WeHa Magazine • Vol. 11, No. 2, 2021 by 2020 Media

Vol. 11, No. 2 , 2021

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I 1 TRAVEL • GARDENING • FINANCE • WEDDINGS • GOLF

Vol. 11, No. 2, 2021 west hartford magazine

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An interactive art exhibit & fundraiser featuring artfully painted oversized bears on display right in West Hartford! For the latest updates and fun events and contests go to 20media20.com or follow us on Twitter: @wehabearfair Facebook: @wehabearfair Instagram: @wehabearfair This event is brought to you by

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contents Vol. 11, No. 2, 2021

DEPARTMENTS 13 WOMEN’S FASHION

Summer styling

21 GARDENING

Enjoying your summer garden

25 FINANCE

The value of a financial professional

MEN’S FASHION Finding your style

38 WEDDINGS

Safo-Agyeman/Budds

CHAMBER NOTES Why join the chamber?

Pictured on the cover: Detail of mural on the exterior of Jerry's Artarama in Elmwood was painted by artist Kevin Boudreau. (see page 44)

FEATURES 14 TRAVEL

DISCOVERING THE AZORES

22 GOLF

IT’S ALL IN THE FAMILY AT GOLFTEC

26 SENIORS

JUNIPER HOMECARE PROMOTES AGING IN PLACE

SUMMER READING GOOD SUMMER READS

40 PHILANTHROPY NEW ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES 8

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Dedicated to Service for over 50 years proud sponsor of

WeHa Publisher Tom Hickey

proud sponsor of

Associate Publisher Leslie Iarusso Editor in Chief Judie Jacobson Sales and Marketing Director Donna Edelstein Creative Director Elisa S. Wagner Digital Media Manager Hillary Sarrasin Graphic Designer Chris Bonito Accounts Manager Judy Yung Proofreader Tim Knecht Office Manager Howard Meyerowitz

Providing our community with the BEST possible service in their time of need. 1084 New Britain Ave. West Hartford 860.561.3800 | www.sheehanhilbornbreen.com

Contributing Writers & Columnists: Matt Banever, Chris Conway, Karla Dalley, Stacey Dresner, Karen Herbert, Barbara Karsky, Robert Laraia, Lisa Martin Photography Todd Fairchild/Shutterbug CT Publishing Partner Ledger Publications Websites: We-Ha.com, WestHartfordMagazine.com, Wehawheels.com, JewishLedger.com, 20Media20.com, wehacal.com Mike Roy/Roy Web Design Principals Thomas P. Hickey II James H. Gould III

40 Woodland St., Hartford, CT 06105 westhartfordmagazine.com office: 860.508.4032 West Hartford Magazine is published by 20/20 Media. To subscribe, renew or change address write: West Hartford Magazine, PO Box 271835, West Hartford, CT 06127; www.we-ha.com/subscribe. ADVERTISING: 860-508-4032. ©20/20 WHMedia, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without express permission of the publisher. West Hartford Magazine is a registered trademark owned by WHMedia, Inc. The opinions expressed by writers published by West Hartford Magazine are not necessarily those of the magazine.

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

BRING ON THE BEARS! Dear Readers,

t’s the year of the bear in West Hartford! Eighteen years ago, Ledger Publications — now a part of 20/20 Media — brought to West Hartford an outdoor exhibition of painted cows, each one sponsored by a business or individual. After many months of accolades from visitors who traveled from near and far, the exhibit came to a close — with proceeds benefitting a charitable organization chosen by that cow’s generous sponsor. It enhanced the town’s image as a fun, upscale, and trendy destination; benefited local shops and restaurants by drawing thousands of visitors to West Hartford Center; helped numerous non-profits carry on their important work; and cast a dazzling spotlight on our cadre of philanthropic sponsors. Now, we’re at it again! Except who needs cows when you’ve got bears? And boy, does West Hartford have bears — as evidenced by the myriad bear sightings reported all around town! The WEHA Bear Fair will be a little different than its predecessor. But it’s already shaping up to be a crowd favorite — and a spectacular success that will be an enormous benefit to local nonprofits and businesses.

HOW WILL THE WEHA BEAR FAIR WORK? Businesses, large and small, and individuals or groups of individuals, have sponsored 12 bears. Each sponsor has designated a charitable organization to benefit from the fundraising of their bear. Thanks to our sponsors: Elmwood Business Assoc. (Jerry’s Artarama, Webster Bank, Dr. Rick Liftig), Cantor Colburn, WTNH, Westfield Bank, West Hartford Funeral Homes (Sheehan Hilborn Breen, Molloy, Hebrew Funeral), Udolf Properties, Modern Tire, Juniper Homecare, Fleet Feet of West Hartford, Dogstar Rescue, Hartford Healthcare and Duncaster. Local artists have been chosen to design and paint the bears. Thanks to our artists: Corey Pane, Bill Dougal, Stephen Hunter, Anne Gogh, Bryan Wziontko, Ray Talbot

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relaunching a new and improved site in July that will feature all that we do including events and publications. Good news for the many people who were sorely disappointed by the cancellation of our popular #wehaevents. We will be announcing a schedule soon so you will be able to plan ahead. You can also check 20media20.com for updates. Be Safe, Be Well,

Ruck to Remember supporting APK Charities kicked off a virtual and live fundraising and awareness campaign on Memorial Day. For more information go to apkcharities.org.

with children from the Ronald McDonald House, Che' La'Mora Hardy, Ben Keller, Wendy Dobrint and volunteers from Dog Star Rescue, Joanna Cistulli, Deb Bibbins and volunteers from For All Ages and Tao LaBossiere. Once painted, the bears come out of ‘hibernation’ at a town wide WEHA Bear Fair Reveal that is open to all and are placed on display some time in August. At the end of the exhibition, the WEHA Bears will go to their permanent home chosen by their sponsor. The non-profits will benefit from a fundraising campaign that will run throughout the WEHA Bear Fair exhibit of which 100% of the proceeds will go straight to the non-profit beneficiary. Our non-profit beneficiaries are Faxon Library, Westmoor Park, The Ron Foley Foundation, APK Charities, Ronald McDonald House, Foundation for West Hartford Public Schools, CT Chapter of Alzheimer’s Association, Footwear with Care, Dogstar Rescue, Food FARMacy, For All Ages and The Bridge Family Center. So not only enjoy a “selfie” but also scan the QR CODE for each bear and donate! Donations can also be made in the WEHA Bear Fair section on 20media20.com Special thanks to our partners at Daley Moving and Storage, Art of Tao LaBoissiere and Hodges Landscaping. And speaking of 20media20.com, we will be

Thomas P. Hickey, Publisher tomh@westhartfordmagazine.com

FIND US ON: Facebook West Hartford Magazine We-Ha.com Wehabearfair Twitter @westhartfordmag @wehartford @WeHaBearFair Instagram @westhartfordite @wehabearfair Hashtags #wehaevents #bestofweha #weha #westhartford #wehahacomedy LinkedIn #wehaevents #2020Media

ONLINE STYLE BETTER THAN BEING THERE Step up your game this summer with Virtual Styling on Facebook Live EVERY Wednesday 7pm! Barbara & Karen have been styling fabulous women on Facebook Live every Wednesday at 7pm for over a year. Grab your favorite BFF, glass of wine and settle in... it’s fun! THE BK & CO. DIFFERENCE From clothing and accessory consultation to perfect selection, BK & Co. helps define your own extraordinary style. Developing intimate, personal relationships with their “client-friends” is what motivates them to understand and cater to your needs thoroughly and meticulously. Their stylists are dedicated to helping women (and men shopping for women) find beautiful clothing that fits and flatters. They ensure that you look as fabulous as you feel, so you are always your very best!

