurant. Congratulations Carling and Joe!

As I turn to the pages of this months Go Local, it is a treasure trove of information for couples looking to plan their big day. First — I suggest peeking at our real couple’s pages toward the back of the magazine. Each couple brought a special spin to their big day and might offer some unique inspiration for upcoming nuptials. They have also all generously shared their vendor lists for folks to get ideas of businesses they may wish to check out for their own wedding day.

Provisions brings their expertise to the table as they discuss private gatherings they host for tasting wines and cheeses, as well as staple beverages to serve at weddings.

First comes savory, then comes sweet. East Longmeadow’s Sweet Boutique talks desserts and going beyond the traditional wedding cake.

And what would a weddings magazine be without chatting to one of our many esteemed local jewelers and florists? Swede’s Jewelers talks diamonds and more — and Feather & Bloom talks florals that can make a wedding pop.

If you are past the weddings stage of life and are looking for your classic Go Local business features to plot out your month of shopping local, do not worry. We are still bringing you some awesome businesses this month!

Longmeadow’s newest restaurant Lola’s is officially open — offering coastal Mexican cuisine. Check out the restaurant’s new digs in the Longmeadow Shops and stop in for a bite.

While you’re in the area — consider hopping over the town line to Family Bike in East Longmeadow for a tune-up or some new wheels. Sunny, warm weather is right around the corner — perhaps it’s time to pick up a new hobby in cycling.

Looking to do some vintage shopping? Head on over to The Vintage Bee Collective in Somers, which buys and sells vintage furniture and décor.

And finally — maybe you need some spring and summer outdoor inspiration. Look no further than the experts at Mec’s Landscaping, who are here to help guide you in turning your back yard into an outdoor oasis. Whatever your pleasure, Go Local has it all this month.

As always, thanks for reading, Payton North, executive editor

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Payton North

EDITOR

Lauren LeBel

CREATIVE

Beth Thurber, Manager

Susan Bartlett . Sophia Kelleher

Leigh Catchepaugh . Lorie Perry

ADVERTISING

Scott Greene, Manager

Jeanette Lee . Lisa Nolan . Roxanne Longtin Miller

Matt Mahaney . Paula Dimauro . Terry O’ Donnell

Evan Marcyoniak . Andy Shaw . Hannah Bigos

Shannon Bliven . Paul Poutre

Carolyn Napolitan, Sales Assistant

Curtis Panlilio, Operations Director

Fran Smith, General Manager

TACOS, TEQUILA, & OYSTERS

NATE BLAIS

From the well-respected owners of The Federal, a new-American restaurant in Agawam, and Posto, a traditional Italian restaurant just down the road in Longmeadow, the new Mexican restaurant Lola’s is a step outside the expected both for the owners and the diners.

“Lola’s is a coastal Mexican restaurant featuring a modern interpretation of authentic Mexican cuisine,” explained Co-owner Ralph Santaniello, “With fresh ingredients using classic and innovative techniques. It’s Mexican but different.”

The restaurant officially opened on March 19 and Santaniello said that it has been going very well. The restaurant sits in a 3,700-square-foot space in the Longmeadow Shops. Renovated from the ground up, the restaurant’s style is inspired by a coastal Boho vibe that Santaniello says creates a light, airy and comfortable space. Everything comes together to create the perfect

! TINA LESNIAK

experience for the diner.

“It’s a vibrant atmosphere with a unique food and beverage menu using modern techniques with only the best ingredients,” said Santaniello.

The opening of a Mexican restaurant is a shift for Santaniello and Co-owner Michael Presnal, who serves as executive chef at Lola’s. A graduate of New England Culinary Institute, Presnal has always been a fan of the authentic Mexican food he tasted on trips to Mexico and southern California. These experiences inspired the opening of Lola’s and the design of the menu.

“The menu has a great selection of raw oysters and fresh seafood, along with very approachable simple, modern Mexican food with the best ingredients,” said Santaniello.

Lola’s menu features traditional Mexican recipes with coastal influences, particularly specializing in tacos, tequila and oysters. It has everything from snacks, starters and a raw bar to entrees, tacos and salad bowls. Diners can start their meal with classics like chips and salsa and Mexican street corn, then move on to carne asada poutine or spicy chicken tortilla soup. The raw bar boasts Mexican baby shrimp cocktail, spicy tuna tostada and seafood poke nachos.

Entrees feature a wide range of ingredients to fit a wide range of tastes. The loaded chicken tinga bowl includes torn chipotle chicken, black beans, Lola’s rice, avocado, aji verde, crema, pickled red onions, sweet roasted corn and cilantro. The short ribs mole rojo is sweet potato puree, plancha roasted knob onions, cress salad and mole red wine sauce.

Diners can also choose from almost a dozen different tacos. The Baja fish taco has tempura battered codfish, tomatillo salsa verde, cabbage slaw and seaweed aioli. Garlicky spinach, goat cheese, caramelized onions and pine nut salsa make up the forest mushroom taco. Other tacos include the ground beef “gringo” taco, fried oyster taco and spicy shrimp taco.

Presnal heads up an impressive team of chefs. Eric Waldman serves as chef du cuisine, with Jacob Munro as executive sous chef and Eli Burgos as sous chef. The team has worked diligently to create a menu that offers the best of Mexican fare. Among Santaniello’s favorites are the Baja tacos and quesabirria.

Lola’s also maintains a stocked bar with many options, including Lola’s originals like the drinks Paleta Colada with Malibu coconut rum, Don Q, coconut cream, pineapple juice and a coconut popsicle and a Cantaritos Cup with tequileno reposado, orange juice, jarritos soda and a tajin rim. It also has a selection of red, white and sparkling wines by the glass and bottle and nearly a dozen different beers.

“Our selection of over 80 tequilas, as well as our selection of margaritas, will rotate seasonally and can be customized in countless ways,” said Santaniello.

LOLA’S IS LOCATED AT 732 BLISS RD. IN LONGMEADOW. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT LOLASLONGMEADOW.COM OR CALL 413-754-9200.

GO LOCAL PICKS

COOL STUFF JUST OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR AND ONLINE!

MOTHER’S DAY YOGA, BRUNCH AND BEER

Treat your mom to delicious food, beer-mosas, coffee, and more! Pre-Brunch Yoga from 9am-10am. Brunch from 10am-2pm. Live Music by Annabella from 10:30am-1:30pm. Visiting vendors: Permanent Jewelry By Evermore Links and Flower Truck for DIY Bouquets by Willow Barn. Save your seat by booking a reservation! Call: (413) 624-6258

For yoga tickets check back at: www.eventbrite.com/o/caitlin-lavin-16783866372

DOG ADOPTION WITH PAWS RESCUE LEAGUE INC.

