JULY 2022

July 2022 Volume 8 . Issue 8 golocalmagazines.com

Smokin' scoops

Nitro ice cream & boozy shakes

Four Seasons by the Lake Dining out among nature

Petersen's hardware in South Windsor, CT

Sonnet & Sparrow Check it out

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 1

2 GO LOCAL JULY 2022

JULY 2022 . VOLUME 8 . ISSUE 8

SMOKIN' SCOOPS

13

“When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.” The proverbial phrase refers to lemons, which are sour, and then turning them into something sweet like lemonade, and in life translates into encouraging optimism in the face of adversity. For Jon Goodhind, he made ice cream, but not your grandfather’s ice cream.

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A NOTE

From The Editor

SMOKIN' SCOOPS

Nitro Ice Cream & Boozy Shakes

SONNET & SPARROW Curated Thrift Shop And More!

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JULY 2022 . VOLUME 8 . ISSUE 8

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FOUR SEASONS BY THE LAKE Dining Out Among Nature

GO EAT

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PETERSEN'S HARDWARE More Than Just A Hardware Store

LOCAL SNAPSHOT Daffodils

LOCAL EINSTEIN Put Your Thinking Caps On

FINAL COUNTDOWN 7 Local Bookstores

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A NOTE

FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR . G. MICHAEL DOBBS

This issue of Go Local features three of my favorite destinations: ice cream places, hardware stores and book shops.

Yes, despite not being a particularly handy person – a shame as my dad was a furniture maker and all-around talented guy – I love going into locally owned hardware stores.

There is an element of discovery when you walk up and down the aisles. I find that ideas for projects – or solutions to questions – are around every corner.

Of course, the hardware store I visited the most over the years to solve problems was Haberman’s in Holyoke. Living in an old house (built in 1864) I found that Haberman’s and other locally owned hardware stores usually had the item I was seeking, unlike the large box stores.

I’d walk in, holding some arcane part and ask Hal Haberman if he had a new one. The answer was always “yes.” In larger stores I frequently would receive a blank stare.

A hardware store is almost as exciting as a feed store – yes, I’m a very cheap date.

Speaking of discovery, I’ve loved books since I first learned to read and going to bookstores is an on-going treat. In high school I was introduced to the late and lamented Johnson’s Bookstore in downtown Springfield.

The used book section was always a gold mine and I would always visit the table where the staff was piling the new offerings before they were brought to the proper shelves.

I wanted to get a jump on the other customers.

Over the years, several friends have joined me on days when we hit one bookstore after another in an effort to find something unique.

The list we have compiled in the Final Countdown has several which I’ve visited over the years and several I have not. I’m adding them to the list.

You can never have too many books, in my humble opinion.

Finally, we cover ice cream or in my book, manna from heaven. When I was a mere boy and beardless youth, with the exception of Friendly’s and summer soft serve drive-ins, ice cream came from grocery stories.

There was nothing wrong with that, but with the rise of the local ice cream shop we now have greater variety and better quality.

I’m always up to trying out a new ice cream place and in this issue, we have one in West Springfield that is now on my list. Hey, they put booze in the adult shakes. Sign me up.

This sounds like another Go Local road trip: tour a hardware store, visit several bookstores and treat yourself to ice cream. That’s a perfect summer excursion for me.

MANAGING EDITOR G. Michael Dobbs

CREATIVE

Beth Thurber, Manager . Leigh Catchepaugh Elizabeth O’Donoghue . Susan Bartlett

DESIGN & CONTENT Michelle Johnson

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GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM

6 GO LOCAL JULY 2022

- G. Michael Dobbs, Managing Editor

Send local story ideas to: Michelle Johnson: mjohnson@repub.com

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 7

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Smokin'

Scoops

"When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.”

T

he proverbial phrase refers to lemons, which are sour, and then turning them into something sweet like lemonade, and in life translates into encouraging optimism in the face of adversity.

For Jon Goodhind, he made ice cream, but not your grandfather’s ice cream.

Goodhind’s job was a casualty to COVID-19.

When trying to figure out what was next in his life, he wanted to do something different.....to bring something completely different to West Springfield and to Western Massachusetts. And he set out to do some research.

"One of the things I learned is that nitro ice cream was very popular in Florida and California and in some parts of Connecticut, but not in this region.

The location we are in now, which was once an ice cream shop, was vacant and the landlord and I took it over and eventually opened Smokin’ Scoops last June,” Goodhind said.

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 13

Nitrogen ice cream begins just like any other ice cream recipe, minus the churning and normal freezing process.

“We make our all-natural liquid bases each morning. For example, milk, cream, sugar, eggs and strawberries go into our strawberry ice cream. Then we make the customer’s ice cream to order right before them, adding a food-grade liquid nitrogen at -320 degrees Fahrenheit into the mixer along with the liquid base flash freezing it in a matter of minutes,” Goodhind said.

It is the liquid nitrogen and the fact that it freezes the mixture so quickly that allows for only very small ice crystals to form resulting in a superior ice cream, Goodhind noted.

“What you end up with is a very smooth and creamy ice cream,” he said.

Why the name Smokin’ Scoops?

“Before you get ready to scoop your customer’s ice cream, a smoke is created when the liquid nitrogen begins the flash freezing process,” Goodhind said.

