North Haven Courier Person of the Week

North Haven Courier

Inspired by an Instagram post, Jenn Cecarelli and her husband Rich launched Peace, Love, Books!, a mobile used bookshop that supports local independent booksellers and gives back to the community. Photo courtesy of Jenn Cecarelli

Cecarelli’s Peace, Love, Books! Bus Combines Passion for Reading and the Community

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

Last summer, Jenn Cecarelli was scrolling through Instagram when she was drawn in by a post @CincyBookBus, a mobile bookstore set up in a classic VW bus.

North Haven Courier

After working for eight years as a guidance counselor at North Haven High School, Anthony Mastriano has taken over as coordinator of counseling for grades 6 to 12 for North Haven Public Schools. Photo courtesy of Anthony Mastriano

Mastriano Strives to Create Connections with Students as NHPS Coordinator of Counseling

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

Though Anthony Mastriano has always known he wanted to work in the field of education, he wasn’t sure what path he would take in his career.

North Haven Courier

Steven Stellato, owner of Stellato’s Deli and Catering, will be the head chef for the upcoming farm-to-table fundraiser dinner to benefit the historical society and the Daytime Gardeners. Photo courtesy of Steven Stellato

Chef Stellato Helps Bring Farm to Table in Fundraiser for North Haven Organizations

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

Throughout his life, Steven Stellato has given back to his community in any way he could.

East Haven Courier

East Haven resident Maria Rivera recently published her first novel, Chasing the Wind, inspired by her experiences growing up in Washington Heights, her family, and mission trips with Hope Christian Church in North Haven. Photo courtesy of Maria Rivera

Lifetime of Experiences Come Together in Maria Rivera’s First Novel

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

Even though Maria Rivera has always loved reading and writing—she has now been teaching English for more than 25 years—it wasn’t until this year that she finally shared her own writing with the world.

North Haven Courier

Officer Steve Sudac helped begin a monthly outreach program to connect with the youth in the North Haven community. Photo courtesy of NHPD

Sudac Looks to Build Relationships through Community Events

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

Last month the North Haven Police Department (NHPD) kicked off a new event to help strengthen the bond between officers and North Haven’s youngest citizens. The idea for the event came from Officers Steve Sudac and John Battick.

North Haven Courier

Ray Andrewsen, who has a lifelong history of working, volunteering, and living in North Haven, was named executive director of the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce in March. Photo courtesy of Ray Andrewsen

Ray Andrewsen Brings Deep Roots to Quinnipiac Chamber

Published June 16, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Ray Andrewsen’s family history in North Haven dates back to the 1920s when his grandparents moved to town from Norway with Ray’s mother. They built one of the first houses on Sackett Point Road and set their roots in town for generations to come.

North Haven Courier

Carly Fresher was named valedictorian on North Haven High School’s Class of 2021.

Photo courtesy of Carly Fresher

Valedictorian Carly Fresher Inspired by Those Closest to Her

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

Carly Fresher has always set high standards for herself. She remembers an assignment she received her freshman year at North Haven High School (NHHS).

North Haven Courier

Lisa McCann is one of the troop leaders of Girl Scout Troop 60387, of which her daughter has been a part since she was in kindergarten. Photo courtesy of Lisa McCann

From Daisies to Cadets, McCann Sees Her Troop Grow

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

As one of the troop leaders for Girl Scout Troop 60387, Lisa McCann has seen her troop, which includes her older daughter Teagan, grow from the Daisy level when they began in kindergarten to the Cadet level as they finish up their 6th-grade year.

North Haven Courier

Roger Poggio, a board member of the North Haven Fair Association, has organized monthly collections to benefit local community organizations.

Photo courtesy of Roger Poggio

Volunteering is ‘Fair’ Game for Roger Poggio

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

Roger Poggio realized the benefit of giving back and getting involved in the community when his now-grown son was just five years old. Roger had been a boy scout growing up and when he signed his son up, he began to volunteer.

North Haven Courier

North Haven native Kevin Puzycki, a veterinarian, recently illustrated the cover for his brother Matt Puzycki’s book, Forming the Javelin. Photo courtesy of Kevin Puzycki

Kevin Puzycki Continues Lifelong Passion for Art & Animals

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

Growing up in North Haven, Kevin Puzycki always looked for ways to nurture his passion for both art and animals. He remembers spending his days asking his parents for different pets, connecting with nature outside, and then drawing while watching cartoons.

North Haven Courier

Don Rocklin combines his passion for the outdoors and photography by helping with the North Haven Camera Club and North Haven Trail Association’s Marsh Walk Photo Contest. Photo courtesy of Don Rocklin

Don Rocklin Combines Passion for Outdoors and Photography with Photo Contest

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

As a member of both the North Haven Trail Association (NHTA) and the North Haven Camera Club (NHCC), Don Rocklin is excited about the groups’ dual efforts in hosting the Marsh Walk Photo Contest, which is open through Thursday, July 1. All images must be taken of or from the Tidal Marsh Trail, which can be accessed behind Target in North Haven.

