Monday, April 19, 2021
Harbor News Person of the Week
The Sound
A Vaccine Hunter and Angel: Izzo Assists His Community and Beyond
Published April 14, 2021 08:30 a.m.When 16-year-old Luke Izzo first joined the New York/Connecticut Vaccine Hunters and Angels Facebook group to see if he could help others, his efforts got noticed.
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Otis Shares ‘A Treasure of Beauty’ with Your Java
Published April 07, 2021 08:30 a.m.When you’ve visited dozens of national parks and many more state and local gems—and photographed them all—figuring out how to represent the lot in six pictures might sound like an impossible task. Somehow, photographer Peter Otis, who also regularly puts his talent on loan to assist his church, Branford’s Trinity Episcopal, has managed to do just that.
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Tania Abbatello: Merging Biology and a Business Background
Published March 31, 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. Since then, Tania’s involvement with various organizations has increased as she seeks to improve her new hometown of Clinton as well as the state.
The Sound
‘Plant it and They Will Come:’ Trecoske Will Share Ways to Support Native Bees
Published March 24, 2021 08:30 a.m.Have you heard the buzz? The earliest of the area’s native bees, that fuzzy bumble bee, will be headed to your backyard soon—and it’s one of 340 native bee species in Connecticut that needs your help to survive.
The Sound
Potocsky Puts His Art and Heart into Creating the ‘Clara Barton Red Heart Medal’
Published March 17, 2021 08:30 a.m.In the heart of the pandemic last spring, artist Marc Potocsky was praying for inspiration to find a way to honor the brave men and women healthcare workers putting their lives on the line to help others. His prayers were answered with an image he quickly captured on canvas.
The Sound
Branford Elks Recognize Flanigan as Veteran of the Year and For His Service to Town
Published March 10, 2021 08:30 a.m.With decades of service to veterans, his community in Branford, and in the military, Dennis Flanigan was selected to receive the Branford Elks’ Lodge #1939 Veteran of the Year Award.
The Sound
Many Milestones with Co. 9 for Newly-Retired Captain Mike Mullen
Published March 03, 2021 08:30 a.m.Mike Mullen was 16 years old when he joined up with Indian Neck Volunteer Fire Co. 9 in 1974, and for a pretty good reason: His dad, the late Peter Mullen, captained Co. 9 at the time (and went on to serve as Branford’s fire chief, for many years, in the years the followed).
The Sound
Cynthia’s Flower Shop Keeps Contributing to the Community
Published Feb. 24, 2021 08:30 a.m.Contributing to the community has been a constant theme at Cynthia’s Flower Shop since owner Cynthia Purcell first opened her Branford business in 1992
The Sound
A Well-Deserved Curtain Call for Cindy Genzano
Published Feb. 17, 2021 08:30 a.m.Cindy Genzano led the expansion and success of the North Branford High School (NBHS) drama program for more than 36 years, until a pandemic scene stealer brought down the curtain—and dimmed the lights on the opportunity for Cindy’s fans and friends to congratulate her and send her off on her retirement with a well-deserved curtain call.
The Sound
Karen Miller: Knowing Her Values and Living Them
Published Feb. 10, 2021 08:30 a.m.Growing up, Karen Miller lived in a multifamily house with her cousins. The older cousin was a nurse and Karen admired her.
The Sound
Whelan’s Volunteer ‘Drive’ Helps CDR
Published Feb. 03, 2021 08:30 a.m.When it comes to volunteering to drive meals to the homebound for Community Dining Room (CDR), you might say Leo Whelan is “driven” to help—and that he learned from the best: CDR Home Delivery founder Betsy Klarman, for whom the program was named, posthumously, in 2019.
The Sound
Baby Dolls and Beyond: Ford Makes Connections to Help Others
Published Jan. 27, 2021 08:30 a.m.As a member of Branford social media group #Volunteer-ItsWhatWeDo and through her own efforts to help others during the pandemic, Jackie Ford found a way to bring baby dolls, comfort, and joy to non-profit Orchard House Medical Adult Day Center in Branford.
The Sound
‘Waking Up White’ Author Debby Irving Kicks Off Blackstone’s ‘Awakening to Change’ Series
Published Jan. 20, 2021 08:30 a.m.“I was age 48 when I started really waking up. How did I go half a century like that?” asks racial justice educator and writer Debby Irving, author of the award winning book, Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race.
The Sound
Living the American Dream, With Help from SAE
Published Jan. 13, 2021 08:30 a.m.It took five years, a lot of work and determination, and some very valuable help from free programs of Shoreline Adult Education (SAE), but Branford’s Antonio Villanueva has now achieved his dream of learning to speak English, becoming an American citizen, and voting, for the very first time, in the November 2020 U.S. presidential election.
