A Chartered Financial Consultant, ChFC is a financial expert who has completed 2 years of advanced coursework, takes additional training each year, meets ethical standards and always puts your interests first. Roger Cowen uses the knowledge learned in his ChFC training to assist people with Retirement Planning, Investment Management and Tax Planning. He will help you identify areas which need improvement and offer practical solutions.
There's an old show business adage, "Never work with children or animals." It's well-known among actors and underscores how kids and pets can inherently, with their very sweetness and cuteness, steal just about any scene. Here at West Hartford Lifestyle we pay homage to our kids and furry friends each August!
This month we have a story about a new child care facility that opened recently in our area. The Learning Experience, a fast-growing early education franchise, recently opened a state-of-the-art center in Avon, marking its fifth franchise location in Connecticut. The company took over operations of the Learning Experience center in Glastonbury last October.
We also spoke with the folks at The Tabletop Gaming Center, an independently-owned hub for game lovers of all ages that hosts numerous and diverse in-person games and events daily.
We also have a story about Watkinson School, a small, co-ed, private, college prep school for kids in grades 6-12. Watkinson prides itself on developing its students the power to shape their lives and the world around them. They draw students from a 40-town region.
We spoke with the leader of the animal rescue group Protectors of Animals (POA). The group is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. Run entirely by volunteers, POA rescues and finds new homes for abandoned pets and operates numerous spay and neutering programs.
Lastly, we have a story about how cooking with your kids can instill confidence and joy in children that can last a lifetime.
We hope you enjoy this month's issue of West Hartford Lifestyle Magazine and that you enjoy the waning days of summer with your kids and pets!
August 2025
PUBLISHER
Srivathsa (Sri) Ramachandran srivathsa.ramachandran@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Eileen McNamara | eileen.mcnamara@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Jill Barry | jill.barry@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Jayashree (Jaye) Subramanian jayashree.subramanian@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Brian Boyer, Jenni French
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Michele Wolff, Vincent Wrenn, Kreativ Co.
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee
Hannah Leimkuhler
QUALITY CONTROL
Vedha on
Creating
Sri Ramachandran Is Glastonbury Lifestyle’s New Publisher. His Wife, Jaye Subramanian, is the Assistant Publisher
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Supporters of Ben Bronz Academy attended the school's 40th Anniversary Celebration at the Governor's Mansion. 2: Austin Hall, former Ben Bronz student, speaks at Ben Bronz's 40th Anniversary Celebration. 3: Ben Bronz Executive Director and CEO Dr. Gail Lanza addresses supporters. 4: David L. Brown, M.D. greets Ben Bronz Co-Founder Ian Spence. 5: Ben Bronz Academy co-founder Ian Spence speaks with 2024 Graduate Melissa Calais Martins. 6: Rajni Salvaggio, of Hartford Public Schools, with Board Member Anton M. Alerte and Heather Alerte. 7: Academy Chair Richard Rubenstein, Barbara Brown, Gail Mangs and David Mangs with Ian Spence.
GreenDrop recently celebrated the opening of its new donation center at 176 Newington Road, expanding the company’s presence in the Hartford area with its second location. the other GreenDrop location is in Wethersfield. The donation center will provide West Hartford residents with a convenient location to donate their gently used items to GreenDrop's nonprofit partner, the Purple Heart. GreenDrop accepts lightly used clothing, shoes, blankets, kitchenware, books, and housewares. Visit gogreendrop.com for more information.
Sonder Wealth Advisors, a bespoke wealth management firm, recently held a ribbon cutting at their new Farmington headquarters. “We are so excited to take this next step in expanding to a beautiful new location,” said Chad Langevin, Sonder's co-founder and advisor. “As local residents ourselves and ... with roots in the surrounding area, we’re proud to join this thriving town and look forward to continuing to serve our clients and this community." Visit sonderadvisors.com.
