West Hartford Magazine - May 2026

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cont ent s VoL.1 6,No. 1 ,2026

KOFTHEP UBL I S HE R 7 FROM THEDES

9 CHAMBERNEWS NANCE 1 5 FI

2 2 TRAVEL NG 2 7 GARDENI SF AS HI ON 2 6 WOMEN’ SF AS HI ON 3 1 MEN’ NI NG 3 3 DI

FEATUREDARTI CL E 1 9 THEBI CE NTE NNI AL S WE E THE ARTS

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F ROMTHEDESKOFTHEPUBL I SHER De a rRe a de r s , Spr i ngha sof f i c i a l l ys pr ungi nGr e a t e rWe s tHa r t f or d,a ndwi t ht heb l oomi ngdog woodsa nd wa r me rb r e e z e sc ome sas e ns eofr e ne wa la ndc e l e b r a t i on.Thi ss e a s on,ours t r e e t sf e e lmor ev i b r a ntt ha ne v e r ,a ndt hi si s s uei sar e f l e c t i onoft hec ommuni t ys pi r i tt ha tma k e sourc or ne rof Conne c t i c uts os pe c i a l .

Thi smont hwea r ehonor e dt of e a t ur eKi t t ya ndSt e v e nLa ng a n,whoa r ec e l e b r a t i nga ni nc r e di b l e 5 0y e a r sofma r r i a g et hi sy e a r .The i rwe ddi ngr e ma i nsac he r i s he dme mor yf orma ny" We s tHa r t f or di t e s , "a si tb e a ut i f ul l yc oi nc i de dwi t hourna t i on ’ sBi c e nt e nni a lc e l e b r a t i ons .Look i ngb a c ka t t he i rwe ddi ngf r om t ha thi s t or i cy e a ri sapoi g na ntr e mi nde rofhowf a rwe ’ v ec omea ndt het i me l e s st r a di t i onst ha tb i ndust og e t he r .

Spe a k i ngofc e l e b r a t i ons ,ourr e c e ntTa s t eofGr e a t e rWe s tHa r t f or de v e nta tt heBa c kNi ne Ta v e r na tSt a nl e yGol fCour s ewa sar e s oundi ngs uc c e s s .I twa saj oyt os e eov e rahundr e dof y oug a t he rt os a mpl et heb e s tourc ul i na r ys c e neha st oof f e r .Fr om t hes a v or ys t e a ks a ndwi c he s f r om Fl e mi ng ’ sa ndt hes i g na t ur er i c eb a l l sf r om Cor a c or a ,t ot hea ut he nt i cf l a v or sofFr i daa nd Ba c kNi neTa v e r n,t hee l e g a nc eofCa f eLoui s e ,a ndt henos t a l g i cs unda e sf r om Fr i s b i e ’ sDa i r y Ba r n,i twa st r ul yani g htt or e me mb e r .

I fy ouwe r e n' ta b l et oj oi nusf ort het a s t i ng ,don' twor r y —y ou’ l lha v ea not he rc ha nc et oe nj oyt hi s i nc r e di b l el i ne ups oon.Wea r et hr i l l e dt oa nnounc et ha tt he s es a mes i xe s t a b l i s hme nt swi l lb er e t ur ni ngf orour1 2 t hAnnua lBe s tofWe s tHa r t f or da ndDa nc i ngwi t hWe HaSt a r sc e l e b r a t i on!

Ma r ky ourc a l e nda r sf orMonda y ,Se pt e mb e r2 8 t h,b a c ka tt heBa c kNi neTa v e r n.I tpr omi s e st o b ea ne v e ni ngofhi g he ne r g ype r f or ma nc e s ,e v e nb e t t e rf ood,a ndawe l lde s e r v e dc e l e b r a t i onof t heBe s tOfwi nne r s !

Beont hel ook outf ort i c k e t sa ndv ot i ngi nf or ma t i oni nt hec omi ngwe e k s .I nt heme a nt i me ,I hopey ouf i nds omet i met or e l a xonapa t i o ,e nj oyt hes uns hi ne ,a nddi v ei nt ot hes t or i e soft he ne i g hb or swhoma k et hi st ownahome .

Ha ppys pr i ng ,a nde nj oyt hei s s ue !

Wa r ml y , Tom &Hi l l a r y Pr e s i de nt&Pub l i s he r

Ont heCov e r : Fe a t ur es t or yc oupl eKi t t ya ndSt e v e nLa ng a n

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We s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c e :

ASma r t e rWa yt oConne c t : TheWe s tHa r t f or d Cha mb e rEx pa ndsI t sEng a g e me ntQui z b yTheWe s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rSt a f f TheWe s tHa r t f or dCha mb e rofComme r c ei s ma k i ngi te a s i e rt ha ne v e rf orl oc a l b us i ne s s e s , nonpr of i t s , a ndpr of e s s i ona l st oc onne c twi t ht he r i g htoppor t uni t i e s , pr og r a ms , a ndr e s our c e st o s uppor tt he i rg r o wt h.

Wi t ht her e c e nte x pa ns i onof i t sEng a g e me ntQui z , t heCha mb e rha si nt r oduc e da mor epe r s ona l i z e d, i nt ui t i v ewa yf ora ny onet o e x pl or eho wt oe ng a g ewi t ht hel oc a l b us i ne s s c ommuni t y .

Or i g i na l l yde s i g ne dt ohe l pb us i ne s so wne r s a ndc ommuni t ypr of e s s i ona l si de nt i f yho wt he yc a n c onne c twi t hCha mb e rof f e r i ng s , t heq ui zha s q ui c k l yb e c omeav a l ua b l es t a r t i ngpoi ntf orb ot h me mb e r sa ndt hos ee x pl or i ngho wt heCha mb e rc a n s uppor tt he i rg oa l s .

No w, wi t hne wf e a t ur e sa nd i ndus t r y s pe c i f i cpa t hwa y s , i ti se v ol v i ngi nt oa po we r f ul t ool f ors t r a t e g i cc onne c t i ona ndb us i ne s s de v e l opme nta c r os st hec ommuni t y .

Thec onc e pti ss i mpl e .

Us e r st a k eab r i e f onl i neq ui zt ha the l psde f i net he i rg oa l sa nd pr i or i t i e s .

Whe t he rt he ya r el ook i ngt og r o wa b us i ne s s , e x pa ndt he i rne t wor k , b ui l di nf l ue nc e , or e l e v a t et he i rb r a nd, t heq ui zdi r e c t st he mt oa t a i l or e de x pe r i e nc ewi t hi nt heCha mb e r ’ sdi g i t a l e c os y s t e m.

Uponc ompl e t i on, pa r t i c i pa nt sa r eg ui de di nt o oneoff oure ng a g e me ntt r a c k s : Gr o wYour Bus i ne s s , I nf l ue nc et heFut ur e , Ad v a nc eYour Ca r e e r , orEl e v a t eYourBr a nd.

Ea c hpa t hwa y i nt r oduc e sac ur a t e dmi xofe v e nt s , pr og r a ms , ma r k e t i ngoppor t uni t i e s , a ndc ommuni t y c onne c t i onsa l i g ne dwi t ht hos eg oa l s .

Whi l es ome oppor t uni t i e sa r ee x c l us i v et oCha mb e rme mb e r s , ma nya r eope nt ot hepub l i c , ma k i ngt heq ui za us e f ul di s c o v e r yt ool f ora ny onel ook i ngt og e tmor e i n v ol v e di nWe s tHa r t f or d.

