Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Bessie has been an exceptional Health Care Provider. She takes such pride in her work and truly cares about the people she is in contact with. She is dedicated, diligent, and is devoted to her job assignment. She not only takes care of my Mom, but she goes above and beyond her call of duty. Bessie has a unique ability to connect with every person she meets. No day goes by that my Mom is not pampered. Bessie make sure she's always comfortable. She makes exceptional meals for her 3 times a day, cleans her clothes, gives her showers, washes her hair and makes her look amazing every single day. Bessie is so beneficial to our family we can't imagine our family without her. I myself and my family members could never do what she does for our Mom. She has been with my mom and our family for almost 1 year and we don't know what we would do without her, she truly is a gift from God. She not only takes care of my Mom daily, nightly and weekly, she also takes care of her personal life and whatever life throws at her. She is a devoted caretaker and should be recognized with the utmost respect. Her dedication to improving the health and well-being of my Mom is commendable. You can't find anyone as special as she. Her life commitment has touched our lives through her delivery of exceptional care in a compassionate, respectful, and safe manner on a daily basis. She has become a member of our family and she has shown us the meaning of adaptability. Her strong faith in God, Forgiveness, and Believing in each other makes her the great person that she is. On behalf of our family, we would like to thank you for the extraordinary care and services your company has provided to us. Thank you for all you do”

Debra T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a few hours a week, they were very thorough in asking about my mother's condition, and what were the needs that were required. It's more like bathing, medication, and companionship. We used them for about a week.”

Anita
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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of Always Best Care for the outstanding service you have provided for our parents. ABC provided professional, first-class support that allowed our parents to remain in their home while relieving of us of concern for their care and is something we will never forget. You can be sure we will happily refer any family member or friend that is seeking care at home to Always Best Care.”

Madison R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at home assisted by the caregivers from your company Always Best Care of Greater Bristol. This letter is a personal thank you from my father and the entire Ceuch family on how your caregivers treated and attended to my father during this time. The caregivers became part of our extended family who shared in countless family events resulting in beautiful lasting memories. Caregivers Frances Boateng, Jeremy Turner, and Yanice Hernandez were awesome in their care of my father. I want to especially acknowledge Francis as a person who went above and beyond his responsibility and became part of the Ceuch inner circle. It was not uncommon for Francis on his off days to stop by during a family picnic to say hello...he is truly loved by my father. Again, I want to thank you for the loving care your caregivers provided my father. I would highly recommend your company to anyone interested in having a caregiver attend to a loved one. Thanks again”

Gregory C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for my step father, Daryl. It's unbelievable how the progression of his illness happened so quickly, however, Always Best Care was always ready to provide the level of care he needed as it increased. Most importantly, I'd like to thank his aide, Sue Malasics. She was wonderful to Daryl and took great care of his needs. I knew I did not have to worry with Sue there with him. She was always cooking wonderful homemade meals and desserts and I was happy to see how happy she made Daryl. I think she is a wonderful asset to Always Best Care. Should I know of anyone needing help in the future, I would recommend Always Best Care and Sue Malasics.”

Milissa K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure. My mother was also very demanding about her care and who she would allow into her home. After several attempts with various in-home care agencies my mother really responded well to Always Best Care Senior Services of Greater Bristol and we cant thank them enough for the high level of compassionate care they were able to provide during my moms final months.”

Liam C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”

Dorothy W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal care assistant until placement in a quality skilled nursing facility became available. We reached out to home health care agencies in her local area but, by this point, had already worked with several agencies for med reminders for Barbara (and 24/7 care for our Mom in another area of CT) and were a bit skeptical that that we’d find one that could provide consistent quality of care.When I spoke with Rick Downey of Always Best Care Senior Services in Bristol, he conveyed both confidence in his knowledge of health care and empathy in understanding the frustrations that families experience when seeking quality care for their loved ones. We were next contacted by their care coordinator,Heather Kozikowski, who came to our sister’s home to conduct an assessment and further explain the services offered by Always Best Care.A further testament to the exceptional quality of Always Best Care is the service and care we’ve received after Barbara is no longer a client; our thanks to Always Best Care for the excellent care of our sister, and the peace-of-mind it afforded our family knowing that she was in such kind and competent hands!”