Customers will find the latest Smokin’ Scoops menu on a large chalk board from which to ponder their many choices.

“We like to try to carry around 12 to 14 flavors on a rotating basis,” Goodhind said. “Vanilla is the favorite. We make more of that flavor than any other. Chocolate is next in popularity followed by toasted almond and cannoli.”

Among some of the classic selections waiting to be scooped up and their descriptions on the board are:

CRÈME DE CACAO Chocolate lovers love 100% cacao in their ice cream THE CRAZY COW This much pure bourbon vanilla is crazy COFFEE Fresh ground 4-hour cold brewed coffee ice cream RUSSIAN HONEY CAKE Sour cream and honey is a traditional Russian favorite MATCHA (V) Organic Japanese Green Tea ice cream with a vegan base CANNOLI Mascarpone and ricotta cheese with cannoli shell topping TIGER TAIL Blood Orange with chocolate drizzle SMORES Chocolate ice cream with marshmallow and graham crackers COCO COCONUT Made with toasted coconut 14 GO LOCAL JULY 2022

TOASTED ALMOND Almond ice cream with toasted almonds and marzipan SALTED CARAMEL Our own butter & cream caramel

You can also try their current seasonal flavors: BLUEBERRY: Just organic blueberries STRAWBERRY: Made from real strawberries

There is also a “weakly flavor,” incorrectly spelled “weakly” on purpose on the board, which could include one of their special flavors such as Go Go Goji Berry with its hints of cherries and cranberries.

One scoop will cost you $5.50, two scoops $7.10, and three scoops $8.50.

While most customers prefer their ice cream treats served up in a dish, Smokin’ Scoops does offer their own version of a waffle cone for $3.50.

“We call them crepe cones and they are similar to a waffle cone, but made from our own special recipe,” Goodhind said. True crepes originated from Brittany, a region in western France, and are a thinner, crispier version of a traditional pancake.

Referring to Smokin’ Scoops as more of an “upscale” ice cream parlor, Goodhind said you won’t find any ice cream sundaes being served up like banana splits or other traditional favorites.

However, they have plenty of toppings to choose from at $1 each that will turn your dish into your own sundae-like concoction including burnt marshmallow, chocolate chips, caramel, their own hot fudge, Nutella, English toffee, real whipped cream, peanut butter, toasted almonds, Fruity Pebbles and brownie bites.

“We know that kids love sprinkles, so we also offer them by request,” Goodhind said.

If just the uniqueness of the nitro ice cream isn’t enough to draw you to the West Springfield science-fueled sweet spot, their boozy milkshakes are making the difference for those old enough to imbibe.

“I want to make one thing perfectly clear. Athough we have a liquor license and serve up our ice cream across a bar instead of a counter, we are a totally family-friendly ice cream shop,” Goodhind said.

Spiked milkshakes, often referred to as boozy milkshakes, have been around since at least 2012 when gourmet burger chain Red Robin introduced them on their menu behind others like Bobby’s Burger Palace and now found locally at Wahlburgers at MGM Springfield.

“Boozy milkshakes have become our niche and sets us apart from many ice cream parlors who normally do not have a liquor license,” Goodhind said.

Smokin’ Scoops’ Boozy Shakes offers over 20 selections GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 15

from their “Sassy Menu, Shakes of Art” or their “Simple Shakes.” The most popular is the Peanutbutter Cup, from the Sassy Menu. Priced at $15.25 it is made with chocolate ice cream, Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey, chocolate and peanut butter drizzle, whipped cream, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Crumble. Other concoctions include S’more Booze, Leprechaun’s Coffee, The Italian Nutjob and Chocolate Covered Raspberry made with chocolate ice cream, Chambord, fresh raspberries, chocolate drizzle, and whipped cream. The Simple Shakes include The Padded Cell made with vanilla ice cream, vanilla vodka, and whipped cream and others like the Chocolate Screwball, The Jitterbug, The Hokey Pokey, and the Russian Honey with Russian Honey Ice Cream and Barenjager.

There are also traditional non-alcoholic milkshakes for those who prefer the original kid versions.

The bartender also mixes up some tasty frozen drinks, cocktails with imaginative names from Smurf Balls to Caribou Lou, nitro brewed coffee cocktails, and alcoholic floats. For beer lovers, there are microbrews on tap and in cans.

If the weather cooperates, Smokin’ Scoops has an outdoor patio which is the scene this summer to live music as the over-21s sit and enjoy their boozy milkshakes, while others of all ages gobble down their favorite nitro ice cream flavor with mounds of toppings of their choice.

Also, if it is a particularly hot day, Goodhind said “there is nothing like enjoying out on the patio” their own cooling nitro brewed coffee made from Been’s Beans in Southwick.

The patio is also host to music nights on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6-9 p.m. Among the acts scheduled for July include Westfield native Lexi Weege who appeared as a contestant on this year’s edition of “American Idol,” acoustic duo Aaron and Pete, solo vocalist Amanda Rowe, as well as Faith Rheault, Marc Bode, Charlie Calvin, New Fallen Day and BJ Korona.

Also, for those who want to put their brains to the test, Tuesdays are Trivia Nights from 7-9 p.m. with free pizza.

