October 2020 Volume 6 . Issue 11 golocalmagazines.com
rooted plant farm sustainably grown cut flowers
Weddings
local vendors and couples
Heartsong Yoga Johnny appleseed’s farm
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new this month OCTOBER 2020 . VOLUME 6 . ISSUE 11
13
ROOTED PLANT FARM Not all beautifully arranged flowers come from floral shops. Some come direct from the garden like those from Rooted Plant Farm, where owner Rebecca Sadlowski grows, builds and creates with flowers from her farm in Agawam.
6
A NOTE
13
ROOTED PLANT FARM
17
MARY’S MARKET
From The Editor Sustainably grown cut flowers
Fresh eats and crafts in Somers, CT
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OCTOBER 2020 . VOLUME 6 . ISSUE 11
23
Heartsong Yoga
26
go eat
27
Johnny Appleseed’s Farm
30
Local Einstein
33
Weddings
Yoga studio offering in person and virtual classes
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Brats with Cabbage Slaw Apple Picking, Pumpkins, Corn Maze and more!
Put Your Thinking Caps On Fall 2020 Local Weddings Special Feature
27
4 GO LOCAL OCTOBER 2020
33
GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 5
a note
FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR . G. MICHAEL DOBBS
MANAGING EDITOR G. Michael Dobbs
It’s fall. For many people it’s their favorite time of the year – warm days and cool nights. Usually it means the approach of fall foliage, all things pumpkin, the start of school, Halloween, local fairs and the appearance of fresh apples and winter squash. It’s sweater weather and the time people begin piling up the wood for the fireplace. Traditionally it’s a time of year the word “cozy” was invented to describe. It’s 2020, though, the dumpster fire of the 21st Century. The pandemic and all that goes with it have squarely kicked fall, as it did the rest of the year, in the throat. Local fairs had to be cancelled, as social distancing was impossible. The Centers for Disease Control recommended a slew of rules about Halloween. Trick or treating has been curtailed or cancelled across our region. It’s important to look on the bright side. All of your quarantine weight gain can be disguised with a sweater. I know I’m looking forward to that. All of the pumpkin products have returned. I don’t understand the phenomena but millions of people crave it. You can – and should – enjoy fall fruit and produce. Bake an apple pie or buy one at your local farm stand. You can still indulge your kids at Halloween by buying them a bag of their favorite candy. You can assure them they will only get the good stuff. No candy corn will be allowed. Put some classic horror films up on the TV and allow the kids to stay up late and get a little scared. You can still gather – safely – around a fire pit to enjoy the combination of warmth on your front and cool on your back. A little mulled apple cider with a splash of rum – for the adults – would be a tasty addition. A trip to look at fall foliage is still a possibility. Load up the family and head to your favorite spots. As usual, this issue of GO Local has some great ideas for your road trips. Get out there, just do it safely. This issue of Go Local also includes a wedding section. Now is the time for people to plan a wedding for next year. Yes, its a difficult time to make plans, as we don’t know when life will return to pre-COVID-19 standards. I do know that life must and will go on and the union of two people is an event of such importance that while it must acknowledge the realities of life, it can also transcend them. Clearly, wedding professionals are willing to work with couples to fulfill their dreams as best as possible. As the well-known cynic/romantic Mark Twain wrote to his daughter Clara, “There isn’t time – so brief is life – for bickerings, apologies, heartburnings, callings to account. There is only time for loving – & but an instant, so to speak, for that.” - G. Michael Dobbs, Managing Editor
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Rooted
N
ot all beautifully arranged flowers come from floral shops. Some come direct from the garden like those from Rooted Plant Farm, where owner Rebecca Sadlowski grows, builds and creates with flowers from her farm in Agawam. Rooted specializes in sustainably grown cut flowers and seasonal inspired floral designs for all occasions, weekly deliveries and event services throughout
the year. Sadlowski’s journey to Rooted began with a small roadside stand in Hadley, where she sold vegetables that were grown on rented family land. Eventually cut flowers were added to the mix, and customers began asking her to create arrangements for events from showers to weddings and from bar mitzvahs to reunions, as well as other private gatherings. So, in 2015 the vegetables
took a back seat and the stand focused solely on selling cut flowers alongside her wholesale business and event services. Then, last March, exactly one year before COVID-19 would forever change our everyday lives and commerce, Sadlowski along with her life partner Albert Grimaldi purchased a six-acre farm in Agawam. “The land hadn’t been farmed in GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 13
over 25 years and was completely overgrown with no infrastructure such as greenhouses, irrigation systems, tunnels for growing, and no electricity outside of our home. We cleared the land and built two tunnel greenhouses and are set to build two more this fall to allow us to continue to grow flowers and plants throughout the winter months,” said Sadlowski, who maintained the Hadley stand until they were ready to open this year. Rooted’s name, as described on their website, “is symbolic of the past, present and future. It honors my great grandparents - and all those alike - that have steward lands making the future possible. Rooted is dedicated to the preservation of farmland and being a source for local, eco-friendly flowers.” The fourth generation Pioneer Valley native and self-taught floral designer said she loves growing and connecting people to local agriculture. “I love the thrill my customers feel when they realize they are getting a local product grown within miles of them. When I started doing events, people were blown away that I could produce such beauty with locally-grown flowers. I’m a cheerleader for local flowers, vegetables and dairy produced here in the Valley. The local notion isn’t as prominent in 14 GO LOCAL OCTOBER 2020
Agawam as it was in Hadley, so I feel more of a voice now for promoting locally grown,” Sadlowski said. It is for similar reasons that Sadlowski never entertained the thought of opening her own floral shop. “First and foremost, I am a grower. My passion is agriculture and being a producer. Also, with the new farm needing so much infrastructure, it didn’t make sense to rent additional space for a brick and mortar shop,” she said. While not having a visible storefront in a shopping district to help generate business, Sadlowski noted they initially relied on word-of-mouth for customers to find them. “Of course, we have our website to order from and we have launched our business on Google. Any service or product you walk into a brick and mortar flower shop looking for, we can do. It’s just that our niche is that all of our flowers come from our garden. I don’t use any flowers grown elsewhere, such as California or Canada,” Sadlowski said. “Despite growing most of the flowers ourselves, we like to support local growers to deliver the best of what is in season. So, if someone is looking for a flower that I don’t grow, but that another local farm might have, I can get that for them, she added about her conviction for “always 100% New England grown.” When the COVID-19 pandemic hit earlier this year, it changed the day-today lives of everyone, including consumer behaviors in favor of e-commerce. “Suddenly, because of the shutdown, no one was really shopping, and that ended our wholesale flower business. There were also no events being held and no need for flowers. So, that forced us to focus all of our efforts on retail, which was something new for us. And, the very next day after the shutdown began, we had a retail website up and running and began delivering flowers,” Sadlowski said. “What we quickly found out was that many people were ordering flowers during the pandemic to decorate their homes and brighten their spirits. We also delivered many arrangements for customers trying to reach people they couldn’t see during the pandemic, such as grandma who was home alone, or for life