Fuchs Financial, with offices in Middletown, West Hartford, Middlebury, and Mystic, has been voted as Best Financial Management Company in the 2025 Readers Poll conducted and published by The Hartford Courant. Led by founder Ben Fuchs, a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Private Wealth Advisor professional with two decades of experience, the financial planning and wealth management firm includes financial professionals with a range of expertise and knowledge to help clients. Visit Fuchsfinancial.com.
Central Eye Care recently celebrated its Grand Opening of its offices at 28 North Main St., with a ribbon cutting ceremony that included members of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce as well as local officials. Opened by optometrist Dr. Jennifer Raska, Central Eye Care prides itself on serving patients of all ages with compassion, innovation and expertise and investing in state-of-theart technology to improve patient outcomes. Visit centraleyecare2020.com.
July & August 2025
Families with children of all ages are invited to join us for Friends & Family Days—fun-filled days of art-making, exposure to traditional lifeways and fun! Museum members will enjoy exclusive in-person activities where materials are provided to encourage hands-on creativity and Pequot cultural learning opportunities.
Arden Courts is a residential memory care community with nearly 30 years of memory care research and experience. We’re dedicated to care and programming that gives dignity and independence to every resident.
To learn more about our services and commitment to our community, or to arrange for a tour, please contact us today.
Since 1881 Watkinson School, created following a major bequest by businessman and philanthropist David Watkinson, has been committed to educational excellence in Greater Hartford. The school’s mission, to develop in students the power to shape their lives and the world around them, is the rudder for that excellence.
A small, co-ed, private, college prep school for grades 6-12/PG, Watkinson has 230 students from 40 towns across Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Watkinson students succeed in the finest colleges in the country. Colleges want Watkinson students because they are known to think deeper, question harder, and engage more fully as they learn. They know what it means to contribute to a seriously enjoyable learning community.
That’s why, In the last three years, Watkinson graduates have been offered $7 million in merit scholarship college aid.
A STUDENT-CENTERED EDUCATION
With an average class size of 13, students are seen, known, and valued at Watkinson.
Head of School Teri Schrader says, “Anonymity in school is the deterrent to motivation and happiness at school.” Watkinson’s small class size goes hand in hand with the school’s beliefs that each student’s happiness and voice at school matters a great deal.
“In some schools, students’ grades are viewed as the only or primary way to see into their progress and learning,” she adds.
“Watkinson understands that deep learning is evident when students demonstrate that what they are doing in school makes sense to them, matters, and is relevant..”
At Watkinson, students are encouraged to find and use their voices; when their contributions are genuinely sought and valued, their sense of confidence begins to grow. They become invested in the community that
is investing in them. “Real life” stops being what happens after graduation, and becomes what students are living right now.
How often does your child have an opportunity to speak and act in meaningful ways? Do they have access to a school culture of shared conversation, where they can engage with others about issues, problems, and dreams that matter most to them? When you visit a campus, can you perceive an atmosphere of mutual respect between students and faculty? What happens when the community faces a challenge? Do students feel free to speak their minds with adults and administrators? How does the school respond to student activism and concerns? At Watkinson, all of this is part of the way we do schooling.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Watkinson recognizes that every brain is different. A good education has to be based
CONTINUED >
“WATKINSON
on that truth. At the same time, education is also a collective enterprise. We become our best selves only in conjunction with others.
Watkinson’s faculty design their courses to emphasize depth of knowledge over simple breadth of coverage. Naturally, content matters. But content must arrive in the context of building the skills necessary to investigate, evaluate, and understand. Otherwise,
as Watkinson’s Global Studies Director Jen O’Brien puts it, what happens the day after your content knowledge runs out?
At Watkinson, artists become athletes, and vice versa. Numbers people try writing poetry. Poets develop spreadsheets for their experimental data. Students learn that they don’t have to define themselves quite so rigidly. There is no typical Watkinson student. The end result is our students graduate knowing how they learn best. They aren’t afraid to ask questions, speak up, and support each other. They understand how to set goals and move toward them. They arrive at college with the confidence to show up at their professors’ office hours. Watkinson produces students who value themselves, and they know how and are ready to serve their community.
