Northampton, MA August 2023

Packard’s serves a variety of dishes with locally sourced fresh ingredients. A large selection of local and domestic beer on tap and in bottle. A full bar with seasonally changing cocktails and mocktails. Three floors of pool tables and more.

August Kids + Pets

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits.

This issue is always one of my favorites. I suppose because of the immense joy that children bring to their families and the significant impact they make on their communities.

Children are not merely the hope for a brighter tomorrow; they are the foundation upon which our society stands. Their innocence, curiosity, and boundless potential have the power to shape the world in ways we can only imagine. Kids represent our hardest work and greatest investment and we are happy to highlight the best for Northampton's kids in this issue.

Secondarily, who could forget pets? The special kind of companionship can be a transformative experience for children and adults alike. Pets provide us with unconditional love, the opportunity to learn, grow and develop essential life skills in a nurturing environment. And who could ignore the bond between kids and their furry or feathery friends? The bond is often deep and meaningful, fostering qualities like empathy, responsibility, and companionship.

Although children are of infinitely more value, what children and pets share in common is that they need us. Our care, attention and intention shapes how they are raised and who they become. We hope this issue inspires you to pour a little extra into the children and pets in your life this month.

Cheers!

August 2023

PUBLISHER

Candice Berube | candice.berube@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Madeline LeBlanc | madeline.leblanc@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Maureen Sullivan, Jim Ingram, Niki Lankowski

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kat Kattler Photography, Hannah Josephine Photogrphy

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

CANDICE BERUBE, PUBLISHER

@WESTFIELD_NORTHAMPTON_CL

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Josh Govero

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

YOUR HOME FOR ALL THINGS FITNESS

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Visit us today for a tour.

WELCOMING WILD ROOTS EATERY!

SERVING DELICIOUS, QUALITY, CLEAN FOODS FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH.

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Study Shows Completion of the MCRT System Would Bring Benefits

A study initiated by the Norwottuck Network to assess the benefits of the completion of the Massachusetts Central Rail Trail (MCRT) system predicts that general health and wellness would improve, and annual trail usage could quadruple, creating opportunities for overnight visitation, new jobs, increased local small businesses and an overall economic benefit ranging from $87 to $182 million annually. The Norwottuck Network, a nonprofit, raised $75,000 to commission the study. To read the report, visit masscentralrailtrail.org and to learn more about the Norwottuck Network, visit nnnetwork.net/about-us

Florence Bank Announces $50,000 pledge to Grow Food Northampton

Helen Kahn, the manager of the Grow Food Northampton Tuesday and Winter Farmers Markets, said the sponsorship will help residents who receive federally sponsored food support through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) double their purchases of local food through Grow Food’s SNAP Match program year-round. When SNAP customers purchase tokens at the market, Grow Food Northampton provides an extra $10 of tokens free through SNAP Match.  To learn more about SNAP Match, visit growfoodnorthampton.org/snap-match

TommyCar Auto Group Announces 2023 Tom Consenzi Scholarship Fund Recipients

Local students Daily Venditti and Wesley Parent are the recipients of the Tom Consenzi 2023 Scholarship. The fund, established to honor the memory of Tom Cosenzi, continues its mission of empowering young individuals to pursue their dreams and achieve higher education. Since its inception, the scholarship has awarded more than $18,000 to local students. The Tom Cosenzi Scholarship offers funds to graduating high school students who plan to attend secondary education. For more info, please visit TomCosenziScholarship.com .

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Northampton

White Oak School

Providing a Nurturing Environment for Students with Learning Disabilities

ARTICLE BY CANDICE BERUBE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAT KATTLER PHOTOGRAPHY

White Oak School, located in Westfield, boasts a picturesque campus with three buildings designed to meet the diverse needs of its students. The high school Building A houses a gymnasium, library, nurse, student support services, and speech pathologists. Building B is an electives building, equipped with a TV studio, pottery shop, art room, culinary arts room, and wood shop. The lower school Building C features the cafeteria and administration offices, creating a comprehensive educational environment.

As a 766 school, White Oak accepts outplacements from various districts, with the home school district assuming fiscal responsibility for sending students. While there is a private pay option available,  families most often collaborate with their districts in the outplacement process. Receiving a referral from your home district  can be a journey, as districts strive to support students within their schools. Typically, students already have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and worked closely with their families and schools to find the right

David Drake - Founder and Executive Director

educational fit. However, the resources available within the district may not always be appropriate for their specific needs.