events such as births and deaths,” she added. Today, with states reopened and events allowed once again with a small number of attendees, Rooted is back in the events business and maintaining their newfound focus on retail. Wholesale is now a thing of the past. Arrangements for all occasions, or just to brighten your days, can be purchased online or by phone Monday through Wednesday only from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. by calling 413-349-8351. For those who want to pick (not by going out into the garden) from an array of freshly harvested bouquets and mason jar arrangements, Rooted offers their “selfserve flowers” sold from a cooler in their blue garage at 501 Shoemaker Lane. The stand is open only Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until dusk. “This isn’t your average self-serve spot. You won’t find simply mason jars on a cart to choose from. Instead, they are all nicely packaged and ready for gift giving from our large cooler,” Sadlowski said. Rooted offers free delivery throughout Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut on several specified weekdays noted on their website. They are not able to deliver to hospitals during the pandemic. Contactless deliveries take place between 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. A fee is applied for deliveries outside of those dates. When creating for special events, depending on the season, Sadlowski grows over 250 varieties of annuals, perennials and bulbs from which to choose from when designing her pieces. “Sometimes we blend our services. For example, a bride may have us create bouquets and boutonnieres for her wedding, but would prefer to make her own centerpieces. We have DIY buckets that we fill with cut flowers, not just any flowers thrown in, but those which best match the palette they give us to work from and the aesthetics they want to create,” Sadlowski said. While it’s too late in the year to sign up for their 2020 monthly flower subscriptions (this year they offered them for the months of April, May, June, August and September), keep checking their website for 2021. “If you like to receive flowers regularly to brighten you home, this is the best fit, and subscriptions make a nice present to give someone,” Sadlowski said. A true family affair at Rooted, the couple’s cute, little blonde daughter, Mary, can be seen on their website and on Facebook. “She is literally with me all of the time on the farm. And I just gave birth to a baby girl on Sept. 14,” Sadlowski said about Julia, who will no doubt be helping on the farm sooner than they think.
For more information, visit rootedflowers.com, call 413-349-8351 or email info@rootedflowers.com.
GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 15
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any of you may have visited Maryellen Burson’s produce stand in Somers, Connecticut this summer for your fresh fruit, vegetables, local honey and cut flower bouquets. Although the availability of fresh, local produce is winding down, there is another reason to visit Mary’s Market in the coming months. Burson has turned her greenhouse into a show place for her own and other crafters’ handmade items, just in time for seasonal décor and gift buying. Burson opened her farm stand three
years ago, and she stocks it with produce primarily from B & B Produce, as well as several other local farms. B & B Produce, also in Somers, is owned by her former husband, Gordon, and her younger son, Colin. She has another son, Gordie, and she is very proud of both of them, and appreciates their support. She also credits her former husband with encouraging her to open her market, telling her that “she would be good at it.” In addition to the fruits and vegetables she has at her stand, Burson grows a variety of herbs including basil, dill,
parsley, rosemary, and cilantro, which she incorporates into the decorative planters she arranges with flowering annuals throughout the season. One of the reasons her stand is so attractive, besides the colorful produce and pretty rainbow chard arranged in a glass vase, is the beautiful assortment of fresh cut flowers on display. These colorful blooms are from nearby Keep ‘N Thyme (129 Piney Road) owned by Willow Lake and Davida Keystanowicz. The sisters grow the flowers at their properties in Somers and Enfield, and Mary’s Market is one of GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 17
their wholesale customers. Burson is busy during the summer and early fall with the running of her stand, of course. Loading and unloading her truck, setting up the stand, watering and maintaining the plants, and serving customers is more than a full time job. She is assisted by her friend and helper, Rosa Mercieri, with whom she shares some good laughs throughout the day. Mercieri is also the crafts person behind the wood burned signs on display in the newly repurposed greenhouse area. When she is not available to work, Burson’s friend Terry Villamaino occasionally lends a hand. During the off-season, Burson “does a lot of sewing work, and makes floral arrangements for weddings and larger gatherings (but of course, not a lot of that this year.) I make mittens, scarves and blankets out of recycled wool… mostly wool sweaters that I wash and dry and cut apart to make into new items.” When asked where she gets the used wool that she recycles into the new items she sells, such as blankets, scarves, mittens and handbags, Burson answered that she shops at tag sales and thrift stores. She also gets items donated by friends and others as word has spread about her endeavor. For her new craft-oriented use of the greenhouse, she says, “I will have my products for sale along with an artist that does mosaic mirrors and picture frames, and birdhouses, a jewelry designer, a sign painter, and a woman that makes things out of the wool from the alpaca 18 GO LOCAL OCTOBER 2020
that she raises. I am hoping to get many more creative people to display their artwork in the greenhouse space. I’m hoping it will be a good alternative to the arts and craft fairs that were cancelled this year.” Burson has recruited other artists and crafts people to stock her greenhouse with an array of handmade products. So far, her market offers log birdhouses by Joe Daponte; water feature sculptures by Chris Sand; wooden floral arrangements by Daisy Designs; stained glass, mosaics, and fairy glass globes by Debbie St. Germain; propane tank pumpkins by Brian Soriano; wood burned signs by Rosa Mercieri; hand cut and painted holiday wood items by Helen Falkowski; and hand painted holiday signs, glassware, and other holiday items by Carolyn Sowa. As the holidays approach, Burson will be making fresh and silk flower centerpieces, holiday wreaths, and cemetery boxes. When asked what her favorite part of the business is, Burson answered, “the people who come here. I’ve met so many great people, with such a wide variety of backgrounds. Most of the customers have been so nice, and respectful of the COVID regulations. We complain about the weather together, talk about recipes, and whether we’re having a good or a bad day.” Having her own business is a dream Burson has had since she was in her 20’s. After many years of life’s ups and downs, she is thrilled to have realized her dream. She says, “I may not make a lot of money doing this, but I think I’ve made a lot of friends.” The Market will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm through December. Contact marysmarket7118@gmail.com for an update on hours of operation or other questions.
