Go Local | November 2017

November 2017 Volume 3 . Issue 12 golocalmagazines.com

the community cupboard handcrafted gift shop sweet success

2 GO LOCAL November 2017

facebook.com/GoLocalMagazines 

new this month

6

A NOTE

11

sweet success

8

GO ON, YOUR SAY

15

LOCAL PICKS

From the Editor 15 Minutes of Fame

Gerry’s Donuts

Olive Oil

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 3

new this month

17

THE HANDCRAFTED GIFT SHOP

22

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

23

local tails

25

GO EAT

27

community cupboard

31

local picks

33

local einstein

34

local countdown

Oh So Pretties Handcrafted Gifts Belle of the Forest

Eve and Her Chickens Sugar Pumpkin Cheesecake Stafford, CT

Holiday Pies, Knife Holder, Local Author Put Your Thinking Caps On 7 Apps to Sing About

4 GO LOCAL NOVEMBER 2017

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As a kid, I always greeted the arrival of Thanksgiving with boundless anticipation. Years later, those fervent recollections have long but faded and more than ever I relish in these humble traditions. Far beyond an elaborate meal, each year the table is set with nostalgic memories and gratitude for the good in life – a feeling that remains long after the last roll is plucked from the basket.

I’m routinely transported back to my Grandmother’s farm kitchen – a place I’ve surely reminisced about in these pages before. Here, there wasn’t a lot of money or fancy tools, but honest to goodness home cooked love. In preparation for the annual meal, my Gma’s stove was warm long before the rising sun. I remember her sibilant whistle during prepwork, this sort of high-pitched hiss she would match to whatever was crackling from her vintage cassette player. Using her wood burning cook stove, she methodically prepared dishes for our Thanksgiving celebration. Seating provisions were slowly built throughout the morning and dinner arrangements were an amalgam of tables; a chunky drop leaf, softtop card, and folding table all made up the menagerie. It was by no means extravagant, but nonetheless and more so, a well-remembered meal prepared by those who loved me most.

In the days following Thanksgiving I would stay at my grandparents, habitually piling into their boxy Ford LTD to patronize mom-and-pop stores that peppered Northcentral Pennsylvania. The Ben Franklin and Davis Variety stores – my favorites – served as a near endless discovery of seasonal goodies, crafts, housewares, sundries, and jewelry. I was entrenched with affection for visiting Main Street shops and perhaps it’s that fondness that led us to Wilbraham this month. Owned by Sherry Taylor Coulis, Oh So Pretties Handcrafted Gifts serves as a nod to local, independent retail. Nestled in the rustic plaza of the Wilbraham Shops, everything beyond this door is handcrafted and made from regional artists. This November, Sherry is celebrating five years of business and we stopped in to celebrate this authentic gift shopping experience.

In Stafford, Sonia Taylor-Smith is making a positive impact through a self-started Community Family Pantry and we met her on Main Street to discover how she’s assisting local families in need. In Ellington, we tasted sweet success at Gerry’s Donuts, a long-lived (and loved) shop cranking out some of the most amazing homemade confections. We also tracked down some unique “Go Local Picks” for the upcoming holidays, sampled tasty appetizers and got to know one special girl and her chickens.

I was lucky enough to have enjoyed my Grandmother’s company into my 20s. Even though she has passed on, her spirit – among others – are very much a part of my proverbial table. Using a selection of her vintage kitchen utensils and pumpkin roll recipe, I will continue the ritual again this Thanksgiving, a legacy I hope to celebrate for years to come. No matter how modest, the festive season serves as a souvenir for tangible memories and I hope the weeks to come serve as a memento of your own interconnectedness.

Happy Thanksgiving!

22

6 GO LOCAL NOVEMBER 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 Thanksgiving is her favorite meal to cook for others. Even more than the food, she looks forward to a full table of family and friends.

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your say

BECAUSE EVERYONE DESERVES THEIR 15 MINUTES OF FAME

DAN

MADISON Under/Unemployed

MICHAEL Happily Retired

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ARIA Artist

PHOENIX Gymnast

Which Thanksgiving side dish are you digging into first?

Garlic mashed potatoes

Brussels Sprouts

I’m Australian

Deviled eggs

Mashed potatoes with gravy

Pie

What’s one thing you’re thankful for?

Moving to Massachusetts

Friends and family

I live on a beach

Gathering of friends and family

People giving me things in life

My family

Which song should be permanently retired?

“Mony-Mony”

“The Chicken Dance”

Any heavy metal song

“Wagon Wheel”

Anything by Katy Perry

All Justin Bieber songs

White

Yes

White

Dark

White

I don’t eat meat

Disc golf

Looking at the foliage

Walking through the woods

Music

Sleeping

A nap

Wine

Pecan pie

Ice Cream

Pie/cake

Inspector Gadget

Batman

The turkey

None

A pig or unicorn

Fun

Red wine

Friends

Money to donate to charity

Money

Window Washer

White or dark meat?

