Magazine Archive
Magazine Archive
The Armata’s Family
If you live in or around Longmeadow, chances are you have heard of Armata’s. What makes the store so significant to so many residents is that Alexis Vallides, the owner, and her employees try to foster a familial environment, not only with each other as coworkers, but also with the customers. The fire that burned down the store last November definitely put that family to the test.
Veterans & Medicare: Healthcare for those who served
Did you know that 1 out of every 5 Medicare beneficiaries is a veteran? Many don’t realize that enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan will not disrupt VA coverage; in fact, it can enhance it by adding provider choices and extra benefits such as dental, transportation, and in some situations a partial Part B premium giveback.
Amelanchier: Connecting Seasons, Wildlife, and People
Early spring, when winter still brings snow flurries and cold frosts, when Daffodils and Hyacinth fight through the frozen ground to bring light and hope for the coming months, before the mosquitos and ticks become active and the ecological engine that are the Northeast Deciduous forests open their leaves to the sun, there is a humble yet vital native shrub blooming silken white flowers and sharing its delicate scent through crisp air currents.
Park Story: The history of Bliss and Laurel Parks (Part 1)
On any given day, the 81 acres of Bliss and Laurel Parks provide Longmeadow residents with a place for respite and recreation. They are a legacy gift, first envisioned as the community’s water supply district. The district, established by a 2/3rds Town vote in 1894 and advanced by a State Legislative Act in 1895 for land taking, comprises six parcels.
Weathering the heat waves
With summer just around the corner, a lot of people are already installing their air conditioners and turning on their central AC systems. While the winter in New England definitely gets a bit too cold, the summer can be just as brutal, if not more so.
The Neighborly Absorption (Part 15)
Sprong sprengs as spring sprang and sprung. If you received Richard Quickley’s pamphlet Get Rich Quick in the mail, you’ll receive Got Rich Quick really soon. Every time I go near the monkey cages at the zoo I step in Rhesus pieces. The agony and ecstasy of painting one’s bathroom is like an Edy’s pie, so take a bite.
The Absorption (Part 5)
Sprong sprengs as spring sprang and sprung. If you received Richard Quickley’s pamphlet Get Rich Quick in the mail, you’ll receive Got Rich Quick really soon. Every time I go near the monkey cages at the zoo I step in Rhesus pieces. The agony and ecstasy of painting one’s bathroom is like an Edy’s pie, so take a bite. Lemon shark sounds delicious, I wonder if they contain a high level of Vitamin C?
Carol Moore Cutting: A pioneer in the community
WEIB-106.3 Smooth FM is not just the only locally-owned and independent commercial FM radio station in the Springfield area, and not just the only woman-owned commercial FM radio station in Massachusetts; it is also the only African-American-owned radio station in New England. And all of this is possible only because of the effort and dedication from the one and only Carol Moore Cutting.
Don Munson: Re-emergence of a painter
Everyone experiments with art when they’re growing up. Despite this innate yearn to create that we all experiment with when we’re young, very few end up devoting their lives to art. Don Munson, a father, grandfather, husband, Longmeadow resident and painter, is one of the people who has devoted his entire life to producing artwork.
Money Myth #2: The equity on my home earns an investment return
When I ask the average investor, “what does the equity in your home earn..?” I usually get a perplexed look. If they are with their “significant other,” one will look at the other with that, “hey you know the answer to this question….right…look??” So what does the equity in your home earn everyday? Let’s do a brief experiment and find out.
Staying connected with neighborhood clubs
My mom’s friends used to gather once a week for art club, rotating around to each other’s homes. Each friend would bring an art project they were working on, varying from painting to rubber stamping and greeting cards to jewelry-making. Everyone would lug in their art supplies and set up their stations around the kitchen table. Then they’d talk and laugh all night long. Art was their excuse to get together, and friendship grew out of their shared interests.
The Neighborly Absorption (Part 14)
Tattler the Rattler slid while snaking the entire time. In a constant search for a mild rue lullaby, he decided to settle near the bayou. Ophidians do not have outer or inner ear bones so they all have to buy or make mask straps if they want to catch a Blue Heron flight.
You should live and breathe easy in your own home
Living under the Covid cloud for over two years has left many of us with an overwhelming existential question: Is it safe to breathe? It’s a question most acutely felt in public spaces where the uncertainty over safety protocols, inconsistency of mask adherence, and unknown vaccination compliance is at the fore. But I believe it is a question to be addressed in our own homes where we have the opportunity to actively improve the air quality and our daily wellness.
The Absorption (Part 4)
Tattler the Rattler slid while snaking the entire time. In a constant search for a mild rue lullaby, he decided to settle near the bayou. Ophidians do not have outer or inner ear bones so they all have to buy or make mask straps if they want to catch a Blue Heron flight.
Paula Buckovitch: The Notes of Family
Families move to one town or another for a multitude of reasons. Sometimes they move for work, other times to be close to family. Maybe they just needed a change of scenery or had always wanted to live in a certain area. Occasionally, families even move somewhere based solely on a whim. Paula Buckovitch and her son, Ben, happen to be one of those families. “I was in Hartford for some mundane reason,” Paula recounted.
The David Ruggles Center: Preserving Florence’s abolitionist history
For many who’ve grown up or spent time in Florence, Massachusetts, the discovery that the town was once home to a radical utopian abolitionist community comes as quite a surprise. Two of the people dedicated to preserving and promoting this history are Tom Goldscheider and Steve Strimer.
Math SAT problem simplified!
It’s the test will be offered seven times between now and next year, March is a popular choice, particularly for first-time juniors. Whether you’re taking the test in a few weeks or a few months, for the first time or the fifth, the following tips applied to an example of a real-life problem will help transform the SAT Math sections from onerous to effortless. Let’s begin!
We’ve entered the 3rd stage of truth
Most of you know me as the Realtor® specializing in the sale of houses near rail trails, but many of you probably don’t know my background in the efforts to create an interconnected network of rail trails throughout the northeast. In 1994, while working for the railroad, managing large-scale transloading facilities, I was invited by a regional publisher to write a series of recreational guide books about the developing network of rail trails.
How is a C-Wire helpful when using smart thermostats?
These days, there are “smart” versions of just about everything. Phones, kitchen appliances, and even thermostats can all be upgraded to internet-connected, smart versions. If you’re installing a smart thermostat in the home, consider using a C-Wire in its setup. C-Wires can keep the device powered, which is crucial for a thermostat.
The Neighborly Absorption (Part 13)
The Longmeadow Lathe Masquerade & The Northampton Nail Masticators are the two finalists in the Valentine’s Day Massacre Film Festival. Screening for the The VDMFF will take place on the back of a giant floating tortoise or online. The winner will receive an entry at Cannes and the runner up will receive the corn horned diamond in the ruff eagle nest of distinction.