WeHa VoL. 1 4, No. 8, 2 02 5
F I NANCE| WE DDI NG| T RAVE L| GARDE NI NG| F ASHI ON| DI NI NG| CL E ANI NG
2
8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne | Vo.14,No. L
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
|3
4
8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne | Vo.14,No. L
cont ent s VoL.1 4,No. 7 ,2025
KOFTHEP UBL I S HE R 7 FROM THEDES
9 CHAMBERNEWS NANCE 1 4 FI NG 1 6 WEDDI
1 9 TRAVEL NG 2 0 GARDENI AS HI ON 2 4 MENSF SF AS HI ON 3 4 WOMEN’
0 2 5 3 8 BENCHMARK2
DI NI NG FEATUREDARTI CL E 2 8
‘ THE Y’ REL OOKI NGF OR DE L I CI OUS ’ : CONNE CTI CUT CHE FCONTI NUE SQUE S T TO BENAME D ‘ MAS TE R OF‘ CUE ’
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
|5
6
8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne | Vo.14,No. L
F ROMTHEDESKOFTHEPUBL I SHER Ha pp yFa l l ! Li k ea l lma j ormi l e s t one s ,t he9 5 t ha nni v e r s a r yofConne c t i c ut ' sol de s tJ e wi s hne ws pa pe rpr e s e nt suswi t ht he pe r f e c toppor t uni t yt ot a k eal ookb a c kona l li tha sa c hi e v e d.You’ l ls e es omec ong r a t ul a t or ya dshe r e ,a nd l ookoutf ora9 5y e a rt i me l i neoft heJ e wi s hLe dg e ra ndi t sFounde r si nourne xti s s ue .Weha v emuc ht ob e t ha nk f ulf or. . .e s pe c i a l l yt hel oy a ls uppor tofourr e a de r s .Tot hi sda y ,our" ope nr a t e s "( nowt ha twea r edi g i t a l )c ont i nuet os ha t t e ra l lr e c or ds . Dur i ngt he s et r y i ngt i me sf orwor l dJ e wr y ,wepr omi s eourr e a de r st ha twewi l lc ont i nuet ok e e py oui nf or me d a ndk nowl e dg e a b l e . TheLe dg e r ’ sonl i nepr e s e nc ewi l lr e ma i na ndourDEBS( De s i g na t e dEma i lBl a s t s )wi l li nc r e a s ei nf r e que nc y a nda v a i l a b i l i t y .Beont hel ook outf oraJ LTODAYl i nkonwe ha . c om 2 4 /7 /3 6 5whi c hwi l lb r i ngy oudi r e c t l y t ot heJ e wi s hLe dg e r . Al b e i tonl y1 5y e a r s ,We s tHa r t f or dMa g a z i nei sa l s oc e l e b r a t i nga na nni v e r s a r yofi t sna mec ha ng ea ndne w f or ma tf r om Li v i ngI nWe s tHa r t f or dMa g a z i ne .Asmyc ohos tofOnTheSc e nePodc a s t ,BobCa r r ,r e mi nds uswi t he a c he pi s ode ,wea r et hePub l i s he rofWe s tHa r t f or d' sor i g i na ll i f e s t y l ema g a z i nea ndt hena meWe Ha or i g i na t e df r om us( whe t he ry oul i k ei tornotl ol ) . Thi ss umme ra ndf a l l ,Be nc hMa r k2 0 2 5ha st r a v e l e da l lov e rt own!Wel ov ehowma nyofy ouv i s i t e dour Be nc he sf i r s ta tBi s hopsCor ne r ,a ndt he na tt heNoa hWe b s t e rSt a t ueORBl ueBa c kSqua r eSt a g e .Be nc hma r k2 0 2 5ha se na b l e dust oc e l e b r a t ea l lours pe c i a la nni v e r s a r i e sa l ongwi t ht hepub l i c .Wea r eg r a t e f ult o ourl oc a la r t i s t sg e ne r ouss pons or s ,a ndb e ne f i c i a r y ,t heWe s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c e . Don' tf or g e tt oENTERt heDOG PHOTOCONTEST,We ha ’ sTopDog2 0 2 5( s e ePa g e? )a ndg e tr e a dyf or our1 1 t hAnnua lBe s tofWe s tHa r t f or d( s e ePa g e? ) !I t ’ st i met ov ot e ,( onc eada ype re ma i l ) ,a ndma k es ur e t ha ty ou’ r ef a v or i t eb us i ne s s e si nWe s tHa r t f or dha v ey ours uppor t .Wel i s t e ne dt oYOU a ndi nc or por a t e d y ourf e e db a c kf r om pa s ty e a r st oma k es omene wa nde x c i t i ngc ha ng e dt ot hev ot i ngpr oc e s s . ! NEW t hi sy e a r . . . Adv e r t i s eYOURBUSI NESSi nYOURCATEGORY! The r ei saBUTTON a tt het opoft heb a l l othomepa g e ,( AD PROMOTE) .Thi sa l l owsy out os ub mi ty our ownAD t ob es howni ny ourCATEGORY. Re g i s t e rYourBus i ne s st oa ppe a ri nt hec a t e g or y ! I Fy ourb us i ne s sha sNOTpl a c e di nt heTOP3i nt hepr i ory e a rt he ng oa he a da ndADD I Ny ourb us i ne s s ( Fi r s tc l i c kAD PROMOTE,t he nRe g i s t e r ) . ADD aNEW Ca t e g or y !Doy ouf e e ll i k ewe ’ r emi s s i nga ni mpor t a ntc a t e g or y ?Youc a ne ma i lHi l l a r y ( hi l l a r y @2 0 me di a 2 0 . c om)t oha v eaNEW CATEGORYa dde d! Thi si st hePEOPLE' SVOTI NG pl a t f or ms owev a l uey oub e i ngi nv ol v e d.
BeSa f e ,BeWe l l , Tom &Hi l l a r y Pr e s i de nt&Pub l i s he r
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
|7
8
8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne | Vo.14,No. L
We s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c e :
We l c omet oYourMe mb e r s hi pJ our ne y : TheNe wMe mb e rWe l c omeHub ARESOURCEI NSPI RED BYCHAMBER1 0 1
Be c a us et hedi r e c t or ya l s of e e dsi nt ot heCha mb e r ’ s pr i nt e dCommuni t yGui de , t he s es t e pse ns ur et ha te a c h
ACCESSI BL E, PERSONAL , ANDMEMBERF OCUSED
b us i ne s sha sapol i s he da ndc ons i s t e ntpr e s e nc ea c r os s J oi ni ngt heWe s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c e i smor et ha na ddi ngy ourna met oar os t e r . I ti sa ne nt r y poi nti nt oav i b r a ntc ommuni t yofb us i ne s so wne r s ,
pl a t f or ms . Wha tma k e st heWe l c omeHube s pe c i a l l yv a l ua b l e
F I NDI NGY OURPL ACEA TCHAMBEREVENT S
pr of e s s i ona l s , a ndl oc a l l e a de r swhos ha r eac ommong oa l
o v e r whe l mi ngne wme mb e r swi t hpa pe r wor korl ong c he c k l i s t s , i tpr e s e nt si nf or ma t i oni nas t r a i g ht f or wa r da nd
ofs t r e ng t he ni ngWe s tHa r t f or d’ se c onomya nde nha nc i ng t heq ua l i t yofl i f ei nourt o wn. Forma nyne wme mb e r s ,
i si t se mpha s i sona c c e s s i b i l i t ya nde a s e . I ns t e a dof
TheWe l c omeHuba l s oof f e r sac l e a ro v e r v i e wof
ho we v e r , t hef i r s tq ue s t i oni sof t e n, “ Whe r edoIs t a r t ? ”To
t hema nyoppor t uni t i e st oc onne c t , f r om we e k l y
a ns we rt ha t , t heCha mb e rha sc r e a t e dt heNe wMe mb e r
ne t wor k i ngg a t he r i ng sl i k eAM Conne c t i onst ol a r g e r
We l c omeHub , a na c c e s s i b l eonl i ner e s our c ede s i g ne dt o
c ommuni t yt r a di t i onss uc ha st heMa y or ’ sSt a t eoft he
g ui dene wc ome r st hr oug ht heb e ne f i t s , pr og r a ms , a nd
To wnAddr e s sort hea nnua l Spot l i g htAwa r ds . By
oppor t uni t i e sofme mb e r s hi p . TheWe l c omeHubi sb ui l t
hi g hl i g ht i ngb ot hr e c ur r i nga nds i g na t ur ee v e nt s , t heHub
t omi r r ort heCha mb e r ’ spopul a r“ Cha mb e r1 0 1 :
s ho wsho wme mb e r sc a nb e g i npa r t i c i pa t i ngi nwa y st ha t
Ma x i mi z eYourMe mb e r s hi p”or i e nt a t i ons e s s i onshe l di n
s ui tt he i rs c he dul e sa ndi nt e r e s t s .