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AZORES April 2021

ver the past year, I have had new requests from honeymooners to plan a different type of honeymoon, and the Azores is high on their list of possible destinations. With all this interest, I decided to visit myself - after all, it is known as a beautiful archipelago 400 miles off the coast of Portugal, like Hawaii was before it was built up. After a night flight, I arrived early in the morning at the Joao Paul ll Airport in Ponta Delgada, Azores. At the hotel I recharged, and then took a nice long walk orienting myself as I walked up the coastline, admiring the New Zealand Christmas trees, a coastal evergreen with red plumes, flowers, the port,

hotels, markets, and local architecture. An early evening led to a fun day. I met our guide early the next morning for my full-day tour of Lagoa Furnas and to visit Terra Nostra Park and the geothermal hot springs. On the way, not far from Ponta Delgada, we had the opportunity to stop at the Praia de Aqua D’Alto in Villa Franca, a black sand beach that sparkled next to the waves against the beautiful coastline. Rows of nearly weightless black pumice stones, created from volcanic lava that had air blasted through it, have been laid across the beach in thin strips by the waves. For the majority of this day, I spent in a volcano crater! After a walk around Parque Terra Nostra, the botanical garden, I realized that I really did not know that much about camellias. This garden has one of the largest collections of camellias in the world. Next, it was time for a 40-minute dip in the hot springs – it was relaxing and therapeutic. The springs are filled with iron and the water is orange. I never went in a hot spring before and found it so pleasurable! There are a few local hotels focused on SPA, or health by or through water, with this hot spring as its shining gem. Certainly, I could have stayed another hour - or a few more days! After the hot spring, we drove over to Lagoa das Furnas where you can

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canoe and bike. It was lunch time, so we had traditional Cozido nas Calderas a Moda das Furnas– a stew made of chicken, beef, pork cabbage, local sweet potato, kale, and potato cooked in a special pot, and the juices of the meat and vegetables are used to cook the accompanying rice. The cooking is done with the volcano’s natural geothermal energy. We watched a family dig their pot out of the ground, at least 3 feet deep, next to the bubbling hot springs. The method is like a slow cooker, so our meal was put in the ground at 5 a.m. in the morning. Local cheese - St. George cheese, the best cheese of the Azores from the famed dairy cows - was our appetizer, and the finale of the meal was locally grown pineapple, small and sweet. After our tasty meal (so much food!) we drove up to two different viewing points along the edge of the crater to enjoy the bird’s eye view of the lush green landscape inside the dormant volcano. We headed to the tea plantation, Fabrica de Cha Gorreana, the only tea plantation in Europe. The setting was beautiful. From the small tea center, you could look up the hill and down the hill that led to the ocean. The beautiful deep green leaves are

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used to make green or black tea. There were a few small rooms with equipment, and a table where ladies were sorting the tea, and I sampled the broken leaf, which was mild, and the orange pekoe the tea of the highest quality, was full bodied. The tea plant is a small relative to the camellias I saw in the botanical garden. Botanically, it is called camellia sinensis, meaning camellia from China. I purchased 5 different types and shared and enjoyed them. If we had had time, I would have been to bike ride through this plantation, with its lush tea plants on the rolling hills overlooking the ocean! To finish the day, we visited a lookout point, Santa Iria, also on the north shore of the island, where to the west was the US, and to the east was Europe. We headed northeast towards Sete Cidades. On the drive we made a short visit to a local pineapple plantation – a small plantation where all the growing is done, due to the variations in temperature on the island, in greenhouses. We saw the different stages of growth and at the plantation’s goodies shop we sampled the locally made pineapple liquor. No artificial fertilizer is used to grow these sweet small beauties. Sete Cidades is considered one of the most photographed parts of the island! This parish has a unique double lake, one half green and one-half blue. There is a local folk story, which is told differently throughout the island of Sao Miguel, about why the same lake is two colors. Here is the version I heard and wrote down: A blond-haired princess was walking through the woods and heard beautiful music. It was being made by a dark-haired shepherd playing the flute while tending his sheep. They met in the woods daily and soon fell in love. When the King found out about this relationship, he forbade it and demanded that they not see each other again. They met one more time, and it is said the blondehaired blue-eyed princess cried and her tears filled the blue side of the lake, and the green-eyed shepherd cried and filled the other side of the lake. You can learn why these are the same lake yet two different colors when you visit

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We decided to go visit Lagoa do Fogo, Lake of Fire, even though it was a foggy day. Through the fog we slowly wound ourselves up the side of the volcano through a slew of hair pin turns, and we finally got to our destination – a chance to see the caldera lake, Lagoa do Fogo. The fog was covering the lake, but we were still happy to experience the trip up this volcano. The wind was blowing at approximately 50 mph and that along with the ride made it feel more like an adventure than just a sight-seeing venture. After we came down the other side of the volcano, out of the fog, we headed towards Ribeira Grande, a beach community where the international surfing competition had taken place, new hotels are being built, and beautiful public pools and vistas are there to enjoy. The town center has quite an amazing view in front of the church, Our Lady of Stars. We wrapped up the day with a visit to the only pottery factory in the Azores, Ceramica Vieira where you can purchase handmade items. A day walking around in Ponta Delgada gave us more than we had imagined. We visited the meticulously rehabilitated synagogue in town, Sinagoga Sahar Hassamain – the oldest in Portugal. The city has turned this building into a museum and Mr. Jose Mello was warm and friendly and wrote a book about his experience rebuilding this synagogue. We visited the local hotels on the coast and went to the local vegetable and fish market. The island also grows a small, sweet banana and I purchased some to snack on. The fish section of the market was small, but we got to meet the people who caught and sold the fish. There are many fish in the area and the Azores are known for their tuna, which they fish off the island and can for export. Right next door is the bodega O Rei dos Queijos, King of Cheese. That night we bought a two-month and 24-month St. George cheese, a mild goat cheese, and an herb cheese for dinner with local crackers. The walk led us to the old buildings with original wrought iron window railings - great variations, as it was the custom that owners of each house have their own design.

We took in the flowers, birds of paradise, the azaleas, and we were told the hydrangea will be big in the summer. We visited Jardim Jose do Canto for a quick walk on our last day and we visited the Carlos Machado Museum, founded in 1876. Next time I can go whale and dolphin watching in a zodiac raft, or watch from the pool on the 5th floor of a 5-star hotel on the marina. Lava cave spelunking is on my list because the lava formations are only found in a few places in the world. Swimming with the dolphins in the ocean – not in a manmade pool sounds fun, for me and the dolphins! I would like to visit the two remaining museums of the Carlos Machado Museum trilogy. There is rappelling on Ribeira dos Caldeiros and paragliding from the volcanic mountains of Maderia. Taking the wicker basket toboggan ride through the streets of Madeira is high on my list! On the island of Terceira, I plan to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Village of Angra do Heroismo and taste the local wines of the town of Biscoitos. I’m looking at my calendar to see when I can plan another trip to the Azores.