“The town was very receptive to our opening last year and we have been very busy since day one. We have grown even bigger over the past year becoming a destination for many of our customers, who have traveled from as far away as Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and the eastern part of the state to enjoy a boozy milkshake or two and our smokin’ scoops,” Goodhind said.

Smokin’ Scoops Hours are Monday through Wednesday from 1-9 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday from 1-11 p.m. They are also available to book business functions, birthday parties and other events.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT SMOKINSCOOPS.COM OR CALL 413-301-5876.

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W

Sonnet & Sparrow

hen Cynthia West and her daughter McKenzie opened Sonnet & Sparrow in 2019, they knew Easthampton was in the midst of something big, and they were right.

“We chose Easthampton because it is a city uniquely poised for a renaissance, and we wanted to be a part of making that happen. We also knew we’d find likeminded customers and friends who would support our efforts,” said West.

The business owners saw success and opened The Flying Squirrel in the same location last year at 84 Cottage St. The shops are in the historic building that was once home to the Majestic Theater, now considered the cultural district of Easthampton.

Sonnet & Sparrow is a curated thrift shop offering lifestyle comforts. From clothing to furniture, West offers many unique, high-quality options for her customers that she and her daughter thoughtfully select with more than just fashion in mind.

“As a mission-based business our goal is to do our

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 19

part to change the world through reuse, beauty, and a dash of love,” said West. “ Our small shops are welcoming spaces filled with nature, poetry, and conversation, where friends stop in throughout the day to relax and browse. As a mother-daughter team we share a similar aesthetic which provides a cohesive feel to the interiors of both shops.”

West said their goal is to empower customers to slow climate change through the way they choose to spend their money.

“Instead of adding to mass manufacturing and its associated pollution by buying new goods, we provide curated clothing, homewares and art with previous lives that are yet still gorgeous, well made, and well-priced,” she said. “That said, we work to remove the biases people have about used goods by laundering and pressing every item of clothing before it comes into the store, steam cleaning the furniture, and making small repairs such as electrical upgrades, before purchase. Our vignettes encourage customers to imagine the goods in their own spaces, and we encourage people to try items in their spaces before committing. We have a 100% return policy, and offer free delivery within the Valley.”

Finding the products is a bit of an adventure that West and her daughter love.

“We find beautiful, unique clothing across New England with the goal of shopping at small thrift stores where we can form a positive loop: we support stores with a community focus where funds go towards educational programs for children, the betterment of civic initiatives, etc.,” West said. “We donate, we shop, we support, and we then offer these goods to our customers after a thorough vetting. We select premium clothing from brands that 20 GO LOCAL JULY 2022

either cut to order -- meaning they only produce when an order is placed - or those that believe in small batch production (not making literally tons of clothing with the hope that it all sells). We offer a wide range of sizing in women’s clothing, shoes, and boots, and also carry leather bags.”

Sonnet & Sparrow’s fine furniture is most often from southern Connecticut, where the cultural niche is such that homeowners have more disposable income per capita, and redesign their homes frequently. “This opens an opportunity for finely made furniture to make its way to new homes - at a fraction of the cost,” said West.

Sonnet & Sparrow is a thrift boutique and does not offer consignment.

“We aren’t a consignment store because we curate our goods to a specific palette and quality level. We do, however, have a list of local consignment options for our customers wanting to donate in this fashion,” said West.

McKenzie brings her own artistic eye and flair to the store, which helps drive what they offer.

McKenzie is a fine art painter with a studio in the Western Avenue Studios mill building in Lowell.

She graduated from Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, Conn. where she was the recipient of the Wardlaw Prize for Excellence in painting.

Her representational paintings capture the natural world, objet d'art, and portraiture. While still in high school, her artwork hung in the United States Capitol in Washington, DC and the New Hampshire State House.

She and West both have appreciation for art that they share with customers.

“We feel strongly about the beauty and hope that art brings to the interior lives of all humans.

Without art, song, poetry, how would we share our commonality?” said West. “We are so in love with art that it lines the walls of both shops. We especially love showcasing female artists, past and present.”

In addition to art, West is inspired by how she wants to live.

“I was never a thrifter until I became a single mother and the financial pressure of raising two children demanded creativity,” she said.”One teenager was completely open to thrifting, while the other flatly refused to wear anything used. We made it through those years with the help of family, but those tough times changed the way I viewed how I wanted to live in the world - and how I wanted to spend my money.”

West believes thrifting is on the rise for a variety of reasons.

“As a country, we are finally adopting more GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 21

sustainable living patterns similar to what our European counterparts have embraced for decades,” she said.

“Slow fashion, the movement to hand make clothing or to create in small batches, has drawn our attention to the enormous and shocking waste within the fashion industry, and the pandemic has made it very clear that our priorities could use some shifting.”

West said hard-core thrifters love to hunt for gems, while others prefer that someone else does the backend work. Either way, the end result is beautiful, quality goods well within a modest budget.

“What is most important is that we start with what already exists before we turn to newly made. By sending a message to the manufacturing industry that excess won’t be tolerated, we also allow small, local designers to rise. By beating back the giants we create space for the creatives, not unlike what is happening with entrepreneurs in Easthampton and other small mill towns across New England,” West said.

At Sonnet & Sparrow, trendy thrifty is key.

“We watch trends closely, while eschewing all trends in a way, but what we love is the new term ‘maximalism.’

This movement gives rise to putting loved items back into the home, rather than getting rid of everything.