Thene we s te nha nc e me ntt a k e st hi spe r s ona l i z a t i onas t e pf ur t he r .

Thr oug ht hee x pa nde d“ Ex pl or eYourBus i ne s sPa t h”e x pe r i e nc e , us e r sc a nno w na v i g a t eoppor t uni t i e sb a s e dont he i rs pe c i f i ci ndus t r y .

Bys e l e c t i ngt he i rf i e l d, t he ya r e pr e s e nt e dwi t haf oc us e do v e r v i e wofpr og r a ms , pa r t ne r s hi ps , a ndr e s our c e st ha ta l i g nwi t h t he i rne e ds .

Thi sa dde dl a y e rofs e g me nt a t i onma k e si te a s i e rt oi de nt i f yr e l e v a nt oppor t uni t i e sa ndt a k eme a ni ng f ul ne x ts t e ps .

TheCha mb e rha sde v e l ope dr e s our c ehub sf ors e v e r a l k e ys e c t or s , e a c hhi g hl i g ht i ng wa y st oc onne c ta ndg r o w.

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Pr of e s s i ona l s e r v i c epr o v i de r sc a ne x pl or e oppor t uni t i e st oi nc r e a s ev i s i b i l i t y , b ui l dc r e di b i l i t y , a ndf or mr e l a t i ons hi pswi t hpot e nt i a l c l i e nt sa nd pa r t ne r s .

He a l t ha ndwe l l ne s spr o v i de r sc a nf i nd pa t hwa y st opr omot es e r v i c e s , pa r t i c i pa t ei n c ommuni t ye v e nt s , a nda t t r a c tne wc l i e nt s .

Nonpr of i tor g a ni z a t i onsc a ndi s c o v e rt ool st o e x pa nda wa r e ne s s , b ui l dpa r t ne r s hi ps , a nde ng a g e s uppor t e r s .

Ma nuf a c t ur e r sc a nc onne c twi t h r e s our c e s , wor k f or c ei ni t i a t i v e s , a nda d v oc a c ye f f or t s t ha ts uppor tl ong t e r ms uc c e s s .

Re s t a ur a nt sa nd r e t a i l e r sc a nt a pi nt opr omot i ona l oppor t uni t i e sa nd c ommuni t y dr i v e ni ni t i a t i v e st ha the l pdr i v et r a f f i c a ndv i s i b i l i t y .

Fort hos er e a dyt ot a k et hene x ts t e p , Cha mb e rme mb e r s hi pof f e r se v e nde e pe ra c c e s st ov i s i b i l i t y , r e l a t i ons hi ps , a ndr e s our c e st ha tc a nhe l pa c c e l e r a t eg r o wt h.

Whe t he ry oub e g i nb ye x pl or i ngt heq ui zorb y

Thi si ndus t r y b a s e da ppr oa c hr e f l e c t sa b r oa de rs hi f ti nho wt heCha mb e rs ha r e s

g e t t i ngi n v ol v e di napr og r a m, t heoppor t uni t yt oc onne c t , g r o w, a ndt hr i v ei nWe s tHa r t f or di sope nt o e v e r y one .

i nf or ma t i on.

I tmo v e sb e y ondaone s i z e f i t s a l l mode l a ndc r e a t e samor ea c c e s s i b l e , us e r dr i v e n e x pe r i e nc ef ora ny onel ook i ngt oe ng a g ewi t ht he l oc a l b us i ne s sc ommuni t y .

Thee nha nc e dq ui za l s oc onne c t sdi r e c t l yt o t heCha mb e r ’ sWe l c omeHub , whe r eus e r sc a n e x pl or et he i rr e s ul t sa ndt a k ea c t i on.

Whe t he r a t t e ndi nga ne v e nt , e x pl or i ngapr og r a m, orl e a r ni ng mor ea b outa v a i l a b l eb e ne f i t s , t hee x pe r i e nc ei s de s i g ne dt ob ec l e a r , a ppr oa c ha b l e , a nde a s yt o na v i g a t e .

Ati t sc or e , t heEng a g e me ntQui zi sa b out c onne c t i on.

I tof f e r sas i mpl es t a r t i ngpoi ntf or a ny onet ob e t t e runde r s t a ndwha ti sha ppe ni ngi n We s tHa r t f or da ndho wt opl ugi nt oi ti na me a ni ng f ul wa y .

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F I NANCE

Fi r s tYe a rofRe t i r e me nt : Wha tt oEx pe c t The r e ’ samome nte a r l yi nr e t i r e me ntt ha ts ur pr i s e sal otofpe opl e .

The ywa k eup , a ndt he r e ’ sno whe r et ob e .

Noc ommut e .

Noq ui c kc he c koft he i nb o xb e f or ec of f e e .

J us taq ui e tmor ni ngt ha t ' sa l l y our st oe nj oyho we v e ry ouwi s h.

Atf i r s t , t ha tq ui e tc a nf e e l wonde r f ul .

Af t e ry e a r sofde a dl i ne s a ndr e s pons i b i l i t y , ma y b ee v e nar e l i e f .

Andt he n, s ome whe r ei nt hos ef i r s tf e wmont hs , a not he rt houg htc r e e psi n: No wwha t ?

I t ' samor ec ommonphe nome nont ha ny oumi g hte x pe c t .

Re s e a r c hs ho wst ha tr e t i r e me nti smuc hmor et ha nas c he dul ec ha ng e .

Forma nype opl e , 1 i t ’ sa ni de nt i t ys hi f t .

You’ v es pe nty e a r sb e i ngk no wnf orwha ty oudo .

Whe nt ha tr ol ec ha ng e s , i t ’ sna t ur a l t of e e l al i t t l euns t e a dy .

Tha tdoe s n' tme a ns ome t hi ngi swr ong .

I tme a nsy ou’ r ej us ta dj us t i ngt oy ourne ws c he dul e .

Thef i r s ty e a rofr e t i r e me nti s n' ta b outf i l l i ngy ourt i me ; i t ' sa b outf i ndi ngy ourr hy t hm.

The“Hone y moon”Pha s e( a ndWha tCome sAf t e r ) Somer e t i r e e sde s c r i b et hef i r s tf e wmont hsa f t e rr e t i r e me nta sa“ hone y moon pha s e , ”dur i ngwhi c ht he yf oc usont r a v e l , pr oj e c t s , a ndc a t c hi nguponr e s t .

Af t e rt hehone y moong l o wwe a r sof f , ma nyb e g i na s k i ngde e pe rq ue s t i ons 1

a b outho wt he ywa ntt os pe ndt he i rt i mea nde ne r g y .

I t ' snotonl ynor ma l t oa s kt hos eq ue s t i ons , b utne c e s s a r y .

Ourc a r e e r sg i v eus mor et ha ni nc ome .

The ypr o v i des t r uc t ur e , s oc i a l i nt e r a c t i on, a ndas e ns eof pur pos e .

Whe nt ha ts t r uc t ur ei snol ong e rpa r tofy ourda i l yr out i ne , i tc a nb e di f f i c ul tt of i l l t heg a p .

Ov e rt i me , mos tr e t i r e e sb e g i nb ui l di ngne wr out i ne sa r oundt hi ng st he yf i ndme a ni ng f ul .

Tha tmi g htme a nv ol unt e e r i ng , me nt or i ng , t r a v e l i ng , l e a r ni ng s ome t hi ngne w, ors i mpl ys pe ndi ngmor et i mewi t hf a mi l y .

Re s e a r c hs ho wst ha ta dul t sa g e6 5a ndol de rs pe ndmor ehour se a c hda yonl e i s ur ea ndpe r s ona l 2

a c t i v i t i e st ha nwor k i ng a g ea dul t s .

