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Investment. By definition, it’s the act of dedicating time, energy, or resources toward something with the hope of a worthwhile return. But in practice, it’s so much more. Whether it’s our community, relationships, finances, or personal growth, the things we invest in shape our futures.
In this month's issue, we spoke to several local investment experts, including Financial Advisor James Beyer, of Integrity Wealth Management here in Glastonbury. An independent fiduciary advisor, James's area of expertise is helping investors navigate the final three to five years just before retirement.
We also spoke with Jenny Bergeron, the founding member of Allegra Wealth Management of Glastonbury. Jenny prides herself on helping her clients conquer their fears of financial planning and investing.
Most of us have many physical investments — our homes, cars, boats — that need to be protected. Coe Bancroft, a local agent with State Farm Insurance, talked to us about why choosing a local insurance agent is important and how they can help uncover insurance coverage needs people often don't consider, such as jewelry, RVs and even pets.
In this month's Experts Espresso Corner column, we hear from the law firm Cummings & Lockwood LLC about the special estate planning needs for executives and Justin Wolf of E.A. Quinn Landscaping discusses how restoring old walkways can bring your landscape back to life.
If you own a small business you are probably well aware of the demands of payroll processing and how time consuming it can be. Katie Weber, a Connecticut agent for Lumina Payments, helps small businesses streamline their payrolls so they can focus on what's important: their businesses.
And who could forget that April is when federal and state taxes are due? Jaye Subramanian, of Consult Vera, talked to us about some of the new tax laws that are in effect this year.
Finally, we have stories about how NFL player Tim Tebow is redefining his life as an MVP and how you can plant a kitchen garden this spring.
Every investment we make is an act of hope and commitment. As you read this issue, we hope you’ll feel inspired to invest in the people, places, and dreams that matter most to you!
April 2026
PUBLISHER
Srivathsa (Sri) Ramachandran srivathsa.ramachandran@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Eileen McNamara | eileen.mcnamara@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Jill Barry | jill.barry@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Jayashree (Jaye) Subramanian jayashree.subramanian@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Dave Claro | dave.claro@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Brian Boyer, Justin Wolf, Jaye Subramanian, Cummings & Lockwood
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Brian Ambrose, Kaitlyn Casso, EB Taylor Photography, Lynn Damon
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Access a vast network of financial products and services from our world-class global institution. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with you to help achieve your financial dreams.
MC Wealth Solutions Group David Mozeleski, CFP®, CRPC®, CRPS® Senior Vice President – Financial Advisor Senior Portfolio Manager – Portfolio Focus (860) 657-1760 | us.rbcwm.com/mcwsg
Investment and insurance products: • Not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency
• Not a deposit of, or guaranteed by, the bank or an affiliate of the bank • May lose value
© 2024 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, registered investment adviser and Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved. 24-GN-03599 (11/24)
Watkinson School has issued a white paper on how school culture helps students thrive. "When it comes to education — the process by which developing humans strive to become their best selves and in so doing shape a better world — we often need something more robust than simple rules. We need intelligent, empathetic, principled complexity. Watkinson has structures designed to help us practice the skills of thinking, asking, and discerning." Visit watkinson.org.
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Live Nation announces new shows at The Meadows Music Theatre in Hartford, including Kid Cudi on June 3, MGK June 6, and Dave Matthews Band July 25. Experience concerts like a true VIP with Live Nation’s Premium Seat Program, which includes VIP parking, a private entrance, exclusive VIP Club access, in-seat service, and a dedicated personal concierge to handle every detail. Perfect for entertaining clients, rewarding employees, or creating unforgettable nights out. Visit livenation.com
Local entrepreneur Eric Lopkin is the recipient of the CT River Valley Chamber of Commerce's 2026 President’s Award. Lopkin was presented with the award at the Chamber's annual meeting in March. Lopkin is a best selling author, business success coach, speaker and podcaster. "I am honored to ... that I am the recipient of the CT River Valley Chamber President’s Award. Thank you so much to the CT River Valley Chamber.” Visit crvchamber.org for information.
