Issuu

AU G U S T 2 02 1

The Kids and Pets Issue

LIFESTYLE LETTER

AUGUST 2021 PUBLISHER

Gary Perrelli | gary.perrelli@lifestylepubs.com EDITOR

Welcome to August: The Dog Days! THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR IN THE NORTHEAST KNOWN AS THE “DOG DAYS” OF SUMMER. The phrase actually originated as a reference to the dog star Sirius, so named by ancient Greeks.

Eileen McNamara | eileen.mcnamara@lifestylepubs.com AD DESIGNER

Evan Deuvall L AYO UT DESIGNER

Jayme Emery CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Carrie Draghi

For us, August is our Kids and Pets issue and this month we have several articles that pay homage to those best parts of our families, our children and our “fur babies!” Our cover this month is of 11-year-old Faith Cox of Glastonbury and her Great Dane, Legend, by Carrie Draghi Photography of South Glastonbury. We take a look at how important pets have become in our families and how a popular fencing option, Dog Guard Out of Sight Fencing LLC, can keep your dogs safely and affordably in your yard. Summer is also baseball season and locally we have several girls who take part in a dynamic fast-pitch softball league called The CT Diamond Club. We spoke with the club’s leader, Alison Rossi, on the benefits of softball for young women. The club has grown significantly in recent years and now two of the “Diamond Girls” from Glastonbury have been named to the All American team this year and will play in the national finals this month.

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

We have a feature in this issue on a new childcare option in town, The Learning

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

Experience on Oak Street. Owners Deepash and Shital Patel believe learning

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

should be a natural outgrowth of childhood play and they’ve made it part of The Learning Experience’s curriculum for the kids enrolled there.

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

August is the time of year when we start thinking about our kids going back to school and this month we take a look at how to make school lunches that are both healthful and fun. It's also one of the hottest times of the year and that means it's busy for the folks

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at M.J. Emonds Mechanical Contractors. We talked with the owners about the history of their family-owned HVAC company. Gary Perrelli, Publisher

ON THE COVER Faith Cox and her Great Dane Legend.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARRIE DRAGHI 4

Glastonbury Lifestyle | August 2021

CityLifestyle.com/Glastonbury

Proverbs 3:5-6 Glastonbury Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Glastonbury areas’ most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Glastonbury Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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INSIDE THE ISSUE AUGUST 2021 FEATURES 14 Keeping Your Canine Safe Underground Fencing Has Become a Popular Choice For Keeping Our Dogs in the Yard

18 A League of Their Own The Diamond Club Teaches Girls the Fundamentals About Softball And Life

26 M.J. Emonds This Family-Run Company Has Served The Local Community’s HVAC Needs For 26 Years

28 Learning as They Grow The Learning Experience Uses a

18 14

Unique Curriculum To Teach Kids While They Play

DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

Good Times

Around Town

Local Limelight

Our Town

22 Animal Kingdom 26 Locally Owned 28 Now Open 30 Lifestyle Calendar 34 Healthy Lifestyle

E X P L O R E T H E F U L L C O L L E C T IO N AT B R I Z O.C O M

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GOOD TIMES

NBT Bank Holds Ribbon Cutting & Donates $10,000 Locally NBT Bank held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the company's newest branch on 2670 Main St., and contributed $10,000 to the community to mark the official opening its full-service branch. “It is an honor to be able to support these incredible organizations and demonstrate our commitment to residents and local businesses,” said Regional President Andreas Kapetanopoulos.

HIGHLAND PARK MARKET Your Local, Family Owned Market!

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Glastonbury Lifestyle | August 2021

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Yes, your child’s school year can be exceptional — even in a time like this. “I’m really glad to have my kids at Watkinson during this time. The most important thing is the teachers’ relationships with the kids, and everything is organized to maintain those relationships and keep in contact, because that’s how the really deeper learning can take place — which is why we chose Watkinson in the first place.” seta marangoudakis, current parent

See Watkinson’s approach for yourself — schedule a private, COVID-safe tour or attend a virtual info session. Financial aid is still available for qualified appliants. watkinson.org/visit

