Go Local | December 2017

December 2017 Volume 4 . Issue 1 golocalmagazines.com

santa suffield homeland tradition handcrafted for the holidays

2 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2017

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new this month DECEMBER 2017 . VOLUME 4 . ISSUE 1

SANTA SUFFIELD

IS COMING TO TOWN We all know him - the jolliest rock star of the holiday season - good old St. Nick. Dressed in red bearing a kind smile and warm heart, Santa represents genuine love, magic, and generosity. He encourages us to be kind, teaching that there are few things that bring more joy than the act of benevolent giving; he invites us to believe in something greater than ourselves.

FEATURE STORY >> 19

6

A NOTE

11

HANDCRAFTED HOLIDAYS

8

GO ON, YOUR SAY

15

LOCAL PICKS

From the Editor 15 Minutes of Fame

The Inspiration Station

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 3

new this month

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DECEMBER 2017 . VOLUME 4 . ISSUE 1

17

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

19

SANTA SUFFIELD

25

HOMELAND TRADITION

28

GO EAT

31

COOKIE CORNER

34

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

37

local einstein

38

local countdown

28

Frosted

Is Coming to Town

Scandinavian Gift Shop

31

Holiday Coffees Pete’s Sweets

In Good Light

Put Your Thinking Caps On 7 Stops for Festive Treats

local SNAPSHOT In Good Light

34 >>

25 local picks Wood Turned Bowls, Aerial Meditation and Gourmet Gift Baskets

<< 15

4 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2017

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My first gift arrived the day after Thanksgiving, a brand new turntable to cue up the holiday season. I immediately began to rediscover my collection, an amalgam of inherited vinyl with hidden memories entrenched in each cardboard jacket. It’s been years since I have lowered the stylus on these oldies but goodies and their revival served as a tactile connection to so many celebrations before. I began with my all-time favorite, Bing Crosby’s “Merry Christmas” a 10-piece Decca record set released in 1945. I placed “White Christmas” on the platter first, as the tonearm made its way from the outer rim as each tick, pop and scratch served as a nostalgic musical journey.

For a long time, I found the holiday season to be exasperating, a month-long sentence celebrating forced-giving, over-consumption and congestion - I somehow taught myself to get worked up about the whole thing. Once I separated myself from the commercial nature of the season, stopped imagining a perfect holiday and quit comparing Christmas present to Christmas past, I was once again filled with joy. I navigate Christmas marketing cautiously, remembering to focus on what truly does make this the “most wonderful time of the year.” For me, it’s meeting folks like the “Friends of Suffield” who volunteer as Santa’s helpers, spreading cheer through organizing personalized home visits from St. Nick himself. People like Siv Harvey who owns the Scandinavian Gift Shop in Ellington - serve as a beautiful reminder of the beauty in tradition and we stopped by her special store to discover something new. Presents made with love are the best kind. In Stafford, we discovered the art and sentiment of handmade gift giving at The Inspiration Station and then traveled to East Longmeadow to bake holiday treats at Pete’s Sweets.

With the “Andy Williams Christmas Album” playing, I excavated my storage boxes from the basement, each tote filled with memorable holiday keepsakes. Like my record collection, this curated collection came from my parents, grandparents and various loved ones. These mostly-old (and sometimes ugly) decorations share a memory as I hang each sentimental ornament that is symbolic of the holiday season. I cherish them all - even my grandma’s creepy vintage Santa figurines - because I feel like the keeper of my family history, the story keeper. I remember whose ornament was whose and the near lore of each object. But with them, each year there’s a new story to tell as I perpetually add to the menagerie of my holiday hangables; it’s the process of remembering my endings and celebrating new beginnings.

Somewhere in the whirlwind of crazy, make room for the magic this year, embracing the days ahead as a wonderful keepsake that you’ll take with you from year to year. However you celebrate this season, I hope your days are filled with simplistic joys that spark warm memories.

17

6 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2017

WILBRAHAM

EAST LONGMEADOW

AGAWAM

LONGMEADOW Route 190

Route 190

SUFFIELD

HAMPDEN

Route 190

SOMERS ENFIELD

EAST WINDSOR

Route 190

STAFFORD SPRINGS

ELLINGTON

A CREATION OF

amber wakley is the editor of Go Local Magazine and is celebrating a three-year milestone of finding upbeat stories and uncovering hidden gems to feature in Go Local Magazine!

