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Monday, April 19, 2021

Harbor News Person of the Week

The Source

Eileen Unger-Pleines has combined her concern for her community and her patience to help hundreds of people, from locals to those she’s never met, successfully get a vaccination. Photo courtesy of Eileen Unger-Pleines

Eileen Unger-Pleines Is Happy to Get You a Vaccine (If You Want)

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

Killingworth resident Eileen Unger-Pleines calls it selfishness, which to many might seem odd. After all, she’s independently volunteered hundreds of hours of her own time over the last three months repeatedly going through the arduous process of signing up for the coronavirus vaccine to help people all over the area get their shot—hardly the behavior of someone who is only thinking about herself.

The Source

As parent support counselor at Madison Youth & Family Services, Frankie Esposito is in a unique spot to help parents and kids during a unique time.

Photo courtesy of Frankie Esposito

Frankie Esposito Brings Full-Service Care to Families

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

Anyone with kids knows that the energy and time required, along with the skillset and expertise needed to raise children easily rivals many high-skilled professions.

The Source

As an alum of The Country School, Devan Cowles-Garcia felt the school could do better teaching about race and equity issues. The school agreed.

Photo courtesy of Devan Cowles-Garcia

Cowles-Garcia Retreads Activist Path at The Country School

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

It starts with the children.

The Source

As an attorney and an instrument-rated small airplane pilot, Guilford resident Jenifer Sills Yoxall has been charting new territory as one of the few local attorneys familiar with drone laws, and hopes to help others navigate some of the more important aspects of drone operation. She’s shown here with her plane on Block Island, Rhode Island during a family trip. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Sills Yoxall

Attorney Jennifer Sills Yoxall Hopes to Help Operators Navigate Drone Law

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

As an attorney and an instrument-rated small airplane pilot, Guilford resident Jenifer Sills Yoxall has been charting new territory as one of the few local attorneys familiar with drone laws, and hopes this story will help recreational and commercial drone flyers navigate current and evolving regulations and other important aspects tied to drone operation.

The Source

Killingworth physical therapist and rehab supervisor Noreen Saunders 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 17, 2021 08:30 a.m.

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

The Source

After several years serving on the Madison Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Madison beach Hotel General Manager John Mathers is preparing to step into the role of chamber president at the end of current President Rose McLaughlin’s term on July 1.

Photo courtesy of John Mathers

Meet Madison Chamber President-Elect John Mathers

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

As the promise of spring draws near and people move to outdoor activities, John Mathers, president-elect of the Madison Chamber of Commerce says, “I haven’t seen a lot of people in a while, with the whole COVID thing.”

The Source

The Town of Essex has a new head for a new Planning & Zoning Department, Carey Duques. Photo courtesy of Carey Duques

Carey Duques: Planning Ahead

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

When you are new to a job, you want to start to recognize familiar faces. Madison’s Carey Duques, however, has learned to recognize half faces.

The Source

Killingworth native Bailey Cornell recently published a children’s book, which was inspired by the story of Major, the first rescue dog in the White House.

Photo courtesy of Bailey Cornell

Creativity, ‘Corny’ Jokes, and Dogs Combine in New Children’s Book About ‘First Dog’

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

When it was announced that Joe Biden would be heading to the White House and bringing the first shelter dog, Major, along with his sibling Champ, Killingworth native Bailey Cornell was intrigued.

The Source

In a year of adjustment for everyone, Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale New Haven Health CEO Marna Borgstrom has overseen one of the most significant medical responses in a century. Photo courtesy of Marna Borgstrom

Marna Borgstrom: Heading Yale New Haven Health

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

Marna Borgstrom, the chief executive officer of Yale New Haven Hospital and of Yale New Haven Health, remembers the early days of the COVID-19 epidemic in this country.

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.

The Source

A nurse by profession, Ivette Medina has formed a community of curious outdoors enthusiasts through her Facebook page Shoreline Art Rocks. Photo courtesy of Ivette Medina

Creative an Active Community—Through Rocks

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

“There was a big sense of fear and rightfully so, because we didn’t know a lot when it started,” Ivette Medina recalls about the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the shoreline area.