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Three West Hartford students at Watkinson School have won 2026 Connecticut Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Liam McWhite, won the Silver Key for photography; the Silver Key for portfolio and the Hartford Art School scholarship. Liam Walsh won the Silver Key for photography and Sam Lyons, won the Silver Key for photography. The Art & Writing Awards is a juried event recognizing the best student artwork. In total, seven Watkinson students won awards. Visit Watkinson.org.
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Stepping Stone Wealth, a private advisory practice with Ameriprise Financial in West Hartford, was named to the list of “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” published by Forbes. The list recognizes financial advisors and their teams who have demonstrated high levels of ethical standards, professionalism, and success in the business. Stepping Stone was chosen based on assets under management, industry experience, compliance record and best practices in their practice and approach to working with clients. Visit Ameripriseadvisors.com.
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Renbrook School was recently featured in a segment of the Public Television series All Access with Andy Garcia . The program selected Renbrook as an example of a private school that offers a thoughtful, student-centered educational experience. Filmed on Renbrook’s West Hartford campus, the segment introduces viewers to how learning, environment, and community come together to support children’s growth. Visit renbrook.org for more information.
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We
ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA Independent Fiduciary Advisor James Beyer Helps Investors Plan For Life’s Biggest Financial Transition
For many Americans, the final three to five years before retirement can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff — close enough to see what’s next, but uncertain about the landing.
For Connecticut-based financial planner James T. Beyer, that stretch isn’t a danger zone. It’s a specialty.
“A lot of people have done a good job saving, but saving and distributing are two very different skill sets.”
An independent fiduciary financial advisor with more than 14 years of experience, James is a lifelong Connecticut resident. He lives in Glastonbury with his wife, Michelle, and their dog, Kooba. He also serves as a deacon in his church.
At his offices at 20 Waterside Drive in Farmington, he offers complimentary consultations for individuals mapping out their retirement path.
He built his practice around helping people who plan to retire within the next three to five years. Rather than focusing solely on wealth accumulation, he concentrates on turning decades of savings into sustainable, dependable retirement income.
“Retirement is not just a financial event — it’s a life transition,” James says. “The biggest shift isn’t always in the numbers. It’s in the mindset. People go from earning a paycheck every two weeks to relying on assets they’ve worked a lifetime to build. That can feel unsettling without a clear plan.”
Many of his clients arrive with similar questions: Do I have enough? How do I replace my paycheck? What happens if the market drops right after I retire? How will I cover healthcare or long-term care costs?
“A lot of people have done a good job saving, but saving and distributing are two very different skill sets. When you’re within five years of retirement, every decision carries more weight.”
A key component of his work is addressing the concerns that intensify as retirement approaches — generating consistent income, optimizing savings for long-term growth and preparing for healthcare expenses. Beyer guides clients through a step-bystep process that evaluates their financial picture, risk tolerance and personal priorities.
“I tell clients, ‘We’re going to stress-test this plan before you live it.’ We look at inflation, unexpected expenses, market volatility — all the things that can derail retirement if you don’t prepare for them.”
In his book, Retire With Confidence, James outlines what he calls the “10 blind spots” that can cause people to work longer than necessary. The book emphasizes building a personalized retirement plan aligned with lifestyle and timeline, creating reliable income streams and protecting against inflation and unforeseen medical costs.
“Too many people assume retirement will just work itself out,” he said. “But small blind spots — like underestimating healthcare costs or not accounting for taxes properly — can have a big impact over 20 or 30 years.”
Healthcare planning is one of his core specialties. James holds the Certified Long Term Care Consultant (CLTC®) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designations. As a fiduciary, he is obligated to act in his clients’ best interests — a distinction he believes is critical.
“Trust is everything. When someone is about to retire, they’re not just hiring you for investment advice. They’re trusting you with their future lifestyle.”
Beyond income planning, his practice includes comprehensive retirement planning, wealth management, tax-minimization strategies, estate conservation and risk management. He also works with business owners preparing to exit or transition into new professional phases.