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 7

your say

BECAUSE EVERYONE DESERVES THEIR 15 MINUTES OF FAME

Electrician

GARY

ERIC Pipe Fitter

AMY Designer & Reiki Master

JOE Server

MARTY Entrepreneur

DAN Arborist

Which TV special cannot be missed this time of year?

They can all be missed...

I could miss them all.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

A Christmas Story

A Charlie Brown Christmas

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

If you could record a holiday duet with any singer, who would it be?

Alison Krauss

Lemmy Kilmister

With my friend, Miss Mona Moon

Pink

Nat King Cole

Pink, with an ugly sweater and all

Anyone who knows me knows I love _______.

Festivals

Pork

The universe!

Food

Mimosas and music

John Deere tractors

What’s one thing you can’t have too many of?

Friends

Tacos

Hugs

Time

Spare cheater glasses and good friends.

Pasta, I love pasta

The Taylors, from The Andy Griffith Show

The Tanner Family from Full House, it would be hilarious to hang with Joey and Uncle Jesse.

If you could The Bunkers spend the holifrom days with any All in the Family TV family, which would it be?

Scale of 1-10, how naughty or nice have you been this year

8...and it’s killing me.

(10 being nice)

The Griffins from The Gaines Family The Arnolds from Family Guy from Fixer Upper The Wonder Years

I don’t believe in sin, so I have to go 10. I have been with 100% nice. very nice this year!

Send gifts to P.O. Box….

Which holiday BING fries are song drives done, BING fries are done… you nuts?

“Jingle Bells” with the barking dogs.

If you were Sam’s Octoberfest Santa, what and (a lot of ) food & drink chocolate chip would you want cookies left for you?

White chocolate and anything made by Coke or Pepsi

8 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2017

“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.”

Guacamole and tortilla chips

7

“Santa Baby”

Pie and chocolate milk

6-7 on the nice end, but if Santa Right smack in the middle - 5. is watching, a ten all the way.

“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” it gets stuck in my head for days.

“All I Want for Christmas is You,”

by Mariah Carey

Pizza and mimosas

Not pasta, I would make a mess of the suit, so peanut butter cookies and ginger beer.

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10 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2017

Handcrafted

for the

Holidays

at The Inspiration Station ! FRANCEEN MUNSON  JACQUELINE M. SIDOR, JMS ART & PHOTO

(L-R): LUCY HERRERA, ANA DIAZ, JOSE DIAZ, EVELYN DIAZ, KANE DIAZ AND GUSTAVO DIAZ

W

ith the holiday season upon us, our thoughts turn to making new memories, preserving the old, and perhaps handcrafting the perfect keepsake, card, or gift for family and friends. Or maybe this time of year just makes you feel crafty, and you’d like to finally try the Pinterest idea you saw. What better way to express friendship, honor family bonds, and spread joy than by making a gift by hand?

At The Inspiration Station in Stafford, CT. there is no shortage of crafting ideas and supplies to get you started and send you on your merry maker’s adventure. Located within yards of the historic train depot in downtown Stafford, the craft supply store is aptly named, and brims with festive project ideas and a knowledgeable staff.

Once you walk through the doors of the cheerful red, white and yellow Victorian building tucked away on Furnace Avenue, you will enter a veritable hive of activity, creativity, and, as its name implies, inspiration. Not unlike Santa’s Workshop at this time of year, with its impressive array of products arranged on shelves, bright displays, and light-filled workroom where classes

and workshops are held, the store is stocked and waiting to help you create! Debby, the owner and friendly proprietress, can easily confirm that impression, bustling from customer to customer dispensing help, tips, craft wisdom, motivation, and helping folks find the perfect product for their holiday projects. Whether you are a seasoned crafter or beginner, all skill levels and ages are respected and honored. Business is conducted with the kind of optimistic, positive enthusiasm one would expect in that hallowed location. In our computer-saturated age it is a comforting change to step into such a welcoming environment, where emphasis is joyfully placed on the handcrafted, the time-honored, and the heartfelt.

Started in 1992, Debby opened her first shop as an antidote to an ever-growing hoard of crafting supplies for her projects, and from the oft-repeated joke from friends and family that “you should open a store you have so many supplies!” Frustration with the difficulty in locating crafting supplies at the time also influenced her decision to open her own store. Back then, online shopping was not available.

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 11

Starting out as a bead shop in 2002, her business rapidly grew to include stamping and scrapbooking, and was a resounding success from day one. She outgrew her original location quickly, and realized at that point that crafters and makers wanted a LOT more product! Debby rose to the occasion, moving to a larger space on West Stafford Rd. to accommodate her burgeoning business and popular classes.

