Harbor News Person of the Week

Harbor News

Elise Maragliano grew up taking trips to museums with her parents. Now she’s the museum coordinator for the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center. Photo courtesy of Elise Maragliano

Elise Maragliano Brings Her Love Of Museums To The Kate

Published July 13, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Elise Maragliano credits her love of museums to her upbringing in Germany.

Harbor News

For the last two years, Marco has been working with Clinton’s Economic Development Commission to partner with local manufacturers to provide options for kids who may want to pursue a career in the field of manufacturing. Photo courtesy Marco Famiglietti

Marco Famiglietti: Manufacturing New Opportunities for Students

Published July 06, 2022 07:00 a.m.

Over the last two years Clinton schools have been working with advanced manufacturers in town in an effort to provide students who may not necessarily be college bound with real world job experience. One of the people helping to spearhead those efforts has been Assistant Superintendent Marco Famiglietti.

Harbor News

Brian Boyd: Hail and Farewell

Published June 29, 2022 08:30 a.m.

I am going to break some time-honored rules about how to write a news story. In fact, I did it with the first word, I. In a news story, as opposed to a column, you never use I. If you have to refer to yourself, you do it in the third person: a reporter asked, not I asked.

Harbor News

Christina Acampora is Clinton’s new senior program coordinator.

Photo courtesy of Christina Acampora

Christina Acampora: A Point Person for Seniors

Published June 22, 2022 08:30 a.m.

“My first friend I made in town was actually a senior citizen,” Christina Acampora says with a laugh.

Harbor News

As adult programmer at the Acton Public Library, Cindy Baklik is able to bring a range of voices and ideas to the community. Photo courtesy of Cindy Baklik

Cindy Baklik: A Full Schedule

Published June 15, 2022 08:30 a.m.

In 1991, Cindy Baklik went to work at the library in Monroe because it had convenient hours. Thirty years later, she’s still a familiar face at libraries as the adult programmer at the Acton Public Library and as the media coordinator at Haddam-Killingworth School District.

Harbor News

Valley Shore YMCA’s new CEO Tony Sharillo is eager to step forward to lead an organization he’s helped propel through pandemic and a major renovation. Photo courtesy of Tony Sharillo

Sharillo Taking the Helm of a Renewed Valley Shore Y

Published June 08, 2022 08:30 a.m.

A new era has begun at the Valley Shore YMCA (VSY). The organization ended a six-month search by naming Tony Sharillo as its new CEO. Tony started officially started May 30.

Harbor News

Nicki Dakis loves that people in Clinton step forward to help, which is just what she did as a member of Clinton Placemakers, which is organizing the Friday, July 8 International Food and Beer Festival behind Town Hall. Photo courtesy of Nicki Dakis

Bringing a World’s Fair of Food and Drink to Clinton

Published June 01, 2022 08:30 a.m.

On Friday, July 8, the parking lot behind Clinton’s Andrews Memorial Town Hall will play host to the first annual International Food and Beer Festival.

Harbor News

Westbrook is central to a lot of great hiking trails, and Kate Gilstad-Hayden is helping ensure we all get a chance to walk them. Photo courtesy of Kate Gilstad-Hayden

Take a Hike—or 10—This Summer

Published May 25, 2022 08:30 a.m.

It’s no secret that the shoreline is home to some of the best scenery in the state. As a member of the Westbrook Land Conservation Trust (WLCT) Kate Gilstad-Hayden is eager to get people out of the house this summer and exploring the natural beauty in their own backyards.

Harbor News

Old Saybrook High School College and Career Readiness Coordinator Carina Using is grateful for community support as she helps students find their path forward from high school.

Photo courtesy of Carina Using

Ready for Launch: Using Preps OSHS Students for Next Steps

Published May 18, 2022 08:30 a.m.

All high school students have had a moment where they thought to themselves, “I have no idea what I’m going to do with my life.” Luckily for Old Saybrook High School (OSHS) students, they have Carina Using, the college and career readiness coordinator, to help them find some guidance.

Harbor News

Since moving to town full time in 2018 and joining the Old Saybrook Rotary Club, Gary McCauley has found ways to serve a community he has admired for more than a decade.

Photo courtesy of Gary McCauley

Gary McCauley: Finding a Community, Ready to Help

Published May 11, 2022 08:30 a.m.

In 2011 Gary McCauley and his family bought a summer place in Old Saybrook. They became year-round residents in 2018 and ever since Gary has made his presence felt in the community as a member of the Old Saybrook Rotary Club.