Tha t ’ snotj us t“ f r e et i me . ”I t ’ sa noppor t uni t y .

I nc omeFe e l sDi f f e r e nti nRe t i r e me nt Oneoft heb i g g e s ta dj us t me nt si nt hef i r s ty e a ri sho wi nc omea r r i v e s .

Forde c a de s , i nc omel i k e l ys ho we dupa sapa y c he c k .

Ma nyr e t i r e e sdon ’ te x pe c tho w s pe ndi ngf e e l se mot i ona l l yi nr e t i r e me nt .

Ev e nwhe ni nc omes our c e sa r es t a b l e , t r a ns f e r r i ngmone yf r om s a v i ng sc a nf e e l mor ee v e nt f ul t ha ni tdi ddur i ng wor k i ngy e a r s .

Af t e rde c a de sofb e i nge nc our a g e dt os a v e , t hes hi f tt o wa r ds pe ndi ngc a nt a k epr a c t i c e .

I tc a nhe l pt os e pa r a t ee s s e nt i a l e x pe ns e sf r om f l e x i b l e one s .

Whe ny ouk no wy ourc or ene e dsa r ec o v e r e d, t her e s tb e c ome sas e r i e sofi nt e nt i ona l c hoi c e sr a t he rt ha nas our c eofwor r y .

Ov e rt i me , c onf i de nc eof t e n g r o wsa sr e t i r e e ss e et ha tt he i rf i na nc i a l a ppr oa c hi swor k i nga si nt e nde d.

Theg oodne ws ?Thef i r s ty e a rg i v e sy ous pa c et oob s e r v ea nda dj us t .

Spe ndi ngpa t t e r nsof t e ns e t t l eonc er e t i r e e ss e ewha te v e r y da yl i f ea c t ua l l yl ook sl i k e .

I t ’ s nota b outg e t t i nge v e r y t hi ngpe r f e c ti mme di a t e l y .

I t ’ sa b outb ui l di ngc onf i de nc eo v e rt i me .

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Wha tDoYouDoWi t h4 0Ext r aHour s ?

Soc i a l c onne c t i onsc a ns hi f t , t oo .

Wor kf r i e nds hi psna t ur a l l ye v ol v e , whi c h ma k e sr oom f orne wc ommuni t i e st hr oug hv ol unt e e r i ng , c l ub s , t r a v e l g r oups , c ont i nui nge duc a t i on, orf a i t hor g a ni z a t i ons .

Vol unt e e r i ngi se s pe c i a l l y c ommoni nr e t i r e me nt .

I nf a c t , mor et ha none q ua r t e rofa dul t sa g e6 5a nd ol de rr e por tv ol unt e e r i ngi nag i v e ny e a r .

Forma nyr e t i r e e s , i t ’ snotj us ta b out 3

g i v i ngb a c k .

I tpr o v i de ss t r uc t ur e , s oc i a l c onne c t i on, a ndas e ns eofpur pos e .

Tr a v e l i sa not he rg oa l ma nyr e t i r e e sr e v i s i t .

Somet a k e

ThePr a c t i c a lSi deofYe a rOne

mul t i g e ne r a t i ona l t r i ps .

Ot he r se x pl or es l o we rt r a v e l or f i na l l yv i s i tpl a c e st he y ’ v epos t pone df ory e a r s .

And

Al ongwi t he mot i ona l a ndl i f e s t y l ec ha ng e s , t hef i r s ty e a ri sa

s ome t i me s , r e t i r e me nti s n ’ ta b outb i gi de a sa ta l l .

I t ’ sa b out

pr a c t i c a l r e s e t .

Ma nyr e t i r e e sus et hi st i met o:

s i mpl et hi ng s .

Re a di ngmor e .

Ga r de ni ng .

Ta k i ngac l a s s .

Re t ur ni ngt oa nol dhob b y .

Anot he rc ommone x pe r i e nc ei n t hef i r s ty e a ri ss ome t hi ngf e wpe opl et a l ka b out : de c i s i on f a t i g ue .

Whe ny ou’ r ewor k i ng , muc hofy ourda yi sma ppe doutf or y ou.

I nr e t i r e me nt , t ha ts t r uc t ur edi s a ppe a r s .

Sudde nl y , i t ’ s

.Reviewestatedocuments .Confirmbeneficiarydesignations .Revisithealthcaredirectives .Evaluateinsurancecoverage .Understandtheprosandconsofvariousincomesources

upt oy out ode c i dewha tt oda yl ook sl i k e .

Andt omor r o w.

Andne x tmont h.

Tha tf r e e dom c a nf e e l o v e r whe l mi nga t

Fi na nc i a l pr of e s s i ona l sc a nhe l pc l i e nt st hi nkt hr oug h

f i r s t .

Somer e t i r e e sf i ndi the l pst ob ui l dar out i nei nt ot he

i nc omec oor di na t i on.

Ta x s pe c i f i cq ue s t i onss houl da l wa y s

we e k .

Ma y b et ha t ’ sv ol unt e e r i nge v e r yTue s da y .

Me e t i ng

b edi s c us s e dwi t hat a x , l e g a l , ora c c ount i ngpr of e s s i ona l ,

f r i e ndsf orl unc honThur s da y s .

Ta k i ngac l a s st ha tg e t sy ou

a ndl e g a l upda t e ss houl db ea ddr e s s e dwi t ha na t t or ne y .

outoft hehous eonc eawe e k , ors e t t i nga s i dec e r t a i n

He a l t hc a r ec o v e r a g ei sa not he ra r e at or e v i e w, e s pe c i a l l y

mor ni ng sf ore x e r c i s eorhob b i e s .

I t ' snota b outma i nt a i ni ng

whe nma k i ngde c i s i onsa b oute x t e nde dc a r e .

ar i g i ds c he dul e , t houg h; i t ' sa b outc r e a t i ngs ome t hi ngt o l ookf or wa r dt o .

Tha te x c i t e me ntf ort hene x tda yi swha t he l psma k er e t i r e me ntf e e l g r ounde d.

Gi vi ngYour s e l fPe r mi s s i ont oEnj oyI t

Af t e ry e a r sofs a v i nga ndpr e pa r i ng , s omer e t i r e e sf e e l he s i t a ntt os pe nd.

Tha t ’ sunde r s t a nda b l e .

Shi f t i ngf r om as a v e r ’ smi nds e tt os pe ndi ngi nt e nt i ona l l yc a nt a k et i me .

Butr e t i r e me nti s n ’ tj us ta b outma na g i ngmone y .

I t ’ sa b outus i ngi tt os uppor tt hel i f ey ouwa ntt ol i v e .

Li f ee x pe c t a nc yda t as ug g e s t st ha tma nyr e t i r e e sc a ne x pe c tt ol i v ef or 4 de c a de si nt hi sne x tc ha pt e r , whi c hme a nsy ou' l l ne e dt ot a k et i met ot hi nkc a r e f ul l ya b outy ourf i na nc i a l de c i s i ons .

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I fy ou’ r ei ny ourf i r s ty e a rora ppr oa c hi ngi t , c ons i de ra s k i ngy our s e l faf e ws i mpl eq ue s t i ons : .Wha ta m Ir e a dyt ol e tg oof ? .Whe r edoIwa ntt of e e l us e f ul ? .Whe r edoIwa ntt of e e l r e s t e d?

Youdon ’ tha v et oa ns we rt he ma l l a tonc e .