Mary’s Market is located at 103 Main Street in Somers, Connecticut. GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 19
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LOCAL HARVEST Farmer’s Market
Agawam Pack & Ship Shipping, Packing, Mailbox Rental, Notary Public, Copy & Fax, Phone Accessories, Paper Shredding We Sell Nebo Lights Alan R. Cohen, 417 Springfield Street, Agawam, MA Richard A. Cohen,
Phone: 413.789.1023 | Fax: 413.789.1549
www.agawampackandship.com info@agawampackandship.com
Proprietors Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 10-2
We are back at Longmeadow Shops Offering a great Every Thursday selection of ALL Noon-6pm LOCALLY GROWN Rain or Shine Products LONGMEADOW SHOPS PARKING LOT 666 Bliss Road • Next to athletic fields GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 21
go local picks
COOL STUFF JUST OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR AND ONLINE!
PUMPKINFEST 2020, WESTFIELD STARTING FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 AT 6 PM – 9 PM
Westfield on Weekends wants to invite the community to participate in our annual PumpkinFest, but with a twist. Help us kick off the Halloween season in a new, fun, socially distanced way while still doing something with your neighbors and community! Three new ways we are doing #WestfieldPumpkinFest2020, and over 2 weeks to do it all! Oct. 17 Halloween Drive- in Movie Night, Oct 16- 31 Scarecrow Trail, and Oct 16- 31 Drive-by Haunted Houses. Visit the Westfield on Weekends Facebook page for more details.
PUMPKINS ALL AROUND THE PLACE OCT 23 AT 6:30 PM – OCT 25 AT 8 PM THE APPLE PLACE - 540 SOMERS ROAD, EAST LONGMEADOW MA 01028
Apple Place guests, grab yourself a treat and enjoy a walk around the farm! We hope to have some special sights for you! Check out the various entries for our Most Amazing Jack-o’-lantern competition!
22 GO LOCAL OCTOBER 2020
FARMERS AND CRAFTERS FALL MARKET SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2020 AT 10 AM – 2 PM FOUR TOWN FAIR GROUNDS - 56 EGYPT ROAD, SOMERS, CT Regional Farmers and Crafters Fall Market featuring all fresh, local and handmade items. Jams and Jellies, Alpaca Items, Metal Signs, Artisinal Spaps, Fresh Bread, Baked Goods, Meats, Spices, Hot Sauces, Dolls, Popcorn, Flowers, Wreaths, Candles, Jewelry and more....
! KEITH O’CONNOR NATE BLAIS
Heartsong YO G A
A
fter two difficult pregnancies, Sheila Magalhaes, owner of Heartsong Yoga, turned to yoga - a mind and body practice with a 5,000-year history that encourages you to relax, slow your breath, and focus on the present - to return her body to harmony and balance. “Both of my children were preemies. When my second child, Libby, was born in 1990 she was 11 weeks early and spent three months in the hospital. When she finally came home, Nicholas was two-and-a-half years old and I found myself stressed and anxious from the inevitable challenges of being a new mother, health concerns, the classic challenge of balancing work and home life, and caring for others while neglecting to care for myself,” said Magalhaes. Fortunately, today both are healthy, thriving adults, noted Magalhaes, adding that a friend suggested yoga to her back then to help deal with the challenges she was facing.