CityLifestyle.com/Glastonbury

AROUND TOWN

EVAN GILCHREST NAMED TO FORBES LIST

4 ELEMENTS ADDS NEW SERVICES 4 Elements Direct Primary Care has launched

Evan Gilchrest, executive vice president of

brand new services for members and non-mem-

Glastonbury Wealth Management of Janney

bers. Fruit-Full Relationships is a one-of-a-kind

Montgomery Scott LLC, was named to the

weight optimization program that brings together

Forbes 2021 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list.

low glycemic impact eating, naturopathic medi-

“Congratulations to Evan for receiving this pres-

cine, exercise safety, personal training and clinical

tigious recognition, which is a testament to his

hypnotherapy under medical supervision. Aesthetic

commitment to offer the highest standard of suc-

Medicine by 4 Elements(TM) is our new service of

cess in financial relationships." said Jerry Lombard,

botulinum toxin and fillers, with additional services to

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PARISIAN SALON Parisian Salon & Day Spa has been inducted into

APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL RETURNS

the 2021 Cromwell Business Hall of Fame. The salon,

After a one-year hiatus one of Connecticut’s

located at 9 Berlin Road, Cromwell, which has been

largest community festivals makes its triumphant

in business here for more than 60 years, qualified

return this year. The CT River Valley Chamber

for induction into the Hall of Fame after winning the

of Commerce has announced the Glastonbury

Best of Cromwell Award for 11 consecutive years.

Apple Harvest & Music Festival will take place at

Glastonbury Lifestyle | August 2021

Riverfront Park, 300 Welles St., Oct. 15-17. This will

Whether it be downsizing and moving to the beach,

be the festival's 46th year and it will include amuse-

buying a bigger home for your growing family, or

ment rides, food trucks, live music, an expanded

finding the perfect work from home space so you

Harvest Pub, and the 5k Road Race on Sunday.

can spend less time commuting and more time

As a thank you to the community for their sup-

doing what you love. Dana grew up in Glastonbury

port, admission will be free.

and has been a top producer for 20 years.

MANE & CO. HAIR LOUNGE IS NOW OPEN

WIRELESS ZONE DONATES BACKPACKS

There's a new hair salon in town. The Mane &

Glastonbury Wireless Zone is partnering with

Co Hair Lounge has opened at 30 Hebron Ave.,

The Cellular Connection and Culture of Good to

and bills itself as "not your average hair salon. We

donate backpacks full of school supplies to chil-

provide salon experience that will immerse your

dren in need across Hartford County through the

senses!" The luxury salon offers highlights, vivid

brand’s annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway.

colors, balayage, hair extensions and more.

We encourage families and children to stop by the Glastonbury Wireless Zone next to Panera Bread at 2450 Main St., from 1-4 p.m. on Aug. 1 to pick up your backpack free of charge!

ROTARY RAISING SPLASH PAD FUNDS The Rotary Club of Glastonbury recently held a fundraiser for the Splash Pad project planned for Addison Park. The event was hosted by Jeff Bodeau,a past Rotarian. We had several Rotarians and five local businesses make matching donations. The Rotary club and the town look forward to the groundbreaking at Addison Park this fall for this awesome project!

DANA FLANAGAN & TYLER DEVECCHIS JOIN EXP REALTY Dana Flanagan and Tyler DeVecchis have joined

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LOCAL LIMELIGHT

ARTICLE EILEEN M. MCNAMARA

Glastonbury Lifestyle | August 2021

PHOTOGRAPHY CARRIE DRAGHI

U N D E RG RO U N D 14

k e e p i n g yo u r c a n i n e s a fe

UNDERGROUND FENCING HAS BECOME A POPULAR CHOICE FOR KEEPING OUR DOGS IN THE YARD

LIKE MANY DOG OWNERS, MY FAMILY ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO EXPERIENCED THE JOY OF AN We were dubious about the effectiveness of

“People at first didn’t believe it was possible and

the new technology until we got one and we

would throw hot dogs and other treats” outside the

watched in amazement one day as our pup ran

makeshift fence boundary he set up. And of course,

headlong toward the road, only to stop about 10

his Lab wouldn’t move outside the boundary.

feet from the street. The technology behind underground dog fencing was developed In 1973 but it would take about another 15 to 20 years before it became popular with pet owners.