i n v i t i ngwa y . Pe r ha psmos ti mpor t a nt l y , t heHubi smor e t ha nj us tadi g i t a l g ui de —i tr e f l e c t st heCha mb e r ’ s c ommi t me ntt ob ui l di ngr e l a t i ons hi ps . I thi g hl i g ht st he s t a f fa ndl e a de r swhoa r ea v a i l a b l et oa ns we rq ue s t i ons , pr o v i des uppor t , a ndc onne c tme mb e r st ot her i g ht r e s our c e s .
EXPL ORETHECHAMBERT ODAY
pe r s one a c hq ua r t e r . Butunl i k et hos el i v ee v e nt s , t heHub i sa v a i l a b l ea ta nyt i me , f r om a nyde v i c e , ma k i ngi ta n onde ma ndi nt r oduc t i onf ort hos ewhowa ntt ob e g i nt he i r
COMMI TTEESASGA TEWAY ST ODEEPER ENGAGEMENT
me mb e r s hi pj our ne ywi t houtwa i t i ngf ort hene x t
pe r s ona l . Byc omb i ni ngt hes pi r i toft heCha mb e r1 0 1
s c he dul e dme e t i ng . Muc hoft hei nf or ma t i on, a ndt he t houg ht f ul de s i g noft her e s our c e , c a medi r e c t l yf r om
TheNe wMe mb e rWe l c omeHube mb odi e st he Cha mb e r ’ sphi l os ophyofb e i ngb ot hc ompr e he ns i v ea nd
TheWe l c omeHuba l s oof f e r sac l e a ro v e r v i e wof
s e s s i onswi t ht hec on v e ni e nc eofa nonl i nepl a t f or m, i t
Cha mb e rs t a f fa ndt heMe mb e r s hi pCommi t t e e , who
t hema nyoppor t uni t i e st oc onne c t , f r om we e k l y
g i v e se v e r yne wme mb e rt hec onf i de nc et oe ng a g ef ul l y
wor k e dc l os e l yt oe ns ur ei tr e f l e c t st heq ue s t i onsa nd
ne t wor k i ngg a t he r i ng sl i k eAM Conne c t i onst ol a r g e r
f r om da yone . Forb us i ne s so wne r s , e nt r e pr e ne ur s , a nd
ne e dsofne wme mb e r s .
c ommuni t yt r a di t i onss uc ha st heMa y or ’ sSt a t eoft he
c ommuni t yor g a ni z a t i onsa l i k e , t heWe l c omeHubi sa n
To wnAddr e s sort hea nnua l Spot l i g htAwa r ds . By
i n v i t a t i ont odi s c o v e rho wCha mb e rme mb e r s hi pc a n
hi g hl i g ht i ngb ot hr e c ur r i nga nds i g na t ur ee v e nt s , t heHub
ope ndoor s , c r e a t ec onne c t i ons , a nddr i v eg r o wt h. We
s ho wsho wme mb e r sc a nb e g i npa r t i c i pa t i ngi nwa y st ha t
e nc our a g ee v e r yne wme mb e r , a ndt hos ec ons i de r i ng
s ui tt he i rs c he dul e sa ndi nt e r e s t s .
j oi ni ngt oe x pl or et hi sr e s our c ea nds e ef i r s t ha ndho wt he
AWARMWEL COMEONL I NE
Fr om t hemome ntne wme mb e r sl a ndont hepa g e , t he ya r eme twi t haf r i e ndl ya nde nc our a g i ngme s s a g et ha t r e i nf or c e st heCha mb e r ’ smi s s i onofpr omot i ngb us i ne s s
We s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c ec a nhe l py our b us i ne s soror g a ni z a t i ont hr i v e .
MARKETI NGANDVI SI BI L I TY OPPORTUNI TI ES
Vi s i tWHCha mb e r . c om t ol e a r nmor e .
de v e l opme nta ndc ommuni t yv i t a l i t y . Thi si snotj us ta r e f e r e nc epa g e , b utat r ues t a r t i ngpoi ntt ha te x pl a i nswha t me mb e r s hi pme a nsa ndho wt oma k ei tme a ni ng f ul r i g ht a wa y .
BUI L DI NGVI SI BI L I TYF ROMTHEST ART
Ma r k e t i nga ndv i s i b i l i t yoppor t uni t i e sa r ea not he r k e ye l e me ntoft heHub . Me mb e r sc a ns ha r ene wsa b out mi l e s t one s , pos tj oboppor t uni t i e s , ora d v e r t i s es pe c i a l of f e r st of e l l o wme mb e r sa ndt hepub l i c . Fort hos ewho wa ntt oma k ea ne v e nb i g g e rs pl a s h, t heHube x pl a i ns ho ws pons or s hi ps , i nb o xs pot l i g ht s , a ndb a nne ra dsc a n
TheHubhe l psme mb e r sq ui c k l yb ui l dv i s i b i l i t y t hr oug ht he i ronl i nepr e s e nc e . I tg ui de st he mt hr oug h c r e a t i ngorupda t i ngt he i rpr of i l ei nt heCha mb e r ’ s
e x t e ndt he i rr e a c h. I nt hi swa y , t heCha mb e rnotonl y c onne c t sb us i ne s s e st oonea not he rb uta l s oa mpl i f i e st he i r v oi c et hr oug houtt her e g i on.
di r e c t or ywi t hl og os , phot os , b us i ne s sde s c r i pt i ons , a nd c ont a c ti nf or ma t i on.
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
|9
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 1 0 | VoL.1
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
| 11
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 1 2 | VoL.1
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
| 13
F I NANCE
Mut ua l Fundsv s . ETFs
Mut ua l f undsa nde x c ha ng e t r a de df undsa r es ol donl yb ypr os pe c t us . Pl e a s ec ons i de rt hec ha r g e s , r i s k s , e x pe ns e s , a ndi n v e s t me ntob j e c t i v e s c a r e f ul l yb e f or ei n v e s t i ng . Apr os pe c t usc ont a i ni ngt hi sa ndot he r i nf or ma t i ona b outt hei n v e s t me ntc ompa nyc a nb eob t a i ne df r om y our f i na nc i a l pr of e s s i ona l . Re a di tc a r e f ul l yb e f or ey oui n v e s tors e ndmone y .
Theg r o wt hofe x c ha ng e t r a de df unds ( ETFs )ha sb e e ne x pl os i v e . I n2 0 0 6 , t he r e we r el e s st ha n1 , 0 0 0 ; b y2 0 2 4 , t he r eo v e r ne a r l y1 0 , 0 0 0i n v e s t i ngi nawi der a ng eof s t oc k s , b onds , a ndot he rs e c ur i t i e sa nd 1 i ns t r ume nt s .