CONNECTICUT VALLEY BREWING COMPANY 765 SULLIVAN AVE, SOUTH WINDSOR, CT MAY 25 • 10AM - 2PM

Come to Brignole Vineyard for a modern calligraphy class for beginners. This class is perfect whether you’re a crafter, brides-to-be, or just interested in pen and ink. The class in 1.5 hours long and includes two nibs, a black ink pot, 2 letter guides, tracing paper, a straight pen holder, and materials to write on. For more information visit: brignolevineyards.com

CT Valley Brewing Company is hosting an adoption event with Paws Rescue League Inc. There will also be a For the Love of Dogs market going on outside as well! More information can be found about the Paws Rescue League Inc. online.

For more information and events visit: pawsrescueleague.org

The Corner Shops

3 Unique Shops in one place

at 62 South Road

Unique Rustic Farmhouse Items • Soaps & Candles Recrafted Furnishings • Gifts • Home Decor 413-262-4248

Foxglove Antiques

Giftware with an Elegant Flair

Garden-Themed Creations • Antiques Face Creams, Lotions, and Pretty Things 860-749-2964

J. Howard Cox LTD

An Equestrian Specialty Shop Art • Antiques

Custom Equestrian Clothing (860) 749-2964

Soul warming Polish Food at the Delicatessen Restaurant & Sandwich Shop Belvedere of East Windsor, served hot with indoor seating or packaged to take home. We also deliver! (With online orders only). Pierogi, kielbasa, kapusta, stuffed cabbage, soups, pastries, potato pancakes, in-house smoked pastrami and brisket sandwiches.

122 Prospect Hill Rd, East Windsor, CT (860) 654-0008 BelvederePolishDeli.com Mon 10–4 | Tue-Fri 10–6 | Sat 8–4 | Sun Closed

FAMILY BIKE

It’s cycle season and folks of all ages will be out and about taking advantage of the beautiful weather. One of the most popular forms of recreation in the spring and summer season is cycling. If you’re looking for a local one stop bike shop, Family Bike Inc. in East Longmeadow is the place to go.

The shop carries everything from kids’ bikes to custom high-end bikes, a line of accessories and apparel, and offers full-service. Owner Ray Plouffe gives customers the family experience making anyone who walks into the shop feel at home. “We have bikes for people [ages] two to 100 years old,” Plouffe said. “Spring and summer [are] our busiest seasons. We have hybrids, mountain bikes and road bikes. There’s so many choices nowadays. Once we talk to a customer and figure out what their needs are, we can order our bikes tailor-made for them.”

Employee Cameron Provencher, who has been working at Family Bike for three years, said, “Kids are looking for recreational mountain bikes. That would definitely be the first option. Then, for adults, I’m seeing a lot of people getting into a gravel bike which is a road bike that has tires on it that allows you to do some off-roading, so that’s another popular bike, but I’d say mountain bikes are the number one picks for both kids and adults.”

The shop has been in business since 1964. Plouffe is the third owner and bought the shop in 2002. He started there in 1993 and graduated college with a degree in

! MIASHA LEE NATE BLAIS

biomedical engineering. Plouffe was getting married and was still working at the shop one weekend a month to help the second owner, Ken Yarkey, who was selling the shop and suggested Plouffe should buy it. At first, Plouffe said no, but then he decided to purchase the shop. “The shop was called Family Bike and Sports when I purchased it,” Plouffe said. “I changed it to Family Bike Inc. because the sports part wasn’t needed.”

Russell Hill, one of Plouffe’s first employees, worked at Family Bike since high school, through college, and then again for several years afterward, for over a decade in total. He helped Plouffe with anything from mowing the grass, handling the garbage, cleaning the bathroom, painting, helping customers, building or repairing any type of bike, helping with inventory and managing employees. “I have great memories about my time at the shop,” Hill shared. “At Family Bike, you are expected to do an impeccable job with whatever your task is, regardless of how seemingly menial or impactful, and our relationships developed so that we could be laughing one minute and critiquing or teaching each other the next. Working there really was like being part of a family.”

He went on to say, “Ray has managed to transform Family Bike into a clean, organized, well oiled machine, but still holds onto a relationship-based business model and has somehow fostered that more over the years. I know that it changed my life, and I can confidently say that I would absolutely not be where or who I am today — providing healthcare to vulnerable and underserved populations — without Family Bike.”

Wilbraham resident and avid cyclist Jeff Smith has been a long-time customer of Family Bike since 2008. He started purchasing bicycles there and developed a great relationship with the shop. “Family Bike is one of those places that’s an institution in East Longmeadow. That’s how it was for me growing up in Wilbraham. The name is well-known and recognized,” Smith said. “The service is fantastic. It’s very down-to-earth. For me, the most important thing is the staff’s knowledge of fixing and repairing bikes as well as their efficiency. Everyone cares. They know their customers and keep an eye out for new products that would work for them.”

“It’s a fun business to be in,” said Plouffe. “At the end of the day, we’re selling summer fun and I enjoy that. I get to be involved in peoples’ passion and what they want to do for fun. The introduction of bikes has opened a whole new branch of riders who wouldn’t ride without the assistance. Seeing that joy of excitement is great.”

FAMILY

The Vintage Bee Collective

For Melissa Zelek, The Vintage Bee Collective grew from her passion for the repurposing and reuse of vintage items to make a space fresh and new but also meaningful and unique.

The extensive services and items Zelek offers through the shop and design services at The Vintage Bee Collection and the furniture refinishing at its sister company, Down the Hill Woodworkers, truly offer her clients one place that does it all.

Customers can shop the store for a carefully curated collection of meaningful and special pieces. The store, which is set up more like a room, shows people how items can be used instead of just seeing them grouped together. Currently, the shop has a selection of furniture pieces, tabletop and wall decor, as well as vases, privacy panels and other items. Many times, customers are reminded of their grandparents’ homes.

“I really only buy what I love, so I love it when someone comes and sees something that brings back fond memories for people,” explained Zelek. “And if they’re looking for something specific, then I can help people find that. I love finding people the things that are just what they’re looking for.”

Zelek offers design services ranging from product sourcing to color consultations to more traditional interior design services where she visits the client’s home and talks about what they’d like to see and pulls together the room for them.

“I love reinventing the space and showing someone what the space could be,” said Zelek.

Currently, Zelek is transforming one room at The Vintage Bee Collective into a design center where clients can come and find samples of everything for their rooms from fabric and countertop samples to bathroom vanities.

“I want people to be able to come here and design a room from what we have in the store,” said Zelek. In addition, Zelek helps with more extensive remodels from breaking ground on a space to the interior design. Zelek’s other company, Down the Hill Woodworkers, focuses on furniture refinishing and restoration. Clients can bring in a vintage or antique item that needs a revival and watch it come back to life and fit into the aesthetic of a room.

