FACES of HOPE - OF THE SHORELINE
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SPRING 2021: D es ti n ati on B a c k y ard | Minor ity-ow ne d Bus ine s s e s | Pickl e b a l l ! | D e nnis Hou se
OF THE SHORELINE®
SEA SO N S O F TH E SH O R E LI N E ®
S PEC IAL
F EAT U RE:
FACES of
HOPE
®
SP RI NG 20 21
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S easons’ Greetings
®
Welcome to Spring 2021. Although we don’t
know what is in store this year, I think it is
safe to say goodbye forever to 2020 – for so
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much negativity. So welcome 2021 and all the
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promise a new year brings. We really need Facebook.com/SeasonsMedia
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are counting on you.
You probably have noticed our cover is a little Seasons of the Shoreline®
Jim Tully different than the typical beautiful, seasonal is published by Seasons Magazines
James P. Tully, Owner/Publisher
photos we usually run. With this issue, we felt
Creative Director
it was important to say thank you to the true heroes of the pandemic: our
Stacy Wright Murray
Connecticut front-line workers in all walks of professional life. We spoke
Editor
to many of them and asked them to share their struggles, their stories and Carol Latter
their hopes for the new year. We asked them: what keeps you going,
Sales & Marketing Executive
showing up to work each day? And what gives you hope in 2021? I think Doreen Chudoba
you will find their responses insightful, powerful and hopeful.
At Seasons, our goal since our premier edition in 2006 has been and For advertising information please
remains the same: Tell the reader a story. Over the years, that has always contact Jim at (860) 413-2022
been our guiding philosophy, and in this edition we take our readers from jim@seasonsmagazine.com
Seasons Media, LLC
their kitchens to their backyards, to pickleball courts and around the world. PO Box 92
West Simsbury, CT 06092
I’m proud to announce that, beginning in April, we will launch a new show,
“Seasons AT HOME,” which will air on WTNH News 8 every Saturday in
April, at noon. This continues our recent trend of growth, including the
launch of Connecticut VOICE magazine and our “Connecticut VOICE Out
Loud” show, and we are thrilled to share it with you.
We feel very fortunate and thank our great advertising partners; they make
Seasons Media possible.
All of us at Seasons wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2021.
Jim We want to tell our readers
James Tully stories about the interesting
Owner/Publisher people and places in our
Seasons Media, LLC beautiful state. It’s that
simple. – JIM TULLY
4 Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021
Spring
2021
SEASONS of the Shoreline ®
Page 6. Page 28. Page 42. Page 66.
Feature Cover Story Delicious Home
Community Foundation Essential workers share Making fresh spring Destination Backyard.
takes innovative their hopes for the rolls ... with a twist.
approach. future. Page 73.
Page 50. Business
Page 10. Page 34. Entertainment Minority-owned
Health & Wellness Innovations in Connecticut stages businesses navigate the
Living Your Best Life: Health Care pivot to survive. pandemic with ingenuity.
Middlesex Health. UConn’s new Brain
and Spine Institute. Page 60. Page 79.
Page 20. Sports Final Thoughts
Feature Page 38. Feeling sour about life The shame of
Spotting invasive species Perspectives on the couch? Play convenience.
before they “spot” you. Dennis House offers his pickleball!
take on the pandemic.
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Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021 5
FEATURE
Through its new initiative, the Community Foundation
for Greater New Haven is creating a Basic Needs Fund
to support organizations like the Downtown Evening
Soup Kitchen, which has seen increased demand amid
the pandemic. Photo courtesy of Downtown Evening
Soup Kitchen
Forward Momentum
C o m m u n ity F o u n d a tio n T a k e s In n o v a tiv e A p p r o a c h
A m i d T“ w i n P a n d e m i c s ”
T
By CARA ROSNER
he Community Foundation for Greater New grants and leadership development support for nonprofits
Haven is one of the oldest foundations of its led by people of color; grants to those working, advocating
kind in the country, dating back to 1928 – but and organizing to change racial inequalities in health,
that doesn’t mean it’s entirely set in its ways. education, employment, housing, and civic participation;
Established three generations ago as and arts grants that advance racial equity and community
the community’s permanent charitable healing from the pandemic.
endowment, the foundation oversees contributions made
by thousands of donors to improve the Greater New Haven “A MOMENT OF OPPORTUNITY”
region. It is the region’s largest grant maker and one of the “It is adding to our traditional ways of doing business,”
largest community foundations in the nation. Community Foundation for Greater New Haven President
Its mission – to support and collaborate with people and CEO William Ginsberg says of the initiative. The time
and organizations to build a more connected, inclusive, has come for innovative solutions, he adds.
equitable, and philanthropic community – guides its leaders, “This is a moment when we need to do things differently
staff, and investments. and we need to go deeper than we have before,” he says.
In January, the foundation announced the launch “Like everyone else, our world and our sense of what we
of Stepping Forward, a three-year commitment of $26 can contribute changed in March of 2020 with the COVID
million to address the “twin pandemics” of COVID-19 and tsunami. We very rapidly changed our focus to COVID,
racial injustice. The effort marks a major increase in the changed our processes to get money out more quickly,
foundation’s grantmaking and other spending, as well as changed our entire plan for last year.”
new monies for endowed funds. With most of its typical grantmaking for the year done
As part of Stepping Forward, the foundation has by mid-2020, the foundation’s leaders knew last summer
launched three new permanent endowments: the Racial and into the fall they had to do something to help area
Equity Fund, the Basic Needs Fund, and the Civic nonprofits that were seeing – and continue to experience – a
Engagement and Awareness Fund. New grantmaking surge in demand amid the pandemic.
priorities will include grants for immediate COVID relief; The foundation typically raises money for an endowment
6 Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021
but, with Stepping Forward, is raising money for current use
as well as the endowment, says Ginsberg.