Imagine celebrating with beautiful, creative tablescapes when friends come to dinner, or gathering collections and making defined space for them. Imagine decorating with beloved books and pottery, or creating an entire wall of small and precious fine art,” she said. “In other words, if you love it, keep it!”

In addition to the Wests, shoppers will find Mikey, a beloved sales associate and greeter.

“He is an 8-pound rescue Chihuahua who cuts a dashing figure in the front window in his outfit-of-theday and even has his own Instagram page,” said West.

The shop is open year round on weekends; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday from 12-4 p.m.

West said she has always been a writer, interviewing fascinating people for national and regional magazines.

“My favorite interviews were with John Updike and Doris Kearns Goodwin, but I also enjoyed writing about celebrity chefs and athletes because their worlds were so different than mine,” she said. “My sister, Amy Caggiano, and I founded and published a New Hampshire regional art & culture magazine called Monadnock Living where we highlighted over 50 artists in our ten years of publication. We won the New Hampshire Business in the Arts award for our efforts.”

West still enjoys writing but her passion is sharing her aesthetic and encouraging others to find the beauty that already exists in the world.

22 GO LOCAL JULY 2022

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we are local.

IT’S BLUEBERRY SEASON AT DZEN BLUEBERRY HILL

PICK YOUR OWN BLUEBERRIES Call 860.644.4575 for OPENING DAY

Bring the whole family to enjoy “Dzens” best at one of the area’s few remaining Pick-Your-Own Blueberry Farms!

Buying & Selling Quality Used Records Hours: Tues.-Sun. 11am-6pm

Andy Crespo

Fresh picked blueberries are also available at Dzen Garden Market in Ellington.

52 Main St. Apt. 6 Florence, MA Barber Hill Road, East Windsor/S. Windsor Town Line Mon-Fri, 8am-12noon & 4pm-8pm • Sat-Sun, 8am-4pm

413-585-5738

andybarnowl@comcast.net

de Fresh Daily a M For the Very Best in !

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180 Windsorville Rd (5 Corners Plaza) Rt. 74 • Ellington, CT

180 Windsorville Rd (5 Corners Plaza) Rt. 74 • Ellington, CT

SIDING • ROOFING • WINDOWS

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417 Springfield Street, Agawam, MA Phone: 413.789.1023 | Fax: 413.789.1549

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Richard A. Cohen, Proprietors Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 10-2 Celebrating 73 Years of Our Family Farm!

Johnny’s Roadside Market Garden 336 North Maple Street (Route 192) • Enfield, CT

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Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured www.hastarr.com 24 GO LOCAL JULY 2022

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Flowering Annual Plants Hanging Plants • Vegetable Plants Herbs • Patio Tomatoes OUR OWN GREENHOUSE TOMATOES Full Line of Fresh Vegetables & Fruits Native Strawberries, Squash & More CHECK OUR WEBSITE & FACEBOOK FOR MORE INFORMATION

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Call Bill or Beth 543-6065

email: oldiesfrom@aol.com 45 Parker Street • Indian Orchard, MA Tues.-Fri. 10-4:30, Sat. 10-2:30, Closed Sun. & Mon. GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 25

GO LOCAL PICKS

COOL STUFF JUST OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR AND ONLINE!

PICK YOUR OWN BLUEBERRIES JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER EASY PICKIN'S ORCHARD • 46 BAILEY RD • ENFIELD, CT 06082 Easy Pickin's Orchard offers seasonal "pick your own" fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Enjoy a great farming experience this summer with friends and family. Blueberry picking starts in early July at Easy Pickin's Orchard where they have 2 acres and 10 varieties of blueberries! This is the perfect opportunity to learn a little more about farming and leave with a fresh and sweet treat!

For online ordering and information visit:

easypickinsorchard.com

FOOD TRUCKS AND LIVE MUSIC AT FORT HILL BREWERY FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS, AND SUNDAYS THROUGH JULY FORT HILL BREWERY • 30 FORT HILL RD, EASTHAMPTON, MA 01027

NATIONAL ICE CREAM DAY JULY 17th GRAN-VAL SCOOP • 223 GRANBY RD, GRANVILLE, MA 01034

Weekends at Fort Hill Brewery are filled with live music, good food, and craft beers. Fort Hill crafts a variety of lagers and ales with a focus on traditional German brewing techniques. Friday through Sunday you can enjoy the sound of live music on the patio and grab a bite from the visiting food trucks.

Celebrate national ice cream day at the Gran- Val Scoop this year! Bring the whole family to enjoy delicious homemade ice cream, farm animal petting zoo, and the beautiful mountain views. The Gran-Val scoop makes all their ice cream right on the farm in small batches using the highest quality ingredients. Thanks to President Reagan, we celebrate national ice cream day as a way to commemorate a sweet treat enjoyed by everyone.

For more information on these events visit:

For more information on menu items visit:

forthillbrewery.com

26 GO LOCAL JULY 2022

granvalscoop.com

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S&Sand Tarnow

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TO RESERVE YOUR BOOTH OR TO DISCUSS SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, CONTACT

BPERRY@THEREMINDER.COM OR 413.788-3590 28 GO LOCAL JULY 2022

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2022 10 AM to 4 PM

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Four Seasons by the lake L

ooking for a new restaurant to try where the food is excellent, the service is friendly, and the ambiance is second to none?