Atf i r s tg l a nc e , ETFsha v eal oti n c ommonwi t hmut ua l f unds . Bot h of f e rs ha r e si napool ofi n v e s t me nt s de s i g ne dt opur s ueas pe c i f i c i n v e s t me ntg oa l . Andb ot hma na g e c os t sa ndma yof f e rs omede g r e eof di v e r s i f i c a t i on, de pe ndi ngont he i r i n v e s t me ntob j e c t i v e . Di v e r s i f i c a t i oni s a na ppr oa c ht ohe l pma na g e i n v e s t me ntr i s k . I tdoe snote l i mi na t e t her i s kofl os si fs e c ur i t ypr i c e s de c l i ne .
St r uc t ur a l Di f f e r e nc e s
Ta xDi f f e r e nc e s
Mut ua l f undsa c c umul a t eapool ofmone yt ha ti st he ni n v e s t e dt opur s uet he
The r ea r et a xdi f f e r e nc e s , a swe l l . Si nc emos tmut ua l f undsa r ea l l o we dt ot r a de
ob j e c t i v e ss t a t e di nt hef und' spr os pe c t us . Ther e s ul t i ngc ol l e c t i onofs t oc k s , b onds ,
s e c ur i t i e s , t hef undma yi nc urac a pi t a l g a i norl os sa ndg e ne r a t edi v i de ndori nt e r e s t
a ndot he rs e c ur i t i e si spr of e s s i ona l l yma na g e db ya ni n v e s t me ntc ompa ny .
i nc omef ori t ss ha r e hol de r s . Wi t ha nETF , y ouma yonl yo wet a x e sona nyc a pi t a l g a i nswhe ny ous e l l t hes e c ur i t y . ( AnETFa l s oma ydi s t r i b ut eac a pi t a l g a i ni ft he
ETFswor ki nr e v e r s e . Ani n v e s t me ntc ompa nyc r e a t e sane wc ompa ny , i nt owhi c h
3
ma k e upoft heunde r l y i nga s s e t si sa dj us t e d) .
i tmo v e sab l oc kofs ha r e st opur s ueas pe c i f i ci n v e s t me ntob j e c t i v e . Fore x a mpl e , a n i n v e s t me ntc ompa nyma ymo v eab l oc kofs ha r e st ot r a c kt hepe r f or ma nc eoft he
De t e r mi ni ngwhe t he ra nETForamut ua l f undi sa ppr opr i a t ef ory ourpor t f ol i o
St a nda r d&Poor ' s5 0 0 . Thei n v e s t me ntc ompa nyt he ns e l l ss ha r e si nt hi sne w
ma yr e q ui r ea ni nde pt hk no wl e dg eofho wb ot hi n v e s t me nt sope r a t e . I nf a c t , y ou
c ompa ny .
ma yb e ne f i tf r om i nc l udi ngb ot hi n v e s t me ntt ool si ny ourpor t f ol i o .
ETFst r a del i k es t oc k sa nda r el i s t e dons t oc ke x c ha ng e sa nds ol db yb r ok e r de a l e r s .
Amount si nmut ua l f undsa ndETFsa r es ub j e c tt of l uc t ua t i oni nv a l uea ndma r k e t
Mut ua l f unds , ont heot he rha nd, a r enotl i s t e dons t oc ke x c ha ng e sa ndc a nb e
r i s k . Sha r e s , whe nr e de e me d, ma yb ewor t hmor eorl e s st ha nt he i ror i g i na l c os t .
2
b oug hta nds ol dt hr oug hav a r i e t yofot he rc ha nne l s— i nc l udi ngf i na nc i a l pr of e s s i ona l s , b r ok e r a g ef i r ms , a nddi r e c t l yf r om f undc ompa ni e s . Thepr i c eofa nETFi sde t e r mi ne dc ont i nuous l yt hr oug houtt heda y . I tf l uc t ua t e s b a s e doni n v e s t ori nt e r e s ti nt hes e c ur i t ya ndma yt r a dea ta" pr e mi um"ora
Pr ov i de dbyRobe r t L a r a i a , RF C, F oundi ngPa r t ne r Nor t hs t a r We a l t hPa r t ne r swww. ns t a r wp. c om Robe r tL a r a i ama yber e a c he d a t860665 7 7 3 7or
1 . Educ a t i onDa t a . or g , J a nua r y1 5 , 2 0 2 5
pr i c e da tt hee ndoft het r a di ngda y . So , noma t t e rwhe ny oub uyas ha r edur i ngt he
r l a r a i a @ns t a r wp. c om.
2 . Ba nk Ra t e . c om, Ma y1 7 , 2 0 2 4
t r a di ngda y , i t spr i c ewi l l b ede t e r mi ne dwhe nmos tU. S . s t oc ke x c ha ng e st y pi c a l l y
www. na t a r wp. c om
3 . Pr i nc e t onRe v i e w. c om, 2 0 2 5
c l os e .
S e c ur i t i e sa nda dv i s or ys e r v i c e soffe r e dt hr ough
" di s c ount "t ot heunde r l y i nga s s e t st ha tc ompr i s et heETF . Mos tmut ua l f undsa r e
L PLF i na nc i a l , ar e gi s t e r e di nv e s t me nta dv i s or , Me mbe rF I NRAS I PC
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 1 4 | VoL.1
4 . Educ a t i onDa t a . or g , No v e mb e r3 , 2 0 2 4
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
| 15
WEDDI NG
AnOc e a nApa r t ,Uni t e db yLov e : Cl a r eDe l aCr uza ndSt e v e nBut l e r ' s We ddi ngCe l e b r a t i on I nab e a ut i f ul t e s t a me ntt ot hepo we rofl o v e , Cl a r eDe l a Cr uza ndSt e v e nBut l e rc e l e b r a t e dt he i runi onwi t ha ni nt i ma t e , e l e g a ntwe ddi nga tThePondHous eCa f ei nEl i z a b e t hPa r k . The i rj our ne y , whi c hs pa nne da ni mpr e s s i v e8 , 0 0 0mi l e sa nda 1 2 hourt i medi f f e r e nc e , c ul mi na t e di naj oy ous Fi l i pi noAme r i c a nc e l e b r a t i onoft wowor l dsb e c omi ngone .
AWhi ms i c a lBe g i nni ng
The i rc ommi t me ntwa sf i r s ts e a l e donOc t ob e r2 0 , 2 0 2 4 , wi t hapr i v a t ea c k no wl e dg me ntoft hepa t i e nc ea ndf a i t ht ha t
Li k eot he rmode r nl o v es t or i e s , Cl a r ea ndSt e v e n' sb e g a non
de f i ne dt he i rr e l a t i ons hi p . Ay e a rl a t e r , onSe pt e mb e r4 , 2 0 2 5 ,
ada t i nga ppt hr e ey e a r sa g o . The r ewa sa nope ni ngl i net ha t
t he yhos t e das e c ondc e l e b r a t i ont os ha r et he i rj oywi t ht he i r
woul dc ha ng et he i rl i v e sf or e v e r . St e v e nme s s a g e dCl a r ewi t ht he
c l os e s tf r i e ndsa ndf a mi l y .
