West Hartford Magazine-Spring 2016

Issue no. 1 2016 We-Ha.com

$4.95

WEDDING • BEST OF WEHA • FORMAL FASHIONS • FINANCE

Raising Awareness

Local families are on a mission to educate others about pancreatic cancer

ISSUE ONE

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DEPARTMENTS

2016

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6 I FROM THE PUBLISHER Celebrating 30 Years!

8 I SUBSCRIPTION INFO. 9 I PEOPLE

Taste of Bishops Corner, West Hartford Cookin’, Baseball Team to Cuba

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FEATURES 17 I

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RAISING AWARENESS

by Ronni Newton

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WEDDING

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GARDEN

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FITNESS

Hopkins & Liftig

Pollinators

It’s a FUN Journey!

West Hartford’s Walsh family comes together to support The Ron Foley Foundation.

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FINANCE

BOWH 2016

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WINE

It’s about time to NOMINATE and VOTE for your favorite businesses.

FASHION GOES FORMAL

Spring-Cleaning

Thinking Pink is Cool

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Guest Stylists Oscar and Ody Sosa, Photos by Todd Fairchild

Celebrating bridal and formal wear.

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ON THE COVER: Raising Awareness with Barbara Foley and Marie Walsh. See page 17. Photo by Todd Fairchild

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Publisher Thomas P. Hickey, II tomh@westhartfordmagazine.com Creative Services Joy B. Taylor joyt@westhartfordmagazine.com Contributing Feature Writer Ronni Newton Contributing Columnists Karla A. Dalley D’Mario Sowah with Tom Hickey Robert A. Laraia Ertan Sener Photography Director Todd Fairchild/Shutterbug CT Contributing Photographers Rachel Adele Studios Tim Brown/TAB Photographic Ronni Newton Oscar Sosa Sales, Marketing, Subscriptions, Special Events, Business 860-508-4032 Videography David Chmielewski/DirectLine Media Bookkeeper Debbie Roberts Proofreader Barbara Gordon Publishing Advisor Jonathan Moffly Print Advisor Bob Carr Website: We-Ha.com Mike Roy/Roy Web Design Principals Thomas P. Hickey, II, Joy B. Taylor, James H. Gould, III A

Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: West Hartford Magazine We-Ha.com Twitter: @westhartfordmag @wehartford Instagram: @westhartfordite #bestofweha. #westhartford. #weha

WHM EDIA , INC . COMPANY

PO Box 271835, West Hartford, CT 06127 www.we-ha.com office 860-508-4032 West Hartford Magazine is published six times a year by WHMedia, Inc. SUBSCRIPTIONS: One year for $35. Newsstand $4.95 each. To subscribe, renew or change address write: West Hartford Magazine, PO Box 271835, West Hartford, CT 06127; www.we-ha.com. EDITORIAL & LETTERS: editor@westhartfordmagazine.com – please include full name, town and phone number (for verification only, not for publication). ADVERTISING: 860-508-4032. ©2015 WHMedia, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without express permission of the publisher.

West Hartford Magazine is a registered trademark owned by WHMedia, Inc. The opinions expressed by writers published by West Hartford Magazine are not necessarily those of the magazine.

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PUBLISHER LETTER

Celebrating 30 years!

Joy Taylor will hate the idea of being featured in this column BUT she was on to me when I asked for a photo with her. Plus she designs these pages, so obviously it’s hard to keep it a secret!

Joy and I are celebrating 30 years of working together and 20 of them as entrepreneurs. Once it hit us that we have worked together longer then we have been married to our spouses … we realized this was a big deal.

30 years ago Chris Larsen owned Imprint Printing & Publishing (original home of the West Hartford News located at 20 Isham Road … that’s why there is a printing press in front of that building FYI), and I was the Special Sections Coordinator. The new hire in the creative services department was a young Endicott College graphic artist graduate named Joy Brigham (yep she wasn’t even married when we first met). Her talent was obvious from the very beginning … a real gift to bring to life – graphically – an idea, often with minimal input. Joy’s quiet and patient demeanor enabled her to rapidly excel as she “cranked out” one creative design after another.

She has ALWAYS been a Joy to work with (she’ll be embarrassed that I said that too, BUT it is true).

When Chris sold Imprint to Capital Cities/ABC Joy and I hit the road in New England in the first mobile office to serve the New England Newspaper Group (NENG). When you work 12 hour days in a van together you really get to know each other. And when you can be in the rear of the van designing while I’m driving and talking you really have accomplished something.

20 years ago when John Coots, Capital Cities/ABC in New York decided to sell NENG, Joy and I decided to go out on our own. Of course to CC/ABC it was an opportunity to reduce the employee count but to us it was the opportunity of a lifetime for our dream to come to life … owning our own business!

Joy Taylor (WH Magazine Creative Director) and Tom Hickey (WH Magazine publisher).

A few things worth noting: • Join us, Barbara Foley and Marie Walsh and members of the Ron Foley Foundation on May 7th at the Annual RON’S RUN FOR THE ROSES Kentucky Derby party benefiting Pancreatic Cancer. (And if you missed this year’s Kentucky Derby, please check out the photos on WeHa.com).

• Reserve your seat under the Taylor Rental Party Plus party tent on the front lawn of Town Hall for the Annual MAYOR’S CHARITY BALL on Saturday, May 14th.

It is safe to say we have been through it all! I often joke that we would make a lot of money writing a book or producing a mini-series because no one would believe what we have experienced first hand (the good and the bad). For now we’ll just focus on getting this issue published.

There are a few members of Joy’s family who must be recognized for their support because directly or indirectly they too have experienced this journey. To Joy’s husband Andy and their children Lindsay and Nate; to Joy’s late parents George and Jean Brigham; to Andy’s parents Ken and JoAnne Taylor and to all of Joy’s extended family; but especially her twin sister Amy, we thank you for your unconditional love and support throughout the years.

To my wife Shevon and our son Garrett; to my late parents John and Joan Hickey; Shevon’s parents Joe (deceased) and Norma Sweeney and to all of my extended family but especially my brother Craig and late Aunt Marie, your unconditional support and love has not gone unnoticed and is greatly appreciated.

We Have It All in West Hartford is one of our business tag-lines today. We are truly very grateful for what we do have in WH! Your next issue of WEST HARTFORD MAGAZINE will be on-line and in your home just as we begin Summer 2016!

Regards,

• Remember to SUBSCRIBE … the only way to guarantee delivery of every issue to your home or office is to subscribe … we’ll make each issue worthy of a corner on your coffee table.

