<h2><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Local Business Champion: </span><a href="https://lavenderandpinegifting.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Lavender + Pine Gifting</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">!</span></h2><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Meet Alexandra Puccini, founder of </span><a href="https://lavenderandpinegifting.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Lavender + Pine Gifting</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Why did you start your business?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Growing up in the '90s allowed me to explore my creativity and imagination in the form of Easy Bake Oven cakes, countless art classes, Scholastic book fairs, and being very meticulous regarding what I chose for my family at the in-school gift shop with my $10. I didn't know it then, but that is all when my love of creating, and gifting started.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">From soap balls for mom on Mother's Day to coffee mugs that say "#1 Dad" on them, gifting, to me, has always been about the act of giving, intentionality, and lasting impressions. After all, gifting is a love language!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Over the years, I realized that there were two main problems people were facing when it came to gifting:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">1. People who don’t know what to gift</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">2. People who don’t have the time to gift</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Both usually result in impulse purchases that are lacking intention and practicality leading to waste both financially and from a product standpoint. No matter the occasion, my gifting has always been based on the recipient's likes, avoiding purchasing wasteful products, and creating a sensory experience from the moment they see the beautiful gift, smell the lavender or florals, read the card and unbox each intentional item.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In 2018, after attending multiple baby showers, engagement parties, and bridal showers back-to-back my gifting skills started to become requested by friends and family. The inquiries then progressed into more consistent orders! It was then that Lavender + Pine became a side hustle and in 2 short years, blossomed into a full-time gifting service shipping gifts worldwide.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What is your best-selling product/service?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Our custom gifting services are our most utilized by far! Businesses and corporations, no matter the size, typically don’t have a designated gifting department so when the time comes to send out gifts for clients, employees, or conferences, the task falls onto the laps of Marketing, HR, Admins, and Interns.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Since gifting isn’t their area of expertise (not to mention that they have their full-time job to prioritize) the project can get incredibly overwhelming, and time-consuming, and often miss the mark on whatever goal they are looking to achieve.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Our service is designed to handle all of the gifting logistics from ideation to delivery, so companies are left with a positive experience and endless gratitude from their recipients.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The beauty of working in gift curation is the ability to support countless small businesses Nationwide and introduce their products to our customers and clients. We work with several Connecticut businesses in our regular shop gifts as well as our custom gift designs! We also use several service providers for our own business needs! Below are a few of our favorites we love to work with.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Tulaoo Stationery Designer in Litchfield County</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">* Nob Hill Jane: Calligraphy Studio in Cheshire, CT</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">* Minuteman Press for printing needs: Norwalk, CT</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">* Optamark for our branded corporate swag: Norwalk, CT</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">* Teroforma: for glassware and products in our client gifts: Norwalk, CT</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">* Bridgewater Chocolates: for chocolates in our custom gifts: Danbury and Westport, CT</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">* Socially Savvy Studio: Jessica is our website designer and social media marketing expert in Branford, CT</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A great deal of Connecticut businesses also utilizes our custom gifting services from Wedding and Event Planners, Photographers, DJs, and Florists!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Visit </span><a href="https://lavenderandpinegifting.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Lavender + Pine Gifting</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> online </span><a href="https://lavenderandpinegifting.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">here</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, and make sure to check out their </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lavenderpinegifting/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Facebook</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> and </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lavenderandpinegifting/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Instagram</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> pages as well!</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">HamletHub thanks</strong><a href="http://www.jkinfordbeautygroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong> </strong></a><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Fairfield County Bank </strong></a><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!</strong></p>

<p><strong style="background-color: transparent;">Norwalk, CT -&nbsp;</strong><span style="background-color: transparent;">Designed by notable artist, writer and curator Richard Klein, SIGHT AND SOUND invites audiences to delve into Long Island Sound's significance through diverse artistic perspectives, shedding light on its ecological resilience, rich cultural history, and striking natural beauty.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent;">This dynamic exhibition features fourteen contemporary artists whose work explores Long Island Sound's beauty, history, and evolving environmental story - one of the region's most vital yet often overlooked natural landscapes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent;">Participating artists include:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent;">Frances Ashforth, Christopher Baker, Marion Belanger &amp; Martha Willette Lewis, Christopher Coffin, Kenneth Martin, Brechin Morgan, Constance Old, James Prosek, Duke Riley, Alexis Rockman, Jeremy Slater, Beth Stewart-Kelly and Catherine Vanaria.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent;">A Free Opening Reception</strong><span style="background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;will feature opening remarks from curator Richard Klein and participating artists, Iyaba Ibo Mandingo reciting poetry inspired by the water, and a special Copps Island Oysters tasting.</span><strong>When:</strong><strong style="background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Thursday, June 12, 2025,</p><p>6:00pm - 8:00pm</p><p><strong>Where:</strong><strong style="background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;</strong></p><p>The Norwalk Art Space 455 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850<span style="background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;</span></p>

