Welcome to the summer edition of Prime, your resource for events, activities and advice for the months of July, August and September.
And what a summer this might be! Uncertain weather predictions and world events seem to keep us all guessing about how our budgets need to adjust to ever-shifting priorities.
How’s your vacation plans?
For example, traditionally predictable plans like summer vacations are getting a second look.
Even long anticipated bucket lists are shifting to meet new challenges.
If you’re taking a hard look at planning your next vacation, you’re not alone. Travel trend-watchers like Expedia and the insider website Travel Age West have documented shifts in where we’re planning to go and how we’re planning to get there.
Prime reached out to trusted travel experts – Don Anderson, CEO and founder of Cruise Store Travel of East Longmeadow, Mark Schieldrop, senior public affairs spokesperson for AAA Northeast and longtime AAA travel professional Wendy Marley – for their take on the travel landscape as well as tips to make the most of your hard-earned vacation dollars.
You’ll find their insights, and advice on page 7.
And that’s not the only travel advice you’ll find in this summer edition of Prime.
Elder Law expert, Attorney Gina Barry, shares why reviewing your estate plan – or putting a simple one in place – should be on your to-do-list before you head out on that big trip.
Lisa Swanson, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central New England, shares a heads-up on the latest travel scams and how would-be travelers can avoid becoming a victim.
And, if you’re looking for an edge-of-the seat true life survival story to pack for that trip, check out Prime’s newest column, A Conversation With – where we chat with Longmeadow native and New York Times bestselling author Michael Tougias about his latest book, “In Deep Water.”
Introducing a new women’s health columnist
And the new “A Conversation With” column isn’t the only addition to Prime’s content this summer.
With the July-September issue, Prime is bringing onboard women’s health nurse practitioner and certified intimacy counselor Kelly Tull as a recurring women’s health columnist. Tull was Prime’s expert for the April-June article on the book, “The New Menopause,” and starting this month, she will be sharing her knowledge on women’s health issues related to midlife and beyond. Her initial column addresses an often-overlooked change-of-life symptom, genitourinary syndrome of menopause.
Editor’s Note: Kelly Tull’s phone number was listed incorrectly at the end of last issue’s story on “The New Menopause.” Her correct phone number is 508-356-4966.
And there’s plenty of summer fun to sample!
In addition to Prime’s curated calendar of events for July, August and September, you’ll find as complete a listing of local and regional fairs and festivals slated to take place this summer-into-early fall as we could gather in our reinstated Events page.
However you choose to spend the summer months, we hope you enjoy them!
And as always, thanks for reading.
Debbie Gardner
dgardner@thereminder.com