Northampton, MA June 2024

June is for Dads!

Have you ever wondered, “Do fathers matter? What differences do I make in my home as a dad?” Let’s start with the simple answer — the importance of a father is tremendous! Fathers make countless differences in their home and family. However, how much impact you decide to make as a dad is entirely up to you!

A father’s gifts of quality time, life-giving words, and positive actions have a long-lasting impact on his children.

As I reflect on fatherhood this month, here are just a few of the ways dads can build up their home:

• A father’s strength can be powerful

• A dad’s words can be fueling and inspirational

• Hugs from a dad can be deeply comforting

• A dad’s smile can instill joy and confidence

• Time with a dad can be fun and productive

• A dad’s physicality can be challenging

• A dad’s guidance can be life-changing and foundational

• A father’s correction can be life-saving and life-giving

• Adventures with a dad can be exciting and memorable

Let your father or a father figure in your life know how much he matters to you. And if you are a dad, let us be the first to say - thank you. You are invaluable to the people who know and need you as well as the community around you.

Happy Father’s Day!

June 2024

PUBLISHER

Candice Berube | candice.berube@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Tina Lesniak | tina.lesniak@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Tina Lesniak

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Hannah Josephine Photography, LJ MIckna Photography

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Mary Albers

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Craft beer and pizza. 2: A beautiful spring bouquet. 3: Eastman Guitars semi-hollow guitar. 4: New arrivals at Raven Used Books. 5: A delicious and healthy meal. 6: Critters and Creatures at Spring Youth Studio at Resilient Community Arts. 7: Nested bowls.

business monthly

Northampton Jazz Festival Welcomes Two New Board Members

The Northampton Jazz Festival has welcomed two new board members, bringing broad skills and deep experience in entrepreneurship, marketing, community organizing and music from world cultures. The new members are Ricard TorresMateluna and Jillian Duclos. “Their ideas are helping us expand the depth and scope of our offerings this September, like adding children’s programming, more jazz events in September and bringing musicians of world cultures to the stage,” said Ruth Griggs, president of the board.

bankESB hires Tabin as Assistant Vice President, Branch Officer in Northampton

bankESB recently hired Lauren Tabin as assistant vice president, branch officer of its King St., Northampton office. Tabin, of Holyoke, has nearly 30 years of banking experience. Prior to joining bankESB, she was assistant vice president and branch officer at Peoples Bank and held other positions there including banking center manager, trainer and teller. She brings an extensive background in management and leadership experience to this role, where she will manage the Northampton team.

Finck & Perras Makes $15,000 Donation to WorkHub on Union

The Chamber of Greater Easthampton (Chamber) is pleased to announce that Finck & Perras Insurance Agency has contributed $15,000 towards the Chamber’s ambitious co-workspace project, WorkHub on Union. The donation will support the development of a vibrant and collaborative co-working space, providing valuable resources for entrepreneurs, and businesses in the Greater Easthampton region. WorkHub on Union aims to create an innovative and inspiring environment where entrepreneurs, freelancers and small business owners can converge and thrive.

SOPHISTICATED ELEGANCE

Upscale dining at Notch 8 Grille

ARTICLE BY TINA LESNIAK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH

JOSEPHINE PHOTOGRAPHY

For those seeking an upscale dining experience, the Notch 8 Grille at Union Station in Northampton is ready to fulfill that need.

Owner Jeremiah Micka

“The film is still developing, but it has a lot of potential to go where we want it to go.”

“We’re becoming a destination for special occasions. You can come early and stay late, really enjoy yourself and take your time,” says Jeremiah Micka, owner of Notch 8 Grille and the rest of historic Union Station.

The restaurant’s signature dishes are its steaks, which are sourced from Kinnealey Meats in Brockton, a premier provider to high-end restaurants.

“They’re sourcing from the best places and that really shows,” explains Jeremiah. “They’re prime grade. That was our goal - to start at the highest level.”

Among their steaks, the dry-aged sirloin steak is one of their most popular among diners, most likely because not many local restaurants do the dry-aged process. The 14-ounce prime rib and filet mignon are also popular and familiar cuts for diners. For those looking to splurge a bit for a special occasion, the tomahawk steak fits the bill. It’s a generous bone-in ribeye with a Frenched bone.

Another perennial favorite is the seared scallops dish with smoked bacon jam, served over crab risotto and with pan jus. However, Jeremiah’s favorite dish is the shrimp and fennel, both of which are sauteed in tarragon cream sauce with artichoke, baby spinach, crimini mushroom and fettuccine.

