The often-cited proverb coined by Irish author Jonathan Swift in the early 1700s refers to a “recycling” of trends, ideas and history, and is famously used when referring to fashions. So, why not clothing in general? Recycling is a concept that Ayana Morse truly believes in.
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Happy May, Go Local readers!
A s May Flowers settle in, wedding season is about to pick up and what better way to dive into the world of weddings yet again than with the return of the spring wedding section in this edition of the magazine.
L ast May, I was very much in the depths of the wedding process as I got married on May 31 and, now as I am nearing my first wedding anniversary, naturally, I am remembering a lot of the details and feelings that led to what ended up being one of the best days of my and my wife's lives.
W hile our wedding day ended up being everything we ever wanted, surrounded by family and friends celebrating our life together, it did not come without nerves leading up to and on the day itself. At the beginning of the day there were torrential downpours, which ended up slightly flooding some of our ceremony space. The rain continued to spit periodically throughout the evening, giving us a misty setting underneath our outdoor pavilion.
Still, our families packed under a tent and pavilion for the ceremony and celebration, as spirits could not be dampened that day, as good vibes led the way. While the weather wasn’t ideal for an end-of-May wedding, we made the most of it and it will be remembered as a perfect day.
L eading up to it there were often moments of stress from our families and just because of the nature of planning a wedding, but those worries have easily faded away after living through the wedding day.
Life is hard, and love is often one of the greatest ways we find true meaning and support in our lives. A renewal of vows is always an option down the line, but when celebrating your love through a wedding, remember to cherish the moment and do your best to live in it, as no matter how well you succeed, the day will flash by. The day is about you and only you.
With the love in the air, this month’s wedding section features three businesses in the wedding industry that are sure to help you make the most of your special day: Baldwin + Rose Event Enthusiasts which specializes in wedding and event planning of all sizes, Forevermore Bouquet Preservation and its offering of pressed and frame flower bouquets to preserve memories from the day, and Olena’s Bridal Boutique which aims to help any bride capture their vision for the dress they want for the special day.
This jam-packed edition also features another edition of “Real Couples” where readers can read from some recent newlyweds about their days and what made them special, as well as three more general features on local businesses that actually have some nice crossover to the wedding industry as well.
A s always, I hope readers enjoy this edition of Go Local, and for all the love birds out there in the midst of the wedding planning process, I hope you can appreciate or take away from some of the businesses featured this month.
Best,
Trent Levakis,
Editor
Chris Maza EDITOR
Trent Levakis
CREATIVE
Beth Thurber, Manager
Susan Bartlett . Sophia McClellan
Leigh Catchepaugh . Lorie Perry
ADVERTISING
Scott Greene, Manager
Jeanette Lee . Lisa Nolan
Matt Mahaney . Paul Poutre
Paula Dimauro . Evan Marcyoniak
Roxanne Miller-Longtin . Andy Shaw
Laura Tassistro . Shannon Spada
Carolyn Napolitan, Sales Assistant
Curtis Panlilio, Operations Director
! KEITH J. O'CONNOR, SR.
ARC ST. ONGE
Seconds Thrift Shop
where everything is new again
The often-cited proverb coined by Irish author Jonathan Swift in the early 1700s refers to a “recycling” of trends, ideas, history and is famously used when referring to fashions.
So, why not clothing in general?
Recycling is a concept that Ayana Morse truly believes in. As proprietor of Seconds Thrift Shop in Northampton, she offers a curated selection of secondhand clothing for kids and teens of all genders — allowing her to share her vision with customers of sustainability, affordability, and self-expression.
And, secondhand is just plain “fashionable” today.
The U.S. secondhand apparel market is booming, fueled by economic pressures, a desire for unique items, and environmental concerns. From thrift stores to luxury resale platforms, consumers across all income levels are embracing pre-owned goods. The market grew from $28 billion in 2019 to $49 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit $74 billion by 2029, as the stigma around used clothing diminishes, according to an article published in Forbes last year.
O pening Seconds Thrift Shop is a journey that began two years ago for Morse.
“I had been thinking about the idea in different iterations, playing around with what something might look like, whether it might be viable, and would there be a space available to open my store. What was encouraging
was that every time I shared my idea with other people about opening a secondhand clothing store geared toward kids, people would say, ‘Oh, my gosh, yes we need that so badly,'” she said.
After learning about a business accelerator program offered through Sphere, a membership-based coworking space in Florence, Morse took the important step of deciding to enroll in the eight-week course designed to transform your business concept into a sustainable, scalable, and thriving business. The nonprofit’s mission is to connect and uplift driven women and nonbinary entrepreneurs, so they can unleash their potential, thereby impacting their community and the local economy.
Feeling ready to take the next step, Morse began looking at local real estate listings that were not only affordable, but close to home, eventually finding empty space on 141 Damon Road, which once housed the Northampton School of Dance until shutting its doors during the pandemic.
Morse explained the space needed some work to be transformed into a viable retail space and credited the building’s landlord for flexibility in making a space to fit the storefront’s new use.
K ept through the renovation was a series of white decals of dancers in various moves placed on the front window as a way for Morse to honor the space
which had been an important community for youth dancers. Working with Chasing Trails Art in downtown Northampton, a piece of clothing has been painted on each dancer, and more pieces are likely to be added in the near future.
Today, when you walk into Seconds Thrift Shop, the front half of the store is geared towards teens and young adults, with racks of T-shirts, cut-offs, denim, hoodies and sweaters. A rack of little black dresses anchors the section, and colorful dresses can be found just across the aisle. Two couches frame the middle of the space, creating a cozy area for non-shopping folks, along with an art table for younger visitors that has fidgets, markers and sticker books available for use.
The back half of the store is geared towards younger folks, with a section for babies, racks of dresses, t-shirts, and denim in youth sizes 3T-14, and a row of cube storage full of shorts, leggings, long sleeve t-shirts and hoodies. Fitting rooms are tucked into the back corner of the space, along with bins that hold overflow stock.