He has earned recognition as a nine-time Million Dollar Round Table qualifier, though he emphasizes that accolades are secondary to outcomes.
“At the end of the day, my success is measured by whether my clients feel confident walking away from their careers. If they can retire knowing their income plan is solid and they don’t have to look over their shoulder at every market headline, that’s a win.”
“Retirement should be something you look forward to, not something you fear. With the right preparation, the next three to five years can be the most empowering of your financial life.”
For more information or to schedule a consultation call 203-278-7727 or visit IntegrityWealthRetirement.com.
Securities and investment advisory services offered through Integrity Alliance, LLC, member SIPC. Integrity Wealth is a marketing name for Integrity Alliance.
Landscapes naturally change over time, often leading to organic buildup, sunken pavers, uncontrollable weeds, and faded hardscapes. Our restoration services address these issues to renew function and appearance, restoring balance and extending the life of your landscape while preserving its established character.
Known for creative design and quality installation, E.A. Quinn brings a fresh vision to outdoor spaces ready for change. From new layouts to planting and hardscape enhancements, we design and build landscapes that are beautiful, functional, and built to last.
At Cummings & Lockwood, you receive sophisticated and carefully curated legal advice based on decades of experience and tailored to your specific goals, together with the personalized attention and elevated client experience you should expect from your professional advisors.
n Private Clients | Trusts and Estates
n Fiduciary and Probate Litigation
n
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and Finance
and Residential Real Estate
Homes, cars, jewelry, health, even the ability to earn a living—modern life is filled with things worth protecting. Yet deciding what coverage is truly necessary can feel overwhelming. Coe Bancroft of State Farm Insurance in Glastonbury says the starting point is simpler than many people think: focus on the assets and income you couldn’t afford to lose.
“When it comes to personal insurance, you want to make sure you’re insuring your major assets first,” Coe explains. Auto and homeowners or condo policies form the foundation, but he urges clients to look beyond the basics. Personal liability protection, such as an umbrella policy, can provide an extra layer of coverage above standard home and auto limits, shielding savings and future earnings if someone makes a claim for negligence.
Local agents, he says, often uncover needs people haven’t considered. Jewelry, pets, and renters coverage are frequently overlooked, as are recreational items like motorcycles, RVs, golf carts, ATVs, and trailers. “Anything that would be a financial hardship to replace without insurance should be part of the conversation,” Coe says.
The protection people most often neglect, however, is life insurance. Many assume benefits through an employer are enough. Coe disagrees. “We don’t own our employer’s
ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA
benefits—they can change at any time,” he notes. Individually owned life insurance provides financial security to a family if a wage earner dies, replacing lost income and providing the money to cover debts and everyday expenses, providing the money to cover debts and everyday expenses.
There are also lesser-known uses. For retired couples, Social Security or pension income may drop sharply after one spouse passes away. “That gap can be filled with life insurance,” Coe says. “It’s not just about paying for a funeral. It can protect a surviving spouse’s quality of life.” He emphasizes that policies exist at many price points and can be tailored to what a household can comfortably afford.
Coe believes the guidance of a local agent is more important than ever. The insurance industry is facing rising costs tied to increasing injury claims, used cars, rental vehicles, advanced sensors, building materials, and labor. As premiums climb, consumers need help comparing options and avoiding coverage that doesn’t fit their risks.
Personal circumstances matter as well. A homeowner with a pool or a young driver faces different exposures than someone without. Understanding those details ensures that coverage will respond properly if a claim occurs.
“A local agent is accountable to help customers find the balance between price and protection, so they don’t overpay,” he says.
“A local agent can shop multiple carriers and place the right client with the right company so they don’t overpay,” he says. Personal circumstances matter as well. A homeowner with a pool or a young driver faces different exposures than someone without. Understanding those details ensures that coverage will respond properly if a claim occurs.
Coe’s commitment is personal. A fourth-generation insurance professional, he lives and works in Glastonbury and views his role as part educator, part advocate.
