Food + Beverage

Cotton Hollow Kitchen

A Q&A With Cotton Hollow Head Chef Mario Velasquez Article by Eileen M. McNamara | Photography by John Helmke For our Food Issue, we spoke with Cotton Hollow Kitchen's Head Chef Mario Velasquez about his culinary journey, the global influences behind his cooking, the importance of local ingredients and his passion for creating elevated comfort food. 1. How would you describe your cooking philosophy, and how has your culinary  journey shaped the food you create? My training began in Peru...

Wellness

Food for Thought

The Connection Between Diet and Wellness Article by Chloe Seddon | Photography by John Cordasco Food does far more than satisfy hunger. The choices we make influence our energy, how our bodies function and, increasingly, how we think about overall wellness. At its most basic level, food is fuel. The body relies on carbohydrates, proteins and fats for energy and vitamins and minerals to support everything from muscles and bones to the immune system, brain and nervous system. A balanced diet...

Food + Beverage

Chocolate Hazelnut Praline Tart

Anu Ojha, owner of Rum n Plum bakery, shares one of her delectable recipes Article by Anu Ojha This elegant chocolate hazelnut tart is built around contrast: a delicate buttery tart shell, a crisp praline layer, and a smooth chocolate ganache, with a chocolate mirror glaze. The hazelnut croustillant adds roasted nuttiness and delicate texture beneath the creamy filling, while the glaze creates a polished finish. This classic French layered pastry, each component has a distinct role. Thorough...

Education

Curious Minds

At Presidents’ College Lifelong Learning at the University of Hartford, the classroom is a place for discovery, conversation and connection. Article by Eileen M. McNamara | Photography by Presidents’ College Archives What if going back to school weren’t about earning a degree, passing a test or advancing a career — but simply about following your curiosity? At Presidents’ College Lifelong Learning at the University of Hartford, that’s exactly the point. Here, the classroom is a place where...

Food + Beverage

A Fest and Feast of Fall Flavors

From Apple Donuts to Polish and Thai Food Glastonbury’s Apple Harvest & Music Festival serves up something for every appetite. Article by Eileen M. McNamara | Photography by Brian Ambrose Few traditions signal the arrival of fall in Glastonbury quite like the annual Apple Harvest & Music Festival. Each October, Riverfront Park comes alive with music, family activities, vendors and the unmistakable flavors of the season. For many festivalgoers, however, the celebration is as much about what is...

Home + Design

Bringing Holiday Magic Home

Christmas Decor by Picture Perfect Landscape creates custom, stress-free holiday displays for homes and businesses Article by Kim Poulin There's something unmistakably magical about a home illuminated for the holidays. A roofline or pathway outlined in warm white lights, a front door framed by garland and wreaths and bows, or trees sparkling against an early winter sky can transform an ordinary property into a welcoming seasonal showcase. For more than three decades, Picture Perfect...

Real Estate

Experts Espresso Corner

Research A Condo Association Before Buying; How to Use AI in Business Article by Christopher Algoo, Ryan Phelan Christopher Algoo, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services: Research Before Buying a Condo One of the most important parts of my job is helping clients understand the financial health and condition of the association behind the condo they want to buy. Recent changes and increased lender scrutiny have made this more important than ever. Many conventional mortgages must meet lender...

Home + Design

All About I.M.A.G.E

International Marble and Granite Enterprises is known for designing and installing premium natural and fabricated stone products Article by Eileen M. McNamara Some careers begin with a carefully planned path. Others start with a broom. For Adrian Costa, owner of International Marble and Granite Enterprises, the journey into the stone fabrication industry began at just 12 years old, spending summer mornings sweeping floors and helping wherever he could around the family business. Those early...

Local Services

Experts Espresso Corner

Dr. Kimberly Inocco, DPM, Treating Flat Feet; Dr. Ayo Buraimoh: Creating a Healthy Home Article by Kimberly Inocco, Ayo Buraimoh Flat Feet: More Than Just a Foot Problem  Flat feet are a common condition characterized by low or absent arches, causing the entire sole of the foot to contact the ground. While many people associate flat feet with foot pain, the condition can affect the entire lower body. Altered foot biomechanics may contribute to pain in the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and...

Style + Beauty

A Cut Above

Four Decades On, Hair Today Continues to Blend Style, Community and Giving Back Article by Eileen M. McNamara For more than 40 years, Hair Today has helped shape Glastonbury’s style through creativity, connection and an enduring passion for hairstyling. At its heart is an exceptionally talented group of hair artists, blending decades of experience with the fresh energy and modern techniques of its next generation of stylists. Together, they create styles as individual as their clients, from...