The full raw bar, featuring fresh oysters, is also popular with diners. In addition to the oysters, other favorites include the shrimp cocktail and blue crab.

For appetizers, diners can choose from many options, including carpaccio, a raw shaved tenderloin with caper relish, shaved parmesan extra virgin olive oil and crostini and portabella stack, a grilled balsamic, marinated portabella mushroom with bell peppers, fresh mozzarella and red peppers.

Notch 8 Grille has been in the works as an addition to Union Station since about 2014. After renovations to The Roosevelt Room, the banquet space, and the

success of The Tunnel Bar, a destination bar location, and The Deck, the seasonal outdoor dining space, Jeremiah and his partners developed a five to seven-year plan to open up a signature dining experience. Although Covid paused their plans, Notch 8 Grille ended up even better than they could imagine.

“The Tunnel Bar is a destination bar and we wanted to keep them in-house after they have a few drinks there. We wanted to have a place that had a wide range of high-end options and were willing to make that long investment in upgrading the kitchen to do so,” recalls Jeremiah.  “The buildout came out amazing. You never know exactly what it’s going to look like until it’s all done, but this is really impressive.”

The restaurant officially opened at the end of December 2023, purposely planned to get the kinks out during the slow, winter season. Only months in, Jeremiah is seeing consistent food quality with full and steady growth of the restaurant.

“The film is still developing, but it has a lot of potential to go where we want it to go,” explains Jeremiah. The restaurant also has more time to build itself because of the other investments at Union Station. There isn’t so much pressure to be a big success right away.

Top: The restaurant has many different seating options.

“We’re becoming a destination for special occasions. You can come early and stay late, really enjoy yourself and take your time.”

With 160 seats in the restaurant, the servers often take only a few tables at a time, allowing them to provide superior service to their diners and for the diners to truly enjoy their meals without needing to ask for anything.

As the restaurant moves into the high summer season, Jeremiah expects there will be some tweaks to the menu as they look at what is and

isn’t selling. The team generally tries out new dishes by making them specials before adding them to the menu.

Notch 8 Grill is located in the historic Union Station building at 125A Pleasant St. in Northampton and is open every evening starting at 4 p.m. It is also open for brunch on Sundays. For more information, call 413-326-4151 or visit www.Notch8Grille.com

Union Station is bustling with the addition of Notch 8 Grille.

KEEPING HOMES SAFE FOR OLDER RESIDENTS

AGING IN PLACE

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY TINA LESNIAK

Gary Bivona

As more seniors choose to remain in their homes as they age, making those homes safer to live in becomes more of a priority for them. Gary Bivona, an aging-in-place specialist and occupa-

“I want everyone involved to be present,” says Gary. “I don’t just look at the home, but I look at the person and their balance, strength and condition. I look at it from more of a functional standpoint.”

“I DON’T JUST LOOK AT THE HOME, BUT I LOOK AT THE PERSON AND THEIR BALANCE, STRENGTH AND CONDITION.”

tional therapist, helps families to make that possible with in-home evaluations of people’s homes.

“I’m looking at the client in their home,” explains Gary. “I don’t have a crystal ball, but I do have an area of expertise that allows me to look at the client’s physical and cognitive abilities, which include short-term memory, physical strength, standing balance, and functional mobility inside and outside the home. I’m there to assess if a client can remain in the home with or without supportive services in place.”

A typical evaluation involves Gary interviewing and learning about the older resident of the home, considering any medical issues they may have and how those may play out in the future. He also likes to bring in all of the family members and friends who may act as the support system or caregivers. The evaluations typically take about one to two hours and include an assessment of the home.

Many people believe that stairs automatically mean that people can’t stay in a home as they age, but Gary explains that the individual capabilities of each person need to be assessed.

For many older individuals, staying in their home can be done with only small adjustments, such as adding grab bars to showers and beds, adding double-sided tape to rugs and floor strips to wires to prevent tripping and having appropriate levels of lighting so people can see clearly. Gary can also recommend small changes to the kitchen that make its use easier for people.

“These are simple fixes that make it much easier to navigate the home,” says Gary.

If Gary sees a need for larger home modifications, then his background in construction from before his occupational therapy career provides his clients with the knowledge and references that they need.

“I CAN LOOK BEYOND THE HOME ITSELF AND SEE THE POTENTIAL. I KNOW THE RIGHT QUESTIONS TO ASK AND THE RIGHT CONTRACTORS TO CALL.”

“I can look beyond the home itself and see the potential. I know the right questions to ask and the right contractors to call,” notes Gary.