Re t i r e me ntunf ol dsi ns t a g e s , a nda ss pe ndi nga ndr out i ne ss e t t l e , unc e r t a i nt yof t e nf a de s .

Thef i r s ty e a rofr e t i r e me nti s n ’ tat e s t .

I t ’ sat r a ns i t i on.

Andi t ’ sok a yt ot a k ei tones t e pa tat i me .

Thec ont e nti sde v e l ope df r om s our c e sb e l i e v e dt ob epr o v i di nga c c ur a t ei nf or ma t i on.

Thei nf or ma t i oni nt hi sma t e r i a l i snoti nt e nde da st a xorl e g a l a d v i c e .

I tma ynotb eus e df ort hepur pos eofa v oi di nga nyf e de r a l t a xpe na l t i e s .

Pl e a s ec ons ul tl e g a l ort a xpr of e s s i ona l sf ors pe c i f i ci nf or ma t i on r e g a r di ngy ouri ndi v i dua l s i t ua t i on.

Thi sma t e r i a l wa sde v e l ope da ndpr oduc e db yFMGSui t et opr o v i dei nf or ma t i ononat opi ct ha tma yb eofi nt e r e s t .

FMG, LLC, i snota f f i l i a t e dwi t ht hena me db r ok e r de a l e r , s t a t e orSECr e g i s t e r e di n v e s t me nta d v i s or yf i r m.

Theopi ni onse x pr e s s e da ndma t e r i a l pr o v i de da r ef org e ne r a l i nf or ma t i on, a nds houl dnotb ec ons i de r e das ol i c i t a t i onf ort hepur c ha s eors a l eofa nys e c ur i t y .

Robe r t L a r a i a

Se c ur i t i e sa ndAdv i s or ys e r v i c e sof f e r e dt hr oug hLPLFi na nc i a l , aRe g i s t e r e dI nv e s t me ntAdv i s or .

Me mb e rFI NRA&SI PC.

Nor t hs t a r We a l t hPa r t ne r s RF C, F oundi ngPa r t ne r , We a l t hAdv i s or

TheLPLFi na nc i a l r e pr e s e nt a t i v e sa s s oc i a t e dwi t ht hi swe b s i t ema ydi s c us sa nd/ort r a ns a c ts e c ur i t i e s b us i ne s sonl ywi t hr e s i de nt soft hef ol l owi ngs t a t e s : AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, I D, I L, I N, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI , MN, MS , MT, NC, NH, NJ , NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, PR, RI , SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI .

www. nor t hs t a r we a l t hpa r t ne r s . c om ( 888)8867 7 3 7 r l a r a i a @ns t a r wp. c om

6,No. 1 ,2026 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 1 8 | VoL.1

1 .

AARP , Ma y2 8 , 2 0 2 5 .

2 .

U. S .

Bur e a uofLa b orSt a t i s t i c s , 2 0 2 4Annua l Av e r a g e s 3 .

U. S .

Bur e a uofLa b orSt a t i s t i c s , 2 0 2 4Vol unt e e r i ngDa t a 4 .

OECD, N. D.

F EA TUREST ORY

THEBI CENTENNI AL SWEETHEARTS Al ookb a c ka tt hehi s t or i cuni onof Ka t hl e e nLe ona r da ndSt e v e nLa ng a n

ADAYOFLI VI NGHI STORY Al t houg hi twa sa c t ua l l y1 9 7 6 , i twa sas c e nepl uc k e d s t r a i g htf r om t he1 8 t hc e nt ur y , a ndt hej oywa st i me l e s s .

Unde rac l e a rb l ues k ys pe c k l e dwi t hmul t i c ol or e dk i t e s , We s t Ha r t f or dr e s i de nt sKa t hl e e n" Ki t t y "Ma r yLe ona r da nd St e v e nRi c ha r dLa ng a ne x c ha ng e dv o wsi nac e r e monyt ha t c a pt ur e dt hehe a r tofana t i on.

Ast hec e nt e r pi e c eoft he t o wn' sBi c e nt e nni a l " Da yofLi v i ngHi s t or y , "t hec oupl e di dn' tj us ts t a r tama r r i a g e ; t he ys t e ppe di nt ot hepa g e sofa c ommuni t y ' sl e g a c y .

Ther oa dt ot hea l t a rwa sa suni q uea st hec e r e mony i t s e l f .

Ki t t ya ndSt e v ewe r es e l e c t e db yt het o wn' s Bi c e nt e nni a l Commi t t e ef r om apool oft we nt yhope f ul c oupl e s .

The i rs e l e c t i onwa sapoi ntofl oc a l pr i de —t he ywe r e t heonl ypa i rf r om We s tHa r t f or dt oa ppl y , ma k i ngt he mt he pe r f e c t" home g r o wn"c oupl et or e pr e s e ntt het o wn' ss pi r i t dur i ngt he1 9 7 6Ce l e b r a t i ons .

Thel e v e l ofde t a i l wa sb r e a t ht a k i ng .

Ev e r ye l e me ntwa s c ur a t e dt oe ns ur ea ut he nt i c i t y .

Theb r i de ' sg o wnwa sal a b or ofl o v e , de s i g ne db yKi t t ya ndhe rmot he r , Ri t aLe ona r d.

Wi t ht houg ht sofs ome t hi ngmor ea ut he nt i ct ot het he me t ha nt hemode r nt r a di t i onofwhi t e , Ri t a ’ sr e s e a r c hi nt o 1 8 t hc e nt ur yc us t omsl e dt he mt oab e a ut i f ul b e i g eb l uedr e s s

Ki t t ya ndSt e v e nLa ng a nt oda y

a dor ne dwi t hf r i ng ea ndhe r b s .

Forf ourmont hs , Ki t t y , Ri t a , a ndSt e v e ’ smot he r , J oa nLa ng a n, wor k e dt i r e l e s s l yt o ha nds t i t c hout f i t sf ort hee nt i r eni ne me mb e rwe ddi ngpa r t y .

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6,No. 1 ,2026 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 2 0 | VoL.1

Thef e s t i v i t i e sdi dn' te nda tt he" Ido' s .

"Thea t mos phe r ewa se l e c t r i c wi t ht hes i g ht sa nds oundsofac ol oni a l f a i r : b l a c k s mi t hi ngde mons t r a t i ons , b ut t e rc hur ni ng , a ndt hea r oma t i cs c e ntof" he r mi t s " —c ol oni a l s t y l ehot dog s — wa f t i ngf r om t heEx c ha ng eCl ubt a v e r ns .

Tot oa s tt hene wl y we ds , t heBi c e nt e nni a l Commi t t e epr o v i de das pe c i a l c ol oni a l punc hf ori n v i t e d g ue s t s , a ddi ngaf i na l t ouc hofhi s t or i chos pi t a l i t yt ot hea f f a i r .

Re f l e c t i ngont hee v e ntay e a rl a t e r , t he" Bi c e nt e nni a l Coupl e " r e ma i ne da ss mi t t e na st he ywe r eont ha ts unnyJ unea f t e r noon.

Whi l e St e v ej ok e da b outt het i g htc uf f sofhi sr uf f l e ds hi r t , a ndKi t t yr e c a l l e dt he " pi nsa ndne e dl e s "ofl a s t mi nut eg a r me nta dj us t me nt s , b ot ha g r e e dt ha tt he ma g i coft ha tda y —t hec ommuni t ys pi r i t , t hehi s t or y , a ndt hes ha r e d b e g i nni ng —wa ss ome t hi ngt he y woul dc he r i s hf or e v e r .

