West Hartford, CT November 2022

PUBLISHER

Perrelli | gary.perrelli@citylifestyle.com

Welcome The Season of Giving!

November is here, which means Thanksgiving and the holiday season are upon us, a festive time of gathering with family and friends, being thankful and taking part in charitable giving. That’s why our year-end issues of West Hartford Lifestyle are about being thankful and giving back.

In that vein, we have several stories this month about people and groups who give back in the West Hartford area, including  The Healing Meals Community Project, a nonprofit that provides healthy nourishing meals to people facing a serious health crisis. It was co-founded by Sarah Leathers after her own struggles with a serious illness.

We also spoke with the organizers of The Dream Ride Experience, an annual event held at the Farmington Polo Club, about its mission to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics, the Mission 22 veter ans charity and the Hometown Foundation.

We visited with the educators at Renbrook School here in West Hartford. This private day school for kids in grades preschool - 8 was founded in 1936 to provide a more progressive and diverse education for children in the region, and the school underwrites a portion of its tuition.

In our style feature this month we spoke with Kristin Trainor, owner of Diesel & Lulu's about fashion trends this fall and for Thanksgiving, we have a recipe for a simple and delicious brined turkey.

Lastly, Nov. 26 is Small Business Saturday, the annual event that spot lights our small local businesses and retailers as we head into the holiday season. It's the day when the country "Shops Small" to help local businesses that, in turn, help all of our communities. So please remember to support all of the local businesses in our area, especially the partners in West Hartford Lifestyle, who support this magazine and whose ads you’ll find in these pages!

We hope you enjoy our Giving Back issue and you have a happy Thanksgiving!

GARY PERRELLI, PUBLISHER

scene

The West Hartford Chamber recently held its AM Connections at the Noah Webster Library. Photography courtesy of West Hartford Chamber

business monthly

Diesel & Lulu’s Opens Local Store

The pink and white striped logo of Diesel & Lulu’s is a familiar site to anyone driving through Cape Cod. Now the boutique’s uber-comfortable, casually chic clothes can be found on Route 44 in Old Avon Village North. Friends since their art school days in New York, Founder Peri Olson and Owner and West Hartford native Kristin Hinkle Trainor have collaborated to bring his unique boutique to the Nutmeg State! Visit them on Instagram @diesel&lulusct

Noah Webster Brew Fest Names Champion

The Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society recently held its Real Ale Harvest Fest and named Aspetuck Brew Lab, of Bridgeport, as the 2022 Cask Champion. Aspetuck's cask, "Extra Slice Imperial Stout," was voted Best in Show. The Real Ale Harvest Fest drew hundreds of participants who cast votes for the best brew and more than 30 casks of ale were created by 21 breweries for the event. Visit Noahwebsterhouse.org for information.

Express Strategies Assists With PROPS Launch

Express Strategies, led by West Hartford resident Bernard Kavaler, will assist in the launch of the PROPS Center, a new subsidiary of the Connecticut State Dental Association. PROPS -  Professional Resources, Office Products & Services - assists businesses in the dental and medical services industry and other pro fessional offices. PROPS “activates the power of group purchasing and resource networking to help businesses thrive," and has a new website, propscenter.com Also, visit Express-Strategies.com for more information.

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Ben Fuchs Joins CT Style

Ben Fuchs, a Certified Financial Planner and founder of Fuchs Financial, is now being featured on CT Style on Channel 8, providing a series of Financial Tips, along with regular interviews on timely retirement financing topics broad cast during the station’s CT Style program. Founded by Ben Fuchs in 2019 and with offices in West Hartford and Middletown, Fuchs Financial provides wealth management, planning and retirement services. Visit FuchsFinancial.com or call 860-461-1709 or 877-940-1009, for information.

Want to be featured?

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IT MATTERS WHO YOU HIRE.

IT MATTERS WHO YOU HIRE.