East Haven Courier

East Haven resident Jill Anderson Perez has found a second hometown in North Haven through her involvement with the North Haven Fair. Photo courtesy of Jill Anderson Perez

Jill Anderson Perez Prepares to Bring a Taste of Fairs to Summer

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

Jill Anderson Perez would have never imagined that the local fair and festival scene would become a big part of her life. Now the lifelong East Haven resident is not only coordinating the Fair Food Festival on the North Haven Fairgrounds this summer, but organizing several other events as well, all while also working full-time in the healthcare industry and raising her three children—nine-year-old Stefan, six-year-old Summer, and two-year-old Grayson—with her husband Felipe.

North Haven Courier

Kathy Farrelly is captain of the Two Wheels for Hope/Smilow North Haven Closer to Free team and will ride in honor of her mom among others. Photo courtesy of Kathy Farrelly

Kathy Farrelly Ready to Ride as Team Captain for Closer to Free

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

Kathy Farrelly knew she wanted to be a nurse from a young age. She was inspired by the stories her grandmother told about the people she took care of in her days as a nurse’s aid.

North Haven Courier

As vice president of the Peter’s Rock Association Board, Joanne Chvisuk is ideally placed to help share her love of the outdoors with the community. Photo courtesy of Joanne Chvisuk

Joanne Chvisuk: Sharing Her Love of the Great Outdoors

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

Joanne Chvisuk grew up in New Haven. Since she moved to North Haven almost 20 years ago, this active outdoors lover has found plenty of ways to enjoy and preserve nature in the area.

North Haven Courier

As a lifelong artist, Stef Munzi-Logus is using her talents to write and illustrate a book inspired by her son and educate the public about his hearing loss. Photo courtesy of Stef Munzi-Logus

Stef Munzi-Logus Uses Art to Bring Awareness to Hearing Loss

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

Stef Munzi-Logus has loved drawing and art for as long as she could remember. She has not only been able to channel her passion into her career—she’s a high school art teacher in Hartford—but is now using her talent to raise awareness for microtia and atresia, a hearing loss condition that affects her 13-month-old son Joseph.

North Haven Courier

Kirsten Lombardi has not only founded a business based on her love of crafting, but made connections in the crafting community through her volunteer work with the North Haven Fair, which is launching a monthly Outdoor Craft Barn Series in May.

Photo courtesy of Kirsten Lombardi

Kirsten Lombardi Brings Crafting Community Together with North Haven Fair’s Outdoor Craft Barn Series

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

Ever since she was young, Kirsten Lombardi has had a creative side. She has always turned to crafting to unwind, but when she was pregnant with her first child, she left her full-time position to focus on her family and decided to turn her crafting into a side gig.

North Haven Courier

When North Haven’s elder residents sought help finding vaccine appointments, Valerie Goodkin was a key part of the team connection those in need with the right resources. Photo courtesy of Valerie Goodkin

Valerie Goodkin Rises to New Challenges During COVID Pandemic

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

Having worked as executive assistant to First Selectman Mike Freda since he took office in 2009, Valerie Goodkin has seen the town of North Haven and its residents face many challenges.

North Haven Courier

Dr. Phil M. Boiselle has been appointed dean of the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, effective July 1. Photo courtesy of Jean Kirby

Dr. Phil M. Boiselle Ready to Return to New England as Dean of QU’s Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine

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

This summer, Dr. Phil M. Boiselle will return to the area where his academic and professional career began as he was recently appointed dean of the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University, a position he begins on July 1.

North Haven Courier

With a new lodge in the works at 80 Old Broadway West, the Elks Lodge #25 is growing its efforts to grow the community, thanks in part to its exalted ruler, Paul Salisbury.

Photo courtesy of Paul Salisbury

Paul Salisbury Excited to Continue Weaving Elks Into the Fabric of Community

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

While Paul Salisbury has been involved with the Elks for more than three decades, he still carries the same passion for the group as he did when he first started. Paul is now serving his fourth term as exalted ruler of Elks Lodge 25.

North Haven Courier

Karen Ann Wolujewicz took over as director of health for Quinniack Valley Health District in August, taking on the task in the midst of a pandemic.

Photo courtesy of Karen Ann Wolujewicz

Karen Ann Wolujewicz Fulfilling Mission of Protecting Public Health as QVHD Director

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

Growing up in North Haven, Karen Ann Wolujewicz always dreamt of becoming a doctor. After studying biology at Villanova with a plan of taking that path, she was inspired by her aunt Ofelia Calubiran, an infectious disease physician, to take a different path.