“I had tried yoga before and didn’t like it. It seemed too hard. But my friend suggested the Kripalu style of yoga, known as the Yoga of Compassion, which she said would help to calm my nervous system, quiet my mind, reduce my anxiety and worry, and just make me feel better. And, immediately from the first class, it did,” said Magalhaes. “I found it to be for me a restful, accessible form of yoga. Even more importantly, yoga helped me to recognize and savor the goodness in my life, learning to do my best and to find gratitude,” she added. Magalhaes, now beginning to feel more ease in her life once again, continued to practice weekly and began to “love it so much” that she wanted to share yoga with others who could benefit from it. “People travel all over the world to study Kripalu Yoga, yet here I was lucky enough to have a school practically in my own backyard in the Berkshires, GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 23
where I could learn and become certified to teach this style of yoga to others. So, in 1993, I was accepted to the Kripalu School of Yoga & Health in Lenox, MA, and lived and studied there for a month. My husband Tony and children came up to visit with me every Sunday. He was very supportive, but other people thought I was crazy. You have to remember that yoga wasn’t as mainstream back then and people didn’t understand or know much about it…..how wonderful it is,” she said. After becoming certified, Magalhaes made what she called “another bold move” and months later opened her own small studio in East Longmeadow. “It was a bold move because back then beginning a small business for a relatively unknown practice at the time was risky. The question was whether people would embrace yoga enough to support my studio,” she said. They did. So much so that Magalhaes and her husband eventually moved into, and now own, a much larger space that accommodates two practice rooms, has plenty of parking, and is walking distance from their home. “My husband was right by my side cheering me on as we broke down walls and constructed a beautiful, spacious, welcoming new studio to accommodate our growing student base,” she said. “I told my mom she was going to need to get certified to help me teach at the studio. My mom, Beth Wadden, was a special education teacher at the time and spent a month in the summer of 1995 at the Kripalu Center just as I had done. Now newly retired, she is 80 years young and still teaching alongside me,” Magalhaes added. And, to make it truly a family affair, Tony also spent a month training at Kripalu in 1999. Today, Magalhaes offers Kripalu Yoga and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga classes for beginners to more advanced students. Ashtanga Yoga is a hot, vigorous, flowing practice for those looking for a more physically challenging pace. Ashtanga combines breath and movement in a specific sequence to create an intense internal heat and purifying sweat, and the result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm and quiet mind, or as she is fond of saying, “something for ‘every-body’” Everything was going along smoothly, then earlier this year COVID-19 hit. “At first I thought that we would need to stay open to support people in what was going to become a stressful and panicky time for all. I soon realized that wasn’t going to be an 24 GO LOCAL OCTOBER 2020
easy proposition to do, so on March 11 I decided to close, then four days later Governor Charlie Baker closed the state down anyway,” Magalhaes said. Not wanting to leave her students behind during these troubling times, Magalhaes searched for a quick and relatively easy answer. In a matter of days, she created their free Heartsong Yoga YouTube Channel, uploading classes for students to access while sheltering at home. Taking it to the next step when realizing that COVID-19 was here to stay for a while, she developed a way to deliver classes to students with a Zoom livestream format, slowly bringing their teachers back to teach from their own homes. “When Governor Baker determined that fitness centers like ours could reopen on July 6, I wasn’t ready to open the doors until we could do it right and provide a safe environment for everyone. However, I was determined to not let the virus beat us. If there is one thing that yoga teaches you it is that it may not always be easy, but you can get to the other side of things,” Magalhaes said. Along with her husband, Magalhaes put together a hybrid plan that would combine Zoom classes with live in-studio students, albeit only seven of them along with the teacher since guidelines only allowed eight people in the studio. “With the fall season now upon us and the new challenges that families are facing for back-to-school and those returning to the office, Heartsong Yoga is poised to be of support to help folks self-regulate in times of stress and anxiety, while keeping the body fit and healthy and the immune system strong,” Magalhaes said. Magalhaes has a message for those who think they are not fit for yoga. “If you can breathe, then you can do yoga. If for some physical reason you cannot sit on the floor and cross your legs, then we will pull up a chair for you. The benefits of yoga are too good to let anything get in your way,” Magalhaes said. Yoga can help those who suffer anxiety, depression, trauma, or insomnia. It helps with strength, flexibility and balance for people of all ages. It is good
for pain reduction, heart rate and blood pressure. And for chronic diseases, these practices may not cure them, but they can help you cope. Of special note, every research study reports stress reduction from these practices. To learn more about enrolling in Zoom classes or becoming part of a
small, live socially-distanced class, call 413-525-0720 or visit heartsongyoga.com
Heartsong Yoga is located at 264 North Main St. in East Longmeadow 413-525-0720 or visit heartsongyoga.com GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 25
go eat
! RECIPE SUBMITTED BY JANET PARÉ
BRATS WITH CABBAGE SLAW
Instead of sauerkraut, try this quick and easy, tangy, warm, braised cabbage slaw for the perfect Oktoberfest meal. Cooking the brats in your choice of beer, ginger ale or cider infuses the brats with added flavor. Serve over the slaw or in toasted buns with spicy mustard.
FOR THE BRATS: 8 Hoagie rolls 8 bratwurst 1 cup chicken broth or water 1 cup beer (or ginger ale or cider)
Prick each brat a few times on each side. Place brats in a large skillet and add enough beer and broth to reach halfway up the sides of brats.
FOR THE SLAW: 1 tbsp. olive oil 1/2 red onion, sliced thin 1/2 head red cabbage, sliced thin 1/4 head green cabbage, sliced thin 1/2 cup cider vinegar 1 tbsp. brown sugar 1 tsp. fennel seeds 1 tsp. celery seeds Salt and pepper to taste Spicy or deli-style mustard
Add olive oil, onion, and cabbage to skillet, stirring well. Cook over mediumhigh heat for 3 - 4 minutes. Add vinegar, brown sugar and seasonings. Stir well and reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until liquid evaporates.
26 GO LOCAL OCTOBER 2020
Cook over medium heat for 15 - 20 minutes, turning once halfway through. Increase heat to medium-high another 5 - 10 minutes or until liquid evaporates and brats are nicely browned. Remove brats to a plate and hold.
Serve over slaw or in toasted buns. Enjoy! JANET PARÉ is a home cook who began baking with her Memere (grandmother) at the age of 6. Retired and living in Southampton with her dog, Ziggy and cat, Elie Mae, she now enjoys cooking for family and friends.
Collision Repair
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Great selection of fabrics for your Holiday decorating...Halloween, Fall, Christmas and Hanukkah!
56 Shaker Road, East Longmeadow, MA
(413) 525-4789
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860.684.9229
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FREE ESTIMATES. FREE ADVICE. FULLY INSURED. We specialize in stump grinding and in all types of tree work with special equipment - cranes to 134 ft.
Call Robb Wallace
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Over 40 yrs. experience in all phases of tree work!