Ellyn Marshall Paula Fahy Ostop

Nakia Alexander

Nicole Greenblatt Amanda Layden Elizabeth Daly-Standish

Kate King Anne Decker

Rob Denault Beth Dulac

West Hartford, CT 06107

Ellyn

Paula Fahy Ostop

Nakia Alexander

Nicole Greenblatt Amanda Layden

Elizabeth Daly-Standish

Kate King Anne Decker

Rob Denault Beth Dulac

West Hartford, CT 06107

THE PRESCHOOL - 8 SCHOOL IN WEST HARTFORD FOCUSES ON THE WHOLE CHILD

RENBROOK

A beacon in West Hartford, Renbrook School encompasses a 75-acre campus atop Avon Mountain featuring hiking trails, a pond, three playgrounds, separate basketball and gymnastics gyms, high and low ropes chal lenge courses, three pools, and an organic synthetic turf field. The private day school has a student-centric philosophy and is com mitted to bringing learning to life.

From preschool to Grade 8, students are inspired by an experiential, project-based education that fosters engagement, hands-on learning, and outdoor education.

Renbrook’s Head of School, Matt Sigrist, has a strong presence on campus and con siders his role as the chief servant of the mission of the school. “I support our faculty and staff, provide them with the resources to thrive, and rally around this most import ant purpose—to light the fire of curiosity in our students.”

Matt often cites the importance of commu nity, relationships, and passion because they represent Renbrook’s core tenets and mission of “bringing learning to life.” Renbrook’s mis sion is its “reason for being”, and each day, Renbrook’s faculty and staff animate those ideas to provide their students with profound learning experiences.

Founded in 1935 by several families seek ing an alternative to traditional schools, Renbrook has maintained its child-centric

SCHOOLapproach to education with an emphasis on hands-on learning. ”We do our best work with an innovative and creative mindset,” Matt says.

Renbrook balances traditional educational pedagogy focused on core academic compe tencies while judiciously incorporating cut ting-edge teaching strategies.

“We’ve been here for 88 years and have a great track record, but we never rest on those laurels. We want to continue to develop foun dational skills, but we always want to do it in new and inventive ways.”

In its mission, Renbrook commits itself to teaching its students to lead in a global and inclusive world. To accomplish this, Renbrook intentionally builds a community diverse in its racial, socio-economic, reli gious, and geographic makeup. Renbrook draws from 39 surrounding towns - as far north as Massachusetts and as far south as the Connecticut shore. “Our diversity is our strength,” Matt says.

Renbrook recognizes that tuition costs can be prohibitive to some families, so the school works diligently to provide access. Renbrook grants over $1.7 million in need-based finan cial aid and provides merit scholarships for talented students.

Renbrook’s tuition covers just 75 percent of the cost of educating each student, and the school pays the remaining 25 percent of

ARTICLE BY LUCINDA JAMISON

BY CHIP RIEGEL AND BARBARA DOYLE

revenues from a variety of sources including: donations from current and past families, its endowment and reve nues earned through auxiliary programs like the Summer Adventure Program, their 50-year-old summer camp.

“We work hard developing these revenue streams to keep tuition costs down and ensure affordability for middle-class families,” Sigrist says.

Renbrook families recognize that building a learning foundation during a child’s early education years offers the highest return on education dollars and sets a course for agency, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.

“The relational piece is central to everything we do here, developing in our students a mindset of curiosity, confi dence, and personal agency,” Matt explains. Renbrook stu dents gain the skills and dispositions of engaged life-long learners in a nurturing environment. It is truly a special place for students in the West Hartford community.

Renbrook School

Albany Ave. West Hartford

Renbrook's Head of School, Matt Sigrist

The Dream Ride Experience

ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLEM KASINSKAS / BOZZUTO MEDIA

The Annual Event at the Farmington Polo Club Raises Funds For Dozens of Charities

The Dream Ride Experience 2022 roared into action in August at the Farmington Polo Club, marking its 22nd anniversary with a record-breaking number of cars, motorcycles, Dream Riders, and guests.