<p><strong style="background-color: transparent;">Norwalk, CT -&nbsp;</strong><span style="background-color: transparent;">Designed by notable artist, writer and curator Richard Klein, SIGHT AND SOUND invites audiences to delve into Long Island Sound's significance through diverse artistic perspectives, shedding light on its ecological resilience, rich cultural history, and striking natural beauty.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent;">This dynamic exhibition features fourteen contemporary artists whose work explores Long Island Sound's beauty, history, and evolving environmental story - one of the region's most vital yet often overlooked natural landscapes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent;">Participating artists include:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent;">Frances Ashforth, Christopher Baker, Marion Belanger &amp; Martha Willette Lewis, Christopher Coffin, Kenneth Martin, Brechin Morgan, Constance Old, James Prosek, Duke Riley, Alexis Rockman, Jeremy Slater, Beth Stewart-Kelly and Catherine Vanaria.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent;">A Free Opening Reception</strong><span style="background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;will feature opening remarks from curator Richard Klein and participating artists, Iyaba Ibo Mandingo reciting poetry inspired by the water, and a special Copps Island Oysters tasting.</span><strong>When:</strong><strong style="background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Thursday, June 12, 2025,</p><p>6:00pm - 8:00pm</p><p><strong>Where:</strong><strong style="background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;</strong></p><p>The Norwalk Art Space 455 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850<span style="background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p>

<p> STAMFORD, CT/June 4, 2025 – Your best day on the water is coming! On Saturday, July 12, hundreds of kayakers and paddle boarders will take to Long Island Sound for the SoundWaters Flotilla, a four-mile community paddle supporting SoundWaters’ environmental education programs and the protection of Long Island Sound. </p><p> Paddlers will launch from Cove Island Park in Stamford, journeying around Shippan Point to the Cohen SoundWaters Harbor Center at Boccuzzi Park, where a beach party awaits with music, lunch and camaraderie. For most paddlers, the course should take two hours or less.&nbsp;</p><p> “When people experience the beauty of Long Island Sound together, they begin to understand just how vital it is to protect it,” said Leigh Schmitz, President of SoundWaters. “The funds raised help us to provide hands-on science education using our million-acre classroom to thousands of students every year.” </p><p> To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, the route will be supported by kayak guides, support boats and a floating rest stop. After the event, a shuttle service will return paddlers and their gear to their original launch sites. Participants may bring their own kayaks or paddle boards or rent equipment through SoundWaters during registration. </p><p> The 2025 Flotilla is made possible thanks to the generous support from Franklin Templeton, along with Kaster Moving Company, Hey Stamford!, 95.9 The Fox, and WEBE 108. Register now at <a href="https://p2p.charityengine.net/Flotilla25/?_gl=1*uffes6*_ga*ODExNjg0MzUyLjE3NDczOTU4NjQ.*_ga_29SK5LTH2B*czE3NDg4ODA4NDIkbzckZzAkdDE3NDg4ODA4NDIkajYwJGwwJGgw*_gcl_au*NTM5MTM2MDY4LjE3NDg2MDY1MDc." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SoundWaters Flotilla '25</a> and paddle for a cleaner, healthier Long Island Sound. </p><p><br></p><p><strong><u>About SoundWaters</u></strong></p><p>SoundWaters prepares the next generation for their future. With our climate in crisis, we teach tomorrow’s leaders the science they will need.&nbsp;With Long Island Sound as our classroom, we create love and respect for the natural world. As a matter of justice, we open the water to all.&nbsp;As a matter of urgency, we work to protect our common home. For more information, visit <a href="https://soundwaters.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">soundwaters.org</a>.</p><p class="ql-align-center">###</p>

<p>Norwalk, CT - Are you ready to experience maritime history like never before? The Norwalk Seaport Association and the Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society invite you to embark on a one-of-a-kind, five-hour cruise that transports you to not one, but two iconic lighthouses—Greens Ledge and Sheffield Island. Mark your calendars for this unforgettable journey happening on three Saturdays, June 7, July 12, and August 9. Departing at 8:30 a.m. from 70 Water Street and returning by 1:30 p.m., this exclusive tour promises a special blend of history, legend, and scenic coastal views. Get your tickets here.</p><p>The cruise first charts a course through the picturesque Norwalk Harbor to Greens Ledge Lighthouse, a rare Spark Plug Lighthouse built in 1902 and steeped in lore—including stories of pirates and buried treasure. It is one of only 33 surviving spark plug lighthouses in the United States. Recently restored and now open to the public, visitors can explore multiple historic rooms, like the Beacon Room with its still active automated light, the Trombos Research Center, and the Maclean Watch Room. Don’t miss the chance to soak up the panoramic views on the outdoor deck equipped with Adirondack chairs.</p><p>Next, the boat docks at Sheffield Island Lighthouse, a Victorian-era treasure built in 1868. Visitors can climb the tower for panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, explore rooms restored to reflect 19th-century lighthouse life, and unwind with their picnic in a shaded pavilion with unbeatable views. A stroll through the nearby Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, a pristine sanctuary for bird watchers and nature lovers adds to this amazing coastal experience.</p><p>Whether you're cruising solo, with family, or with friends, this cruise promises a perfect mix of adventure, history, and natural beauty. Make sure to pack a picnic lunch, bring plenty of water, wear closed-toe shoes, wear sunscreen, and arrive 30 minutes early to ensure a smooth boarding.</p><p><br></p>

<h2><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Scoop Up Some Fun with Fairfield County Bank!</span></h2><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Join the Fairfield County Bank team today, Friday, May 30, from 3 to 5 PM at Sweet Ashley’s Ice Cream (248 East Ave, Norwalk) for a sweet treat—and some smart savings tips.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Fairfield County Bank is picking up the tab on your ice cream, so bring your questions and your appetite! While you enjoy your favorite scoop, chat with friendly financial expert Nicole Turosky, CFP®, CDFA® about how a 529 College Savings Plan can help make future tuition bills a little less stressful.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It’s the perfect mix of sprinkles and smarts. See you there!</span></p><p><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">*Limit one (1) coupon per person. One (1) Small Scoop of Handcrafted Ice Cream valuing $5.25 will be awarded and is not redeemable for cash. Offer only valid today, May 30, 2025.</em></p>