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TRAVEL

Vi e nnaRi v e rCr ui s e Conf e r e nc ePa r t3 Af t e rawonde r f ul Ri v e rCr ui s eCon v e nt i on, Iwa s l ook i ngf or wa r dt og oi ngf r om Buda pe s t , i nHung a r y , t o Buc ha r e s t , i nRoma ni a–c ount r i e sIha dne v e rv i s i t e db e f or e .

Fi r s t , Iha dt oma k emywa yf r om Vi e nnat oBuda pe s t .

The r ewa sas pe c i a l one ni g hts a i l i ngonAMAWa t e r wa y st o g e tust he r e .

Oneoft heAMAWa t e r wa y sf ounde r s , Rudi Shr i ne r , wa sonb oa r d.

Weha dal i v e l ydi s c us s i onwi t hhi m a f t e rb r e a k f a s twhe r ehes ha r e dhi ss t or ya b outhi shi s t or y wi t hr i v e r s .

Mr .

Shr i ne rs ha r e dho whet r a v e l e dt ot he Ama z onRi v e rf oraj our na l i s ma s s i g nme nt , a ndho wheha d de s i g ne dar a f tt og oupa nddo wnt her i v e r .

Fors e v e n mont hs , heus e dt ha tr a f tt og e ta r ounda ndde v e l ope dhi s l o v eofe x pl or i ngt hewor l db yr i v e r .

Hewa sl ot soff una nd heha ds omeg r e a ts t or i e s .

Af t e rmor ee x pe r i e nc ewi t hr i v e r c r ui s i ng , i n2 0 0 2hec of ounde dAMAWa t e r wa y swi t h Kr i s t i nKa r s ta ndJ i mmyMur phy .

AMAha sr e c e i v e dhi g hma r k sf ort he i rv e s s e l sf orma ny y e a r sf r om c ompa ni e ss uc ha sBe r l i t z , a ndma nyofmy t r a v e l a g e ntf r i e ndsa l wa y shi g hl yr e c omme ndt he m.

The y a r eami xofe l e g a nc e , hi g hl e v e l sofc us t ome rs e r v i c e( my f r i e ndf or g othe rme di c i nea ndt ha tni g htt he ydr o v eone houre a c hwa yt oapha r ma c youtoft o wnt og e ti tf orhe r ! ) , g r e a tl oc a l f oodme nusa l ongwi t hAme r i c a nc l a s s i c s , a nd

Wes t a r t e doutont heLo we rDa nub es a i l i ngf r om

i nc l ude de x c ur s i ons .

Ipe r s ona l l yha v es a i l e dont he i rTul i p

Buda pe s t .

Iha dha dt heoppor t uni t yt os pe ndaf e wda y s

Ti meCr ui s e , Me k ong , Bor de a ux , a ndLo we rDa nub e

t he r et hey e a rb e f or e , b utIe nj oy e dwa l k i nga r oundne a rt he

c r ui s e s .

Ia ma l wa y sde l i g ht e da nda ml ook i ngf or wa r dt o

r i v e rt os e et hene oGot hi cHung a r i a nPa r l i a me ntBui l di ng ,

t our i ngmor er i v e r swi t ht he m, e s pe c i a l l yt heMa g de l a na

St .

St e phe n ’ sBa s i l i c a , a ndt hei mpr e s s i v eb r i dg e st ha t

Ri v e rwhi c hr e c e nt l yl a unc he d–t he ya r et hef i r s ti n

c onne c tBudaa ndPe s t .

Aq ui c ks t opa tt heGr e a tMa r k e t

Col umb i a !

Ha l l wa si mpor t a ntt or e s t oc kmyHung a r i a npa pr i k af or s pe c i a l di s he s !

Spe a k i ngofs pe c i a l di s he s , AMAWa t e r wa y s of f e r e dg oul a s hf ordi nne rs owec oul de nj oyl oc a l f l a v or s .

c ont i nue donpa g e2 4 6,No. 1 ,2026 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 2 2 | VoL.1

Fi ndusonFacebook… Facebook. com/Hodges L ands capeCont r act or

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Wes t a r t e doutont heLo we rDa nub es a i l i ngf r om Buda pe s t .

Iha dt heoppor t uni t yt os pe ndaf e w da y st he r et hey e a rb e f or e , b utIe nj oy e dwa l k i nga r oundne a rt her i v e rt os e et hene oGot hi c Hung a r i a nPa r l i a me ntBui l di ng , St .

St e phe n ’ sBa s i l i c a , a ndt hei mpr e s s i v eb r i dg e st ha tc onne c tBuda a ndPe s t .

Aq ui c ks t opa tt heGr e a tMa r k e tHa l l wa si mpor t a ntt or e s t oc kmyHung a r i a npa pr i k af or s pe c i a l di s he s !

Spe a k i ngofs pe c i a l di s he s , AMAWa t e r wa y sof f e r e dg oul a s hf ordi nne rs owec oul d e nj oyl oc a l f l a v or s .

Thene x tda ywea r r i v e di nMohá c sa ndweha dt hec hoi c eoft heSz e k s z á r dWi neTa s t i ng , t he Pé c sEx c ur s i on, ort heMohá c sBi k eTour .

Si nc eIwa spl a nni ngonawi net a s t i ngl a t e ri nt hewe e k , I c hos et hee x c ur s i ont oPé c s .

Thet o wnwa sf ul l ofRoma na ndr e l i g i oushi s t or y , s ot hi st y peoft ouri s a l wa y sag r e a twa yt ounde r s t a ndt heb a c k s t or yofar e g i on.

Ourt hi r dda ywewe r edoc k e di nVuk o v a r , Cr oa t i a .

Iha d opt i onsofv i s i t i ngVuk o v a ra ndOs i j e k .

Vuk o v a ri sr i g htont he r i v e ra tt hec onf l ue nc eoft heDa nub ea ndVuk aRi v e r s , a ndOs i j e k i sas ma l l e rc i t yne a rt heDr a v aRi v e r .

Os i j e ki st hes i t eoft he Wa t e r f a l l For t r e s swhi c hhe l pe dde f e nda g a i ns tt heOt t oma n Empi r ea ndt hepl a g ue .

I nt hea f t e r noonIpl a nne dt ov i s i tt heOl d Ce l l a r swi net a s t i ng .

The1 5 t hc e nt ur ywi nec e l l a rwa sal o v e l y t ourwi t hauni q uewi net a s t i ng .

Ig ott ot a s t et heGr a s e v i na , Fr a nk o v k a , a ndTr a mi ni cs e l e c t i ons , whi c hf orme , s i nc eIa m not awi nec onnoi s s e ur , we r ene wt ome , a ndc e r t a i nl yde l i c i ous .

Li s aMar t i n-ACC Tr ave l Advi s or-Luxur ySpe c i al i s t

Aswec r ui s e dt hr oug ht hi sr e g i on, Ide f i ni t e l yf e l tadi f f e r e nt a t mos phe r ec ompa r e dwi t ht heUppe rDa nub eRi v e rc r ui s e .

Mor e ont ha ti nmyne x ta r t i c l e .

6,No. 1 ,2026 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 2 4 | VoL.1

Cr ui s ePl anne r s ®I nde pe nde ntFr anc hi s eOwne r 8609290708 l i s a. mar t i n@c r ui s e pl anne r s . c om www. t ot al t r ave l t oday . c om

GARDENI NG

Re t hi nki ngOurSpr i ng Ga r de ni ngPr a c t i c e s byKa r l aA. Da l l e y La s te di t i on, Is a i dt ha tt hi swoul db et hea r t i c l ea b outs pr i ng g a r de ni ng .