Insurance, he reminds clients, isn’t just another bill—it’s a plan to protect the life they’ve worked hard to build. With thoughtful advice and the right coverage, families can face the future with greater confidence.
“I care deeply about doing what is right for the people who entrust me with their insurance needs. My job is to help customers recognize potential risks and improve their lives with appropriate, affordable options.”
Coe
Bancroft CPCU
– State Farm Insurance
Agent
103 New London Turnpike Suite A, Glastonbury, CT 860-633-3736 • coe@coebancroft.com
Helping
www.kaitlyncasso.com hello@kaitlyncasso.com
Cummings & Lockwood: Estate Planning for Executives, Justin Wolf, Update Your Landscape By Restoring Walkways and Patios
ARTICLE BY JUSTIN WOLF, CUMMINGS & LOCKWOOD
EA. Quinn Landscaping
Cummings & Lockwood’s private clients attorneys understand that corporate executives have complex estate planning needs which change and evolve over the course of their careers and into retirement, requiring in-depth review and analysis and sophisticated solutions.
Corporate executives often structure their financial planning for the maximum lifetime use of their assets, while developing an estate plan that maximizes and protects the value and distribution of assets to spouses, children and beneficiaries.
Executives often encounter unique challenges because their assets are more likely to be concentrated in stock, stock options and restricted stock. This can cause special estate planning and estate administration issues.
Other issues can include substantial interests in qualified retirement plans, corporate life insurance plans, and split-dollar arrangements.
Whether working with a corporate executive at the beginning, midpoint or pinnacle of his or her career, Cummings & Lockwood’s trusts and estates attorneys have the knowledge and experience to help design an appropriate estate plan.
cl-law.com | 860-313-4900.
Your walkways and patios are meant to be enjoyed—not stressed over. But over time, even the best outdoor surfaces can start to show wear. Weeds creeping up between the joints, mold or moss spreading across the surface, and uneven pavers creating tripping hazards are all common pain points for homeowners.
Maintenance and restoration can bring your outdoor space back to life. One of the most important first steps is having the area professionally powerwashed. It’s imperative for removing built-up grime and all the old joint material that no longer holds properly.
Once cleared, pavers can be lifted where needed, the base touched up to eliminate unevenness, and materials can be relaid for a smooth, secure finish. Installing fresh joint material locks everything in place. With the right restoration, your patio or walkway can look beautiful, clean, and welcoming again.
Justin@eaquinn.com | 860-633-0115
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Behind each of our 200+ City Lifestyle magazines is someone who cares deeply about their community. Someone who connects people, celebrates businesses, and shares the stories that matter most. What if that someone was you?
Or maybe it’s someone you know. If this isn’t the right time for you, but you know someone who could be the perfect fit, we’d love an intro. Markets available nationwide. Learn more at future.citylifestyle.com
ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA PHOTOGRAPHY BY LYNN DAMON
Allegra Wealth Management Founder Jenny Bergeron Helps Clients Conquer Their Fear of Financial Planning
In an industry long shaped by sales targets and complex jargon, Jenny Bergeron is making investing feel natural.
The founder and principal of Allegra Wealth Management, Jenny has built her practice around a simple idea: financial planning should help people live with more freedom and less fear.
“Everybody worries about the same things,” she says. “They’re afraid they’re not making smart decisions, afraid they’re spending too much. They want to know they can retire when they want—or when they have to—and they don’t want to run out of money.”
Her path to finance was anything but traditional. She began her career in advertising but found herself fascinated by how money makes money and being smart with that money to build a leisurely life versus just surviving. A financial advisor who saw her business acumen suggested she consider the profession. What she discovered was a culture focused heavily on selling products rather than understanding people.
“I didn’t want to push investments just to hit quotas,” Jenny says. “I wanted to build something where the starting point was a person’s life — their family, their goals, their anxieties — not a spreadsheet.”
