Glastonbury, CT December 2025

December: Holidays & Giving

The holiday season is here, bringing with it the sights, sounds, and traditions that make this time of year so magical. For many of us, the holidays are a chance to recreate the joy we felt as children, whether it’s through the twinkle of festive lights, the aroma of holiday baking, or cherished family traditions.

Glastonbury is home to a unique holiday tradition that draws tourists from near and far. The Gray Granite Railroad at Cavanna's Farm is the brainchild of John Cavanna, whose love of trains and Christmas led him and his family to build their own railroad and host Christmas train rides on what he dubbed the North Pole Express.

If you want to update your hairstyle for the holidays the folks at Hair Today have more than 40 decades of experience! Our Q&A with the owners, Jane and Mike Chemerynski, delves into how they started the business and what it's been like to run a local salon for 4 years.

Looking for a unique holiday gift for someone special? We spoke with Karen Gillis, owner of The Pampered Tourist, a concierge travel company, on why giving the gift of travel can create lifelong memories a loved-one will treasure.

We also spoke with Ron and Jody Morneault, owners of  Morneault's Stackpole Moore Tryon in Hartford about their stewardship of the more than 100-year-old business and how it helps light up the downtown during the holiday season.

Finally, in our Experts Espresso Corner segment this month we feature Heather Colp, the owner of Colp Building Consulting on the importance of hiring a building project manager, and Jessica Olander, president of the CT River Valley Chamber of Commerce, about the benefits of being a chamber member.

We hope you enjoy this month's issue of Glastonbury Lifestyle Magazine and that your holidays be filled with love, peace, and the joy of giving.

SRIVATHSA (SRI) RAMACHANDRAN, PUBLISHER @GLASTONBURYLIFESTYLE

December 2025

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

INTERN

Valentina Aramburo valentina.aramburo@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Heather Colp, Jessica Olander, Rachel Kaczynski, Karen Gillis

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Allie Bellucci, Kaitlyn Casso, Brian Ambrose, John Helmke, Kevin Savage, Thomas J. Nanos

Corporate Team

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

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inside the issue

city scene

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business monthly

Glastonbury Rowing Hosts Food Drive

The Glastonbury High School crew team recently hosted a "Fill a Shell" food drive at the  Boathouse to help support the Glastonbury Food Pantry. Pictured at the event, from left to right, are GHS Rowing team members Sohan Parekh, Anish Kumar, Matthew Hapgood, Jack Braiewa, and Brady Bancroft. Visit Glastonburyct.gov, search "Glastonbury Food Pantry."

Social Lounge Hosts Holiday Gatherings

Social Lounge announces curated menus for the holidays to accommodate larger gatherings and parties. From corporate gatherings to festive parties with friends and family, the Social Lounge, located in Somerset Square, offers modern event spaces, speciality menus and exceptional services for unforgettable experiences during the festive season. Visit socialloungect.com or call 860-430-6438.

Kevin Savage Releases 2026 Glastonbury Photo Calendar

Kevin Savage, an award-winning local photographic artist, has released a 2026 Glastonbury Photo Calendar featuring 12 images from around town. The calendars, along with prints and notecards featuring local landmarks, will be available for purchase at the Glastonbury Boathouse Holiday Vendor Fair planned for Dec. 13 from 10:00 – 2:00. Inspired by the beauty of our rural farmland and New England landscapes  Calendars are also available at Emmy Lou’s LTD, Thread by Thread Boutique, and facebook.com/ kevinsavagephotography.  Contact 860-342-8993 for information.

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Experts Espresso Corner

Heather Colp, Owner, Colp Building Consulting; Jessica Olander, President, CT River Valley Chamber

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Do I need an Owner Project Manager? That’s a question clients often ask in the beginning stages of a design and construction project.

Effective time management is essential. As a client, active engagement in the project is important, but it should not detract from other obligations.

Expertise is essential. Knowledge of the entire process—from building or space design through to construction—is often not within a client’s experience. An Owner Project Manager possesses this expertise and serves as a dedicated partner throughout each project phase.

Communication plays a crucial role in working with an Owner Project Manager. By letting your representative handle routine questions and only report critical issues, you save valuable time.

The Owner Project Manager works to keep the project on schedule, maintain quality standards, and manage costs within budget.

These are several important reasons why Owner Project Managers are essential for design and construction projects. Attempting to reduce costs by foregoing their involvement may result in greater time and financial expenditure in the long term.

