Kids & Pets
Embracing Transition, Supporting Our Neighbors
As the late summer sun casts a golden hue over the Connecticut River, August arrives in Glastonbury with a unique rhythm. It is a beautiful month of transition—where we squeeze the final, precious drops out of our summer calendars while simultaneously preparing for the bustling season directly ahead.
Right now, our local community is alive with seasonal energy. From the final notes echoing through the Riverfront Music Series to vibrant weekend mornings spent exploring the Glastonbury Farmers Market, August offers us the perfect backdrop to celebrate local life. It is a time to slow down, connect with friends on the Green, and savor these fleeting, sun-drenched days.
Yet, August also brings the anticipated hum of the back-to-school season. For our local merchants looking to sharpen their autumn business outlook, this transition is a prime opportunity for collaborative strategy. Consider partnering with neighboring storefronts for hyper-local co-marketing—such as pairing retail supply checklists with boutique clothing discount incentives or nearby café perks. Creative, cross-promotional bundles keep shopping traffic concentrated right on Main Street.
Supporting our merchants—from fresh haircuts and classroom apparel to morning fuel—keeps Glastonbury’s economic heartbeat strong. When we choose to buy local, we invest directly in the families who make our town an extraordinary place to live. Enjoy these long summer evenings, and let’s lift up our local storefronts together.
August 2026
PUBLISHER
Srivathsa (Sri) Ramachandran srivathsa.ramachandran@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Eileen McNamara | eileen.mcnamara@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Jayashree (Jaye) Subramanian jayashree.subramanian@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Dave Claro | dave.claro@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Karen Gillis, Jenny Bergeron
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Kaitlyn Casso, Kate Wark, Lynn Damon, John Helmke, Sara Huber
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
With
Lifestyle’s co-branded print + digital packages, your business captures attention wherever our community is looking. Build unmatched local credibility on the page, and drive immediate action online.
Photographer Jeff DiCosimo, owner of Premier Portraits in Glastonbury and Plainville, is known for his family portraits and has years of experience photographing children and producing professional portraits for local schools across the state.
Photography: Jeff DiCosimo
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1-7:
its
bringing together local women, businesses and community members. A portion of the event proceeds were donated to the nonprofit Water For Good.
"Thread By Thread Boutique recently hosted
Summer Fashion Show,
1-7: Scene's from the CT River Valley Chamber of Commerce's recent inaugural Restaurant Week event and its 2026 Annual Golf Outing at Glastonbury Hills Country Club.
business monthly
Allegra Wealth Management Expands Staff
Patrick McLaughlin of Southington has joined Allegra Wealth Management in Glastonbury as a Wealth Advisor. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Patrick (pictured below) holds Series 7 and Series 66 securities licenses with LPL Financial and is working toward his CFP designation. Jamie Boyce has also joined Allegra as Office Manager and Executive Assistant. Jamie comes to Allegra with more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry Email patrick@allegrawealthmanagement.com or call 860-430-2637.
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Creating Beautiful Smiles: Purple Dental Named Platinum Invisalign Provider
Purple Dental and Crest Family Dental are proud to be an Invisalign Platinum Provider, recognized for extensive experience with clear aligner treatment. We also specialize in Smile Design, combining artistry and expertise through cosmetic bonding and porcelain veneers. Whether you want to close gaps, repair chipped teeth, or transform your smile, our personalized approach delivers natural-looking results. Discover how a customized smile makeover can boost confidence, enhance appearance, and support overall oral health. Visit purpledentalct.com.
Cummings & Lockwood Expands West Hartford Office Staff
Cummings & Lockwood is pleased to announce that Sarah R. Gersten and Sydney S. Kislin have recently joined the firm’s West Hartford offices. Sarah (pictured below) is a Charitable Planning Counsel in the Firm’s Private Clients Group, counseling high-net-worth individuals on sophisticated charitable giving strategies. Sydney is an Associate in the Firm’s Private Clients Group, focused on advising clients in estate planning, as well as trust and estate administration. Visit cl-law.com/offices/west-hartford for information.
Watkinson School Hosts Annual Gala
Administrators at the Watkinson School recently hosted the school's annual gala, A Watkinson Affair. The event supports Watkinson’s annual fund, which helps provide resources for teachers, students, and programs across the school community. "Thanks to the remarkable generosity of the Watkinson community, Watkinson School held its the most successful gala in school history, raising record proceeds to support Watkinson's students and mission." Visit watkinson.org for more information.
