We provide our patients with the highest quality dentistry that is available today and for you to keep your teeth for the rest of your life.
We anticipate completing this with the least amount of stress, discomfort and expense possible.
This month is our Kids & Pets issue and we have several inspiring articles this month on that theme.
We have stories about two education-related nonprofit groups in town that do incredible work on behalf of kids. Since 1998 the Glastonbury Education Foundation has raised countless dollars for local public educational programs, and since 1974 Glastonbury A Better Chance has helped nearly 100 boys from underserved communities attend and graduate Glastonbury High School.
Did you ever play in Glastonbury Little League or have a child who did? Then you're probably familiar with Don Longtin, a volunteer with the Little League since 1967. Now 90, he continues as the league's president and shows no sign of slowing down.
We also have two stories this month about local youths who are coping with disease and making a difference, and with the help of their families, are trying to help others with similar struggles.
Three-year-old Maverick Ryan was diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech, a neurological disease that makes it difficult to speak. Maverick and his mom, Alyssa, have become passionate advocates for awareness and funding for treatment. They even convinced the state to proclaim May 14 as Apraxia Awareness Day.
Talia Quest, who is 17, has started a small business crocheting dolls called Bittles. Her entrepreneurial venture is her creative response after being diagnosed with an eating disorder. Her hand-made dolls can be individualized to help their owners learn about the importance of individuality and self-acceptance.
We also have a story this month about a unique musical family. Coreyanne Armstrong is a former U.S. Navy officer who plays the bagpipes professionally and competitively along with some of her eight children. And, we have an article that takes a look at the history and importance of Camp Courant, which for nearly 130 years has provided a safe and fun summer camp experience for kids from underserved communities.
Lastly, we have a story with some tips and tricks on how to get your dog to be a better behaved pet.
We hope you enjoy this month's issue of Glastonbury Lifestyle Magazine and reading about some of the inspiring people and families in and around community.
GARY PERRELLI, PUBLISHER
August 2024
PUBLISHER
Gary Perrelli | gary.perrelli@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Eileen McNamara
eileen.mcnamara@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Jill Barry | jill.barry@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Ivy Perrelli | ivy.perrelli@citylifestyle.com
INTERN
Alexis Demircan | alexis.demircan@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Lucinda Jamison, Allison Bellucci
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Tyler Violissi, Lynn Damon, Michael Sisko, Jason Edwards, Brian Ambrose, Sarah Fryefield, Allison Bellucci
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
Michael J. Grille, MD
Pain Management Anesthesiologist
Dr. Michael Grille has established himself as one of the top Interventional Pain Management Specialists in the Northeast. With Fellowship training at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic, he brings a wealth of clinical expertise in order to develop the best and most comprehensive pain management plan to address any chronic pain condition.
Michael J. Robbins, DO
Pain Management Anesthesiologist
Dr. Michael Robbins was recognized as one of the “Best Pain Management Physicians in New Haven”, and he has brought his clinical excellence and experience to the local community. Dr. Robbins is a board-certified anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist. He has extensive knowledge in spinal mechanics, and he provides treatment for a wide range of pain issues.
Bright J. Selvaraj, MD
Pain Management Anesthesiologist
Dr. Bright Jebaraj Selvaraj brings national pain management experience to the forefront of the IAA Pain Center. Having completed his Residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital and his Pain Management Fellowship with Oregon Health, Dr. Selvaraj has been a welcome addition to our growing Pain Management Team.
• Neck , mid-back and low back pain
• Joint pain and pain after joint replacement
• Chronic post-surgical pain
• Headache, head, and facial pain
• Cervical dystonia
• Sciatica and nerve pain
• Chronic abdominal and pelvic pain
• Cancer-related pain
• Chest wall pain and thoracic outlet syndrome
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• and more!
For over 100 years, Cummings & Lockwood has been building meaningful and lasting relationships with our private clients, their family offices, businesses and charitable entities. We serve as trusted advisors for multiple generations and provide sophisticated legal counsel at every important stage of life.
