West Hartford, CT March 2026

March: Home

Home. Just four letters, yet it holds so much meaning. It’s our sanctuary, our foundation, and the place where life unfolds. Home is where we begin and end each day, where our lives take shape, and where our hearts find rest. While the specifics of what “home” looks like vary for each of us, its significance is universal.

This month, we had the privilege of connecting with local businesses and individuals who shape this community and whose business and personal acumen reflect the ideals and images of home. Their stories highlight the creativity, resilience, and heart that make this area feel like home. We hope that as you turn these pages, you’ll be inspired to strengthen your connections—whether within your neighborhood, your city, or your own walls.

We spoke with Pranav Dave, owner of M&G Landscaping, about how he has grown the firm into a full-service landscape company with over 30 team members, 14 trucks, and a diverse portfolio of residential and commercial properties across Connecticut.

We have a story this month about New England Renovations and how the company provides the critical role of construction management when clients undertake a renovation project.

We also spoke this month with Paulie Tirella, owner of PGT Painting about how he and his business partner, Kristen Bevin, have built a strong reputation across Central Connecticut by combining skilled craftsmanship with a grounded, personal approach.

In our Experts Espresso Corner column we hear from  Kelley Galica Peck, a Principal in the Private Clients Group of Cummings & Lockwood about the importance of hiring a trustee and the critical role they play and from Adam Beaulieu of the Awning Place about planning for summer comfort now with an outdoor awning.

We have an article about the nonprofit House of Bread, which for 46 years has stood as a quiet force of compassion in Hartford—feeding the hungry, providing housing to the underserved, and building community where it’s needed most.

Lastly, we have articles this month about some new books on beautiful and unique homes and a feature about the home designer Kate Manz.

Here’s to making this March a celebration of the spaces and people that matter most!

SRIVATHSA (SRI) RAMACHANDRAN, PUBLISHER @WESTHARTFORD_LIFESTYLE

Correction:

Due to an editing error a photo on page 23 of The Stamped Passport Travel story in the February issue incorrectly identified the location of the Azores. They are in Portugal.

March 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, Adam Beaulieu, Kelley Galica Peck

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Beth Boyle, Iris Photography, Carol Dupuis, Ed Sanady

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

Learn how to start your

HOW IS YOUR SCHOOL YEAR GOING?

Watkinson students achieve incredible results while happy and thriving at school. For four consecutive years, we have had historic retention rates. Come see for yourself.

Coed day school, 6-12/PG • Average class size 11 77% of our West Hartford graduates are varsity athletes and academic standouts.

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city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

business monthly

Claudia Dawley of The Stamped Passport Travel: Visit Portugal This Year

I’m known for creating European itineraries, and Portugal is one of those destinations I keep hoping more of you will ask me about. Think private food tours through Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods, wine tastings in the Douro Valley, hands on cooking classes, and boat days near Comporta where you might even spot dolphins. It’s relaxed, immersive, and full of experiences that actually feel local, not touristy. If Portugal is on your travel list, I’d love to help plan it. thestampedpassporttravel.com

Go Bike Ride and 5K Walk Run Returns

The Support Info-Go Initiative, Inc. announces the 2026 Go Bike Ride and 5K Walk/Run event will run June 13. This high-impact charity event unites cyclists, runners, walkers, families, starts at 8 a.m. at Dudleytown Brewing Co., 1001 Day Hill Road, Windsor. This year’s fundraiser directly supports the Go Support Connection, a dedicated online platform created to connect individuals living with ongoing medical conditions with education, resources, and a compassionate community.  Visit supportinfogoinitiative.org for information.

West Hartford Chamber Hosts Ribbon Cutting for Viking Athletics

The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for Viking Athletics' new training facility in Elmwood. Owner Erik Castiglione and Coach Monique Mount celebrated the milestone alongside family, community leaders, and local partners, including Mayor Shari Cantor.  Visit vikingathletics.net for information.