Today, Dave estimates he has about 12,000 customers, a testament to the popularity of the product. Dog Guard's fencing entails installing underground wire around the boundaries of a property.

David Perrelli, owner of Dog Guard Out of Sight

The wire is charged by a transmitter installed

Fencing of CT was so intrigued with the technol-

inside the home or garage. A receiver on the

ogy that he decided to start his own underground

dog’s collar emits a pulse when the pet crosses

dog fencing business. Now 30 years later he looks

the boundary. Small white flags around the

back and says "it's the best decision I ever made".

perimeter teach the dog the boundaries.

He recalls going to county fairs with his dog

But the success of the fencing, Dave says, lies

to demonstrate the fencing, to the amazement

not just in the pulsating “correction” the dog gets.

of fairgoers.

Proper training is essential and Dave prides himself on his expertise with it. “That’s the key with me, I can train a dog in one day. You have to teach the animal that everything outside the flags is activated and make them turn back to the house. That way, when they get the correction they say ‘I have to go back home!’ That’s where the training is really critical.” On average, the fencing costs about $1,300, for a boundary fence of about one acre. It includes the materials and dog training. By comparison, he says, physical fencing can cost as much as $20,000. Dog Guard’s technology for underground fencing has gotten so superior, he adds, it can transmit over 100 acres. Dog Guard Out of Sight Fencing of CT dogguardct.com

Dave Perrelli readies his equipment to install his Dog Guard underground fencing.

203-288-7964 DogGuardCT@yahoo.com

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OUR TOWN

diamond girls are hitting it out of the park THE DIAMOND CLUB TEACHES GIRLS THE FUNDAMENTALS ABOUT SOFTBALL - AND LIFE ARTICLE EILEEN M. MCNAMARA PHOTOGRAPHY CARRIE DRAGHI (l-r): Brooke Schlenger, Sylvia Lewis, Lyla Elliott, Natalia Draghi, Avery Jankowski, Anna Boucher, Lauren Meehan, Adrianna Cicchiello, and Kathryn Allegra

Glastonbury Lifestyle | August 2021

" Girls have to know t hat t hey have t he ability to be competitive and not be looked at as one of t he boys. When I was growing up I was ul tra competitive, I was already treated in middle school and high school like one of t he boys. I was never looked at very fondly by t he girls, who were most ly cheering and supporting t he boys. I'm trying to teach t hese girls t hat you don' t have to be like t hat." AFTER PLAYING DIVISION 1 SOFTBALL IN

But the Diamond Club girls, she said, are

COLLEGE, ALISON ROSSI GRADUATED

learning about more than just softball when

WITH A DESIRE TO HELP OTHER GIRLS

they train and compete in tournaments.

LEARN THE SPORT THAT TAUGHT HER SO MUCH ABOUT LIFE.

Softball, the teamwork and the competitive aspect of the sport, she adds, teaches girls to

“I lived a different kind of life when I got out

have confidence in themselves and in their

of school because I didn’t have to pay down any

ability to be competitive in a society that tradi-

student loans and I wanted to give back to the

tionally has emphasized cooperativeness from

sport that gave me a tremendous amount.”

women and have pegged as “tomboys” girls

That desire led her to volunteer as a coach

who want to do competitive sports.

for a nascent girls’ travel softball team about

“Girls have to know that they have the

seven years ago, and motivated her to start

ability to be competitive and not be looked at

her own girls' softball club after the leaders of

as one of the boys. When I was growing up I

that team dissolved the club at the outset of

was ultra-competitive, I was already treated in

the season.

middle school and high school like one of the

“All of a sudden there were 30 girls who had

boys. I was never looked at very fondly by the

no team because no one was looking for play-

girls, who were mostly cheering and support-

ers at that point. I thought ‘How can I finish the

ing the boys. I’m trying to teach these girls

season for these kids?’ The whole point of that

that you don’t have to be like that. I let them

first year was to just survive.”

know, you’re not bossy, you’re competitive. You

She leased temporary space in East Hartford to train the girls and was able to get

can go into male-dominated industries and be competitive in that organization.”

the team through that season. At the end, par-

Marc and Sarah Boucher say the sport has

ents began coming to her asking when she

been good for their daughter Anna on numer-

would hold tryouts for the following season

ous levels.

and Alison realized she had created something permanent.