Finding a spot close to home was important to Morse, who, along with her husband, Josh Feldman, are the parents of three children — Lazer, 14, Diggy, 12, and Selma, 8 — all of whom lend a helping hand around the business from sorting donations to dressing mannequins and from offering graphic design to checking out customers with their purchases. On top of her parenting duties, Morse also holds a full-time job as Executive Director of SVARA, a national nonprofit learning community headquartered in Chicago with reach throughout the country. Keeping in mind everything on her busy plate, she needed to start her business “purposely slow,” opening only three days a week for a total of eight hours for now.
Yet, another crucial hurdle remained to overcome before opening — the need for secondhand merchandise to stock the store. Morse said the majority of clothing at Seconds Thrift Shop is donated from the community and, when initially starting the business, she started a mailing list to secure donations and soon enough had a garage full of clothing. But that still wasn’t enough as this initial source of clothing was lacking options for the teen side, something Morse said she felt the need to supplement.
W hile doing a little research online, she discovered a wealth of secondhand vintage and thrift clothing wholesalers selling by the bulk to shops like hers that are dedicated to addressing the growing demand for sustainable fashion. Since then, Morse has continued to buy in bulk, items like vintage T-shirts, a mix of women’s clothing, flannels and more.
Even before opening Seconds Thrift Shop, Morse knew a thing or two about the clothing industry, thrifting, and fashion. A self-proclaimed “thrifter” for most of her life, Morse remembers growing up shopping
with friends in secondhand stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army.
W hile attending Emerson College in Boston, Morse met her husband and they were active in the theater community there. She studied costume design and worked in the costume shop. After college she spent time as an independent fashion and costume designer, creating several different lines of clothing for sale. When they moved to Los Angeles, Morse didn’t want to compete in the costume industry in Hollywood — instead shifting gears and becoming involved in nonprofit leadership which she continues today after moving back to Northampton.
With four months of serving the community with Seconds Thrift Shop now behind her, Morse can look back and ahead to the future with pride in sharing her vision with customers of sustainability, affordability, and selfexpression.
“I see my store for kids and teens as something that elevates clothing from a basic to a source of inspiration and joy. We wear clothing, so clothing can be functional. We wear it to be dressed because we live in a society that says so. But clothing can also be an expression of yourself. What I am really interested in is helping kids who are coming into self-discovery...to find things they are excited about and that makes them feel joyful,” Morse said.
In the realm of sustainability — the responsibility of everyone from individuals to manufacturers to the government to be the stewards of the environment — Morse and her customers are making their own contributions to “saving the planet.”
Thrifting – including stores like Seconds Thrift Shop - promotes sustainability by diverting clothing from landfills for reuse.
“The secondhand clothing market is expanding exponentially right now in response to the awareness of the growing clothing waste and its effects on the world environment. Textile waste accounts for seven percent of all global landfill space with some 92 million tons of clothing waste ending up in landfills each year. The United States and China are the biggest countries in the business of just throwing away clothing both on the consumer and manufacturing levels. So, I think the need is just incredibly big at this point for figuring out how to do better,” Morse said.
Items they don’t use, some 300 pounds of clothing so far, have been passed along to Bridge Street Elementary School’s recycling program with Baystate Textiles. The program raises money for the Northampton school to be used for field trips and other things to benefit the students. Additionally, a percentage of her profits will be donated to local, youth-focused non-profits.
The collection of clothing in the shop is continuously replenished from new donations and overflow, so it is always worth checking back in to see what is new on display, Morse noted.
Donations of gently used clothing for kids of all sizes is greatly appreciated. Reach out to Morse at contact@ secondsthriftshop.com for information on where to drop off donations.
STORE HOURS ARE CURRENTLY THURSDAY FROM 4-7 P.M., SATURDAY FROM 10 A.M. TO NOON, AND SUNDAY FROM 1-4 P.M. OR BY APPOINTMENT. EXPANSION IN THE FUTURE IS A POSSIBILITY, AND FOR NOW, MORSE IS PLANNING EXTENDED HOURS THIS SUMMER. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT SECONDSTHRIFTSHOP.COM WHERE YOU CAN ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO RECEIVE NEWS AND UPDATES.
GO LOCAL PICKS
THE LANDING AT MASSMUTUAL CENTER
1277 MAIN ST • SPRINGFIELD, MA
MAY 24 • 11AM - 1PM
Join us for a free community yoga series designed to help you move, breathe, and connect. Flow through gentle, guided sequences led by experienced instructor Christina Lam, and experience the restorative benefits of sound healing in a peaceful outdoor setting. Set against the scenic backdrop of The Landing at the MassMutual Center, this series offers an opportunity to unwind, recharge, and connect with your community. Enjoy local wellness vendors and curated offerings that complement your practice, creating a holistic experience for body, mind, and spirit. Attendance is free with registration. To register and for more information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/YogaLanding
MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH
THE BOATHOUSE
1 ALVORD ST • SOUTH HADLEY, MA MAY 10 • 10:30 - 3PM
Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Boathouse with a delicious brunch that the whole family will enjoy! Treat the moms in your life to a relaxing and memorable outing featuring specialty drinks crafted just for the occasion and beautiful waterfront views. Be sure to call ahead and reserve your table. Tickets are $48 for adults and $18 for kids.
For more information, visit: www.boathousedining.com/calendar
HOSTED BY SIP & STITCH SOCIAL CLUB
BASIC SEWING WORKSHOP
For tickets and more information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/StitchSip BREW PRACTITIONERS BREWERY AND TAPROOM 45 BALDWIN ST • EAST LONGMEADOW, MA MAY 16 • 2PM - 4PM
Ready to dive into the world of sewing? Basic sewing is an in-person class perfect for folks who want to learn the basics. You will learn: basic stitches, hemming, button replacement and easy mending. Bring your own project to repair or practice on our samples. Bring a friend — or make some new ones — and get hands-on instruction! No more stapling or taping your hems, no need for a drawer full of safety pins to hold your cloths together! Save money and learn to do it yourself! Each student will receive a beginner's sewing kit to have on hand.