Getting in shape Favorite fall to shovel snow activity? by raking leaves

What’s your post-fest treat?

Cocktails

Which balloon would you want to hold in the Paddington Bear Macy’s Thanksgiving parade?

If you could have an unlimited amount of one thing, what would it be?

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hen Gerry Cote was 19, he decided to start his own donut shop. First, he visited a donut maker in Avon to observe the business model and learn the tricks of the trade.

Then he signed a twelve-year lease on a defunct 7-11 store on Windsorville Road in Ellington, renovated it with the help of his father, figured out his own donut recipes, and opened the door for business. The year was 1983 and Gerry’s Donuts has been an Ellington institution ever since. About his life path, Gerry himself says, “Sometimes you fall into things in life, and they turn out to be the best things.”

This thin, unassuming, modest guy whose “uniform” includes a soft, worn apron and one of those old-fashioned paper hats, doesn’t like to talk about himself. But with some gentle coaxing, he reveals that for those first few years, much GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 11

BREE MAXWELL

of what he did at the donut shop was by trial and error. Fortunately, Gerry is a perfectionist who sums up his life philosophy as, “You’re only as good as today, so you need to keep improving.” And obviously he did. His donuts quickly became legendary, and for 35 years now, people have been coming from all over to get them. One regular customer, Adam Schumacher, drives to Gerry’s from Coventry with his young son, Ryan. While Ryan prefers to get a corn muffin, Adam proclaims Gerry’s donuts to be “the best in the world.” They were even voted “Best Donut” in the 2017 CT Now Best of Hartford Readers’ Poll.

So what is it exactly that makes these donuts stand out from the competition’s? Most notably, they are made by Gerry himself entirely by hand, entirely from scratch. He starts by getting to the shop in the still-dark, very early hours of the morning. He makes and rolls the dough, then cuts, pulls, shapes and fries each and every donut. Some flavors, like the ever-popular Boston Cream, he also fills and frosts. Gerry says it takes him about three hours to make 100 dozen donuts. Employee Bree Maxwell adds that Gerry has so perfected his particular process that after doing this for 35 years “he can tell time without a clock.” She adds that what 12 GO LOCAL NOVEMBER 2017

he does “no machine can replicate.” People can watch Gerry at work on videos that are posted on the business’s Facebook page alongside dozens of pictures of the finished products.

Gerry currently carries some 46 donut flavors total, 36 of which he puts out daily, rotating the varieties. He adds in a slight whisper that there are some flavors he has in mind that he is still working on, saying, “You make things here and there just for fun.” The most popular flavor is chocolate honey dip, which regularly sells out on the weekends. People love to pair the oldfashioned cinnamon donut with a cup of apple cider, especially this time of year. And for those with a real sweet tooth, one of his newest flavors is cherry vanilla, a white-frosted pink confection that tastes like springtime. Gerry offers cake donuts, raised donuts, filled donuts and crullers as well as over 40 rotating flavors of hand-mixed, from-scratch muffins and other baked goods like brownies, cookies and croissants. Everything is made in-house, always fresh every day.

These super-fresh, perfect-tasting old-fashioned donuts and other treats are not the only reason people come to Gerry’s. The shop has a small-town American diner feel - a large counter lined

with red-topped stainless steel stools, behind which hang shiny glass display cases filled with donuts. That nostalgic quality also extends to the outstanding value of Gerry’s products, where the current price of a donut is only 70 cents. “A donut shop used to be where people spent their pocket change for a little bit of pleasure every day, and doesn’t everybody need that,” Gerry says, adding, “I have to give people a lot of reasons to walk through the door.” One customer, Hank McFarlane, walks through that door three times a day because he loves the donuts, muffins and coffee, yes, but more because of the atmosphere and the fact that at Gerry’s he is treated like family. He says, “This is like Cheers in Boston – they all know me here,” adding that the employees know exactly how the regular customers take their coffee, often putting it out for them before they have even made their way through the door from the parking lot.

Gerry admits that is true, saying that over the three and a half decades he has been running this shop, he has met and come to know “hundreds and hundreds of people.” He and his employees are like family, and his donuts are so well-known around town that it is not unusual for someone to give him a donut order

while he’s out walking his dog or sitting on his front porch. He is easy-going and filled with pride in how much people love his donuts, saying, “Who you are is in your work.”