“Our sponsors stepped up to top the $3 million raised in 2021 with an impressive $3.5 million raised this year for The Hometown Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit charitable organization supporting those in need in conjunction with Bozzuto’s, Inc., its family of retailers, and community business partners,” says Kristy Sevag, the event’s communications director.

The Dream Ride is the brainchild of Bozzuto’s chief executive, Michael Bozzuto. Since its inception, it’s raised tens of millions of dollars for local charities.

Thousands of people from around the country and the world participate.

“The Dream Ride Experience has evolved into a year-long community commitment to celebrate the achievements of our Dream Riders, the true heart and soul of our event,” says Michael. “This event highlights their determination to persevere, over come challenges, and shatter stereotypes. We can continue to make dreams come true with the help of all the generous participants, sponsors, and donors.”

The funds raised support a broad range of pro grams that center around five key program areas, including Animal Welfare, Emergency Response Personnel, Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities or In Need, Major Illness, and the Military. The weekend-long event, Kristy says, is intended to show Dream Riders how much they’re loved.

“They feel like superstars. We want them to understand how special the world is with them in it,

that they’re important, and that the Dream Ride and the Farmington Polo Club are their safe space.”

Throughout the weekend, there was live entertainment, food and drinks, vendors, a police K-9 Challenge with dozens of depart ments competing, a dozen Connecticut fire departments participating in the Firefighter Chili Cook-Off, 100 pets at the Pet Adoption Expo finding their forever homes, the Dream Ride with more than 1,000 motorcycles, and the Dream Show with nearly 1,000 cars displayed.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the Dream Cruise. Cars and drivers came from across the country – and even from Australia – to open the doors of their amaz ing vehicles to individuals with intellectual or developmental needs or those who have faced challenges, affectionately known as Dream Riders. These drivers gave our Dream Riders a magical afternoon.

After meeting their Dream Riders, the drivers showed them their cars and then took off for a cruise through the picturesque

Farmington Valley. The cars returned to the Farmington Polo Club where the Dream Riders were treated to a red carpet entrance with a celebrity greeting that included pho tographers, medals, cheering fans, Miss Connecticut, and so much more!

“This event would not be possible without the amazing support of our generous spon sors and the dealers who displayed their vehi cles as well as our many volunteers with their big hearts and all of the emergency response personnel who helped in the planning and execution of the Dream Ride,” Kristy said.

The event continues to grow as word about The Dream Ride Experience spreads, she added.

“We are already planning for next year to be bigger and better! We look forward to welcoming you to the 2023 Dream Ride Experience on Aug. 25-27, 2023.

For information about The Hometown Foundation, visit hometownfoundation.org. For information about The Dream Ride Experience, visit dreamride.org. You can also call 203-2505112 or email info@hometownfoundation.org.

Kristin Trainor, owner of Diesel & Lulu’s

ARTICLE BY LUCINDA JAMISON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY GWEN O'DONNELL

Diesel & Lulu's

This Avon boutique has a fresh take on fashion

Diesel and Lulu’s in Avon is a fashion boutique that takes a comfort-forward approach to its offerings.

Kristin Trainor, its owner, says fall fashions this year rely on transition layering with an emphasis on color.

“We’re keeping our classic tanks and tees and layering them with colorful pieces and chunky knits. Like most of the world, our clientele has been staying home for the past several years and they’re ready to go out and socialize, but not ready to give up the comfort.

“Bright colors are so big for fall. Pink is exploding. We’re also loving beautiful bluish charcoals, caramels, and cinnamon. Green is being carried into fall but in sea greens and a lovely viridian green, a kind of blue-teal shade.”

Knits are also key this fall, “big chunky knits in oversized sweaters, head-to-toe knits. And scarves are a strategic basic for layering.