YOGA ON THE LANDING
Ooh La La
Choosing the right bridal lingerie might be overlooked at times, but it’s an essential part of a wedding trousseau. You want to feel beautiful from the time you put on your dress to the time you take off your dress. At Thornes Marketplace, 150 Main St. (Lower Level L1) in Northampton, MA, Ooh La La has lingerie for everyone’s body and comfort level. From elegant lacy sets to everyday basic pajamas and everything in between. Ooh La La will help people feel confident under their clothes.
O wner Monica Fogg said, “We do have a lot of undergarments that we’re noticing brides are coming in for. We have some beautiful lingerie under garments for the after party or for the wedding night. And lots of gifts for bridesmaids, mothers-in-laws to be or whoever you’re gifting for in the bridal suite.”
Fogg took over the shop in January 2026. Her first mission was to expand the range of sizes and skin tones. Fogg expanded the definition of nude to incorporate all skin tones. Though it’s her first time owning a business of this nature, Fogg told Go Local the response has been positive. “We’re moving from the traditional small, medium and large into sizes extra small to 7X,” said Fogg. “We’re also expanding the bra size because it’s been
conventionally difficult to find sizes in the high band and cup sizes.” She continued, “Size inclusivity is something that’s really important to me as well as skin tone inclusivity and gender- and body-affirming items. My goal is that anyone that walks into the store immediately feels like there’s something in there for them.”
Fogg started her career at Nickelodeon in their children’s book publishing division. Afterwards, moved into all-ages media with the internet radio service Pandora. Then she worked at IBM for ten years. Fogg was a customer at Ooh La La. She liked what original owner Ali Ingellis built and her feminine flair.
Fogg also loved that Ooh La La was a woman-owned business and that Ingellis was working hard to challenge some of the notions of what is feminine, what is beautiful and what customers can have access to as people who want to feel elegant under their clothes. Fogg went from being a customer at the shop, then part-time sales associate, and now owner.
Ooh La La was established in 2020 out of Ingellis’s house in Amherst. The idea of opening a lingerie shop came from her recognizing a gap in the market. Ingellis thought there weren’t many places that approached lingerie in a way that felt both refined and elevated. She
was drawn to the idea of creating a boutique that balanced luxury with attainability, where customers could receive personalized attention and feel truly cared for.
Ingellis worked on every level from initial design to tech packs to meeting with manufacturers. She started by selling online and then saw a space available in Thornes Marketplace. As soon as Ingellis walked in she felt the call to open the full boutique. “From the very beginning, my hope was to create a space that felt both elevated and welcoming, a boutique where people could explore their femininity,” Ingellis said. “I wanted it to be more than just a retail store; I envisioned it as a place where people could feel confident, seen, and celebrated in their own bodies. It was important to me that the shop offered not just beautiful pieces, but also an experience rooted in comfort and self-expression.”
Ingellis felt Fogg was a natural fit because she truly understands the heart of the business. It was important to her that whoever took over shared the same respect for the customer experience and the same appreciation for what makes the shop special. Ingellis said Fogg brings both a fresh perspective and a genuine alignment with the values that Ooh La La was built on, which made the decision feel right, not just from a business standpoint, but on a personal level as well. Under Fogg’s stewardship, Ingellis thinks there’s a real opportunity for the shop to expand its reach and deepen its impact.
“Monica has this magic to her that people can feel in her presence,” Ingellis added. “She chooses to share that with others to help them feel beautiful. That is really the whole point of Ooh La La.” She went on to say, “Monica has a strong sense of how to grow something thoughtfully, and I believe she’ll find ways to both honor the shop’s
legacy and introduce new experiences that keep it feeling fresh, relevant, and engaging for both longtime customers and new audiences.”
Fogg aligns self-image with finding your intrinsic worth and care, how graceful you can treat yourself. Even though body image can mean many things to many people, she looks at it more as liberating oneself from the external constraints placed on appearances by dominant societal norms, neutralizing the judgments we often carry within ourselves about how we look and what we’re allowed to wear. Fogg applies that to her business every time she makes an inventory decision, when she interacts with customers who may have some critical self-talk and she applies this all to herself as a practice, essentially of decolonizing her mind and practicing living with more liberation.
“It’s been cathartic and affirming to carry inclusive sizes, which isn’t difficult nor particularly radical. It’s basic human decency, and it’s wonderful to practice and live out my values of equity and inclusion,” Fogg said. “For me, it is the reason for doing the business; it is paramount. My hope is that everybody, regardless of age, gender or body type, can walk in and find something that contributes to their confidence.”
OOH LA LA IS OPEN MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY FROM 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M., FRIDAY & SATURDAY FROM 10 A.M. TO 8 P.M. AND SUNDAYS FROM NOON TO 5 P.M. VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.OOHLALAMV.COM.
FOLLOW THEM ON INSTAGRAM @OOHLALANOHO
Carrot Cake Coffee Cake
2 large carrots
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup whole pecans
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Topping: 4 tbsp butter
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Preheat your over to 350F.
Peel and shred your carrots and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk your sugar, butter, and eggs. Stir in your carrots and chopped pecans. Add in your flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Mix until combined - your batter will be dense. Set that aside while you make your topping.
Mix together all your topping ingredients until they look similar to a coffee cake topping.
Grease your baking pan or bundt pan, add in your filling, add your topping and sprinkle the cake with your whole pecans.
Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Enjoy!
NATHAN BLAIS I’m a photographer from Springfield. I combined my love for cooking and photography and turned it into a career. Check out my instagram @nateblais!