“I love reusing materials and keeping them out of the landfill,” said Zelek. “I enjoy recreating a piece and giving it a new life.”

This passion has grown since Zelek’s childhood. She’s always loved collecting vintage items and has fond memories of doing so with her father, who also taught her how to refinish furniture.

Zelek began her career working for a designer. When her side business of refurbishing furniture took off, she decided to quit working for the other designer and focus on the furniture and the sale of the vintage things she’d found. As her new business began to grow, Zelek knew she needed more space than what she had in her basement, so she posted on social media asking about the old mill in Somers. Zelek immediately knew the space was perfect.

“When I walked in, I just knew,” recalled Zelek. “I loved it instantly.”

THE VINTAGE BEE COLLECTIVE IS LOCATED AT 49 MAPLE ST. IN SOMERS AND IS OPEN THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS FROM 11 A.M. TO 2 P.M. AND SATURDAYS FROM 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. APPOINTMENTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THEVINTAGEBEECOLLECTIVE.COM OR CALL 413-237-9070.

Citrus and Herb Roasted Salmon

1 Pound Salmon Filet

1 Orange

1 Lemon

1 Bunch of thyme

Salt and Pepper

Parsley for Garnish

Preheat your oven to 350F. Slice your oranges and lemons into circles. Season your salmon to your liking, lay down the thyme on the skinless side and then place your lemon and orange slices on top of that. Bake salmon for 18-22 minutes or until it’s reached your desired temperature. Let rest and garnish with parsley. 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!

MEC'S LANDSCAPING

Attractive landscaping that is well maintained can not only make your property more attractive, but increase the value of your home anywhere from 10% to 25%.

It is not everyone who has a green thumb, however, or who likes to get their hands dirty.

If that is the case, the best thing to do is to find a professional landscaper and hire them to do the job for you.

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, then you better roll up your sleeves and get to work now or find the right landscaper to do the job for you, because starting your spring yard cleanup best begins from March to late April.

Still, it is never too late to spruce up your home for the hopefully warm summer ahead, noted Sandro Meccia of Mec’s Landscaping located in East Longmeadow.

In business since 1992, Mec’s Landscaping was started by Meccia.

“I’ve been doing landscaping since the age of 7, I’m 57 now. My godfather owned a landscaping business and I learned the trade from him while helping after school,” Meccia said.

Eventually, he would go on to Western New England College — now University — in Springfield to earn a degree in

business administration, later working for Budweiser and Hamilton Standard while continuing to help his godfather on weekends. When Hamilton Standard went through a layoff, Meccia turned his attention back to landscaping fulltime tending to the needs of both homeowners and commercial clients.

“My godfather is retired now, but he works for me two days a week,” Meccia said.

Among the many services offered by Mec’s Landscaping are spring and fall cleanups, lawn maintenance, seeding and installing sod lawns, mulch and stone installation, shrub trimming and pruning, shrub design and planting, overseeding and aerating.

In the winter, they offer commercial snowplowing and sanding, the delivery of firewood, as well as a junk removal service that involves cleaning out a garage or basement that Meccia said, “keeps them busy during the cold weather months.”

“Right now, we are busy with spring cleanup, getting ready for the growing season by clearing debris that has fallen in yards before dethatching lawns, as well as cleaning out garden beds from pine cones, acorns, sticks and other debris. Our cleanup includes not only the lawn and beds,

but patios and walkways so everything is clean and ready to go for spring,” Meccia said.

“We are also weeding and edging garden beds at the moment and preparing to put down mulch. Some people, however, don’t like mulch and instead we place fabric down and then install stone over it. We also clean up the edges and if we are working with stone, then we add nice vinyl or aluminum edging around the garden bed,” he added.

If you are thinking of adding some trees to your property for aesthetics, the benefits are many. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, trees increase your home’s value up to 15% in what is termed “curb appeal.” Environmentally, trees fight climate change, clean the air and help you breathe, prevent soil erosion and rainwater runoff, and they conserve energy in summer and winter by providing shade from the hot summer sun and shelter from cold winter winds resulting in spending less on your energy bills. Trees also provide nesting sites, food and shelter for birds and homes for squirrels, and they are even good for your mental health by reducing stress and anxiety.

“We’ve been planting quite a number of trees over the past few years for customers … Everything from sugar maples to red maples to Japanese maples, as well as flowering dogwood, magnolia trees, crabapple trees, and Green Giant arborvitae. If you are looking for shade, maple and oak trees are a good size for that purpose,” Meccia said.

If you simply want to spruce up your front yard appearance and add to your home’s curb appeal, Mec’s Landscaping can help.

“Oftentimes the problem is an overgrowth of plants or shrubs that are hiding the house. They may just need a good pruning along with some weeding, or pulling them out altogether and replacing them with smaller plants giving the area a whole new look,” Meccia said.

“There are a lot of new plants and shrubbery we can help our customers to select, then plant for them such as hydrangea shrubs, spirea bushes, holly bushes, lilac bushes, azalea plants, a lot of perennial flowers and different grasses as well,” he added.

The professional landscaper offered some tips on fertilizing and seeding for do-it-yourselfers who love working in the outdoors.

Meccia noted you will need to fertilize a number of times throughout the year beginning with a pre-emergent herbicide and fertilizer in April to prevent the growth of weed, then in late May or early June with a slow-release fertilizer for grub control. In mid-summer, around the last two weeks of July and the first weeks of August, you need to fertilize again to help keep your lawn green, then in late August to early September use a slow-release fertilizer for growth and repair. When late September and early October comes around, you will need to use a slow-release fertilizer to get your lawn ready for the winter. "Be sure to get your pre-emergent fertilizer down in the spring as quickly as possible because it puts down a weed barrier to slow their growth. But, be sure not to do thatching of any kind afterward which will ruin the weed barrier,” Meccia said.

When it comes to seeding, he suggests using a sun and

shade seed.

“We have been using a sun and shade seed mixture for about 18 years for our customers. It contains some Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and also has some fescue grass and it works very well. But every situation is different and there are many seed types to choose from including newer drought tolerant seeds,” Meccia said.

“It’s best to talk with an expert at your local garden center or nursery about what seeds might work best for you, as well as getting help on selecting the right fertilizer,” he added.

There is also overseeding to consider, which differs from reseeding when you pull up the grass and begin to plant an entire new lawn from scratch. Overseeding is the process of spreading grass seed over the top of an existing lawn without tearing up the turf or soil, as a way to thicken it and fill in bare spots, as well as to crowd out undesirable weeds.