s i mpl e , he a r t f e l tphr a s e , " Br e a t het a k i ng ! " . " If e l tc r i ng ea b outi ta tf i r s t , "Cl a r ea dmi t t e d, " b e c a us eI wa s n' ts ur ei fhewa ss e r i ous . "Af t e rawe e ka ndanudg ef r om t he
AnEl e g a nta ndMe a ni ng f ulAf f a i r Thec oupl ec hos eThePondHous eCa f ei nEl i z a b e t hPa r k
a pp , s her e s ponde d. " Wehi ti tof fr i g hta wa y . Wet a l k e d, we
f orb ot ht he i rc e r e monya ndr e c e pt i on. ForCl a r e , t hec hoi c ewa s
l a ug he d, a ndwef e l l i nl o v e . "Fort woy e a r s , t he i rl o v et hr i v e d
i ns t a nta ndpe r f e c t . " Ib r o ws e dt hepe r f e c twe ddi ngl oc a t i ona nd
a c r os sc ont i ne nt s , a ne i g ht t hous a ndmi l el ong di s t a nc er oma nc e
ThePondHous eCa f ec a mef i r s tont hel i s t , "s her e c a l l e d. Upon
s us t a i ne db yl a t e ni g htc a l l sa ndunwa v e r i ngde di c a t i on.
s e e i ngt hes pa c e , s he" wa ss os ur pr i s e dho we l e g a nti twa sa nd f e l l i nl o v er i g hta wa y . "
Thec ha l l e ng e sofdi s t a nc ea ndc ul t ur a l di f f e r e nc ewe r e i mme ns e , b utt he i rc onne c t i onpr o v e ds t r ong e r . " Wef a c e ds o ma nyupsa nddo wnsa nde v e r y t hi ngi nb e t we e n, y e tourl o v ef or e a c hot he rwa ss t r ong e r ! "Cl a r es ha r e d. Whe nt he yf i na l l yme ti n pe r s on, i twa samome ntofs ur r e a l c onf i r ma t i on. " Thepe r s on b e hi ndt hes c r e e nwa sr e a l , wa r ma nds ome ho wwa yb e t t e ri n pe r s on. Ev e r y t hi ngwef e l tonl i nec a mer us hi ngt ol i f e . Wef e l l i n l o v ee v e nmor e . "
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 1 6 | VoL.1
Thec e r e monyi t s e l fwa samo v i ngb l e ndofc ul t ur e sa nd
Cl a r ea ndSt e v e n ’ swe ddi ngwa sapo we r f ul r e mi nde rt ha t
l o v e . Whi l eCl a r e ' spa r e nt s , Mr . El me rDe l aCr uza ndMr s .
l o v ek no wsnodi s t a nc e , a ndt ha ta noc e a nofc ha l l e ng e sc a nb e
Vi v i a nDe l aCr uz , r e t i r e ds ma l l b us i ne s so wne r sf r om Ta r l a c ,
o v e r c omeb yt wohe a r t sde t e r mi ne dt ob et og e t he r . The i rs t or yi s
Phi l i ppi ne s , c oul dnota t t e nd, Cl a r ee ns ur e dt heda ywa sar i c h
at r uec e l e b r a t i onofpa t i e nc e , c ul t ur e , a ndt hee x t r a or di na r y
Fi l i pi noAme r i c a nc e l e b r a t i on. Thec oupl e ’ sOf f i c i a nt , Ms .
po we rofas i ng l e" b r e a t het a k i ng "me s s a g e .
Yv e t t eAi b a l i ot i s , e v e nl e a r ne daf e wFi l i pi nowor ds , a ddi nga f una nde x c i t i ngc r os s c ul t ur a l t ouc ht ot hev o ws . Thewe ddi ngpa r t ywa sab l e ndofc l os ek i na ndde a r f r i e nds , s y mb ol i z i ngt hes t r ongne t wor kofs uppor ts ur r oundi ng t hec oupl e : Andr e wVoi g ts e r v e da sBe s tMa n, a ndEv e l y n Pi a nk oa sMa i dofHonor . St e v e n ’ ss i s t e r , Br i t t ne y , a ndhi se l de s t da ug ht e r , Ha i l e y , s t ooda sBr i de s ma i ds , whi l eDa n( St e v e n ’ s b r ot he r i nl a w)a ndDa nny( Ha i l e y ' sb oy f r i e nd)r ounde doutt he Gr ooms me n.
Ce l e b r a t i ngFa mi l y Ther e c e pt i on, awa r me v e ntwi t hj us t3 5g ue s t s , f e a t ur e da n a ma z i ngMa t i ne eBuf f e tpr o v i de de nt i r e l yb yThePondHous e Ca f et e a m. Thei nt i ma t eg a t he r i nga l l o we df ort r ul y he a r t wa r mi ngmome nt s , t hemos ts pe c i a l ofwhi c hwa sSt e v e n' s da nc ewi t hhi st wob e a ut i f ul da ug ht e r s , Ha i l e ya ndEl l a . I twa sa whi ms i c a l nodt ot hene wl i f ea ndf a mi l yuni tt he ywe r ef or mi ng . Thene wl y we ds , whor e s i dei nEl l i ng t on, Conne c t i c ut , c ont i nuet ob ui l dt he i rl i f et og e t he r , wi t hCl a r e , af or me r Eng a g e me ntCoor di na t ori nt hePhi l i ppi ne s , a ndSt e v e n, aCDL Cl a s sAOpe r a t or . St e v e n ’ smot he r , Ms . Pa ul aBut l e r , whol i v e s i nEl l i ng t on, s ha r e di nt hef a mi l y ' sj oy .
Theb e a ut i f ul me mor i e soft heda ywe r ec a pt ur e db yl oc a l We s tHa r t f or dphot og r a phe rToddFa i r c hi l dofShut t e r Bug CT, e ns ur i nge v e r ymome ntwa sb e a ut i f ul l yc a pt ur e d.
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
| 17
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 1 8 | VoL.1
TRAVEL VI ETNAM ANDCAMBODI A
PART4–THEMEKONG Ac ont i nua t i onofourAMAWa t e r wa y sMe k ongRi v e rCr ui s e : Theb or de rc r os s i ngf r om Ca mb odi at oVi e t na ml e dust oTa n
Onouro wnwehi r e dag ui det ot a k eusa r ound
Cha u, whe r ewer odeona n“ e x l oi , ”whi c hi sat r i s ha w, a ndwhe r e
HoChi Mi nhCi t y . TheBe nTha nhma r k e ti sag r e a t
weg otac ha nc et ov i s i tas i l kf a c t or y , s ho wc a s i ngoneoft hef i r s t
pl a c et og e tt our i s t yi t e ms . Wewe r et a x i e do v e rt ot he
me c ha ni c a l s i l kma k i ngma c hi ne si nt her e g i on. Af t e r wa r d, we
Sa i g onPos tOf f i c e , whi c hi snot e df ori t ss ma l l s hops ,
v i s i t e dar a t t a nma twor k s hop , whe r ewes a wt hes t r a wb e i ngf e d
pa i nt e dma ps , a ndc omme mor a t i v epl a q ue sf or
i nt oma c hi ne st owe a v eo v e ronehundr e db e dma t spe rda y . Av i s i t
s c i e nt i s t sa nde ng i ne e r soft het i me . Wewa l k e do v e rt o
t oEv e r g r e e nI s l a ndpr o v i de duswi t hani c es t r ol l t hr oug ha
t heRe uni f i c a t i onPa l a c e , or i g i na l l yt hepa l a c ef ort he
f a r ml a ndne i g hb or hood. Thene i g hb or sa r ewa l k i ngoront he i r
Vi e t na me s ePr e s i de nt , whi c hha sb e e ns us pe nde di n
b i c y c l e s , pi l e dhi g hwi t hg oods . Thehous e swe r eb ui l tons t i l t s , a nd
t i me . Asy ouwa l kt hr oug ht her e c e pt i ona r e a sa nd
wedi dg e tt og oi ns i deoneoft hos ehous e s . Theope nf l oor i ng
of f i c e sy ouf e e l l i k ey oua r eb a c ki nt he1 9 6 0 s . I nt he
a l l o wsa i rt omo v ei nt ot hehous e , as or tofna t ur a l a i rc ondi t i oni ng .
b a s e me ntt het e l e c ommuni c a t i onsoft ha te r awe r eon
Thene x tda yweg ott ov i s i tmor eoft hel oc a l r e g i on. Ama r k e t
di s pl a y . TheWa rMus e um wa sde e pl yi mpa c t f ul .
v i s i ti nSaDe ci nc l ude db uc k e t sofl i v ef i s ha ndne wb or nf o wl i nl a r g e b o wl s . Se l l e r swe r epa c k e dt i g hta l ongt hepa t hsoft hema r k e t .