Although his background is in occupational therapy, Gary doesn’t generally offer those services to his clients. He does sometimes recommend that people begin therapy and Gary encourages them to do so with a professional occupational or physical therapist.

“Many people don’t maintain it on their own and I don’t recommend that family members work with them as it can cause tension in their relationships,” explains Gary.

For his more independently mobile clients, Gary recommends joining a local gym, like Northampton Athletic Club. “They have many classes and several athletic trainers who specialize in developing and maintaining strength and balance in the older adult population." Seniors can also check with their local community senior centers for information on similar programs that might be available to them.

Gary has been an occupational therapist for 30 years, working in hospitals, acute rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities. His time with patients with a wide range of medical concerns, from head and spinal cord injuries to dementia and end-of-life care, provides a wealth of experience for Gary to draw from when making his recommendations.

For more information, visit www.GaryBivonaOTR.com or call 413-695-3483.

Attaching double-sided tape to rugs helps prevent tripping.

Therapists can join people in their homes.

Adding lighting is essential for safety.

A DAY OF MUSIC AND FUN

Thunder in the Valley raises money for Baystate Children’s Hospital

ARTICLE

BY TINA LESNIAK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LJ MICKNA PHOTOGRAPHY

Six performers. Fireworks. Vendors. Gourmet food trucks. Thunder in the Valley offers a day of joy while raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network at Baystate Children’s Hospital.

“It’s an event to bring people together,” says Mike Perrier, president of Thunder in the Valley Festival and Unbroken Wings, which organizes the festival. “The kids are free and there really is something for everyone.”

The lineup of performers includes locally well-known groups like Trailer Trash and national favorites Bennie and the Jets, an Elton John tribute band, and That Arena Rock Show, a classic rock tribute band to groups like Bon Jovi and Guns ‘n’ Roses.

“That Arena Rock Show has been selling out all over the country,” says Mike. “They really act the part and we’re really looking forward to them.”

New this year is a jeep run that will start at Metro Jeep on Memorial Drive in Chicopee and end at the festival.

Mike and a group of volunteers started Thunder in the Valley a decade ago as a way to help the kids. From there, the non-profit group Unbroken Wings was born, and the event has been “giving and growing ever since,” says Mike.

Thunder in the Valley runs from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and takes place at Molitoris Farm, 95 Park Hill Rd. in Easthampton. Children under 15 are free and tickets can be purchased on the website. For more information, visit www.ThunderInTheValleyMA.com

Mike and a group of volunteers started Thunder in the Valley a decade ago as a way to help the kids. From there, the nonprofit group

Unbroken Wings was born, and the event has been “giving and growing ever since.”

Consider a short-term stay at Armbrook Village

For a Break or a Tryout

This summer, families are looking to take a much-needed getaway and find time to relax. If you care for a senior loved one, you may find your family sacrificing a summer vacation due to concerns over leaving your loved one alone.

At Armbrook Village, we help families by offering a short-term or trial stay option. We are here to care for your loved one while you recharge, offering flexible, no-minimum short-term stay programs in both our Assisted Living and Compass Memory Support Neighborhoods.

WHY FAMILIES TURN TO A SHORT-TERM OR TRIAL STAY AT ARMBROOK VILLAGE

1. Give primary caregivers a break: Caring for older loved ones can take a toll on one’s emotional and physical health. Leave your worries behind as you travel for business or vacation or simply take some well-deserved rest. You can rely on us to provide excellent care so that you can return with renewed energy.

2. Transition after a hospitalization or rehab stay: When reimbursement constraints determine when an older adult is discharged from the hospital or rehab, they may not be ready to return home. Many families use our respite stay program to provide loved ones with additional support and monitoring to help them fully recover in a secure, nurturing environment.

3. Try out the experience of assisted living: Our trial stay program helps families decide if Armbrook Village is the right fit for their loved one. For seniors hesitant about moving, this option is the perfect step before committing.

At Armbrook Village, residents enjoy the privacy and independence of their own apartment home nestled within a vibrant, supportive and friendly community. Short-term or trial-stay residents have access to the same amenities as our traditional residents, including a fully-furnished apartment, personalized care and services, three restaurant-style meals daily, and enriching learning, arts and fitness programs with many social opportunities. We are here to care for your loved one for as long or as short as you need.

Contact Armbrook Village at 413-5680000 or info@armbrookvillage.com.