Overseeding is a complex process, which Mec’s Landscaping offers as one of their many services. However, if you plan to overseed your lawn on your own, the LawnStarter blog (lawnstarter.com) recommends: 1.) Dethatch and aerate the lawn for a more successful seed germination. 2). Mow the lawn short. 3.) Rake and remove debris. 4.) Add enriched topsoil. 5.) Put down the grass seed using a spreader. 6.) Fertilize the new grass. 7.) Water your lawn generously. 8.) Avoid mowing or heavy traffic in the overseeded areas.

“You can overseed or reseed your lawn anytime, but the best results are between the last two weeks of August and

the first couple of weeks of September,” Meccia said.

Of course, if you plan on doing some of your own landscaping, then you will need the proper tools to get the job done, Meccia noted.

“I’m a tool man. If it does the job, then I want it,” he said.

At the very least, he recommends shovels, rakes and pruning shears and advises against going the cheap route; instead purchasing good tools that will last you longer and make it easier to get the job done.

“You’ll also want to invest in a good lawnmower, something that is easy and comfortable for you to work with, whether a riding or a push lawnmower,” Meccia said.

Mec’s Landscaping also has their own “big” tools — a Bobcat skid steer and tractor which they can use for clearing brush, regrading, lifting and towing heavy loads, digging, and even mowing lawns and other special work.

And with summer right around the corner, Meccia added a final tip.

“If you are able, I would suggest investing in an automated sprinkler system to do the work for you. You should water your lawn two to three times a week, depending on how hot and dry it is or how much it has been raining. You want your lawn to receive an inch to an inch-and-a-half of water per week,” he said.

OPERATING OUT OF 32 HAMPDEN RD. IN EAST LONGMEADOW, MEC’S LANDSCAPING CAN BE REACHED FOR QUOTES BY CALLING 413-525-3564.

LOCAL EINSTEIN

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE - NO GOOGLING!

HOW OLD ARE THE HORSES RUNNING IN THE KENTUCKY DERBY?

[A] Two

[B] Three

[C] Four

[D] Five

WHAT IS TAYLOR SWIFT’S MIDDLE NAME?

[A] Elizabeth

[B] Alison

[C] Marie

[D] Renee

WHICH LEMON-LIME DRINK FROM PEPSICO REPLACED SIERRA MIST IN 2023?

[A] Squirt

[B] Starry

[C] Twist Up

[D] Olipop

WHAT ARE THE NAMES OF THE TWO STONE LIONS IN FRONT OF THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY?

[A] Patience & Fortitude

[B] Honor & Courage

[C] Humility & Kindness

[D] Prudence & Integrity

[D] Mark WHAT IS THE UNIT OF CURRENCY IN RUSSIA?

[A] Lev

[B] Drachma

[C] Ruble

Sacred Heart Church; 7.625 in; 2.25 in; 00071076

[A] Maryland

[D] Louisiana WHICH U.S. STATE IS THIS?

[B] Mississippi

[C] Rhode Island

MEMORIAL DAY ORIGINALLY HONORED SOLDIERS WHO DIED IN WHICH WAR?

[A] World War I

[B] World War II

[C] Spanish American War

[D] U.S. Civil War

WHAT IS THE LITTLE DOT ABOVE A LOWER CASE “I” OR “J” CALLED?

[A] Tittle

[B] Jot

[C] Whit

[D] Dripple

WHO WAS THE FIRST EXPLORER TO REACH THE NORTH POLE IN 1909?

[A] Robert Byrd

[B] William R. Anderson

[C] Robert E. Peary

[D] Floyd Bennett

4th Annual BINGO May 10, 2024

Sacred Heart Church at Father Ted Hall 446 Mountain Rd. Suffield, CT

All proceeds go to Sacred Heart Scholarship Fund

Doors Open @ 5:00 - Bingo begins @ 6:00

Entry Ticket sold at door - $20 includes 4 cards

SPRING & SUMMER 2024

PHOTO BY NATE BLAIS

PHOTO BY NATE BLAIS

PHOTO BY NATE BLAIS

PHOTO BY NATE BLAIS

By HOPE E. TREMBLAY special to weddings

While many modern couples seal their commitment to each other in some atypical ways — tattoos, for example — most couples still take the traditional route with engagement rings and wedding bands.

Amy Swede Wentworth of Swede’s Jewelers in East Windsor, Connecticut, said this year, everything old is new again when it comes to wedding jewelry.

“Of late we are selling a lot of oval shaped diamonds — both natural mined diamonds and lab grown diamonds,” said Wentworth. “Were also have a lot more requests for yellow gold rings as well.”

At Swede’s, there is a wide selection of engagement rings but if there is something they’ve been dreaming of, Wentworth said

they can create it.

“Custom design is a large part of our engagement and wedding band sales,” she said. “Whether it’s changing one part of a ring we have in store or completely designing a one-of-a-kind ring.”

While much emphasis is placed on the bride’s wedding jewelry, grooms more and more are looking for something unique.

“Many of our younger grooms are coming in looking for a ‘dress’ ring to wear when they go out and an alternative metal ring to wear daily. It’s fun to see them get excited about their rings too — it’s not only about the bride. We are seeing lots of mixed metals and details in men’s rings.”

And while traditional looks are back in style, there are still many couples looking for something a bit different.

“We offer options for everyone,” Wentworth said. “We’ve done matching diamond bands for a couple who chose to skip the typical engagement ring. We’re also currently working on a pair of matching men’s wedding bands that will have a hand engraved mountain scape on them. The mountain idea came from a picture of where the couple fell in love. It’s so special to be a part of creating something that personal for people.”

Wentworth said wedding jewelry doesn’t have to be just for the wedding day.

“Many of our customers who are celebrating milestone anniversary’s upgrade their stones and get new engagement rings and wedding bands,” said Wentworth. “It’s so neat to see how their tastes and styles change. I see women in their sixties with yellow gold

PHOTOS BY NATE BLAIS

solitaire engagement rings who think they are passé, but they’re actually back in fashion.”

Brides and grooms are not the only ones getting jewelry for weddings. Wentworth said couples often give gifts of jewelry to the wedding party.

“We sell lots of earrings and bracelets that are given to bridal parties as a thank you for being a part of the couple’s special day. Personalized flasks and cuff links have always been popular with our grooms,” said Wentworth, noting that mothers are also often gifted jewelry for their child’s wedding.

“We do a lot of either refurnishing or creating new pieces from family heirlooms so they can be worn again and continue to be passed down,” said Wentworth, whose family heirloom is the store.