This back-to-basics approach is even evident in the Gerry’s Donuts package itself, a plain white pastry box that says, simply, “Gerry’s Donuts” and a line from the Gospel of Mark, “With God all things are possible.” No address, no phone number. The donuts speak for themselves, and Gerry says he chose this particular quotation to show that “Things will always work out if you have inner strength and believe in yourself. Everybody can find their niche in life if they keep trying.”

Thankfully, for Gerry’s customers and the donut-loving people of the Go Local area, Gerry Cote discovered his niche 35 years ago and is still going strong.

Gerry’s Donuts is located at 180 Windsorville Road in Ellington. They are open Monday-Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday 7:00 a.m. to noon. Their phone number is 860.872.0376 and they welcome people to call ahead for larger orders. The menu and more information can be found on their Facebook page.

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 13

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As feast favorites are divvied into containers and the leftover turkey is earmarked for day-after sandwiches, the shift to shopping is soon to follow.

As glossy circulars from major retailers overwhelm both mailboxes and bank accounts, there’s a welcome reprieve in looking locally to discover homegrown goods outside the madness of mainstream. Far removed from the long lines and crazy crowds, Oh So Pretties Handcrafted Gifts serves not only as a beacon of light for weary shoppers, but also a connection to the region’s most talented artisans. Tucked in the rustic marketplace of the Wilbraham Shops, the store - owned by Sherry Taylor Coulis – is in the business of supporting local entrepreneurs.

Sherry has made a business from pursuing her creative endeavors, a dream realized after opening her doors five years ago this November. She has always been “crafty,” recalling how imaginative coloring as a kid gave way to the pursuit of more passionate projects as an adult. Experimenting with a multitude of mediums, she found a love for fused glass, a technique bonding multiple fragments of glasses together then used to create sculptures, jewelry, dishware, and other beautiful pieces. With an entrepreneurial and energetic spirit, Sherry always wanted to operate her own shop. Lining the shelves with her work and the wares of 12 other local artists, Oh So Pretties opened in 2012 and has aided as a direct connection to creativity for the community ever since.

Opened at a time when the “maker movement” was in its infan-

18 GO LOCAL NOVEMBER 2017

cy, the shop has flourished from just a dozen to now fifty artisans, creators, and innovators. The space is stocked with authentic local products, nearly all representing an independent studio in close proximity (and the very least within the United States). It’s a platform for artisans to showcase their work while offering a unique collection of handmade pieces filled with integrity. From useful to beautiful the shop is brimming with jewelry, clothing, skincare products, housewares, home décor, seasonal items, art and more. On upcycled and repurposed furniture displays – created by Sherry herself – are uniquely displayed creations unmatched by any mass-produced item.

With a growing collection of artists, Sherry is able to keep things fresh, offering a wide variety of products that rotate from season to season or with the introduction of new products. For example, ALJ Designs (Berkshires) gives new life to vintage wares with meticulously painted abstract patterns while Jacki’s Mosaics (Wilbraham) specializes in housewares adorned with colored

glass. Well-known producers like Scentapy (Agawam) and Candle Threads (East Windsor) supply home products while Pat Parker Designs (East Longmeadow) produces hand painted glassware. In between are Sherry’s own creations – dreamcatchers, fused glass pieces and vintage silverware jewelry – are hand stitched leather bags (Emeny Leather), graphic tees and accessories (The Gold Polka Dot Shop), and specialty foods (Crimson Lion). Each pours their heart, soul, and energy into every item produced, and the shop assists handmade good merchants to build and grow their businesses.

“Everyone that was coming into the store was so inspired by the merchandise – knowing it’s handmade – they too wanted to get creative,” says Sherry.

Sherry refers to the “Paint and Sip” classes, the inaugural do-ityourself workshops that encourage groups of people to discover their inner creativity. In addition to the retail space, Oh So Pretties lends itself to a studio for weekly DIY workshops. Each led

by a different artisan, participants are guided through the creativity and production process from start to finish. Sherry and Treena Peltier – the store’s right-hand woman – say the experience serves as a social function while providing instruction and materials to create unique personalized gifts. Nearly every producer showcased on the shelves lends their expertise to instruct, encouraging others to pursue unique artistic experiences – their creativity is contagious.

“We try to offer a mix of different experiences, offering new classes at a beginner level,” explains Treena. “They are a unique opportunity to do something different. We make it easy, laying out all usable parts, pieces, and materials for participants to experiment with.”

“We try to help inspire people to have the confidence to be creative, even those with the most doubt are always surprised with what they can do,” says Sherry. “It’s so gratifying to see people not only be productive, but be fulfilled by discovering their own untapped creativity.”

Recent offerings include paper bead making, silver soldering, Chakra bracelets, boho wall hangings, aromatherapy and glass fusing. With a wide array of classes that run for approximately two hours, each embraces creativity and offers the satisfaction of going home with a completed project.