Ballet Hartford Announces Engaging Spring Season

Ballet Hartford invites audiences to experience a captivating season of artistry, elegance, and beauty this spring, featuring an exciting premiere ballet as well as a familiar favorite, with performances in multiple venues in the region. As public interest in Ballet Hartford continues to grow, driven by high caliber, family-friendly programming, the company has responded with a stunning repertoire of performances. Visit ballethartford.com for information.

A home holds more than walls and windows—it holds memories, milestones, and the life you’ve built. When it’s time to sell, that story deserves thoughtful care and expert guidance. Paula Fahy Ostop brings a measured, strategic approach to selling homes—rooted in local knowledge, honest counsel, and elevated presentation.

Joyce and Joe O’Rourke of West Hartford are volunteer tutors in the House of Bread’s Education Center and also help prepare and serve meals in the soup kitchen.

House

of Bread

ARTICLE BY BRIAN BOYER

The Nonprofit's Volunteers Have Powered A Legacy of Giving For

Decades

For 46 years, the House of Bread has stood as a quiet force of compassion in Hartford—feeding the hungry, educating immigrants and refugees, providing housing to the underserved, and building community where it’s needed most.

Founded in 1980 by Sister Maureen Faenza, CSJ, and Sister Theresa Fonti, CSJ, the House of Bread started by serving coffee and day-old doughnuts to homeless men in the North End of Hartford.

Today, the non-profit – a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery – is led by Co-Directors Beth Boyle and Tom Porell. Together with their staff of 15 and a passionate corps of 300-plus volunteers, they oversee an organization that provides food, housing, and education to 1,000 men, women and children each day in six different buildings throughout the city.

Yet one thing is the same now as it was in the beginning: The House of Bread is a place powered by people who show up.

That tradition started with women like Kay Callahan, Patricia Dupuis Casey, Phyllis Janiszewski, Midge Redden, and Mary Sanady – friends from West Hartford who had 35 children among them but still found time to volunteer at the House of Bread when their kids were in school, in the 1980s.

“We didn’t have much back then,” recalled Casey, 98, the only surviving member of that friend group. “But we had each other, and we had the people who needed us. You just did what had to be done.”

Those early days were humble. Volunteers prepared meals in tight spaces with limited resources. Yet what they lacked in funding, they made up for in heart. Respect and kindness weren’t optional—they were the standard.

“You never felt like you were helping ‘someone else,’” Casey said. “You felt like you were part of something bigger.”

That’s what kept these five “original volunteers” coming back year after year. It also inspired the next generation to follow in their footsteps.

“I grew up watching my mom and her friends give up their time, without hesitation, to help others,” said Carol Dupuis, Pat Casey’s daughter. “They all had big families and busy lives — and still, they made room for others. That stayed with me.”

Last fall, the House of Bread opened a new Education Center on Maple Avenue in Hartford, a bright and cheerful building where volunteers help hundreds of immigrants learn English, take GED classes and prepare for the U.S. citizenship exam.

In recognition of those “original volunteers,” Dupuis organized a group sponsorship of one of the new classrooms. The children of the five women chipped in to underwrite the dedication.

“To see their names there (on the room plaque) —it means everything,” Dupuis said. “It tells future generations where this all started.”

“Legacy isn’t about being remembered,” Casey reflected. “It’s about making sure the work continues.”

In a world that often feels divided and distracted, the tradition of volunteerism at the House of Bread reminds us that real change still begins the same way it always has: with someone deciding to help … and then showing up again tomorrow.

“The strongest thing about House of Bread isn’t the building,” Dupuis concluded. “It’s the people. Always has been.”

Visit @houseofbread on socials.

Experts Espresso Corner

Cummings & Lockwood: The Critical Role of a Trustee Awning Place: Plan Now for Summer Comfort

ARTICLE BY KELLEY GALICA PECK PRINCIPAL, PRIVATE CLIENTS GROUP; ADAM BEAULIEU, AWNING PLACE

Cummings & Lockwood

CUMMINGS & LOCKWOOD; HIRING A TRUSTEE

Are you afraid to offend your children by naming a professional trustee? In reality, most people should appreciate being spared the burden of trusteeship.  A trustee takes on a fiduciary role that demands diligence, sound judgment, and unimpeachable integrity. A trustee understands and implements the terms of the trust, balances the competing interests of beneficiaries and puts their interests ahead of personal gain.