Al t houg ht hes i g ht sa ndde s c r i pt i onswe r enotne wt o
Py r a mi dsoff r ui ta ndv e g e t a b l e swe r ee v e r y whe r ei nt hi sl a r g ef ood
me , t hemus e um onl ypr e s e nt e dt hee x pe r i e nc ef r om
a r e na . Weg otb a c konourl oc a l b oa tt ha twa smor el i k eat a x i ont he
t hev i e wpoi ntoft heVi e t na me s epe opl e . Tha ti st he
r i v e ra ndf l oa t e dupt her i v e rt os e eav e r ys pe c i a l t e mpl eCa oDa i
v a l ueoft r a v e l , i tc a nma k ey ouj oy ous , unc omf or t a b l e ,
Te mpl e . Thi st e mpl ei sac omb i na t i onofBuddhi s m, Chr i s t i a ni t y .
i ns pi r e d, c ur i ous , a ndi nc r e a s epe r s ona l g r o wt ha sy ou
I s l a m, Hi ndui s m, a ndConf uc i a ni s m. Thepa i nt i ng si ns i det het e mpl e
unde r s t a ndot he rc ul t ur e sa ndho wt he yi nt e r pr e tt he
r e f l e c t e dt hi sr e l i g i ousb l e ndi ng .
wor l d.
Thef i na l s t opf ort heda ywa sas we e tt ourt ot hec a ndy
TheMe k ongRi v e rc r ui s ewa soneoft e nr i v e r
ma k i ngs hop–c oc onutc a ndi e sma deofc oc onutmi l k , ma l t
c r ui s e sIha v eha dt hej oyofe x pe r i e nc i ng . If e e l i tha s
s y r up , a nds ug a r . Ea c hpi e c ei swr a ppe di ne di b l er i c epa pe rt o
t hehi g he s ta c t i v i t yl e v e l , t he r ewe r es oma nys i g ht s
k e e pt he mf r om s t i c k i ngt oe a c hot he r . Ib oug htaf e wb o x e sa s
a nde x pl or a t i one v e r yda y !
g i f t s( mos toft he m ma dei thome ! ) . Thef i na l da y soft hec r ui s ewe r eas t a yi nHoChi Mi nhCi t y . I nt hee v e ni ng , wewe nta c r os st hes t r e e t f r om t hehot e l t ot a k eal o v e l yb oa tr i deupt heSa i g on Ri v e r . Thel i g ht swe r eb e a ut i f ul , hi g hl i g ht i ngi nb r i g ht a ndne onc ol or s , t hea r c hi t e c t ur eoft hec i t y .
Li s aMar t i n-ACC Tr ave l Advi s or-Luxur ySpe c i al i s t Cr ui s ePl anne r s ®I nde pe nde ntFr anc hi s eOwne r 8609290708 l i s a. mar t i n@c r ui s e pl anne r s . c om www. t ot al t r ave l t oday . c om
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
| 19
GARDENI NG
I t ’ sNe v e rTooEa r l yt o St a r tDr e a mi ngof Ne xtYe a r ’ sGa r de n Somepe opl es a yt ha tg a r de ne r sa r et hemos topt i mi s t i c
Pe r ha pst hepur i s t swoul ds a yy e s , b utIde f i ni t e l ya d v oc a t ef oramor e
pe opl et he yk no w. Noma t t e rho wl o v e l yt hi sy e a r ’ sg a r de nwa s ,
b a l a nc e da ppr oa c h. Fi r s t , a s s e s swha tma yb ea l r e a dyna t i v ei ny our
ne x ty e a r ’ sg a r de nwi l l a l wa y sb eb e t t e r !
g a r de n. Whe nIdi dt hi si nmyy a r d, Iwa spl e a s e dt of i ndt ha tIdi dha v e q ui t eab i tofna t i v epl a ntma t e r i a l a l r e a dyt he r e .
So , wi t ht ha tt houg hti nmi nd, he r ea r es omet i psa nd poi nt e r sa b outwha ty ouc a ndo( a ndma y b ewha ty ous houl dn ’ t do)t oma k ene x ty e a r ’ sg a r de ne v e nb e t t e r !
Be c a us ef a l l i st heb e s tt i met opl a nt , a ndb e c a us eg a r de nc e nt e r sha v e g r e a ts a l e si nt hef a l l , no wi sag r e a tt i met os hopf orne wpl a nt sf ort he g a r de na swe l l . Re me mb e rt ok e e pa nyne wpl a nt swe l l wa t e r e di n,
Fi r s t , whi l ee v e r y t hi ngi ss t i l l f r e s h, g l or i ousa ndb e a ut i f ul ,
t houg h. Bemi ndf ul ofl a s ta ut umn ’ sdr oug htt ha tl a s t e dwe l l i nt os pr i ng . I f
ma k es omek i ndofr e c or dofwha ty oude f i ni t e l ywa ntt odo
y ouwe r enotwa t e r i ngne wl ypl a nt e dpl a nt sl a s tf a l l , i ti sl i k e l yt ha tt he y
a g a i n. Thi sdoe s n ’ tha v et ob ef or ma l . Av i de oony ourphonei s
di e d.
g r e a t . Re c or dt hepl a nt st ha tl ookg r e a t , a r e a st ha ta r ewor k i ng we l l , a nd, i fy oupl a nt e da nnua l sorc ont a i ne r s , c omb i na t i ons t ha ty ouwoul dpl a nta g a i n!
Al t e r na t i v e l y , y oumi g htwa ntanot eorl i t t l ev i de oofwha t nott odoa g a i n. Al s of e e l f r e et ok e e pt hi sr e a l l ys i mpl e . Aq ui c k v i de o—ma y b ewi t hav oi c e o v e rt oy our s e l fs a y i ng , “ don ’ tpl a nt t hi sa g a i n! ”s ot ha ty ouha v et ha tt or e me mb e r . I nt he“ Not e s ”s e c t i onofy ourphone , y ouc a nr e c or d a ny t hi ngt ha ty oune e dmor eoff ors pr i ng . Ius et ha ta ppt o r e c or de v e r y t hi ngf r om t hel a t e s thous e pl a ntIwa ntt ob uy , t o ar e mi nde rt oor de rapa r t i c ul a rt opi a r yIne e df orac ont a i ne r pl a nt i ngIa l wa y sdo , t oj ot t i ngdo wni de a sf ort her e s tofmy c ont a i ne rpl a nt i ng sorg a r de na r e a s .
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 2 0 | VoL.1
Idon ’ tg e ne r a l l ydoa ny t hi ngt omys oi l i nt hef a l l b e c a us et oa dd
Fur t he r , b ut t e r f l i e sl i k eourMour ni ngCl oa ko v e r wi nt e ri nl e a fl i t t e r .
mul c ha tt hi st i mey ous houl da ddi ta f t e rt heg r oundf r e e z e s( a ndIdon ’ t
Thi ss umme rIha day a r df ul l ofMour ni ngCl oa kb ut t e r f l i e s —mos tl i k e l y
l i k et owor kout s i dewhe ni t ’ st ha tc ol d) .
b e c a us eIha v eapor t i onofmyy a r dde s i g na t e da sha b i t a twi t hpl e nt yof l e a fl i t t e r . But“ ha b i t a t ”i sawhol edi s c us s i ona ndt ha t ’ sf oradi f f e r e nt
I fy oua ddmul c hb e f or et heg r oundf r e e z e s , y oua r ei n v i t i ngv ol e sor
a r t i c l e .
ot he rb ur r o wi nga ndc he wi ngc r i t t e r st one s tt he r ea ndt og na wony our pl a nt sa l l wi nt e r .