• Stay connected to We-Ha.com for hyperlocal updates on everything worth noting in WH!

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Thomas P. Hickey II Publisher tomh@westhartfordmagazine.com

Photo by TODD FAIRCHILD

• NOMINATE your favorite businesses for our 2nd Annual BEST OF WEST HARTFORD (special thanks to this year’s sponsors; see adjacent page, and page 21).

TURN TO PA GE 21 FO R CATEG ORIES

NOMINATING STARTS 5/2! GO TO WE-HA.COM Many of Connecticut’s best restaurants, stores, activities, and people are right here in West Hartford. In fact, “We have it all in West Hartford!” And in a community that has so many diverse offerings, it’s time for our second annual “Best of” contest! We’re asking our readers to choose their favorites in a number of categories.

The best part: If you participate in our Readers’ Choice Poll, you will automatically be entered to win four general admission tickets (valued at $240) to our second annual “Best of West Hartford” event on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, at the West Hartford Conference Center.

Thank you and have fun!

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SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Guarantee delivery to your home or office and support WH Community TV* at the same time! *For every NEW or RENEWED $35 Subscription to West Hartford Magazine & We-Ha.com, we will donate $10 to a combination of West Hartford TV & The Local Association of your choice.

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS • West Hartford Communty TV Plus - Pick a neighborhood association to support: • WH Center & The Square • Elmwood Business Association • Park Road Association • Bishops Corner Neighborhood Association • WH Chamber of Commerce

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. Use this form. or go to We-Ha.com/subscribe Subscriber $35. $10 of your subscription will support a combination of WH Community TV, AND Pick one more organization to support: WH Center & The Square Elmwood Business Association Park Road Association Bishops Corner Neighborhood Association, or WH Chamber of Commerce This is a Renewal Please add $10 for out of state mailing. TOTAL ENCLOSED : $_____________ Circle One:

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CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE OUT TO: WHMedia

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MAIL FORM TO: WHMedia, PO Box 271835, West Hartford, CT 06127

PEOPLE

Visit We-Ha.com for complete stories and photos from hyper-local events.

The inaugural ‘Taste of Bishops Corner’ was held on March 31 at Mercy Community’s Saint Mary Home Auditorium. Photos by TODD FAIRCHILD

Taste of Bishops Corner WE-HA.COM LIVE 24/7/365 Share it with your family/friends and buy a newsstand copy of West Hartford Magazine at Barnes & Noble at Blue Back Square.

About 100 people enjoyed a chance to sample a wide variety of savory and sweet offerings at the inaugural Taste of Bishops Corner on March 31, 2016. The event was sponsored by Simon Konover Company, Anytime Fitness, West Hartford Magazine and We-Ha.com, and took place at the wellappointed Mercy Community’s Saint Mary Home Auditorium on Steele Road.

Guests sampled Ancient Grains and Israeli salad from Blue Plate Kitchen; several varieties of pizza (including gluten-free) from Harry’s Bishops Corner; “designer” cookies galore from Crown Market; fries and “shake shots” from Mooyah; make-your-own brownie sundaes from Abby Dabby Ice Cream Treats; and a full bar of refreshments from Two Pour Guys.

See more at We-Ha.com and subscribe so you’ll always be in the know!

I PEOPLE PAGES brought to you by

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Coming This Summer!! brought to you in part by:

Thrilled to be at William Raveis whose focus is Marketing and Technology with a connection to a great International Network Robin and Raveis ... what a great combination!

Watch We-Ha.com for details and ticket information.

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WEST HARTFORD’S STEVE LANGAN

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PEOPLE

Visit We-Ha.com for complete stories and photos from hyper-local events.

West Hartford’s Cookin’Fundraiser

By Ronni Newton A record number of celebrity chefs were serving samples of their favorite dishes to more than 300 guests at the annual West Hartford’s Cookin’ fundraiser for the Foundation for West Hartford Public Schools held on April 2.

Forty celebrities – aka leaders from West Hartford’s education, government, and business communities – dished out (food) to parents and other supporters of the organization that since 1997 has funded more than $1.3 million in teacher mini-grants and in-residence programs and provided support to pilot programs like full-day public preschool. ... visit we-ha.com to see more.

Superintendent of Schools Tom Moore with Asst. Superintendent and Honorary Event Chair Nancy DePalma. West Hartford’s Cookin’, April 2, 2016. Photo by Ronni Newton

West Hartford Baseball in Cuba

By Ronni Newton U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) attended a send-off party for the group of 13-14-year-old baseball players and their families that headed to Cuba in early April.

The 18 West Hartford teens who went for a week-long trip to Cuba know that they will not only have the trip of a lifetime but will also have a unique chance to engage in baseball diplomacy as they launch the USA-Cuba Goodwill Baseball Tour.

“I feel very fortunate that we’re part of such a special thing,” said 14-year-old Jack Brennan at the send-off party for the teens. ... see more on we-ha.com.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy takes a selfie with the entire USA-Cuba Goodwill Tour baseball team. Photo by Ronni Newton

Real Estate is a personal business

The New York market is often fast-paced, but finding a home should not be rushed.

I love helping customers find a new place to live.

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“Nothing can replace the intimate knowledge of the neighborhoods, personal service and integrity Jason brings to the process.”

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WEDDING

Allison Hopkins & Kevin Liftig photos by Tim Brown of TAB Photographic, www.tabphotographic.com Like many couples, Allison and Kevin met while in college, and they were drawn back to the UConn Storrs campus for their wedding day because the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel there has special significance for the couple.

“We first met at this church when we were students at UConn,” said Allison. “We met singing in church choir. Our choir director provided the music for the ceremony and we had choir alumni sing ‘Wherever You Go’ for us.”

Kevin’s parents are Rick and Kathy Liftig. Many know his dad as “Dr. Rick,” a local dentist and President of the Elmwood Business Association. Kevin is a Conard High School graduate and his Best Man was Jon Firman and Groomsmen were Seth Hosmer, Brian Hopkins, Roger Dinius, Robin Ford, and Justin Teague.

Allison’s parents are Bob and Laurie Hopkins and she grew up in Rochester, NY. Her Maid of Honor was Julie Sawnor, and Bridesmaids were Alyssa Liftig, Natalie Adamson, Lindsay Larsen, Andrea Tovar, Ashley Horan, and Tessa Myers.

Wright’s Mill Farm was the ideal setting for their summer wedding reception. Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour inside and on the patio, until the bridal party entered to the Star Wars theme.