Paul L. Bourdeau
Principal, Private Clients Group 860.313.4930 pbourdeau@cl-law.com
Caroline Demirs Calio
Principal, Private Clients Group 860.313.4936 ccalio@cl-law.com
Robert B. Fawber
Principal, Private Clients Group 860.313.4931 rfawber@cl-law.com
Marc T. Finer
Principal, Private Clients Group 860.313.4946 mfiner@cl-law.com
Kelley Galica Peck
Principal-in-Charge, West Hartford Office 860.313.4919 kpeck@cl-law.com
Heather J. Rhoades
Chairman, Private Clients Group 860.313.4933 hrhoades@cl-law.com
For a private consultation, please contact one of our attorneys.
Blue Back Square
75 Isham Road, Suite 400 West Hartford, CT 06107
Phone: 860.313.4900
Fax: 860.313.4993
Our core services include:
■ Estate planning
■ Estate, income and gift tax planning
■ Wealth preservation planning
■ Trust formation and management
■ Philanthropic giving
■ Generational wealth transfer
■ International estate and tax planning
■ Probate and estate settlement
■ Executor and trustee services
■ Business succession planning
■ Fiduciary, probate and tax litigation
■ Residential and commercial real estate services
■ Corporate and finance services
■ Business litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution
www.cl-law.com
1-7:
The Rotary Club of Glastonbury awarded $30,000 in scholarships to Glastonbury High School students recently. Rotary Club President Donna Finocchiaro awarded the scholarships in a recent ceremony. GHS graduate Anna Hilary received $25,000 toward her education at the University of Connecticut, which she will attend this fall. GHS graduate Arianna Ostrowski received $5,000 toward her studies to become a chef and will also attend UConn this fall. Visit Glastonburyrotaryclub.org.
Team members from The RiverLane, along with many of their clients, recently attended the 50th anniversary gala for High Hopes, a therapeutic riding center for individuals with disabilities in Old Lyme. The RiverLane is a women's fashion and accessories boutique located on Main Street in Essex. TheRiverLane.com.
Scan to read more
Glastonbury Police Department Officer Alexander Maldonado recently graduated the New Britain Police Academy, a six-month rigorous program. Officer Maldonado also received the award for being the top academic police recruit in his class and is now in his 16-week Field Training Program serving the Glastonbury community. The town utilizes the New Britain Police Academy because it produces excellent police recruits and prepares them for what is ahead. Visit glastonbury-ct.gov/police.
Lhakpa Sherpa was once a record-breaking female mountain climber. Now, she works at a West Hartford Whole Foods store, raising two teenage daughters and recovering from an abusive marriage. When the opportunity arises to make one more ascent of Everest, she jumps at it, hoping it will reverse her family’s fortunes. This is the premise of a new documentary released in July on Netflix and details Lhakpa's passion, skill and perseverance. Visit Netflix.com.
For Nearly 60 Years Don Longtin Has Inspired and Molded Glastonbury's Youth into Successful Young Men and Women
ARTICLE BY EILEEN M MCNAMARA PHOTOGRAPHY BY TYLER VIOLISSI
It started out as a favor to a friend and turned into a lifelong commitment.
In 1967, Don Longtin helped out one day with the Glastonbury Little League “and I never left. It was fun,
“I’m still awed sometimes when grown men ... call me ‘Coach’”
enjoyable and productive and I got to meet a lot of people and work with kids. And of course, I love baseball.”
Glastonbury Little League was incorporated in 1964 and Don started volunteering with the program three years later. Over the years he has become the guiding force of the organization and for many years has served as its president.
The league marks its 60th anniversary this year and Don remains as active as ever with it. While the dozens of teams that make up the league - baseball for boys, softball for girls - play from April through July, Don says running the organization has become a nearly year-round commitment.
“There’s something going on practically every day, the planning is quite formidable. We have 850 kids involved this year, ranging in age between 4 to 18.”
During the season there are concession stands to organize, volunteer coaches to recruit and oversee,
uniforms to order, and hundreds of games to manage that are played over 14 fields throughout the town, with sometimes as many as 30 games being played on a single Saturday.
“It’s really like running a business.”
