Person of the Week • Published Oct 08, 2024 02 pm
By John Lecardo
Ashlyn O’Rourke did not touch a field hockey stick until entering junior high, yet once she picked up a stick, she never put it down. She fully invested her full time, he...
Person of the Week • Published Sep 25, 2024 08 am
By Pam Johnson
As Volunteer Coordinator for Community Dining Room (CDR), Gleeson Edwards helps CDR’s valuable volunteers contribute their time and talent to best support the many programs and services of non-profit CDR, which serves the towns of Branford, North Branford, Guilford, and East Haven.
Person of the Week • Published Sep 24, 2024 10 am
By John Lecardo
Lauren Vitarisi has been drawn to the break-neck feel of a volleyball match. So through those experiences, she has learned how to keep her head on a swivel, think fast, a...
Person of the Week • Published Sep 18, 2024 08 am
By Pam Johnson
Now in his 54th year with The Guilford Fair, Tom Baker started off showing beef cattle at age 13 and went on to help the Guilford Agricultural Society put on the fair as a pivotal member of its pit crew team and co-director of the oxen, horse, and pony departments. The pit’s powerful contests celebrate an agricultural past when animals worked the land. A shoreline favorite, The Guilford Fair is second-oldest agricultural fair in Connecticut and will take place Sept. 20 - Sept. 22 this year.
Person of the Week • Published Aug 30, 2024 11 am
By John Lecardo
Katie Vaspasiano has always held the game of lacrosse and the North Branford girls’ lacrosse team in the highest regards. Her pride and passion for both truly shined thro...
Person of the Week • Published Aug 27, 2024 10 am
By John Lecardo
Each and every one of us is on the go on a daily basis, moving back and forth between various responsibilities and jobs. But for a North Branford High School alum, she ha...
Person of the Week • Published Aug 13, 2024 11 am
By John Lecardo
It does not matter how you start, but more about how you finish. For Connor Stoner, he can add an addendum to that statement after his lacrosse career with North Branford...
Person of the Week • Published Jul 31, 2024 08 am
By Pam Johnson
Hank Petroskey is a busy volunteer in his North Branford community and beyond, including 11 years of supporting the Potato and Corn (POCO) Festival as the event’s vendor supervisor. POCO takes place at Augur Field Friday Aug. 2 through Sunday, Aug. 4.
Person of the Week • Published Jul 20, 2024 06 am
By Pam Johnson
Vivika DeNegre invites her shoreline neighbors in Branford and North Branford to attend one of the most successful and longest-running annual craft shows in America, the Guilford Craft Expo, which brings over 160 juried artisans to the Guilford green Friday, July 19 through Sunday July 21. Ticket sales benefit non-profit Guilford Art Center, serving the shoreline.
Person of the Week • Published Jul 16, 2024 11 am
By John Lecardo
Lexi Falcioni garnered great longevity in the game of softball, thanks to the constant uplifting and encouragement of her long-standing teammates. Through that, she has l...
Person of the Week • Published Jul 08, 2024 02 pm
By John Lecardo
Jason O’Connor loves the basic teaching nature of the sport of baseball and how it mirrors life. He used that to become a great reflection and model of persistence for th...
Person of the Week • Published Jul 03, 2024 08 am
By Pam Johnson
Community Dining Room (CDR) Program Coordinator Jane Ferrall welcomes all to come out and enjoy CDR free dinners and activities at outdoor community-building events taking place Tuesdays and Wednesdays all summer long.
Person of the Week • Published Jun 26, 2024 08 am
By Pam Johnson
Northford native Jason Cisto has published the third installment of his Buddy Barker children’s book series.
Person of the Week • Published Jun 25, 2024 11 am
By John Lecardo
The sport of tennis is more about securing points, sets, and matches. There is a certain element to it that challenges one to play the game with a certain dignity and rev...
Person of the Week • Published Jun 19, 2024 08 am
By Pam Johnson
North Branford High School Valedictorian Kiley Mullins put her best foot forward excelling in academic and athletics. She will study nursing at her dream school, where she will also play Division 3 softball with the varsity team
Person of the Week • Published Jun 18, 2024 12 pm
By John Lecardo
Matt Prato is graduating from high school as one of the more well-rounded students, athletes, and people in his class. He has done it all on the back of hard work, dedica...