Watkinson School 180 Bloomfield Ave., Hartford Phone: 860-236-5618
Email: Info@watkinson.org Online: watkinson.org
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Jaye and I come from humble beginnings, shaped by parents who taught us what truly matters — people, not possessions; respect for money, but never submission to it. These timeless lessons have been the heartbeat of our journey, quietly guiding us through every step.
Like many of our generation, our professional paths began in the corporate world. But it was love that truly set our journey in motion — after meeting and marrying in India, we took a leap of faith and planted new roots in Connecticut fifteen years ago. Why Connecticut? Because here we found more than a place to live — we found community. A place where neighbors know your name, where culture isn’t just celebrated but lived every day. It felt like home before we even unpacked our bags.
SRI RAMACHANDRAN IS GLASTONBURY LIFESTYLE'S NEW PUBLISHER. HIS WIFE, JAYE SUBRAMANIAN, IS THE ASSISTANT PUBLISHER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
VINCENT WRENN
Professionally, I led technology delivery at a global firm, blending innovation and strategy to help insurance clients worldwide. Jaye’s journey took her from Big 4 accounting to founding her own CPA practice in Glastonbury. Together, our paths brought us to a shared purpose beyond numbers and tech—a purpose rooted in people and their stories.
Purchasing the Glastonbury and West Hartford Lifestyle magazines was never just a business decision. We saw in Gary Perrelli, the former publisher, a passion and a spark we wanted to nurture. These magazines are more than pages and print; they are the living voices of local businesses and communities. Behind every shop, office, or café is a story of dreams chased, hurdles overcome, and families united in hope and hard work.
Through our growing connection to these towns, we’ve learned that what people truly seek is connection — raw, honest, and heartfelt connection. Our magazines are vessels for those stories, platforms where the human spirit shines through. We believe in the profound power of sharing authentic experiences to weave communities stronger and brighter.
Our corporate experience gave us tools — strategy, leadership, resilience, but it’s our belief in community and creativity that shapes our vision. We honor the foundation Gary built, knowing that change, while daunting, is also the seed of growth. Our goal is to elevate, not disrupt — to enrich readers’ lives and amplify local voices with clarity, warmth, and impact.
At the core of it all is family - the true north of our lives. Jaye and I are driven by love for our twin daughters, Taara and Vedha, the unwavering support of our parents and siblings, and the laughter of lifelong friends. In 2024, we welcomed Milo, our golden retriever whose joyful spirit fills our home with boundless energy. When we step away from work, you’ll find us skating on ice with our girls, toasting with friends, reminiscing with family, or simply marveling at Milo’s endless charm.
These are the moments we cherish — the threads that weave our life’s tapestry with joy, connection, and memories to last a lifetime.
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THE VOLUNTEER GROUP CELEBRATES
What began as a grassroots effort by three women in 1975 has grown into one of Connecticut’s most respected no-kill animal rescue organizations. In 2025, Protectors of Animals (POA) celebrates 50 years of providing shelter, veterinary care, and second chances to thousands of animals in need.
“For the first 25 years, we operated with foster homes in South Glastonbury and worked closely with local churches, meeting in church basements,” says Jody Macrina, president of Protector of Animals since 2001.
“We searched extensively for a rental space in Glastonbury, but ultimately moved to 144 Main St. in East Hartford, just over the Maple Street line.”
That move gave the nonprofit a permanent home base, allowing it to expand its operations while maintaining its original mission: to rescue and re-home cats and dogs — especially those other shelters might turn away.
Today, POA’s East Hartford location serves many of the towns in the Greater Hartford region and it houses both a cat adoption center and a low-cost spay and neuter clinic for cats and dogs.
“We spayed and neutered more than 3,000 animals last year alone,” Jody says. “That includes our Angel Spay Days program, where a generous benefactor specifically funds neutering and spaying for pit bulls.”
POA adopted out about 80 rescued dogs last year. One of POA's recent rescues enjoys a bath.
The group houses its rescued cats at its East Hartford facility.