Of the $26 million needed for the initiative’s
commitment over the next three years, $15 million will mark
an increase over the foundation’s current spending. The
other $11 million is money the foundation is working to add
to its endowment; it has already raised $6 million toward
that goal, according to Ginsberg.
This marks the first time the foundation has sought to
grow its endowment on such a large scale, he says, but
unprecedented times call for such measures.
The pandemic era has undoubtedly been challenging for
many, and need in the community has never been greater,
but Ginsberg believes it also offers new opportunities to
make a difference, noting new ideas and new energy are Fair Haven Community Health Care, a foundation grant
recipient, has adapted to meet extraordinary need
emerging. “We see this as a moment of opportunity,” he during the pandemic by launching new programs.
says. Photo by Karen Nemiah, courtesy of Fair Haven
Community Health Care
Stepping Forward will enable the foundation to support
service providers and change-makers, many of them
minority-led, that may not have had a seat at the table
before, he adds.
THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP foundation raised about $23 million, and ended the year with
While the foundation hopes to make a meaningful impact an endowment of about $720 million.
with Stepping Forward, it won’t do it alone. “It’s a very substantial resource for this community,”
“We’re looking for anyone to join this extraordinary Ginsberg says of the organization, which gave out more than
effort. We don’t look to this Stepping Forward effort as $30 million in grants last year.
a solitary effort; we’re looking to join partners,” says The need for funding has always been great among
Flemming Norcott Jr., chairman of the foundation’s board of nonprofits, he notes, but has grown exponentially since the
directors and retired Connecticut Supreme Court justice. start of the pandemic.
Partner organizations, individuals and donors all will The foundation’s staff and board spent last summer
play integral roles in making the initiative a success, he says. examining COVID’s impact on area nonprofits and assessing
The problems Stepping Forward addresses – systemic racial how the foundation could help. It quickly launched a round
inequality, income disparity, and other deep-seated issues – of COVID-related grantmaking, which benefited small
have been part of our society all along, but the pandemic has organizations that were on the front lines of the pandemic,
amplified the urgency for action, he says. says Ginsberg. It soon became evident that the pandemic
“There’s never going to be enough money to completely was hurting communities of color more than others.
address all the needs and all the issues. We are just the “It [the burden] has been, and continues to fall,
vanguard at a momentous time in this country’s history. If so disproportionately on people of color, certain
we don’t do something, then we’re really in bad shape as a neighborhoods, certain groups,” he says, and the seeds of
country and as a community,” Norcott says. “We’re holding Stepping Forward were planted. The plan, in which the
out our arms in invitation for others to join us.” foundation is borrowing against its endowment in a special
He adds that while this is a new approach for the appropriation, was finalized throughout the summer and fall,
foundation, “we’re not abandoning our traditional role as and was publicly announced in January.
stewards of our donors’ money.” Rather, the focus of the To implement the program, the foundation is working
new initiative is a step beyond what the foundation does and with the volunteer leaders of its Community Fund for
has long stood for. Women & Girls, as well as its Progreso Latino Fund. It’s
Ginsberg says community foundations across the nation also working with its affiliate, the Valley Community
have launched similar efforts – in places like Boston, Foundation, which serves lower Naugatuck Valley, and
Seattle, and Cleveland – because COVID and racial justice United Way of Greater New Haven.
are affecting communities everywhere. “Stepping Forward is very much about everyone in the
community stepping forward in any way they can,” says
MEETING UNPRECEDENTED NEED Ginsberg. “This is a time when advancing racial equity
In a typical year, the foundation, which serves 20 towns seems like something the larger society and people in our
around New Haven, is a grantmaking powerhouse, and that’s own community are invested in. It’s time
PHOTO forIN:everybody to
LEAD
only poised to grow with Stepping Forward. In 2020, the step forward.” Photo caption here.
To learn more about the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
and Stepping Forward, visit cfgnh.org.
Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021 7
G R E ATE R N E W H AV E N
CC OO V I D - 1
MMUNITY FUND
9
A COMMUNITY-WIDE EFFORT
The coronavirus pandemic has caused enormous and unprecedented
challenges in Greater New Haven and across Connecticut. Food and
basic needs, mental health services, employment supports,
housing and childcare have been identified as top critical needs.*
Help our neighbors.
Make a gift at cfgnh.org/covid19fund
*Source: CT NONPROFITS & COVID-19: A Pulse Survey.
The Greater New Haven COVID-19 Community Fund was established on March 20, 2020 by a partnership between
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and United Way of Greater New Haven.
