Magazine Archive
Magazine Archive
Meet LEEF! Longmeadow Raises Money For Education with LEEF
Imagine a day in an 8th grade classroom where students are transported to the depths of the sea, or the top of a mountain - all made possible by donated VR headsets. Or a high school student coming home with a 3D printed wooden contraption that they envisioned, designed and built with 3D printers. These opportunities are available to Longmeadow students when passionate teachers collaborate with the Longmeadow Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF) to enrich their curriculum.
Join Brenda Cuoco & Associates to Swing FORE a Cause
For generations, children with illnesses and disabilities have received care at Shriners Children’s, a nationwide group of non-profit healthcare centers. Locally, Shriner’s Children’s New England in Springfield provides care for children with cleft palates and cleft lips, orthopedic conditions, spine and spinal cord disorders and injuries, urological ailments and issues associated with sports medicine.
Brenda Cuoco, broker and owner of Brenda Cuoco & Associates Real Estate Brokerage, met Jackson Connors and his parents, Jill and Nick Connors, when selling their home. As Jill Connors explained in a social media post ahead of the benefit, Jackson was born seven weeks early, with a cleft eyebrow, a cleft eyelid, a deeper cranial “soft spot than most children,” a hypospadias and a severe right club foot. Jackson has undergone several surgeries through Shriner’s Children’s of New England, and the brokerage decided to host a fundraiser to benefit the organization.
Medicare and Medicaid in Massachusetts
Navigating healthcare can feel like trying to solve a complex puzzle, especially for those who rely on both Medicare and Medicaid for their coverage. In Massachusetts, the coordination of these two vital programs can make healthcare more accessible and efficient for residents who need it most.
Fun and Effective Ideas To Keep Math Skills Sharp Over Summer Break
As the school year winds down and summer break approaches, many students look forward to a time of relaxation and fun. However, it's essential to ensure that their hard-earned math skills don't become rusty over the long break. Fortunately, there are numerous engaging and enjoyable activities that parents and educators can encourage to keep those mathematical gears turning throughout the summer months.
Harnessing AI: Practical Tips for Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Your Daily Life
Artificial Intelligence (AI) might seem like a concept reserved for tech gurus and big corporations, yet the reality is quite the opposite. AI is incredibly accessible and can be used by anyone to enhance daily life. If you’ve ever wondered how you could foray into the world of AI, here’s a practical guide on how the average person can weave AI into their routine, improving efficiency, comfort and even fun.
Harnessing AI: Practical Tips for Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Your Daily Life
Artificial Intelligence (AI) might seem like a concept reserved for tech gurus and big corporations, yet the reality is quite the opposite. AI is incredibly accessible and can be used by anyone to enhance daily life. If you’ve ever wondered how you could foray into the world of AI, here’s a practical guide on how the average person can weave AI into their routine, improving efficiency, comfort and even fun.
The Ekus Women Are a Culinary Family
When Sally Ekus was 4 years old, she had dinner with Julia Child. Technically, the already legendary chef was a guest of her parents, who were running a culinary agency in Hatfield, Massachusetts. And before they plated an elaborate Chinese feast, it should be noted that Sally was supposed to be sleeping.
But the smell of the meal wafted up the stairs to her bedroom, and soon Sally could hear Child’s distinctively loud, high-pitched voice mingling with her mother’s.
“I wish I could say I understood the gravitas of the situation,” she says now. “I had tremendous FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) as a kid, and I knew enough to know that she was someone very special.”
Running, Volunteering & Remembering: Nicole Dalto
It seems like no matter what she’s doing, recent Longmeadow transplant Nicole Dalto is making the best of it - for her family, for her community, and for herself. Whether it’s in her nonprofit work for others, time in the garden, running, as a hobby, or something as simple as a walk with her pet, Dalto is always thinking of others.
Swimsuit Shopping - From Ugh to Ahhh
Summer is just around the corner! Does the thought of shopping for a swimsuit make you cringe? Summer can bring anxiety and insecurity about our bodies, especially when it comes to our most “intimate” outerwear- the swimsuit. Feeling comfortable and confident in a bathing suit is possible... and key to having a great summer or vacation. Take the guesswork and dread out of shopping with our tips and find a suit that feels right at home on your body.
