West Springfield, MA July 2023

Summer Fun

4 th of July - All D a y Cel eb ra t i on Mus i c Frid a ys i n July on the P a t i o

D ri n ks O n Th e Li n ks

P o ol Movi e Ni gh t + Pa re n ts D i nn e r O n Pa t i o

La b or D a y Po ol P a rt y

Fa r m To Ta bl e D i n n er w i th Wi n e Tas ti n g Trai ler Trash Con ce r t On Th e Gree n

Gl ow Ba l l

Fall Fest

Halloween Party

NOV. Thanksgiving Eve Party

Annual Tree Lighting at SCC!

The Elements of Summer

I hope this letter finds you laying by the pool or lake and soaking in some much-needed Vitamin D.

As the days grow longer and the weather gets warmer, I find myself basking in the pleasures of summer. There’s just something about this season that brings about a sense of excitement and adventure. The scents of sunblock and grilling, the feeling of a sea breeze, the warmth of the sun -- these are the ingredients that combine for a happy and fulfilling summer.

Sure, autumn has my favorite flavors and scents, winter has its cozy charms, and I can’t deny the beauty of spring. But when the summer solstice rolls around, I’m more than ready for the long, languid days on the beach or enjoying outdoor dining.

The pages in our Summer Fun issue will help you make the most of this season in West Springfield and Agawam. And even if summer doesn’t mean two months of summer vacation anymore (because we’re, you know, adults) we can still look forward to the shift in energy that the warm days and long sunlight hours bring. Most summer evenings will find me on my back porch with a glass of wine and a good book.

Just like this season has a way of bringing people together, we hope the pages inside this month’s issue will enrich and enliven your experience of our area this summer!

July 2023

PUBLISHER

Amanda Waterfield | amanda.waterfield@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Sara Anderson | sara.anderson@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sara Anderson, Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman, Amanda Waterfield

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Amy Crosby Photography, Karen Slack Photography

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Hunter Richie

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard

Learn

Proverbs 3:5-6

AMANDA WATERFIELD, PUBLISHER @WESTSPRINGFIELD_LIFESTYLE

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @westspringfield_lifestyle

1: The town of Agawam Beautification Committee spruced up the Senior Center this spring. 2: WSPD Officer Brian Smith was one of the department's Meritorious Service Award recipients. 3: Derby party attended by Realtors Kate Kileen, Teresa Kubacka, Brenda Leduc, Jennifer Wilson, Kathy Grudgen. 4: Ann Connors, right, was among the honorees of West Springfield Rotary's Legacy Stories program. 5: West Springfield's Caring Solutions donated bingo door prizes to the West Springfield Council on Aging. 6: The West Springfield Garden Club held its annual spring plant sale at Mittineague Park. 7: West Side Helping Hands provided construction and landscaping assistance for a Piper Road home.

TOWN OF AGAWAM

JAIME MATTSON SMITH

WEST SPRINGFIELD COUNCIL ON AGING

KATHY GRUDGEN

WEST SPRINGFIELD GARDEN CLUB

AMANDA WATERFIELD

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Attorney Ronda G. Parish Helps You Explore Retirement

Retirement from your career and work life should be a time of opportunity and joy, but for many of us, the transition brings a lot of uncertainty.

Attorney Ronda G. Parish can help you explore your options and plan your retirement, navigating issues related to income, Social Security, and savings. Focusing on tax law, retirement, and estate planning, The Law Office of Ronda G. Parish, PC, can be reached at 413.301.0850.

Set the Tone Salon in Agawam Under New Ownership

Maeghan Aberdale has taken over the ownership of the hair and styling establishment formerly known as The Salon. Now called Set The Tone, the salon, located just off the Route 5 circle, has been remodeled and rebranded. Maeghan has been with the business for many years, but took over as owner a few months ago. Set The Tone is a Paul Mitchell salon and promotes the clean, cruelty-free aspects of the brand.

Misty City Windows Celebrates Third Anniversary and Valley Advocate Award

Misty City Windows has a lot to celebrate this summer! The business marked its third anniversary in May and was recently named Best Window Cleaners of 2023 by the Valley Advocate. In addition, owners Nick and Megan welcomed a son, Conrad, to their family in April. Misty City Windows are residential and commercial window washing and exterior cleaning specialists, providing soft wash and pressure washing services for windows, decks, skylights, gutters, and solar panels.