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Historical Society Accepting Tag Sale Donations
The Historical Society of Glastonbury is seeking donations of gently used household items, antiques, collectibles, books, toys, tools, small furniture and more for its popular annual Tag Sale, its largest fundraising event. Donations can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to noon on Mondays through Sept. 14, as well as Saturdays, Aug. 22 and Sept. 12, at 972 Main St., South Glastonbury. Email HSGTagsale@gmail.com, for large items. This year's tag sale will be Sept. 25-27.
Dawn Gagliardi Recognized In Prestigious RealTrends Ranking
The Gagliardi Team at SERHANT.CT is proud to announce that Team Leader Dawn Gagliardi was officially recognized in the prestigious RealTrends rankings, placing her in the top 1.5 percent of real estate agents nationally. This honor highlights Dawn’s exceptional sales volume, market expertise, and unwavering dedication to her clients across Connecticut. She continues to raise the bar for luxury service and transaction compliance, setting a benchmark for excellence in the industry. Visit serhant.com/agents/dawn-gagliardi for information.
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Through the Lens
PORTRAITS
ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF DICOSIMO
JEFF DICOSIMO KEEPS CONNECTICUT'S MEMORIES IN FOCUS WITH PREMIER
In an age when nearly everyone carries a camera in their pocket, Jeff DiCosimo believes professional photography still offers something a smartphone never can: the ability to turn life’s fleeting moments into lasting memories.
For more than 42 years, Jeff has built a career photographing everything from kindergarten class portraits and high school seniors to championship sports teams and family milestones. As owner of Premier Portraits and EB Taylor Premier Portraits in Glastonbury, he has combined artistic skill with evolving technology to serve communities across Connecticut.
Based in Plainville, Premier Portraits has grown into one of the state’s largest school and sports photography companies, serving 65 schools, including 12 high schools, and more than 30 youth sports organizations. The company also provides event photography and portrait services for families and businesses. A major milestone came five years ago when Jeff purchased the well-known EB Taylor studio in Glastonbury. Rather than replacing the respected local brand, he chose to build on its reputation, combining Premier’s expertise in school and sports photography with EB Taylor’s tradition of family, senior and business portraits.
“The average photographer needs personnel and software to create these kinds of images. Most cameras can do things automatically, but for special effects, you need to know what you're doing.”
“Basically, it made us go to a more specific field of photography where others can’t go,” Jeff said.
That specialty requires much more than owning a quality camera.
“The average photographer needs personnel and software to create these kinds of images,” he said. “Most cameras can do things automatically, but for special effects, you need to know what you’re doing.”
After four decades in the business, Jeff has witnessed photography’s transformation from film and darkrooms to digital editing and online ordering. Yet he believes a professional’s trained eye remains the difference. His passion for photography began long before digital cameras transformed the industry. What started as an interest in capturing everyday moments grew into a lifelong profession built on patience, creativity and a commitment to quality.
Over the years, Jeff has photographed thousands of Connecticut students, athletes and families, creating images that often become treasured keepsakes. Many of the children he photographed early in his career now return with families of their own, continuing a tradition that spans generations.
“A professional photographer has the edge because of what to look for in a picture, the quality of the cameras and the skills to create photos with lighting,” he said.
That expertise is especially important in school photography, where efficiency and creativity go hand in hand. Senior portraits, meanwhile, allow for more personalized sessions.
“We’ll go outside and do casual poses,” Jeff said. “We’ll shoot on a farm or even with a student’s horse.”
While traditional yearbook portraits remain popular, today’s families often want customized sessions that reflect a student’s interests and personality.
Operating from its Hebron Avenue studio, EB Taylor Premier Portraits also offers family portraits, business headshots and event photography. The business recently expanded its staff with the addition of photographer Tina Pelletier, whose expertise is helping broaden the studio’s offerings.
He recently expanded his staff with the hiring of a new photographer, Tina Pelletier. Tina’s expertise will help Premier Photography expand their photo services.
“I’m doing more pregnancy photos, moms-to-be photos and baby photos,” Jeff said, including milestone sessions during a baby’s first months. The studio is also seeing increased demand for pet photography.
“People love pictures of their pets,” he said.
The expansion reflects Jeff’s belief that professional photography should capture every stage of life, from newborn portraits to graduations and family celebrations.