Trustees gather and safeguard assets, invest prudently, and make fair, timely distributions according to the trust. Trustees must also keep meticulous records, file required tax returns, and provide annual reports and accountings so beneficiaries can understand and defend their interests.

A breach of the duties of loyalty, prudence, or impartiality can expose a trustee to litigation, personal liability and removal.

Cummings & Lockwood’s attorneys create various trusts for clients, provide legal advisory services on designated trustees, and serve as professional trustees on behalf of clients.

cl-law.com | 860-313-4919

THE AWNING PLACE: PLAN NOW, RELAX LATER

The best summer moments often depend on what happens long before the weather warms up. Winter offers a quieter, thoughtful window to plan outdoor upgrades, including how shade and comfort will shape the season ahead.

Awning Place of Glastonbury works with residents throughout the winter to design custom awnings that blend seamlessly with their homes and outdoor spaces. With spring comes increased demand, and May is traditionally the company’s busiest month. Planning and ordering by March or April allows completed installations before rising temperatures make outdoor spaces less enjoyable — and before schedules fill up.

Thoughtfully designed awnings do more than block the sun. They extend living areas, protect outdoor furniture, and create inviting spaces for everything from quiet mornings to summer gatherings. By planning now, homeowners set themselves up for a season that feels effortless.

awningplace.com | 860-659-2925

M&G LANDSCAPING

THE AMERICAN DREAM, ONE BACKYARD AT A TIME

When M&G Landscaping was founded in 2015, it began with one truck, a few tools, and a clear point of view. Owner Pranav Dave—known simply as Dave to his customers—had spent years in the industry and noticed a recurring problem: a lack of caring on the part of the contractor. Most focused on the bottom dollar, and not enough on the customer.

Dave’s story mirrors the growth of the company itself. He came to the United States at just four years old, growing up with a deep appreciation for opportunity, hard work, and service.

Building M&G Landscaping became his version of the American Dream—earned through long days, personal accountability, and a commitment to putting the customer first.

More than a decade later, M&G Landscaping has grown into a full-service landscape firm with over 30 team members, 14 trucks, and a diverse portfolio of residential and commercial properties across Connecticut. While the company’s early roots were in residential lawn maintenance, today M&G maintains a balanced approach of large commercial maintenance and installation accounts with complex residential hardscape, drainage, and landscape installations.

Commercial maintenance remains a cornerstone of M&G Landscaping’s business. The company currently services many HOA’s in Hartford County and beyond. As well as office campuses, and mixed-use properties, providing reliable, professional landscape care throughout the year.

This division focuses on more than curb appeal. M&G’s commercial clients value consistent service, proactive communication, and long-term planning—from routine maintenance and seasonal enhancements to snow management and site improvements. Managing large properties has helped M&G develop disciplined systems, skilled crews, and operational efficiency—experience that directly elevates the quality of its installation work.

M&G Landscaping’s installation services extend well beyond surface-level improvements. The team delivers comprehensive solutions including hardscape construction, drainage systems, fencing, and have even started a tree removal company, allowing projects to be approached holistically addressing both aesthetics and long-term functionality.

On the residential side, M&G Landscaping has become known for custom outdoor living environments designed for homeowners who want more than a backyard—they want an experience. From patios and walkways to outdoor kitchens, fire features, and poolside hardscapes, each project is designed around how clients entertain, relax, and connect with family and friends.

Looking ahead to 2026, M&G Landscaping sees several outdoor living trends gaining momentum:

• Resort-style backyards that make staycations worth it

• Open grade bases allowing for maximum drainage

• Outdoor kitchens and dining areas that are “beautifully functional”

• Fire features that extend outdoor use into cooler months

These projects require thoughtful planning, premium materials, and skilled execution—areas where M&G’s installation teams excel.