I tde f i ni t e l ywi l l b e —b utIa mg oi ngt oa d v oc a t et ha twe t r y —t ot hee x t e ntt ha twea r ea b l e —t oc ha ng eaf e wofours pr i ng g a r de ni ngpr a c t i c e ss ot ha twec a nb ek i nde rt ot hee a r t ha ndt o ourpol l i na t or s .

Nota l l ofy ouwi l l wa ntt odot hi sorwi l l b ea b l et odot hi s .

Youma yl i v ei napl a nne dc ommuni t ywhe r et her e g ul a t i onsdo notpe r mi ti t( don ’ twor r y , Ia m NOTa d v oc a t i ngt ha twea l l r i p outourl a wnsa ndpl a ntme a do ws ! )

Thef i r s t , mos ti mpor t a nt , t hi ngi st or e duc epe s t i c i deus e e v e r y whe r et ha ty ouc a n.

But t e r f l i e sa r ee x t r e me l ys e ns i t i v et o pe s t i c i de sa ndi nc r e a s i ng l ywea r edi s c o v e r i ngt ha tourot he r i ns e c t s —b e e sa ndt he“ g ood”i ns e c t st ha the l pourg a r de n—a r ea s

Ors omeofy ouma yde c i det ha ty oudon ’ tl i k ewha tIa m pr opos i ng .

Oneofmyf a v or i t es a y i ng sa b outg a r de ni ngi st ha ti f

we l l . ar a g i nga poc a l y ps eofi ns e c t si n v a di ngy oury a r d.

I t ’ sa na t ur a l f e a rt oha v e —b uti tr e a l l ydoe s n ’ tha ppe n.

wea l l l i k e dt hes a met hi ng , wewoul dha v eav e r yb or i ngwor l d!

J us ti ma g i nei fwea l l pl a nt e dt hes a mef l o we r sort hes a mes hr ub s .

Tha twoul db edr e a df ul .

So , f e e l f r e et oi g nor et hi sa d v i c ei fi t won ’ twor kf ory ou.

Wha tIa m pr opos i nga r eaf e wpr a c t i c e st ohe l pour

I fi ti st ooha r dt os t opa l l a tonc e , don ’ tt r e a ty ourg a r de n b e ds .

The r e ’ sr e a l l ynone e da ndi twi l l g i v et heb e e sr e s pi t ef r om t het r e a t e dl a wna tl e a s t .

Anot he rt hi ngt odoi st omul c hwi t hl e a v e s , i ns t e a dofpa y i ng

pol l i na t or sa ndourb e e s .

Asy ouma yk no w, b ot hpol l i na t or sa nd

f ormul c h.

Weha v eab ount yoft r e e she r et ha tpr o v i def r e emul c h

b e e sa r es uf f e r i ngde c l i ne swor l d wi de —a ndr i g hthe r ei n

f oruswhe nt he ydr opl e a v e si nt oourg a r de nb e ds .

The r e ’ snone e d

Conne c t i c ut .

The r ea r eanumb e roft hi ng st ha twec a ndoa s

t or e mo v et he m.

g a r de ne r st ohe l pt he m, s omemor ei nt e ns i v et ha not he r s .

Thef i r s t , mos ti mpor t a nt , t hi ngi st or e duc epe s t i c i deus e e v e r y whe r et ha ty ouc a n.

But t e r f l i e sa r ee x t r e me l ys e ns i t i v et o pe s t i c i de sa ndi nc r e a s i ng l ywea r edi s c o v e r i ngt ha tourot he r i ns e c t s —b e e sa ndt he“ g ood”i ns e c t st ha the l pourg a r de n—a r ea s we l l . ar a g i nga poc a l y ps eofi ns e c t si n v a di ngy oury a r d.

I t ’ sa na t ur a l f e a rt oha v e —b uti tr e a l l ydoe s n ’ tha ppe n.

Youwi l l he a ra l l s or t sofa r g ume nt sa b outwhyt hi si sb a d.

I t i s n ’ t .

Nooner e mo v e sl e a v e sf r om t hef or e s tf l oora ndt hef or e s t g r o wsj us tf i ne .

Pl a nt sc omeup , t hi ng sg r o w, t he r ea r enof ung i or di s e a s e sf r om t hel e a v e sl y i ngt he r e —t he s ea r ea l l t hi ng st ha tt he mul c hc ompa ni e sha v ec r e a t e dt os e l l t he i rpr oduc t s .

J us tl e a v et he l e a v e s .

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WOMEN' SF ASHI ON

T unei nt oEpi s ode27ofOnTheScenePodcas t f eat ur i ngourchatwi t hBar bar aandKar en!

Cl i ckHEREt oL i s t en!

6,No. 1 ,2026 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 2 6 | VoL.1

I fy ouwa nts ome t hi ngt ha t ’ sha r dt ohe a r , c he c kt heb a c kof t heb a gofb l a c kwoodmul c h.

I t ’ snotani c eha r d woodt ha twi l l e nr i c ht heg a r de n.

I t ’ spa l l e twoodorc ons t r uc t i onwa s t e —s pr a y e d wi t hi r ono x i deorc a r b onb l a c k .

I tma yl ookpr e t t y , b uti t ’ snot g oodf ort heg a r de n!

I fy ouha v eb e e nk i nde noug ht ol e a v eupt hos epe r e nni a l s t e ms , pl e a s edon ’ tr us houtona7 0 de g r e eda ya ndmo wt he m do wn.

Wa i tunt i l y ours oi l ha swa r me dt odoy ours pr i ngc ut b a c k .

Le a v i ngy ourl e a v e sma ynotb epos s i b l ef ore v e r y one .

Buts o ma nyb e ne f i c i a l i ns e c t swi nt e runde rourl e a v e s —i t ’ sab l e s s i ngt o

Ius ua l l ywa i tunt i l a tl e a s tmi dMa yors o—whi c hme a nsal otof b r o wns t e msi nt heg a r de nf orag oodpor t i onofs pr i ng !

t hei ns e c t swhe ns omea r ea b l et ol e a v et he m.

Ihopes omeoft he s et i psha v eg i v e ny ouaf e wi de a sa b out Fi na l l y , don ’ tc utb a c ky ourpe r e nni a l si nt hef a l l , unl e s st he y

ho wt odoas l i g ht l ydi f f e r e ntt y peofs pr i ngg a r de nc l e a nup .

I fwe

a r edi s e a s e d( s a y , l i k epe onyf ol i a g e ) .

Onc ea g a i n, c e r t a i n

hopet og a r de ni nt unewi t hna t ur e , wene e dt ot hi nkab i tmor e

i ns e c t s —a nde v e nma s onb e e s —ne e dt hos es t e mst oo v e r wi nt e r .

a b outt hec r e a t ur e swea r eg a r de ni ngwi t h.

Butofc our s e , i nt hes pr i ng , y ou’ l l ne e dt ol e a v et hes t e mst he r e unt i l t hei ns e c t sha t c hout .

Thec ommont hi ngy ouhe a ri s“ don ’ t c utb a c kunt i l i t ’ s5 0de g r e e s . ”Butof t e n, b e c a us es omeoft hos e i ns e c t sa r ewi nt e r i ngne a rt heb a s eoft hes t e m, t he ydon ’ tme a n

Ha pp yg a r de ni ng !

5 0 de g r e ea i rt e mpe r a t ur e .

The yme a n5 0 de g r e es oi l t e mpe r a t ur e .