Photography by Karen Slack Photography

Photography by Misty City Windows

Neurologic Optimal Wellness Opens in Agawam

Neurologic Optimal Wellness, a neurology-based physical therapy practice, cut the ribbon on its new Agawam location in May. Dr. Katrina Banks and her staff welcomed Agawam Mayor William Sapelli, the West of the River Chamber of Commerce, and friends and associates to the new offices located at the Agawam Commerce Park.

bNapoli is 8!

bNapoli Italian is celebrating its eighth year in business at its West Springfield location. The Elm Street restaurant is known throughout the area for its fine Italian cuisine and craft cocktails. Try the Bunny Punch with citrus vodka, apricot, lemon, carrot, prosecco, and thyme; the Kismet with pineapple vodka, peach, bergamot, fresh lemon, plum bitters, prosecco, and rose petals; or the Prospector with Rittenhouse rye, Lady Grey tea, angostura and cardamom bitters, and Islay whisky.

Agawam's Great2bHome Polish Pottery Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

Great2BHome Polish Pottery at Cooper's Commons in Agawam celebrated five years in business in May with a Mother's Day weekend sale with refreshments, door prizes, and a free raffle. Owner Laurie Walhovd is hosting a bingo party on the third Saturday of every month live on Facebook, with four grand-prize pottery pieces. Visit great2bhome. com or the store's Facebook page to purchase bingo cards.

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

Photography by Amanda Waterfield

Photography by bNapoli Italian

Photography by Great2bHome Polish Pottery

local experiences

The best places and things to do in our area.

Outdoor summer fun is only a short drive away with our picks for July local experiences! Brownstone Adventure Sports Park and Paddle N' Party offer cool fun in the water with lots of great offerings for kids, date nights, and spending the day with friends. Explore nature and art at the unique Three Sisters Sanctuary or the Berkshire Botanical Garden, and don't forget the hiking trail and disc golf course right at our very own Mittineague Park in West Springfield.

Our Picks for Your Summer Bucket List

BROWNSTONE ADVENTURE SPORTS PARK: Brownstone Adventure Sports Park is your summer fun destination with a water park, ziplining, cliff jumping, rope swing, wakeboarding, rock climbing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.  161 Brownstone Avenue, Portland, CT 06480

MITTINEAGUE PARK: Mittineague Park offers 325 acres of recreation area. Bring your own gear and try out the nine-hole disc golf course! 1695 Westfield Street, West Springfield, MA 01089

BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN: Tour the Berkshire Botanical Garden in full bloom, check out an art exhibit, take a fun class, or earn a horticulture certificate this summer. 5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge, MA 01262

PADDLE N' PARTY: Rent a kayak, paddleboard, or hydro-bike, and adventure on the Connecticut River at Paddle N' Party. Featuring kids' nights, date nights, and Sup Yoga classes. 1 Alvord Street, South Hadley, MA 01075

THREE SISTERS SANCTUARY: Visit the Hilltowns to explore where art and nature merge! Three Sisters Sanctuary has a multitude of outdoor sculptures, plus exhibits and outdoor theater plays. 188 Cape Street, Goshen, MA 01032

Want to recommend a local experience? Scan the QR code and message us on Instagram.

Brownstone Adventure Sports Park

DR. BRIANNA ALMEIDA, PT, DPT, PCES & DR. ALYSSA ALMEIDA, PT, DPT, PCES

WOW YOUR GUESTS AND CREATE SUMMER FUN WITH PARTY WORLD AND OTHER THINGS

ARTICLE BY CARLEEN EVE FISCHER HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY CROSBY PHOTOGRAPHY

IT’S PARTY TIME!

In 2020, the store closed temporarily due to the pandemic and “we used that time to renovate, paint, and transform the store to make it more modernized and customer friendly,” Matt says.

For children’s birthday parties, explore the selection of water balloons, birthday yard signs, sidewalk chalk, and window markers to make the day unforgettable. “I like to help people with birthday parties,” Matt says. “I help customers choose a theme, then select items that coordinate. Every project is a fun project because each customer is looking for something different, and you get to be creative,” he explains.

Step into Party World and Other Things at 380 Union Street in West Springfield and you’ll find hula skirts, leis, piñatas, and giant blow-up flamingos — just a few of the many offerings to make your summer party fun and unique. Checkeredthemed picnic items are great for a summer BBQ, and there are plenty of supplies throughout the year for events like Easter, Christmas, Cinco de Mayo, the Fourth of July, milestone birthday parties, Disney character-themed parties, and of course weddings.