Eventually, even this space proved too small, and that’s when she looked at and bought the property that now houses The Inspiration Station - 13 Furnace Ave. When she first laid eyes on the 100 year old building that has been home to her business for 14 years, she had the ability to see the historic structure’s inherent potential. It had room for inventory, classes, and expansion, and was blessed with plenty of easy parking.

The shop in its present incarnation has evolved into a primarily paper crafts supplier, with customers coming from far and wide.

One can find everything related to the paper arts, from Zentangle items, specialty markers, papers (oh, the papers!) for every season & occasion, hard to find stamping supplies, stickers, stencils, sparkly papers, cards, pens, inks, how-to books, journals, archival quality items, and so much more.

It’s as much a treasure trove for the dedicated crafter as it is for the casual walk-in, with samples of imaginative works displayed around the walls, and inspiration beckoning from every corner. If you are looking to craft something to mark a special occasion, such as a wedding, birth, anniversary, achievement, birthday, or simply to make seasonal projects, there is a class and supplies waiting to meet your needs. Debby loves helping to preserve and pass on cherished memories & life experiences, and is happy to brainstorm about a project or approach. She offers classes in scrapbooking, card making, rubber stamping, art journaling, mixed media collage, and seasonal workshops, with an ever changing roster of instructors and new techniques.

The Inspiration Station has proven to be a local, womanowned success story, and a small business with staying power- no small feat in our Big Box, fast paced world.

If you ask Debby what her favorite craft or medium is, she’ll reply thoughtfully, “I don’t really have a favorite - I love it all!

I love working with color, bottom line!” She will also tell you about how she loves bringing people together and inspiring them. She wishes to provide an experience for people, one where they can walk in, and feel enabled to create. She would like her customers to be able to say, “I can do that!” or “I want to try that!” With her store she has the gratifying ability to provide the supplies, classes, and inspiration for people to go out and craft something on their own.

Typically, from August through December the emphasis in this cozy emporium of the creative is on holiday cards, gifts, 12 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2017

13 FURNACE AVENUE . STAFFORD SPRINGS, CT THE-INSPIRATION-STATION.COM . (860) 684-2641

and seasonal creations. Most of Debby’s loyal customers are women, empty nesters and retirees from out of town who know they can find just what is needed for various projects. The shop has become somewhat of a destination, with people traveling from all over the state to attend a workshop, class, or shop. On the day we visited, a woman had travelled all the way from East Lyme, proclaiming as she left “Bless your shop!,” clearly exhibiting the kind of relationship-building quality that only a small, local store can foster. And indeed, it’s the very thing Debby values the most about owning her own business, and what makes it so rewarding. Loyal customer testimonials range from “worth the trip from anywhere,” “best scrapbook store in CT!,” “ they always have the newest products,” to “I’m always learning something new when I go there.” It is true that once you visit, you will want to return again and again.

When pressed about what she likes best, she answers unhesitatingly, “The people and my workers...and the camaraderie of other crafters. We laugh when we talk about the universal phenomenon known as the “craft hoarder” or “yarn hoarder” for knitters - they all share one thing, which is the love of a craft, and working with one’s hands.”

She cites local support, and partnering with the community in

her list of favorites also. Debby explains how students from St. Edward’s School would come down to work on the art and lettering for their Science and Social Studies fairs. She loved collaborating, inspiring the students to create something on their own, and coming up with design solutions with them. It’s easy to feel at ease, given Debby’s engaging, down to earth, and genuine personality. It’s also easy to see that she sincerely loves her job!

Perhaps that is why her customers return, and forge meaningful bonds of friendship and support with her. The tragic loss of Debby’s beloved son Adam a few years ago brought forth a wave of compassion and concern from customers and townspeople. She thoughtfully remarks that it was all the kindness and care that carried her through an extremely difficult time.

Other mothers who had lost a child would stop in to commiserate, grieve, share stories, and comfort her. Her personal tragedy was shared, and she felt the love from countless customers who came to her side during that time.

One can not underestimate the value of a small business, where community-building happens on a daily basis. This holiday season, drop in to The Inspiration Station - you never know what new crafting adventure you might embark upon after visiting, and the creativity train is always ready to roll!