Other trends the boutique has in its lineup are a nod to menswear with widelegged pants and a mix of elevated athletic wear. Some silhouettes that will con tinue from summer include batwing sleeves, maxi/midi dresses moving from warmweather boho prints to lush fall fabrics, cargo joggers and skirts, vegan leather and modified moto jackets.

One of the looks Kristin particularly likes is a versatile hoodie. It can be dressed up or down and blended with other pieces to create a variety of looks. That concept is a pillar in Diesel & Lulu’s style philosophy. Every woman, she says, needs staples that she can change up with layers and accessories.

“I encourage women not to look at sizes; every brand’s sizing depends on where it’s made,” she says. “Try on pieces that speak to you. Does it spark joy and con fidence? Our business model is based on a casual approach, and we keep prices reasonable so we can inspire people to take a chance on a new style. We want our customers to feel bright and joyous in our clothes.”

Diesel & Lulu’s  24 East Main St., #2, Avon On Instragram @dieselandlulusct  860-986-2511

Nourishing

Love & Kindness:

ARTICLE BY

The Healing Meals Community Project is a small but mighty orga nization that provides nourishing, organic meals to people expe riencing serious health crises. But it’s also so much more.

Established in 2016, the project is a multi-level interconnected platform that works to build and strengthen communities by “empowering young people, promoting community service, caring for those in need, and restoring healthy and organic fresh foods to their place as the foundation of health for people and the planet,” says Sarah Leathers, one of the group’s founding members.

During a major health struggle of her own, Sarah faced stagger ing challenges putting together healthy meals for her family and herself. Meanwhile, Sarah’s sister, Cathryn Couch, had begun the Ceres Community Project in Sonoma County, California to pre pare home-delivered meals for people too sick to shop or cook.

As Sarah followed her sister’s project development she knew she was going to start this in Connecticut someday. “It was my dream. You just have to talk to a client or a young person in our group, and you’ll understand why. Every single day, I am so lucky

to do this work…I learned through my own health challenge that food really matters and having people caring about me mattered, and that’s what I’m able to do now.”

The mission of Healing Meals is to introduce youth to com munity service by bringing in teen volunteers to assist with the meal preparation process. Food and service are at the heart of the Project. Healthy, locally grown food is sourced from area farms, including one small family farm that produces only for Healing Meals. Every client receives six meals once a week along with a handwritten note of encouragement and caring crafted by the teens. That writing process combined with the confidence gained by working in the kitchen alongside peer and adult volunteers impacts them in many positive ways.

“The job of our team and the core of our work is that every one who walks through our doors to help feels cared for, feels nourished, feels the joy because we can’t do this without our volunteers. If they don’t feel excited to come, they aren’t going to keep coming.”

The community service has continued to evolve and now serves sometimes more than 600 meals per week to clients in more than 75 local towns. To date, more than 100,000 meals have been prepared for more than 1,500 clients, 43,000 volunteer hours have been logged, and 490 youth have been a part of the program.

”The need is great, and we always need support,” Sarah said. “That can come in a lot of different ways, but for us to continue to grow and serve the Connecticut commu nities, we need people’s support especially in getting the word out. If this program resonates with you, come see us and learn more about what we do. Let’s find a way for you to get involved. We have a client waiting list, and we need to serve more people. We need to find more ways to do that.”

TO HELP:

• Buy a Nourishing Community Cookbook (visit healingmealsproject.org/support/ purchase-cookbook)

• Join as a volunteer (information ses sions are offered monthly)

• Join the annual walk/run marathon each fall

• Make a donation or become a sustaining member

• Tell a friend about Healing Meals Community Project and help spread the word about their work!

Healing Meals

NOVEMBER

events

NOVEMBER

Fences: An August Wilson Play

PLAYHOUSE ON PARK THEATER, 244 PARK ROAD | 7:30 PM

Set in segregated Pittsburgh in the 1950s, Fences depicts the life of Troy Maxson, a former Negro League baseball star now scraping by as a sanitation worker. Additional dates are Nov. 3-4. Tickets are $25-$55, Visit Playhouseonpark.org for more information.