Party World and Other Things opened its doors in 1972, offering basic party items. In 1976, the store expanded its inventory and has been growing ever since. Manager and buyer Matt Thibodeau joined the company in 2011. “Working here part time through high school and college, I envisioned what the store could be,” Matt explains. “Over time, I realized I really liked working here and helping customers. When I was asked to stay on full-time, it was an easy decision.”

Party World and Other Things has a wide selection of paper products in every color imaginable and if you’re planning something fancy, they have a selection of tableware that looks like real crystal to give your party an elegant feel. You can even purchase a chocolate fountain! For customers seeking eco-friendly products, the store offers a line of plant-based cutlery, plates, and to-go containers that are 100% compostable and extremely durable.

“Our product offerings are different and because of that, we will continue to grow,” Matt says. “We see what’s trending and adjust our store offerings for what’s popular now or upcoming.” For instance, the store has a new novelty candy section including Haribo and Pez products, and a large selection of latex and Mylar balloons for decorating and balloon bouquets.

“Customers coming in for the first time are surprised at how big our selection is,” Matt explains. “We have any party product you need to make your party successful.” The customer service at Party World and Other Things is personalized to make your experience enjoyable and reduce the stress of party planning.

Get your hula vibe on!

Party World is also an excellent resource for bakers, offering cake pans, Wilton cake decorating turntables, Chefmaster LiquaGel food coloring in over 24 different colors, DiamonDust Glitter, pastry fillings in many flavors — including the extremely popular guava — and numerous more baking items. The store is one of the only in the area to stock Yum Crumbs cake toppings.

If you enjoy making candy, Party World and Other Things has an extensive selection of products, including a wall dedicated to candy-making molds. They also sell Merckens chocolate, a sought-after product for candy making for its smooth texture and consistent melting. Fun fact: last year Party World sold over 20,000 pounds of Merckens chocolate wafers!

Matt says that customers can learn about what’s new at Party World and Other Things by following the store on Facebook and TikTok, which are updated frequently to feature new products. Party World and Other Things is locally and veteran-owned. Visit the store Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., check out their website at ShopPartyWorld.com, or call 413.781.6311.

Make your Fourth of July party pop with fun decor

Party World helps make wedding planning easy

Tropical flair awaits you at Party World

Give Your Skin a Summer Glow-Up

ARTICLE BY SARA ANDERSON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY CROSBY PHOTOGRAPHY

STAY GOLDEN'S AIRBRUSH SPRAY TANNING GIVES A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE HUE CHOSEN JUST FOR YOU

With summer in swing, our skin may not be the shade or condition for shorts or swimwear, or a special event. We know that sun exposure ages our skin and can cause cancer, so an ideal alternative to sun tanning is spray tanning.

Erica Devlin, owner of spray tanning salon Stay Golden at 37 Harkness Avenue, East Longmeadow, offers a customizable and safe tan in her soothing, tropical-themed studio. She uses My Perfect Glow Sunless tan products, from a woman-owned, Florida-based company. “Their tanning products are amazing,” she says.

Erica co-owned a mobile spray tanning business from 2007 to 2008 and fell in love. In October 2020, she made the leap and opened Stay Golden. She jokes, “I call it my midlife crisis project. It was always a passion in the back of my mind.” Erica is a certified spray tan technician through Perfect Glow Sunless. “Being certified with them and using their product line has been a huge factor in the success of my business,” she notes, describing spray tanning as “an art form.”

Opening her business during the pandemic was a challenge; people were anxious about travel and vacation plans, weddings were pushed back, and proms were cancelled. Erica says, “I focused intensely on marketing, and encouraged family and friends to come get tans and spread the word. My business picked up and by spring of 2022, things really took off!”

Erica Devlin, owner of Stay Golden

Erica is the sole proprietor and technician at Stay Golden. “I’m a one-man band, so I have a personal relationship with every single client who comes through my door,” she explains. “My favorite part of the job is my clients, one hundred percent. I meet so many unique women every day and hear their stories, and learn about their happiness or stressors or the amazing destinations or exciting events they’re going to.”