“My store was started in 1946 by my grandparents Stanley and Alice Szwed,” she said. “My father Stanley Szwed Jr. ran the store for many years alongside his brother Robert Szwed and sister Elaine Ward. From a very early age I remember standing with my father while he worked with customers, listening as he educated them about diamonds and being in awe of not just the beautiful stones but also his desire to help his customer make an educated decision about what they were purchasing.”

Wentworth said observing that at such a young age impacted her.

“It really taught me to not think of what I’m doing as selling so much as it is guiding my customers to make purchases that really work for them. Purchases that feel right,” said Wentworth. “I now get to help my father’s customers, their kids and grandkids. I love hearing all the stories of their experiences working with my family. I absolutely consider it an honor to be continuing the Swede’s legacy. Today there are still six ‘Swedes’ working at the store, which is something I’m very proud of.”

SWEDE’S JEWELERS, 98 BRIDGE ST., EAST WINDSOR, IS OPEN MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY FROM 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M.; THURSDAYS, 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M. AND SATURDAYS, 10 A.M. TO 4 P.M.

their client needs seriously.

“We love to help people find the right wines for their weddings,” said McAmis. “The DIY wedding trend continues to grow, and people have realized they can get great wines and other beverages at great prices when sourcing it themselves. We offer free consultations and provide private tastings for couples trying to decide which wines/beverages to have for their wedding that fit both their tastes and their budgets.”

By HOPE E. TREMBLAY

Provisions in Longmeadow is a fine wine, spirit and specialty food shop that is so much more than a typical “package store.”

According to Owners Benson Hyde and Bruce McAmis the most important things at Provisions are selection and experience.

“We work hard to source a unique selection of products, with a focus on smaller, environmentally aware producers — preferably organic/biodynamic — that make minimal intervention wines, which means not using chemical pesticides or fertilizers, and not using additives during the winemaking process,” said Hyde. “We also try to support the

many wonderful products and wines being made here in our region.”

Provisions in Longmeadow is one of three shops owned by Hyde and McAmis. Benson opened the original store in Northampton in November 2011 with his cousin Alex Feinstein and two other partners. In August 2019 McAmis came on board with the idea to help grow the store to multiple locations.

The shop in the Mill District in North Amherst opened during the coronavirus pandemic in November 2020, and Longmeadow followed in December 2022.

“We also have a small neighborhood shop in Northampton called Bottle-O,” Hyde said. When it comes to weddings, Provisions takes

Provisions offers everything a couple would need to make their day special — from traditional wines to something more unique.

“We have a wide range of great value wines that are crowd pleasers,” McAmis said. “While we have a bunch of traditional offerings, we love the unique and obscure and have a lot of favorite suggestions that are off the beaten path. The Mary Taylor wines are an easy pick for any party if you want something classic at a great value. The Sebastien Girost makes a fantastic, very well priced champagne that is perfect for any celebration.”

For couples — or anyone — interested in learning more and trying before they buy, Provi-

sions has numerous options.

“We offer a wide range of classes and experiences that are geared toward all lovers of wine, spirits, beer, cider, cheese, food, etc.,” Hyde said. “These range from entry level Wine 101 and Cheese 101 type classes, to deep dives on certain regions and/or grapes, to Fine and Rare tastings, to meet the winemaker events. We love nothing more than getting to share these experiences with customers.”

Provisions also offers private tastings, both in-home and at the shop.

“We have some pre-set offerings, but also love to work with people to come up with a tailored experience focusing on an area of their choosing. We have many in-store tastings and regular open houses that feature lots of fun things to taste, including our regularly scheduled Rosé Open House, Sake Open House and Champagne Open House,” Hyde said. “We have also started doing mini offsite festivals, like the Italian Wine Festival in April, where we bring in winemakers from around the world to raise money for local nonprofits and organizations.”

In addition to sharing their knowledge of all things wine and spirits, Provisions’ staff is ready to educate customers about the specialty cheese selection.

“By offering a ‘cut to order’ cheese counter, customers can taste and learn about a cheese before they buy it,” McAmis said. “We also have a heavy focus on providing customer tastings and learning opportunities, such as weekly in-store tastings, classes, seminars and events.”

He continued, “We love helping people find exactly what they are looking for — whether they come in knowing what that is or to work with them to figure it out. If you need the perfect wine for a special dish you are making, we can help you find the wine to go with it. Need a special bottle for a special occasion? Want to make a slamming cheese board? We’d love to help!”

PROVISIONS, AT 686 BLISS ROAD IN THE LONGMEADOW SHOPS, IS OPEN MONDAY, 11A.M. - 6 P.M.; TUESDAYSATURDAY, 10 A.M. – 8 P.M. AND SUNDAY, 12-6 P.M.

MORE INFORMATION ON PROVISIONS AND THEIR OTHER LOCATIONS IS AT PROVISIONSWINE.COM.

The

Sweet Boutique

PHOTOS BY NATE BLAIS

By MIASHA LEE

special to weddings

Couples tying the knot are opting for an assortment of sweets and treats for their big day rather than a traditional tier wedding cake. Owner Niki Moran of the Sweet Boutique, a bakery/cafe in East Longmeadow on 33 Harkness Ave., said, “People like options. The variety of having 10 different desserts on a table.” Moran specializes in decorative sugar cookies. She also makes coffee, customized energy drinks, lemonades, cakes, gourmet cookies, stuffed cookies, cupcakes, macarons, brownies and cinnamon rolls. For weddings, Moran told Go Local that people generally get their mini cookie sandwiches in a variety of flavors, macaron towers and brookies (chocolate chip cookie on the bottom, Oreo and brownie on top). Customers also sometimes have wedding cakes made entirely out of chocolate chip

cookies. “We’re a trendy cafe,” Moran said, “We try to stay on top of everything that’s going on so there’s always new and exciting things coming out. We love to create new things, new flavors, new everything. We’re constantly reinventing.”

Moran began as “the Ginger Baker” — because she has red hair — and started decorating cookies as a side hobby. During that time, Moran needed a creative outlet — she had a newborn and a full-time career as a surgical neurophysiologist. One day, she posted her cookies on Facebook, and someone asked her if she could make cookies for their baby shower, which she did. “It was my first paid set,” Moran recalled. “I charged $2 a cookie and it took me six days to finish them. Then it just was word of mouth from there and I exploded.” After baking out of her home kitchen for seven years, Moran decided to move up to a storefront and opened

the Sweet Boutique on Aug. 6, 2022. Moran wanted a space that was like a destination where people saw how it looked on the inside and they wanted to come check it out. She grew up in East Longmeadow and graduated from East Longmeadow High School. Though Moran lives in Springfield, she couldn’t find anything in the area. Moran really likes the location on Harkness Avenue and it’s close to the Springfield line and highway. She wants the Sweet Boutique to be a cool place people can hang out all day, study, have their meetings and drink coffee. Those who have been following Moran for years say they are proud of her and look forward to coming to the shop. While new customers tell her that her cookies are the most delicious things they’ve ever eaten.