“WE TAKE SOME pretty challenging DOGS AND CATS, ANIMALS THAT OTHER GROUPS MIGHT NOT BE WILLING TO WORK WITH. SOME OF THEM HAVE serious behavioral OR MEDICAL NEEDS. IT CAN TAKE A LONG TIME TO rehabilitate THESE ANIMALS, BUT WE DON’T GIVE UP ON THEM.”
Despite its growth, POA remains volunteer-driven at its core, she says.
“We typically operate with around 300 volunteers. People come and go, but between our foster homes, dog volunteers, fundraisers, and cat care teams, we’re consistently supported by about 280 people.”
Those volunteers help POA manage a broad operation. Cats live either at the adoption center or in foster homes—particularly kittens, who are socialized in home environments to better prepare them for adoption. Dogs are typically housed at town facilities in Wethersfield and East Hampton, along with a network of foster homes.
Even kids can take part in volunteering, Jody says.
“There are so many fun ways for them to get involved. Families with children often participate in our volunteer foster program and it’s a great way for cats, kittens and dogs to interact with them in preparation for their forever homes.”
Some examples of ways that kids volunteer, she adds are through Boy and Girl Scouts projects, collections for POA at birthday parties, lemonade stands, and craft projects kids can donate, such as cat toys, thank you cards, and adoption posters.
“We are constantly looking for ways that kids and families can help.”
Last year, POA facilitated the adoption of nearly 700 cats and around 80 dogs. The organization also helped 200 feral cats through its trap-neuter-return (TNR) program, which seeks to humanely control the stray cat population across central Connecticut.
Since its inception, POA has rescued and placed over 21,600 cats and almost 8,000 dogs. The group serves approximately 1,000 animals annually through its shelter operations and provides over 60 spay/neuter and vaccination services weekly (3,000 annually) through its SPAY clinic.
“We take some pretty challenging dogs and cats, animals that other groups might not be willing to work with,” Jody says. “Some of them have serious behavioral or medical needs. It can take a long time to rehabilitate these animals, but we don’t give up on them.”
POA, she adds, remains clear-eyed about the challenges of funding this level of care.
“Our support comes almost entirely from donations. We receive some grant funding periodically, but it’s ordinary people and their support who keep us going.”
Community fundraisers and individual donations are critical to POA’s continued operations. One of the
“WE ARE constantly
CAN help.”
most significant events of their 50th anniversary year was the Golden Gala held in February at the TPC River Highlands in Cromwell.
“It was really well attended,” Jody says. “We got great support from the community. After 50 years, for a grassroots organization that’s mainly volunteers, it was a well-deserved celebration.”
Part of POA’s longterm success are the relationships the group has developed and maintains within the Hartford-region communities.
“We do a lot of interaction with the community with fundraisers,” says Christine Penney, a longtime POA volunteer who handles media and public relations for the group. “We have businesses that have supported us for years by either donating items or keeping donation boxes
at their businesses. Liquid Nirvana provides a bottle return space for a volunteer who collects thousands of dollars in bottle returns every year for POA. There is so much community connectivity!”
While this year marks a major milestone, POA is focused on the future. Jody says she hopes to grow community outreach, expand foster networks, and ensure even more animals are given second chances.
POA has thrived for 50 years because the group and its volunteers have focused on its mission and always sought out dedicated, compassionate people, she says.
People interested in donating, adopting, or volunteering can visit poainc.org.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN HELMKE
The Learning Experience (TLE), a fast-growing early education franchise, recently opened a new state-of-the-art center, marking its fifth franchise location in Connecticut under the leadership of Vid Mitta, owner of TLE centers in both Connecticut and Massachusetts.
The new 10,000-square-foot facility, located at 104 West Avon Road in Avon, will include a 5,000-squarefoot playground and is expected to receive state licensure for up to 163 children. The center will employ approximately 35 to 40 team members once we are at full capacity.
“We are incredibly excited to join the vibrant Avon community! At The Learning Experience, we have so much to offer—and we can’t wait to share it with the community,” says Shannon Doherty, Vice President of Operations for TLE’s Connecticut centers.