“While Anna’s skill development has been incredible, her awareness, resiliency, deter-

Now in its sixth season, the CT Diamond Club

mination, and love of softball have grown

has about 120 players, girls between the ages of

exponentially since she became a Diamond.

9 and 18, who play on nine different teams.

We could not be happier with the program.”

And those teams have established a com-

The club's team members come from doz-

petitive reputation on a national level. “In the

ens of towns in the region and that melange

last 6 years we’ve placed in the top five at

of kids from various communities, Alison says,

nationals every year,” Alison says.

also broadens the girls' perspectives on how CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Glastonbury

OUR TOWN (CONTINUED)

Alison Rossi, Contributed Photo

to interact and get along with kids outside of their own community and school friend groups, which is different from town and school sports leagues. "Some teams are made up of girls who all go to different schools. So they create their own special circle, their own tribe around this sport and they're not just stuck in their own town." There are nine girls from Glastonbury who currently play for the club. Six of the girls play on the 10u (aged-10-and-under) teams: Sylvia Lewis, Avery Jankowski, Anna Boucher, Lyla Elliott, and Brooke Schlenger. Two play on 11u: Natalia Draghi and Adrianna Cicchiello. Lauren Meehan plays for 12u, and Kathryn Allegra plays for 16u. Two of those girls, Natalia and Adrianna, have been selected as USSSA All-American players. They will represent the club and their community by competing in the All-American Games in Florida this August.

Inside the Diamond Club's clubhouse.

11u Diamond Club Teammates, Natalia Draghi and Adrianna Cicchiello, were selected as USSSA All American players and will play in the 2021 All American Games. 20

Glastonbury Lifestyle | August 2021

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ANIMAL KINGDOM

A R E YOU A PE T PA R E N T ?

PETS HAVE BECOME FAMILY MEMBERS, AND WE’RE ALL BETTER FOR IT

Glastonbury Lifestyle | August 2021

ARTICLE EILEEN M. MCNAMARA

WHEN’S THE LAST TIME YOU SAW A DOG HOUSE?

“puppy cams” and “kitty cams” so you can keep tabs on

I’ll bet you can’t remember. Seems they've pretty much

your cat or dog while they're home alone.

disappeared from the landscape.

You can buy your dog a real couch, miniaturized for

It’s not hard to figure out why. These days, most pet own-

their size, for about $100. Cat houses have become elab-

ers would recoil at the thought of tying their dog outside, all

orate affairs with decks and terraces. Pet medical care is

day or night, in cold or heat, to an uninsulated little house.

nearly as specialized as human health care and you can

The absence of dog houses indicates just how much, as a culture, we’ve embraced pets - dogs, cats and other domesticated animals - as members of our family. Consider a few of these stats: In 2020 Americans spent $42 billion on pet food and treats, $22 billion on pet supplies and $31 billion on vet bills, according to a new study by the American Pet Products Association. The group also found that last year 84.9 million households in the U.S. owned at least one pet, the vast major-

buy pet medical insurance as well. The birth rates among young women are dropping in the U.S. at the same time that pet ownership among millennials and younger generations is going up. Our dogs and cats are now “fur babies.” We have become “pet parents.” Some pet parents make their own dog food because they want their cat or dog to eat fresh, natural, even organic, meals.

ity being a cat or dog. The study found that 63.4 million

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute says our

households owned a dog and 42.7 million owned a cat.

growing attachment to animals is a good thing, for us

Those figures likely skyrocketed in recent months as

and them. Pets have benefited from being coddled by

millions of Americans, homebound by the pandemic,

their human companions. We, in return, enjoy a myriad of

adopted a dog or cat to keep them company. According

mental and physical health benefits from our pets.

to The Humane Society pet ownership in this country

“Literally 97 of doctors say there are health benefits

has more than tripled since the 1970s, And the more we

from owning a pet … simply owning a dog can make a

surround ourselves with cats and dogs, the more we

person healthier in a variety of ways,” the group says.

have humanized them. These day, department stores carry a large array of pet toys, beds, treats and other supplies. There are

*Editor's note: We're holding a contest for the cutest pet. Email us your cute pet pics at gary.perrelli @lifestylepubs.com. See our ad on page 35 for details.