Dr. Kara M. Ryczek dr.pawscalls@gmail.com
• Emergency and Fit-In Appointments as available Call to schedule your pet’s Veterinary Care In the comfort and safety of your own home! 617-797-3070
• Routine and Sick Exams
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Now offering URGENT CARE APPOINTMENTS
to include ear infections, hot spots & broken nails
LIcensed in CT and MA • Based out of Longmeadow
Treasures SECOND CHANCE
Always Looking To Buy
~Antique & Vintage Gold, Silver and Costume Jewelry
~Antique, Vintage & Retro Clothing 1800’s-1990’s
~Mid Century, Antique & Quality Furniture
~Vintage & Retro Items from 1970’s, 80’s, 90’s We Buy Full ESTATES ~ and ~ Do Estate CLEANOUTS
“Working
HOURS: TUES-SAT 10-5 • SUN 10-3 • CLOSED MON SecondChanceTreasuresCT@gmail.com 149 North Rd. Suite B, East Windsor, CT Travis Slavik, Proprietor 860-377-2965
PHOTO BY JARED HERMAN
A uror A J ewelers
For James Aurora, the heart of his work isn’t just gold, gemstones, or settings. It’s the moment a couple sees a ring and recognizes their story in it.
At Aurora Jewelers in Easthampton, Aurora has built a reputation around wedding and engagement pieces that prioritize individuality over tradition. In a market where, as he notes, “99.9% of engagement rings are lab-created now,” his focus isn’t on the stone’s origin but on its meaning. “They’re not buying the ring, they’re buying the relationship,” he said. “Buy this ring because she loves it.”
That philosophy shapes everything from his design advice to current trends. Oval cuts are surging in popularity, while round stones remain a timeless choice. Pear shapes, he says, are fading. Settings beveled or encased in gold are in demand, but Aurora encourages clients to push further. He gravitates toward unconventional silhouettes — “something that has a little personality” — and resists overly coordinated bridal sets. “I hate when rings are too matchy-matchy,” he said. “You need to have a distinct separation between when you’re engaged and when you’re married. Have a little spice.”
That balance between guidance and creative freedom
defines Aurora’s approach. He is deeply hands-on, a rarity in an industry where customers often deal with sales associates rather than owners. “A lot of people do trust me,” he said. “I will let them know if what they’re thinking doesn’t work.” At the same time, he emphasizes collaboration and connection. “I like to have fun with clients and get to know them.”
The shop itself reflects that ethos. With midnight blue walls, gold accents, and music from bands like Blink-182 or Metallica filling the space, the store feels more like an immersive studio than a traditional showroom. Customers sometimes walk in and wonder, “Am I in Hot Topic or getting an engagement ring?” Aurora leans into that contrast. “The aesthetic of the business has always been different,” he said, describing a space that mixes emerald greens, purples, and dramatic lighting rather than the sterile brightness of a typical jewelry store.
“I love that I’m that small town guy who does great stuff,” he added.
That identity, equal parts local craftsman and boundary-pushing designer, has also fueled an unexpected parallel career working with musicians.
Aurora’s entry into that world wasn’t strategic so much as organic. Years ago, he hosted a radio show and built relationships with bands, friendships that endured long after the broadcasts ended. When he later began designing jewelry, those connections naturally came back into his life. “Creating jewelry for them dovetailed together nicely,” he said.
A turning point came when he created a piece for Danny Leal, drummer for the San Antonio-based metal band Upon A Burning Body. “That was an incredible experience,” Aurora said. “Things catapulted from there.”
From that moment, he began carving out a niche that few jewelers occupy. “There really was nobody that’s a jeweler that focuses on these artists,” he said. “It’s usually on rap.” While hip-hop has long been associated with high-profile custom jewelry, Aurora saw an opportunity to serve artists in other genres, communities he already understood.
Working with rappers, he said, “was never really what I wanted. I wanted to stay true to my beliefs.”
Today, Aurora describes himself, only half-jokingly, as “the mad-hatter of society,” a designer equally comfortable creating a one-of-a-kind engagement ring for a local couple as he is crafting bold, theatrical pieces for performers. “Both can co-exist from a design perspective,” he said. “I can just do whatever I want, come up with crazy
concepts.”
That duality is something his customers often find appealing. Many are drawn to the idea that the same person designing their engagement ring is also working with touring musicians and festival performers.
This summer, that crossover will be on display when Aurora serves as the official jeweler for the Barefoot Country Music Festival in Wildwood, New Jersey, further cementing his presence in the music world.
Despite that growing visibility, Aurora remains grounded in the relationships that built his business. Whether he’s designing for a bride-to-be or a drummer heading on tour, the process starts the same way: conversation, trust, and a willingness to experiment.
Looking ahead, he’s preparing to release a book later this year titled Artist vs. Artist: A Collision of Worlds, which will explore that intersection between traditional craftsmanship and creative subcultures.
For Aurora, the common thread through all of it is authenticity. The ring has to feel right. The piece has to tell a story. And above all, the person wearing it has to see themselves in it.
LOCAL EINSTEIN
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE - NO GOOGLING!
HOW OLD ARE THE HORSES IN THE KENTUCKY DERBY?
[A] One year old
[B] Two years old
[C] Three years old
[D] Four years old
WHAT MOVIE FEATURES JACK NICHOLSON SCREAMING “YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH?”
[A] One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
[B] The Shining
[C] A Few Good Men
[D] Terms of Endearment
NAME THE STATE…
[A] Indiana
[B] Rhode Island
[C] Ohio
[D] Alabama
THE WINNING HORSE IN THE BELMONT STAKES IS DRAPED IN A BLANKET OF WHAT?
[A] Roses
[B] Black-Eyed Susans
[C] Carnations
[D] Orchids
IN WHAT PERIOD DID THE TYRANNOSAURUS REX LIVE?
[A] Jurassic Period
[B] Devonian Period
[C] Cretaceous Period
[D] Triassic Period
WHAT FLOWER IS TRADITIONALLY WORN AS A REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN WAR?
[A] Roses
[B] Poppies
[C] Magnolias
[D] Daisies
WHERE DOES THE PREAKNESS STAKES TAKE PLACE?
[A] Baltimore, MD
[B] Del Mar, CA
[C] Saratoga, NY
[D] Louisville, KY
WHAT FAMOUS MONUMENT WAS DEDICATED ON MEMORIAL DAY 1922?