North Haven Courier

North Haven native Gabrielle Carrubba made her Broadway debut right out of college in the original cast of Dear Evan Hansen as an understudy, later playing the role of Zoe Murphy. Photo courtesy of Gabrielle Carrubba

North Haven’s Gabrielle Carrubba Ready to Return to Broadway

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

Gabrielle Carrubba has had a love of performing for as long as she could remember. She began dancing when she was five years old, spent her 7th-grade year in a Broadway national tour of Annie, and found her calling in the school musicals at North Haven High School.

North Haven Courier

Tracy Wolkovitz has seen friends, family, and the community come together to support her throughout the past year as she served as a nurse on the Yale New Haven Hospital COVID floor. Photo courtesy of Tracy Wolkovitz

Tracy Wolkovitz Grateful for Support She’s Received as an R.N.

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

Tracy Wolkovitz has worked as a nurse on the same floor for nearly 13 years, seeing some changes over the years. Originally, she worked for St. Raphael’s Hospital, which then became part of Yale New Haven Hospital.

North Haven Courier

Through his work, Birch Bidwell facilitated the donation of an AED machine to the North Haven Fire Department.

Photo courtesy of Birch Bidwell

Birch Bidwell Has New AED Machine Donated to NHFD

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

As a member of the marketing team at Defibtech, LLC, in Guilford, Birch Bidwell learned that his company offered a program to its employees that allows them to make a donation of an automated external defibrillator (AED) to a non-profit or organization of the employee’s choice.

North Haven Courier

Reaching out through social media, Jackie Ford recently hosted a virtual collection drive help donors purchase and drop-ship new, life-like baby dolls to give to those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s while receiving assistance from Orchard House Medical Adult Day Center in Branford. Photo courtesy of Jackie Ford

Baby Dolls and Beyond: Ford Makes Connections to Help Others

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

As a member of the social media group #Volunteer-ItsWhatWeDo and through her own efforts to help others during the pandemic, North Haven resident Jackie Ford found a way to bring baby dolls, comfort, and joy to non-profit Orchard House Medical Adult Day Center in Branford.

North Haven Courier

Sandra Preneta shifted from an assistant principal role at North Haven High School for the past 14 years to serving as the interim principal at Montowese Elementary School for the 2020-’21 school year. Photo courtesy of Sandra Preneta

Sandra Preneta Loves Sense of Community at Montowese Elementary

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

It is no surprise to Sandra Preneta that found herself working in the field of education as becoming a teacher had been her dream since she was a little girl.

East Haven Courier

Evelyn Rossetti-Ryan, an East Haven resident and chief of outreach and access for Area Cooperative Education Services in North Haven, is honored with the Quinnipiac Chamber’s Excellence in Advocacy distinction. Photo courtesy of Evelyn Rossetti-Ryan

East Haven’s Evelyn Rossetti-Ryan of ACES Earns Excellence in Advocacy Award from Quinnipiac Chamber

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

Growing up in New Haven, Evelyn Rossetti-Ryan was always interested in the many aspects of education and communication. She loved poetry, learning new languages, connecting with people, and raising awareness for various causes.

North Haven Courier

After learning about StudioBE’s efforts to perform The Nutcracker from his neighbor, Bryan Lauriat wanted to support the arts and found a new interest. Photo courtesy of Bryan Lauriat

Bryan Lauriat Discovers Passion for the Arts through Nutcracker Sponsorship

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

Growing up in North Haven, Bryan Lauriat has fond memories of his days playing baseball and hockey, including playing both at North Haven High School.

North Haven Courier

At the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce’s annual Women’s Achievement Awards, a virtual event on Thursday, Jan. 28, Nanette Pastore will be presented with the Woman of the Year award. Photo courtesy of Nanette Pastore

Nanette Pastore Named Woman of the Year by Quinnipiac Chamber

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

The Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Women’s Achievement Awards as a virtual event on Thursday, Jan. 28, honoring seven local women, including North Haven resident Nanette Pastore.

North Haven Courier

Dan Montgomery will do whatever it takes to support a great cause; he’s shown here on Dec. 12 chairing a Toy Drive event in the Washington Commons Plaza on behalf of non-profit Kids for Kids Dancing for Life, Inc. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Courier

This Dance Dad Steps Up: Montgomery Helps ‘Kids for Kids’ and More

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

Whether it’s standing outside for hours in the freezing rain or breaking out his “Dance Dads” sneakers, Dan Montgomery will step up to support a great cause, and he’s found another one in his volunteer work with non-profit Kids for Kids Dancing for Life, Inc.

North Haven Courier

This Dance Dad Steps Up: Montgomery Helps ‘Kids for Kids’ and More

Published Jan. 04, 2021 08:16 a.m.

Dan Montgomery will step up to support a great cause; and he’s found another one in his volunteer work with non-profit Kids for Kids Dancing for Life, Inc.

North Haven Courier Person of the Week

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