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 13

Bob and Marianne Foote BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 • 9:30AM & 11AM (Reservations Required)

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go local picks

COOL STUFF JUST OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR

GOURMET GIFT BASKET FRIGO’S GOURMET FOODS • 159 SHAKER ROAD • EAST LONGMEADOW, MA 413-525-9400 • FRIGOFOODS.COM

Frigo’s is a small family run business in downtown Springfield and East Longmeadow, MA, offering catering services, gourmet food and gift baskets since 1950. Here, you will find unique imported groceries and a vast array of prepared foods of outstanding quality. In addition to some of the best sandwiches around, Frigo’s creates beautiful gift baskets, with the finest selection of cheeses, wines, pates, imported pastas, olive oils, meats, aged balsamic vinegars and much more. With a variety of themes to choose from - like appetizers, coffee & tea, fruit and Italy gourmet - this local landmark not only makes gift giving easy, but memorable.

TEA & AERIAL MEDITATION ACTIVE LIFESTYLE FITNESS • 168 ELM STREET • AGAWAM, MA (413) 519-9641 • ACTIVELIFESTYLEFITNESS.COM

Give yourself the gift of a restful retreat and discover the anti-gravity movement. Explore mindful meditation as you float weightlessly in an aerial hammock, releasing mental and physical stress from the week. Reduce blood pressure, stress, and improve sleep. You will be guided through the practice, using techniques that take you into a “dream-like” state, while still fully awake. The multi-sensory escape is part of a well-rounded schedule of group and personal training sessions, all aimed to help participants realize fitness and personal potential. Space is limited and advance sign up is required. Classes held on December 8 at 6:00 pm and December 17 at 6:00 pm. $15 registration fee includes tea and snacks - sign up online!

HANDCRAFTED HOME ESSENTIALS GOOD & KNOTTY • STAFFORD, CT (860) 634-1119 • FACEBOOK.COM/GOODANDKNOTTY

Nestled in the quiet hills of Stafford, Rob Miltimore is hard at work in his woodshed, turning out beautiful, handcrafted pieces from locally sourced, upcycled wood. Using black birch, ambrosia maple, and cherry (and more), he creates beautiful home furnishings, decorated bowls and kitchen essentials. Both functional and decorative, gorgeous grains make each piece distinctly unique.

The handmade, sustainable line includes veggie peelers, pizza slicers, bottle openers, bowls, ice cream scoops, wine stops and more.

Rob will be selling his wares at area markets this month, including Stafford’s Arts on Main on Dec. 8 and Stafford WinterFest on Dec. 9. Follow him on Facebook for updates!

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 15

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 JACQUELINE M. SIDOR, JMS ART & PHOTO

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GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 17

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1ST ROW (L-R) LESLIE MARX, SANTA & STEPHANIE DOLAN 2ND ROW (L-R) BECKY TOBIASZ & KATHERINE LEE

! AMBER WAKLEY  J ACQUELINE M. SIDOR, JMS ART & PHOTO

e all know him - the jolliest rock star of the holiday season - good old St. Nick. Dressed in red bearing a kind smile and warm heart, Santa represents genuine love, magic, and generosity. He encourages us to be kind, teaching that there are few things that bring more joy than the act of benevolent giving; he invites us to believe in something greater than ourselves.

In Suffield, there’s a group of “Santa’s Helpers” that have realized this very joy. Supplied with highlighters, folding maps and the spirit of the season, Stephanie Dolan, Leslie Marx, Becky Tobiasz and GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 25 19

Katherine Lee are hard at work to carry on one of their town’s most beloved holiday traditions. Like a sports team huddled in a tight circle to strategize their next play, the group is focused and deliberate - after all, they have a very important job to complete.

As members of Friends of Suffield (FOS) - a volunteer non-profit organization committed to enriching Suffield and giving back to the community - they are entrusted with chauffeuring “Santa Suffield” around the community to visit the town’s youngest residents. As a precursor to Christmas, these personalized visits are a longstanding custom and for nearly two decades the group has welcomed Saint Nick to the community in early December.

“While Santa’s reindeer graze in the open fields of West Suffield, he trades in his sleigh for the weekend and we all take turns driv-

ing him to visit the children of Suffield,” says Katherine with a cheerful smile. “When you see these kids, it’s worth everything.”

Organizing Santa’s schedule for the second weekend in December is no easy task - not surprising they received a lot of requests. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the group posts a “Santa sign up” to their website. Suffield families are invited to fill out the form (first come, first served basis), indicating a day and time preference for Santa to make an in-home visit between December 8 - 10. The group says “reservations are processed at the North Pole and then returned to FOS for scheduling.”