First Thursday Happy Hour at Turnkey Processing

TURNKEY PROCESSING LLC, 546 S BROAD ST., MERIDEN | 5:00 PM

Sponsored by the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce this event brings business leaders and entrepre neurs together to socialize and network from 5-7 p.m. Small business owners, leaders in finance, banking, marketing, and many forms of business will gather in a casual social format. Visit Whchamber.com/events for more information.

Fall Bingo

BISHOPS CORNER SENIOR CENTER, 15 STARKEL ROAD | 1:30 PM

Bingo will be played on alternating Wednesdays, at the Elmwood Senior Center and Fridays at the Bishops Corner Senior center. The cost is 50 cents per card per game. River Ridge of Avon Finale Game is Free! Fall Bingo is sponsored by River Ridge at Avon. Please call 860-561-7583 or 860-561-8180 to register. For more information visit westhartfordct.gov/town-departments/senior-centers.

Beatlemania

INFINITY HALL, 32 FRONT ST., HARTFORD | 11:00 AM

The Rotary Club of West Hartford presents Beatlemania and the West Hartford School of Rock House Band, which will open the show.  Beatlemania recreates the sights and sounds of the original Beatles. Tickets are $50-$65 and include pizza by Harry’s Bishops Corner. A $25 upgrade, including additional food and drink choices, is available. Visit Westhartfordrotary.org for information.

West Hartford Farmers Market

ARAPAHOE LOT ON LASALLE ROAD | 10:00 AM

The Original West Hartford Farmers Market remains open Each Saturday through Christmas! Come down and see what all the fuss is about, fresh mozzarella, fresh ground coffee from Ovelle Coffee, grapes, mushrooms, fantastic chocolate milk for the kiddos and much more! Visit Whfarmersmarket.com for more information.

Election Cake Bake Off

OLD STATE HOUSE, HARTFORD, 800 MAIN ST., HARTFORD | 1:00 PM

Connecticut’s Old State House will host its first in-person Election Cake Bake-Off, featuring professional bakers and pastry chefs from across the state. Inspired by the Early American custom of celebrating Election Day with the traditional Hartford Election Cake, this bake-off invites chefs to submit their modern interpre tations of the traditional cake. Visit wp.cga.ct.gov/osh for more information on this free event.

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

Connecticut Fall Home Show

CONNECTICUT CONVENTION CENTER, 100 COLUMBUS BLVD., HARTFORD | 10:00 AM

The 43rd Annual Fall Connecticut Home Show runs from 10 a.m., Saturday to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Connecticut Convention Center. If you're planning on remodeling or renovating your home, looking for a home builder or a general contractor, you'll find options at the home show! Tickets are $10 for adults, children 12 and under, free. Visit jenksproductions.com/event/ct-fall-home-show for information.

Wisdom Road Adventures

BISHOPS CORNER SENIOR CENTER, 15 STARKEL ROAD | 10:00 AM Welcome to Wisdom Road Adventures! Our facilitator, Kevin Ryan, an active senior professional and geron tology student at Central Connecticut State University, will lead the discussion. Kevin combines an apprecia tion for life lessons learned with notions of adventures on the road ahead! Visit westhartfordct.gov/town-de partments/senior-centers for more information.

Holiday Tablescapes with Sarah McPeck

SAINT JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 679 FARMINGTON AVE. | 12:00 PM

Sarah McPeck Shaw, House Beautiful decorating editor turned wedding and event florist, will present “Hol iday Tablescapes."  Sarah will present tablescapes that can transition through the holiday festivities. The West Hartford Garden Club will convene a meeting before the talk and a light buffet lunch will precede the presentation. Tickets are $10. Visit  WestHartfordGardenClub.org or email  WHGarClubpgcs@gmail.com for more information.