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wallacetree@gmail.com GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 27
AUTO UPHOLSTERY Custom Interiors ~ Convertible Tops ~ Boat Seating ~ Carpeting Scheduling Now For Spring Delivery
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28 GO LOCAL OCTOBER 2020
860.749.7917
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 ! VICKI MITCHELL
Johnny
Appleseed's Farm
W
here can you go to participate in some favorite fall activities, such as apple picking, a hayride, a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, and wandering through a corn maze? You can head on over to Johnny Appleseed’s Farm in Ellington, Connecticut for all of this and more. The U-Pick apple orchard, located at 231 Somers Road (Rte. 83) in Ellington, was originally planted in 1977. In 1989, current owners Ken and Kim Shores took over the business, and have since replaced many of the older trees, and created a whole new orchard on Schoolhouse Road, also in Ellington. The two actually met while working at the orchard, and have put in GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 29
many long days turning the farm into the bustling business it is today. The farm has a total of 60 acres of dwarf trees, bearing 14 different varieties of apples, from McIntosh and Macouns to Cortlands and Honeycrisps. Late season apples include the Red and Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Empires and the Idareds. In addition to their apples, they have 35 acres of easy-to-reach peach trees, bearing 11 varieties. Who knew there were that many different types of peaches? “They’re all juicy and delicious,” says Kim. “Unlike apples, I think the different peaches all taste very similar. The trick is to let them ripen on the tree. That makes them juicy and full of flavor,” she says. The peach season usually runs from early August to mid-September. The Shores also grow many of the vegetables they sell at their stands, as well as “tons of pumpkins.” Adding even more color to the season are hundreds of their own hardy grown mums. All of the trees in their orchards are easy to reach, so no climbing or ladders are necessary. The orchards are also handicap accessible. 30 GO LOCAL OCTOBER 2020
A typical workday for the Shores goes something like this: “Get up at 4:00 am and drive into Hartford to the regional market to load up on things we don’t grow ourselves. Back to the store to unload, then reload to go to our other store. During the day there is mowing, picking, washing, cleaning, helping out at the stores, other field work, painting, you name it! A quick bite to eat then home to check emails, phone messages, do paperwork, and pay bills.” The hardest part of the job, according to Kim, is working for 7 days a week for 6 months. “It’s physically demanding and no one here is young anymore,” she says. At their busiest times, they hire about 25 to 30 employees, who are all considered family. While acknowledging that this summer was a “very challenging season…no crop likes it so hot and dry,” the Shores love working outdoors. Also, Kim adds, “mornings when the sun is coming up and you’re out there working is the best feeling!” Johnny Appleseed’s is now offering their U-Pick pumpkins, complete with a hay ride (yes…wear your masks for the ride) and a corn maze, designed with the youngsters
in mind. Head to the apple orchards at the 231 Somers Road (Rte. 83) location to access the pumpkin picking fun. Even if you’re not interested in “picking your own” anything, a visit to one of the farm stands is well worth your while! The charming stores carry a wide assortment of freshly picked produce, as well as Connecticut made breads, delicious frozen pies, local honey, and food items such as salsa, jam, pickled beets, and pickles from Kitchen Kettle Village in Amish country, along with locally pressed apple cider. There are even craft and gift items from local artisans. The approaching holidays bring other seasonal items to the stores, such as Christmas trees, wreaths, kissing balls, and winter logs. Both stores are open until just before Christmas. The retail stores are located at 185 West Road (Rte. 83) in Ellington, Connecticut and 244 Hartford Turnpike (Rte. 30) in Tolland, Connecticut. They are open daily at 9:00 am. Closing times vary throughout the season. The farm’s website offers a wealth of information, including directions, a “know your apples/ peaches” informational guide, and even recipes, including “Mom-Mom’s Apple Crisp.” Mom-Mom is Kim’s maternal grandmother, Pieta, who was “a great cook who lived to be 99!”
For farm and store information, and current hours, call 860-875-1000. Website is www.johnnyappleseedfarmct.com
GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 31
local einstein
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE - NO GOOGLING!
ESTABLISHED IN 1872, WHAT BECAME THE WORLD’S FIRST NATIONAL PARK? [A] [B] [C] [D]
3
SNICKERS IS A BRAND NAME CHOCOLATE BAR MADE BY WHICH COMPANY?
Acadia National Park Yellowstone National Park Redwood National Park Yosemite National Park
[A] Mars [B] Hershey [C] Nestle [D] Cadbury WHICH FILM WON THE OSCAR FOR BEST PICTURE THIS YEAR (2020)?
HANDSOME DAN IS A BULLDOG WHO IS THE MASCOT OF WHICH UNIVERSITY’S SPORTS TEAMS? [A] University of Minnesota Duluth [B] Gonzaga University [C] Yale University [D] Georgetown University
5
[A] Joker [B] Ford vs Ferrari [C] Parasite [D] The Irishman
WHAT IS THE SLEEPIEST ANIMAL IN THE WORLD, SLEEPING ABOUT 22 HOURS PER DAY?
ROCKER DAVID HOWELL EVANS IS BETTER KNOWN BY WHAT STAGE NAME? [A] Axl Rose [B] The Edge [C] Marilyn Manson [D] Slash
[A] Cat [B] Koala [C] Sloth [D] Bat
7
NAME THIS STATE…
8
ANGEL FALLS, THE WORLD’S TALLEST WATERFALL, IS FOUND IN WHICH COUNTRY? [A] Argentina [B] Chile [C] Venezuela [D] Brazil
[A] Indiana [B] Missouri [C] Illinois [D] Iowa
[A] Quesadilla [B] Paella [C] Ensaimada [D] Tortuga
32 GO LOCAL OCTOBER 2020
# CORRECT
IQ
RANK
ANSWERS:
8-9 5-7 2-4 0-1
160 110 50 3
Prodigy Egghead Meh Simpleton
1)B 2)A 3)C 4)C 5)B 6)B 7)C 8)C 9)A
WHAT IS THE SPANISH WORD FOR A HEATED TORTILLA FILLED WITH CHEESE?
s g n i Wedd FA L L 2 0 2 0
EVENTIQUES
Find the perfect décor for your day
KIMBERLEE ZACEK Fine Artistry... Calligrapher
“I DO”
LOCAL COUPLES. REAL WEDDINGS.