CityLifestyle.com/Glastonbury

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LOCALLY OWNED

M.J. emonds THIS FAMILY-RUN HVAC COMPANY HAS SERVED THE LOCAL COMMUNITY’S COOLING AND HEATING NEEDS FOR 26 YEARS

LIFE WAS RUNNING SMOOTHLY FOR KERRY AND MICHAEL J. EMONDS ABOUT 26 YEARS AGO. Then, in 1995, calamity struck. “Michael got laid off from his job. There we were with four babies, no job, no health insurance, and we just decided, ‘Let’s start our own company.’ “ That was the genesis of M.J. Emonds Mechanical Contractors LLC. The couple started the business in their home and with one pickup truck. Today it has offices at a 5,000-square-foot building at 17 Nutmeg Lane in Glastonbury and a full fleet of vehicles. From its inauspicious beginnings it has become a leader in the mechanical contracting industry. A Trane certified dealer M.J. Emonds has a staff of 12 full time HVAC technicians, installers and sheet metal fabricators who install and service “custom heating and cooling solutions to meet the unique circumstances of your home or business.” Kerry says the family-run business owes its successes to the community that supported them from the beginning. “This town really embraced us when we started out, Kerry and Michael J. Emonds inside the company's offices

many of our original customers have been with us from the beginning and they’re like family to us.” M.J. Emonds Mechanical Contractors LLC 17 Nutmeg Lane, Glastonbury 860-657-4554

ARTICLE EILEEN M. MCNAMARA PHOTOGRAPHY CARRIE DRAGHI 26

Glastonbury Lifestyle | August 2021

M.J. Emonds has a full metal fabrication shop

“We are a fam i ly-ru n busi ness; M i ke and I are very hands on and ou r son and son-i n-law work here as wel l.” - Kerry Emonds

CityLifestyle.com/Glastonbury

NOW OPEN

learning as they grow

THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE USES A UNIQUE CURRICULUM TO TEACH KIDS WHILE THEY PLAY

PHOTOGRAPHY CARRIE DRAGHI

INSIDE THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE ON OAK

These are a group of preschoolers, Deepash explains.

STREET, A LINE OF TODDLERS WAITS PATIENTLY

They’ve just had their afternoon nap and will now play

TO GO OUT TO THE PLAYGROUND. There are several

outside, under the watchful eye of their teacher, until it’s

chatting visitors, including Deepash Patel, the Learning

time to come in and do their afternoon learning activity.

Experience’s co-owner, at the other end of the brightly

When they do, he says, they won’t even realize they’re

colored hallway, blocking the exit. They move out of the

taking part in instructional time. That’s because the cur-

kids’ way and the children stream out, single-file.

riculum at The Learning Experience, even for babies, is

As they walk past they slap Deepash’s raised hand in greeting or fist-bump him, many of them calling out a greeting to him as well.

ARTICLE EILEEN M. MCNAMARA

Glastonbury Lifestyle | August 2021

cleverly disguised as playtime. “We really believe in the mission of learning through play,” says Shital Patel, Deepash’s wife and co-owner

of The Learning Experience. “Every month we have a theme, and

The Learning Experience separates children into six distinct learn-

through those themes, we coordinate our learning experiences. The

ing groups and it offers full time, half day or part time child care and

kids are learning all day long but they don’t realize it.”

preschool programs.

The Learning Experience franchises child care centers across the

The curriculum, Deepash says, also includes a philanthropic com-

country and stresses a “learn through doing” approach in its pro-

ponent and the centers participate in community giving and fund

grams, geared for children from six weeks to six years old.

drives so that children can learn the importance of helping others.