Susan W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary caregiver for my husbamd/ My husband suffers from dementia and is aphasic. On a Saturday morning in October of 2015, a sudden change in my health required an emergent hospitilization, which late resulted in an extensive rehabilitation stay. Upon my hospitalization, my son reached out to Always Best Care Senior Services of greater Bristol. The Always Best Care team assessed my husband, his needs, and had his care staffed within hours of my son's call. The care provided to my husband has been exceptional. The caregivers as well as the office staff have been attentive to our needs and have met all of our expectations. I would highly recommend Always Best Care to you and anyone who is in need of care for their loved one.”

Pope A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company, Always Best Care, offered our family and especially the caring, loving attitude that Amber and Natalie displayed to Carol at all times. They were outstanding and you should be proud to place them in any situation with the full expectation they will represent your firm in a most professional manner. Thanks again for all your help.”

Kevin N.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”

Dorothy29
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TESTIMONIALS

“Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of care will be recommended to others. You went above and beyond what was expected.”

Caring5863
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TESTIMONIALS

“I have a very good providers from this Company”

elizabeth S.
 In-Home Care Watertown, CT

How does In-home Senior Care in Watertown, CT work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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 Senior Care Watertown, CT

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

Comfort
Comfort

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them? A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Watertown, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors. Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

Independence
Independence

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like an assisted living community. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care in Watertown, CT gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.


Respite Care Watertown, CT

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Watertown,CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

 Caregivers Watertown, CT

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

An assessment of your senior loved one

01

An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

02

Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

03

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

Latest News in Watertown, CT

DEEP advises drivers to watch for moose

Moose can pose a serious threat to public safety by wandering into roadways.Credit: Paul J.Fusco/CT DEEP Wildlife DivisionCONNECTICUT, USA — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is asking drivers to use caution as moose are being spotted in the areas of Routes 63 and 73 in Watertown, within five miles of Interstate 84 and Route 8.Although Connecticut's moose population is about 100 animals, DEEP said they can pose a serious threat to public safety by wandering into roadways....

Moose can pose a serious threat to public safety by wandering into roadways.

Credit: Paul J.Fusco/CT DEEP Wildlife Division

CONNECTICUT, USA — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is asking drivers to use caution as moose are being spotted in the areas of Routes 63 and 73 in Watertown, within five miles of Interstate 84 and Route 8.

Although Connecticut's moose population is about 100 animals, DEEP said they can pose a serious threat to public safety by wandering into roadways.

During this time of year, young moose may be dispersing long distances in search of new areas to occupy, making them more of a public safety concern.

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DEEP said they are urging drivers to be aware during this seasonal period of activity to slow down and drive defensively should a large animal, such as a moose, be spotted on or by the road.

Because moose are darker in color, stand much higher than deer, and are most active at dusk and dawn, observing reflective eye shine from headlights is infrequent and, when struck, moose often end up impacting car windshields.

When checking the road for moose at night, look higher than you normally would for deer and reduce the speed of your vehicle.

DEEP said that moose can feel threatened and become aggressive. They also may demonstrate unpredictable behavior if they wander into populated areas. Moose should not be approached under any circumstances.

More information is on the DEEP at Moose (ct.gov).

If you see a moose in close proximity to a major roadway such as I-91, I-84, or I-95, please report the sighting to DEEP Emergency Dispatch at 860-424-3333. General moose sightings in other areas can be reported to DEEP’s online sighting report database.

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Tapping multiple cuisines, Watertown’s Local 63 does New American cuisine right

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateHungry, and having gotten lost — yet again — it’s a dry, frigid night when I arrive at The Local 63 in Watertown. I’d been poking up and down the All-American Valley for most of February, dodging through speeding Route 8 traffic and hilly back roads looming above riverbanks to find a place which exemplifies coming in from the cold.It didn’t need to be a fine-dining s...