One remarkable aspect of White Oak School is its ability to attract students from far and wide. Alexandra Sutter, Director of Admissions, mentions, "We have students from all over Massachusetts and Connecticut, and have had students from as far away as NH and VT who travel every day to attend White Oak." This demonstrates the school's reputation for providing specialized education to students with diagnosed language based learning disabilities, dyslexia, impairments in reading, writing, math, executive functioning delays, and attention challenges. White Oak School utilizes a specific set of strategies to help these students access the curriculum and demonstrate their knowledge. Sutter emphasizes that the students at White Oak are bright, creative, and hard working individuals and that this program does not specialize in behavioral challenges.

Recently celebrating its 34th year, White Oak School has a rich history. It was originally established in Springfield before relocating to Westfield in 1997. David Drake, the founder of the school, is described by Sutter as a "knowledgeable and kind man" who dedicated his life to students who had often been overlooked by traditional education systems. Jody Michalski, the current Head Of School, continues this long tradition of individualized instruction. White Oak School has cultivated a tight-knit community where "everybody knows everybody," and they come together to meet the needs of their students.

White Oak School is certified to teach students from 1st to 12th grade. Currently, the school enrolls students from

Cameron Rodak, Educational Coordinator; Jody Michalski, Head of School; Alexandra Sutter, Dirctor of Admissions

Teacher Alex Schindel

Teacher Tiffany Lynch

3rd to 12th grade, with a student population of under 100. With a maximum capacity of 125 students, the school maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 1:3, ensuring personalized attention and support.

The teaching staff at White Oak School is dedicated to creating a supportive learning environment. Alex Schindel and Tiffany Lynch, two of the longest-standing teachers, exemplify this commitment. Each teacher at the school teaches three periods of tutorial classes and three periods of content area classes. This holistic approach aims to develop student's communication skills and overall confidence.

A typical day at White Oak School consists of seven periods, including Language Arts, Math Arts, Science, Social Studies, Tutorial, Oral Expression (social pragmatics), and an elective or gym class. The schedule incorporates breaks throughout the day to encourage attention and comprehension, especially for students who may struggle with these areas. Each day follows the same schedule, providing a predictable routine for all students. Every morning, the entire school starts their day in the cafeteria where morning announcements are made and lunch orders are taken. Additionally, the school pairs younger students, specifically seventh grade and below, with older students in a mentorship program, fostering a sense of guidance and camaraderie.

White Oak School places significant importance on post-school planning and supporting students' college aspirations. Sutter explains, "In addition to academics, the majority of our students are college-bound." The school has a dedicated career counselor who assists with college applications and resumes, ensuring that students have a solid plan for their future. Remarkably, approximately 85% of White Oak School graduates continue their education at the college level, and solid plans are put into place for students who prefer to take a vocational track.

Beyond academics, the school offers numerous social and artistic opportunities. Students can explore a variety of electives, where art classes, for example, tie into what they learn in science, social studies and math. Extracurricular activities are available after school, including sports programs such as soccer, basketball, ultimate frisbee, and cross country. The school also organizes field trips, clubs, and even outdoor adventure activities. Proms and dances add to the social fabric of the school, fostering a sense of belonging and celebration.

White Oak School stands as a testament to the power of inclusive education and personalized support for students with learning disabilities. Through its nurturing environment, comprehensive curriculum, and emphasis on post-school planning, the school prepares students to not only overcome challenges but also thrive academically and socially. The sense of community and familial bond at White Oak School creates an environment where every student is known, valued, and supported on their educational journey.

G row Food Kids Apple Veggie Wrap

ARTICLE BY NIKI LANKOWSKI

Kid-tested recipe! Enjoy making this customizable recipe with the young cooks in your life using locally grown ingredients. Find more family-friendly recipes from Grow Food Northampton on our website: growfoodnorthampton.org/resource-category/ recipe/ This recipe was generated for a youth education workshop at the Northampton Public Schools. GFN’s education work includes connections with the schools and programming for all ages at the GFN Community Farm in Florence.

Grow Food Northampton is creating a just and resilient local food system that nourishes our community and protects and enriches the earth. Learn more at growfoodnorthampton.org.