The Source

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. 20, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Thayer Talbott gets to do something special at work: Give away money. Now, wait a minute; that’s not to just anyone.

The Source

Cooper Schwartz is making a difference through his socially conscious company, Hedgehog Beanies, with each sale adding up to give another cozy cap, as well as warm socks and gloves, to homeless folks enduring New England’s winter cold.

Photo courtesy of Cooper Schwartz

Heads Up: Schwartz’s Hedgehog Beanies Help the Homeless

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

In the heat of the summer, Cooper Schwartz was sweating the details on launching his socially conscious company, Hedgehog Beanies.

The Source

Captain Eva Van Camp’s U.S. Coast Guard career has taken her from the Pacific to the Deepwater Horizon response in the Gulf of Mexico and now to serving as commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard

Capt. Eva Van Camp Takes on the Hardest Jobs as Coast Guard Leader, Trailblazer

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

Strength and service. That’s what U.S. Coast Guard Captain Eva Van Camp, who oversees hundreds of miles of dangerous waters along the Connecticut and Long Island shoreline, spoke of from her New Haven office along the harbor.

The Source

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.

Photo courtesy of Eileen Eder

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 Source

Deborah Gilbert brings her appreciation of and insight into the local arts scene through her VSCTV program Arts and Entertainment with Deborah Gilbert.

Photo by Eric O’Connell/The Source

Deborah Gilbert is Celebrating the Local Arts Scene

Published Dec. 16, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Deborah Gilbert developed a love of the performing arts at an early age growing up in Madison and North Branford.

Valley Courier

In a year when a personal touch has often been missing, Margaret Morgan is ensuring those who receive a Christmas dinner from the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries also receive a gift bag intended to make an extra connection.

Photo by Rita Christopher/The Courier

Margaret Morgan: Better to Give

Published Dec. 09, 2020 08:30 a.m.

It’s the time for gifts—not only the gifts on Santa’s list but the things that come without asking: calendars in all sizes, decals from groups that recipients supported, embossed pencils from different organizations.

The Source

Whitney Lorenze is curating Future VOICES, Shoreline Arts Alliance’s (SAA) newest opportunity for artists across the spectrum and of all skills to have work with topical themes, particularly those concerning social activism and COVID-19, published on the SAA website during a three-month public exhibit, which opens Thursday, Dec. 10.

Photo courtesy of Whitney Lorenze

The Time is Right for SAA’s Future VOICES

Published Dec. 02, 2020 08:30 a.m.

With the copious gallery space of the Internet, Shoreline Arts Alliance [SAA] is working to draw artists from across the spectrum, and all levels of ability, to enter pieces inspired by today’s topical themes—from COVID to social activism—into Future VOICES.

The Source

Heather Arcovitch, senior minister at North Madison Congregational church, and her partner Barb McDaniel Black recently won the Gala of the Stars: Dancing for a Cause benefiting Raise the Roof. Photo courtesy of Heather Arcovitch

NMCC Pastor Heather Arcovitch Finds Community Connections While Dancing for a Cause for Raise the Roof

Published Nov. 25, 2020 08:30 a.m.

When Heather Arcovitch and her partner Barb McDaniel Black were nominated to participate in the Gala of The Stars: Dancing for a Cause, she was excited for many reasons, including having an opportunity to expand on the ballroom dance class she had taken years ago in college, having a fun hobby to enjoy with her partner during COVID, meeting new people as the couple had recently moved back to the shoreline, and raising money for a local non-profit that the church where she has been a minister has supported since its inceptions.

The Source

A nurse at Connecticut Hospice and longtime Madison resident, Karen Miller volunteers much of her time to the ministries of the North Madison Congregational Church.

Photo courtesy of Karen Miller

Karen Miller: Knowing Her Values and Living Them

Published Nov. 18, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Growing up, Karen Miller lived in a multifamily house with her cousins.