Harbor News

Of the many ways Susan Esty has worked to better her Old Saybrook community, her volunteer efforts with the Lions Club have had the widest impact locally and internationally.

Photo by Eric O’Connell/Harbor News

Susan Esty: All In Like a Lion

Published May 04, 2022 08:30 a.m.

“Honestly when people ask what is a Lion, I say well, I don’t know what a Lion isn’t,” Susan Esty says.

Valley Courier

Dick Shriver and his wife Barbara lived in Lviv, Ukraine, for seven years and continue to receive firsthand reports of the war tearing that country apart. Photo by Rita Christopher/The Courier

Dick Shriver: Firsthand Knowledge of Ukraine

Published April 27, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Dick Shriver has something to say about Ukraine, and not just because he listens to news reports. Dick and his wife Barbara lived for seven years from 1995 to 2002 in Lviv, one of Ukraine’s major cities in the west of the country near the Polish border.

Harbor News

Keeping the Acton Public Library a relevant place for teens and tweens is Brian Story’s job as young adult librarian. Photo courtesy of Brian Story

A Story and Much More for Acton Young Adult Librarian

Published April 20, 2022 08:30 a.m.

It’s not unusual to see libraries have children’s and adult librarians on staff to serve the different needs of the two age groups. But what about the kids in-between?

Harbor News

An appreciation for Bailey’s Dog Park in Clinton turned into a commitment for Erin Kanicki, who is now chair of the inaugural board of Friends of Bailey’s Dog Park.

Photo courtesy of Erin Kanicki

Erin Kanicki: Making Friends in Clinton

Published April 13, 2022 08:30 a.m.

One day, Erin Kanicki decided to take her new pup, a French bulldog named Nola, to Bailey’s Dog Park in Clinton. While she was at the park, Erin heard there was a need for fundraising to help with maintenance at the park.

Harbor News

A love of sports and an inclination to help has led Chris Passante to serve his hometown in a number of ways, including currently on the Town Council.

Photo courtesy of Chris Passante

Service that Started with Sports

Published April 06, 2022 08:30 a.m.

“I love my family, I love this town, and I love sports.”

Harbor News

When Clinton Bonner saw a chance for Westbrook Little League to make Ted Lane Field safer and more inclusive, he and the organization made it happen. Photo courtesy of Clinton Bonner

Clinton Bonner: Play Ball, All!

Published March 30, 2022 08:30 a.m.

It’s hard to find a more poetic symbol of American life than opening day of the baseball season, whether it be for the Yankees or just the local Little League team.

Harbor News

In his latest stint of town service, Tom Shultz is leading Clinton’s new Human Rights Advisory Committee. Photo courtesy of Tom Shultz

Tom Shultz: Promoting a Climate of Understanding

Published March 23, 2022 08:30 a.m.

The Clinton Human Rights Advisory Committee formed last year is looking to have more of a footprint in Clinton. One of the people helping lead that charge is the committee’s chair, Tom Shultz.

Harbor News

Though Susie Beckman has left her role as Old Saybrook’s economic development director, she’s staying in town and expects to stay a familiar face to local businesses.

Photo courtesy of Susie Beckman

Making Old Saybrook Business Her Business

Published March 16, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Old Saybrook prides itself on being a welcoming place for tourists and business alike. Part of that reputation can be traced to the work done by Susan “Susie” Beckman over the last nine years as the economic development coordinator for the town.

Harbor News

Including outdoor experiences for the youths involved in Clinton’s REACT and Partners in Community programs is a simple choice for Shelby Mehmet, the town’s assistant prevention coordinator, as she herself has discovered much about herself on treks, such as this hike at Akaka Falls on The Big Island of Hawaii. Photo courtesy of Shelby Mehmet

Shelby Mehmet: Serving a Community that Served Her

Published March 09, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Just seven years ago, Shelby Mehmet was a Morgan student learning about the importance of healthy choices. Now, she’s helping lead those conversations as the town’s assistant prevention coordinator.

Valley Courier

In his retirement, Rick Ruzzo is keeping active by volunteering at The Estuary and also playing saxophone in the New Horizons Band at the Community Music School in Centerbrook.

Photo courtesy of Rick Ruzzo

Rick Ruzzo: It Started with a Saxophone

Published March 02, 2022 08:30 a.m.

It’s not on the list of romantic gifts, but Rick Ruzzo decided to marry his wife Linda after she gave him a saxophone for his birthday.