Now 90, Don used to work full time as a design engineer at United Technologies. Before retiring in 1994 he became a division manager, overseeing a staff of 450.
“I used to tell my supervisor, this is pretty much the same as volunteering with the little league except the kids are older!”
He played baseball as a kid and all three of his sons played Glastonbury Little League, each with varying levels of talent, he fondly recalls.
He and his wife Jeannette raised all four of their children, David, Mark, James and Melissa, here in Glastonbury. Jeannette, who passed away in 2020, enthusiastically supported Don’s leadership of
Glastonbury Little League, and was affectionately known as “Mrs. Coach.”
Over the years, Don says, the children of Little League have become like an extended family.
“What do I like most about Little League? Oh my God, there are so many things! I guess simply sitting back and watching kids enjoy the game of baseball and softball and watch them develop and have a good time. I marvel at what they look like when they come to us at 4 and 5 years old and what they look like at 12 and 13. I’m still awed sometimes when grown men come up to me and call me ‘Coach’ and tell me they have such great memories of their time in Little League. Just to watch them grow and mature is incredible. And it’s fun to see what they’ve done with their lives, what they’ve become. It’s a fantastic opportunity to become part of somebody’s childhood memories.”
Glastonbury Little League Online: glastonburylittleleague.org On Social: @Glastonburylittleleague
ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
SARAH FRYEFIELD
When her son Maverick was still an infant Alyssa Ryan began to suspect he had a problem with his speech.
“I worked as a nanny in college and I was always around infants who were learning to talk, so I realized something was wrong. He wanted to talk, but he couldn’t. When he would attempt it, he would make quiet child noises instead. He would point and make noises and though he would say random words sometimes, we couldn’t get him to repeat them.”
In July of 2022, Maverick was diagnosed with childhood apraxia of speech, a neurological disorder that affects about 1 in every 1,000 American children. CAS becomes apparent as a young child is learning speech and is often misdiagnosed because of its relative rarity. Children diagnosed with it typically have a good understanding of language and know what they want to say, but have difficulty planning and producing the precise, highly refined and specific series of movements of the tongue, lips, jaw, and palate necessary for intelligible speech.
Maverick started intensive speech therapy in August of 2022. At the time, his only words were “Mama” and “Dada,” but over the years “he’s learned how to produce the sounds needed to form words,” Alyssa says. “He has come so far and loves to talk about his many interests: Buzz Lightyear, Battleships, and Pirates! Fourteen days after his third birthday he said his name for the first time! Maverick now loves to learn people’s names and how to say them. When he’s struggling to get a word out he can now communicate to me, “Mommy, I need help.”
The Glastonbury family, which includes Maverick’s father Sean Ryan and his one year-old brother Bowen, has become so active in raising awareness of the disorder that
the town last year designated May 14 as Apraxia of Speech Day and issued a proclamation in Maverick’s honor.
“He was like the star of the night and he really enjoyed it!”
The state also later issued a similar proclamation, she added.
Alyssa will serve this year as the coordinator for the Connecticut Walk for Apraxia, which takes place Sept. 22, at the New England Air Museum. Last year, she says, Maverick’s Team, Maverick’s Wingmen, raised $6,762 and was the top fundraising team in the state, earning him the title of Grand Champion.
“It was our first year attending the walk and we loved being a part of such a wonderful community of families that I decided to take on the role for this year’s Walk Coordinator.”
Alyssa says she hopes greater awareness of the Childhood Apraxia of Speech will help create a greater sense of kindness and acceptance for all children and the struggles they may be facing.
“I hope people will have grace with children, be patient and accepting of all, because you don’t always know what children are going through.”
For anyone with a loved one with the disorder she has this advice:
“Learn Acceptance. You will have days where your heart breaks for your child because they can’t communicate what they are wanting, needing, or feeling. It hurts not getting to hear them say, ‘I love you.’ But one day, they will!”
For more information you can visit Alyssa’s Instagram, @lexvold.ryan To donate to Maverick’s walk team visit Community.apraxia-kids.org/goto/ MavericksWingmen.
“Maverick now loves to learn people's names and how to say them. When he's struggling to get a word out he can now communicate to me, ‘Mommy, I need help.’”