Ka r l aDa l l e y Ga r de nS pe c i a l i s t

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MEN' SF ASHI ON

TheHi dde nAr c hi t e c t ur eOfCl ot hi ng : WhyPa t t e r nMa ki ngDe f i ne sFi t , Qua l i t y ,AndVa l ue The r ei saq ui e ta r c hi t e c t ur eb e ne a t he v e r yg r e a t g a r me nt .

I tdoe snota nnounc ei t s e l fwi t haf l a s hyl a pe l orape r f e c t l ypl a c e db ut t onhol e , y e ti tdi c t a t e sb ot h.

I ti s t hei n v i s i b l el a ng ua g et ha tt r a ns l a t e sf a b r i ci nt of or m, a nd i tb e g i nswi t hpa t t e r nma k i ng .

Ati t sc or e , pa t t e r ndr a f t i ngi se q ua l pa r t sma t he ma t i c s , s c ul pt ur e , a nds t or y t e l l i ng .

Apa t t e r ni snots i mpl ya t e mpl a t e , i ti sahy pot he s i sa b outt hehuma nb ody .

I t t a k e sme a s ur e me nt s , pos t ur e , mo v e me nt , a ndi nt e nt i on, a ndc on v e r t st he mi nt ot wodi me ns i ona l s ha pe st ha t , whe nb r oug htt og e t he r , c r e a t eat hr e e di me ns i ona l r e a l i t y .

Thes l e e v emus tr ot a t ej us ts o .

Thes houl de rmus t a nt i c i pa t eho wy ous t a nd, notj us tho wy oume a s ur e .

A we l l dr a f t e dpa t t e r ndoe snots i tont heb ody , i tmo v e s wi t hi t , l i k eat houg htt ha tha sl e a r ne dt owa l k .

Andt he nc ome st het r uea r t : a dj us t me nt .

Be c a us eno t wob odi e sa r ea l i k e , a ndnol i f ei sl i v e ds t a ndi ngpe r f e c t l y s t i l l .

Pa t t e r na dj us t i ngi swhe r ec r a f t s ma ns hi ps e pa r a t e s i t s e l ff r om c on v e ni e nc e .

I ti st hea b i l i t yt ol ooka ta

Thi si sa l s owhe r epr i c ee nt e r st hec on v e r s a t i on, a nd

mus l i nf i t t i nga nds e enotwha ti s , b utwha tc oul db e .

A

r i g ht f ul l ys o .

Be c a us ewha ty oua r epa y i ngf ori snotj us t

s l i g htf or wa r dpi t c hoft hes houl de r .

As ub t l ehol l o wi n

f a b r i ca ndl a b or , b utt hea c c umul a t i onofe x pe r t i s e .

A

t heb a c k .

Ab a l a nc ec or r e c t i ont ha tt ur nsag a r me ntf r om

t houg ht f ul l ydr a f t e da nda dj us t e dpa t t e r nt a k e st i me ,

“ g oode noug h”i nt o" Idi dn' tk no wc l ot hi ngc oul df e e l

i t e r a t i on, a ndade e punde r s t a ndi ngofc ons t r uc t i on.

I t

l i k et hi s . ”Thi si snotg ue s s wor k .

I ti se a r ne dk no wl e dg e ,

r e q ui r e sf i t t i ng s , r e v i s i ons , a ndawi l l i ng ne s st or e f i ne .

I n

b ui l to v e ry e a r sofs t udy i ngb odi e s , f a b r i c s , a ndt he

awor l dt ha tpr i or i t i z e ss pe e d, t hi sk i ndofpr e c i s i oni s

di a l og ueb e t we e nt he m.

e x pe ns i v eb e c a us ei ti sr a r e , a ndb e c a us ei twor k s .

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Whe nb r a ndsdonotha v eat r ueunde r s t a ndi ngofpa t t e r nma k i ng , t her e s ul t sa r ee a s yt os pot onc ey ouk no wwhe r et ol ook .

Yous e ej a c k e t st ha tc ol l a ps ea tt hec he s tb e c a us et hepa t t e r nwa s ne v e rb ui l tf ors t r uc t ur e .

Yous e ec ol l a r st ha tg a pa wa yf r om t hene c k , s l e e v e st ha tt wi s t unna t ur a l l y , a ndt r ous e r st ha tpul l a c r os st het hi g hb e c a us et heb a l a nc ei sof f .

Ma ny ma s s pr oduc e dg a r me nt sr e l yonas i ng l eb a s epa t t e r nt ha ti ss i mpl yg r a de dupa nddo wni ns i z e , a s s umi ngt ha tal a r g e rb odyi sj us tas c a l e dv e r s i onofas ma l l e rone .

I ti snot .

Thehuma nb ody doe snotg r o wpr opor t i ona l l y , a ndt r e a t i ngi ta ss uc hl e a dst og a r me nt st ha ta l mos tf i t , b utne v e r q ui t edo .

Youwi l l a l s os e eb r a ndsc utc or ne r sb ys k i ppi ngme a ni ng f ul f i t t i ng sa l t og e t he r , r e l y i ngi ns t e a don s t r e t c hf a b r i c st oma s kpoorpa t t e r nwor k .

Thef a b r i cdoe st hej obt hepa t t e r ns houl dha v edone , c ompe ns a t i ngr a t he rt ha nc ompl e me nt i ng .

I ti sac l e v e ri l l us i on, b uta ni l l us i onnone t he l e s s .

Pa t t e r nma k i nga l s opl a y sac r i t i c a l r ol ei nho wf a b r i cde s i g nsa l i g n.

Whe nwor k i ngwi t hs t r i pe s , pl a i ds , orc he c k s , as k i l l e dpa t t e r nma k e rdoe snots i mpl yc utpi e c e st os ha pe , t he yor c he s t r a t e a l i g nme nt .

Thel i ne sf l o ws e a ml e s s l ya c r os st hec he s t , me e tc l e a nl ya tt hes l e e v e , a ndc ont i nue wi t houti nt e r r upt i on.

Wi t houtt hi sl e v e l ofpl a nni ng , pa t t e r nsb r e a ka b r upt l ya ts e a ms , c r e a t i nga v i s ua l di s s ona nc et ha ts i g na l sha s t er a t he rt ha ni nt e nt i on.

Ac hi e v i ngpr ope rpa t t e r nma t c hi ng r e q ui r e spr e c i s i ona nd, q ui t ef r a nk l y , mor ef a b r i c .

I ti sade t a i l t ha tma nyb r a ndsa v oi db e c a us ei t i nc r e a s e sc os t , b uti ti sa l s ooneoft hec l e a r e s ti ndi c a t or sofq ua l i t y .

Fi t , ofc our s e , i st hemos ti mme di a t er e wa r dofg oodpa t t e r nwor k .

Ag a r me ntt ha tha sb e e n dr a f t e da nda dj us t e ds pe c i f i c a l l yf ory oudoe snotf i g hty ourb ody , i thonor si t .

I te l i mi na t e st he q ui e ta nnoy a nc e sweha v ec omet oa c c e pt : t hec ol l a rt ha tne v e rq ui t es i t sr i g ht , t hes l e e v et ha tpul l s whe ny oumo v e , t hej a c k e tt ha tf e e l sr e s t r i c t i v ewhe ni ts houl df e e l e f f or t l e s s .

I ns t e a d, i tc r e a t e s e a s e , c onf i de nc e , a ndas e ns et ha tt heg a r me ntunde r s t a ndsy oub e f or ey ouha v et oe x pl a i n y our s e l f .