That conviction led her to create her own firm, where planning comes before portfolios. Bergeron describes her role less as a stock picker and more as a translator and guide. “Of course I invest for my clients. It’s usually the first reason they come to me. But investing is only one aspect of your future,” she says. “Cash-flow management, debt, taxes, expectations about lifestyle — those pieces dictate whether you’ll feel secure.”
Clients often arrive at her office overwhelmed by choices and decisions. Many have worked with advisors who bombarded them with white boards and market jargon and never asked how they hoped to live. Bergeron begins with questions about values and daily realities.
Should a family take one less vacation to help fund college? What does retirement actually look like?
“The story is you and your life. My job is to help you make sense of where you are now.”
She’s quick to note that good advice requires a team. Through her broker-dealer LPL Financial, she relies on analysts and compliance professionals who monitor global markets and economic trends. Her role, she says, is to match that institutional expertise with each client’s personal roadmap.
She compares investing to baking a cake: small adjustments, made consistently, create the right result.
“You don’t need big dramatic moves,” she says. “You need intelligent, thoughtful ones.”
What excites her most is the transformation she witnesses. The process can be uncomfortable,
forcing people to confront habits and assumptions, but the payoff is liberation.
“By the end of that process, people ended up standing taller with confidence. The anxiety eases because they now have a plan.”
Her message to hesitant clients is direct: start somewhere and seek out an advisor who asks about your fears and your dreams.
“Don’t beat yourself up about past choices,” she says. “If they don’t line up with your goals, we can shape and shift them together.”
For Bergeron, that partnership is the heart of the work.
“We’re all in it together—and helping people cross that finish line with confidence is what I bring to the table.”
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC.
Allegra Wealth Management
120 Hebron Avenue – Eric Town Square, Suite 2C
Phone: 860-430-2637 Online: allegrawealthmanagement.com
Tax Expert Jaye Subramanian of Consult Vera: The Top Marginal Rate Remains At 37 Percent
This year the major federal tax rules in effect reflect extensions and modifications of policies originally enacted under President Trump, along with legislation passed afterward to prevent many provisions from expiring at the end of 2025.
For individuals, lower income tax brackets that were scheduled to sunset remain. The top marginal rate is 37 percent, rather than increasing to 39.6 percent. The compressed bracket structure continues. The nearly doubled standard deduction applies, while personal exemptions continue to be eliminated. The Child Tax Credit remains higher than its pre-2018 level and is indexed for inflation, keeping the per-child benefit above $2,000. The cap on state and local tax (SALT) deduction increases to $40,000 for several years before a scheduled reversion later in the decade. The lifetime estate and gift tax exemption is increased to roughly $15 million per individual (about $30 million for married couples), indexed for inflation. In addition, temporary deductions allow eligible workers to deduct up to $25,000 in tip income and up to $12,500 in overtime pay and taxpayers may deduct up to $10,000 per year in interest on loans for certain new U.S.-assembled vehicles.
For businesses, the 21 percent corporate income tax rate remains permanent. Owners of pass-through entities—such as S corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships—continue to benefit from a 20 percent Qualified Business Income deduction, which was also preserved beyond its original expiration date. Businesses are again permitted to claim 100 percent bonus depreciation on qualified property placed in service after 2025, allowing immediate expensing rather than multi-year depreciation. Section 179 expensing limits remain elevated, enabling small and mid-sized businesses to deduct substantial equipment and property purchases upfront. At the same time, tighter limits apply to the deductibility of certain executive compensation at large public companies.
Overall, the 2026 tax landscape maintains lower individual and business tax rates, higher estate exemptions, and accelerated writeoffs for investment, with several targeted deductions scheduled to phase out later in the decade.
Jaye Subramanian, Consult Vera
703 Hebron Ave., Suite 2A
Phone: 860-994-2791
Email: Office@consultvera.com Online: Consultvera.com
ARTICLE BY BRIAN BOYER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN HELMKE
When Katie Weber, Connecticut Agent for Lumina Payments, talks about merchant services, she doesn’t start with rates or terminals. She starts with relationships.