Whether it’s giving to immediate beneficiaries, future generations, favorite charities or supporting social causes, we help you create a lasting financial legacy for the people and purposes that matter to you.
Contact us today for help with family legacy building.
MC Wealth Solutions Group
David Mozeleski, CFP®, CRPC®, CRPS®
Senior Vice President – Financial Advisor
Senior Portfolio Manager – Portfolio Focus (860) 657-1760 | us.rbcwm.com/mcwsg
Investment and insurance products: • Not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency
• Not a deposit of, or guaranteed by, the bank or an affiliate of the bank • May lose value
© 2023 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, registered investment adviser and Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved. 23-GN-02660 (09/23)
ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA
Founded 50 years ago under a national program, Glastonbury A Better Chance (GABC) on New London Turnpike has helped nearly 100 boys from underserved communities attend and graduate Glastonbury High School, enroll in some of the top colleges and universities in the country, and become highly-regarded leaders in government, business and nonprofit organizations.
Headquartered in the Baldwin House, a more than 100-yearold renovated home within walking distance to the high school,
GABC provides a supervised, live-in experience for up to eight high school-age boys each year.
The young men are selected from cities across the East Coast based upon their academic record, personal motivation and leadership promise. They live, free of charge, in Baldwin House (which is owned and maintained by GABC) during the school year and are supervised by two paid, live-in resident directors (RDs). Each student is also paired with a host family in the community who provides
stability and guidance to the young men, and they spend every Wednesday evening and one weekend per month together.
“The host families, the GABC board and the RDs, provide educational, emotional, and personal support to help each scholar reach their full potential,” says Walt Shea, vice president of the GABC Board of Directors.
After graduating high school, the students go on to attend college and graduate school, many choosing from among such prestigious institutions as Trinity College, University of Connecticut, Cornell, Dartmouth, Fordham, New York Institute of Technology, Colgate and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, to name a few.
Founded in 1974 by a group of local residents, the GABC is one of nine A Better Chance programs in Connecticut. It operates with an annual budget of about $100,000, which is solely derived from local donors, including businesses and individuals.
Now in its 50th year, the GABC and its all-volunteer Board of Directors are seeking to reintroduce themselves to the community and broaden the public’s awareness of what they do, who they are and, most importantly, the young people they serve.
The board is planning a 50th Anniversary Gala dinner on Sept. 21, to raise funds and awareness of GABC.
“The celebration dinner will include an auction and a raffle, and ticket sales will help raise operating funds for GABC”, says Rhonda Rawlins, the board’s president. In addition, she says, “We are also looking for businesses to become sponsors of our program.”
“For 50 years, GABC has prepared young men for future success while bringing vibrant scholars to Glastonbury, who contribute as much to the community as they receive,” the board says in a recent fundraising letter to the community. “This year we are celebrating that history while planning for the future. We are asking that you help sustain our organization by becoming a sponsor of our 50th Anniversary Gala and an ongoing partner as we continue the important mission of providing young men ‘A Better Chance!’”
GABC is looking for two host families for the upcoming school year and are always looking for new volunteers and board members. For more information on volunteer or sponsorship opportunities or tickets to the 50th Anniversary, visit glastonburyabc.org or email info@glastonburyabc.org.
1. Check to Glastonbury A Better Chance, P.O. Box 502, Glastonbury, CT 06033.
2. Paypal, via our website, Glastonburyabc.org
3. Employee Giving or Matching Gifts. Contact your employer or email us at info@glastonburyabc.org (United Way #5392).
A LEGACY OF FUN FOR LOCAL KIDS FOR NEARLY 130 YEARS
We were selected as one of the Entrepreneurial Eight, which is a huge honor.
For the past 130 years Camp Courant has served as a tribute to the power of community and the timeless joy of childhood.
The summer camp is a sanctuary for inner-city children, providing them with a safe space to learn, grow, and, most importantly, simply be kids.
Established in 1894 from a fund set up by the Hartford Courant and reorganized in 1985 as a separate nonprofit, Camp Courant is the oldest and largest free summer day camp in the United States.