The Patels own four Learning Experience facilities in Connecticut. Besides the one on Oak Street they also currently operate centers in New Haven, Cromwell, South Windsor and Fairfield. One of the hallmarks of The Learning Experience, besides their bright and colorful interiors, is the emphasis they put on developing

That was one of the things that drew the couple to partnering with The Learning Experience. “As parents, we wanted more for our own children,” Deepash says. “We were really looking for that philanthropic component tied into a well rounded curriculum”

curriculum specifically for each age group because children have “much different learning needs” at all different ages, Shital says. “Other centers will have kids ages 1, 2 and 3 all in one group. But

The Learning Experience 86 Oak St., Glastonbury

a 1-year-old is very different developmentally from a 2-year-old and

860-781-8363

a 3-year-old.”

thelearningexperience.com

CityLifestyle.com/Glastonbury

AUGUST

LIFESTYLE CALENDAR

SPRUCE STREET FARMERS MARKET

9TH ANNUAL PSYCHIC & BEYOND EXPO

GRAND OPENING AT 4 ELEMENTS

Hilton Garden Inn,

1199 Sullivan Ave., South Windsor

Market will run on Wednesdays,

85 South Glastonbury Blvd

Come join us for a Grand Celebration

Aug. 4 & Aug. 11 from 4:30-7:30

The 9th Annual Psychic & Beyond

and Ribbon Cutting at 4 Elements

p.m. Vendor selections are thought-

EXPO will be held Saturday and

Direct

fully curated to include diverse foods

Sunday, Aug. 7-8 starting at 11 a.m.

p.m., 1199

and business owners; with products

each day, at the Hilton Garden Inn

Windsor. Win some amazing prizes

including: fresh fruits & vegetables,

on Glastonbury Blvd. Tickets are $5.

and some specials on our aesthetic

gluten-free

153 & 163 Spruce St., Manchester

The fifth-annual Spruce Street Farmers

4 Elements Direct Primary Care,

Primary

Care, from

Sullivan

5-7

Ave., South

vegan

The event will feature 20 vendors, as

services that are only available for

offerings, CT food trucks and arti-

well as psychics, mediums, intuitives

attendees. We are excited to share

sans. See the weekly line up at www.

and healers. Contact 860-659-1025

this event with the community. RSVP

facebook .com/sprucestreetmar-

for more information.

at: celebrate.4elementsdpc.com.

ANNUAL FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL

COMEDY NIGHT WITH JOSH WOLF

98 Woodland St.

Hampton Road, Marlborough

BIG CASTLE CONSTRUCTION

The Annual Food Truck Festival will

Join us for comedy night at The

Welles-Turner Memorial Library,

run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will

Farm at Carter Hill with Josh Wolf,

2407 Main St.

include more than 25 vendors, plus

with shows on Aug. 13 and 14, at 7

Rule your own kingdom! We will use

beer, wine and liquor. Come enjoy

p.m. Josh is a comedian, actor and

cardboard boxes and other recycled

gourmet food trucks offering a variety

NY Times Bestselling author best

materials to create kid-sized castles

of delicious dishes and treats! There

known for his work as a round table

on the front lawn under the Copper

will be carnival rides for kids, admis-

guest and writer on E!’s “Chelsea

Beech tree between 2:30-4:30 p.m.

sion is free and there is plenty of free

Lately” and “After Lately.” For

Weather permitting. For kids enter-

parking. Visit glastonburyelks.org

tickets visit thefarmatcarterhill.

ing grades 2 through 6. For more

for more info.

baked

goods,

ketctwww.facebook.com/sprucestreetmarketct. Visit sprucestmarket @manchesterct.gov for more info.

Glastonbury Elks Lodge 2202,

ONE

STOP SHOP

information visit wtmlib.info.

Cromwell | parisiandayspa.net | 860.632.2144 Follow us on Social Media

Glastonbury Lifestyle | August 2021

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CityLifestyle.com/Glastonbury

AUGUST

LIFESTYLE CALENDAR

fundraiser our club holds and is one of

MARC MADNESS KICKBALL TOURNAMENT

day of Irish dance and music and if you

the few remaining outdoor Irish dance festivals in the country. It is a wonderful have never attended one, we highly

26 BOOKS ON TAP

Hops on The Hill, 275 Dug Road

Glastonbury Elks Lodge, 98 Woodland St.

urge you to join us! The event runs from

Adults 21 and older are welcome to

All levels of experience and com-

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit irishamericanhome.

