Harbor News Person of the Week

Harbor News

With a career in the building trades since age 16, Richard Pleines is bringing his experience to Clinton as the town’s new building inspector. Photo by Eric O’Connell/Harbor News

Building Resources in Clinton and Beyond

Published July 28, 2021 08:30 a.m.

With skills earned as a local contractor and an appreciation for working with people, Richard Pleines has signed on as the new building official in Clinton.

Harbor News

Sharon Tiezzi: The Pride of Local Lions

Published July 21, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Whether it’s from food service, to volunteering, to court, over the last 30 years if you’ve lived in Old Saybrook you’ve probably run into Sharon Tiezzi.

Harbor News

Clinton native John O’Connell has devoted the last three decades to keeping Andrews Memorial Town Hall in top shape. Photo courtesy of John O’Connell

John O’Connell: In the Center of It All

Published July 14, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Go to any meeting, event, or referendum at Andrews Memorial Town Hall in Clinton and you may notice one person hanging out in the background every time.

Harbor News

In an effort to better showcase the life of Katharine Hepburn, the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (The Kate) is working on a major expansion project. One of the people helping to facilitate that work is Kimberly Keinz. Photo courtesy of Kimberly Keinz

Kimberly Keinz: Making The Museum of the Kate Even Better

Published July 07, 2021 08:30 a.m.

“A Real Tribute to Katharine Hepburn” Due to Reopen Fall 2022

Harbor News

Old Saybrook native Judy Sullivan has been leading the Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce for more than a decade.

Photo courtesy of Judy Sullivan

Judy Sullivan: Leading the Chamber Through Challenging Times

Published June 30, 2021 08:30 a.m.

“My youngest started kindergarten and I realized I wanted to get back into the workforce, so I took a part time job,” Judy Sullivan recalls.

Harbor News

Old Saybrook native Elijah Manning has helped his hometown and other communities across the state to grapple with anti-racism education. Photo courtesy of Elijah Manning

Elijah Manning: Helping to Close Gaps in Education

Published June 23, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Over the last year, many people across the nation have engaged in difficult conversations related to race and unconscious bias. Elijah Manning, a familiar face along the shoreline, has helped facilitate those conversations.

Harbor News

After more than a decade of serving as president of the Clinton Land Conservation Trust, Mike Houde’s appreciation for Clinton’s open spaces remains strong.

Photo by Eric O’Connell/Harbor News

Mike Houde: A Natural Affinity for Clinton

Published June 17, 2021 12:01 a.m.

Talk long enough to any Clinton resident about their favorite aspects of Clinton and just about all of them will eventually mention the natural beauty found around the town.

Harbor News

Peg Patierno: Dedicated to the Cause

Published June 09, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Margaret Patierno moved to Westbrook in 1995. With her children grown, Margaret—or Peg, as she’s known to her friends—decided to acclimate to her new community by volunteering. Ever since then Peg has become known to so many for her dedication to a variety of causes.

Harbor News

When it comes to scouting, Kevin Fry is a lifer. Photo courtesy of Kevin Fry

Kevin Fry: Scouting a Course through COVID

Published June 03, 2021 12:01 a.m.

Kevin is actually the pack master, a position he’s held for two years. As master, Kevin often speaks with different dens and leaders in the region, helps coordinate pack activities, and finds outside speakers to come speak with the kids.

Harbor News

After more than three decades at the Killingworth Nursery School, Mary Angus will retire as director this June. Photo courtesy of Mary Angus

Mary Angus: Celebrating a Career Caring for Kids

Published May 26, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Mary Angus is retiring as director of Killingworth Nursery School (KNS) next month.

Harbor News

After almost four decades, Shelley Braza is retiring from the Clinton Post Office.

Photo courtesy of Shelley Braza

Shelley Braza Still Carries a Torch, If not the Mail, for the Shoreline

Published May 19, 2021 08:30 a.m.