That’s what the ladies are doing today, filing the hundreds of forms that each represent an eager family in the community.

One by one they sift through the pile, creating a practical schedule based on geographic location and time requests. Beautiful, historic and HUGE, the Town of Suffield sprawls over nearly 43 square miles of land - organizing a cohesive route is a challenging assignment. But like Santa Claus himself, his helpers never disappoint.

They spend weeks preparing, not just filing request forms, but also creating profiles for individual stops. Each visit is personalized and Santa is “briefed” before each home to learn the names and ages of children who enthusiastically await his arrival. Each stop is different, some homes schedule visits as part of a large party whereas other residents could use the time for a quiet photo op with their newborn. In a quieter setting, Santa Suffield in-home visits have also been a wonderful opportunity for children with special needs or sensory processing disorders. The

absence of long lines, loud crowds, and frenzied energy helps all families to experience the traditions of the season in their own way.

Like an assembly line, the ladies begin to make reindeer food for the upcoming season. As each scoops oats, glitter, and peppermint into individual bags, they begin to reminisce - smiling - about when Santa Suffield visited their own homes.

“My kids grew up having Santa Suffield come to our house,” says Becky. “They would practically jump out of their skin; it was such a wonderful milestone in their lives and for the families we visit.

Now it’s my turn and I get to walk in with Santa - and it feels pretty cool to know him.”

“There are pancake breakfasts and trips to the mall, but to have Santa actually come visit your home before Christmas is totally awesome,” says Katherine.

“We always had Santa visit prior to Christmas,” says Leslie. “This

is such an ingrained tradition and with all the things going on in the world it’s nice to focus on something positive - we’re helping to make happiness - and that’s a great feeling.”

“It’s my favorite thing to do. When you walk into the house and see how excited the kids get it’s amazing. I just love it,” says Stephanie.

Their purpose is pure, to simply spread joy and help facilitate meaningful holiday memories. While the program is free, they do graciously accept donations, all of which help support the FOS mission of bringing the community together to help those in need - something the organization has been doing for nearly 50 years. Funds from each of their annual events are given to groups and projects that benefit the Suffield community in the form of grants. Their signature event, Suffield on the Green, is held in September, which brings together community groups and businesses while featuring food vendors, a craft fair, bands, and GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 21

entertainment. In February they celebrate Valentine’s Day with local seniors and in the spring FOS hosts an egg hunt for local families. No matter what the event, their ambition is to distribute funds back to the town. Their recipients are vast, with grants to organizations like the Kent Memorial Library Summer Reading Program, Scouting clubs, Friends of Hilltop Farm, Emergency Aid Association, and numerous sports teams (the list goes on).

Above all, the FOS is a close-knit group of residents, who have created meaningful bonds perpetuated through the power of giving. And while these are just four of the dozen members who participate in FOS, their positive energy is strong, created out of a close friendship and a love for their town.

“I love the feeling of giving back to people,” says Stephanie. “After many of our events we’re all exhausted - it’s a lot of work, but it’s so worth it.”

“It’s very rewarding, not to mention I have met my forever friends here,” adds Leslie.

Much like Santa Claus - the man of the month - Friends of Suffield represent what’s good in our world. They enhance the fun, are genuine and selflessly give to others. Their camaraderie is palpable.

22 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2017

“Friends of Suffield is a group of people that have the interest to help and are rewarded with the feelings associated with giving back,” explains Becky. “That’s the type of people who join and that’s why I’m a member.”

If you’re interested in joining Friends of Suffield volunteer group (or are a Suffield resident interested in Santa visits for next year) visit friendsofsuffield.org or facebook.com/FriendsOfSuffield

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I

f you’ve ever driven down Route 140 near the Ellington town green, chances are you’ve passed The Scandinavian Gift Shop. Marked by the traditional orange-red painted Swedish horse out front, this shop has served as a gateway to Scandinavia since February 1964 when Siv Harvey first opened it.

In the late 1950s, Siv moved from Sweden to Somersville where she worked as a nanny for seven children. She married and moved to Ellington a couple of years later. She and her husband used to do their grocery shopping at a market that was located in the Ellington Center Plaza. One day, the owner of the market told the Harveys that there was a retail opening at the other end of the plaza and suggested that Siv open a gift shop. She said, “Sure, why not?” and The Scandinavian Gift Shop was born.