“Small business owners don’t need another vendor. They need a partner who will pick up the phone when they need help .”
As the local Connecticut representative for Lumina Payments, a fast-growing payments company focused on transparency, fixed rates and no long-term contracts, Katie has built her reputation on being exactly that kind of partner. Lumina challenges the traditional merchant services model, which is often criticized for hidden fees, confusing contracts and impersonal service.
“Lumina was built to be clear and straightforward. Transparent pricing. No long-term contracts. What you see is what you get.”
A Michigan native who relocated to Connecticut with her family, she understands what it means to start fresh and build a network from the ground up. Today, she and her husband are raising their family in Connecticut, navigating the same milestones as many of her clients.
“We’re right in the thick of the college decision process. It definitely makes you think about long-term financial planning, not just for families, but for business owners too.”
After years as a stay-at-home mom, she transitioned into merchant services with a focus on credit card and ACH processing, point-of-sale systems and software integrations. But unlike many in the industry who operate at scale through call centers and automated systems, Katie built her business the old-fashioned way: one conversation at a time.
“I go door to door. I sit down face-to-face. Business owners get a hundred emails a week. They don’t need another one. They need someone who will look at their statement and actually explain what’s going on.”
That deep-dive analysis is one of her core differentiators. Weber reviews merchant statements line
by line, identifying unnecessary fees, incorrect classifications and inefficiencies that quietly erode profit margins.
Her focus spans multiple business genres, but regardless of industry, her goal remains fixed: optimize payment processing so owners can focus on their business.
Her accessibility sets her apart. Katie makes herself available to clients around the clock, something she sees as non-negotiable.
“It doesn’t happen often, but if a terminal goes down on a Saturday night, I’m answering the call.”
Her business model is rooted in honesty, transparency and integrity—values she believes are non-negotiable in an industry often viewed with skepticism.
“I’m looking for a long-term relationship. If I can save you money and simplify your systems, you’re going to stay. That’s how I grow.”
Her growth strategy reflects that philosophy. She’s active in networking organizations such as local chambers of commerce and BNI, where she builds connections rather than transactional leads.
“People can tell if you’re just there to sell. I want to know their business. I want to know their family. That’s how trust happens.”
As Lumina Payments continues expanding its agentdriven model Weber sees enormous opportunity in Connecticut’s small business ecosystem.
“There are so many hardworking entrepreneurs here. They deserve fair pricing and clear answers.”
She combines the backing of a national payments platform with the accountability of a local advocate.
“At the end of the day, my name is attached to every account. That matters to me.”
Katie Weber | Business Advocate
Online: katie@luminapayments.com
Phone: 586-612-7144
Email: katie@luminapayments.com
“I’m looking for a long-term relationship. If I can save you money and simplify your systems, you’re going to stay. That’s how I grow.”
BACKYARD GARDENS OFFER FRESH VEGGIES AND FOOD FOR YOUR SOUL
A quick guide for simple ideas to start off your backyard kitchen garden. With endless health and medicinal benefits, combined with the beauty and enjoyment to be found, gardening is endlessly rewarding.
• Plant your vegetable options right into your beds with flowers, the pollinators (bees, butterflies and more) are attracted to the beautiful flowers and your veggies will easily and abundantly go-tofruit, living harmoniously in one bed.
• Every garden needs a rain gauge - you’ll be surprised at how fun it is to check. There is nothing like rain water for your garden. (This is optional, but definitely fun).
• Get your family involved. It’s never too late!
• Just go for it, our local climate can be weird and often extreme but don’t let it stop you- the most success and fun I’ve had was just going for it. Experiment and see what you love and what works best for you!
• In most cases, when watering, don’t water the petals and leaves, (especially when they’re in direct sunlight) try to water straight to the soil. All they need is water, nutrients and light to thrive! (and maybe a little love helps too!)
• Don’t forget herbs: Lavender, Mint, Lemon Verbena, Oregano, Basil, Cilantro, Parsley and more. Don’t be afraid to skip the spice rack and grab your seasoning from the garden.