Covid Travel

e drove up to Framingham, MA to get the shuttle to the airport. My Covid testing was also easy, booking through cic-health. com and taking the test at the Xfinity center, no insurance required, and no cost. I received the results in 24 hours, which is not guaranteed, but is typical. When you travel, make sure you check to see when your covid test needs to be taken by; for traveling to the Azores, the test needed to be taken 72 hours before landing there. Once there, our hotel gave us 3 options to take the test for the return to the US. A quick taxi ride and we were done in 5 minutes! Lisa Martin, Travel Advisor, Luxury Cruise Specialist, ACC, Cruise Planners; Land and Cruise 860.929.0708 lisa.martin@ cruiseplanners.com TotalTravelToday.com

Vol. 11, No. 2, 2021 west hartford magazine 19

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GARDENING

Savoring the Beauties of a Summer Garden BY KARLA A. DALLEY

ummer afternoon— summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” Henry James I keep this quote in my garden journal at the beginning of the “July” section to remind me that summer is essentially a time to enjoy the garden and not to be constantly weeding, pruning, digging and otherwise doing so many chores that I forget to enjoy the hard work that I have already done in May and June. If there is one thing that the pandemic has taught us, it is that home—and by extension, our gardens, however we define those—can be our refuge. Many of us have learned this over this past year as we learned to work from home, go to school from home, shop from home—basically some of us, out of necessity, never left home. And many turned to the refuge of the garden, whether that garden was a fullfledged backyard with trees, a lawn, and garden beds, or something else. So, this year, as we approach the warmest parts of summer here in Connecticut, I want to encourage all gardeners to continue to enjoy one of the greatest hobbies that there is—gardening. But even more important, don’t lose sight of why you’re gardening—in other words, don’t continue to work so hard in the garden that you forget to enjoy the garden. And I offer this caution because I so often fall prey to it myself. So, what are some ways to savor the

beauties of your garden, whatever its size or type? For those of you that garden strictly indoors with house plants, enjoy the play of light on those plants. Have you ever noticed that at certain times of day, light coming through the window will highlight the underside of the leaves of a certain plant and give it a completely different look? I have a variegated plant with maroon undersides and when the sun hits that plant, the maroon shows through in a lovely way. Or perhaps the morning (or evening) sun will cast a reflection on an opposite wall, showing you a plant in a whole new light (no pun intended). Other plants are well known for their leaf movements. The Internet is full of videos of time lapse photography of these sorts of plants. While our eye rarely can catch these plants in motion, I can often “hear” one of my plants as its leaves adjust to the early morning light (it sounds like a gentle “swoosh” to me, but it might sound completely different to you). Early morning is also a wonderful time to sit outside (if you have a spot to do so) and listen to the birds in the trees. Or take a morning cup of coffee or tea outside and just sit quietly and observe. You will be surprised, if you sit still, how many things you will see. Birds will land quite close by, as will butterflies, if you just stay quiet. It’s a lovely, peaceful way to start the day. If you don’t have a place of your own, a drive to any of our wonderful parks after dinner will also permit you to listen to

birds as they call to each other. Sunset is so late this time of year that a lawn chair and a quiet spot is all you need to enjoy this treat. You might even bring a picnic with you. If you do have your own backyard, try picnicking there. Or go out near sunset to see if you can spot any fireflies. I am blessed to still have a population of them in my backyard and it gives me a thrill every time I see them. I actually recorded a video of them on my phone a year or two ago because I was afraid that they might disappear within my lifetime—let’s hope not! To find fireflies, go to the darkest spot in your yard at sunset. They’re usually evident by this time of year. You will want a spot where pesticides haven’t been used, because they are sensitive to those. You will also want to stay outside in the same spot for several minutes to allow your eyes to become accustomed to the dark. The insects are not shy—they won’t mind you standing there—but stand still and be quiet in order to better see them. Once your eyes adjust to the dark, if there are fireflies present, you should see them, gently glowing as they flit among your plants. Summer is here—let’s make the most of it and truly enjoy our gardens! Karla Dalley is a garden writer and speaker from West Hartford. kdalley@comcast.net. gardendaze.wordpress.com

Vol. 11, No. 2, 2021 west hartford magazine 21

For the Souzas, GOLFTEC is a family affair. A West Hartford family affair.

ou could practice your golf swing endlessly at the local driving range, hoping you might improve your golf game. Or you can head to GOLFTEC, a golf training center in West Hartford that offers a technology-based system that analyzes and evaluates your golf swing, then sets you up with lessons and your own golf pro or “coach” who instructs you on exactly what to do to improve your game. “Our goal is to help people play better golf,” says Dave Souza, co-owner and manager of the West Hartford GOLFTEC and one of the center’s certified personal golf coaches. For Souza, GOLFTEC is a family affair. The West Hartford native and his wife Shannon opened the state-of-the-art GOLFTEC center on New Britain Avenue in March 2017, along with his parents and co-owners, Bill and Michelle Souza, who also live in West Hartford. The family now owns the franchise rights for GOLFTEC in Hartford County and plans to open even more of the training centers down the road. Since it opened, GOLFTEC in West Hartford has given 33,000 lessons to more than 3,200 clients. Its revenue has grown to $3.5 million. “The response has been great,” Dave says, noting that word of mouth from satisfied customers drawing in more customers. “It just seems to be snowballing in a really positive way,” he says. GOLFTEC is the perfect business for the Souzas, two of whom are longtime golfers and passionate fans of the sport… and two of whom are in the process of following in their footsteps. “My dad and I are the primary golfers,” says Dave. “My wife is starting to learn, and my mom is also in the process. They're GOLFTEC students.” “I’m learning now because I have a really good coach --- my son David,” Michelle laughs. “It gives me a social, physical outlet that I wouldn't have otherwise. And it doesn't take a team. You can play by yourself; you can play with a group; you can play as a couple. That’s also pretty fun.”

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Love at first swing Dave says he fell in love with the sport of golf as a kid after attending the Canon Greater Hartford Open – now the Traveler’s Championship – with his father. “I was 10 or 11 years old, and I just fell in love with the athleticism and the finesse of the sport. I’ve been passionate about golf ever since,” he says. Young Dave immediately asked his dad for a set of golf clubs — and the rest, as they say, is history. He and his father have been golfing together at Rockledge Golf Club ever since. Calling his dad “a great athlete,” Dave says the elder Souza played baseball for Amherst College, among other sports, until he decided to switch courses and try out for the college golf team. He quickly fell in love with the sport. “I love the humility of the game, the camaraderie, the physical part of it as well as the personal challenge,” says Bill. “You can play it until you are old, and anyone can play because of the handicap system. It’s a game that everyone can come together to play.” A 2005 graduate of Hall High School, Dave took his passion for the sport to Florida State University where he majored in professional golf management. Following graduation, he set out to find a job in the golf world in New England, to be close to Shannon, to whom he was then engaged and who was working in Boston. In 2010, he found what he was looking for at the Burlington GOLFTEC Center. He later worked at the Boston GOLFTEC for seven years. But Dave’s heart was always back home in West Hartford. “Growing up, I always wanted to try to return and open some sort of golf center in West Hartford,” he explains. “After working at the GOLFTEC in Boston, I knew that it would do really well in West Hartford if we could open up a franchise.” Headquartered in Denver, GOLFTEC has grown from one small center in 1995 to 200 locations worldwide today. Dave proposed the idea of opening a GOLFTEC franchise to his parents and they loved the idea. And so in March 2017, Dave and Shannon, and Bill and Michelle opened their first GOLFTEC center on New Britain Avenue in West Hartford. “When this opportunity came along, we said, ‘We know West Hartford well, we know there are a lot of golfers here

The Souza family, owners of GOLFTEC in West Hartford, from left to right: Heather, Michelle, Dave and Bill.

and a lot of golf courses nearby. And there is a lot of interest in good physical activity and sports,’” says Michelle. So we just said, ‘Okay, let’s explore it.’ And we did. To be in the position to have a family business where you've helped fulfill one of your children's professional dreams is pretty neat.” Today, Dave serves as manager and coach of the West Hartford GOLFTEC; Michelle, the former marketing and development director for Jewish Family

Services in West Hartford, handles the center’s marketing and does some of GOLFTEC’s corporate marketing; and Bill, a technology executive now retired from Cigna and ESPN, handles the business’s financial and back-office side operations. “We’re attracting people from all over – people from the Connecticut Shoreline, Massachusetts, the Berkshires. Our customers are half local and half long distance. It’s an attraction,” Bill says.