Siv ran the shop at that spot for 31 years, adding on to the space twice before deciding to retire. This break from work lasted only a few months, as Siv says, “Once you have that retail blood in your veins, retirement just isn’t for you.” She applied to the town for permission to re-open the shop in her home on Route 140 and has been running it there, across the street from the original location, ever since. The shop specializes in Scandinavian imports, from various interesting foods one would find on a typical smorgasbord to figurines, linens, porcelain, crystal, jewelry, books, clothing and more. While The Scandinavian Gift Shop is open throughout the year, Siv says the holidays are her busiest time.

Year after year, customers come from all over, she says, “traveling far to come get their foods, ornaments and gifts” for the GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 25

holidays.

Here, the holiday season officially begins the Saturday after Thanksgiving, also known as Small Business Saturday, when Siv holds her annual holiday open house. For Siv, this includes borrowing a favorite tradition from her homeland in the form of a visit from Saint Lucia. In Sweden, the holiday season begins with a ceremony honoring Saint Lucia, a martyr whose goal was to spread light through the dark days of the Arctic winter. During the solstice celebration, the oldest daughter from each family dresses as the saint in a red-sashed white gown and wears a crown of evergreens with tall candles attached to it. She wakes her parents with a breakfast of hot coffee and Lucia buns, sweet buns made with saffron, then walks with other similarly-dressed girls through the neighborhood singing songs about dispelling the darkness.

During this time of year, the streets of Sweden are awash in decorations and lights, and families decorate their holiday trees with straw ornaments and small, Santa-like gnomes wearing tall, pointy red caps. Homes fill with the scent of pepparkakor baking in the oven; these are gingerbread biscuits that are often served with farmers cheese or dipped in glogg, or mulled spiced port wine. Coffee and cardamom breads are popular Swedish treats during this time, and LuAnn Hoffman of LuAnnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bakery, also in Ellington, makes her delicious versions of these breads for Siv to sell at the shop.

Christmas Eve is the culmination of the Scandinavian holiday season. On this night, families gather around a buffet table groaning with holiday foods. This is the holiday julbord, the Christmas version

26 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2017

of a smorgasbord. At the center is a glazed ham and that is surrounded by seasonal side dishes like pickled herring, beets, baked beans, a variety of breads and a dish called Jansson’s Temptation which consists of scalloped potatoes studded with Swedish anchovies. Swedish meatballs are a must, and these are served with lingonberries, which Siv says are also good on Swedish pancakes and poultry dishes. She praises their health properties as well, and adds, “Once you get used to lingonberries, you don’t go back to cranberries.” Another customary dish is the infamous lutefisk, cod that is caught in the summertime, cleaned, deboned and dried, then treated and cured with lye and boiled. Siv carries a frozen version at the shop. She says she herself loves it but adds, “There are very few people that will eat it.”

After dinner, there are lots of sweets to be gobbled up, but a traditional favorite is rice porridge. A blanched almond is hidden inside one serving of this cinnamon-spiced dessert. Whoever finds the almond is blessed with the extra gift of a pig made of pink marzipan and good luck in the year to come. After dessert, Santa visits and it is time to open gifts such as Royal Copenhagen collectible Christmas plates, jewelry, and crystal ornaments.

Another typical gift is the Dala horse, the painted wooden horse that has become a symbol of Sweden, which comes in varying sizes and colors and also brings good luck to the recipient.

Through all of these imported foods and goods she sells, Siv Harvey is able to maintain her Scandinavian roots and share them with others. Her gift shop is a special place where you can

purchase unique gifts for loved ones or discover something new for yourself at any time of the year. However, a visit during the holidays would certainly help you carry on your own Scandinavian holiday traditions or perhaps inspire you to start some new ones. Either way, with Siv’s help, you’re sure to find something here to make it a “God Jul!” (which is Swedish for “Merry Christmas”).

The Scandinavian Gift Shop is located at 99 Maple Street, also known as Route 140, in Ellington. Holiday hours (November and December) are from Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sunday, in December only, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Cash or check only; no credit or debit cards are accepted. Call 860.872.0273 for more information and for regular, non-holiday hours.