13
8 Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021Say Connected. Say Supported. Say Safe. Accepting ne
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Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021 9HEALTH & WELLNESS
Written by Alix Boyle
Photo courtesy of Middlesex Health
Living Your Best Life
Mi d d l e s e x H e a l t h u n v e i l s a u n i q u e p r o g r a m :
“L i f e s t y l e Me d i c i n e ”
W
hether you’re running a abstaining from smoking, illicit drugs, and using
marathon or trying to make alcohol in moderation is also discussed.
healthy lifestyle choices, Middlesex started the Lifestyle Medicine program
you’re more likely to achieve in November 2019. Group medical appointments are
your goals if you do it with a an underused method of helping more people more
friend. That’s the idea behind effectively, Dr. Gulati says.
the Lifestyle Medicine program at Middlesex Health, “Obesity and diabetes are the conditions putting
the only one of its kind in Connecticut. people at risk for severe COVID-19,” Dr. Gulati
Led by Dr. Mahima Gulati, a board-certified says. “At a body mass index of 28, our risk of severe
endocrinologist who is also the first endocrinologist COVID-19 doubles. That’s twice the risk of someone
in the state to be board certified in lifestyle medicine, who has a BMI of 25 or less. The average American
the program enrolls a group of eight to 10 people for has a BMI of 29. Some 42.7 percent of us are obese
shared medical appointments over a number of weeks, and close to 70 percent of Americans are overweight
determined by the patients’ individual needs. or obese. Diet is critical in the fight against obesity
During the 90-minute sessions, people with and diabetes.”
chronic conditions – like diabetes, high blood Many people are in a rut of eating high-calorie
pressure, and high cholesterol – speak with the doctor foods and don’t eat enough vegetables. Dr. Gulati and
briefly and have their vital signs recorded. They then her team encourage patients to keep an open mind and
come together to learn strategies for improving their tap into their curiosity about new foods.
lifestyles and, in turn, becoming healthier. The group “Before the pandemic, we used to meet face-to-
meets once a month. face in a conference room and try new recipes and
Dr. Gulati explains that in a traditional 15- or taste relatively less consumed foods like tempeh,
20-minute office visit, no doctor can possibly cover all jicama, kale, tofu, parsnips, and chia seeds in our
the aspects of lifestyle that affect chronic disease. But cooking class,” Dr. Gulati says. “We cooked very
if you extend that appointment to 90 minutes, patients simply with a microwave and used paper plates and
will learn much more. disposable cutlery.”
For example, a registered dietician will talk to the However, since the pandemic began early last
group about how to order groceries online and offer year, “we have been meeting over Zoom, which has
tips for using Instacart. The group offers patients an had some advantages. It’s helping people who don’t
opportunity to discuss their obstacles to healthy eating have much social interaction as well as others who
and finding the time and motivation for exercise with can’t take time off work to join the meeting. Overall,
not only their provider or dietitian, but also with one patients love the program. One of our patients, who
another. lost a very significant amount of weight over the last
Sometimes, the agenda includes education about year, told us she was able to successfully divorce
how to get a better night’s sleep, how to reduce stress, her love of butter. Nobody wants to be alone when
and incorporating mindfulness and meditation into making changes. It’s so much easier if you have a
one’s healthy habits. If it’s an issue for the group, supportive team.”
10 Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021Dr. Mahima Gulati
Although the group can’t meet for an in-person of this will be coordinated on Zoom. Everyone will
cooking lesson, the participants asked to do a virtual get to create a healthy recipe while interacting and
teaching kitchen. Dr. Gulati and two dieticians will exchanging notes virtually, and they will then be able
PHOTO LEAD IN:
conduct this virtual cooking demonstration soon, to enjoy their healthy, colorfulPhoto
salads.
caption here.
and prepare a nutritious salad in their offices with “With culinary medicine, we don’t have to
some wholesome ingredients while the patients compromise taste,” Dr. Gulati says. “Healthy food
simultaneously make the same meal at home. All can be unapologetically delicious.”
Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021 11Dr. Gulati describes her own diet as nearly 100 She adds, “There’s also a crisis of isolation and
percent plant based. She accomplishes her goals by meal loneliness during the pandemic. Everyone is swamped
prepping and planning. Breakfast is typically fruit and with childcare, and elderly people are looking to talk;
Ezekiel bread with a dab of walnut butter, along with it’s a big outlet for people. We have a member in her 80s
green tea or black tea with a splash of soy milk. Lunch, who is like a grandmother to us all. We love her because
often on the run, might be hummus with almonds or a she is supportive.”
salad with berries and greens like spinach or kale. She Diet and exercise are the obvious lifestyle factors
sips green tea throughout the day. Dinner, the main that account for lower numbers on the scale and
meal of the day, consists of a salad with a rainbow of favorable results in tests of blood pressure, glucose, and
veggies that might include beets, tomatoes, eggplant, and cholesterol. But what about sleep? Stress?
cucumbers, along with a nice, large bean soup. Dessert is “Most people underrate sleep hygiene,” Dr. Gulati
a sweet potato topped with dates and nuts or some dark says. “The eight hours of sleep at night really set the
chocolate. stage for the remaining 16 hours of the day. One study
“I’ve really tried to cut back on added sugar, so I showed that if people suffered sleep deprivation, their
substitute dried fruit,” she says. “I try to exercise most glucose tests became abnormal within less than a week.
days. I recently got a fitness tracker and try to keep up Sleep is critical. In 2019, the World Health Organization
with friends. Sometimes I’ll just do basic planks or a declared night shift work as a group 2A (“probable”)
seven- to 10-minute workout. I like to run on trails in the carcinogen. In other words, people who don’t sleep
summer. With full-time work and kids, it’s not easy.” enough have a high risk of cancer. You’re not letting the
Does she ever eat junk food? “Absolutely! I’m body do what it was meant to do.”
human, and no human is 100 percent perfect,” she Stress is another topic in the Lifestyle Medicine
admits. “What helps me stay on track, though, is my
group. More than 50 percent of all medical office visits
group of Lifestyle Medicine friends, who I text routinely.
are related to stress, Dr. Gulati says.