FATHER’S

DAY OUTINGS

With or without the kids, day trips to recharge

ARTICLE BY TINA LESNIAK

1. FOR FATHERS WHO GOLF - SOUTHAMPTON COUNTRY CLUB, 329 COLLEGE HIGHWAY, SOUTHAMPTON

Southampton Country Club is an 18-hole public golf course located in the rolling hills of New England, with well-manicured playing conditions, combined with beautiful views and experienced staff. For more information, visit www.SouthamptonCountryClub.com

2. FOR FATHERS WHO WANT A SERIOUS HIKEMETACOMET-MONADNOCK TRAIL,SECTION 7: NOTCH VISITOR CENTER, 1500 WEST ST., AMHERST

This 10.7-mile out-and-back trail near South Hadley in the Mt. Holyoke Range is considered a challenging route, taking an average of 6 hours to complete. This is a very popular area for birding and hiking. For more information, visit www.newenglandtrail.org/hike/ ma-net-section-7.

3. FOR FATHERS WHO WANT A RELAXED HIKEASHLEY RESERVOIR, WHITNEY AVE., HOLYOKE

Explore this 4.5-mile loop trail near Holyoke which is generally considered an easy route. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and mountain biking. For more information, visit www.alltrails.com/trail/us/massachusetts/ ashley-reservoir-trail

5. FOR FATHERS LOOKING FOR FUNSONNY’S PLACE, 349 MAIN ST., SOMERS, CT

With an arcade, batting cages, carousels, golf, go-karts, bumper boats and climbing walls, among many other attractions, Sonny’s place is a great place to let the dads and their kids let loose and have fun. For more information, visit www.SonnysPlace.com

4. FOR FATHERS LOOKING FOR ADVENTUREBERKSHIRE EAST MOUNTAIN RESORT, 66 THUNDER MOUNTAIN RD., CHARLEMONT

Berkshire East Mountain Resort is an unparalleled adventure destination.  From worldclass whitewater rafting, downhill mountain biking, zip line canopy tours, aerial adventure park and a mountain coaster. For more information, visit www.BerkshireEast.com

6. FOR FATHERS WHO WANT A PARK DAYLOOK PARK, 300 N. MAIN ST., FLORENCE

With over 150 acres to explore, Look Park has something for everyone: paddle boats, play structures, train rides and a small zoo - just to name a few! For more information, visit www.LookPark.org

Perfecting Your Golf Swing

ARTICLE BY DANIEL SCHOWENGERDT

Whether you are a new golfer or have been playing for decades, we all want the same thing—to be a single-digit handicap (or better). In some professions, golfing with clients is a must, and slicing off the tee box can kill the deal.

01. Get

fit for equipment.

If you are buying clubs off the rack, you aren’t giving yourself the best chance for success. Golf technology is evolving every year, and although you don’t need to buy a new driver each year, if you’ve been playing with the same clubs for 5+ years, it’s time to take advantage of the new equipment. Newer clubs have lower and deeper center of gravity (CG), creating an easier launch off the face. Any major golf store will fit you for free—just make sure you get the correct length club and size grip.

On drivers and hybrids, some of the newest equipment have premium shaft options off the rack. Generally, a $300 driver has a low-grade $15 shaft that you should change. The shaft is the engine of the club, so getting custom shafts will add distance and forgiveness—guaranteed.

As for the putter, you use it more than any other club in your bag on every round of golf. It should be the most tailored club in your bag.

02. Get good golf instruction, REGULARLY.

We’ve all heard someone say, “I should get a lesson sometime.” To be effective, you need regular lessons from a PGA certified pro, not just one lesson. Getting quality instruction from the same instructor can turn slices into draws and give you the confidence to play with anyone on any course. Years ago, golf instructors started instruction with chipping and putting and then graduated to the driver. Now, instructors have been pressured to start with the driver because we all want to outdrive our friends. Resist that temptation! Get instruction on your short game and irons first. My friend regularly outdrives me by 50 yards, but my ball is in the hole first most of the time because of my training and practice on the short game.

Read quality golf books for a higher golf IQ.

03.

There are thousands of golf books, but don’t worry, you only need to read a handful of them to up your golf IQ. Here are some top reads:

Short game: Dave Pelz’s Short Game Bible by Dave Pelz

Mental game: Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Bob Rotella

Mechanics: Practical Golf by John Jacobs

Ball flight laws: The Practice Manual by Adam Young (only read the first 50 pages)

Practice your short game every day.

04.

You don’t even have to spend time away from your family while practicing if you don’t have a golf simulator. You can practice putting and chipping on the carpet while watching TV with your family.

Chipping and the bump and run: The only mechanical advice I will give is the most important lesson you can learn in the short game. When you miss your approach shot you must be able to chip the ball within 8 feet of the hole for a one putt. Try this shot from Dave Peltz’s short game book. It gets me up and down from 25 yards out to just off the green.