Harbor News

Ethan Weiner has stepped up as president of the Valley Shore YMCA Board of directors at a time of significant change for the organization. Photo courtesy of Ethan Weiner

Ethan Weiner: Valley Shore YMCA Board President

Published Feb. 23, 2022 08:30 a.m.

After years of helping others in the field of medicine, Ethan Weiner is still helping, but now mainly as a volunteer.

Harbor News

Clinton artist and former Westbrook art teacher Liz Egan is helping make space for all local artists. Photo courtesy of Liz Egan

Liz Egan: All About the Arts

Published Feb. 16, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Whether through the Clinton Art Society, her time teaching in Westbrook, helping with theater productions, or displaying her own work, it’s fair to say that Liz Egan is all about the arts.

Harbor News

New Westbrook Town Planner Peter Gillespie is ready to bring his experience to bear on local concerns, like coastal resilience and town center redevelopment.

Photo by Eric O’Connell/Harbor News

Peter Gillespie: Picking up the Town’s Projects

Published Feb. 09, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Peter Gillespie is looking to bring his decades of experience to Westbrook to help the town achieve some of its long-term goals as its new fulltime town planner.

Harbor News

The discovery of her late parents’ marriage certificate piqued Orlene Weyland’s interest, but it would be more than a decade later before she was able to untangle her family’s history, which she has now (with the support of her husband John, also pictured) shared in her new book Hiding in Plain Sight. Photo courtesy of Orlene Weyland

Orlene Weyland Unearths Family’s Hidden Holocaust History

Published Feb. 02, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Imagine not knowing anything about your family history as an adult. For Orlene Weyland, this was a reality.

Harbor News

Kim Esposito is such a fan of Christmas events, like this festival at Lyman Orchards, that she has stepped up since 2013 to help stage Westbrook’s signature parade and tree lighting.

Photo courtesy of Kim Esposito

Kim Esposito: Stepping up to Serve

Published Jan. 26, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Whether it’s at the town tree lighting, the high school, or her church, Kim Esposito is a person who doesn’t shy away from volunteering her time to the Westbrook community.

Harbor News

When an old tree needed to come down at the Westbrook Congregational Church, a parishioner approached ice sculptor (and landscaper) Dan Medeiros with an idea: Make art from the stump. Dan’s skillful use of the chainsaw now applies to wood as well as ice.

Photo courtesy of Dan Medeiros

Dan Medeiros: Have Saw, Will Sculpt

Published Jan. 19, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Every holiday season Westbrook residents eagerly await the annual tree lighting ceremony on the green and the ice sculptures created by Dan Medeiros are always among the highlights.

Harbor News

In addition to rehabilitating birds of prey and crows, A Place Called Hope also conducts educational outreach program with birds that cannot be returned to the wild. Here, Christine Cummings introduces a class to one of the facility’s bald eagles. Photo courtesy of Christine Cummings

Christine Cummings: Rescue, Rehabilitate, Return

Published Jan. 12, 2022 08:30 a.m.

With A Place Called Hope serving for more than a decade as the region’s primary raptor rehabilitator, most people know that when they find an injured owl or hawk, Christine Cummings and her husband Todd Secki are the people to call.

Valley Courier

Delcie McGrath has coordinated local efforts to furnish a home for a family from Afghanistan seeking refuge in the U.S. Photo by Rita Christopher/The Courier

Delcie McGrath: Furnishing the Future

Published Jan. 05, 2022 08:30 a.m.

International news can seem remote but the connections to a far more local world are very real. Just ask Delcie McGrath. Delcie has been part of a team working on refugee resettlement this area.

Harbor News

Mark Richards was proud to serve on the inaugural Town Council in Clinton.

Photo courtesy of Mark Richards

Mark Richards Sees Town Council Term as Time Well Spent

Published Dec. 22, 2021 08:30 a.m.

In November 2019, in a historic election for Clinton, the town’s first ever Town Council was elected. As part of that council, voters elected Mark Richards.

Harbor News

Clinton’s Jim Beloff used some of the time freed up by the pandemic to pen UKEtopia!: Adventures in the Ukulele World. Photo courtesy of Jim Beloff

Jim Beloff: A Look Inside a Life with Ukuleles

Published Dec. 15, 2021 08:30 a.m.

UKEtopia!: Adventures in the Ukulele World is a new book released this week by Jim Beloff. From finding a calling in the ukulele world to jamming with George Harrison, Jim has quite a story to tell.

Harbor News Person of the Week

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