Despite the rise of smartphones and social media, he believes there will always be a place for trained professionals who understand composition, lighting and storytelling. His photographs preserve moments that families return to for generations—a child’s first school picture, a championship season, a senior’s graduation or the arrival of a new baby.
For Jeff, photography has never been simply about taking pictures. It’s about preserving the milestones that become a family’s history, one frame at a time.
For
At Cummings & Lockwood, you receive sophisticated and carefully curated legal advice based on decades of experience and tailored to your specific goals, together with the personalized attention and elevated client experience you should expect from your professional advisors.
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TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES HAIR & MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
Capital Securities Management
A Q&A ON RETIREMENT PLANNING AND SAVING FOR YOUR KIDS
Artificial intelligence, robo-advisors and online trading platforms have transformed the investment landscape. With markets moving rapidly many investors value something technology can’t replicate: a trusted local advisor who understands their family’s goals. At Capitol Securities Management, Inc., affiliated with the national firm Raymond James, local advisor Joseph Mauriello embraces new technologies while staying grounded in personal relationships. “Our business is still built on trust and knowing our clients. That personal touch extends beyond portfolio reviews to celebrating retirements, graduations and other milestones alongside the families we serve.”
We spoke with Joseph, Senior Vice President of Investments whose two sons attend the University of Connecticut, about retirement planning and helping investors plan for their children’s financial future.
Q: WHAT’S THE BIGGEST FINANCIAL MISTAKE PARENTS MAKE WHEN TRYING TO HELP THEIR CHILDREN?
The biggest mistake is sacrificing their own retirement security. Parents naturally want to help with college tuition, buying a home or other major expenses, but there are loans available for education and mortgages for houses. There are no loans for retirement.
I compare it to the safety instructions on an airplane. If the oxygen masks come down, you put your own mask on first before helping others. It’s not selfish—it’s smart. The best gift parents can give their children is financial independence so they don’t become a burden later in life.
Q: HOW CAN FAMILIES BALANCE RETIREMENT SAVINGS WITH HELPING THEIR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN?
Think in terms of priorities rather than tradeoffs. Retirement savings should generally come first; helping children should
ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN HELMKE
happen within reasonable limits. Open family conversations are important. Sometimes the best support isn’t simply writing a check but teaching financial responsibility and good decision-making.
I also encourage people to think of gifts as a bonus, not an obligation. Before giving money away, make sure your own retirement, healthcare and emergency needs are secure.
Q: WHEN SHOULD PEOPLE START THINKING ABOUT ESTATE PLANNING AND PASSING WEALTH TO THE NEXT GENERATION?
Much earlier than most people realize. Estate planning isn’t just for retirees or wealthy families. Once you have children, own a home or begin accumulating assets, you should have a plan.
That includes a will, updated beneficiary designations, powers of attorney and conversations with family members about your wishes. Adult children don’t need to know every financial detail, but they should understand the overall plan and know where important documents are located. Transparency can prevent confusion and family conflict later.
Q: WHAT STRATEGIES CAN HELP RETIREES PRESERVE ASSETS WHILE ENJOYING RETIREMENT?
A thoughtful retirement income strategy is essential. That means coordinating withdrawals from different accounts, managing taxes efficiently and maintaining an investment portfolio designed for both income and long-term growth.
Healthcare planning is another major piece of the puzzle. Healthcare costs and longevity are two of the biggest unknowns in retirement, so families should plan for dedicated reserves and consider long-term care options. Protecting yourself against unexpected expenses also helps protect the legacy you hope to leave behind.
There are also valuable planning tools available, including retirement accounts, Roth conversions, 529 education plans, trusts and strategic gifting programs. The right combination depends on each family’s circumstances and goals.
Q: IF YOU COULD GIVE FAMILIES ONE PIECE OF FINANCIAL ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Focus on building a legacy of knowledge, not just a legacy of money.
“Retirement savings should generally come first; helping children should happen within reasonable limits. Sometimes the best support isn't simply writing a check but teaching financial responsibility and good decision-making.”
“Our business is still built on trust and knowing our clients. That personal touch extends beyond portfolio reviews to celebrating retirements, graduations and other milestones alongside the families we serve.”
An inheritance can create opportunities, but financial education creates lifelong good decisions. I encourage parents and grandparents to teach children the basics of saving consistently, living below their means, understanding compound growth and avoiding unnecessary debt.