Colp Building Consulting | colpbuilding.com

YOUR LOCAL CHAMBER ADVOCATES FOR YOU

The CT River Valley Chamber of Commerce is more than a networking hub — we are a strong advocate for the businesses and communities we serve. Our mission is to make sure local voices are heard, concerns are elevated, and opportunities are created.

We actively engage with legislators and community leaders, ensuring our members’ interests are represented in key decisions. From the Governor’s Workforce Council, Town Meetings, and coalitions, we give businesses a direct line to policymakers while helping shape a stronger business climate across the region.

Education is also central to our advocacy. Through workshops, mentoring, and special interest groups, we empower business owners with the tools, connections, and knowledge to grow and adapt.

Visibility amplifies impact. From ribbon cuttings and online spotlights to large-scale community festivals, the Chamber promotes our members and connects them with customers, partners, and the broader public.

We back this work with accountability — including a new member guarantee and flexible benefits designed to meet businesses where they are.

Advocacy isn’t just talk. It’s how we help our businesses and communities thrive together.

CT River Valley Chamber of Commerce | CRVChamber.org

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Cavanna’s Gray Granite Railroad

Cavanna’s Farm is many things: a multigenerational family homestead, a seasonal destination for Christmas cheer, and an ambitious labor of love where train rail lines glint alongside fields of evergreens.

At the heart of it all today is the Cavanna family, whose devotion to preserving family legacy and building something new has transformed the farm into a year-round destination — one that takes on a particularly cheery glow when the year-end holiday season arrives.

The roughly 200-acre farm off Woodland Street in South Glastonbury has been in the Cavanna family since 1903, when the first generation began cultivating fruit trees and tobacco, strawberries and Christmas trees came in the 1950’s and then maple syrup in 1999.

Over time, the orchard diversified; more recently, the farm has become well known for its cut-your-own Christmas trees, drawing families from across Connecticut to select fresh firs from among the rows of evergreens.

John Cavanna, one of several Cavanna siblings, has built much of his life around the farm’s rhythms. A full-time Hartford police sergeant, he helps his family tend the farm fields with characteristic energy, rolling up his sleeves in planting, pruning, and promotion.

ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATILYN CASSO AND THOMAS J. NANOS

The crowning glory of Cavanna’s Farm nowadays is the Gray Granite Railroad, an ambitious labor of love John launched in 2017. The self-made railway runs through about a half mile of the tree-growing part of Cavanna’s Farm. It winds past two cabins that John built where Santa takes up residence each winter to meet with children and their families.

John began work on it after announcing one day to his father, Paul Cavanna, “Dad, I want to build a railroad.” His father, John says, just laughed it off. But John credits his mom,  Cathy Cavanna with encouraging him to “chase my dream and build the railroad.”

Today the 1-mile  line runs from the lower part of the farm along Woodland Street up a tree-lined ridge and alongside Roaring Brook, which winds through the farm property. John says he’s happy that his father, who was the heart of the farm for so many decades and who passed away this past year, was able to see the operation in action.

John and his brother Andy have overseen the track laying, mechanical restoration and safety operations of the railroad, which is more than whimsical — it’s a hands-on educational platform that invites children and adults alike to connect with mechanical history, steam power, and the rural past in a modern setting.

They have begun clearing and shaping the land to extend the railroad another three-quarters of a mile.

John has acquired numerous antique train cars and engines - some dating back more than 100 yearsthat he’s repaired and put to use. And during the rail project he started a new and profitable business on the farm, a quarry operation that also produces the tons of stone needed to make up the rail bed.

“This is what happens when you never got a toy train set as a kid,” John jokes as he overlooks his trains and tracks. “You end up building your own real train set!”

The train tours run throughout the year, not just at Christmas, ferrying visitors for farm tours, including berry-picking customers in the summer and pumpkin picking ones in fall.

During the holiday season, John leads farm tours, fires up woodstoves in the visitors’ cabins, and ensures that every tree lot is primed to evoke that classic Christmas tree farm ambiance.

The Gray Granite Railroad takes center stage at Christmas.. Car loads of fun-seeking families and adults converge on the farm starting in November. John says his family has developed a routine for them.

Parents send along the names of their children and even include anecdotes about milestones in their lives so Santa can talk to the children about them. Parents bring wrapped gifts for their kids, which are secretly taken to Santa so he can surprise the children with them.