The adventure continued with a honeymoon in Hawaii, that included snorkeling, hiking through a bamboo forest, stargazing at 13,000 feet on Mauna Kea, and more.

The couple resides in Cromwell, CT and they are both high school teachers in the area.

Visit we-ha.com for more photos of WEDDINGS.

Allison’s Maid of Honor was Julie Sawnor, and Bridesmaids were Alyssa Liftig, Natalie Adamson, Lindsay Larsen, Andrea Tovar, Ashley Horan, and Tessa Myers.

Parents of the groom Rick and Kathy Liftig.

Kevin’s Best Man was Jon Firman and Groomsmen were Seth Hosmer, Brian Hopkins, Roger Dinius, Robin Ford, and Justin Teague.

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WEDDINGS brought to you by

and Tailors, Clothiers, Tuxedos Up Do’s & Hair Styling

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GARDEN

Spring Planting: Think About Our Pollinators

by Karla A. Dalley

I

have been writing gardening columns for this magazine for 5 years now. With every column, I hope I have tried to get our readers to think a little differently about gardening, whether it was how to plant, how to clean up in the fall, or just how to have a lovely, long-blooming garden.

My very first column, five years ago, was about gardening for pollinators. I wish I could say that the situation has gotten better and we can now just plant whatever we want without thinking about hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, bats and yes, even beetles. But we can’t. We still need to be very conscious of the choices we make when we plant gardens –and tend to them–so that these pollinators can live and thrive in our yards and around our homes.

Do not think that just because you may have a small home, or perhaps a condo deck or balcony, that you cannot be helpful. Even a planter or two can be useful in drawing in the pollinators.

Of course you will want to avoid pesticides at all costs.

Whenever I lecture, I tell the story about my “no butterflies” observation.

Early on in my gardening life at my current property, I noticed that there were no butterflies (this was in 1994). So I started researching butterfly habitat and found that they were extremely susceptible to pesticides. From that time on, I vowed that we wouldn’t use pesticides on our property.

Two years later, I went through the “backyard habitat certification” process with the National Wildlife Federation where you identify everything you see on your property. At that point, I was able to count 29 different butterflies and moths. All it took was to stop using pesticides and the butterflies came back.

People worry about insects when they hear that I don’t use pesticides. Remember that most insects are beneficial. I really can’t think of a time when I have wanted to

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use a pesticide in the last 20 plus years. My worst issue is aphids in the spring. If they get really bad, I hose them off with water. I leave caterpillars alone for three reasons: 1)most will grow into beneficial moths and butterflies; 2)their life cycle feeds the birds, and 3) their life cycle is short. A week or so later they are gone. So I rarely have an issue with caterpillars.

Even slugs are not much of a problem because we don’t over-irrigate and the birds visit because we don’t use pesticides. The birds take care of the slugs.

With a balanced ecosystem like this, the “bad” insects are rarely out of control and you don’t need to resort to the arsenal of sprays that you see in the box stores.

Make good choices Now that you know that it is possible to garden without bug and pest sprays, try to make conscious choices when you’re planting. If you’re planting in the ground, consider choosing native plants. Our weather seems to alternate between abnormally cold and snowy winters and those winters with less snow than normal. Summers seesaw between too dry and very wet. How on earth to garden for all of that?

Native plants, once established, are better prepared to deal with the crazy sorts of weather that Connecticut has been throwing at us lately. Natives, as a general rule, will also feed more pollinators than ornamentals. Does this mean you shouldn’t plant roses and hydrangeas if that’s what you love? Of course not! In fact, there are native oak leaf hydrangeas you might try.

You should also try some of the shrub roses that have been bred to withstand vagaries of climate without extra coddling. Look for roses that are called Earth Kind™ which have been found to survive without extra water, pesticide or fertilizer once established. There are different kinds of roses in

Juvenile Ruby -throated Hum mingbird at a Cigar

Flower.

this program from climbers to shrubs to a couple of floribundas. Of course the traditional patented shrubs like Knockout™ and OsoEasy™ also work well.

Container plants If you are planting in containers, you are most likely planting annuals and your restrictions are fewer. Any garden center will have tags indicating which plants are good for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Generally, butterflies prefer plants in the orange, yellow and purple family – so you have a wide range of plants to choose from.

Bees tend to like plants in the blue family.

And hummingbirds are reputed to like red because most other insects do not so they can be almost assured of finding nectar in the red flowers.

With such a colorful palate to choose from, you will find great combinations of annuals to please those pollinators. Remember to select different shape flowers too. Butterflies like ray flowers (daisy types), with wide landing platforms, although a plant like a lantana works as well because of the multiple nectar sources.

Finally, just be a “conscious” gardener.

Our choices matter, both in what we plant and in whether we spray the plant. Be kind to our pollinators and think of them at the garden center this spring!

Karla Dalley is a garden writer and speaker from West Hartford. kdalley@comcast.net. gardendaze.wordpress.com

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COVER STORY

RAISING AWAREN E S S West Hartford’s Walsh family comes together to support The Ron Foley Foundation to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer

Some members of the Walsh family, including, [front row] Nancy Walsh, Marie Walsh and McGuire Kelly. [back row] Jim Walsh and Casey Kelly. [inset] Marie and the late Bob Walsh.

may be hard to figure out how the various members of West Hartford’s extensive Walsh clan are related, but what’s not hard to see is the way they have come together as a unit to work on behalf of the Ron Foley Foundation.

Nearly four years ago, the Walsh family lost one of its members when patriarch Bob Walsh died of pancreatic cancer. His widow, Marie, and several other family members including daughters Nancy Walsh and Lisa Howard, and granddaughter McGuire Kelly, are now an integral part of the Ron Foley Foundation. Bob’s son Jim Walsh

top photo by RONNI NEWTON. center photo: COURTESY OF MARIE WALSH

It

helps by donating. All are hopeful that their support will help the Foundation in its mission to both raise awareness about pancreatic cancer and fund medical research, educational initiatives, and patient care.

“He wasn’t feeling well.

They didn’t place it,” Marie recalled about her husband Bob’s stomach pains in the late summer of 2012.

Nancy said that her daughter McGuire, who was a college student at the time, left in early August for a semester abroad. “When she left him, she got teary,” Nancy said.

“Maybe it’s an Irish thing, but I was teary when I left. I thought he could be gone when I got

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COVER STORY back,” McGuire said. It was just a premonition. She had no idea her grandfather had pancreatic cancer, and he hadn’t even sought medical help at that point.