An inside look at local couples and their wedding day details
36 TABLE OF
CONTENTS Fall 2020
36
40
43 On the cover: Lara & Matt Smith. Photo by Monika Normand Photography
34 GO LOCAL
Weddings OCTOBER 2020
40
45
43
Eventiques Finding the perfect décor and accessories for your bridal shower or wedding, saving money, AND saving the environment? What’s not to love about that?
Kimberlee Zacek Fine Artistry... Calligrapher Most bridal couples look for ways to make their wedding unique and memorable, not just for themselves, but for their guests, as well. The very first way that couples can introduce their wedding theme or style, or even location, is when they send out Save the Date cards. They can continue to carry out their vision with everything from their invitations, place cards, and thank-yous …right down to the envelope used for their wedding stationery.
Local Couples. Real Weddings. Local Couples featuring all the details of their special day.
GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 35
SUBMITTED
Eventiques By Vicki Mitchell
SPECIAL TO THE REPUBLICAN
Finding the perfect décor and accessories for your bridal shower or wedding, saving money, AND saving the environment? What’s not to love about that? Thanks to Ruthie McDonald and Lauren Mace you can accomplish all of that by paying a visit to the Eventiques Market, one of the vendors located at Innovintage Place in Greenfield, Massachusetts. The two women, both with a background in graphic design and event planning, noticed that after an event such as a shower or wedding, there was always a lot of nice “stuff” that had been purchased but was now no longer needed. They asked themselves, “why not recycle these
36 GO LOCAL
Weddings OCTOBER 2020
M A R K E T items for others to use for their special events, thereby saving money and the environment?” When you visit the Eventiques Market booth, you will find a wide variety of items for purchase, and the inventory changes often, so customers can come back to find new things each time. Regarding some of the more popular items customers look for, McDonald says, “people love signage. Whenever we have signage, it usually moves pretty quickly. Lanterns, vases, and candle holders are also popular. Rustic items do well which makes sense as we live in a very rustic area—lots of barn and
outdoor weddings. Linens seems to do well—table runners, napkins and such—especially for those who might be hosting a small event at their home.” While most of their business is with couples shopping for their wedding, “there are some people looking for supplies for a bridal or baby shower or birthday party. We find people are also looking for décor for their home or for entertaining during the holidays. That’s the great part about our inventory…much of it is pretty versatile.” Mace, who manages event planning
3140592-01
GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 37
through Eutopia Events, and McDonald, who manages Eventiques Market, occasionally work together on certain projects within each business. When they first started out, they held a wedding related flea market event for several years. The last such event was in 2015, and they sold over 3,000 items and had hundreds of people come through their door over a two day period. Sadly, they weren’t able to continue the event over the last few years, but are planning and hoping to have a wedding event in May of 2021 (this year’s was cancelled due to the Coronavirus shutdown.) In the meantime, McDonald encourages people to visit them at Innovintage Place, located inside of an old mill building on Hope Street in Greenfield. In addition to their booth, there is a “well-curated collective of artisan and vintage vendors.” McDonald also mentions that they are always looking for gently used wedding or other event items. If you are looking to sell yours, or for more information in general, contact Ruthie McDonald at eventiquesfleamarket@gmail.com or send a private message on Facebook. Eventiques Market is located inside of Innovintage Place at 76 Hope Street, Greenfield, Massachusetts. The hours of the shop vary seasonally, so check before planning your trip. 38 GO LOCAL
Weddings OCTOBER 2020
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St. Anne Country Club 781 Shoemaker Lane, Feeding Hills, MA 01030 (413) 786 2088 www.STANNECC.com GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 39
SUBMITTED
KimberleeZacek FINE ARTISTRY… CALLIGRAPHER
By Vicki Mitchell
SPECIAL TO THE REPUBLICAN
Most bridal couples look for ways to make their wedding unique and memorable, not just for themselves, but for their guests, as well. The very first way that couples can introduce their wedding theme or style, or even location, is when they send out Save the Date cards. They can continue to carry out their vision with everything from their invitations, place cards, and thank-yous …right down to the envelope used for their wedding stationery. Kimberlee Zacek is an artist who can help make this part of a wedding unique, stylish, and most memorable. She attended the Lyme Academy College of Fine Art where she studied classical art techniques, and the Hartford Art School where she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Fine 40 GO LOCAL
Weddings OCTOBER 2020
Arts in illustration. She continued her education and training at Simmons College, where she earned a Master’s degree in writing and illustrating children’s books.
Zacek has worked as an artist for over 10 years, and in addition to her work in the wedding business, designs logos and branding for small businesses, and creates other fine art and portraiture work. For her drawings, she prefers to use a ball point pen. “It’s my go to for line drawing because of the delicate lines it can create, almost like graphite, and yet can be layered with cross hatch for depth,” she says. “For calligraphy, I use a dip pen for fine sweeping lines and a brush pen for bolder writing.” She adds, “there are many different sources of inspiration I draw upon that influence the style and feeling of my
work. Whether it be from the natural world with drawing from life or being inspired by the timeless sensibilities from the art of letter writing as well as etchings and pen drawings created around the turn of the century and earlier.”