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Hungry, and having gotten lost — yet again — it’s a dry, frigid night when I arrive at The Local 63 in Watertown. I’d been poking up and down the All-American Valley for most of February, dodging through speeding Route 8 traffic and hilly back roads looming above riverbanks to find a place which exemplifies coming in from the cold.

It didn’t need to be a fine-dining slam dunk, or a low-beamed and crackling-fire New England inn, the sort where once-functional hitching posts with rusted iron rings are now lost in overgrown azaleas. I was wandering, and only sort of lost. Here’s what I found.

Shrugging through the knives of the winter wind and down into a warmly lit little patio (mental note there for a return trip in the summer), the bar and restaurant has a New American-pub feel, with some exposed brick, wooden tabletops, and softly green-painted walls hung with prints showing Watertown’s Main Street of yesteryear.

6 MONTHS FOR 99¢! | Get Our Best Offer of the Year.

A long stretch with a dozen seats demonstrates why “bar” is the first word, but a glance at their online menu is why I made a beeline for this place from the coast. Some of the tables host small groups, and I notice most are laid with a mosaic of plates — everyone seems determined as I am to eat more than one. A good sign.

Another good sign — or, rather, flat screen — hung above the bar shows a beer list curated from Connecticut brands including Brewery Legitimus, Lasting Brass, Back East, Black Hog, and NEBCo on draft. Brewery Legitimus Counter Surfer brown ale shows a color true to name on arrival, with a thick, pillowy head, and an aroma of fresh, crusty bread. The roasty malts of a classic, well-marbled ale wash over the tongue, yet it has a surprisingly light body. It’s a good choice for pairing with a large variety of food, which is exactly what you’ll find here.

A Connecticut native, chef Rich Jurman has been with The Local 63 (so named because Main Street doubles as Route 63) since the beginning, one year ago this month. He and co-owner Jason Wither had previously worked at Rooster Co. in Newington, and developed the idea with the Wither family and Jason’s partner, Lauren Hansen.

“I took this as an opportunity to develop relationships with the local purveyors,” says Jurman, a West Hartford resident. “I’m not trying to go over anyone’s head, or out-technique anybody. I see my way of cooking as a more home-cooking, soulful approach to things.”

To that end, you’ll see a braised lamb melt sandwich on the menu, with pickled vegetables, and provolone. The meat comes from Pete Sepe of Sepe Farm in Sandy Hook (“I love that man,” says Jurman), and a smoked pork Cubano with vivace bambino (“like very fancy Swiss cheese”) sourced from the alliterative Cato Corner Farm in Colchester. Other cheeses on the menu are from another local find, Oakville’s New Curds on the Block. Much of the spring and summer vegetables are sourced from the Farms to Table farmers’ co-op app. “Connecticut and Hudson Valley farms, hyper-seasonal stuff,” says the chef.

Tomatoes and especially hot peppers from Cold Spring Brook Farm in Berlin will start appearing in dishes as the months turn warmer.

I order a dish of hummus with marinated beets, sumac and crispy chickpeas. The kitchen provides a generous portion, easily enough for two or three people to split over drinks or as an appetizer. The beets are piled in small, fragrant dice over the hummus, under a scattered handful of whole, crunchy chickpeas. Flatbread crackers are included for dipping, each topped with sesame and sunflower seeds. Sweet, garlicky, crunchy and smooth, it pushes your mouth’s buttons like a 10-year-old on an elevator.

The menu feels freestyle: gnocchi ricotta sharing space with chicken fried steak, pork and kimchi fried rice, squash soup, and cassoulet — like the chef is experimenting with takes on cultures — yet it seems organized, thoughtful in the arrangements of ingredients and flavors.

“Some of it is finding our space in the neighborhood, what people here like — our staples are here to stay — but others are a rotating, seasonal list of what I can get,” he explains. “I got a load of broccoli rabe with almost no florets that nobody wanted. The stalks became the kimchi in our fried rice.” The kimchi on the menu during my visit had been made from massive, thinly shaved roots of kohlrabi. The menu, then, isn’t scattershot: it’s a creative take on making the best of what’s around, something home chefs have been doing in America for centuries.