The Source
Eder Shares Shoreline Arts Trail ‘20 Virtual Open Studios
Published Dec. 23, 2020 08:30 a.m.With enthusiastic assistance from artist Eileen Eder, Shoreline Arts Trail (SAT) ‘20 Virtual Open Studios is currently at the fingertips of art lovers as an online gallery sharing unique works to view and purchase now through Thursday, Dec. 31 at shorelineartstrail.com.
The Sound
Piascyk Headed Up a Decade of Safety for NBPS
Published Dec. 16, 2020 08:30 a.m.Eight years ago this week, on Dec. 14, 2012, a single gunman killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.
The Sound
‘Happy Holidays from Sal Anastasio’ CD Benefits Local Causes
Published Dec. 09, 2020 08:30 a.m.This time of year, Sal Anastasio is usually the man behind the music that lights up holiday gatherings for seniors and many others across the shoreline
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Kovi Helps ‘Harbor Lights’ Return to Branford Dec. 19
Published Dec. 02, 2020 08:30 a.m.“The feeling that night in the air, so to speak, was really remarkable,” says Rob Kovi. “We’ve talked about it since. It was, ‘Is this a Hallmark movie? Are we living in a Hallmark movie somewhere?’”
The Sound
Valerie Hansen: Going Someplace?
Published Nov. 25, 2020 08:30 a.m.One thousand years ago, adventurous people could do something that has become increasingly difficult in the age of COVID: They could travel, and travel far.
The Sound
It’s in the Bag: Creative Support for ‘Soup for Good TO GO’
Published Nov. 18, 2020 08:30 a.m.“It’s a beloved event that’s reinvented for this year, and we hope that its equally beloved this way,” says Amy Peters of Guilford Art Center’s (GAC) Soup for Good TO GO, set for Sunday, Dec. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m. at GAC.
The Sound
From Branford to East Haven: DelRosso Puts Her Experience to Work
Published Nov. 11, 2020 08:30 a.m.When Anna DelRosso retired as the Town of Branford’s assistant tax collector in February, she’d had big plans for her year. She and her husband, Cosmo, who were both born in Italy, had planned to spend much of the year exploring their birth country, but…COVID.
The Sound
A Year of Firsts for SAIL LAST
Published Nov. 04, 2020 08:30 a.m.You could say 2020 has been a year of firsts for member-supported, non-profit SAIL LAST. With its first boat, a donated Henderson 30, SAIL LAST capped a summer’s worth of keelboat racing with Branford’s Around the Buoys with the wind in their sails and high expectations for the future.
The Sound
Helping BACA Open ‘The Painted Doors of Branford’
Published Oct. 28, 2020 08:30 a.m.“Branford, art, and Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance are gifts I already receive daily, teaching in an innate gift that I thrive on.”
The Sound
DeJoseph Assists on the Fundraising Forefront to Help CRD
Published Oct. 21, 2020 08:30 a.m.In a year when most fundraisers have been canceled or otherwise compromised by COVID-19, Lynn DeJoseph helped raise more than $330,000 over two days in Branford to benefit the cutting edge research supported by non-profit Cure Rare Disease (CRD).
The Sound
Baltay Uncovers 'A Steamy Affair with a Pressure Cooker: Recipes, Stories & Saucy Suggestions'
Published Oct. 14, 2020 08:30 a.m.'When you mention the word ‘pressure cooker,’ people really turn off. But if you talk about in a saucy way, they get a kick out of it,' says Virginia 'Ginny'Baltay.
The Sound
NBPD’s Sgt. Madoule Retires to Head Up NBPS School Security
Published Oct. 07, 2020 08:30 a.m.After 25 years on the force, North Branford Police Sergeant David Madoule retired on Friday, Oct. 2—but he only took the weekend off.
The Sound
Sylvia Curcio Loves Giving Back to Family and Community
Published Sep. 30, 2020 08:30 a.m.Though Sylvia Curcio grew up in Canada and lived in Michigan with her husband, they have called the Connecticut shoreline home for more than three decades.
The Sound
Heffernan Completes a Remarkable 32 Years Tied to BFD
Published Sep. 23, 2020 08:30 a.m.Shaun Heffernan was still in Branford High School (BHS) when he went over to the Indian Neck firehouse and signed up with Volunteer Company No. 9. On Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, Branford Fire Department (BFD) and the Town of Branford recognized BFD Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal Shaun Heffernan upon retiring from a remarkable 32 years tied to the town’s fire service.
The Sound
For Crafters and Community: Mucha Helps Organize Branford Hill Craft Fair Sept. 27
Published Sep. 16, 2020 08:30 a.m.Think about it: When was the last time you browsed a booth at a local artisan craft fair?
The Sound
Hughes Helps Tech Meet Tradition with Virtual Guilford Fair
Published Sep. 09, 2020 08:30 a.m.Send up that drone for a spectacular shot of your 500-pound pumpkin.