Later that same August, Nancy went to visit McGuire as well as another daughter, Delaney, who was also studying abroad in Europe. When her return flight landed at Logan Airport, she had a message from her Marie. “Your father doesn’t feel good,” Marie had said. Doctors had been trying to diagnose Bob’s illness for about a week at that point, and a few days later concluded he had pancreatic cancer. “The progression was really quick,” Nancy said.

Lisa recalled that she had held a big celebration for the 18th birthday of her younger twins (she has two sets) on Aug. 11, 2012.

“My father was there, we had lots of singing.

We all had a ball,” she said. She and her husband and kids left for a short vacation after the party.

“We got a call from my brother, and he said dad wasn’t feeling well. We thought it was the lobster, or that he had food poisoning,” Lisa said.

The family has no history of pancreatic cancer, and has been told it’s not hereditary.

They really had no knowledge of the disease, which according to the Ron Foley Foundation has the worst five-year survival rate – 6 percent – of all cancers.

“We had no idea of this at all. That’s why we’re so involved now,” Marie said. When Bob went to the doctor, the family never even thought about pancreatic cancer.

“There’s not a lot of information even on the Internet,” McGuire said. Less than 20 percent of those diagnosed survive even the first year, with most cases already far advanced because there’s no early detection.

“It’s such a dreadful thing to see. He was so vital,” McGuire said.

Jim said that his dad, who rarely complained and hated to be sick, worked up until the very end of his life. “We were standing out in front of the house on Friday when dad came home,” Jim said. “He said, ‘We made it.’ He died the next week.”

Bob Walsh died of pancreatic cancer on Sept. 11, 2012. He was 86 – an “active 86,” Marie said.

Marie said that her husband’s decline was so quick that he didn’t even make it to the initial oncologist’s appointment. It was

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Barbara Foley held the first Ron’s Run for the Roses in 2009 in her backyard. ... held in memory of her husband, Ron Foley, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2005 ... In 2015, there were more than 450 guests at the event, now held at Folly Farm in Simsbury. To date more than $1 million has been raised. scheduled for the day after what ended up being his memorial service. She tried to tell herself that at least she didn’t have to see him suffer for long.

“He worked all week with that pain, but if he died any other way, he would have been pissed,” Jim said. The stomach pains he had were a classic symptom, but no one went looking for pancreatic cancer until a blood test revealed that Bob had pancreatitis.

“We were all so close, but Nana – they did everything together,” said McGuire. Her grandmother’s life changed dramatically, with virtually no time to prepare.

Marie feels very lucky to have most of her family nearby. The majority of the Walsh clan lives in West Hartford, including three of Marie and Bob’s four children and the majority of the grandchildren. Jim’s daughters and granddaughter live in Maine, and Rob, the oldest of the Walsh children, lives on the Connecticut shoreline.

Pancreatic cancer is such a terrible disease, McGuire said. As she and the rest of the Walsh family learned, by the time someone experiences symptoms the disease has progressed so far that it’s essentially a death sentence.

Finding the Ron Foley Foundation was one of the best things to come out of the tragedy of losing her grandfather, McGuire said. There’s so little awareness of pancreatic cancer, and nationally so little support and research dollars spent on the disease that the work of this one non-profit in West Hartford, CT, has an incredible impact.

Nancy had heard something about Ron’s Run for the Roses, the Ron Foley Foundation’s signature Kentucky Derby-themed fundraiser, and after her father’s death she

attended the event. The next year she joined the committee. McGuire and Marie were soon a part of the organization, too.

“Going to the event and planning it are two different things. It’s really a small group of people who do things,” Nancy said.

Everyone rolls up their sleeves and gets involved. It’s like being part of a therapy group, too, she said.

McGuire said that everyone on the Ron’s Run for the Roses committee has been impacted by pancreatic cancer and they share the same goal. They tell their stories and listen, and at the same time, work to increase the impact of the organization by recruiting more volunteers and raising funds.

McGuire said her cousin Katie in Maine got her company to donate, and her own employer, ProHealth, is now a sponsor.

“I was so blown away by what they did and how they did it,” said Lisa. McGuire recruited her to join the committee, and Lisa, a veteran of many large local fundraisers, is now in charge of putting the auction baskets together for Ron’s Run for the Roses.

Jim said that his family has been involved with many other charitable organizations, but said the Ron Foley Foundation is different. No one has an “honorary” role; they are all doing things. “They are a group that really wants to help people who have been affected by pancreatic cancer.”

Marie not only volunteers for the Ron Foley Foundation, but she’s also become everyone’s friend. “I bring Nana to everything,” McGuire said. “Everyone wonders where she is if she’s not there. They all want to be her friend, on Facebook and Instagram, too.”

“The Ron Foley Foundation is such a

Marie Walsh with her granddaughters McGuire and Delaney Kelly at the 2015 Ron’s Run for The Roses.

top photo by RACHEL ADELE STUDIOS. lower photo by TODD FAIRCHILD

Barbara Foley, Ron Foley Foundation President, has a touching moment with Marie Walsh, near the Foundation’s West Hartford office.

“I didn’t know Bob [Walsh], but given his family I’m sure he was a sweetheart” -Barbara Foley, Ron Foley Foundation President

•PURPLE brings awareness to Pancreatic Cancer.

•NOVEMBER is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

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COVER STORY wonderful organization. You want them to succeed in what they’re doing,” said Marie.

Jim said there’s such a fear factor surrounding pancreatic cancer. “They say it’s not hereditary so you don’t have to worry,” he said. But after someone in your family or a friend gets it you realize what an awful disease it is. “The Ron Foley Foundation is trying desperately to help find a test, a cure.”

“When I was away and heard about my grandfather I couldn’t believe it could happen so quickly,” McGuire said. “We put men on the moon but we can’t cure this.” She’s hopeful that funds raised by the Ron Foley Foundation will have a real impact.

A portion of the fundraising, what the Ron Foley Foundation calls the “heart” of its organization, is already making a direct impact. While money raised by the Ron Foley Foundation funds research and awareness, “Ron’s Rescue Fund” provides direct financial relief.

According to the Ron Foley Foundation, since its founding in 2012, Ron’s Rescue Fund has raised more than $116,000, all of which is distributed directly to pancreatic cancer patients and their families through relationships with hospitals in Connecticut, the rest of New England, New York, and New Jersey.

“One hundred percent of the money goes to families that are in need,” Lisa said of Ron’s Rescue Fund. “They’re struggling, their lives fall apart.” Younger and younger people are getting pancreatic cancer, she said. According to the Ron Foley Foundation, mortality rates for pancreatic cancer in the United States are actually increasing.