meet up for a non-traditional book

petitive spirit are encouraged to

com for more info.

discussion over a pint of Glastonbury

participate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tournament will be designed for both players that are on a league and determined to bring home the trophy or just want to have some kickball fun and support a great cause. The event

beer at Hops on the Hill at 6 p.m. No

purchase is required to take part in

LANDSCAPE PAINTING WORKSHOP

drinks with a valid photo ID. RSVPs

the book club, but participants are responsible for buying their own

Connecticut River Valley Inn,

are appreciated. Contact 860-652-

will also include family-friendly activ-

2195 Main St.

7720

ities. For more information contact

In this workshop, which runs from

bury-ct.gov for more info.

marcy.goodman@marc-cr.org.

Aug. 22-26, at 4 p.m. you’ll learn to

or kirsten.smith@glaston-

see the landscape differently and to

communicate the feeling of a scene

ANNUAL HARTFORD FEIS

look of it. You’ll abstract the land-

Would you like to get in touch with

scape, or replace it with your vision.

us? We would love to hear from you!

Irish American Home Society,

You’ll find freedom in painting like

132 Commerce St.

never before. For more informations

Glastonbury using the Get In Touch

The Hartford Feis is the largest

contact 860-633-7374.

link and let us know what you think.

or place rather than replicate the

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 1 1-4 PM

Backpack Giveaway

Since 2013, nearlyZone® 700,000 students have received school supplies and a Wireless is giving away afreefree backpack brand new backpack thanks to the Culture of Good. This year, Wireless Zone® to any child who needs one. We are Proud to and other companies across the country are partnering together to show their give back to our local community. One perjust how communities how much they care. Every year, many families question theychild, will be able to prepare their children a successful school year -pack. this is must be present toforreceive the back one way that together we can help. This isn’t a sales gimmick. We won’t be pushing sales, promoting any current offers or handing out coupons on this day. We will just be giving back to make someone’s day a little bit brighter. Will you join us?

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HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

ARTICLE JENNIFER ANDERSON MSPH RDN

TE AC H I N G YO U R K I D S TO E AT H E A LTH Y

AS PARENTS, ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PRIORITIES

IS ENSURING THAT OUR KIDS ARE GETTING THE NUTRIENTS THEY NEED. But getting them to eat their

fruits and vegetables isn’t always easy, especially if your kids are picky eaters like many seem to be.

Let’s talk about the benefits of introducing healthy

food to your kids at an early age. Read on to find helpful information about feeding picky eaters.

3 T I P S F O R G E T T I N G YO U R K I D S TO E AT H E A LT H Y F O O D S Real Easy

MAKE SNACKS AND MEALTIME FUN

Weekdays

We all know that kids like to play and have fun, so why not make food fun? Whether you’re turning broccoli into a microphone at dinner, or playing tic-tac-toe with edible carrot sticks, kids get into it. DON’T GIVE UP Parents often assume that if a child doesn’t eat a food the first or second time it’s served, the child doesn’t like the food. Many children may

Meal Plan

G R E E K YO G U R T RANCH DIP This goes great with raw veggies like celery,

need to see or taste a food 10 or 20 times before they are willing to eat it.

carrots, broccoli, snap peas, cauliflower, or any

FORCING HEALTHY FOODS ON KIDS OFTEN BACKFIRES

great with whole-grain crackers and pita chips!

veggie your kids might like raw. It also goes

Often, making a child eat food or eat a certain amount of food backfires. It may backfire in the short run by making a child more

INGREDIENTS

selective and less likely to eat the foods you want them to eat.

+ ½ cup full-fat Greek yogurt + ½ to 1 Tablespoon of Trader Joe’s Onion

S TA R T H E A LT H Y H A B I T S E A R LY

Salt (alternatives include Ranch dressing mix, onion salt, or a combination of onion powder and garlic powder)

The key takeaway here is to introduce healthy foods to your child at an early age. Be patient with your pickiest of eaters, and re-intro-

METHOD

duce a food several times. Stick with it; their long-term health habits

1. Mix Greek yogurt with seasoning. Serve.

depend on it! 34

Glastonbury Lifestyle | August 2021

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