[A] Washington Monument
[B] Mount Rushmore
[C] Lincoln Memorial
[D] Jefferson Memorial
WHAT BREED OF DOMESTIC CAT IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE THE LONGEST FUR?
[A] Tonkinese
[B] Himalayan
[C] Sphynx
[D] Persian
7 places to help get your garden growing! The
flower power farm
126 South main st east windsor, ct flowerpowerfarms.com
Flower Power Farm is more than just a garden center — they’re a team of passionate plant experts with decades of experience ready to help you grow! The farm is home to a vibrant selection of homegrown annuals, perennials, herbs, and vegetables, all nurtured with care on-site.
coward farms
150 College highway southwick, ma cowardfarms.com
Coward Farms is a family-owned nursery and Christmas tree farm. They offer seasonal products, including spring annuals and perennials, fall pumpkins and mums, and choose-and-cut Christmas trees, alongside a gift shop featuring primitive decor.
wanczyk nursery
166 Russell st · hadley, ma wanczyknursery.com
This 8-acre retail/re-wholesale location features a wide range of shade & flowering trees, flowering shrubs, evergreens, perennials, annuals, herbs, and vegetable starts. Inside their retail storefront, you will find tools, soils & fertilizers, seeds & seed starting supplies, bird feeders & wild bird food, pottery and more. The attached greenhouse is a welcoming oasis of flowering & foliage houseplants.
TARNOW NURSERY & GARDEN CENTER
146 SOUTH RD · ENFIELD, CT tarnownurseryct.com
Tarnow is your one-stop shop for everything you need to grow, build, and beautify your outdoor space. Whether you’re a weekend gardener, a seasoned landscaper, or just starting your first container of herbs, you’ll find a full range of quality products and expert support. Stop in today and see why generations of gardeners trust Tarnow to help their gardens grow.
SIXTEEN ACRES GARDEN CENTER
1359 WILBRAHAM RD SPRINGFIELD, MA 16ACRESGARDENCENTER.com
Sixteen Acres Garden offers an enormous selection of gardening products, including hard-to-find items that are often sought by serious gardeners. They also offer landscape design services backed by a nursery fully stocked with a vast selection of trees, shrubs, and perennials.
meadowbrook farm
185 meadowbrook rd eAST longmeadow, ma meadowbrookfarmma.com
Meadowbrook Farm is a seasonal family-run farm offering pickyour-own strawberries and fresh vegetables. Open early spring with a wide variety of bedding plants, perennials, nursery stock, vegetable plants, and a huge selection of hanging baskets.
LAZY LADY FARM
60 OLNEY RD · PALMER, MA LLFGREENHOUSE.com
Lazy Lady Farm specializes in mixed combination hanging baskets and combination planters. Full sun combos, fuchsias, begonias and geraniums are some of the baskets available. Thousands of annuals are available to beautify your home, garden, window boxes, and planters. Vegetables & herbs are offered as starter plants for vegetable gardens or as patio planters for those with limited space.
Weddings
SPRING & SUMMER
PHOTO BY SIMONE PLUS PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO
PHOTO BY MARC ST. ONGE
baldwin + rose event enthusiasts
By DEBBIE GARDNER
special to weddings
She’s the one with the big pink bow in her hair. And the clipboard in her hands. And her finger on the dozens of details that will make the day go smoothly.
And if it isn’t going smoothly, you’ll probably be none the wiser.
Halley Gmeiner is the owner and lead planner at Baldwin and Rose: Event Enthusiasts of South Hadley. To call her an event enthusiast is an understatement.
“I just always loved a good party,” Gmeiner said, explaining her passion for all aspects of event planning. “It started when I was really young; any chance to have input on my birthday parties — most of my birthday parties had a theme.”
That par ty planning mindset followed her through high school and jobs in nonprofits, where there always seemed to be an event- a fundraiser, a thank-you party or other gathering – that needed her skill set.
“I like being in the background and making everything run smoothly, or appear to run smoothly,” Gmeiner joked.
As she moved through her 20s, Gmeiner said her lifelong event planning superpower slowly worked its way into the weddings of acquaintances and friends.
“Naturally, I offered to help, and more and more, it became ‘can you meet the vendors’ and ‘I don’t know what to do with the centerpieces’,” Gmeiner said.
When close friends began to tie the knot, Gmeiner said she “offered to be there and run things, sometimes for free, sometimes for $100.”
“I always wanted to run my own business,” Gmeiner continued, “But I thought it would be impractical.”
Then in 2021, Gmeiner was hit with a serious illness, and everything changed.
“I had this moment when I thought, ‘ What am I doing? I want to do something more fun’,” she shared. “I realized life is short, and it’s too short to be miserable, and why not try to fill the world with joy?”
Thinking about her own wedding 10 years prior, and how much she wished there had been someone like her to handle all the details, Gmeiner took the plunge and bought a domain name. At age 42, her dream business, Baldwin and Rose: Event Enthusiasts, was born.
“Baldwin is the middle name of my spouse, Rose is my middle name,” Gmeiner said of her choice for a business name.
In 2022, while still working full-time, she booked her first wedding that wasn’t for a friend.
“I had a lot of fun with that wedding,” Gmeiner said. It reinforced her feeling that event planning might be her ultimate calling and started her on the road to a new career. In 2023, Baldwin and Rose assisted with three weddings. In 2024, she helped five couples plan their big day. In 2025, Baldwin and Rose helped to bring joy to 11 couples who were saying, “I do.”
This year, she has 13 couples who have reached out to book her services.
“I can’t fill the world with joy, but I love being able to do this for people [on their special days].”
THE BALDWIN AND ROSE EFFECT
Gmeiner said she of fers a wide range of wedding planning services, from a fullservice package to a few hours of planning help, to day-of-the-wedding detail management, to her newest offering, a DIY-type package with advice.
“Everyone is very different in what they want,” Gmeiner said. “It depends on the couple. Some want a set price for the entire event, others only want an hour or two. I try to meet people where they are.”