Lisa said that she’s proud to be part of an organization that gives the money it raises directly to the people who are suffering.

“You can have a check the next day,” said Nancy. Unfortunately, all too often that money needs to be used for funeral expenses.

“I don’t know whether they’ve adopted us or we’ve adopted them,” Ron Foley Foundation Executive Vice President Jennifer Loughran said. She said that the Walsh family has become a core part of the organization in the past several years.

Loughran said she’s especially pleased to have a young person like McGuire, who is in her mid 20s, getting so involved. “We really

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have to start focusing on that generation.

They’re our future,” she said.

“They’re quiet, they always listen, and then they come up with great questions, great ideas,” said Ron Foley Foundation President Barbara Foley.

“I didn’t know Bob, but given his family I’m sure he was a sweetheart,” said Foley.

Barbara Foley held the first Ron’s Run for the Roses in 2009 in her backyard. There

were 75 guests at the Kentucky Derby Day party, held in memory of her husband, Ron Foley, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2005, just days before his 60th birthday. In 2015, there were more than 450 guests at the event, now held at Folly Farm in Simsbury. To date more than $1 million has been raised.

For more information about the Ron Foley Foundation, visit www.ronsrun.org.

The Ron Foley Foundation would be nothing without the countless volunteers who spend many hours to support this organization. And many, just like the Foleys and Walshs, have very personal stories and connections to this organization based in West Hartford. Here are just a few examples: Jennifer Loughran, Farmington. “I’ve been connected to the Foundation since 2009 because my dad, RICHARD LAVALLEE, passed away on Christmas Eve 2006 from pancreatic cancer.”

Cheryl Sullivan. “I became involved in 2015. My friend Annette Landers was in charge of volunteers, and she asked me to step in and help out. ... My husband, KENNETH, passed away with kidney cancer four years ago. My feeling is that cancer is cancer no matter what kind. You never know when a cure for one kind will help out another.”

Victoria Cassano, Hartford. “I was actually involved in the foundation in 2011 because, as a physician, I felt it was a very worthy cause. About 6 months after my first Ron’s Run, in a twist of fate, MY SISTER WAS DIAGNOSED with Pancreatic cancer and she died 6 months after that right before her 63rd birthday.”

Kathy and Ed Viani, West Hartford. “(Kathy’s) mother BETTY SOCHA passed away from pancreatic cancer, September 2009.”

Nancy Wall, Bloomfield. “My TWIN SISTER'S HUSBAND died of pancreatic cancer in March of 2015. I joined the foundation a month after we found out he had pancreatic cancer. I had been looking to do volunteer work, but wanted it to be meaningful.”

Karen Austin, East Granby. “Involved since 2012 due to loss of my friend, mentor, and boss DONNA STEVENSON in November 2010.”

Kathy Eder, West Hartford. “RON FOLEY was my neighbor and a very kind and generous man. ... my AUNT also died of pancreatic cancer when she was 75. I currently have a dear friend, MOTHER OF 4 CHILDREN who is a medical professional, triathlete, takes good care of herself and is in her early 50's who has pancreatic cancer for two years now.”

Nancy Wilcock, Rocky Hill. “I have been connected with the foundation since early November 2013 when my father JACK MAHON (who had pancreatic cancer) brought our family to an educational seminar on Pancreatic Cancer sponsored by The Foley Foundation. ... he died a couple weeks later in late November. ” Rosanne Bengough, Unionville. “I have been involved with the organization since 2014 because my mom, ROSANNE BENGOUGH (yes, same name) died of pancreatic cancer on March 14, 2013.”

Kevin Froeb, West Hartford. “My two biggest connections are my mother, MARY FROEB, who is remarkably a pancreatic cancer survivor as well as RON FOLEY. They are the two that push me to try and do what I can to assist with the Foundation where I can!”

Best of West Hartford 2016 Kick off!

It’s NOW time to NOMINATE (without the need for debates), and this summer you need to VOTE, for your pick for “BOWH” For the second year in a row, we are pleased to bring West Hartford the “Best of West Hartford” as only West Hartford Magazine, and a team of volunteers can present!

We need participation from anyone who loves We-Ha (even if you still don’t love that nickname!!)

HOW DOES IT WORK? We provide the categories (expanded this year to include Medical, Real Estate, Home Improvement Contractors, and Banks). You nominate the businesses that you think belong in the categories as finalists in the race for the Best of West Hartford.

Wait, that’s not all! Once our categories are filled with the top finalists, we need you to VOTE, and tell all of your friends and family members to VOTE! Your vote really does count and that’s what makes this a true people’s choice contest!

On September 8, 2016, the winners in each category will be announced at our second annual Best of West Hartford celebration. (Watch weha.com for details and ticket information).

Turn the page for this year’s categories and sponsors. Thank you.

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BOWH Nominating Time!

On Monday May 2, 2016, please log on to We-Ha.com for the official ballot and contest information.

In the meantime, you can use this guide to plan your choices. We will be requesting nominees in the following categories for Best of West Hartford, 2016:

FAMILY

RETAIL-LOCAL*

Camp...................................................

Park......................................................

Preschool/Daycare........................

Recreation ........................................

Eye wear.............................................

Fashion Accessories.....................

Gifts .....................................................

Jewelry Store...................................

Men's Fashion..................................

Specialty Retail................................

Women's Fashion ..........................

FOOD/DRINK/DINING Bakery.................................................

Breakfast ...........................................

Burger.................................................

Coffee/Tea shop .............................

Family Restaurant..........................

Fine Dining........................................

Grocery Store..................................

Ice Cream ..........................................

Pizza.....................................................

Wine Shop ........................................

RETAIL-NATIONAL* Men's Fashion-National ..............

Women's Fashion-National.......

SERVICES Bank.....................................................

Garden/Florist.................................

Home Improvement Contractor....................................

Lawn/Landscaping ........................

Pet Services......................................

Real Estate Company....................

Wealth Management/ Financial Planning .....................

NIGHTLIFE Entertainment ................................

Galas....................................................

Happy Hour......................................

Tavern.................................................

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Categories subject to change.

Visit We-Ha.com for official ballot on 5/2/16.

Exercise/Fitness..............................

Home Health Care.........................

Salons .................................................

Satellite Medical Facility..............

Spas .....................................................

