Arts + Culture

Explore Local!

Sometimes the Best Places to Visit Are Right Next Door! Article by Eileen M McNamara From historic Main Street and scenic farms to its thriving local businesses and community events, Glastonbury embraces a simple but powerful message: explore your local community.  At the heart of that effort is a highly connected local business community, led in large part by the CT River Valley Chamber of Commerce. The chamber plays a major role in promoting local businesses, organizing networking...

Local Services

Experts Espresso Corner

Hartford County Market Trends, Three Essentials in Hiring a Home Health Care Provider Article by Christopher Algoo, Eva Gryczan | Photography by John Helmke Hartford County’s real estate market continues to show remarkable strength despite higher mortgage rates and ongoing affordability pressures. Inventory remains historically low across many towns, keeping competition elevated and prices firm.  Communities like Glastonbury, West Hartford, and Avon continue to attract buyers seeking strong...

Shopping

Explore Brimfield Antiques

This Sprawling Antiques and Flea Market is Just an Hour's Drive in Massachusetts Article by Eileen M. McNamara Every spring and summer the quiet town of Brimfield, Mass., transforms into one of the largest and most celebrated antiques destinations in the country. The Brimfield Antique Show, held annually in May, July and September draws collectors, interior designers, dealers and treasure hunters from across the United States. Stretching for miles through dozens of show fields, the outdoor...

Arts + Culture

Glastonbury Prepares For Nation's 250th

The Town's Founding Predates the Declaration of Independence Article by Eileen M. McNamara | Photography by Diane Hoover and Barbara Theurkauf Founded in 1693, Glastonbury is one of Connecticut’s oldest communities, whose history stretches from Native American settlements and colonial farms to shipbuilding, industry and modern suburban life. That deep historical foundation is now shaping the town’s role in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence...

Local Services

Electronics Recycling

A Glastonbury Company Has a Novel Approach to Creating Sustainability For Our Myriad Gadgets Article by Eileen M McNamara | Photography by John Helmke At a time when discarded electronics are piling up faster than ever, a Glastonbury entrepreneur is working to keep hazardous e-waste out of landfills and offering residents a surprisingly simple solution. Glastonbury Electronics Recycling LLC, founded in 2018, provides free pickup and recycling services for unwanted computers, servers, and...

Shopping

Emmy Lou's

The Local Gift Store is an Exploration For the Senses Article by Eileen M. McNamara For more than 40 years, shoppers strolling through Glastonbury Center have been drawn to a stately Colonial home at the corner of Main Street and Hebron Avenue, where seasonal wreaths, festive displays and colorful décor hint at the treasure-filled rooms waiting inside Emmy Lou’s Gift Shop. Founded in 1985 by Emmy Lou DeBari, Emmy Lou’s is one of Glastonbury’s most recognizable small businesses — part...

Finance + Legal Services

Charitable Giving Guidance From Cummings & Lockwood LLC

Contributions To Charities Are Important In Estate Planning Article by Brianna L. Marquis Charitable giving is a long-standing tradition in the United States and can be an important component of your estate plan as a means of giving back to the community and leaving behind a lasting philanthropic legacy.   Barbara Bush, the former First Lady, once noted that “giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of...

Health + Wellness

Fuel the Work

The Science Behind Nutrition Coaching at Relentless Performance Article by Peter Inserillo | Photography by Connecticut Headshots In a world filled with diet trends, conflicting advice, and short-term fixes, nutrition has become unnecessarily complicated. At Relentless Performance in Farmington, our philosophy is simple: nutrition should enhance how you live, train, and perform—not restrict it. Through a structured, evidence-based coaching process, we help clients achieve meaningful body...

Health + Wellness

Dr. Shyam Shivareddy

The Co-Founder of Purple Dental is a leading figure in Hartford County’s Dental Community Article by Kelsey Meyer | Photography by Shyam Shivareddy Dr. Shyam Shivareddy—known to patients and colleagues alike as Dr. Sam—has established himself as a leading figure in Hartford County’s dental community through a combination of dedication, drive, and genuine passion for patient care. As co-owner of Crest Family Dental in Hartford and Purple Dental in Glastonbury, he works alongside his wife and...

Life + Culture

Father and Son Gaming

Tabletop Gaming Center Provides Connections Across Generations Article by Eileen M McNamara | Photography by Robert Connell The dice clatter across the table, a burst of laughter follows, and a group of strangers—at least a few hours ago—lean in over a shared map. At the Tabletop Gaming Center in Newington, moments like these are routine, not remarkable. What keeps people coming back isn’t just the games—it’s the connections formed around them. Now in its 15th year, Tabletop Gaming is a...