Covid put plans for additional franchises in greater Hartford on the backburner for a while, but as things normalize, the Souzas are hoping to open one or two more GOLFTEC centers within the next few years. “We’re hoping to open more centers because we're helping people play better golf,” Dave says. “The more we can get out there and help, the more people will come to the game and that's our objective.” n

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FINANCE

who had financial professionals.1

MEASURING THE VALUE OF A FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL

Vanguard analyzed three key services that a professional may provide: portfolio construction, wealth management, and behavioral coaching. It estimated that portfolio construction advice (e.g., asset allocation, asset location) could add up to 1.2% in additional return, while wealth management (e.g., rebalancing, drawdown strategies) may contribute over 1% in additional return.1

Findings suggest that these relationships can make a difference for investors.

Asset allocation is an approach to help manage investment risk. Asset allocation does not guarantee against investment loss. The study provided feedback and estimates based on customer experience. The value of advice is not a guarantee of performance.

PROVIDED BY ROBERT A. LARAIA, RFC, FOUNDING PARTNER NORTHSTAR WEALTH PARTNERS

What is a relationship with a financial professional worth to an investor? Vanguard, one of the world’s largest money managers, attempted to answer that question.

The biggest opportunity to add value was in behavioral coaching, which was estimated to be worth about 1.5% in additional return. Financial professionals can use their insight to guide clients away from poor decisions, such as accepting excessive risk in a portfolio. Indeed, the greatest value of a financial professional may be in helping individuals adhere to an agreed-upon financial and investment strategy.1

Vanguard’s whitepaper concluded that when an investor works with a professional and receives that level of investment advice, they may see a net portfolio return about 3% higher over time.1 How did this study arrive at that conclusion? By comparing self-directed investor accounts to this model, Vanguard found that the potential return relative to the average investor experience was higher for individuals

Of course, financial professionals can account for additional value not studied by Vanguard, such as helping clients implement wealth management

strategies, which may help protect against the financial consequences of loss of income,and coordinating with other financial professionals on tax management and estate strategies. After years of working with a financial advisor, the value of a relationship may be measured in both tangible and intangible ways. Many such investors are grateful they are not “going it alone.” n Northstar Wealth Partners nstarwp.com rlaraia@nstarwp.com Robert A. Laraia, RFC, Founding Parnter Northstar Wealth Partners 433 South Main Street Suite 120 West Hartford, CT 06110 888.886.7737 860.561.1906 fax rlaraia@nstarwp.com www.nstarwp.com

Securities offered through LPL Financial member FINRA/SIPC. This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note - investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment. «RepresentativeDisclosure» Citations. 1 - advisors.vanguard.com/iwe/pdf/ISGQVAA.pdf [2/19]

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Juniper Homecare promotes Aging in Place BY STACEY DRESNER

WEHA Bear Fair forges a lasting relationship between Juniper Homecare and the Alzheimer's Association Helping the ever-increasing senior adult population “age in place” is the goal of Juniper Homecare in West Hartford. “Providing the best possible care to help people stay at home is our main priority,” said Anton Brel, Juniper’s vice president of operations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Juniper’s services have literally been a lifesaver – providing homecare services to seniors who are not only at high risk of infection but were also extremely isolated during the quarantine period. Juniper caregivers, including more than 30 registered nurses, underwent countless COVID tests and took painstaking precautions that included wearing full PPE – Personal Protective Equipment – to be able to enter clients’ homes to provide the housekeeping, personal care, healthcare, and companionship which allow seniors to stay in their own homes safely and comfortably. Juniper’s four adult day centers around the state – in West Hartford, Hamden, Hartford, and New Britain –

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with a total enrollment of around 200 meal in a bag, knocked on the door and seniors, were forced to close for a few left it there – and we made sure our drivmonths during the height of COVID, ers would see the person come out and but Juniper’s Meals on Wheels program pick it up. Much of it we did probono, and its Elmwood Kitchen jumped in to just making sure people were okay and provide meals not only to their hometheir necessities were taken care of. care clients but to seniors who could no “We provided the families with longer attend the adult day centers. tremendous peace of mind. Just “I think that COVID opened everyknowing that someone was always body's eyes to the fact that staying at seeing mom and dad or grandma and home is probably the best possible way grandpa every day.” to age,” Brel said. “We worked with the Always looking for the next advanceConnecticut Association of Adult Day ment in senior adult care, Juniper has Centers and the Department of Social become the largest in-state provider Services, and we were of Connecticut’s Adult Family able to institute a wellCaregiving program. Through ness check and a Meals this program, family members on Wheels delivery. So, can become Direct CareGivers the people who would (DCG) for loved ones 65 and normally be getting that older in the same household kind of care were not left and can receive payment up to hanging. $28,000 tax free, depending on "We had the regular the level of care that the person nurses and the staff needs. Seniors must qualify calling on our people for the program under Title 19 twice a day. Anything and must meet certain income they might need – such as thresholds. medication – we would “It’s really unique. Honestly, deliver. it's like a lifeline for many It was a tough time, but people,” Brel said, emphasizing we doubled our meal prothe benefit especially for those gram during that period living with multi-generations in Founder and president because state agencies one household. and insurance companies Andrei Brel (above) “So, grandma might be living were calling us. Our meal and Anton Brel, with them, and they want to keep program was completely Juniper’s vice president her at home. If she gets sick, then of operations. touchless. We put the the options are that maybe she

goes to assisted living or a nursing home or she gets hospitalized. But we firmly believe that nobody can get better care than from family members,” he said. Since, in many of these cases, family members must take time off from work or perhaps quit their job to take proper care of their elderly relatives, the stipend from the Adult Family Caregiving program provides necessary income to the caretaker. Family members who become direct caregivers are trained by Juniper nurses to provide the care their loved one needs. Each family is assigned a nurse who visits and a care team who are there to assist. “We provide them with a tablet with our proprietary technology so they can get a hold of our office and nurse for anything at any time. We’re there 24-7,” Brel said. Juniper also gives these families access to an online Family Learning Center, where they're able to browse any type of healthcare topic, like diabetes or nutrition. “We support, empower, and even compensate family caregivers,” he said.