“The history here is incredible,” says Corrianne Chipello, the camp’s executive director and CEO. “To have an organization thrive for 130 years speaks volumes about the dedication of our staff and the support of our community.”
The camp’s longevity is a testament to the commitment of its supporters and staff, many of whom return year after year, Chipello says.
“We have staff members who have been with us for decades. Most of them are full-time teachers who spend their summers with us, not for the pay, but for the kids and the mission we serve. That kind of dedication is truly remarkable.”
Despite its storied history, Camp Courant faces significant financial challenges.
“We rely entirely on donations to operate, and securing those funds has become increasingly difficult,”Corrianne explains. “Inflation has hit everyone hard, and our expenses continue to rise. We’ve had to get creative to sustain our mission.”
One innovative solution has been the introduction of a social enterprise in partnership with the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
“We were selected as one of the Entrepreneurial Eight, which is a huge honor,” Corrianne says. “We’re
now renting out our beautiful 36-acre facility in Farmington for events like family gatherings, corporate retreats, weddings, and more. Every dollar from these rentals goes directly back into funding the camp.”
Another way the camp underwrites its budget is with its annual fundraiser, Buddy Bash, slated for Sept. 20 this year.
More than just a fundraising event, Buddy Bash celebrates community and the collective effort to support Hartford’s youth. Corrianne says.
“It’s a Garden Party theme combining the elegance of a high-end event with a laid-back, fun atmosphere. This year, to celebrate our 130th anniversary, the theme is ‘Hope Grows Here,’ and it will be a party like no other.” An event not to be missed, the gala will feature food and drink from area best restaurants, great entertainment, and a silent auction. More information about purchasing tickets, sponsorships, or donating auction items can be found at campcourant.org
Corrianne’s vision for Camp Courant is clear: continued growth, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the children of Hartford.
“Support is crucial,” she emphasizes. “We’ve been here for 130 years and want to be here for 130 more. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference. It costs $100 a day per camper, and we serve 750 kids daily for six weeks. That math adds up quickly, but so does the impact of every dollar.”
Camp Courant not only continues to thrive but also evolves to meet the community’s changing needs. For the children of Hartford, the camp is a place of joy, learning, and boundless possibilities—a legacy that will undoubtedly endure for generations to come. To learn more, visit campcourant.org.
ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA
Coreyanne Armstrong first picked up a bagpipe at the age of 30. A former U.S. Navy officer who served on the carrier USS Eisenhower, she had just given birth to the third of what would be eight children.
An amateur musician who played the flute and piano, Coreyanne said she was hooked after her first few bagpipe practices.
“I was just blown away by it. It was the most challenging thing I’d ever done, and I’ve operated a nuclear reactor and driven a ship through the Suez Canal.”
Eighteen years later, Coreyanne now makes a full-time living playing the bagpipes. She plays in a band, The Rogues, and works gigs just about every weekend and throughout the week, either solo or with her band.
She and four of her children also compete at pipe and drum events with the group The Talcott Mountain Highlanders. Three of the children are drummers and one of them also plays bagpipes. They compete throughout New England, and have also competed in Canada and Scotland. Sometimes they also make up their own impromptu family pipe and drum band to play at events.
“Band is truly a big part of our lives and we travel to contests throughout the season together. We had our first contest at the end of June, one in July, and then we traveled to Canada to compete there in August. We also have a few more in September and October.”
Her children - , who range from 7 to 21 years old, and her husband Bob Hunter, live together in a charming and rambling Victorian home on Main Street in Portland. Inside the living room, where two couches and several sitting chairs vie for space with numerous side tables and other furniture, a glass-lined wooden hutch along one wall holds five of Coreyanne’s bagpipes.
On a table in a room on the other side of the home two other bagpipes are laid out where Coreyanne can work on them. There is always, she says, a rotating pair of bagpipes on this table because they must be maintained regularly and unlike most
other musical instruments bagpipes can be altered over time to make them better.