We all stay accountable to each other in terms of our
“Stress is killing the world,” she says. “In modern
diets and exercise. So, no one strays from their good
times, we have forgotten how to respond to stress. Kids
habits for weeks on end.”
who are inundated with social media show rising rates of
Physical activity is another big topic for the Lifestyle
depression.”
Medicine group appointments. Patients are asked to
To counteract stress, Dr. Gulati recommends learning
set SMART goals. The acronym stands for specific,
to meditate, spending time in nature, and switching off
measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound.
screens. Nurturing friendships and building solid, high
During meetings, Dr. Gulati, or a dietitian, leads the
group in seven minutes of movement. During the rest of quality relationships with other people at our workplaces,
the week, patients plan their own exercise routines, even in neighborhoods, and in our community at large will
if that just means starting out with a 10-minute walk each help stem loneliness, another 21st century pandemic.
day. Joining a Lifestyle Medicine group that meets on Zoom
Like any medical appointment, meetings of the is one way to connect and meet new, like-minded people.
Lifestyle Medicine group are covered by insurance and Dr. Gulati was drawn to Lifestyle Medicine as a way
the meetings are entirely confidential. And just being in of taking care of herself and her family. She compares
the group provides social accountability for its members. it to “putting my own oxygen mask on first. A lot of
Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to sign up. People healthcare professionals are prone to stress and burnout,
from all over the state join because there’s nothing like it and need to take the time to connect.”
anywhere else. And it’s never too late to make a change. “Life is
The American Board of Lifestyle Medicine launched about beginning again. No matter how many years you
in 2017, and Dr. Gulati became board certified in 2018. have been stuck, you can always begin again,” she says.
She was among the first few endocrinologists in the “If you haven’t exercised in a year, you can always begin
entire country to be board certified in this subspecialty. again. That’s the whole point of Lifestyle Medicine. To
“We get referrals from people who looked us up begin fresh in this moment.”
online from as far as 60 miles away,” Dr. Gulati says.
“People want this. They don’t like to take expensive Alix Boyle writes about health and home and real estate
drugs. People want to get off drugs because they might from her home on the Connecticut shoreline. The natural
get side effects like fatigue, headaches, moodiness, and beauty of the shoreline makes her feel like she’s on
poor sleep.” vacation every day.
12 Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021100
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Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021 13A Personal Touch
C h e ls e a G r o to n B a n k k e e p s in n o v a tin g
in a n in c r e a s in g ly v ir tu a l w o r ld .
By JAMES BATTAGLIO
T
he unprecedented 2020 was “an interesting mortgages that Chelsea
year,” during which Chelsea Groton Bank’s Groton writes, involving
handling of customer accounts “played into our either purchasing or
successes,” says Matt Morrell, Vice President, refinancing. And, these
Retail Lending Manager at Chelsea Groton days, they’re performing
Bank. most of those services
The Bank’s mortgage and refinancing pipeline quadrupled remotely.
between the first and second quarter, setting a record for the
volume of loans applied for and closed. ADAPTING TO MEET
When the pandemic hit in March 2020, interest rates CUSTOMER NEEDS
dropped significantly, “literally overnight,” sparking an One key to the Bank’s
“incredible refinance boom.” success is that over the
If owning a home is considered the American dream, then past couple of years, long
Chelsea Groton Bank made more customer dreams come true before the pandemic,
in 2020 than at any other time in the Bank’s l67-year history. Chelsea Groton began the
“We closed more than 900 first mortgage loans in 2020, MATT MORRELL enormous undertaking
and more than 150 of those were to first-time homebuyers,” he VICE PRESIDENT,
of converting most of its
RETAIL LENDING MANAGER
says. back office and customer
Traditionally, the Christmas and New Year’s season is a services to the realm. The
slower time for the mortgage market, Morrell says, but the goal was to meet the customer when, where, and how they want
phenomenon that began last March continued throughout last to bank, incorporating everything from remote workstations
year and is still the same today. and loan processing to video banking ATMs.
Here’s what’s happening: inventory, in terms of available “That foresight and the groundwork the Bank laid in
homes, has been low over the past few years. As a result, advance made it relatively easy to pivot when needed. It
people have had to bid on more than one home, after losing enabled us to make the transition to remote banking literally
their choices to competition, Morrell explains. “That adds to overnight,” Morrell says. “Appraisals are still on site and
the volume of pressure on any lender whenever there’s a tight closings are still in person, but beyond that, the Bank is capable
housing market, as there is now.” of handling 100 percent of the mortgage process remotely.”
Morrell’s team is responsible for many of the residential He’s quick to add that during COVID, the processes of in-
14 Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021person appraisals and closings present their own challenges; as well as our ability to pivot to working remotely, resulted
many people are anxious about having an appraiser come to a in our team being able to meet the local demand and help
property in the midst of the pandemic and having a physical homebuyers.”
presence at closings. His team was also busier than usual last year because
“Chelsea Groton had already implemented remote services, many people from other states flocked to Connecticut amid the
but there was a bit of a learning curve from the customer side,” pandemic, looking to move or to purchase a second home with
says Morrell. “Community bank customers historically enjoy cash in hand. This resulted in home bidding wars on a daily
the opportunity to do face-to-face banking – that’s always been basis from summer through fall.