*Aside from great schools, neighborhoods and parks, one other reason West Hartford recieves so many accolades, is due to the variety of national and local retailers offered within our town borders. This year we would like to be sure that the “mom and pop” shops are celebrated in their own right, so we separated a few retail stores into “national” designation.

TITLE SPONSORS:

GOLD SPONSOR:

SILVER SPONSOR: S HB

SHEEHAN-HILBORN-BREEN Funeral Home BRONZE SPONSORS:

Jeff Hodges Landscape Contractor

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From its very beginning, Elmwood has been home to manufacturing giants Abbott Ball and Legrand (formerly Wiremold) and today includes home furnishing family business Puritan Furniture, a doggy hotel and playcare Uberdog, numerous health and wellness facilities, Faxon Branch Library, Elmwood Senior Center, the Home Design District and prides itself on the diversity amongst its neighborhoods - unofficially reporting that over 60 languages are spoken here.

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FITNESS

It Is a Journey, So Make it FUN!

by Tom Hickey

Fitness FUNdraiser class in session, lead by trainer/ owner of Akua Ba Fitness, D’Mario (in red cap).

o spread the fun around, last month West Hartford Magazine and WeHa.com hosted the first “Fitness FUNdraiser” at Akua Ba Fitness on Talcott Road, and we all had a great time (if I can speak on behalf of all in

photos courtesy of AKUA BA FITNESS

T

attendance?)

We welcomed one dozen eager, and some reluctant, participants and we were happy to see couples diving into the “journey” together. Honestly I think Shevon’s girlfriends dragged their husbands, but regardless of how they got there, they got there, and worked their butts off and that’s the goal.

As my buddy who attended said, “I was tired of Tom talking about his personal ‘Akua Ba fitness journey’ all of the time, so I decided to come along and check it out. I’m glad I did, but I know I’ll feel it tomorrow!”

For this first Fitness FUNdraiser, a portion of the proceeds benefited St. Brigid School, and we welcome any non-profits to join us in the future. We will be sponsoring this participation optional/open house-style fundraiser at Akua Ba on a monthly basis. Please get in touch with me, D’Mario or Jenny at Akua Ba if your non-profit group wants to be involved in this unique way to raise awareness of your organization, and learn some health and fitness tips from the masters!

Regarding my “journey,” I now work one-on-one with a trainer just once a week at Akua Ba, and then I’m on my own the rest of the week. Like most people, I need to do a better job scheduling time for myself. Akua Ba trainers remind us all of the time, “it is a rigorous, consistent workout, designed for your body type and your per-

sonal goals, that makes the difference.”

I have enhanced my workout sessions by adding classes to my schedule. I started with Spinning, and then moved on to a class they call “Pot Belly.” I’m feeling and seeing results already. Don’t be shy about starting a program; don’t be nervous about the regimen, Our next FITNESS because everything is customFUNdraiser is made just for you, your body Tuesday, May 3 and your own individual goals.

If you can’t keep up with class you just take a moment to catch your breath (it’s very important to be tuned in to your body and to not be hung up on keeping up every minute). FYI all of the classes are in Akua Ba’s 10,000-square-foot facility.

Doing it, whatever “it” is for you, is the most important. I find having the professional trainers on hand to motivate, nudge and guide me makes a huge difference in my routine.

D’Mario, the personal trainers and I would like to invite all our readers to contact Jenny at Akua Ba today at customerservice@akuabafitness.com, or 860-967-0561, mention this column and get two FREE initial consultations. Trust me you’ll be happy you did.

Please be sure to say “hello” when you go! See you at Akua Ba! AKUA BA FITNESS, 860-967-0561. customerservice@akuabafitness.com Located at 121 Talcott Road in West Hartford, the custom-designed facility has two levels of over 10,000 square feet. State-of-the-art equipment, locker rooms with showers, and our proprietary Area 51 Obstacle Course.

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64 LaSalle Road West Hartford 860-232-6225 Shop online: www.bkcostyle.com

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FINANCE

Financial SpringCleaning forall How have your money habits changed this spring?

By Robert A. Laraia, CUIC, RFC

E

ach new season presents a “clean slate,” so as one season ebbs into another, it is natural to think about what you might do (or do differently) in the months ahead. What decisions or behaviors might help your personal finances, your retirement prospects, or your net worth? Financially speaking, what “spring-cleaning” habits might you want to incorporate – and what can you do to stick by such routines as the remainder of 2016 unfolds?

Strive to maximize your 2016 retirement plan contributions. The 2016 limit on IRA contributions is $5,500, $6,500 if you will be 50 or older at some point in the year. Contribution limits are set at $18,000 for 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and most 457 plans; if you will be 50 or older in 2016, you can make an additional catch-up contribution of up to $6,000 to those accounts.

If you want to retire in 2016, be mindful of the end of “file & suspend.” Social Security is closing the door on the file-and-suspend claiming strategy that married couples have used to try and optimize their Social Security benefits. If you are married and you will be at least 66 years old by April 30, 2016, you and your spouse still have a chance to use the strategy. Starting May 1, that chance disappears forever for all married couples. (It will still be permitted on an individual basis.)2,3 Similarly, the opportunity to file a restricted application for spousal benefits has also gone away. This was another tactic retirees employed in pursuit of greater lifetime Social Security income.

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Can you review & reduce your debt?

Look at your debts, one by one. You may be able to renegotiate the terms of loans and interest rates with lenders and credit card firms. See if you can cut down the number of debts you have – either attack the one with the highest interest rate first or the smallest balance first, then repeat with the remaining debts.

Rebalance your portfolio. If you have rebalanced recently, great. Many investors go years without rebalancing, which can be problematic if you own too much in a declining sector.

See if you can solidify some retirement variables. Accumulating assets for retirement is great; doing so with a planned retirement age and an estimated retirement budget is even better. The older you get, the less hazy those variables start to become. See if you can define the “when” of retirement this year – that may make the “how” and “how much” clearer as well.

The same applies to college planning. If your child has now reached his or her teens, see if you can get a ballpark figure on the cost of attending local and out-of-state colleges. Even better, inquire about their financial aid packages and any relevant scholarships and grants. If you have college savings built up, you can work with those numbers and determine how those savings need to grow in the next few years.

How do you keep new habits from going off track? Often, when we clean up our act and reorganize, we fail because there is only an end in mind – a clear goal,

but no concrete steps toward realizing it.

So, if your aim is to save $20,000 toward retirement this year, map out the monthby-month contribution to your retirement account(s) that will help you do it. Web tools like Level Money and Mint.com can help you examine your cash flow week-toweek and month-to-month – you can use them to keep track of your saving effort as well as other aspects of your finances.