Whether starting from seed or seedlings, you can’t go wrong with these options. Start with foods you know you like to eat.
TOMATOES: They’re delicious, money-saving, good for eating fresh and for preserving. Tomatoes come in endless colors, shapes and sizes. Plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil, ideally in full sun, and ensure they receive consistent moisture, supporting them with cages or stakes as they grow.
OKRA: Okra loves our hot summers and full sun. Don’t wait too long to pick your okra, ideally harvesting them when they are 2 to 4 inches long. Can be eaten raw on a salad or best served deep fried. (The flower that turns into the okra itself is uniquely beautiful as well!)
EGGPLANT: Eggplant is a short season vegetable and a relative of peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and tobacco. It thrives in heat and full sun and can be deliciously made into baba ganoush and many other delicious dishes.
ARTICLE BY LAURA SANCHEZQUAN
PEPPERS: Like tomatoes, peppers have many purposes and variations. Plant them in a sunny location with welldrained soil after the last frost, spacing them 18 inches apart, and provide consistent watering while ensuring the soil doesn't become waterlogged.
Flowers bring joy to all five of our senses, but they also bring pollinators to our garden in order to ensure your backyard kitchen will produce lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Not to mention they also contain health and even medicinal properties.
Make sure your hibiscus plants, whether tropical or hardy, get at least 6 hours of sun per day in order to achieve optimum blooming. Hibiscus flowers can be made into a delicious tea that can be served hot or ice cold (and is a good source of Vitamin C). With over 200 varieties of hibiscus world wide, their blooms only last a day or two! Stunning in all shapes, sizes and colors.
To the surprise of most people, marigold flowers are edible. Whether used fresh, dried, or infused into various beverages, Marigolds have a multitude of uses in the kitchen. An added benefit of planting these bright and low maintenance flowers next to tomatoes– they help keep pests away from devouring your tomatoes while also encouraging pollinators.
These bright, colorful garden gems have many benefits beyond their beauty and ease of care. Along with attracting pollinators, and being low maintenance they also have medicinal properties. Zinnias have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, they’re rich in antioxidants, and the natural compounds in zinnias can help calm irritated skin and reduce redness.
Plumbago is thought to have many health benefits, such as its anti-ulcer, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer properties, resulting from its principal chemical components, which are concentrated in the roots, leaves, and stems of plants. This attractive light purple flowering plant thrives in the sun, and has moderate watering needs. Trim and prune to suit your own preferences of growth and it’s a welcome, abundantly beautiful member of any garden.
An exclusive Q&A with City Lifestyle
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
From championship trophies to global humanitarian impact, Tim Tebow’s journey has defied every standard playbook. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Tebow pulls back the curtain on the moments that truly defined him, from a humbling middle school church retreat to the life-altering shift of fatherhood. This isn’t just a look back at a career; it’s an invitation into the heart of a man driven by purpose. Read the highlights below, then join us for the full, unfiltered experience by scanning the QR code at the end.
Q: WE ALL KNOW YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD, BUT TELL US ABOUT THE CURL CONTEST.
A: I was competing for my future high school team (my brother’s team), and I pushed myself way past what was smart. I ended up collapsing and needing medical attention. But what stayed with me wasn’t the pain, it was the lesson. Would I be willing to do something that others aren’t? For much of my life, I strived to bring my best for a game, but I hope that I can say at the end of my life I was willing to do that for things that actually matter.
Q: YOU’VE ACHIEVED SO MUCH IN SPORTS. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT NOW?
A: Becoming a dad. Nothing compares. From the moment I knew my wife was pregnant, I felt a new depth of love for our child, but when you bring your baby home, the responsibility hits you like nothing else. Suddenly, everything you see, every decision you make, you’re asking, “Is this corner too sharp? What happens if she reaches that drawer?” It changes how you see the world and how you see other people.
Q: YOU’VE SPOKEN OPENLY ABOUT DISAPPOINTMENT, ESPECIALLY AROUND FOOTBALL. HOW DID THAT SEASON OF LIFE SHAPE YOU?
