Person of the Week

North Haven Courier

Randall Mena has turned his love and talent for photography into outstanding portraiture to celebrate the life and work of first responders—like police officers and firefighters—in sincere appreciation for the risks they take serving the community. Photo courtesy of Randall Mena

Randall Mena: Portraits of First Responders

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

In Randall Mena’s desire to support the local community around New Haven he volunteers his professional photographic talents to create portraits of police officers and firefighters who risk their lives each day to save the lives of others.

Guilford Courier

Christina Acampora is Clinton’s new senior program coordinator.

Photo courtesy of Christina Acampora

Christina Acampora: A Point Person for Seniors

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

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

East Haven Courier

Randall Mena: Portraits of First Responders

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

In Randall Mena’s desire to support the local community around New Haven he volunteers his professional photographic talents to create portraits of police officers and firefighters who risk their lives each day to save the lives of others.

The Sound

At the age of 90, North Haven resident Peter Balisciano earned his GED. Peter also recently received a certificate from the State of Connecticut in recognition of his military service during the Korean Conflict and the Cold War. Photo courtesy of Peter Balisciano

Peter Balisciano: It’s Never Too Late

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

Some people embrace the idea of always seeking knowledge and growing as a person, no matter their age. One such person, Peter Balisciano, lives in North Haven and earlier this year he earned his GED at the age of 90. His love of life, people, and learning are infectious.

The Source

Tess LeMay is the new Head Lifeguard at the Surf Club.

Photo courtesy of Tessa LeMay

Tessa LeMay: Keeping the Beach Safe

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

Recent closures and hour restrictions at local beaches due to a lack of lifeguards is a reminder of how tough a job on the beach can be. It takes a very special mindset and skill set. Head Lifeguard at the Madison Surf Club Tessa LeMay is one of those special people who can watch your kids, bandage their cuts, and save their lives all in an afternoon’s work.

Valley Courier

Paula Webster: The Trick Worked

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

Paula Webster explains that she was tricked into quilting. A friend from her knitting group who also quilted made her an offer straight out of The Godfather: an offer she could not refuse.

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.

Guilford Courier

After 18 years of helping to build a community of clients at Ella, Where She Shops, Carol Griffin completed her last day as its manager and buyer on Saturday, July 2, knowing she’s leaving the shop in the capable hands of owner Erica Azarigian and Ella’s stellar staff. Griffin will be heading south to reside near family in Florida with her Havanese, Rigley, a store regular.

Pam Johnson/Guilford Courier

Carrying On: Carol Griffin Grateful for Community of Clients

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

“When I first started here, I said, ‘It’s going to be like a country club, where everybody’s a member,’” Carol Griffin recounts. “Then sometimes I say, ‘No, it’s more like Steel Magnolias.”

North Haven Courier

Chris Roush is the dean of the School of Communication at Quinnipiac University, just published a new book, and makes North Haven his home. Photo courtesy of Chris Roush

Chris Roush: Business and Journalism 101

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

When Chris Roush accepted the position of dean at Quinnipiac University’s School of Communications in 2019, he chose North Haven as his home so he could be close to the university’s Hamden campus.

The Sound

From serving in Vietnam to spanning more than three decades of service in the U.S. Army National Guard, to his most recent status as a CT Honor Flights ‘legend,’ Brian Miniter is grateful for his military service and continues to support veterans programs. Among many efforts, he assists by placing flags on Branford military graves and attending commemorative military programs in full dress, as shown here on Memorial Day 2022. Photo by Bill O’Brien

Brian Miniter: Positively Patriotic

Published July 06, 2022 07:52 a.m.

Eighteen-year-old Brian Miniter was two days away from his wedding when his Vietnam draft card came in the mail.

The Source

Madison native and actor Cooper Rivers didn’t immediately tell friends and family he was cast in a featured role in the latest Matrix installment, Matrix: Resurrections.

Photo courtesy Cooper Rivers

Lights, Camera, Action!

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

Most folks would surmise that if you finally achieved a dream after years of hard work and dedication that you would broadcast it to the world, especially when that dream is of being cast in a major Hollywood movie. But Madison native and actor Cooper Rivers didn’t tell anyone but his family when he was cast in a featured role in the latest Matrix installment, Matrix: Resurrections.

East Haven Courier

Timothy “Tim” Shaw is an East Haven native who graduated from East Haven High School in 1984, rose through the ranks of police work, and is now in charge of 280 officers as the chief of police in Stamford. Tim will soon be inducted into the East Haven High School Hall of Fame. Photo courtesy of Timothy Shaw

Timothy Shaw: A Life of Police & Community Service

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

East Haven native Timothy “Tim” Shaw graduated from East Haven High School in 1984 to begin his undergraduate study at UCONN. He left college in his senior year, however, to eagerly take a position as a police officer at the Stamford Police Department in Stamford, Connecticut.

Valley Courier

Michael Adams: Road Runner

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

Mike Adams already has a first and Chester Rotary’s Four on the Fourth road race has not even been run yet. Mike was the first Chester resident to sign up for the 44th annual race this year. Though many road races now measure distances in kilometers, Chester calculates distance, as it always has, in miles.

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.

The Source