THE BLACK SHEEP
1/3/2025
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Most families have someone they call the “black sheep,” someone who is unlike the others in so many ways.
Robbie Gossman has a black sheep in his family. But it is not a person, instead it is his newest endeavor in the hospitality industry — The Black Sheep Cocktail Bar & Kitchen located
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ELLINGTON RACQUET CLUB
1/3/2025
| TINA LESNIAK
When Tracey French decided to turn her love for tennis into a business, she wasn’t just building a facility — she was creating a community. After years of balancing family life and with a background in teaching, the idea of opening a tennis and pickleball club started as a personal dream. Now, just month
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THE HUMBLE FOX
1/3/2025
| MIASHA LEE
The Humble Fox in Somers is home to unique items that you wouldn’t find everywhere.
Established in April 2018, the curated gift shop offers a variety of items for babies, gardening, holidays and much more.
Owner Sara Anderson hand selects everything for the store. From friendship balls, which are
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AMHERST COMMUNITY THEATER
1/3/2025
| HOPE MURRAY-TREMBLAY
Theater arts is not only alive and well in the region, but thriving.
The Amherst Community Theater is just one of several area theater groups producing high-quality shows open to the public that not only entertain, but inspire audiences.
Amherst Community Theater’s next production, “Newsies
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GREEN SAUCE
2025-01-03
| NATE BLAIS
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
1 cup cilantro1 cup flat leaf parsley1 cup Greek yogurt1/2 cup olive oil1/2 cup white wine vinegar2 garlic cloves1 jalapeño, seeded2 tbsp fresh dill1 tbsp cuminSalt and pepper
HOW
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A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
2025-01-23
| Payton North
As January 2024 approached, I wrote a column candidly sharing that I did not know what made me happy anymore. At the time, I was dealing with a big loss. My grandfather John, who was more of a best friend than a typical grandpa — had passed away a few months earlier. I was starting a new year — a year wi
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SQUIRE FARM
12/2/2024
| HOPE MURRAY TREMBLAY
Squire Farm has been a Christmas tradition for families since 1980 and new families are discovering its magic every year.
Located at 583 Somers Rd. in East Longmeadow, Squire Farm boasts acres of land where Christmas trees are currently growing, many of which were ready for customers to cut themselves this ye
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BRIGHT NIGHTS
12/2/2024
| KEITH O'CONNOR
How “bright” are the lights at Bright Nights at Forest Park?
Just ask Santa Claus, he knows.
“From my sleigh high in the sky, the bright lights guide me right into Springfield,” said the man in the red suit when helping last year to flip the switch lighting the lights during a s
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LUANN'S BAKERY & CAFE
12/2/2024
| MIASHA LEE
The holiday season is a reminder to spread love and generosity to one another whenever we can. There’s one place that exemplifies the meaning of giving. A place that feeds the soul of their community by pouring love into their products, words and actions.
That place is LuAnn’s Bakery & Cafe.
Read MoreSCANDI SHOPPE
12/1/2024
| CAROLYN NOEL
For 60 years, the Scandi Shoppe has brought Scandinavian culture and tradition to Connecticut. Originally founded by Siv Harvey, the shop has evolved from a small gift store in Ellington to a beloved destination in Broad Brook, now run by Harvey’s granddaughter, Olivia Smith. The Scandi Shoppe offers everythin
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M/CU TRAINING CENTER
2024-11-01
| KEITH O'CONNOR
Whether a professional athlete or just learning a sport, “practice makes perfect” many coaches tell their players.
By definition the phrase is “a form of encouragement for someone to continue to do something many times, so that they will learn to do it very well.”
The great Vinc
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HARPER JAMES
2024-11-01
| TINA LESNIAK
With years of experience behind Kayla Diggins, her jump into opening a storefront for her women’s clothing business, Harper James, has been more than she ever could have dreamed.
“I opened the doors in March 2024 and it has truly been the most amazing experience. While it has only been months, the
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CONNECTICUT CAT CONNECTION
11/1/2024
| HOPE MURRAY TREMBLAY
Connecticut Cat Connection has helped find forever homes for 10,000 stray cats and kittens for almost four decades.
The rescue efforts started with one person taking in one stray at a time. Soon, volunteers began helping and working with other rescue organizations and became an official shelter in 2003 called
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CLAY MATES
2024-11-01
| CAROLYN NOEL
For the past 30 years, people of all ages and skill levels have come together to explore their artistic sides at Clay Mates. Founded by Susan Hevey in 1994, this paint-your-own pottery and ceramics studio has grown from humble beginnings into a beloved fixture in the community, offering workshops, events, and a welc
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