part of our mission. Therefore, from a customer standpoint, we “I had a local customer who needed a bigger home. The
found that many of them had to adapt [to remote servicing]. couple lost out on four homes to out-of-state buyers before
But from Chelsea Groton’s standpoint, these were systems we being able to purchase a home,” he says. And while this cycle
were well-versed in and were using – just not as a requirement seems to have slightly tapered off, there is still potential for a
prior to COVID.” value problem as a result, as people have been bidding higher
These days, Video Banking ATMs are taking the place than the asking prices of homes.
of ATMs, and the Bank’s first-time homebuyer seminars are “We lived through this same process in 2005, 2007, and in
taking place via Zoom, which has made them even more the mid-1990s, where houses became over-inflated,” Morrell
popular. cautions. Later, when a homeowner wanted to downsize for
In a typical day, Morrell gets a fair number of virtual calls any reason, “they found their home was not valued at what
from consumers questioning mortgage documents. He shows they paid.” He adds that there are mortgage programs designed
clients the documents via a shared view on his monitor, always to help hedge some of the dangers of over-paying for homes
careful to explain that these two-way virtual conversations are that, in years to come, may not be worth what the buyer paid.
exactly the same discussions that would normally be held in The pandemic has other negative effects on the
person. Feedback from clients has been positive. homebuying market as well, Morrell notes.
“I’ve found our new processes to be energizing,” Morrell “Obviously, some people have lost their jobs, and the
says. “After 24 years of community banking, I was used to criteria under which banks underwrite mortgages have become
the in-person sessions with customers, so I initially feared a lot less stable,” he says. “A good example is the impact the
losing the personal touch with them. But with the Zoom calls, pandemic had on vulnerable industries that had to furlough
I can still see our customers’ facial expressions, still see them employees. In many cases, the jobs were not permanently lost,
smile and laugh, and it’s just as good as sitting with them. So but getting furloughed affects buyers’ ability to borrow money,
it really hasn’t been the detriment I feared it might be in the due to the impact on their income. Until the economy is stable
beginning.” again, individual homebuyers are affected, in terms of what
The Bank is proud to have bilingual mortgage lenders on one can afford to buy. All the proper steps they had taken are
the team to assist Spanish speakers with obtaining a loan. In now looking very different. That’s heartbreaking to a lender as
addition, Chelsea Groton partners with an outside interpreter well as to the potential homebuyer.”
service agency that helps the Bank work with customers who Chelsea Groton has continued its longstanding tradition of
would prefer to have conversations in one of the 240 different philanthropy in these unprecedented times. The Bank and its
languages available through that agency. Foundation provided more grant money in 2020 than it ever
“It’s been a great service for both our [Spanish speaking] had before – more than $1 million to nonprofit organizations in
customers and for lenders in the Bank who need help with Connecticut and Rhode Island.
other customers,” he says. “I can’t imagine being someone “The whole world has changed dramatically and is very
who struggles with the national language having to deal with different for different people,” Morrell says, and the Bank
the complexities of what we do – getting a mortgage and continually strives to make the best of a difficult situation by
buying a house. It’s got to be a challenge on so many levels. helping people in innovative ways.
I’m sure there are many people who start the process but don’t “When we wake up every morning, that’s our charge,” he
see it through because of these challenges.” says. “I’m really proud of an institution of our size, to have
done it as well as we have. That took foresight long before
COMMITTED TO THE COMMUNITY anyone imagined there would be a COVID pandemic.”
Chelsea Groton currently is processing 212 loans, but that
figure doesn’t actually reflect exactly how busy Morrell and
his team are, particularly when one factors in the number of
conversations that loan officers have with each customer. The
number of loans had been as high as 400 at any given time in
2020. Morrell says that, for a bank of its size, “that’s an awful
lot of processing, but our team’s commitment and experience,
PHOTO LEAD IN:
Photo caption here.
About Chelsea Groton Bank
Based in Groton, Conn., Chelsea Groton Bank is a full-service mutually owned bank with over $1.4 billion in assets. Chelsea Groton Bank’s products and
services include consumer banking, business banking, mortgage and business lending, cash management, financial planning, and financial education
programming. With 14 branch locations throughout New London County and a Loan Production Office in Hartford County, Chelsea Groton Bank also
provides online and mobile banking, 24-hour telephone banking, and nationwide ATM banking for individuals, families, and businesses. To learn more,
please visit chelseagroton.com. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS Institution ID 402928.
Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021 15*Photos are of our installations
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16 Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021SPONSORED CONTENT
Riding the Wave
How to best navigate this wildly changing real estate landscape
By TERESA M. PELHAM
H
ome prices are up. Interest home doesn’t appraise at the purchase with them. I also work very hard to
rates are down. And today’s price are all ways to set your offer apart educate my clients about the market
uber-competitive seller’s from the rest. I also help sellers figure and what to expect, and really try to
market means the rules have out creative ways to purchase a home get them to a place where they’re
changed. That’s where Dawn Gagliardi, without it being contingent on selling ready to jump as soon as they see a
a licensed Realtor with The Corrado their current home, such as taking out home they love. This includes making
Group in South Windsor and West a home equity line of credit (HELOC) sure they’re fully pre-approved with
Hartford, comes in. Here, she offers or bringing a larger amount of cash to one of my preferred local lenders,
some advice for buyers and sellers alike: the closing. All of this, combined with getting their paperwork in order ahead
of time, and having them check out
neighborhoods and towns in the very
beginning stages so they know exactly
what areas they want to be looking in.
All of this, combined with my extensive
knowledge of different markets in
Connecticut, have helped me get my
clients into their new homes quickly
and with as little stress as possible.