The families that build wealth across generations often pass down values alongside financial assets. Money is important, but confidence, discipline and good habits may be the greatest inheritance of all.
As investment options continue to evolve, the role of a local advisor remains remarkably consistent. Markets will change, technology will advance and new tools will emerge, but successful financial planning still comes down to understanding people’s lives and helping them make decisions that align with their goals. In an increasingly digital world, that human connection may be one of the most valuable investments a family can make.
Joseph Mauriello Senior Vice President, Investments
Capitol Securities Management,
Inc.
11 Naubuc Ave.
Phone: Direct 860-430-6053 Cell: 203-233-5096
Online: josephmauriello.capitolsecurities.com
RESIDENTIAL DESIGN BUILD
Experts Espresso
A Travel Checklist From the Pampered Tourist Tips on How to Save For Your Children’s College
ARTICLE BY KAREN GILLIS, JENNY BERGERON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAITLYN CASSO, LYNN DAMON
Gillis: The Pampered To
on: Allegra Wealth Mana
TRAVELING INTERNATIONALLY WITH KIDS: A TRAVEL PRO’S CHECKLIST
Few things beat watching your children discover the world, though getting there tests any parent. After years of planning family trips abroad, here is what I make sure travelers handle before they fly:
1. Confirm each passport has six months’ validity beyond your dates, and note children’s passports expire in five years, not ten.
2. Enroll in TSA PreCheck, where kids under 12 come through with you, and use the free Mobile Passport app to speed home through U.S. customs.
3. Shift bedtimes toward your destination’s time zone early to soften jet lag.
4. If a child travels with just one parent or another adult, carry a notarized consent letter from the parent staying home, since some borders ask for it.
5. Arrange a private guide or driver so you can soak up the sights instead of wrestling with maps, parking, and unfamiliar roads.
hello@thepamperedtourist.com | 860-968-6040
TIPS ON DEBT AND SMART COLLEGE PLANNING:
Contribute to a payroll college fund such as a 529 Plan. In Connecticut there is a tax incentive for such contributions.
Create a custodial account for your child. While the money benefits the child, parents manage the investments until the child becomes an adult.
Consider community college. They are typically much less expensive than a traditional 4-year college and you can transfer to another college or university after a few semesters or a year or two.
Apply for scholarships. Many scholarships are available in communities and students and parents should apply for as many as possible.
Create a college budget. Figure out early how much you can contribute to your child’s future education.
allegrawealthmanagement.com | 860-430-2637
The opinions expressed in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial professional prior to investing.
New Inn Kennels
With a Five Decade Legacy This Kennel and Pet Care Business Is A Local Best-Kept Secret
ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA
Don Kaufman with a puppy client at New Inn Kennels
“We are a local and family-owned business,” Don says. “We love the animals, and we love what we do.”
When Don Kaufman began searching for a business to purchase, his wife Prati had one practical requirement for him: “You are not a people person, so it’s best if you find something with the least human interaction.”
They wanted what Don calls a “passion business” — something rooted in purpose, community, and daily work they could genuinely enjoy.
In July 2024, the Kaufmans purchased New Inn Kennels in East Haddam, continuing a nearly five-decade legacy of caring for local pets and giving Don the outdoor, animal-centered business he had been hoping to find.
“I have always loved dogs,” Don says. “While searching for commercial properties one day, I stumbled on this place.”
The couple became the fifth owners of the family-run kennel, which has been serving pet owners since 1977. Situated on a picturesque 23-acre property on Sheepskin Hollow Road, the business includes 1.5 acres devoted to boarding, daycare, and play areas, as well as the Kaufmans’ second home, allowing them to be on site around the clock.
“We are a local and family-owned business,” Don says. “We love the animals, and we love what we do.”
The transition to kennel ownership marked a significant career change for them. Don is a U.S. Navy veteran who served as a military police officer. He later built a career as a master technician for Audi before deciding to pursue a different path.
Valentine's Day is one of several holidays and special events celebrated at New Inn Kennels
Today, Don is hands-on with the kennel’s daily care and operations, while Prati works behind the scenes applying the same strategic marketing expertise she brings to small businesses through her agency, Small Biz Marketing. She also incorporates her work in human energy coaching to support team culture, leadership, and aligned growth, helping New Inn Kennels continue its legacy with intention and heart.