The immersive experience is what sets Cavanna’s apart from other tree farms and has made it a must-see experience.  For many, a visit is as much about the ambiance — hot cider, twinkling lights, hayrides, warm bonfires — all while finding the perfect Christmas tree.

Cavanna’s Farm 80 Woodland St.

On Social: @Cavannasfarm

Phone: 860-659-1856

Great Expectations

Hair Today

ARTICLE BY RACHEL KACZYNSKI

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

ALLIE BELLUCCI

As Hair Today celebrates 40 years, owners Jane and Mike Chemerynski reflect, in a Q&A with their daughter, Rachel, on a journey built on creativity, passion, and giving back - all with their signature “Look Good, Feel Good, Live Good” vibe.

The couple, high school sweethearts, grew up in Colchester. They raised two daughters in Marlborough and now have four grandkids, Isabella (7), Ollie (5), Grayson (5), and Josie (3).

THE GLASTONBURY SALON IS CELEBRATING 40 YEARS IN BUSINESS

“TOGETHER, OUR SALON FAMILY HAS DONATED MORE THAN $100,000 TO VARIOUS COMMUNITY CAUSES. THE GENEROSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY ALWAYS AMAZES US.”

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO REACH 40 YEARS IN BUSINESS?

Jane: It’s not about the number – we’re just doing what we love, together. We feel incredibly blessed to still be here, surrounded by an amazing team and loyal clients.

Mike: We’re truly grateful - our team, clients, and community have made this journey so special.

JANE, HOW DID YOUR JOURNEY BEGIN?

Jane: My mom was a hairdresser, so maybe it was in my genes - though my first haircut on my little sister at age five was a disaster! Mom jumped out of bed and had to fix my choppy cut. College wasn’t for me so I went to hairdressing school, learned the Vidal Sassoon technique at my first salon, and fell in love with the craft. I joined Hair Today in 1982 as a stylist.

AND JUST A FEW YEARS LATER, YOU BOUGHT THE SALON?

Jane: I wasn’t sure at first - I didn’t want to be “the boss.” But Mike encouraged me to take the leap.

Mike: I figured we’d do it for ten years tops and here we are, 40 years later!

MIKE, HOW HAVE YOU SUPPORTED THE BUSINESS OVER THE YEARS?

Mike: I began with team building and finances.

Jane: Remember the time you had an easel with ‘pages and pages’ of notes?

Mike: Yep, Jane would occasionally give me ‘the look’ ! Now I’m focused on growth and community with my “Spread Good Vibes” mindset.

Jane: We can always count on Mike to find new clients- at coffee shops, even running half-marathons!

YOUR TEAM SEEMS LIKE A BIG PART OF YOUR SUCCESS.

Jane: Our team is like family. Many have been with us for decades! I even did Kristin’s hair for her junior prom before hiring her in 1982. Our 10 talented stylists and amazing client care team make the salon shine. And we stay in touch with many of our past employees.

Mike: We love our team- their creativity, passion and heart make all the difference!

“WE FEEL INCREDIBLY BLESSED TO STILL BE HERE, SURROUNDED BY AN AMAZING TEAM AND LOYAL CLIENTS.”

AND NOW YOU’RE UNVEILING A NEW LOOK FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER.

Mike: After 40 years, it felt right to refresh our brand and space. We renovated the salon, launched a new website, and created a new logo that reflects who we are today.

YOU’VE ALSO BUILT STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH CLIENTS AND COMMUNITY.

Jane: Many clients have become lifelong friends. We’ve shared milestones from weddings to grandkids - and even enjoy a UCONN women’s basketball bracket with a longtime, weekly client (winner buys coffee, and Mike scores the tickets!).

Mike: I enjoy meeting clients and connecting with our communities. After ten years on our Chamber leadership team as “The Connector,” I now serve as Board VP for AHM Youth & Family Services, supporting children and families through life-changing programs.

HAIR TODAY IS ALSO KNOWN FOR SUPPORTING COMMUNITY CAUSES.

Jane: Our Hole in the Wall Gang Camp fundraisers were my favorite.

Mike: What started as a simple cut-a-thon grew into two incredible events, raising $15,000 to send kids with serious illnesses to Camp. More recently, we partnered with the Breast Friends Fund in memory of Sandy Cassanelli. Together, our salon family has donated more than $100,000 to various community causes. The generosity of our community always amazes us.

WHAT MAKES HAIR TODAY SPECIAL AFTER ALL THESE YEARS?

Jane: The best part of these 40 years has been the peoplegenuine friendships, sharing tears and joy.