Person of the Week • Published Jun 12, 2024 08 am
By Pam Johnson
On Friday, June 28, after 38 years with BELC, including the last 10 years as BELC Director, Diane Pappacoda will officially retire.
Person of the Week • Published Jun 05, 2024 08 am
By Pam Johnson
This time last year, Clare Torelli was in stage 5 kidney failure, Now, she is now on the road to recovery, thanks to a lot of help from her family and friends as well as the caring show of support from so many in her community.
Person of the Week • Published May 29, 2024 08 am
By Eric O'Connell
As Bare Necessities Vice President, Nancy Popp works to assist struggling families in need of donations of baby diapers and wipes. She’s grateful for continued community support of Bare Necessities collection efforts, including those who responded to the annual Law Enforcement Diaper Drive joined once again by Branford and North Branford police departments
Person of the Week • Published May 21, 2024 11 am
By John Lecardo
Mikella O'Brien is always soaking up knowledge and taking on new challenges to strengthen her repertoire with lacrosse. That determined drive has led to her being a sharp...
Person of the Week • Published May 07, 2024 11 am
By John Lecardo
Any athlete that is asked to change their field assignment on the fly might feel some trepidation, much less when you are an underclassman. Yet Alyssa Marino showed a cer...
Person of the Week • Published Apr 30, 2024 01 pm
By John Lecardo
Sophia Sorrell always had a curious and adventurous mind and body when it came to sports during her upbringing. Now, those personality traits have served her well in her ...
Person of the Week • Published Apr 24, 2024 08 am
By Pam Johnson
Patrick Hackett, the new fundraising coordinator for Community Dining Room (CDR) is organizing CDR’s Art Gala and Auction on Sunday, April 28, 2 to 5 p.m. at beautiful Millpond Gatherings in Northford.
Person of the Week • Published Apr 16, 2024 11 am
By John Lecardo
Whether you are running full steam ahead in your own lane, or waiting for your leg of a relay race to take off, track and field can be a physically grueling and mentally ...
Person of the Week • Published Apr 02, 2024 11 am
By John Lecardo
Emily Gu has grasped the essential skills of fencing in order to master it and become a pivotal piece of the burgeoning North Branford fencing team. Yet even more crucial...
Person of the Week • Published Mar 27, 2024 08 am
By Pam Johnson
Donna Weidenmann has been Atwater children’s librarian since 2007 and has served the community as part of the North Branford public library team since 1987. She will retire in April.
Person of the Week • Published Mar 26, 2024 11 am
By John Lecardo
Lily Ardito treats her stature as an athlete like a temple with constant upkeep via moving year-round. Yet she never complains no matter how grueling the endeavor is and ...
Person of the Week • Published Mar 06, 2024 08 am
By Aaron Rubin
Amy Scholz heads the East Shore District Health Department’s Environmental Health Division, looking after food safety, water and septic quality, and overall quality control of the federal Food Code. Photo courtesy of Amy Schloz
Person of the Week • Published Feb 27, 2024 11 am
By John Lecardo
Sam Gott looks at the world of competitive running and track through the prism of stress and anxiety relief, along with constructing connections. He has utilized that ess...
Person of the Week • Published Feb 21, 2024 08 am
By Pam Johnson
Kevin Halloran is shown here with wife, Pamela, and their two children, Ryan and Shannon, during his swearing in as North Branford Police Chief in 2019. After five years of exceptional North Branford police leadership, Halloran has retired from the role, completing a 35-year career in policing. Halloran also served as Branford Police Chief for eight years during a 30 year-career in Branford.
Person of the Week • Published Feb 07, 2024 08 am
By Ben Rayner
Hunter Mayhew lost his best friend, Joe Deane, as a result of fentanyl poisoning in 2018. The North Branford resident has since dedicated himself to helping people who struggle with addiction.
Person of the Week • Published Jan 31, 2024 08 am
By Pam Johnson
From North Branford to Guilford, by way of Darien, former North Branford Parks and Recreation and Seniors Director Pamela “Pam” Gery is rounding out her exceptional career as she begins her new role as Guilford’s Parks and Recreation and Senior Center director.