“We think that's very important because a caregiver shortage is actually going to be one of the next healthcare crises. Baby boomers are aging and a lot of them want to stay home, wanting to age in place. So, family caregiving is going to become more and more and more important.” Perhaps Juniper is so in tune to the needs of families because of its own strong family background. Founder and president Andrei Brel – Anton’s father -- immigrated to the United States from his native Russia with his family in 1993. After working for the state’s Elder Protective Services department and realizing his interest in working with the elderly population, Andrei pursued a master’s degree in social work at UConn, then founded Juniper Homecare in 1998. Today, the entire Brel family is involved in homecare. Besides Andrei and Anton, Andrei’s wife Zhanna founded and now oversees the Meals on Wheels program; and their other child, Julia, is a billing specialist for Juniper. The Brels are proud residents of West Hartford, which is why they had

painted on their New Britain Avenue office building a colorful mural designed by artist Benjamin Keller to honor both West Hartford and the town’s Elmwood section. The mural depicts the area’s past – Charles E. Beach, an early area dairy farmer, and Charter Oak Park, a former racecourse and amusement park – and present – West Hartford residents Javiar Colon, winner of the first season of “The Voice,” and Lhakpa Sherpa, who has climbed to the top of Mount Everest nine times. “We wanted to make the building a landmark,” Anton recalled. Juniper Homecare is also one of the sponsors of the WEHA Bear Fair, which will feature a town-wide exhibition of fiberglass bears painted by an array of artists. The bears, which will be on display throughout town this summer, are designed to highlight local sponsors and raise money for area nonprofits. Predictably, Benjamin Keller will design Juniper Homecare’s WEHA Bear, the proceeds of which will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association of Connecticut. “We were thinking of what our nonprofit was going to be and we asked

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all of our employees and staff…and we all decided the Alzheimer's Association would be fantastic,” Anton Brel said. “We’re really excited.” Now that the WEHA Bear Fair has brought them together, Juniper’s awareness of Alzheimer’s and its devastating impact on families and communities has been raised. And they intend to continue their relationship with the Alzheimer’s Association. “We actually want to make a commitment to the Alzheimer’s Association, so we have become the premier sponsor for all the Alzheimer’s Walks,” said Anton. “They're doing seminars with us and teaching all of our caregivers and our nurses to be certified Alzheimer’s trainers, and we're going to be present at all their walks. So, it's going to be mutually beneficial.” Juniper will have tents at all seven of this year’s Alzheimer’s walks around ConnectiDetail from the mural cut. at Juniper's “We New Britain Avenue have carelocation givers in all different parts of the state and the walks are in all different parts of the state. So, we’ll invite our caregivers to come out and support it as well,” he said. “Hopefully, there'll be a cure for Alzheimer's in the near future and we really want to be a part of that.” n

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Hebrew Center for Health and Rehabilitation

THE HEBREW CENTER FOR HEALTH AND REHABILITATION:

Experience 5-Star Nursing Care Complemented with our HKC Certified Kosher Meals HKC

‫כשר‬

CERTIFIED KOSHER

At the Hebrew Center for Health and Rehabilitation, we understand that maintaining your religious beliefs and principles is fundamental in continued enrichment of life.

Our Kosher meal services allow residents to maintain their dietary requirements throughout their stay with us. At the Hebrew Center, we ensure we follow all principles of kashrut including purchase, storage, preparation, and service.

At the Hebrew Center for Health and Rehabilitation, we offer a variety of services and amenities to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible. SERVICES INCLUDE: • Long-Term Skilled Nursing Care • Passport to Rehabilitation Program • Dementia Care • Respite Care Program • Palliative Care and Hospice Services Coordination

OUR AMENITIES INCLUDE: • Barber/Beauty Shop • Café • Cultural Menus • Laundry and housekeeping services • Patient and Family education

We’re only minutes away - but miles ahead in care! Contact us today to learn more. 1 Abrahms Boulevard West Hartford, CT 06117 860.523.3800 www.HebrewCenterRehab.com

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MEN'S FASHION

Finding Your Style BY MATTHEW BANEVER

ccept. Change. Leave. These three words can be powerful when applied to one’s life. Life is full of turbulent times and these three words can help guide us through life's most challenging storms. No need to check the section at the top of the page; yes, you are reading a Style column and not a Self-Growth piece. Finding one’s style can be daunting - I work in fashion and I will be the first to admit it. But a running theme in my columns is to be the voice you’ve always needed to hear. Finding clothing that fits is annoying; trying clothing on is frustrating; envisioning an amazing outfit in your head only to put it on and see Potato Head staring back at you is... well... just deflating. But here is the piece you have always known and just need to hear again, out loud: you just have to do it. You have to go to a few stores and try things on. If you do this once, and I mean give it an honest one- or two-day no holds barred try, the rewards will be everlasting. Excuses you need to throw away: “well, I’m just not that stylish,” or “you can wear that, I can’t.” Have you ever heard someone say (or said yourself), “I’m just so bad with names.” No. NO you are not. Be honest, you’re not trying to remember their name. You’re probably focused on a million other things during that interaction. This wake-up call also applies to style. Style is not the same as fashion. Style is wearing clothing that fits and makes you comfortable. Fashion is pushing boundaries with colors and patterns. Go to West Hartford Center, or any shopping destination (I prefer the Center because of the personal attention the stores give me) and just tell them what you like, what you don’t

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Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival

like, what has been working for you, where you shop, and maybe even what style icons inspire you. From there the experts can recommend products for you to try on and help you home in on what you actually enjoy wearing, and even more importantly, what you don’t enjoy wearing. In the fitting room remember: Accept. Change. Leave. You can love the item, like it but want to alter it, or just leave it behind. Break it down. The outcome: you will stop wasting thousands of dollars over the years on clothing that doesn’t quite fit. You will stop getting gifts from people who are just guessing what you like because you are a wild card dresser; your confidence will increase when you step into the world, and the amount of decisions you make daily will decrease. Do you think Steve Jobs was born in a black turtleneck and jeans? I’ll go out on a limb and say he was not. What he did do, was he tried things on and concluded that this was his style, this was his story. Once you have a sense for your body and how things should feel when they fit (i.e., buy shirts that fit in the neck rather than the body because the body can be altered), if you feel so inclined you can then push the boundaries of fashion. You may be brave enough to try this because you have a foundation to build upon. You will become a more confident, more stylish (see above), and a more conscious dresser.

July 29–August 15, 2021

Thurs–Sat: 7:30 pm • Sundays: 5:30 pm Outdoor performances at the University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford FOR TICKETS VISIT:

HartfordShakespeare.org

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On behalf of the Children’s Charity Ball Committee & the Bridge Family Center THANK YOU Your generous support of our virtual Ball raised $201,000 for children and families in our community A special thank you to our Diamond Sponsor – Pratt & Whitney

Matthew Banever Bards Clothing, Founder, Owner (860) 978-6234 Matthew@ BardsClothing.com

The Bridge Family Center • 1022 Farmington Ave., • West Hartford, CT 06107 860.521.8035 • info@bridgefamilycenter.org

Vol. 11, No. 2, 2021 west hartford magazine 31

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Vol. 11, No. 2, 2021 west hartford magazine 33

SUMMER READING

Attention book lovers: Summer is here!

TIME TO BREAK OPEN A GOOD SUMMER READ… OR 2 OR 3 OR 4 OR MORE

hat better time to crack open a good book than the lazy days of summer? And this summer there are all sorts of exciting new literary releases — from gripping family dramas to juicy tales of romance to who-done-its and spy novels — to choose from. Here is just a sampling of what fun you can find these days in your local or virtual library or bookstore. Most of these picks are recently published, with a few just days away from being released.

