HERE’S THE SCOOP…
KILLAM & BASSETTE: 130 YEARS OF FARMING AND GIVING BACK
Through all of the transitions and transformations of the last century...the beloved Killam & Bassette Farmstead is still going strong. The farm is deep within the fibers of Glastonbury's history. Henry Killam's family bought the farm from the state in 1893 after the Hollister family lost it to bankruptcy. His father later took it over from his grandparents and built the house on Tryon Street in front of the main property in 1922. Just 16 years later, a hurricane wiped out the orchards. The whole barn went down the river and the only remaining part was granite pillars (which are still there today). Henry took over the farm from his father after graduating from GHS in 1948, but only because his dad bought a tractor. They previously used horses to pull the equipment! Fast forward to 1975, that's when Kevin Bassette came into Henry's life. He was a troubled 9-year old who had been kicked out of school and off the bus. But Henry and the work on the farm helped set him straight. The two men decided to form a partnership in 1993 to become Killam & Bassette Farmstead. Henry is "Gaga" to Kevin and his wife, Chris's kids. Their son is named Henry after "Gaga". And, "Gaga" still lives with them to this day. 93 and going strong! For the 130th Anniversary Celebration, the family is planning some super fun events.
Here are a few of the festivities:
1. Starting July 1st, farm giveaways when shopping at the 1098 Main Street stand.
2. Chance to win a battery-operated tractor for the kids July, August, and September.
3. Celebration at their Tryon Street location with LIVE music, hayrides, farm fresh food, and more.
*HAPPY 130 KB!*
THE "FITNESS PROFESSOR" ADDS MEDICAL WEIGHT LOSS TO OFFERINGS
Doug Dorsey has been helping people transform their bodies and their lives for the last two decades. He is a personal trainer, certified nutrition fitness specialist and a college professor. HENCE: The Fitness Professor. Doug has had a personal training business in Glastonbury for the last 10 years and is about to launch CT Medical Weight Loss & Beyond as an extension of his offerings. He is working with medical staff to prescribe weight loss medication as part of a comprehensive weight loss program that includes nutrition counseling, lifestyle coaching, exercise prescription, IV therapy, and quality supplements. This program is designed to help jump start your weight loss journey and change the way you approach exercise and food....A COMPLETE LIFESTYLE CHANGE. Doug has an impressive background in getting results. In 2018 he wrote – The Perfect Scale. It's the foundation behind his signature program which allows people to lose 1/3 of their body fat in 18 weeks (see photo below for a before & after). This will be part of his new medical weight loss program so that the medications he gives to clients are used as a tool and not a crutch. For his GRAND OPENING, Doug is giving away two 3-month all-inclusive weight loss packages and 3-months of complimentary coaching to anyone who signs up for the medical weight loss program in July. Visit him during his Grand Opening Party July 6th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at 100 Sycamore Street to learn more about the program or call 860.430.6317 to book a consult.
THE LATEST ON ROSES BERRY FARM
As many of you may have seen in The Citizen, the town is leasing a portion of the former Rose's Berry Farm to Littel Acres and Belltown Orchards for $1 for the rest of 2023. We have had a lot of questions about this story since our initial Facebook post about the Gondek family possibly purchasing the farm. Clearly a lot has happened since then. Here is what we can tell you right now: The Gondek family DID in fact have a contract to buy the entire farm before the town executed their right to purchase. The family has purchased two portions of the farm property. They own property across the street from the Rose's entrance. There is currently a sign that says Rose's Berry Farm (more on that property and what's happening there is COMING SOON). The Gondek's have also purchased two homes at the entrance to Rose's where you drive down to Breakfast With a View. They now own a total of 24 acres including areas of pick-your-own which they plan to offer this summer. Follow them on the Rose's Berry Farm social media pages for updates. The town owns the portion of the farm where Breakfast With a View was held. They have deemed the deck unsafe and will tear it down. Littel Acres told us that their current lease does not allow them to build anything new on the property, but they hope to offer other fun activities for visitors. See below for a visual of the property that is owned by the Gondek's and the property purchased by the town (Gondek's own orange plots and the town owns yellow).
GLASTONBURY OPTICIANS SOLD TO NEW OWNERS
Glastonbury Opticians next to Daybreak has been sold to new owners...and one is a Glastonbury resident (woohoo!). Dr. Lauren Colite of West Hartford and Dr. John Nedelcu of Glastonbury are partners at this new location. They currently own West End Eye Care in the west end of Hartford. This location will be name Glastonbury Eye Care. They will be renovating the space into a modern, yet homey new location. That will require them to close for a couple of months. They hope to reopen by the end of summer. Both docs are super excited to bring their services to Glastonbury. They are already booking appointments for their opening. Call to schedule: 860.633.7889.
DO GOOD SCOOP...
ALLIES IN HOPE ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT TO BENEFIT ST. JUDE
Allies in Hope has been raising money for children' charities since 2014. The non-profit organization is always looking for new ways to engage the community while giving back. They are hoping to make this year's golf tournament at Blackledge Country Club in Hebron the biggest and best yet. They are currently registering teams and enlisting sponsors. The tournament is August 17th at 9:00 AM with a shotgun start at 10:00 AM. Tickets are $175 and include food and beer on the course and a buffet reception. Sponsorships range from $175 for a Hole Sponsor with signage to $5,000 for a Title Sponsor. This year's tournament is held in honor of longtime Allies in Hope and St. Jude supporter, Michael Hurley who died in January after a battle with brain cancer. To register a team, click HERE or HERE for sponsorship opportunities.