USING THESE TIPS YOU CAN MAKE A DELICIOUS HOMEMADE BARBECUE SAUCE.

A good Barbeque sauce is comprised of a variety of the same six components. The key is to discover what style you enjoy most, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Oh, and taste often during the preparation process to adjust if so desired.

SOMETHING SWEET

This can be honey, cola, molasses, preserves, brown sugar, or syrup. This caramelizes as you cook, brining those smoky, sugary flavors.

SOMETHING TANGY

Think vinegar, mustard, or citrus. This is what brings the zing to your sauce.

SOMETHING SPICY

This provides your heat: a hot sauce is a great choice. A good rule of thumb is to use about 1/2 teaspoon for every cup of sauce you’re making.

SOMETHING LIQUID

It can be beer, water, chicken soda, stock, or wine. Start with about 1/2 a cup and see what happens.

SOMETHING TOMATO

You’ll most likely use ketchup, but you can also use tomato paste.

THE SPICE COMBINATION

This can depend on your liking and taste and can include anything from onion powder to garlic powder to chili powder to allspice to cayenne pepper to mustard powder to liquid smoke to cumin to Worcestershire sauce and more. Start with a teaspoon of salt, and keep tasting as you experiment with your desired spices.

HOMEMADE

BBQ SAUCE

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups ketchup

• 1 cup water

• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

• 5 tablespoons brown sugar

• 5 tablespoons sugar

• 1/2 tablespoon  black pepper

• 1/2 tablespoon onion powder

• 1/2 tablespoon ground mustard

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

DIRECTIONS

In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for 1 hour 15 minutes.

Recipe and information courtesy of Pat Neely and Gina Neely.

JUNE 1ST

ArtsHub –

Building

Community, Resiliency & an Equitable Creative Economy

BOMBYX Center for Arts and Equity, 130 Pine St, Northampton | 10:00 AM

The ArtsHub of Western MA invites artists, creatives, and arts managers of all kinds to join ArtsHub – Building Community, Resiliency & an Equitable Creative Economy: A Day of Connecting Artists, a day of workshops, panel discussion, and community. Speakers and panelists are still being confirmed. For more information, visit www.bombyx.live.

JUNE 6TH

The Verve Pipe

Iron Horse Music Hall, 20 Center St, Northampton | 7:00 PM

The Verve Pipe has spent the better part of three decades in evolution, creating a sound that transcends genre and generation and that's taken the band from late-'90s modern rock with the chart-topping "The Freshmen" — to the rule-breaking creativity of the 2010s. For more information, visit www.ironhorse.org.

JUNE 8TH

Pop-Up Bike Shop at Easthampton River Valley Co-op

River Valley Co-op, 232 Northampton St, Easthampton | 9:00 AM

Speed and Sprocket Cycle Works will set up a pop-up shop to perform tune-ups and repairs, as well as have a selection of new bicycles and accessories for sale. Come by, browse, find exactly what you didn't know you needed, and get some grocery shopping done in the process. For more information, visit www.speedandsprocket.com.

JUNE 8TH

Cultural Chaos 2024

Cottage Street, Easthampton | 12:00 PM

There’s something for everyone at Cultural Chaos! Puppets, stilt-walkers, circus acts, dancers, musicians, and performance artists – plus a variety of restaurants, artists, makers, poets, and literaries. Creative hearts from every discipline line the street and open their businesses’ doors to share their unique wares and imaginations with the 10,000+ attendees who come from far and wide each year. For more information, visit www.easthamptoncityarts.com/events-festivals/cultural-chaos

JUNE 21ST

The Magic of

Motown

Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main St, Northampton | 7:30 PM

This high energy homage to the legends of Motown will transport you back in time as you visit the very best of “Hitsville, USA!” The show features a cast of 15 powerhouse vocalists who embody everyone from Diana Ross & The Supremes to Marvin Gaye & The Jackson Five! For more information, visit www.aomtheatre.com

JUNE 29TH

Thunder in the Valley

Molitoris Farm, 95 Park Hill Rd, Easthampton | 11:30 AM

The Thunder in the Valley Music Festival is a day filled with incredible music and unforgettable fun. This year’s festival has something for everyone, with an over 21 VIP area, vendors and gourmet food trucks. The lineup of musicians is top-notch and sure to be an amazing experience. This event supports the Children's Miracle Network Hospital at Baystate Children's Hospital. For more information, visit www.thunderinthevalleyma.com.