Under new ownership by John Taylor since late 2019, the newly-named Four Seasons by the Lake, adjacent to Sun Valley Beach Club and Campground in Stafford Springs, CT, just might be your answer.

“When John purchased the restaurant, the COVID-19 pandemic was right around the corner and the restaurant was closed for several months.

During that time, he remodeled and repainted the entire dining room adding booths, tables, and new decorations, as well as upgrading the stage and its lighting. In fact, when faithful customers returned to the restaurant, they couldn’t believe the difference,” said Alicia Pease, manager, Four Seasons by the Lake.

What adds to the ambiance of eating at Four Seasons by the Lake is that you are in essence “dining out among nature.”

“Whether gazing outdoors from inside the restaurant, or enjoying a meal outside on the patio, the GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 29

scenery is breathtaking and relaxing. There is a beautiful gazebo and a babbling brook flowing from the lake where you will find baby geese and their mammas as well as mallard ducks, and you may even spot a bald eagle flying high above. It is nature at its finest,” Pease said.

The name change to Four Seasons by the Lake also reflects the fact that the restaurant is now open yearround and offers a rotating seasonal menu created by Chef Joe Aloisi.

“We change our menu three times a year and at this moment we have our spring and summer menu in place.

It offers diners a lighter fare with plenty of fish and chicken selections as well as other items to choose from.

In the fall, we add more homestyle foods such as turkey and all the fixings, apple butter salmon, our popular harvest salad, and plenty of root vegetables to accompany our entrees,” Pease said.

“Blackened scallops and seared ahi tuna are customer favorites right now for starters, along with fish and chips and flat iron steak. During the nice weather, diners enjoy sitting out on the patio, ordering a couple of beers along with a nice dinner, all while taking in the beautiful scenery around them,” she added.

Other starters include mussels, bang bang shrimp, bone-in wings, jalapeno tater barrels, shrimp cocktail, loaded potato skins and more.

The current seasonal entrée menu includes three chicken selections - a chicken piccata in a delicious white wine lemon butter sauce, chicken marsala in a rich mushroom, onion marsala sauce, and a smothered grilled chicken breast with prosciutto, fontina cheese served with gemelli pasta. From the sea there is hand battered cod fish and chips, fresh Atlantic cod covered in Ritz crumbs, and fresh teriyaki glazed Norwegian salmon. If it’s red meat you are craving, there is a flat iron steak with chimichurri sauce and shrimp cheddar potato cakes or a marsala NY strip. And if you are a mac and cheese lover, you can have it your way with lobster, bacon, shrimp, or crispy buffalo chicken. All entrees are served with a house salad and rolls.

If you are just stopping in for lunch, there are plenty of sandwiches, or handhelds as they refer to them, to choose from, including a turkey club, French dip, chicken Caesar wrap, Philly cheesesteak, fish tacos, chipotle chicken sandwich, several burgers and more.

Trying to go the healthy route? Why not choose from one of several fresh salads such as a buffalo chicken salad, chicken Caesar salad, cobb salad, Southwest chicken salad, wedge salad, oriental teriyaki chicken salad or a large garden salad to which you can add grilled or blackened salmon or chicken, crispy chicken, or grilled chicken or steak.

There are also seasonal drinks along with all your favorite cocktails from an espresso martini to a Kentucky 30 GO LOCAL JULY 2022

mule and from a skinny cosmo to a white peach sangria as well as six rotating beers on tap - always a Bud and Blue Moon. Summer seasonal drinks just waiting to take you to faraway places include a refreshing Strawberry Lemongrass Spritzer, an equally refreshing Cucumber Lime Martini, a Sweet Georgia Peach southern delight, and a Pomegranate Mule.

If you still have room after enjoying your delicious meal, the dessert menu offers a sweeter than sweet triple chocolate brownie sundae, a scrumptious peanut butter pie, and a gooey, melty, decadent lava cake. Rotating dessert specials could add key lime pie, lemon merengue pie, or bread pudding to the mix.

Kids are not forgotten and have their own menu to choose from. They can pick their own lunch or dinner including a hot dog, mac and cheese, cheeseburger, pasta marinara, chicken tenders, and grilled cheese along with a beverage.

Many families today enjoy going out for Sunday breakfast together, and Four Seasons by the Lake offers a special breakfast served up from 8-11:30 a.m. The morning breakfast, featuring individual items, not a buffet, includes buttermilk pancakes, Belgian waffles, three egg omelets, eggs benedict, French toast, as well as a variety of breakfast sandwiches and combination plates. Add-on sides include toast, home fries, one pancake, bacon or sausage.

What is a special breakfast without a spicy, salty, savory classic Bloody Mary? And whether it is Sunday breakfast at Four Seasons by the Lake or lunch or dinner time, the bar offers four to choose from - The Original Bloody Mary, The Four Seasons Bloody Mary, and Eddie’s Bloody Mary, all made with Tito’s Vodka. The fourth selection, The Breakfast of Champions Bloody Mary, is only served during Sunday breakfast. It is also made with Tito’s Vodka and their house Bloody Mary mix, then garnished with a slice of French toast, bacon, hard-boiled egg, sausage link, and served with a seasoned salt and pepper rim.