“You have to keep the reeds in shape, you have to maintain and improve the bags constantly to make them sound better. The bagpipe is a musical instrument that is constantly fighting you and it takes years to be skilled enough to make changes and improvements to them.” Sitting cross-legged on a couch, her relaxed and unflappable appearance belies her busy lifestyle. It was harder, she says, when the kids - Patience, 21; Gabriel,19; Leon, 17; Claire,16; Greer,12; Daniel,11; Grace,9; Joy, 7 - were younger and she was a newly divorced single mom with such a large brood.
She says she couldn’t have done it without the teamwork that a family of eight naturally develops. Older siblings for years have helped out with babysitting, running errands and making sure younger brothers and sisters get to and from school and extracurricular activities.
“I rely on them a lot and we work well together as a team.”
With that kind of help, and as the children have gotten older, Coreyanne says, she was able to devote more time to her bagpiping and turn it into a true career.
She acknowledges the bagpipes traditionally have been played by men, but says she meets lots of women bagpipers nowadays.
The instrument is much more popular than lay people realize, she adds. Her piping services are requested at a variety of events, including golf tournaments, funerals, weddings, graduations, and convocations, to name a few.
“Bagpipes are pretty much played in any situation where you have to lead a group of people on a small parade,” she jokes.
She and The Rogues, which includes another bagpiper and two drummers, play at a variety of festivals and events as well.
And then there are the occasional one-off gigs, like when she played during a burial at sea and the time the Harwinton High School senior class hired her for a prank to follow the principal around the school for an hour while playing the bagpipes wherever he went.
“That was a really fun one,” says Bob. “The principal was good natured about it. He even hired Coreyanne to come back and play at the graduation that year!”
To learn more and to find out where you can see The Rogues visit TheRogues.com. You can also visit Coreyanne’s Instagram, @coriandera , and her Facebook, Coreyanne.Armstrong
TALIA QUAST
@the.little.bittles | thebittles.com
A
a Desire to Fight an Illness
BY ALLISON BELLUCCI
At 17, Talia Quast is already making waves with her unique small business, Bittles.
Bittles are crocheted characters, each designed with distinct personalities and traits to symbolize the beauty of individuality.
The story behind Talia’s creations is equally charming—they live in a treehouse, and one day, a Bittle falls from the treehouse, ventures out and discovers the world, bringing back lessons of self-acceptance and individuality to share with the others, symbolized by the different types of hats they wear.
Talia’s business took a meaningful turn during a challenging period in her life. Last year, she spent two months in a partial hospitalization program recovering from an eating disorder.The experience profoundly shaped her, inspiring her to embed messages of mental health awareness and recovery into her work.
“I really try to make it a part of everything I talked about. And I really try to bring it into my business.”
Talia said. “I’ve made my account on Instagram a mental health awareness platform, where I like to promote recovery and inspire people.”
A student at Glastonbury High School, Talia has been crocheting since she was young. It became a central focus during her recovery. It provided a therapeutic distraction and a means of expression. Her peers in the treatment program even joined her in crocheting, filling their windowsill with their creations, a testament to the communal and healing power of the craft.
The Bittles themselves are more than just toys. They serve as symbols of various traits and emotions. For instance, the “Paw Pals” collection of characters included a lion representing courage and bravery. Talia’s upcoming “Fruit Friends’’ collection, personifies
different emotions and characteristics, encouraging individuals to embrace what they might lack, using their Bittle as a daily reminder.
She also crochets “adoptable animals” that can be customize with a birth certificate.
Her business attracts a diverse customer base, ranging from teenagers to young adults. She sells at craft venues, such as the Glastonbury Farmers Market, and at her mother’s art shows
“I’ve had like a few people reach out to me saying that I’ve helped them a lot,” Talia said, “And that means a lot to me. So it’s good to see that I’m starting to slowly make a difference.”
“I really want to spread the message of being brave and unapologetically yourself. I really want to inspire others. And if it inspires them to pursue recovery, then that’s really great too.”
You can find Talia’s Instagram account at @the.little.bittles and her website thebittles.com
Whether your pup has the obedience of a dog show finalist, or social behavior that makes you want to play dead around others, you can develop more owner confidence with help from this expert trainer.