Over the years Sherry has enjoyed watching the plaza at Wilbraham Shops develop. Looking out her door she says it’s “a

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 19

wonderful collection,” pointing to several restaurants, a toy store, chocolate shop, bakery, coffee shops and salon. Located on Boston Road, the retail marketplace is the opportunity for one-stop independent retail shopping, all year long. There are a lot of perks to shopping at local businesses owned and operated by people in the community. Customer care is paramount, inventory is unique and serves as an integral part of a community’s distinctive character. While handmade items can be a little more expensive than their box store counterparts, items are fashioned with integrity. Products are built to last and created with a soul, something you can feel knowing each was constructed with one-of-a-kind creative energy.

To celebrate 5 years of small business success, Sherry is hosting an in-store event with the opportunity for customers to meet artisans, enjoy refreshments, listen to music, win prizes and experience new inventory. On Friday, November 10 Sherry’s doors will be open late (5pm-9pm), for an exciting celebration that serves as a rare opportunity to connect with some of the most creative people in our region. All are invited.

As Sherry wraps up a “peace and love” glass fused ornament – a special piece inspired by her granddaughter and a concept that echoes through her store – she leans back to appreciate the last five years. She says the artists, customers, friends, and relationships she’s built over the years is incalculable. She’s honored to be in Wilbraham, offering unique items to customers without the need to travel a long distance. And when you shop here, it not only supports one small business, but fifty high-quality entrepreneurs.

“I love providing a creative outlet within the community and sharing this experience,” says Sherry. “These items are gifts that keep giving, not just for the recipient, but also back to the artist, knowing their creations are well-loved.”

2341 BOSTON RD, WILBRAHAM, MA • (413) 599-1767 FACEBOOK.COM/OHSOPRETTIES

TRINA PERRIER (L) & SHERRY TAYLOR COULIS

20 GO LOCAL NOVEMBER 2017

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541 Hazard Ave., Enfield, CT | 860.749.5347 GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 21

 JACQUELINE M. SIDOR, JMS ART & PHOTO

BELLE OF THE FOREST The ghost plant is unusual in that it does not rely on sunlight to grow, but instead gets all its nutrients by stealing them from a tree. It can grow and thrive in very dark environments, adding an aura of gentle beauty where we least expect it.

22 GO LOCAL OCTOBER 2017

 JESSICA MATTSON

EVE & HER CHICKENS ELLINGTON, CT

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO GET CHICKENS? I have had my five chickens for just under a year and a half. The reason that I really wanted to get chickens was because I thought they were cute! My aunt has always had chickens, and my sister’s piano teacher has too. Whenever I went to either of their houses, I liked to watch the chickens, hold them, and collect the eggs.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WITH THEM? At least four times a week, I let them out of their fenced area and let them roam around the yard. They like the bugs and they like to follow me around. I like to give them treats they love strawberries and lettuce, but their favorite is watermelon.

HAVE THEY CHANGED YOU IN ANY WAY? I would say that I have gotten a lot more responsible from taking care of my chickens.

I have to make sure that they have food and water, collect eggs, and also keep track of cleaning out the coop.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FUNNY STORIES ABOUT THE CHICKENS? Two days after I got them, I was getting ready for school and taking care of my chickens had become a part of my morning. When I went to check on them before I got their food, I only saw one chicken. I thought that something had gotten into the coop during the night and killed my chickens! It turned out that there was just a hidden perch in the top of the coop.

We want to put your furry or feathered friend in print.

Local Tails features heartfelt, heroic, or even hilarious habits of ‘the things our pets do.' If you’re a pet parent with a priceless story or unique bond, drop us a message: amber@thereminder.com GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 23

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go eat

! RECIPE SUBMITTED BY RED FIRE FARM & WILHELMINA RYAN

Sugar Pumpkin Cheesecake Smaller sugar pie pumpkins are more than decorations, they have been bred for flavor in cooking. They are wonderful in pies, and also in this special recipe. A rather stunning cheesecake for fall and winter holidays.

1 cup sugar pie pumpkin purée, baked ahead 20-25 small ginger snap cookies, crushed 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans 1/4 cup butter, melted 4 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened 1 cup sugar or other dry sweetener, divided 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 eggs 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves RED FIRE FARM grows certified organic produce, fruit, garden plants and flowers in Granby and Montague, MA to share with the community through their CSA farm shares and farm stands. Farmers Ryan and Sarah Voiland and the crew work to provide the highest quality, freshest food all year. Visit their Granby farm store at 7 Carver St, Granby, MA or online at redfirefarm.com

Halve a sugar pie pumpkin and bake cut-sides-down at 350º for about 45 minutes until a fork goes through the flesh easily. Scoop the cooked pumpkin flesh out and purée in a blender or food processor. Excess pumpkin purée can be saved for adding to soup or other dishes. Turn oven to 325º after cooking the pumpkin.