“As an artist with both classical fine art and illustrative training, the work I create for weddings, from invitations to table decor, has an integral artistry and unique beauty that is personal and timeless.” Zacek creates custom wedding stationery and calligraphy with fine art and illustrative elements to personalize and set a beautiful aesthetic for a wedding. She offers invitation suites, Save the Dates, envelope addressing, ceremony and reception signs, table
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cards and more. Each piece is created as “a work of art on luxurious handmade or other fine papers and finished with details to match your wedding style.” “Wedding paper goods are both a visual and tactile experience - everything from invitations to table setting cards - the design and quality of paper set the stage for the style of the wedding,” she says. When asked about the different types of paper she uses, she replied, “one of the most requested types of paper is handmade paper. It is beautiful and elegant, especially for invitations, menus, or place cards. Another request is for eco-friendly paper. One of the sources I have for handmade paper is made from recycled t-shirts. I also like to use card stock made from recycled cotton.” “I want to hear the couple’s vision and, even if it’s not entirely clear yet, we will work to bring it to clarity and to life. I welcome custom requests and enjoy creating pieces designed specifically for a couple and their wedding style,” Zacek declares. She continued by adding, “custom invitation suites are very popular and give couples the first opportunity to share their wedding aesthetic with their guests. Couples often request their names in hand written calligraphy and for the suite to
56 Southwick Rd Westfield, MA (413)568-9000 pufferdayspa.com
GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 41
feature a drawing of their venue or another personal touch such as a drawing of the type of flowers chosen for the wedding day.” “Hand written calligraphy place or escort cards (for seating charts) with guest’s names are equally popular. They are beautiful keepsakes for guests often on handmade paper with silk ribbon ties.” When asked for examples of some of the customization work she has done for clients, Zacek shared, “A couple getting married at Quonquont Farm in Whately, MA asked me to do a pen drawing of the barn, which was printed on the envelope liner for their invitations and the bride had it printed on tote bags as gifts for the bridal party. I also created a seating chart for a June wedding, where I hand painted each escort card with watercolor in blush pink and wrote the guest’s name with gold calligraphy. The cards were strung along twine in an old frame which matched the rustic aesthetic of their barn venue.” When she is customizing a wedding invitation, she creates the design for the invitation first with the hand drawn details requested by the couple, then digitizes the design for printing which either gets sent out or is printed in her home studio. For envelopes, place cards, signs and other items, each is handmade and hand written with calligraphy. Zacek says she “loves all parts of my creative work, and creating with couples to bring their vision to life with my art and calligraphy is not only fun, but such happy work to create for their special day!” Contact Kimberlee Zacek at www.kzfineartistry. com or kimberlee@kzfineartistry.com. 42 GO LOCAL
Weddings OCTOBER 2020
Smith L A R A & M AT T
GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 43
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS OCTOBER 6, 2019 ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE SMITH WEDDING BY MONIKA NORMAND PHOTOGRAPHY
BRIDE: Lara Smith GROOM: Matt Smith AGES: 26 OCCUPATIONS: Lara- Dining & Events Manager, Matt- Marketing & Business Development CEREMONY/RECEPTION: Valley View Farm, Haydenville MA INVITATIONS: Minted FLOWERS: Rooted Flowers, Hadley, MA BRIDE’S DRESS: Pearl Bridal Boutique, Holyoke, MA (Allure Bridals) BRIDE’S SHOES: Bagdley Mischka (heels), Keds (as “something blue” sneakers) CATERER: Seth Mias Catering, Leeds, MA MUSIC: TC’s Disc Jockey, Springfield, MA VIDEOGRAPHER: Frame + Anchor, Newport, RI GROOM’S SUIT: Jos A. Bank CAKE: Small Oven Bakery, Easthampton, MA BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Jenny Yoo RINGS: Kosmima Fine Jewelry; Chestnut Hill, MA HAIR: Shannon Hughes (@hues_byhughes) MAKEUP: Kristen Bousquet (@ kbousqcreative) FIRST DANCE SONG: “It’s Your Love” by Tim McGraw MEMORABLE MOMENT: Sparkler “send off” surrounded by all of our friends and family THEME: Modern/Rustic/Elegant OTHER/NOTES: We wanted something fun and interactive for our guests, so we hand built a 6-foot tall donut wall, which was a huge hit! BEST WEDDING ADVICE: Take some moments for just yourselves to sit back and soak in the day. It’s one of the only times everyone you love will be in one place celebrating your love, and that feels pretty special. HONEYMOON: “We chose to take a ‘minimoon’ to Stowe, VT right after the wedding. It was October and prime fall foliage there with lots of outdoor activities, restaurants, and breweries.”
44 GO LOCAL
Weddings OCTOBER 2020
SAMANTHA & J O N AT H A N
y t r a i r o M GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 45
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS NOVEMBER 2, 2019 ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE MORIARTY WEDDING BY KAREN GEAGHAN PHOTOGRAPHY
CEREMONY/RECEPTION: Valley View Farm, Haydenville, MA INVITATIONS: Minted FLOWERS: Durocher Florist, West Springfield, MA BRIDE’S DRESS: Modern Bridal, Indian Orchard, MA BRIDE’S SHOES: Rothy’s CATERER: Bear’s Smokehouse Barbecue MUSIC: Marx Entertainment, East Longmeadow, MA VIDEOGRAPHER: PTaufiq Photography, Dracut, MA GROOM’S SUIT: Miltons – The Store for Men CAKE: Patty Cakes Gourmet Cupcakes BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Modern Bridal, Indian Orchard, MA RINGS: Hannoush Jewelers HAIR/MAKEUP: Crystal Vazquez & Company, Easthampton, MA FIRST DANCE SONG: “Pushing Up Daisies (Love Alive)” by Brothers Osborne MEMORABLE MOMENT: First look THEME: Rustic/fall BEST WEDDING ADVICE: Enjoy the day and don’t stress about the small stuff. HONEYMOON: Whiteface Lodge, Lake Placid, NY
46 GO LOCAL
Weddings OCTOBER 2020
KERRY & BRIAN
a tt e l o p i C
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IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS OCTOBER 5, 2019 ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE CIPOLETTA WEDDING BY KAREN GEAGHAN PHOTOGRAPHY
NAMES: Kerry and Brian Cipoletta AGES: Kerry 27, Brian 29 OCCUPATIONS: Kerry - Music Teacher and Brian - Paraprofessional CEREMONY/RECEPTION: Warfield House Inn, Charlemont, MA INVITATIONS: Vista Print FLOWERS: Floral Affairs, Greenfield, MA BRIDE’S DRESS: Maria of Italy Bridal Boutique, Plymouth, MA BRIDE’S SHOES: DSW CATERER: Hillside Organic Catering, Bernardston, MA MUSIC: Therese Dimuzio GROOM’S SUIT: K&G CAKE: Konditor Meister, Braintree, MA BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Alexandra’s Boutique, Fall River, MA RINGS: Richards Jewelers, Westfield, MA HAIR/MAKEUP: HONEY hair & beauty, Westfield, MA FIRST DANCE SONG: “This Is It” by Scotty McCreery MEMORABLE MOMENT: For Brian it was seeing Kerry for the first time as she walked down the aisle. For Kerry it was singing together at the reception. She played the ukulele as they sang Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat together. THEME: We didn’t really have a theme. We used all fall colors with dark teal as the main color. When choosing details we just made sure we both loved them equally. We just envisioned having a very personal and fun day that reflected us as a couple. BEST WEDDING ADVICE: We were engaged for two years which was perfect! We were able to get everything we wanted and enjoyed the entire process, instead of stressing out. HONEYMOON: Ireland
48 GO LOCAL
Weddings OCTOBER 2020
A WYNDHURST WEDDING Let the bucolic, rolling hills of the Berkshires provide the perfect backdrop for your celebration. Our Gilded Age hilltop mansion is the centerpiece of 380 majestic acres, boasting extraordinary views of the Berkshires.