The Source

Guilford Art Center (GAC) volunteer, teacher, and artist Amy Peters of Madison is helping to piece together artful fabric bags that will be packed with take-out containers of soup and more for participants of Soup for Good TO GO on Sunday, Dec. 6. Peters is hard at work with her friend and co-GAC volunteer Ellen Cordes to build enough bags as a way to give a gift of art to supporters during year when COVID-19 restrictions have made some changes to the annual fundraising event. Proceeds benefit non-profit GAC and non-profit Community Dining Room of Branford. Photo courtesy of Amy Peters

It’s in the Bag: Creative Support for GAC’s Soup for Good TO GO

Published Nov. 11, 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 Source

Myla Perrelli thoroughly enjoys her job as the children’s librarian at the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library. “The most rewarding experiences I have had as a children’s librarian have been creating programs from the ground up that are service-oriented,” she says.

Photo by Maria Caulfield/The Source

Myla Perrelli: Fostering Learning in a Kid-Friendly Library

Published Nov. 04, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Here’s a fun riddle: What legumes do librarians like? Answer: Silentils.

The Source

As director of land management at The Nature Conservancy and president of the Killingworth Land Conservation Trust, David Gumbart is in his element when he is working outdoors. Photo courtesy of David Gumbart

David Gumbart Talks Conservation and Community Commitment

Published Oct. 21, 2020 08:30 a.m.

If you see David Gumbart in his element, you might find him observing an object with fascination, maybe even using a camera or some visual tool to gather evidence.

The Source

As head teacher of Circle Nursery School in Madison, Shannon Baker enjoys teaching the young children, but adds that she learns valuable lessons from them, as well. Photo courtesy of Shannon Baker

Shannon Baker Teaches and Learns the Lessons of Life

Published Oct. 14, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Play is the highest form of research—at least that’s what Albert Einstein is thought to have said. Well, if that saying is true, then Shannon Baker is immersing her young students in the best form of research.

The Source

A high school junior and Madison resident, Nick Koobatian developed and maintains tech-savvy-seniors.org, a website that seeks to teach seniors how to use technology, including email, video chats, social media, and online shopping. Photo courtesy of Nick Koobatian

Nick Koobatian: A Teen Dedicated to Helping Seniors

Published Oct. 07, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Technology is moving with lightning speed.

The Source

Working for the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Emily Shafer learned about the Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew (CIFC), a team of special firefighters who help battle wildfires across the nation. Today, the Madison resident is part of the CIFC and has been to California and Colorado to help fight the wildfires there.

Photo courtesy of Emily Shafer

Emily Shafer Blazes Her Own Trail

Published Sep. 30, 2020 08:30 a.m.

When 24-year old Emily Shafer traveled from Madison to California earlier this year, some may have assumed she was going to soak up the sun and enjoy the white-sand beaches.

The Source

An avid naturalist, martial arts black belt, and prolific author and illustrator, John Himmelman has written and illustrated 87 books, of which 83 are for children. His books contain any combination of animal characters, good-natured wit, engaging illustrations, and even martial arts humor. Photo courtesy of John Himmelman

John Himmelman: All in Good Nature

Published Sep. 23, 2020 08:30 a.m.

He’s been a cook and a carpenter. He’s a naturalist, nature photographer, and lecturer.

The Source

A wife, mother to two young children, and real estate professional, Cindy Breckheimer worked to find a solution to a childcare problem for many families by starting a fund and linking her efforts with Neighbor to Neighbor. Photo courtesy of Cindy Breckheimer

Cindy Breckheimer Talks About Homes, Families, and Childcare

Published Sep. 16, 2020 08:30 a.m.

Ask any working young parent about childcare arrangements and you’ll likely get the same answer—finding and affording reliable childcare is a constant headache.

The Source

An assistant principal at Daniel Hand High School in Madison, Brian Bodner says his career as a teacher and administrator has been “extremely rewarding.”

Photo courtesy of Brian Bodner

Brian Bodner: By Way of Education

Published Sep. 09, 2020 08:30 a.m.

After completing his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania and his master’s degree from Quinnipiac University, Brian Bodner went back to high school—well, that is, to teach students.