Mix chopped pecans, ginger snap crumbs, and melted butter; press firmly onto bottom of a 9-inch springform pan to form the crust.

Beat cream cheese, 3/4 cup of the sugar and the vanilla extract with a mixer until mixed.

Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended.

Regular Batter: Remove 1-1/2 cups of the batter; place aside in small bowl. This will be your light colored batter.

Pumpkin Batter: Stir remaining 1/4 cup sugar, the pumpkin purée and spices into remaining batter. Pumpkin purée must not be so hot as to cook eggs at this stage.

Spoon half of the pumpkin batter onto crust in the pan; top with separated spoonfuls of half of the reserved regular batter. Repeat layers until you’ve used up the batters. Swirl through batters with a butter knife to marble the colors.

Bake 55 minutes at 325º or until center is almost set. Check doneness by gently shaking the pan – when it is done only a small bit in the center will jiggle and the rest will be set solid.

Cool completely. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 25

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Let The Bra Ladies put Health, Comfort and Beauty back in your life!

We offer custom sizes that offer comfort and style!

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413•566•8015 PIZZERIA & LOUNGE Dr. Scott D. Morey | Dr. Heidi Morey Dr. Kathryn Garner | Dr. Weston Brown 9F Fieldstone Commons, Tolland, CT

Beer · Wine Spirits · Cocktails

Full Bar Menu Martini Mondays

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Open 7 Days | www.giospizzeria.com 26 GO LOCAL November 2017

Serving CT and South Central MA The Finest in Veterinary Care Small Animal • Large Animal • Equine 24 hour Emergency Care for Large Animals

OFFERING: Dental Floating • Digital X-Ray • Ultrasound Endoscopy & Joint Injections Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri. 8-5 • Thurs. 8-7 • Sat. 8-12 860-870-8701 www.fentonrivervet.com

onia Taylor-Smith is a woman with a mission. She is making a difference, one student, one family, and sometimes even by one can of soup at a time. She has a fervent wish to help all students accomplish their goals, regardless of differing abilities. That wish sometimes includes the whole family. Meeting her for the first time, one is greeted by a sunny, welcoming smile that exudes not only warmth, but an engaging professionalism perfectly suited to her role. Her optimism is infectious, and her concern for the welfare of students is genuine.

! FRANCEEN MUNSON  J AQUELINE M. SIDOR, JMS ART & PHOTO

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 27

Sonia’s efforts, in which she has worked tirelessly to eliminate barriers between parents and schools, now extends to helping to eliminate the barriers of hunger that some students face. Believing in the “whole-child” approach, Sonia recognizes that “there are often a multitude of reasons that can prevent a child from reaching their optimal level of success.” “I never want a family’s access to food, hygiene, and clothing essentials to be an additional reason as to why they are unable to focus more purposefully on academic success” she says in her mission statement. She also points out that becoming academically and socially proficient as a child is one of the best indicators of adult success. As a mom herself, she can relate to the successes, and the hurdles that students can face.

Sonia is so committed to her goal that she has set up a small pantry on Main Street in downtown Stafford. Stocked with non perishable food and personal hygiene items, it can sometimes make the difference between a hungry student, and one who has had nourishment and is ready to learn. Running on the honor system, the pantry is unlocked- Sonia encourages any who need food or hygiene items to take what they need. The locker-like pantry has been situated near the police station for almost a year now, with donations coming from individuals who want to help, and, if supplies are low, from Sonia’s own pocket. Local merchants have helped by providing drop-off boxes for donations as well during Arts on Main events.

The little pantry is a generous blessing to people in need who may not feel comfortable interfacing with others in this sensitive area. No questions are asked, and individuals can remain anonymous while still getting some assistance with food. A recent improvement includes the addition of a drop off box located in the Town Hall, where people can now drop off donated items at their convenience during business hours.

Sonia’s background of service and outreach with children and families goes back many years. As a young student who struggled, she had help in identifying her strengths, and learned how 28 GO LOCAL NOVEMBER 2017

she could succeed based on that knowledge. From her teens on she knew she wanted to do something that would make a difference in people’s lives, and wished not only to empower students but assist in building a successful life - socially, academically, and morally. She is now an Educational Consultant with her own business which she incorporated in 2013, called, “Ability: Special Education Unlocked LLC.” It is aptly named for the type of service Sonia is providing to her clients. With a Masters in Educational Psychology: Special Education, she has worked extensively with students and their families addressing special needs, instructional strategies, law, ethics in special education, cultural counseling, developing behavioral plans, individual education plans, and much more.