New Inn Kennels can accommodate up to 120 dogs and a dozen cats, offering boarding and daycare services in climate-controlled facilities with spacious indoor kennels sanitized daily. There are also outdoor runs and four distinct play yards. On-site grooming services are available as well. The kennel employs eight staff members, including manager Lindsay and a full-time groomer, to ensure every pet receives individualized attention.
“Every pet is unique, so we tailor services like cuddle time, private play, and nature walks to meet their individual needs,” the website states.
The cats-only room offers two-story condos, providing a calm and cozy environment for feline guests.
New Inn offers boarding, daycare, and a combination board-and-play option.
For Don, caring for animals extends well beyond food, exercise, and a clean place to sleep. The goal, Don says, is to make every stay feel like a vacation.
“Pretty much every month we have a special event here,” he says.
Summer brings some of the kennel’s most popular attractions, including pool parties and backyard-style barbecues. Don takes particular pride in firing up the grill and preparing specialty meats for the canine and feline guests.
Fall ushers in Halloween festivities complete with costumes, contests, and keepsake photographs. At Christmas, the holiday spirit arrives in full force as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, along with an elf, make a special appearance to pose for pictures with the pets.
The celebrations have become a favorite among clients, creating memories for both pets and their owners while adding a little extra excitement to daycare and boarding stays.
That dedication reflects the couple’s broader philosophy about the business.
For them, New Inn Kennels isn’t simply a boarding facility. It’s a place where pets become extended family members and where owners can travel or work with confidence, knowing their companions are receiving plenty of attention, affection, and fun.
That devotion extends to local outreach efforts with animal rescue groups, including helping board pets waiting for a forever or foster home and hosting fundraising drives for rescue groups.
Their combination of hands-on ownership, experienced staff, and a calendar full of special events has helped build on New Inn Kennels’ nearly five-decade legacy.
After all, Don says, “there’s no better business than one built around doing what you love.”
New Inn Kennels
149 Sheepskin Hollow Road, East Haddam
Online: newinnkennels.com
Phone: 860-873-8149
Email: board@newinnkennels.com
Santa, Mrs. Claus and an elf helper visit the pets every Christmas at New Inn Kennels.
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TAY LOR WALSH, A LONGTIME EDUCATOR AND SCHOOL DIRECTOR, WILL OPEN MONTESSORI ON MAIN THIS SUMMER
ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA
MONTESSORI SCHOOL
OPENING SOON
A veteran educator’s long-held dream of opening a Montessori school is about to become reality in Glastonbury, where a new early childhood program hopes to fill a growing need for local families by summer’s end.
Taylor Walsh, who currently operates a Montessori school in Middletown, plans to open Children’s House of Montessori on Main, at 2584 Main St. in the lower level
of St. James Episcopal Church. Pending state licensing, the school hopes to welcome its first students by late summer.
For Taylor, who is the Head of Schools for both facilities and has decades of early childhood experience, both as a teacher and as a director, the new venture represents the culmination of a career shaped by a simple but powerful educational philosophy.
“I loved the Montessori approach and always wanted to start a Montessori school,” Taylor said.
Certified to teach pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Taylor spent years working in early childhood education, including as a teacher in the Hartford Public Schools system. Early in her career, she discovered the Montessori method and received specialized training in its principles.
Developed more than a century ago by Italian physician and educator Dr. Maria Montessori, the approach encourages children to learn through exploration and hands-on experiences rather than traditional teacher-directed instruction. Montessori opened her first Casa dei Bambini, or Children’s House, in Rome in 1907 after observing that children flourished when given the freedom to make choices and work independently in carefully prepared environments.
Today, Montessori schools can be found around the world, serving millions of students. The educational model emphasizes respect for each child’s natural development and encourages teachers to act as guides rather than lecturers.
Taylor said those principles continue to resonate with modern families.
“Montessori is for life,” she said. “It’s an approach to education that helps children learn about life’s changes. We teach them to be independent and confident so they can learn for themselves.”
At the heart of the curriculum are four core areas of study: practical life, sensorial education, mathematics and language. Young children learn everyday skills such as pouring, sorting and caring for their environment while building the concentration and problem-solving abilities that support future academic success.
The Glastonbury school will feature the full complement of Montessori educational materials and is in the process of hiring trained teachers.
The school’s new home occupies a roughly 2,200-square-foot finished lower level at St. James
Episcopal Church. The space includes two large classrooms, a multipurpose room and administrative offices. Taylor is seeking state approval to enroll up to 38 children.