WordHouse Poetry at Noah Webster

NOAH WEBSTER HOUSE, 227 SOUTH MAIN ST. | 2:00 PM

The Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society will host a poetry reading - WordHouse - orga nized by James Finnegan, West Hartford's third Poet Laureate. No registration is required and all readings begin with an open mic session. Free and open to the public, though donations are greatly appreciated. Visit NoahWebsterHouse.org for information.

Clothes for a Cause

DIESEL & LULU’S CT, 24 E. MAIN ST, AVON | 6:00 PM

Clothes for a Cause! A special evening shopping event to benefit Gifts-of-Love, which helps meet the basic needs of individuals and families experiencing financial crises. Proceeds will be donated to the Avon loca tion. Bring in a donation of non-perishable food, new unopened toiletries, or toys and get entered to win a $100 gift Certificate! For more information call 860-986-2511

Author Talk: Judy Mandel

WEST HARTFORD LIBRARY, 20 SOUTH MAIN ST. | 6:30 PM

New York Times bestselling author Judy L. Mandel will discuss her new book, White Flag, the story of one journey that will change the way you look at addiction and substance abuse. Her book delves into her quest to understand the complexities of addiction and the generational trauma it can cause. Visit Westhartfordlibrary.org for more information.

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realty report

14 Greenridge Lane $1,195,000 $1,275,000 106% 1 4 3.1

8 Woodpond Road $989,900 $1,000,000 101% 3 5 4.1

43 Mountain Farms Road $899,000 $950,000 105% 3 4 3.2

31 Brookside Boulevard $874,900 $940,000 107% 3 4 3.1

127 Garfield Road $740,000 $920,000 117% 1 5 2.2

99 Mountain Terrace Road $689,000 $755,000 109% 4 5 2.1

38 Foxcroft Road $620,000 $740,000 119% 7 4 3.1

2013 Boulevard $625,000 $667,000 106% 2 4 2.1

37 High Farns Road $595,000 $665,000 111% 3 3 2

17 Sunrise Hill Drive $570,000 $620,000 108% 9 3 2

42 Lovelace Drive $560,000 $600,000 107% 3 4 2.1

30 Barksdale Road $499,000 $580,000 116% 4 4 2.1

183 Four Mile Road $485,000 $508,000 104% 6 3 2.1

1129 Trout Brook Drive $415,000 $435,000 104% 6 4 2.1

336 South Main Street $374,900 $417,000 111% 3 3 2.1

145 Brunswick Ave $375,000 $403,000 107% 3 2 1.1

44 Hamlin Drive $349,900 $380,000 108% 3 3 2.1

118 Keeney Ave $419,900 $505,000 120% 5 3 1.1

11 Cassilis Road $275,000 $305,000 110% 4 3 2

354 Fern Street $279,900 $300,000 107% 5 4 1.1

30 Schoolhouse Drive Unit 204 $200,000 $219,500 109% 0 1

791 Prospect Ave Unit 2A $260,000 $281,000

100 Timberwood Road $350,000 $361,000

Easy Thanksgiving

BRINED TURKEY

ARTICLE BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA

Every Thanksgiving when you sit down to dinner you might have the same antic ipation: Will the turkey be tender and juicy, or dry? I feel like it’s kind of a coin toss every Thanksgiving, But this year I’m determined to have a no-fail juicy bird. How? I’m going to brine it! Maybe you’ve already been doing this and if so, here are a couple of different ideas for your brining experience. I just started brining chicken this past year with a super simple recipe I adapted from a cookbook by Joanna Gaines and the difference in how juicy the final product comes out is amazing!

Remove neck and gizzards from the tur key, pat dry. Shake kosher salt liberally over the bird. Cover and refrigerate over night. Rinse off salt, pat dry and stuff before roasting. Season with pepper and other desired spices but NOT salt. Roast as directed on packaging.

SIMPLE TECHNIQUE FOR A JUICY HOLIDAY BIRD