Q: Do you think more people will be
comfortable listing their houses once
we can see the end of the pandemic?
A: I don’t know how long it will be
until things go back to “normal,” but I
absolutely see more and more sellers
feeling comfortable with the idea of
listing their homes and having potential
buyers and agents coming in and out.
Historically, spring has always been
the hottest time to sell your home for
Q: How do you advise sellers who working with a respected and well-liked many reasons: the weather getting
know that once they sell their home, Realtor like me, is key to getting your nicer, the days getting longer, and just
they might have trouble finding offer accepted in this market. a general desire for change that comes
another property? this time of year. But especially now,
A: Despite this crazy market, I’ve Q: How do you balance home life after everyone has been cooped up for
still been able to find great homes with work life as a Realtor? It must most of 2020, I think this spring market
for my sellers. Right now is such an be tough since people often want will be busier than ever, with so many
amazing time to sell and get the most to see houses at dinnertime and sellers deciding now is the time to make
money possible for your home, but on weekends. the change and get top dollar for their
it’s challenging because the interest A: Being a wife and mom of two girls homes. Realtors have really been able
rates are so low and many people are under the age of 5 as well as a full-time to adjust to the needs of clients in this
looking to purchase, and there’s limited Realtor definitely has its challenges. trying time and have implemented
inventory. When working with sellers My weekends are always packed with safety precautions (such as mandatory
who also need to buy, I make sure that showings and listing appointments, masks, booties, and gloves at showings),
I set the expectation that every home so I’m really lucky to have a super which has kept both buyers and
is going over asking price with multiple supportive husband and amazing sellers safe.
offers, so they have to be prepared to parents/in-laws who always step in and
come in with a very strong purchase help with the kids. I also have the most
price. But besides just price, many amazing clients who realize that eating
sellers are looking at the terms of the dinner with my kids and being able to
incoming offers. put them both to bed most nights is
very important to me, and they respect
Q: What can buyers do to present a my family time. That being said, if a
more favorable offer, given that so client really needs me or a deal is on
many people are often competing for the line, my family understands that
the same house? Mommy has to hustle for her clients.
A: As I mentioned, focusing on the
terms of the offer in addition to the Q: Are you spending a lot more time
price is really key in getting offers with buyers these days because
Call today for a free consultation
accepted when there are multiple they’re not as likely to get a house
offers. Things like purchasing “as-is,” when multiple offers come in? or market analysis.
Coldwell Banker / The Corrado Group
having flexibility with closing dates, A: My track record of getting my buyers’
putting down large deposits, and offers accepted is really solid, so I’m not Dawn Gagliardi
offering to cover the difference if the spending any more time than usual 860.644.2461Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021 19
FEATURE
Space Invaders In v a s iv e p la n ts a n d in s e c ts h a v e
t a k e n u p r e s i d e n c e i n t h e Nu t m e g St a t e
By JOEL SAMBERG
Y
ou may not be in love with Which is precisely why Bray and other
pitch pine trees, with their Connecticut researchers urge the rest of us
weirdly curved trunks, to report sightings of insects and plants that
twisted branches, and needles we may not have seen before. No one wants
that can only be described as the Constitution State to become the Invasive
messy clumps. On the other hand, they are State.
inoffensive, part of Connecticut’s rich natural Currently, there are about a hundred
environment – and happen to be in grave relatively new invasive plant species and
danger because of a newly invasive insect in just under a dozen from the insect world
our state called the southern pine beetle. here in Connecticut. We’re already dealing
Armies of southern with climate change, global warming, the
pine beetles are capable need for cleaner energy, and other social
of destroying pitch pine and environmental concerns, so taking on
trees. the responsibility to be “invasive detectives”
“Given the high may be a bit of a tall order for the average
number of beetles citizen, considering that few of us have either
collected last fall, and the time or training to do it well. But if we
the relatively mild care about the aesthetics of our gardens and
winter, we’re expecting parks, and the health of our birds and bees,
a higher population of then at the very least we should remain aware
southern pine beetles and contact the right people when we suspect
this spring,” reports
something is amiss.
UNDER ATTACK: This pitch pine tree, Alicia Bray, an associate
For example, pitch pine trees have
which has been invaded by southern professor of biology at Central Connecticut
an ability to ooze resin in a not-always-
pine beetles (Dendroctonus frontalis
State University, and one of dozens of
Zimmerman), oozes resin in an often successful effort to entangle the nasty insects
professionals who track and study invasive
futile attempt to surround the deadly before they lay their eggs. So if you want to
pests before they lay their eggs. plants and animals across the state.
help protect our pitch pine population, go out
Photograph by James R. Meeker of “When their populations are high, they are
and look for some resin globs, which look a
the Florida Department of Agriculture
capable of mass attacking healthy pine trees,
and Consumer Service, USDA Forest bit like popcorn.
overwhelming their defenses, and causing
Service.