Link to all recipes: growfoodnorthampton.org/ resource-category/recipe/

Grow Food Kids: Apple Veggie Wrap

INGREDIENTS:

• (1) 8-inch wheat tortilla (gluten free if desired)

• 2-3 tbsp plain hummus

• A few leaves of fresh spinach or lettuce

• ¼ apple thinly sliced

• ½ tsp fresh lemon juice

• ¼ cup of thinly sliced or grated carrots, radishes, cucumbers, or bell peppers

Utensil: Spoon

DIRECTIONS:

1. Lay tortilla flat

2. Spread hummus on the tortilla, leaving at least an inch on all sides

3. Cut up spinach or other greens and place on top of the hummus

4. Slice the apple and other vegetables and squeeze lemon juice on top

5. Place the apple and veggies on tortilla

6. Fold up the sides of the tortilla and then roll tightly from one end

MAGIC VARIATIONS:

• Meat lover? Replace the hummus with ham or another meat

• Experiment with other veggie fillings

• Try different flavors of hummus

GROWFOODNORTHAMPTON.ORG/RESOURCES/ GROW-FOOD-KIDS-APPLE-VEGGIE-WRAP/

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- Connie

A sanctuary for Body, Mind & Spirit

EXCELLENCE, BREWED

ABANDONED BUILDING BREWERY

ARTICLE BY MAUREEN SULLIVAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH JOSEPHINE PHOTOGRAPHY

What do you do with an abandoned building? If you are Matt Tarlecki, you imagine it becoming a brewery and then you transform it into your vision of what it could be.

For a civil engineer from the Philadelphia area who started home brewing in college as a hobby, the idea of opening a brewery in an old, abandoned mill in Massachusetts seemed like a crazy idea. But when friends told him he should start a brewery, he indeed thought it was crazy. Matt would often visit a high school friend who lived in the area. After doing some research, he ultimately made the move to Western Massachusetts in 2013.

Starting in March of that year, Matt began transforming a 2,700 square foot space in the old mill building at 142 Pleasant St. in Easthampton, aptly named “The Brickyard.” The previous tenant was a plastic bag manufacturer who vacated the space and left it in shambles.

Most of the brewery was designed, constructed, and finished entirely by Matt, which included painting the 16-foot-tall walls and ceiling, assembling the walk-in cooler, refinishing the original hard wood floors, and installing the 15-barrel brewhouse with two 30-barrel fermenters and one 30-barrel bright tank.

He performed limited renovations to maintain the ambiance of the original mill building, and successfully navigated the permitting side of brewing. He was granted

Owner Matt Tarlecki

WE CAN’T WRITE ABOUT A BREWERY WITHOUT MENTIONING THE BEERS.

There are the rotating hops beers made with different hops - often based on what customers request, or what new ingredients are out in the world of beers.

Then there are the specialty beers that are released when the brewery tries out new ingredients. For example, there is Zappa Zappa Zappa, an IPA that uses only

Zappa hops, named after the musician Frank Zappa in collaboration with the Zappa family.

The Curbside Pilsner was born during the pandemic, and named because picking it up curbside was the only way to get it in those days. It’s now one of the most popular beers and is offered year-round.

a Federal Brewer’s Notice in October of 2013, only after enduring the federal government shutdown in October. The State level Farmer-Brewery License was awarded at the end of November that same year.

In 2019, Matt expanded the brewery taproom space. It’s now one of the largest taprooms in Western Mass. He describes it as a warm, intimate space. On Fridays and Saturdays, there is live music in the taproom, and trivia night is every other Wednesday.

Matt calls the taproom staff “amazing and supportive in what we do,” adding that customers know them well.

That support is evident when the runners in an annual Thanksgiving 5K race gather to have a beer at Abandoned Building, which serves as the pick-up location for the athletes. The brewery is open from 9 a.m. until noon on Thanksgiving.

Abandoned Building Brewery has become a destination not only for its interesting beers, but also for music and good food. Every May through October, from 5 to 9 p.m., the brewery hosts Food Truck Fridays.

Now in its sixth season, Food Truck Fridays attract up to 800 people, who come to try the offerings from four or five local food trucks in a parking lot that is converted into a beer garden.

The food trucks rotate each week, so there is always something new to taste. There is live music, too. Children and pets are welcome.

“It’s about the beer, the food, the music, and the community,” says Matt. “It’s a very relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere.”

For those who like Food Truck Fridays, the brewery started a new partnership this summer with the Vegan Pizza Land food truck, which is in a separate beer garden Thursdays through Sundays.

Whether you're meeting friends, or exploring the neighborhood, be sure to stop in at Abandoned Building Brewery!

ABANDONED BUILDING BREWERY

142 Pleasant Street | Easthampton, MA

Abandonedbuildingbrewery.com | 413-203-2537

“IT’S ABOUT THE BEER, THE FOOD, THE MUSIC, AND THE COMMUNITY. IT’S A VERY RELAXED, ENJOYABLE ATMOSPHERE.”