Wea r es ob l e s s e di nGr e a t e rWe s tHa r t f or dt oha v eav i b r a nt , di v e r s e c ommuni t ywhe r ewel i v e , wor k , pl a ya ndg a r de n.Ne x ts pr i ng , Iwi l l t a l k
Mul c hi ngora not he rs oi l c o v e ri sa l wa y sc or r e c t —j us tb es ur et odoi t a tt her i g htt i mes ot ha ty oudon ’ tl os ey ourpl a nt st oc he wi ngc r i t t e r s . Or
a b outc r e a t i ngawe l c omi ngha b i t a tf ori ns e c t sa ndot he r s —wi t hout ne c e s s a r i l yi n v i t i ngb e a r s , de e rorunwa nt e dwi l dl i f e .
doi ti nt hes pr i ngs ot ha tt hi si snotawor r y . Orus eal i v i ngmul c hof pl a nt sorg r oundc o v e r s . The r ea r ea l wa y sopt i ons .
Butb e f or et ha t , weha v eal otoft i met oa c t ua l l yg a r de n, a ndt opl a n f orne x ty e a r ’ sg a r de n. So , unt i l t he n, ha pp yg a r de ni ng !
Anot he rf a l l t a s k —b utnoti na nob s e s s i v ewa y —i st or e mo v ea tl e a s t t hepe r e nni a l we e dsb e f or ewi nt e r . Atl e a s tt he ywon ’ tb eb a c ka g a i nc ome s pr i ng ! Andt r yt ob emor ev i g i l a nta b outr e mo v i nga nnua l we e ds s e e dhe a dsa tl e a s t .
Af t e ra l l , i fwea r edr e a mi ngofne x ty e a r ’ spe r f e c tg a r de n, whowa nt s t os t a r twi t hag a r de nf ul l ofwe e ds ?
Wea r epr e t t yob s e r v a nthe r ei nWe s tHa r t f or da b outc l e a ni ngupour y a r dsa ndg a r de nsa ndnot“ l e a v i ngt hel e a v e s ”i nt ooma nypl a c e s . Whi l e t ha ta l l o wsourhome sa ndg a r de nst ol ookl i k es ho wpl a c e s , i tdoe sl e a v e ouri ns e c tl i f ei nab i tofaq ua nda r y .
Ma nyofy our e a di ngt hi smi g htb et hi nk i ngt ha tnoonewa nt st o g a r de nf ort hei ns e c t s , b utIa s s ur ey out ha ty oudo! Af t e ra l l , i ti st he “ g ood”i ns e c t si ny oury a r dt ha tk e e pt hepe s t sa wa y . Andwi t houtaf e w
Ha pp yg a r de ni ng !
l e a v e s , t he r ec a nb enof i r e f l i e s !
Ka r l aDa l l e y Ga r de nS pe c i a l i s t
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
| 21
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 2 2 | VoL.1
Fi ndusonFacebook… Facebook. com/Hodges L ands capeCont r act or
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
| 23
MEN' SF ASHI ON
Ame r i c a nMa deCl ot hi ngSt a r t sWi t h Ame r i c a nMa deTe xt i l e s ,AndWe ’ r e Runni ngOutofThos e AtBa r ds , y ourg a r me nt sa r epr oudl yma der i g hthe r eonU. S . s oi l .
Butwha ta b outt hef a b r i c ?Tha t ’ swhe r et hes t or ys t a r t st ounr a v e l .
Whe ny ouhe a r“ Ma dei nAme r i c a , ”y oupr ob a b l yt hi nkof ha r d wor k i ngha ndsb e hi ndas e wi ngma c hi ne —s t i t c hi ng , c ut t i ng , pr e s s i ng . Andt ha t ’ st r ue . AtBa r ds , y ourg a r me nt sa r epr oudl y ma der i g hthe r eonU. S . s oi l .
Wa ntt os e emor eAme r i c a nt e x t i l e si nour c ol l e c t i ons ?Le tusk no wwha ty ou' dl o v et o we a rne x t .
He r e ’ st heg oodne ws : wedos t i l l ma k et hec l ot hi nghe r e . And we ’ r enotg i v i ngupont ha t . Buti fy ou’ v ee v e rwonde r e dwhyy our Ame r i c a nma des hi r tus e si mpor t e df a b r i c , i t ’ sb e c a us ewe ’ v el e f t t hemi l l sb e hi nd.
Orc omev i s i tt hes ho wr oom a nds e ef or y our s e l fwha thome g r o wnc r a f t s ma ns hi pl ook s l i k e .
I fwewa ntt or e v i v eAme r i c a nc l ot hi ng , weha v et or e v i v e Ame r i c a nt e x t i l e s . Tha tme a nsc e l e b r a t i nge v e r ypa r toft he pr oc e s s : f r om f a r mt of i b e r , mi l l t ome mor y .
Sone x tt i mey ous e eushi g hl i g htami l l wo v e nf l a nne l or Conne c t i c ut wo v e nwool , k no wt ha ty ou’ r enotj us twe a r i ngy our s t or y , y ou’ r ehe l pi ngwr i t eane wc ha pt e rf orAme r i c a ni ndus t r y .
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 2 4 | VoL.1
Ma t tBa ne v e r i sf ounde ra ndCE O ofBa r dCl ot hi ng i nWe s tHa r t f or d.
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
| 25
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 2 6 | VoL.1
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
| 27
DI NI NG
Ande r s onha sl ongbe e nknownf orhi sf i nedi ni nge xpe r t i s e–a nd a st hec he f /owne roft hea wa r dwi nni ngr e s t a ur a ntMi l l wr i g ht ’ s , whi c hope ne di nSi ms bur yi n2012,hee a r ne ds e v e nnomi na t i onsf or t hepr e s t i g i ousJ a me sBe a r dBe s tChe f :Nor t he a s ta wa r d.Mi l l wr i g ht ’ s ha sbe e nme nt i one di nt heNe wYor kTi me sa ndr a t e doneoft he “Top100Roma nt i cRe s t a ur a nt s ”byOpe nTa bl e ,a nda mong Ande r s on ’ sa c c ol a de si sbe i nghonor e da sConne c t i c ut ’ sChe foft he Ye a r . Sohowdoe st ha tpr e pa r es ome onet ol i v ea tt heSt a rHi l lRa nc h i nAus t i n,Te xa s ,t oj oi nat e a m ofa c c ompl i s he dpi t ma s t e r sa st he y pr e pa r ee v e r ydi s hout door sons omet ypeofgr i l l ,i nac ompr e s s e d t i me f r a me ,l ooki ngt oi mpr e s sj udg e sCa r s onKr e s s l e y ,Rodne ySc ot t , a ndBr ookeWi l l i a ms on?“It hi nkwhe ny ouwor ki nf i nedi ni ng ,y ou g e tawi de re xpos ur et oi ngr e di e nt s , ”Ande r s ons a i d,a ndhe ’ sl e a r ne d t ous enotonl yi ngr e di e nt sbuta l s ot e c hni que sf r om a l lov e rt hewor l d. Whe t he ry ous pe l li t“ba r be c ue , ”or“ba r be que , “or“BBQ, ”i t ’ sa l l a bout“c ooki ngov e rl i v ef i r eout door s , ”a ndt ha t ’ ss ome t hi ng Ande r s ont r ul ye nj oysa ndwhi l es omema yc ons i de rhi ma n unde r dog ,hebr i ng sauni quepe r s pe c t i v et ohi sl a t e s tque s t . Ande r s onha spa r t i c i pa t e di nmul t i pl ec he fc ompe t i t i ons– i nc l udi ng“TopChe f , ”“Choppe d, ”a nd“Be a tBobbyFl a y , ”butha s r e c e nt l ybe e nf oc us i ngonot he rpa r t sofhi sc a r e e ra ndha dn ’ tpl a nne d ondoi nga not he r–unt i lhewa sa s ke dt oa ppl ya ndc hos e nt obeon t hene ws e a s onoft heFoodNe t wor k’ s“BBQBr a wl . ” “It houg htt hes howwa sc ool ,a nds oIha di nt e r e s ti ni t , ” Ande r s on,whol i v e si nWe s tHa r t f or d,t ol dWe Hai na ni nt e r vi e w t hi swe e k.“Il i ke dt hepr e mi s eoft hi ss how.Il ov eba r be c ue .I ’ v el ov e d i tf oral ongt i me ,a ndIj us twa nt e dt ot e s tmys ki l l sa g a i ns ts omeof t hebe s t . ”
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 2 8 | VoL.1
“I nt hi ss howt he y’ r enotl ooki ngf orf i ne s s e ,t he y’ r el ooki ngf or de l i c i ous . ”Tha t ’ swha tr e a l l yma t t e r s ,hes a i d–a nda sAnde r s ong e t s ol de r ,hea l s oha sg a i ne da na ppr e c i a t i onf orwha tr e a l l yma t t e r s , whi c hi snotj us tt he“pompa ndc i r c ums t a nc e ”ofc r e a t i ngapr e t t y pl a t e . AndAnde r s ondoe sha v ee xpe r i e nc ewi t hs t r a i g ht outde l i c i ous , a swe l la swi t hgr i l l i ng .Ana t i v eofSout he r nCa l i f or ni a ,hes a i dhe gr e wupc a l l i ngba r be c ue“a nyt hi ngt ha t ’ sc ooke dout s i deov e ragr i l l , ” notj us ts l ows moke dme a t s . Al ongwi t hMi l l wr i g ht ’ s ,Ande r s onownsa ndope r a t e st he Ta Quef oodt r uc k,whi c hi sr e s i de nti nt heMi l l wr i g ht ’ spa r ki ngl oti n Si ms bur ya ndof f e r sav a r i e t yofs moke dme a t sa nds i de ss e r v e dona pl a t e ,i nabowl ,a nda st a c os .