IN BOOKSTORES NOW THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN CUBA by Chanel Cleeton

When Grace Harrington lands a job at William Randolph Hearst's newspaper in 1896, it’s a story emerging from Cuba that changes her life. Unjustly imprisoned in a notorious Havana women's jail, 18-year-old Evangelina Cisneros dreams of a Cuba free from Spanish oppression. When Hearst splashes her image on the front page of his paper, proclaiming her, "The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba," she becomes a rallying cry for American intervention in the battle for Cuban independence. With the help of Marina Perez, a courier secretly working for the Cuban revolutionaries in Havana, Grace and Hearst's staff attempt to free Evangelina. Soon, the three women are

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forced to risk everything in their fight for freedom. HOUR OF THE WITCH by Chris Bohjalian

In his new novel, Chris Bohjalian takes aim at the Salem witch trials. As a young Puritan woman in 1662 Boston, Mary Deerfield is the second wife of Thomas, an abusive and powerful man. When a boy she has treated with herbs dies, and her servant runs screaming in fright from her home, Mary is in for the fight of her life to escape not only her husband but also a certain death sentence for witchcraft. A twisting, tightly plotted novel of historical suspense from one of our greatest storytellers, Hour of the Witch is a timely and terrifying story of socially sanctioned brutality and the original American witch hunt. WHILE JUSTICE SLEEPS by Stacey Abrams

Avery Keene is a brilliant young woman who shines in her job as a law clerk while also dealing with a troubled family. When news breaks that her boss, Justice Howard Wynn, is in a coma, Avery’s life changes dramatically. As his legal guardian and power of attorney, she discovers Wynn suspected a conspiracy lurking in the vast power hold of Washington. Drawing

on her astute inside knowledge of the court and political landscape, Stacey Abrams shows herself to be not only a force for good in politics and voter fairness but also a major new talent in suspense fiction. OUR WOMAN IN MOSCOW by Beatriz Williams

This Cold-War era spy novel perfectly portrays the ambiance of the era. It’s autumn 1948 when Iris Digby vanishes from her London home with her American diplomat husband and their two children. No one knows what to make of it. Were they eliminated by the Soviet intelligence service? Four years later, Ruth Macallister receives a postcard from her twin sister Iris begging for help and in days she heads to Moscow, posing as the wife of a counterintelligence agent in a dangerous plot to extract the Digbys from behind the Iron Curtain. THE ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF LENI AND MARGOT by Marianne Cronin

At 17, Lenni Pettersson lives in the Terminal Ward at the Glasgow Princess Royal Hospital because of a blood disorder. One day, she meets 83-year-old Margot at the hospital’s arts-and-crafts class. Soon, the two establish a friendship and Margot decides to

SHUTTER by Melissa Larsen

show Lenni how to live life in the best way. Break out the tissues for this one.

After the sudden death of her father, Betty Roux agrees to star in a mysterious indie filmmaker's latest project despite her mother’s objections. The director, Anthony Marino, proposes she live in a cabin on a private island off the coast of Maine with the cast and crew. When strange things start happening on the island, the film turns into something completely different. A chilly thriller with an unexpected ending.

PALACE OF THE DROWNED by Christina Mangan

It’s the year 1966 when novelist Frankie Croy accepts a generous offer from her best friend to live rent-free in her family’s palazzo in Venice while Croy finished her novel and recovers from the nervous breakdown that sent her to a hospital. In Venice, she meets Gilly, who pushes her way into Frankie’s life, strange things begin happening at the palazzo. Frankie begins questioning her sanity, and how much she really knows about Gilly. A great psychological thriller with a very unexpected ending.

WHAT A HAPPY FAMILY by Saumya Dave

From the outside, the Joshi family is the quintessential Indian-American family. Decades ago, Bina and Deepak immigrated to America, where she became a pillar of their local Indian community and he, a successful psychiatrist. Their eldest daughter, Suhani, is following the footsteps of her father’s career and happily married. Natasha, their middle daughter, is about to become engaged to the son of longtime family friends. And Anuj, their son—well he’s a son and what could be better than that? But a family scandal filled with hidden truths and harsh revelations shows that nothing is as it seems. As they encounter public humiliation, gossiping aunties, and self-doubt, the Joshi family must rely on each other like never before. A moving but also funny novel.

THE MAIDENS by Alex Michaelides

Group therapist Mariana Andros knows Cambridge University Greek tragedy professor Edward Fosca is a killer, but he is loved by staff and students, particularly by the members of a secret society of female students known as The Maidens. When a friend of Mariana’s niece Zoe is found murdered, she knows Fosca is responsible. Will she ever be able to prove it? BATH HAUS by P.J. Vernon

In this addictive cat-and-mouse thriller, recovering addict Oliver Park seems to finally have his life together. He’s sober and has a loving new partner in Nathan. But some habits are hard to break, and Oliver ends up visiting Haus, a gay bathhouse for one final anonymous encounter. He didn’t expect for things to go terribly wrong and Oliver flees vowing Nathan will never know the truth of what really happened.

DREAM GIRL by Laura Lippman

Injured in a freak fall, author Gerry Andersen is confined to a hospital bed after an accident and dependent on two women he barely knows: his young assistant and a night nurse. One night, he receives a call from

someone claiming to be Aubrey, the title character from his most successful novel, Dream Girl. But Aubrey isn’t real. Gerry is now trapped between fact and fiction, not knowing whether someone is trying to drive him insane or he’s actually losing grip on reality. THE GUNCLE by Steven Rowley

Patrick is used to being the “fun gay uncle,” and would do absolutely anything for his niece and nephew. But he never imagined that that would include taking over the role of guardianship when their parents fall into an unexpected health crisis. With a not-so-kid-friendly lifestyle, he doesn’t know the first thing about parenting. A heartwarming, humorous new novel, that highlights the true meaning of family reminding us that everyone — even parents — is only human. TALK BOOKISH TO ME by Kate Bromley

As a bestselling romance novelist, Kat Sullivan gets her happily-ever-after fix between the covers of a book. But right now? With Kara’s best friend getting married next week and the deadline for her next novel looming, she hasn’t written a single word. The last thing she needs is for her infuriating first love, Ryan Thompson, to suddenly appear in the wedding party. But Ryan’s unexpected arrival sparks a creative awakening in Kara — and she knows there’s only one way for her to finish her book. But can she embrace her unlikely muse to write her own happy ending? THE OTHER BLACK GIRL by Zakiya Dalila Harris

Neila, Wagner Books’ only black employee, is fed up with the constant scrutiny and is ecstatic when Harlem-bred Hazel joins the Wagner team. But just as the two begin to bond, a chain

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COMING SOON…

of events puts Hazel in the place of “office sweetheart,” and leaves Nella in the dust. When hostility is pointed in Nella's direction, she begins to realize that there is a lot more than her career at Wagner on the line.

MONA AT SEA by Elizabeth Gonzalez James

Mona is a perfectionist who, despite her top-of-her-class college degree, finds herself unemployed, living with her parents, and adrift in life and love. In the financial and social malaise of the early 2000s, Mona walks a knife’s edge as she faces down unemployment, underemployment, the complexities of adult relationships, and the downward spiral of her parents’ shattering marriage. The more Mona craves perfection and order, the more she is forced to see that it is never attainable. Will she ever find what gives our life meaning…and will we be ready for it?

THE ONE YOU'RE WITH by Lauren K. Denton

Sweethearts since high school, Mac and Edie Swan are the iconic love story of their small town. Edie, a well-respected interior designer and Mac, a much-loved pediatrician, live an idyllic life with their two beautiful children. But when a piece of Mac’s past walks into the office one day, it calls into question the couple’s identities, their family, and the future of their relationship, forcing them to navigate their future in a whole new way.