Just what makes a species invasive? In
their death. What’s more,” she adds, “they
Connecticut, these are plants that are not
have the potential to also attack the red pine
and the scotch pine, which could have a native to the state and have the potential
devastating effect on native animals that use for widespread dispersion and growth. For
these trees for food and habitat.” insects, while there are no official criteria,
it’s basically a bug that is non-native, is
20 Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021making its way around, and most of Spotted Wing Drosophila. This pest
all has potential to cause ecological or was first identified in 2011 by Richard
economic harm. Cowles, an entomologist with the
By and large, plants in our own Connecticut Agricultural Experiment
gardens, parks, and walkways are fairly Station (CAES) in New Haven.
easy to keep an eye on, and even remove. “Colleagues subsequently detected its
With insects, it’s a different story. For arrival a few weeks later in northern
one thing, even in our own yards and New England, coinciding with Hurricane
greenways, we can’t just tell them to Irene,” Cowles explains. “The winds
leave. For another, we have to be careful undoubtedly blew these tiny flies along
what we try to annihilate because, on the coast.”
balance, insects are very important to our It took just three years for the spotted
ecosystem. We don’t want to upset or wing drosophila to invade growing
inadvertently destroy the good ones! regions across America. It has impacted
the ability of farmers to successfully
INTERESTING INSECTS grow fruit, especially raspberries,
Many insects provide nourishment for blueberries, strawberries, and peaches.
our own food sources, pollinate trees, Unlike similar fruit fly varieties, this
and return nutrients to the soil when one, which originated in East Asia, can
they break down dead and decaying lay eggs inside fresh fruit, and it takes
material. The Connecticut Science Center just a few days for the fruit’s skin to
in Hartford is even devoting an entire wrinkle and crater. Uncontrolled, the
week to the ubiquitous little creatures spotted wing drosophila can destroy at
from July 21-28, while UConn Extension least 80 percent of a single harvest.
hosts its sixth annual Bug Month event,
virtually, in the same month. Spotted Lanternfly. This is our newest
Given that more than half of all life invasive insect, though its population
on Earth is comprised of insects, it’s no is still relatively small. “It can have
surprise that from time to time a species devastating effects on our fruit crops,”
or two invades our own little corner of warns Alicia Bray. The adult spotted
the planet. Here’s some data about a few lanternfly is about an inch long and
of the more egregious. has large, multicolored wings, with
black spots. It is native to China, India,
Emerald Ash Borer. According to state and Vietnam. Entomologists call it a
researchers, this worrisome species was “hitchhiking bug” that lays eggs almost
found in Connecticut in 2012, and has anywhere during its travels, including on
since spread to all towns in the state, patio furniture and cars.
killing ash trees in its wake. Aptly
named, this green beetle produces larvae Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. The hemlock
that feed on the inner bark of ash trees, woolly adelgid, which is native to Asia,
impacting the flow of nutrients needed is an invasive, aphid-like insect that
to keep the tree alive. Experts say it attacks North American hemlocks.
probably made its way here on ships These little bugs can take advantage of
and airplanes carrying wood packing the two species of hemlock trees found
material. So far, it has killed hundreds of on the East Coast because the trees have
millions of ash trees in North America. not evolved any defenses against them.
“The basic approach taken by “Hemlock trees can grow up to 140 feet
biologists is early detection,” shares tall,” Cowles says, “but can be killed in a
James Cowen, a soil and wetland few years by an abundance of these one-
scientist in North Stonington. “Can we millimeter-long insects.”
control it and limit its spread?” Researchers say the hemlock woolly
Cowen doesn’t provide a definitive adelgid probably made its way here from
BRUTAL BEETLES: These pitch pines in
answer to his own rhetorical question, Connecticut have been invaded by the southern
botanical specimens planted in Virginia
which merely emphasizes its seriousness. pine beetle, which is native to the southern U.S., 70 years ago. Hemlock trees typically
The loss of ash trees reduces vital habitat Mexico, and Central America. Mature beetles are provide habitat for many other species,
and allows undesirable invasive plants to dark reddish-brown, with slightly lighter wings. so the dispersal of these particular
Photos courtesy of Alicia Bray, associate biology
fill the gap. professor at Central Connecticut State University. adelgids has dramatically affected the
ecology of forests where hemlocks
Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021 21used to be abundant. What’s more, they
Turn ‘em in!
remain inactive for much of the growing
season and attach themselves to hosts in
the colder months – when no one really
wants to be outside looking for them. So you want to report an Emerald Ash Borer or Common Mugwort, or
The insects mentioned here represent find out more about them? Here are some places you can turn to:
just the tip of the invasive bug iceberg in Many towns have land trusts – nonprofit organizations that own and manage
Connecticut. There are dozens more. land and work toward the protection and conservation of natural resources. You
can find a partial listing here: www.ctconservation.org/findalandtrust.
The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (https://cipwg.uconn.edu) has
PESKY PLANTS
been sharing information for 25 years about invasive plants affecting Connecticut
Not to be outdone, there are 97 individual
lands. Membership includes state, federal, and local researchers, gardeners,
species of invasive or potentially growers, educators, and concerned residents.
invasive plants in the state, most of The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (https://portal.ct.gov/CAES),
which are prohibited to be bought, sold, established in 1875, was the first of its kind in America and today is a state agency
transplanted, or cultivated here. The chartered to investigate plants, insects, soil, and water. It has several satellites,
invasive ones include: including the Insect Information Office in New Haven, the Valley Laboratory
Information and Diagnostic Office in Windsor, and subgroups for invasive aquatic
Phragmites. Also known as the common plants, mosquito surveillance, plant disease information, and tick testing.
reed, phragmites first came to America in The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, or
the early 19th Century – as seeds hidden DEEP (https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP) works toward conserving, improving, and
protecting our environment and natural resources. It was created in 2011 with the
in the soil used for ballast in ocean-
consolidation of several state and local agencies.
crossing ships. Once here, phragmites
The Connecticut Entomological Society (www.ctentsoc.org) was founded in
developed into an aggressive perennial 1949 as the New Haven Entomological Society, and today promotes the study of
wetland grass that easily overtakes native insects statewide by encouraging the exchange of ideas and experiences among
plants and displaces native animals. It its members and the public.
has fluffy seed-heads, which makes these UConn Extension (https://cahnr.uconn.edu/extension), part of the university’s
reeds exceedingly easy to see. But that College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, works on dozens of
doesn’t mean they’re easy to control. environmental, health, and societal issues with partners across the state.