Founded as a country estate for high-society New Yorkers in 1894, the Tudor-style mansion boasts architectural details that combine modern luxury with touches of historical elegance.
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12+ MONTHS
Wedding to-do
Discuss finances with everyone contributing to the event and set a budget. Set the date and ceremony/reception locations. This is your first big decision (trust us, EVERYONE will be asking this the moment after you get engaged!). Establish a guest list. Book your photographer, florist, musicians/ DJ, cake baker, and other vendors. Start thinking about the style and theme of your wedding. Reserve hotel room blocks if needed. Decide who will officiate the ceremony and book him/her. Start shopping for gown/tux styles. Take engagement photos to use on your wedding website, save the dates, and to get to know your photographer.
Order your invitations and thank-you notes. Book your honeymoon!!!
Schedule beauty trials and book hairstylists and makeup artists.
4-5 MONTHS BEFORE Finalize your plans with your florist. Plan the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Address invitations.
Buy attendants gifts, including those for your parents and new in-laws.
Order save-the-dates.
Check marriage license requirements.
Choose items for your wedding gift registry.
Meet with your caterer to discuss menu and drinks. Don’t forget the cake! Pick out and purchase favors. Book your wedding-night room and confirm hotel room blocks for guests. Mail out your invitations at the 6 – 8 week mark. RSVPs should be due one month before the wedding. Do a hair/makeup trial with your makeup artist/hair stylist.
Start looking into honeymoon destinations and dates.
1 MONTH BEFORE
6-8 MONTHS BEFORE
Submit a photo list to your photographer of shots that you really want.
Interview and book your vendors; don’t forget to get a signed contract. Plan/discuss ceremony with officiant. Discuss religious requirements like premarital counseling.
50 GO LOCAL
Weddings OCTOBER 2020
Check off your “something old, new, borrowed and blue.” Send out invites for rehearsal and dinner.
1-2 WEEKS BEFORE
2-3 MONTHS BEFORE
Get the men’s fashions in order.
Mail out save-the-dates.
Write your vows/toasts.
Shop for and purchase wedding bands.
9 – 11 MONTHS BEFORE
So you think you can’t dance? Consider taking lessons! Now is the time to book them!
Get your final dress fitting!
Put together a day-of emergency kit.
Go to your first dress fitting! Remember to bring your shoes and appropriate undergarments.
Order your gown and veil and schedule fittings: one for six weeks before the wedding, and one for one to two weeks before the wedding to ensure a perfect fit.
Confirm details, deliveries, and final payment amounts with your vendors.
Arrange day-of transportation for yourself and the bridal party.
Propose to your bridesmaids and groomsmen to see if they’d like to be in your wedding party.
Choose bridesmaid dresses and have your bridesmaids order them.
Finalize the seating chart and prepare escort/place cards.
Send a list of music choices to your DJ. Include a “must play” or “don’t play” list. Include your first dance, father-daughter, and mother-son dance songs. Also include any music you may want to use for entrances into the reception.
Start packing for the honeymoon.
If you’re missing any RSVPs, follow up now. Give your caterer, reception site and cake baker the final head count/ seating chart. Pick up your dress; break in your shoes. Organize your payments and decide who will distribute them. Pick up your marriage license! Get a final hair trim and touch up any color. Pack overnight necessities for after the wedding. Give your day-of schedule to your day-of coordinator or one of your attendants.
1 DAY BEFORE Get a mani and pedi. Bring all ceremony accessories, like items for a unity service, to the site. Give the marriage license to your officiant (do not forget!).
DAY OF Eat a good breakfast. You may forget to eat, even if you always do! Give gifts to your parents and each other. Hand off the wedding rings to the best man.
OPENING JUNE 2021 Now Taking Reservations
The Wight Room T
he award winning Table 3 Restaurant Group and The Barn at Wight Farm, Sturbridge, Massachusetts, are pleased to announce we are now accepting deposits for events in The Wight Room opening June 2021. The Wight Room will be a newly renovated space on the grounds of The Collection at Wight Farm adjacent to 7KH %DUQ 7KH :LJKW 5RRP LV D EHDXWLIXO SRVW DQG EHDP EXLOGLQJ DQG ZLOO EH ÀQLVKHG with a farmhouse feel in soft sandalwood tones. Once completed, our guests can expect the same highly acclaimed cuisine and hospitality The Barn at Wight Farm is known for. The Wight Room will be perfect for weddings and events of all types with a capacity of up to 125.
Call Danielle at 774-241-8450 to discuss reserving a date for your special day or event. 420 Main Street | Sturbridge, MA 01566 | 774.241.8450 thebarnatwightfarm.com | thebarnatwightfarm 3140593-01
TABLE 3 RESTAURANT GROUP
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