- MATT TARLECKI

M. Kasperowski, DDS • Bryan M. Kasperowski, DMD, FAGD • Meghan Kelley, DMD • Dr. Alison Leecock DMD

Quality Cleaning & Restoration

Making Everything New Again

When disaster strikes your home or business, Vlad Agapov and his fully uniformed team at Quality Restoration step into action to initiate the cleanup and restoration process.

"We guide you through the entire process, ensuring everything is restored to its original state," says Patrick Locklear, Quality Restoration's marketing manager. "Our ultimate goal is to leave customers in awe."

According to Patrick, Quality Restoration specializes in fire, water, smoke, and mold damage, as well as bio cleaning. Even during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic, the company was entrusted with cleaning town halls, schools, and hospitals, without having to lay off any employees.

While the restoration industry sets certain standards, Patrick emphasizes that Quality Restoration goes above and beyond. For instance, when local business Yankee Candle flooded 3 years ago, Quality Restoration swiftly arrived with a

highly trained team of employees and nine trucks. Within eight hours, the water was removed and then the team started the drying process. Due to the quick response of Quality Restoration, the company was able to resume operations the next shift.

Every morning, Vlad meets with his team, instilling in them the company's values and emphasizing the significance of their work in customers' homes, businesses, and the communities they serve. The employees then embark on their day's work, operating clean and meticulously maintained trucks, catering to customers in Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire.

Vlad and his wife, Yelena, immigrated to the United States from Uzbekistan 32 years ago. Today, they both take pride in the company they have built on core values that are exemplified by every employee at Quality Restoration—dedication, dependability, and confidence.

ARTICLE BY MAUREEN SULLIVAN

Mt Tom’s Homemade Ice Cream & Candy Store

ARTICLE BY JIM INGRAM | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CANDICE BERUBE

I grew up in eastern Massachusetts, in a small town that shares similarities with my current hometown of Easthampton. I attended college in western Massachusetts and absolutely fell in love with the area. However, after graduating with an engineering degree, I bid farewell to the Pioneer Valley and returned to eastern Massachusetts to pursue a career in the tech industry. I started off in a large company and later joined a small startup. Unfortunately, the startup didn’t succeed, leaving me jobless and facing the opportunity to reinvent myself. In that moment, I challenged myself to transform the humbling experience of being laid off into “the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Before diving back into job hunting, I decided to take some time

The Cottage Street Cultural District Spotlight

“We’re not just selling ice cream. We’re selling memories.”

for myself and embark on a period of travel. I indulged in more than a year of wanderlust and self-reflection, exploring the open roads of the United States and the beaches of Australia. However, eventually, the time came to return to reality. After a short job search in engineering, it became clear that my heart wasn’t in it. I had always nurtured the desire to start my own business, and it felt like now or never. The question was, what kind of business would it be?

As fate would have it, after my year of travel, I found myself living with my recently retired parents, who had just sold their business—an ice cream shop. My dad had worked for large companies throughout his career until he finally decided it was time to make ice cream for himself. (Fun fact: He was the head ice cream flavor developer for Howard Johnson’s during their glory days. It seems ice cream truly runs in my blood.)

Over breakfast conversations and cups of coffee, I eventually convinced my dad to help me start my own scoop shop. I scoured numerous towns in eastern Massachusetts in search of the perfect location for my envisioned ice cream shop. Just as I was losing hope of finding that ideal town, I found myself in western Massachusetts visiting an old friend from my corporate days. While enjoying drinks and a backyard fire, I shared my

plan to open my own ice cream shop. She promptly exclaimed, “I know someone.”

As they say, the rest is history. The next morning, I visited the future location of Mt Tom’s Homemade Ice Cream and knew that 34 Cottage Street, Easthampton, was the perfect spot. That day was nearly twenty years ago, and it has been the adventure of a lifetime.

During my time in business school, I had the opportunity to meet a highly successful entrepreneur who shared a few tips on startups. Our conversation eventually turned to me, and he asked, “What kind of business would you like to start?” I nervously replied, “I’m not sure, something that brings happiness.” He responded, “Well, that’s a bit esoteric.” I distinctly remember that word because at the time, I didn’t know its meaning. Little did I know then what kind of business I would eventually establish. As it turned out, the business I started, which is now two decades old, does exactly that. To quote one of my friends from the ice cream shop, “We’re not just selling ice cream. We’re selling memories.”

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Backyard Chickens

Chickens have become increasingly popular as pets in both suburban and urban areas during the last 20 years. Backyard chickens may seem to be an unsuspecting animal to keep as a pet, but the tried and true egg producers are back in fashion as food costs are soaring and families are looking for more food independence in light of recent supply chain shortages.