Springfield resident Jennifer Cady was exploring some places on DoorDash while at work. After randomly ordering from

the Sweet Boutique, Cady thought it was fantastic and then realized she drove right by it every day. The Sweet Boutique is her go-to in the morning before work and she won’t drink coffees from anywhere else now. Cady loves their s’mores deep dish cookies, white chocolate mocha with strawberry cold foam and the strawberry & cream Red Bull Italian soda, which she gets two of daily, along with her coffee for work energy. “They do a lot of unique stuff there you can’t find anywhere else,” said Cady. “I like it because it’s pink, but also I like the small-town atmosphere. Everyone is nice and always remembers you.” She continued, “I love the attention to little details there. They have pink heart shaped straws for the drinks, pink napkins and pink silverware. They really care about little details to make it a fun environment.”

Mariangel Burgos, also from Springfield, said her favorite desserts are Moran’s sugar cookies, oatmeal cream pie and the holiday special that Moran makes for adults and children. However, Burgos’ all-time favorite one is only done on Saturdays – the cinnamon bun. “To me, the Sweet Boutique is set apart from other business due to its cute bakery location and the creativity of the deserts, not forgetting its unique inside looks,” Burgos said. “It’s also unique due to the owners background and sacrifice to transition. Niki is a mother [and] wife that worked at home with her kids and transitioned to a bigger business and I value that as a customer. I know it’s not easy."

Moran’s current goal is shipping. In the future, she would like to expand and have a couple more locations throughout Western Massachusetts and Connecticut. “It feels like it happened so fast, but it was so many years in the making,” said Moran. “People keep coming back every single day and get the same thing or try something new. I have a dedicated customer base that has followed me through everything. It’s just incredible.”

THE SWEET BOUTIQUE IS LOCATED IN EAST LONGMEADOW, MA AT 33 HARKNESS AVE. OPEN WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M. AND SATURDAYS FROM 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THESWEETBOUTIQUEMA.COM.

TO CONTACT THE SWEET BOUTIQUE, CALL 413-224-1873 OR NIKI@THESWEETBOUTIQUEMA.COM.

FLORAL STUDIO AND MARKETPLACE

By KEITH O’CONNOR

special to weddings

As the old saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.”

If that holds true, then there should be an abundance of flowers available for the wedding season which begins in late spring and runs until early fall.

Couples planning for that special day have an endless list to prepare for their dream wedding from setting the date to finding a venue, and from considering the number of guests to what they will be fed and so much more, including choosing the flowers.

According to brides.com, flowers tend to play a big role in setting a celebratory mood by emphasizing a wedding’s color palette and style, but many couples are actually exploring alternatives to fresh blooms, with sustainability being one of the main reasons.

Rustic and barn weddings continue to be popular along with choosing rustic flowers to set the appropriate tone. And when it comes to rustic, the folks at Feather & Bloom - Floral Studio and Marketplace in Suffield can help promote that rustic feeling with the right floral choices.

“People want organic today … flowing almost wildflower types of bouquets and arrangements. We call it rustic elegance,”

said Owner Kristen Carty, whose shop has gained a reputation over the years for excelling in bringing rustic to life alongside helping customers with more traditional weddings as well.

“Our number one goal, whatever type of wedding you are planning is to make it special for you.

We want to make the wedding and reception beautiful, something the couple will feel happy with while sticking to their budget, and that is important,” she shared.

Carty went on to say, “We are making some bouquets entirely of greens from ferns to lemon leaves and grasses, which offer a variety of textures and add a beautiful touch

to the bouquet. Typically, the bride will have some flowers added to her bouquet, such as garden roses or orchids and ranunculus. Greens can be used anywhere, not just in bouquets that are carried down the aisle by the bride and wedding party. They can be used on tables along with candles or cascading down the sweetheart table onto the floor almost like a puddle on the ground. They are so very earthy, almost minimalist, but really beautiful in texture.”

On the flip side, another trend is to use lots and lots of baby’s breath which have come back in style full force, Carty noted about the popular flower for weddings due to their delicate appearance and affordability.

“There are so many ways to use baby’s breath. You can create a cloud-like installation that hangs from the ceiling at the reception or use them to line the floor as the couple walks down the wedding aisle. We have used those cloud-like installations of baby’s breath for receptions held at the New England Air Museum, which are popular because they lend to the theme of the museum,” Carty said.

“Yet another trend is the pocket boutonniere that looks like a mini garden that sits in the groom’s jacket pocket made with the same flowers as the bride’s bouquet, as opposed to the traditional boutonniere that is pinned to the lapel,” she added.

And it is not just about the bouquets — Feather & Bloom provides flowers for the entire wedding from the ceremony to the reception.

“We can create an arch of flowers under which the couple is married, arrangements that go on the guest tables, seating chart table, cake, serving trays and just about anywhere you want inside and outside. Sometimes couples include their dog in the ceremony as a ring bearer, and we can create a collar of stems we used in the bridal party bouquets. And for the flower girl, you might want to consider a petite bouquet or a floral crown, which some brides also want as part of their attire,” Carty said.

“We can also help with the budget by repurposing the ceremony flowers and bringing them into the reception in many different ways. We can use ceremony

arrangements to adorn the sweetheart table or around the dance floor depending on its size,” she added.

To help the floral artists at Feather & Bloom design bouquets and displays from traditional to wild and whimsical, there is an online questionnaire that can be filled out before an initial meeting with them. There are many questions to answer, such as your color palette or theme, your favorite flowers, how many people will need flowers, and how you want to incorporate flowers into the wedding from bouquets and boutonnieres, reception décor, cake flowers, sweetheart and wedding party head tables, along with many more questions.

“Some couples come in already knowing what they want and their theme for the wedding. Others come in without a clue, so we have a slide show to present to them as a way to narrow down what they like or don’t like,” Carty said.

In addition to filling out the wedding form provided on their website, Carty noted one of the biggest things a couple should consider before coming in for a consultation

is their budget.

“Sometimes couples don’t want to give us a budget because they believe it will hinder the process. Actually, if they share their budget with us, then we are much more able to tell them what we can offer in their price range, then show them the flowers they can choose from. I think that is a better situation for the couple than presenting them with ideas that may go beyond their desired spending. Our specialty is to work with the couple and their parents to create a look that is acceptable to them and conforms to their budget,” she said, noting Feather & Bloom offers packages suited to all budgets and needs, from small scale design to full design and full set-up or pick-up at their studio.

Innovation abounds at Feather & Bloom where Carty said, “We can offer almost anything the bride wants.”