Sonia has been a resident of Stafford for the past nine years, and in addition to her work with the food pantry, she volunteers her time at a local martial arts school, as well as a Child Readiness Council. She is devoted to her mission, and is a woman who not only talks the talk, but WALKS the walk! Professionally, she donates her services as an Education Consultant to one family a year, free of charge, who otherwise would not be able to avail themselves of her services. By doing so she can aid in a student’s ability to make “meaningful progress” and hopefully set patterns of success that will see them through years to come. It is truly a gift that keeps on giving!

One of the jobs she is most proud of is her work with the Office of Protection and Advocacy from 2012-2013, where she was an intern while earning her degree from The University of Connecticut. Her work there has made a difference, as she applied her strength in identifying the needs of clients, collaborating with families on advocacy strategies, helping them to make informed decisions for their children in Special Education. Sonia navigated between legal and educational staff and became a companion guide for families dealing with the often complicated maze of Special Education planning. Along with providing a savvy knowledge of the system she undoubtedly offered a source of comfort

to many families.

In her role at OPA she coordinated a series of special education clinics offered by the agency to families across the state. She also worked with a webmaster and the Advocacy for Persons With Mental Illness, devoting a portion of the agency’s website to special ed. and mental health information. This was another tool she developed to aid parents in making good decisions for their children. Her contributions at the agency were many and varied.

Sonia has put together transition services to bridge the gap between high school and adulthood for individuals, and has helped in countless other ways, such as managing behavioral challenges within school systems, and collaborating with families on advocacy strategies. In short, she was an invaluable asset to the agency during her internship there.

Sonia’s plans for the future include the possibility of installing food pantries in other towns as well, helping to alleviate hunger and doing whatever she can to help students in their everyday lives.

Returning to school to pursue a Doctoral degree may be part of her future plans as well.

Whatever she does, she will excel in, and further her cause to create positive learners.

One thing she would fervently like to see change is the way we label, and understand students in Special Education.

In hopes of eradicating negative stereotypes, she prefers

the term “Differently Abled.” The term is a positive way of viewing how we, as individuals learn. Sonia’s philosophy is based on focusing on a person’s strengths to enhance social and educational proficiency. She expertly helps to establish and support the needs of those she works with.

Armed with not only her formidable educational resources, impressive personal educational history, and years of dedicated commitment to helping children and families, she is a woman making a difference in countless lives. Her energy, vibrant personality, and sincere desire for students to reach their maximum potential is a gift to the community she lives in.

ABILITYSPECIALED.WEEBLY.COM • FACEBOOK.COM/ABILITYSPECIALEDUCATION

WANT TO HELP?

DONATION DROP-OFF BOXES ARE LOCATED AT: • STAFFORD TOWN HALL - 1 MAIN STREET • MIDDLE GROUND CAFE - 42 MAIN STREET • ESP POTTERY - 58 MAIN STREET • B ELLANNESS HANDCRAFTED GIFT SHOP 60 MAIN STREET GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 29

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!

CHINA ❄ GLASSWARE ❄ LIGHTING

Where your pet is Family

❄ FURNITURE ❄ TREASURES ❄ JEWELRY ❄

Happy Holidays

J. HOWARD COX ANTIQUES 2 SISTERS • FOXGLOVE ANTIQUES MARGARET’S COUNTRY SHOPPE GINGER & PICKLES at the Corner Shops, 62 South Rd. (Corner Field Rd.) in Somers, CT

E P H E M E R A ❄ R U ST I C S ❄ TOYS

Claws and Paws Pet Salon

❄ EQUESTRIAN ❄ ARTWORK ❄ DECOR ❄ Over 50 Years of New England Hospitality

California Road Trip Wine Dinner Thurs., Nov. 9th – 6:00pm Includes 5 courses and 5 wines featuring the Jackson Family Wines Collection.

Tickets are $65; order online or call today.

Reservations are required and you must be 21 to attend.

Don’t Miss Out! Fireplace Feasts begin November 5th www.salemcrossinn.com

(508) 867-2345

Little Sisters of the Poor • St. Joseph’s Residence 1365 Enfield St., Enfield, CT Christmas

Turkey & Ham Drop

Victorian Tea Party

Saturday, November 18th 11am-4pm Cookie Booth • Jewelry Sale Angel Booth • Raffle Tag Sale • Silent Auction

Saturday, November 18th 10am-3pm

Sunday, December 17th 1pm-4pm

Please bring turkeys and hams to be used for meals for our residents.

Storrowton Village Carriage House at the Big E Grounds

For additional info please call Christina at 860.741.0791

Victorian Fashion Show will take place.