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 27

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SNICKERDOODLES Yield: About 24 INGREDIENTS: 1 cup butter softened 1½ cups granulated sugar 2 eggs 1 tbsp. vanilla extract 2¾ cups all purpose flour 1 tsp. cream of tartar 1 tsp. corn starch 1 tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. cinnamon ROLLING SUGAR ¼ cup sugar 2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1) Sift together flour, cream of tartar, corn starch, baking soda, salt and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and set aside. 2) In a mixer combine sugar and butter and cream until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, stopping to scrape down the bowl between each addition. Add vanilla. 3) Slowly add the dry ingredients to the sugar mixture. Scoop dough into 1-2 inch balls and drop into rolling sugar blend. 4) Place dough balls 1-2 inches apart onto a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes at 3500 or until lightly golden in the cracks of the cookie.

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 31

CLASSIC ROYAL ICING INGREDIENTS: 2 lbs. confectioner’s sugar 5 tbsp. meringue powder 2-3 tsp. oil-free extract ½ - ¾ cups warm water HOW YOU’LL MAKE IT: 1) In a mixing bowl, gently mix the sugar and meringue powder. 2) With the mixer on its lowest setting slowly add the flavoring and ½ the water to the dry ingredients.

As the water is added, the icing will become thick and lumpy. 3) Continue to add the remaining water (this may or may not be the entire amount) until the mixture reaches a thick, honey-like consistency. At this point, turn the mixer to medium speed and whip 2-4 minutes until the icing is thick and fluffy. Mixing time can vary greatly so watch carefully and stop mixing when the icing is thick enough to form a soft peak.

Yield: Approximately 5 cups of icing GINGERBREAD HOUSE DOUGH INGREDIENTS: 2 cups sugar 2 cups shortening 2 cups molasses 4 eggs 4 tbsp. white vinegar 4 tsp. baking powder 4 tsp. ground ginger 2 tsp. baking soda 2 tsp. salt 2 tsp. ground clove ½ tsp. allspice 10 cups all purpose flour HOW YOU’LL MAKE IT: 1) In a mixing bowl combine sugar and shortening, beat until creamy. 2) Slowly add the molasses, begin to add eggs one at a time, stopping in-between each addition to scrape down the bowl. Add the vinegar. 3) Sift all the dry ingredients and slowly add to the wet mixture. When the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and gathers on the beaters it is the correct consistency (note: more flour may be needed to achieve this). 4) Roll the dough between parchment paper and cut shapes with a sharp knife. 5) Bake until the edges of the shapes look lightly golden brown (the dough should no longer appear shiny in any areas). 6) Cool completely before building structures 7) Use royal icing (consistency should be light and fluffy not thinner than the consistency of honey). 8) To decorate, use royal icing to attach candies, cookies and/or crackers. Dust with a little powdered sugar to give the look of newly fallen snow.

32 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2017

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IN GOOD LIGHT

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TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE - NO GOOGLING!

5

7

THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT WAS STARTED BY ORNITHOLOGIST FRANK M. CHAPMAN IN WHAT YEAR?

[A] Hula Hoop [B] Boomerang

[C] Pogo Stick

[D] Frisbee

[A] 1925 [B] 1900

[C] 1936

[D] 1895

GINGERBREAD HOUSES ORIGINATED IN THE 16TH CENTURY IN WHAT COUNTRY?

EDMUND GWENN WON AN ACADEMY AWARD FOR “BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR” FOR WHAT HOLIDAY FILM?

[A] Germany [B] Austria

[C] Denmark

[D] Luxembourg

[A] It’s A Wonderful Life [B] White Christmas

[C] Miracle on 34th Street

[D] Holiday Inn

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[A] Candles [B] Prayer

[C] Sharing

[D] Lights

[A] [B]

[C]

[D]

WHAT FAMOUS MODERN ART DECO THEATER WAS BUILT DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND OPENED ON DECEMBER 27, 1932?

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[C] Grauman’s Chinese Theater

[D] Radio City Music Hall THE LARGEST SNOWFLAKE EVER RECORDED (MONTANA, 1887) WAS HOW BIG?

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[C] 15 Inches across and 8 inches thick

[D] 10 Inches across and 6 inches thick

8

Kate McCallister Ellen Griswold Mary Hatch Doris Walker

WHICH CHRISTMAS SONG’S SECOND LINE BEGINS WITH “THEY LOOKED UP AND SAW A STAR?”

[A] The First Noel [B] The Little Drummer Boy

[C] I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day

[D] O Christmas Tree

# CORRECT

IQ

RANK

7-9 5-7 2-4 0-1

160 110 50 3

Prodigy Egghead Meh Simpleton

ANSWERS:

1)C 2)B 3)A 4)C 5)D 6)B 7)D 8)A 9)C

3

WHAT TOY WAS PROMOTED BY THE ZIEGFELD FOLLIES GIRLS IN 1920?