Mike: We’re grateful to keep doing what we love - helping clients look and feel their best, having FUN, and continuing to give back to the community that’s given us so much.

Hair Today

2844 Main St.

Phone: 860-659-0501

Website: hairtodayct.com

Instagram: @hairtodayct

Booking link: tinyurl.com/HairTodayCT

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ARTICLE BY KAREN GILLIS

THE HOLIDAY GIFT THAT KEEPS GIVING: CREATING TRAVEL MEMORIES THAT LAST A LIFETIME

THE PAMPERED TOURIST

As we enter the holiday season, we’re surrounded by messages about finding the perfect gift. But after two decades of designing personalized travel experiences, I’ve learned something pro-

list, especially during the holidays. Your time is incredibly valuable, and that’s exactly why I’m here. I take the research, the booking, and all the details off your plate so you can skip

“EVERY TRAVELER IS DIFFERENT, AND EVERY JOURNEY SHOULD REFLECT THEIR UNIQUE

PASSIONS.”

found: the most valuable gifts aren’t wrapped in boxes. They’re wrapped in moments we share with the people we love, discovering the world together.

Last spring, I helped plan something extraordinary for an adventurous couple exploring Japan. Beyond the typical tourist sites, we arranged a traditional tea ceremony where they learned the meditative art of preparation. We discovered hidden speakeasies in Osaka and local food haunts where they sampled dishes most tourists never find. When they returned, they told me those intimate, unexpected moments, were what made the journey unforgettable.

I know how it feels, between work deadlines, family commitments, and trying to squeeze in time with friends, planning a vacation can feel like just another item on an endless to-do

straight to the good part: showing up, unwinding, and making those unforgettable memories with the people who matter most.

I’ve watched a young family with three children under five wade through the thermal pools of the Azores, coordinated a beach villa in the Algarve for ten college friends turning 30, I’ve arranged for parents and their adult children to explore Barcelona’s highlights on a private tapas tour, visit the Renoir Museum, and enjoy an exclusive wine tasting at Château Neuf du Pape during a luxury Mediterranean cruise.

What makes these journeys transformative is what happens when we step away from our daily routines and into experiences designed around what matters most: connection, discovery, and presence.

Travel isn’t just about families, though multigenerational journeys hold a special place in my heart, I’ve designed honeymoons in beachfront bungalows in St. Barth’s and Costa Rica, where newlyweds begin their lives together in paradise. I’ve crafted anniversary trips through Italy’s lakes region, where couples rediscover each other amid stunning landscapes, and romantic river cruises on the Danube, celebrating decades of partnership.

One of my recent projects perfectly captured the spirit of celebration and friendship. Those ten college friends reuniting for their 30th birthdays spent a week in Portugal’s Algarve, reconnecting after years of busy careers and growing families. “We gave ourselves permission to just be present with each other,” one shared. “No work emails, no rushing. Just us, like the old days, but better.”

That’s the gift I help people give: the gift of being fully present with the people they love in places that inspire awe and wonder.

The key is personalization. Every traveler is different, and every journey should reflect their unique passions and dreams. This is what an experienced travel professional brings to your journey: someone who truly listens to what matters to you. The right advisor doesn’t just book a destination; we craft experiences that reflect your personal travel style.

As a Virtuoso travel advisor specializing in personalized luxury experiences, my role goes far beyond booking hotels and flights. I’m a curator of moments, an architect of memories. I work to understand not just where people want to go, but what they want to feel, experience, and remember.

“THE MOST VALUABLE GIFTS AREN'T WRAPPED IN BOXES.”

The holiday season is the perfect time to start dreaming about a future journey that awaits or giving the gift of travel to a loved one. The beauty of giving travel is that it keeps giving long after the journey ends. Those photos become treasured albums. Those stories get retold at gatherings for decades. Those bonds deepen in ways that last a lifetime. Unlike material gifts that lose their luster, these memories actually appreciate with time, becoming more precious with each year that passes.

This year as you consider what to give the people you love or yourself, think about the gift of time, discovery, and shared wonder. Think about creating a journey that brings people together in ways that daily life rarely allows. Because in the end, the best gifts aren’t things we own, they’re experiences we share and memories we carry in our hearts forever.