At the heart of M&G Landscaping is a highly skilled workforce, many of whom bring years—often decades—of hands-on experience. Like Dave, a large portion of the team are first- or second-generation immigrants, sharing the same values of hard work, pride in craftsmanship, and appreciation for opportunity that continue to shape the company’s culture.

mnglandscaping.com | 860-516-0866

Arden Courts is a residential memory care community with nearly 30 years of memory care research and experience. We’re dedicated to care and programming that gives dignity and independence to every resident.

To learn more about our services and commitment to our community, or to arrange for a tour, please contact us today.

NEW ENGLAND RENOVATIONS

HOW CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT BRINGS CLARITY, COORDINATION, AND CONFIDENCE TO HOME RENOVATION PROJECTS

ARTICLE BY XAVIER AMOS

When you invite friends and family into your newly renovated home, they experience your project through the details. Smooth walls, thoughtful layouts, beautiful finishes, and integrated technology tend to draw the most attention. Guests may ask about your painter, your interior designer, or your electrician. What they rarely ask about is what made all of those elements come together so seamlessly.

Behind the best renovation projects – those completed on time, within budget, and with less stress – is something many homeowners overlook: Construction Management. Construction is coordination. Whether you’re building new or renovating an

“New England Renovations provides dedicated construction management services for residential renovations and additions, joining years of project management experience with a trusted network of tradespeople.”

“Construction Management is the Trade You Didn’t Realize Your Project was Missing.”

existing space, each project requires the involvement of multiple specialized trades. Plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, carpenters, masons, roofers, painters, engineers, designers, inspectors, and material suppliers all play a role. Each must be sourced, scheduled, coordinated, managed, and paid in the proper sequence. Once a project involves multiple trades, coordinating all of this can effectively become a full-time job.

Consider a familiar scenario: You decide to upgrade your kitchen and living room in time to host Thanksgiving dinner for your friends and family. The goal is clear: a few necessary fixes, an aesthetic uplift, and an overall improvement to how the space feels and functions. You have a vision, a general budget, an ideal timeline, and a list of must-haves. What comes next? Do you start calling trades during an already busy workday? Do you begin ordering fixtures and finishes, hoping lead times align and deliveries arrive intact? It is certainly possible to complete a project this way, but it often comes with added stress, unexpected delays, and last-minute adjustments.

Now imagine a different approach: A construction manager walks your home with you, listens to your goals, helps refine the scope, and takes responsibility

for coordinating the entire process from start to finish. Trade sourcing, bidding, material ordering, scheduling, budgeting, and day-to-day coordination are handled under one professional eye, enabling you to move forward on your dream project with clarity and confidence.

Beyond peace of mind, construction management offers practical benefits. Familiarity with industry pricing, trade availability, sequencing, and common challenges helps to prevent small issues from becoming costly problems. Just as crucially, it gives homeowners a clearer understanding of the process, empowering them to make informed decisions without managing every detail themselves.

New England Renovations LLC provides dedicated construction management services for residential renovations and additions, joining years of project management experience with a trusted network of tradespeople. The firm’s role is to guide homeowners through complex projects with clarity and care, so the finished space feels as good throughout the project as it does when friends and family walk through the door.

newenglandrenovationsllc.com | 860-751-8761

PGT Painting

A COMPANY BUILT ON CRAFTSMANSHIP AND A PERSONAL APPROACH

ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA

PGT Painting has numerous commercial customers in the region, including

PGT Painting has built a strong reputation across Central Connecticut by combining skilled craftsmanship with a grounded, personal approach to the business. The company will mark its fourth anniversary this April, a milestone that reflects both steady growth and a clear vision shaped by owner Paulie Tirella’s years of experience in the trade.

Before launching PGT Painting, Paulie spent 15 years working for another painting company. When his boss retired, he saw an opportunity to take a different path—one driven by independence and pride in his work. After years of building other people’s businesses, Paulie decided it was time to build his own, creating a company where quality, fairness, and hands-on leadership would come first.

A major turning point for PGT Painting came when Kristen Bevins, a longtime friend of Paulie’s who originally joined as an employee, stepped in as a business partner. Together, they helped stabilize and grow PGT Painting into what it is today, a major player in the Hartford-region home improvement scene.

