Person of the Week • Published Jun 02, 2023 08 am
By Pam Johnson
Working behind the scenes since 2018, Brandy Markovich is one among a group of remarkable volunteers supporting the annual #SongStrong 5K, a June 3 shoreline event with a message that resonates in every town.
Person of the Week • Published May 26, 2023 07 am
By Pam Johnson
Branford native Ken Johnson’s local shop, A Sound Choice, is celebrating 25 years of providing unique services and inventory that have made it a destination location, in an era when many brick-and-mortar businesses don’t stick around for long.
Person of the Week • Published May 23, 2023 01 pm
By John Lecardo
No matter if he is in the field against another Southern Connecticut Conference thrower or in the field of competitors within his own squad, Evan Bouley’s incentive comes...
Person of the Week • Published May 18, 2023 07 am
By Pam Johnson
Branford resident and U.S. Coast Guard veteran John Fitzgerald is honored to serve as Grand Marshal of Branford’s Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Bill O’Brien
Person of the Week • Published May 09, 2023 08 am
By John Lecardo
The saying goes that blood is thicker than water, but for Colin Deane, the saying could translate into blood being thicker than a wood or iron for himself, as the young a...
Person of the Week • Published May 09, 2023 08 am
By Ben Rayner
Laura Wellington’s great idea blossomed in the wake of several personal losses that dramatically impacted her life. The basic app is free and allows users to locate potential friends within a five-mile radius of their homes to easily and safely find someone to chat or take a walk with.
Person of the Week • Published May 05, 2023 08 am
By Pam Johnson
On April 16, Branford resident Karla Aponte Roque was crowned Miss Connecticut USA 2023 at the Marriott Hartford Windsor Airport. Next, she will compete for the title of Miss USA 2023.
Person of the Week • Published Apr 30, 2023 07 am
By John Lecardo
For the first time since before COVID, Branford High School (BHS) is once again raising the mast and fielding a sailing team this spring. And at the helm, the Hornets hav...
Person of the Week • Published Apr 27, 2023 08 am
By Pam Johnson
Branford artist Martha Link Walsh’s latest artful assist to Community Dining Room (CDR) is a piece she’s donated as one of 24 artists featured at CDR’s Dinner and Art Auction, coming Tuesday, May 2, 6 to 8:30 p.m. to Nataz restaurant in North Branford. Pam Johnson/The Sound
Person of the Week • Published Apr 18, 2023 08 am
By Pam Johnson
Branford Family Resource Center and School-Aged Child Care program coordinator Pam DeMaio invites families of young children and the community help area preschool and childcare organizations celebrate the Week of the Young Child at a free, fun, and educational Early Childhood Fair and Family Day on Sunday, April 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Branford Community House.
Person of the Week • Published Apr 16, 2023 08 am
By John Lecardo
Ava DeMilo has the headspace that nothing can stop her and she will never relent, whether for herself or her teammates, and it is that determination that helped her and t...
Person of the Week • Published Apr 11, 2023 07 am
By Pam Johnson
With Memorial Day approaching, thousands of military veterans laid to rest in cemeteries statewide have overgrown and sunken grave markers. Ed Zack Jr. says it’s disrepectful to them, including the many ‘common soldiers’ of our communities.
Person of the Week • Published Apr 04, 2023 06 am
By John Lecardo
The Branford boys’ ice hockey program underwent quite the turnaround the last two seasons, and throughout that ride, Dante DiLegge has learned a lot about himself, his ab...
Person of the Week • Published Apr 01, 2023 05 am
By John Lecardo
Jillian Vandale was drawn to dance at a young age because it gave her a chance to display her individuality, and she has certainly expressed herself on the floor while co...
Person of the Week • Published Mar 31, 2023 06 am
By Ben Rayner
Joe King’s photo mosaic artwork is on display at Branford’s Blackstone Library through April.
Person of the Week • Published Mar 24, 2023 06 am
By Pam Johnson
Lyne Landry, director of Guilford Youth and Family Services, is also a founding committee member of the annual SHEro Awards, organized by nonprofit Women and Family Life Center. Nominations are open through April 5 for recipients of the awards, which recognize exceptional area women and girls. Photo Courtesy Lyne Landry
Person of the Week • Published Mar 15, 2023 10 am
By Pam Johnson
Together with his co-developers, Branford’s Theodore ‘Ted’ Kim has won an Oscar for an innovative computer animation program. Kim was honored with a 2023 Academy Award for Technical Achievement during a special Feb. 24 awards ceremony at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
Person of the Week • Published Mar 07, 2023 06 am
By Pam Johnson
Step by step, ‘The Art of Raising a Kitten’ is an insightful, integrated primer on kitten care by Branford cat expert and author Sally E. Bahner, shown here with one of her Russian Blue cats, Sofiya. Photo by Krista Haniford
Person of the Week • Published Mar 04, 2023 07 am
By Pam Johnson
To provide a respite for those in need of some comfort, support and empathy during their day, Officer Rich Simons, a North Branford resident and Yale Police Department (YPD) veteran, visits community institutions with Officer Heidi, YPD’s Public Safety Facility Dog. Simons and Heidi, on the job since 2020, began making regular visits to Branford High School (shown here on Feb. 14) at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, as part of an initiative of a student alliance, Mental Health Matters.