If you wish, you can let a loved one or a close friend in on your financial springcleaning ideas. Dominican University of California did a study on this very subject and found that when people set near-term goals and kept those goals private, they achieved them about 35% of the time – but when they informed friends about them and sent weekly progress updates, the achievement rate surpassed 70%.

Lastly, you may want to automate more of your financial life, if you have not set up monthly money transfers, to a retirement or investment account.

What might you want to do in your twenties? First and foremost, you should start saving for retirement – preferably using tax-advantaged retirement accounts that let you direct money into equities.

Through equity investing, your money may grow and compound profoundly with time – and you have time on your side.

As a hypothetical example, suppose you are 25 and direct $5,000 annually for 10 years into a retirement account earning a consistent 7%. You stop contributing to the account at age 35 – in fact, you never contribute a dollar to it again. Under such conditions, that $50,000 you have directed into that account over ten years grows to $562,683 by the time you are age 65 with no

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further action from you. If you contribute $5,000 annually to the account for 40 years starting at 25, you end up with $1,068,048 at 65.

What moves make sense in your thirties? You may have married and started a family at this point, so your spending has probably increased quite a bit from when you were single. As you save and invest in pursuit of long-range financial objectives, remember also to play a little defense.

You should think about creating a will and a financial power of attorney in case something unforeseen happens. Another estate planning/asset protection move that becomes essential at this point is life insurance. Right now a 20-year, $250,000 term life policy for a 35-year-old can cost less than $30 a month. It will not build cash value like a permanent life policy, but it can easily be renewed (and in some cases, converted into permanent life insurance).

What considerations emerge between 40 and 50? This is where you may be “sandwiched” between taking care of your kids and your elderly parents or relatives. Your spending may reach a new peak; hopefully, your salary is rising as well.

Try to maintain your retirement planning effort in the face of these financial stresses – your pace and level of retirement account contributions. You may have teens or pre-teens at home, and if you have not yet considered creating a college fund that can grow and compound over time, now is the right time. You should not dip into your retirement fund to pay for their college educations, no matter how onerous college loans may seem.

You may want to look into long term care insurance. If you are wealthy, or soon will be, it may not be worth buying. If you find yourself in the middle class, LTC insurance may be worth the expense depending on your health history and health outlook. Buying it before age 50 and while you are in good health is a wise move.

Between 50 and 60, you are in the “red zone” before retirement. If you can, accelerate your retirement saving through greater contribution levels and/or the catch-up contributions allowed for many retirement accounts after age 50. You may want to tolerate less risk in your portfolio as retirement nears; you may not.

Some investment professionals contend that in this era of low interest rates and low inflation, it makes much more sense to tilt a portfolio toward equities than toward fixed-income investments.

Robert A, Laraia, CIC, RFC may be reached at 888-886-7737 or rlaraia@nstarwp.com . www.nstarwp.com Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Northstar Wealth Partners, a Registered Investment Advisor and a separate entity from LPL Financial.

CITATIONS. •money.usnews.com/money/retirement/articles/2015/10/26/how-401-k-s-and-iras-willand-wont-change-in-2016 [10/26/15] •money.usnews.com/money/retirement/articles/2015/12/04/say-goodbye-to-the-social-security-fileand-suspend-strategy [12/4/15] •tinyurl.com/p3exq5s [12/18/15] •forbes.com/sites/bethbraverman/2015/12/29/4-tricks-to-get-your-new-years-resolutions-toactually-stick-this-year/print/ [12/29/15] •businessinsider.com/compound-interest-and-retirement-savings-2015-3 [3/12/15] •disabilitycanhappen.org/chances_disability/disability_stats.asp [7/3/13] •time.com/money/3178364/millennials-insurance-why-resist-coverage/ [8/27/14] •valuepenguin.com/average-cost-life-insurance [12/23/15]

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Putting the FASHION SPOTLIGHT on

and

Guest Stylists: Oscar Sosa Jr. and Ody Sosa Photos by: Todd Fairchild Hair: Blo West Hartford Location: Heritage at Blue Back Square

Spring, as Tennyson said, is a time when a “young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.” It is in that spirit that we decided to truely celebrate the season by showcasing bridal and formal wear as only Oscars Tux and Argelia Novias Bridal can.

NEW TUXEDO STYLES Touting impeccably detailed “luxury and slim fit tuxedo rentals,” perfect for all body types, Oscars Tux has twenty-eight slim fit styles, five modern fit styles and 2 regular fit styles this season.

No other store in Connecticut offers as many new tuxedo styles under one roof.

BRIDES/PROMS/MOTHERS/SPECIAL OCCASIONS Argelia Novias Bridal, located next door to Oscars on New Park Avenue, has a “style for every taste” when it comes to outfitting the prom-going junior or senior, moms, gala-bound ladies and brides and bridesmaids.

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wear

[this page] Denise is wearing a gorgeous Casablanca sweet heart bodice with a sleek satin waistband fit and flare silhouette. It is adorned with dazzling bead work.

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[thi s page and opposite] Denise is wearing a Mikado fabric strapless mermaid silhouette with a sweetheart neckline

by Impression. The bodice is adorned with crystal, pearls and silver beads. Button covered zipper down the back.

FASHION

[above] Derek is wearing Ike Behar charcoal one button peak slim fit luxury tuxedo. [right] Derek is wearing Ike Behar burgundy slim fit jacket in super wool fabric with matching Ike Behar black slim fit pants to compliment.

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FASHION

[this page] Oscar Sosa III is wearing an Ike Behar luxury black shawl slim fit tuxedo, his father Oscar Sosa Jr. is wearing Ike Behar burgundy slim fit jacket in super wool fabric with matching Ike Behar black slim fit pants to compliment. Ricky Sosa is wearing an Ike Behar luxury framed shawl slim fit tuxedo. Kelli's dress is a stunning midnight blue cap sleeve sheath lace with nude underlay, by Jovani, featuring deep-V neckline and open back. [opposite page] Ricky Sosa, Oscar Sosa III, Oscar Sosa Jr., Kelli Sosa, Denise Vergato, Derek Roberts, Santina Sosa, Lauren Sosa, Ody Sosa, and Amandah Sosa.

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FASHION

... and

[above left and opposite] Ody wears an Ike Behar black and blue check slim fit jacket in super wool fabric with Ike Behar black slim fit pants to compliment. [above] Oscar wears an exclusive Ike Behar one button framed shawl slim fit dinner jacket in super wool tonal houndstooth fabric with Ike Behar slim fit pants to compliment. [boys’ descriptions on previous page.] [left] Oscar wears Ike Behar burgundy slim fit jacket in super wool fabric with matching Ike Behar black slim fit pants to compliment.