When a client comes in for their first visit, Erica discusses what they want to achieve for their tan so she can meet their expectations. Then it’s on to applying their spray tan. “Clients wear their clothing of choice, be it a swimsuit, undergarments — or nothing at all! — whatever their comfort level is,” she explains.

“The studio is a no-judgement zone,” Erica says. “My clients come in all shapes, sizes, and ages, and I tell them that we don’t shame ourselves or apologize for our bodies in the studio. Someone may be nervous about their body and stripping down in front of a stranger. I urge them to have the confidence to come in and enjoy the positive body experience I provide at the salon.”

Erica notes that a spray tan mutes the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite and gives the confidence boost of having beautiful skin: “You can get the lovely glow you have mid-summer, any time of the year, with spray tanning.”

Bridal tanning parties are popular at Stay Golden. “It’s a total blast,” Erica says. “Brides have told me the party was a highlight of their wedding week. It’s super laid back, in contrast to the formality of other events like the rehearsal dinner and bridal shower. We crank the music, clients bring food and drinks, and they let loose and relax. This is a stress-relief event for brides and their girls to chill and not think about the wedding for a hot minute.”

Stay Golden offers a wide variety of tanning sessions from full-body rapid tans to face and neck only, private parties, before- and after-care products, and disposable undergarments for purchase. Erica suggests that clients thoroughly read the information on her website to prep for their appointments and maintain a beautiful tan. To book, visit sgtans.com.

“My favorite part of my work is my clients — meeting so many unique women and hearing their stories.”

Erica offers Perfect Glow Sunless products for purchase in her studio, including body wash and lotion, tan extender, self-tanning mousse, and exfoliating mitts

Stay Golden is the perfect place for a relaxing tanning party with friends

SHOW YOUR SKIN THE LOVE

We need sunscreen daily, even if we’re mostly indoors, or in cold or cloudy weather. A quick errand still means exposure to solar rays, and the beach calls for full-body coverage. For neck-and-face coverage, use the “two-finger” amount rule and dispense sunscreen along the length of your middle and pointer fingers for the correct amount. Full-body coverage means applying at least one “shot glass amount” of sunscreen; reapply every two hours if you’re perspiring or swimming. The magic SPF

the WEDDING EXPERIENCE

Book a private wedding tanning party for the ladies, and even the groom and his guys!

SESSION ONE Six weeks before the wedding: discussion of your gown and wedding colors, shade level of tan, and tan care.

SESSION TWO Four weeks before the wedding, to tweak your shade if necessary.

FINAL SESSION Two to four days before the wedding, with review of aftercare to get the most out of your tan on your honeymoon.

Bring your own beverages and snacks, and Stay Golden ensures a fun and cozy atmosphere!

number is 30 minimum. A hat and sunglasses also help to avoid UV rays — the number one cause of skin aging and cancer. Don’t forget a sunscreen lip product! To avoid sunscreens with environmentally harmful chemicals, mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are your best bet, and they are the least likely to irritate your skin compared to chemical sunscreens. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends seeing a dermatologist annually, or more often if you are at a higher risk of skin cancer, for a full-body, professional skin exam.

Bridal tanning parties are a blast at Stay Golden

MAKING THE SWITCH TO SOLAR

With energy costs soaring, solar power is gaining traction, and Agawam’s Payden Yates guides customers through the benefits of solar throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. Payden was interested in solar energy and achieving a better work–family life balance, and became a Sunrun contractor in 2019. Sunrun is the largest and top U.S. residential solar company.

“During college as a chemical engineering major, I learned about the constancy of the sun; the power it provides gives life to everything on earth,” he explains. “Harnessing that power to turn on my own lights and charge my phone became a reality when I discovered the solar industry. I love that solar uses an unlimited, free power source and has much fewer restraints on efficiency than fossil fuel methods, which exist in a limited amount. Solar also makes a home look more modern, and doesn’t require any extra space, since it uses existing roof space. Solar just makes sense to me.”

Solar panels create energy from sunlight — not heat — so you don’t need to live in a warm-weather state to generate solar power. Payden uses Sunrun’s proprietary modeling tool to design custom solar energy systems based on each home’s unique characteristics and needs.

Solar panels mean a predictable, lower electric bill, independent from utility rate increases. You can store power with a Sunrun Brightbox for outages, and if you have an F-150 Lightning EV, a Ford Charge Station Pro bi-directional charger uses your solar for charging. If there is a power outage, you can also power your home from your truck, which serves as a portable storage battery.