Person of the Week • Published Jan 30, 2024 12 am
By John Lecardo
When it comes to raising his spirits and his game in the midst of competition, few will surpass Jack O’Brien. In terms of hustle, effort, and drive to leave no stone untu...
Person of the Week • Published Jan 17, 2024 01 pm
By Pam Johnson
By putting in the hard work after her day’s work as general manager of North Branford’s McDonald's restaurant, Janet Stanley earned her associates degree, with highest honors, in less than two years’ time.
Person of the Week • Published Jan 16, 2024 11 am
By John Lecardo
Joy Deng only just recently got into the sport of fencing upon her arrival into the Nutmeg State. Yet she has certainly made up for lost time, while grasping the essentia...
Person of the Week • Published Jan 10, 2024 08 am
By Pam Johnson
Around the same time that November’s cold days and nights began piling up, Branford resident Amy Rosen came up with a great idea to support local senior citizens. In a sn...
Person of the Week • Published Jan 09, 2024 11 am
By John Lecardo
The frenetic pace of the game of basketball works Emma Preiss up into a frenzy, and truly houses the source of her passion for the court. She loves the sport, along with ...
Person of the Week • Published Dec 20, 2023 07 am
By Pam Johnson
Whether in person or in the form of a familiar, pony-tailed caricature, Earl Norwood of Country Paint and Hardware may be one of North Branford’s best-known and most appr...
Person of the Week • Published Nov 22, 2023 08 am
By Pam Johnson
Diana Caty is a co-founder of non-profit Traveling Toys Inc., which funds and creates toy libraries by partnering with local libraries in high ALICE population communities. Photo courtesy Diana Caty
Person of the Week • Published Nov 21, 2023 02 pm
By John Lecardo
Camaraderie among a unit of players, or an entire team on a bigger front, can draw attraction to the game of football in many young athletes. Tommy Hansen falls under tha...
Person of the Week • Published Nov 09, 2023 08 am
By Pam Johnson
By capturing images of children and adults in daily life in Asia, Africa, and South America, Branford photographer Alice Laurenson offers a stunning display of the univer...
Person of the Week • Published Oct 31, 2023 12 pm
By John Lecardo
Alyssa Kendrick came into learning the sport of field hockey under the umbrella of one of the state’s most prestigious programs in the sport at North Branford High School...
Person of the Week • Published Oct 31, 2023 12 pm
By Aaron Rubin
Volunteering has always been a part of Mary Amter’s life, and food was a fixture in that work. Even during her involvement with the Parent Teacher Organization or with to...
Person of the Week • Published Oct 20, 2023 10 am
By John Lecardo
Once Reese Brigance first grasped a volleyball, it was all systems go, as she hit the ground floor running and is now quickly ascending up the ranks as a resounding rooki...
Person of the Week • Published Oct 11, 2023 09 am
By John Lecardo
Friendship has been the biggest conveyor for Aiden Hutchinson when it comes to him becoming connected with a sport, and so it is almost fitting that when it comes full ci...
Person of the Week • Published Oct 11, 2023 09 am
By Pam Johnson
Now that she’s launched her debut record at age 56, Laurie Kenney is ready to meet her next challenge: performing live. She’s set to take the stage for the very first tim...
Person of the Week • Published Oct 06, 2023 08 am
By John Lecardo
Whether it is gliding across the dance floor, or maneuvering herself around the volleyball court, Sam Melillo has always been fast on her feet, and is setting the North B...
Person of the Week • Published Oct 03, 2023 12 pm
By Pam Johnson
Saturday, Oct. 14 at Guilford Fairgrounds
Gather your family and friends: from donkey rides, a petting zoo, and touch-a-truck to live music and festive food and drin...
Person of the Week • Published Sep 29, 2023 07 am
By Pam Johnson
Call it the luck of the Irish — or, in this case, a love of everything Irish — for Bernadette Canning, the 2024 Grand Marshal of the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day P...
Person of the Week • Published Sep 22, 2023 08 am
By Pam Johnson
As a Community Dining Room (CDR) board member, John Allen brings a lot to the table, including his dedication to helping CDR incorporate more nutritional, plant-based mea...