Bazaar

Food, Fun and Shopping for the entire family.

30 GO LOCAL November 2017

go local picks

COOL STUFF JUST OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR

HOLIDAY PIES CUPCAKE CAFE • 548 MAIN ST • HAMPDEN, MA • (413) 525-5800 CUPCAKECAFE.ME • FACEBOOK.COM/CUPCAKECAFE.ME

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and we know it’s impossible to please everyone when it comes to dessert. Catherine Russo, owner of Cupcake Cafe, has got you covered. She makes mini pies so everyone can have exactly what they want - pumpkin, pecan, apple, sweet potato, Boston cream, blueberry, coconut custard, you name it, she can make it! Catherine has owned the Cupcake Cafe for the past five years. She studied underneath a German chef in Bar Harbor, Maine, and has been baking for 25 years. The cafe has been located in East Longmeadow until her recent move to Hampden in June. In addition to pies, she also offers cupcakes, cake pops, scones, ice cream, cookies, pies, Italian ice, whoopie pies and more. Order yours today!

MAGNETIC KNIFE HOLDER CRYSTAL RIDGE WOODSHOP • ELLINGTON, CT CRYSTALRIDGEWOODSHOP.ETSY.COM

Heather first realized her love of woodworking as a college student building custom ornate frames to pay the bills. She went on to renovate homes and make gifts for family. She started experimenting with a piece of live edge wood she found in her basement and was hooked. Today, she runs her business with her partner Julia. This live edge magnetic knife holder can hold five knives and is handcrafted out of live edge curly maple, sanded down and finished with an oil and finish wax. It has two hangers on the back (as well as cleverly hidden magnets) and is 17”Wx 6¾”H. To purchase this item and check out their many other creative items, such as tables and jewelry, go to CrystalRidgeWoodshop.etsy.com

LOCAL AUTHOR KATHY SHEA MORMINO • SUFFIELD, CT • “THE CHICKEN CHICK’S GUIDE TO BACKYARD CHICKENS: SIMPLE STEPS FOR HEALTHY, HAPPY HENS”

Internationally known as The Chicken Chick, Kathy Shea Mormino brings an informative style and fresh perspective on raising backyard chickens to millions of fans around the world. An attorney by profession, Kathy is the founder and one-woman creative force behind her wildly popular and award-winning Facebook page and blog, The-Chicken-Chick.com. Join Kathy at Barnes & Noble in Holyoke, MA on Nov. 11 at 1pm for an interactive discussion about backyard chicken keeping. There will be chicken product giveaways followed by a book signing and meet & greet with the author. Her book can also be purchased at TheChickenChickShop.Etsy.com GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 31

Local and Fresh...Our Community at its Best

♥

♥

Winter Market Saturdays 2:00pm - 4:00pm YMCA - 11 Pinney Street

Nov 18 • Dec 2 & 16 • Jan 6 & 20 Feb 3 & 17 • Mar 3 & 17 EllingtonFarmersMarket.com EllingtonFarmersMarket@gmail.com

Let Me Help You

BUY, SELL or INVEST in Real Estate.

CHRIS Buendo Realtor/Associate Partner Licensed in MA & CT

FREE CORDLESS on Honeycomb Shades in November!!

25% off

1-5 Shades or Blinds

30% off

Want to sell your home or commercial property?

CALL ME TODAY FOR A

FREE MARKET ANALYSIS

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6-10 Shades or Blinds

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15 or more Shades or Blinds

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DRAPES

Are you hosting holiday dinners and parties this year?

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Call now to get your home holiday ready!

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Call Today For Your Free In-Home Consultation 21A South Road (Route 83), Somers, CT • 860.265.3900

Celebrating 5 Years in Business!

OVER 30 YEARS OF PERSONALIZED CARE Jennifer Lundgren Garcia, Au.D. • Susan Bankoski Chunyk, Au.D. Doctors of Audiology

——— SINCE 1984 ——— 200 North Main Street • North Building, Suite 103 East Longmeadow, MA 413-525-7979 • www.hampdenhearing.com Office hours by appointment, Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

32 GO LOCAL November 2017

local einstein

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE - NO GOOGLING!

5

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO, CRANBERRY BOGS WERE CARVED INTO THE LAND BY WHAT?

[A] 1869 [B] 1889

[C] 1915

[D] 1935

[A] Earthquakes [B] Volcano lava

[C] Receding glaciers

[D] Rivers

AT 3,491 FEET, WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE HIGHEST NATURAL POINT IN MASSACHUSETTS?

WHICH ANIMAL HAS THE FASTEST METABOLISM?