“It’s my favorite answer for that age-old question, ‘What’s your favorite thing to cook?’ I don’t stay married to a lot of ideas in my head. You have to approach availability like an episode of Chopped.”

The young restaurant has already done a beer-pairing dinner with Waterbury’s Lasting Brass, and makes several cocktails with the city’s Continuum distillery.

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A small plate of maple bacon sunchokes with lemon mayonnaise catches my eye. “They have a distinct flavor, but they’re so inviting to others, so versatile,” says the chef. “A lot of people ask us, ‘What the [expletive] is a sunchoke?!’ and then they finish the whole plate.” (For the record: a sunchoke — sometimes called a Jerusalem artichoke — is a small tuber, mild and crispy when eaten raw, but with the consistency and snap of a boiled carrot when cooked.)

The little vegetable nuggets burst with flavor on first bite, mixing sweet maple syrup and the slightly citrus-sour mayonnaise with the crunch of more sunchokes, this time in the form of tiny chips. Crumbled bits of bacon bring an almost breakfast-for-dinner vibe to this textural treat and — if you can forgive it for being less than carnivorous — they make for an interesting departure from chicken bites or wings. It will be interesting to see what the self-professed hot sauce-fanatic Jurman does with these during pepper season.

Changes to the menu come weekly, with some constants like the fried chicken sandwich, crispy new potatoes with charred shallot mayo, and braised lamb melt. Duck fat-roasted sweet potatoes were an option I sorely wanted to try, along with roasted cauliflower with garlic, anchovy and crumbles of Mystic Cheese Co. Finback. Want to add crispy chicken thigh to your salad? They can do that, too.

My personal highlight of the night is an entrée of steelhead trout filet. Attention to textural detail is again apparent in its preparation: pink fish with crispy, silvery skin facing upward over a bed of creamy polenta, drizzled in punchy salsa verde. The flavor-packed steelhead is paired with chunks of firm baby turnips, while slivers of pickled daikon add a fresh, acidic crunch. I enjoy trying different combinations, bite by bite, focusing on the fish and polenta with one, adding zing with salsa to the next, gobbling a bit of everything with another.

Repeat business and an increasing trust of what they do has been the early response from the community, according to Jurman, who says he’s noticed diners expanding their orders from single dishes found specifically at The Local 63 (that lamb melt again), to more adventurous options.

“We’re not trying to make anything eccentric for the sake of doing it, though. At the end of the day, food being delicious and satisfying is the most important thing. We’ve been developing great relationships with customers, with the purveyors.

“People come in and eat something and say: ‘I’ve never heard of this, but it makes total sense!’ ” Jurman tells us.

Sort of like The Local 63 itself.

The food: The Local 63 is a delicious hodgepodge of flavors, reflecting whatever is on chef Rich Jurman’s mind that week. Small plates like crispy new potatoes with shallot mayo mix with lamb ribs, fried chicken sandwiches, and kimchi fried rice to tempt any taste bud.

The atmosphere: This is a gastropub, with the bar and tables sharing the same room, an outstanding beer selection, and creative cocktails. It’s an equally good spot to have a few after-work drinks and bites, or a sit-down dinner with a wide selection of options.

Prices: Entrées $18–$26

The Local 63465 Main St., Watertown959-209-4779, thelocal63.com, @thelocal63 on InstagramOpen Thu.–Mon. for lunch and dinnerWheelchair accessible

Note: Some navigation systems will bring you to the Main Street address in nearby Oakville. The Local 63 is across from a local library branch in Watertown.

Hawk Ridge Winery in Watertown has lofty views and a wide range of wines

Hawk Ridge Winery is epic.There’s no better way to describe the 58-acre farm winery that dominates a ridge with sweeping panoramic views of the Litchfield Hills. It features a majestic 5,500-square-foot tasting room and building, covered pavilion and sloping hillside field with Adirondack and rocking chairs and tables that visitors can spread out among as they soak up idyllic, pastoral scenes of summer or fall.“The goal was to make a place for people to bring their families and to feel like they were at home, if you...