Karen Gillis owns The Pampered Tourist, a Glastonbury-based luxury travel concierge specializing in personalized travel experiences throughout Asia, Europe, and beyond. A Virtuoso travel advisor with over 20 years of experience in creating exceptional customer experiences, Karen is passionate about designing transformative journeys that create lifelong memories for couples, families, and friends. To start planning your next adventure, visit thepamperedtourist.com email hello@thepamperedtourist.com

A Century of Style

THE STORE MORNEAULT’S STACKPOLE

MOORE TRYON SHINES AT THE HOLIDAYS

ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA

PHOTOGRAPHY

BY

JOHN HELMKE

For more than a century, Morneault’s Stackpole Moore Tryon has exuded timeless style, craftsmanship, and community.

Located on Trumbull Street in Hartford, the store stands as both a nod to the city’s gilded retail past and a vibrant part of its current downtown resurgence — especially during the holiday season, when its windows glow with festive warmth and the Morneaults themselves help light up Hartford’s streets.

Stackpole, Moore & Tryon was founded in the late 1800s and it originally was located at the corner of Asylum and Trumbull streets. The building reflected Hartford’s sophistication and its once-thriving downtown. Though the department store era faded long ago, the name lived on — revived and reimagined by Ron and Jody Morneault, who purchased the business more than a decade ago and infused it with new life.

“We positioned our store for the 21st century,” Ron says, “and we maintain  the high standards established over 100 years ago.”

Jody’s journey to fashion was unique, she long enjoyed fashion and it eventually became her calling. Together, they’ve created more than a clothing store for men and women, they’ve built an institution rooted in personal connections and civic engagement.

Shopping at Morneault’s Stackpole Moore Tryon is a personal experience. The boutique carries fine European and American designer labels for both men and women, offering everything from ready-to-wear pieces to bespoke tailoring. Their in-house alteration services ensure each garment fits perfectly, while their “continuity buying” philosophy allows clients to add new pieces that harmonize with wardrobes from previous seasons.

Over the years, the Morneaults have built relationships that go far beyond the cash register. Clients often describe being greeted by name—and by style memory.

“We know our customers very well and we know their fashion tastes,” Jody says.

Nowhere is their commitment to community more visible than during the holidays. When Hartford’s Pratt

Street lighting ceremony kicks off each November, the Morneaults are front and center — cheering as thousands of twinkling lights transform the downtown corridor into a winter wonderland.

The boutique also participates in Small Business Saturday, joining other local merchants to promote downtown Hartford as a destination for unique, locally sourced gifts during the holidays.

Inside the store, the mood is pure holiday luxury. Seasonal window displays sparkle with curated ensembles; shelves feature elegant accessories, cozy knits, and perfect gift items. The store’s tailoring appointments are fully booked in December as customers prepare for holiday parties, charity galas, and New Year’s celebrations.

Ron and Jody see their business as a reflection of Hartford’s resilience and creative spirit,  a place where customers linger for conversation, dogs are greeted with treats, and every shopping experience feels like a personal occasion.

The store has been repeatedly recognized as “Best Women’s Boutique” by Connecticut Magazine and “Best Men’s Store” by Hartford Magazine.

Recently, Ron announced his retirement next year from his retail career. Though Jody continues on in the industry, she says she will be moving the store to a new, but as yet unknown, location with her new business partner, James Thomas. She and Ron, she says, remain thankful for all the years they’ve spent at the Trumbull Street store and the people they’ve met.

“We’re so appreciative of everything everyone’s done for us and we’re looking forward to our next venture!”

Morneault’s Stackpole Moore Tryon  242 Trumbull St., Hartford Hours: 10-5, Tue-Sat Online: Stackpolemooretryon.com Email info@stackpolemooretryon Phone: 860-522-0181

“We know our customers very well and we know their fashion tastes.”

“We

positioned our store for the 21st century and we maintain the high standards established over 100 years ago.”

A FESTIVE RASPBERRY MARTINI

directions: This lovely red-hued martini garnished with raspberries is a festive drink to serve at your next holiday party! To kick up the Christmasy vibe, try adding a sprig of something green - thyme or rosemary -  to the glass.

Our December Drink Recipe Comes to us Courtesy of the Social Lounge Raspberry Martini

• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 1 ounce raspberry simple syrup

• 2 ounces vodka

• Fresh raspberries

Fill a drink shaker with ice and chill a martini glass with a handful of ice.

Pour vodka, simple syrup and lemon juice into the shaker. Shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds to chill and incorporate all ingredients. Remove ice from the martini glass and pour in the contents of the shaker. Garnish with fresh raspberries.

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