Regardless of the package a bride and groom choose, Gmeiner said that “unlimited email communication, within reason,” is always part of her service.
of, but it helps them with their planning,” Gmeiner said.
And though Gmeiner said her for te is working with the couple’s budget and vibe, she’s also not averse to doing the hard work when it comes to advising and keeping people on track.
reach out to the baker at the last minute to get the proper figurine topper on the wedding cake in time and even had to fill in for a DJ when the vendor didn’t show up.
“I like to work within people’s budgets,” Gmeiner continued. “I have two clients this year who couldn’t afford the full rate, so I cut down the number of hours or assistants that will be there.”
For those who are on very tight budgets, her new DIY plan offers her expertise — and some of her time — without the full-service price.
“It’s all my templates that I have, including a to-do list timeline that’s 20 pages,” Gmeiner explained. “What makes it different from other packages is that it includes my commentary; words of encouragement that I would offer in person.”
Gmeiner ’s new DIY package also includes two hours of her time, which the couple can use however they wish.
“I feel like it’s a good option that people are going to have someone day
“I’m not a friend or a parent who might know you too well and want to give you the answer you want to hear, I’m going to give you the answer you need to hear” about your plans, Gmeiner said.
But where Gmeiner really shines is her work on the day of an event, her “pink bow” moment. The pink bow, she explained, is so wedding party members don’t have to necessarily remember her name. They can just yell out “pink bow” if they need something.
“Unless the issue is financial, medical, or legal, they don’t hear from me day of. I make sure everything is taken care of,” Gmeiner said. “As the couple is getting married, they don’t want to be yelling at guests to get in line. I can do that. If there is any bad news to give a couple, I will do that, so they don’t associate the bad news with a loved one. If someone needs to be cut off with alcohol, I can do that.”
At past weddings, she said she had to
“I have a pre-loaded playlist on my phone just in case,” she joked. “I want to know every single detail of everything. That way, I know I’m prepared when things happen you didn’t plan for, it goes smoothly.”
Though Baldwin and Rose is firmly rooted in Western Massachusetts, Gmeiner said she’s assisted couples with their weddings across Massachusetts, including the Berkshires and Boston. She’s also done weddings remotely on the West Coast.
“I’ll do weddings anywhere in the world if you don’t need day-of and you just need some help, some advice,” Gmeiner said.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT PLANNING SERVICES OFFERED BY BALDWIN AND ROSE, INCLUDING WEDDINGS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS, VISIT BALDWINANDROSE.COM
forevermore bouquet preservation
preserving a lifetime of memories
By MIASHA LEE
special to weddings
Wedding bouquets signify new beginnings and everlasting love. For owner and artist Kelly Charrier Cavallo, creating Forevermore Bouquet Preservation in Springfield, MA, signifies her new beginning. She takes bouquets from weddings, anniversaries and celebrations of life and preserves them into works of art that last forever. It’s something that can become an heirloom piece passed down to your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Words can’t express how much joy this work has brought to Cavallo’s life.
“Bouquet preservation is more than keeping flowers intact; it’s reimagining them,” said Cavallo. “Each flower, stem and leaf
becomes a design element, allowing me to transform a single bouquet into a range of artistic expressions, from structured compositions to organic garden-inspired pieces.” In some of Cavallo’s work, the petals and leaves are arranged to create entirely new imagery like stained glass designs or a facial profile where the flowers themselves become both subject and medium. The same bouquet can tell completely different stories depending on how it’s interpreted, making each piece a unique work of art as well as a preservation of a meaningful moment. Growing up in New Orleans, Cavallo has always been fascinated with flowers calling them little miracles from God. When Cavallo was a teenager, her mother, who’s an avid gardener, took her to a gardening store and brought her an old, rusted wheel barrier. They took that old, rusted wheelbarrow
PHOTO BY LIA ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY
and made a garden out of it which Cavallo said was gorgeous. From there, her love for nature and flowers grew deeper. She’s also traveled everywhere from backpacking Indonesia, studying Spanish in Costa Rica, snorkeling in the Philippines and Honduras and teaching English in Taiwan, but nonetheless her happiest place is in her garden with her flowers and family.
Cavallo has a genetic connective tissue disease that completely derailed her eight years ago. She had to quit her teaching job and find a new way to make income. Cavallo had to figure out something that she could do from home and preferably something that brought her joy. “That’s when I decided that I need to put energy into creating an oasis around my house,” said Cavallo. “Because I wasn’t able to travel as much as I used to, I have to make my home and yard as glorious and serene as possible.” Cavallo started pressing flowers from her own garden, preserving them in resin and selling them as jewelry at farmers’ markets and art fairs. She didn’t commit to switching over from jewelry to bouquet preservation until she went through Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll), a national nonprofit helping aspiring entrepreneurs start and grow a business by offering a free 12-week training and mentorship program. “EforAll was the push I needed to make to the shift from jewelry to full-on bouquet preservation,” Cavallo said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without that program. They helped me figure out how to run my business and it’s been very successful so far.”
Cavallo loves working with people’s flowers and loves knowing that she’s preserving a beautiful memory for them. Then, in return, their appreciation is over the moon, which gives her a sense of value and importance to know that she’s a part of their lives.
Rachael Durand from Chicopee has been a client of Cavallo’s for two years. She was looking for a bouquet preservation company as a gift for one of her best friends as part of her bridal shower. Durand wanted to do something a little different and more personalized, so she researched numerous companies but it didn’t work out. Then Durand saw on her Google map Forevermore Bouquet Preservation in Springfield and to her surprise it was only a few streets away from her. She decided to go with Cavallo and her journey toward becoming a client began.
Durand explained, “I wanted somebody who had a good knowledge about florals and what each individual flower needed and that was something that became really apparent with Kelly. She knew the different nuances of what each floral needed.”
She continued, “Kelly values the severity and emotional connection to what these flowers mean and the story behind them. When it comes to bouquet
PHOTO BY
JENNIFER OLIVER PHOTOGRAPHY
preservation, she takes the time to understand her clients, their vision and their love story. She truly loves what she does, and she pours her heart into each piece, bringing them to life and keeping them lively.”