Hawk Ridge Winery is epic.

There’s no better way to describe the 58-acre farm winery that dominates a ridge with sweeping panoramic views of the Litchfield Hills. It features a majestic 5,500-square-foot tasting room and building, covered pavilion and sloping hillside field with Adirondack and rocking chairs and tables that visitors can spread out among as they soak up idyllic, pastoral scenes of summer or fall.

“The goal was to make a place for people to bring their families and to feel like they were at home, if you will. And that’s really the energy that we try to bring to it, we like to sell a feeling,” says Jeff McHugh, the winery’s general manager. “We’ve been blessed that so many people in the community and surrounding towns have come out and visited us and made this place special.”

Special, indeed.

The winery is named for the many red-tailed hawks that call it home and can frequently be seen among the fields.

“The hawks have definitely become our mascot; you can see them flying all over the place when you come in,” Jeff says. “They nest, they roost, they fly around looking for food.”

Jeff’s parents, Michele and Jack McHugh, and another couple, Vinny and Debra Giannetto, own the vineyard. The two Watertown families became friends when the Giannetto sisters played soccer with Jeff’s sister. In 2012, the families bought the property together. Originally their plan was to create a housing development. But the property charmed them. “The property was so pretty,” Jeff says. “We’re Irish and Italian, so we planted some grapevines just for kicks, to make some wine for the families, and it just kind of snowballed from there.”

Some side passion project this vineyard is not, however. “They don’t like to do anything on a small scale, so they just built a large tasting room. We had a tent, which just got turned into a pavilion,” Jeff says.

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While the scenery and the setting may be the star, the wine is an integral part of the winning equation. Head winemaker Maureen MacDonald is a University of Vermont graduate who studied oenology (the science of wine and winemaking) and cider making at Cornell, Penn State and Naugatuck Valley Community College. She has put this knowledge to use crafting more than two dozen wines ranging from whites to rosés to reds, sparkling wines and ports. The Shake Your Tail Feather, made from cayuga grapes, a hybrid variety first bred in the Finger Lakes region of New York, is a perfect summer wine with inviting notes of pear and refreshing hints of citrus. However, the Trooper’d Red Barrel Select was my favorite of the six I tried for this story. The cabernet sauvignon grapes give this a classic feel that is close to what you imagine when you close your eyes and think of a red table wine.

Beer from nearby breweries Clocktown Brewing Co. in Thomaston and Woodbury Brewing Co. are available in addition to wine. The winery also offers food including a large pretzel, flatbreads, cheese plates, sandwiches and more. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food as well.

Another beverage offered is wine slushies. I’m not usually a fan of these very sweet drinks, but on a recent visit on a beautiful but hot day, the sight of a mango pineapple slushy topped with whipped cream is more than I can resist. It is sweet, cold and refreshing, and the perfect drink for sipping on a beautiful day in a beautiful setting.

Hawk Ridge Winery28 Plungis Road, Watertown860-274-7440hawkridgewinery.net@hawkridgewinery on InstagramOpen dailyWheelchair accessible

Hartford HealthCare at Home

For more than a century, Hartford HealthCare at Home has been helping people live independently at home by providing nursing, rehabilitation and additional services such as social workers, registered dietitians, home care aides and personal care attendants.Most people would rather be at home and Hartford HealthCare at Home assists when the needs of individuals cannot be managed alone or when there are complex or medically skilled needs. The Hartford HealthCare at Home team works closely with the family and the physician to develop a...

For more than a century, Hartford HealthCare at Home has been helping people live independently at home by providing nursing, rehabilitation and additional services such as social workers, registered dietitians, home care aides and personal care attendants.

Most people would rather be at home and Hartford HealthCare at Home assists when the needs of individuals cannot be managed alone or when there are complex or medically skilled needs. The Hartford HealthCare at Home team works closely with the family and the physician to develop and follow a personal care plan.

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860.249.4862

Hartford HealthCare at Home has experienced financial counselors to assist with insurance questions and payment options. Hartford HealthCare at Home is also active in the community providing flu clinics every fall. Hartford HealthCare at Home's service area includes Greater Hartford and Waterbury.