COVID-19 inspired an entirely new way of doing business for restaurants whose customers were cautious of eating indoors during the height of the pandemic. For many establishments, that led to the creation of to-go family meals which continue to be offered by Four Seasons by the Lake.

The take-out, family-style meals are offered for pick-up only Sunday through Thursday and serve four people. Priced at $60 or $70 including a garden salad and dinner rolls, the 14 selections include mostly non-menu items such as Cajun chicken alfredo, penne bolognese, chicken parmesan, shrimp Christina, shrimp scampi, stuffed cod, balsamic glazed salmon, stuffed chicken, and others.

While some diners prefer to reserve the weekends for dining out, there are plenty of reasons to head to Four Seasons by the Lake on weekdays for some good fun, food, and drink.

Tuesday through Friday from 3-6 p.m. in the bar area is Happy Hour featuring $6 appetizers such as Philly egg GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 31

rolls, chicken quesadilla, jumbo pretzel, potato skins, and Asian pot stickers, as well as $4 house wines, $3 domestic bottled beers and $4 imported bottled beers and $4 Truly seltzers.

Beginning at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, the Sun Valley Car Show rolls into the upper field adjacent to Four Seasons by the Lake where car lovers will find some classics from yesteryear.

“People will often stop into the restaurant for a bite to eat before heading to the show or do take home afterwards,” Pease said.

If you like a good laugh, Four Seasons by the Lake will offer two Comedy Nights in July, one on Thursday and the other on Saturday. Comedy Craft Beer Tours will bring a headliner to the restaurant on July 14 with tickets priced at $10 that are available at comedycraftbeer.com. On July 30, Peaches Rodriguez and Friends will perform with tickets priced at $10 available at the door. Check the restaurant’s Facebook page for future dates.

When the weekend begins, live music in the restaurant on Fridays and Saturdays kicks off at 7 or 8 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Check the restaurant’s website for times and performers. Reservations are recommended. Some acts are free, and some nights require a cover charge.

The natural beauty of the lake and its lush surroundings offer the perfect backdrop to hold a wedding, birthday, retirement, sweet 16, or anniversary party, as well as after funeral reception, corporate or other events in the spacious and welllit Hill House. The land surrounding the Hill House features a covered bridge, arbor and gazebo, which are perfect to bring the wedding outdoors to get married among nature. The banquet facility also features a Bridal Suite in the upper balcony, as well as a dance floor for merry making. Smaller events can also be booked in the restaurant. Event planner Kim Galiatsos is available to help with every detail.

Four Seasons by the Lake is located at 51 Old Springfield Road in Stafford Springs, CT. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 1 a.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed Mondays.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT FOURSEASONSSTAFFORD.COM, EMAIL FOURSEASONSBYTHELAKE@GMAIL.COM, OR CALL 860-851-9445.

FOR INFORMATION ON HOSTING AN EVENT, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE’S EVENT PAGE, EMAIL EVENTSATFOURSEASONSSTAFFORD@GMAIL.COM, OR CALL 860-272-7056.

32 GO LOCAL JULY 2022

1 Allen St., Hampden, MA

(413) 566-8324 di Hampden House

OUR OUTDOOR PATIO IS OPEN! CASUAL FINE DINING | LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Friday & Saturday Nights

Open for Lunch Friday thru Sunday Half Price Pizza Monday Night in Our Lounge

See our website for our Banquet & Catering Menu

lacucinahampden.com

Lounge Open & Pizza 7 Days • Bar Open Late Mon.-Thurs. 3pm-9pm | Fri.-Sat. 11:30am-10pm | Sun. 11:30am-9pm

LET THE SPARKS FLY

• Custom Jewelry Designs • Fine Jewelry Repairs • Watch Repair, Sizing & Batteries • Engraving • Laser Repairs • Appraisals • Buy, Sell & Trade Jewelry

8 West Road • Ellington, CT 860-875-6044 • goldanddiamondct.com Tues, Wed, Sat 10-4 • Thur 10-8, Fri 10-5:30

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 33

GO EAT

! RECIPE SUBMITTED BY NATHAN BLAIS

Potato Salad

1 bag of baby potatoes 2 eggs 2 strips of bacon 2 scallions 1/2-3/4 cup mayo 2-3 Tbsp Dijon mustard Salt and pepper Paprika, for garnish

Cut your baby potatoes in half, or quarters depending on their size. Add that to a pot with water, and add in your two eggs so they can cook at the same time. Bring to a boil and let cook for about 10-12 minutes or until they are fork tender. Drain and put them into a bowl of ice water to help them stop cooking, drain and store in the fridge for a couple of hours before you dress them. To make your dressing, mix together the mayo, mustard, salt and pepper. Add to your potatoes along with your chopped hard boiled egg, bacon, and scallions. Top with paprika and extra scallions and you’re ready to enjoy!

NATHAN BLAIS I’m a photographer from Springfield. I combined my love for cooking and photography and turned it into a career. Check out my instagram @nateblais!

34 GO LOCAL JULY 2022

Come for your Bra Fitting and leave feeling Spectacular!

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S A L E

Three places to shop Moxy Boutique’s great styles! Apparel, Accessories, Gifts and Local Artists!

