Who Doesn't Love Photography?!

The Blue Dragonfly is extremely grateful to Mr. Dennis Hubbs for allowing us to display his wonderful photographs in our store! Some are framed, all are matted, and are absolutely stunning! Come on in and check out his work! 

Writer/Photographer
Dennis A. Hubbs
Bloomfield, CT. 

Since I was 14 and “inherited” my parent’s Kodak Pony 35mm film camera, I’ve been taking photographs, beginning with slides (remember those?). Back then you really had to guess at how to set the camera to get decent results…and you never knew how the final product would come out until you picked up the order. At first, I‘d take shots of friends (mostly the girls of course!) but eventually I got into landscapes. A photography course while in college gave me the opportunity to use a 35mm SLR (single lens reflex) and opened up a whole new world of experimentation. Working for the Audio-Visual Department at Manchester Community College, I had access to a Pentax manual 35mm camera and loved it…and almost 50 years later, I shoot with a digital Pentax. I never thought I’d see the day when digital photography basically eliminated film! Now, most of Hollywood shoots their projects with high-definition, digital cameras…

My primary passion nowadays remains that of photographing landscapes. Semi-retired, but still owning a Bloomfield, CT based travel agency with my wife Donna, I continue to have the opportunity to travel and record beautiful landscapes across the US and on occasion, overseas. I also write and photograph for the Town of Bloomfield and the Bloomfield Messenger  - our weekly newspaper.

"Images by Dennis"
One of three volumes of photos published by
Dennis Hubbs and available at
www.blurb.com 

I have been able to publish three volumes of my images over the past few years – the most ambitious being “Images by Dennis, Volume 3 – Bloomfield, Connecticut in Photographs.” It is a coffee-table style collection of over 100 images of historical buildings, sites and scenic landscapes in town. As a member of both the Wintonbury Historical Society and the Wintonbury Land Trust, I was keenly aware of the rich history of Bloomfield and felt it necessary to preserve as much of it as possible in a book of photographs.

A number of my landscapes, as well as images of many historical homes in Windsor, CT, are available at the Blue Dragonfly, in matted form and framed. All three volumes of “Images by Dennis” can be previewed by searching “Dennis Hubbs” at www.blurb.com. I’d love to have you stop by the shop and have a look at what’s available!

Along with my photographs, there are so many unique items in stock that you’ll be glad you did!

- Dennis Hubbs, Bloomfield, CT. 

         

Our Assistant Store Manager....

Sue and Frank

The Blue Dragonfly is so lucky to have Ms. Susan DeVito as an Assistant Store Manager with so much experience in the field of Special Education! She is giving of herself, showers our guys with love and compassion, and always brings positivity to work! Let's take a minute to meet Susan!

Chaz, Sue's Son
Song writer & Sound Engineer

Susan DeVito grew up in Windsor with her parents, got married and raised her two children, Chaz and Carly, here in town. She is married to a wonderful man, Frank, who assists in the store at almost every hosted event! (We love Frank!)  She feels happiest when she is, "home with her 3 cats, dancing in the kitchen, cooking, playing the piano, walking the beach, sharing stories and laughing with her 93 year old father." Sue and Frank have 3 rescue cats whom they adore. They enjoy winter trips to the beach as well as enjoying a casual evening out. 


Sue's daughter, Carly
and Frank, Sue's Dad

Susan was a Special Education Teacher for 32 years. She spent years counseling families of children and young adults with special needs.  After retiring from teaching, she provided in home supports for families with children who were intellectually disabled.  Sue says she enjoys giving of herself and her time to individuals with special needs, which is why she enjoys working at the Blue Dragonfly so much.  Sue has, "developed a new level of confidence and enjoys going to work...even on Saturdays!"


Otis and Mr. B

Sue mentioned her love of the 'family' of people that work for the Blue Dragonfly. She says, "it warms my heart to see our individuals happy and laughing." She loves seeing them learn new skills and expressively feel proud of themselves. "I love seeing my co-workers during our social activities after work. Seeing them dancing, laughing, and singing karaoke is priceless. I love everyone I have met since December 2015, when I started working for the Blue Dragonfly." Sue loves being with people, whether customers at the store, the individuals who work here, or the job coaches! "Each day brings something new, and I think that is my favorite part."

Sue, post chemo


Sue was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011. After months of chemo, radiation treatments, she has survived the 5 year limit. Blood tests now show Sue as cancer free! Sue says, "I am proud to be a cancer survivor! It was a life changing experience. After watching my mother die from breast and bone cancer, it made me appreciate every single moment of my life." It made Sue stronger, not only physically, but emotionally. She found something to laugh about every day during that trying time, and looked to Frank, her kids, her dad, and the rest of her family for support. Frank notes that, "Sue is my hero!"
The Blue Dragonfly is lucky to have Sue! She brings many new ideas to the table and is always jumping in to help!  

Our Fantastic Store Manager...