“There is always a need for quality child care with reliable, educated providers, and what really sets us apart is that we’re not just a daycare—we’re an educational center.”
Shannon emphasizes the franchise’s commitment to high standards.
“We are committed to evolving with the times to ensure we consistently provide the very best for our children, families, and educators.”
The new center is owned by Vid Mitta, who also currently owns four other TLE centers in Connecticut—in Glastonbury, Cheshire, Enfield, and South Windsor—and six additional locations in Massachusetts.
Since taking over operations in Glastonbury in October, Doherty and her team have focused on strengthening the culture, enhancing professional development, and deepening ties with the local community.
“We are passionate about building strong, collaborative teams and deeply committed to investing in the professional and personal growth of our educators.”
Compassion and teamwork is part of what Shannon says defines The Learning Experience’s approach.
“We are committed to cultivating a happy and inclusive culture within our centers where we strive to ‘make happy happen here’ every single day for the children, families, and educators.”
“Creating meaningful experiences for both children and families is a top priority. We create meaningful memories every day by offering hands-on experiences that inspire curiosity and a love of learning.”
Philanthropy, she adds, is a meaningful and integral part of the curriculum.
“Our partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation is a big part of our philanthropy program. We are driven by compassion and purpose, our leadership team set an ambitious fundraising goal, and the entire center rallied together to achieve it. One of our most inspiring moments came when we granted two wishes, one of which was for a courageous child enrolled at our Glastonbury center who had been diagnosed with a serious illness.”
With TLE continuing to expand in the region, the franchise model under Mitta’s ownership aims to maintain consistency, quality, innovation, and exceptional care across all locations, Shannon says.
“There’s a real joy in being here in Connecticut. Each community is different, but the need for excellent early education is everywhere. We’re excited and proud to be meeting that need.”
The Learning Experience curriculum includes phonics, sign language, foreign languages, and STEM-based activities, all integrated into a nurturing environment that emphasizes safety, emotional intelligence, and school readiness.
“We’re currently welcoming tours,” Shannon says, “enrolling new little learners, and preparing for a variety of fun and engaging events and we’re truly looking forward to making a lasting, positive impact.”
The Learning Experience Online:thelearningexperience.com
Avon:
104 West Avon Road
Phone: 860-404-2260
Email: avon@tlechildcare.com
Glastonbury:
86 Oak St.
Phone: 860-781-8363
Email: glastonbury@tlechildcare.com
“Our dedication to excellence is reflected in our ongoing investment in training, as well as in both professional and personal development.”
“There is always a need for quality child care with reliable, educated providers, and what really sets us apart is that we’re not just a daycare—we’re an educational center.”
How Tabletop Gaming Center Builds Community One Roll at a Time
On a recent Saturday morning the Tabletop Gaming Center is buzzing. Not just with the clatter of dice or the shuffle of trading cards— though there’s plenty of that —but with a deep sense of belonging.
Now celebrating its 15th year, Tabletop Gaming was originally affiliated with the ConnectiCon convention in Hartford. Today, it’s an independently-owned hub for game lovers across generations and backgrounds.
Heather Napier, the store’s publicist and Digital Programs Coordinator, is one of the driving forces behind its evolution.
“We’re not just a game store,” Heather says. “We’re a community center—open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.—where kids come after school and adults wind down with Magic: The Gathering or Dungeons & Dragons. But most importantly, we’re a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”
Inclusivity is more than a talking point here—it’s baked into the store’s culture and branding. “Our staff is diverse and our community is too.”
The store features dedicated kids’ tables, often led by a team member with a background in social work. These age-appropriate sessions help children learn social rules, teamwork and problem-solving—especially important in the role-playing games they run, like Dungeons & Dragons. “We’ve seen real transformation,” says Heather. “Parents tell us their kids—especially those who are socially awkward or anxious—have come out of their shells here.”
Despite being immersed in an increasingly digital world, the demand for in-person play hasn’t waned—in fact, it’s grown. “We’re booming,” Heather says. “There’s a nostalgia to board games, sure, but also a hunger for real connection. We’re not trying to compete with video games—we’re offering something they can’t: human interaction, shared storytelling and laughter around a table.”