17 College St., South Hadley, MA at the Village Commons 13 Bridge St., Suffield, CT at the Lily House Or shop online www.moxyboutique.com T H A N K YO U F O R S U P P O R T I N G L O C A L . W E 36 GO LOCAL JULY 2022

OUR CUSTOMERS.

! HOPE TREMBLAY  NATE BLAIS

Petersen's hardware

P

etersen’s Hardware owner Darren Long is not related to the Petersen’s, but in a way, he is family.

The Petersen family opened the South Windsor hardware store in the 1960s and ran it for more than two decades, said Long, selling it to a longtime employee who started working there in high school.

Long also began working at Petersen’s while in high school. He started out sweeping floors and stocking shelves in 1985 at age 16 and continued to work there after graduating South Windsor High School in 1987.

“I became the first full-time employee,” he recalled. “The owner, Kevin, said ‘stick with it and I’ll sell it

to you one day’.”

That day came in 2019, 34 years after Darren started at Petersen’s Hardware.

Over the years as the Store Manager, Long learned a lot about running the store. But there was still a learning curve once he took over as the owner. Long learned about the back office and operations GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 37

aspects of the business. He dove in and quickly figured out the computer systems, more about managing inventory and about paying taxes.

Petersen’s Hardware started out as a True Value store and remains one today, along with being a Do It Best store. Having these two companies as suppliers helped his business maintain inventory during the pandemic. “We were able to keep items in stock,” he said. “We have a large selection and a lot of products people want.”

Being a neighborhood style store makes it easy for customers to find what they need quickly. And if they are unsure what they need, Darren and his staff can help. A lot of times, customers ask specifically for Darren.

They have known him for years and rely on his expertise. Long said over the years he became pretty handy, using the products in the store on his home projects to become more knowledgeable for his customers. And his knowledge is widespread. Long said, “I’m a Jack of All Trades.” And this serves him very well. “People can get in, get what they want and get out in minutes if they need to,” Long said.

A native of South Windsor, Long said being part of the community is important and one of the reasons Petersen’s Hardware has thrived for nearly seven decades.

“We donate to the schools, library and Little League - we are part of this community,” he said, adding that so are his employees. “We have an employee who has been here since 1989 and another who has been with us for 20 years. We have a relaxed work atmosphere and it’s a fun place to work and shop.”

Not only does Petersen’s have loyal employees, it has loyal customers. “Some people come in every day,” Long said, noting that customers and staff are the best part of the business.

“Having a customer come in, having what they need and helping them with whatever issue they’re having is what it’s all about,” he said. “And with staff, sometimes you get to see them get their start while in high school, then go off to college and sometimes come back for summers and you can see them grow.”

Petersen’s stocks a little bit of everything, said Long. “We have tools, plumbing supplies, nuts and bolts, Benjamin Moore paint, air conditioners, grills, garden supplies, camping chairs - there is a lot!”

38 GO LOCAL JULY 2022

And Petersen’s staff is there to help customers navigate the store and their needs, offering services ranging from window screen repairs and filling propane tanks to changing batteries on remotes and cutting keys.

“It’s those little quality of life services that people appreciate,” said Long.

Long, who served South Windsor as a firefighter for 25 years, said owning the store was a dream.

“I always wanted to own a ‘Mom & Pop’ shop,” he said. “I always wanted to be my own boss.”

Darren Long said he hopes to keep the Petersen family tradition alive and hand down the store to a longtime employee someday, but until then, he plans to keep providing the products and service that makes Petersen’s Hardware stand out.

LOCATED AT 850 SULLIVAN AVE., SOUTH WINDSOR, CT PETERSEN’S HARDWARE IS OPEN MONDAY - THURSDAY 7 A.M. - 6 P.M., FRIDAY 7 A.M. - 5 P.M., SATURDAY 8 A.M. - 5 P.M., AND SUNDAY 9 A.M. - 1 P.M.

GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 39

local snapshot  Michelle Johnson

40 GO LOCAL JULY 2022

There are at least 25 different daffodil species and up to 13,000 hybrids according to the Daffodil Data Bank.

we are local.

ROARING ACRES ALPACAS VISIT OUR BOUTIQUE!

We carry a variety of warm, soft and beautiful Alpaca products such as Hats, Gloves, Blankets, Nesting Balls, Sportman Socks and NEW THIS YEAR: Soaps and Dryer Balls made right here at the farm!

Bring your family and hand-feed the Alpacas! Admission is FREE! Like Us? Love Us? Review us on TripAdvisor!

685 Hale St., Suffield,CT 860-463-0485 roaringacresalpacas.com Open Saturdays 12-4pm & Wednesdays 1-4pm or by appointment for groups larger than 10

SINCE 1993

TAKING CARE OF YOUR BODY, MIND & SPIRIT

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844 Main Street, Agawam, MA 413-786-9366 grannysplacefarm.com email: grannysplace09@comcast.net

413-525-0720

264 N. Main Street East Longmeadow, MA

50 Enfield Street • Enfield, CT • 860-741-5999

401 Enfield Street • Enfield, CT

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Dishes • Glassware • Silverware • Linens • Chafers • Tables & Chairs GOLOCALMAGAZINES.COM 41

LOCAL EINSTEIN

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE - NO GOOGLING!

“ALL SUMMER LONG” WAS A HIT IN 2008 FOR WHO?

WHAT IS THE MOST POPULAR FLAVOR OF ICE CREAM IN THE US?