They’re not. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health (www.invasive.org) lists
information on, and pictures of, Connecticut’s invasive plants and noxious weeds at:
Japanese Barberry. This is an attractive www.invasive.org/search/action.cfm?q=connecticut.
National Invasive Species Information Center (www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov),
species with many cultivated varieties
part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, bills itself as “the gateway to invasive
often used in landscape design. It is
species information, covering federal, state, local and international sources.”
adorned with yellow flowers in early
spring, and pretty green or burgundy
leaves. Birds eat their tiny red fruits.
“It is also a very adaptable shrub that
grows well in everything from full sun consulting business that deals with other tick-borne diseases.” The plant is
to dense shade,” says Todd Mervosh, a invasive plants. invasive but not prohibited.
scientist formerly with the Connecticut “The problem, however, is that Native to China and Japan, the
Agricultural Experiment Station in barberry thickets have been found to Japanese barberry was introduced to U.S.
Windsor, who now runs TM Agricultural harbor higher populations of ticks, gardens as an ornamental shrub a century
& Ecological Services, a Suffield-based which leads to greater risk of Lyme and and a half ago. “In addition to the tick
issue,” Cowles adds, “it outcompetes
other shrubs, and the spines on its twigs
prevent browsing by deer. That’s how it’s
able to take over.”
Common Mugwort and Tansy
Ragwort. These are two other bad actors
on the invasive plant stage that many
Connecticut botanists put on their short
list of troublesome plants. The common
mugwort, which is invasive but not
prohibited, is particularly pesky because
it is able to grow well in nutrient-poor
soil. But the tansy ragwort, a biennial
Tansy Ragwort wildflower, can be far more problematic
because of its effects on people and
22 Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021his house was a 10-acre farm and says he
was always fascinated by the crops and
the weeds growing there.
As for James Cowen, because of the
questions he asked in class, his eighth-
grade science teacher predicted that he
would become an entomologist when he
Mile-a-Minute Vine grew up.
And Charlotte Pyle became involved
in botany when she interned years ago
at Tahoe National Forest in California,
where her job was to document rare plant
locations. “It was almost like playing
detective,” she recalls.
We may never know as much as these
folks. But learning more about invasive
animals. “It’s toxic when eaten by some Michigan University; I needed to take an species will help in efforts to protect our
livestock or incorporated into human entomology course to graduate, and I was homes, gardens, roads, and parks. We
foods,” says Charlotte Pyle, co-chair of hooked. I can discover something new can’t do exactly what they do, but at the
the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working about insects every day of my life and very least we can fire off an email each
Group. That ill-fated detail may be why still not know a fraction of what there is time we see a Stinking Willie.
this plant is often referred to as a Stinking to know,” she says.
Willie. Todd Mervosh’s interest in plants Joel Samberg is a Connecticut-based
started as a child, helping his parents journalist, author, and playwright.
Mile-a-Minute Vine. Experts say this plant in their vegetable garden. Behind
fairly recent arrival can grow six inches
per day. Native to East Asia, it seems
to have arrived in Pennsylvania in the
1940s. “They spread like cobwebs over
trees, are unsightly, and are unfriendly to There’s
people and to the natural wildlife that did an app
not evolve with them,” Cowen explains. for that!
That means that wildlife is unable to eat
or use them in any way.
These vines not only grow as if they’re
being filmed by stop-action photography,
but they also kill native trees by shading
them out, and they weave themselves
into wavey coverings that hinder natural
regeneration and seeding, like a nasty
invasive blanket. iNaturalist, publi
shed by the Natio
Society and the nal Geographic
California Academ
helps adults conn y of Sciences,
WATCHFUL EYES 750,000 scientist
ect with a comm
unity of more tha
n
Residents owe a debt of gratitude to the
s and naturalists.
sharing their ob By recording an
servations, visito d
entomologists, botanists, agronomists, and app users ca rs to the website
n offer research
scientists who are -quality data to
and other scientists who keep their eyes It’s easy! There
working to protec
are just three ste
t nature.
open on our behalf. They take their 1. Find wildlife –
it can be any pla
ps:
nt, animal, fungi,
responsibilities seriously – and have been
slime mold, or ev
idence of life fou
2. Take pictures nd in the wild
– be sure to note
doing so since their careers began. 3. Share observa
tions – upload yo
the location
Richard Cowles, for example, grew iNaturalist ur findings to
up in a family of horticulturists and For instructions,
visit
www.inaturalist.
has several degrees from Cornell and org/pages/getting
+started.
Michigan State in entomology. He There’s also a kid
-friendly version
iNaturalist, that let , Seek by
worked for the CAES for 26 years. recognition techn
s children and fam
ilies use image
Alicia Bray at CCSU says she truly
ology to identify
and even earn ba plants and anim
dges in the proce als,
enjoys learning about insects, the most
is needed and no ss. No registrati
user data is collec on
at www.inaturali ted. Learn more
diverse and abundant group of animals on st.org/pages/see
k_app
the planet. “My interest began at Eastern
Seasons Magazines • SPRING 2021 23You can also read