Release date: June 30, 2021 THE THERAPIST by B.A. Paris

When Alice and Leo move into a newly renovated house in The Circle, a gated community of exclusive houses, it is everything they’ve dreamed of. But appearances can be deceptive. As Alice gets to know her neighbors, she discovers a devastating secret about her new home, and begins to feel a strong connection with Nina, the therapist who lived there before. Alice becomes obsessed with trying to piece together what happened two years before. But no one wants to talk about it. A gripping psychological thriller.

GOODBYE, LARK LOVEJOY by Kris Clink

After months of grieving over the loss of her husband, Lark Lovejoy needs to start anew in order to heal her broken heart and continue to take care of the couple’s young sons. The last thing on Lark’s mind as she returns to her small Texas hometown is to fall in love again, especially not with handsome Army vet Wyatt Gifford. As Lark chases her dreams of becoming a winemaker and Wyatt struggles with conquering his own demons, the two somehow find their ways to feeling whole again.

to Manhattan for her sister’s funeral to confront her brotherin-law. But when Theo reveals his dark side, as well as suspicions of Caroline's infidelity, Deirdre changes course to uncover Caroline’s secrets, not realizing that she has put her own life in danger, and that Theo may not be the only killer in the family. Release date: July 1, 2021 INCENSE AND SENSIBILITY by Sonali Dev

Yash Raje, California’s first serious Indian gubernatorial candidate, has always known exactly what he wants—and how to use his privileged background to get it. But when a hate-fueled incident throws his life off-track and affects his mental health, his family turns for help to India Dashwood, California’s foremost stress management coach. But Yash has spent a lifetime repressing everything to succeed including their one magical night 10 years ago — a too brief, too bright passion that if rekindled, threatens the life he’s crafted for himself. Exposing the secrets might be the only way to save him but it’s also guaranteed to destroy the dream he’s willingly shouldered for his family and community…until now. Release date: July 6, 2021

Release date: June 30, 2021 HER LAST BREATH by Hilary Davidson

When Deirdre’s beloved sister Caroline dies, she receives a mysterious letter revealing Caroline’s husband Theo as the culprit. A pariah to her family, Deirdre covers her tattoos and heads

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WEDDINGS

A LOVE STORY LEFT TO FATE

Alexis Safo-Agyeman & Kevin Budds Photos by Todd Fairchild; shutterbugct.com

lexis Safo-Agyeman and Kevin Budds were not supposed to meet. Sure, they both grew up in West Hartford and shared more than a dozen mutual friends. Yes, they like to frequent the same favorite watering holes. OK, so they’re sisters are former co-workers. To be sure, their mutual friends, Ashlee and Tyler Cawley, thought they would make THE perfect match. In fact,

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the Cawleys planned on setting them up. Why wouldn’t they? After all, they knew Alexis and Kevin shared the same family values, both loved to engage in intellectual conversations, and were believers in the sanctity of love and marriage. Still, by the time Thanksgiving 2017 drew near, Alexis and Kevin had yet to meet. And it seemed as if a connection between these two kindred souls was simply not in the cards…and might never be.

Trust the fates to intervene. In late 2017—on the evening before Thanksgiving to be exact—Alexis and Kevin found themselves out with friends at Treva Restaurant & Bar in West Hartford Center. And that was that. Now, nobody would ever suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic was a good thing — not in any way, shape, or form. But it did give Alexis and Kevin a built-in excuse to throw the kind of small, inti-

mate wedding they had dreamed of. A fall wedding in which the joyous couple was surrounded by immediate family and close friends. A wedding that was more like a warm and loving group hug than a big boisterous bash. And so, standing before an ordained minister — who happens to double as Kevin’s brother-in-law — in the midst of an idyllic rose garden that lightly scented the air, the couple said their ‘I do’s.

The end…of Chapter 1, that is. The page will be turned on Chapter 2 of their beautiful love story in November 2021, when Alexis and Kevin look forward to welcoming to their happy home their first child. To be continued. n

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Philanthropist launches endowment campaign to strengthen non-profits throughout Greater Hartford

reater Hartford has hundreds of nonprofits, educational and cultural institutions that keep us healthy, support our most vulnerable populations, inspire our creativity and care for our historical treasures. These institutions are a critical economic engine and an integral part of our region’s civic fabric. By establishing and building endowments, they can secure their future and send a message of long-term stability, fiscal responsibility, and financial viability.

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Recognizing the importance of endowment giving, the Zachs Family Foundation has created a matching gift opportunity, Endow Hartford 21, to help build endowments for nonprofit organizations in the Greater Hartford region. More than 60 organizations were invited to participate, representing a broad spectrum of nonprofit services from health and human services to arts and culture. The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (HFPG) and the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater

Hartford (JCF) are collaborating to provide administrative support and in so doing, have helped to create a ‘first of its kind’ program, designed to incentivize endowment giving throughout the community. With a matching fund to stimulate giving, it is hoped that donors will be inspired to make gifts to multiple organizations, and thereby ensure the long-term stability of these vital institutions. The Endow Hartford 21 Match Program has been initially funded with $1 million from the Zachs Family Foundation.

Other organizations and individuals are being approached for additional matching funds and to date, an additional $700,000 has been raised. “I woke up Thanksgiving Day at 4 a.m. and thought ‘something is missing,’” says Henry Zachs, president of the Zachs Family Foundation, explaining how he came up with the idea for this new and innovative endowment campaign. “I came up with the idea for Endow Hartford 21 and it has evolved into something truly remarkable and unique. In total, 51 organizations have signed on to participate. With multiple organizations spreading the word about this special opportunity, I believe we will achieve “cross-pollination” of the donors, to the benefit of every organization that participates. It will help raise awareness of the critical work being done in our community. Many will learn of worthy nonprofits they never knew existed. This is something Hartford is ready for and can be proud to be a part of.” The five-member Advisory Board of Endow Hartford 21, JoAnn Price, Marilda Gándara, David Miller, Henry Zachs and Eric Zachs, will help guide this remarkable philanthropic endeavor. Additionally, all donors will be recognized on the Endow Hartford 21 website through a designated “honor roll” that lists donors by giving range, but which especially highlights those who make gifts to multiple participating organizations. Endow Hartford 21 stands out not only for its uniqueness and the impressive breadth of agencies it will benefit, but also for bringing together Hartford’s two leading foundations in a community-wide campaign for the very first time. “The Jewish Community Foundation is privileged to support Henry’s vision to help endow Greater Hartford’s non-profits, to ensure they remain vibrant and vital for generations to come,” says Jacob Schreiber, president and CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford. “It’s amazing how Henry continues to initiate campaigns – without being asked – because of the values he grew up with, his tireless entrepreneurial spirit,

and his belief that the world becomes a better place only when people act in a determined fashion.” Jay Williams, president of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving agrees, noting, “The Endow Hartford 21 initiative is a wonderful opportunity for our community. We are grateful to the Zachs family and the other matching donors and are pleased to support the effort to enhance the financial stability of so many vital organizations across Greater Hartford.”

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAMPAIGN The more matching funds raised, the greater the matching opportunity. A larger matching fund will help the organizations increase their endowments. If you are interested in becoming a Lead Donor to the general matching fund, please contact Sara or Henry directly. The Endow Hartford 21 Match Program will run for a minimum of 1 year, beginning June 1, 2021. The program will match gifts between $250 to $10,000 per donor per organization made by an individual, family, foundation, business, or corporation. Donors are encouraged to give to multiple participating organizations. Pledges alone will not qualify for the match. Gifts may be made by check, credit card, or gifts of appreciated stock. The participating organizations have chosen either the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving or the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford to administer the funds. Visit www.EndowHartford21.com for more information on how to make a gift to one or more organizations. Gifts must be paid by the donor directly to the Hartford Foundation or Jewish Community Foundation for the benefit of the donor’s chosen organization(s). All gifts will be unrestricted for the benefit of the participating organizations.