Fun socks are from the imported collection at Oscars Tux.

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FASHION

and ...

[above left] Santina's dress is a beautiful navy blue lace trumpet gown with a scalloped V-neck and sweeping train by Jovani. Perfect for any formal occasion.

[Kelli’s dress description is on page 41]. [right] BK & Co., LaSalle Road, outfitted these “moms” for a wedding or any elegant event. Liz Getz wears a jacket by Pomp Bolero in Lagoon blue crinkle rayon by Lee Andersen and her dress is Pompeii by Lee Andersen. Councilwoman Judy Casperson wears Elana Kattan stretch lace dress in ivory.

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[above] Three young men ready for prom are Nick Alzugary, Kyle Keenan and Omar Montalvo. Nick is wearing an Ike Behar luxury framed shawl slim fit tuxedo. Kyle is wearing an Ike Behar Navy slim fit jacket in super wool fabric with matching black Ike Behar slim fit pants to compliment. Omar is wearing a Jean Yves Red slim fit jacket with black satin edges and black skinny fit pants to compliment. photo courtesy of OSCAR SOSA JR.

[below left] Amandah is wearing Alyce Paris, navy blue chiffon dress with a modified sweet heart neckline and key-hole back. A “hybrid” that’s great for those seeking classic simplicity with a modern twist.

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top photo courtesy of OSCAR SOSA

[below right] Lauren is wearing Bill Levkoff, in navy blue , with a sheer overlay jewel neckline. Great for those seeking elegance with a modest approach.

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Fashion Thank You

Special thanks to Blue Back Square’s Marketing Director Elizabeth Zigmont and General Manager Robyn Rifkin for opening the doors of The Heritage, a luxury condo building, for our formal fashion photo shoot. The Heritage Concierge Cyndy Norton was very welcoming and made us feel right at home. Special thanks to the residents who allowed us into their homes, onto their balconies and even in front of their cars! There were so many beautiful options for each shot. One more “thank you” to The Heritage Director of Operations Courtney Sylvain – you have a special place in the heart of We-Ha.

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WINE

Wine 101: The many shades of Rosé

by Ertan Sener

“T

here are no standards of taste in wine, cigars, poetry, prose, etc. Each man’s own taste is the standard, and the majority vote cannot decide for him or in any slightest degree affect the supremacy of his own standard,” –Mark Twain, 1895. I remember this quote every time I taste, especially when I am choosing wine for others to enjoy. The one style of wine that is becoming easier and easier to suggest, but still might get a pause and a raised eyebrow when suggested is…rosé. No no no…not that sweet pink stuff that you have to get when your Great Aunt comes over for the holidays (and even that is okay, refer to the opening quote!), but that wonderful, dry, refreshing wine when chilled is the bridge of enjoyment between white and red. Let’s take a Wine 101 moment to explore the world of rosé in three easy steps.

Step 1: Sight What does a wine maker have to do to get their wine to blush? Well, remember that all the color of wine comes from the skin of the grapes, the anthocyanins. So, no skin contact, no color in the juice. White wine can be made from red grapes, remember Champagne. There are a number of ways to make rosé, but today there are basically two preferred methods. The first is to keep the skins in contact with the juice for a short time, a short maceration. This could be as little as a few hours, up to a couple of days.

Depending on the grape variety will depend on how long this process will take, for some grape varieties have higher anthocyanins than others. For example, in the south of France, where the Mediterranean climate calls for the refreshing qualities of rosé, the grape most commonly use to make rosé is the red grape Grenache, since it is slightly lacking in anthocyanins. The second method is to actually bleed (saignée) small 44

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amounts of finished red wine into some finished white wine, to get the desired hue.

The colors of rosé are very beautiful! They range the spectrum of pink from very light, almost unperceivable, to a light red.

Step 2: Smell Remember to take time to stop and smell the rosés! The over all smell of each wine is as unique as its color and taste profile. Get your nose really in there to discover all the wonders of rosé. The “nose”(the bouquet and aroma of the wine) can be as pretty as the color. You’ll be amazed at all the components the nose might contain. Wild Cherry, Pink Grapefruit, Raspberry, Black Pepper, Herbs, Pears, Peach, Passion Fruit, Orange Blossoms, Floral, Wild Strawberries… see what I mean? That is just a short list of perfumes that will jump out of the glass. Well, time to help the wine to the third step.

Step 3: Taste Rosés are a great wine for this time of year when temperatures are rising, and it

might be too hot for a glass of red. The taste of rosé, depending on the grape variety or varieties used, could reflect the similar scents that are on the nose. Besides the reflection of great refreshing fruit flavors, delivered over the palate with this dry wine, is the texture or mouth feel.

Rosé is meant to be served chilled so it immediately perks up the palate, then the senses are surprised by the wonderful reflection of red fruit the flavor has to offer.

All this pleasure is contained in a liquid that has a creamy texture that covers the taste buds in all its beauty.

Rosé is a fantastic choice for an endless list of food pairings. Perfect pair for anything in the picnic basket, especially any mayonnaise based dressings or spreads.

Chicken salad, egg salad, aiolis, deviled eggs, you get the picture. Rosés are great with salads and can stand up to many styles of salad dressings. Just because it’s pink, doesn’t mean it is not tough. Rosé can stand up to certain foods that are not wine friendly such as artichokes and asparagus!

Flank steak, sure! Chicken, of course!

Pastas with a light tomato cream sauce, um…YUM! There are really no bad pairings with rosé, just some that are better than others.

Not just for hot weather, rosé is great as a choice on the Thanksgiving table. When whites are not enough and reds are too much, I tend to think pink, rosé that is.

Rosé definitely has its place in the color wheel of wine. Have fun this season trying the variations on a theme with all the rosés there are to sample. Rosé is that no brainer, when you are looking for that perfect wine to pair with an outdoor concert, grillin’ at a picnic, or just relaxing on the front porch this summer season. If the color pink makes you stop and think you are setting yourself up to be teased, remember the words of former rocker now wine maker Charles Smith, “Yes, You can drink rosé and still be BAD SS!” Cheers!

Ertan S. Sener, wine educator, has been seen in Wine Spectator Magazine, and is the buyer/manager at West Side Wines & Spirits. 860-233-1241. westsidewines.com.

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