By Design Landscape Concepts - Where Experience and Quality Meet
Peter Loizzo, the owner and operator of By Design Landscape Concepts has lived in Longmeadow all his life, and after he received his degree in Environmental Design and Plant and Soil Science, it was only logical that he start his business and further beautify the town he raised his family in.
Since 1989, By Design Landscape Concepts has been transforming landscapes all over the Pioneer Valley, but for Peter, it’s more than a job.
The Cost of Waiting to Buy a Home
Spring is here in New England, which means the real estate market is in full swing. If you are a potential buyer or seller, there are real challenges to face: high demand, low supply, rising home prices, and rising mortgage rates. I’m often asked by home shoppers whether to buy a home now or wait until the market changes. Let's examine the cost of delay.
The Phases of Motherhood: As Your Children Mature, So Should Your Estate Plan
Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate mothers in all stages of their lives. From soon-to-be mothers to great-grandmothers, estate planning with asset protection in mind helps you support your children even after your death and helps ensure more assets are passed to the next generation.
A National Settlement Has a Local Impact on Home Buyers
Since my last column, there has been a major development in court regarding buyer agency agreements. Before I get into what’s happening with local housing inventory, here’s the lowdown on the landmark settlement.
Harriet Rogers Blazed a Trail for Women
“Did you ever think you’d come into a mess like this?” Harriet Rogers asks. Though I’ve only known her for about an hour, I’ve learned quickly that she is wryly funny.
Truthfully, this interview is a little messy. In the day room at Rockridge, the assisted living facility where Harriet has lived for the past 17 years, she holds court on the couch. Around the room, 3 generations of her family listen attentively, pass around old photos, share anecdotes or shout questions. The shouting is necessary because sometimes everyone speaks at once. They are thrilled to memorialize her, and they don’t want me to miss a thing. Her nieces Susan and Jackie Ahlemeyer sit to her right; Jackie’s husband Bill and brother-in-law Bill Klaes are in the back; and Jackie’s son Brian his kids Jackson, Charlie, Joey and Grace, who have flown in from California, sprawl on the opposite couch. There are countless others here in spirit.
Veteran, Author & Resident: Meet the Fortsch Family
School assemblies can run the gamut, from fun to flops and everything in between. So when one man with one story book can keep the attention of 300+ elementary students, you know the subject matter is good. And this subject matter, and our subject this month, is the Fortsch family, who have made their way from Longmeadow to Afghanistan and back again.
Spring Tree Maintenance with Arbormax
Spring brings a sense of renewal and opportunity - but also perhaps the need for tree trimming and other landscape needs. Arbormax Tree Care’s motto is “Your Trees, Our Passion”. This phrase resonates with Arbormax because we truly care about your property and value your trees just as you do. The spring season stands out as the prime moment to tend to the town's arboreal treasures and ensure their vitality and splendor for generations to come.
Did you know?!? You Can Use Tax Credits to Upgrade Your HVAC System
Under the provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, homeowners can take advantage of tax credits to offset the costs of upgrading their HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems. These tax credits serve as powerful incentives, making the transition to energy-efficient HVAC technologies more financially feasible.
Cultivating Financial Wellness
2024 can be the year that you feel better about your finances! As most of us are getting our tax returns ready, this time of year can be a great time to make or renew commitments to your overall financial well-being. Financial wellness is a measure of not just how well a person manages their money, but also how a person feels about their financial life. Improving financial wellness can be achieved through practicing better money habits, including setting goals and taking the necessary steps to realize them. The process also requires building financial literacy, an important piece of feeling more empowered in your relationship with money. Above all, it measures the ability to meet both your current financial obligations as well as achieve your goals and dreams.
As Banking Scammers Get Savvier, Here’s How to Stay Safe
Have you heard of phishing and smishing? These are the latest tactics deployed by scammers to trick you into sharing important banking information and online banking login credentials, or to get you to approve fraudulent card transactions.
Need an Incentive to Do your Taxes? You Can Upgrade Your HVAC System
Under the provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, homeowners can take advantage of tax credits to offset the costs of upgrading their HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems. These tax credits serve as powerful incentives, making the transition to energy-efficient HVAC technologies more financially feasible.