For close to four decades, Shelley Braza has been a familiar face for 500 Clinton residents a day. That era is coming to an end on Friday, May 21 when Shelley is retiring from the Clinton Post Office.

Harbor News

Clinton resident and Westbrook Deputy Treasurer Tracey Celentano is celebrating her first year as finance director of Essex. Photo by Rita Christopher/Harbor News

Tracey Celentano: Making Sense of Dollars and Cents

Published May 12, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Tracey Celentano is celebrating an anniversary, a double anniversary, actually: her first year as finance director of Essex and the completion of her first budget cycle with the annual town budget meeting.

Harbor News

A U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam era, Tom Kehoe is an active member of both VFW Post 9918 and the American Legion. Photo courtesy of Tom Kehoe

Tom Kehoe Keeps Finding Ways to Serve

Published May 05, 2021 08:30 a.m.

More than 10 years ago, Tom Kehoe was asked to join VFW Post 9918 in Clinton.

Harbor News

Westbrook’s Elizabeth Rieder is a senior research scientist at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center. Photo by Rita Christopher/The Courier

Elizabeth Rieder Fights Disease by Day, Supports Community at Night

Published April 28, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Everybody knows about foot-in mouth-disease. Who hasn’t said something they immediately wish they could take back?

Harbor News

Westbrook native Kathleen Cartwright got her start at the Henry Carter Hull Library before heading off to other adventures, but she’s now back and helping guide the library through the tumult of the COVID pandemic. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Cartwright

Kathleen Cartwright: A Place for People as Well as Books

Published April 21, 2021 08:30 a.m.

It was some well-timed advice from her sister that set Kathleen Cartwright on her eventual career path.

Harbor News

For almost 20 years, Bob Eburg has been a stalwart volunteer for Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries. Photo courtesy of Bon Eburg

Bob Eburg: Keeping the Pantries Stocked

Published April 14, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Bob Eburg said he recently learned how to search his emails so he went back trying to find one old message in particular.

Harbor News

When she realized how confusing vaccine registration could be for some, Barbara Oefinger reached out to her neighbors to offer assistance that grew from registration help to rides to clinics. Photo courtesy of Barbara Oefinger

Barbara Oefinger Helps Neighbors Navigate COVID Vaccination Process

Published April 07, 2021 08:30 a.m.

After facing challenges registering herself for the COVID-19 vaccine, Barbara Oefinger went to work helping her senior neighbors get registered and vaccinated.

Harbor News

After feeling called to nursing as a child, Diane Aldi DePaola spent a lengthy career in psychiatric nursing and continues to help looking after her community in retirement.

Photo courtesy of Diane Aldi DePaola

Diane Aldi DePaola is All About Volunteering

Published March 31, 2021 08:30 a.m.

From a very young age, Diane Aldi DePaola—chair of the Old Saybrook Public Health Nursing Board (PHNB) for 18 years, member of the Historic District Commission, artist, retired nurse, and proud grandmother—was taught by her mother to contribute to her community.

Harbor News

Tania Abbatello combines her biology background and her business experience when serving on the Clinton Sustainability Committee and as an alternate for the Inland Wetlands Commission. Photo courtesy of Tania Abbatello

Tania Abbatello: Merging Biology and a Business Background

Published March 24, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Tania Abbatello credits growing up in Northford—and early readings of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax—with her lifelong interest in environmentalism.

Harbor News

Since arriving in Clinton in 2001, Mary Jo Phelps has gotten involved in town government in several ways. Photo courtesy of Mary Jo Phelps

Mary Jo Phelps: A Deep Commitment on Many Fronts

Published March 17, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Whether it’s helping shepherd in a new form of government, working to balance economic growth and environmental protection, or helping educate students, you can say Mary Jo Phelps has her hand in every facet of life in Clinton.