Person of the Week • Published Mar 02, 2023 08 am
By John Lecardo
Throughout her sporting career, Marina Giammattei has proudly worn many hats–from All-SCC diver, to captain, and even team manager. Now, only a year into her collegiate c...
Person of the Week • Published Feb 26, 2023 08 am
By John Lecardo
Running has become synonymous with Massimo Corrick’s high school life. Whether it is to the books, the track, extracurriculars, or volunteer work in the community, he is ...
Person of the Week • Published Feb 23, 2023 10 am
By Pam Johnson
In honor of Black History Month, Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance (BACA) board member Mary Pont is thrilled to invite the community to experience, ‘The Blues and Beyond’ on Thursday, March 2, 7 p.m.; a BACA collaborative event with Walsh Intermediate School (WIS) and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Heritage Foundation, featuring student performances and more in the WIS auditorium. Admission is free.
Person of the Week • Published Feb 17, 2023 08 am
By John Lecardo
Johnna Palmese has never taken part in any other sport besides dancing, and it is a deep-rooted and longstanding passion that has carried her to great prominence-both dur...
Person of the Week • Published Feb 10, 2023 08 am
By Pam Johnson
Lori Brignola, Branford Compassion Club’s (BCC) newly-appointed board vice president and volunteer of 10 years, helps BCC succeed in its mission to rescue and rehome felines.
Person of the Week • Published Feb 07, 2023 10 am
By John Lecardo
Ryder Kropiwnicki has always enjoyed the personal responsibility facet when it comes to the sport of track and field. He has certainly been responsible for many memorable...
Person of the Week • Published Feb 07, 2023 10 am
By Pam Johnson
By producing a riveting video themed, ‘The Imagined Life,’ Linda Nedell is helping Guilford’s Women and Family Life Center (WFLC) speak truth to the empowHer Gala, coming Thursday, March 23 to Woodwinds in Branford.
Person of the Week • Published Feb 03, 2023 08 am
By John Lecardo
For Max Kyle, when it comes to any tale of the tape on the gridiron, it is a moot point for him. And that is because no matter the size of an obstacle or adversary, he ha...
Person of the Week • Published Jan 31, 2023 11 am
By Pam Johnson
Local author Kimberly Behre Kenna, a former 5th grade teacher, launches her eco-conscious, magic-filled middle grade book.
Person of the Week • Published Jan 29, 2023 08 am
By John Lecardo
No matter the event, the course, or its distance, Colin Donahoe never stops to improve upon his last run–a mental path that has paved the way to incredible personal succe...
Person of the Week • Published Jan 24, 2023 09 am
By Pam Johnson
For St. Stephen’s AME Zion Church’s 100th anniversary in Branford, its religious community leaders want to inspire the greater community to join in the celebration. Associate minister Rev. Alberta Woody is helping St. Stephen’s Pastor in Charge, Rev. Dr. Leroy O. Perry, to organize the effort. Photo by Pam Johnson/The Sound
Person of the Week • Published Jan 19, 2023 10 am
By Pam Johnson
Branford’s Kevin Zuniga will soon become the first member of his family to attend college. The Branford High School senior has just won a full, four-year scholarship to Stanford University through a national non-profit college match program, QuestBridge.
Person of the Week • Published Jan 13, 2023 08 am
By Pam Johnson
As Branford Community Television (BCTV) board president, Ted Ebberts sees BCTV’s 50th birthday year as a golden opportunity to help Branford “get back to the golden years” of utilizing, accessing, and experiencing everything BCTV has to offer.
Person of the Week • Published Jan 06, 2023 04 pm
By John Lecardo
When it comes to playing striker on the soccer pitch, success of a player is often determined by the level of aggressiveness when racing down the ball. For Tess Ferrie, s...
Person of the Week • Published Dec 31, 2022 08 am
By John Lecardo
Cooper Torrey has worn a lot of different hats on the football field for Notre Dame-West Haven (ND-WH) the last two seasons. But most importantly and rewarding, he conclu...