[A] Mount Fitch [B] Mount Williams

[C] Saddle Ball Mountain

[D] Mount Greylock

[A] Falcon [B] Cheetah

[C] Hummingbird

[D] Rabbit

WHICH CEREAL USES THE SLOGAN “KID-TESTED...MOTHER-APPROVED”?

IN A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING, WHAT DOES CHARLIE BROWN SERVE TO HIS FRIENDS FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER?

[A]

7

[B]

[C]

[D]

THE SKIN OF MANY WINTER SQUASH IS EDIBLE. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING SHOULD YOU PEEL BEFORE EATING?

[A] Pumpkin [B] Butternut

[C] Delicata

[D] Sweet Dumpling WHAT FAST FOOD RESTAURANT IS CREDITED WITH INTRODUCING THE FIRST MODERN-DAY DRIVE-THRU WINDOW?

[A] In-N-Out Burger [B] Sonic

[C] Burger King

[D] McDonald’s

[A] [B]

[C]

[D]

8

Pizza Ice Cream Sundae Cereal Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwiches

HOW MANY FEET OF WIRE DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE ONE SLINKY?

[A] 25 feet [B] 40 feet

[C] 55 feet

[D] 80 feet

# CORRECT

IQ

RANK

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

160 110 50 3

Prodigy Egghead Meh Simpleton

ANSWERS:

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

3

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL GAME TOOK PLACE IN PHILADELPHIA, PA ON THANKSGIVING DAY OF WHAT YEAR?

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 33

The Final Countdown

7 Apps to Sing About It’s the time of the year for heavy-duty eating. Start it off right by trying any (or all) of these amazing appetizers.

We’ve gathered our favorites from area restaurants just

outside your door. So go ahead and treat yourself before the craziness of the holidays is upon us. You’ll be doing the food dance, guaranteed.

SPICY GARLICKY MUSSELS

FRIED RAVIOLI

CASA BELLA • (413) 566-1466 546 MAIN ST • HAMPDEN, MA CASABELLARESTAURANT.NET

BASIL’S AMERICAN ITALIAN GRILL 64 WEST STAFFORD RD • STAFFORD, CT (860) 684-9000 BASILSOFSTAFFORD.COM

Fresh P.E.I. mussels simmered in a garlicky white wine sauce with tomatoes, black olives and banana peppers (also served zuppa style, red or white). Your taste buds will thank you.

Jumbo ravioli filled with velvety ricotta, fried to a buttery golden brown and served with mouthwatering marinara sauce. An incredibly delicious indulgence.

FIESTA PLATTER

ACAPULCOS MEXICAN FAMILY RESTAURANT & CANTINA • (860) 763-5000 61 PALOMBA DR • ENFIELD, CT ACAPULCOS.NET Finally, the perfect appetizer to share! A sampling of favorites: nachos, mini-quesadillas, miniflautas and buffalo wings. Served with guacamole and sour cream.

FRIED CAMEMBERT

LA CUCINA DI HAMPDEN HOUSE 1 ALLEN ST • HAMPDEN, MA • (413) 566-8324 LACUCINAHAMPDEN.COM Nothing pleases all our senses like melted cheese. Lightly breaded camembert, served with cranberry chutney and spicy dijon mustard. This is a burst of flavors you won’t want to miss.

34 GO LOCAL NOVEMBER 2017

CAST IRON SKILLET MEATBALLS

CENTER SQUARE GRILL • (413) 525-0055 84 CENTER SQUARE • EAST LONGMEADOW, MA CENTERSQUAREGRILL.COM Two jumbo house made meatballs baked to perfection with zesty marinara sauce, topped with house made ricotta and fresh basil - a luscious combination of flavors.

MOONSHINE CORN FRITTERS

THE HIDDEN STILL • (860) 896-3333 87 WEST RD • ELLINGTON, CT THEHIDDENSTILL.COM The Hidden Still serves over ten brands of moonshine from around the country, including some amazing house-infused flavors.

Try the moonshine corn fritters served with dipping syrup.

POTATO CROQUETTES

ANCHOR HOUSE RESTUARANT & CATERING 2589 BOSTON RD • WILBRAHAM, MA • (413) 596-3055 ANCHORHOUSERESTAURANT.COM The perfect comfort food. Panko crusted applewood bacon and Vermont cheddar cheese mashed potato balls garnished with sour cream. Can you say yum?

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homesteadcomfort.com Lic. #S1-385604 W5-55

Signature Bracelet

P1-278482 SM1-0006512 HOD-000103 Cert. RT-109208 RMT-109209

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Kitchen Encounters offers friendly, local service. We will help you visualize your new kitchen or bath with our expert design service and we are ALWAYS a better value than the big box stores. You can trust Kitchen Encounters because our families are local, just like yours!

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36 GO LOCAL November 2017