Both Massachusetts and Connecticut offer tax credits, and you may also be eligible for property tax exemptions and rebates. No matter what state you live in, you’re eligible for the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC) if you purchase a home solar energy system outright, whether you pay cash or finance.

If you choose to lease your system, any incentive savings you would’ve received through tax credits and rebates with a system purchase can be passed to you in the form of a lower solar bill. Sunrun will claim that tax credit and use it to give you a lower lease payment, resulting in a lower electric bill that replaces your utility bill.

If net energy metering is offered in your state and by your utility company, you may be eligible to earn credits on your bill for excess solar energy you produce and send to your utility company, and can use those credits at night toward drawing electricity from the grid at a lower cost.

ARTICLE BY SARA ANDERSON

EXPLORE YOUR SOLAR POWER PAYMENT OPTIONS

MONTHLY LEASE

With as little as zero down, lock in predictable rates.

PREPAID LEASE

With a single payment, lock in homeuse solar energy at the best price.

SUNRUN HAS HIGHLY CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS FOR SOLAR POWER

Throughout the seasons, solar panels work to produce energy

And if you sell your home, solar panels are a huge selling point, and your system and all discounts and warranties transfer to the new homeowner like a normal electric bill. Payden notes that solar “can increase your home’s value, and houses with solar sell 20% faster according to Zillow and Realtor.com.”

Payden loves creating solar solutions for customers. “One customer was struggling as a single parent with power cost rate increases that had become far outside her budget,” he explains. “She was surprised to learn that she wouldn’t have to pay anything extra to get the panels installed. After the system was turned on, her bills dropped back into her budgeted amount and were independent from future rate increases. Needless to say, she was ecstatic after her solar was turned on!”

ABOUT PAYDEN YATES

MONTHLY LOAN

With little to no upfront cost, get fixed monthly payments and a competitive interest rate.

PURCHASE

Your home system purchase means you may qualify for federal and state tax credits, bill credits for excess solar production, and property and sales tax exemptions.

Payden Yates of Agawam is a contractor for Sunrun and has assisted over 2,000 individuals in Massachusetts and Connecticut to learn more about solar and helped many of them get approved for installation. He can be reached at 833.324.5886, or visit the Sunrun website at sunrun.com.

“MY FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB IS MEETING NEW PEOPLE EVERY DAY IN THEIR HOMES — MEETING THEM ON A MORE PERSONAL LEVEL THAN OTHER BUSINESSES.”

Solar panels reduce your air conditioning costs in the warmer months

Payden Yates of Sunrun; photo by Karen Slack Photography

“They were so good with communication, they were very clear with their expectations, they were extremely reasonable with the things they were asking of me and it was actually a very seamless, very positive experience.”

Owner

have a lot

“I

and that you are not left alone. You’re not out there just trying to figure it out by yourself, they have someone to help you in any category that you need help in.”

Owner

Summer at the Club

SPRINGFIELD COUNTRY CLUB ELEVATES YOUR SUMMER DAYS AND NIGHTS

ARTICLE BY AMANDA WATERFIELD

Picture this: the sparkling blue water of the pool beckons you in for a dip, but you decide instead to savor the icy daiquiri that a server just delivered from the bar. You don’t have to book a cruise to enjoy this summertime bliss – it’s available right here in West Springfield. Summer season at the Springfield Country Club is in full swing, and if you’re looking to shake up your family’s routine, you will want to check out all the club has to offer.

Springfield Country Club’s social and dining memberships provide members with access to the club’s

myriad offerings, which are not available to the public. Dining members can enjoy the club’s Tavern, which looks out over the golf course. The Tavern serves fresh takes on traditional sandwiches, salads, and specials. In addition, the club’s semi-covered porch dining space is newly furnished and provides a view of the pool area and an expansive look across the valley. New this summer is Table 19, a fine dining restaurant located in the club’s upstairs space. Table 19 also has outdoor dining space.

The large swimming pool is the jewel of the clubhouse, with a full-service beverage bar now located in a cabana right on the pool deck

Table 19, a fine dining restaurant, is located in the club’s upstairs space

Social membership at the club gives your family all the benefits of a dining membership and adds usage of the beautiful pool area. The pool at Springfield Country Club has been a popular summer attraction for many years, but this year, the club is upping their game with outdoor bar service. No longer will swimmers and sunbathers need to go into the Tavern for beverages. A full-service beverage bar is now located in a cabana right on the pool deck.