 The Blue Dragonfly is so lucky to have a Manager who understands our mission, maintains an open mind, and works with others to effectively balance her position as the store manager while supporting individuals with different abilities. Let's take a minute to get to know our Manager, Mrs. Sheila Gasper. 

Sheila Gasper, a Windsor native, married her high school sweetheart, Michael Gasper and have resided in Windsor ever since.  They have been married for 39 years! They raised four wonderful children, Lindsay, Ashley, Ryan, and Michelle.  Sheila and her husband are loving grandparents to Mr. Tavis Henry Bostic, and Sheila says, "Tavis is my heart and soul." Sheila worked for The Loomis Chaffee School for 13 years as an Administrative Assistant for the Director of the Maintenance Department. She ran the front office, and says, "[she] loved the interaction with faculty/staff, students and parents. 

Sheila notes that her only retail experience she had prior to The Blue Dragonfly is that she loves to shop! Sheila became the manager at The Blue Dragonfly in August 2014.  She has many memories of her time at The Blue Dragonfly, but mentioned that her favorite  was the annual dinner hosted by the Windsor Chamber of Commerce.  At this dinner, new board members were sworn in and awards were given to recognize individuals for their devotion to community service.  The Blue Dragonfly was the recipient of The Frank Parker Beautification award.  Sheila was, "excited to see the young men and women all dressed up. I loved seeing them on stage and receiving this award." 

Sheila has been impacted by her time spent working at The Blue Dragonfly She commented on the amount of patience needed on the job, all of her positive interactions with The Blue Dragonfly individuals, and the many customers who come in to shop as the highlights of her position.  She spends much of her day welcoming customers, assisting with purchasing, and especially explaining the purpose behind the store. She notes that, "customers love our purpose." Customers feel that by shopping at our store they are assisting individuals with different abilities to have meaningful employment. She has gained much appreciation for those who are in the retail business, "It may look easy, but there are many facets to sustaining and maintaining a successful retail store." Sheila noted that, "The Dragonfly employees are a huge help to maintaining our shop.  Cleaning, restocking inventory, pricing, are crucial parts of operating a small business.  Having the guys working here is a huge help!" 

          In her spare time, Sheila enjoys spending time with family, cooking, and shopping! She loves having large family dinners where all her children, and her grandchild can gather together.  She enjoys her annual week at the beach every summer, and an occasional night out with the girls. 

          Sheila is very thankful for her position at The Blue Dragonfly and is excited to see what the future holds. 

GUEST BLOGGER ALERT!!!

The Blue Dragonfly is proud and honored that some local artists have chosen our store as a location to display and sell their work!  This week, we will feature, Sally McMahon, "Sally O'Sews" a local seamstress who creates many wonderful products for us! We are always impressed with the designs, patterns, and creativity of Sally's work! 

A few years ago, my daughter Sarah told me about a new gift shop opening in Windsor. She had stopped in a month or so before the grand opening of the Blue Dragonfly. She told me she thought I might be able to sell some of the table linens and kitchen items I had been making as gifts and for the Windsor Houses of Worship Craft Fair. Sarah was particularly excited to tell me that the shop had a purpose – to provide jobs for disabled adults – and that the shop advertised that they were particularly eager to feature the work of local artisans.
The following week, I met with Susan and Sheila, who told me more about the shop and their vision. I was so impressed with the shop's purpose and thrilled when they said they would be happy to add my creations to their inventory. I had long wanted to be able to put my sewing skills to use for the benefit of others, and here was a shop that would do just that!
My products at The Blue Dragonfly have included table runners, placemats, wall hangings, decorative pillows, and microwaveable bowl cozies. I love to cut up fabric and put it back together! My sewing room is truly my "happy place."
As I shared with Susan and Sheila at our first meeting, all the proceeds from my products go to Praise, Power, & Prayer Christian School in Windsor, where my husband Ray serves as Principal and Pastor. I am delighted to have been able to partner with The Blue Dragonfly to share in their success and hope to continue our relationship for years to come!
- Sally McMahon ("Sally O'Sews")

Our Purpose...

     Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at The Blue Dragonfly? Today is your lucky day where you get to read and even see some of the behind the scenes action!

The Blue Dragonfly was opened in November 2014, by Family Partnerships of CT LLC. The goal behind the store is to allow individuals with intellectual disabilities to focus on their abilities. for a change. During a normal business day you may enter the store to be greeted by many smiling faces, or one of our wonderful managers, Sheila or Sue.  What you won't see is all the hard work going on in the back room. Our wonderful employees are cleaning, pricing, learning how to work in a group, taking inventory, cleaning and creating new displays, assisting in ordering new product and more! Many of the individuals that work here started with limited skills, and through the efforts of staff, families, our individuals, have and continue to excel at many tasks, up to and including cashing out customers at the register!

Make sure you stop by The Blue Dragonfly to check out what we are all about! We love having visitors!!! 

Mention this blog post and receive $5.00 off a purchase of $30.00 or more! :) 

 For more information about The Blue Dragonfly, check out our facebook page, www.facebook.com/thebluedragonflygiftshop