A: I talked a lot about that very thing in my book Shaken . We all go through moments where our faith in our abilities and purpose feels rattled, but I believe it’s often in those storms when God can show us who we could become.
Q: YOU TALK A LOT ABOUT COMPARISON CULTURE. WHY DO YOU BELIEVE COMPARISON HAS BECOME SUCH A TRAP TODAY?
A: Because we’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel. Social media shows people’s “best day,” often filtered and staged, and then we measure our reality against that. There’s a reason filters are so popular—it’s not real. We end up scrolling through images that don’t tell the full story, and without realizing it, comparison starts to steal our joy and our gratitude.
“We’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel... comparison starts to steal our joy.”
Q: YOUR FOUNDATION FOCUSES ON THE “MOST VULNERABLE.” WHERE DID THAT CALLING BEGIN?
A: When I was 15, I met a boy in the Philippines who was treated as a throwaway because he was born with physical differences. That moment changed me. I realized God was calling me to pursue a different kind of MVP, not “Most Valuable Player,” but “Most Vulnerable People.”
Q: FINALLY, WHAT’S ONE THING PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
A: I have some weird coffee habits, which include protein powder, collagen, and cream all mixed together. I love golf dates with my wife. And every night, I bring snacks to bed to share with our dogs. It brings me more joy than it probably should.
This conversation barely scratches the surface. Tim goes deeper into the moments that rattled him, the joys of fatherhood, and one story he has never shared publicly until now. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on Share the Lifestyle Podcast.
APRIL 2ND
Social Lounge Hosts Acoustic Sets
Social Lounge, Somerset Square | 5:30 PM
Musician Martin Piggot will take part in the Social Lounge's Acoustic Thursday Sets throughout the month. Enjoy live music, tasty bites, and delicious house made drinks. Visit Socialloungect.com for more information and additional dates.
APRIL 3RD
Killam & Bassette, 1098 Main St., South Glastonbury | 10:00 AM
Killam & Bassette will again host its annual Spring Pop-Up Shop from 10 a.m., to 4 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Shop from a host of local vendors and stock up on Killam & Bassette's farm raised meats, free range eggs, and award winning canned goods. It's the perfect opportunity to "Shop Local" for the Spring holidays. Visit kbfarmstead.com for information.
APRIL 4TH
Coldwell Banker, 119 Hebron Ave. | 2:00 PM
Six-year-old Henry Evans of Glastonbury is fundraising for Blood Cancer United. Henry will sponsor a lemonade stand, from 2-4 p.m., in support of his dad Mike’s Visionaries of the Year campaign. Blood Cancer United supports families impacted by blood cancers and helps fund important research and patient assistance programs. Visit pages.lls.org/voy/ctwhv/hartford26/hevans for information.
APRIL 10TH
Watkinson Hosts Information Session
Watkinson School, 180 Bloomfield Ave., Hartford | 9:00 AM
Watkinson School, a private coeducation day school for students in grades 6-PG, will host an informational session for prospective parents at its campus. The event will include refereshments and a conversation with Head of School Teri Schrader. To RSVP email kimberly_mcdonald@watkinson.org . Visit watkinson.org for more information.
APRIL 23RD
Glastonbury Holocaust Project Plans Third Remembrance Event
TBD | 7:00 PM
The Glastonbury Holocaust Remembrance Project will hold its third annual Holocaust memorial project, which is co-hosted by the First Church of Christ Congregational. This year’s theme is “Righteous Among the Nations,” and commemorates the non-Jews who came to the aid of Jewish people in times of need. Visit ghrp.net for information and to register.
MAY 1ST
Glastonbury Celebrates Country’s 250th Anniversary
Various Locations | 12:00 PM
This year marks the country’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Glastonbury will celebrate the milestone all year long with various events, including an America 250 Fitness Challenge and a Random Acts of Kindness Week. Visit glastonburyct.gov for more information.