Fr om 2017unt i l2019,hewa sc oowne rof“TheCook&The
Soi st hec onc e ptofwor ki ngi nt e a ms ,hea dde d,ut i l i z i ngt he
Be a r ”i nWe s tHa r t f or d’ sBl ueBa c kSqua r e .I nt ha tv e nt ur ehe
s t r e ng t hsofa l loft het e a m me mbe r s–i nc l udi ngt hos ewhoa r ebe t t e r
pa r t ne r e dwi t hba r be c uee xpe r tJ a mi eMc Dona l dofBe a r ’ s
a tc ooki ngme a t ,a nddon ’ te v e nr e a l l ye a tv e g e t a bl e s
Smoke hous e ,a ndwhi l et hebus i ne s si t s e l fdi dn ’ ts uc c e e d,Ande r s on s a i dhel e a r ne dal ota nd“c a ug htt hebug ”f orba r be c ue ,whi c hha s c ont i nue d. Asofpr e s st i me ,s e v e ne pi s ode sofBBQBr a wlha v ea i r e d.The r e a r et hr e et e a ms–c a pt a i ne dbyr e i g ni ngc ha mpi onBobbyFl a y ,J a me s Be a r dAwa r dwi nne rMa ne e tCha uha n,a ndne wl yc r owne d Tour na me ntofCha mpi onswi nne rAnt oni aLof a s o .Ea c ht e a m s t a r t e doutwi t hf ourc he f si na ddi t i ont ot hec a pt a i n,buts omeha v e be e n“c a l l e dt ot hec a mpf i r e ”a nds e nthome ,i nc l udi ngar e c e nt de pa r t ur eofoneofAnde r s on ’ st e a mma t e sonLof a s o’ st e a m. “I t ’ sl i ke‘ TopChe f , ’butt he r e ’ snog a s… notha vi ngas wi t c ht o j us tt ur nona ndt hef l a mec a meout , ”Ande r s ons a i d.Ta i l or i nghi s i de a st oc ooki ngout s i de ,ov e rwood,i soneoft hebi g g e s tc ha l l e ng e s . Andba s e dont hee pi s ode st ha tha v ea i r e d,Ande r s ons a i dt hec hi l i c ompe t i t i onwa shi sha r de s ta ndt oug he s tc ha l l e ng e . “Ij us tdon ’ tl i kec hi l i , ”hes a i d.“ AndI ’ ma g a i ns ta l lt he s epe opl e …l i keTe xa ns ,whoc ooki ta l lt het i me . ”Pl ust he ywe r ef e e di nga c r owd,notj us tt het hr e ej udg e s . Ande r s oni ss wor nt os e c r e c ya boutt her e s ul t soft hes how– r e c or de de a r l i e rt hi sy e a r–buts a i dt he r ea r es omema j orc ha l l e ng e st o c omewi t ht hr e emor ee pi s ode sr e ma i ni ngt obea i r e dont heFood Ne t wor ki nt he10s hows e r i e s . Hi sf a v or i t ei t e m heha spr e pa r e ds of a r ?As t uf f e d t oma t o ,Ande r s ons a i d.Ta s ke dwi t hma ki ngas i dedi s h f ort ha tpa r t i c ul a re pi s ode ,Ande r s ons a i dj udg eBr ooke wa shi g hl ys ke pt i c a la ndt houg hti twa sas i l l yt hi ngt o ma kei naba r be c uec ompe t i t i on.“Sot he r e ’ sal otof
TheSt uf f e dToma t oa ppe a r e da sas pe c i a la tMi l l wr i g ht ’ st he we e ka f t e rt hee pi s odea i r e d,a nde a c hwe e khe ’ sbe e ns e r vi ngadi s h ort wof r om e a c he pi s odea sas pe c i a l . Be e t“Pa s t r a mi ”–av e g a ndi s ht ha ti sl i t e r a l l ybe e t st r e a t e dl i ke pa s t r a mia ndwa soneofAnde r s on ’ ss hi ni ngmome nt si nt he“Root Ve g e t a bl e sGoneWi l d”c ha l l e ng edur i ngt hes e v e nt he pi s odet ha t a i r e dJ ul y6–wa sadi s hAnde r s oni nt r oduc e da tTheCook&The Be a r .I tha sa l r e a dybe e nape r ma ne ntf i xt ur eont heTa Queme nu a ndi sa l s oas pe c i a la tMi l l wr i g ht ’ st hi swe e k.Hes a i dhei ni t i a l l yg ot t hei ns pi r a t i ononeda ywhe nhewa swe a r i ngg l ov e st oc utbe e t s ,j us t l i kehewoul df orapi e c eofme a t . I na ddi t i ont oMi l l wr i g ht ’ sa ndTa Que ,Ande r s onc ur r e nt l yowns Or eHi l la ndSwyf ti nKe nt ,CT.Butnoma t t e rhow“BBQBr a wl ” e nds ,owni ngaba r be c uer e s t a ur a nti ss t i l la monghi sdr e a ms . “Ide f i ni t e l ywa ntt oope na not he rba r be c uer e s t a ur a nt , ”hes a i d. Ta Quei sa l r e a dy“mor ea boutt heba r be c uet ha nt het a c os , ”hes a i d, awa yt ous et heme a tt ha t ’ snotj us tbe i ngs l i c e dt obes e r v e dona pl a t e ,buthewoul dl i ket of ur t he re xpa ndt hec onc e pt .“I twi l l de f i ni t e l yha v eaSout he r nCa l i f or ni a ,Ba j aCa l i f or ni at wi s t . ” Al s o ,ba r be c uei s“nota l wa ysba df ory ou, ”Ande r s ons a i d,a nd hewi l lpl a nt oof f e rpl e nt yofl e a nme a t sa ndv e g e t a bl e sa tt hef ut ur e r e s t a ur a nt . Asf orwhe r ea ndwhe n,t ha t ’ snoty e tde t e r mi ne d.“I ’ ml ooki ng i nWe s tHa r t f or df i r s t .Tha t ’ swhe r eIl i v e , ”hes a i d.Buthene e dst obe a bl et oha v eas moke ra ndwa nt st os mokewi t hr e a lwood,s ohec a n ’ t ber i g hti nt hemi ddl eofar e s i de nt i a la r e a .