The location was selected not only for its facilities but also because of what Taylor sees as an unmet need in the community.
“Glastonbury made sense for a Montessori school,” she said, noting that the town has recently seen the closure of two early childhood education centers, leaving fewer options for local families.
The Glastonbury campus builds on Taylor’s growing experience as a school founder. After spending several years working in human resources, she decided to return to her educational roots and opened a Montessori school in Middletown in 2023. The positive response reinforced her belief that more communities could benefit from the Montessori approach.
Early childhood education continues to be a priority across Connecticut as communities work to expand access to quality preschool programs and address the challenges faced by working families seeking reliable care and educational opportunities.
Taylor hopes Children’s House of Montessori on Main will become more than just another preschool. She envisions a place where children develop curiosity, confidence and the practical skills needed to navigate an ever-changing world.
Her mission is to “contribute to society by bringing Montessori education to as many children and families as possible”. She is also planning to develop a scholarship program for the CHOM family of schools.
Her mission reflects Dr. Montessori’s original vision from more than 100 years ago: creating an environment where children are empowered to discover their own abilities and develop a lifelong love of learning.
Children’s House of Montessori on Main 2584 Main St. Phone: 860-266-2617
Online: chomfamily.org
Email: Info@chomfamily.org
Taylor Walsh, head of schools for Montessori on Main in Glastonbury and Montessori on Camp in Middletown, with one of her students.
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AUGUST 2026
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
AUGUST 1ST
Open Studio at Glastonbury Arts
Glastonbury Arts Center, 1396 Hebron Ave. | 1:00 PM
Join Glastonbury Arts on Tuesday afternoons from 1-4 p.m. for Open Studio, a relaxed, creative studio where you can stay as long as you'd like. Our art studio is a welcoming space to create, connect, and encourage one another while setting aside time each week for your art. Easels, tables, and chairs are provided-just bring your supplies and a little inspiration. Visit glastonburyarts.org.
AUGUST 1ST
Free Child and Adult Fun Run
Smith Middle School, 216 Addison Road | 6:30 PM
Children jog for one mile around the Smith Middle School Soccer field. Adult courses are 2.4 and 3.5 miles. Register at the Smith Middle School Upper Soccer Field starting at 6:30 p.m. for a 6:50 p.m. start. These free, fun runs are also an opportunity to train for the Apple Harvest 5K Road Race held in October. Visit glastonburyct.gov.
AUGUST 3RD
Patriotic Paint Night with Pam - America's 250th
Welles-Turner Memorial Library, 2407 Main St. | 6:30 PM
Bring a touch of Americana to your canvas! Follow instructor Pamela Halligan of Pam’s Picassos as she guides you in painting a vibrant, patriotic scene. You’ll leave the library with your own colorful, star-spangled masterpiece. Registration required for this adults-only program. Visit wtmlib.info or call 860-652-7720.
AUGUST 6TH
Social Lounge Hosts Acoustic Sets
Social Lounge, Somerset Square | 5:30 PM
Musician Martin Piggot will take part in the Social Lounge's Acoustic Thursday Sets throughout the month. Enjoy live music, tasty bites, and delicious house made drinks. Visit Socialloungect.com for more information and additional dates.
CONTINUED
AUGUST 6TH
Music Thursdays in Bar Hollow
Cotton Hollow Kitchen, 840 Main St., South Glastonbury | 6:00 PM
Enjoy live music every Thursday from 6-9 p.m. in August inside Cotton Hollow Kitchen's lounge, Bar Hollow. The Latin band Goza plays on Aug. 6, followed by Eddie DeRocher Aug. 13, the Lynn Knapp Trio Aug. 20, and the Jodette Trio Aug. 27. Visit cottonhollowkitchen.com for more information.
AUGUST 11TH
National Aligner Day at Purple Dental
Purple Dental, 2963 Main St. | 10:00 AM
Purple Dental invites the community to celebrate National Aligner Day. As Platinum Invisalign Providers, our doctors have extensive experience creating confident, healthy smiles with clear aligners. Guests can learn about Invisalign, receive personalized consultations, and access exclusive event promotions. The event runs 103. Call 860-327-6453 for information.
realty report
A SAMPLE OF RECENTLY SOLD PROPERTIES IN GLASTONBURY.
This data is a sampling of sold properties from June 2026. Source: SmartMLS System. Courtesy of BHHS, Kristen Thompson