To meet people where they are, Tabletop Gaming Center has embraced digital tools in its own way. They run a YouTube channel featuring live role-playing sessions and game tutorials, helping reach new and distant audiences while still championing the in-person experience.
Their events calendar is packed. Monday and Friday board game nights, Pokémon leagues for kids and adults, Magic: The Gathering tournaments, and more. Some games are familiar—Ticket to Ride, Catan—while others are indie darlings from Kickstarter campaigns and boutique publishers like Asmodee. Their vast inventory, lovingly
dubbed “The Vault,” means most games are on-hand, or just a quick order away.
“When people ask why we’re ‘being political,’ I always push back,” Heather adds. “This isn’t politics—it’s people. Human beings deserve to feel safe and respected. That’s what we’re about.”
What’s the long-term vision? Heather smiles: “To keep building a space where every human—whether a kid just discovering Pokémon or an adult who’s been collecting cards since childhood—feels like they belong at the table.”
In a digital world hungry for real connection, Tabletop Gaming Center proves the most powerful move you can make by just be showing up, rolling the dice and sharing the adventure with someone else.
741 New Britain Ave, Newington,
Phone: 860-436-2213
Online: tabletopgamingcenter.com
Store Hours:
Monday - Thursday & Saturday: 10 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tabletop Gaming Center is now one of the largest stores of its kind in Connecticut, with plans to grow thoughtfully, including expanding educational programming. This summer, it will continue working with local libraries and community centers like Elmwood in West Hartford, teaching kids the basics of role-playing games—and communication skills.
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AUGUST 1ST
Singin' In the Rain
Playhouse on Park Theatre, 244 Park Road | 8:00 PM
Based on the classic film this wildly inventive re-imagining of “the greatest movie musical of all time” is set at a screening of the iconic film that goes horribly wrong, until super fans swoop in and save the day! Visit Playhouseonpark.org for additional times and tickets.
AUGUST 3RD
Blue Back Farmers Market
Town Hall, 50 South Main St. | 10:00 AM
The Blue Back Farmers Market runs throughout the summer and fall and features the goods, produce and wares of local farms, bakeries, studios and other businesses, as well as music by The Blue Back Old Time Fiddlers. Visit bluebackfarmersmarket.org for more information and lists of vendors. Visit bluebackfarmersmarket.org.
AUGUST 4TH
Roll Call
Bishops Corner Senior Center, 15 Starkel Road | 10:00 AM
Join Gary McBride, Vietnam Veteran, for a morning of storytelling and sharing. Gary will facilitate this informal gathering where veterans from all branch of the service can share common experiences and make new friends. Everyone is welcome to meet our veterans and watch history come alive. Registration is required. Call 860-561-7583 or email whsc@westhartfordct.gov.
AUGUST 5TH
First Church - West Hartford, 12 South Main St. | 5:30 PM
The Sun Is Shining concerts are a popular August tradition at First Church. Held on the front lawn the concerts run Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., and are free. Additional dates are Aug. 12 - The Jeffrey John Band, Aug. 19 - Rock Voices and Aug. 26 - Still Kickin With the Big City Horns. Visit whfirstchurch.org.
AUGUST 7TH
Cedar Hill Cemetery 453 Fairfield Avenue Hartford | 6:30 PM
Discover the history of Cedar Hill Cemetery, which spans Hartford and West Hartford, on this tour showcasing some of its most celebrated residents and renowned monuments. Learn about General Griffin Stedman, John Pierpont Morgan, Katharine Hepburn and more. Participants will enjoy watching the sun set during the walk. Admission is $10, free for foundation members. Visit cedarhillfoundation.org for reservations.
AUGUST 12TH
West Hartford Public Library, Bishops Corner Branch, 15 Starkel Road | 2:00 PM
Customize a canvas tote bag with lovely floral stencils and fabric paint. All materials will be provided. Space is limited and registration is required. Email lfarrell@westhartfordct.gov.