Person of the Week • Published Dec 29, 2022 10 am
By Aaron Rubin
As executive director at the Shore Line Trolley Museum, John Proto is keeping an eye on the future while preserving the past. Photo by Aaron Rubin/The Sound
Person of the Week • Published Dec 18, 2022 10 am
By John Lecardo
No matter the scenario or opponent, Cole Snider refuses to fear, overthink, or shy away from any challenge–something he has been doing his entire life to rousing results....
Person of the Week • Published Dec 14, 2022 09 am
By Pam Johnson
From heartfelt memorials to shows of support, or as a way to simply to make others smile, Northford’s Doreen Vetro has become known for her self-described “crocheted appreciation creations.”
Person of the Week • Published Dec 11, 2022 02 pm
By John Lecardo
In field hockey, Ellie Wieland loves both the fire that one needs to compete at the highest level, along with the familial atmosphere that can come with it. She used both...
Person of the Week • Published Dec 07, 2022 09 am
By Pam Johnson
For her exceptional efforts during the pandemic, and as one who has spent a lifetime mentoring girls and women, and, by example, shared the values of confidence, courage, and hard work, as well as the importance of philanthropy, Francine Farkas Sears will be honored with a prestigious Girl Scouts of CT “Women Who Shine” award at the 26th annual Breakfast Badge Awards in Hartford on Thursday, Dec. 8.
Person of the Week • Published Nov 30, 2022 02 pm
By Pam Johnson
Joe Briganti’s first book, <em id="emphasis-c5ecc0909080faa8a932d2b1a387f57f">Moral Demise,</em> is a thriller for young adults. But for this newly-published author, Guilford resident and Branford High School assistant principal, it’s also a story of perseverance, and belief in one’s own abilities.
Person of the Week • Published Nov 26, 2022 03 pm
By James Kidd
Paige Kelly has filled many roles for the Branford Hornets during her volleyball career. The senior captain has played both outside hitter and middle hitter. She consiste...
Person of the Week • Published Nov 23, 2022 08 am
By Pam Johnson
Evie Mollow has put her knack for great thrift shop fashion finds to work as a business that’s also in the business of assisting local non-profits. The 16-year-old Branford High School senior runs ‘The Rack,’ a pop-up clothing and accessories shop, which has as its tagline ‘Thrifting for a Cause.’
Person of the Week • Published Nov 16, 2022 11 am
By Pam Johnson
When Debbie Verrillo joined Northford’s Edward Smith Library as Children’s Librarian, she had no idea it would become her second home for the next 34 years. On Saturday, Nov. 19, from noon to 3 p.m., join the staff of the North Branford Public Libraries at Smith Library, 3 Old Post Road, for a special open house retirement celebration honoring her years of dedication and service.
Person of the Week • Published Nov 04, 2022 01 pm
By Pam Johnson
On Sunday, Nov. 6, Branford’s Veterans Day Parade Grand Marshal and keynote speaker will be Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient Jack Dougherty, corporal, USMC Retired.
Person of the Week • Published Oct 30, 2022 12 pm
Senior captain Lauren McCarthy is nearing the end of her tenure as a member of the Branford field hockey team. As one of four captains, Lauren not only holds an important...
Person of the Week • Published Oct 26, 2022 08 am
By Pam Johnson
North Branford resident Philip Martinez Jr., Ed.D, MSN, APRN-BC, CCRN-CMC holds many roles in his profession as a practitioner, educator and academic administrator. On January 1, 2023, he will begin his first term as elected chair of the volunteer-based national Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education board of commissioners.
Person of the Week • Published Oct 22, 2022 02 pm
Ava Ferrie is serving as a senior captain for Branford girls’ soccer team this season. Playing midfield for the Hornets, Ava features a unique blend of vision and speed t...
Person of the Week • Published Oct 19, 2022 08 am
By Pam Johnson
Rachelle Chaput says she and her husband, chef Christophe Santos, are excited to welcome guests to Ôtoulouse, their new French restaurant opening soon at 2 East Main Street in Branford.
Person of the Week • Published Oct 12, 2022 08 am
By Pam Johnson
Bernadette Deamico joined non-profit Women and Family Life Center (WFLC) as its new Development Manager in September. She’s looking forward to raising funds and building awareness for programs supporting women, family, and individuals in 16 area towns, including Branford and North Branford.
Person of the Week • Published Oct 05, 2022 08 am
By Pam Johnson
Dr. Margo Merin, DSW, of Branford will moderate “Seniors Embracing Life” a panel discussion featuring panelists ages 70 to 100, at Guilford Free Library (GFL) Saturday, Oct. 8, 1 to 3:30 p.m. The free, drop in event is co-presented by Shoreline Eldercare Alliance and GFL.