Kristen has a major role in all projects that PGT oversees, Paulie says.

“Kristen has a keen eye for detail when it comes to everything in the painting world.”

Depending on the season, PGT employs between four and seven painters, allowing the company to stay flexible while maintaining high standards. The team handles a wide range of projects, from residential repaints and new construction to ongoing commercial maintenance. PGT Painting maintains year-round commercial accounts, including Assa Abloy, Cheshire Academy, and Capital Community College, relationships that underscore the company’s reliability and consistency.

Some of PGT’s recent projects include overseeing all of the wallpapering and painting of the Bricco’s Restaurant renovation last year. PGT is also the go-to

painting company for the DORO Restaurant Group, including Dorol Marketplace, Casadoro, Trevor, and several others.

On the residential side, PGT Painting offers comprehensive interior services. These include wallpaper removal and installation, detailed trim work, and kitchen cabinet painting — an increasingly popular, cost-effective alternative to full cabinet replacement.

Paulie notes that homeowners are becoming more adventurous with their design choices and color options.

“For 2026, we’re seeing a return to gray tones, along with bold black door frames and doors, moving away from the all-white look that dominated recent years. Another growing trend is painting ceilings in select rooms with colors other than white to add depth and character.”

PGT services most of Central Connecticut, with a particularly strong presence in West Hartford, Simsbury, Avon, Farmington, Southington, and Plainville. For larger projects, the team is willing to travel further. As the company enters its fifth year, Paulie remains focused on doing what he’s always done best: delivering high-quality work and building lasting relationships, one project at a time.

“We deliver exceptional painting and home improvement services. We combine professional expertise with personal attention to create beautiful, lasting results for every client. We demonstrate our commitment to excellence through owner supervision. I personally oversee every project and our team members are experienced, trained craftsmen. We use only high-quality paints, stains, and materials and we take the time to properly prepare all job sites with intense attention to detail.”

To consult on your project or to get a free estimate visit pgtpainting.com or call 860-307-1134.

“We demonstrate our commitment to excellence through owner supervision. I personally oversee every project and our team members are experienced, trained craftsmen.”

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ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

MID-CENTURY WARMTH, REIMAGINED

There’s a certain moment when a house stops feeling new and starts feeling like home. It isn’t marked by square footage or finishes alone. It is something quieter, more emotional. In this home, designer Kate Manz set out to do exactly that: give a newly built home a heartbeat and a soul.

Rather than treating the house as one sweeping statement, she approached each room as its own story, layered with meaning, memory, and texture. The result is a home that feels collected, personal, and deeply lived-in.

“Tackling each space and room as its own story and concept is how to make a new space feel personal,” Manz explains. “But bringing it all together cohesively is always the challenge.”

Her solution? Warmth, intention, and a strong belief in the power of people. In new builds it can take years for a home to shed its newness. For this project, the goal was to fast-track that sense of belonging by layering in pieces with history and heart. Vintage market finds, local artists, and meaningful objects play a starring role throughout the home.

“My love for design goes hand in hand with the people and stories that bring it to life,” she says. “I absolutely love seeing the evolution from concept to completion and all the elements and people that help bring those ideas to reality.”

That philosophy becomes especially important in the home’s expansive open-concept living area, where scale could easily overpower intimacy.

ENTRYWAY: A WARM WELCOME

The entryway sets the tone with a simple but powerful goal: Welcome to my home.

Natural stone underfoot grounds the space, while a soft vintage rug and living greenery immediately soften the experience. Art with personal meaning invites guests to linger rather than rush through.

THE OPEN CONCEPT, REIMAGINED

The main living space is defined by bringing the outside in with sweeping outdoor views and generous proportions. Rather than fighting that openness, embrace it.

“The big open concept room really highlights the expansive outdoor views,” she says, “but making intimate spaces within that open room was really important.”

A layered niche wall, created in collaboration with the interior architect Nick Flower, brings both structure and softness to the room. It introduces texture, depth, and a place for unique objects and family heirlooms to live, turning negative space into a personal gallery.