For a full list of participating organizations see below or visit the Endow 21 website. For more information about Endow Hartford 21, contact Sara Gelpke at sgelpke@mcmgmt.com, or 860-727-5733, or Henry Zachs at hzachs@mcmgmt.com or 860-3062787. Website: endowhartford21.com For information regarding the administration of the funds, contact: Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Deborah Rothstein Phone: 860-463-5233 Email: DRothstein@hfpg.org Website: hfpg.org Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford Kathryn Gonnerman Phone: 413-475-0415 Email: KGonnerman@jcfhartford.org Website: jcfhartford.org

Vol. 11, No. 2, 2021 west hartford magazine 41

LIST OF PARTICIPATING AGENCIES 1. American School for the Deaf 2. Bushnell Park Foundation 3. Charter Oak Cultural Center 4. Chrysalis Center, Inc. 5. Connecticut Explored, Inc. 6. Connecticut Food Bank/Foodshare 7. Connecticut Historical Society 8. Connecticut Science Center 9. Covenant Preparatory School 10. CT Immigrant Refugee Coalition (CIRC) 11. Dignity Grows 12. Elizabeth Park Conservancy 13. Federation Homes 14. Friends of Keney Park 15. Girls for Technology 16. Grace Academy Friday, JUne 25, 2021 17. Harc, Inc. 16 Tammuz 5781 18. HartfordVol. Artisan's Weaving 93 | No. 26 | ©2021 Center 19. Hartford$1.00 Promise | jewishledger.com

20. Hartford Public Library 21. Hartford Stage 22. Hartford Symphony Orchestra 23. Hartford Youth Scholars 24. Hebrew Senior Care 25. Hill-Stead Museum 26. Hispanic Health Council 27. Intensive Education Academy 28. Interval House 29. Jewish Association for Community Living 30. Jewish Family Services 31. Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford 32. Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford 33. Jewish Teen Learning Connection (JTConnect) 34. JFACT Fund

35. Mandell Jewish Community Center (JCC) 36. New England Jewish Academy 37. Oak Hill School 38. Our Piece of the Pie 39. Playhouse Theatre Group 40. Real Art Ways 41. Renbrook School 42. Riverfront Recapture 43. San Juan Center 44. Solomon Schechter Day School 45. The Amistad Center for Art & Culture 46. The Children's Museum 47. The Mark Twain House & Museum 48. The Village for Families & Children 49. TheaterWorks 50. Urban League of Greater Hartford 51. Voices of Hope

? n e e m h t Ti o e G th i v W e , s . i If w o N N ot w No

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W. H. CHAMBER NOTES

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Why Do Businesses & Organizations Join the Chamber of Commerce? BY CHRIS CONWAY

his is a question that comes up often. The simple answer is, they have their reasons. While this might seem vague or dismissive, it is true. Like our sister chambers around the globe, we offer a great deal in the way of benefits, resources, and support. There are some universal offerings such as networking events, collective marketing and advocacy, and (of course) the infamous ribbon cuttings. Each individual organization may have additional nuanced offerings depending on their geography and the demographics of the businesses and communities they serve.

ABOUT THE CHAMBER The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce has been serving our community for over 100 years. Our tagline is “Your Community & Business Connection.” Of note is the fact that “community” comes first. While we largely are a business and nonprofit support organization, it is in the interest of building a strong community; thus, one of the main reasons businesses and organizations want to be part of the chamber. It is the collective nature of the organization that makes us stronger. If the restaurants are successful, the retailers benefit as well. If our tourist attractions are kept up and supported, our businesses will gain more customers from the visitors. If our manufacturers are successful, more jobs are created and more money stays in our town...you get the point.

46 Vol. 11, No. 2, 2021 west hartford magazine

NETWORKING At our core, we serve all of our members in three key areas: networking, resources, and advocacy. The networking comes in several forms. Most notable is our weekly AM Connections meetings where businesses and nonprofit organizations can learn about what each other does, and, more importantly, discover how they can help each other. We also have several committees such as our young professionals group, FLOW (Future Leaders of West Hartford), which is focused on networking, philanthropy, and education. The MBN (Minority Business Network) facilitates programming and resources for minority-owned and represented businesses. Our Economic Development Committee brings stakeholders together to hear about the issues - large and small - that impact the health and growth potential of our community. This committee works closely with our partners at the town, state and federal levels. The Chamber is also the host of the Mayor’s State of the Town Address and

the Economic Development Update, bringing together our businesses and neighbors to learn about issues, opportunities, and the future outlook of our town.

RESOURCES The resources we provide are vast. Some of the basics are our online and printed directory. Our website has information and links to provide business support. We offer a myriad of programming on topics concerning business growth. The Chamber also maintains several social media accounts and groups to not only share information about us but to amplify the messages of our members.

ADVOCACY While we are not a lobbying organization, we do monitor and advocate on behalf of our members with issues related to infrastructure, zoning and regulations.

CONNECTIONS

within the state and across the country. Our priority is to get our businesses the answers they need.

We are also the go-to organization for questions related to business. We don’t pretend to have all of the answers, but we usually know whom to call. We maintain an excellent relationship with our leaders at the town. We are also well networked with elected officials, other chambers of commerce, and business support organizations and associations

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Depending on the size and industry of a business or nonprofit, they may take advantage of a different mix of the aforementioned benefits and features. A restaurant or retailer may leverage opportunities with regard to our directory or social media. A nonprofit might be more active at our networking events to easily share information about their mission. A manufacturer or commercial property owner may be more interested in issues related to economic and workforce development.

A new or expanding business may want to meet fellow members who can assist in bringing their company to the next level. We currently serve nearly 600 member businesses and organizations. Each with their own answer to the question, ”Why join the Chamber of Commerce?” The Chamber staff, many of our loyal members, and I are available to help anyone answer the “why” question and show “how” the West Hartford Chamber can benefit them. n Christopher Conway Executive Director West Hartford Chamber of Commerce 860.521.2300 - office 860.810.5663 - cell cconway@whchamber.com www.whchamber.com

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THANK YOU to all of our sponsors, donors, vendors, supporters, and volunteers for helping us raise nearly $200,000 at the 12th Annual Ron's Run for the Roses on May 1st, 2021. A special thanks to presenting sponsor New Country Motorcars Group, Honorary Chair Dennis House, and Master of Ceremonies, Joe Furey.

Thank you to our generous guests, sponsors, vendors, donors and volunteers for making our 12th Annual Ron’s Run for the Roses the most successful and spectacular ever! For more information: ronsrun.org, e-mail info@ronsrun.org or call 860-521-0500.

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WeHa Magazine • Vol. 11, No. 2, 2021

Articles inside

Philanthropist launches endowment campaign to strengthen non-profits throughout Greater Hartford

WEDDINGS

WeHa Magazine • Vol. 11, No. 2, 2021

MEN'S FASHION Finding Your Style

Juniper Homecare promotes Aging in Place

WEDDINGS Safo-Agyeman/Budds

GOLF

FINANCE The value of a financial professional

GARDENING Enjoying your summer garden

SENIORS

TRAVEL