“We work with every couple on different visuals to create the look they want. One of the most unusual requests we had was from a couple who wanted to pay tribute to their Native American ancestry. We had to get really creative for them. One of

the things they wanted us to make was a boutonniere for the men that incorporated a real bird skull. It was more complicated than we anticipated, but we were able to add florals like thistle and wax flower as well as turquoise to create the look they were going for,” Carty said.

She continued, “We have a great team and we love the challenge of bringing the bride and groom’s vision to life for their special day. We strive to meet the wishes of the bride and groom as well as their loved ones, so they have the day they have always dreamed of.”

Innovations come in many forms at Feather & Bloom, including something they call “DIY Weddings.”

“We create a fun and customizable experience with bubbles included and teach the bride and her bridal party how to create their own bouquets. This can happen at any point before the wedding – think of it as a fun bachelorette experience. Then, Thursday or Friday before the wedding, we deliver all the supplies necessary and stems needed for the girls to create their own

bouquets and wrap them with satin ribbon. This is not for every bride, but for those who do partake in this offering, they thoroughly enjoy it,” Carty said.

Beyond weddings, Feather & Bloom is a full-service florist offering everyday flowers and blooms for all occasion from proms to funerals and from birthday to anniversary flowers or arrangements to just say, “I love you.” They also offer premade arrangements in their store, flower subscriptions and create gift baskets such as their Birthday Bash Box, Student Snack Attack Gift Basket, Feather & Bloom Care Package and others, all for delivery or pickup.

In addition to specializing in unique blooms, they sell locally sourced handcrafted goods, sustainable eco-friendly products and lovely houseplants. Carty is in partnership with Jen Horn and they pride themselves on being women in business, supporting local women, local makers, and supporting community events.

“Building a business with other women, in order to support women and help our

community in little ways as well as being a mentor and role model in business for others, brings us so much satisfaction. We love seeing our friends in a variety of small businesses work hard to achieve their goals and be successful and cheer each other on. Jen and I are lucky to have found one another, we have a great balance in the shop and outside of it,” Carty said.

The marketplace subtitle to the Feather & Bloom moniker refers to the many gifts sold in their shop.

“We have everything from handcrafted ceramics, jewelry, cards, woodcrafts, candles, soaps and more. Every time you come in you will see something new,” Carty said.

On the wedding side of things, the marketplace is filled with a variety of gifts for the couple or to present to the wedding party, parents and others. Some of the more popular items to choose from include frames etched with the words “Mr. and Mrs.,” as well as champagne glasses and silk pajamas. If it rains on the wedding day, there are clear umbrellas, mostly for the wedding party and bride and groom, that you can see through with “Mr. and Mrs.” printed on them, and handmade charcuterie boards bearing their names and wedding date. For something special with extra meaning, there is a selection of book-like journals which they can fill out with memories about their engagement, shower, rehearsal dinner, wedding day and honeymoon. Feather & Bloom also offers locally made teas, wellness treatments, and sweets — an assortment of gifts that can be geared towards wellness, fun or thoughtful tokens that say, “You are loved.”

FEATHER & BLOOM IS LOCATED AT 122 MOUNTAIN ROAD IN SUFFIELD. SPRING HOURS ARE WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 11 A.M. TO 5:30 P.M. AND SATURDAY FROM 10 A.M. TO 4 P.M.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT FEATHERANDBLOOMCT.COM OR CALL 860-810-8798.

Photo Courtesy of Trish Kemp Photography

Alicia & Andrew

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

MAY 28, 2023

ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE ALICIA & ANDREW WEDDING BY SIMONE PLUS PHOTOGRAPHY

Names: Alicia & Andrew

Ages: 31

Ceremony: Harbor Lights

Reception: Harbor Lights

Bride’s Dress: Mariella’s Creations

Bride’s Shoes: Naturalizer

Bridesmaid Dresses: Birdy Grey

Groom’s Suit: Suit Shop

Groom’s Shoes: Suit Shop

Rings: Sterling Jewelers

Flowers: Something Borrowed Blooms

Cake: Donuts – Knead Donuts

Invitations: Zazzle

Hair: Gvzel & Co

Makeup: Gvzel & Co

Music: Unique Sounds – DJ Jon Smith

Wedding Planner: (Venue Coordinator –Maxine DeLouise)

First Dance Song: “The Only One” – Music Travel Love

Memorable Moment: Seeing each other at the end of the aisle!

Best wedding advice: Don’t sweat the little things!

Honeymoon: Punta de Maroma, Mexico

Greg and Lauren

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS JUNE 24, 2023

ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE GREG AND LAUREN WEDDING BY SIMONE PLUS PHOTOGRAPHY

Names: Greg Burk & Lauren Fabbrucci

Ages: Greg 37, Lauren 29

Occupations: Greg- Programmatic Director, Custom Experience, TEADS Lauren- Director of Sales, Live Nation

Ceremony: Floating Dock at Wedding Venue, Landing

Reception: The Landing at Bowens Wharf

Bride’s Dress: W-Too by Waters

Bride’s Shoes: Chinese Laundry

Bridesmaid Dresses: Jack and Janie

Groom’s Suit: Macy

Groom’s Shoes: Wolf and Shepard

Rings: Barmakian

Flowers: Stoneblossom

Cake: Hazels

Caterer: The Landing

Invitations: Minted

Music: DJ Master Millions

First Dance Song: Wild Blue Night (grooms favorite movie, Summer Catch)

Memorable Moment: Last minute surprise Boat arrival by Bride and Father of the Bride

Best wedding advice: Enjoy every moment, don’t sweat the details! Its all about having a good time celebrating with your friends and family

Honeymoon: Switzerland

Note: Locals having a local wedding that was less about the wedding pleasantries and all about having a good time!

Danielle & Jean

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE DANIELLE & JEAN WEDDING BY LINDSEY TOPHAM PHOTOGRAPHY

Names: Danielle & Jean Charles

Ages: 29

Occupations: Administrative Assistant and Community Engagement Specialist

Ceremony: Forest Park, Springfield MA

Reception: bNapoli Italian

Theme: Small local elopement

Bride’s Dress: Zara

Groom’s Suit: Nordstrom

Groom’s Shoes: DSW

Flowers: Flowers, Flowers - Springfield

Rings: Bride- Olivia Mar, Groom-Etsy@LazerBoyzDesigns

Hair: @Solely_Sandra on Instagram

Makeup: Self

Wedding Planner: Self

Memorable Moment: Our entrance to bNapoli’s restaurant — everyone cheered!

Best wedding advice: His - Expect the unexpected. Her - Enjoy every moment!