The large swimming pool is the jewel of the clubhouse, but there is also a children’s pool with a shallow wading area and spray feature for the littlest family members. The pool area is adding outdoor audio speakers to enhance the resort feel of the space.

While the adults soak up the sunshine, the kids can be doing their own thing with fully supervised camp programs, which are currently accepting applicants. The programs focus on either golf or swimming lessons, and activities run for a week at a time.

Springfield Country Club has a busy calendar of club events for members. Friday nights in July feature local musical acts

for outdoor concerts, and July 4th and Labor Day have their own celebrations.

If you’re looking for the perfect location for a family event or business gathering, Springfield Country Club can accommodate groups from 25 to 250 people. Weddings, showers, anniversaries, and business functions are among the types of events the club handles, and these types of events are available for the general public – not only club members.

Whether you’re seeking a respite from your summer cooking duties or a full range of entertainment and activities, Springfield Country Club is the perfect place to spend the summer.

Contact Madelin Rivera (mrivera@springfieldccma.org) for information on social or dining memberships. For events and functions, contact DeAnna Syner (eventscoordinator@springfieldccma.org).  Springfield Country Club is at 1375 Elm Street in West Springfield, 413.787.1560.

The Tavern offers a casual dining experience and an adjacent outdoor cafe

Enjoy fresh takes on sandwiches, salads, and specials

CITY LIFESTYLE

Summer Bucket List

Welcome, summer! As a hyper-local publication, we thrive on helping our readers make connections with the cities they live in, the businesses that make up their communities and the inspiring individuals making a positive mark.

Are you ready for your most adventurous, fun summer? Here are summer bucket list ideas for you to accomplish this year. We hope you’ll explore a new neighborhood, spend a lazy Saturday afternoon at a new winery or taste the flavors at a local ice cream shop. Let us know what you discover and enjoy! We’d love to hear.

KIDS ADULTS

Take

Visit

Go

Explore

Try

Hike

Explore

Read

Go

Takeout Picnic

Visit local-favorite restaurants to create an easy and delicious summer picnic

ARTICLE BY SARA ANDERSON

Summer nights are meant for spontaneity. When a beautiful sunset beckons, why not head to a local favorite restaurant for takeout sandwiches, grab a good bottle of wine, and throw your picnic blanket in the car. Head to your special outdoor spot with a date, a friend, family — or just yourself! Having a spur-of-the-moment takeout summer picnic is an easy way to create a happy memory this July.

West Springfield’s Calabrese Market & Deli has a plethora of enticing sandwiches, including the Chicken Saltimbocca with marinated chicken, prosciutto, sautéed spinach, provolone cheese, and pesto sauce. A great vegetarian option is the Hipster, with fresh spinach, peppers, onions, mushrooms,

provolone cheese, and a lemon basil mayonnaise. Meat lovers will enjoy the Paisano, with genoa salami, mortadella, shaved ham, provolone cheese, lettuce, vine-ripened tomatoes, and mayo.

Joey’s Deli in Feeding Hills has unique sandwiches, including the Not Your Mama’s Meatloaf, served warm on a bulkie roll with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and garlic mayonnaise. The Vermonter elevates the old ham-and-cheese standby with thinly sliced ham topped with Vermont cheddar, maple mustard, and bacon on a bulkie roll, with lettuce and tomato. The Somerville Slammer features warm, rare roast beef on an onion roll with American cheese and James River barbecue sauce.

The Steak Tangler wrap at Agawam’s 141 Main Street entices with seasoned steak, crispy bacon, Gold Rush barbecue sauce, onion tanglers, and melted pepper jack cheese. The Cran-Wally Wrap features homemade chicken salad, cranberries, walnuts, lettuce, tomato, and Granny Smith apple. Or try one of their many salads, like the California Cobb with grilled chicken, romaine, avocado, hard-boiled egg, tomato, cucumber, and bacon.

For dessert, grab a grocery fruit salad and brownies, or visit Auntie Cathie’s Kitchen in Agawam for amazing and delicious vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly bakery offerings like maple-glazed carrot bread, cherry cheesecake cake jars, and peanut butter chocolate cupcakes. Bon appetit!

YOUR LOCAL HEADQUARTERS FOR LONGINES WATCHES

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(413) 536-7353

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