Tos t e pi nt ot hewor l dofpa t t e r nma k i ngi st or e a l i z et ha tc l ot hi ngi snotj us twor n, i ti s e ng i ne e r e d, i nt e r pr e t e d, a ndr e f i ne d.

Ev e r yc ur v e , e v e r ya ng l e , e v e r ya dj us t me nti sade c i s i on.

And whe nt hos ede c i s i onsa r ema dewi t hc a r e , t her e s ul ti snotj us tab e t t e rg a r me nt , b utab e t t e r e x pe r i e nc eofwe a r i ngi t .

Be c a us ea tt hee ndoft heda y , t he pa t t e r ni st heb e g i nni ngoft hes t or y .

Andi ft heb e g i nni ngi st houg ht f ul , i nt e nt i ona l , a ndpr e c i s e , e v e r y t hi ngt ha t f ol l o wsha snoc hoi c eb utt ob et he s a me .

6,No. 1 ,2026 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 3 2 | VoL.1

Ma t tBa ne v e r i sf ounde ra ndCE O ofBa r dCl ot hi ng i nWe s tHa r t f or d.

DI NI NG

AS y mp h o n yo fF l a v o r s : T h eT a s t eo fG r e a t e rWe s tH a r t f o r d T a k e sO v e rt h eG r e e n Thet y pi c a l Monda yni g hta tSt a nl e yGol fCour s ewa s r e pl a c e db yt hev i b r a nthum ofc ommuni t ya ndt he

Fr i daMe x i c a nCui s i ne : Br i ng i ngt hehe a ta ndt hehe a r t ,

i r r e s i s t i b l ea r omaofl oc a l c r a f tonMonda y , Apr i l 2 7 t h.

Fr i das e r v e dupa ut he nt i ce s q ui t e s( Me x i c a ns t r e e tc or n)

TheBa c kNi neTa v e r npl a y e dhos tt ot heTa s t eof

t oppe dwi t hq ue s of r e s c oa ndt a j i n, a l ong s i dec r i s pmi ni

Gr e a t e rWe s tHa r t f or d, a ne v e ni ngwhe r et her e g i on ’ s

f l a ut a sa ndab r i g ht , r e f r e s hi ngs a l a d.

c ul i na r yhe a v y we i g ht ss t e ppe doutoft he i rk i t c he nsa nd ont ot heg r e e nf oras ol douts ho wc a s eoff l a v or .

Fl e mi ng ’ sSt e a k hous e&Wi neBa r : Fort hos ec r a v i ng s ome t hi nghe a r t y , Fl e mi ng ' sde l i v e r e de l e v a t e dc omf or t

Wi t ho v e r1 0 0g ue s t si na t t e nda nc e —i nc l udi ngMa y or Sha r i Ca nt or , whoj oi ne dne i g hb or si nc e l e b r a t i ngt he

wi t ht e nde rs t e a ks a nd wi c he sf e a t ur i ngg r i l l e doni ons a ndaz e s t ys pe c i a l s a uc eont oa s t e dc i a b a t t ar ol l s .

l oc a l b us i ne s sc ommuni t y —t hee v e ntf e l tl e s sl i k ea f or ma l g a l aa ndmor el i k et heul t i ma t ene i g hb or hood

Ca f eLoui s e : Kno wnf ort he i re l e g a ntc a t e r i ng , Ca f e

b l oc kpa r t y .

Ma depos s i b l eb yt heg e ne r ouss pons or s hi p

Loui s eof f e r e das ophi s t i c a t e ds pr e a dofc ur r yc hi c k e n

ofPe opl e s Ba nk , t heni g htof f e r e da n" a l l y ouc a nt a s t e "

s a l a di npa s t r yc ups , c l a s s i cde v i l e de g g s , a ndf r e s h

e x pe r i e nc et ha tpr o v e dt ob et heb e s t$ 3 0t i c k e ti nt o wn.

hummuss e r v e done ndi v el e a v e s , t oppe dof fwi t ha c ol or f ul a r r a yofb i t e s i z e dde s s e r t s .

TheGl ob a lPa l e t t eofGr e a t e rWe s tHa r t f or d

Ba c kNi neTa v e r n: Ourhos t sk e ptt hee ne r g yhi g hwi t h c r o wdpl e a s i ng" b a rb i t e s "doner i g ht , s e r v i ngups pi c y j a l a pe ñopoppe r sa nds a v or yb e e fe mpa na da st ha tpa i r e d

Ther oom wa sama pofwor l df l a v or s , a nc hor e db ys i x

pe r f e c t l ywi t ht hee v e ni ng ' ss oc i a l a t mos phe r e .

b e l o v e dl oc a l e s t a b l i s hme nt s .

Gue s t sna v i g a t e dt hef l oor wi t hpl a t e spi l e dhi g h, mo v i ngf r om t hes ophi s t i c a t e d

Fr i s b i e ’ sDa i r yBa r n: Nos pr i nge v e ni ngi sc ompl e t e

s pi c eofPe r ut ot heb ol dhe a r tofMe x i c o .

wi t houtas c oop .

Fr i s b i e ’ sr ounde doutt heni g htwi t ha nos t a l g i ct ouc h, s e r v i ngc l a s s i cc hoc ol a t ea ndv a ni l l ai c e

Cor a c or a : TheJ a me sBe a r dnomi na t e df a v or i t e s

c r e a ml oa de dwi t hs pr i nk l e sa ndwhi ppe dc r e a m.

de l i g ht e dt hec r o wdwi t hg ol de nf r i e dPe r uv i a nr i c eb a l l s , s e r v e dwi t hav e l v e t y , s i g na t ur ec r e a mype ppe rs a uc et ha t ha dg ue s t sc omi ngb a c kf ors e c onds .

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6,No. 1 ,2026 wes thar t f or dmagaz i ne 3 4 | VoL.1

Mor eTha nJ us taMe a l

Whi l et hef oodwa st heundi s put e ds t a r , t het r uema g i coft heni g htwa st hene t wor k i nga ndc onne c t i on.

Theope nl a y outoft heBa c kNi neTa v e r ne nc our a g e daf l o wofc on v e r s a t i ont ha ts pa nne dt hee nt i r e Gr e a t e rWe s tHa r t f or da r e a .

Ast hes uns e to v e rt heg ol fc our s e , t hec ons e ns uswa sc l e a r : t heTa s t eofGr e a t e rWe s tHa r t f or dwa s n' t j us tame a l ; i twa sac e l e b r a t i onoft her e s i l i e nc ea ndc r e a t i v i t yofourl oc a l f oods c e ne .

Looki ngAhe a d:TheCe l e b r a t i onCont i nue s

I fy oumi s s e doutt hi ss pr i ngora r ea l r e a dyc r a v i nga not he rr oundoft he s ede l i c a c i e s , y ouwon' tha v et o wa i tunt i l ne x ty e a r .

Wea r et hr i l l e dt oa nnounc et ha tt he s es a mes i xi nc r e di b l er e s t a ur a nt swi l l b eb a c k f orourBe s tofWe s tHa r t f or da ndDa nc i ngwi t hWe HaSt a r sc e l e b r a t i on!

Ma r ky ourc a l e nda r sf orMonda y , Se pt e mb e r2 8 t h, a swer e t ur nt ot heBa c kNi neTa v e r nf ora ne v e ni ng ofs pe c t a c ul a rf ood, l oc a l a wa r ds , a ndhi g he ne r g ype r f or ma nc e s .

Beont hel ook outf ort i c k e t sa ndmor e i nf or ma t i ons oon—wehopey ouc a nj oi nusf ora not he runf or g e t t a b l eni g ht !

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