Right now, Cavallo’s goal is to establish herself in the wedding industry. She wants the photographers to be familiar with who she is along with the venues and florists so whenever they see a bride’s bouquet, they know who to call. “Flowers are my medicine,” said Cavallo. “I get really sad about my health condition because I feel like it has limited me and my life has gotten smaller in a lot of ways, but if I hadn’t gotten ill, I wouldn’t be where I am with the flower preservation business. So, in a way it’s saving me.” She went on to say, “Flower preservation keeps me active and engaged. It keeps my mind healthy and my creativity blooming. I want folks to see Forevermore Bouquet Preservation as an investment, a personalized work of art for their home. I can’t tell you how lovely it feels to be the person that can provide this service and to play a part in people's lives in this way is really special.”
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FOREVERMORE BOUQUET PRESERVATION, VISIT WWW.FEMBOUQUETS.COM. FOR QUESTIONS OR TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, CALL KELLY CHARRIER CAVALLO AT 413-351-8140 OR EMAIL AT FEMBOUQUETS@GMAIL.COM. VIEW CAVALLO’S ARTWORK ON INSTAGRAM AT @FEMBOUQUETS
PHOTO BY BELLA GENOVESI PHOTOGRAPHY
Olena’s Bridal Boutique
By TRENT LEVAKIS
special to weddings
At Olena’s Bridal Boutique in Agawam, owner Olena Williams asks patrons to come with a vision and leave with a dress.
The motto is simple, as Williams thrives off connecting clients with the right dresses for their special days, stemming from a deep-rooted passion for alteration work that started as a simple sewing hobby as a child back in her home country of Ukraine.
“I always liked sewing ever since I was a little kid. I sewed at home, my clothes for me, clothes for my family,” said Williams. “My father’s family, my aunt, another aunt, my grandfather, they all sewed and that is how I got this talent from them.”
While there was no family business around the skills back home, the practice of sewing used to be much more common in past generations as a skill many would naturally learn. As she kept at it, Williams grew her skills and as a child started the trend of sewing items to gift to her family around holidays, something she still does today.
As she continued to grow into an adult, Williams would eventually immigrate from the Ukraine to America in 1999 alongside her mother, father and sister. As she began adjusting to the U.S., Williams was considering how she could make a career in her new home and with her passions for sewing and alteration work, she quickly settled on the goal of using her talent to support an alteration business.
“In my dreams, in my heart, I wanted to do something with
wedding dresses. When I came to America, I learned little by little and there it was always in my heart that I’d like to open a business for wedding dresses. I just love this work,” Williams said.
In star ting her career in America, Williams was able to connect with different designers and assist in alteration work, something she had previous experience with as a young adult back home. Through these opportunities, Williams focused on saving money in order to one day open her own space as well.
After several years of this work and saving up, Williams was ready to open her own alteration shop in 2018 out of Enfield.
Known as Olena’s Sewing then, the business had a new home base and Willaims began growing her clientele through the work. After five years there, Williams was ready for an expanded space and that is when she found the business’s current home at 430 Main Street, Suite 209 in Agawam.
With this growth in her business, Williams was able to expand operations past general alteration work and start accepting bridal dresses as well. The fulfillment from the growth seen over her journey has stayed close with Williams as her hard work was paying off. She added, “For me I do not feel like this is even a job, seriously.”
Now in 2026, Olena’s Sewing officially rebranded as Olena’s Bridal Boutique to kick off the new year, a new “timeless salon” offering gowns with styles from various corners of the world, and a staff ready to do all they can to make sure brides leave with confidence in their vision coming to life. While the business now has a heavy focus on bridal alterations, Williams still offers the same general alteration work, especially for prom season and for
anyone just looking to get some work done on an item.
“Finally, my American dream has come true,” she said about the current state of her business.
Williams explained the biggest challenge during her journey to take this next step into offering a bridal boutique was building a base inventory of dress options. She made efforts to connect with designers near and far to bring in a wide variety of dress styles, including dresses from Europe and specifically back home in the Ukraine.
Williams added it was impor tant to focus on having a diverse inventory, from styles to sizes, as you never know what vision a bride-to-be can have for their special day.
“I love working with people, even back in Ukraine. My English is not always good, but people feel my feelings. This Saturday I had a couple of appointments and people said to me, ‘Oh Olena, it’s so easy with you. You make it fun,” Williams said. That lightheartedness is something Williams said is important for her as connecting with the brides is just as important as guiding them in their selection.
As you head up to Olena’s Bridal Boutique inside the Main Street plaza, there are two doorways into the space: one specifically for the new bridal boutique, and another for general alteration work. She noted that while the bridal boutique is an emphasis of her work, she is still gladly accepting prom dresses and other general alteration work.
With the business continuing to grow through mostly word of mouth, Williams said she is hopeful for another boost to business as she is now emphasizing the bridal boutique and said business
on that end has been picking up steadily throughout this year.
“I just want to help the bride find what she is looking for Everybody likes a different style. Everybody has different tastes, that’s why I will pick up not only what is my style, but what works for others,” Williams said. “I feel excited. Even before I opened this business, I didn’t know how much joy it would give me when I see the bride find her dress, when mother and grandparents see their girls find their dress and they start crying. There is so much emotion and I just love it.”
As an immigrant, Williams said she has been able to find a supportive community through her business and is thankful to have found a home in Agawam. From once being shy and quiet through her work, Williams is now wearing her passions on her sleeve as she looks to help brides anywhere make their bridal dress visions come to life.
“It’s not about money, this business. I just love it,” she said. “Even before I opened, I didn’t know how much good feeling would come with it. Now I go to work, and I just want to sleep here I love it.”
OLENA’S BRIDAL BOUTIQUE IS OPEN TUESDAY TO SATURDAY 10 A.M. TO 7:30 P.M. WALK-INS ARE AVAILABLE UNTIL 5 P.M. ON TUESDAYS THROUGH FRIDAYS, AND UNTIL 3 P.M. ON SATURDAYS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.OLENASBRIDALBOUTIQUE.COM OR CALL 413-244-9695.