ARTICLE BY LISA MOYER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES | STYLED BY ANGELA BROOCKERD
“Socializing your dog is beneficial for both dogs and their owners,” says Taryn Tyler, a certified dog trainer. “It creates confidence for both dogs and owners and displaces the anxiety we feel when our dogs aren’t behaving like we want them to.”
Taryn stresses that teaching a dog to sit or stay is less about tricks and more about the relationship that builds between animal and owner. “We all love our dogs, but they can be stressful when they can’t seem to click in our home environments.
• Socializing is more than taking your dog in public. A guy can dump a bunch of mulch in your driveway and spread it, but he’s not a landscaper until he’s following a plan. When the doorbell rings or a visitor comes into the house, what’s our expectation for the dog? When we’re in public and the dog’s attention is diverted, what’s our plan to refocus them? Socialization is 99% working on small steps as part of a larger plan.
• Socializing isn’t about our dogs being the center of attention in public. Everyone loves seeing a dog, but our best outcome for the dog is to go unnoticed. Sitting by our side, ignoring external stimuli, remaining calm—those are things we strive for when socializing a dog.
• When socializing dogs with other dogs, start small. Take a walk with another dog to get them to just exist in the same vicinity. Once they’re able to not be excited by the other dog, work on limited playing in controlled environments.
• If someone comes into your home, let them know what boundaries you’re working on with your dog. You can even suggest asking them to carry a few treats and work on some of the behaviors your dog is already comfortable with.
ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA
After setbacks wrought by the Covid pandemic - including the temporary cancellation of its major fundraiserthe Glastonbury Education Foundation has regrouped and is re-energized this year with a renewed focus on funding local education projects.
Established in 1998, the Foundation (GEF,) is a private, non-profit organization that raises money to fund educational programs in Glastonbury. GEF raises funds through two annual fundraising events, including a 5K road race in the spring and an annual gala in the fall, and from private donations and sponsorships.
The organization is apolitical and sits distinctly apart from any publicly funded entity, such as the Board of Education or town government agencies. In short, it is not taxpayer funded.
“A GREAT GROUP, DOING GREAT THINGS”
“THE FOUNDATION CHAMPIONS AND ACTS AS A CATALYST FOR ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS
Nonprofit education foundations have become popular vehicles to raise money for public education as communities grapple with cuts in local education funding, says Richard Twilley, the current chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Since its formation, GEF has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants for local education projects, and recently provided funding for new playgrounds at the elementary schools and the Eureka Lab at Naubuc School.
GEF also funded the construction of the television studio at Glastonbury High School and the greenhouse at Gideon Welles School, among other projects.
While the majority of its grants benefit town schools, Richard says the Foundation’s mission is to fund public education projects in general.
“We’re not limited to town schools, anyone can apply for a grant and we will consider it, as long as it relates to education in the community.”
For three years during the pandemic, the Foundation couldn’t hold its largest fundraising event, -– its annual gala. But 2024 has been a time of renewed energy for the group, he adds.
“The pandemic really hit us hard, it was a shock to the organization. We had no gala, our road race went virtual, and we had very few grant requests coming in. But now our Board is full of new, energized members and everyone is firing on all cylinders. This is a great group and we’re doing great things for our community.”
To apply for a grant, donate to the Foundation, or just learn more, visit GEFct.org.
AUGUST 2ND
River Waterfront Restaurant, 100 Great Meadow Road, Wethersfield | 8:00 PM
The Comedy Craft Beer Tour brings the best of Northeast comedy to local breweries, wineries, and any other venue that serves alcohol throughout New England and beyond for an evening that keeps the drinks flowing, and the laughs coming. Visit riverontheriver.com for more information.
AUGUST 3RD
Glastonbury Elks Lodge, 98 Woodland St., South Glastonbury | 6:30 PM
The annual Glastonbury Food Truck Festival returns again this year. The two-day event, which will be held Saturday and Sunday, has become a staple in the food truck festival community for many years. The free festival will include a craft show, and kids games and events, runs each day from 11 a.m to 7 p.m. Visit ctspecialtyevents.com for information.