POWDER BATH: SMALL ROOM, BOLD SPIRIT

If there’s one place Manz encourages clients to take risks, it’s the powder room. Here, she leaned into terracotta earth tones, layering textures and tile sizes for visual interest and warmth. Patterned and solid tiles work together, while textured wall coverings and a sculptural stone sink elevate the space from functional to delightful.

LOUNGE: A STUDY IN CALM AND DEPTH

Designed as a counterpoint to the openness of the main living area, the lounge is a cocoon, both peaceful, layered, and deeply versatile. It’s a place for reading, movie nights and slow mornings.

Rich tones and varied textures do the heavy lifting here, creating depth without heaviness. Soft lighting and custom upholstery make the room feel both intentional and effortless.

At its core, this home is a reminder that design isn’t about perfection, but rather it’s about feeling. By treating each room as its own narrative while weaving in warmth, history, and human connection, a space was created that already feels loved.

“My love for design goes hand in hand with the people and stories that bring it to life.”

PROJECT CREDITS

Builder - Buildwell

ARTICLE BY RHIANNON JOHNSON

Stunning and UNIQUE HOMES

It takes a lot of work to make a house a home. A home reflects your personal style, functions to meet your goals, and provides relief from the outside world. However, unless you are a design professional, you likely need a bit of guidance to turn your thoughts and ideas into reality. One way to create a sanctuary that combines all the elements of your dream home is by immersing yourself in the advice and visions of award-winning architects and designers.

Flip through the gorgeous, glossy, photo-filled pages of these beautiful books and apply their lessons to your own home.

Learn how to integrate elegant timelessness, celebrate bold colors and eclectic patterns, or embrace the past while living stylishly in the present. You can then combine this global range of influences, unique perspectives, and aesthetic applications to create your own original design plan.

Whether you’re building a new home, planning a renovation, or your home is simply a constant work in progress, these four new releases are sure to provide the inspiration you need to transition your house into your dream home—whatever that may look like and wherever that may be. Enjoy!

Find inspiration in these four gorgeous books.

LEARN HOW TO INTEGRATE elegant timelessness, AND celebrate BOLD COLORS AND eclectic patterns, OR embrace THE PAST WHILE LIVING IN the present.

Home:

THE RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE OF D. STANLEY DIXON

Atlanta-based architect Stan Dixon has received tremendous media attention since the founding of his firm D. Stanley Dixon Architect, Inc. in 2006. His highly-anticipated debut book showcases thirteen projects from across the country. From a relaxed Jupiter Island coastal retreat to an elegant Englishmanor-inspired South Carolina home, each project varies geographically and stylistically, highlighting a variety of different aesthetic components.

Our Way Home:  REIMAGINING AN AMERICAN FARMHOUSE

The defined style of cozy and simple living has led to a rise in American farmhouse design in recent years. Interior designer Heide Hendricks and architect-builder Rafe Churchill show how they have brought twenty-first-century living to their late nineteenth-century New England farmhouse. This husband-and-wife team combined their talents to create a historic home that is both a personal retreat designed for everyday life and a constant source of inspiration for their other projects.

CONTINUED >

COMBINE THIS global range OF INFLUENCES, unique perspectives, AND aesthetic applications TO CREATE YOUR OWN ORIGINAL DESIGN PLAN.

Villa d’Este:

LEGEND ON LAKE COMO

In 1568 Tolomeo Gallio commissioned a grand villa overlooking Italy’s magnificent Lake Como. After two centuries in the Gallio family, Villa d’Este became home to multiple members of the aristocracy before being transformed into an elegant five-star resort in 1873. After 150 years of catering to an endless array of famous guests wishing to immerse themselves in “la dolce vita,” Vila d’Este stands as an example of blending tradition and modernity to create absolute luxury.

Palm Beach Style:

THE ARCHITECTURE AND ADVOCACY OF JOHN AND JANE VOLK

In the 1920s, American royalty wanted to establish a winter retreat and show off their newfound wealth. Building grand homes inspired by European palaces, they created one of the world’s most famous resort towns. Commissioned to design over 2,000 projects during his sixty years of practice, John Volk’s legacy as one of the “big five” architects of Palm Beach, can now be seen on almost every street.

events

MARCH 4TH

The Mountaintop

Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road | 7:30 PM

This Olivier Award-winning play offers an intimate and empathetic portrait of one of history’s most consequential leaders told by one of today’s most important writers, Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall. The play runs through March 22. Visit Playhouseonpark.org for dates, times and tickets.