Natalie & Jaden
MAY 23, 2025
ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE NATALIE AND JADEN WEDDING BY SIMONE PLUS PHOTOGRAPHY
Names: Natalie & Jaden Crudup
Ages: 25 & 24
Occupations: Registered Nurse and Delivery Driver
Ceremony: The Hops Company
Reception: The Hops Company
Invitations: Zazzle
Flowers: Kellie Rose Florals
Bride’s Dress: Wedding Embassy
Bride’s Shoes: Ainrock Womens Pearl Chunky Heels (Amazon)
Mens' Suits: Camillos Tuxedo Specialist
Bridesmaid Dresses: David's Bridal
Caterer: Seaside Sliders
Music: 5 Star Mobile DJ’s
Cake: Sweets By Jenna
Rings: Valentine's Diamond Center
Hair: Blush Beauty Lounge
Makeup: Beauty Marked Studio
First Dance Song: “All I Need to Hear” by The 1975
Theme: Formal Garden Party
Memorable Moment: One of the most memorable moments was walking down the aisle in the rain and feeling like we were the only two people who existed in that moment. When we said “I do” the clouds parted and the sun shined through.
Best Wedding Advice: Remember you are not the hosts, but the guests of honor! Soak up every single moment and don’t stress the little things. You are marrying your forever partner and thats what matters the most!
Honeymoon: Sandals La Toc, St. Lucia
Brystal & Derek
JULY 25, 2025
ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE BRYSTAL AND DEREK WEDDING BY SIMONE PLUS PHOTOGRAPHY
Names: Brystal & Derek Nadeau
Ages: 33 & 33
Occupations: Total Rewards Specialist and Residential Real Estate Analyst
Ceremony: The Villa at Ridder Country Club
Reception: The Villa at Ridder Country Club
Invitations: Shutterfly
Flowers: Seascape Florals
Bride’s Dress: Alexandra's Boutique
Bride’s Shoes: Melody Dress Sandal (Naturalizer)
Mens' Suits: GIBLEES
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
Caterer: The Villa’s in-house catering
Music: Sid, Fusion Function
Rings: Hers – Barmakian Jewelers; band from Long’s Jewelers. His – Manly Bands
Hair: Kenzie & Jenny, Studio 28
Makeup: Sarah Alicea
First Dance Song: "I Love You Always Forever" by Donna Lewis
Theme: Garden Summer Romance
Memorable Moment: To finally make it to our wedding day surrounded by everyone we know and love from all walks of life was incredibly special. We battled an unexpected rainstorm that day. So having our first look and private vows, getting through the ceremony, and taking pictures outside throughout the day in those pockets when it would stop raining was memorable
Best Wedding Advice:
Don’t stress all the little details, especially if you plan to DIY. Remember to prioritize your sleep and well-being over place cards and the seating chart. And don’t forget to take it all in.
Other/Notes: Brystal – I’m a very proud Latina and it was important for me to share part of my culture with Derek’s family. So, I had our officiant (my cousin) perform the ceremony in both English and Spanish.
Honeymoon: Tokyo, Japan
Khrystyna & Brian
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
JUNE 14, 2025
ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE KHRYSTYNA AND BRIAN WEDDING BY SIMONE PLUS PHOTOGRAPHY
Names: Khrystyna & Brian Thompson
Ages: 29 & 32
Occupations: Accountant and Electrician
Ceremony: Wrights Mill Farm
Reception: Wrights Mill Farm
Invitations: Zola
Flowers: Petals by Dom
Bride’s Dress: Anthropologie
Bride’s Shoes: Dolce Vita
Bridesmaid Dresses: Birdy Grey, Lulus & Showpo
Mens' Suits: Formals by Antonio
Caterer: Wrights Mill Farm
Music: DJ Tim Beloin | Jock in the Box Entertainment
Wedding Day Coordinator: Briana DuBois-Antoine from Wrights Mill Farm
Cake: Chocolate Rose Bakeshop
Rings: Mona Fine Jewelry & Manly Bands
Hair: Alli Schubach | Strand LLC
Makeup: Tricia Caliola
First Dance Song: "Made for You" by Jake Owen
Theme: Garden Party
Memorable Moment: Kolomeyka - traditional Ukrainian dancing!
Best Wedding Advice:
Go with the flow! Months have been spent planning the perfect day so don’t let anything (not even a little rain) ruin it!
Other Notes: Videographer: Lyfe Films
Honeymoon: Palafitos Overwater
Bungalows at El Dorado Maroma in Mexico
Sophia & Daniel
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
JUNE 7, 2025
ALL PHOTOS FEATURED FROM THE SOPHIA AND DANIEL WEDDING BY
WILLOW & GREY CO.
Names: Sophia & Daniel McClellan
Ages: 26 & 28
Occupations: Graphic Designer & Police Officer
Ceremony: The Mansion at Bald Hill
Reception: The Mansion at Bald Hill
Invitations: Designed by Sophia
Flowers: Green Valley Floral Design
Bride’s Dress: Milla Nova - Alexandra's Bridal Boutique
Bride’s Shoes: Betsy Johnson
Bridesmaid Dresses: Revelry
Mens' Suits: Men's Wearhouse
Caterer: The Mansion at Bald Hill
Music: Dawson Entertainment
Cake: Chocolate Rose Bakeshop
Rings: Hannoush Jewelers
Hair: Kathleen & Ryanne at The Hair Revival
Makeup: Becca Moylan
First Dance Song: Hold You In My Arms by Ray LaMontagne
Videographer: Shutter & Sound
Theme: Italian Romance
Memorable Moment: Dancing the Tarantella with everyone – a traditional Itlalian dance!
Best Wedding Advice: The honeymoon is so worth it! It may seem stressful to plan two things at once, but you won’t regret it when you get to go on your dream vacation right after the best night of your life.