AUGUST 3RD
Riverbend Bookshop, 2400 Main St. | 2:00 PM
If you completed the Where's Waldo event it's time to celebrate! We'll have popsicles, games, crafts and tons of fun for everyone. Get in the spirit by wearing your Red & White finest. You do not need to be present to win the Grand Prize collection of Where's Waldo books. Many, many prizes are available for Search Party participants. Riverbendbookshop.com.
AUGUST 5TH
Welles-Shipman-Ward House, 972 Main St., South Glastonbury | 8:00 AM
The Historical Society of Glastonbury is seeking donations for its annual Tag Sale on Sept. 27-29. Donations will be collected at every Monday, 8 to noon, until the tag sale. Volunteers are needed for all those times and more. For more information on donations or volunteering opportunities, email hsgtagsale@gmail.com or find us on Instagram and Facebook,@glastonbury-historical-society.
AUGUST 7TH
Watkinson School Hosts Information Session and Barbecue
Watkinson School, 180 Bloomfield Ave., Hartford | 6:00 PM
Join the staff or Watkinson School for a barbecue dinner and information session that about all the school has to offer. You will have the opportunity to meet faculty and school leaders, tour our 40-acre campus, and enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by our dining staff. Call 860-236-5618 to register or schedule a private tour. For more informaiton visit Watkinson.org.
AUGUST 7TH
Glastonbury Town Hall, 2155 Main St. | 4:00 PM
The Glastonbury Farmers Market will be held every Wednesday in August from 4-7 p.m. The market this year was moved to Town Hall for improved parking options and accessibility. Stop by for a vibrant gathering of vendors, musicians, families, and volunteers, creating a welcoming environment for the farmer's market that's perfect for people and families of all ages. Visit Glastonburyfarmersmarket.org
AUGUST 11TH
Glastonbury Hunt Club, 177 Bailey St. | 7:00 AM
Gates will open at 7 a.m. for the Glastonbury Hunt Club's free Open Show. There will be a food truck on the grounds serving breakfast and lunch.The youth team will host a raffle and a pop-up tack shop. Come watch the horse show and support our riders! Sponsored by the Southern New England Horsemen's Association, visit SNEHassociation.com for more information.
AUGUST 12TH
Welles Turner Memorial Library, 2407 Main St. | 6:30 PM
The Homegrown String Band celebrates the American tradition of families making music together. The band's repertoire includes a healthy portion of early country music classics by the likes of The Carter Family and Delmore Brothers, along with a sprinkling of original material inspired by the rural American string band and folk tradition. Visit WTMLIB.info for more information.
AUGUST 19TH
Welles Turner Memorial Library, 2407 Main St. | 6:00 PM
Calling all home chefs! Cook your recipe at home and then bring it in to share each month. Talk about what went right, what went wrong, and tips and tricks that you learned while tackling your recipe. The cookbook of the month will be available at the Reference Desk at the start of the month. Visit WTMLib.info for more information.
AUGUST 19TH
Live @ Bar Hollow
Cotton Hollow Kitchen, 840 Main St., South Glastonbury | 6:00 PM
As part of its live music offerings in its lounge, Bar Hollow, Cotton Hollow Kitchen will host Keith Cooper & Co. from 6-9 p.m. Visit Cottonhollowkitchen.com for more information.
AUGUST 23RD
Marlborough Arts Center & Museum, 231 North Main St., Marlborough | 7:00 PM
The 4th Friday at the Arts Cafe is an evening of musicians and performers who entertain in the intimate atmosphere of the beautiful Charles W. Hall Art Gallery. With its great acoustics and a stage on the same level as the audience it makes for interesting and personalized interaction between the musicians and the audience. BYOB. Visit Marlborougharts.org for information.
AUGUST 28TH
Addison Park Pool, 415 Addison Road | 4:30 PM
Bring your pup out for a swim! There will be two swim waves, 4:30-5:30 p.m. and 5:45-6:45 p.m. The Cost is $10 per dog, per wave. Dogs must be licensed and up to date on all shots. No aggressive dogs, please. Dogs must remain off-leash in the swim area, no humans are allowed in the pool. Visit glastonburyct.myrec.com for information.