MARCH 6TH

Connecticut Home & Remodeling Show

Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd., Hartford | 12:00 PM

The springtime Connecticut Home & Remodeling Show returns to the Connecticut Convention Center. Explore the latest in home design, renovation ideas and home products, while you meet hundreds of local vendors. Visit CTconventioncenter.com. Show hours are Friday, 12-8, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit CThomeshow.com for tickets and information.

MARCH 7TH

Vines of March Wine Tasting

West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium, 50 South Main St. | 7:00 PM

Vines of March is a beverage and food tasting event with an online auction sponsored by the Rotary Club of West Hartford. There will be entertainment and non-alcoholic choices. It's a great night to share with friends and help support the community! Tickets are $7 per person. Visit westhartfordrotary.org for tickets and information.

MARCH 7TH

54th Annual Greater Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade

State Capitol, 210 Capitol Ave., Hartford | 11:00 AM

The Central Connecticut Celtic Cultural Committee hosts the 2026 Greater Hartford St. Patrick's to celebrate the 54th Anniversary of this great event! Catch the annual Irish-heritage parade that steps off from the State Capitol, winds through downtown Hartford and ends at the Memorial Arch. This fun family event is free and open to the public. Visit irishamericanparade.com for more information.

MARCH 13TH

90s Con — Pop Culture Convention

Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd., Hartford | 4:00 PM

Travel back in time to the fabulous 90's at the Connecticut Convention Center's 90s Con. Celebrate 1990s gaming, TV, music and memorabilia with vendors and guests. The show runs Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 15. Visit thats4entertainment.com for information and tickets.

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MARCH 15TH

Paint Spring Tulips

The Cottage at Elizabeth Park, 1561 Asylum Ave. | 10:00 AM

The Elizabeth Park Conservancy is offering an encore session of  Paint Beautiful Spring Tulips. Taught by artist Betsy Rogers-Knox.  This session is part of the Introduction to Botanical Art for Adult Learners (18 and up) series. The class will take place in the Cottage conference room, Visit TulipArtEncore.eventbrite.com for tickets and information.

MARCH 15TH

Craft Fair at the Aquaturf Club

The Aqua Turf Club, 556 Mulberry St., Southington | 9:00 AM

Explore over 100 crafters and artisans showcasing handmade goods, including jewelry, woodcrafts, country crafts, gel candles, floral arrangements, adults and children painted clothing, dolls or bears. The fair runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit fairsandfestivals.net.

MARCH 20TH

A Spring Awakening Concert

St. John’s Episcopal Church, 679 Farmington Ave. | 7:30 PM

Music at the Red Door, hosted by St. John’s Episcopal Church, builds bridges between the parish and the community. The name references the church's front doors, with their traditional color of welcome and sanctuary. Celebrate spring with the Red Door's spring program focusing on Broadway hits and art songs by local talents. Visit reddoormusic.org for information.

MARCH 22ND

Annual Johnny's Jog for Charity 5K Race

Blue Back Square | 10:30 AM

Join in the celebration of St. Patrick's Day while supporting local non-profit children's organizations. Whether you choose to compete, jog, or stroll, you'll enjoy a lively atmosphere filled with Irish-themed gear—so don your best St. Paddy's attire for a chance to win prizes! Experience live bands, face painting, Irish music, step dancing, and even an inflatable gaga pit. Visit findarace.com.

MARCH 29TH

Spring Astrological & Metaphysical Fair

Pitkin Center, 30 Greenfield St., Wethersfield | 10:00 AM

Wethersfield Spring Astrological and Metaphysical New Age Fair will feature various types of metaphysical products and events astrology, as well as showcasing wellness practices, including reflexology and massage. Visit fairsandfestivals.net for additional information.