Harbor News

Noreen Saunders, a physical therapist and rehab supervisor for Westbrook Visiting Nurses and Public Health, says successful contact tracing relies less on medical knowledge and more on empathy. Photo by Rebecca Kieran

Noreen Saunders: Making Contact in the COVID Era

Published March 10, 2021 08:30 a.m.

When it comes to contact tracing for COVID-19 in Westbrook, Noreen Saunders is pretty much a one-woman show.

Harbor News

As a photographer, Amy Trahant has been there for many important moments for area residents, including fundraiser photo shoots during the pandemic.

Photo courtesy of Amy Trahant

Amy Trahant: Seeing the Good in People

Published March 03, 2021 08:30 a.m.

When Amy Trahant was in college, she considered signing up for a photography class but was talked out of it by a friend.

Harbor News

For Alan Kravitz, one of the best ways to be involved in the community is helping guide its development. Photo courtesy of Alan Kravits

Alan Kravitz: A Man with a Plan

Published Feb. 24, 2021 08:30 a.m.

The Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) is the entity in Clinton charged with monitoring developments and land use in any town.

Harbor News

Old Saybrook High School music teacher Jeremy Taylor is part of a team intent on giving students a chance to keep the music going during the pandemic. Photo by Jeremy Milton

Jeremy Taylor: Making Sure The Music Plays On

Published Feb. 17, 2021 08:30 a.m.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented particular challenges for teaching music in schools and Old Saybrook is no exception.

Harbor News

With a background in book publishing as well as libraries, Allison Murphy is no adapting quickly to her new home in Clinton and new role as head of public services for the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library. Photo courtesy of Allison Murphy

New Job, New Building, New Town

Published Feb. 10, 2021 08:30 a.m.

“Everything I’ve done in my past has led to this,” Allison Murphy says.

Harbor News

Stained glass artist Eileen O’Donnell has branched out into sculpture, both as an artist and a supporter of the Hollycroft Foundation’s efforts to bring large-scale sculptures to the shoreline. Photo courtesy of Eileen O’Donnell

Eileen O’Donnell: Putting Art Front and Center

Published Feb. 03, 2021 08:30 a.m.

One day Eileen O’Donnell was cleaning and she found her report cards from when she was growing up as a young girl on Long Island. No matter the subject, and no matter the grade she received, Eileen saw that every teacher in every grade had the same comment.

Harbor News

Kristina Martineau, Westbrook’s new superintendent of schools, says she’s excited about the direction the district is taking. Photo courtesy of Westbrook Public Schools

Martineau Takes the Lead for Westbrook Schools

Published Jan. 27, 2021 08:30 a.m.

As a child, Kristina Martineau loved to play school but, perhaps counterintuitively, preferred the role of student.

Harbor News

Some people just know how to put on a show. For Clinton’s Sam Reed, that includes the annual holiday light show he creates at his family home each winter, as well as his passion for theater end music. Photo courtesy of Sam Reed

Thriving In—and Adding to—the Creative Community

Published Jan. 20, 2021 08:30 a.m.

During this holiday season did you take time to drive by the light show at Frederick Place in Clinton?

Valley Courier

As vice president for programs and operations at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, Thayer Talbott has seen the community step up to help neighbors in need during the pandemic. Photo courtesy of Thayer Talbott

Thayer Talbott: It’s All About Community

Published Jan. 13, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Thayer Talbott gets to do something special at work: Give away money.

Harbor News

Gardener extraordinaire for the Old Saybrook Historical Society, Bonnie Penders wants to share her enthusiasm and hard-won experience with others.

Photo courtesy of Bonnie Penders

Bonnie Penders: A Wise Yet Modest Gardener

Published Jan. 06, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Old Saybrook Historical Society’s celebrated gardener Bonnie Penders is an advanced master gardener, a certified Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut (FGCC) landscape design consultant, and the 2020 recipient of the FGCC’s prestigious Ellen Carder Memorial Award for noteworthy horticulture achievement.

Harbor News Person of the Week

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