There’s a lot to like about raising chickens in your backyard. Surprisingly, chickens are relatively low-maintenance. And bonus—unlike dogs, they don’t need to be bathed or groomed, and they don’t shed on your clothes or require training. Could backyard chickens be the perfect pet/producer to add to your home?

Things to Consider Before Getting Chickens:

First, check local town ordinances to ensure that keeping chickens is even allowed in your neighborhood or if there is a limit to the number of chickens you can keep at once.

Make sure you have the space for a henhouse or a full-size chicken coop. It has to hold a feeder and water containers, a roosting area, and a nest box for every three hens. A proper coop should be large enough that you can stand in it to gather eggs and shovel manure comfortably, but a simple henhouse can be quite a bit smaller. Plus, any housing must be sturdy enough to keep your chickens safe from all the predators out there. Gorgeous coops are aplenty on places like Pinterest if you’re building your own, but many pre-made options are available through various farm supply stores as well.

Chickens need food and water daily. Feed is about $20 per 50-pound bag, but prices vary depending on your location and the quality of the feed. How long a bag lasts depends on the number of chickens you have.

Hens will lay eggs through spring and summer and into the fall, as long as they have 12 to 14 hours of daylight. Expect to collect eggs daily, or even twice a day.

Everything you need to get started on your backyard coop.

Backyard Chicken Q&A:

HOW MANY CHICKENS SHOULD I KEEP?

Chickens are sociable creatures, so plan to keep three to six birds at least. With this amount, you’ll always have a steady supply of eggs, since an adult hen lays about two eggs every three days, on average. Local ordinances also dictate how many chickens one household can keep.

HOW MUCH DOES KEEPING CHICKENS COST?

All of this costs money, of course. The materials to build and furnish a coop and a 20 x 5-foot run—including wood, fencing, and hardware—are going to set you back at least $300. If you can’t do this work yourself, you’ll also be buying skilled labor.

Overall, expect to spend between $500 and $700 when getting started depending on the size of your flock, coop and run. For prefabricated coops, expect to pay $600 or more.

WHAT KIND OF SHELTER DO THEY NEED?

Chickens need to have an enclosed coop that provides adequate space, protection from the elements and predators, and good ventilation. A modified shed, barn, or stable with an outdoor run is a good option for a coop. The outdoor run should be fully enclosed if you have predators like hawks or owls nearby. Ideally, coops are slightly elevated off the ground to prevent flooding and have windows on each side, enough nest boxes to allow several chickens to nest simultaneously, outlets for lighting, fans if they’re needed, air inlets or ventilation holes on the roof, and a concrete floor treated with a pet-safe waterproof coating that allows for easy cleaning and drainage.

Want to go the fancy route?

Search Pinterest for “chicken coop building plans” if you’re building your own, or consider going the luxury route with a gorgeous custom-built coop from a company like CutestCoops.com.

WHEN DO CHICKENS START LAYING EGGS?

Most hens will start laying eggs when they’re about 18 to 20 weeks old, although it may take more time for them to reach their peak output. Often, the first eggs are laid irregularly or are smaller or oddly shaped when compared with a typical egg. This is nothing to worry about! Once a cycle is established, most hens will lay one egg per day.

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

Grow Food Northampton Farmers Market

PLAZA BEHIND THORNES MARKETPLACE | 1:30 PM

Join us on the plaza behind Thornes Marketplace from 1:30-6:30pm every Tuesday to shop, listen to music, catch up with friends, and celebrate summer! As always, HIP and $10 SNAP Match available for our SNAP customers funded with support from generous local businesses. For more information, please visit  growfoodnorthampton.org/farmers-markets

Ilana Glazer LIVE!

ACADEMY OF MUSIC, 274 MAIN ST, NORTHAMPTON | 8:00 PM

Iliana Glazer is a creator and comedian who co-created and co-started in the critically acclaimed series Broad City. Her debut stand-up comedy special, THE PLANET IS BURNING is on Amazon Prime, and her film FALSE POSITIVE which she co-wrote and starred in, was produced by A24 and available on Hulu. For more info and tickets, visit aomtheatre.com

Masonic Street Live!

MASONIC STREET PARKING LOT ANNEX NEXT TO ICONICA SOCIAL CLUB | 6:00 PM

Enjoy free live performances in the Masonic Street parking lot in downtown Northampton this summer from the beginning of June through the end of August. The City of Northampton will present local artists on stage on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more info, visit northamptonartscouncil.org/2022/06/masonic-street-live

Mineral Hills Winery Live Music

AUGUST AUGUST 2023 34

MINERAL HILLS WINERY, 592 SYLVESTER ROAD, FLORENCE, MA