hubbuba bout ,‘ Oh,Tyl e r ’ sma ki ngas t uf f e dt oma t o…’
Anda sf or“BBQBr a wl , ”i tc a nbes e e nont heFoodNe t wor kon
butIl ov ewor ki ngwi t hv e g e t a bl e s .It hi nkv e g e t a bl e sa r e
Sunda ysa t9p . m. ,a nds t r e a mst hene xtda yonMAXwhe r ey ouc a n
ha r de rt oc ookt ha nme a t .… a nds oIt hi nkI ’ mt hemos t
c a t c ht hes e v e na l r e a dya i r e de pi s ode s .Formor eont hi ss e a s onvi s i t
pr oudoft ha tdi s hbe c a us eIwa sa bl et os howt hej udg e s
FoodNe t wor k. c om a ndFoodNe t wor k’ ss oc i a lpl a t f or msa swe l la s
t ha te v e nas t uf f e dt oma t oi naba r be c uec ompe t i t i onc a n
t heChe fTyl e rAnde r s onI ns t a gr a m.
bede l i c i ous . ” The“St uf f e dToma t o”( s moke dont hegr i l la nds t uf f e dwi t h z uc c hi ni ,mi nt ,pa r me s a nc he e s e ,a ndc a r a me l i z e doni ons )wa sdur i ng t he“Boug i eBBQ”c ha l l e ng ei nt hes e c onde pi s ode–a ndAnde r s on
Ada pt e df r om a na r t i c l ewr i t t e nby RonniNe wt own,Ma na g i ngEdi t or ,we ha . c om
Ronni Ne wt on Ma na gi ngE di t ora tWe Ha . c om
a dmi t t e dt het he mewa s“r i g htupmya l l e y . ”
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
| 29
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 3 0 | VoL.1
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
| 31
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 3 2 | VoL.1
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
| 33
WOMEN' SF ASHI ON
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 3 4 | VoL.1
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
| 35
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 3 6 | VoL.1
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
| 37
WESTHARTFORD,CT— TheBe nc hMa r k2025out doora r t e xhi bi t ,apopul a rc ol l e c t i onofde c or a t e dbe nc he sbyl oc a la r t i s t s ,ha s
TheBe nc hMa r k2025e xhi bi ti spr oduc e dby2020MEDI Aa nd i sma depos s i bl et hr oug ht hes uppor tofi t ss pons or sa nda r t i s t s .
f i ni s he di t ss e c ondpha s ei nBl ue ba c kSqua r e !Fol l owi ngs uc c e s s f ul s howi ng si nBi s hopsCor ne ra nda tt heUni v e r s i t yofSt .J os e ph' s Sha ke s pe a r eFe s t i v a l ,t hebe nc he sma det heda yofma nypa s s e r sby a r oundt heNoa hWe bs t e rSt a t ueonSout hMa i nSt r e e ta ndt hes t a g e a r e aonI s ha m Roa d.Ma nyas e l f i ewe r et a ke n,a ndc ha t swe r eha d whi l es i t t i ngona nde nj oyi ngt heuni quewor ksofa r t ! Thebe a ut i f ul l ypa i nt e dbe nc he sa r et her e s ul tofac ol l a bor a t i on be t we e nt a l e nt e dl oc a la r t i s t sa ndg e ne r ouss pons or s .Thi sy e a r ,t he We s tHa r t f or dCha mbe rofComme r c ei st hebe ne f i c i a r yofa l l f undr a i s i nge f f or t s .Dona t i onsc a nbema dedi r e c t l yt ot heCha mbe r bys c a nni ngt heQRc odeone a c hbe nc h.
SPONSOR: Ha r t f or dHe a l t hCa r e ARTI ST: Ha r t f or dHe a l t hCa r e BENEFI CI ARY: We s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c e SPONSOR: Li b e r t yBa nk ARTI ST: Ke l l yKe l l y BENEFI CI ARY: We s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c e SPONSOR: Udol fPr ope r t i e s ARTI ST: Sa m Fe r r i BENEFI CI ARY: We s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c e SPONSOR: La r s e nAc eHa r d wa r e ARTI ST: Ke l l yKe l l y BENEFI CI ARY: We s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c e SPONSOR: Pe opl e ’ sBa nk ARTI ST: Ke l l yKe l l y BENEFI CI ARY: We s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c e
Wec oul dnotbemor et hr i l l e dwi t ht hef e e dba c kf r om t heGr e a t e r We s tHa r t f or dpubl i c .Whi l et hebe nc he sa r eone of a ki ndwor ksof a r t ,t he ywe r eme a ntt obeus e da nde nj oy e dbya l l .I ts e e mst ha tt ha t i se xa c t l ywha tha ppe ne d!
SPONSOR: Rob i nGe b r i a n, Wi l l i a m Ra v e i sRe a l Es t a t e ARTI ST: Mi c he l l eLe s t r ud, Uni v e r s i t yofSt . J os e phGe ng r a sCe nt e r BENEFI CI ARY: We s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c e SPONSOR: NBTBa nk ARTI ST: Sa m Fe r r i BENEFI CI ARY: We s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c e
St a yt une df orde t a i l sont heBe nc hMa r k2025Auc t i on.Youwi l l
SPONSOR: Ne wBr i t a i nMus e um ofAr t
bea bl et obi dont he s ebe a ut i f ulbe nc he s ,wi t ha l lf undsr a i s e dg oi ng
ARTI ST: Sa m Fe r r i
di r e c t l yt ot heWe s tHa r t f or dCha mbe rofComme r c e .Thea uc t i on
BENEFI CI ARY: We s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c e
wi l le ndont hee v e ni ngofMonda yNov e mbe r17t ha tt heBe s tof We s tHa r t f or dAwa r dsa ndDa nc i ngwi t ht heSt a r sc e l e br a t i on!Thi s
SPONSOR: She e ha nHi l b or nBr e e nFune r a l Home ARTI ST: La ur e nCa s t r o , Ar tTe a c he r , CRECMont e s s or i Ma g ne tSc hool BENEFI CI ARY: We s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c e
e v e ntwi l lbehe l da tBa c kNi neTa v e r na tSt a nl e yGol fCour s e .Se e pa g eXXf orde t a i l s !
SPONSOR: We s t f i e l dBa nk ARTI ST: Ke l l yKe l l y BENEFI CI ARY: We s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c e
SPONSOR: Mode r nTi r e/Fr e nc hCl e a ne r s ARTI ST: Ke l l yKe l l y BENEFI CI ARY: We s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c e
SPONSOR: GYLFi na nc i a l Sy ne r g i e s , ARTI ST: Ke l l yKe l l y BENEFI CI ARY: We s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c e
SPONSOR: we ha . c om, J e wi s hLe dg e r , We s tHa r t f or dMa g a z i ne , 2 0 2 0MEDI A, Podc a s t , BOWH, DWS , We HaHA. ARTI ST: Ke l l yKe l l y BENEFI CI ARY: We s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c e
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 3 8 | VoL.1
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
| 39
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 40 | VoL.1
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
| 41
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 42 | VoL.1
VoL.1 4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne
| 43
4,No. 8,2025 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 44 | VoL.1