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 37

The Final Countdown

7 Stops for Festive Treats ‘Tis the season for festive treats and handcrafted eats!

There’s a lot to love about your local bakery and we hunted down some of the best places to find cookies, pies, freshly baked bread, seasonal goodies, cupcakes, pastries and sweet

confections. So whether you’re looking to grab a quick treat on the way to a holiday happening or stock the table for a gathering, we narrowed the search with these sweet and savory selections to get you in the holiday spirit.

MIDDLE GROUND CAFE

42 MAIN ST. STAFFORD, CT • (860)8518900 • MIDDLEGROUNDCAFE.COM One of Stafford’s most popular meeting places has expanded!

MGC now offers fresh artisan bread, pastries, scones, cookies, specialty desserts and a large assortment of pies to order. Come visit and find out why this little haven has become a favorite spot for many!

LUANN’S BAKERY & CAFE

238 SOMERS ROAD • ELLINGTON, CT (860) 872-8073 • LUANNSBAKERY.COM If there’s one name synonymous with delicious baked goods in Ellington, it’s LuAnn. The bakery offers high quality products like apple crisp, pie, cupcakes, quiche, muffins, cakes, sweet rolls, picnic breads, take and bake entrees, cookies and much more.

GREAT HARVEST BREAD CO.

714 BLISS ROAD • LONGMEADOW, MA (413) 754-3460 • GREATHARVESTLONGMEADOW.COM The most recent and delicious addition to The Longmeadow Shops, this bakery and cafe serves delicious, homemade whole grain breads along with gourmet sandwiches, grain bowls, artisan salads, hard-crusted breads, muffins, scones, cookies and bars.

38 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2017

RUSSO’S BAKERY

739 ENFIELD STREET • ENFIELD, CT (860) 741-7844 • RUSSOSBAKERYCT.COM This well-loved bakery not only has a reputation for friendly service, but also takes the cake in the cannoli department - over 18 varieties!

With cookie platters, pastries, cakes, pizza, soup, bread and more - there’s a whole lot to love behind the glass cases on Route 5.

BALBONI BAKERY

25 KING STREET • AGAWAM, MA (413) 786-4514 Nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood, this modest, but cozy shop is one of Agawam’s most beloved treasures.

Balboni’s has been a longtime tradition known for star bread, breadsticks, homemade pasta, angel wings and more!

RICE FRUIT FARM

757 MAIN STREET • WILBRAHAM, MA (413) 596-4002 • RICEFRUITFARM.COM Satisfy your sweet tooth with a bakery-fresh lineup of famous muffin tops, cider donuts, pies, bagels and more. With a wide selection of local products, produce, and a delicious cafe, this restored WIlbraham landmark is a destination any time of year!

LA FIORENTINA PASTRY SHOP

236 SHAKER ROAD • EAST LONGMEADOW, MA (413) 526-0905 • LAFIORENTINAPASTRY.COM One of three locations, this family run bakery has been serving New England since 1946 with recipes dating back over 100 years. Equally beautiful as delectable, this bakery is home to authentic Italian cookies, traditional seasonal goodies - like marzapane, mostacciolli and rocococakes - pastries, cakes, eclairs and more!

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Cupcake Café Hampden 549 Main Street | Hampden, MA

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Keeping your family comfy year round!

Expires 12/31/17

We Grow Our Own!

Bring in a Non-Perishable Food Item and have Cookies & Cocoa with Santa

Fresh Cut Trees & Live Potted Trees Wreaths • Garland • Holly • Kissing Balls

Don’t Forget Your Camera!

Custom Snow Flocked Trees & Wreaths!

We Carry Kindling & Firewood Gift Cards Available

16acresgardencenter.com

1359 Wilbraham Rd. Springfield, MA (413) 783-5883

Hrs: Mon-Sat 8-6, Sun 8-5

Claws and Paws Pet Salon Where your pet is Family

546 Enfield Street • Enfield, CT clawsandpawspetsalon@yahoo.com

860.265.2390 Call for appointment

We Welcome All Breeds Large and Small – and Your Pampered Ki es!

Call Today! 860-763-2015 or Email customerservice@richs-oil.com Visit our website www.rphac.com 12 MOODY RD, ENFIELD, CT

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS SINCE 1986

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 39

40 GO LOCAL DECEMBER 2017