[A] Eminem [B] Britney Spears [C] Kid Rock [D] Rihanna

[A] Chocolate [B] Vanilla [C] Strawberry [D] Coffee

WHO WAS THE FIRST MAN TO WALK ON THE MOON (JULY 20, 1969)?

A GOLDEN MIDGET IS A TYPE OF WHAT?

[A] Neil Armstrong [B] Buzz Aldrin [C] Alan Shepard [D] John Glenn

[A] Watermelon [B] Banana [C] Apple [D] Tomato

WHICH TWO US PRESIDENTS DIED ON JULY 4 IN THE SAME YEAR?

WHAT IS THE NAME OF QUINT’S BOAT IN THE MOVIE “JAWS?” [A] Shark Hunter [B] Orca [C] Trouble [D] Fins

[A] Woodrow Wilson & Harry Truman [B] Thomas Jefferson & John Adams [C] Abraham Lincoln & James Buchanan [D] George Washington & John Quincy Adams WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE WARM, DRY WINDS THAT BLOW OVER THE ROCKIES?

WHICH COUNTRY WON THE INAUGURAL WOMEN’S WORLD CUP OF SOCCER TOURNAMENT (1991)?

[A] El Nino [B] Scirocco [C] Chinook [D] Zephyr

[A] USA [B] Germany [C] Spain [D] Sweden

[A] Montreal [B] Brussels [C] New Orleans [D] Paris

# CORRECT

IQ

RANK

ANSWERS:

8-9 5-7 2-4 0-1

160 110 50 3

Prodigy Egghead Meh Simpleton

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

IF YOU WERE STANDING IN THE FAMOUS “CAFÉ DU MONDE,” WHAT CITY WOULD YOU BE IN?

2022 Enfield Fourth of July

Town Celebration

Fri July 8 | Sat July 9 | Sun July 10 Presented by Bud Light • iHeart Radio • Town of Enfield

FREE N 5K RACE Sat 10:00AM | PARADE Sat 11:00AM M D A ISSIO

FIREWORKS Sun 9:30PM

FREE Shu Bus Serv ttle ice

Slaughter Vixen Autograph Michael Allman Band Trailer Trash Taste of Enfield opens 5PM Friday, 11AM Sat & Sun | Craft & Vendor Marketplace opens 10AM Sat & Sun Children’s Activity Area presented by Bright Beginnings 12-7PM Sat & 10AM-1:30PM Sun

w w w.enfieldcelebration.org

42 GO LOCAL JULY 2022

The Final Countdown

Shop independent for you next beach read!

Nothing says summer like sun, sand and a good book.

BROADSIDE BOOKSHOP

BOOK MOON,

Shop in-store or order online for store-pickup or ship-to-home. Need a recommendation? Broadside Bookshops knowledgeable staff would love to help you find your next read. If you feel like taking a chance, choose a Mystery Bundle, a wrapped package of books or a combination of books and a puzzle.

New and used books and bookish gifts. Offers curbside pick-up. Audiobooks via Libro.fm

247 MAIN STREET, NORTHAMPTON, MA 01060 413-586-4235 BROADSIDEBOOKS.COM

86 COTTAGE STREET, EASTHAMPTON, MA 01027 PHONE: 413-203-1717 BOOKMOONBOOKS.COM

AMHERST BOOKS

GREY MATTER BOOKS

While they carry a variety of genres, visit Amherst Books if your preferred reading is poetry, literature or philosophy. They carry both new and used books from large and small presses. They also host book-launch parties with author signings and readings. Discounts are offered for local faculty and support staff of K-12 schools and colleges and universities, graduate students, and senior citizens.

Got a title in mind and can't seem to find it? Check out Grey Matter Books in Hadley. They specialize in hard-to-find books boasting around 40,000 volumes and are almost always on the hunt for quality book collections.

8 MAIN STREET, AMHERST, MA 01002 413.256.1547 · 800.503.5865 AMHERSTBOOKS.COM

47 EAST STREET, HADLEY MA (413) 387-0160 GREYMATTERBOOKSTORE.COM

THE ODYSSEY BOOKSHOP

BIG BEAR USED BOOKS AND CAFÉ

HERITAGE BOOKS

59 years in the business of books means that The Odyssey Bookshop knows its stuff! Buy in-store or online. Check their calendar for more than 125 literary events each year for adults and children.

Also consider joining the Signed First Edition Club, which gives club members a signed first edition of a newly published book selected by the bookshop for its literary merit and collectibility potential.

Grab an iced coffee and a book on your way to the beach! Big Bear Used Books and Cafe serves up your favorite caffeinated beverage and has a carefully curated collection of used books. They love to talk both coffee and literature so if you're looking for a recommendation for either, just ask!

Heritage books can help you with rare books, collections, children's books, non-fiction/fiction, ephemera, antiques, collectibles and a database with over 10,000 books online for purchase.

9 COLLEGE STREET, SOUTH HADLEY, MA 01075 413-534-7307 ODYSSEYBKS.COM

KEYSTONE BUILDING 122 PLEASANT STREET, EASTHAMPTON, MA 01027 413-206-6199 BIGBEARBOOKSANDCAFE.COM

225 COLLEGE HIGHWAY SOUTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01073 (413) 527-6200 HERITAGEBKS.COM

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