Honeymoon: Tulum, Mexico

Rebecca and Trace

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023

ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE REBECCA AND TRACE WEDDING BY LINDSEY TOPHAM PHOTOGRAPHY

Names: Rebecca and Trace Meek

Ages: 50-something

Occupations: Rebecca -Communications Coordinator, Trace-Design Engineer and Artist

Ceremony: Inn On Boltwood, Amherst, MA

Reception: Inn On Boltwood, Amherst, MA

Theme: Modern classic; non-religious; elegant

Bride’s Dress: Pearl Bridal Boutique, Holyoke, MA

Bride’s Shoes: Giani Bernini

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal

Groom’s Suit: Joseph Abboud custom suit from Men’s Wearhouse

Groom’s Shoes: Kenneth Cole Awearness wing-tips

Rings: Hannoush Jewelers

Flowers: Feather & Bloom, Suffield, CT

Cake: Atkins Farms, Amherst, MA

Caterer: Inn on Boltwood

Invitations: Zola

Hair: Amber Freitas, Craft Salon

Makeup: Janessa Cintron

Music: MARX Entertainment

First Dance Song: “Imagine” by John Lennon

Best wedding advice: You don’t have to break the bank to have a beautiful wedding. Choose what is most important to you and the rest will fall into place. Also, invest in the best photographer you can get! We recommend Lindsey Topham.

Honeymoon: Montréal

Katelyn & Evan

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

MAY 20, 2023

ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE KATELYN AND EVAN WEDDING BY SAMANTHA TURCO PHOTOGRAPHY

Names: Katelyn and Evan Russell

Ages: 28 and 29

Occupations: Katelyn is a Registered Nurse for SCA Health and Evan is a Lineman for National Grid

Ceremony: The Lord Thompson Manor

Reception: The Lord Thompson Manor

Theme: Classic

Bride’s Dress: David’s Bridal

Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Bridesmaid Dresses: Reverly

Groom’s Suit: Armondos

Rings: Pucci’s

Flowers: The Lord Thompson Manor

Cake: Helen’s Bakery

Caterer: The Lord Thompson Manor

Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations

Hair: The Mane Collective (Stylists Savannah Sibley & Kerry Harrington)

Music: Fensgate Chamber Players

First Dance Song: Everything - Michael Buble

Memorable Moment: Our first look

Best wedding advice: Make a wedding email address to use to give out to your vendors so all of your wedding emails are in one place.

Honeymoon: Punta Cana

Patricia & Derek

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

JULY 2, 2023

ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE PATRICIA AND DEREK WEDDING BY SIMONE PLUS PHOTOGRAPHY

Names: Patricia Charbatji & Derek Turchetta

Ages: 35, 42

Occupations: Cosmetoligist, Title Examiner

Ceremony: St. George Maronite Church, Cranston, RI

Reception: Lakeview Pavilion, Foxborough, MA

Theme: Traditional/Formal

Bride’s Dress: Vows Bridal, Watertown, MA

Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo

Bridesmaid Dresses: Alexandra’s Bridal, Fall River, MA

Groom’s Suit: Franklin Rogers, Providence, RI

Groom’s Shoes: Gucci

Rings: Christian Jewelers, Lincoln, RI

Flowers: Cherryhill Flowers, Johnston, RI

Cake: Montilio’s Baking Company

Caterer: Lakeview Pavilion

Invitations: Zazzle

Hair: Lockstar Weddings

Makeup: Daniela Guerrero

Music: Elite Entertainment

First Dance Song: Jason Aldean- Got what I got

Memorable Moment: Our Reception Entrance

Best wedding advice: Share a private moment as the bride and groom to take in all the beauty on your special day. It will forever hold a place in your heart.

Honeymoon: Italy, Greece and Lebanon

umASS HOSPITALITY SERVICES

What distinguishes you from other Businesses in your category?

UMass Amherst is an enchanting location with a wide range of venue options to accommodate parties of all sizes. With the entire campus available to you, you can curate an unique experience for you and your guests using our indoor and outdoor facilities. Additionally, our award-winning UMass Dining catering team can provide flavors and cuisine from around the globe to fit any request.

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

Celebrating a milestone event at UMass Amherst does not have to come with a university seal. Our venues are unique and intimate, allowing for a one-of-a-kind experience to reflect your personal style. While we do offer discounts to university alumni, the imprint of a college campus can stop there. Your celebration will be tailored to your vision.

Why should people DO BUSINESS WITH YOU?

Booking an event with UMass Hospitality means stressfree event planning as our team will provide everything from award-winning catering, on-site hotel accommodations, a verity of indoor and outdoor venues, a dedicated event coordinator and more.

(413) 577-8100

umassweddings.com

ccsales@umass.edu

1 Campus Center Way Amherst, MA 01003

Business Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm

The Final

7 restaurants with outdoor dining to enjoy this spring

THE BOATHOUSE RESTAURANT

1 ALVORD ST, SOUTH HADLEY, MA BOATHOUSEDINING.COM (413) 536-2342

Enjoy the beautiful waterfront dining on the patio or sit inside and enjoy the view of the Connecticut River. Come in for brunch, lunch, dinner, or cocktails and you won’t be disappointed!

MAPLE TREE CAFE

781 HOPMEADOW ST, SIMSBURY, CT MAPLETREECAFE.COM (860) 651-1297

The Maple Tree Cafe specializes in outstanding Italian cuisine, house-made bread and pasta, burgers, and more. They have live music on Saturdays and a great outdoor dining area.

STUDENT PRINCE CAFE AND THE FORT

8 FORT ST, SPRINGFIELD, MA STUDENTPRINCE.COM

(413) 734-7475

The Student Prince is a Springfield landmark serving German food and beer. Come by for lunch, dinner, or drinks.

TAVERN ON THE HILL

100 MOUNTAIN RD, EASTHAMPTON, MA TAVERNONLINE.COM (413) 493-1700

Tavern on the Hill is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the outdoor seating on the deck with incredible views and delicious food.

CENTER SQUARE GRILL

4 CENTER SQUARE, EAST LONGMEADOW, MA CENTERSQUAREGRILL.COM (413) 525-0055

Center Square Grill offers a traditional American grill with a twist. They have a great outdoor patio with space heaters for comfortable dining.

IRON HORSE PUB

IRON HORSE BLVD, SIMSBURY, CT IRONHORSESPORTSPUB.COM (860) 651-0090

The Iron Horse offers good times and delicious food! Whether you’re looking for dinner or bar bites, they have all your favorites.

@ THE BARN RESTAURANT

17R E GRANBY RD, GRANBY, CT ATTHEBARNGRANBY.COM (860) 413-3888

@ The Barn is an upscale casual atmosphere with contemporary American cuisine. Enjoy their outdoor dining on the patio with great food and drinks.