Hartford HealthCare at HomeExecutive Director: Laurie St. John Total Admission: 31,582Employees: 1,052 Volunteers: 130Branch offices: 9 Operating revenue (audited): $145.8 million

LexisNexis: Top provider of home health and hospice services (38th in the nation)

Home Health ServicesIn-home nursing, therapy and personal care services for post hospital or surgical recovery, short term- or long-term illness to achieve maximum independence. Specialties include cardiac, respiratory, rehabilitation (PT and OT) and wound care.

Dementia Program Offers a dementia program for those diagnosed withAlzheimer's. Services include:

Home Safety Technology Automated medication dispenser, LifeLine Personal Alert Services

Hospice Services In-home multidisciplinary approach to care focusing on pain and symptom management which provides dignity, comfort and the best quality of life for the patients final months of life.

Independence at HomeOur Caregivers Can Provide Assistance with:

For inquiries and referrals please call:

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(1.800.466.3227)

1 Northwestern Drive, Suite 101, 204, Bloomfield, CT 06002Get Directions >>860.249.4862

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34 Ledgebrook Dr., Mansfield, CT 06250 Get Directions >> 860.456.7288

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81 Meriden Avenue, Southington, CT 06489 Get Directions >> 860.703.1700

65 Commercial Boulevard, Torrington, CT 06790Get Directions >>860.482.6419

680 Main Street, Suite 300, Watertown, CT 06795Get Directions >>203.573.1231

Main Administrative Office 1290 Silas Deane Highway Suite 4B, Wethersfield, CT 06109 Get Directions >> 860.249.4862

Former cannabis company CEO now employed with CT sues company

The former CEO of a cannabis cultivation company who now works for Connecticut is is involved in the regulation of marijuana is suing her past employer.Jennifer Mandzuk, the former CEO of Theraplant, the first legal cannabis cultivator in Connecticut, was hired earlier this year by the state Department of Consumer Protection as the state program manager for cannabis. She earns an annual salary of $9...

The former CEO of a cannabis cultivation company who now works for Connecticut is is involved in the regulation of marijuana is suing her past employer.

Jennifer Mandzuk, the former CEO of Theraplant, the first legal cannabis cultivator in Connecticut, was hired earlier this year by the state Department of Consumer Protection as the state program manager for cannabis. She earns an annual salary of $96,287.

Three weeks after being hired by the state, she filed a lawsuit against Theraplant alleging she was owed $375,000 in severance. The lawsuit was filed in conjunction with Dan Emmans, who preceded Mandzuk as Theraplant CEO, claiming he was owed $350,000 in severance.

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Mandzuk’s employment at Theraplant ended Dec. 17, 2022, according to the lawsuit. She was hired at DCP on June 23, spokesperson Kaitlyn Krasselt confirmed. The lawsuit was filed July 17.

“Prospective employees for any state position are not asked to disclose any potential litigation on their application,” Krasselt said. “That said, yes, we were made aware of the situation when the suit was filed, as she notified her boss at that time.”

Theraplant was the first legal cannabis cultivator in Connecticut and one of only four operational in the state until recently. Krasselt previously described Mandzuk’s role as “a supervisory position that will oversee general management of staff within the Drug Control Division related to cannabis investigations and enforcement,” but Krasselt said Mandzuk is not involved in regulating Theraplant.

“Based on her former employment with Theraplant, Jennifer Mandzuk does not work on or oversee cases involving Theraplant,” Krasselt said. “The Department has ensured that any issues related to Theraplant are handled by an alternate supervisor to avoid the appearance of impropriety.”

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Theraplant was sold this year for the second time in three years. The company was bought by Greenrose Holding in 2021, and then again this year by East Hampton N.Y.-based DXR Holdco, according to a report filed on July 21 with the SEC.

The court granted on Aug. 9 a motion for default filed by Emmans and Mandzuk. Theraplant was listed as non-appearing.

Law firm Pullman & Comely, representing Theraplant in a different matter, declined to comment for this story.

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